Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-05-06
CHAPTER XVII-CoNTINUED.

CdAf LEN a Af1l-SoNIlNOcD'
81 presume you have received intimation
of your exchange, Graham" said Davie.
ayes; received it yesterday. By the way,
Hardy brought it. Why did you never tell
me of that atrocious attempt on your life
Ill have him answer for it, yet"
"Oh! that is nothing" said Davie, lightly.
81 suppose he thought it all fair in war.
And he was here last night?'
eyes; and am somewhat surprised to see
you venture here just at this time"
"For fear of Tarletou, eh 1? Oh! claim
more friends in the country than he can, be-
sides knowing every foot of the ground about.
I could entangle him in the by.paths, and
then take the main road to the camp, while
he was extricating himself"
II do think, Henry" said Mr.. Willoughby,
"you ran great risk in coming here tonight.
Think of the imminency Of your peril be-
FORE"
II do think of it," said Davie, gravely.
Il am not so fool-hardy, as you suppose; but
am on my way to Greene, with dispatches.
Morgan had not quite prepared them; so
begged few hours for you, and Sewer will
be on with them tomorrow"
'.And you leave us in the morning" said
Mr.. Willoughby, with more interest than be
had yet manifested
Eyes, must be of. Cornwallis is growing
uneasy at our many depredations, and we an
ticipate the pleasure of hearing from him
shortly. would be back to assist IN the
warm welcome with which we hope to greet
him."
"And YOU intend to stand 6ght?" said
Mrs Willoughby.
Davie>smiled.
"We'll be ea,pt to defend ourselves, sir"
"But their superior numbers, their discip-
line-for I understaS ID they have twelve hun.
dred regulars-will 41ot this intimidate you 2
"My boys would not understand you, sir,
and their major is j3lst as obtuse. We know
no such word as ,nti anidation," replied Davie,
proudly. "But whetp do you act on your ex-
change, Graham?"
81 do not know" replied he, coloring. 81
suppose l should do) it Immediately but my
arm is rather stiff yet"
"You must not think of it, Graham. We
cannot give YOU up, said Mr.. Willoughby.
"Yoa might be weary of my prolonged
visit sir, and duty's calls should not be unan-
swered," said Graham, hestatingly. =,
"Nay then, Ellen must plead with me"
said Mr.. Willoughby. "Perhaps her persua-
sions will have more influence"
81 doubt if Miss Ellen would think it wor-
thy of her pleadings," he replied bitterly.
"And l know to the contrary" said MIR.
- Wifsoughby, emphatically.
Here is Miss Ellen, herself, to decide the
vexed question, said Davie, as she entered the
room; and advancing to meet her, he took
her hand and led her to a seat.
"And what Gordian knot do you expect
me to unravel ?" asked Ellen, looking up at
Davie, who leant upon the back of her chair
"Graham started as he looked up at her.
What metamorphosis had thus changed her,
who had so lately been the pale and silent
girl, to the radiant beauty before him. She
was attired in pale blue silk dress, which
contrasted admirably with tine clear white
skin, 80 transparent as to show the delicate
tracery of the veins beneath. The soft
peachy tinge of her cheek. flushed and ia.
ded with every emotion. Her dark blue eyes
seemed swimming in sea Of liquid tender
ness, and ever and anon, the heavy lashes
dropped as if unable to bear their sweet bur-
den. Smiles, like cupids, played around her
arching lips and the dimples merrily chased
each other in glancing Highs. The square
bodice was laced over rich lace stomacher,
which but partially concealed the swelling
bust, heaving in rapid respirations, tremulous
in bounding joy. :
"What Gordian knot do you expect me to
unravel ?"
Her eyes dropped, and the rose on her
cheek tinged to damask blue, ere Davie re-
piled:
"Graham is to leave you. What induce
ment will you offer for his remainingf"
She started as she heard it. This was joy
ful news; but courtesy as well as the kind
ness of her nature, forbade her wounding
him.
"If the inducements are to be offered
against the calls of duty, far be it from me
to counsel against his interest,"" she replied.
There was no flush now, no dimpling smile,
as calmly aud coldly her eye met his.
He laughed bitterly.
81 told you so, Mr.. Wiloughby. My de-
parture shall meet with neither opposition nor
regret" a.,
"Nay," said she, with great sweetness, "do
I not FIJI the Office of true friendship when
counsel and encourage you in the pursuit OF
honor? Would I not be recreant to that
trust, did not assist you in the discharge of
the duty ?"
"And you would bid him 60, to fight
against the cause you have espoused p said
Mr. Willoughby, reproachfully.
"That cause is his honor" said Ellen gent
ly.
"But ladies of old persuaded men to what
they considered truth and justice, and then
armed their knights to higher achievements, y
replied Mr.. Willoughby, anxious that Ellen
should be interested in pleading with Graham.
May, uncle, you mistake. The knight
adventurer must himself weigh the justice
and danger of the cause, and it would i'll be-
come me to influence one, so far from every
friend who ought to advise en- such step.
Our cause, desperate as it is, is founded on
the great principles of truth and justice, and
to induce him to take the irretrievabe step,
would, in my judgment, be neither the one
nor the other"
Sweet monitor have but one fault to
find with you" said Graham, throwing HIM
self on an ottoman by her side; 'you are too
reasonable by half
eff that is her only fault, Graham, she
will, the next moment, reach perfection. A
woman steadily sensible, would be an anon
aly," said Mr.. Willoughby.
"Then will sit here and wait the propitious
moment" said he, "for, alas !! fatal self indul
gence has made me such a creature of imagl
nation, that I cannot brook the colder die
tates Of reason. Davie, can you not recon-
mend friend who will teach me to redeem
my errors"
uNoy T mood tno much stern disciDline