Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-04-29
APRIL 80, 1880.

II thank you very mucb," she said, tal-
teringly.
"Tell me I'm forgiven for this morning" "
he said, in low voice.
"I would be indeed ungrateful to withhold
forgiveness" she replied, the rich color again
mantling her sunny cheek.
He watched her for a moment in silence !;
then with deep sigh, turned away.
"Come here, Ellen" said Mr.. Willoughby.
~ am glad that detestable Hardy is gone.
Did he agitate you, my love p
"a little nervous perhaps" replied she,
surprised at the unwonted tone Of kindness ;
for of late Mr.. Willough had been both
fretful and stern. "How nobly Graham de-
Tended you, and with what cool courage be
rebuked that ruf6an !" Ellen languidly as
sented. "You will see nothing good in Ora.
ham, Ellen"
"Nay, uncle, you wrong me. see in him
everything that is good and noble and true"
my dear Ellen, and you will yet make
your old uncle happy, by giving him this
dearest wish Of his heart!"
"Do not persecute me, uncle. l am weary
of this trial" she replied; and, indeed, her
pale cheeks gave evidence of it.
"This once listen to me, Ellen. I love
you, love you dearly, God knows how much.
From your infancy until now, you have been
the loving child, the dear companion of my
lonely life. I have brought you up in the
enjoyment Of every comfort and luxury. All
that I have is yours. You are dear to me,
my child, as the apple of my eye. For this
love, for this care, l have never asked any.
thing of you till now, Ellen and now | ask,
by your gratitude for all that care, by the
memory of all that love, as you would save
my gray hairs from sorrow and your own soul
from my curse, to grant me this one blessing.
And, oh Ellen, what is it ask2 A union
with one, that to every gift of nature, adds
an intellect of no inferior order, heart rich
in every fine emotion. Your studies will be
his studies, your wishes, your feelings, your
hopes, your fears will all mingle with his. He
will enhance your pleasures, share your sor-
rows and cheer your melancholy. Oh! Ell,
len, as you value my happiness; nay, as you
value my life, turn not a deaf ear to my
prayer. My child, my darling, say you will
bless meW
He took her in his arms, he kissed her
white brow, while his tears fell like rain upon
her cheek. He called her by every endearing
name and begged her for the love of God, to
grant his prayer. She shuddered in the en-
brace, she shrank from the caress, and with
drawing herself from his arms with her eyes
undimmed by single tear, but her cheek
blanched to the hue of marble, she answered
him
"Tell me, uncle, how it is this stranger has
stolen into your heart, robbed your Ellen of
the indulgent love that was never till now de-
MED her, and would force her to a union that
would forever perjure her soul and dishonor
every principle of her nature? Oh uncle,
what madness is this! have you no mercy?"
And she clasped her hands the image Of tear
less despair.
Call it madness if you will, Ellen" he re-
piled, turning away from that strong look,
"'tis madness that will bless you while I live,
or in cursing, will bring down my gray hairs
in sorrow to the grave"
She shuddered, and with tightening clasp
Of the clenched hands, continued
II have no love to give. l would but de-
fraud his affection or, oh, God worse still,
dishonor it p and the burning face was hid in
her hands.
"E1len," said Mr.. Willoughby, more stern.
ly, "is it possible, you cling to that dream =?
Oh Ellen, Ellen, I thought more Of your
pride, your principle"
Il have no pride now," she replied, stung
to calmness again by the latent sarcasm in
the tone. "But will make one more appeal.
l will tear the veil from my heart, and if
there is shame in thus exposing what my lips
have never murmured, even to myself, let the
cruelty that forces me to it, bear the disgrace.
l love another; l love Henry Davie" Her
voice trembled and her color faded and flush
ed like rosy waves, as she proceeded. "Be-
fore knew what love was, l loved the fear
less boy that so controlled me with his gener.
Gus spirit As 1 grew older, his coming was
watched with delight, and unconsciously my
cheek would flush and my eye kindle as he
was praised. Then came time Of tremulous
Joy, when love first woke its echoes in my
heart, and every sense was pervaded with fond
emotion. Hush, do not blame me. Henry
loved me; yes, he loved me- she said, her
eyes swimming, smile lowering on her lip, as
the happy memory flooded her soul. ~ knew
it by pressure of the hand, read it in
many a stolen glance. I heard it in the lin
gering tones of parting, and in the tremulous
JOY of greeting. Every cadence Of his voice
told me the tale, every act breathed it, and,
ah every pulse of my being responded.
Then came time of doubt, when the lover
was lost in the patriot, and honor and glory
were my rivals. Then 1 learnt that what to
me was life and being, was to him secondary
to higher, holier, purer feeling, and l waited
in patience, and loved him dearer for the
manly virtue. At length, from his own lips,
l learnt he loved me-"
Mr.. Willoughby started.
"True, we have exchanged no VOWS !; but
failing to be his wife, every principle, every
emotion of my heart, bids me be the bride of
Heaven. And now will you bid me VOW to
another the love that has so passed from my
keeping? Would you bid me stand at Gods
altar and VOW, for veal or woe, so help me
God, with my heart crying out at the per:
Jury? Will you doom me to sin, that will
not only crush out my hope of happiness here,
but will shut out every hope of heaven here
after? Oh! uncle, spare me- do not make
me curse the day of my BIRTH"
"Ellen, Ellen, my child, do not look so
wretched. Oh! God, my punishment is
greater than 1 can bear. Tell me you for
give me, Ellen. Alas, alas, the curse attends
all who are connected with me. This agony
will kill me-" and he struck his clenched
hand against his brow, as he groaned in bitter
sorrow.
Ellen did not weep. She seemed turned to
stone. Her look followed him, as she waited
for his answer