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

that so?" asked Priscilla, with her usual
searching glance. .
II cannot love her. Heaven knows would
; if could.1
"If you could, it would be love thrown
away-it would be pearls cast before swine
God help you, my poor boy! Your fate is
harder one than you deserve. Evil was the
day when they, thinking only of lands, and
money, and the family name, blighted your
life by making this contract for you in your
cradle! As to me, shall never trouble her
ladyship with my presence again, unless she
specially commands it. l see plain enough it
would never be welcome to her"
"But, Priscilla" exclaimed Roland, fearful
that he had gone too far, in admitting the
truth of the case to even so faithful and tried
a friend as this old dependent, "for my sake,
beg that you will cease to think and speak
of this matter and, above all, never betray
to any one, by word or sign, that Lady Hep
burn is other than you could wish, or that
that this coldness of feeling exists between
myself and her."
"And what does my young master ia ke me
for?' somewhat Indignantly responded the
worthy dame, Ito suppose that l. can't keep a
family secret-one that concerns the family
honor? Me, that has been born and raised
on the estate, and has held two generations of
Hepburns in my arms? I've eyes to see, and
ears to hear, and wisdom to know how to
hold my tongue when it's my duty to do it.
But it's sad and sorrowful l am to know
there's such secret to keep"
after al" said Roland, making an effort
to speak more cheerfully, there is no terrible
secret in the matter. l and Lady Hepburn,
being bound to each other, without our knowl-
edge or consent, in our childhood, and not
liking to act in direct opposition to the wills
Of those who judged such an arrangement to
| be wise one, have merely consented to do as
was promised for US, and must abide by our
own decisions. l suppose there have been
numberless matches made without affection
quite as many as those which are entered in
to by persons of their own free will. AT any
rate, it is useless to take too gloomy view of
what cannot be helped and my wife, to say
the least, is as much to be pitied as myself"
"Ah! differ from you there" rejoined old
Priscilla with significant shake Of the head.
However" she added signing deeply, "Im
over bold, perhaps, to speak as I do but it's
the deep love l bear you, and bore those be.
fore you, that makes me free to utter all
that's in my heart. film wrong, dear heart,
forgive me. Indeed, meant no offence"
"Nor have l taken any," replied her mas.
ter. "It is because am assured of your
affection that I have confided my feelings to
you; and can rely upon your faithfulness
and your discretion, in any difficult or disa-
greeable circumstances which may arise at
any time from a want Of unity in our house
hold. You will aid me to conceal such con-
dition, if it unhappily occurs, from all eyes
and ears"
"Rely upon me, child of my heart ; your
old nurse will be mother to you, if you will
let her." was Priscilla's eager reply. "But
oh, master Roland, dear, family discord's an
evil thing, and discord between man and wife
the worst of all and though you've got
bitter cup 20 drink, better drink it in silence
if you can. Maybe when you've lived togeth'
er while, she'll learn to love you for whas
you are. She's fair to look at. I'll say that
for her, andit seems incredible to think but
what at her age, she has some softness in.
her."
"There is that in her which would make
her good wife to one she loved" replied
Roland, sadly. Then thinking that enough
had been been said on the subject, he bade
Priscilla good night, and repaired to his own
solitary room, to spend the greater portion of
the night in bitter thoughts.
A week passed by, during which Roland
and Miriam never met except at meals. He
spent his days out Of doors, riding about his
estate, and winning his way constantly deeper
into the affection of all those with whom he
came in contact. She secluded herself in
her apartment, sometimes listlessly turning
over the leaves Of book, but oftenest sitting
in brooding idleness, with dark look on
her face, and Heaven knows what shadowy
images trooping through her mind.
At last, one evening, by an unacountable
impulse, she arose, put on her shawl and hat,
and went out of the house. Perhaps she was
too weary of self imprisonment to endure it
any longer. At any rate she followed her
impulse, and let it lead her whittier it would,
over lawns and fields and through the au-
tumn. tinted woods until suddenly her eyes
encountered the figure of her husband riding
towards her. At this sight she stopped, and
would fain have turned aside; but, on second
thought, she changed her mind, and went
with proud, cold air, forward on her way
On seeing her, Roland instantly checked
his horse, and dismounting, advanced to meet
her on foot, leading the horse by the bride.
taking walk, Miriam?" he asked, with
involuntary satisfaction in his look and tone /;
for he hailed it as happy change that she
should at length have voluntarily emerged