Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-08-29

out of my bed, in the darkest hours Of the
night, down into this room, fancying that hi:
spirit called me"
"Mother, don't! you frighten me J" freely
sobbed Lucy, trying to restrain her mother
who had half risen, wild gleam like the lire
of insanity in her eyes; "you had cause te
say all you did,"
"Yes, but who knows what I might have
done in time and with forbearance. On
child, that thought has haunted me all these
years-will haunt me eternally! l am al
ways asking myself questions-why did not
do this, or, why did l do that?-till my brain
aches with the care and perplexity of my
mind. Heaven forbid that reproach may
ever fall from your lips like the words l said
or that the bitterness of living death may
be your portion. I have never known hap
py moment since that time-never happy
moment
"Mother don't reproach yourself"
"But drove poor John to his death. And
now we must leave this house. That is bit
ter punishment, too John and I planned it
together. Oh, how happy we were. We
looked forward to such peaceful days! We
brought you in this room, and put you in
your dainty cradle. little thought how it
would all end" she added, bitterly sinking
again into her chair, and hiding her face in
her hands.
"Mother, we need not leave This home;
mother, you shall stay !" said Lucy, springing
to her feet, drawing up her slender figure.
"What! do you think I would consent to
sacrifice your" the widow exclaimed, her face
changing. "Never! l have had sorrow
enough for my own sin"
"But it will not be sacri6ce-perhaps-
they say love comes after marriage-and- +
and it is only because he is old and ugly but
you know he may be very kind, and l had
better be an old mans darling" She
broke down there, and slowly sank to her
mothers side again, taking both the thin
hands in hers and kissing them but two hot
tears fel' with the kisses. "You know it is
only to say one word and then"
Repent the saying of it for the remainder
of your life-perhaps in bitter anguish, as
have done. 10 you think l would purchase
ease and happiness at such price? No; l
will work my fingers to the bone first. Heav.
Gil Will uelp Us, ueoI, ioi NO oio "'''"6 ~
able to help ourselves"
Calm as she was, and bravely as she strug-
zed, the thin lips quivered and the breath
came quick. Lucy was crying now, her head
bowed upon her mothers knee.
Suddenly three sharp strokes sounded at
the outer door, They knew whose signal that
was Peter Pinchbeck rode gray mare,
and Peter always knocked with his whip.
handle.
There he is," said the widow, her brow
contracting.
"He has no business to come here now"
cried Lucy, her face growing stormy, clinch'
ing her little right hand. "Oh ! if l were
but man."
Don't you 60, Lucy-I will let him in.
Thank heaven, after tomorrow he will not
dare thrust his hateful presence upon usI
Another moment, and the red nose of the
attorney was visible, even in the semi.dark-
ness Of the hall.
IL thought I'd jest cal" he stammered,
evidently feeling himself unwelcome. Mo-
body spoke He looked round for chair.
II suppose may sit down and rest myself
a moment, eh ?" he asked.
"Certainly-the house is about as good as
your own," said Lucy, promptly.
"Well, it's a mighty unpleasant business
now, assure you" he said, looking at the
beautiful girl with undisguised admiration.
"Then. why do you 60 on with it'"
swell, times are hard-the matter has been
running long time, and-the deuce take me-,
you know we'll enough why"
"Oh, yes. to revenge yourself because"
Lucy p said her mother, gently, but in a
tone of reproof
Let her 90 on, widow" said Peter Pinch
beck, bis very nose growing livid. '1t isn't
to he supposed that have any feelings. The
fact is, you know I've held off and held off,
and you know that like your daughter Lu-
cy, and have liked her ever since she was as
high as my riding-whip. Now, / could keep
her handsomely-set up good carriage-do
anything in the world in reason for her-and
III thought that mebbe at the last mo.
mens-she-sh would alter her mind.''
II have not altered my mind !" said Lucy,
her dark eyes emitting sparks of fire. 1--WE
are quite willing to leave this house, and
make another home, mother and l."
"You'Il find homes amt so easy made"
retorted the attorney.
"There is no use in wasting words" said
the widow, with added dignity. Lucy and
| are both willing to work. We could not
live in disgraceful idleness. We are we'll &C
quainted 10 this village You can take away
our property, but you cannot estrange us
from our friends Good evening, sir"
II suppose that means that | may go2'
said the man, rising, and fairly shaking with
anger
II believe the house will not belong TO you
till tomorrow" said Lucy, calml y.
"Well, virtually it belongs to me now"
was the reply, "only 1 gave you permission to
stay till to morrow. l am not sure but 1t
would have been wiser in me to put keeper
in-how do | know what you may see fit 10
spirit awayi"
1--WE cannot permit you to insult u.s." said
the widow; while Lucy came forward with
heightened color. "Tbe goods are all invent
oried and | think we are known we'll enough
to be trusted-at least by those whose good
opinion is worth possessing. Will you leave
US alone, sir?"
The man glared at them, and pressed his
thin lips together till they we're bloodless. He
even had the meanness to double his fist and
shake it toward them, as he said:
IL came here willing to befriend you; but
after this, show no mercy. III sell every
stick of timber over your heads To.mor-
row, at eleven o'clock, all shall 60 to the
highest bidder-indeed, though it's secret,
the house is already sold. The auctioning
will be only going through the FORM"
"Indeed and you came mere willing to be.
friend US, did your queried Lucy who
stood fearless and white, one arm about her
mothers waist"