Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-06-03
ELLEN CAMPBELL, GAlME([]P BELL !, !,
KINGS MOUNTAIN.
BY MRS. MARY A. EWAkT.

ewes seemed melting in their liquid depths
The happy knowledge was too much tor him
His soul was flooded in the fond ecstacy, ant
pale and trembling, he would have fallen hat
she not assisted MIN. He leant his head OF
her shoulder for one sweet moment; thel
feebly walking TO seat, still supported b.
her fair arm, he drew her to him.
"This is as it should be, Ellen" he said, a
again his head rested on her shoulder. "You
support, your encouragement. God knows
need it, Ellen. Life of my life, health OF al
that is holy in my nature, tell me you low
me-"
His head fell upon her bosom, his arm wa
around her, as trembling in his natures i'm
passioned impulse, he awaited the reply tha
he felt was to give not only happiness bu
life. Gently raising him from his position
silently unciasping the arms that we're aroune
her, Ellen tenderly laid his head on the pill
lows of the lounge, and taking her seat bJ
his side, she said:
"Now, we will talk Herbert; what do yor
want of me?" :.
She called him Herbert, and ah she coule
not raise those earnest truthful eyes to MS
face.
II want you to be my guide, my stay, my
hope of heaven, my souls salvation, Ellen,'
he said vehemently.
"Hush, Herbert; don't talk so wildly
That can never be, sinful and erring as
am but your solace, your comfort, youl
sympathizing friend, your loving counsellor
YOUR help.meet Herbert, I will be-so helI
God. Her calmness, her solemnity aweo
him. He shuddered and covered his face
with his hands.
"Do not think I do not love you Herbert
You are very, very dear to me. Your gentle
affection, your truth, your nobleness, all com
mend it but this is not all. l love you fol
an inner self that I do not as yet understand
a fastidiousness of feeling, a reserve, shy and
proud, a hidden mystery of character that
has fascinated and enthralled me. Do speak
too boldly! Believe would practice more
reserve did I not think you needed protesta
tion to assure you"
Boldly, Ellen! You bold? Oh if you
knew-if you could see my heart!'
81 will yet see it and understand it all, shall
I not ?" she asked sweetly.
God forbid" he cried, in strong emotion:
"Ellen," said he, grasping her hand and
drawing her with Irresistible force towards
him, 'let me tell you how madly, how pas
sionately l love you. How would dare
defy earth and hell to win you how would
risk my hope of heaven for your sweet sake
Oh! Ellen, to claim you, pure angel, as my
wife, is a joy l never dared to hope, and
now, angels and devils do their worst, you are
mine, and as mine | will hold you"
There was fire in his eyes, flush on his
cheek, burning fever in his bounding pulse,
that startled and panied her.
"Herbert," she said reproachfully, with
drawing herself from his OBTAINING arm, "Tbis
is unseemly and, forgive me-cruel." Tears
trembled in her soft blue eyes and her lip
quivered.
"Forgive me, Ellen, dearest, best; am
beside myself l know not what | say. |
but know love, heaven knows how wildly
and am beloved. Kiss me my own, my
peerless Ellen, and with that kiss, grant
forgiveness" She drew coldly, proudly from
him.
"Betrothal is too pure and holy to be con.
tamiuated by baser passions. Your kiss is
for wife, not maiden. will not tell you
how much you have wounded me, but beg
you not to repeat it"
"Good heavens, Ellen, how have I offend.
ed? What do you mean ? Oh! do not with
draw the sweet boon of your love from me-
Deprived of that, I am indeed wretched
He buried his face in the cushion. His tone
was hopeless and sad in the extreme. Strange
mystery he was SO cold, so shy, so passion
ate, so tender What should she do? If she
encouraged him, he was all wildness; if she
frowned, he was all hopelessness.
"You are yet i'll you are feverish. Her
bert-you must be calm; when you are bet
ter we will talk of this"
Her composure, her dignity, awed him
HI was as docile child before her. She
would not listen to his passionate VOWS, mol
suffer his loverlike caresses, and when she
found he sought occasion for these, she would
not meet him alone, but contrived a third
person should be always party to their meet
ings If he was passionate and tender, she
was cold and shy. If he was warm and ca
ger, she was proud and reserved. If he wal
reckless and pleading, she was calm and firm
till he was fain to believe her cold as the
Diana his angry impatience named her.
One day, after in vain striving to warm he1
into something like sympathy for his passion
ate feelings, he said:
81 do not believe you know what love is
Ellen"
"You do mott" she replied, with that arcl
smile, that he so loved.
"No," said he, angrily, "else you could no
be so firm, 80 cold"
She watched him moment as he stoot
looking moodily from her.
"The mountain glacier, Herbert, that yol
so often tell me of, is cold, firm, impassive
while held by its icy bands; but bursting it
chains an avalanche thunders down, th'
streams become torrents, and nature itself j
startled by the mighty fall"
"And your love is like this Tell me, El
len," said he, suddenly turning and graspinl
her hand.
"Hush, Herbert A maiden's love will no
be questioned" she replied, the rosy colo
deepening on neck and brow, as she Withdrew
her hands from him.
"suftice it, you have the exchange Of m,
loves faithful VOW"
"Yes but [ would hear it again and ye
again, and never weary of the hearing, tina
this bud of love, by constant breath, nigh
prove beauteous flower" said he.
"You would mar and destroy it by constan
handling" she replied, "even as flowers vii
not brook warm and rough pressure"
"You are right, Ellen" said he. "In spit
of my impatience, I feel you are right, and il
the very coldness that so censure, my bette
nature finds sweet repose and rest. But, El
len, tell me-for you have taught me that
do not know it-what love is? 1 call it
s,aasion xra..la alzo L a&ontinn