Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-05-29

81 heard it some days since, but could not be-
lieve it"
"Why, who could have told you, Nellie ?
I have never said word about it to any one. !"
"Perhaps not but we all see how much you
admire Mr.. Howard"
"Mr. Howard! You must be deranged,
child. I cannot bear him; besides, he is
courting Henrietta Lewis, now."
"Then who is it? Do tell US. MIR. Wor-
thington can keep secret, so you need not
fear his mentioning it,"
eff he does not know who it is, Nellie, it is
not my place to tell him." Here she gave a
most bewitching and coquettish glance at
Harry. ..s ~. .-
1t was impossible not to smile at her man
ner and, in order to prevent an outburst OF
laughter, I quickly changed the subject.
1t was during that afternoon that Nellie
seated herself near me, SAYING
Matte, what do you think of that love
affair of Mr.. Worthington's?'
81 have not thought of it at all, Nellie. l
supposed, of course, that he was joking; but
why do you ask2" a.. .. .
"Nothing-only-I believe-it is true"
Her hesitating manner made me look at her
in surprise. She colored, on catching my eye,
and said .-
"The fact is, Matte, he has told me all
about it, and has asked for my advice" ..
"Well, did you give it?"
"No, for 1 wished to hear your opinion
first" 80
"But, perhaps, he will object to my know
ing of it."
II told him I was going to tell you. He
met with young lady some time ago, and
after having known her only few months, he
fancied himself desperately in love with her,
and told her so.'
"And what was her answer?"
"She treated the whole matter as joke,
and would not believe in bis sudden devo-
ton" .a, j..
"Then do not see any occasion for his ask
ing your advice. 1t seems to me the matter
is settled" ....
"No, for he has taken it into his head that
the lady is in love with him. Did you ever
hear anything so absurd? ?"
AS Nellie said this, she threw herself on
her knees before me, and buried her face in
my lap.
We we're silent for moment, and then the
truth flashed upon me. I placed my hand,
carressingly, on the fair hair, and said
"Tell me all about it, darling?"
"Oh! Matte, have you guessed it? What
a tell-tale face must have I did not intend
YOU to know it for ever so long. But what
must I do, dearie ?" .... ..
She raised her flushed face to mine as she
spoke, and kissing her I said II ..
"Do what your own heart prompts, Nellie
I cannot believe that my little sister would
triAe with the affections of any man particu'
larly, such man as Harry Worthington."
"Then you like him? I think he IS rather
pleasant myself; but, Matte, you know l
never was believer in sudden conversions,
and Harry has only known me three months. !"
"But it was not conversion on his part,
Nellie He had not to alter or give up an
opinion-he only formed one. believe if
Harry has told you that he loves you, he does
so with bis whole heart and soul, and you
ought to decide at once as regards your own
feelings, and not keep him in suspense"
"Now, Matte, please don't talk proper to
me. Of course I ought to do ever so many
things that I don't do; but am not going
to be hurried into matrimony, just because
certain gentleman cannot be kept in suspense.
suppose if am worth having, I'm worth
waiting for"
"Oh! Nellie, don't speak so jestingly ofsuch
a serious subject. You do not realize how
much depends on your answer"
eyes, 1 do, indeed. know if 1 say mo,
there will probably be two Miss Nancy Tur-
ners, instead of one, in this neighborhood; l
being the feeble imitator of that illustrious
parsonage"
"And if you say yes Nellie?"
"She hesitated moment, and then said
II suppose I'll end my days as old Mrs.
Worthington.'
As she called the name, her face was cover
ed with blushes but she quickly recovered
herself and added
II never could make a decent W, in my
life, and I really do not think can stand be-
ing obliged to make one, whenever I sign my
name in future. But then when see Miss
Nancy, l."
"When are you going to give Harry his an
swer ?" I asked, interrupting her.
"Oh some time between this and Christmas.
You see I wish to take down his vanity lit
tie. The idea of his supposing that | am in
love with him !'
"And are you not, Nellie?"
raised her head as I spoke, and looked
earnestly into her face. -.
"Must tell you the truth, Mattie?"
eyes"
"Well, l think I am"
"But this won't do. There can be no doubt
on such subject as this. If you only think
so, advise you to tell Harry at once that
you can not marry him; for if you really loved
him there could not be a moments doubt on
your mind"
"And may I ask, do you speak from expe-
rience or observation ?"
"From sad experience, my darling. Don't
let your future happiness be marred as mine
has been, for want of the expression Of love
with which your heart is filled. I know you
you loua Harry"