Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-01-25

read it, but q sense of honor forbade 1t was
as much her husbands private correspond
ence. as any of the rest, and she had no right
to pry into it. She Immediately folded it up
and returned it to its proper envelope. But
the doubts and troubled thoughts it had
awakened would not so easily be put aside,
and she remained standing with it in her
hand, brooding uneasily over its probable
contents. Suddenly the door opened, and her
husband came in. '.'
Geraldine started, and deep blush GRIM
soned her face. She felt almost as though
detected in some guilty act, though conscious
of having done nothing wrong. The Earls
eye Immediately fell upon the letter which
she held in her hand, and she read, or fancied
that she read, suspicion in the glance.
h"I did not mention the contents of that let
ter to you, Geraldine" he said before she
could speak, because I preferred keeping
you in ignorance of them. Probably, howev'
or, your mother made you acquainted with
them when she wrote, and therefore" ....
"Pardon me, my lord" she quickly inter.
rupted, II am not now acquainted with them.
I have not read this letter, though l was
about to take possession of it, thinking it to
be mine."
He gave her a searching glance. "Since
that is the case, 80 much the better" he grave
ly rejoined. II was desirous, if possible, to
avoid" he checked himself, and added,
"there is really little in it texcept what regards
business affairs, and those knew would not
interest you." He held out his hand for 1t
as he spoke, but Geraldine, with temerity
which surprised herself, drew back.
"Forgive my curiosity" 81 said in plead.
ing tone; but will you not allow me to read
this letter. have very strong reasons for
wishing to know its contents"
"Waat reasons?' he asked, looking keenIy
at her."
Reasons scarcely like to give" she re-
piled, her eyes dropping as she spoke; "but
strong ones nevertheless My mother-my
lord, what possible business transactions can
GQ6F6 O6 UetWeeu fou auu uoi
"The Earl smiled in spite of himself II
did not know you could be so inquisitive, or
so persistent" he said, in kind tone. "What
if exercise my prerogative and forbid your
questioning me farther-at all events, decline
to answer your questionsr
"Then," said Geraldine, encouraged by his
softened manner, "you must permit me to
read the letter instead"
"Now listen to me, Geraldine" said the
Earl, resuming his serious air. "The knowl-
edge of what that letter contains can afford
you no satisfaction; and may, perhaps, dis
please you. 1t can certainly do you no good.
Be reasonable, and give it back to me at once.
It is my earneat wish that you should ask me
nothing more about it."
"All that you tell me, my lord, only makes
me more anxious to have my own way" said
Geraldine. 81 am sorry to appear to you in
so unamiable-so unruly a light-but even
at the cost of your displeasure, must persist
in my request"
The Earl turned away with an impatient,
almost vexed air. "Follow your will, then"
be said, walking toward window, "but re-
member, it is contrary to my express desire"
Geraldine hastily availed herself of bis re.
luctant permission to read the letter. As her
glance travelled down the pages, the flush on
her cheeks deepened to scarlet, and large tears
of modification and wounded pride rose to
her eyes. :.
:. Mrs. Harcourt had enclosed to the Earl
the bills due for the various expenses atten'
daut upon her daughters wedding. So many
hundred pounds for set Of new furniture
and carpet; so much for the breakfast; dit
to Brussels lace veil ditto various smaller
items unnecessary to mention. The kind
Earl would surely pardon her, she wrote, for
troubling him with these matter; but the
trades. people we're importunate, and she was
unfortunately, not able, at present, to satisfy
their demands Of course she wished it un-
derstood that it was to be regarded merely as
loan, which she would repay by degrees as
she was able. But even with that proviso,
she would have shrunk from making the re-
quest, were it not for the certainty that for her
dearest Geraldines sake, and in view Of his
tender attachment to her, he would pardon,
ETC., etc.
Geraldine's heart was swelling so with in
dignation that she was totally unable to
speak. The Earl, however, after standing
with his back toward her for some time in 81
lence, turned around, and perceiving her agl-
tation, came instantly to her side.
"Geraldiae, dry those tears" he said in
gentle tone. "You have no cause to shed
them"
II have cause enough" she bitterly re.
piled. 81 trust, my lord, that you acquit me
of all previous knowledge of this matter"
"Ido," said the Earl. believe me, I have
done 80 from the first, though l fancied at one
time that your mother might afterward have
told you about it, 1t is trihe, mere moth
ing, as far as l am concerned, and entreat
you now to discard all farther thought of it
from your mind"
"That is not easily done" rejoined Gerald
inc, who was now weeping without restraint
"It cuts me to the heart to see your kindness
thus abused. 1t humiliates me, it mortifes me
beyond expression, to have any one so near to
me in blood betray such indelicacy of feel
ing"
"My dear Geraldine, you are too sensitive
by far" said the Earl, pressing her hand,
which he had taken in his. "Since none of
the responsibility of the matter rests upon