Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-03-07
CHAPTER XIV.

It may be remembered that we lett Ethel III
some perplexity regarding her sisters engage
ment, and that not of a pleasant nature. AS
time went on and she had an opportunity of
watching the intercourse between the engaged
pair, the perplexity increased. Arly's man
ner especially puzzled her. 1t was grave,
quiet, little conscious, and with touch Of
shyness in it she had never noticed before
but there was nothing to indicate any warmer
feeling than usual. Minnie was more atten-
tive to him than formerly, waiting on him
assiduously and anticipating his wants with
consideration that in her was somewhat no.
ticeable; but there was no affectionate famili.
arity between them, nothing that could lead
to the supposition that any tie closer than
that of mere friendship existed. Ethel thought
them the oldest and most unlover.like pair
of lovers she had ever seen. There was but
one conclusion left for her to arrive at respect
ing the motives that had given rise to the en-
gagement-and that was one which was not
complimentary to Minnie. Her gentle nature,
however, was not one to blame severely or in
dulge in animadversions on the conduct Of
others though she could not approve Of her
sisters behavior, or blind herself to the per-
ception of what was shallow and worldly in her
composition, she felt too keenly the loneliness
of their position in the world to allow any.
thing like coldness to spring up between them,
whatever might the want of congeniality in
their sentiments.
Matters had gone on in this way for some
weeks when Minnie came one day to her sister
to unburden herself of fresh confidence,
which she prefaced this time by burst Of
genuine tears. Ethel reasoned with her,
soothed her, tried to find out what the matter
was, and then waited patiently for an expla-
nation.
"Ethel," said Minnie plaintively, at length,
"I am very unhappy"
unhappy, Minnie' What makes you
unhappy"
Everything" was the passionate reply.
This was not satisfactory, so Ethel waited
again.
"I am miserable" said Minnie with more
emphasis than before.
II am very sorry for you, Minnie, if that is
really the case"
ut is really the case; but you speak so in.
differently, so unsympathizingly!
II am not at all Indifferent, my dear; on
the contrary, I am anxious to know what
troubles you, and you will not tell me-"
81 don't know whether to tell you or not, /"
sobbed Minnie. ri know you are going to
be hard on me-.
cam ever hard on you, Minnie?"
"Yes, very, sometimes. But 1 am so mis-
erable that must tell you this, because 1
can't bear it alone. Promise you won't scold
me-"
"I promise"
"Well, then, Ethel, the matter is just this.
1 don't believe can make up my mind to
marry Arly."
"Mnnie"
eyes, there it is; Minnie as if had said
something dreadful. Of course, knew you
would reproach me" said Minnie, petulantly.
"Don't be childish, Minnie have re-
preached you? I cannot help being little
surprised, of course. l thought your mind
was made up long ago."
$50 it was-but- things are different now"
"How are they different? What has hap
pened2"
"Allmy feelings are different. I can't help
my feelings, suppose"
"Do you mean that you don't love Arly"
"Well," said Minnie, meditatively, II don't
know about that; he is very good, and like
him as much as ever, but-my other feelings
are changed"
"Please explain exactly what you mean"
said Ethel, gravely. 81 cannot be expected
to understand you unless you do"
"But it's so hard to explain. The fact is,
I-there's somebody else"
"somebody else" replied Ethel, aghast
eyes. Now don't look that way, do! I
can't help it, can II"
minnie, you are really too trifing," said
her sister, almost losing her patience. "You
must tell me at once what you are talking
about, or shall think you have been acting
in very unpr:ncipled way"
II know you think me very unprincipled'
said Minnie, crying again, "but how could l
help it if Harry Charlton chose to fall in love
with me?"
Harry Charlton! And you let him |! Oh!
Minnie"
"Let him fall in love with mellow can you
he so ridiculous Ethel? ?"