Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-05-14

Certainly not. Let it come, anyhow-no
harm to have its rubicund phz Illuminating
the table. No fear of my cultivating its ac-
quaintance too extensivel YIN the steadlest
fellow going, as Elsie knows. Amt Elsie r
Elsie feigned not to hear him, for she
felt too stunned and sick at heart to reply.
That he was partially intoxicated was too eV.
ident to admit of doubt, and as she had
never before seen him in similar condition,
she could not help connecting the circum-
stance with the fact of bis being in the society
of Mr.. Russell, to whom she had at first sight
taken an intuitive dislike. Supper was
brought, but though she had dined early and
felt the want of some refreshment, she could
not touch morsel Charles laughed and
talked incessantly, and helped himself freely
to everything that was on the table; Russell
drank nothing, ate sparingly, and spoke lit
tie, but kept watchful eye on Charles, and
frequently cast scrutinizing glances at Elsie,
who sat pale and silent, and seldom lifted up
her eyes. Most thankful was she when the
uncomfortable repast was ended, and she could
escape to her own room, there to weep freely
over this new and unexpected trial.
"Well, George, old boy, what do yeu think
of her ?" was Charles first question when she
was out Of hearing.
"Why, I think she's all that's pretty and
charming" rcjoined the other. IL don't at
all wonder at your infatuation, now that I've
seen her."
"Ha, ha | knew I'd win you over to my
side," said Charles in high glee. "And you
haven't seen her at her prettiest, either, for
she's out of her best looks this evening" some.
how; seemed dull too, l thought. Didn't
you observe it?'
"Why, am hardly judge, as am not
acquainted with Mrs. Sydney's disposition !;
but l did observe that she had rather a mel
ancholy expression. Perhaps thought
you'll excuse me-that was the effect Of the
new light in which you presented yourself to
her. 1t ,Oas a new light, wasn't it?"
"Why, what do you mean ?" asked Charles
"I'm sure acted very properly, didn't ??
"Oh of course-at least, think it quite
proper that you should always follow your
own inclinations, without consulting other
peoples fancies-they might be inconvenient-
ly fastidious, you know"
"Elsie's, suppose you mean Look here,
my good fellow; you don't know her, and you
don't know me, if you think that she ever un-
dertakes to control my actions in any way
or interfere with anything choose to do-or
that would allow her to do any such thing
confound me if I'd let any woman do that"
said Charles, in some excitement.
"Not even your wife?" asked Russell, with
slight sneer.
"Not even my wife" said Charles, bringing
his hand down upon the table, and adding
with an oath, "and she knows better than to
attempt it, toe"
"When do you think of returning home p
carelessly enquired the other.
Haven't thought about it; there's plenty
of time to think about it, suppose-no par
ticular hurry that know Of"
"I'm glad you are able to take it so easily,
Charlie. For my part, wouldn't like to be
in your shoes when you do go, ifyou put it off
much longer"
Fudge! Any one would imagine was a
schoolboy who had played truant," said
Charles, with rather an uneasy laugh.
"Well! Of course I don't wish to be off,
cious; but thought I was merely acting the
part of friend in letting you know how
much your prolonged absence seems to annoy
your family. They are, Of course, unwilling
to lay any especial injunction upon you; but
it did not require much penetration to discover
that they thought your long delay in return
ing rather peculiar, as you could give no def
mite reason for it..
Gas 1 told you this evening"" said Charles;
impatiently, "Im willing enough to 90, only
for this matter of my marriage-you see l
haven't broken it to them yet"
"Yes-so you said"
"Well, what's the matter? What are you
drawing down the corners of your mouth that
way for?"
"You are very observant of my counte-
nance" said his friend, smiling. ITO tell the
truth, 1 was merely thinking what an unfor-
tu'nate affair this is of yours, altogether-un-
fortunate for you, I mean"
Hang it, man, drop all that for the pres
ent," said Charles in peevsh tone. "Ive
heard enough of it for this evening; don't
harp on the same thing all the time. The
things done, suppose, and can't be undone,
so there's an end of it."
"There's an end off by all means, if you
desire it," said Russell, amicably. Come,
shall we have cigars?
Charles agreed, and they sat smoking un-
til late hour, when the guest finally took
leave, and his host who was by no means &C.
customed to dissipation, retired to bed with
headache, in no very pleasant frame of mind.
He felt considerable compunction the next
morning at the sight of Elsie's sad face and
heavy eyes, and without openly expressing
his regret at what had occurred, he tried to
make amends by being especially affectionate
and attentive to her. He devoted an hour to
helping her with her French, praised her i'm
provement, and said so many fond and pleas
ant things that at last he quite succeeded in
banishing her melancholy mood.
In the course of the day she asked him who
Mr.. Russell was, and how long he intended
to stay in Paris.
ooh he'll be knocking around for some