Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-01-09

1t was fitting commencement, surely, Of
her married life
CHAPTER w.
MossGRovE.
The first few weeks of Lucy's new life passed
without any event of note occurring to break
their quiet monotony.
A few persons came to visit her; but Moss
grove was not in the immediate vicinity OF
any other residence consequently not favora.
bly, situated for the exchange of much social
interco urse.
/ 1t was large and venerable-looking estate,
pervaded, however, by an air Of gloom and
dullness that was not calculated to improve
the spirits of one already as detected as the
young mistress lately put in possession of it.
Groves of ancient, picturesque-looking trees
excluded the sunlight, the gardens were of
stiff and formal description, and the very
carol of the birds sounded more plaintive and
subdued here than elsewhere. A sleepy, slug
gish.looking stream wandered through the
grounds whose still waters reflected only over,
hanging boughs and clumps of brown rushes'
instead of dancing and dimpling in the SUM-
The house itself was an old-fashioned wooden
edifce, added to, from time to time, with
wing here and porch there, and odd little
gable ends and easements all about, until it
presented an outline too irregular to be classed
under the name of any particular shape. Its
walls we're brown and dingy, and too over
grown with vines and creepers Of every des'
cription, to make painting practicable job,
without the total destruction Of this verdant
adornment.
Inside, it was handsome enough, and fur
nished in a luxurious, almost princely fashion
Velvet carpets covered the floors, curtains of
rich damask and lace draped the windows,
and gilded mirrors adorned the walls of the
principal apartments, where lounges, sofas
and divans of rosewood and velvet, scattered
about with tasteful negligence, invited to the
luxury of repose. There was large library
we'll stored with books, statues and pictures
this was, perhaps the pleasantest room in the
house, for it opened with glass doors on
pretty veranda fronting the south, the steps OF
which led down to bit of smooth sward en-
livened by roses, pinks and other cheerful and
fragrant flowers The chambers and lesser
rooms, of which there was great number
also possessed every appliance of taste and
comfort.
Lucy found some amusement in reading
practicing on the elegant new piano, and tend
ing the flowers; but it was lonely enough tor
her without female companion, and her hus'
band spent great portion of his time out OF
doors, and when he was in the house, often re-
mained shut up in his private study tor
hours together She soon discovered that he
was of an indolent, somewhat morose dlsposl-
ton, not so we'll inclined to exert himself to
be agreeable at home, as she had found him
previous to their marriage He appeared,
however, very fond of her, and anxious to
surround her with everything that could con-
duce to her pleasure-ercept society," Books,
pictures, jewelry, dress, expensive toys and
knick-knacks, he lavished on her with an un'
sparing hand but he was averse to her visit,
ing, or receiving company. After her bridal
calls had been returned, on which he accom-
panied her, he expressed his hope that people
would be obliging enough to let them alone,
as he did not care about the fuss and inconve,
nience of having them about the house, or
driving around the country to see them in re,
turn. Lucy, in truth, cared little about So
ciety in general, now that all her feelings
had undergone such a change; yet she found
this extreme solitude irksome, and when a
couple of months had passed, ventured one
day to express wish that her mother could
come and pay them visit.
"Your mother! p said Stanley; "pray, can't
you exist without her for little while, my
love? Are you already tired of me?"
81 see very little of you, Alfred" said
Lucy gently, "and when I am alone it is very
dull. Ifmamma was here I would have some
companionship; and it must be lonely for her
at home too, now that l am away"
"When I married you, suppose she expec'
ted to do without you-she seemed willing
enough to let you co. at all events" rejoired
her husband with slight sneer. Lucy was
wounded at his manner; she flushed deeply
and the tears started to her eyes. Stanley
laid down the paper he had been reading, and
coming to her side, took her hand in his.
"Lsten to me, Lucy" he said with empha
sis. "Now that you are my wife, | expect
YOU to put aside all past associations, and
give yourself up wholly and entirely to me-
1t is what have done for you, and therefore
it is only reasonable that should expect the
same in return. You belong to ME; your
thoughts, wishes and opinions must be subject
to mine; | love you, and desire to make you
happy, but it must be in my way, and my
way must be yours Ifyou had fifty relatives
from whom you had never lived apart before
and who all loved you to distraction, would