Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-09-29

CHAPTER XXIX-CoNT1NUED.
The house shook with the applause
that greeted this speech. Even the op-
position seemed to be wavering. Only
Bartell kept a rigid countenance: He
rose and in a low voice invited MS
group to repair with him to one Of the
jury rooms. They got up and followed
him out. AS he was about to close the
door after them he nodded to Miller.
"We'll take a vote on it an let you
know" he said coldly.
"He's going to talk to them," said
Miller aloud to Wilson. "Mr. Daniels
speech almost shook them out Of their
boots, and he saw he was losing ground.
1t looks squally."
"You are right" said Wilson gloomi-
ly. "Our chances are very SLIM"
Miller caught Adele's eye and went
to her.
'T'm bound to say the outlook is not
so favorable" he said. IF we could
have put it to a vote just after your
uncle spoke, we would have clinched
them, but Bartell thinks his election
depends on beating us today, and, be-
ing the chief landowner, he has infu-
ence."
at will break my heart" said the
girl tremulously. Poor father and
mother! They look as if they were on
trial for their lives. Oh, had so much
hope as we drove over here this morn
ing, but now
II can't bear to see you take it that
way" said Miller tenderly. II did not
intend to speak to you so soon about
another matter, but can't put 1t off.
You nave become very, very dear to
me, little girl. In fact, never dreamed
there was such thing as genuine, un-
selfish love till knew you. 1t seems to
me that you were actually created for
me. I want you to be my wife. Some
how l feel that you care for me at
least a little, and believe when you
realize how much love you and how
devoted shall be you will love me as
I do you"
To his surprise she averted her face
and said nothing, though he remarked
that she had paled little and COM
pressed her lips. He waited moment.
then said anxiously:
Haven't you something to say,
Adele? Perhaps I have misread you
all along and really have no right to
hope. Oh, that would be hard to bear"
"It is not that" she said, her breast
heaving suddenly. 1T is not that"
mot that?" he repeated, his wonder
ing eyes fixed on hers.
Then she turned to him.
ALLAN has told me of some Of your
talks to him about love, and"-
"Oh, he has| Miller laughed out un-
easily. But surely you wouldn't hold
anything against me that said before
I met you in Atlanta and fell heels
over head in love with you. Besides,
was simply stretching my imagination
to save him from making serious mis-
take. But 1 know what it is to care for
q girl now. and have wanted to tell
him so, but simply could not face him
with my -when-when his
own sister was in question"
81 have tried to believe" Adele hest
tated, 'that you had changed in your
ideas of love since-since we learned
to know each other, and l confess
succeeded to some extent. but there
was one thing that simply sticks and
refuses to be eradicated. 1t sticks more
right now than ever. mean this morn
Ing, SINCE
Now you do surprise me-" declared
Miller. "Please explain. Don't you see
I'm simply dying with impatience?'
"You pressed the point in one Of
those talks with brother" said Adele
quite firmly, that it was impossible
for two people of unequal fortune to be
happy together, and
"Now. you wouldn't surely hurl that
rubbish at me-" broke in Miller. Il
neTer would have dreamed Of saying
such thing if had not thought Alan
was about to butt his head against a
stone wall in the hostility Of Colonel
Barclay. If he had been fairly well off
and she had been without money, I'd
have said sail in and take her, but
knew what a mercenary old man Bar
clay is, and thought could save the
boy from a good many heartaches."
"That-even as you now put it
would be hard for girl in my position
to forget" Adele told him, ':for if
this enterprise fails today shall-just
think of it'll shall not only be penni-
less. but my father will owe you large
amount Of money that he never will be
able to pay. Oh. could not bear to go
to you under such circumstances! I
have always wanted my independence,
and this CRATES on my very SOUL"
Their eyes met in long, steady stare.
"Oh. you must-you really must not
see it that way" foundered the young
man. You will make me very miser-
able. | can't live without you. Adele.
Besides. shall not lose by the loan
made to your father. The land will
bring the money back sooner or later,
and what will it matter? You will be
my wife. and your parents will be my
parents. Already l love them as my
own. Oh, darling, don't turn me down
this way! Really I can't help the turn
matters have taken, and if you care for
me you ought not to wreck our happi-
ness for a silly whim like this"
She sat unmoved for a moment,
avoiding the fervid glow Of his passion
filed eyes.
eff this thing fails shall be very un-
hnn nl,n G,,nll1r &c