Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-02-03

Perseverance like his, however, could allow
no obstacle to daunt him ; and only two day.
later, as Esther, having suffered for the want
of fresh air, was taking a solitary ramble a
some little distance from the house, he unex
pectedly made his appearance, and alightine
from his horse, joined her, to her excessive
displeasure and disgust. The extreme cold
ness of her manner toward him, and the
brevity of her enforced replies to his remarks
we're too marked to admit Of even a pretenct
of inconsistencies on her part; and he pres
emily said, in reproachful tone
"Sehora, why do you treat me thus? If
we're your bitterest enemy you could not man
ifest greater adherence of me than you do.
Il do consider you my enemy, Sefior Alas
quez," said Esther, unable to restrain her in
dignation, or control any longer the feelings
which agitated her. g.. ........
"You are unjust-most unjust| he ex
claimed with vehemence. "What have l ev
er done that you should accuse me SO unrea
sonably?"
"You have done me an irreparable injury
she replied, Gin forging the basest slandel
that it was ever in the heart of man or fend
to invent. But know, fit be any consolation
to you, that your shaft missed its aim, and
fell harmless. 1t was beyond your power to
blacken his character in my esteem"
A look of rage darkened the spaniard's
sinister features for an instant, quickly sue
ceeded, however, by soft and melancholy ex'
preston. .....
LADY, you do me a cruel wrong" he re-
Joined in low tone. "Yet I forgive you, in
considering the pain you have been forced to
endure. When the surgeons knife inficts a
wound, even though it be to eradicate deep
er evil, it is natural that the victim should
shrink from it. Yet 1 could not see you Ia
boring under so gross deception without re,
moving the bandage from your eyes. would
have been your enemy-as you are pleased to
call me now-had I served you thus. l only
grieve at your misconception of my motives. ="
81 cannot and will not discuss the subject
with you," said Esther. 81 cannot deny that
your presence is most unwelcome to me, end
knowing this, I do not see why you should
persist in annoying me with it."
She was walking rapidly toward the house
as she spoke, but Alasquez, forcibly laying
hold of her dress, detained her.
"Senor Alas9uez, unhand me instantly"
she exclaimed, with flashing eyes. "How
dare you attempt to keep me back 2"
"Listen to me" he replied, with emphasis.
II am resolved that you shall hear what l
have to say, and this is the most fitting place
for our fnIervfew: 2 ou had best yioid qui6sa5
to my wish. You are in roy power, and cre-
ating disturbance would do no good. l shall
not harm you. Do not be afraid. I merely
desire to say a few important words, and say
them must and will! Come back and walk
this way with me-"
"No," said Esther, trembling violently, but
still keeping her ground; 81 will stay here, If
you insist upon it, for few moments, but
will not 90 farther from the house."
"Do you promise me that you will not at
tempt to leave me again, until l have finished
speaking?"
II will make no promise. You heard what
I said," she rejoined, quivering with anger
and impatience. "Take your hand from my
dress. I will not have you touch me-
He obeyed, smiling sardonically as he did
"sehora, you take lofty tone," he said
with mocking inclination of his head; but
1 will bear much from you, and in gratitude
for your compliance with my request, must
perforce, yield to yours. 1 would, however,
that I could conquer your disdain. 1t falls
too cuttingly upon my heart-that heart
which beats for you, and you alone!'
"I did not consent to stay, to listen to Ian
guape like this, she was commencing, but be
interrupted her.
pardon me, Sehora made no stipula.
ton concerning the nature of my speech, and
you exacted none. If my language ofends
you, I am grieved but you will do wisely in
keeping to your agreement and listening to
me with patience. Believe me, am dan
gerous man when opposed"
"It is worthy of you to take advantage Of
my unprotected situation to endeavor to in
timidate me with threats" she scornfully an.
swered.
81 make no threats. utter simple state
ment, which you can profit by, or not, as you
choose. I merely wish that you should un'
derstand from the first that mean to keep
my original intention, even at the cost of your
displeasure."
Esther stood silent, waiting for him to pro-
ceed. She felt that farther opposition on her
part would be useless, and that her wisest pol
icy, as he had told her, consisted in remaining
passive, since resistance might only expose
her to indignity.
II have come to-day" he continued in a
deliberate tone, "to make you an offer which
you had best take into your most careful con-
sideration, since you will find that your vel,
fare hangs upon its acceptance or rejection
Enough has transpired in our intercourse to
warn me that you will not receive it with ia.
vor at the outset; yet 1 think, for your own
sake-for the sake of those in whom you feel
the most interest, and whose well-being de-
pends upon yours-you had better make up
your mind not to refuse it. Se1iora, it is the
offer of my hand and heart. lay them al
your feet"
Esther looked at him, but no words escaped