Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-02-17

to help me to do 80, for his mothers sake"
"His mother! Is she alive thenf Does she
grieve for him much2"
"she grieves for him night and day, and
nothing can comfort her for bis loss. And
she is so lovely and good, too. You would
love her as do, if you knew her, and would
be so sorry for her."
II am sorry for her." said the girl in low
tone. II know she must be very unhappy"
II loved him dearly, too" said Picciola,
the tears springing to her eyes. II love all
little children, but be was the sweetest l ever
saw. How old is your babyf"
"The same age as-as the one you speak
Of"
"Is it a boy, too?"
"Yes-s boy"
"May look at him, by and by?"
"Ohl 1 don't know" said the other, hur.
riedly, rising, as she spoke, to throw some
more sticks on the fire. "He is SO easily dis
turbed and if he wakes up once I may not get
him to sleep again for half the night. l new
er carry light near him, once he is asleep.
How early will you leave in the morning p
she added, changing the subject with an ab-
ruptness which surprised her guest.
every early-by dawn, if l can. wish l
were not going to leave you here alone" said
Picciola, kindly.
"Why%
because you have made me feel sorry for
you, somehow; and you seem so solitary"
"Oh am used to it," said the girl, with a
tremulous laugh; but the next instant she
dashed her hand across her eyes. II am a
fool for being here at ALL" she continued.
"But am a still greater fool, inasmuch as l
do not try to get away. like it, do you
knowY Imean, would not leave if I could
not without him, at least"
"You are fond of him, then ?"
"Of course I am-am I not married to
him ?"
EYES," said Picciola seriously. "But I did
not know whether he was good to you or not. !"
"Ofcourse he is good to me! What should
make you suppose otherwise ?" said the girl
almost roughly. "Have I said anything to
make you think badly of him ?"
"No-I did not mean that you had only l
hoped he was kind, for your sake. 1t would
be hard upon you if he was not"
"If he was not kind, it would be my fault" /"
replied the other. "But there-1 did not
mean to be rude to you; 1 think you are very
kind, to take so much interest in me; and l
like you very much. Will you tell me your
name?"
"Picciola," said her guest "And yours ?"
Dolores"
The two girls sat chatting until near mid
night, for they had taken mutual fancy to
each other, and Dolores seemed so glad to
have some one to talk to, that Picciola, al
though very tired, did not like to propose
ending the conversation. At last, however,
the former, springiug to her feet, declared
that it was time to 60 to bed. And reentering
the cave, she directed Picciola to occupy the
straw bed before mentioned, saying that she
would sleep inside with the child.
"Don't be afraid" she said as she wished
her goodnight. "There is nothing about
here to trouble us-you are as safe as if you
were in castle"
Notwithstanding this assurance, Picciola
could not help feeling some fears as she retir'
ed to rest. And looking at the stars shining
in upon her through the open entrance of her
strange shelter, and the Pickering light of the
still blazing pile, she thought what solitary
place it was, and how helpless and unprotect-
ed she and her companion we're, so far away
from all human aid if danger should assail
them. But exceeding weariness overcame her
disquietude at last, and turning on her pillow
she fell into sound and dreamless slumber,
which lasted until daylight aroused her once
more to the knowledge of her situation.