Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-12-09

WV
top ola precipice into fathomless abyss, and
knew nothing more.
CHAPTER XIX.
THE SECRET REVEALED.
When recovered from my swoon I found
myself lying on bed in strange apartment.
Daylight was shining through the windows,
and the faint fresh scents of early morning
stole refreshingly in. l was weak and dizzy,
and scarcely able to move On opening my
eyes, l looked vaguely about, wondering where
was and what had brought me there.
At the foot of my bed sat Arthur, in an at
titude of profound melancholy. His head rest
ed on his hand, and his eyes were fixed upon
the floor. At the sight of him, keen pain
cleft my heart like two.edged sword, bring
ing restored recollection, and with it the tor
turing consciousness Of the truth.
Raising his eyes as stirred, he encounter:
ed mine, and came instantly to my side. l
moaned, and turned, shuddering from him.
"Rosamond" said his deep, reproachful
voice-reproachful, yet thrilling with ten
derness that went to my soul. He laid his
hand on mine, and l recoled as though an
adder had stung me.
"Rosamond, my wife, why do you repulse
me ?" he murmured, brokenly, as he bent over
me- II have done you no wrong-before
heaven swear it Do you not believe my
words?"
&C.," I muttered, feebly, "go away and
l., HioI If
better that I should die at once"
whats that talk about dying?" said a
strong, CHEEKY voice, and the woman in black,
who, as she appeared to me now. had kind
pleasant face, and warm, motherly air, came
bustling up to the bed. LET me talk to her
a minute, DOCTOR" she added, in low tone,
giving my husband little push on the shoul,
der. "Ill make everything right in a twink
liug-too much excitement is bad, you, know.
Do you know who am. my dear ?" she con.
tinued, to me, as DR.. Wardlaw withdrew in
obedience to her behest. you've never seen
me before, 1 think"
"No," said l, bewildered, yet yielding ire.
sistibly to sort of confidence infused into me
by her kind, re.assuring manner, and frank,
open gaze. -,
"I'm a friend of your husbands, and will
be yours if you'll let me. | have taken
charge of patient of his, for many years
That's why stay in this house."
"A patient?" echoed
Eyes. A poor unfortunate creature, my
dear, whom you'll pity, feel sure, when you
see her. But the doctors so good to her, as
he always is, to everybody, you know"
raised myself on my elbow, and looked
searchingy at her.
"Are you telling me the truth ?" asked.
'Telling you the truth! Of course am
Do 1 look as if ever told anything but the
truth?" she rejoined, patting me in friendly
way on my cheek. "But bless you, poor
child, 1 don't wonder you are suspicious Of
me. I'd feel just so in your place"
"Tell me more" said l, entreatingly.
81 think your husband ought to tell you
the rest. You'd rather him talk to you now
instead of me, wouldn't you? You must con
slider him, you know. tell you, he has suf'
fered this night-poor man !"
Her homey energetic words, seemed fraught
with selfasserting honesty and truthfulness
that penetrated even my doubt-tortured soul
and shed light upon the darkness which en-
compassed me.
"He has not suffered as I have" said I
and began to cry, weakly and helplessly
like child.
"There, there! Don't cry-now don't,
said the woman, soothingly. "I'll send the
doctor to you now he'll put everything right
Only don't you be hard on him" she added
in whisper "tor just tell you he's the best
man in the world"
She disappeared, and l had hardly time tc
wonder confusedly at the unexpected turn
which affairs seemed to have taken, when Ar
thur was again beside me.
All the old unquestioning faith, and the
love that had never died out, rushed over me
with renewed power as l yielded to his em
brace; and we were reconciled then and there
for did not need to hear any farther partic
ulars regarding bis mysterious patient, to con
vince me that had been in error, and that hi
had done nothing to merit my reproach.
"And now you must hear my story" he said
presently, when my agitation had subsidec
sufficiently for me to listen to the promised
explanation. "You have generously forgiven
me for not taking you into my confidence be
fore this, and wish to prove to you that m!
only motive was to spare you pain-or, rather
that was my first motive. To speak honestly
| l had also a dread of the effect my revelation
might have on you, in lessening your affection
for me-though am innocent of doing any
wrong, as said just now."
"Then why should it lessen my affection fo
your" asked.
"Well, perhaps did not exactly fear tina
your affection would change, so much as tina
you might have sort of repugnance to ME
on account Of the circumstances by which
was surrounded. 1t was a foolish feeling
perhaps, but could not helpi t."
"Now, you are exciting my curiosity to-
much" l exclaimed. please don't keep M
longer in suspense"
"To begin, then," he rejoined, rather nerv
ously, "Mary Burton-that's the nurse VIII
was in here just now-has told you that
: came here to visit patient of mine, whom
she has in charge, has she not ?"
"Yes."
"But she did not tell you who she was"
"No-who'is she ?"
J. II am going to startle you very much, Ross
mond She is my own daughter"
! "Your daughter {" | repeated, in amazemen