Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-02-23

wealthy and would never miss it. But still
there was no blood tie, or even intimacy OF
long-standing, between them, to warrant her
acceptance of it. Other and heavier troubles
had made poverty seem of comparatively little
account ; but there were moments when It's
bitterness made itself felt, and the longing to
be relieved OF the petty wearisome cares it en-
tailed became almost insupportable.
''Would brighter day, she wondered, ever
dawn for her ? Not that she expected ever to
he happy again. How could she, when Harry
was lying, fa' away, beneath the cruel waves?
But would the daily, fretting annoyances that
made grief heavier to bear, be lifted off of her?
Above all, would her invalid mother ever be
restored to health If this last blessing could
be kindly granted her, she thought she would
try not to murmur again, but be content to
accept Gods will in other things, and go
through life with patience, if not with JOY.
A step on the gravel aroused her from her
reverie, and looking up she saw Mr.. Erskine
before her.
II went into the house, he said, as she Of
fered him her hand, "and finding no one about,
came to see it could discover any traces OF
you out here. Your mother, I know, is bet
ter but how are you, after the fatigue of the
last two days ?"
s'Pretty well, she answered, with a smile
that was rather uncertain. "a little tired,
perhaps"
s'Tired you look so.'' lie stood before her,
his gaze resting on herpale face. "You ought
to be in bed, or at any rate on sofa, where
you could rest better than out here"
ooh no the house stiles me. like it best
out of doors. I shall not stay very long
mamma may need me-"
'sShe is not alone, is she ?"
"No; Mrs johnson is with her. should
not dare to cave her alone she is terribly
weak"
Cali danger is over however, is it not ?'
''For the present-yes. 1 had hoped she
would have no more of those dreadful nervous
attacks. They prostrate her so, it is difficult
for her to recover her strength. wonder if
she is never going to be better if this weary,
dragging illness is to last always -
Mr. Erskine looked compassionately at her.
ssPoor chld,' he said, in low tone, 81 am
very sorry for you. I wish I could change
your life. You are too young to know so much
trouble.''
''You have done all you can. You cannot
do more no one could" she answered, sadly.
eyes, can do more" All his long pent-
up yearning, his hopes and desires, so forcibly
restrained, suddenly broke their bounds and
rushed to his lips, demanding utterance. $50
ply" his voice was eager, impetuous. She
looked up at him, feeling with vague surprise
it's difference from its ordinary tone. She read
new expression in his face. An unwonted
flush on his cheek, kindling light in his eyes,
betrayed the existence of an emotion whose
nature she did not yet comprehend, though it's
signs agitated as we'll as bewildered her. $50
ply, hear me. must speak to you. I can
wait no longer. 1 shall die if you do not let
me.'' He was trembling all over-he, the
calm, self-contained man he, whom she had
regarded half as father, bent his knee in
supplicaton on the earth at her feet. He
took her hand in his he covered itwith kisses
and pressed it to his wildly-beating heart.
''Sophy, my love, my dearest one Don't
hate me-don't scOrn me for betraying your
innocent friendship. I well know that your
heart contains nothing for me but a sisterly
regard. l know it, to my grief and pain. But
give it to me, as it is. Twill bless you ever for
that will lavish upon you such wealth of
love that you cannot but love me little in re-
turn. Give me the right to cherish you, to
protect you from the rude assaults of adversely.
In my sheltering care, you need fear no hard
ship. If there is happiness to be found for
you in the world, will will strive until win
it for you. Sophy, you shudder-you turn
away. Do you shudder at me?"
81 shudder at your words,'' she answered,
in an agitated tone, as she averted her eyes,
"I shudder to think that have lost my best,
almost my only friend. Oh, Mr. Erskine, why
could you not remain as you were-my guide,
my counsellor, my refuge in trouble 20
''All this will be still but l want to be
more-far more. The name of friend does not
suffice me- 1t is too distant, too cold. Sophy,
for nearly two years have hiddenmy feelings
in my inmost heart, not daring to let them ap-
pear. But now they cry aloud for utterance ;
they will no longer he forced into secresy and
silence.'
''Mr. Erskine,'' said Sophy, speaking very
sorrowfully, but without hesitation, II would
rather grieve any one in the world than your
self. feel deeply all you have done, all you
have been to me. If I could repay you, l
would do it, even with my life"
81 don't ask you to repay me but in one way,
and that is with your love. Only give me
that, and I Shall desire nothing else.'
''But cannot-I cannot 20 she cried out,
in pain. ''You know that my heart is with
the one gave it to-that it must stay forever
buried in the ocean where he lies. You know
all my past it is cruel in you to try to change
what can never be changed, what would not
change if 1 could.' She drew her hand away
from his clasp, and hiding her face burst into
passion of weeping. Mr.. Erskine rose from
his lowly posture. All the eagerness had died
out of his face. lie looked sad and subdued
"Forgive me-" he said, very gently, "fol
causing you this pain. You are right. 1t
was cruel in me to take an undue advantage
of my position, to distress you thus. l can't
plead anything in extenuaton, except that my
: feeling, at the moment, was too strong for me
to resist
lie walked a little way off. His whole SOU
was surging up within him, and he needed tc
regain his inward as we'll as his outward com