Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-01-26

were telling the story OF some one else, or az
if the ''beautiful child," he had once called
wife, were vague shadowy vision, poetic
dream, rather than the memory of what had
heen a living reality.
Before any one spoke again, the young lovers
came in. Sophy's eyes were very red, and her
cheeks pale but she had evidently schooled
herself into composure, and for her sake no
farther allusion was made to Harry's coming
departure. With unobtrusive tact, Mr.. Ers-
kline led her thought away from the subject
which saddened them. He began to speak
of his different travelling experiences, and,
without addressing himself directly to her,
succeed in interesting her so completely that
she was quite cheered up before the evening
was over, and caught herself laughing as mer-
rily as the rest over some droll anecdote,
which he related with more humor than ne
had ever yet displayed.
The expected ship did not arrive until two
davs later. The commander, bluff, hearty
old fellow, asworn friend of Captain Russells,
became the guest of the latter, who prevailed
on him to remain on shore for rather longer
period than he had at first intended. He fell
in love with Harry's intended at first sight,
and declared that if he hadn't had a wife and
eleven children at home he would have car
ried her off on his ship, instead of Harry, and
never come back any more"
s'You are lucky youngster, sir" he said,
sand Pm surprised, with so strong an attrac-
ton on shore, that you should care to adopt
the rowing life of q sailor"
ssI have been brought up in anticipation OF
the life, Captain Truman" replied Harry,
"and Sophy has known always that meant
to leave her, some day. She is willing to be
sailors wife, and sail over the ocean with me
wherever 60. I hope this parting will be
our only one."
"Well, my lad we'll don't want to dis
courage YOU, am sure. This sea has been
a good friend to me, and should be the last
to quarrel with any man who wants to folio"
in my footsteps. Please God, III bring you
home safe to your sweetheart this time, and
after this, as you say, you needn't be parted
any more.'
GLOW is it your wife doesn't 60 about with
YOU 81 asked Captain Russell by way of a
joke.
'sShe might have come with me and well
come, if she was the only one to be considered
but with eleven young ones, ranging between
the ages of two and sixteen, what is a main
to do %
The two old officers were quite merry over
this but Harry was in no mood for testing.
He cared for nothing but to be with Sophy, to
soothe the pain which wrung her tender little
heart, and which, to tell the truth, found It's
counterpart in his own. 1t seemed as II the
time which remained to them was all too short
to allow them to say what was to be said and
when the day of parting finally came, as such
days must, sooner or later, they felt as II an
other year would be too short too contain
the words still left unspoken-sweet vows
which they could never tire of renewing fond
adieux mingled with comforting anticipations
of a joyful meeting when this first voyage,
dreaded at least by Sophy, should be at an end.
It was over. The last embrace, the last
pressure of the hand, the last lingering gaze,
had been bestowed the noble ship, ''The
Southern STAR spread her fair sails, and was
borne away before the freshening breeze that
blew from the shore. Through binding tears,
Door Sophy watched her until she faded out OF
sight. Then turned, in all the desolation OF
this her first grief, back to herhome, where all
that remained to her now of her lover, was his
photograph and lock of curly brown hair,
relics which she kissed and cried over by turns.