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

dame, solicitous of having her girls well-dls-
posed of, sighed to reflect that he was beyond
their reach. Mrs. Deane had, therefore, al
ways felt very proud of his preference for
Elsie, and had indulged in so many knowing
looks and winks to her friends on the subject,
as to create the impression that there must at
least be settled understanding between the
young folks 1t was no wonder now that she
felt angry at this sudden turn of affairs,
which so completely disconnected all her spec
ulations.
She could obtain no satisfaction from Elsie
in her cross oss-examination, save the reiterated
answer-"She didn't want to marry him-she
didn't want to marry at all"
"Not marry at all who's to take care of
you, I'd like to know, when I'm dead and
gone, and you lone orphan, with no kinsfolk
to call upon? Elsie Deane, you are enough
to try the patience of Job himself" cried Mrs.
Deane, in utter evaporation at what she
termed "such pack of nonsense"
"Your contrariness passes all belief. What
on earth have you been fooling with that
young man all along for, if you didn't mean
to marry him in the end"
81 haven't been fooling with him." said
Elsie, hanging her head.
"Yes, you have! you received all his atten-
tions as if you liked 'em, and made him think
you cared more for his company than any
body's else. I've seen you many a time cast
ing your soft looks at him"
"Oh mother"
eyes, and giving him all your smiles, when
there were others standing around that you
grudged even to look at, though they tried to
make you and dancing with him half the
evening at parties and talking with him in
corners and letting him walk home with you
afterwald and pressing the flowers he gave
you in books; and what not beside. And
now to turn round and tell me that you meant
nought by it! Elsie, didn't look for you
to act this way. I'm mortified at you; you'll
be the talk of the place, for your forwardness
and conceited ways. I never spoke to you
about your behavior, because [ thought if
you preferred him, it was natural enough
for you to show it, and it kept worthless fel-
lows of. But if I'd known it was coming to
this, I'd have stopped it long ago."
II dontsee that I've done anything wrong"
murmured Elsie, who felt more irritated than
penitent at this lecture.
"Suppose I do like him, that's no reason
why should marry him if [ don't want to.
I never told him 1 would, 50 don't see that
he has any fault to 6nd"
"But you must have some reason," persisted
Mrs. Deane. "Do you like any body else
better"
A vivid blush crimsoned Elsie's face, but
in the gathering darkness it was not visible to
her mothers sharp eyes. Her equally sharp
ears, however, detected all unwoiIted tremor in
Elsies voice rs she replied
81 like him as well as any body, mother"
Mrs. Deanc could make nothing out of her,
and finally ceased her questions but she pom
dered the matter in her heart. She did not
think Elsie could have been so daft" as to
refuse Jem's offer, unless there were some one
in the background for whom she entertained
preference but who couldit be?
"It can't be that good-for-nought Slas
Warren! He's sweet on her, I know, but she
never seems to notice him much. Or Mars
ton-dear, dear! could it be Joe Marston, I
wonder? He's a toerably likely lad, but ne
can't hold candle to Jem. Well, I'm bound
to find out the truth of the matter, somehow
or other. Elsie shan't keep no secrets from
me-"
Henceforward the DANES vigilence was un-
ceasing but with all her trouble she failed to
discover any clue that might lead to the dis
ENHANCEMENT of the knotty point in question.
She narrowly watched her daughters beha-
vior when in company with either of the
young men whom, in her own mind, she had
decided upon as the only likely objects Of her
regard, but the young girl appeared equally
Indifferent to them, and to all others, who
sought her favor.
The change in her manner, formerly so
cheerful and sunny, became more apparent as
the weeks wore on each day it became more
reserved and pre6ccupied she Stunned COM
panionship, and though she performed her du-
ties with mechanical regularity, they seemed
more of task to her than formerly; she
seldom sang over her work, and her light feet
moved with less elastic tread. There was,
in TRUTH a weight upon her spirits, which be-
trayed itself at times in feverish restlessness,
giving place in turn to listlessness and depres-
sion now she was all excitement, now mel
ancholy and peevish, yet through all these
varying moods she appeared anxious to avoid
notice or comment But her mother watched
her keenly, and became more than ever con-
vinced that there was something wrong, which
as yet, she had been unable to fathom. She
sometimes thought that Elsie must be pining
FIR Jem, as she did not seem to care for any
one else, and repeuting of her folly in having
rejected him.
Poor little Elsie! If that had been all,
her trouble could easily have been remedied
Jem, though banished, still felt himself her
slave, and could have been brought back by
one kind word. But she did not bestow even
a thought on him now; his disappointment
was nothing to her; she almost forgot his
very existence. To this simple country girl
new and thrilling experience had come
lifting her out of her every day sphere into
new and visionary world, radiant with a ro-
mantle halo that casta veil over every danger
in her path. She loved deeply and passion