Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-06-11

ular, had been introduced into her depart
ment, on account of assisting in preparing va
rious little delicacies for the patient, and Mr.
Sydney had occasionally roamed about he'
pantry and closets and admired the beautiful
order in which they were kept. She herself
according to her usual habits, never set hel
foot in any quarter where she was likely t(
encounter strangers; so, after all, it was moth
ing wonderful that Sydney Temple should bf
known to her only by name-and his friends
name she had never even heard. Unlike mos
housekeepers, she never gossiped with the ser
wants, and so was deprived Of many valuable
pieces of information which they would have
been willing enough to impart. AS silent and
retiring as ever, she moved quietly about il
her little sphere, accomplishing her allotted
tasks with fidelity and exactness, and wher
they were done, Withdrawing into her selfim
posed solitude, in which no one cared to dis
turb her.
1t was nearly dusk when she entered Sgd
ney's room, ploted by chambermaid, Char
ity's niece, who was to introduce her to hel
patient. The latter, however, was asleep, and
Mrs. Norton, telling the girl she need not re-
main, sat quietly down, at some distance from
the bed, where she could not see Sydney's face
which was turned toward the wall as he lay
Everything was silent, save the monotonous
ticking of the clock on the mantelpiece. The
pale, sad woman sat in the gathering dark
ness, with her hands folded on her lap, her
eyes bent down, her thoughts wandering-ah
whittier? Who could tell what mournful
memories, wrought out of the twilight hour
when fancy and remembrance most love to
hold their sway, we're thronging into her
brain? Often did she sit thus, in the solitude
of her own chamber, pondering on the past,
trying to penetrate the future weaving wild
conjectures and forming impossible plans; for
in spite of her outward stiffness, restless sea
of thought, of troubled yearning and longing,
was forever surging within her most untran-
quill mind.
Presently movement in the bed attracted
her attention, she reused herself from her rev.
erie, and turned expectantly toward the in.
valid.
"Charity!" presently said weak voice out
of the darkness. "Isn't it very late?"
Mrs. Norton Immediately rose and came
forward.
"Charity is not here, sir" she quietly re-
piled. "She is not we'll, and am taking her
place. I am Colonel Hollingwood's house.
keeper"
care your You are very kind, am sure.
Would you be good enough to fetch light
1t makes me nervous to lie in the dark"
81 will bring one directly"
Something in the tone struck on Sydney's
ear, like the echo of familiar sound, famil-
lar, yet unrecognized exceptin vague, mex
plicable way He looked curiously toward
her, but could see nothing except the slight,
sombrely clad figure of the house.keeper, and
the outline of her white cap, showing dimly,
in the uncertain light, as she stood by the
chimney preparing to strike a match. She
had some little difficulty in finding the candle,
not knowing where it was usually kept, but
finally succeeded in doing so, and when it was
lit, placed it where it could not shine in his
eyes, at the same time afording him (though
unintenticnally) plain view of herself. He
looked at her eagerly, but the inspection, with
whatever motive it was made, did not appear
to afford him any special satisfaction ; his
momentary interest seemed to subside, and
with a weary sigh, he turned again on his
pillow.
"Can l do anything for you, sir ?" she
asked.
"It must be time for my dose; will you
look at my watch, please? 1 was to take it"
cat half past seven," quietly interrupted
the new nurse. 81 was careful in getting the
necessary directions. 1t is now just time for
you to have it,"
She found the medicine, poured it out in
her usual noiseess way and brought it to the
bedside
Sydney stretched out his hand to take it,
and as she partly drew back the curtain to al
low him more freedom for the movement, the
light full upon his face.
And now most singular thing occurred.
Instead of giving him the glass Of medicine,
Mrs. Norton drew back step or two, recoil-
ing as suddenly as if she had received blow,
and the glas, fell upon the floor, scattering its
contents upon the skirt Of her dress and upon
the clean, dainty white mating at her feet.
Sydney, whose nerves were still in very un.
steady condition, could not forbear sharp
exclamation of annoyance.
There was a momentary silence; then the
housekeeper, trembling in every limb, and
with her face working with suppressed emo
ton, went down on her knees and commenced
hurredly picking up the pieces of broken
glass, at the same time wping up the split IL
quid with her handkerchief.
"Pray, forgive me-" she murmured in a
tremulous voice. 81 was very awkward-I
am afraid l startled you"
"Oh! no matter" groaned Sydney, in
tone that said it did matter very much.
"I'll get another glass directly. Oh dear,
| knew wasn't fit-what would Miss Hollng-
wood think?' muttered the housekeeper in an
incoherent way as she went on gathering up
the fragments.
"Pray don't do that" said Sydney speaking
more gently, for he felt sorry for her embar.
rassment Cannot you call servant? You
will tire yourself STOPPING in that way"
Mrs. Norton made no reply, but went on