Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-05-27

that was stranger to restraint, Herber
gave himself entirely up to the witchine
fascination. His days were now all merged
in those short twilight hours, when a whis
pered word, or more rarely, tender pres
sure of the hand, was but fresh fuel for dan
gerous reverie. The previous months o.
listless inactivity, the subduing, seducine
listlessness, well prepared him for the tende,
romantic finale. He was no longer master
of his own actions, but consumed by fever
his nature would not struggle against, he wat
restless, impatient, and irritable. He had
in vain petitioned for an interview. Leono
ra either could not, or would not, grant it
Perhaps dreading discovery that would
forever mar this stolen sweet, or perhaps
dreading weakness that would have de6ed
all conventional rules.
In vain Mr.. Monckton (who, shut up with
his books was perfect stranger to the cause
of this restless irritation,) expostulated. In
vain he argued, till finally threatening to re
turn TO America, Herbert, in a passionate
letter of reproachful tenderness upbraiding
Leonora with cruelty and per6dity, bade her
adieu forever. Giving this in charge of
trusty messenger, he awaited the result, per-
fectly satisfied it would be as he wished. A
long restless day sped. Another and yet an
other. Still no message. Worked almost to
frenzy, again he sought the evening drive
The phaton, with its lovely freight, was al
ready there but another figure was by the
side of Leonora, an older and graver face, one
less lovely, but more proud. 1t was sister
one wrapped in the fortunes of her house,
and whose patrician pride was but secondary
to the worship of her lovely and loving Leo
nora. She watched Herbert's bold look with
Jealous wrath, and as reckless Of appearances
he stopped to whisper bitter farewell as the
phaeton slowly passed, her angry glance
seemed ready to strike him with its proud
scorn as punishment for his temerity. A low
cry reached his ear-was it Leonora? He
turned, and again passing the phaton, saw
her pale and fearless in her sisters arms. No
longer hesitating, he followed the carriage
that was now rapidly conveying her home
1t stopped in front of high massive portal
for Florence's palaces are built like fortresses
AS it waited an instant for the opening Of the
gate, Herbert sprang from his horse and
throwing the reins over his arm, advanced to
her side.
"Leohora," he cried, impetuously, zone
word before we part, perhaps forever"
Her eyes sparkled. She laughed low
triumphant laugh.
"It is my fate, sister. To night, she whis'
pered to Herbert, "and here"
"Leonora, are you mad? What would you
do p said her sister.
"Hush Francesca be prudent" She
smiled bitterly, as she pointed to the servants
"It must be so. When did you ever know
me to give up after that? Farewell, Her
bert, you have we'll nigh maddened me-but
to onight." She smiled warm, beaming
smile, and resting her head on her sisters
bosom, as if yet trembling from sudden sor
row, she passed through the gates that were
now opened to receive them. He saw them
enter a spacious court, heard the gurgling Of
failing fountains, and the heavy leaves were
closed. Night, calm, placid, silvery, found
him waiting on this enchanted ground. Min
utes like hours, rolled on; but at length
small postern was opened, and dark figure
cautiously peered out. "Howard!" was whis
pered, and Herbert sprang forward. "Hist,
said the voice; mo words, follow me-" The
wild feeling of romantic delight to which
Herbert now gave himself up to, amounted
almost to a sense of pain, and though he
would not for worlds have gone back, yet he
almost longed for sober moment to cool his
chaotic feelings. Following a winding path
that led amidst statues and tropical foliage, he
deserted stately portico, its pure Corinthi
an columns shining like silver in the moon
light Then the majestic proportions of a
large and noble mansion were clearly defined
as he followed his dark and silent guide
through the gardens, arboured avenues, and
caught the glimpses of the sparkling foun'
tains as they fell in murmuring music They
stood before low and trellised arbor.
"In there" she whispered, "wait."
And Herbert was alone with that wondrous
moonlight; with the wild music of the mur.
muring water and the rapid beatings of bis
own heart. He did not have to wait long
A fawn.like step struck his ear, an eager
whisper of "Howard," and Leonora, the pas
sionate, the proud, was folded to his heart
She knew no coyness she had no "cunning to
be strange" This fair Saxon youth had daz
zled her, and now he was unconsciously add
ing yet another charm. He possessed the ir'
resistible grace of youth, the youth Of heart
and soul, joined to the youth of beauty, and
as the sparkling poetry with which his nature
was so deeply imbued, broke forth from his
heart and showed in his features, Leopora gave
herself up to the intoxication of the hour,
and drank draughts of passion that inter
twined itself with every fibre of her heart
Is it wonder that midnight still found them
lingering over the sweet sorrow of parting, OF
that again and again Francesca warned them
of the feeting hours?
Tomorrow, LeonS9a, I may Gomez" he
whispered.
Tomorrow Will it ever come? I'm
jealous of your liberty till then," she said.
"But bark, my sister, again Howard, one
word. Look at me" She drew him to the
warm moonlight, and those glorious eyes dis
coursed language lovers are no strangers to.