Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-08-26

"I was about to say that the weather, in
consideration ofyour recent indispostion, was
sufficient excuse for your remaining away
It is my will that you remain at home
Every WE'LL" passively rejoined Virgilia
II will do as you say, of course"
"Ofcourse," he echoed, with lurking sneer
in his tone. She went on with her sewing
and he continued to regard her in silence foz
a little while.
"Put that down." he said presently. 81
want you to give me your undivided atten'
tion."
She laid aside the work, as unquestioningly
as she had taken it up.
He drew chair in front Of her, and sat
down.
"Give me your hands," he continued, ex'
tending his own. AS she obeyed him, she
grew shade paler, and slight shudder pass
ed over her.
"Not now, Louis" she said falteringly, as
he fixed his eyes upon her. II am weak to-
day."
"Strength is born of weakness" he replied,
fixing his searching gaze upon her face, and
clasping her hands more closely in his own.
"Look into my eyes!"
A quarter of an hour passed in perfect ST.
lence, during which Virgilia sat as motionless
as bird charmed by snake. Gradually a
rigid look stole over her face; the natural
pallor of her skin faded into livid hue, even
to her lips; her eyes closed, her breathing was
imperceptible-she presented the outward as
pect of a corpse
Perceiving that the result which he had de-
sired was achieved, Mr.. Holdweg released his
hold of her hands, and presently going to a
secretary which stood near, brought from
thence paper, pens and ink, and set them on
a table before her.
"Virgilia," he said in commanding tone,
81 wish you to write"
"What must I write ?" she questioned in re-
turn.
"a letter. Here, first write on this slip of
paper what shall dictate to you"
He placed the pen in her passive fingers,
having dipped it in the ink, and dictated some
trihing sentences. At first her handwriting
was unsteady and scarcely legible, but SEEM
ing to gather 6rmness as she went on, it glad-
ually became clearer and more regular, until
it had attained its ordinary distinctness.
Then he substituted sheet of letter. paperfor
the narrow slip, and after musing for few
moments with a thoughtful brow, resumed his
dictation.
"My dear Edna"
Virgilia started slightly, and hesitated.
"Why do you not 60 on :" he asked.
"Must l write to Edna? Cannot | talk to
her instead? %
"No, you cannot. Do not waste time l
am waiting"
She made no farther objection, but wrote
as he desired.
"MY DEAR EDNA Il have communication
ofsome Importance to make to you, which have
revealed to no one, not even my husband. In
deed, feel Il delicacy in speaking to him on the
subect for though he, ofcourse, possesses my en-
tire confidence in every matter which concerns
myself alone, am aware that the facts ofhls haV-
ing so recently entered the family, and OF your
comuarativey slight knowledge OIL him, are bar
rierS, as yet to the existence OF complete unre-
serve between yourselves and him.
''What now have to tell you, relates to Claribel.
IT is n,y belief that she has U0tun1fty tt home, TO
escape marriage with Hugh Thornton. VI this
have no positive proof; but will give you my
reasons for the statement, and you may, if you
please, deduce your own conclusions from them.
II do not really think, that from the very first,
Clare loved Hugh as devotedly as you thought
she did. In this may be mistaken; but, at all
events, her love for him, if it did ever exist, has
suffered transformation into suspicion and dis
like. Sheis, as you know, not very communities
tive with me-from some cause or other she re-
CARDS me with coldness, and seldom makes any
advances to me; but on the evening OF Dolly 8
marriage, when l was with her alone, for short
time, in her room, she spoke with more frankness
than usual, and could perceive that she was Ia
boring undera considerable degree Of excitement.
She limited at some wrong doing of Hugh's, which
had altered her opinion of him, and said she was
very unhappy, and longed to get away some-
where, where she might reflect at leisure, and
without interruption, on the course she ought to
pursue. I asked her to come to us, but she re-
fused, saying that if she made change it must
be to a greater distance from home. When
spoke Of her intended marriage, she shuddered
at the allusiOn, with an aversion she could not
conceal. She turned aside, and heard her muir
muir "In nfatuated that have been y in a tone OF
forget my presence, but when she recovered her
self she resumed her usual tone and evidently
feared having betrayed more than she had intend
ed Perhaps you may have noticed that she ap-
peared during the whole evening, very abstract
ed and melancholy. Indeed, have thought her
looking unhappy for some time past
'Now, my dear Edna, have thought it only
right to let you know these facts. You will,
dare say, be quite as much startled as was when
the suspicion of her real feelings first dawncd
upon me. l cannot by anymeans, guess at her
motive for concealment in the matter-l 90 not
see why she should not atonce openly declare her
objection to marrying Hugh, If such objection
really exists; unless, indeed, she wishes TO use
her present engagement as 4 veil to cover some
secret preference-She may love another, and lear
that you may not sanction her love. This IS the
only clue that presents itself to my mind to al
explanation other strange conduct. 1t affords me
much pain to attribute any but the most upright
and truthful intentions to one who stands i'll so
near relation to me-but what can think
There is certainly Il mystery about her conduct
which it is hard to fathom.
"I am quite aware that in writing this to you,
I am laying myself open to the imputation OF
jealousy and dislike of my youngest sister--since
she has always occupied much higher place in
your affection and esteem than I have ever had
the happiness of enjoying. But | am, ! trust,
above the baseness Of detracting ones merits for
the qualification of personal feelings. Moreover
l can trnthfully assert that such feelings do not
exist in my heart ! am content, since it must be
so, to take the lowest place in your regard and
since the blessing of my husbands love is mine,
can the more resgnedly submit to coldness and
Indifference from others.
81 have felt very unwel lately, and have deem
ed it most prudent to remain quietly at home.
My nervous system is greatly affected, and my
husband, who is something OLA physician, pre-
scribes entire freedom from excitement Of any
kind. l have therefore snatched an opportunity
during his absence to pen this hurried scrawl,
which cannot delay sending you any longer.
Leaving you to make what use you please OF its
contents, l remain as ever,
"Yollr at1ectionatc sister,
"NIKGIIIA."
"Oh how tired am" said Virgilia plain