Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-04-18
Aa 0tiainal &tixe Storg.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
THEFATEO MILDRED WEII
BY MRS. CLARA DARGAN MCLEAN.
CHAPTER TX.

BY MRS. CLARA DARGAN MCLEAN.
CHAPTER TX.
"Away, and mock the time with fairest show: ,
False face must hide what the false heart doth
Methought heard voice cry, sleep no more
The sun lit up the pleasant breakfast par
lor where small round table was laid fol
two. An elderly lady with that unmistaka'
BILE air of responsibility which belongs to the
class of English upper-servants, was superin'
tending the tea.tray where steaming urns Of
fragrant Mocha and "real old Bohea" reflect
ed in their massive silver sides an exquisite
set of Ssmes ware, Colonel Meredith's partic'
ular penchant. A servant entered, bringing
the breakfast dishes.
"Have you seen your master, Lawrence p
the house-keeper asked. She had certain in
Election of voice which indicated at once her
full appreciation of the responsible position
she occupied.
eyes, ma'am ; he and Mr.. Waldemar are
talking on the colonnade."
"Well, 90 and announce breakfast"
The gentleman entered, both courteously
greeting the house-keeper, who stood until
they were seated.
"Now, my dear Alexis" Colonel Meredith
said, as if continuing, or rather concluding, a
conversation, dismiss all fears, and trust me
for happy issue. We will drive over to
Weir-wood to luncheon this morning, and l
will make it convenient to speak to Mrs.
Weir"
"You are very kind, sir" Waldemar re-
piled. He was looking so pale that one even
less interested in him than his guardian, who
concentrated all affection upon him in lieu of
other ties, would have been shocked at the
great change in his naturally inso,Icient man.
ner. There was, too, an evident restraint
which he tried in vain to overcome.
"You are very kind, sir" he repeated; and
was about to continue when he became aware
of Mrs. Golfers presence. After pouring out
coffee, she usually left the room, and had
seemed to do so this morning before the con-
versation began; but now she suddenly
emerged from china.closet, and crossing the
apartment as if totally unconscious of being
de trop, stood for moment rearranging the
flowers in basket, and then her black silk
with its trou:rou, disappeared in the veranda
beyond.
Colonel Meredith looked annoyed. Things
were always so ordered that the presence of a
domestic was not necessary at kte-dtste meal,
and many pleasant, unrestrained conversations
had been carried on under this salutary ar
rangement The meal was finished in COM
parative silence; and being over, Waldemar
accompanied his host to the sunny colonnade
where theyssmoked their cigars without fear
ofintrusion.
No further allusion was madeto the subject
nearest his heart till they were on their way
to Weir-wood, and Waldemar began:
II have been wishing to say to you that
perhaps it would be better to let this matter
rest for the present-at least until am better
known to Mrs. Weir. As stranger"
my dear boy" Colonel Meredith exclaim-
ed, ri never charged you with a want of self
esteem before. There is no possible reason
why you should wait, except this undue hu-
mility, which I allow is an attribute of true
love. But remember the old adage, Faint
heart-and don't fear to put your fate to the
touch. I will take the initiative by saying all
can in your favor to Mrs. Weir. As for
Mildred I see there is no need Of praising you
to her. The thousand innocent bushes speak
her feelings plainly"
Fairly overpowered by the unusual To-
quacity of his friend, Waldemar remained ST.
lent, while Colonel Meredith continued:
II am so truly interested in you, Alexis,
that I may be influenced more by my aAec'
ton than my judgment; but am convinced
that your faults-which I do not deny-will
begreatly modified, if not entirely eradicated,
by happy marriage. I have known Mil
dred from infancy, and of all women in
the world, I would chose her as the one best
calculated to insure happiness to a man Of
your temperament"
In the rapturous dissertation which followed,
Waldemar forgot all save the fair girl whose
praises he heard with glowing heart; and
when they reached the iron gates of Weir-wood,
he had no definite idea beyond his unbounded
love for her.
Colonel Meredith kept his promise to speak
to the mother in behalf of her daughters
lover. Occasion offered itself when, luncheon
being over, the lovers we're side by side at
the piano, and Aunt Agatha in The dining
room on hospitable thoughts intent. He ap'
preached the subject very delicately, having
first dwelt upon Waldemar's many good quail
tiles, and then, by way of enlisting sympathy,
alluding to his early orphanage and the sad
isolation of his present life. Mrs. Weir made
no response until he directly spoke ofa desire
to see his ward happily married.
"Pray, my dear Colonel" she interrupted
in low voice, "do not allude to that at pres
ent. This acquaintance is too brief to build
upon, and I cannot repress my fears as to his
capacity for domestic happiness. He is too
much man of the world-too accomplished
too handsome, in short-to rest contented in
the quiet life of country gentleman with a
simple-hearted wife"
As she spoke, both glanced involuntarily
toward the piano where Waldemar was seat
ed-the softened light from shaded window
playing over his upturned face, as he sang in
low soulful voice,
''My heart is wasted with my woe,
Orian0.