Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-04-08
+ could not keep silent any longer His

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+ could not keep silent any longer. His
face was white and set, but still I had
no words. l held out my hands to him,
and none were needed. I am happy,
wildly happy. He loves me, and, oh, I
love him so! Tomorrow Arthur sees
papa-in Difference to my wishes, he
says, for he is sure it is useless. l know
papa is proud, but he can have no fault
to find with him. Still, am nervous,
and Arthur is certain it is useless.
"Jan. 28.-Arthur had an interview
with papa this morning. met him in
the archery ground afterward. 1t was
as he feared-papa would not hear him
to the end and forbade him to speak to
me on the subject. He silenoed him in
stantly and dismissed him with con-
tempt. Arthur vows that nothing shall
separate US and begs me to fly with
him. He says that we will be married
by special license in London; that we
shall 90 abroad and stay there till
papa's wrath has cooled. Then we can
come home, and all will be we'll again.
Arthur little knows papa's implacable
nature. he is colder than ice, knows no
yielding. and will never pardon. He
never forgave Robert, and never will
forgive him, though his faults, poor
boy, were small enough. No, / could
not run away. 1t would not be right.
"Jan. 29.-Today papa sent for me
to the library and showed me letter
from Aunt Amelia. She wrote that,
owing to her recent bad health-she
has never known days illness in her
life-her doctor orders her to go to
Mentune for two months. She will be
pleased il Florence will accompany her,
in which case she must be in London
on Friday. I know this is papa's doing.
I told him candidly that did not wish
to 90 and would not accept the invita-
tion. He said icily: you will go. Flor
ence. You will join your aunt, as she
wishes, on Friday I was determined
be should not frighten me, and an
swered with a calmness that equaled
his: No, papa. You know 1 do not like
Aunt Amelia, and nothing will make
me spend two months with her. I will
not CO. His only answer was to open
the door and say, with stinging polite
ness: 4 have accepted the invitation for
you. You will make arrangements to
join your aunt on Friday. You leave
by the 11:17 train. I meet Arthur at
the coppice at 4 o'clock. Yesterday his
persuasion nearly overcame me. Today
he shall not call me obdurate and cold.
Poor Arthur! How sad be looked when
be thought his pleading vain He little
knows how my heart is on fire with
love for him.
Wednesday Night, Jan. 30.-Arthur
was waiting at the coppice and again
poured out the passionate entreaty that
1 would fly with him. told him about
Mentone. Then he held my hand in a
clasp that hurt me and breathed hard ;
the words seemed wrung from him
MY darling, listenl You will 60 to
London on Fhday, but I will meet you
there, and we will be married at once.
Then was sobbing in his arms, and he
was comforting me.
"Jan. 31.-Tomorrow am to become
Arthur's wife. What joy that should
mean to mel And yet my heart ia
heavy. l ought not to take this step. It
is the first thing have ever done un-
derhand-and yet-and yeti love him
Il love him, and all the world is as
nothing to ME against my love for him.
Had papa shown me the slightest affeo-
tion could not have left him in this
way, but have never known what it
was to be loved by him. How can re-
ject the true love of the man I worship?
Tomorrow, Arthur, l shall be yours
yours forever!
"Feb. 8.-We have been married a
week today and are now staying at
little Bedfordshire village, but Arthur
has been most of the time at Abiding
hall to show himself there and allay
any suspicion There is great scandal
in the county over my disappearance,