Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-02-28

looking searchlngly into his face, take neeo
of Yourself, and make no promises that you
are not able to perform. l tell you, if you
wrong that girl, you'll have your sin written
up against you at the Judgment Day. 1 amt
supposing you to be deliberately bad. But
there's more ways of wronging her than one" :"
"You need have no fear," said Allan, with
drawing himself from her hold. Half re-as-
sured, half doubtful, the old woman left him,
and sent Posy, as he had desired.
She came in, timid, tremulous, trying to be
digni6ed and cold, but failing signally in the
attempt. In another instant Allan had her
hands clasped in both his own, and was pour
ing forth eager protestations and VOWS, de-
clarations too ardent to be misunderstood
"Posy, never doubt me again never be-
lieve that l can love any one but you, now
and forever! 1t would break my heart to
part from you. Tell me that we will never
part" he cried, eagerly, quite overborne, for
the moment, by the resistless force of the
emotions which swayed him.
"Mr. Lambert" Posy said, very pale, but
resolute to carry out an intention she had
formed, II am only dancer and you are
gentleman. 1 know, and feel, that this makes
a great difference between US. What would
your relations say, if they knew what you
have just told me?"
ut makes not the slightest difference to
me, Posy, what anybody says. AS to your
being dancer, that difficulty can be settled
easily enough. Give up your profession and
marry me at once AS my wife, no one will
dare say word against you"
What could she do but yield All her
doubts all her difficulties, seemed to be swept
away like cobwebs before the wind. Her hap
piness was too great for her to realize. 1t
was like bewildering dream.
Before Allan left her that day, they were
formally engaged. He had even placed on
her hand ring-a family heirloom-as seal
to the contract. Anxious now to be guided
by his will in all things she asked him wheth'
er she must give up the stage at once, or I'm
ish her present engagement
"Give it up at once, my darling" he prompt
ly answered. "You belong to me now and
not to the public"
"What reason shall I give?" asked Posy,
timidly. "Mr Boatwright will be angry, and
besides, if l break my engagement, I'll for
felt my pay, and then what will the San Fran
cisco management thinki They will lose
by it, you know"
"Oh! hang the San Francisco manage
ment," Allan exclaimed. But he reflected
that the breaking of Posy's contract would in
volve expenses which he himself was certain
ly not prepared to defray. 1t was unpleas-
ant to have these practical details forced
upon him at such moment; but it was one
of the disagreeable results-and one of the
least disagreeable, unfortunately-of the di.
Iemma he had got himself into. He be-
thought himself moment, while Posy meekly
awaited his decision.
"How much longer is your engagement
here?" he asked. at length.
"Only three nights, she replied.
"And then?'
"And then I am going-was to 60, at
least-to Galveston"
"Posy," Allan said, after another pause,
at frets me beyond endurance to have you
continue on the stage, now that you fairly be-
long to me; and if I were rich man you
should throw all engagements henceforth to
the winds, and would be responsible. But,
unfortunately, my darling, l am not rich
did you know that, Posy? Did you know
that I am really only tolerably we'll off?
What many people, in fact, would call poor"
Posy smiled. This announcement did not
trouble her in the least.
$50 as you have entered into these engage
ments, and cannot break them. | suppose
there is nothing for you to 60 but to carry
them through" he continued, reluctantly. 81
ought not to put barrier in the way of your
earning money for yourself, either, until l can
claim the right to take care of you and give
you all you need"
cit is all the same to me" the girl answer
ed, cheerfuly. II don't mind the employ.
ment, except so far as it is distasteful to you.
don't want you to be ashamed of me, you
know"
ASHAMED of you! That I could never
be-" he fervently rejoined. "But, Posy, re-
member, when you 60 away from here, don't
let new faces distract you and lead your
thoughts from me. I am half afraid to trust
you, so far off,"
81 don't think you mean what you say"
replied Posy, simply. II would not be worth
your love, if you could not believe in my
truth"
Her eyes, so frank and fearless in their
gaze, met his as she spoke, and thrilled him
through with their innocent revelation OF the
love he had awakened in her heart He
drew her close to him, and his lips met hers
in one long kiss. At that instant he would
have cast fortune, family, all social and
worldly considerations to the winds for her
sweet sake.
What pity it is that illusions of life are
so often rudely destroyed by the chilling,
practical breath of reality and common sense!
When Allan had taken leave Of his poor lit
tie fancee the high temperature of his spir-
its and his hopes sank at once to zero, and
his outlook into the future seemed very
cloudy one, indeed. He was as ready as ever
to acknowledge the potency of Posy's charms; ;
but would he find in these compensation for
ALL that in marrying her, he must relinquish !?
What wonld h;a mother what would the