Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-06-15
of light tap at the door, startling North in
the midst of his gloomy reflections.

"COme in," he called out lmpatlently.
Thereupon the handle of the door was softly
turned {; the door itself was next pushed wide
an carefully closed and latched and thel
NoI III raised his eyes to see who the intruder
on his sad solitude might be. Immediately
great change came over his countenance and
smile sprang to his lips.
| His visitor was his own fair beloved, look
ing lovelier even than her wont as she adj
vanced with slight flush Of crimson on each
cheek and her slender fingers interlacing them
selves in a palpable embarrassment. Obsery
ing her expression and hesitation, Mr.. North
came to happy conclusion in his own mind,
and going forward took her tenderly by the
hand She made no resistance but, whatever
the saying she had come to deliver, it did not
seem easy of utterance, for although her lips
parted once or twice, no sound came from
them.
''You mistook your own feelings this morn
ing," cried North at length in the face OF he1
silence, his voice subdued, JOY thrilling in
every tone. "You have come to tell me that
you are going to bless me with some morsel OF
hope" ,,,. ..,. - 81, ,,o,, +h.+ ,,
answered Marion, giving faint smile under
the sense of amusement that some trltie Will
often furnish in the midst of deep suffering.
DCS Soul PttioOll l. oiioo6Ho o'AeHN fNN--St'
of your goodness you wished to bestow a
crumb of comfort upon me before l went
away" said North with the meekness of great
love.
''No, it is nothing of that NATURE" Miss
Lockhart made reply, sinking in the chair
that North placed for her. "But I have come
to inform you of fact, because to do so is the
only atonement can make you. And pray, y
added she, momentarly lifting her sad eyes to
Heaven, II pray the confession made may
undo the consequences of my sin. l have
nothing else left to hope and pray for"
"What have you to tell me?' demanded
North hoarsely.
But the blow had virtually fallen. North
already knew from her countenance and her
words, by some sure instinct he felt that
Marion Lockharts mission, be it what 1t
might, was the nature to seperate them wide
as the east from the west.
81 am married that is what came to say y
said Marion and as soon as she had spoken
she hid her face in her handkerchief without
waiting to see the effect of her communication
upon her lover.
sWhat 90 shouted he. "What do you tell
me 90
II am already married." repeated Marion
in broken voice of infinite WEAKNESS and
sadness.
Talbot North grasped her by the shoulder ;
he almost shook her in his bewlderment.
s'Do you know what you are saying? You
tell me that you are married ~
lit is the simple truth was married some
years ago."
''Good heavens all is indeed over," groaned
North.
After that there was pause. The young
man was wrestling with the anguish of his
wound in absolute stiffness; which Marion
only stirred at intervals to wipe the tears that
were coursing down her cheeks.
The suspense was becoming intolerable to
Marion, and at last she rose to end the inter-
view. But her movement aroused North who
had hitherto remained, his head supported on
his arm, motionless against the mantelpiece.
She had looked for some harsh speech, words
of contempt, hatred; but the face that he
now turned towards her was severer pun
shment than any reproach his lips could have
uttered. She gaZed at him in stricken amaze
ment it seemed as though years of suffering
must have passed overhis head to have altered
his features so greatly.
"Why did l never know this before ?'' asked
he huskily. "Why have you kept it secret -
''Mine is a very unhappy story answered
Marion, with Quivering lips. "When was
very young I made most unfortunate mar
riage; my husband proved utterly unknd,
and after few months left him.
Wishing to put it out of his power to trace
me, took my second name, that of Lockllart.
I have never seen nor heard of him SINCE
''Ism my sister aware of these circumstances -
s'She knows nothing" answered Marion,
streak of crimson flashing across the pallor ct
her cheek "Some times, while Mrs. Montagu
has treated me with such confidence and kind
ness. I have felt myself kind Of impostor.
But l often forget--perhaps you can hardly
believe it-but forget that I have any other
name than that of Lockhart / have been very
happy here,n she added with sigh.
'sPoor child ~ breathed Mr.. North softly.
s'Shall you inform Mrs. Montagu of this
Will it be right to do so ?" asked Marion
little anxfously, after pause of silence and a
painful reflection OH the part of both.
'sWhat sort of :. man do you take me to be
No, your secret IL safe, so far as l am con-
cerned.'
'sHave 1 done very wrong ?'' inquired Ma
rion again after brief hesitation.
eve are not able to be judges OF one an
other" answered North, a certain gentleness
tempering the gravity of his manner and
words. "But you have done harm. DO you
not see, child, that your putting yourself in a
false position works evil by putting men like
myself in a false position also?
twill you forgive me 20 she asked timidly.
"And will you not forget me?'
81 forgive you; forget YOU l never can. 1t
must be my lot to love you while life lasts"
ooh, hush l am too greatly punished.
But it is not true happiness may yet be in
store for you-"
''Stay - cried North interrupting her stern
ly 'say nothing of the kind. never breath
ed the word love to any woman before and l
never shall again. i loved you and must con-
tinue now to love you to the end
CHAPTER Y.
"Well. goodbye and good luck to you
Mind YOU get the appointment" said Mr..
Montagu to Talbot the following morning,
prior to the departure of the latter for Lon