Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1867-03-14
CHAPTER XIII.
MAJOR AMoRY's DISCONTINUE.

Saturday morning dawned clear and pleasant. -
1t was delightful contrast to the gloomy and driz-
ely day which had preceded it In Einor's mind,
too, there was change not unlike that which had
taken place in the appearance of outward nature.
Yesterday she had been sad, apprehensive, tear
full The future seemed dark and unpromising.- :
But to-day, partly perhaps from the natural exhil-
aration which fine day imparts partly from the
hope which had been kindled in her by the plan
which the peddler had unfolded, and his own con-
fdence in it, she felt hopeful and cheerful
'This day is to be the crisis of my fate she
thought as she rose II welcome the augury Of
this clear sunshine and fine day."
She appearedat the table with an unusual degree
of cheeruness, at which at first both surprised and
alarmed her uncle and Major Amory.
"Can it be-" thought the latter ''that she has
devised any method of escape?"
This thought disturbed him, so as to materially
diminish his appetite This temporary alarm,
however was succeeded by the reflection that after
all, his fears were quite groundless- his vanity
stepping in, furnished him with very plausible
reason for her present cheerfulness
"After all, +" thought he, 'it is only natural, she
has thought the matter over, no doubt, and come
Ito the conclusion that she might as well take it ca
silly. 1t is no great hardship certainly to marry
one of my rank and personal advantages. She
ought to think herself hcky-as most young ladies
would, at such extraordinary good luck. 1t isn't
every colonial beauty that receives such an offer,
from an officer of my rank I dare say, she has
come to look upon it in that light, and have only
to 60 in and wiz"
Such were the very comfortable reflections OF
Major Amory and bis brow, which had been cloud.
ed, now resumed its wonted serenity, and his ap-
petite returned SO that when he left the breakfast
table there was little chance of his growing faint
before dinner.
As Elinor was about to pass out of the room, he
advanced to her, and said:
"When, Miss Elinor, will you permit me to
speak with you, and 80 end the miserable suspense
under which am at present laboring?'
II will see you at ten, Major Amory," said Eli
nor quietly.
Major Amory bowed, and left the room.
Between that time and ten o'clock he made a
very elaborate toilet to make favorable impression
upon Einor, and do honor to the position which
he 50 soon expected to assume, that Of favored
lover
'I shall insist upon the marriage taking place
before the close of my stay" he decided. 'Wo-
men are changeable creatures and its best to cnch
the bargain when you have the chance. When
Elinor Westvelt once becomes Mrs. Amory, and
her property passes into my hands, l shall feel
easy and not till then. IF all turns out as I conf
denty expect, shall return to headquarters, the
envy Of the whole regiment" '''.
Elinors object in deferring the announcement OF
her purpose till ten o'clock, was only to give the
peddler q chance to be on the ground. By nine,
she observed to her satisfaction, that he had made
his appearance.
Precisely as the clock in the hall struck ten, Ma
jor Amory knocked at the door of the sitting
and was admitted by Elinor.
There was bright flush on the cheeks Of our
heroine-a flush indicating the natural excitement
under which she was laboring.
sBe seated Major Amory," said she with grave
courtesy.
Major Amory looked at her in new admiration.
He did not remember ever having seen her look so
pretty as now.
"By Jove," thought he, "she will do me infn-
ite credit I never saw her appear to better ad-
vantage-she would grace any position, provincial
though she is
And his fancy indulged, for amoment, in dreams
of possible rank and position, should the interVe-
ming heir to title die, and thus throw it into his
hands.
His dreams were interrupted by the voice of Ell
inor,
"Major Amory," she commenced calmly, you
did me the honor to ask my hand in marriage two
days since, and I promised to give you your an
swer to-day. That was the understanding, was it
not ?"
ut was" said Major Amory gallantly, land per-
NIT me to say fair lady, that these two days, short
as thew may seem to the ordinary reckoning, have
with me, seemed two ages of suspense
Elinor bowed gravely, and said in response. III
thev have seemed long to you, eassured they have
not seemed short to me. The proposition, at all
times, one of moment, and requiring the most Sc
rous consideration, has in the present case been SO
complicated by other considerations as to render 1t
net easy to come to decision upon it.
"a long preface p thought Major Amory'
''however, she is only paving the way for an &C,
ceptance. Women don't like to have it thought
that they are easily won, and she is trying to
smooth over her former refusal.
It was, therefore, with degree OF confidence
that he said, IT most sincerely trust, Miss Enor