Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-11-25

to take advantage of what appeared like {
providential opportunity of bettering our con
dition for we we're not much more than hal
way nome, and certainly every moments pro
gress increased our discomfort. The house
stood somewhat back from the road, but neal
enough for everything about it to be distinct
" visible. As we drew near it, the wind blew
one of the front shutters violently to; the sash
was Immediately raised, and woman, with
an apron flung over her head, leaned out tc
fasten it back. She looked toward US as We
passed the glance was but momentary, and
she swiftly drew in her head again; but in
that brief instant recognized, or thought
recognized her face, as that of the person
whom I had seen in the house-keeper's room
with my husband and Barbara, on the even
ing of Stephen Holcombe's visit.
"Do you know who lives in that house, Ar
thur ?" Immediately asked
"a person named Green" he answered, af
ter moments hesitation, and with certain
reluctance in his tone which caught my ear.
I was silent; hated myself for being need
lessly suspicious, yet it seemed to me that here
was another slight link in the chain of doubt
ena reea,vo wki oh my h,,aha.>l'. -A.-.1s
had wrought.
"Do you feel the cold very much, Rosa
mond p he asked presently, as if anxious to
change my thoug hts.
"Not very much" was my brief reply; and
the rest of our drive passed in silence unbro:
ken by either of US. On reaching home |
fastened to change my wet clothes l felt
some symptoms Of chill, and sent Matilda
down to request Barbara to make me cup
of hot tea. To my surprise, she returned with
the intelligence that the housekeeper had
gone out.
"Gone out, in this weather. and during our
absence!' I exclaimed. "Well, suppose she
started before the rain, and has been caught
in it as we were. Get the key, Tidy, and
make the tea for me yourself; you can do it
Just as WE'LL"
Presently my husband came into the room
ARTHUR" l exclaimed, 'can you imagine
where Barbara has gone? p"
The question was too direct one to be
parried.
81 think" he answered slowly, "that she
has gone to Mrs. Green's house."
"The one that we passed in the woods|
eyes"
"They must be very intimate friends" I re-
marked.
"They are quite intimate"
81 suppose it is to her house that Barbara
has gone, regularly, every day since you were
first taken sick"
He made no reply; and Matilda, at thai
moment, entering with the tea, said nothing
more on the subject
My curiosity in regard to Mrs. Green wa:
now fully aroused. I was dying to question
Barbara concerning her, but sense of honor
forbade. My pride would not permit me tt
make any farther efforts to break my hus
bands reserve. So was forced to wonder
and speculate in secret, trying at the same
time to convince myself that there was really
no cause for uneasiness, though 1 could not
overcome sore feeling at the consciousness
of being, in some way. kept in the dark.
The next day the Holcombes came, and in
the afternoon | received message from Ellen
informing me of the fact, and begging me tc
20 at once to see her. 1t was already late
but was not sorry of an opportunity to e6ec
diversion in my thoughts and as DR.
Wardlaw was preparing to 60 out, asked
him if he could not call for me on his way
home.
Il think" he rejoined, "that tits rather far
Had you not better wait until tomorrow ?"
NO." said I, rather perversely. ut is (
clear evening, and the moon will be up; wha
is distance of three miles, over good road !?
"Do you particularly wish to 60, Rosa
mond?"
"Yes, particularly. Remember, it is a lonl
while since last saw Ellen and it will be 81
delightful to meet any one fresh from home J!
He sighed little, and turned away. "D'
as you please, then," he rejoined. "Ofcours
1 can call for you if you wish. But I though
we should have quiet evening together;
wanted little chat with you undisturbed."
ut is rather hum-drum, being constant.
at home," said I, with the same perverse feel
ing, which had suddenly taken possession o
me. 1 was sorry after I had spoken. l dit
not see DR.. Wardaws face, but I knew tina
he was panied, and he left the room withou
a word.
felt half inclined, as slowly changed m,
dress, to reverse the decision I had formed
1t would, after all, be better and more suita
bic to wait until the next day to pay my visi
to Ellen; and then, too, there would be les
chance of meeting Stephen. But on the 9th
er hand, l had a sort of unacknowledged de
sire to 20 contrary to my husbands will, part
! ly as retaliation for the injury fancied h
was doing me, partly as vent for my vexet
and restless feelings which seemed to need al
outlet Of some kind. If Dr. Wardlaw coul'
leave me alone every evening without com
Function, for an hour or an hour and half a
time, he ought not to feel aggrieved at m.
choosing to 60 out now. did not see wh
he should desire me to stay at home on thi
especial occasion, more than on any other, ex
cept for contradictions sake Arguing thus
I felt justified in putting on my out-doo
wrappings, and few minutes later was Of
my way to "Lilybank," as the Holcombes
place was called.
Ellen met me at the door, and our greeting
was cordial enough; but had not been il
the house five minutes before l detected, o
fancied that detected, change in her man
ner toward me from what it had formerl
been. She seemed putting sort of constrain
on herself to appear affectonate and kind
employing AL artificial eagerness to cove
some latent drawback which could not ur
derstand. So uncomfortable did this percep
ton make me, that felt regret at havn
come but as was there, there was no hel
for it but to make the best of the matter.
I had, of course, a great many questions t
ask about home us aunt Mabel as brigh
and cheerful as ever? How much she wi
miss you, Nelly"
II dare say but, after all, she is scarcely a