Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-01-30
;ect for mv.iourney which will satisfy all in

how" said Sir Francis, who had morbid
horror of gossip, particularly where it could
concern his own family or their affairs. ,n'!
"This shall not, sir, so far as can prevent
it; and Mr.. Crofton, for his wards sake,
would not spread any report which could con-
meet my name with hers ...- .n""i.1 :. >
"You are certainly the most devoted lover
ever heard off,; said Sir Francis, half vex'
ed, half touched by the young mans earnest
ness, which showed itself unconsciously in the
flush of his cheek and the tremor of his
voice. "You are as enthusiastic as the knights
of fable, who roamed the world over, exer-
cising their prowess in behalf Of ladies whom
they had erected on apedestal of their own
fancy, content to worship them without the
hope of reward" p. r... ...... 80. -
'sBut 1 do hope for my reward" said
Frank, "and may yet surprise you by obtain
ing it. Now, father, give your consent freely
to my scheme. Think of the importance77to
me-of its success, and give me at least a
God:speed to cheer me on my way. If l fail,
you will have the satisfaction of knowing
that my doubts are laid at rest-for1 / will not
give up until they are-and if l succeed
promise me that you will not grudge me my
reward, provided can obtain it. Won't you
make that compact?" l. ~ i '..' ..
"You are headstrong, impulsive boy
said Sir Francis, "apd you put no faith in the
Judgment of those older and more experienced
than yourself Nevertheless, as you are a
very good son to me, and have acted most du-
tifully of late I suppose I must let you take
your own way now, though very foolish
way it is. l could keep you at home, OF
course, by insisting that my health, and so
forth, won't permit me to get on without your
assistance but l won't have you, consider
me selfish old tyrant, and, therefore, I'll op-
pose your mad scheme no more" .... -
"Thank you, sir" said Frank heartily.
p, Sir Francis turned to his desk and wrote
off something. "Mind you," he said when he
had finished, II don't approve of you expedi,
ton, or put whit more faith in its results
than l did before; but l am willing you
should undertake it, simply that you may be-
come convinced of its futility, and acknowl-
edge that my judgment was better thar, yours.
Therefore, that you may not have any un-
necessary stumbling-block in your way, you
can make use Of this if it will be any help to
you" He handed Frank the slip Of paper on
which he had been writing, as he spoke. It
proved to be checque on his banker for a
hundred pounds. 49,. ... -....y.... go.
".You are very good, sir, but I don't re-
quire it, and won't take ii" replied Frank.
"You need all. you have, and I am not going
to let my scheme particularly as it may re.
suit in nothing-be a drag on your pocket"
Nonsense You need not spend it if you
can do without; but you must take it and
have it by you in case Of an emergency. !
insist upon it, said Sir Francis, so positively
that Frank made no farther demur. 81 shall
consider it we'll spent, if it helps destroy your
delusion, which, see, nothing but your own
personal experience can do away with. And
now that l have sacrificed my reason to your
folly, think l may, in turn, exercise claim
on your generosity. When you have return
ed from your expedition, satisfied that farther
effort will be vain, and with your present idle
fancy scattered to the winds, will you then
reconsider the proposal l have more than
once made to you, and give your consent to
my cherished wish?", 49,. .:... ..
eyes," said Frank, without hesitation; "it
you can reconcile it to your conscience, to
have me do the young lady you allude to, the
injustice of making, or proposing to make,
her my wife, without feeling spark Of afec-
tion for her, shall then no longer decline
complying with your wish, as shall be per-
fectly Indifferent as to what becomes of me"
"Humphv' was all Sir Francis said. He
was not particularly satisfied with the tone OF
Franks reply; but thinking probably that it
would not be wise to press this delicate subject
farther, he reverted quickly to the former
theme .... .;.. .. ... -.
"'When will you set out ?" he inquired.
a"Immediately, sir that is, within day or
two. I shall see Eleanor and her husband,
of course; so if you or any of the family have
any commissions for them, just have them
prepared and I'll take charge Of them."
Lena was wild to accompany her brother !;
but this, of course, was impossible. =. "There
is no telling where / may bring up, before |
get back" said Frank. ... ...
81 suppose you will 60 to the worlds ends,
if necessary" said enthusiastic Lena.
"Of course l shall" ..l. ....
"And if you find her, you will bring her
back with your" ..
"At any rate, will place her in the hands
of her rightful guardian" said Frank, "and
trust to my good fortune for the rest"
.".Oh! the rest will be easy" said, Lena, con-
fdently. "She wouldn't be so ungrateful as
to deny you anything, after you had done her
such service - ........ .. ...- .
"I don't want her to give me anything out
of gratitude But it is rather premature to
discuss that question yet, little sister, | may
never have the happiness of finding her."
"My dear Frank, believe you will. Some
thing tells me that she is alive, and only
waiting for you to discover her hiding place.
See if l am not true prophecies" s."
The words seemed idle, yet they cheered
Frank strangely. Something in his own
heart whispered an echo to the prophecy, and
filled him with hope as he set off on his
quest. .,.... ., y. :r. ;,