Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-02-11

her that her only remaining hope, it hope
there was, lay in the possibility of her soften
ing Leon himself, by her entreaties to be re,
leased. But had she not made him some sort
of a confession of love, and would he not hold
to that as sufficient ground for persisting in
his project? How she blamed her own weak
ness in ever allowing those words to escape her
lips As she told him afterward, she had
been so troubled and confused, and so anxious
for his safety, that she was ready to employ
almost any means to prevent his capture,
should his attack on Foley have proved ia
tai one. And her heart had in measure been
softened toward him besides, for the ardor
with which he had rushed to her defense.
But this softness had since quite vanished un-
der the influence of her indignation at his
violent mode of wooing. No degree of devo-
ton on his part could warrant his present con-
duct to her, which she felt to be selfish, un-
manly and cruel to degree; and which, in
creased tenfold the reluctance she had always
felt to the idea of becoming his wife, And
yet it appeared now as if there could be no
better fate than this in store for her.
Pondering on the difficulties of the situa-
tion, she lay long awake in the darkness OF
the night, until, just as dawn was beginning
to creep through the cabin-windows, she fell,
from sheer exhaustion, into profound sleep,
from which she was not awakened even by
the creaking of pulleys, the tramping OF feet,
and the shouting of orders, which soon after
gave notice that the vessel had started on its
southwark voyage. When she awoke, they
were under full sail, speeding along gallantly
before fair breeze, while the sun, shining
brightly on the blue water, seemed to cheer
her with smile of renewed hope, and some
what reused her from the deep dependency
into which she had sunk.
She would not go on deck, dreading to en-
counter Leon. But her endeavor to avoid him
was vain for he presently knocked at the
cabin door, and was admitted by Mrs. Antho-
ny, who Immediately retired from the scene.
"Well, Nita," he asked, taking her unwil-
ling hand, show do you find yourself this
morning?"
81 am quite WE'LL" she answered, coldly.
"And is your heart as hard to me as ever =
"It is you who are hard hearted" she re-
joined, bursting into tears. "You have taken
me from my own people, from everybody who
cares for me -"
"Nita 1 care for you more than all OF
them put together do! Why can't you be-
lieve that, and return my love-"
81 can't force my love-"
"But you have told ME already that it was
mine"
Leon, have told you that I spoke hasti'
ly-almost without thought. Can't you be
generous enough to consider that? O, Leon
have pity on me-sepd me back to uncle Dan
He must be half:crazy with anxiety about
me. Dear Leon, won't you relent and let me
go?"
Icons brow grew black as night.
"Nita," he said, with compressed lips, 81
have ouuru that you shall become my wife
Nothing shall induce me to break that oath
Marry me, and you will find no truer devotion
than mine-I will spend my life in making
you happy"
But Nita moaned and wept.
"Oh you are cruel-you are cruel !" she
sobbed, turning away from him. 81 never
thought you could use me So"
81 don't want to force you into marrying
me-" said Leon, sullenly, after pause. "lf
hadn't believed you really cared for me, and
would care for me more after while,
mightn't have gone to such length. But
wanted to make sure of you; and now the
thing is started, and shan't give it up."
"Then you will be forcing me; and yet you
say you don't want to do that"
Il would prefer, of course, that you should
marry me willingly. You must know that
without being told. But if I can't get you
that way, l must take you as I find you. I'll
make you care for me, after while-see if
DON'T"
"That will be impossible" said Nita.
"Impossible! You will see whether it is i'm
possible" He came suddenly nearer to her
and finging himself at her feet, caught thesk
of her dress in his hand. "Nita-Nita J" he
cried imploringly. "Listen to me-my owr
little Nita have pity on me! If you scorn
me I shall die! You don't know all that is
in my heart OH Nita, I have so lived upon
the hope of your love. longed many time
to tell how dearly I loved you, and was afraid
and when you told me that day that you did
care for me, was half mad with happiness to
think hadn't hoped in vain. l had made
up my mind to go and dig for gold, and get
a fortune that way; and thought surely il
you were fond of me you'd be willing to 60
too. So laid all my plans and watched for
a chance to see you, as you know. | couldn't
come forward openly, because l didn't wish
any one to know was there. I was afraid OF
being arrested, and having my plans spoiled
that way. And now, if you would only give
in, everything would be so easy This schoon
er goes to Charleston. I didn't care about
going there, but couldn't make any other
plan; and when we get there we can be mar.
ried, and then start for the West-or for Aus
tralia, perhaps. And when we get there
Oh Nita, I'll make you such happy home
I'll never let you know sad day, or minutes
want. III be your slave, Nita, to serve you
night and day.
"I don't want you to be my slave" said
Nita, moved by his passionate pleading, and
the tremulous eagerness of his manner, into a
kindlier feeling toward him, and touching his
shoulder with her hand, as she spoke. 81
want you to be my friend, Leon, and grant