Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-12-20
And why?" demanded Val, with We

hemence.
Think of what am-think of-of-
mother! Could lay my disgrace upon
you? could hear 1t said that you
stopped to such as I? could cast
shame and reproach.on Miss Affry? No
-no-Oh, MOI"
"Nonsense!" said Val Black. you are
not answerable for your mothers sins
Mercy. and good heaven; you have re-
versed the case, you know-it Is you
who stoop to me. not to you, for you
are one girl among ten thousand, both
for beauty and goodness-two posses
sions of great value in this world
foolish child. And what am I? A poor
clerk, with nothing to bless myself with
but a pair of stout hands
And a good name," interpolated
Mercy.
"As to that how can 1 tell? How do
I know what my ancestors may have
done, or II ever had any a whit more
respectable than the woman above
stairs? They were certainly an obscure
lot, for never heard one Of them men,
toned, even by Aunt Airy. All I want
to know is this, Mercy-do you, can
you, will you, love me?"
She leaned against the old baluster,
with the lamp overhead casting red
CLEANS on her dropping face and sway
ing figure.
Her only answer was half-repress-
ed sob.
Val gathered her instantly into his
arms.
"DarlingI" he cried breathlessly,
you do love me, and we are too hum
BILE, too low down in the social scale for
the world to meddle with us or care
what we do. From this moment you are
mine-your sorrows. your troubles, are
mine, Mercy. Now, let us go back and
tell Aunt Airy"
She drew away, frightened.
"Oh, Val-she is SO proud Of you--so
fond of you-she will never consent
never! And she has been the best of
friends to me-she will think this a
poor return for all her kindness. dare
not! She will hate me-"
Val drew the head Of riotous gold
hair to his broad shoulder and caressed
1t rapturously.
Hate you! Absurd child! as II such
a thing could be under any circum-
stances! Very we'll. Then will tell
her the news unassisted. I am not
afraid. I know Aunt Affry too well. She
loves you, and she has sense to appre-
ciate my rare good fortune. Kiss me,
darling-kiss me. my precious birth
night gift"
The pure lily cheek was laid against
his own for a moment the proud. re-
luctant lips touched his own, mo one
ever cared for me In all my life," she
mo one. not even mother"
And with this sad, fearful confession,
she broke from him and fled up the
STAIR
Val went back to the room he had
left, to find Miss Airy sitting at her
little round table, her crooked rheu-
matte hands fallen on her knitting and
an -unmistakable- trace of tears on--fer
withered cheek. The sight gave him
an odd thrill. Val could not remember
that he had ever before in all his life
seen her in tears. He marched straight
up to her and leaned over the back of
the chair.
What is it, little woman?" he de-
manded.
Nothing" she answered. kissing hin,
between the eyes. ....
VERY well. Then listen to me. love
Mercy DILL have just told her Of 1t.
Do you know any reason why should
not make her my wife?"
Miss Black did not reply at once. The
room was very still, the rain beat on
the windows, the dying fire snapped
feebly. At last she put up her hand and
drew from her bosom a black silk
chain on which was tied hoop Of plain
gold. This she detached and laid upon
Vars broad palm.
Your mothers wedding ring" she
said, looking at him with strange ear
nestness.
"Val, you heard me cry out over that
paper tonight deceived you-it was
not a pain which stabbed me, but d
piece of news that I read there. You
know, too, what you said about me al
supper-how was not the person who
looked as If had a secret. All. laddie
am commonplace enough, insignifi-
cant enough, Heaven knows butt say
it sorrowfully, say 1t regretfully-l
have a secret-one that l have kept
from you all your twenty-five years
whether wisely or not I cannot say
but 1 acted according to my best judg-
ment, I did what I thought was right
so indeed, you must not be angry
with me-"
I'm the name Of all that's mysterious
what do you mean. Aunt Affry?" cried
Val, looking at her as If he thought she
was taking leave Of her senses.
II will tell you, laddie, for now can
not with a good conscience keep this
thing longer from you, and I think
there Is a reason-a strong one why
you should not marry a girl like Mercy
Dill; but that Is a point which you
yourself must decide. Take a chair be-
side me, Val-there! Slip her ring or
your finger-so! Promise me, first oi
all, that you will not be angry with ms
Il could not bear your anger. laddie!
for keeping hurtful thing from youl
boyhood and youth, and then. as tho
years went on, growing more and more
loathe to speak-more and more reluct-
ant to disturb our peace and content
ment together. 1t all came upon me to-
night so sharp, so sore. that felt some
how as If had been wronging you'll
who love you more than myself! Prom
Use, Val. promise!"
II promise anything" said Val. ir
helpless amaze.
She took the evening paper from the
table. opened 1t and pointed to tht
Daragraph which had agitated her 81