Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-01-22

OF various nuntlng experiences, OF Wnlcn ne
had lately been the hero, and Maud, as she
listened, smiled and answered with cor
responding gayety, though her heart was
her best policy was to bend herself to his
changeful moods, and when he insisted on
her breakfasting with him, she yielded to
his wish, though it was with difficulty that
she could swallow morsel Of food, so en-
tirely was her appetite destroyed by the
depression of her spirits.
"Well," he exclaimed at last, when his
hunger was appeased, II feel quite invigo-
rated now, and ready for another tramp"
care you going away already, again %
she asked.
81 suppose so; there's no use in my stay
ing around here. am not anxious to meet
Maud, want you to be good girl, and
give me some encouragement"
She smiled family. "Iou don't need that
I should tell you how dearly l love you,
Edgar"
# don't need that you should tell me; l
need that you should proue your love-"
II will prove it in any way you like,
Edgar, except"
Except in the one way that will satisfy
me. Now, Maud, listen to reason. You
will admit that your father has forfeited all
claims to your obedience
"Oh, Edgar, no! / shall never admit
that"
"Why? does he act like father to you?"
"He is fond of me-" faltered Maud.
"Fond of you?" contemptuously echoed
her lover. "How does he show it? By his
fond, paternal care, and solicitude for your
welfare?"
II know" said Maud, whose tears were
ready to flow again, "that he does not lead
good life. He lets wicked men entice him,
and keep him from his home duties; but
when he is himself, he talks very kindly to
me, and seems sorry. He is never rough or
cruel; though it must seem as if were
neglected, yet that is not so hard as bad
treatment would be-"
"You have a forgivng disposition, Maud!
Well, do you weigh these occasional words
of kindness, (poor kindness, Pm afraid, only
shown in words y stray crumbs of comfort,
thrown to appease your starving heart, in
the balance against my devotion, my con-
stancy, my earnest desire to make you
happy: Don't you owe me something for
waiting patiently all this time?"
eyes, do owe you much; and oh, Edgar,
dearest! if the time ever comes when can
repay you, you shall find how fully and
truly will do sop
She clung to him, pressing her cheek
s'T,'' he repeated with moody look.
"Maud, do you know how long 1 have
waited already"
ga year, know, Edgar"
''More than a year-and the end seems as
far off as ever. What pain you make me
suffer! What life you make me lead!
Maud, if go to the bad, you will have
yourself to blame"
"Oh, no, no! you do not mean that; you
cannot mean it. Don't torture me, Edgar"
"Will you promise to marry me in six
months from now?"
Chow can 1 promise-when-"
"Of course l knew you wouldn't" he
broke in with derisive laugh. 81 only
asked you the question to see what answer
YOU would make. Well, it's no use going
over the threadbare subject; it makes me
sick. Pm off, now; in a month or six
weeks, maybe, you'll see me again."
''Not before ?" asked the girl, Wistfully.
'Probably not. You don't give me much
encouragement to pay frequent visits"
"You talk, Edgar, as if you thought did
not care"
''Oh, suppose you care-in your own
way" he replied, carelessly. "Our ways are
different, that's all. Come, kiss ME good
bye"
'"Good bye, she faltered brokenly. He
pressed her to him, kissed her twice, then
calling to his dog, sauntered away.
Maud put together the broken fragments
Of the breakfast, washed the soiled utensils,
then laid the table afresh, mended the fire
and made everything once more ready
against her fathers return. Her prepara-
tions completed, she did not again have to
wait. She had scarcely sat down to rest,
when through the open window she saw his
approaching figure.
Such figure! 1t was not its being clad
in rough and dirty clothes, that made it re-
pulsive to look at. All the miners in their
every day garb, were just as shabby, justas
far from neat But it was the sOuching
gait, the unsteady step, the bleared eyes,
the bloated face, that made up picture
horrible to the vision, 1t was the stamp OF
the mans whole character on his looks, on
his bearing, on every gesture OF his shaky
body that made even his own child shrink
as he drew near, with a natural repugnance
to touch him. Only for aninstant, however.
She conquered the involuntary feeling, and
went forward quickly to open the door:
"Father! l am SO thankful you have
come.
"Couldn't come sooner, child. Business
business all the time," he answered thckly.
"Was working all night"
She knew how far to believe this; but she
only said in Il gentle tone
''YOu must be very weary. Come, warm
yourself and get some breakfast"
She made him comfortable, put his break
fast before him, and waited on him as he
ate. She was so thankful to have him safe
at home-sutfering as she did, continual ap-
prehension of his getting into difficulty, or
meeting with an accdentthat her heart,
for the time, felt lighter, and in her relief
she forgot Edgar's unkindwords.
All at once, in the midst of eating, her
father stopped, laid down his knifcand fork,
and burst into a fit Of harsh, unmusical
laughter-the sort of laughter that made
Maud ready to cry.
"The best thingu' he cred, shaking with
the mirth, real or feigned, that overpowered
him. "The best thing! tell you, we're
going to make big haul, soon"
'In the mine?" timidlyasked his daugh-
ter.
"In the mine-oh yes in the mine, of
course. Ha! hal! Whele else could it be?
Ho! ho!! Bring me a tunbler, Maud"
"Not whisky, noW-father ?"
Laughing again, he poured himself out a
drink. This was followed by another, and
under their combined influence, he made
his daughter partially aware of scheme,
which he and one of his companions had
devised for their own benefit, and which, in
a sober mood he certainl, would not have
betrayed.
TO BE CONTINUED.
mruzzzzasuEnA
STORY OF A GREAT CoNposER.-A good
story is told of Verdi when he was putting
the finishing touches to n Trovatore. He
was visited in his studyby privileged