Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-05-16

the bag, and distributed to each his or her
share of the precious contents.
"Oh there is mine," she cried in ecstacy ;
and grasping it in both hands, ran out Of the
room.
They had scarcely finished the interesting
home budget of papers and letters when
Count Hugo entered. His face was radiant.
He walked directly up to Mrs. Weir and aunt
Agatha who were talking together, and said,
clasping hand Of each
Congratulate me! I have here the letter
containing Mr.. Moreton's consent to my suit.
I know how much am indebted to you both,
and to you, Monsieur le C0lonel-and to you
most of all, mon ami" shaking Jacks extend
ed hand with all the warmth of his nature.
The congratulations were most hearty on
all sides; and when Miss Lyle went after the
truant Kate, and returned leading her to the
triumphant lover, the party became almost
noisy in their demonstrations Of joy. But in
the midst of all came an awkward Interrupt
ton. Little Hans burst in, stammering in his
eager haste
"Oh! gracious excellency, there is young
gentleman at the head of the stairs asking for
you, and the black African valet, gracious sir,
will not allow him to enter"
There was declared war between the sturdy
little Teuton and Colonel Meredith's own
man. A perpetual feud existed, varied by
open demonstrations, and suudry encounters
on the stairs and in the kitchen, in which the
former invariably conquered by certain
impish talent for worrying to death"
Jack now hastened to the rescue. He
found Hanschsn already upon the scene.
There stood M. Pignolet; the obsequious
butler bowling, and apologizing most earnestly
for his great mistake in failing to recognize
"a southern gentleman, sir, but then it was so
unexpected-so very unexpected" he MUIR
INJURED, bowing again.
Jack explained matters, and they advanced
to the salon, Lawrence and Hans engaged in
desperate conflict meanwhile-a ludicrous in
terchange of German and American "hard
Names"
M. Pignolet was himself again-the pol
ished and polite Creole, slightly empresss to-
wards every woman, but particularly so to
pretty one. The confession of the evening be-
fore seemed to have taken place in another ex-
istence, so entirely did he ignore it. Mildred
was glad to find him at ease; and she deter
mined to forget what had left so unpleasant
an impression upon her mind-at least until
he should give her an opportunity to demand
some explanation of his mysterious words.
Very shortly after, Jack invited Achille to
accompany him and the ladies in drive to
Nymphenberg to visit the palace, which was
now open to strangers, the royal family hav-
ing returned to the city. Count Hugo had
obtained permission for his friends, but pre-
ferred himself to spend the morning with his
fancse at home.
A merrier party would scarcely be imag-
ined than that which gathered in the little sa-
Ion when the early dusk began to fall. Plans
were laid for their approaching journey,
routes discussed, and all possible prelimina-
ries settled. The following week was decided
upon as the time for their departure. N.
Pignolet was to leave several days before for
the purpose of bringing his mother and sister
to join the party at some point in Switzerland,
from whence they could cross into Italy to-
gether. 1t was, doubtless, hazardous un-
dertaking, and one which few travellers would
have ventured. A journey over the Alps is
at no time entirely safe, but in winter it is Pc
culiarly dangerous. Nevertheless, the gentle
men, and indeed the ladies also, were not to
be awed by "old wives stories" and resolved
to make the attempt
"And then the St. Bernard dogs, you
know" Henriette suggested with great conf
dence and was surprised that everybody
laughed as if the "dogs' were all a joke.
"They wouldn't pull you far, Etta," Kate
said when the merriment subsidized; "you will
weigh good ten stone with that costume you
have prepared, leaving out Of consideration
the fur pelesse and snow-boots and Alpenstock
and plaid, and-so-forth, etcetera."
Henriette looked aggrieved at this enumer-
alton of her wardrobe provided for the jour-
ney. She dreaded the cold, and made prepa.
rations as if for North-Pole expedition. 1t
was now becoming sensitive point.
"Well, I only hope you will not want to
borrow from me-" she began, but Jack, the
peace-maker, interviewed.
"Never mind, pussy. Kate will repent it
if she fails to supply herself with similar fore
thought. You don't know what an Alpine
snow means. But there are other preventives
against cold" glancing mischievously to-
ward the afianced pair who satapart engaged
in conversation. Kate did not hear, for at
that moment Count Hugo was saying
"My mother arrives tomorrow, and will
come at once to call upon you. Pray, my
sweet Kate, do not refuse to consider any ar
rangement she may propose in regard to our
wedding. No doubt she will prefer to have
it celebrated at Altenberg in the Tyrol, for it
has always been the scene of bridal festivities
in our family for centuries Will you graft
fy lis both in this ?"
The high-spirited girl, at some other time,
might have resented this as slur upon her
more democratic connections, but she was no
longer her own mistress. The "little pug
nosed aid-de-camp" as she had once styled
him in direct contradiction to the very deci.
ded Roman tendency Of that organ-had won
her by sheer force of will and intellect. To
such women beauty is very often snare, but
never chain.