Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-03-02
YORKVIIIE, S. c., THURSDAY MARCH 2. 1882

z, MARCEL ., 18;
live, Autumn is scarcely observable, except
for the change in the weather."
''It is because of the nature of the trees,
which are chiefly evergreens down there. Shall
you be glad or sorry to return home ?"
''Both partly. I have enjoyed being here
very much-more than Thought should do"
''It has done you good, p" he rejoined, with a
pleased glance at her face, where soft but
healthful color bloomed. GAS to myself, am
new man but I never should have got on 30
we'll without having my friends around me.
One reason why regret going back home, is
that may see less of you there than have
done here"
"I hope may get some more painting to
do," remarked Sophy, rather irrelevantly. AL
ready, with the prospect of return, the shadow
of daily care was beginning to come over her
path again. For though in this little interval
of freedom she had managed to get rid of it,
to great extent, yet she could not forget that
in losing her occupation, she had lost the only
regular means of subsistence on which her
mother and herself could depend.
"Pray don't let such thoughts annoy you
now," said her companion, earnestly. mo
doubt we will get something satisfactory ar
ranged. Come, here is an inviting bit of
smooth, hard ground. Shall we try gallop?"
Sophy agreed, and they put their horses to
quick pace. For half mile their progress
was uninterrupted ; then, at sudden bend in
the road, tall black figure rose up from some
where among the bushes and presented itself
before them. Itwas only wandering woman,
ragged and dirty, of the gypsy tribe, who de-
sired to ask aims but the unexpected appa-
rition terrified Sophy's horse, which plunged
and reared, and unseated it's rider, pitching
her with some violence into the underground
at the roadside.
With an exclamation of dismay, Mr.. Ers-
kline dismounted and hurried to her assistance.
The fall would not have been severe, but that
her forehead had struck upon the corner OF
stone. . The blood was trickling from the
wound, and she lay quite insensible.
The woman was profuse in her expressions
Of sympathy and regret, but Mr.. Erskine
waived her impatiently aside. "If you know
of any water hereabouts, fetch me some, for
Gods sake, he cried, and she willingly de-
parted on her errand.
With heart beating almost to suffocation,
Mr.. Erskine bent over Sophy's PROSTATE form.
All his suppressed tenderness, his carefully
controlled feelings, rushed over him over
whelmingly as he trembled with the fear that
her injury might prove fatal one. She look
ed so white, 50 death-like in her swoon, it
seemed as though life were indeed extinct
"Sophy my lovel my darling! Open your
eyes, my dearest one. Give me just one glance,
one little sign" he pleaded, half below his
breath, as he stanched, with his handkerchief,
the wound, which was, indeed, in rather
dangerous place. though it was less deep than
he feared. With an irresistible impulse such
an impulse as occasionally overmasters even
nature as resolute and self-contained as his
he bent down and swiftly touched her lips
with his own. "My darling, my darling," he
said again, in passionate tones-tones fraught
with mingled agony and love. At THAT minute
the gypsy returned. She brought water, fresh
and cold, in cup rudely but cleverly con-
structed Of huge leaves.
"Let me see what can do for your lady,
MASTER" she said in rough but kindly tones.
'I'm main sorry made the horse jump. I'd
better have been hundred miles away"
She knelt on the ground, and with no un-
gentle hand, removed the riding-hat, which
Mr.. Erskine had only partially loosened, and
unfastened the close collar at Sophy's throat.
''Give her all the air you can" she said, as she
did so. Then, with Sophy's handkerchief,
which she soaked in the cold water, she firmly
bound her forehead, Mr.. Erskine, in the mean
time, supporting her on his arm. 'She'll be
better soon,' she added, reassuringly. ''Be
you far from home ?"
eyes; couple of miles, at least"
"Be you from the hotel ?"
eyes,
"Well, she can't ride so far. Give me line
on scrap of paper, to have wagon or some
thing sent for you, and I'll carry it to the hotel
as quick as anything"
"Will you % said Mr.. Erskine, catching ca
gerly at the proposal. He tore leaf from his
pocket-book, and scribbled message to the
proprietor of the hotel, adding a caution
against allowing Mrs. May to be alarmed. "1f
you can ride, take the ladys horse; you will
be too slow otherwise"
''I can ride bareback" said the woman.
''There's few horses can't manage"
s'And you know the road %
eyes, indeed"
'Then 60 quickly" he said, putting FIVE
dollar gold piece, with the slip of paper, in her
hand. She was profuse in her expressions OF
gratitude, as we'll as repeated apologies for
having caused the mischance; but he checked
her, impatient of any delay, and mounting So
PHYS horse, she was speedily out of sight.
Left once more alone with Sophy, in the now
darkening wood, he watched with anxiety i'm
possible to describe, for some sign of return
ing animation. 1t was not long before ne was
gratified. To his unspeakable reliefand thank
funess, she presently opened her eyes, looked
around as if in amazement and attempted to
raise herself from her recumbent attitude but
she was still gddy and faint, and not equal to
the effort.
s'What has happened ?" she asked, in Won
dering tones, as an exclamation of deep graft
tude, coupled with term Of endearment
which, at the moment, he could not repress,
escaped his lips.
"You were thrown from your horse; your
head is hurt. Don't try to move yet," ne an
,,,,o,,J 4.o,ol1;,ox with tbo opdoovor fo oon.