Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-12-24
beckoned Lawrence with the other

Mrs. Bradford.
He started toward her. but suddenl!
paused. Madly the blood leaped in hi
veins, his heart seemed turning to {
coal of fire, as his gaze fell upon
what? An old stall on his right hand
covered with carved reliefs. and, rising
against 1t, a girls chestnut head, th'
outline of a pearl-white cheek, a sea
shell ear, hung with luminous jewel
and a pale, perfect profile. as cold al
the SHOWS of the Jungfrau. He hat
found her, sitting few PAGES from th'
Bradfords, in the rainbow light Of {
stained glass window, listening with {
rapt, dreamy face to the music Of th'
cathedral organ.
| With breath coming thick and heavy
Harding made his way to her side. HI
was haggard, disordered. livid-alto'
gether a different Larry from the ont
she had heretofore known. She gave 6
nervous start, and surveyed him in 6
sort Of displeased amaze.
What! you have not left Lucern'
yet?" said she. do you never mean tc
go?"
Look toward the altar" he answer
ed. cor your friends will suspect some
| thing uncommon. Yes, am going;
have patience. 1 am now to say good
by to you."
What have you been doing this
morning." she queried, breathlessly.
"Since you ask me, must tell you
settling a point Of honor with your
friend the count"
How wickedi-how dreadful, Larry!
I am shocked and surprised. Are you
hurt?"
mo"
"And the count?"
HE has a broken arm-I have nc
time to talk of him-I love you, Ethel;
I have loved you for years. Whether
you wish it or not, shall love you for
ever Though you would not let me
speak yesterday. you shall listen to me
now. I love you, and, as God Is my
witness, I believe I was made for you
and you for me. I believe can make
you happy If you will let me, in spite
of my poverty-in spite Of the Difficult
ties piled mountain high betwixt us.
He said this standing beside hel
there in the old sanctuary, while the
music poured in a grand volume through
the arched roof overhead, and the ligh,
from the stained window fell in hot
shifting waves Of color upon both.
Answer me quickly" he urged; "car
my love avail anything with you
Ethel? Can persuade you to accept
it?"
This troublesome suitor could no lon
ger be put off. Willing or unwilling
she must dispose of him at last. She
was very pale, and her voice faltered g
little as, averting her face from his
fierce, burning eyes, she gave utterance
to that sad, cold, discouraging syllable
"No!"
He set his teeth, like one repressins
an outcry Of pain. ~.
You will not marry me?"
NO"
And yet, had you been left to your
self, I think-solemnly, reverently-
that could have won you. Think
Yes, I know it,"
The color famed at last into her
cheek.
BE sensible, Larry" she pleaded. ir
low voice; don't rave. tried tc
spare you this, but you would not le,
me. Few people are left quite to them.
selves in this world, and, all things con.
sidered, 1t is quite as we'll that they
should not be. What could you do with
wife like me? have been educated
for a future Of wealth and luxury. Were
your bitterest enemy, I could no
wrong you more than to marry you. Gt
home, and forget me as soon as posi-.
| BILE"
He looked at her with a pale, bite,
face.
You would not dare to face tn.
word alone with the man you loved?"
NO"
with all your beauty you have nc
heroism."
II would not, Lawrence, for coult
not! 1t is more than likely that mar
riage with you would cut me off from
fortune friends, society, and am veal
i love ease, l am full of worldly wis
dom and ambition. am not fit for you
am not worthy Of you-cannot yo,
see 1t for yourself?"
Alas! He could see nothing but th'
dark, languishing eyes uplifted to hi
own, the perfect beauty which hat
maddened him.
You will marry the count" sale
Lawrence Harding.
She colored angrily.
BE so good as not to speak Of him
Lawrence.
"All your ambition points that way
You might love me If you would, bu
you will not. You will marry him-yo,
will slay your own happiness and min'
alike My God! How could work TO
you, how 1 could love you!-how hare
it is for me, as you sit here under m!
covetous eyes, to give you up to him!"
For an instant the cathedral reelet
before Miss Sardis' sight.
In the organ an angels voice seemed
wailing for some great bliss foreve
lost. It was only by great effort tina
she recovered herself.
THE Bradfords are watching us
Lawrence; they are wondering wha
you can be saying to me. Go now, ant
let us forgive each other all things
sins of omission and commission alik
and part friends"
With faint, forced smile she pu
to him one pleading hand.
He took it-wrung 1t in his own.
Under no circumstances can I b
anything less than your friend, Ethe
Sometime you may need me in tina
character, who knows?-some time yo1
may wish that you had dared more TO
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