Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-01-31
gu Original Storg.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
CELESTINE.
THE STORY OF A MISTAKE.
CHAPTER vi.

w
fit for work for many months to come.
With the ability to think and plan, the
old narrowing cares returned to him. Ce-
lestine was in constant dread lest he should
question her about her management IN
money matters, and nervously warded off
any seeming approach to this difficult sub,
iect. One day, however, when she had
been trying to amuse him with an account
of something she had read in a newspaper,
he startled her by asking suddenly
"By the way, Celestine, did my quarters
salary come while was ill" :,
"It hasn't come yet, DEAR" she answered
evasively.
"Not yet! why it's long overdue. lmust
write and inquire about it,"
Then she had to show him the letter she
had received; and after reading It, ne sald
it would do no harm to write now, and ask
when it was likely the remittance could be
sent.
"But how in the world have you man.
aged without ?" was his next question.
"Oh, very we'll. Our funds haven't given
out yet. Don't worry about these tnlngs g
vet, Silas; you are not strong enough" she
answered, coaxingly, as she stopped to
stroke his hair. He took her hand, and
looked wistfully into her face.
ssMy poor little wife! you have had a
hard time of it, / know. You have grown
pale and thin you don't look bit like
YOURSELF
"Theres nothing the matter with me-"
she answered brightly. 81 have been con-
stantly in the house, you know, and that IS
why | have lost my color, suppose"
"And these little hands have been tolllng
at rough work too," he said, spreading one
Nina come back? can't her mother spare
her yet ?'
ssI don't want her back, Silas; indeed
there is very little to be done, and can
manage we'll enough" replied Celestine,
not choosing to tell him that Nina had been
anxious to return to her, but that she had
declined her services, feeling that even her
small wages were now more than they could
afford.
CHOW much money have we left, Celes-
tine ~
"Oh, 1 don't know exactly haven't
counted it lately. I told you there was
enough for the present, didn't I?"-and by
the way, it's full time for your tonic; how
careless of me to forget it,"
She made pretence of running off in a
great hurry for the medicine; and Sllas
leaned his head back against his chair and
sighed wearily. He longed to be strong and
we'll again, and able to do something. 1t
fretted him to see his frail wife bearing the
whole burthen of toll, and the worst OF 1t
was that he could see no light ahead. II his
salary did not come, how were they to live:
1t was incomprehensible to him how Celes-
tine had managed thus far ; he must have
a talk with her and find out exactly how
their affairs stood. So in spite of their en-
deayor to Illustrate this design, he insist
ed on her sitting down beside him, when
she came back, and telling him all about
their ways and means. 1t required ali her
tact to tell him just as much as she Wlshed
him to know, and no more, without deVla-
ting from the truth; hutby judicious reserve
on some points, and little sklllful fencing,
she came triumphantly out of the interview
without confes ing the transaction she most
dreaded to have him discover-the selling
of diamond cross. He should never find
that out, if she could prevent it; nor should
he know that by Miss Latimer's aid she had
managed to obtain some little commissions
for needlework, which she accomplished IN
her leisure moments, often sitting up until
far in the night in order to finish them atan
appointed time.
Hard work and confinement, added to the
long hours of anxiety which had weighed
upon her, had indeed, left their traces, and
she was sometimes conscious of sudden
failing of strength, an absolute inability to
90 on with her occupations without stop
ping for a few moments to rest but she
would not allow herself so much as to think
that anything could be wrong, for If she
were to break down what would become or
them?
II WONDER" said Silas one day, "whether
nv uncle Franklin would do something Tor
me, if he knew how hardly l am pushed.
have never asked favor of him yet but
pride has to yield sometimes to necessity,
and don't feel very proud nowadays"
His uncle Franklin was an old bachelor,
very rich, who had once intended making
him his heir, and had offered to provide
handsomely for him if he would enter a
merchants office, and become business
man but who had been so greatly offended
at his decision to enter the ministry, that he
had refused to hold communication with
him since.
s'Silas," said his wife, "if it is on ny ac-
count that you would apply to him, don't be
influenced by such motive: You must
consult your own feelings entirely, and act
as though / were not here at ALL"
"No, love; it is not on your account-at
least, not altogether. Of course | cannot
forget that my first duty is to think Of your
welfare" her husband answered.
"Would it be Christian-like in me to let
you toll and suffer, if by little exercise OF
humility on my part | could Tighten your
cares?"
as YOU call it, does not hurt me-"
'sIt hurts me-" said Silas in a low tone.
"Oh, child, it goes to my very heart to see
your unselfshness, your patience, your
cheerfuleeSs through it all. | must make
some effort to put an end to this state OF
things-they cannot go on. Celestine, have
we enough money to pay for journey to
San Francisco?'
''To San Francisco !-Silas, you are not
strong enough to CO."
eyes, am I believe it would do me
good"
''Then 1 would have to go with yo";
could not possibly let you 60 alone.
"It would cost twice as much, Celestine."
"Never mind-We would have to man
age it somehow. Remember how weak
YOU still are. l think it is wild scheme
You had better give it up. At any rate,
l must consult the doctor"
Silas objected to this, but she was firm.
When she spoke to DR.. Grey on the subject,
he agreed with her that it would be out of
the question for her husband in his present
condition to make even short journey
alone.
"Why can't you do his business for him ?"
he suggested. 81 could find an escort for
YOU, if YOU dislike travelling without one."
Celestine had not thought of that it SEEM
ed to her very good plan, and she hastened
to impart it to Slas, who at first demurred,
but ended by thinking that it was not bad
idea after all. In his heart he belleVed that
no one could see and converse with his wife
without yielding to her charms. Even Nor
ris Franklin's crusty old heart would, he
felt sure, soften towards her, and for her
10 fNr(r nc \.