Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-10-27

frighten the child.
Il will take time, and think what I
shall do for your father" he said; and,
as the lovely face went out of his sight,
he swore to himself a great oath that
she should marry him, no matter what
the price.
A few weeks afterwards there ap-
peared in the paper a few lines con-
tanning an announcement Of the death
of Donald Macdonald, late of Avistown.
He died in Canada No need to say
this was the invention of Malcolm
Ross. TIE thought if Flora once belev-
ed in her lovers death, he should find
it easy to win her, so he forged the few
lines that took away all happiness and
brightness from her life.
How she grieved over her lovers
death l cannot tell. For some weeks
she was Indifferent as to whether she
| lived or died; then the claims of home
aroused her-the dropping father, the
sick mother, the children who had not
always enough to eat.
In the midst of all there came an
other notice-unlesS the rent was paid
in ten days, there would be an execu-
ton on the old manse.
1T means the workhouse, Allie" said
Allan to his sick wife! I'VE shall have
to die there. my dear!"
| That very evening an unexpected
event happened-the landlord himself,
Malcolm Ross, came over to the manse.
They were frightened to see him;
these simple people now owed him
money and could not pay it. Flora had
never told them of the lairds Offer-in
her sorrow for DOnald's death she had
forgotten it.
| The old farmer Shrank back.
Il cannot meet him, lassie." he said.
Il have not the siller to pay him. We
must go into the workhOuse-the moth
er, the BARNS and me-"
Il will ask him to wait" said the
girl. Next year. if the crops are good,
we may do better"
So she went into the parlor, the
state room of the manse, where the
squire awaited her.
Has your father got the rent?" he
asked.
NO; not one penny of it," she re-
piled Would he have pity on them?
her father was old, her mother was
sick, and they had nothing but trou-
BILE"
II must have my money" he replied.
"All my tenants might be old, all their
wives might be sick and then what
would become of me?"
But you are rich" said the girl
"and we are very poor"
Then the sooner your father gives
up the manse farm the better for him.
do not like poor tenants. Tell your
father, for me, that unless every pen
ny is paid within the time, he must be
sold out"
That would make him a beggar'
she cried, and his hair is gray
Il cannot help it. l cannot lose my
money. You listen to me; l never
changed my mind when it was once
made up; unless the rent is paid hel
must be turned out. There is only one
thing can save him."
What is that?" she asked, eagerly.
IF you will marry me, will forgive
him, and he shall live here rent free
whilst his life lasts"
Il do not love you." she said, look
ing up with a shudder into the grim,
stern face.
That does not matter; love you.
will make you happy. You shall be a
great lady if you will marry me. Col
and tell your father what l say"
She went into the little room, where
the old man knelt weeping by his
wifes side.
Father" she said. the laird has
sent you a message. He will forgive
you the rent, and you shall live free at
the manse while you live, if l will mar
ry him."
The old man started to his feet The
mothers face frightened with a sud-
den joy.
You will do it. lassie." he cried.
Gods blessing on you. You will save
us. Mother will get well, and we shall
be happy yet"
DO you wish me to marry him."
asked Flora.
You could not say no." cried the
mother. IF you lived at Ross House,
l might have bottle Of wine, and itI
seems, to my sick taste, a bottle Of
wine, could cure me. You cannot say
no. Floral"
Donald is dead" said the old man;
IF he had lived, l would not have ask
ed you: but Donald is dead"
Il do not like him." she said, with a
sigh.
That will not matter. Think of the
Oh. Flora. Flora" cried the old man,
clasping his arms round her neck,
you must not say no.
i II will not" she said. Il will marry
the squire; but. father and mother, bear
witness both. that my heart is buried
in Donald's grave"
She walked back with slow and quiet
steps Malcolm Ross stood waiting for
!. her. She raised her pale face as she
entered the room.
My father says l must marry you,
sir"
THAT is right" he cried: your
: father is wise man. You shall be as
happy as a queen"
Let me tell YOU one thing, Sir-my
heart is in Donald's grave"
Il will soon have it out" he replied,
with a coarse laugh. II shall come to-
morrow to settle our wedding day"
: When he was gone. Flora Maclise
went out into the pine woods behind
the manse, and lay with her face on
the ground. weeping as one who has
, no hope. In that hour she buried her
love. her youth and her happiness for
ever.
Malcolm Ross kept his word. The