Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-05-20
Often in the silent hours of the night, o

yearnlng 1Or some tldlngS OF MS Wellare. 11au
he thus far came unscathed through the fiery
ordeal in which so many had perished? Or
had he, too, fallen victim on some bloody
field, or in the crowded wards of some dismal
hospital? Many and earnest were the pray
ers she offered up in his behalf And how
strange and sad it seemed, that even while
she prayed, she knew not in what part of the
country he might be situated, or whether, in-
deed, his very existence might not be only
fond dream of her own! So great was the
gulf between the present, and those past years
in which she had called herself his sister, that
she could hardly realize that the memory of
them and her soiourn in the old house at
Berry Farm, was not all dream. Her very
name was changed; and so complete had
been her success in her effort to cut Oft all in
tercourse between them, that she could not
help wondering, sadly sometimes, whether he
ever bestowed one affectonate remembrance
upon her, or whether, indeed, he ever thought
of her at all. ,
AS the days passed on, and still no tidngs
of Gervais were received, Mrs. Delatour's
anxiety increased ; and Alice was sadly trou.
bled to see how pale and worn she looked,
and how her spirits dropped more and more,
until no efforts of her own seemed of any avail
to cheer her.
One evening as they we're sitting in the
freight in the parlor candles were luxury
only indulg ged in when there was some special
work OH hand) there was hurried knocking at
the door, and the little son Of a lady who lived
in the village made his appearance.
"Come in, Freddy, and warm yourself" said
Alice as she held open the door, You must
be very cold, are you not?'
"No, ma am, thank you; I'm in hurry,
Miss Marion" said the boy lowering his voice,
as he glanced toward the parlor, mamma
sent me over with this letter; got it at the
postoAice, and as it's marked immediate she
told me to fetch it over at once am afraid
it's been in the Office some days"
Alice took the letter, with feeling Of ap-
prehension. 1t was directed to Mrs. Della
tour in hand she did not know; the post
mark was Richmond.
81 am much obliged to you, Freddy; it
was very kind in you to bring it," she replied.
81 am sorry it has been delayed-there must
have been some mistake"
"Yes, ma'am. Mamma said I must tell
you that-that if there was any bad news,
you must let her know if she could do any
thing for Mrs. Delatour or you"
Alice dismissed him with renewed thanks,
and carried the letter into the parlor with
beating heart. Mrs. Delatour looked up ca
gerly as she entered.
"a letter, Marion, for me? How did it
Gomez
"Fred johnson got it out of the post-ofice.
Auntie, shall I read it to you? I'll get
light
"Is it not from Gervais?"
"No; at least, it's not his writing. 1t is
from Richmond"
Mrs. Delatour sank back in her chair, and
clasped her hands. "Some bad news" she
murmured family.
"Oh we can't tell it may not be anything
important" said Alice, though her fingers
shook as she kindled light, trying to ignite
the obstinate wick of the tallow dip" which
for some time refused to yield to her persua-
sions At last it consented to burn, and hasti-
ly opening the seal, she glanced through the
contents of the letter before reading them
aloud. They we're brief enough, and as sad
as they were brief: Gervas was lying dan
gerously wounded in private house near
Richmond and his mothers presence was re-
quested without delay.
dangerously wounded!" echoed the poor
mother, with cry of anguish, as she snatched
the letter from Alice's hand, and tried with
blurred vision to peruse for herself the fatal
words "Haaven have mercy on me! The
date, Marion-what was it? | can't see il"
1t was more than week old.
"Such delay-such cruel carelessness
might have been with him before now. Oh !!
my poor boy Marion, I must start at once
to.nigh if necessary. What shall do %
She was trembling all over with nervous ex-
ctement and distress.
"Not tonight, dear auntie," said Alice,
soothingly. 1T would not be practicable
Try to be calm. Perhaps matters are not as
bad as they seem. We can leave tomorrow,
nights rest"
"Rest" said Mrs. Delatour, wringing her
hands. "How can rest while this torturing
suspense hangs over me? Marion, can't you
arrange something at once-somethng must
be done"
Il tell you what I'll do, auntie; I'll get
Carly to 60 with me, and III 60 right off to
the village and get Mr.. Glenmore to advise
u.s."
This was some comfort to Mrs. Delatour !;
and taking Carly, one Of the maids, as pro-
tector, Alice hurried off.
The good clergyman was much concerned
at the news she brought him. beloved Ger
vais almost as a son, and his sympathies we're
deeply enlisted in behalf of the distressed
mother.
"But, my dear Miss Marion, don't see how
it will be possible for Mrs. Delatour and your
self to travel so far without protector, he
exclaimed. "Travel is difficult now, and her
health of late has seemed very feeble"
II think she suffers mentally more than
bodily" rejoined Alice; "and it would nearly
kill her to remain at home in her present state.
We must 90. l am not afraid, and l will
manage to take care of her. She wants to be
off as soon as possible. How early tomorrow
can we leave?'
Finding that there was no alternative, Mr.
Glenmore assisted her to arrange the preimi-
naries of the journey, and promised to see
| them safely to the railroad station the next
day; and this being settled, Alice returned
home to make the few necessary preparations,
and to sustain, with ahectionate and encour-
ing words, her adopted mothers sinking heart.
That was long, weary night. Mrs Della
tour, in her restless misery, was unwilling even
to retire to her own room, but Alice at length
prevailed on her to seek repose, and watched
beside her until she fell into troubled sleep.
Then she sought her own pillow, and after
an earnest prayer for poor Gervais' recovery,
! and for STRENGTH and comfort for his mother