Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-10-31
CHAPTER xx1u-coNr1Nusp.

again Disappointment with the consoia'
ton of an exquisite bouquet. with the
mystical word tomorrow" hid amid
its fragrant leaves. The excitement
the curiosity was almost maddening
and determined to be no longer foiled
he indicted a warm and passionate
protest against further cruelty. TO
morrow" was the only answer, signed
from those warm lips, as kissing It,
she hid the letter in her bosom. And
now opened upon Herbert new life;
life invested with all the charms OF
the most bewildering romance.
Epistles were daily. or rather night
" (for 1t required the twilights dim
Light exchanged. The lovely incogni-
to. cunning as a sorceress. imperious
as a queen uniting warm and pas
sionate nature-one too, perfectly
reckless of consequences-with a
courage that we would call boldness;
with a wildness, we would call free
dom; hesitated not moment to COM
NIT the error we consider so formida-
BILE In America-in Italy 50 pardona-
BILE. Her education had taught her of
nothing but love. The very air breath
ed tit was an atmosphere Of seduc-
ton and dangerous example. Her
faults, and they were many, had never
taught her deceit heretofore. and
when she loved, nature and education
gave expression to 1t. Adventures In
this glowing land are rapid and open.
and the strict surveillance under which
she had been placed, but tempted her
more strongly to evade its vigilance.
She had seen Herbert-and loved
him. She could not, she would not
analyze why-sufficient that love pos
sessed her being. She was the child
of a noble house, a branch Of the
DEste, that Tasso had so madly wor-
shipped, and whose burning words for
the Leonora Of his love, found ready
response to her passionate heart. A
broken. and decayed branch tits true,
but still naughty, proud and elegant.
Her beauty was to redeem their fallen
fortunes, and she had been closely i'm
INJURED till her fifteenth year released
her from captivity. A wealthy rela-
tive now took charge Of her. and a
noble-rich old and jealous-was to be
her future lord. How her nature
loathed the union. may we'll be imag-
ined. She had no hope Of extricating
herself from the hateful fetters; but
while she was free, she would Indulge
In one wild, passionate and seductive
dream. She saw no danger, and II
Herbert loved her, where would be the
shame? Too intoxicated to see his own
danger, or too warm with a nature
that had never known rebuke, a char
acter that was a stranger to restraint
Herbert gave himself entirely up to
the witching fascination. His days
were now all merged in these short
twilight hours. when a whispered
word, or more rarely. tender pres
sure Of the hand, was but fresh fuel
for dangerous reverie. The previous
months Of listless inactivity, the sub
DUNG, seductive listlessness. we'll pre-
pared him for the tender romantic
finale. He was no longer master of
his own actions. but consumed by a
fever his nature would not struggle
against, he was restless, impatient,
and irritable He had in vain petit
toned for an interview. Leonora eth
er could not, or would not, grant It..
Perhaps dreading a discovery that
would forever mar this stolen sweet,
or perhaps dreading a weakness that
would have defied all conventional
rules.
In vain Mr.. Monckton (who, shut
up with his books was perfect stran-
ger to the cause Of this restless irrita-
tion,) expostulated. In vain he ar
gued. till finally threatening to return
to America, Herbert. in a passionate
letter Of reproachful tenderness up
braiding Leonora with cruelty and per-
fidy, bade her adieu forever. Giving
this in charge Of trusty messenger,
he awaited the result, perfectly sat-
isfied 1t would be as he wished. A
long restless day sped. Another and
yet another Still no message. Work
ed almost to frenzy. again he sought
the evening drive. The phaeton with
it's lovely freight, was already there;
but another figure was by the side OF
Leonora, an older and graver face,
one less lovely, but more proud. 1t
was a sister-one wrapped in the for
tunes Of her house. and whose patri-
clan pride was but secondary to the
worship of her lovely and loving Leon
ora. She watched Herbert's bold look
with jealous wrath. and as reckless
Of appearances, he stopped to whis-
per a bitter farewell as the phaeton
slowly passed, her angry glance SEEM
ed ready to strike him with Its proud
scorn as punishment for his temerity
A low cry reached his ear-was II
Leonora? He turned, and again pass
ing the phaeton. saw her pale and
fearless face In her sisters arms. Nc
longer hesitating. he followed the car
riage that was now rapidly conveying
her home. 1t stopped In front OF a
high massive portal. for Florence's
palaces are built like fortresses. AS
1t waited an instant for the opening
Of the gate. Herbert sprang from his
horse and throwing the reins over his
arm, advanced to her side.
"Leonora," he cried, impetuously
lone word before We part. perhaps
forever"
Her eyes sparkled. She laughed a
low triumphant laugh.
1T is my fate. sister. Tonight" she
whispered to Herbert, land here"
"Leonora, are you mad? What would
you do?" said her sister.
Hush! Francesca; be prudent
She smiled bitterly. as she pointed to
the servants. 1T must be so. When
did you ever know me to give up after
that? Farewell, Herbert, you have
well-nigh maddened me-but tonight
She smiled a warm, beaming smile
and resting her head on her sisters
bosom, as IL in trembling from sudden
sorrow, she passed through the gates
tbat uare now oman to receive them