Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-01-11

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was over, complaining of indisposition. Miss
Maverick disappeared also-and that was the
sore point with Reginald.
''She might have been civil enough to stay
with a fellow" he grumbled, tiltng himself
back in the light chair. "Did she fear should
eat her /? There's the moon now!'
What harm the unoffending moon could do
him, rising above the trees in its beauty, he
best knew. But his meditations were none of
the pleasantest, his mind was on the rack. To
be or not to be was, the momentous question
he was always debating with himself
The leaves rustled gently in the cool night
breeze beyond that no sound was audible.
The cigar finished, Reginald folded his arms
and fell into waking dream. Light foot
steps aroused him from it. Miss Maverick
was coming up the garden, her scarlet shawl
folded round her shoulders over her white
dress.
"You out here ~ exclaimed Reginald. His
face, Illuminated by the moonlight, showed his
delight more plainly than words could have
done. 81 was thinking how awfully solitary
it was Do sit. dawn q minute; here's
chair" =
ssI was so restless" she answered, smiling,
as she took the chair 81 think must have
wander; and 80 / wrapped myself IN this
great shawl and went out''
'What was it aunt hinted at during dinner,
Just word or two, about your going away'
| What did it mean %
81 did not hear it. But am going to-mor
row."
Tomorrow i" echoed Reginald. "Was it
purposely kept from me-"
1T has not been kept at all from you, that
I am aware of. I only knew it myself to-day"
II thought you had another week to stay
here ?"
'sTo-morrow is the day I am due. Mrs
Lanster wrote to Miss Poole to beg for anoth-
er week for me, and I had her answer this
morning-no, must 60 back to my duties at
the time appointed. Your good aunt did not
tell me until just after dinner"
''It's shameful % cried Regy, much dis
turbed.
1T was worse for me than for anybody else,"
said poor Katherine. "After all these pleas
ant days here, to have to return to Purgato-
ry.n
"That's strong word," said Reginald.
She smiled family. ''It is what the girls
have christened the school. Shall you think
of me sometimes when / am gone ~
"Think of you! p repeated he, with feeling,
his young face painfully earnest "Katherine,
must you really 60 ?"
'Why, of course, must" she answered,
her own face full of pain.
"You must not CO."
''But must 60. What else can do?'
''You can marry me" he REPLIED so sudden
ly that he was almost startled at himself. 81
love you, Katherine, and you know it,"
s'No, no." she whispered, in agitation.
s'But say yes, yes. Katherine you cannot
think of leaving me to despair. What would
life be worth to me now, without you. On
my love, be mine -
She turned to him with an impulse of ten
derness, took his hand and clasped it between
both of hers.
"You are very generous, Reginald, and
thank you, l thank you truly. But it must
not be. Think of your family"
"Bother my family |" was the energetic re-
sponse. "I want you for my wife, not my
family's" Nevertheless, qualm OF con-
science took him as he spoke, in spite OF his
bravery and his defiant feelings.
She slightly shook her head; she knew.
Reginald had released his own hand and i'm
prisoned hers.
Besides rather hestatingly-"our ages
are Incompatible I am older than YOU"
81 am twenty-one, I am my own master"
"I am twenty-five" she quietly rejoined.
'You-forgive me, Reginald, for saying So
you are but boy.''
81 am not a boy" retorted Reginald. 81
am master, tell you, of myself and of my
fortune. 1t is two thousand year it will
he more, later.'
Two thousand year versus her life of toll .!
What visit it was what temptation !
eat twenty-five woman seems quite old,
compared with a boy of twentyone. The
world knows it to be so, Reginald"
II am old enough to know my own mind
and heart, and l love you, Katherine. Oh
my dear one, cannot give you upP'
1,o1r c1
elbow of the chair, with the other she held her
shawl together at her throat ; and Reginald,
his handsome face full of entreaty, stood be-
side her.
''Katherine, speak to me-" he said. But
she was silent.
1t was her one chance, she told herself; the
only chance she should probably ever have
in life. Here was Reginald Lanster willing,
pleading, to make him his wife in love; no
more dreary teaching, no more worrying care
1t was an overwhelming temptation but still
Katherine Maverick stood silent.
On the soft hand which rested on the chair
gold band with sapphire stone gilstened
it was ring which Dot had given her; and
it brought the loving, innocent little girl for
chilly to her remembrance. She thought how
the child had opened her heart to her in per-
feet and entire trust when whispering of her
love for Regy. She thought how fragile and
delicate the girl was-how cruel would be the
shock to her when she learned the extent OF
treachery enacted against her by the two
beings she esteemed most in all the world;
''and she loves him, >" added Katherine. mo,
cannot do this"
The warm pressure of Regis hands fell on
hers, hiding the ring from view. "Why do
you hesitate, Katherine ?" he breathed. But
she stood yet in silence. :.
1t had not quite passed, the temptation.
How strong it yet was she never atterward
| liked to recall.
"Treachery, and worse than treachery"
she thought "treachery in more ways than
one, and to others beside Dot. Shall l thus
requite Mr.. and Mrs. LanSter-Who have been
kindness itself to me o-worse than all, Shall
1 store up for myself before Heaven remorse-
full conscience that never would be at rest
No, no, no. Painful days and weary nights
to my life's end rather than that"
''Katherine ~ he murmured softly-and
then his face came nearer, bent closer, and
for single moment he drew her head down
on his shoulder, and pressed his lips to hers.
"Don't, Reginald, she family cried, draw
ing away and standing erect before him. ut
was great temptation, but my better angel
was with me and have conquered. What
you ask can never be-do you not see what
treachery we would both be guilty of es-
pecially? l have been very pleasant here,
peasanter dare say, than any time for me
will ever be again, but tonight ends it,"
s'Can you be so cruel" he burst forth, his
eyes filling.
"You may think ME cruel now, but you
will know better in time, and then you may