Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-04-01

came.
"See here, little GIRL" said uncle Brainerd
when at last she rose to 60, IL give you leave
to come in here whenever you like, for | shal
always be glad to see you. Mind you, this is
an exclusive invitation. None Of the Others
need expect it to be extended to them; so you
needn't talk about it. DO you think you Cal
find your way here again"
:Oh yes, sir," said Alice, readily. "Im
ever so much obliged to you"
"Look here, my child" he said, laying his
hand for a moment on hE soft, fair hair, "why
don't you call me uncle? I like the name.
"Well, will" said Alice, frankly, and az
he shook her hand at parting, she added
shyly, "I've had very pleasant time, uncle
Brainerd, and I'll be sure and come again.
The old gentleman looked after her light
figure until it disappeared at the end OF the
passage. "Pretty child-pretty child J! he
murmured, as he turned again into his room
"She reminds me of poor Lucy-she has just
that sort of smile, and look about the eyes
Nice little thing, too; and fancy she isn't a:
happy here as she might be. Well-well!
must do what can to amuse her, when
have chance"
From this time, a close intimacy became es
tablished between uncle Brainerd and Alice
which was productive of much pleasure tc
them both. Many hours, which would have
been lonely to the child, in her selfimposed
seclusion from the young peoples society, were
now passed in the "old curiosity shop" as hel
new friend termed his habitation, where she
constantly found some fresh subject Of inter
est. Here, too, by special invitation, she
sometimes brought her books, or her drawing
and occupied herself with them when not in
mood for sightseeing. And uncle Brainerd
among his other valuables, possessed small
stock of odd volumes, some Of them contain
ing the most curious old-fashioned stories
which he placed at her disposal, and many 8
happy hour did Alice spend over these, curleo
up in corner of thesofa-bed, while her play
loving companions were engaged with thell
sports, and never troubling their heads about
her whereabouts or her occupation. She
came to be regarded among them as sort OF
oddity, and her intimacy with uncle Bral
nerd, when they thought about it at all, which
was not often, appeared to them only OF q
piece with her other eccentricities. AS for
Mrs. Fielding, she took less notice of her thar
ever, and her uncle, though invariably kind,
was but little indoors, and had not much
chance of becoming acquainted with her hab
its or disposition.
The great event of the year was to be the
return of "the boys" par excellence, Maurice
and Joe, for the summer vacation. They
were at school in Charleston, and the oppor
tunties they met with there of improving
their manner and education, and becoming
initiated into the gories of city life, eIaised
them to an immense height in the estimation
of their country brethren and sisters. AS the
time approached for their arrival, great were
the preparations set on foot for their recep
ton, and the excitement among the juveniles
increased from day to day. Nothing was
heard over the house but chatter OF what
should be done when "Brother Maurice" and
Joe we're come. Brother Maurices" name
was the oftenest on their lips, and Alice soor
discovered that he was undoubtedly the favor
ite with them all. AS for her, she did not, b!
any means, share the general feelir%of salts
faction. Boys were rather terror to her, anc
though she no longer dsliked Charley anc
Bob, she dreaded an increase to the ranks
of her male cousins, as the source Of addition
al noise, rough play and general discomfort
For this cause, therefore, she did not join th'
family group when they went in body tt
the station to meet the expected absentees, bu
remained at home and took refuge with {
book in her usual hiding place, uncle Brai
nerd s room. He teased her little about he
unsocable ways, but was very glad of he
company, nevertheless. And there she spen
her time in peace and quiet, until the sounc
of approaching wheels and merry voices
warned her of the return of the party, tri
umphanty bearing "the boys" in their midst
"Come, my dear, we'll go out and meet 'em
together" said the old gentleman, rising witt
alacrty, from his seat. Alice could not re
fuse, though it was with considerable acces
sion of shyness that she followed him into the
hall, where great hustle of arrival was going
Maurice was a tall and slender lad of IF
teen, with thoughtful face, and dark eye
and hair. Joe, two years his junior, was
commoperlooking, with round blue eyes ant
blunt features, and good.humored, rosy
I freckled face Both seemed very happy tt
be at home again, though they showed it II
different ways. Maurice, smiling and talking
quietly, and Joe, rushing boisterously about
pouncing on the baby, seizing his sisters hands
and twirling them around, and asking twenty
questions in breath, without waiting for al
answer to one of them. He greeted Alice il
sheepish, school.boy fashion. half rough anC
half shy, while her elder cousins manner hat
polish and refinement that seemed to belong
to much greater difference in years. Sh'
very quickly settled in her own mind, which
of the two she liked the best Nor was thu
impression altered as time went by. Maurice
had not been in the house long, before she tel
that in him she had found a champion ant
protector.
He would not let her NOPE by herself, wher
the Others went out, but always insisted on
her joining them, at least, when he made on
Of the party, which was most frequently th'
case. If they went to the orchard, he tool
care that the best and rpest fruit should tal
to her share. If they were in a rough O.
muddy road, he picked out the smoothest patl
for her, and helped her where she was afrai'
to 90 alone If she was in terror Of COWS, h'
did not laugh at her as the others did, hu
gave her courage by his assurance of protec
tion and was so kind and good to her in ev
cry way, that the child learned to look up t(
him with a feeling Of confidence and affection
all the stronger, because her warm little hear
had been so thrown back upon itself, ant
which took deeper and deeper root, the more
they were together Nor was it only out o
doors that she was thrown into his society
At home, he pettcd and played with her, anc
in uncle Branerd's room she spent many
happy hours in his company. He was al
ways thoughtful and consderate Of the
old gentleman's comfort, and devoted very