Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-10-05
"And you annoy me constantly"
III get angry with you perpetuaily.
HT 6is1;ke Won nositivalv Really dear


II dislike you positively. Really, dear Tom
you don't mind my speaking the truth %
"Not in the least /; it relieves my mind. d.
you know, have often felt quite alarmed a
the strength of my aversion for you"
"Well," said Tom with half sigh, this il
the first object we have ever agreed upon
Let us be satisfied, Tishy, to think that w
can agree on something"
Strangely enough, however, no woman wish
es to be disliked, even by the object of hel
own detestation.
II wonder why you dislike me, Tom,"
asked after pause. It was foolish of me tt
ask, for of course Tom would answer in his
usual bantering way. But no, he spoke slow
ly and almost softly.
81 don't know, Tishy. 1t is owing to some
intricate law or moral repulsion, SUPPOSE
sort of natural antipathy, the absolute reverse
of elective affinity, in fact,
Il do not like thee, Doctor Fell,
| The reason why cannot tell
But why do you dislike me, Letitia ?"
"Oh, because you are rough and rude, and
bearish and obstinate, and generally vexatlous
and detestible," 1 answered with energy
Tom laughed. His momentary softness had
evidently departed. He pushed back from his
brown forehead the woolen Tam o'Shantel
that imprisoned his crisp, curly locks; he
turned an amused glance towards me, and
then he hugged himself and laughed in the
absurd boisterous manner that was peculiarly
his own, displaying two rows of strong white
teeth, the most perfect surely in all the world
''Here hold the reins, cousin mine, and
will relieve you of my detestibe company a
bit" He flung himself out of the dog-cart as
he spoke, and proceeded to walk up the steer
! hill. Tom was sngularly active and 1.-the
also he had noble bearing. At the present
time, he was clad in the most disgracefully
old and badly made clothes it was possible to
wear his short rough coat was ragged and ILL
| fitting, the sleeves and collar OF his shirt were
frayed at the edges, and there was an air, al:
most majesty of grace about him that Woulo
have benefited paladin of romance, and that
was plainly visible, despite his garb. AS he
strobe on, his big sunburnt hand resting on
the mares shaggy name, Whistling as he went
for very lightheartedness and joy Of life,
could not help wondering why disliked Tom
so much. and whether indeed it were possible
to reconcile a thorough hatred OF our cousins
with certain curious pleasure in their socie-
ty, wished that could put my mediations
in words, for Toms benefit. What pity,
thought I, that women are so weak at detinl'
tiOn and argument.
In the very midst of my metaphysical Won
dering, Tom looked carelessly back over his
shoulder and my eyes met his.
He laughed, he absolutely laughed again, a
contemptuous mocking laugh that Jared upon
| my feelings With look Of whitening scorn,
| leaned back in my seat and devoted myself
altogether to the contemplation of the scenery
around us. 1t was very lonely; WE were
nearing Eddscombe, quiet little town enl-
powered in trees, overlooking a narrow stretch
of inland sea. The gray roofs shone in the
sun, a thousand dancing lights cleaned in the
rippling water; an orchard, full of rosy, bios
soming trees, lay on our right hand to the
left. undulating hills and slopes, while far be-
yond was the breezy moorland, and on the
| horizon some brown sails of fishing came Skim
ming along the narrow blue line that was the
open sea.
"Pretty, isn't ?" asked Tom. '"rhere's
no place like England, no place like home,
Lettice after ALL"
eBut you have never travelled, Tom I"
s'That's the very reason why" he replied,
somewhat enigmatically, and leaping lightly
into the dog cart, he gave the bride rains
shake, and we set off at swinging trot.
There are few things more delightful to my
mind than passing quickly through the air,
perched on the top of high vehicle, the guild
ance of which is entrusted to a steady hand.
1t is charming to close the eyes and dream, Sc
cure and comfortably at ease, though the
sense of swiftness almost catches ones breath.
Some time had thus gone by peacefully when l
said "HoW pleasant this is, Tom %
But even while spoke, there was sudden
strange sound as though something in the
rickety harness had given away, and black
object swayed for a moment to and fro
about the mares neck close to her ears.
The animal was frightened, doubtless Tor our
speed increased tenfold, and the old dog-cart
lurchcd and swung from side to side.
"Oh, Tom, not so fast, not so fast !"
cried
ssIIush,n said Tom, under his breath.
stared at him vague dread chilling my
heart. He was sitting bolt upright, nay he
was was half standing. His lips, partly open,
showed his tightly clenched teeth; his eyes
were fixed, and he was frowning terribly.
His hands held the reins in their powerful
grasp, but the ribbons were strained, and
seemed almost about to break asunder.
And then I knew that Jerry was running
away, and that we were in danger.
| laid my hand upon the reins. "Oh, Tom,
| let me help" whispered. But Tom shook
off my hand with no gentle movement.
"Good God ~ he said fiercely, ''let me alone,
will you ?" Sit still-yes, yes, you shall DO
as I tell you; do you hear 20
He glared at me for moment, his blue eyes
I had never dreamed that Tom could look thus.
sat perfectly still, not altogether from obedi-
ence from Tom, of couse but from wish to
help him, from the consciousness that it was
best to do 50. Faster and faster grew Jerry's
speed my head swan as the landscape seemed
| to fly past, and we dashed on, sometimes jolt
| ing and lurching dangerously over stones and
rough places. Suddenly Tom turned to me.
Lefty will you promise to remain still. what
ever happens he murmured, hurriedly.
Eyes, yes why?'
Tom gave no answer, but the next moment
the dog cart swerved violently, the mare seem
ed about to climb the steep bank, and l was
scarcely conscious of anything more, except an
overwhelming surging sound in my ears.
Then directly after, rs it appeared to me, l
found myself unaccOuntably sitting on the
soft grass, with Toms arm around my neck,
and Toms frightened eyes staring into mine.
"Oh, Lefty you are real angel ~ said Tom,
ncoherently.
could not speak Il thought was dreaming
| I put nv hand to my head | was hardly
aware of my own identity it never occurred
| to me even to be angry at Toms attectlonate
attitude. And yet it was all true; the dog
cart and the mare had vanished and |, weak
and gildy, was sitting by the roadside, leaning
against this meekest and contritest OF cous'
| ms
ooh, Lefty" said Tom, in voice that was
absolutely low and husky, "can you forgive
me? On, Lefty, my darling, 1 nearly, killed
you when we were shot out Of that beastly
trap and picked you up and you had tainted,
and I thought you were dead. But you are
all right, amt you? say that you are all right,
Lefty"
There were two big tears in Toms kind
ewes as he gazed anXiouSly ut me. L was all
right 50 right, indeed, that am convinced