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

is so odd that you should never have said on
word about it. 1t is that, perhaps, more thai
anything else, that convinces me there il
, something wrong"
"There is nothing wrong ; if there were,
; should tell YOU"
''Then will you plainly answer my ques
tion %
, "What question 20
"Any question I choose to ask YOU"
'Do ever refuse to give you a reply ?"
"Will you promise, truly and without eva
sion to give me one now ?"
"Ask your question first"
"Well, then, was that debt paid out of oul
own money-money that papa had left in the
bank ?''
Mr.. Erskine fidgeted, laughed, and ther
colored in spite of himself. With her eyes
fixed intently upon him, he found it more
difficult to tell an untruth than he had i'm
agned. 81 can't understand you to-day al
ALL" he said II always believed you to bt
an unworldly, simple minded girl, and now
find you suspicious, incredulous, actually ac
cusing me of trying to deceive you ]"
s'Because know you are ; but Mr.. Ersklne
you can't. know now, as we'll as If you
chose to acknowledge it, that you paid that
money for us-probably out ofyour own purse
and if you will not admit it, I shall 60 myself
70 Mr.. Foster, and make him tell me exactly
what was in the Bank before, of ours, and what
is there now, and then shall find out in spite
of you."
To his amazement, she burst into tears
She had been more excited and overwrought
than he was aware of, and any additional
weight upon the burden already depressing
her was sufficient to break her down. He
soothed her kindly, as an elder brother might
have done, holding her hand in his, and asking
her forgiveness if he had offended her in any
way.
'Offended-no. You are to good, always.
But cannot bear-I cannot bear that you
should have beeL forced to come forWard-to-
to take our troubles upon you-"
''Miss Sophy, have been forced into moth
ing-except now into telling you the truth
that, wished if possible to avoid, not because
1 thought there was anything in it to give you
pain-God knows desire to avoid that, be-
yOnd all else-but because wanted to spare
you all farther annoyance in the matter.
hated to see you troubled with business de-
tails, when you had so many other cares. l
desired to serve you but in rendering you this
small service, I was sel6shly gratifying my
own wish to be able to do something for you.
Don't spoil this qualification. Let me feel
that am not misunderstood that my friend
ship is not rejected"
She was crying bitterly, she scarcely knew
why, except that her conflicting emotions had
quite overpowered her, and she seemed unable,
for some minutes, to regain anything like
self-control.
At last she said-ssI don't know when we
will ever be able to pay you the whole sum
back; but what there is, you must take, and
perhaps after while"
"What are you talking about, J." he cried.
"After all, what is it that have done? Mere
ly advanced few paltry thousands, which l
can perfectly we'll spare, to remove pressing
debt which would have put you to inconve-
nience; made you my debtor instead OF Mr..
SINNERS. Are you not willing for the ex-
change? 1t is true, 1 would be glad, thankful,
to have you accept it, without any thought of
returning it. The idea of your shrinking
from receiving so small service at my hands
is inexpressibly painful to me, when l would
give all have" he checked his unWonted
impetuosity, and finished more quietly, Gan
not YOU see that it was the most natural, the
easiest thing in the world for me to do BE
calm, entreat you, my child, and look at the
matter in a reasonable light. Some day, per-
haps, long hence, you may, if you choose, re-
turn this enormous sum comfort yourselt,
therefore, with the reflection that you are un-
der no obligation to me whatever"
ssI am so powerless to act, " she said, in low
tone, ''and there is no one to whom can turn
for advice. Poor mamma can think only OF
her loss. dare not talk to her as I would if
she were quite well and strong. If Harry
would only Gomez Her tears broke out
afresh. A swift, sharp pang smote him, with
the idea that even in the very moment that he
was planning TO secure her welfare, and try
ing to set her heart at rest from all it's per-
plexity and troubled thoughts, her mind should
turn elsewhere to seek comfort. But, after
all. what was he to her but a friend-her new
est friend? He could not claim any nearer
right to be her consoler. He was not her low
er, except in secret lie was bound to her by
no tie of blood. 1t was no wonder, that in
the sadness and confusion of her soul, all borne
down by unwonted responsibility and care,
she should long for the one presence dearest to
her in the world, the long-loved and bound to
her by every association of the past. So ne
told himself, even as that deep, jealous pain
thrilled him through and arguing thus, he
showed no sign of wounded feeling, but pa
tiently waited until this second burst of emo
ton was past. Then he talked to her again,
calmly and ddispassionately, gradually soothing
her excitement, and persuading her to listen
to his representations and finally she con-
sented to let the matter rest, above all not
troubling her mother with any knowledge OF
1t, which might only annoy her, and could do
no good.
"And it is such terrible weight upon you
to consider yourself indebted to me, just re-
verse the case and believe that am your debt
or, instead, for permitting me to be your
friend. am not too proud to acknowledge
such debt" he said in conclusion.
lie spoke jestingly, but something in his
tone touched her, and awakened sense Of
self-reproach in her mind.
"Mr. Erskine, forgive me if I have said any
thing wrong or unjust, if I have seemed un
grateful to you for your exceeding goodness
I don't know how should get on at all, but
for your friendship"
That little speech was his reward. He onl!
o,,4