Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-05-07
CHAPTER w.

so mild version of the truth, as to convey
but faint and imperfect idea of the intensity
of her feelings on the occasion. She was pos
itively paralyzed, and stood for moment OF
two glaring at the offenders, stify erect, and
incapable of speech or motion.
Charles was so taken by surprise that at
first he looked as confused as he felt, but al
most Immediately his customary selfpossession
came to his aid. The sight Of Elsie's pale face
and evident terror, aroused all his manly in
stincts, and drawing nearer to her he took one
; of her trembling hands, as if to assure her Of
his protection.
"Dont be afraid, Elsie," he said gently
"You have done nothing wrong"
The words and action combined seemed to
arouse Mrs. Deane's powers from their tempo.
rary lethargy, and loosened her spell-bound
tongue With eyes blazing in wrath she step.
ped forward, and with one abrupt and ener.
getic movement detached Elsie's hand from
her lovers grasp, and pushed her aside.
"How dare you, sir" she cried in voice
quivering with Indignation. Before my very
eyes Who may you be, pray, that dares to
take such liberties with my daughter?"
"My name is Sydney" said the young man,
courteously lifting his hat, for he was anxious
for the daughters sake to propitiate the angry
mother. "Ifyou will allow me to explain"
"Elsie" cried Mrs. Deaue, turning sharply
round upon her daughter, "go home this in
stant-this instant! do you hear?"
Elsie moved off step or two, met Charles
glance, and stopped.
"Oh! mother" she began in faltering tones.
eff you'll only listen"
But her mother would not listen.
"Do you hear what say?" she reiterated,
stamping her foot. "Do as I bid you and 60
home. I'll hear what you have to say when
1 come. Now, young man." she continued,
wheeling round again upon Charles, "please
to say your say out, and be done with it. )"
And as Elsie slowly and reluctantly retired,
she folded her arms across her chest and
looked scowlingly at the chief offender, some,
what as a member of the inquisitorial frater'
nifty might have regarded criminal, before
passing upon him the sentence of condemna'
ton.
Charles reddened and bit his lip he was
angry, yet half inclined to laugh, and not at
all desirous of treating the affair ou serleur'
81 am quite ready to give you any expla'
nation you desire, madam" he rejoined, COM
posedy, leaning against the railing of the
bridge, thrusting his hands in his pockets, and
carelessly crossing one foot over the other, as
if resolved upon taking, as easily as possible,
whatever unpleasantness was in store for him,
though in his mind he voted it "a great bore. "
"Then, sir" said Mrs. Deane, little stag
gered by his GOODNESS, twill you be kind
enough to inform me, as consider have the
best right to know, what you mean by taking
such liberties as to be kissing my girl saw
you do it! saw you with my own eyes''
she continued, in tones of rising shrillness,
"and 1 just ask again, how dare youi"
"Well," said Charles looking down, and
kicking loose pebble with his foot, 81 did
not consider it liberty, because-I love your
daughter"
This was said not without all effort, but ne
saw no way of escape.
"Love her" echoed Mrs. Deane, drawing
herself up, and speaking with scornful empha-
sis. "Loue her! Yes, dare say. Mighty
fine, sir, indeed"
"What do you mean?' asked Charles.
"Mean" said Mrs. Deane, excitedly. "l
mean that know the ways of fine folks like
you, who come and make love to silly, igno-
rant girls for your own amusement, pretending
all you say is gospel truth, and then 60 OF
and forsake 'em, never caring whether you've
left broken hearts behind you or not. But
no girl of mine shall be humbugged like that
by any villain, gentle or simple, while I'm
above ground to look after her, l can tell
you"
"You quite mistake me, Mrs. Deane My
intentions are perfectly honorable" )" said
Charles. 81 wish to marry your daughter"
much obliged to yon for the honor, sir
My daughters got honest lovers enough and
to spare, of her own rank in life, without be.
ing put to the trouble of seeking one of your
sort; so, if you'll excuse the unpolteness of
it, I'll just advise you to 60 about your own
business, and leave her alone. Marry my
daughterw repeated Mrs. Dcane in tower
ing passion "marry the cats grandmother"
81 am afraid she wouldn't have me" said
Charles, with great politeness.
"Then go and find somebody who will, re-
torted his adversary.
"But 1 would rather have Esie," said
Charles, who was beginning to derive some
amusement from Mrs. Deanes anger. "Be-
sides, she loves me-"
81 always knew she was little fool But
I'll teach her sense" cried the enraged dame.
Gail I've got to say to you is that you'd best
leave her alone now, and not follow her up
no more. I'm lone widder woman myself,
but I've got friends enough to protect me and
her too, if 1 choose to call on EN-"
"You talk of protection" ," said Charles, "as
if 1 were ruffian, or a raging beast. Do
you suppose that I intend to persecute your
daughter, or injure either of you in any way
I offer to marry Elsie, and you treat the offer
as if it were an insult. Really, l don't un-
derstand such singular conduct"
"It may be very singular, no doubt" said
Mrs. Deane, whose temper waxed hotter and
her tones higher as the interview proceeded,
every singular, for girl like my Elsie to re-
fuse fine gentleman's offers, or for me to re-