Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-05-14
gu 0riginal Storg.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
HOLLINGWOOD HOUSE.
BY MRS. HENRY DEAS.
CHAPTER V.

"Ofall ungrateful, disobedient, aggravating
girls Elsie, you're just about the worst. Was
there ever" cried Mrs. Deane, lifting her
hands and eyes appealingly to the ceiling, "a
widder woman so tried as have been? My
own daughter, as I've raised up from infancy,
and nourished in my bosom, to turn like
viper and sting me in the end :"
Elsie had led, for fortnight past, sufi-
ciently harassing life to rob her cheeks of
their peach-like bloom, and give her droop-
ing and detected air, which, to poetical mind,
would have suggested the comparison of a
bright little woodland flower, that hung its
head in the scorching rays of the midday sum-
But Mrs. Deane, being of a practical and en-
inently un-poetical nature, saw in her daugh-
ter's department only the evidences Of sui.
len and disobedient frame of mind, and was
resolved on winning her back to the right
path, which, according to her version of the
phrase, meant entire submission to the mater
nal will and therefore returned to the charge,
day after day, and hour after hour, with
pertinacity which nothing could shake. The
continual dropping of water will wear a stone,
and Elsie, having very tender human heart,
felt very sensibly the effect of this never-ceas-
ing flow ofargument and reproach. Had her
conscience been perfectly clear she might have
been able to bear it with more equanimity !;
but selfreproach was added to her distress at
her mothers anger, making her feel, attimes,
as if it were her duty to atone for her fault
by yielding entire obedience, in the future, to
all her wishes. Mrs. Deane was one of that
class of individuals who never relinquish a
project while there is the faintest chance of
:ts>ultimate success. Her project, in this case,
was to .einstate Jem Sterling in the character
of Elsies sl;tor, and she vas bent upon ex-
tracing promise from her daughter to ac-
cept him, should he again propose. This
promise she had not yet succeeded in obtain
ing but on this particular day, Elsie was so
oppressed and miserable that she longed to re-
gain peace at almost any cost; and it was,
therefore, upon the not very complimentary
comparison to a viper with which she was ia
yored, that her barriers of defense broke down,
and bursting into tears she exclaimed
"Oh mother, don't call me such names,
I'll do anything if you'll only not be angry
any more. know I've been undutiful; but l
never meant to be wicked. Please don't be
so hard and stern.''
Hard and stern !" repeated her mother.
"Pve only acted reasonable toward you, Elsie
Deane, and as your conduct merited How
ever, if you are willing to mend your contra
ry ways and be obedient in the future, all |
can say is, I'm glad'to find that you've come
at last to sense of what's BETTING for you to
do. You might have been the parish talk
now, for your doings, if I'd not been so careful
to let naught of the matter leak out; so you
may thank me for saving your reputation.
I'm not one to gossip about my family affairs,
and be forever publishing my troubles, like
some silly folk as can't keep nothing to their
own selves
After this there was truce, for which Elsie
was thankful for she was weary of conflict,
and wanted rest. She had heard day or two
before, from the little boy who had brought
her the note, that the gentleman who had sent
it was gone away. He had left no message
for her-no explanation of his leaving. Per-
haps, then, her mother had been right after
all-he did not care for her; yet as she read
and re-read his note through binding tears,
it seemed to reproach her for the thought, it
was so tender, so earnest in its tone. He bid
her be true to him, and said everything would
come right in the end but-he was gone
A hopeless feeling took possession Of her ;
she could not trust his vague promises, when
appearances were so strong against their sim
cerity; in spite of herself her mother had
succeeded in shaking her faith Would it not
be better, if it were indeed true that he had
forsaken her, to marry Jem, and be an honor
ed and prosperous matron, than to lead soli-
tary and loveless life, embittered by her moth
er's displeasure, and, may be, pine away like
poor Ann Drury, the tailors daughter, whose
sweetheart had gone to sea and never come
home, and be compassionated, and perhaps
even scorned, by folks who might, some day,
get an inkling of her story. Jem was very
good and kind, and loved her very much she
had been fond Of him once, and might get to
be fond of him again when she had gotten
over this grief. At any rate, she must yield
to her mothers wishes now 1t might be the
best for her welfare in the end.
When she had come to this determination,
the feyerish restlessness that had troubled her
appeared to be partially dispelled. 1tis true
she still felt unhappy; but her mind was some
what tranquilized, and almost any definite
line of conduct seemed preferable to being
tossed on such troubled sea Of doubt and
unrest.
Mrs. Deane speedily found means to LET
Jem know that he would be welcome at her
house whenever he chose to come; and, ac'
cordingly, with heart Auttering with hope,
he presented himself, on the first opportunity
after receiving the intimation. Elsie, who
had not expected him so soon, flushed and
then grew pale as he entered the room she
would gladly have run away, but Mrs. Deane,
coming forward, said in her loud, decided
tones
"Jcm Sterling, I'm heartily glad to see you
back. Elsies told me all about her foolish
behavior to you some time ago, but l reckon
she's thought better of it now, and if you're
willing to let bygones be bygones, she'll con-
duct herself more sensible in the future"
This was really too bad it was as good as