Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-04-09


seen together You vii pardon me for this blunt
ness of expression, when assure you, that it costs
me no little effort and considerable notification,
to alude to the subject at al"
Mr.. Dubois drew his imperial down to point,
and looked thoughtfully down upon the marble
steps
"You are a handsome man." continued Mr..
West shave read much and travelled extensively.
You, of all men, should be very cautious and dis
Greet in your social intercourse with ladies'.
Mr.. Dubois asked why.
Because you are one Of those men whom the
tender sex admire so much. A fine form, intelli-
gent and handsome face, easy and gracefuin man.
ner, gifted beyond measure in conversational pow
ers and -"
Enough, sir p said Mr.. Dubois "You must
be aware, that this is anything but agreeable to
me-"
81 am sincere, SIR
Granted" replied Dubois; "but please drop
the subject. regret that anything in my conduct
should have given occasion of offence. l shall
studiously avoid the society of your daughters
hereafter especially that of Miss Laura"
"By so doing, Mr.. Dubois, you will prove your
self a gentleman and be entitled to my continued
regards. These reports, you know, are exceeding
y unpleasant and annoying to all parties -particu-
larly so to Laura. I feel confident that you will
so conduct yourself, hereafter, that we shall have
no occasion to refer to the unpleasant subject a
gain"
Before we dismiss the subject" said Mr.. Du-
bois, in tone of voice wonderfully strange to Mr..
West, 'suffer me to ask, if you consider it part
of the bargain, that shall con6ne myself exclu-
sively to my own room, when not teaching?'
''By no means, replied Mr.. West. "All [ re-
quire is, that your rides, walks sails and concert
visits with Laura, be discontinued. shall not
deprive you of the society Of my family en- masse,
but must object to any marked attention to either
of my daughters And now, Mr.. Dubois, we un-
derstand each other
II understand you sir, at all events" was the
quiet reply.
''Of course, then, you will act in accordance
with my wishes" said Mr. West, uneasIy.
'sI shall certainly make the effort, said Mr..
Dubois.
'sMake the efort!-tel me- that you will make
the effort! Why, you don't mean to say, that it
will cost you an effort to discontinue your marked
attentions to my daughter, sir p
II would beupjust to myself, Mr.. West and un-
Just to Miss Laura, were it not so. have real
lied so much unaloyed enjoyment and pleasure in
her society," that it must cost me the outlay Of con-
siderable effort to determine to give it up so sud-
denly"
'Mr. Dubois, said Mr.. West, growing very red
in the face, under nocrcumstances, whatever, will
tolerate further intimacy with Laura. insist
upon this-cost you what it may. fyou are fond
of the girl-you know what mean-take my ad-
vice, and pack up at once and leave us forthwith.
give you this advice as friend for assure you
solmnly, that this unfortunate attachment can re-
suit in nothing but misery and bitter disappoint-
ment."
"My dear sir, said Mr.. Dubois, politely, 'am
not aware that have given occasion for such ad-
vice from you Be so good as to remember, sir,
that | said nothing whatever of attachment to the
young lady in question I regret that it is neces-
sary to remind you of that fact. -
Mr.. West turned to reply, but feeling that,
somehow or other, he had committed himself and
made very foolish speech, he abruptly turned up
on his heel and walked away.
Mr.. Dubois looked after the retreating form of
the pompous individual few moments, then sigh
ed and entered the magnificent residence, upon
the steps of which this conversation had taken
place.
Mrs. West rustled past him in her silks and sat-
ins, as he passed through the spacious hall. Hith-
erto she had been in the habit of greeting him very
cordially, but, upon the present occasion, Mr. Du-
bois was madethe recipient Of cold, naughty bow,
which-taken in connection with the conversation
outside him as remarkably nexplicable con-
duct.
"Cannot accompany us, did you say? Really,
Mr.. Dubois you are too provoking" And the
beautiful young woman let down the lid of the pl-
ano with an emphasis, that surprised her teacher
''Who are the as, that you refer to, Miss
| West?" asked Mr.. Dubois. From the remarks,
which you made awhile ago, was led to infer
that you, alone had been invited to the sailing ex-
cursion, and that you wished to secure my servi-
ces as an escort In that capacity am positively
prohibited from serving you but, if your mother
and sister are to be of the party, Of course, see
no reason why I should refuse to accompany you y
"Mother and Larina care very little for such
things" said Laura; "and, indeed, [ do not think
they have been invited. The 'us, that l referred
to, were the sailing party generally"
''Then, Miss West, I am bound to deny myself
the honor of escorting you, without the express
permission of your father.
"You will not think me impertinent, said Lau-
ra, her gaze falling modestly to the floor, IF ask
an explanation of your altered tone and manner ?
There is no impropriety, hope, in expressing sur
prise that you should address me as Miss West,
or that you should think it necessalyto ask father
permission to accompany me anywhere?'
sIt is perfectly natural that you should be sur
prised," said Dubois and, perhaps, L had better
inform you at once what has occurred to bring a
bout this change in my manner towards you -
And as he said this, he started up from his seat,
walked once or twice across the gorgeous parlor,
then dropped into capacious armchair beside the
piano and looked thoughtfully upon the floor.
81 had rather not hear it, Mr.. DuboisF' said
Laura, suddenly. ut is the old story-I know it (!
feel it,"
MIR. Dubois looked up into the beautiful face be-
fore him. Its expression was troubled and anx-
ious in the extreme yet out of it all there grew up
hope, as beautiful as
| GA dream of poetry, which may not be
| Written or told"
eff you are really conscious of the causes OF my
altered manner, Miss Laura, how does that con-
seriousness effect you?'