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

"This is what want" pursued Leon rap
idly, "and you must consider it WELL see
I've astonished you; but remember it has
been in my mind long time. What do you
say to t?''
81 can't-I cant! Oh! Leon, let me 60
please let me 60 home
"You can't? You will not marry me,
Nita?
"Let me 60 home Let me 60 home| she
reiterated, struggling to free her hand, which
he held fast.
"Hush keep still What are you afraid
of? Don't you know that won't hurt you %
"But you must not talk that way; you
frighten me. And Oh see how late it is In
deed, can't stay.
"You shall not go without giving me an
answer" said Leon and she knew by the
tone of his voice that he was terribly in earn
est. A fear that he might have lost his rea-
son flashed over her mind. He had always
been excitable and rash, and his present be-
havior certainly seemed indicative of insan-
ity. She thought of screaming for help; but
she knew he could instantly stife any such
effort on her part, and besides, it might only
incite him to anger. She decided to try a
temporizing measure, as the best way of en-
suring her safety.
"Leon," she said, trembling, eff you will
only let me 60, I will give you an answer af-
terward"
"Not So" he rejoined, promptly. "You
must do it at once"
"But can't-indeed can't What will
uncle Dan say?"
"What is your uncle to me2 l don't care
about knowing his sentiments. Nita, if you
know what is good for yourself, you will not
trife with me any longer"
"Leon, do you threaten me?" she rejoined,
momentarily forgetting her fear in her rising
anger at his tone. "You are cruel and un-
manly, to frighten poor helpless girl in this
way"
81 told you before that I did not wish to
frighten you If had been less pressed for
time, I would not have been so sudden with
you but, as 1 told you, couldn't get a
chance to speak to you before. That is my
excuse for my conduct. Any way, I'm bent
on having my answer from you-now, this
very night! Is it yes or no?"
'No, then," she replied in desperation !;
"you can't drive me against my will"
"The consequences be on your own head,
said Leon, raising his voice as he spoke. At
this instant the figure of man, dimly re-
vealed by the light of the just-risen moon, was
seen moving near them. A sudden cry, dar-
ing appeal for help, escaped Nitas lips-in
vain In another second a covering of some
kind was thrown over her head, totally shut
ting out all surrounding objects, though not
pressed closely enough on her face to stife
her. She was lifted from the ground, and
borne rapidly for few yards. Then there was
momentary stoppage, and she felt herself
pushed into a vehicle of some kind, which al
most Immediately moved off at swift rate
Directly after, the covering was taken from
her head, and she was allowed to breathe
freely.
"Nita-Nita!' WhIspereu HeUHs- vvivv r.
her ear. "Don't be frightened swear
you are safe, so long as you keep quiet, and
make no resistance. But remember, you are
in my power"
She was too much terrified to reply. The
carriage-a close one perfectly dark-rolled
quickly on. Leon still held her firmly in his
clasp; escape was utterly impossible She
felt that resistance to her fate, whatever it
might be, would be useless, and remained
passive, hardly venturing to breathe.
"The air is sitting" said Leon, presently,
raising one of the blinds as he spoke. A cold
draught rushed in, and Nita shivered.
"Is that too much for your" he asked, draw
ing her shawl closer around her.
"No," she answered mechanically. No
other word passed between them. The carriage
seemed to 90 continually faster, and jolted
roughly over the uneven pavement of the
streets Once, Leon put his head out of the
window, and said something in low tone to
the driver, whom Nita now suspected to be
the same man she had caught a momentary
glimpse of in the alley. Upon this, he jerked
up the horses, and seemed to alter his course
and presently they ratified over some hollow
sounding boards, which she concluded must
be bridge. Suddenly they stopped, and the
driver called out gruftly, "Here we are"
Again Leon asked muttered question, the
answer to which was given in an audible tone.
eyes, 1 see 'em.''
"Hold your tongue you fool" said Leon,
sharply. Then turning to Zanita, he added,
"Come, you must get out now
Without word Of remonstrance, she pas
siveIy oheyed. She found herself, on alight-
ing, in a wide, open place, looking flat and
sandy in the moonlight. There was noise of
ripplng water close by, and she could see that
where the land shelved abruptly downward
in the distance, dark-looking object like a
boat was moving up and down, and a figure,
whether of man or woman she could not tell
stood near it on the shore.
Feeling as though she were in frightful
dream, she walked at Icons side as he led
her across the open space to the waters edge.
She now saw that the boat-a light canoe
Law in broad stream, that flowed between
two fiat banks bordered with tall rushes. A
few stunted trees, waving ghastly in the moon
light, were dotted over the level land on
either side. A chill breeze swept up the river,
sending rustling whisper through the senti-
nal ranks of reeds and nenetratinp the not