Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-09-24

old friends. II tnOugnC WOulu IKE 10
come and say good-by."
"How did you know?' she asked, in
surprise.
"Oh, Grace Thursby told me-" he an
swered, carelessly; "she is one of the best
girls in the world"
"She seems very nice to her interiors;"
observed Eveline, little bitterly. II can
imagineehow charming she can be to her
"Who is her inferior? ?" asked Ralph Ver-
non, quickly. "Not you, by Jove! She was
saying to me that you were perfect lady"
HVery kind of her, I am sure" said
Eveline, haughtily; ''only l am at loss to
understand how such discovery came
about"
"There, now, have offended you," said
Ralph, contritely; "but I am such a clum-
"Not at ALL" returned Eveline huskily.
"It is very kind of your affianced wife to
take such an interest in me-"
"My afianced wifew he said, with O.
hearty laugh. 81 should like my brother
John to hear you say that" He was very
close to her now, as they sat on the hard
bench. Don't you know that 1 fell des-
perately in love with you that night when
1 rescued you from the tramp at least, 1
think did, although it was not till 1 saw
you peep at me through the window that
I knew how exquisitely pretty you were?
Be my wife, and let me take care of you,
not only on dark nights but all your life"
But Eveline shook her head, for, although
her heart prompted her to say Eyes," she
felt that she had no right to accept the sac
rifce her impulsive and hot-headed lover
was willing to make for her sake.
"It cannot be-" she said mournfully. "1t
is mad, QuiXotic idea. know, from what
l have heard Mrs. Thursby say, that you
are wealthy"
Hang the moneyn' exclaimed Ralph.
eff you don't say yes Tll-I'll 60 lion
hunting in Africa, and get torn to pieces by
wild animals"
But even this terrible threat had no effect
upon Eveline; she was firm in her deter
mination to do right at any cost; she would
not even tell him where she lived. And
so they parted at the little railway station,
and Eveline went back to London with
less color in her cheeks than when she had
left it., and strange gloomy look in her
beautiful eyes.
"It is all for the BEST" she thought but
life had never been so hard to bear.
The girl was brave-very brave-and
wanted to do right; but the struggle be-
tween love and duty sapped her strength,
and laid her on bed of sickness, from
which it seemed she would never rise.
During her illness she was continually
calling upon alph Vernon, in such piteous
accents that it drew tears from the eyes of
those who heard the poor weak voice.
"Mother, I'm going to telegraph for this
Mr.. Vernon" said Evelines sister Nellie.
"It is dreadful to look at her white face
and glittering eyes and to hear her calling
upon his name from morning till night"
"But who is this Mr.. Vernon 2" asked
the poor mother, helplessly.
"I don't know" said Nellie; "but found
card with his name and address on it, and
intend to send for him. 1t must be some
one she cares for, and 1 don't mean to let
her die if anything can save her."
"But perhaps he won't care to come,"
said the mother, With the prudence of age
and experience.
"Then he can stay away" returned Mel
lie, her eyes wet with tears; and there was
a look of pain in her sweet cOuntenance,
for her mother might be right, and what
would become of poor Eveline If there
should be no answer to the telegram?
The next few hours were anxious ones for
Nellie.
She stood up breathless with eagerness,
when some one knocked at the door. In
another moment Ralph Vernon was in the
room, and had grasped her by the hand as
if she had been an old friend instead of a
stranger.
"Is she--?" he could not finish the SEN
tence, for he feared the worst
"She still lives" returned Nellie, and,
taking him by the hand, Eveline's sister led
Ralph into the next room where the poor
girl lay.
Her mother was kneeling at the side of
the bed, but rose instantly and motioned to
Ralph to take her place, and, as he did so,
Eveline opened her eyes and looked at him.
The sight of that beloved face had amagi-
cal effect upon Eveline. She put out her
weak hand with little cry that told more
plainly than words how cruel her sacrifice
had been, and, as he gathered her in his
arms, her lover registered stern vow that,
if her life were spared he would make her
his wife in spite Of all the world-herself
included. And so he did, for Eveline re-
covered from that very hour, and directly
she was able to leave her room, there was a
quiet wedding, and the two started for the
South of France, where they remained un-
til Eveline had recovered her health. They
are an exceptionally happy couple, and
Grace Thursby tells her husband that his
brother Ralph's wife is the sweetest woman
she knows.