Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-02-15

| love; i was ner DTOtner-HeT protector
her all: and upon her I expended a
thousand strong feelings and warm af-
fections which, when she goes, must
crowd back upon. and overwhelm me.
We must have something in life giving
us the right to love-something which
we can make our own exclusive altar
place, which our loves and cares may
hallow to themselves. sacred from all
another. While she lived-while there
was hope for her-there was always
one sacred TO me-of whose sympa-
thies, when others were cold or stern,
| could be certain. When she leaves
me- Kate, am alone; there Is but one
to whom I may turn with confidence
and trust-but one. and of that one l
would be secure in the proffer which
1 now make to you: it is for you to
say. and to say freely. with what
hope"
Robert, you know we'll how I esteem
you"
Utter no professions, Kate-not so
coldly. at least-if you really have any
regard for me-"
You mistake-you do me injustice.
cousin-I would not be cold or incon-
siderate. I do esteem you"
"Esteem!"
well. well-love you, then, If you
like the word better"
He pressed her hand.
Il do love you, and too we'll ever to
be cold to your claims, or Indifferent to
your affection. have heard you with
a degree Of regard Of which shall not
speak; and feel. deeply feel, the high
compliment which you have paid me,
in the offer of your hand. But let me
ask of your reason-of your own good
sense-if the present be the season for
engagements of this nature? I speak
not now Of the condition of your sis
ter, but Of the country. What is the
hope of repose, Of domestic felicity. at
such a period. when the strong arm Of
power. at it's caprice, invades every
sanctuary?-when the family mansion
of the wealthy planter shares the fate
of the loghouse Of the squatter?-and
when a renewal Of injury only meets
your application for redress? You Will
see that this is no season for thoughts
such as those belonging to the offer
which you make me-"
1T is. then, to the time-to the con-
summation. at this period-of my pro-
posal. and not to the proposal itself,
which you object? Do 1 understand
you thus, dear cousin?"
Not exactly. Robert. l object to all
at this season. object to a consider
alton of the proposal at this moment,
as unseemly and improper, for many
reasons and beg. therefore, that you
would withdraw your application. and
not exact from me any answer now"
And why not answer for the future,
Kate? Why not speak conditionally in
riod when peace shall be restored to the
country? l would not, indeed, that we
should marry now. l would only be
assured that I have in you, whateve
may be the chances of war or the
vicissitudes of life, one to love me, and
who could meet me with an affection
like my own. l would have you ever
as an ark to me. shrining and pre-
serving my best affections, however
the storms ragged and the billows rolled
around u.s."
II will not deny to you, Robert, that,
were l disposed to make at this mo-
ment pledge of my heart to any,
know not one to whom l would sooner
make 1t than to you. II my character
has been your study, I too have been
somewhat observant of yours. 1 have
long regarded you as one to whom
honor is dear. and manliness habitual
as one delicate and true in feeling,
gentle in department. and properly
sensible of that consideration Of the
claims of others. without which no
man can possibly be the gentleman.
These. hold, in addition to your ac-
knowledged bravery and good sense, to
be your characteristics; and they are
such as all sensible women must es-
TEEN, and such as, in you. my cousin,
| have long been accustomed to es-
TEEN and-love. Is not this enough?
| Wherefore press me to say that l Will
not at this time. make pledges Of af-
| fection to any man-that 1 will not
| StNI or.
future-that in this season of peril,
owing as | do the duty of a child to
her parents. ! will not, while he may
need my attendance, bind myself to
other duties, which may be inconsist-
ent with those which | owe to him
Such must be my answer. Robert, to
the pr0ffer which you make me-"
"Ah. Kate! your pledge would be
everything to me. amid the dangers of
the war we wage"
Nothing" she replied quickly:
nothing more than | would be to you
Robert. even now. were those dangers
To come home to you. Were you wound
ed. believe me. cousin. or brother, or
| lover, Slloulu ny Spui pSu9iNN
battle your head. bring you refresh
ment: ay. dress your wounds pledge
it as Il true woman-with as little
scruple as if you were even now my
welded husband. Nay, shake not your
head You know me not, Robert, II
you doubt me in this. | may not have
the strength. but l have the heart. | an
sure. tn do all that I promise"
And wherefore not say more? Why
if YOU are willing to perform such du-
ties. will YOU not give me the right
to claim them at your hands"
Because such pledge may prove
inconsistent with the duties which
owe To another Urge me no more
Robert BE content with what l have
said. At this moment l cannot make
the pledge that you require. dare
not. Wait the due season; when the
war is over: when Carolina shall bt
free from hostile footsteps; and wher
the land is cleansed of it's pollution
come to me then. if you hold this same