Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1866-05-03

moment was heard without; and Edgar,
putting the vines aside, looked TIN ough the
lattice. work and observed old Mr.. Har.
court locked arm in arm with the baronet,
and in deep conversation. Watching his
opportunity, and remembering Minnie's
caution, he quietly vacated the bower and
concealed himself among the thick hedges
without, until he could, unobserVed, leave
the premises Scarcely had he done so.
when the party entered the bower and seat
ed themselves.
Don't you agree with me.?' asked the
baropet.
Il have not given the subject sufficient
thought, Sir Richard, replied the venera.
Bile Mr.. Adam Harcourt, 'aud, therefore,
cannot say whether | do or not
But, my dear sir, persisted the baronet,
'it requires no considerable outlay of thought
to arrive at correct conclusion. This
young chap, Edgar Houston, may be very
passable nau, but his means are no doubt
insufficient for the support of n wife like
Miss Harcourt, who has been accustomed
to every luxury imaginable
well, so far as that matter is concern
ed said the old man, 'he is sole heir to a
tolerably large estate, and my niece has no
mean fortune at her disposal
You forget thar the Southern Confeder
acy is only an experiment, and not ar es-
tabished fact,' said the baronet. It is
battling for an existence, and the issues are
exceedingly doubtful If the Southern
arms should prove unavailipg and the North
triumphant, what becomes of one one half
of these boasted estates? Now, sir, by
consenting to my propositions, the future
happiness and comfort of your niece is Sc
cured beyond the possibility of failure; for
I should take her with me to England,
where she would be unlnfuenced by the is
sues of this war, be they what they may
Il admit the force of your remarks said
Harcourt, musingly. They are very log
ical and plausible, and all that; but, you
will please bear in mind, Sir Richard, that
my niece has heart as we'll as hand, the
first of which verify believe she is dis
posed to bestow upon the man she loves,
and that is young Edgar Houston
1T surprises me that man of your age
and experience, should 90 ou IN that silly,
sentimental strain said the baroDet, im.
patiently why, my dear sir, remember
that you are very old man, who, accord.
ing to the natural order of things, cannot
lay claim to many more years of life. Sup
pose, that you should die next year-nay
next month or next week-what becomes
of your niece then, left alone, amidst the
horrors of war, without protector or friend ?
what subtle antagonist y said Edgar
to himself, as he crouched behind the
hedge, and held his breath, in the intensity
of his attention.
The ringing of a bell at this moment,
much to the annoyance.and disappointment
of Edgar, put an end to this interesting
conversation.
walk into the house, Sir Richard said
MIR. Harcourt That is the bell for din.
ner I shall give your argument my Sc.
rious and prayerful attention aud reflection,
and speak to my niece again on the subject
during the course of the afternoon. After
all, do not think your proposition of mar
riage objectionable, nor would place the
slightest obstruction in the way, to the con,
summation of your wishes, provided we
could obtain Minuie's free and unbiased
consent to the union. Without that, must
confess, I feel considerable reluctance in
taking any further steps in the matter. -
But, come There goes the bell again !
and, So saying, the two gentlemen, vacated
the bower, and walked arm in arm to the
house.
so this is the way that the wind blows "
said Edgar, getting up and looking eau
tiously about him. Then, percievlng the
gentlemen ascending the marble steps of
the antiquated mansion, he quietly slipped
out of the garden, with his heart more at
ease than it had been for some time past.
True, his interview with Minnie had been
but brief and unsatisfactory; true, e.little
which he had accidentally overheard of the
baronet's conversation was anything but ex-
plicit; but, Notwithstanding all this, somehow
or rother, hope grew out of t: is eventful visit
to Harcourt Hall, and thrilled his heart
beyond all possibility of expression. Min.
ME had solicited private Interview; had
manifested some little concern for his per-
sonal safety, Surely, if drowning men
catch at claws, a despairiug lover might
venture to depend upon the slightest mani
festation Of interest on the part of his be-
loved But, beautiful hope. grew out of
certain words that had escaped the lips of
old Adam Harcourt, for if his cars had not
deceived him, the old gentleman seemed to
oppose the baronet's proposition of marriage,
on the grounds of Minnie's love for her old
playmate. Oh! how that thought stirred
Edgar's heart,
But there is evidently some mystery con,
pected with all this, said he, as he strolled
musingly along, 'else, why this proposed
midnight interview? Would that it were
night!'
x
easy, Mass Edgar! You meek tirely
too much racket said old Dinah, as our
hero's eager feet crushed the crisp and