Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-05-15

S.
said Kate. II presume you can find out for
yourself"
$50 I can, my dear, and so l will. In
fact" said the minister, with rather desper.
ate air, II can't endure the suspense much
longer; 'sjust wearing me out. l truly be-
lieve, Kitty, that I've lost ten pounds in the
last fortnight"
His sister heaved a gentle sigh. In the
peaceful days, when he was not in love, he had
never complained of losing flesh. Then his
spirits had always been cheerful and equable.
It seemed rather hard upon her to have him
talk in this strain, and be expected to sympa'
thize; especially, when she thought of her
bosom friend, Janette Malcolm. However,
she was really attached to Rachel, and this
fact was consoling one. il
"Heigh.ho," sighed Harry, after another
profound silence, during which his sister dill
igently pursued her work; and rising from
bis chair he crossed over to where she sat and
kissed her. "Wish me luck, my darling,
he said, "for am going to make bold ven.
ture, and woe betide me if fail" .....r
Mr.. Wade was man of action. He
marched straight from his own parlor to that
of Mrs. Stanton, resolved to know his fate at
once. Rachel came down to answer the mes
sage sent up to her, requesting few minutes
conversation alone, good deal surprised,
but never guessing for an instant the object
of his visit. She looked pale and heavy-eyed,
for she had slept little and thought much Of
late, and her mind had not yet recovered
its tone. The minister took her hand. Some.
thing in his touch, his manner, would sure
ly have whispered to her Of his sentiments, had
not her thoughts been so entirely removed
from the possibility Of such sentiments exist
ing in anybody's mind in relation to her.
His speech was prompt and to the purpose.
He was so very much in earnest that he never
thought of pausing to feel his way He
scarcely waited to lead her to seat before
he commenced. a.. ....[.., ......
Rachel" he said-and now she did start
and look up in doubtful amazemeut, at this
familiar utterance of her name-"it is very
likely you may be quite unprepared for what
I have come to tell you this evening. But l
found couldn't wait any longer. I am not
used to uncertainty of any kind, and it tor
ments me. Do you know that I love you
with all my heart and soul :"
"Oh Mr.. Wade" cried Rachel. 1t was
all shecould say. The shock Of the announce
ment nearly took away her breath. .-
"I do, indeed" said Harry, with an EN-.
phasis, which left no doubt Of his sincerity.
''Tell me, Rachel, do you care for me, just a
little : Do you think you can learn"
s'stop, stop" Rachel broke IN; nppttiag out
one trembling hand. A look of white terror
came now into her face, She recoiled, as if
to ward off the possibility of his touching her,
a movement which wounded him greatly. He
arose and stood before her. drawing his stal.
wart figure up to its full height.
"Have I frightened your I beg your par
don," he said, with certain proud humility
in his tone. II am always so abrupt, know.
But you need not look so horri6ed, Rachel.
You have no cause to fear me. At least, l
have right to expect an answer"
She dropped her face into her hands, tremb'
ling all over: An impulse seized her to tell
him her secret, for she felt, instinctively, that
with him it would be safe. But in the next
instant, the ever.haunting dread Of discovery
came back upon her with all its force, and
checked her. ~ ~
II never dreamed of your-of anybody
caring for me-" she said, in low tone. II
cannot marry you, Mr.. Wade. I cannot
marry any one. It's utterly impossible" i"
She looked up again at him, this time with
entreaty in her eyes, which were full Of tears.
"Pray, pray, forget that you ever had such
thought" she said.
"How can I forget it ?" rejoiued Harry.
He looked down at her for moment, Won
der, curiosity at her strange manner, and
wounded feeling still struggling within him ;
then his love overpowered his pride, and
kneeling before her he took her hand be.
tween his own and poured forth a plea 80
eager, 80 tender, that she was fain to listen to
the end, since it would brook no interruption.
But her answer was the same. d.
II cannot-I cannot" she family said.
"If you only knew, you would not ask me-"
eff I only knew vhat What mystery is
there that you cannot explain?" asked her
lover. "Oh! Rachel, if you could look into
my heart you would not triAe with me. I
have never loved before. Never imagined
what it was to love as love you. You have
my fate in your hands"
"Hush-oh! hush," cried Rachel, almost
frantic at having to listen to such words. 1t
seemed as if, in listening to them, she was
committing sin. 81 tell you it is impossi-
ble," she repeated. eff you have any pity
for me, 60 away now and leave me-"
CHAPTER vi.
Love may come. and love may 60,
And fly, like bird, from tree to tree,
But will love no more, no more,
T1syI Ii. L. H. ko,