Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-05-28

clded preference tor solitude that ElllnOr,
after time, ceased to try to prevail upon her
to change her habits. She lent her books,
however, placed flowers in her room, and
showed her many similar little attentions, for
which she seemed duly grateful. Elinor
found that she quite deserved the encomiums
that had been passed upon her, for she dis
charged her duties in an exemplary manner,
and appeared most anxious to satisfy her eln-
ployers' wishes in every respect.
1t happened that one night as she was
about retiring to rest, Ellinor suddenly re-
membered suggestion she had desired to
make to the house-keerer, regarding some
little delicacy for her grandfather at break
fast next morning, and went down stairs, in
tending to speak to her from outside the door,
should she be in bed There was light
burning in the room, however, and as she
knocked, Mrs Norton's voice said, ''come in"
Ellinor opened the door, and could hardly
refrain from an exclamation Of surprise.
The house-keeper was standing before the
glass brushing out her hair, which hung in
soft curling masses over her shoulders, and
greater transformation i: would be difficult to
imagine, than that now presented in her ap-
pearance The removal Of the dis6guring
cap, the flowing hair and negligent attire,
gave an entirely new expression to her face,
which looked soft and youthful and as she
stood there, visibly startled and embarrassed,
with crimson flush on her usually pallld
cheek, Ellinor found it difficult to realize that
she was the sombre, faded-looking parsonage
she had said "good.night" to, an hour or two
before.
She forebore, of course, from iudulging in
any comment but merely apologized briefly
for her unexpected visit, and after giving the
necessary directions, again wished the house
keeper goodnight and returned to her own
chamber.
"That woman has a story" she said to her.
self as she ascended the stairs. II am con-
vinced of it. Her singular manner, her love
ofsolitude, her melancholy face, her odd secret
ways, all make me feel sure Of it. How pretty
she is without that prim, ugly cap! and how
put out she looked because l surprised her
en- deshabille. I'd like to unravel the mystery,
if mystery there be in the case."
This little episode, though it afforded her
subject for speculation at the time, did not re.
main very long in her thoughts, for they were
taken up with matters more closely concern
ing herself The nearer the time of Sydney
Temples visit approached, the more reluc-
tant did she feel to see him ; she felt her posi-
ton to be an embarrassing one, and heartily
wished this candidate for her favor hundred
thousand miles away. He was q distant
cousin of hers, on her mothers side, but she
had seen very little of him, and when they
had met their intercourse had been only Of
formal kind
She was glad when the Roxburys arrived; /;
Kate Roxbury was one of the few girls whom
she numbered among her intimate friends,
and yet completer contrast than there was
between the two could scarcely be imagined.
Kate was lively, hair Drained creature, al
ways ready for frolic, and seldom inclined
to think seriously about anything; she was
the greatest chatterbox in existence, and, in
consequence, talked great deal Of nonsense,
while at the same time she was quck-witted
and intelligent, and could when she chose,
converse as nationally as the generality of her
fellow creatures. Her mother was a quiet,
placid old lady, who never disagreed with any
body, and always had huge piece Of knit
ting in her hand. Ellinor was at all times
pleased to see them, but never more so than
at present; for she felt that they would be
quite a support to her during her coming or
deal. Sydney Temples expected visit would
not, at any tme have afforded her much graf
ifcation; but coming, as he was about to do,
in the character of suitor on trial, and
suitor, moreover, whom she had resolved should
be an unsuccessful one, the anticipation of
seeing him was fraught with special annoy
ance.
"And so, Nellie, my dear" said Kate, when
they were alone in Ellinor's cosy dressing
room, "you have made up your mind to be
the obliging medium of an alliance between
the illustrous houses of HolIingwood and
Temple"
"Indeed have made up my mind to moth
ing of the sort, Kate" replied Elinor. "On
the contrary, am quite resolved that such an
alliance will never be effected through my in
strumentality."
"What % said Kate, edo Won mean to
tell meseriously that you have the conscience
to allow that deluded young man to come
here, in the expectation of securing to himself
AN heiress in her own right, and all the time
deliberately resolve to blast his hopes ?"
"Itis no fault of mine, said Ellinor, grave
ly. 81 have tried to persuade grandfather
that it is quite useless to let him come, and
wrong to encourage his expectations but he
is so anxious for me to let him make the trial,
and Mr.. Sydney is so absurdly pressing"
"Mr Temple, you mean," said Kate.
mo, his uncle, Mr.. Edward Sydney. That's
the worst of it, Kate; do you know, l believe
Sydney Temple has actually less voice in the
matter than his relations"
"Enchanting!" cried Kate. "Its altogeth-
er like an affair froyaty--courtship by proxy,
and all the negotiations carried on by outs-
ders."
II find it exceedingly disagreeable," said
Ellinor, in 6 tone which conveyed no doubt
of her sincerity. Il look forward to the mans
visit with real apprehension, for | know what