Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-05-23

Indeed, am sure you Ougnt 10 KNOW Dest,
Colonel Dacre"
81 hate the thought of it" said the Colonel,
plaintively. Indeed, I don't see how 1 can
do it. In the first place, I really need some
one to take care of me am still so far from
strong. l shall just nope myself to death
there, too, with only the servants for compa-
n.y."
"You used to stand the solitude we'll
enough, once upon a time" said Mary, de-
murely.
eyes, before 1 had found, by experience,
how pleasant it was to have a dear little
friend constantly with me. Mary, I don't
think can do without my little friends So
ciety now, even for time. There is no help
for it; you will have to 60, too."
"You, yourself, said that l could not" said
Mary. ~
II said-as matters between US now stand.
Cannot they be differently arranged? Come,
Mary, will be plain with you want to
take you with me, and I can only take you
in one way-as my little wife. Willyou 60 r
Mary was neither startled, nor shocked,
nor angered by this proposition. No thought
of conventional delays, ofceremonies, or trous'
seaux, entered her mind. She simply felt
that he needed her, that she cared for him
and him alone in the world, and that it was
most fitting that she should yield, without
any affected reluctance, to his wish
eyes, 1 will 60" she replied, almost in a
whisper And then a sudden impulse seized
her. She clasped his hand in both of hers, and
pressing it with energy to her lips, she ex-
claimed, her eyes filling with tears, 81 am
glad to CO. 1 am glad to do anything to
prove to you that am not cold and heart
less, as you must have thought me once"
"My dear!' said the Colonel, surprised,
but inexpressibly touched, "when did | ever
think you heartless or cold ?"
"Oh! know seemed so. Ialways used to
be like stick or a stone, in old times. on
ly wonder you ever liked me at all.
eff liked you then, as you express it, |
wonder what name is most suitable for the
sentiment with which regard you now?"
Mary, who was just beginning to feel very
shy, as result of her unwonted betrayal of
her feelings, was spared a reply by the en-
trance of Mrs Stanley, to whom the Colonel
presently confded their plans.
'It is to be the quietest affair in the world,
my dear madam, and if you will kindly per-
nit it to take place in your parlor, with no
one present but the officiating clergyman and
ourselves"
"Oh Colonel Dacre, I am sure I shall be
only too glad! But to think Of not even
breakfast I hate 10 let dear Mary 60 off
without some little festivity, be it ever SO SIM
pie"
"My dear Mrs. Stanley, these are not fes-
tive times" said the Colonel and neither
Mary nor l care for anything Of the sort.
She will, l suppose, wear her travelling bon
net and shawl, and her trunks will be strap.
ped and waiting in the hall, and as soon as
it's over we'll drive off to the railroad with
out further ado"
Both ladies laughed at this matter of fact
settlement of the programme. And as there
was really no time or opportunity for any
more elaborate arrangement to be made, it
was decided that the course thus briefly map
ped out would be the wsest and most suita-
bic to pursue.
One thing, however, Mrs. Stanley was posi-
tive in asserting namely, that no bride ever
could, would or should be married (unless it
we're runaway match) in the clothing she
was in the habit of wearing on all ordinary
occasions If there was no chance of Mary's
getting new dress made, why at all events
she could get new bonnet and cloak, which
with certain dove colored silk that was now
seldom brought into use, would make up
very appropriate costume. Mary who had
sufficient natural vanity to wish to look pref
ty on her wedding day, of all days, yielded,
without difficulty to the suggestion. And
early on the following morning she accompa-
MED Mrs. Stanley to the region of shops,
where the requisite articles were purchased,
for a sum which would sound fabulously ex-
travagant to our ears at the present day.
These preparations being duly completed,
and everything packed in readiness to start,
the marriage ceremony was performed at the
appointed time no guests being present bnt
three of Mrs. Stanley's pet patients, one Of
whom-an elderly Captain with bandaged
head and one arm in a sling-gave the
bride away Another of the three very
youthful private with an extremely handsome,
girlish face, looked on with melancholy air,
having secretly fallen very much in love with
Mary during his convalescence under the
same roof Poor little Paul Devereux! The
object Of his alteration was quite unsconcious
of the fame she had kindled in his breast. But
he cherished it with all the ardor of boys
first passion, and died months afterwards, on
the fatal field of Gettysburg, murmuring her
name with his latest breath.
Colonel Dacre and his bride took cordial
leave of their kind hostess, who shed abun-
dant tears over the parting. She had become
warmly attached to Mary during their So
journ together, and it was great disappoint-
meut to lose her, after her secret expectation
of retaining her permanently as her compan-
ion. Fortunately, however, she was too con.
stantly busy to he lonely. Her hands were
so full of her patients and Of her labors in
their behalf, that she had no leisure to be-
moan herself over any disappointment how
ever great.
The Dacres reached Mossgrove in safety,
and were joyfully welcomed by their sable de-
pendants, whose pleasure at their arrival was