Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-12-13

| had said ever since he knew her, that
she could not be moved by pleading,
and, rising suddenly, he went over and
kneeled beside her. "Luella! Tell me
this simply: Do you love me enough
to share the unknown future with me-?
Will you not come with me, trusting IN
our love for each other to bear us over
hard places and explain new expert
ences as fast as they become real to
us?'
She trembled and hesitated. She had
but to reach out her hand and put 1t In
John Gordon's and say one word. She
did not move nor speak for almost
minute. Then she said. looking straight
in front Of her:
Must I give an answer now"
"Luella, you have already given me
answer! You have promised to be my
| wifew The words were spoken by
him in q moment Of great longing as
he saw her indecision and foresaw her
inevitable answer.
Her eyes darkened little.
81 never promised to be the wife
off,
"The wife off, John Gordon re-
peated after a silence so long that Its
suspense was not bearable to him.
81 hardly know how to finish She
uttered a short laugh. and John Cor
don rose ut once to his feet. Il can
never live in Hope House." she added
in low tone.
"Is that your answer, then" He
stood looking at her calmly. but she
did not look up.
"Yes," she finally replied.
"Then we must go our separate ways,
so help us God!' he exclaimed in
sudden burst of passion, for his heart
was hot within him.
He paused q moment irresolutely and
then started to go out. She had not
made any motion nor lifted her head
to look at him. At the door he turned
for an instant and saw, to his astonish-
ment, that her proud head lay on her
arms, which were outstretched on the
table near which she had been sitting.
He was back by her side, kneeling
again and calling her name. When she
lifted her head, there were tears on her
glowing cheeks.
John, cannot bear to have 1t so."
"rhen do you love me, Luella, enough
to share all with me?" he cried.
"Yes; l love you, John." she said
slowly. But even as she said it she
drew back from him a little. "At the
same time l do not see why 1t Is neces-
sary to live at Hope House."
"Not necessarily there. but some
where among the people. Luella, do
you not understand my reasons for
| wanting to know the peopleT
81 am not sure" she replied In
troubled tone, and then suddenly she
turned away from him and put her
head down on her arms again.
John Gordon rose and walked up and
down the room Twice as he went
past the table he paused irresolutely,
! his mind in q turmoil, his heart uncer-
tain. The third time he stopped, with
decision In his manner, and placed
his hand on her head.
"I do not ask you to marry me unless
you can trust everything to me. If
you ore not able to say without any
fear or doubt, 4 will 60 with you In
all the way you have chosen do not,
l cannot, plead with you, Luella. 1s
that asking too much, dear? Can the
man who loves you ask any less?
mo, no, he can ask no less! But,
John, I fear to co. She had raised
her head and was looking at him with
more agitation than he had ever known
her to show. II am not certain that I
am fitted, that 1 am adapted, for such
life. l have horror of the places
the-I do not love the people, John, as
you say you do. Am I to blame for
| thatY'
She asked the question almost tim
idly, but nothing could soften the hard
ness of the statement to him. He did
not yet see that the one thing that kept
her from coming to him without any
questions was her lack of religious ex-
perience. She did not love the people
because all her life had been so far
devoted to a love Of the things that
had surrounded her social position.
mo, do not think you are to blame.
But, oh, Luella. could you not learn to
love them? Could you not come with
mo opd lat tho f,,tura"-
81 could not pretend" she began,
with return Of her proud attitude.
81 do not ask you to pretend. If
you love me. will not all the rest be
| possible?"
She was silent moment. Then sud-
denly she looked up and said frankly:
II would not be true to you If | kept
anything back. not only do not love
the people as you do, but do not see
why you should sacrifice your life to
them, as you plan to do. l cannot see
that you will accomplish anything"
"And Is accomplishment the great
and only thing? Is there nothing In
being or In striving regardless Of ac-
complshmcnt? But l cannot argue
the matter II you love me enough,
Luella. all the rest will follow; If you
don't. 1t will all be useless to you"
| She still looked at him with the un'
certain. disturbed air that had marked
her manner when he first began to talk
to her. only the look had deepened in
to an expression Of doubt and painful
unrest.
II do not see the need Of all you plan
to do. | do not see the need" she said
slowly.
You would not have to see that If
you only loved me-" he replied in low