Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-06-08
The Sturp Teller.
FLEEING FROM A FORTUNE.

The sun rose propitiously Oil Grace SylVes-
ter's wedding morn the air was balmy, the
sky blue, and all nature seemed in sympathy
with the happy day.
Presently stir awoke in the household, that
soon swelled into murmur OF CONSERVATION.
The bride was missing. Some one had gone to
her chamber to awaken her and found it emp
ty. Immediately search was instituted,
which proved fruitleSs. The bridegroom was
sent for, but could offer no explanation like
the parents. he was distracted with anxiety.
Grace Sylvester was proud, impulsive girl,
with warm heart and impetuous temper.
She was an only child, and somewhat spoiled,
as was natural; but nothing that could be I'M
agined or adduced could account for this un-
heard-of freak she had not even fastened a
-note on the toilet-cushion, as a key to the mys-
terry, after the custom Of heroines.
For week previous to this now unlucky
day, the Sylvester mansion had continuously
opened it's hospitable portals to arriving guests.
Friends and relations of Mr.. Frank Howard,
the expectant bridegroom, crowded to do hon
or to the occasion, which the Sylvester connec-
tion were not less eager to embelllsh with their
presence.
This singular occurrence, therefore, could
not possibly be preserved secret, and the cha
grined and distracted host and hostess had all
ter's inexplicable fight was the subject of all
sorts of surmises and discussions by those who
in set phrase, endeavoreu to cOndOle with them,
and, at the same time, hint at insanity as the
only solution of such an unprecedented freak.
But special CLEAN was soon destined to IL
lumine the darkness. Grace had not been un-
mindful of her dear parents, and her devoted
lover. A letter, addressed to the former, had
been dropped by her, in the post office. 1t was
brief, and evidently written under the pressure
of excitement; but, even in it's fragmentary
haste, Mr.. and Mrs Sylvester could trace their
daughters tenderness and her lover: despite
the undisputed mystery of its tone, took con-
ISOLATION from it..
It's contents may be rendered thus
She had left of her own free will and unac'
companied, though she admitted that she
would be met at her journeys end by a wor-
thy guardian, in whose care she would remain,
and who at the expiration of a week, would
bring her home again until then, she begged
they would wait for her explanation, and,
above all, forgive any pain or annoyance her
hasty disappearance had caused.
This epistle, though gratefully received,
since it assured them of her safety, was not,
of course, entirely satisfactory to her parents
and lover.
Despite her promise to return, they could
not remain quiet until the expiration of the
time named, but sought her in every conceiva-
BILE place but, as was evident from the securl'
ty of her retreat, Grace did not mean to be
found till after the interval she had named.
One by one, or in small parties, as they had
come, the wedding guests departed. They
carried to their own houses charmingly mex
haustible theme for gossip and wonderment
Every one held a separate solution and theory
and the subject promised to be one of unusual
variety and entertainment.
But only one Of them possessed any clue tt
the truth-and she, SHY, insidiouS plotter that
she was, had laid a train whose success prom
ised even beyond her hopes. She watched it,
DEVELOPMENT in silence. 1t was not her cue tt
speak, but to await the fulfillment of her de
sign, and so she fingered, protesting the in
tensest sympathy for all, and at the same time
contriving to bestOw the most Of it on Franz
Howard, her distant cousin.
This young lady, May Prescott, by name
had long been hopelessly in love with he1
cousin Frank. She knew that his heart Wa
portunity of seeing her rival till the generous
and unsuspecting Grace, wishing to give botl
her and Frank pleasure, had asked her, by let
ter, to be one of her bridesmaids.
Mays darling object was then gained. Sh'
had unlimited faith in her own power of crea
ting discord, and had secretly resolved to sep
arate the lovers and win Frank for herself
even at the eleventh hour.
Her first interview with Grace convinced
her that ardent and impulsive generosity wa
the strong point Of her character On th
she acted.
How oddly the gifts of fate are distribu
ted ~ said she, with sigh, as they were talk
ing together the night before the wedding
Zone would think it was enough to get beau
tiful wife, without grasping at a great fortune
too; but then Frank always had keen ey
for the main chance"
Grace's face flushed a deep, indignant Grim
son her full, bright eyes flashed with suddel
anger as she looked at May Prescott steadily
PRAY explain yourself, Miss Prescott" sh
said. II do not understand you in the least.
"What have you never heard of the will o
Franks eccentric old Uncle Paul But an
sorry perhaps have done wrong in mention
ing it, No doubt he meant to deceive YOU
no, no! don't mean that mean, perhap
he did not wish you to know"
She affected to be overcome with confusion
at her own inadvertence, and pretended to re
gret having said 50 much. Grace quietly bu
firmly demanded to know all.
"You have said too much to recede!' sh
exclaimed. ''Tell me all there is to tell"
This was just the opportunity May desired