Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-03-06
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER III.
| Alas! how light cause may move
! Dissention between hearts that love.
The excitement attendant upon Carrolls
return had already passed away, and was
merging into regret that his furlough must
be so short A fortnight only-it seemed
too brief space to contain all that must be
said, and done, and thought of after so long
an interval of separation but he would not
ask for more He felt the Importance OF
being at his post, and no man could be less
inclined than he to shirk his duty. Still,
he had ardently longed for this oppor-
tunity of being near Marion, of holding un-
restrained intercourse with her, and OF con-
firming all the sweet hopes he had cherish
ed in regard to her; and now he felt dissat-
isfed, he scarce knew why, except that
there was less freedom and unreserve be.
tween them than seemed natural, and that
he seldom had a chance to talk to her alone.
Perhaps it was accidental, yet he fancled
that she kept aloof and avoided anything
like private conversation. Then it hap
pened that several young men called al
the Grove while he was there, and he was
veXed to see Marion SO bright ard en-
tertaining to them, resenting her pretty lit
tie speeches and frank smiles almost as per-
sonal injuries. Altogether, he was by no
means as happy as he had anticipated. and
his disappointmenthad the effectsometlmes
of making him appear rather morose.
Perhaps Marion had penetration enough
to guess the state of his mind, and felt sor-
ry Tor him, but she could not help a slight
cOnstraint in his presence, quite different
from the old familiarity which had charac-
terized their intercourse in days of "lang
syne'
One afternoon, supposing him to have
gone out, she went into the library In quest
of book, and there found him writing a
letter. She smiled, and said 81 won't dis
turb you," and having got her book was
about to leave the room, when he rose sud-
denly, and put out his hand to detain her.
"Stay, Marion" he said entreatingly
"You seem always to run away from me
now"
NE asar Gag4 what aattahqt aqt 9se 5es Why you
should want to, am sure, especially when
you know how fond am of your company
It's a lovely afternoon; won't you get your
hat and come out with me for a walk or q
row:"
"Unce has lent the boat to James Ross
he wanted to fish," answered Marion
"Well, we have our feet. Let us walk
down by the old mill. l have not been
there Since l came back. You used to he
fond Of walking"
$50 am nOW-So are all Of U.s."
81 don't want all of you. l want you by
. yourself. Remember, we shall not be to-
gether much longer. Will you go?"
eyes, certainly" said Marion; and soon
she was equipped for their expedition.
There was not much conversation between
them, after they had set off, until they had
got to little distance from the house, and
turned into an unfrequented path that led
through the woods, not far from the river
bank. Marion had rather hurried on, but
now Carroll asked her to walk slowly; he
did not see the need of going SO fast
1--WE shall not get to the mill by sunset,
said Marion, as if that were a very lmpor-
tant point.
II don't care about the mill; | don't care
about the sunset; only care about talking
to you. Don't you know that l brought
you out because | want to have you all to
myself for a little while, away from the
others, who seem to follow us everywhere.
Marion, there are some things | want aW-
full, to ask you, and make sure about
did think was sure, but somehow, lately,
l have felt Il sort of doubt, and l must set it
at rest. Marion, have been wrong in tax
ing it for granted that you love me: You
know my feelings towards you, well enough"
This was coming to the point, with a
vengeance. Marion was not exactly taken
by surprise, for she had expected something
of the sort, but she was not prepared to an
swer at once.
"Why, Carroll, l am sure we have always
been fond of one another" she said, trying
to speak carelesSly, though her heart beat
very fast.
"Fond of one other-yes; l am fond OF
of them, and no doubt they are all very
much attached to me. My uncle is fond OF
me, too; and 50 is old Maum juno and
Ponto and the cat. Ifyou suppose | allude
to that general sort of fondness, you are
:; mistaken" said Carroll loftily. "Now,
Marion, don't you pretend to mistake my
meaning; the Lind of love mean IS the
love that girl feels for the man she is
willing to marry, and that is what want
you to feel for me-"
81 didn't know there was any question OF
marrying, am sure" replied Marion.
"Didn't you? There must be a question
of marrying, some time or other, II two
people love one another we'll enough and
there is no obstacle in the way. Would |
make love to you if | did not want you to
marry me? DO you suppose | would do 1t
for pastime"'
eyes but not people who have any heart,
or any sense. / hope you don't consider
/ me heartless, or a fool. Now see here. Ma
rion you know my hopes are all centered
in you-luy whole destiny hangs on your de-
cision. offer you my hand and my heart.
| Will you have them--or will you throw
them away and make me wretched for
life?"
His tone was so intensely earnest, his
manner so vehement, that Marion dared not
trihe with him any longer. She seemed to
; see him in new light-indeed, ever since
his return, she had perceived a difference
between him and the Carroll of DID, who
had been too gay and ulsoucialh to inspire a
shade of awe. Something of this unwonted
feeling possessed her now, as with dropping
, eyes and crmsoned cheeks she Ealtered
FORTH almost involuntarily-
81 will take them, Carroll, if you really
t want me to-"
, "Will you, truly? and will you-do you
, give me all your own heart in return ~
"Why yes Of course-otherwise it would
r not be a fair bargain, would it ?" she re-
f Joined, trying to recover her self-possesSion.
For all answer, Carroll pressed her close
to him she could feel how his heart throb-
bed, and how quickly his breath came and
went, and in that long, mute embrace she
t seemed to find the revelation of Il love deep
) er, more intense than she had ever dreamed
of. She was quite subduedinto silence, and,