Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-10-31

L
length a small postern was opened
and a dark figure cautiously peered
out. "Howard!" was whispered and
Herbert sprang forward. Hist" said
the voice; mo words, follow me-
The wild feeling Of romantic delight
to which Herbert now gave himself up
amounted almost to a sense OF
pain, and though he would not for
worlds have gone back, yet he almost
longed for a sober moment to cool his
chaotic feelings. Following winding
path that led amidst statutes and tro-
pical foliage, he deserted a stately
portico, its pure Corinthian columns
shining like silver in the moonlight
Then the majestic proportions Of
large and noble mansion were clearly
defined, as he followed his dark and
silent guide through the gardens, ar
boured avenues, and caught the
glimpses Of the sparkling fountains as
they fell in murmuring music. They
stood before a low and trellised arbor'
I'm there" she whispered, wait. u
And Herbert was alone with that
wondrous moonlight; with the wild
music Of the murmuring water and
the rapid beatings of his own heart.
He did not have to wait long. A
tawn-like step struck his ear, an eager
whisper of Howard" and Leonora,
the passionate, the proud, was folded
to his heart. She knew no coyness;
she had no cunning to be strange"
This fair Saxon youth had dazzled
her, and now he was unconsciously
adding yet another charm. He pos
sessed the irresistible grace Of youth,
the youth Of heart and soul. Joined to
the youth of beauty, and as the
sparkling poetry with which his nature
was so deeply imbued, broke forth
from his heart and showed In his
features, Leorora gave herself up to
the intoxication Of the hour, and drank
draughts Of passion that intertwined
itself with every fibre Of her heart. Is
Il wonder that midnight still found
them lingering over the sweet sorrow
Of parting, or that again and again
Francesca warned them Of the fleeting
hours?
Tomorrow. Leonora. I may Gomez"
he whispered.
Tomorrow! Will 1t ever come. I'm
jealous of your liberty till then." she
said. But hark. my sister. again;
Howard, one word. Look at me-" She
drew him to the warm moonlight and
those glorious eyes discoursed a Ian
guage lovers are no strangers to.
Now. once more. tell me you love
me-" Her warm arms were around
his neck, the heaving breast pressed
close to his, her soft breath. sweet
as the perfume Of violets, famed his
cheek, and those wondrous eyes still
looked, and longed and listened. Is
1t wonder his sense was led captive,
and words warm, tender and glowing,
were breathed and pledged in those
parted lips? Is 1t wonder the boy and
girl lovers should whisper Of graver
ties and VOW that the next meeting
should forever unite them? And 50
1t was. It was easy for Leonora to
steal out in the early morning hour,
easy for Herbert to meet her, and easy
to find q worthy father, who, for the
Englishman's broad gold, made the
lovers one, and kept his own counsel.
AS quietly as she had ventured out,
Leonora returned, for the plan Of the
lovers was to keep their union secret
for a time, till fate would open faV-
orable opportunity for revealing 1t.
'~oo late to remedy the fault, Francesca
discovered it, and her pride and cum
ming alike, aided in keeping 1t quiet.
The old noble to whom Leonora was
betrothed was Ill. perhaps dying. This
was what had prevented Leonora from
seeing or sending to Herbert. She
had been suddenly summoned to his
palace, and her wild grief at the pros
pect Of Herbert's forever leaving her,
was ascribed by the manoeuvering
Francesca to the love Of Leonora for
her intended lord. So convinced was
the doing noble of this, so infatuat-
ed with the magnificent girl, that he
willed her all his broad lands ami
proud estates. 1t was Francesca's ter
ror lest the young people should be
premature in the confession Of their
love. and by all the artiflce and cum
ming Of her nature. she duped the i'm
patient Herbert to believe she was
urging his case before her parents.
At this time, too, Herbert, who had
been cautiously feeling his way as to
how his bride would be received by his
parents, whom he honored and loved
most deeply, received answers to his
letters. His father, taking alarm at
the prospect of his son wedding an
italian and a Catholic. was stern and
unyielding in his displeasure, and
wrote 20 Mr.. Monckton to return i'm
mediately. His. mother who was to
Herbert as an angel lent to earth, by
every affectionate endearment entreat-
ed him to return, drawing such a pic
| :ure Of their distress at the contem-
plation of a foreign union. and placing
foreign habits in such odious compari-
son to the pure home life to which he
| had been accustomed. as startled and
grieved him. He. for the first time,
now seriously contemplated his posi-
tion. How could he introduce to his
gentle womanly mother, as daughter
this warm. impulsive. and alas, to
some degree. unprincipled italian girl?
How recommend her to the stately
courtesy. the just and discriminating
judgment Of his father? How teach
her the duties of an English home;
how bid her appreciate it's quiet COM
fort, its peaceful joy. Alas! why had
he not thought Of all this before? He
now determined to see Leonora and
urge her to flight. Once with his pa
rents her wondrous beauty would be
his best excuse-her devoted love, her
best recommendation. His visits to the
arboured garden had been almost un-
interrupted. and not unfrequently
midnight lengthed to morning. ere he
could tear himself away Francesca's
| nrudence had saved them from diScov-