Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-02-15
FffffH& fffH& AR f TffSAN
A Romance of the American Revolution
By w. GILMORE SIMMS
CHAPTER XVI.


the honOrs of the household, and we
need not say how much qualification
Major Singleton felt when he found
himself alone with his sweet cousin In
the parlor below. He loved-he had
much to say. and the present was an
opportunity which he had long desir-
ed. We have already seen him urging
those claims upon her closest regards
which she continued to evade. He now
determined to press them; and, hand
ing her to the sofa with a degree OF
rigid solemnity in his manner which
led to conclude that his object was
any thing but what 1t really was, she
willingly took the seat TO which he
conducted her.
Singleton was no sentimentalist. but
a man of sterling character. and deep
true feeling. He was one OF those who
never trife; and the prompter at his
heart, though taking the name OF that
capricious mood which Is always fair
game for the arch jest and playful sa-
tire, was yet altogether more lofty
and dignified sentiment. His love was
of his life vital part; 1t made up
his existence, and embodied in its own
the forms OF a thousand strong obli-
cations to society and man. 1t was
now prominent to his own view In
the form of a sacred duty-a duty to
70
haps, too, as he was something OF an
idealist, and strove to believe in attri-
butes which are not always found pro-
fusely in the world. there may have
been something Of the spiritualizing
character of poetry mixed up In his
devotions-giving dignity to a purpose
which Is usually urged with timidity,
but which, in the present case, was
treated with all the straightforward
singleness of aim which belongs to the
man OF mere business.
Katharine" he said, after a brief
pause, during which his eyes gazed on
her with a calm, deep earnestness which
at length sent the glance OF hers down.
ward beneath them-"Katharine, my
cousin, months have passed since you
were taught to know my feelings to-
wards you. Since 1 have known you.
that feeling has been hourly on the In
crease. | loved, the more knew; and
though changes have come over US
both-changes of fortune. Of condition,
Of appearance-yet have only admir-
ed you the more with every change.
You have always seemed to me the
one-the one only-whom I could truly
love and cherish as a wife; and this
thought, my cousin, has not been be-
cause OF your beauty. which, though
great. has never called forth, and shall
never call forth, so long as I think
you what think you now, one single
encomium from me-"
She would have interrupted him, but
he simply placed his finger upon her
arm. and proceeded.
Nay, fear not and do not interrupt
me. know you too well, and think
of you too highly, to endeavor now to
fill your ears with praises OF that beau
ty of which neither of us can be ut
terly unconscious. 1 shall speak OF
other qualities which have recon-
mended you to me, not in praise OF
them now, but only as, in urging my
pretensions to your hand. l would prove
to you that have studied your char
acter, and am so far satisfied with the
results as to be willing now to adven-
ture all my affections-and they are
concentrated very closely now, and will
soon be more so-in the offer which
shall make you. / think that / know
your character. l have seen its firm
ness, it's masculine good sense, and its
unostentatious delicacy. Such a char
acter will not be apt to misunderstand
mine and in this lies one chief secur-
ity Of domestic bliss. Such, for a long
season, has been my thought, and
must now act upon it, or never.
have reasons for desiring 1t now, which
your own reflections may not teach
you, but which you must know here
after Cousin. dear Kate, forgive me
II my speech be less than gentle-if
It seem abrupt or harsh. am not apt
at professions. and with you l would
rather avoid that show Of sentiment
which know makes up, most COM
monty. the language Of the lover. TIC
you would rather that my words
should be of the most simple and least
equivocal character. To your good
sense. not your weaknesses, the proffe1
of my hand is now made. Let me hope
that your good sense will determine
the question. which l would not will
ingly submit to any other tribunal"
He took her hand. at the conclusion
of his remarks. and she suffered 1t tc
rest passively in his grasp. She die
not Immediately answer. but appeared
lost in reflections. which were not
however. the less pleasing because they
exhibited themselves in doubt and in
decision. Her eye. meanwhile. did moi
fall beneath the searching gaze Of his;
lNS ucCp oiiN mt i'''' Wv .
unshrinkingly: nay. with something oi
a sympathiZing fondness i'm it's ex'
preston. which the tenor of her utter
ed reply did not. however, confirm
The pause of the moment. over. she
turned to her suitor
Robert. you have but this momen
come from the chamber of sickness
soon to be the chamber Of death. You
cannot deceive yourself as to the con
dition OF Emily: she is sinking fast"
II know it-I feel it," he answered
glOomily.
How can you know it-how can yo'
feel it. Robert. when you come from
the presence of one already linked a
il were with heaven, and thus imme
diately after urge to me so earthly
prayer? How can |. so filled as IN,
thoughts should be. and are, with con
sideratiOns of gloom and the grave
thus give ear to any less sanctified con
sideration? Pardon me. dear cousin
but II seems to me almost irreveren
that we should discourse of any othe
themes at this moment than those o
sorrow"
AT another time. and ATith an af