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

Ia. DuC may sEAJ Will YOU ioi Io'niSn''
"Of course and am glad enough to have
you, because I will be alone all night"
"Do you live here by yourself, then p
"Not always; but sometimes am alone for
several days, or even longer. Come inside
and will give you some supper"
Picciola followed her into the cave, which
was much larger than she had supposed, and
was arranged with some attempt at comfort.
A straw bed was on the ground in one corner,
a rough table and bench stood against the
clay wall, and another corner was occupied
by one or two cooking utensils, Jug, and a
cup, as if in testimony of housekeeping on a
small scale being conducted by the inmates OF
this primitive abode. Guiding her move
ments by lighted torch, the presiding genius
of the manage disappeared into some interior
division or recess, whence she presently
again emerged, bearing loaf of bread and a
dish containing piece of cold cooked meat.
These she set on the table, inviting Picciola
to partake of them, and the latter, being half
famished, gladly accepted the invitation, will
ing to postpone, for time, whatever gratlh-
cation she might succeed in obtaining for the
curiosity which her present surroundings nat
urally excited in her mind.
While occupied in satisfying her hunger, a
sound proceeded from the inner compartment
before mentioned, which thrilled through her
frame, and seemed to stir every fibre of her
heart-the sound of baby's cry. The NOR
sci of food she was conveying to her lips drop
ped from her hand, and halfstarting up she
exclaimed
"Wbat baby is that I hear"
"Mine, of course" said the girl, rising also,
and moving off in the direction whence the
sound came. "Whose else could it beF"
Picciola sat down again, mentally ridicul'
ing her own folly in cherishing for an instant
a wild hope which had darted through her
mind. Ofcourse it could be nobody's child
but her entertainers. And yet so completely
were her thoughts filled with the image Of
little Paul, that one plaintive little cry from
the darkness had seemed to her as if it must
in some way be connected with him.
She heard the girl sing, in low sweet tone,
Spanish nursery-song which seemed to lull
the awakened child again to rest, for no far
ther sound from it was heard And having
now finished her meal, she sat alone, medita-
ting, while waiting for her companions return,
upon all the circumstances which had led her
into this strange situation, and wondering
what other adventures might be in store for
her during her expedition.
The girl came back after awhile and invi-
ted Picciola to 60 with her near the fire which
was burning outsiidae; as1taey-could- d-sis there
and talk more comfortably than in the caves
"How strange this seems" said Picciola,
smiling, as the two sat together sn the ground,
enjoying the warmth and cheerful glow of the
bright flames. =
"What1" asked the other.
"Why, everything here-your home, and
the way you live Do you like it?'
"No," said the girl, shaking her head. 81
can't say that do. But tits only for time" I"
"Have you been here long?"
eyes, good while. But 1 shall 60 away
pretty soon, [ think"
care you married?" was Picciola's next
question.
A deep flush crimsoned the girls olive
cheek.
"How can you ask such question:" she
rejoined. rather angrily. didn't 1 tell you
that was my child you heard cryings"
"Oh! I beg your pardon" said Picciola.
81 forgot about that for the moment. I did
not mean any offence"
"It's no matter" said the other, with sort
of laugh. my husband is not here at pres
ent. He has to be away good DEAL. am
expecting him back tomorrow"
II should think you would be afraid to stay
here without him"
clam, sometimes. To tell the truth" said
the girl, signing, IL am dreadfully tired of
this rough life. I was never used to it before.
But he-my husband-has reasons for keep
ing me here, be says. When l leave, we shall
60 far away-out of the country"
Picciola thought that there must be some
thing wrong about the husband in question,
but did not venture to say so. The two sat
silent for little while, until the hostess again
resumed the subject.
Il dare say it does seem odd to you, my
living here in this way. often feel as if |
were a savage. But can tell you was used
to very different living, once. My father and
mother were rich, and lived on rancho, and
I had such nice clothes, and everything 1
wanted. Oh dear, that was good while
ago. 1t seems like dream, now"
"Are your father and mother still alive?"
asked Picciola, finding her inclined to be
communicative.
II don't know-I have not heard of them
for many a day. think, sometimes, if l
knew that they we're alive, and in the same
place. I'd run away from here, somehow or
other, and make my way back to them. But
I should only get lost. I am afraid to stir
from here by myself How did you ever
come through that forest Were you not
afraidf"
"a little, towards evening. But am not
easily frightened"
"Have you ever been throug it before?"
"No, never"
II wonder you did not get lost"
81 followed the trail the whole way;
knew it must lead me out somewhere after q
while"
"Where are you going"