Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-08-05

character better than 1 do-if she be cold or
ungrateful."
"Cold-ungrateful! Edna has the warm
est heart the loveliest disposition, in the
world"
"But she shows her warmth of heart to
some more than to others-to Claribel, tor IN
stance"
Virgila's face darkened.
"Do not speak of that now" she said, in
sombre tone.
"Why not?"
because it makes me hate her, and that is
wrong"
"Ah! Well, we will not speak of her at
all, lust now. We will speak of our mar
riage. When shall it be-three weeks from
to-day?'
"You promised to let me think about it,"
$50 did; but suggest the idea, that you
may grow familiar with it by degrees. Re-
member, you are to give me a positive an
swer by the day after tomorrow"
He relinquished her hand, and rising from
his seat, moved away to the window. Vir-
gil;a sat, for few moments, engrossed IN
thought then she, too, arose and commenced
slowly to put her books together.
"Shall 60 now ?" she asked.
"Yes, it is best now. Soon the happy time
will come, sweet friend, when my home will
be yours, and we will have no need to part. "
A slight shiver ran through Virgilia's
frame. "Must I tell them about it?" she
asked, in low tone.
"Whom? Your sisters?"
"Yes-I suppose they will have to be pre-
pared"
"Assuredly-there is no need to have the af:
fair kept secret. Believe me, Virgilia, you
have nothing to be ashamed of in my love for
you-you will find me not unworthy Of yours. /"
She placed her hands in his, and looked
steadfastly at him.
II do not know if love you," she said
softly, "but I can refuse you nothing. 1t
must be, as you say, that my soul is swayed
by yours. Tell me, is this influence for good
or evil?"
A peculiar smile fitted over his face as he
drew her to him and kissed her brow. Again,
at his touch, slight, electric shiver seemed
to chill the current of her blood She felt her.
self, by some mysterious means, completely
under his control.
"rhat question: he replied, "is one which
1 leave to your own heart to answer"
Virgilia parted from him, and hastened
homeward with her brain in tumult. What
was it, this strange new phase of existence into
which she had entered? By what agency
had she lost all power over herself, and con-
sented so unquestioningly to obey the dictates
of another's will She scarcely dared think
of the compact which she had made with him.
The future lay dark and chaotic before her,
and prophetic inward voice warned her OF
dangers invisible and unknown. Yet she had
no thought of drawing back-she felt that
she was resistless to oppose the fate which was
leading her on.
She was resolved to take advantage Of the
first favorable opportunity to tell Edna of her
engagement, and that very evening, finding
her alone in the parlor, she ventured to broach
the subject.
II have a piece of news for you, Edna, y
she commenced, trying to speak in an indiffer-
ent tone. 81 am going to be more candid
with you, than you have been with me"
Edna raised her pale, sad face.
"How have been uncandid, Virgilia !"
ooh! well-in not telling me of the state
of affairs but it does not matter-I suppose
you thought would find it out by intuition.
I am going to repay you good for evil, and
make you my confdante. I am going to be
married.
"Marriedw echoed Edna, in astonishment
''To whom p
"To Mr.. Holdweg."
Had the earth opened at Edna's feet, she
could scarcely have been more surprised
For the moment, her own troubles vanished
from her mind, in the shock which this dis.
closure gave her.
"Virgilia |" she exclaimed, in dia"ay'
"You cannot be in earnest. 1t is preposter.
ousw
"Why so? You know nothing against
him."
"Say, rather, I know nothing about him ;
you do not, either-nobody here does. Oh
Virgila, what possible attraction can you find
in such a man p
"He is very good man; very clever, very
learned, and-and-of excellent family"
allow do you know that?"
"From himself His name ranks high in
his own country
"And you take his word for it But put
ting that aside, 1 do not see the smallest
chance Of happiness for you in such union. :"
"Bc that as it may, I have accepted him
and am to be married in three weeks"
Edna rose from her seat, with look OF
much emotion.
"My dear sister, it cannot-must not be!'
she cried, earnestly. Indeed, you cannot suf-
ficiently have considered! 1t would be the
rashest act ever heard Of A stranger-per.
haps mere adventurer-a person utterly un'
known, except as far as the merest acquain-
tanceship goes, to every one here How can
you tell what his character may be? You
would be running fearful risk"
81 am not afraid" calmly rejoined Virgilia.
"My mind is quite made up on the subject,
and fear 1 must carry out my intention,
Edna, whether you approve or not"
Edna was silent for a moment; then ap,
preaching Virgiia she took her hand.
"Virgilia, I entreat you to listen to me! l