Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-02-12
CHAPTER TX.

The in crest which Maud's new friend
had felt in her from their first acquaintance,
strengthened continually as time went on.
He did not rgue with himself as to its ma
ture. Was lie in love with her? He smiled
at the idea, which seemed absurd to prac-
tical mind. The disparity between them,
in their worldly position, their ages, and all
other respects, was so great, that certainly
the possibility of lore, in the commonly
accepted sense, appeared a remote one.
Dartmoor was, as he reflected quite old
enough to he her father; and he encour-
aged himself to believe that it Was a father
ly regard for her which inspired him with a
constant and earnest solicitude in her be-
half
In what way could he best help her
how console her for past suffering, and pro-
vide for the happiness in the future?''
There were friends of his sojourning in
Silver City, people who had been very kind
to him, to Whorn his thoughts now turned:
temporarily to their household, and enlist
Mrs. Herbert's sympathy, something might
be done-though what that 'something"
would prove to be, he could not at present
conjecture. Atany rate, it would be the tirst
move, and an important One-getting his
protegee out of this dreary place, where her
life could never be anything but a complete
and cruel waste.
'I'll set off for Silver City tomorrow,
he finally decided. 81 may succeed in ar
ranging some plan with the Herberts. But
first must tell the child good-bye."
That day found him under Maud'S roof.
looking brighter and better than usual, al
most happy. He was struck by the change,
and stronger than ever rose in his mind the
conviction-he had seen her counterpart be-
fore. Where had it been:
81 am going out of the neighborhood for
a few days, my child" said he. Gle was
fond of using this gentle, paternal mode Of
address, and she had grown quite accustom-
ed to it.) 81 have come to say goodbye,
but shall not be gone long"
"Are you going far" she asked, with
wistful look.
"No, only short journey. intend to
visit some people 1 know in Silver City.
How would you like to 60 there, Maud"'
"To stay?" she asked.
"Perhaps So"
"Would you stay there, sir?"
"For time-until l returned to my own
home."
"And when will that be?"
81 cannot fix time yet; it is all indeti-
mite. But l was thinking that, possibly,
you would find it pleasant to be with these
arrange to have you 60"
"And afterwards"
"Afterwards, we will see-at any rate,
you would not regret leaving this place"'
81 should not like living with strhgers,
sir have got used now to being alone"
ether you would rather not co." said
Lord Dtrtmoor, disappointed.
81 don't know" said Maud, uncertainty.
She hesitated, then added in rather q faint
tone, 81 wish you would not 60 away"
Her friend took both her hands, and
looked earnestly in her face.
"You are fond of me, my child-a little"'
he asked.
A blush came slowly to her face. "Iou
have been very kind to me, sir" she an
swered gently. And with a timid move
ment she withdrew her hands.
Lord Dartmoors heart beat fast. He turn
ed from her and walked to the window,
marvelling at the strange fas .ination she
had begun to exercise over hlm. Did 1t
spring from the wonderful, my terious re-
semblance she bore to that being, or that
vision-Which was it?-that appealed to his
memory so often in her look, her tone; that
had never appealed so strongly as just now,
in that blush and lovely glance?
Suddenly, clearly, the conviction flashed
over him. 1t was no hallucinatlon-no
mere trick of fancy that perpleXed him.
The resemblance was real-the features, the
expression, were identical with those OF q