Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-05-07
Au 0rigiual Sturg.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
HOLLINGWOOD HOUSE.
BY MRS. HENRY DEAS.
CHAPTER III.

II can't think what has come over you, FL
sic" querulously exclaimed Mrs. Deane, about
two weeks later, to her daughter, who was sit
ting in the twilight beside the open window,
gazing abstractedly out at the passing objects
"What on earth ails you, that you've grown
so glum and SILENT hardly saying word all
day long?"
Elsie started and colored. Nothing ails
me, mother" she replied in some confusion
"I didn't mean to be glum-1 was only think
ing"
thinking! you've grown terribly fond OF
thinking, all of sudden! You always had
enough and to spare to talk about, until late.
", and now you do nothing but NOPE and
dream. Look here, lass," and Mrs. Deane,
approaching her daughter, laid her hand hea-
vily on her shoulder, "are you in trouble
about anything? Ifso, speak up and tell me-
It's not good for you to keep secrets from your
own mother"
Elsie shrank in dismay from her mothers
questioning, and her keen inquiring glance.
Mrs. Deane was not an unkind parent, but
she had never been one to invite confidence,
and Elsie could not remember the time when
she had not been little afraid of her, and
felt chilling consciousness of the want of
sympathy and congeniality between them.
So she sat now with averted face, nervous and
embarrassed, and only faltered forth repetl'
ton of her first statement, that "nothing was
the matter"
81 know BETTER" declared Mrs. Deane, Civ
ing the shoulder she held a little shake to en-
phasize her words. "You can't deceive me,
child. I see plainly that you've got some
thing on your mind, and l must know what
it is. Come is it about Jem Sterling" ?"
Elsie's heart gave little bound Of relief.
1t was bad enough to be questioned about
Jem, but she had felt vague apprehension
for a moment that her mother might, by some
chance, have heard of the meetings with Mr..
Sydney. She knew that these stolen inter
views were wrong she had not at first thought
that there could be any harm in his joining
her of an evening as she was walking home
but his always leaving her before they came
in sight of the village, and contriving to throw
an air of mystery and concealment over their
intercourse, had awakened in her mind a
troubled feeling which marred the happiness
she felt in his society. She never thought
much about it while he was with her, he al.
ways met her so easily and naturally, as if it
were quite matter of course for him to be
waiting at the mill just at the hour when he
knew she would be coming by and then his
conversation possessed subtle charm to ban
ish all uncomfortable reflections. But she al.
ways parted from him with an uneasy con-
sciousness that she was acting wrongly, and
sought her home with feeling of trepidation,
fearing that something might be said which
would lead to discovery.
So she answered now with less difficulty
than she would otherwise have done.
"No, mother, I'm not thinking about Jem."
"What's the reason he's kept so much away
from here, lately? He used to be forever fol-
lowing you up, before. Have you quarreled
with him."
Elsie colored up more deeply than before,
and little frown of vexation contracted her
brow. She found it very disagreeable to be
cross.questioned in this manner, but there was
no escape for her; Mrs. Deane had planted
herself in front of her chair, and seemed re-
solved on having an explanation.
"I'm sure I don't mind whether he keeps
away or not" she answered, evasively.
"Thats neither here nor there Answer
nv question !" said Mrs. Deane, severely.
"Have you had any quarrel with him%
"N.no," said Elsie, in low tone.
"Nor angered him in any way?"
"He's no right to be angered, if he is" said
Elsie. "May.be I've afronted him, but if |
have, don't care"
"Affronted him. You're very stupid
girl, Elsie, if you do anything to turn him
off," said Mrs Deane, with some excitement.
"Anybody, that's not as blind as bat, can see
that you may have him any day for the say-so,
and l can tell you he's not one to be despised.
Why, there isn't young man in the village
of better character than he, nor better pros
poets neither. You're over young and giddy
to be thinking of marrying just yet, but I'd
as lief know you had such a good husband in
store for you; and so you may, if you choose.
Speak up, Elsie has he ever asked you to
marry him."
Thus driven into corner, Elsie was con-
strained to murmur reluctant eyes"
"He has-has he! and pray what did you
tell him p
There was gathering anger in Mrs. Deane's
voice. Elsie's head dropped as she answered,
in low tone
81 don't want to marry him, mother"
"Then you refused him ?"
Silence gave assent.
"Well" calculated Mrs. Deane drawing a
long breath "If ever I heard the like Of
that before"
There was short silence. ooh !' thought
Elsie, eff mother would only 60 away and
leave me in peace But this was by nc
means the good woman's intention. She was
resolved to sift this matter to the bottom, and
find out exactly how it stood and to this end
she proceeded to besiege Elsie with train Of
harassing questions, the purport whereof was
to obtain full and particular account of the
when, where and how of Jem's proposal, also
a minute exposition of the state of feeling
which had led to the rejection of the same
an act which appeared to Mrs. Deane a piece