Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-06-03
CHAPTER II.

CHAPTER II.
1t was eight o'clock on pleasant summer
morning, and the table was spread in the
breakfast-room, presenting, with its snowy
damask and service of dainty china, an invi-
ting aspect to the view. Cyrus, the sable but
Ter and factotum of the establishment, had just
brought in tray loaded with hot rolls, crisp
batter.cakes, newly-laid eggs, and various
delicate appendages too numerous to men
ton ; and was in the act of arranging its con-
tents with great precision and nicely on the
table, when Miss Vaughan entered, attired in
a fresh white dress, with rose in her brooch,
and basket of housekeeping keys in her
hand.
1t was somewhat remarkable circumstance
that Edmonia, Notwithstanding the seclusion
of the life she led, and the variety of occupa-
tions which engrossed her time, was never
known, by any chance, to appear otherwise
than daintily dressed. Nothing offended her
taste more than crumpled frill, or gar
ment put on awry; and from the crowning
braid of her glossy hair to the tip of her small
slipper with its satin rosette, she was always
the perfection of neatness, elegance and grace.
She was now nearly thirty-one years old,
looking younger than that in face and figure,
but bearing the full weight Of her age in her
somewhat authoritative manner, and the staid
and settled composure of her movements.
"Breakfast is six minutes late, Cyrus" she
remarked, as she consulted her watch. you
remember, warned you that the clock was
slow"
"Dat's so, Miss Edna; but Daphne got be-
hind hand, some how. hurried her all |
could"
"Ihope those mullins are thoroughly done. "
ooh yes, ma'am, nicely dun"
"You can make the toast, at once, then, y
and taking up small silver bell that stood
on the table, Edmonia rang pretty sharp
peal on it, in token that her sisters presence
was desired at the morning board. The sum-
mons not being Immediately y answered, she sat
down in the post of honor, and composedly
made the tea.
Directly, the sound of laughing voices in
the hall was heard, and Jeannette and the
twins made their appearance together.
"Where is Clarie?" asked the elder sister,
when she had returned their morning saluta-
ton.
"She'll be down in minute or two," re.
piled Jeanette. whats the matter, Edna
Is anything wrong about me, that you stare
at ME so?"
my dear Jennie, never stare" rejoined
Edna. II was scrutpizing your collar"
"Oh scrutizing, beg your pardon. Well
does your scrutiny discover anything amiss p
"It discovers that you have forgotten your
brooch, l think"
"No, my dear, it doesn't; I left it off be-
cause the pin was broken; and couldn't find
respectable bow"
"Do you own but one brooch, Jennie?"
LA no; I own half dozen, more or less
but it was too much trouble to hunt them up,
Give me some tea Edna, please"
With gentle sigh Edna granted the re-
quest, feeling that Jcunies carelessness was
incorrigibe, and that it would be waste OF
time to offer farther remonstrance While
the latter was slipping her tea in happy indif'
ference on the subject, Dorothea came leisure.
ly in, attired in negligcG wrapper Of pale
pink calico, with her abundant taxen hair
carelessly twisted into knot at the back OF
her head.
"Good morning, Edna how very warm it
is, isn't it,"
"My dear Dolly"
"What's the matter?" asked Dorothea
opening wide her light blue eyes at her sisters
reproachful look and tone.
Il should be ashamed to appear in that
style even before the servants" murmured
Edmonia, glancing toward Cyrus, who was
busy with the toast.
"Oh! would you? Well, I can't help it
it's so warm Besides, 1 did not wake in
time"
cit seems Impossible tor us all to get assem-
bled this morning" said Edmonia. "How
do dislike unpunctuality."
$50 do lin other people," said Dorothea
"If you were unpuhctual, for instance, every
thing would most likely go wrong"
"And suppose were not here?"
81 don't know what we should do, In,
sure" said Dolly, languidly.
II would take Edna's place." said Jean
nette. II know how to sit at the head of the
table and pour out the tea, and give orders
Clarie and mean to keep house together
when Edna gets married"
81 am afraid you will have to wait long
time for the execution Of your plans" said
Edmonia, smiling
"Oh 1 don't despair of you yet" said Jen
ME, saucily. "Better late than never, you
know"
Virgilia's entrance at this juncture preclu
,1oj tho nnnassitv of q ren1v and djrnctlv af