Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-03-11

| was free for few hours l strolled
down the road toward DR.. Squires'
house. habit generally drawing my
footsteps in that direction. was In.
tent upon no particular purpose. was
merely walking along for the change.
frequently like to get off by myself
and lie down in the woods or on the
green grass and think. l am a great
lover Of nature. The birds and grass
and flowers always appeal to me.
When alone in the woods. | will
watch the birds by the hour. finding
more enjoyment therein than in the
company of man, or an army Of busy
ants will amuse me for half day. |
would not hurt one Of these insects for
anything or permit them to be dis
turbed in their work, and yet l have
raised my hand against my fellow
creatures, partly in self defense, 1t Is
true, to wound them or to take their
lives If necessary.
On this particular afternoon walked
down the country highway for some
distance, and then, attracted by the
song Of wood thrush, concealed my
self in q thick clump Of bushes and
listened. The bird could not see me,
and for a long time I lay there with
my eyes half closed listening to the
sweet music Of the dainty singer. l
do not know how long l remained
there entranced by this private concert,
but suddenly the bird hushed its song
and few away.
The noise that had frightened her
came from the hoofs Of two horses,
which were cantering down the road
at rapid pace. l peered through the
leaves Of the bushes at the riders, and
instantly all my gentle thoughts fed.
The spell Of the bird was no longer
upon me. All my evil, crafty nature
returned. The approaching riders were
DR.. Squires and Miss Stetson.
Not a dozen PAGES from me small
stream bubbled up from an under
ground spring, and it was quite GUS
tomary for riders to give their horses
q drink at this place. A wooden trough
had been sunk into the ground to re-
ceive the water and to form drinking
vessel for the beasts.
/ was consequently not surprised
when the two drew up their horses just
in front Of me and led them to the
spring. The doctor dismounted and
held the horses while they drank In
the cooling draft. The two had been
engaged in conversation, and l judged
that she had been trying to extract his
secret from him.
81 do not consider 1t an honor to
keep your work so secret until you
have completed your discovery" she
was saying. "rhen all the world will
know it, and there is no special inter-
est in it for me-"
"But l have promised to tell 1t to you
before any one else hears Of it." the
doctor answered.
"How long before-one day or one
hour"
There was look of annoyance in his
face at her reply.
"Any number of days beforehand
you wish," he answered.
"Well, then, / wish to hear 1t now,"
she replied quickly. a bright smile re-
enforcing her words.
"Woman's impatience," he muttered.
1T has caused half the trouble In the
world"
"That is unkind. I don't like such
reflections upon my sex"
Nothing personal was intended, Miss
Belle. | was merely uttering my re-
Elections aloud"
"Well, please don't do so any more." "
The doctor watched the horses drink
Ing for a few moments and then, lean
ing against the saddle Of his black
steed, he said:
Can you keep the secret If diyulge
it to you?"
"Can I? l don't think that question
! is necessary"