Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-02-01
geant Hastings. I"

er. l can't, and l won't, for you DOM
know what he said to me, and it's not
good for me to tell 1t again, for II
talked cross to poor John Davis, and
did so all because Of him."
| The change in her regards from
Hastings to her old lover, was a source
Of no small astonishment to the old
hag, who knew not how to account fol
1t. 1t gave less satisfaction to hei
than to Humphries. who. in the neigh
boring bush, heard every syllable
which had been uttered. The secret
of this change is easily given. AS
simple as a child, the mere Difference
! to her claims Of beauty, had left her
easily susceptible Of imposition; and
without any feeling actually enlisted
in favor Of Hastings, she had been on
the verge Of that precipice-the gull
which passion or folly so often pre-
pares for its unheeding votaries. His
professions and batteries had grad
ually filled her mind, and when his
continued attentions had driven all
those away, from whom she had, or
might have received them, it followed
that she became dependent entirely
upon him. who, In creating this state
Of subservience, had placed her, to
certain degree at least, at his mercy
She felt this dependence now. and II
,lat. aAI har hnr "
grew hurt, when the tone Of Difference
formerly used by her lover, had been
changed to one Of command and au-
thcrity: and she sometimes sighed
when she thought of the unremitting
attentions of her old lover from Goose
Creek. the indefatigable Davis. The
gaudy dress. and imposing pretensions
of the sergeant, had grown common
in her, eye, while, at the same time,
the inferiority Of the new lover to the
old. in delicacy Of feeling, and genu-
Inc regard, had become sufficiently OBJ
vious She had, of late, instituted
the comparison between them more
than once, and the consequence was
Inevitable. There was no little deci-
sion in her manner therefore, as she
refused to submit to the fate which
Mother Blonay desired to impose upon
her.
But, Bella, my daughter"
mo, no, mother-don't tell me OF
Sergeant Hastings any more-I won't
hear Of him any longer"
"And why not. Bella, my dear?" ex-
claimed the redoubtable sergeant him
self, coming suddenly into her pres
ence. and speaking to her with mix
ed expression OF pride and dissatis-
faction in his countenance"why not,
I pray, my dear?"
The poor girl was dumb at this in
trusion. She scarcely dared to look
up, as. with the utmost composure,
Hastings took a seat beside her. The
old hag who had arranged the scheme
at the same moment rose to depart.
Quick as thought, Bella seized her
hand, and would have risen also, but
with a decided force the sergeant pre-
vented her, and retained his hold upon
her wrist while compelling her to re-
sumo the seat beside him.
81 must go, sergeant-father Is
waiting for me, I'm sure-and the
bele are most done ringing. Don't
leave me. mother"
But the old woman was gone, NOV
ing out of sight, though still keeping
within hearing, with all the agility OF
young person. The poor girl, left
alone with her danger, seemed for the
moment stupified. She sat trembling
beside the strong man who held her,
speaking when she did, in a tremor
and begging to depart.
But why dwell on what ensued
The brutal suitor had but one object
and did not long delay to exhibit Its
I,atrocious features. Entreaties were
succeeded by rudenesses; and the
terrified girl. shrieking and screaming
to the old hag who had decoyed and
left her. was dragged .recklessly back
into the woods by the strong arms OF
her companion.
Cry away-Goggle now Google
now-Google now-scream on, you
poor fool-scream, but there's no help
for you"
And as the old beldam thus answer
ed to the prayer of the girl, she was
ln1 q
into the bush, even while the fiendish
soliloquy was upon her lips, by the
raging brother who now darted for
ward. In another instant, and he had
dashed the ravisher to the earth-torr
his sister. now almost exhausted, from
his grasp-and with his knee upon the
breast Of Hastings. and his knife
barred in his hands, that moment
would have been the last of life tt
the ruffian. but for the Intervention OF
the two troopers. who, hearing the
shrek. had also rushed forward from
the recesses in the wood where the
providence of Humphries had placed
them. They prevented the blow, but
with their aid the sergeant was gag
ged. bound and dragged down into the
copse where the horses awaited them
"Oh, brother-dear brother Will
liam!" cried the terrified girl-"believe
me. brother William. but it's not my
fault didn't mean to do wrong!
am innocent-that l ami"
She hung upon him as II she reared
his suspicious. He pressed her to his
arms. while weeping like a very child
over her.
IL know it-I know it, Bella; ano
| God knows how glad am to know II!
Had not heard all between you, anc
that old hag of hell. I'd ha' put this
knife into you. just the same as 4
you were not my own flesh and blood
| But go nOw-run to church, ant
pray to have some sense as we'll a.
innocence: for innocence withou
| sense is like a creeping baby that has
not yet got the use of its arms anc
| legs. Go nOw-run all the way-anc
mind that you say nothing to the ole