Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-03-28

! the pretty feminine knick-knacks which were
spread about with true French taste. Sh'
came presently to kind Of recess, separated
from the rest of the room by muslin curtain
and through this the profile of remarkably
pretty girl caught her eyes. She was smiling
and shaking her head with coquettish grace
while she lifted one finger as if in warning
1t was such brilliant little genre picture tina
Mildred paused to look upon it. The brigh
tints of various silks, ribbons, flowers, heapec
around the pretty workwoman, her own rosy
charms enhanced by the exquisite fit Of he1
dress..and jaunty little apron-were all bathee
in sunlight which streamed through window
of the tiny room. She was evidently holding
conversation with some person or persons
screened from view by the halfdrawn curtain
but as Mildred looked, masculine head be
came visible bent slightly forward, and ther
she heard voice say in half.whisper-
"You must go. If Madame catches yor
here, she will be-Oh so angry, and nigh
lose my place. Do 60 at once!"
The pleading tones were strangely inconsis
tent with the roguish smile which played ove
her dimpling face, and no doubt her compan
ion felt the contrast and took advantage of it
A hand was placed under the pretty chin
before Mildred could Withdraw her astonishec
gaze, she saw Alexis Waldemar bend dowr
and kiss the pouting lips upturned to him.
As Mildred sat in her room that evening
thinking in bewilderment over the scene, there
came summons to the drawing-room. L
was Colonel Meredith. She had known hin
all her life-it had been but few years since
she sat upon his knee and laid her curly heae
against his shoulder. He was man of grea
dignity, with hair slightly silvered, and kline
eyes.
"I have just come down to look after some
business" he said, after their first cordial
greetings were over; "and as I saw your
mamma and aunt Agatha, only this morning
having stopped to ask if they had any com
lnission-I could not resist coming round at
once-especially as I have this little package
as an excuse"
He handed it to her, and she opened it ca
gerly, too accustomed to his society to use
formality'
"Oh! it is that ring I have so often begged
mamma to give me! How kind to remenl
ber itW
She held up her hand-those "music-bur
dened fingers upon one glittered the
antique gem. It had been an heirloom fol
generations, topaz of great size and brillian'
cy set in facets of fnely.chased, old-fashioned
gold. Colonel Meredith smiled at the artless
admiration with which Mildred turned it in
every light, and called his attention to the
various reflections.
"You are not much altered by your city
experiences" he said, putting his hand on
her head, "May you always remain my true
hearted little girl"
Mildred looked at him for a moment
Something in his tone struck her, and she was
about to speak when he added:
"Come, tell me all about your pleasures
what you have seen and done since you left
u.s."
They sat down, and we're engaged in earn
est conversation when Jack entered the draw
ing-room. He was an old favorite of Colo
mel Meredith's, and the meeting was warm.
"You are looking so we'll, my dear boy,
that must conclude lager and the Gadler
agree with you"
Jack laughingly declared they did, and be.
gan an enthusiastic description of his life in
the Bavarian Highlands, Of the "Scheiben-
Schiessen" or shooting matches, his successful
feats in bringing down chamois and black
cock; and finally wound up by declaring the
either the most exquisite music one could
imagine.
II remember we'll similar experience Of
my own," Colonel Meredith remarked. 81
was wild young fellow attending the Uni
versity in Munich, and several Of us made
party for the Highlands during the hunting,
season. shall never forget the sunsets [
beheld then over Chem lake, the holy still
ness of those mountain recesses, and the thrill
ing joda echoing over peak and valley"
"Oh how beautifully" Mildred exclaimed
her eyes beaming with delight "How ]
should like to witness such scene once-only
once, if no more"
Jacks noble face seemed to reflect the ra
dance from hers. His simple, honest nature
strong yet tender, was fully capable of appre'
ciating and understanding the rare character
of his cousin.
"Once-only once," he repeated; "tha'
would satisfy you I do believe, for you are
one of those favored few to whom a thing Of
beauty is indeed "a joy forever"
eyes, I think she is,' Colonel Meredith
said; "and think, too, Fate must have this
happiness in store for her. Nothing is acci
dental that happens to such as her."
"You are quoting my book: have you been
reading it lately?" asked Mildred.
"Your aunt offered it to me some weeks
SINCE and must confess to being sentimental
enough to enjoy it. You would like it, Jack
this Charles Auchester' is just such a char.
acter as would charm you with his aesthetic
nature and musical temperament. Then, too
one re-lives in the book ones German expe
riences- those halcyon days spent on the
Rhine in purpling vineyards and among old
castle.ruins. All I should like to be young
again"
eff we three could but be there together! !!
Jack said, as if half thinking aloud. He
looked at Mildred, his beautiful eyes soften
ing with the happy anticipation. Years after