Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-06-05

eyes that did not seem natural to them; in
place of the calm steadfastness she remember
ed in their gaze. But the likeness was suf-
fciently correct to have dispelled all doubt
in regard to the identity of the original, even
had such doubt found place for an instant in
her mind.
Three years ago! 1t was just three years
since she had parted from him. Had he,
then, been tampering with Magdalen's afec'
ton at the very time when he had thrust hsr
away9 Had he really felt sentiment of re-
gard for the unsuspecting girl, and prompted
by that, or some darker impulse, violent
ly broken the lawful tie which bound him
in order to have scope for the indulgence
of his new fancy? What was she to think
Magdalen's possession of the picture seemed
to throw dark cloud of suspicion around his
conduct-a deeper mystery than it had worn
beforehand yet, perhaps, it was, rather
solution of the mystery, pointing out the real
motive of the treatment which had hitherto
seemed inexplicable. If he had abandoned
her for Magdalen's sake, could she ever again
meet Magdalen's hand, unsullied though it
was, with the clasp of friendship2 And
he-could he ever again occupy the pima
Gle in her estimation upon which, notwith-
standing the wrong she had suffered at his
hands, he had always continued to stand ?
All no-from that he had fallen, stricken
down with sudden blow, the blow that smote
with death.wound the one fond delusion
she had cherished, that she, alone, had claim
ed his love. To this belief how tenaciously
she had olung, attributing his conduct to any
cause rather than his preference for another.
But how cruelty had. she deceived herself
how cruel was the revelation of the truth !.
These thoughts chased each other in blind
ing confusion through her mind, as she stood
motionless with the picture in her hand.
Magdalen, who, in her own excitement, had
not heard her first involuntary exclamation,
perceived nothing of the tumultuous emo
tions which, in the first bewildering moments
of surprise, must have found some reflex in
the changing hues and quivering lines of her
face. A brief space of utter silence passed,
in which Rachel could almost hear the painful
throbbing of her own heart. Then the ever.
present necessity for concealment came to her
aid, forcing her to control the outward signs
which might betray her to her companions
eyes. By the time the latter turned from the
window and came back to her side, she was,
to all appearance, as calm as before.
Rachel" murmured Magdalen, leaning
one cheek con6dingly against hers, and throw
ing an arm about her waist, "do you wonder
at me now? y ,..
"No," was the low, brief reply. Oh with
what stern selfcommand did she crush down
the rising whirlwind of passion and despair,
the reckless impulse to fling off this slight
girl clinging to her for protection and sup
porto her, the betrayed and deceived-be'
trayer, abandoned for her sake!
"Is he not handsome-is it not a perfect
face?" her tormentor unconsciously went on,
probing deeper and deeper the wound in
which her ignorant words ranked like poison,
until the agony they inflicted was almost too
keen for human fortitude to endure.
"a perfect face" echoed Rachel, in the
same dreary undertone as before.
"And this scarcely does him justice, either
though thought it good likeness at the
time. Good heavens, Rachel, are you i'll p
Magdalen exclaimed, suddenly remarking the
ashy pallor of her face. "You are as white
as spectre"
"Am II" Rachel forced ghastly smile.
81 am not very we'll, believe-I feel little
strangely, Msgdalen. I had better 60 home,
l think"
"oh! don't go home. Lie down and rest,
and let me take care of you. What is it
dear? a headache7 you did not complain
before" said Magdaleu, fetching bottle of
cologne from her mothers dressing.table.
"Let me put this on your head. 1t will do
you good"
"No, must go-I had better CO. Thank
you, that will do no good" said Rachel, put
ting aside the cologne with q hurried gesture
of dissent. She was teverishly anxious now
to get away, to be alone, to escape the scru'
tiny and questioning that drove her wild.
Magdalen appealed to her mother, and the
two united in pressing her to remain and be
nursed by them; but their entreaties were
of no avail, and assuming, with trembling
haste, her out door wraps, Rachel drew her
veil over her face and hurried off.