Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-01-31

hearts, as you term them, are far, far dearer
to me than any others can be. To you, who'
in your generosity, took the orphan child to
YOUR home, owe far, far more, than I can
ever repay" .. .
"Forgive me, my Helen-my love, my
cherished one," murmnred the old lady, fond
ly laying her hand on the brown glossy head,
now bowed upon her knee. cit was not of
you was thinking; but [ should not have
spoken as I did, Think you could ever
doubt the sincerity of your love ?,
Victor Duclos could not longer remain a
spectator of this little scene. He went out
Of the room into the open air, leaving the
pair mipgling their tears together, with a
fierce, restless, unspeakable grief and craving
at his heart "What is their trouble COM
pared with miner" he thought. .sOne, of
them is already old, and beyond caring much
for any change or event in life which may
occur. The other is fresh, ardent, enthusias-
tic, ready to turn with the eagerness of a child
to receive new Impressions, which will quick
ly obliterate those that appear indelllble now.
If she goes-and who can doubt that she
will 9-the memory of her home and friends
here will gradually fade from her mind, or at
least become of secondary Importance, in the
interest and excitement of her new surround.
ings her new position. She will receive fiat
tery, adulation, be courted, admired, fawned
upon by worshippers who prize the gift upon
the altar rather than the altar itself. Her
vanity will be excited, her pure, simple ma
ture and ingenious mind sullied by contact
with worldly associates and worldly in
Auences. Can I hope that under such cir
cumstances I will ever claim place in her
thoughts? should be fool, indeed, to do
30" .... .,..... .... .... ....
While he paced restlessly up and down
garden path, secluded from view ofthe parlor
windows, chatting at the destiny which he was
powerless to alter or resist, Helen and her
kind old friend, gradually calming down af-
ter the first outbreak of sympathetic emotion,
were beginning to discuss future possibilities
and plans. .r-.l ..... ..j
,"What ought I do to, dear Madame%
Helen had asked, and Madame answered,
my child, if your uncle desires it, you had
better 60"
"But it will not be necessary for me to 60,
will it? Cannot everything be arranged
without me2 I don't know anything about
business" the girl pleaded. ~.a
ut may not be necessary, but it will be ex-
pedient, mon entant. There are many reasons
why you should not act against your uncle''
expressed wish in this respect. One is the
claim which by right of near kinship he cer-
tainly has upon you; the others" she hesi-
tated.
"What are the others ?" asked Helen.
"Well, cherie, to be frank with you, one
very important reason is the certainty that,
if you remained here, your decision would be
imputed to our persuasions, from mercenary
motives-a desire on our part to keep you
with US in order that we might profit by your
wealth. Don't you see"
Helen sighed. ut is hard case that one
should be obliged to regulate ones conduct
by the opinions of the world" she said. II,
for one, should not care what any one
thought"
"But I should, dear child. I would not
have the people, Monsieur uotre oncle and the
rest, cherish, for one moment, the idea that |
was actuated in my conduct toward you by
single selfish thought. What l have done for
you, have done in love, without dreaming
of any recompense but your love in return.
Let it not be said, This worldly old woman
is pro6ting by her influence over the simple
girl to reap rich reward for having protect
ed her and given her mothers care all these
years; doubtless it was with view to some
such wipdfall that she has acted as she has
done.' No, no, my Helen, return to your own
people, and let them see that not one restrain
ing word has been uttered to keep you back,
or to seek favor at your hands; and after
you are arrived at such an age as your laws
may prescribe, to allow you a freedom OF
choice, follow the dictates of your own
heart, and if that bids you return to your
home and friends here, come and fill your old
place among US, which can never be filled by
any one else, and I will say the blessing of
God be upon your return!"
Helen silently pressed the kind old hand
that clasped hers For moment her heart
was too full for speech.
"Come. come," resumed Madame Preville,
in a more sprightly tone, 1--WE will not dwell
upon melancholy thoughts. There is time
enough yet before this anticipated parting
must take place. Your education is not yet
entirely completed and even after you leave
school, you may be permitted to wait little
while before bidding France adieu. Let us
rather look upon the brighter side Of the pic
ture. Think how much good you may ac-
complsh; how many hearts you may make
glad, with this vast fortune which has fallen
into your possession"
"Yes, but suppose until am twenty-one
I will not be allowed to have the manage
ment of it" said Helen.
"Then sou will have the more time and op-
portunity to lay and mature plans for the fu-
ture. You will do nothing imprudent, moth
ing rash, but with careful choice and wise
discrimination, select your objects of charity,
of benefaction, consult your taste, your am
bition, your desires, and be prepared to carry
out your projects more to your own satlsfac-
ton than if you heedlessly plunged, without
forethought, into their accomplishment"