Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-05-27

what it is. If you absolutely refuse this
money (Which hate the name of now,) take
it at least as loan make use of it as if it did
belong to you, and return it one Of these days
when you are rich. know you will be rich,
some day."
"I wish I knew it," said Maurice. Gall
the same, dear cousin, I can't accept your
generous offer. But thank you more than
I can tell"
"But Maurice, why3 I have everything in
the world I'want. You know grandpapa takes
care of that. Please do! Maurice, you used
to be Just like my own brother once; wouldn't
you let sister help you in this way2"
"Perhaps. But that is different"
"Why should it be different?"
"Because-because that is one of the things
that are changed now," said Maurice in a
| low tone.
"What is changed ?"
"Our relative positions. You are not like
my sister noU-you never can be again. Oh!
Alice, why did you make me say it? If 1
had only held out little longer! But you
must blame yourself, not me-"
She stood looking at him like one in
QTGdu. uOu uuucEoLdlu, oNC OAHU, oiOW
ly. "What is it that you have done p
"Said what l never meant you to know
betrayed what I most wanted to conceal.
How could you suppose that l, situated as l
am-and after your generous behavior
would prove 80 unworthy of the kindness you
have shown me? I could work-toil on for
years, in the hope of being able to say to you
one day, what have no right to say now
but until then"
Hestopped in great agitation. Aice's color
came and went. Some faint perception OF
his meaning, kindled rather by his look and
tone than by his broken words, was beginning
to dawn upon her.
"Maurice," she said, timidly, and in trem.
bling voice, "you are talking in riddles.
What is it that you cannot say? Why must
you wait?
Because there is an insuperable obstacle
in the way"
"Will you tell me what the obstacle is?
II can't, now-Alice, don't tempt me p
She laid her hand on his arm kindling
light came into her eyes, and crimson flush
dyed her cheek.
"Isit-tell me; Maurice-is it my fortune p
"or my poverty-either way you choose to
settle it"
"And if I were poor, and you rich"
"Then l should dare to say it." he replied.
She stood waiting. with her hand still on
his arm. How could she 60 on? She knew
we'll enough now what it was in bis heart to
say but she could not say it for him. She
had offered him her fortune, but-she could
not offer him herself!
"Alice," be said at last, trying to speak
calmly, but not trusting himself even to take
her hand, ''it is useless for me to make any
farther effort at concealment. You have
found out that love you, and am sorry
for it."
"Why ?" she forced her lips to murmur.
because it may cast shadow over your
life, which I ought to be the last person to
create there. I who would have only sun
shine about your path. l know your heart is
good and kind, and it may make you sorry to
think-to think"
ITO think-what?"
"That l should have suffered myself to
cherish this hope, since it must be vain one y
Maurice" said Alice, speaking with avert
ed face, and in scarcely audible tone, "either
| you are ldL plOuuCi, VI lnl LIoiS SiuSA3 VIGIL
I ever thought you"
"Cruel To you, Alice"
"Yes, very cruel. You speak as if on &C.
count of paltry sum of money, must neces'
sarly abandon every natural ieeling-every
association which has clung to me from child,
hood Do I seem so changed in your eyes ?"
"Changed only for the better-only to
something more perfect and lovely than
could ever anticipate finding, even in you."
"More perfect and lovely than-Lucaa !"
"Lucia |" he echoed, in puzzled tone.
"Yes-don't you remember you showed me
her picture once ?"
"My dearest Alice that was only boyish
nonsense-there was never anything in it, |
never loved any one but you-never wanted
any one else to be my wife,
"But you don't want me"
"Don't r." He had her in his arms now
for he was only human after all, and the stern.
est resolution is not always invincible. 81
want you more than I can tell-and if l were
not penniless-"
"And who have you to blame for that, but
yourself? Let me 20, Maurice; I'm ashamed
of myself can never look you in the face
again"
"After ell" said Maurice, as they walked
slowly back under the trees, 81 think Uncle
Brainerd would have been satisfied with this
turn of affairs. At any rate it's consolation
to me to imagine so-since it has been brought
about entirely against my will !"
But Alice did not reproach him for the last
assertion for she understood him, and was
happy.