Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-03-18
gu 0riginal Storg.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
AMOS BARTON
BY L. ID. OZMOND.
CHAPTER III.

The Bartons went to New York, and here
Susie had her fill of sightseeing, which,
under different circumstances, she would no
doubt have enjoyed. But she felt it weari-
some to be dragged from place to place,
caring little for anything, except, indeed,
the picture galleries, for these she could not
help being interested in. Her husband was
so attentive to her, so solicitous in his en-
deavors to make her happy, that she pitied
him almost as much as she did herself, but
in this case pity was not 'akin to love-" for
love him she could not. She did try not to
betray this fact. She had made many reso-
lutions to be a good wife to him, and faith
fully endeavored to put them in practice;
and she hoped, after while, that she had
so far succeeded in playing her well-in-
tentioned part as to disguise the truth, and
that he would never guess that it was her
hand alone which had been given to him
that her heart had no part or lot in the
matter.
He was quiet man, and never talked
much. He would read for hours at time,
and let her amuse herself in any way that
she pleased, so that she was put to no
trouble to entertain him, and could be ST.
lent or not as she felt inclined. 1t often
happened that while he held book and
feigned to be occupied with it, he would
sit for long time with the pages unturned,
furtively watching her, but this she would
not perceive. If she looked sad and pre-
occupied, his own face would be anxious
and grave; if she appeared contented, his
expression corresponded with hers-and
smile from her was of inestimable value in
his eyes.
One day he entered her room with let
ter in his hand. She looked up from her
work and kindly instinct prompted her
to make room for him on the sofa beside
her. He sat down, flushing with pleasure;
and taking her hand, pressed it gently, and
held it for a moment in his own.
"Susan, l have received very unwel-
come communication" he presently began.
And as she looked up enquiringly, he open
ed the letter and placed it before her. 1t
was business communication, summoning
him to California without delay.
"What will you do?" she asked.
81 must 20, of course; have no choice.
But now the question is, will you 60 with
me, or would you prefer spending the Pc
riod of my absence in West Ridley?"
"At home!' She colored brightly, and
her eyes sparkled, as visions of the dear
old house, of her father, of the children's
noisy welcome, of Jacks ecstasy at her re-
turn, danced before her. "Oh, Amos, how
lovely that would be-"
1t was very seldom she called him by his
name and in the pleasure he felt at hear
ing it, and rin-seeing her happy look, he
almost ignored the pang which it caused
him to notice how eagerly she hailed the
idea of their separation.
"You would prefer that, then, to going
with-to going to California;"
ayes, indeed. have no desire to travel
so far; and just think how glad they will
be to see me again. How soon must we
leave here?"
"Within a week or ten days"
'Then can begin to pack atonce, can't -"
"Certainly, if you wish to-
He refolded his letter, rose and left the
room. Susie did not hear his stifled sigh as
he closed the door. Her little world had
suddenly grown bright, and she began to
run up and down stairs on various errands
connected with the prospective move, look
ing more like her old self than she had done
since she left home. She wrote letters to
her father and Myra to say that she was
coming, and made list Of little gifts which
she meant to take to each one of her family,
and to some Of her old friends. She altered
this list several times. While she was re-
vising it, her husband came in and discov-
cred what she was about.
"May see it?" he asked, and she showed
it to him.
"You might get better things, might you
not? Would Myra care for such trifle as
gold thimble?"
''She used to wish for one, often"
"Well, add something to it. Would she
like ornaments of any kind, or q set of
books: Isn't she fond of reading?"
Eyes, very fond, indeed"
"Get her set of 'Waverley.' And l see
you have box of blocks opposite Jacks
name. You can find something he would
like better. Suppose we 60 out this even
ing, and look"
And they did 60, Susie carrying purse
sufficiently wel-tilled to enable her to graft
fy her most extravagant wishes, nor was
Mr.. Barton satisfied until she had made
sufficient number of purchases to stock a
miniature variety store. He ordered ev-
erything packed in box, except one pres
ent which gave her more pleasure than any
thing else-a gold watch, which was to
make her twelve-year-old brother Ned the
proudest and happiest boy in West Ridley.
"When that box is opened there will be
fun," he said, looking so genuinely pleased
at the prospect that Susie was moved to say,
gratefully, chow good and generous you
are l can't thank you enough"
"That you are satisfied is my best re-
ward," he replied.
And poor Susie wished more than ever
that she could learn to love him-but how
could she?
They went back to West Ridley, and the
welcome given to Susie was all that her fam
CIV had pictured. She was charmed to find
that Jack had not forgotten her in the least,
but clung to her as fondly as ever, and
Mayra told her that he carried her photo
graph to bed with him every night, and
fell asleep with it under his cheek.
When the big box arrived and its load of
treasures was disclosed, there was jubilee!
Such an outburst Of delight greeted each
fresh discovery, such a radiant band of lit
tie faces grouped around, such heartfelt
thanks were uttered, that Susie overtiowed
with contentment at the sight of so much
Joy, and felt truly, perhaps, for the first
time the pleasure of wealth. But she took