Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-03-12
gu Original Storg.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
A Rash Experiment.
BY MISS m. LEE.
CHAPTER ".

beth's hand, which had suddenly become as
cold as ice. Leading her to her fathers side,
she placed her in a chair, and then resum-
ed her own seat in gentle and deliberate
manner. =
'Thee needs not look so frightened, my
DEAR" she said in a low and somewhat
tremulous voice, "father only wishes that
thee should answer one or two questions.
We know that thee tells nothing but the
truth. We have been told, Elizabeth, that
thee has been in the habit of meeting
young mau clandestinely, and of walking
with him through the streets. How has
such report got about"
She paused, evidently expecting denl-
al. AS her daughter hesitated, with avert
ed and dropping face, her look OF anxious
expectancy changed to one of mingled DOUBT
and distress. Her self control gave way,
and in tone almost of agony she exclaimed,
"Oh, my daughter! say that it is not
true!"
'sItis true, partly" said Elizabeth, half in
only listen to me, and you shall hear all
will not keep anything back"
And then summoning all her courage,
she told her story from the beginning. Her
parents listened mutely; Reuben shading
his ewes with his hand, Prudence gazing
fixediy at her as she listened with bated
breath to the unlocked for revelation:
When it was ended the mother drew
long, tremulous sigh.
'And is there nothing more, Elizabeth?'
"Nothing-nothing. Oh! mother-oeor
mother"
The girl broke into passion of sobs, and
flung herself on Prudence's neck. "FOrgive
me-" she said, brokenly, amid her tears.
ct never meant to do wrong"
II think thee did not, answered the moth
er softly. "Reuben-thee hears what she
SAYS. Won't thee say word ?"
sNot now," was the old Quaker's reply,
as he reused himself, as if by q painful ef-
fort, from his seeming abstraction. 8! am
confused in my mind-thee knows, VIE,
am not quite strong yet. We will talk OF
this later. Fetch the Bible, and we will
have prayer"
Itwas early for evening prayer, but Pru,
dence fastened to obey him, and the usual
devotions were gone through with. Then
Elizabeth was sent to her room, being dis
missed gravely but kindly. And afterWard
the parents sat and talked for a long hour
over the matter which was of such Welghty
import.
fallen upon them with q shock: Yet, the
pretty culprit, trembling in her little cham
ber, needed not to wait with such sorroWful
tears, or in such distressfUl self-communion
for the issue of their deliberations. After
what seemed ages of uncertainty and dread,
she heard her mothers footsteps on the
stairs.
The room was dark, save for faint glim-
mer of moonlight through the half-closed
blinds Near the window sat the girl, indis-
tinct and motionless, like shadow, and
like shadow Prudence stole in, and came
noiselessly to her side.
"Well, daughter" she said in her low
sweet tones, as she laid her hand on Eliza
beth's shoulder, and the young girl turned,
and stretched out her arms, and nestled Sob
bingly on the kind mother-breast-h
refuge all her life from all care and trouble.
"We have talked over this matter, father
and l." Prudence went on not waiting to be
questioned; ''and it does not seem to us
that thee has done anything to merit harsh
reproof, only that thee has been lacking in
discretion; for thee knows, dear-or per-
haps thee does not know-how ready the
world is to blame our actions, and attribute
motives to our conduct that VIC ourselves
are innocent of. 1t would have been bet
ter if thee had spoken to us from the be-
ginning, of this new acquaintance, instead
of allowing him to meet thee secretly, un-
known to us. Thee could have brought
him here to the house and if he was wor-
one. Now tell me, Lisbeth, love, does thee
really feel fondness for the young man."
This straightforward question certainly
demanded straight forward reply, and
though Elizabeth's "yes' was SO softly ut
tered as to be scarcely audible, it reached
the mothers ear.
"And thee is quite, quite sure that he loves
thee?'
ayes, again was the reply, more resolute
than the first.
"And thee is willing to trust him-this
stranger that thee knows so little OFF"
''Oh mother! yes. l know he is good
and true"
There was pause.
"Well," said Prudence at last, with a
sigh, "if it is truly thy heart, and not mere
ly thy fancy, which is enlisted in this affair,
we should feel averse to contradict thee;
yet we must know something of the young
man before we can in the least pledge our
selves to consider him as anything beyond
mere acquaintance. Father Says-and he
is very wise, Lisbeth-that thee must prom
ise to take no farther steps without his
sanction. Thee has entered into no bond, as
/ understands
ooh no, no l would not have done
that, mother, without your permission and
father's."
$50 I felt sure. Well, thee has our per-
mission 10 Invite Hill llSIe, anu IL VIC Iu't
on acquaintance, and after suitable inquiry,
that he is worthy of thy regard, then, per.
haps-"
With this "perhaps" Elizabeth was OBJ
liged to be satisfied. She was, indeed, full
> ly satisfied; her widest imaginings had
not pictured so favorable an ending to the
interview. Before retiring for the night,
she had to seek her father, and receive from
his own lips his assurance of forgiveness,
and the solemn blessing, which always ac-
companied his goodnight kiss; and she
laid her head upon her pillow feeling thank
ful and happy beyond measure.
Within two days after, Harry had made
his first visit at the Careys. within two
weeks, he had established himself on sure
footing in the famiy-the footing of an es-
teemed friend; for he speedily succeeded in
captivating the hearts of Reuben and his
wife, who were charmed by his Difference to
their opinions, and the ease and readiness
with which he adapted himself to their
homely customs and simple ways.
81 think, Reuben" said the good Pru-
dence, "that Providence has surely directed
this young mans footsteps to our house,
and filled him with affection for our child
Where could we have found any one more
fitted to become her husband: | know OF
no youth among the Friends whose man
nerS please me so we'll"
Reuben was practical enough to desire a
more complete knowledge of Elizabeth's
lover than even this intimate acquaintance
could give and he made quiet but diligent
inquiry among those from whom he was
most liEeIy TO obtain such knowledge. All