Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-01-02
CHAPTER II.
A SUDDEN REVERSE.

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merchant in Charleston, South Carolina.
The gay season has just commenced, and
one of the fairest of Charleston's daughters is
about to make her debut on the stage Of fash
ion. The elegant mansion of MIR. Andre"
Carroll sparkles with hundred lights; rare
flowers are arranged in tasteful profusion in
the different reception rooms, and all is in
readiness for the expected guests.
In her dressing-room, Lucy Carroll stands
before long mirror, while her maid puts the
finishing touches to her dress. Very lovely
is the reflection given back to her gaze, and
blush of girlish pleasure and vanity mantles
the cheek Of the young heiress as her dark
eyes rest on the radiant vision before her
Her long, flowing robe of simple white, falling
in graceful folds around her, displays to the
best advantage her slight form on her brown
hair rests wreath of white rose.buds, and on
her neck and arms glisten circlets of pure
snowy pearls. These are the only ornaments
she wears, and her fair, fresh youthfulness
needs no further adornment to enhance its
beauty.
AS the sable waiting woman steps back,
displaying her shining teeth in broad smile
of admiration at "Missy's" appearance, the
door opens, and Mrs. Carroll enters. She is
a proud, stately-looking woman, and moves
with the air of duchess across the room,
rustling in draperies of heavy silk and lace.
$50, Lucy, you are dressed" she said, with a
satisfied look. "It is sensible of you to be in
time Some girls have foolish way of pro-
crastinating to the last moment, and put
everything in hurry and confusion. came
to offer my assistance; but you have got on
without me, see."
II was just coming to your room, mamma,
to get your verdict" said Lucy, smiling.
"Please give it to me now"
"You look very nicely, my DEAR" said Mrs.
Carroll, with critical gaze. II think, myself,
that your dress is trife too plain. A few
roses on the skirt would have improved it
but you and Miss Gray settled it differently"
"She thought, mamma, that my first dress
ought to be simple; but I am sorry you don't
like it," said Lucy regretfully.
eyes, do like it; it is only slight omis-
sion, and Miss Gray is acknowledged to have
excellent taste. She has fit you admirably,
at all events. Are you ready to 60 down
Your father would like to see you before any
one comes"
"Yes, I am quite ready" said Lucy, taking
up her fan and handkerchief from the toilet
table; and mother and daughter went down
stairs together.
Mr.. Carroll, a benevolent-looking, gray
haired man, came forward to meet them as
they entered the drawing-room, and smile
of pride and pleasure lit up his kindly face
at the sight of his fair young daughter.
"My bonnie lassie!' he said, taking her
hand in his, and drawing her close to him, as
he bent down to kiss her cheek, "you look
pretty enough to turn the heads of all the
young sparks who will be here tonight Take
care, Lucy-take care you don't do too much
mischief. Don't try too many experiments,
my dear!'
"No fear, papa," said Lucy, laughing, and
we'll pleased with the compliment. 81 am
not quite as dangerous as you seem to think"
At this moment step was heard in the
entry, and directly young man entered the
room, with the air of being perfectly at home.
"Good evening, uncle and aunt~ he ex-
claimed gaily. "Well, Lucy, so you are all
ready-armed for conquest, see!"
"Nonsense, Edward" she retorted. 81 am
not armed for anything; l am simply pre-
pared to amuse myself and have delightful
time. Do I look well2"
"Tolerably," he rejoined, mischievously,
while his glance betrayed far deeper admi-
ration than his bantering tone. Bending for
ward he murmured something in her ear that
brought a deeper flush to her cheek, and a
dimpling smile to her lips; though with half
pout she turned from him in affected displeas-
ure or depreciation Of his words. Andrew
Carroll watched them with an amused, we'll
satisfied look. He dearly loved this hand
some nephew of his, and it had long been the
earnest wish of his heart that his Lucy, his
pride and idol, should place her happiness in
the keeping of one whom he considered every
way worthy of her, and who had, from child
hood, cherished the dream of making her his
wife.
Mrs. Carroll watched them with colder
glance. She, too, loved and admired Edward I;
but she was worldly, and had more ambitious
views for her only child than to see her
united to merchants clerk.
Young Carroll possessed naughty, though
generous spirit. He was aware of his aunts
sentiments in regard to his attachment to his
cousin, Gan attachment hitherto only tacitly
acknowledged and though he took care to
! treat her with marked Difference and consid-
Grafton, never could feel an entire cordiality
! toward her. Hence there seemed to be al
ways a fine, imperceptible line of reserve
drawn between them while with his uncle
and Lucy, his bearing was always boyishly
frank, gay and unrestrained.
Of her sentiments toward Edward, Lucy
herself was scarcely aware. They had been so
constantly together since childhood, she had
learned so completely to regard him in the
light of brother, that if any warmer emotion
had begun to dawn in her heart, she did not
pause to analyze its nature; and while the
young man cherished an ever increasing and
ardent attachment for her, an unconscious
timidity, quite foreign to his nature, fear lest
spoken word might rudely break his dream