Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-04-03

change of little gifts-a ceremony which 1T
did not seem right to omit-and the usual
turkey and mince-pie inseparable from the
season. Indeed, an unusual depression rest
ed upon them all.
1.-The yule-log sparkled keen with frost,
No wing of wind the region swept,
But over all things brooding slept
The quiet sense of something lost
The day dragged to a close; the Judge, a
little more feeble than usual, had been helped
into bed; and Marion had rung for the SER
wants to lock up the house, when horses feet
were heard coming towards the gate. :,
"Who can it be at this hOur?" exclaimed
Jessie. "Not a visitor, surely"
A moment later, John Ellery was ushered
in.
"Excuse my intruding at such an unsea-
sonable time of the day." he said, after the
usual greetings were xchanged, "but lost
the road, stupidity enough, and am two or
three hours later than l meant to be. l
could not leave the State without stopping
to see you all again." His look dWelt on
Marion as he spoke.
81 am sure we are all very glad to see
you," was her cordial reply, echoed by the
other girls; and Jessie added
II am glad something pleasant should
happen to-day, for we have been terribly
dull. Such Christmas as it has been!"
chop Judge Warner is no worse?' asked
the young man.
''No-he is improving, but very slowly:
Sometimes we fear he never will be we'll
again" !" rejoined Kate. "And you are going
off to the wars again"
"Yes-I have been detained at home far
longer than wished; but my wound has
been tedious, and the doctors insisted l was
not fit for active service, until noW."
"You will stay with us, of COURSE" said
Marion, with her hand on the bell.
''If perfectly convenient, [ will remain
until tomorrow"
"Oh, do stay longer" entreated Jessie,
'and cheer us up"
"He smiled. '"I don't-know that ought
to- Miss Jessie. l am ordered to travel by
easy stages-and besides, fear the tempta-
ton" Again he glanced at Marion. You
see / might find it so pleasant here that L
would not be in sufficient haste to pursue my
Journey"
"a day or two could make no difference"
said Kate. ave shall be glad to have you
as long as you are willing to stay"
"And my uncle will be pleased, KNOW"
added Marion, ''for little company always
cheers him up"
"Then | shall be delighted to remain un-
til the day after Tomorrow" said the young
man, with alacrity.
The next day was really the pleasantest
they had spent for long time. Judge
Warner, though he had not the slightest re-
collection Of Ellery, treated him with old
fashioned southern cordiality, as welcome
guest, and seemed much entertained by his
lively conversation. Then Jessie had a
long ride with him on horseback, and came
home in high spirits; and after dinner there
wasa game of billiards, the first that had been
played for many long weeks. Ellery was
so bright and cheerful that his presence act
ed like sunshine in the gloomy house. Even
Marion was enlivened and smiled almost
like her old self at some of his gay sallies.
She would have been careful, however, to
shun his society altogether if she had felt
the slightest suspicion of the impression she
had made upon him. Jack had susceptl-
BILE heart and it had warmed towards her
on the first occasion of their intercourse.
He thought her the most beautiful and
charming girl he had ever seen, and every
hour he passed in her presence served to
strengthen his conviction that in her he had
found his fate. Before he fell asleep that
night he had fully made up his mind that,
come veal or woe, he would declare his
feelings before they departed-little know
inc what an insuperable barrier stood in the
way of his success.
Accordingly, the next morning, he sought
an opportunity for private conversation
with her, and, such having presented IT.
self, dashed with characteristic impetuOSlty
into the subject that filled his mind.
Marion listened to him, at first in Won
der, then with real distress when she dis
covered the drift Of his discourse.
"Oh, Mr.. Ellery, it is quite impossible,
she said, with such decision that poor Jack
was quite discounted, and began to fear
he had committed himself too rashly.
81 know it seems presumptious," he re-
joined humbly, when you know SO little OF
me, and-and all that-but couldn't wait,
Miss Vane, indeed, you have no idea OF my
anxiety"
II have no feeling Of that sort do not
think YOU presumptious at all. But you do
not understand, Mr.. Ellery-it would be
Just as much out of the question If had
known you twenty years." said Marion.
81 shall never marry"
"Never marry!" he echoed incredulously.
'She shook her head, and her lips quiv-
cred. Gail that is over for me now, she
said in low tone.
There was silence. Jack stood in great
embarrassment, divided between his own
disappointment, and regret that he should
have stirred up some evidently painful
memory in her mind.
eff had suspected" he began presently,
"that there was any special obstacle in my
way
"Mr. Elery," said Marion, recovering
herself and looking at him with sweet,
frank confidence in her dewy eyes, "yOu
have been a good kind friend to us, and
more than that you were his friend-Car-
rol's" She faltered again for a moment
and then went on. 81 don't mind telling
YOU the truth indeed, would rather you
should know what good reason l have for
not giving you the answer you wish. ne
cared for me-and-and we were engaged"
"Then, of course, 1 have done a very
wrong thing; but 1 did not knoW-hoW
should |? | hope you will forgive me,
Miss Vane," said Jack, manfully, holding
out his hand.
She took it instantly.
81 hope you will always let me be your
friend. 1t sounds like a cant phrase, but l
mean it, really and truly" she said earnest
ly. "And there is one thing more you
ought to know-I don't want you to have
a wrong impression. There is one especial
reason that binds me to Carroll's memory.
| behaved badly to him-1 let him 90 away
in anger He died thinking / had ceased
to care for him-and-and l can never for
give myself. Twas quite unworthy OF him
of his forgiveness-bu he gave it to me.
He was very noble and good. And you
see am not.not at all what you thought
me. or would never have acted So"
But her impulsive confession, rapidly
made, with dropping eyes and crimsoned
cheek, and pitiful culver in her voice,
only drew poor Jack deeper into the tolls
than ever. 81 only know that 1 think you
an angel, and believe / am right" he said