Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1866-04-26

ton was delighted and oVerjoyed with the
invitation and accepted the proposition i'm
mediately, and the very next day Edgar
Houston made his appearance at the Hall,
and became acquainted with Minnie, to
whom, he was informed, he was to act as
preceptor and teacher, as we'll as playmate
and companion. Now, nobody in the world
but old Adam Harcourt, himself, would
ever have adopted snch course Of action
but be felt persuaded that Edgar was better
qualified to impart knowledge of the En-
glish language to his ward, than all the
schoolmasters and teachers in christendom ;
and whatever he thought proper to do, was
invariably undertaken without advice OF
others, and sometimes against every remon,
STRANGE of friends
A very strong and abiding friendship
naturally sprung up between Minnie and
Edgar, ere many weeks had passed; a friend
ship which ripeped into an ardent and fond
attachment. Minnie, at the expiration OF
four months could understand and speak a
deal more English than before the coming
of her youthful tutor; but, after all, she
was sadly deficient and knew little or moth
ing of the construction of the language,
which she had been merely taught to repeat.
The return of Mr. Houston about this time,
deprived Minnie of any further services
which Edgar might have been able to rem.
der, for he was reluctantly compelled to re-
turn to his fathers house, that gentleman
having concluded to give him the advants-
ges of a classical education, at neighbor-
ing college. The parting of these two fond
hearts was painful in the extreme; for,
doubt it who may, boy of twelve and a
girl of ten years Of age, are capable of very
strong and fervent love Of its kind.
Mr.. Harcourt, who had been pleased
with the good conduct of the boy, during
his protracted visit, insisted upon repeated
repetitions,' whenever he could spare the
time from college; and, before bidding
Edgar good bye,-it was tacitly understood
between all parties, that his vacations were
to be spent at Harcourt Hall. This under
standing, which amounted almost to prom.
ise, tended very materially to soothe and
quiet the disappointed and disconsolate
young couple.
Fully year elapsed before Edgar found
it convenient to repeat his visit to Hsrcourt
Hall, during which time Mr.. HarcOurt had
givenhis niece all the advantages of first
class private education, so that she now
spoke the English language with wonderful
Auepcy, and had acquired some knowledge
of the higher branches Edgar was delight
ed beyond all measure at these evidences OF
her proficiency and advancement, partscu
larly so, as it gave them opportunities of "a
freer and more unrestricted interchange of
thought and feeling, and rendered each
others society and compauionship theus'
and.feld more agreeable.
Madam a'Motte, Mipnie's goVerness
and private tutor, for reasons best known to
herself, opposed with much warmth, and
no little show of logic, this growing tutlma.
cy. In private conversation with Mr.. Har
court, and with Minnie's future happiness
reallyat heart, she had urged upon bin the
injustice, cruelty and folly of couutenan.
cling these visits of Edgar; but tbe old
gentleman either did not see the force Of
her arguments, misunderstood their drift,
or else, just as an illustration. OF his old
spirit of contradiction, determined to oppose
her views on the subject
Tut, tut, madam = was his usual reply,
slet the children alone! Where in the
world do you suppose mere lad of thlr-
teen and girl of eleven years, could de-
rive such notions and ideas as you would
attribute to them ? Why, it really surpri,
ses me, that woman of your wisdom and
experience, should not know better"
Very well, Mr.. Harcourt,' the governess
would reply, with wise shrug of the shoul-
ders, if it is your intention to bestow the
hand of your niece upon young Houston,
in the coming years, its all very we'll, sir.
But if you intend doing otherwise, must
confess you do very wrong to encourage the
young lad in this close and intimate CON-
munion with Miss Minnie, young as she'is.
It will not be an easy matter one of these
days to separate them. Nay, it would be
an act of deliberate cruelty and uuprece.
dented injustice to attempt anything like
it.
The years went by-one, two, three,
four. Edgar continued his holiday visits
and the intimacy between Minnie and him
self grew stronger, closer, sweeter than ever.
She, a lovely, fascinating, beautiful girl Of
fifteen summers, ripeniug in mind, body
and soul, and futtering upon the very
threshold of womauhood-he, handsome,
bright and intelligent youth of seventeen,
full of hope, ambition and plans of future
happiness and delights half graspable,
what dream of happiness i'll csming years
could possibly take possession of his mind
or gladden. with its glory-lght his youthful
heart, that was not, in some way or other, in,
separately connected with Miunie-dear,
Minnie 'the starlight of his boyhood,' the
companion of his youth?
CHAPTER II.
Two years bring many changes to the
middle aged and the old, and the impress
of their hours and days are almost visible
upon their experiences as we'll as persons ;