Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-01-03

II
wrought any change in his heart to-
ward Aunt Affry's fair young lodger?
The telling of Aunt Affry's secret had
altered all his life in q moment-it
made him look at the world this morn
ing with changed eyes, but did 1t over
turn his /idol-did 1t lead him to al
ready wish to recall the words spoken
only a few hours before? And just then
he heard a second step on the stair
and this time 1t was Mercy herself de-
scending with little cracked pitcher
, in her hand-going out, as he knew
well enough, for the milk for her hum
BILE breakfast.
! I have said that the stair at No. 10
Seedy Court was narrow and dingy,
and poorly carpeted with oil-cloth; but
as that girl appeared upon 1t, it seemed
all at once to become something beau
| tiful and grand. There she was, with
her perfect, statuesque figure and glor-
ious young face, her. deer-like head,
crowned with rippling masses Of gol-
den hair, her violet, velvet eyes looking
darker, sadder than ever under their
splendid, night-black lashes. Rich she
was in beauty, though so poor In every
thing else. She might be the child Of a
drunken outcast, woman who had
been before the police court, and served
one sentence at least in a reformatory,
but what lady in all the length and
lRreadth of the city could match her
loveliness. her strange unconscious
air Of breeding, the cold, white inno-
cence Of her heroic young face? He
had time to look at her well-timaA.t0
thinh III nfs own position anu OF all the
barriers, present and future, which
might thrust them apart-as she glid-
ed softly down the stair. What did he
mean to do? Did he still choose her
from all the world-this poor. young
banking house clerk, who had pretend
ed to love the girl few hours before?
The blood rushed like fire through his
veins, flashes Of light burned under his
eyelids. He stepped out into the hall
put out her hand to open the outer
door.
"Mercy-darling!"
The two words burst from his lips In
great, involuntary cry.
The color surged into her beautiful
shy face. She looked at him with a
surprised, half timid air. Haggard,
sleepless, worn-it was plain that some
thing had happened to Val. In dry.
hot clasp he held her hand as II he
would never let 1t go.
What is the matter?" said Mercy,
quickly, ARE you. i'll? is anything
wrong with Miss Affry?"
mo, to both questions" answered
Val, how early you are up! Good
heaven! what hard life 1t Is, sewing
from dawn till midnight. Is 1t always
SOP"
"Usually-but I don't mind it." she
replied, evasively, at least, not much"
He took up his hat and followed her
out.
The pavement glistened with last
nights rain. Seedy Court was very still,
but In the distance the rumbling Of
milk wagons could be heard over the
stones of the street. AS Mercy glanced
up at her lover-at his broad shoulders
and red hair, and strong, unhandsome
face, 1t seemed to her that he had put
on a grave dignity, a certain solemn,
reflective air, as strange as 1t was new.
Mercy" he said, before he had gone
half a dozen steps, Il wish you would
tell me that you love me here in open
daylight want to make sure that l
have not been dreaming"
Pursuing a milkman at half past five
in the morning may not be favorable
condition under which to talk senti-
ment; but these humble young folks
did not think Of that. Romance had
little to do with either Of their lives.
Mercy's violet eyes fell, and her low
voice faltered:
II love you,' she answered sadly,
solemnly; 1T is no dream"
Blessings on you!" cried Val, with
tremor of his strong, square mouth.
And If loved you last night, l
adore you this morning! It's a bless
ed wonder how you, with your dainty
beauty, should ever come to think OF an
ugly clown like me-a fellow who has
no earthly right to any such good
luck"
She made little gesture.
Don't! you hurt me when you talk
like that-exalting me when I have
cause-such cause!-to be the lowliest
of women. Did you tell Miss Affry?"
Yes"
She kept her eyes on the wet pave
ment along which they were walking
very slowly.
at--did-she-say?"
The unbecoming blood fled into his
rugged face and out again.
ITS all right" he answered hastily
its all quite right, darling. Did not
say we had nothing to fear from Aunt
Affry? She will not meddle with us In
the least. She wants me to be happy
above all things, and trusts perfectly
my Judgment to decide how I can best
compass that end"
| She gave him a quiet, searching look.
You do not tell me. what she said,
Val?"
Il really don't remember the exact
words" replied Val, with great effront-
~, they were of no Importance I as
sure you-she wished me to do as
thought best. Have no fear; we shall
meet with no opposition from Aunt At
fry. Some other time I'll think up ev-
cry syllable Of her conversation on the
subject and repeat it to you faithfully,
Now. however, give me your hand--no-
body Is looking-the court is quite de-
serted. It's an odd place for be-
trothal, but We do not care for that. do
We? There! now you are pledged to me
Mercy, and as God is my witness will