Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-01-01
agricultural, and Commercial snterests of the South.

This treatment only fed the fever Of
his passion, however, and, absorbed in
his love for her and desire to have her
for his wife, he was perplexed by the
thousand lovers fears and uncertainties
which the coquetry Of her manner to-
ward him created.
A hundred times in the first few days
of this visit he had resolved to ask her
to marry him, and he sought to make
an occasion, but always they seemed to
be interrupted just when he had begun
to frame the question, and his wits
were too dazzled by his love to see that
Lola herself contrived many of the in
terruptions.
But Oh the day when he found her
alone on the veranda he had returned
determined that he would wait no lon-
ger. He was hungering for the knowl-
edge that she loved him. When she was
near, he could think Of nothing else
His mothers objection to the marriage,
bis more than half engagement to mar
ry Beryl-every hindrance and caution
was burned like dead grass in the fierce,
hot fame of his passion.
Thus he looked at her with the hot
eyes of desperate longing as she sat
with her face resting against her hand
and her eyes bent down, and itwas like
q sweet delirium to believe, as he did,
that the emotion which had brought
the blood to her cheeks and made her
bosom rise and fall in loveliest confu-
sion was due to the feelings which be
had reused in her.
After a long pause he moved slowly
nearer to her and nerved himself to
speak.
As he sat down close to her she turn
ed her head and flashed rapid glance
right into his eyes and then as quick
ly turned away, the hot blood surging
over her face in deep blush.
81 want to end this suspense" he
said in a tone little louder than whis-
per. 81 can't bear it any longer. It's
not fair to either of us. I came back on
purpose. " There was a pause Of embar-
rassment between each sentence.
Lola made no reply, but she was
thinking fast what was the best course
for her to take.
Sir Jaffray gathered himself for an
effort and resolute look came into his
face, knitting his brows and setting his
lips for a moment before he spoke
again. Then, forcing himself to be calm,
he went right to the point.
II love you, Lola, and want you for
my wife. "
There was no mistaking the ring of
intense sincerity or of concentrated feel
ing in the calm, strong tone, and the
girl felt flush Of triumph as she recog-
nized it. 1t promised her certain vic
tory. But she knew that it was not to
be won yet, and she played her part
with consummate skill.
At first she turned toward him with
q look Of infinite sweetness on her face
and with the light of love beaming in
her eyes, but she checked herself as
suddenly. drew back and then rose.
"That is an insult, Sir Jaffray, and
a wrong which you at least might have
spared me-" she cried.
The words struck him like slap in
the face.
IAN insult? A wrong? To ask you to
be my wife?" His tone was still calm
enough, but it rang with the note Of
angered pride.
Twice she turned to him impetuously,
as if to speak, locking her fingers tight
ly together as If fighting with her feel
ings and unable to utter the words
which rose to her lips. Then she
clutched the rail Of the veranda tightly
with both hands, and, leaning back, as
though at bay, she appeared to compel
herself to break the silence, which once
broken was followed by flood Of words
poured out with rapid, vehement rushes.
She was like one wrung by the deepest
passion.
"Why do you say this to me? Why
do you torment me? Why tempt me in
this cruel, heartless way? Yes. beartless.
You know this thing can never be-
You know-wbo better?--that between
US stands the bar of your untitled prom
ise to your cousin, Beryl Leycester.
You know that all the world looks on
that as settled. You have known this
all through. You must have known, and
yet you come to me and press me to be
your wife. You, half pledged to another
woman, can ask me to help you break
that pledge by winning from me an
other, because you think you can do
with me as you will.
"You hold me for child, toy, a
plaything, to be used for season aud
tossed aside. You know your strength
with me. You think because you have
made me love you--what do say?
Made me hate you, maybe, for, heaven
help me, l know not what think or
feel, say or do, where you are. But
this I will not dol will not help you
to play that girl false. Go to her. She
will make you happier than ever can.
1t is not love that makes happiness.
That comes far more readily from the
easy content Of even flowing, placid
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