Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-03-14

Prague for the last six months, pretending to
study the language; but Isecretly surmise he
is more interested in the Hungarian costume
and the flavor of their national beer"
There was mischievous twinkle in his eye
as he glanced at the quiet face behind the
urn.
Papa wants to teaze you, mamma" Kate
cried, with laugh at his signal failure "but
mamma has no fear of Jacks weakness, either
for Hungarian beer or pretty costumes. She
knows too we'll that he will tire of both and
leave in disgust before long. By-the-by
Alexis Waldemar said yesterday, he had
heard from him. The letter was dated the
seventh of last month, and he proposed leav'
ing on the twelfth for Vienna, with party Of
English friends"
1T is very provoking that he does not come
home instead of roaming over Europe with
people whom he never saw before" Henriette
observed, in an injured tone. "Now that
Mildred is here, too, I am sure he would en-
joy it."
"Suppose you write at once and offer it as
an inducement," her. papa proposed. "Tell
him that there will be no end of gaiety this
winter, and that Ninon Pignolet is growing
prettier than ever"
"Indeed, she is ]" exclaimed Kate. II saw
her at Madame de Richelieu's soiree, and she
was perfectly radiant. think Fred Falcon
er is growing aware of her charms"
At mention of the latter name, Mildred's
quick eye detected change on theface of her
younger cousin, who played with her spoon as
if trying to appear unconscious Of the re-
mark. Itrecurred to her again, when about
noon, as she was practising in the parlor,
awaiting the arrival of her new master, the
door.bell rang and gentleman was admitted
into the drawing room. A heavy damask
curtain hung between thetw apartments, and
Mildred was about to retire, when her aunt
entered and requested that she should come
with her to see Mr.. Falconer. .;..n.-
He was tall, fair-haired young man, by no
means handsome, but of pleasing manners
and so gentle as to appear almost e1eminate.
He entered into animated conversation with
Mrs. Moreton, and when the girls came in,
Mildred did not fail to perceive the pleasure
with which he was greeted. His call was
short, and on leaving, he engaged to join them
ia the evening at a concert given by cele.
brated prima donna.
"You will understand, Miss Weir" he
added, turning to Mildred with that air of
Difference which was so peculiarly his own,
"that this is merely prelude to our winter 8
enjoyments. have learnt from your cousins
what devotee you are to the art divine, and
am happy to assure you that the coming
season promises many treats of this kind"
His pleasant manner was enhanced by the
smile with which his otherwise homely face
now beamed, and when he had taken leave
Mildred could not help exclaiming-
"What very attractive person"
"This is a very fair specimen Of our genus
homo, and you may judge how pleasant it is
to meet half dozen of them in social way
as we do almost every evening. But Mildred
should meet Alexis, should she not, Henri
ette? He is, without exception, the most ir-
resistible person ever met. So accomplish
ed So fascinating! So divinely handsome"
The demonstrative Kate clasped her hands
as if in rapture, and struck an attitude, by no
means ungraceful, before pier-gla
"Tres bien, Mademoiselle !" exclaimed a
voice at the door.
Mildred Weir turned, and met face to
face-her fate!
"Oh is it youf' Kate asked in the most
unconcerned voice imaginable. 81 thought
you we're out at the course experimenting the
training of your favorite Kelpie. TO what
are we indebted for the-ah-honor?"
She swept very low, mock courtesy, but
there was smile of unfeigned pleasure on
her face.
"To your own irresistible SELF" he half
murmured, repeating purposely her words
which he had overheard.
"a bas " she exclaimed impatiently; "you
talk as if we're mere child. Here-let me
present my cousin" turning to Mildred who
stood looking with an amused face upon this
by-play, "Miss Weir-Mr. Waldemar-and
may you two never become enemies, for | fore
see a 'predestinate scratched face to any un.
fortunate woman who should fall into your
hands, Monsieur"
"Miss Weirs guardian angel will see to
that" responded he in a tone of light raillery,
which Jared upon Mildred but she forgot it
when the next instant he offered his hand
with an air of frankness, and said earnestly
81 cannot excuse my own want of courtesy
by throwing the blame upon my fair maligner ;
but entreat you to believe that I am pre-
pared to be a sincere friend"
1t was strange speech. Mildred did not
understand the "all-the.world-to-me" manner
with which Alexis Waldemar was accustomed
to meet each and all of his lady acquaintan-
ces. "They like it" he would say to his ban
tering fellow-men; lit makes them happy,
dear creatures, and it costs US nothing" And
so it was his habit to repeat, without pang OF
conscience, the very identical love.passages to
dozen different girls in the course of a season.
With strangeinconsistency, he was encouraged
on all sides by those fair, frail victims Of his
vanity, who wore their chains according to
their different temperaments-withh halfpro-
testing impatience, or pretty signing resigna-
ton.
But Mildred was newcomer. The con-
queror felt instinctively that she was no ordi-
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