Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-01-29
Au Original Sturg*
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
WHO WAS MAUD MILLER I?
BY YVlcToR VERNON.
PART II.
AT THE MINES.
BY VICTOR VERNON.
CHAPTER vi.

PART II.
AT THE MINES.
CHAPTER vi.
Randolph Miller-Maud's father-had
not ALWAYS been the miserable creature he
now appeared; and there were times
when he still showed glimpses of his form
er SELF On the present occasion, after spend
ing two days in his own room, where ne
passed most of that period in sleep, he
emerged from retirement new man.
The change, though she knew too we'll
it would prove only temporary, was hailed
with delight by his daughter, to whom such
brief and rare occurrences were oases IN
the desert of her life. She had tender
and clinging nature, that could never quite
withdraw itself from any object round
which it had once entwined; and she bore
in her heart the remembrance OF her child
ish days, when her father had been wont to
take her in his arms, call her fond names
and lavish caresses upon her. AS he came
into the little sitting room on the third
morning, neatly dressed, and with some
thing of his old manly and self-reliant air,
she went to meet him with warm en-
brace.
"My little Maudv he said gently, as he
returned her kiss. He ate his breakfast
slowly and in silence. He seemed full of
thought and Maud would not disturb him.
Breakfast over, he sat by the fire, still in
room putting things to rights; and when
she had finished, he called her to him.
"Sit down here, Maud" he said, motion
inc to a low seat near him. IL want to
have a little talk with YOU"
Eyes, father" She moved the bench
with alacrity, close up to his knee, and lean
ing upon him looked up fondly into his
face.
"Your life here isn't very happy one,
Maud, I am afraid" he said, after regard
ing her for moment without speaking.
She looked down, and somewhat hesita-
tingly rejoined: sometimes am happy
father.''
"To-day-just now, for instance ~
eyes, indeed, am, father"
"But when | am away, or when treat
YOU roughly, and speak bad words-then
YOU are miserable, know. It's a misera-
Bile life for YOU altogether, poor child, and
am not what I should be. But | hope
now that things will change before long.
If 1 were rich, Maud, would be- a very
different man. It's poverty that has brought
What would you say if l should suddenly
grow rich?'
She looked at him little anXiously, and
slowly repeated the word "suddenly" in a
questioning manner.
"Well, yes. By a lucky speculation
perhaps"
"But, father, it takes money to speculate
with, doesn't it?" ,,,
eyes, generally; but out of a very little
money one sometimes makes good DEAL"
"Isn't there always great FISK :"
"Certainly not, if one has sure invest
ment. But l don't think you understand
much about business, Maud there is no use
entering into detailed explanation. II l
was lucky enough to make fortune, SO that
we could get away from this place and live
decently again, you wouldn't question me
too closely, would you? I take it for grant
ed you would like to leave here"
"Where would we 60, father?'
ooh! somewhere in the States-some-
where, where we could be among civilized
people. hate this savage country, with It's
gold itcontains, it wouldn't be fit for white
mans feet to tread. But the gold, the gold! !!
All! my girl, there's the charm!"
"Sometimes l Think" said Maud, timid-
ly, ''that if other things went we'll, one
could be happy without being rich.'
He took no notice of this remark, but
went on
at is a dogs life have been leading for
the last ten years knocking about here,
there and everywhere; shaving above
ground and underground, to earn enough to
keen breath in my body and in yours-and
it has all amounted to just this, that we are
worse off now than when we started. And
I was not born for such a life! l was gen
tleman once"
He started up abruptly, and took two or
three turns about the room, then came back
to his seat.
Il was a gentleman once, and can be
gentleman again-when once l'm rich! !
And you, Maud-you with your good birth,
and your refined ways, and your pretty
looks-good God, what have l brought you
down to-! But it shall not last much long
er-Pm cursed if it shall. There, my girl,
don't look scared l know you don't like
such words, but they slip out unawares.
Yes, am resolved that as you were born
lady you shall live like one. You shall go
into society that's fit for you and old Ran
dy Miller will reform, and cast Oft his wick
ed ways with his ragged clothes, and no
body'll know his past record. Won't that
be fine?'
Eyes, father dear"
''By the way, Maud-as / was coming
home day before yesterday. | saw young
Rutherford, though he did not see me. |
suppose he had been here-had he?"
EYES," replied Maud, in low tone.
"Maud, do you still banker after that
fellow? He isn't good enough for YOU"
''He loves me, father. He has been very
constant"
"Loves you! l dare say he does. But
he isn't fit to black your shoes, my girl.
1 know enough about him. l can't let you
marry him, Maud"
81 don't think you do him justice, faith
er."
"Nonsense, child! l tell you l know
him better than you do. But there, don't
cryw he hastily added, seeing the tears
gather in her eyes. 81 don't blame you
much, being left so to yourself, and seeing
so few people. When we are out of this
hole, everything will be different; then
you will have opportunities! Is my over
coat hanging in the entry?"
Eyes, father. You are not going Out?"
eyes, must 60 to Cannonvile to-day"
Cannonville was the nearest town, about ten
miles away. 81 have business there"
Maud's heart fell like lead.
"Will you be back tonight, father?"
Eyes, Maud, l will try not to leave you
alone at night any more. | am going to
treat you better than have done all along"
Notwithstanding this assurance, it was
with many foreboding that Maud helped
him on with his coat, and then bade him
pOOd-bVe.