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


must tell you, suppose must-it's Arly."
"ARLYp
If the earth had suddenly opened at Ethels
feet she could scarcely have been more aston
ished. In the first place she had never ex-
pected Arly to marry; in the second, of all
the people in the world Minnie seemed to her
the most unlikely one for him to choose.
There was not a spark of congeniality be-
tween them.
At first she could frame no words Of reply.
Presently she asked,
"Are you really serious, Minnie"
"Am 1 really Serious" repeated Minnie,
affecting to laugh in order to hide her embar-
rassment; "of course I am serious, my dear,
sober old sister. There, I knew you would be
astonished, and don't believe you are 6. bit
pleased, either"
"Pleased I am so taken by surprise,
Minnie, I don't know what to think"
II know what you think" said Minnie.
"You think that I am not half good enough,
and that it will be very bad match for him.
Come, you may as we'll confess the truth at
once, you see I have guessed it."
"Not exactly that, Minnie; but it seems to
be an unsuitable thing in every way. On ac-
count of Arly's misfortunes-"
"Nay, Ethel, you of all people should not
make that an objection" interrupted Minnie,
eagerly, "when I have heard you say thou
sand times that you placed moral perfection
so far above physical"
$50 do; but you did not let me finish my
sentence. I was about to say, that, on &C.
count of his misfortune, he would not be like
ly to marry unless he could find some one
who loved and appreciated him 80 thorough
ly as to forget his physical defects entirely
one who would be willing to sacrifice the
pleasures and gayety of the world in order to
devote herself to him one, in fact, whose
tastes were so congenial to his that their COM
panionship would be mutually delightful"
"And you are convinced that I am not such
q person. I can't exactly make out whether
you mean to be complimentary or not, Ethel,
but I suppose if he is satisfied you ought to
be-"
Minnie" said Ethel, feeling deeply in
earnest on the subject, and wishing, possible,
to discover the exact state of her sisters feel
ings, my dear child, you must not mind my
talking plainly to you, or asking you a
straightforward question"
"Ask on, great queen," said Minnie, dra.
n,atically.
"Dear Minnie, don't triae, but tell me
truthfully, do you love Arly?"
"Do love him ? Ethel, some people might
get angry at such question"
"Don't evade, Minnie; please answer me" j"
"To tell the truth, Ethel" said Minnie,
carelessly, "I don't suppose I have such ro-
mantle ideas on some subjects as you have.
I am not high.Aown at all: don't believe in
too much sentiment In fact, think it's al
most want of delicacy in girl to be talk
ing too much about love before she is actual
ly married"
"a want of delicacy!' repeated Ethel.
"No, Minnie I am sure you have too much
sense really to think that. Ifthere is not love
before marriage, it is dangerous to trust to its
coming after It cannot be indelicate to care
for the person to whom one expects to be
united for life or to acknowledge that you do
care"
"Well, dear Ethel, please don't lecture. 1
have no doubt care quite as much for Arly
as is requisite"
1T is requisite that you should give him
your whole heart, truly and unreservedly.
Oh Minnie, Arly is worthy Of your warmest,
most unselfsh love; if you cannot give him
that, pray, pray consider before you take a
step which must make his whole life misera-
blew
"Really, that is little too much" said
Minnie, rising with crimson face and NOV
ing away to the window. clam much obliged
to you, Ethel, am sure. Make his life mis-
erable, indeed! Why, most persons would
consider him fortunate in finding any one to
marry him, and you know it yourself. You
are complimentary to me, must say" ...
"I only spoke as I felt and thought" said
Ethel firmly, "and whatever others might
think, my opinion would still be the same
that such marriage, without perfect affec-
ton, could only result in unhappiness to you
BOTH"
"One thing is, everybody is not bound to
Judge according to your standard,' said Min
ME. "Since your views are sopeculiar, Ethel'
that it is useless for me to expect any sisterly
sympathy from you, we had better not discuss
the subject any farther at present"
"Unfortunately, it is not subject which
can be so lightly put aside" said Ethel. She
paused moment, then added in an earnest
tone, minnie, we too are alone in the world !;
do not let this come between our affection for
each other. My dear sister, I feel bound to
speak to you with sincerity, especially where
your lifelong welfare is concerned"
"It seems to me that you are more concern
ed about Arlys welfare" said Minnie without
turning round. "Mine is nowhere in COM
parison."
"Nay, Minnie, I spoke for you both" said
Ethel sadly. II am sorry I should have Of:
Tended you, but I think I was right to say
what did"
eyes, dare say. "Oh! I am not at all
offended" said Minnie carelessly. II didn't
expect your views to correspond with mine,
exactly. Don't look so melancholy, Ethel"
she added as she approached her sister, and
LAYING her hand for an instant on her shoul-
Il. s,1-