Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-04-10

but IL was warm living nanu CnaC was lalQ
on hers, as he sprang forward to support her,
for the shock was too sudden, and she reeled
and would have fallen from the saddle but
for his aid. He lifted her down tenderly,
and placed her on the trunk of fallen tree
by the roadside, while her eyes rested on
him speechlessly.
Don't you know me, Marion ?" he asked.
The sound of his voice broke the spell, and
she burst into hysterical weeping, laughing
and sobbing in breath.
."It must be a Dream" she said at last,
holding fast to his hand. ooh, Carroll
tell me something. How did they make
that dreadful mistaken"
"Do you mean the report of my being
plain it all by and by. Did you never get
the letters I wrote? But of course you did
not. And I never knew until saw Ellery
few days ago. what a sad time you have
had at the Grove. How is my uncle nOW?"
every ill-much worse than when Mr..
Ellery was here. I never leave him, ex-
cept when the Doctor makes me 60 out for
exercise. He won't even know you, Car
roll-but oh, is it really, really true that you
are back again" This was the one idea
that filled her mind now, putting aside
everything else. Her cheeks were flushed,
her eyes shone like stars after her tears;
she looked transformed. A deeply troubled
expression came over CarrOll's face; he
turned his eyes away as though he could
not bear to meet her gaze, but in her excite
ment she was not conscious Of any restraint
in his manner. The grave had given up
its dead-Carroll was restored to her-to
her. Now she could atone for the past
now, indeed, her life was worth living
again. There might be sorrow still await
ing her, but the one overpoWering joy would
make amends for all.
And he had not kissed her-not even
kissed her hand. Strange that she did not
notice the omission! But her mind could
not take in such details now.
''Come to the house, Carroll come honae,"
she said, still clasping him by the hand;
and they walked on together, Seneca peace
without let or hindrance.
Then of course came fresh astonishment,
fresh delight; wild demonstrations of joy
from Jessie, calculations of wonder and Of
blessing from the family servants who
crowded around their favorite "Mas' Car
roll," scarcely believing in the reality of his
presence. Marion looked on, with deep,
perfect content in her heart. Let them
have their share of rejoicing over him, and
welcome but the boon, the blessing of his
return was hers-the gift was to her.; she
bliss they could not reach.
Why was it that that panied, perplexed
look still haunted Carroll's face, coming
back to it in the midst of the eager ques-
tioning and answers, whenever he met her
eyes? Why did the words sometimes falter
on his lips, and his glance droOp suddenly,
as if some veXing thought had pierced him
with it's sting? She did not notice these
signs of unrest she was moving in dream.
Even when Carroll, visiting his uncle's
room, sought in vain for some sign of re-
cognition from the old man who had once
loved him so well, and turned away in tears
from the pitiful spectacle of his wrecked
frame and mind, the sight did not touch her
as it ought. She almost wondered at any
one feeling unhappy no,c: Was not the
whole world bathed in asudden and exceed
ing brightness What place had tears or
sadness in such world?
She made her uncle, as usual, comfortable
for the night, and having seen him fall
asleep, sought the sitting room, where Car
roll and Jessie had been having long quiet
talk, exchanging news of all events which
had transpired at home and abroad.
Not quite all. There was one event
which Carroll did not make subject of
conversation-he was reserving the confes-
sion OF it for Marion's ear alone. He had
talked freely enough to Jessie during the
absence of their cousin from the room, but
with her return that odd constraint fell on
him again.
"Well," cried Jessie, jumping up as the
clock struck eleven, 81 must 60 to bed now
and dream over the wonders of this day.
Goodnight, cousin Carroll-my dear old
returned soldier! It's just too lovely for
anything to have you here again! It's ex.
actly like a fairy tale, only great deal
better, because it's true"
She hugged and kissed him with sisterly
warmth and danced away to her room.
"Come out into the piazza, Marion"
said Carroll, rising from his chair. 1T is
not too cool, and the night is SO lovely, it
seems pity to stay indoors"
She followed him silently, out into
world of silence and of stars, of perfume
and dewy, beatifc repose. They sat down
on the broad front steps, he little below
her, and looking away-alwaysaw Why
did he not speak to her? Why did he make
no sign?
The silence oppressed her, and she was
the first to break it, but timidly, little
hesitatingly, as if doubling whether to in
terrupt his thoughts.
"Carroll, you have not told me much
about yourself. There must be so much to
tell"
He did not answer her directly. When he
did, there was curious break in his voice.
eyes, 1 have much to tell. 1t was to
speak to you of-of myself that / brought
you out here. l want to tell you of mis-
take-'
He stopped again, abruptly.
ga mistake ?' she vaguely echoed, look
ing at him.
ayes, dear. Marion, you remember,
when went away, we did not part happily,
as we should have done-you and l. The
fault was mine"
hand to him. "It was all mine-all. I
blame myself alone"
He took her hand-pressed it lightly
then gently put it back.
'Listen, Marion. have story to relate
to you, and it is hard for me to do it-and
you must be patient with me, dear, and not
interrupt me, or speak until have finished.
Will you grant me this? 1t will make my
task little easier"
She made gesture of assent. A strange,
chill feeling crept over her-Was it doubt?
no, nor foreboding surely it was only the
night-air breathing on her, then quickly
passing off. She folded her hands together,
and listened, still watching him intently.
81 went off, as you know, feeling angry
and miserable-but far more miserable than
angry ; the anger, what there was of it, was
only against myself. l want you to be sure
of that. l blamed my own folly. hated
myself for thrusting my own selfish wishes
before you to disturb your peace. And !
felt sure you did not love me, as l loved
'Remember this always for it is Gods
truth. l believed that you had persuaded
yourself into the idea that you could return
nv affection simply because YOU were too