Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-02-25

as it seemed to her, to be gone through on
such short notice. She felt so excited and be-
wildered by the prospect just opened to her,
that her thoughts we're in a whirl, and she
was anxious to end the interview, and escape
to the solitude of her own room without de-
lay, in order to reflect upon it, undisturbed.
As if in furtherance Of this wish, she heard
Mrs. Anthony's voice, at that, instant, calling
to her from the house.
II must go, sir" she cried, starting quickly
up. He held her hand tightly, drawing her
back to his side.
"Not till you have given me my answer"
he exclaimed. "Shall it be yes or no?"
EYES," dropped shyly from Nita's lips, and
then, like an imprisoned bird let loose, she
darted away, and was lost to sight in an in
slant. He looked after her with triumph
ant light in his eyes.
$50 1 am sure of her," he muttered to him
self. "Fortune favors me, as usual. In SIX
weeks from now, at the farthest, will be on
the blue ocean, with my prize safe in posses
sion and once quit of these shores, it's ninety
nine chances to one I will ever revisit them
more.
The next fortnight passed to Nita as
dream. She could not analyze her own feel
ings. She had sense of triumph, of glory,
as of some great honor achieved, some great
fortune fallen into her possession. But wheth-
er it was love that so deeply stirred her heart,
she did not know-she did not pause to think.
She felt that to become lady, rich and favor
ed, and loaded with costly gifts, was fate better
and more brilliant than any which she had
ever anticipated and beyond this prospect
she scarcely looked. She marvelled some
what, as the weeks rolled on, that no word
was spoken of her marriage. Still she heslta-
ted to broach the subject, even to Mrs. Antho'
ny, since the latter did not seem anxious to
discuss it. Finally, however, when the day
appointed for their departure was drawing
very near, she did venture to ask a question
concerning it.
"Mrs Anthony" she said timidly, "has Mr..
Laselle said when-when we are to be mar
ried ?"
In spite of her wonted selfpossession, a
sudden flush rose. to Mrs. Anthony's cheek at
the question. She turned quickly, and gave
Nita a sharp look, then directly lowering her
eyes again, went on with her work.
"No, my DEAR" she replied, after brief
pause II can't say that he has"
Her look and manner puzzled the girl, who
could not divine the cause of such singular ret
icence. She resolved to speak to Mr.. Lasele
himself, and sought for favorable moment
to do so. The opportunity she desired was
not long in coming. That very afternoon she
found herself again alone with him in the
garden.
He had been conversing for some time in
his wonted strain, dwelling with eloquent Ian
guage upon the happiness in store tor them
both in the future, when perceiving that she
univ answered IN mon0syllables, and that her
lace wore I'LL absent look, he suddenly stop
ped exclaiming-
"What is the matter with you to-day, my
little love? Why are you so silent and dis
traite :"
Il was thinking of something, sir" said
Nita, gathering her courage up to speak at
last of what was uppermost in her mind. Il
wanted to ask you question"
"Ask thousand, if you will"
"I am afraid you will think it strange in
me-" she continued, hurriedly, "but-but 1
can't help wanting to know your plans"
"My plans, Nita? Have I not already
told you of them all ?"
"Not all, SIR
"Not all Have not told you that in a
week from to-day, we embark on our voyage,
and that we proceed first to New York, thence
to Liverpool, thence to Dover, and across the
channel to France, where we will make a
brief stay, just long enough to get glimpse
of Paris, and of the sunny regions Of the
South, ere we take our way to our Italian
homer"
"But before that-you have forgotten to
tell me what day you have appointed for our
wedding"
She wondered at her own boldness in utter
ing the words but they we're spoken, and
with feeling of relief she stood waiting for
his answer, with her frank, questioning eyes
raised to his face.
He did not reply Immediately, but glanced
away from her, stroking his long beard with
thoughtful air. Then suddenly turning to-
ward her, with smile, he took her in his
arms.
"My little Nita," he said, caressingly, shave
you set your heart upon this marriage ??
"What do you mean, sir ?" she asked, with
bewildered look.
ri mean has the idea of it stood paramount
in your thoughts-has it been indssolubly
connected with your anticipations of the
future ?"
"How could I help thinking about it p
she asked, drawing back, as if she was hurt.
"Was it not natural?"
81 don't know. 1 never thought that you
had been troubled by it, at ALL"
eff you mean, sir, that you have not been
troubled by it" she rejoined quickly, stand.
ing entirely apart from him now and speaking
with proud flush on her cheek, II am sorry
that I brought it to your mind. l have no
wish to keep you to your promise against your
will but why did you wait until now to tell
me that you were tired of me?"
"Tired Of you! Nita, what madness is
this? Ilovey you nately-distractedly-
more deeply than ever.
"And yet-and yet-you said"