Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-12-09
CHAPTER II.

In making himself familiar with all the
ins and outs of his large estate and in be
coming acquainted with his numerous tenants
Roland found his time pass very quickly
He felt that he could be perfectly happy
here, but for the one prospect which shadowed
his life; and from the recollection of this he
could not, in his busiest moments, escape
Even if he could otherwise have succeeded
in doing so, he would have been prevented by
old Priscila's constant reminders; for uncon'
scious of the pain she was inaicting, the gar
rulous nurse loved to enlarge upon topic
! which she naturally thought was one Of espe'
cial interest to him. Numberless we're the
questions she asked him, ON every possible oc-
casion, regarding the disposition, appearance
and habits of his fancee, and it would torture
her listener to hear her innocently exclaim,
"Ah, happy will be the day that sees fair
young bride come to be mistress of Linton
Towers! Blessings on her for giving you her
love- my hearts jewel! With such treas.
ure you'll have naught more to wish for"
All too swiftly for Roland, went by the
weeks that elapsed between his arrival at
Linton Towers and his return to the home he
had lately left, where bis doom, and Miriam 8
awaited them both. A day of doom it seem.
ed, indeed when it dawned upon them and
never more reluctant pair met at the holy
altar to plight their vowsAvows which in
this case were mockery, indeed. Miriam,
instructed by her mother, and perhaps school
ed by her own resolution and selfcontrol into
outward submission, appeared coldly resigned,
immovable, expressionless as marble statue /;
while Roland, less able to conceal his agita.
ton, was, to all appearance, by far, the most
disturbed of the two. The short ceremony
was over. There was no wedding breakfast
or other festivity, since the newly married
pair were to start at once for their Kentish
home. With the same cold and passive air
which she had worn through the morning,
Miriam received the adieux of her mother.
Her husband assisted her into the carriage
which waited at the door, and they were
driven rapidly away.
Evening brought them to the abode of
which she had just become the mistress.
Here, of course, a tetinue of domestics stood
ready to receive them, and foremost among
these was old Priscilla, waiting to bestow her
warmest greeting on "her boys BRIDE" With
gesture of mingled reverence and affection,
she stepped towards Miriam, took her hand
between her own wrinkled and tremulous
hands, and with low courtsey pressed it to
her lips.
"The Lord be thanked!' she devoutly ex-
claimed. 1--WE lived to see mistress again
in Linton Towers and fair and handsome
mistress, too," she continued, fixing gaze of
earnest scrutiny upon Miriam's face, though
over-sad and grave looking for one so young
Surely it's happier look you should be
wearing on your wedding day, and you the
Lady of Linton It's i'll luck to enter your
new home with sorrowful face, my lady"
"You are rather free with your remarks" !"
coldly answered Miriam, as she withdrew her
hand from the old woman's clasp. Priscilla
instantly drew herself erect; stood for one
instant motionless, without removing her
eyes from the young lady, who with equal
steadfastness returned the gaze then turning
away with stately gesture left the hall in
silence. In that interchange of glances, each
had read enmity and hatred, suddenly awak-
ened, never to die out of the others heart.
So inauspicious an introduction did not tend
to inspire the rest of the servants with cordial
desire to welcome their new mistress, thereby
incurring the risk of meeting with similar
rebuffs. With downcast and disappointed
looks, all fell back, except the old butler,
who with silent gravity, preceded his lord
and lady to the reception-room. Miriam,
however, desired to be shown at once to her
apartments and shutting herself up in them,
she did not again appear below during the
evening, saying that she was too fatigued to
sit up any longer
Priscilla took care to keep aloof, and Ro'
land, knowing how deeply she must be offend.
ed, sought her out, in order to try and soften,
by some means, the vexation which she felt
and persuade her to forget the cold manner in
which her wel.meant advances had been re.
ceived. At first, with gesture of the hand
the old woman signi6ed to him not to ap.
proach her, and when he would speak, listen
ed in silence. Finally, in voice full of dig.
nifty, mingled with sadness, she exclaimed
81 don't doubt your friendiness and good
intentions, master Roland I know you well
enough to believe that you wouldn't hurt the
feelings of one who nursed you as a baby
and would give her hearts blood to make you
happy. But l fear tne you have chosen a
stony. hearted bride--one who won't bring
much Joy or sunshine into your home. Why
did you deceive me, and make me believe she
was of different sort? Why did you let me
go on praising her, and thinking, like fool
your marriage would prove blessing to you
and yours ? Ah! my eyes haven't looked
upon the world and human kind these seven.
ty years for nothing. | can read faces-1 can
read hearts. And say your lady's face is
fair, but cruel; say her heart is cruel, too
cruel and hard Master Roland, do you not