Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-01-04

that his son proved refractory-not tnas !
think the less highly of him for that. On the
contrary, it was greatly to his credit that ne
refused to marry for money. Refusing TO en-,
ter into the desired alliance then, when had
something to recommend me, it would not be
pleasant now, for him to have one forced upon
him, poor, and plain, and obscure as am.
aHave you been forced upon him Good
Heaven, Geraldine, how could that be posi-
BILE! Does he not voluntarily seek your
hand? Z Can, he not follow his own wishes IN
that matter p
"He certainly would not have thought Of
it, unless the idea had been suggested to hin,
reioined Geraldine, with emphasis. q under
stand bis motives perfectly; he pitiea and
sympathizes with Us, and is generous enough
to wish to afford Us relief which it is possible
only in this way for him to do. As to love,
or even ordinary liking, he does not feign the
shadow Of it. Oh! mamma, for pity g sake
do not let Us discuss the subject any longer
now; it is too humiliating, too painful 10 its
details" 3; ~ it$ 5,i9 i.
every well,' cried her mother, 10 an excl.
ted tone, as she rose from her seat; sit shall
be as you wish. i will cease 70 argue with
you, to try to persuade you Of your folly.
Only recollectthis, that in denying my fondest
wish you are probably guilty Of the Sin Of
willfally shortening my days. Yes, look as
startled as you please, obstinate daughter OF
mine, the fact is 90: was assured BY the.
doctor, not a week since. that I had 9 disease
of,the heart which any Disappointment, any
undue agitation, might cause TO terminate Ia
tally. On the other hand cease Of mind and
physical comfort would, He said, probably
preserve my life for years to come With
you; therefore, rests thesa alterns.iye;; but act
as you Bee. .ft., Ny death, ] presume, would
be less of misfortune than 9 benefit to you,
since it would relieve you of the persecution
to which subject you." With these words.
and in state Of great excitement, the sneaker
left the room, closing the door With violence
behind her. ~ Is. 3. 3. .ss
Geraldine sat perfectly motionless where
her mother had left her. Her hands were
tightly clasped, and every. trace Of color had
forsaksn her ceuntenance, leaving it ashy
pale. 4
"I this is, indeed, true," she muttered. 70 I
herself, "it is vain for me to contend any long
ar. I may as we'll yield to my fate. Oh &
mother If I could know. how far you have
let yourself be urgedby desire to work upon {
my feelingsl But no, dare not inpute such
motives. It must be true, though I have heard
nothing of it until now. Miserable that s.
am, there is no escape for mer-no escape for
him-from the misery to which ! am forced
to condemn him." s,
Scarcely had this soliloquy passed her lips,
when sharp cry from The naighboring room
startled her, and she ran to ascertain the
cause. She found her mother wrisbing on
her bed, as if in great pain, her hand pressed
to her side, and hastened, terrified, 70 offer
her assistance, ~ s.s
"Go-go" Was the vehement reply 70 her
offers "you can do-ao good. The very sight
of you completely unnerves me. Fetch the
doctor, quick; he may relieve this piercing
agony, at least, for the time.
Greatly agitated, Geraldine put on her
bonnet and set out in quest oftheir physician,
who at this hour Of the day WAS usually 70
be found at his own residence, which, fortn-
nately, was near at hand. She met him as
be. was on on the poiptio going into town, and
begged him TO return With her without de.
law and taking her ppin bis pbaston, he
drove her Immediately back home On the
way, he corroborated the statement her moth
or had made to her, .of the cand dition of her
health and poor Geraldine, vhsh che heard
this, severely reproached heTaelf fors having
allowed any shadow Of doubt in regard 70 it
to enter her mind. So great now was her dis
tress and remose, that she resolved, mentally,
to shrink no longer from what seemed eyi-
IDENTIFY her duty since, in refusing 70 make
the sacrifice, she might indeed, find herself
guilty of her mothers premature death.
DR.. Philipson soon succeeded in relieving
his patient, by means Of estoratiyes which
he had brought with him and having seen
her tolerably composed, hs took bis leave.
after privately calling Geraldine aside, and
charging her to be careful in guarding against
anything which might startle or annoy her
mother in the least degree, as any agitation
of her nerves would probably cause recur-
renee of the attack. u
That evening, Lord Desborough called.
Geraldine had, in fact, expected it, as he had
been in the habit Of visiting her periodically
twice week since he had made bis proposal
of marriage, to which she had, up to the pres
ent time, given no definite answer.
When she went up again to her mothers
chamber after his lordship had bid her good.
night, her face waspale, but rigidly composed,
and her voice carefully calm, as, laying her
hand on the invalid's arm, she said inlow but
distinct tones
"Bs content now, mamma, for have full
filled your cherished wish; I am Lord Des-
borough's promised wife.
Geraldine, is It really sol God bless yos,
my dear! You will never repent cried the
sick woman, as she drew her sss
luctant face near enough tot sstua ss
upon her cheek. While Geraldins M bdly
ing herself with arrangements fOf boz eousibrt
during the coming night, she taiksd hiclents
ly and rapidly of the new state Of affairs; Of
the advantageous prospect it secured to them;
of her own happiness ;of Lord Desboroughs
good qualities, and the certainty of his ma
king an excellent husband-to all Of which
- l.k. Il hox