Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-10-21

took it up, and saw that it was addressed
to nv father, in DR.. Wardlaw's handwriting.
Involuntarily changed color, and my heart
began to beat faster. The sight Of it instantly
revived the feelings and associations which
had held such powerful sway over me before
they had been distracted by change of
scene.
Idrew the letter from the envelope, and an
enclosure, with the seal unbroken, fell out.
To my surprise, I saw that this was addressed
| to me.
1 was about to open it, when my father in
terfered. Read mine 6rst," he said.
Trembling, without knowing why, COM
menced at the top of the page, and ran my
eye hastily over the contents. But that brief
glance almost took away by breath.
Papa, who had been steadfastly watching
me, now rose abruptly and moved away to
the window, as if TO give me an opportunity
to collect my thoughts
Mastering, with an effort, the confusion and
agitation which overpowered me, commenced
the letter again, and slowly re.read it, word
for word. 1t was as follows:
"SLEErY Hollow, UNION DIST, Aug. 20, ls-.
| "CuAs LAMBERT, Eso.-My Dear Sir :+1t is
not without serious reflection, anda careful con-
sideration Of fthe possible results of the step l am
about to take, that venture to address you THESE
| lines. -,.
to you is one which will doubtless excite your
surprise it is that of suitor for your daughter
hand. 49,.
I owe it to you to lay my heart open on this
subject to gou, before seeking more direct COM
municaton with her. know not whether my
suit will meet with your appreciation; and
should ill requite your kindness If did not alo"
you All opportunity of expressing your sentiment
in regard to it, by which, for the present at least,
1 shall feel bound to abide. You can therefore
use your own discretion in giving her the en-,
closed. I am quite aware that there are seVerai
apparent obstacles in the way OF my success not
| the least weighty of which is the discrepancy o1
wears between your daughter and myself. am
still youthful enough, however, to cherish Tor her
an affection as ardent and true as even you
could think worthy other pure and innocent heart.
Should that heart be given into my keeping, II
shall be guarded as the dearest treasure or my
| ife Another objection which may naturally pre-
sent itself to your mind, is the comparatively
brief period Of our acqnantanccshlp when mas
given yOu fear, too insufficient an opportunity
| Of forming an estimate ofmy character. TO thls
I can only reply that will cheerfully submit to
any probation, oftime or circumstance, when you
may see fit to impose upon me; for, difhcult az
it would be to me to endure long suspense or ae'
! law would consider no sacrifice OF my own IN
clnations too great, which could lead to the at
tainment of my desires, and procure for me 70
inestimable boon.
"If were to write volumes, I do not know that
I could better my cause, or more clearly impress
| npOn Won the state of nv feelings. DO not en-
treat you, rashy decide against me, but give my
proposal at least the advantage of careful dello
| Grafton, before you crush me by refusal. Let
me place my fate in your daughters hands and
learn from her whether I am doomed To an IL
supportable disappointment and grief, or account
ed worthy Of blessing which 1t shall be my ll1e'
long endeavor to deserve.
"Awaiting your reply with the utmost anxiety
'0''"'"' O'A' ''' ARTHUR wARpLAw."
AS I finished the letter, looked up, my
cheeks glowing and my bosom heaving, to
meet papa's eye. He was not looking toward
me, however; but kept his gaze immoveably
directed out of the window.
Papa" whispered, tremulously.
He turned round.
"May read the enclosure?"
"You may" he replied, in a low tone.
1 took it up-looked at it-lingered tremb
lingly over the seal-and finally mustered
courage to break it. But l felt that l could
not read it in the presence of another. l rose
to go, pressing it to my breast, as if to keeE
it safe from any touch or glance but mine.
Il will come back, directly" | faltered, be-
low my breath and like an arrow from a bow
I fled to my own room.
What that letter said. will not here trans
crbe Enough, that it breathed devotion
sufficiently earnest to satisfy even the demands
of my young, untried, romantic heart; that
filled me with joy purer and more complete
than had ever known and that on finishing
its perusal, bowed my needless head, in the
silent uttering of thanksgiving too deep fol
words.
But my father was awaiting me, and fell
that must at once return to him. [ put my
letter in safe place, and making an effort te
compose my agitated face, again sought the
library. He had left the window, and was
now sitting in deep chair, supporting hi
forehead on his hand. [ ran to him, ano
kneelng on the floor, casped my arms about
his neck, and hid my face on his shoulder.
He sat motionless in my embrace, and
could feel his breast heaving, as if with strong
: ly suppressed emotion. At last, in scarcely
audible tone, he uttered single word OF in
quiry.
"Well%
"Papa! dear papa am so happyv
My father abruptly detached my hold from
his neck, and putting me little way from
him, gave me searching, prolonged glance
Never shall l forget the intensity of tina
look, seeming as it did to pierce my very soul
"Rosamond do you love him 7?
"Yesw
The answer came warmly, unhesitatinglJ
from the depths of my heart My fathe
dropped my arm, which he had clasped ane
turning from me, covered his eyes again witt
his hand, while tremor seemed to rur
through his frame. was frig ghtened at hi
strange manner, and felt as if hardly dareo
break the silence his example seemed to i'm
pose on me. But the suspense soon became
unendurable, and felt that must get hin
to speak, at any COST
"Papa," faltered; "won't you say some
thing to me?"
"What shall say, child ?" he replied in
hard, changed voice. "You have made you1
choice it would avail little for me to oppose
it now"
"To oppose itr' echoed, alarmed. "Oh
papa! do you mean-do you not approve
Listen to me-" he rel Joined, meeting my
imploring gaze. "Since you desire it, vii
sneak to you-it is best that there should bt
no misunderstanding between US on this sub
icct. 1t is one which, God knows, / woult
gladly have averted, for many years to come
wish you to feel that you are free to act al
YOU choose-I do not bias your inclination
in any way. But you must not expect any
rejoicing on my part, at blow which falls 81
heavily upon me as this"
"a blow, papa ?"
II said blow. Does it seem such strang'
thing to you, Rosamond, that it comes hare
, to me to find myself supplanted in my child'
affection by Stranger?