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

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lifted in her arms pot containing delicate
orchis, and carried it into the sitting-room.
Not waiting to putt down, she went straight to
the sofa where her aunt was lying, and kneel-
ing on the cushion beside her, began to dis
claim rapidly upon the approaching pleas
ure-"going to the city,
"And, aunty, think how I will practise,
and how I will study! And then the opera,
and the-the--. Oh aunty, above all-the
cathedral !"
She put down her precious burden and went
to the piano. With the rising gale which
blew the curtains to and fro, her voice arose t;
no longer the martial measure Of the "Stan-
dard Watch" but grand, solemn Jubilate.
The superb tin.bre Of her voce-like the up
per notes of a violincello-so full and rich
that one could scarce credit they came from
so slight frame, and so well suited to the theme
she had chosen. Her fond listeners sat in ST.
lence they had never heard "the child" sing
so before.
When she had ceased and taken her ac-
customed place between them, her aunt drew
the curled head nearer, and looked long into
the star-like hazel eyes. ......
"Will our Mildred ever care for other lis
teners as she does for these at home"
'"Ah no, dearest aunty. You and mamma
love my music as no others ever will and
when return, there will be so many beauti-
full new songs I shall have learned to sing
you No, indeed" she repeated, shaking her
head with decided, earnest air, 81 shall new
er sing for any one as do for you and man.
ma"
A glance passed involuntarily between the
two sisters. There was brightness, salts
faction in that single look which expressed
more truly what "the child" was to these
lonely women than any words, however elo-
quent, could have conveyed-the very "apple
of the eye"-the light of life, the hope and
pride and blessing. Alas! how often are
these idols made the instruments Of our tor
ture and our death! .....
When the morning sunlight smiled upon
the destruction of the storm which had swept
over Bayou La Fourche the night previous, it
greeted Mildred already busy with her flow
ers upon the terrace 1t was there her aunt
found her before breakfast
"Why, my pet, you are out early this NOR
ming. Did the thought of your journey keep
you awake p
Mildred laughed and declared she had
scarcely slept at all; first on account of the
storm, and then trying to imagine how she
should like her cousins.
"Tell me just how we are related, aunt
Agatha; Inever exactly understood it."
"There is nothing very complicated in the
connection" Miss Lyle said, smiling at her
earnest air. "Your uncle Louis is our step
brother-his mother and our father having
been welded when we were all children. AS
there were never any others, we three grew up
as fondly attached as if we had been really
brother and sisters When Loais married our
dearest friend, Marian Martigny, we were sep
aarated for the first time in our lives. Then
came your mothers marriage, and from that
time we have met but seldom, though we are by
no means less sincerely devoted. l know there
will be no difference between their affection
for you and that of an own niece, and your
cousins are lovely and cultivated girls"
"There are only two, I believe"
"Only two daughters and son, the latter
of whom has been in Europe for several
years"
They were walking slowly up and down
the terrace, Miss Lyle leaning upon the arm
of her niece. The maiden aunt was one Of
those lovely characters, in which gentleness
and strength seem so combined as to attract
the affectionate confidence Of all with whom
they are associated. To Mildred she was
scarcely less dear than her own mother, and
their intercourse was as unrestrained as that
Of two sisters.
She watched the thoughtful face Of her
niece for a few moments, and seemed prepared
for the question, when Mildred raised her eyes
and asked, anxiously:
"Do you think mamma really prefers to
have me 60? Does she not rather consent
because she knows it would please me?"
Indeed, my DEAR" Miss Lyle responded
quickly, "you do your mamma injustice. She
has long wished to give you these advantages,
but it has never been so convenient as now.
Then, too, you have reached an age when you
can appreciate refined and cultivated society;
and it is this, as we'll as your musical tastes,
which she now gladly gives you the opportu-
nifty to enjoy. Do not worry yourself, my
child, but keep cheerful face, and it will re-
lieve your mothers heart Of many anxieties.
She was fearing you would dread the change,
leaving this quiet home, where you have
scarcely, in all your life, seen strange face,
to mingle in the great busy world. But we
know now that you have courage and strength
for both"
Mildred made no reply. An upward glance
of her eyes seemed silent appeal for that
which she now seemed to require for the first
time. Shielded from every care by the ten
derest affection, it was hard to realize that
period was approaching when she should stand
alone. Yet not alone; for that right arm, on
which every weary soul can trustingly lean,
was the arm of her Father and her God.
The next few days passed quickly, and on
the fourth Mr.. Moreton arrived.
"The same slight creature" he said musing-
ly, as Mildred left the room on some domes-
tic errard that evening, and he remained
alone with his sister. "Like wreath of sea