Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-03-11
he strobe away, leaving her dumb and
stricken in the twilit wood.
CHAPTER II.

Her first impulse was to call him back tt
implore him to forgive her, to assure hin
that she was not SO base as she seemed
But after all, had not he spoken the truth
insomuch that it was Barton's money sht
was going to wed him for? To be sure, sh'
did not want it for herself, but she coult
not explain that to him. She dared no
say anything which would implicate he
father. No, suspect what he would, accuse
her as he might, she was powerless to de
fend herself. What comfort it would bt
to her in the midst of her misery if sht
could only let him know how dearly sh'
loved him still. And yet, what business
had she to love him? She was Amos Bar
toms promised wife. All that happy past be
tween them-betWeen Tom and her-mus
be buried forever.
But to have him think her mercenary
and false! She went slowly back to her ia
theirs house feeling ten times more wretch
ed than she had done before her interview
with Tom. Her old gray-haired father
sat in the shabby little dining room, brood
ing over some loose papers covered with &C
counts. His worn look moved her to pity
and self forgetfulness, and going up to him
she put her arm over his shoulders ant
kissed his cheek.
"Amos has been here, child he asked TO!
YOU" he said without looking up.
II had to go out little way, father"
"You didn't meet him ?"
''No, sir. Have you had your supper q
eyes, the children got it for me.
couldn't eat much am too sick to eat"
"Are you sick, father? am so sorry
II am sick with worry, Susan, and witt
suspense. When are you going to get mar
ried ?"
"Oh fatherr' She shrank away little
from him; it seemed so hard to be obliged
to think about that just then.
"Amos was talking about it.. lie want:
a short engagement, His business won' M
let him stay here much longer. He wanted
to know how soon you could be ready"
"Susie felt as if she was in prison witt
stone walls closing in around her.
"When is he going away?" she asked
"Pretty soon in less than month";"
The prison walls came closer.
"Can't he 20 away then, and come back p
s'He thought not. He has to make
journey somewhere, and wants you to g
with him.
"Father, can't 90 away anywhere, fal
from home. I can't leave you. Let me
stay here"
will be with your husband. I shall not neeC
you; the children and I will get on to
gether." -,
"But you are sick, father and you viii
be lonely" ,,.
81 am sick from worry, tell you. Wher
everything is settled, and my mind at rest
shall be we'll enough"
He spoke almost roughly, as if her solici
tude annoyed him. She was silent. and ht
went on presently in querulous manner:
'You mustn't begin now to raise up diff
culties, Susan. thought everything wa
decided between you two, and now you tall
as if you wanted to draw back"
mo" said Susie, calmly, II shall no
draw back. I am willing to do whatevel
YOU wish me to. But, of course, did no
know you were in such haste-you and Mr.
Barton. He never told me so."
swell, he came to speak about it thi!
evening. You ought to have been at home
l don't see why you went out so late"
To this Susie made no answer. She wa:
only thankful that he had not seen Ton
come. The evening passed drearily. Mr.
Dean was evidently in worse spirits thar
usual, and the rest of the family seemed tt
have caught the infection. At last, Wher
all the children were in bed, she also rose
to go. AS she kissed her father goodnight
he detained her.
II want word with you, Susan. l have
a question to ask you."
Eyes, father"
81 know you are good girl, and won'
deceive me. Is there anything-or rather
has there ever been anything between yor
and Tom Morton ?"
Oh why must fresh torment be heapec
upon her? Her bruised, wounded hear
quivered and WINGED beneath the probe.
Sc flfhar
"Was he ever q sweetheart of yours"
"He was fond of me-Once," said poor
Susie.
"But it's all over now, / hope-eh? You
know the old saying, child. Pm not much
at poetry, but l believe it goes something
like this
1T is good to be merry and wise,
1t is good to be honest and true,
1t is good to be off with the old love
Before you are on with the new
''Tom and are only friends now, father
And I don't want you to think that l ever
refused him, for did not. We had boy
and girl fancy for one another, and, of course
there's nothing between us now. Please
don't ask such questions again."
She never knew how she managed to gel
through this speech coherently, but she did
and it seemed to satisfy her father, for he
let her 60, bidding her good night with
more tenderness Of manner than he had
shown her before.
What night she passed! Tossing rest
lessly on her pillow, going over and over
again that brief, bitter interview in the
wood, trying vainly to reconcile herself tt
her hard fate by the reflection that she was
doing her duty to her poor old father, then
falling into a troubled doze only to dream
the whole thing over, and to see Toms re-
proachful eyes gazing into her face. TO-
profound and dreamless sleep, from which
she did not waken until late. She dressed
hurriedly and went down stairs. A sick
cold feeling came over her as she entered
the breakfast room and saw Amos Barton
seated near the door, engaged in converse
ton with her father.
He arose hastily, a perceptlble t1usf
mounting to his swarthy cheek, and his
voice quite trembled with eagerness, as he
said
81 hope you won't consider this early
visit an intrusion, Miss Susan, but felt Sc
anxious to see you, having missed you yes
terday evening, that hadn't the patience
to wait any longer"
Susie smiled family, and answered tha
she did not consider it an intrusion, adding
that she had slept later than usual.
81 hope you're not sick?" he anxiously
inquired.
"Oh no, thank your She managed tt
withdraw her hand, which he was holding
painfully close in his own, and moved away
to a little distance.
''Eat your breakfast, Susan," said hel
father.
She made feint of obeying him, but the
task was too hard one for her to accom-
plsh, and after playing with her knife anC
fork for few minutes she rose from the
table. She knew that trying interview
was coming, and in a sort of desperation
she took the initiatOry steps to bring i