Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-06-03

"Very we'll, Miss Prudence; but you Will
find that am true prophet, for all that"
CHAPTER III.
Let US now follow Edmonia to her own
room, whittier she had retired to acqualnt
herself, in private, with the contents OF the
epistle which caused so much curiosity and
speculation in the family circle.
With trembling fingers she broke the seal
large red seal with crest on it-and with
eager eyes and beating heart perused the fol-
lowing lines:
NAPLES, May Goth, 1s-
"MY DEAR EDMoN1A: GAS am on the eve of
returning to my native land, I cannot forbear
writing to you, as one friend who am sure Will
extend kind welcome to me, after my long ana
enforced absence. The cause for this absence mas
been lately removed in the death of my aunt, OF
whom as you are aware, l have had the entire
care for the past ten years. Her intirmity and
sufferings have made this service very painful
especially during the latter hom momtns o. fat hgr
fully to discharge the duty 80 solemnly entrusted
to ME- by one who had the highest earthly claim
to my obedience and respect My poor aunt,
think, appreciated my care, and was always Kind
>N'>b
and although cannot deny that her aifiction was
a very heavy burden upon me, yet speak sin.
cerely when say that feel lonely ana sorrowlul
now that my accustomed responsibility Is gone.
"My thoughts turn longingly now toward my
old home and those from whom parted so long
ago. 1 would fain hope that the joy anticipate
in reunion with my friends will be equally
shared by them-by yoW especially, on Whom my
remembrance has ever atfectionately rested, re-
calling the many happy days we have spent to,
gether in "aud lang syne." Dare look 1or"ard
to a renewal OF that pleasant intercourse, or must
I prepare myself to find change? NO, cannot
associate the idea of change with you; remem-
Der YOU so calm, so consistent so true always
moving in holy and tranquil atmosphere, and
following unswervingly the dictates OF your own
pure heart; and think that no lapse OF years
could make YOU otherwise than you were, or
create codness and estrangement between your,
self and any one who once had the happiness OF
possessing your friendship and esteem.
"Prompted by this belief to write you this as
surance ofmy own unatered regard, and IN inc
hope of speedy reunion, remain, dear Edmo-
"Ever faithfully and affectonately yours,
"HUGH THORNTON"
"P. s. "Ifnothing prevents shall sail on the
I'd of June, in the Adriatic so you may look X for
me very soon. n. L.
As Edmonia read this letter. her face be-
came illuminated with tremulous radiance,
born of some great inward joy that stirred
her soul. Twice did her eyes devour the
contents of the two clearly.written pages,
from beginning to end, at first with feverish
rapidity, but dwelling the second time care
fully on every word, as if to impress its full
est significance upon her mind ; then, with
clasped hands and bowed forehead she MUIR
INJURED, in thrilling tones,
"At last-at last! Father, how shall l
thank Thee for Thy goodness 2"
An hour later, Claribel, who was passing
along the entry, heard her name softly utter.
ed, and, turning, saw Edmonia looking out
of her chamber door.
"Come in here, Clarie," she said, as her
younger sister approached, in tone which
the latter could not but feel was significant Of
something unusual and important. 81 want
to talk to you little"
| Claribel marvelled, as she obeyed the re-
quest, at the rosy flush which mantled her
sisters usually pale cheek, and the nnwonted
brightness of her eyes, and not unnaturally
connected these evidences of excitement with
the arrival of the foreign letter. Edmonia
Immediately produced the document in ques-
ton, and gave it to her read.
"Well !" said Clarbe, smiling, when she
had finished, and looking little puzzled at
the same time. "Is this good news for you,
Edna?"
"It is very good-very pleasant news" re-
piled Edna, striving to speak calmly, and to
look as if she felt uncopcerned. "Do you
recollect Mr.. Thornton, Clarie ?"
"Not very well-indeed, scarcely at all, -
was Claribel's rejoinder. "You know l was
very young when he went away. Are you
and he very dear friendsP"
"Does this letter say that we are?"
81 think it implies it-he writes in tone
of more than ordinary friendship. Dear
Edna, am right? Isn't there something spe-
cial between you and him?"
"No, there is nothing nothing, at least, in
the way that / think you mean. We are
very old friends s-and, Carie-it might once
have been"
"What might have been, dear?"
"Our friendship might have grown into
something more, my dear" said Edna, speak
ing hurriedly, and turning away her head
"He liked me very much, then-more than
any one, beieve-but circumstances over
which neither of us had any control occurred
to separate US. He was forced to leave home ;
and 80 it all came to an end"
"Why was he forced to go?
"Don't you remember2 Haven't you heard
all about his unsel6shness-h noble devotion
to his insane aunt-who could not endure him
to be away from her%
II have heard so little about him-you
never told me, you know. Tell me now,
Edna, won't you? should like so much to
hear all about him, since you-since he is
your friend"
"He is coming home so soon-and l want
you to appreciate him as he deserves. I
don't know whether he is changed now, or
whether he will do himself justice. He has
been very noble You know he was left an
orphan when he was child, and his uncle
and aunt took him, and brought him up as
their own son. He was otherwise quite un-
provided for, and they educated him, and did
everything for him. He always felt that they
had strong claim on his gratitude, and he
was, besides, really very fond of them both.
So when Mrs. Thornton, his aunt, got into
this state"
"What sort of state?"
"Why, she lost her mind and she had cpl
lensv T helieve mr. somethinp of the kind-at