Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-10-23

ously avoided her society, and contrived, in
thousand nameless ways, to impress upon the
poor orphans mind some faint idea of the i'm
measurable distance existing in their social
positions. Theodore, however, neglected no
opportunity of manifesting his unutterable af-
fection and esteem for Lizzie and, indeed,
since her mothers death, his attentions had
become more marked than ever-so much so,
that everybody noticed it.
Now, it follows, as matter Of course, that
if everybody noticed Theodore's attentions to
Lizzie, Mr.. Jacob Mason must have done so
too. We know not why, but these unmistaka-
bic evidences of Theodore's regard for his
neice, became to his mind sufficient ground
for his interference Accordingly, as a pre-
lude to his future course of action, he ad-
dressed an affectionate epistle to Lizzie, sta
ting therein that, as her sole surviving rela-
tive, he felt himself called upon to assist her
in her extremity and to offer her home be-
meath his own roof He took occasion to re-
mind her that she had no claim whatever
upon the family upon whose generous hospl-
talty she had become dependent, and advised
her to come Immediately away and take up
her abode with him. He promised her
hearty welcome and so to arrange his house
hold affairs as to make her residence beneath
his roof perfectly happy, as we'll as entirely
free from any oppressive consciousness OF de-
pendence. The entire letter seemed to evince
spirit of kind consideration for her future
happiness, sympathyfor her sore bereavement,
and an honest desire to render whatever as
sistance the circumstances Of her case might
require.
Lizzie had given her uncle's letter repeated
perusals-her half uncle, rather-and had
talked the matter over with Theodore again
and again but very naturally, a thousand
objections we're raised to her acquiescence in
her uncle's offer, prominent among which was
the aversion to separation.
Mr.. Mason having waited long enough for
dozen replies, without receiving one, wrote
again. This was also unanswered; and con-
ceiving himself Intentionally insulted by, what
appeared to him, the very climax of contempt
and scorn, he repaired in person, shortly after,
to Mr.. Robertson's counting house, and
had long interview with that gentleman
The subject of conversation may be readily
guessed from the concluding words of Mr.
Robertson himself, as he shook hands with his
visitor at parting:
crest assured, my dear sir, that l shall give
the subject my very earliest attention, and
while 1 will studiously avoid any action on my
part, calculated to wound the feelings of Miss
Gray, shall, nevertheless, undertake to re-
mind her of her interests as we'll as duties in
this matter. Evidently, you have the best
right not only to advise, but to dictate, and
shall be profoundly disappointed if Miss Gray
does not yield, without resource to unpleasant
measures on my part"
Mr.. Mason begged "leave to express his
thanks" for the gentleman's ready acqusence
in his wishes, and to "return his heartfelt &C
acknowledgements" for his prompt cooperation
and with meek and sanity bow, "he went
ON his way rejoicing"
The consequences of all this were just ex-
actly what might have been expected. Lizzie
was made to understand that Mr. Mason was
her natural guardian, and that her society at
the Robertson Mansion was by no means in
dispensable. She was informed, too, that her
residence beneath the princely merchants
roof, for so long a time, was departure from
the original intention Of that gentleman, and
had been simply tolerated as a means of re-
tanning the invaluable services Of her mother.
In short, she was made to understand that
Mr.. Robertson would be much pleased to wit
ness an immediate preparation for her depar'
ture.
Of course, the Robertsons oiled their words
and polished their sentences; of course, the
pills were all sugar-coated. 1t would have
been impossible for Lizzie to put her finger
so to speak-upon single expression of the
family, which was not couched in the very
kindest words and smoothed over by the most
genteel manner. Iustead-for instance-ot
ordering her out of the house, Mr.. Robertson
simply "wished to know" if Miss Gray would
not feel greater measure of independence
and sefesteem as recipient of benefits from
her own relation, than to subsist upon the un-
certain charities of entire strangers without
the satisfactory assurances derived from a
claim upon their generosities? And then,
with smile, he would reply to his own ques-
ton GAS matter of course, Miss Gray has
too much spirit to remain in so false posi-
ton, or to expect as right from any source,
that which can only be granted as charity"
Lizzie sat on a low ottoman before Mr..
Robertson, her little white hands clasped upon
her lap, the dainty head bowed, and the sun.
ny curls falling, like golden veil, over her
face. She was only conscious of the fact that
she was about to be separated from Theodore,
and, as the merchant concluded his studiously
prepared speech by direct question, she start
ed, looked suddenlyup into his hard face, and
said, somewhat to his surprise
1--WE understand each other, sir l onl y
regret that you should have thought it neces-
sary to deliver a lecture, when simple ex-
preston of your wishes would have answered
all purposes"
"The duty which l felt myself called upon
to perform, was not very agreeable one,
Miss Gray. I do not know that the circum-
stance of the case make it at all necessary that
I should abruptly and authoritatively issue a
command or express wish. A quiet little