Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-03-19
gu 0rigiual storg.
Written for the Yorkvlle Enquirer.
DESTINY;
HOUNDED DOWN.
BY NELLY MARSHALL McAFEE.
CHAPTER XXXVII.

ing to the Bluffs, to an informal evening par
ty. He was listless and languid, and evident
ly greatly depressed in spirits His friend
Dalaval, was lying near him on sofa, whit'
ing away at his meerschaum.
"I'll tell you what it is, Damar," he broke
out with sudden lack of ceremony, "Mrs.
Gadbury asked me, when I was down stairs,
if you were coming into the parlor this even
ing"
"How did she look when she questioned
you?"
"She smiled"
"Well, then, she is laughing at me"
II thought that very thing" rejoined Da-
laval. 'She has terrible smile. l don't
like it. 1t is positively internal; and that
stern repose of her face, when she is displeased,
is enough to scare the wits out of timid
fellow like me-"
"Never mind her! Tell me what that Sc
cret was, you said you had found out on her,
and which you promised to tell me. l have
waited in vain for you to satisfy my curiosity
Dalaval laughed, awkwardly, and then as
suming gravity, he replied
II will tell you all at another time-not
now trust me-"
81 will wait" obligingly replied his friend.
"Mrs. Gadbury asked me if you would con-
descend to accompany her with your flute to-
night. I said 1 would answer for it."
"The devil you did? Well, I'm not so
surew
30, yes, you are But enough of that.
Let me tell you about the supper! 1t is going
to be a splendid entertainment! The table is
set magni6cently."
II don't care for the supper.
"More goose, you. 1t is the best part OF
the affair to me, most decidedly"
When the two young men, in full evening
costume, at a later hour, entered the parlors
thronged with guests, Dalaval was in the best
of humor; but Danlar bore himself with a
cold, wearied and disdainful air, and to his
hostess awarded the slightest bow society
would allow. She did not seem to care for
his presence or his behavior. She was radi-
ant with life and amiabiity, graciousness
and gentleness; and certainly succeeded in
making herself even more seductive than ever
Had she noticed Damars bearing, it doubt
less would have added to her good humor and
gaiety; but she had no chance to notice him
until after supper. Music was proposed, and
Mrs. Gadbury summoned Dalaval to her side.
"Will Mr.. Dapar play on the flute?"
"Certainly."
"And will you accompany him on the gu-
tar?"
"Certainly."
"And 1 will play the piano and lead the
air." said Mrs Gadbury, when Dalaval beck
oned Damar to join them.
Damar was lounging over book of engra-
wings, looking isolated and gloomy. Mrs.
Gadbury's eyes saw sorrowfully his hopeless
attitude and expression Of still despair, and
her heart filled with regret.
He obeyed DalavaPs gesture, and joined
them
care you willing to aid us in amusing my
guests? I am afraid we are taxing your good
nature terribly" said Cecilia, looking gently
on him.
He bowed coldly and said: "Anything,
madam, that can serve YOU
He paused, as if too listless to finish his
sentence, or asif the subject was not of enough
Importance to mention it.
The expression of her eyes was tender; but
ne did not see it.
She abruptly struck the prelude, and Da-
laval and Damar aiding her, the music was
enchanting beyond description.
After they finished their first piece, Damar,
somewhat softened by the rich chord of har-
mony, asked: "Shsll we play another piece p
II could not dream of trespassing further
upon your time and attention" she replied, in
her iciest tones and without waiting for a So
licitation from her listeners, she ran her in-
gers over the ivory keys and sang Ma Pars,
from the opera of Martha, with telling effect.
When she finished, she was almost over
powered with compliment and applause; but
Damar's voice she did not hear He had
drawn Docia aside, to divan, and there seat
ed by her side, he was whispering soft moth
ings in her ears.
Atsight of his Indifference, tear suddenly
swelled under Cecelas eyelid. Women are
made up of such singular compound They
will triAe with lover but if he goes to offer
allegiance to another woman, he instantly be-
comes an object of interest to her to whom ne
was once of no Importance This fact ex-
planned Cecelia's resurrected regard for this
strange man.
"I almost wish I had not written him that
note. It was cruel but then if he loved me
though be had no right-but if he did love
me as he said, he could not behave as he's
doing tonight" she murmured to herself, a
strange unhappiness gnawing at her heart.
But Damar came near her no more that
gala-night. He devoted himself to Docia
Gadbury and she was delighted with his at
tentions. She showed her pleasure, which she
could not, in her artlessness, hide. She listen
ed with profound attention to every word that
fell from his lips; but she could not look him
in the eyes. She wore the most modest and
innocent expression on her face; but her al
ways down-cast eyes showed the strength of
his power over her. His sweet, melodious
voice and his hand that seemed to touch her
own with loving pressure, had completely
disarmed, magnetized and won her. And all
the while his own mind was pre0ccupied with