Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-03-23
ID the speed with which she fled to

'Tyou nylng a.OnS the pank Oh tne river
and not knowing what it was, why we
thought it right to follow. But as II
is all explained now, we will see You
back to the house"
II can find my way without help"
replied the maiden.
Nov, that's not good natured for SO
kind a girl as the miller's daughter
ought to be-" said the second soldier.
Il will see II my father can protect
me-" said Mary, Fastening back to-
wards the house so rapidly as almost
to run. II will know II Lieutenant
Macdonald will allow me to be insult
ed"
With hurried step she entered upon
the porch, and without stopping to
parley with those who occupied this
part of the dwelling, retired to her
chamber and threw herself into a
chair, where she sat for some time
painting with alright. AS she gradu-
ally recovered her strength, she began
to turn her thoughts upon her recent
discontinue; and it was with a deep
sense of chagrin and disappointment,
that she reflected upon her not being
able successfully to renew her enter
prise on the same night. The hour OF
meeting had arrived; the officers Of the
guard were still frequeating the porch;
her conduct had already excited notice,
and If she wished to be in a condition
to render future service her most OBJ
vious duty was to postpone any further
attempt to deliver the papers until an
other time. On the other hand, she
had reason to fear that John Ramsay
would be lowering near to ascertain the
cause of her failure to meet him, and
might rashly resort to the same mode
of conveying a signal which he had
successfully practised heretofore. This
would infallibly, she believed, pro-
woke an investigation that might
entirely Illustrate all their views.
But then John is a good soldier?"
she said, in the way of self
consolation, "and will know that the
enemy is awake; because IL 1t was not
word. And If he only takes that no
tion into his head, he is too careful to
run the chance of spelling all by COM
ing here"
Still, with some little mistrust as to
Johns soldiership when it crossed the
path of his love, which naturally, she
| reflected, makes q man rash, she
thought it best to provide against acci-
dent by throwing herself into the COM
pany of the officers who loitered about
the door in idle discourse with her
father. She accordingly left her room
and, with an anxious and troubled
heart, went out and seated herself
quietly on the steps of the porch, where
she remained for some time silent
but inattentive listener to the conver-
sation of those around her.
| AS a part of that system of things
by which 1t is contrived that the cur
rent of true love shall never run
smooth, / have ever found that when
it was peculiarly fitting that some
grandam, uncle, cousin, father, or
guest, should retire early to bed, in or
der that some scheme of interest to
young lovers might be successfully
achieved; precisely on such nights Is
the perversity of fate most conspicu-
Gus, in inclining the minds of such
grandam, uncle, cousin and so forth.
| to sit up much longer than they are
wont: thus showing that the grooves
and dovetails of things in this world
are not nicely fitted to the occasions
Of those who deal in the tender passion.
And so it befell for poor Mary Mus
grove this night
The hour was now fast verging upon
| II, and she anXiously noted every SEN
tence that was spoken, hoping 1t was
to be the last; and then she trembled
to think that John, regardless of the
danger, might be lurking near, and in
discreetly expose himself. And still the
takers discoursed as If they meant to
sit up all night. 1t was delicious,
cool hour, after a sultry day, and there
was luxury in the breeze, but as the
minutes were counted over by the
maiden, in their slow passage, her fears
increased. At length, far off, as If 1t
were a mile away, the clear notes OF
one whistlng an old tune were heard.
Mary involuntarily started from her
seat, and moved along the little path
way towards the gate, her heart beat
ing against her bosom as If 1t would
have "overbourne it's continents" The
signal notes freshened upon the aid,
and the tune came forth blithely and
boldly. showing that the wayfarer was
trudging with a light heart, down the
main roads towards the mill. The
party in the porch, however, were too
much engrossed in their colloquy to
notice the incident The whistling
came still nearer, until at last it SEEM
ed to be scarce a gunshot from the
house. Beyond this point 1t did not
advance: but here indicated that the
person from whom it proceeded had
halted. If Mary's cheek could have
been brought to the light, 1t would have
shown how the blood had deserted 1t
from very fear; for her whole frame
shook with this emotion. To exhibit
her unconcern, which, in truth was
most sadly affected, she mingled
lamongst the company in the porch, and
leant against the doorpost. Still the
whistling continued with no symptom
of retreat. and Mary impatiently walk
ed towards the further end OF the
house. John Ramsay makes fool OF
himself" she muttered peevishly
Hasn't he the sense to see cannot get
out? What keeps the simple man dal-
lying shilly- y-shally at the fence, as II
he actually wanted them to take him
; I don't believe in the mighty sense
and wisdom of these men! If John
had half an eye he would see that
couldn't get away tonight"
As the maiden grew fretful, her fears
had less mastery over her; and now
taking heart of grace, she returned to
the porch.
i 1 lt,N0