Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-03-09
an Original Storg.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
THE HOUSE ON THE HILL.
CHAPTER XIV.
BY HERBERT JOHNSON.

OHAI LAlf.
Sophy had but just retired to her bedroom
that night, when there was knock at her
door. She opened it, and saw the Captain.
ssMy dear,'' he said, rather hurriedly, Eek
cuse me for disturbing you; but l knew you
had just come up. May see you for a little
while? There's something Oh my mind l
would like to say to YOU"
Eyes, sir, of course. Won't you come in
1 hope there is nothing wrong," said Sophy,
anXiously.
''No, no nothing wrong. | think you had
better come into my room we'll not be over
heard there,'' said the Captain, glancing to-
ward door which communicated with her
mothers apartment Greatly wondering, and
still little apprehensive, in spite of his assu-
rance, Sophy Immediately accompanied him,
and they soon found themselves closeted alone.
''Now, my DEAR" said the Captain, when
they were seated and she could perceive from
his manner that he was considerably moved
'this thing that l want to speak about, has
been on my mind good while, and it's mat
ter that affects me in no small degree. It's
matter, my child, that concerns your welfare ;
and not only yours, but the welfare of others,
which you have at heart"
A suspicion of what he meant daWned in
stantly on her mind; but she said nothing.
Perhaps" he went on, 'you don't know
that am in the secret of the state of affairs
and perhaps, too, you will think that have no
right to intermeddle in a matter over which
can have no control. But, Sophy, love you
as dearly as if you were my own child. You
believe that, don't you?"
She made an affirmative motion with her
head.
''And you'll forgive the old man if he says
anything that isn't welcome to you. Now, my
dear, Mr.. Erskine has been talking to ME to-
night, and feel very sorry for him-!very sor-
ry. / would gladly help him if could
'sDid he ask you to help him 20 inquired So
ply, whose cheeks were now crimson.
''He did not. In fact, lie would have
thought it useless. l can see that he has CIV
en- up all hope. He did say to me that if mat,
ters had to continue thus he would sell his
place and 90 away from our neighborhood.
Captain he said, I'm no coward, but in
this one thing am weaker than thought. l
cannot look upon her face day after day and
be unmoved. Iknow shall break down again
in my resolution, and grieve her gentle heart
as | did once before, and that is just what
promised her not to do. Rather than break
my promise, must leave you all. had hoped
that Fate had arranged differently for me, and
that my wanderings were over but suppose
l must take them up again. Her happiness
and peace of mind are far dearer to me than
my own AS far asI can recollect, those were
almost his exact words. 1t was certainly the
sense of what he said.''
''Oh, Captain Russell ~ she exclaimed, 81
am very unhappy. How can do as he wishes
me to-"
my DEAR said the Captain, tremulously
ssyou know how all my dearest hopes were cen
tered on you and my poor boy ; how 1 looked
forward to your marriage as the most joyfu
event of my life. You know how 1 watched
you two growing up together; how you, az
well as he, have always been the light and JOY
of nv home Desolate, indeed, has been thai
home, since he was taken from me Next tt
him have always loved you, and your hap
piness is now my dearest object. Sophy, you
are too young to let this one grief blight YOU
whole life If any one alive ought to wan
you to keep Harry's memory sacred, it is Inc
but am not willing to see you carry heaV!
heart to your grave. My dear child, VIII!
can't you marry Mr.. Erskine? ? He is goot
man he loves you with his whole heart.
am sure he could make you happy"
Sophy still wept but she listened in silence
A sort of weary, hopeless feeling had takeI
possession of her. She felt too weak to resis
the opportunities which seemed to assail her OF
all sides. Every body-even Harry's own I'm
Gle, the one who had loved him most of ever,
one in the world, except herself-was agains
her.
"Another thing" the Captain went on
more hurredly, land it is in this, Sophy, tina