Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-03-30

its fury in floods OF rain. Inc lhces-
SAINT lightnings glittered on the descend
ing drops, and illuminated the distant
landscape with more than the bril-
liancy of day. The most remote peaks
of the mountain were sheeted with the
glare and the torrents that leaped
down the nearer hillside sparkled with
a dazzling radiance. Peal after peal
cf abrupt and crashing thunder roared
through the heavens, and echoed with
terrific reverberations along the val
leys. Lindsay gaZed upon this
scene, from his secure cover, with
mute interest inwardly aroused
and delighted with the grand and
sublime conflict of the elements,
in a spot of such wild and COM
patible magnificence; the solemn and
awful emotions excited by these phen-
omena were exaggerated by the pecu-
liar mood of his mind, and now abb
sorbed all his attention. After brief
Interval. the rain ceased to fall as
suddenly as It had begun; the thunder
was silent, and only a few distant
flashes of widespread light broke fit
fully above the horizon. The stars
soon again shone forth through trans
parent and placid heaven, and the
moon sailed in beauty along a cloud
less sea. The frog chirped again from
the trees and the far-off owl hooted
In the wood, resuming his melancholy
song, that had been so briefly intermit-
ted. The foaming river below, swollen
by the recent rain, flung upwards a
more lively gust from its rocky bed;
the cock was heard to crow, as If
new day had burst upon his harem;
and the house dogs barked in sport as
they gambolled over the wet grass.
Lindsay looked forth and spoke,-
How beautiful is the change. But
moment since, and the angry ele-
ments were convulsed, with the shock
of war; and now, how calm! My an
cient oaks have weathered the gale,
and not a branch has been torn from
their hoary limbs; not the most deli
cate of Mildreds flowers: not the ten
derest shrub has been scathed by the
threatening fires of heaven! The Dove
Cote and its inmates have seen the storm
sweep by without a vestige Of HARM
Kind heaven, grant that this may be a
portent of our fortune; and that, when
this tempest of human passion has
been spent, the Dove Cote and its in
hal itants may come forth as tranquil,
as safe, as happy, as now-more-yes
more happy than now! Our ways are
in thy hands: and l would teach my
self to submit to thy providence with
patient hope. So, let it be. I am.
resigned"
AS Lindsay still occupied his position
in the porch. Stephen Foster appeared
before him dripping with the rain of
the late storm. ID
"A letter, sir" said Stephen. Il have,
just rode from the postoffice. and was
almost over sot I'm the gush: 1t catched
me upon the road; and it was as much
as could do to cross the river. Its a
mighty fretful piece Of water after one
of these here dashes." ...-A-.g ~
Lindsay took the packet. 80. e..
Get your supper, good Stephen" he
said. "Order lights for me in the IL
brary. Thank you-thank you!"
When Lindsay opened the letter, he
found it to contain tidings of the vic
tory at Camden, written by Tyrrel.
After he had perused the contents, 1t
was with a triumphant smile that he
exclaimed, And it is come so soon!
Thank God, the omen has proved true!
a calmer and brighter hour at last
opens upon u.s."
He left the study to communicate
the news to his children, and spend
the next hour with Mildred and Henry
in the parlor. His feelings had risen
to happier key; and 1t was with some
approach to cheerfulness but little an
swerCd i'm the looks or feelings of his
children, that he retired to his cham
Der at late hour, where sleep soon
came. with it's sweet oblivion, to re-
pair his exhausted spirits. and to re-
store him to the quiet of an easy mind.
TO BE CONTINUED.