Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-02-15

who learned to look forward 10 her collline
with eagerness, and welcomed her into their
humble dwellings as ministering angel
From nearly every one of these she had fire.
quently to listen to warmly spoken praises of
the absent Brooke, and sorrowful comments
on the sad fate which had separated him from
them.
"Deed, Miss, a better nor kinder gentleman
never lived" they would say. "If there was
sickness or trouble come upon US, we always
knew where to look for help. Not but what
your grandpa used to do for us too, and every
body else in the parish is kind; but the very
sight of Mr.. Brooke's face would cheer us up
like, and he always had such pleasant words
it was like sunshine coming into the house"
How we'll Ethel remembered that sunny
smile, that cheerful tone, that had 30 warmed
the hearts of these poor parishioners ; how
fervently her heart responded to their praises
From them she learned of many acts of secret
unobtrusive benevolence on his part, that
would never have become known in any other
way.
"When my Johnny was sick," one woman
said, "didn't he come and set up a whole night
alongside of him, cause my old man was
away and was so lonesome here. And when
he went off in the mornin' he said I warn't to
20 maxim, fuss about it, cause it didn't give
him no trouble"
II can't ever forget" said an infrm old
man, "the winter my darter was laid up with
rheumatic, how he sent servant here to do
all the hard work, and not only that, but would
come himself to look arter us, and read US a
chapter in the Bible, now and then, just like
he was the parson himself"
Ethel pictured to herself the bright, genial
hearted Brooke, ministering thus to the sick
and poor, and all so quietly that none had ever
known when he did it. She knew how gentle
and tender he could be at a sick bed, and did
not doubt that his movements had been as
careful, his tones as soothing in these lowly
dwellings as they had been around Arly's
couch, when they ministered there together.
How often her mind went back to that Pc
rio& those weeks in Arly's room that had
seemed to draw them more closely together,
only to make the separation that so quickly
followed harder to bear. Harder to her at any
rate, she thought; for in her unconsciousness
of the estimation in which he held her, she
did not suppose that any special thought OF
her had mingled in his sorrow at leaving his
childhood's home.
Now that he was 80 far away, and she did
not expect ever to see him again-or, if the
hope of doing so ever occurred to her, it was
only very faint, far of, transient gleam-
she deemed that she was doing no wrong in
cherishing the tenderness she felt for his mem
ory. 1t was as if she loved one who had
passed away out of her life, one as far remov-
ed nearly, as if the grave we're between them.
To her he was still Brooke Eversham, the no.
BILE, chivalric Brooke of other days; what
name he bore now she knew not, nor could
she realize that he did bear another, that he
was not in truth entitled to that old honora-
BILE name and all its ancient belongings.
Many and many reverie she INDUCED in,
sad yet half sweet, for his figure ever occupied
prominent place in the troop of shadows,
phantoms of the past, that thronged the cham
bers of Memory.
"Perhaps." she thought, eff ever see him
again, will be old and gray; and he will
never know of this foolish love of mine, which
have given him uncared for and unasked." ."
A great surprise was in store for Ethel.
Minnie came into her room one day with a
serious face, and seating herself on a low
stool at her feet commenced pulling at some
work with which she was engaged, in man.
ner somewhat detrimental to its accomplish
ment.
"I wish you would put this everlasting sew
ing down for few minutes" she said pres
emily. "I would like to talk to you little. y
Something in her tone, different from its
usual carelessness, attracted her sisters atten-
tion.
"What is it, dear?'' she asked. "You
haven't been getting into any trouble, have
your"
"Oh no, no trouble at all. Why should
you think so?" rejoined Minnie.
"Well, I fancied you looked grave"
Minnie laughed, but it was constrained
laugh.
"To tell the truth, something has happen
ed," she said, (which dare say is going to
astonish you when you hear about it."
"Something has happened? nothing disa-
greeable, I hope"
"No-at least hope you won't find it dis,
agreeablee."
"Don't be so mysterious Minnie" said
Ethel smiling. "You quite excite my curl:
osity." :..... .:
"Do I? we'll, I'm glad your curiosity can
be excited about something, especially some
thing connected with me. Twas beginning to
think that you took no interest in my affairs. "
"What indication have given of want
of interest?''
"You never seemed to think about me, Or
or to notice anything that was going on"
-"Anything that was going on" echoed her
sister. "Has anything special been going on ?
don't understand you, Minnie" 3.
81 dare say not, Ethel; it just proves what I
say, thatyou haven't taken the etrouble to notice
what any one else must have seen, who had
as good an opportunity of judging as you
have. Ifyou had, you wouldn't be quite as
much astonished as you sriU be, I suppose,
when 1 tell you that am engaged"
Engaged! Minnie! you are in jest, sure