Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-05-08

but as it was, I was lost in rapture, contem
plating such uncommon loveliness. Her com
plexion was brilliant eyes large and spark
ling-smade up of languish and of light
hair so light in hue, it was almost faxen
mouth and nose faultless in proportion. New
ertheless, to me, there was an impalpable some
thing in the expression of her countenance
which, on close scrutiny, did not impress me
with unmixed pleasure. think it was the
selfconscious air Of superiority, almost de-
fance of beauty, which seemed boldlyto chal'
lenge rivalry of such unapproachable charms
which caused this feeling. While was still
mentally defining the expression Of the beau
tiful features, and silently remarking the pro-
longed, unAinching gaze of those handsome
eyes, the fair beauty, with an air of proud
condescension a queen might have envied
placed footstool for herself, and then negli.
gently consulting a tiny watch, turned to her
pale companion with the petulant exclama-
ton
"Disgusting! How time drags! Another
hour before he comes"
Before suho comes, Gabrielle ?" asked tie
other lady.
"My-my latest admirer," was the reply,
with short laugh.
"But you have dozen new ones at least.
Who is the particular one for the present oc.
casion Not that odious Captain Rhodes, |
hope, who has neither the taste nor the sense
to appreciate such woman as yourself My
dear Gabrielle, 1 do trust no consideration
whatever will induce you to accept that
man."
"Pray do not distress yourself" interrupted
Gabrielle. "A short time ago there might
have been some danger of what you are pleased
to think such mesalEance, but since have
met"
"Well, Gabrielle met whom?"
"The nonpariel of a gentleman | am ex-
pecting this afternoon" was the laughing beau.
ty's evasive answer
"But his name-his name p cried her COM
panion. "Come, ma 6elle am on the rack of
curiosity. You know I am just resurrected
from one of the darkest corners of the earth,
and have heard and know nothing so be
compassionate and tell me-"
"However," said Gabrielle, "you know hin,
very we'll, for have heard him speak of you.
Think of the most fascinating, charming man
of your acquaintance, and you will have
guessed him He has every qualification
which constitutes the thorough gentleman.
Well educated, uncommonly handsome, ele-
giant and refined in manners, and with an air
of higll-breediug I have never seen equaled, /
confess, Sophie, he has made deeper impress
sion on my wayward heart, than ever thought
it possible for any man to make"
"After this candid declaration from her
friend, the pale Sophie sat for few moments
in thoughtful silence, and then resumed the
conversation by remarking-
II have so few acquaintance, Gabrielle, l
can think of but one whom your description
suits, and that one-but it is impossible you
should mean him. So cease your tantalizing
and tell me his name"
II was on the point ofhemming or clearing
my throat, or arising from my seat, or remind.
ing them in some way that there was some
one in the apartment beside themselves, when
the young lady pronounced a name which so
astonished and confused me, I was petri6ed.
The name was that of my own husband-Col-
onel Albert cambridge
Colonel Albert Dandridgep repeated So
phie $50 it is only one of your jokes, after
all !! At first, from your air of seriousness,
thought some chivalric son of the South had
at last touched your obdurate heart, butt per.
ceive, Gabrielle, you are the same teasing,
mschievous elf as of yore"
"But I-why shouldn't be in earnest
about Colonel Albert cambridge ?" enquired
Gabrielle, in agitation she could not conceal.
"For very good reason, said Sophie,
quickly; che is married man."
married! Heaven! But you do not
mean it, Sophie? Fie, ma chere annie, you
should not subject me to such a severe test,
merely for the sake of petty revenge. You
do not mean what you say, Sophie?"
"Of course 1 do. If there was any earnest
ness in what you have told me, I am truly
sorry, for, beyond the shadow of doubt, Col
onel cambridge is married man. Is it pos
sible he has been so dishonorable as to de-
ceive you?"
"Gabriella made no immediate response.
After an awkward silence, lifting her proud
head and biting her lips, she said
"There must be some mistake Sophie. I
knew Major cambridge was married man,
for brother Thomas told me so but I under
stood the Colonel was single"
"On the contrary" said her companion, "It
is the Colonel who is married. and the Major
who is still bachelor. You evidently mis-
understood your brother. On this subject,
Gabrielle, speak knowingly, for Colonel
cambridge was wounded at Manassas and
nursed at our house. Of course l knew him
intimately. While he was too helpless to
read for himself, I used to read his wife's let
tiers aloud to him, and after his recovery, she
wrote letters of thanks to mother and mpsef
for nursing him. They were BRIEF common
place letters enough, but seemingly sincere,
and signed, 'Florimond E. Dandridge.'
"Then there can be no doubt ?" faltered Ga
briella.
"Not the slightest. But I had higher
opinion of the man. did not think him ca
pable of such deceptive conduct"
"Do not tmisunderstand," said Gabrielle. II
suppose he did not intend to mislead me. He