Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-01-08
CHAPTER vi.


cred with the likes o you p said one of the
servants of the Mcdonald house, in answer
to an inquiry made by Miriam Hastead.
"I must see her Not the elder lady, but
the younger-the beautiful one, with eyes like
stars" said Miriam, persistently.
"Can't do it," responded the servant, in his
most nonchalant tones 'young and beautl'
full ladies, with eyes like stars, never have
anything to say to the likes O your And SO
saying the waiter marched away with head
erect and an air of general pomposity, and
was soon lost to Miriam's view, down the
length of the high and spacious hall.
Course my luck r said Miriam, between her
clenched teeth. eff I should be baulked af:
ter all! And she turned reluctantly away
and descended the broad stone steps, and
thence wandered down through the fowery
terraces of the garden. Reaching the last of
these, she paused to consider what course was
best to pursue in order to secure success.
How could she obtain an interview with the
beautiful lady who had expressed desire to
give large sum of money for her sisters SER
vices, for the mere sake of her beauty, which
was such an admirable foil to her own bril-
liant and exquisite lovelness
AS she stood thus in her sin and darkness
like blot upon the fresh beauty of that gar
den of blossoms-with her head bent in an
attitude of detection and reverie, she heard a
voice close beside her-just an Usage orange
hedge in full bloom dividing her from the
speaker. The accents were those Of the very
lady she desired to see! Fate was aiding and
abetting her in her sin. The lades-for there
were two of them-had evidently been enjoy
ing morning ramble through the parterres of
flowers and Gertrude was chatterlng gally,
talking of her husband.
"Oh! mother-in- law" she said, 81 will be
too happy when I see him again [ am
wretched when he is away from mel And |
never will consent to be separated from him
again, even for week No, l will never
never leave him again :"
"Not even to take another trip to Paris and
be the belle of the season?' questioned Mrs
Mcdonald, senior, with sneer.
At this instant, Miriam Halstead, who had
skirted the hedge, stepped into view and stood
bowing to Gertrude Mcdonald.
Madam, may crave a few words with
you, in private?'
"In private % echoed Gertrude, in decided
astonishment.
"What is it ?" queried the mother-in-law,
adjusting her golden-rimmed eyeglasses and
scrutinizing the wretched creature from head
to foot. "Pooh, daughter, she is lazy
tramp" and she turned on her heel in su-
preme contempt. "Give her piece of silver,
my dear child, and send her about her bust
ness" she added, as she left the terrace.
"Indeed, madam, have something impor-
tant to say to you!" cried Miriam, hurriedly
retaining Gertrude. "Only hear mel"
omethingimportant?" repeated Gertrude.
81 cannot stop to hear you this morning. l
have an engagement; am sorry-very sorry,
indeed-but | cannot"
'Only one word, madam; entreat it !"
interrupted Miriam, eagerly, but in subdued
voice. "Pray forgive me, if l hardly know
how % put my question. never talked to so
grand and beautiful lady beforehand it
dazes me like"
Ths lady flushed to her lips.
ave will dispense with compliments, my
good woman state what you wish"
"Ot madam, l cannot speak here. Let
me see you in private" pleaded Miriam.
"In private? | don't understand you.
Speak here now"
II cannot speak here as l wish" answered
Miriam, in husky voice; "it is of my sick
sister-ond here the sun glares 50, and it is
so warn"
81 an sorry she is i'll, IL" said Ger
trude, shrinking away at the thought Of the
excitement Of the evening previous.
"Onl. let me follow you to your private
room ard will then explain all. Show this
pity on nc-on us!'
'Gertude p cried the harsh, resonant voice
of old Mrs. Mcdonald, Gin the name of good
ness, wh, detans you in that sun? Come
out of it You will tan horribly! And do
dismiss hat creature. She is disgusting,
even to lok at.
She had hardly ceased speaking, when the
loiterer ad her attendant appeared in full
view, Milam cursing the old lady in her in
most hear as they approached her.
"Follov me-" said Gertrude to the woman,
scarcely cuscious of her own speech. And
she ran up the steps with Miriam close after
her.
Mrs Mcdonald, senior, stared in open-eyed
astonishmet at seeing Gertrude thus attended.
"Why di you bring that wretched creature
to the hous? What in mercys name can
she want ?"she asked, regarding Miriam all
the while With her large, cold, gray eyes. II
don't like hr looks. I'll wager you would
not find grater thiefifyou searched through
Five Point-or in the Toombs p
"Hush, pther-n-law! She wants to speak
to me-" anwered Gertrude, hurrying along
the hall, ad thence up a wide, carpeted stair
case, untiBhe came to the door Of her hand
some and asty boudoir.