Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-04-16


point. There is no use in shilly-shallying
and making halfway concessions, and ther
drawing back; let US settle the matter al
once. You cannot reconcile yourself tt
the fact of being kept in ignorance o.
the nature of my employment. I ar
aware of certain insuperable obstacles ir
the way of your learning it. And if you
are resolved to be miserable so long as this
condition of things exists, it will certainly
be best to bring it to an end. Therefore
YOU have but to say the word and it shall be
So"
The color came into Elizabeth's face; she
was silent and struggle went on in hel
mind. He bent over her and kissed hel
forehead again.
''Speak, love-" he continued in a gentle
tone. 81 would give my life to make you
happy-I will do anything you WISH"
"Oh, Harry. am sorry, l worried yo,r
so much-I believe have been very fool
ish," she said at last. keep your place
if YOU can do so with clear conscience, anG
I'll not say another word to annoy YOU"
II cannot keep it with a clear conscience
if know you are unhappy"
IL won't be unhappy. l am going tc
prove to you from henceforth that 1 trust
YOU entirely, no matter"
"No matter what has happened or may
happen," she answered, with the recollec
ton of the note in her mind.
He looked at her steadfastly.
elizabeth, do you mean what you say"
eyes, every word"
"And you won't doubt me again?"
"Have ever doubted you?"
81 don't know-I only know that there
has seemed to be barrier between us lately
and supposed it must be my fault"
"Perhaps it was mine-at any rate, there
shall be barrier no longer"
"Well, then it is agreed-and we Won'1
recur to the subject again."
He spoke with relief, but little wearily
and Elizabeth, somehow, did not feel quite
satisfied-still she was thankful that they
had come to some sort of understanding
though it was not quite as complete one a.
she desired. She could not forbear asking
him casually, afterwards, who it was thai
had come home with him and gone away
again.
''Oh! a young fellow that know dowr
tOWn-his name is Dixon" was the reply
in an Indifferent tone. ''He came for book
Of his, which I had forgotten to return after
borrowing it,"
A day or two passed. One afternoon a
Elizabeth was reading, gentleman called
and asked to see her. He sent in no card
and she rose in doubt las thin, wiry, sharp
looking little old man was shown in.
"Mrs. Harry Monteith?" he said, inqui
ringly.
''Yes, sir.''
'sYour husband is not at home?"
sHe went out not long ago; think ht
will soon be back" Elizabeth replied.
"Never mind you'll do as well ll-better, ir
fact. am glad of this opportunity of meet
ing YOU alone. know your husband very
well-have known him all his life, or near
ly so. am charmed to make the acquain
tance of his wife,"
Elizabeth flushed, and bowed slightly
She wondered who on earth the old gentle
man could be.
"And is he getting on pretty we'll, now?'
the latter continued, in an affable manner
"Does he make living?"
ave get on moderately WE'LL" said Eliza
question.
"What is his business, may ask"
II think, sir" replied the young wife
with gentle dignity, ''that I am scarcely
justified in discussing his affairs with 6
stranger. When he comes in he can say
what he pleases for himself"
"Ah we'll probably you are right. Bu
you will acknowledge that am not imper
tinently inquisitive, when you learn that
have a right to feel some interest in the
matter-I am yourhusband's uncle, of whom
you may have heard"
"Mr. Monteith!" cried Elizabeth; anC
she rose involuntarily, her heart bounding
with mingled pleasure and fear.
"Sit doWn-sit down." said the old man
"You need feel no alarm at my visit.
have not come with any unkind intent,
assure you"
''I did not suppose" faltered Elizabeth.
"Hum-eh ?" he sharply rejoined.
81 was going to say, sir, that l did moi
suppose you would have come so far to see
US, from unkind motives"
'Well, you are right. l suppose that you
know my nephew left me in anger-hot
headed fellow that he is?"
"He thought you were angry with him,
replied Elizabeth. "And l felt" she tim
idly added, "that you had right to be-"
"You felt that, did you? Well, of course
it was little hard on me; but you see
1 didn't fully understand all the circum
stances of the case. On the WHOLE" ne
continued looking keenly at her blush
ing face, II think Harry had some excuse
for marrying you. But really don't think
he had an excuse for leaving me in so un'
ceremonious a manner, without giving me
a chance to cool down little-Why, would
have liked to see you, my dear-eXcuse
the liberty. We should have come to an
understanding, if he had let me have time
to get over the first surprise. I am sure
1 bear him no i'll will now-none at all
And he is doing we'll, you say?''
Not quite so we'll as we could Wlsh,'
said Elizabeth looking down. "He has
only some temporary employment, and is
on the watch for something better"
"He isn't coming money, then, as he ex-
pected to do, when he informed me in sc
dignified manner that he could get on
without my aid Well, we'll, he was in q
same hot blood. When will he be in dc
you think 2"
81 cannot tell exactly, sir, but probably
about four O'clock"
"And when do you dine?'
"At half past four"
Mr.. Monteith pondered moment.
II have an appointment at sharp five, u
he said, land an engagement to dine at
seven with an old friend. l tell you what
I'll do-I'll leave my card with you, and
you can ask him to come to my hotel in the
morning. Any hour between nine and
twelve will suit me-"
Elizabeth promised to deliver the card
and the message; and on taking leave Of
her, Mr.. MOnteith, to her great surprise,
gave her kiss on the cheek.
liam an old man, my dear, but yor re my
niece; so no offence" he said cheerfully. 81
hope we shall know each other better soon.'
Elizabth's heart thrilled with pleasurable
feelings as she watched him 60 down the
street. "Our troubles are over, really be-
lieve," she said joyfully to herself. "HoW
glad Harry ought to be!'
Harry, when he came in and heard the
news, was fully as much surprised as she
had expected him to be; and though he did
not openly express any hopefulness in re-