Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-02-16

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Sophy does not know this, and it seems almos
cruel to open her eyes to the truth. Oh, m
friend, it wrings my heart to look at tina
child, to consider what her sufferings are
what her future may be. Bereft of parents
lover, of earthly support, what is to become o
her %
Mr.. Erskine was greatly moved. 'Do no
fear," he gently said, "that she can ever wan
for friend while live'
s'You are indeed friend, and one on whom
I can rely. But it will be necessary for her tt
60 away somewhere to earn a living only
while live, I do not wish her to leav'
me- I could not bear to be parted from her
She is full of such schemes =; and it is hard TO
me to oppose them without giving her a suffi
cient reason-the only reason that 1 shrink
from disclosing to her as yet. She is alread!
weighed down by her troubles, and feel thai
I cannot add anything to them, until [ an
forced to do so.''
Mr.. Erskine leaned his head upon his hand
and unused for a little while in silence. a
thought had occurred to him. Why should ht
not take Mrs. May into his confidence, anC
frankly declare his sentiments respecting So
ply From her he might gather some encour
ment to hope that, in the future, his wisl
might be fulfilled ; at least, knowing all that
his heart contained, she might the more viii
lingly accord him the privilege of making hel
child's welfare his object, and becoming the
guardian of her interests.
"Mrs. May" he said at last, looking up and
fixing his eyes gravely and earnestly upon her
"have your permission to introduce very
delicate and difficult subject to your notice
one which, under any other but existing cir
cumstances, should not venture at this time
to touch upon 20
"You have my permission" she replied, ''to
speak freely of whatever is in your mind"
"Well, then, let me confess to you that
love Sophy-that I have loved her, albeit with
out hope, from the first moment, almost, that
1 knew her, Do you despise me for the con-
fession 20
''Despise you? No-why should II But
I am amazed-startled beyond measure, to
hear this.'' She sat upright and looked at
him with questioning, troubled eyes,
81 did not mean to startle you. But this
secret has weighed upon me so long-has op,
pressed me so long almost with the sense of
crime-that it is relief to me to tell it to
you: God knows meant no one any wrong.
My weakness was involuntary. Ihave striven
against it, but in vain."
He ceased; long, heavy sigh struggled
half unconsciously from his breast, as if in
deed he had relieved himself of an oppressive
load. Mrs. May put her handkerchief to her
eyes, and presently he saw one or two large
tears slowly steal from beneath it.
"My dear, dear FRIEND" he said, touching
her hand with his, II ask your forgiveness,
a thousand times, for causing you this pain.
It was selfish in me. I should have refrain
ed
s'No, no. You have done nothing selfish
nothing wrong Mr.. Erskine, if If all of
us had known this long ago!''
ssWhat difference would it have made ?" he
asked.
ssThat is true and yet Oh my friend,
believe me there is no man living things
different from what they are-to whom I
would more willingly entrust my child's well
fare than yourself"
'But, things being as they are, you think
the idea utterly preposterous ?" he asked, with
outward calmness, but trembling in his anx-
iety to hear her reply.
''God knows For the present, certainly, it
would be vain to hint to Sophy of such a
thing"
GAS long as-as there was a prospect OF for
mer arrangements being carried out, " he con-
tinued, "I resolved never by the faintest sign,
the slightest word, to betray my own feelings
in any degree. meant that my secret should
stay, as it had stayed so long, completely and
forever shrouded in my breast. And God is
my witness that should never have allowed it
to influence me selfshly, to mar the happiness
of those two. I might even perhaps have
lived down my infatuation, in the course OF
years; conquered it sufficiently to be able tc
look on the spectacle of their mutual devotion
without pain. Now feel that it is no longer
criminal in me, though perhaps it is entirely
useless, to indulge this love, and I cannot but
yield myself up to it. 1t grows upon me day
by day, with force which 1 cannot oppose.
Mrs. May, if ever your child's heart recovers
from the loss of it's early love sufficiently tc
turn kindly towards another, can I dare tc
hope that with the disparity of years, of dis
position between us, she will consider me
worthy to fill that place which Death has left
vacant in her affections %
Mrs. May pressed his hand. II cannot bic
vou hone. - she said. stI can Only say that
desire no better future for my child. It is ne
disparagement to the one whom, living,
loved as my son, to say that since he is gone
there is none better qualified than yourself tt
fill his place. But for the present, this must
be question only between us two."