Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-05-29
gu Original sturg.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
JOHNS WIFE.
BY E. VICTORIA LOMAX.
CHAPTER vi.

with her usual eHuslon, but her countenance
changed, I thoug when she found that only
Nellie, John and myself, had accepted her In
vitation.
Il am too sorry Mary did not come" was
her first remark to me. "Her cousin Richard
is paying us a short visit, and I know it would
give them so much pleasure to be together"
"Mary remained at home to be with her
brother Harry, who has just arrived after an
absence Of several years. 1hope Mr.. Howard
will come to Elmwood and see her before he
leaves will ask John to invite him.
"Oh! you need not do that l can assure
you Mr.. Howard has no idea of leaving this
neighborhood without seeing her. He would
venture to 90 to Elmwood without an invita-
tion, sooner than not accomplish his end
She turned off after making this speech,
and left me in anything but pleasant frame
of mind. There seemed to be some mystery
connected with this "cousin Richard" that
made even his name disagreeable to me. The
conversation I had had with Mary, on the
night of her reception day, recurred to my
mind, and, for the first time, began to regard
it as matter of consequence.
Why she should object to seeing Mr.. How
ard, and what the "end" was which he was so
determined to accomplish, were two things l
could not understand; but large party was
not exactly the place for me to form an opin-
ion in matter of this kind, so I determined
to put the subject from me, and wait until [
was in my own little room at home, with no
one to disturb me. could then put on my
thinking cap" and pass Judgment
The evening did not pass very pleasantly
to me. I found few of the old friends that
Henrietta spoke of, but heard some good
music, and saw others enjoy themselves, which
is always great pleasure; so l did not have
very disagreeable time after all.
I had noticed stranger in conversation
with John very often during the evening, and
then I saw him dancing with Nellie. l con-
jectured he was "cousin Richard" but l was
not certain of it until late in the evening,
when John introduced him as "Marys cousin
Mr.. Howard" To my astonishment, he took
his seat by me, evidently with the intention
of remaining some time; and, from his man.
ner and conversation, soon saw that he con-
sidered us in the light of relatives, or pretend
ed he did; and he was now going to try his
best to make that relationship an agreeable
oner .....
In spite of my prejudice against him-for
which will acknowledge / had not much
cause-my acquaintance made quite an agree
able impression on me. He seemed to be
perfect gentleman, and was we'll educated.
In addition to this, he had that peculiar tact
or talent-which is it (which made you feel,
while with him, that he could appreciate and
sympathize with whatever was good and true,
in your own nature 1t will, no doubt, appear
strange that I should have formed this opin-
ion of him on so short an acquaintance; but
my reader must remember that he considered
US, and wished us to consider him, in the light
of relation consequently there was none OF
that reserve which is usual between persons
meeting for the first time.
He had spoken of Mary when he was intro
duced, but did not mention her name again
during the evening. We discussed music,
books and flowers, with the usual subjects of
small talk, and still he did not seem to have
any intention or desire of leaving me. 1 do
not know how it was; but, unconsciously, the
tone of our conversation changed, and we were
fast drifting from the broad and safe path Of
'generalities," to the far more dangerous one
ofindividual feeling. He was speaking Of
friendship-his idea of it-and said
"Do you know Miss Leslie, I think the
truest form of friendship is that existing be-
tween man and woman?"
"What is generally called platonic atfec-
tion?" I asked, smiling
"No," he replied; nothing of the kind.
The words love and affection, are both some
thing separate from my idea of friendship.
That word embraces everything. I would
sooner trust my life, or my honor, in the hands
of a true friend, than in those of person |
merely loved"
"Merely loved'!" How differently men and
women must feel on this subject. Now, what
you call merely loving think embraces
everything that is good and true in our nature.
1t is, to me, all that your friendship is to you,
and great deal more"
did not think how earnestly was speak
ing, until, on looking up, l saw smile on his
face I felt mine crimson as he said
81 am glad you have found it all this"
recovered myself Immediately, and re-
piled
eve were speaking of ideas, you know ;
not experiences"
"But my friendship was not an idea. |
have found it reality. Do you intend to say
you have not proved the same with your love%
"Never mind what intended to say, MIR.
Howard; what do say is, that 1 think we
are discussing far too grave subjects, consid-
ering our surroundings. Are you fond Of
dancing?"
There was an expression about his eyes, as
thus abruptly changed. the subject, that con-
vinced me he saw throug h my little subtertu-
ges, and looking at me as if he were thinking
every cleverly done, but l have not finished
with you yet" he answered my question in
his usual manner.
eyes, am very fond of it; but not such as
we see in this country. Inever saw the poe.
try of motion exemplifed but once, and that
was in Cuba. 1 wish you could visit that
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