Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-05-15
"Dear me, am sure l shall never get my

"Dear me, I am sure shall never get my
courage up to the sticking point of matrimo-
ny, for the closer one looks into the subject
the more fearful it becomes!'
Mrs. cambridge tried, conscientiously, to
put Ralph Eglinton and his wife out of hel
head. She devoted herself more assiduously
than ever to Albert She did not allow her
self a moments time for thought. All to nc
purpose. No matter what she was doing, the
busy brain was always at work, and always
on one subject. And the more she thought
of it, the more she was convinced Ralph Eg'
linton was not married Forgotten forgot
ten already? 1t is impossible!'
1t was several days after this, that there
came, late one afternoon, quick rap at Mrs
Dandridge's door. 1t was Miss Pleasanton,
II have come to ask after the invalid" she
said, advancing into the room, freshness
and life advancing with her. COL cambridge
was sitting up in large chair.
"Thank you, Miss Pleasauton, am feeling
so much better to-day, I am going to ask you
to coax my wife to 60 out with you. She has
quite lost her roses, and cannot look at her
these past few days without my conscience
and my heart both shifting me"
"Upon my word! So you have got con-
science? Thought itquite animpossible thing
for man! Come, Mrs. cambridge, doAf your
walking suit instanter, for the day is almost
done. Your husbands voluntary and unex-
pected goodness has quite reconciled me to
mankind-and matrimony"
They walked on, Florimond's heart in a
constant futter of expectation. There they
are, strolling along, the dark lady leaning,
with the most graceful abandon, on Ralph's
arm, he bending down his tall head, slightly,
to catch what the petite creature is saying.
Florimond's acute feminine eyes devoured
the lady's appearance. She examined her
minutely from head to foot. Aye! Ralph
Eglinton has an unerring judgment, a quick
eye, matchless skill in the selection Of wo'
man kind. No doubt of that! With what
exquisite taste is this pretty fairy dressed. Ev'
cry fold, every ribbon, every puff, every frill,
falling into its appropriate place with the most
graceful art No hands but French hands
ever fashioned that perfect toilette; nor was
it ever conceived or executed, save in the mag.
ical precincts of Paris!
"There !" exclaimed Miss Pleasanton, chow
fortunate. They have turned and we shall
meet them, face to face. Do notice that love-
ly dress, and that heavenly homeland her
gloves did you ever see just such ravishing
shade in Gloves"
Doctor Eglinton was so much interested in
his companions conversation, he would have
passed Florimond unnoticed again, but for
the lady.
"a quele bonnie heurs! There is Miss
Pleasanton-I want to speak with her. Who
is that lady with herr lion Dieu! She is
so magnificent. Thus directing Ralph's
attention to the two ladies, she dropped his
arm and ran across to them, exclaiming to
Miss Pleasanton, in her vivacious French
manner
"You must bid me adieu, this evening.
Weare going, in the morning, to Long Branch.
My husband says he is ennei la mort of
this tiresome Saratoga-but not l."
Florimond heard no more. Ralph was now
close beside her, and looking up, their eyes
met. 1t would be hard to tell which of the
two were most painfully, overwhelmingly
embarrassed. Perhaps, though, Ralph; for
the meeting was totally unexpected to him,
whereas Florimond was in some measure pre-
pared for it-if one can prepare for such
meetings.! At last Doctor Eglinton managed
to say almost incoherently-
II did not know you were here-1 am so
surprised-I-I hope you are quite we'll"
FIorimond was spared attempting all an
swer, of which she was perfectly incapable.
Ralph's wife, now having finished her CONVEX
sation with Miss Pleasanton, turned toward
them.
"Ah! mon cher Ralph, have you met an
other of your numerous friends? l think
you should present US to each other
Whereupon Ralph stammered-
"Certainly, Tberese : Mrs. Eglnton-Mrs
Cambridge"