Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-05-01

OF fr1endshlp, only 10 mo tnat theFe was q
boundary line beyond which i was useless
to try to psss. Still, she was trife more
unconstrained- just q shade less impractfca-
ble-with Lucy than with any oneelse The
wistful, far away look she generally wore
would brighten into something like smile
at her approach, and she took evident pleas
ure in the girls sunshiny words and ways.
So it came about by degrees that something
of mystery attached itself to her, and the
people who had tried in vain to find her out,
and whose proffered kindnesses she invariably
put aside, all arrived at the conclusion that
there must be some weighty secret connected
with her life, which made her so unapproach.
able and strange, and so different from every
body else. A few there were who shook their
heads, and looked ominiously significant, as
though they thought her something more than
strange; but the Drowsievillians were in gen
eral simple-hearted, unsuspicious set, not
prone to jump at evil conclusions, and the
number of such cavillers was small. One
point was universally conceded, ndlthat was,
that Rachel Ray was terribly proud. Not
the smallest favor would she consent to- &C.
cept from the hands of one Of them, however
naturally and delieately rendered. Once or
twice Mrs. Canning had prepared for her a
little extra dish-which she could i'll Afford
thinking, perhaps, that she looked pale and
tired, or was worn down by steady work and
to her modification, it was gently, but decid-
edly refused, her lodger averring that she
liked plain fare better than any other.
Again, when Lucy brought her ticket for q
bazaar to be given in aid Of the Sabbath
school fund, saying she had had some given
her to distribute, she declined to accept it, on
the plea that she had no time to partake Of
any amusement; and though several times
invited to small social gatherings, she inva-
riably excused herself After while, there
fore, as was natural enough, she dropped
pretty much out of notice, except SO far as
her work brought her into contact with 9TH
ers. Only Lucy, impelled by the attraction
which had influenced her always, could not
let her alone; but continued topay her occa-
sional visits, which were never returned, and
to bring her flowers, which she could not re-
fuse; and once in while-though this hap
pened very rarely-she managed to coax her
out for little walk beyond the town.
"You will kill yourself, shut up as you are,
day after day, in this box Of yours, moping
over your work, with nothing. to refresh or
divert you," she said one evening when she
had been trying, but in vain, to persuade
Rachel to make one Of these excursions !
"Kill myselfp Rachel echoed the words
with strange smile, and dropping the sewing
from her hands sat for moment gazing out
of the window with that vague dreamy look
of hers, which seemed to see nothing within
ordinary range of sight. And then she MUIR
INJURED to herself, % if forgetting Lucys pres
ence, II wish could-I only wish I could" |"
"Rachel r. exclaimed her visitor, dismayed.
"What do you mean -
The other came back to her consciousness
of the present, with little laugh, and picked
up her work again with tremulous fingers, a
red spot burning in either cheek. "You think
am out of my WITS I suppose" she said,
sewing very fast as she spoke. II feel some
times as if that was the case, myself But
it's no great wonder if l get weary Of life oc.
casionally. I have not much to make itsWeet
to me-" g 3sHat ls.7 adF U .reasYe
"And isn't it your fault that it is SO drea-
ry :" asked Lucy, reproachfolly. "You know
we'll enough, Rachel, that / would do many
things to brighten and cheer you, if you
would but let me-" a.G4
eyes, know. You are very good-very
kind, Lucy, and you must think me migrate
full and cold hearted to show so little appreci-
alton of all that you have done. But moth:
ing can brighten my life again nothing. :!
cannot help wishing that it was all over, and
that could be at peace. There, / never
meant to say so much" she cried, suddenly
checking herself. "Ohl Lucy, / am not fit
company for you-you who are so happy and
Young and careless. Why don't you stay
with others who are like yourself2"
Because I want to help you" said Lucy,
and with sudden impulse she put her arms
around Rachel, and kissed her. "You have
told me something, Rachel, Now tell me
everything, will you not tt" ssa s.E
"Never," cried Rachel, passionately.
"Never!"
-" fro BE Continued