Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-11-18
in the anticipation of seeing Ellen here soon

in the anticipation OF seeing Ellen mere soon
afterward."
"How does Miss Vincent like the idea of
quitting her native State?" asked my husband:
"She does not say much in regard to ii"
replied Stephen. II fatter myself that, un-
der the circumstances, she will be able to sup
port it with equanimity."
Insupportably conceited creature, was my
silent reflection.
"How do you like the changer" continued
our guest, again turning to me-
II am very much pleased with everything
here" I replied.
"I suppose, however, my question was hard
ly a fair one-eh, doctor?' said Stephen,
laughing. "At all events, l could look for
but one answer in your presence"
"Mrs Wardlaw, trust, finds my presence
no restraint upon the candid expression of
her opinions, on this or any other subject"
said my husband, rather stifay. "Mr. Hol-
combe, allow me to help you to bit of this
chicken, or do you prefer some of the roast z
Stephen attempted no further badinage,
and felt delighted that DR.. Wardlaw had
succeeded in putting him down. He stayed
sometime after dinner, and / began to hope,
devoutly, as I saw Arthur glancing toward
the clock, that I would not be left alone with
him, as really dreaded tete.d-tete. 1t grew
later and later, and be showed no sign of any
intention to depart. At length the servant
came to the door and announced that his mas
ter's horse was ready. made private sig
nal to Arthur not to 60; but to my dlsmay,
after waiting for few minutes longer, to see
whether the announcement would have any
effect on our guests movements, and finding
that it had none, he rose, though with evident
reluctance, and making an apology for his
enforced absence, left the room-Stephen beg
ging him, with easy assurance, not to hasten
himself on his account, as he would quite
enjoy little talk with me about old times,
and would, with our permission, spend the
evening with US, and ride home after tea.
I was angry with my husband for placing
me in this predicament, and doubly angry
with Stephen for his obtrusiveness and |
looked, l do not doubt, ungraeious enough,
as l entrenched myself in corner of the fire.
place, and devoted my attention to my little
greyhound, Blanche who had jumped up in
my lap to be petted. My unwelcome visitor,
no way daunted by my reserve, discoursed
lightly on various topics of triAing nature
and politeness required that l should not keep
silent. l, therefore, forced myself to make
such remarks and replies as seemed necessary,
all the while longing for seven o clock to come
that DR.. Wardlaw might return. My posi-
ton was certainly a disagreeable one; yet
there was not the slightest Indication in my
companions manner that he felt it to be such,
or that he had the least recollection Of any
thing unusual having transpired in our pre-
vious intercourse was, of course, consider
ably relieved to find that this was the case !;
for though felt that my position as mar.
ried woman was safeguard against any rep
ettion of his former advances, yet did not
know what unpleasant allusion to them he
might choose to make, and was anxious to
avoid the necessity of being uncivil to him in
my own house.
Seven o'clock came, and my husband did
not appear. / began to look and listen anx
iously for his arrival. He was always 80 ex
ceedingly punctual, that I feared that some
accident might have happened to rctard his
return. Halfpast seven-eight o'clock |
could no longer disguise my uneasiness, and,
ringing the bell, was about to give orders to
have some one 60 in search of him, when
heard the welcome sound of his horses feet
approaching the house, and directly after, be
entered the hall but instead of coming into
the parlor, went through the passage which
led to the rear of the house. Supposing that
he wished to make some alteration in his dress
before re-appearing in the presence of our
guest, was not surprised at this proceeding
but when an additional quarter of an hour
had elapsed, and he was still absent, I resolv
ed to find out for myself if anything unusual
had happened.
Excuse me for moment, if you please" !"
I said to Stephen. 81 wish to ask DR.. Ward.
law question, and will be back directly :"
and leaving the parlor, I fastened to the
housekeeper's room, as had heard him 60 up
stairs AS reached the door heard voices
in earnest consultation. l opened it, aid look
ing in, saw my husband, Barbara, and third
person whom had never before seen, an Ell.
derly woman of respectable appearance, all
talking in confidential manner together. |
had remained for moment regarding the
group before my entrance was perceived BY
any of them. Then as I approached, Dr.
Wardlaw and Barbara looked up simulta-
neously, and noticed that they both changed
color and seemed disturbed. For the first
time, chill of suspicion and distrust struck
cold upon my heart.
"Is anything the matter, Arthur p asked,
feigning composure which did not feel.
He came forward to meet ME, and took my
hand. Nothing to disturb you, my DEAR"
he answered, gently. "Has Mr.. Holcombe
gomez"
"No," said I coldly, "Mr. Holcombe has
not gone but as have been left to the task
of entertaining him the whole evening, l
thought he could dispense for a moment with
company, while I came to relieve my natural
anxiety in regard to you. AS you say moth
ing is wrong. may as we'll return to the par
lor at once"
81 am sorry you should have been anxious
about me" he rejoined. 81 was unavoidably
detained" He allowed me to withdraw my
hand as he spoke, and as he made no farther
effort to detain me, I Immediately left the
room. A few minutes afterward, he Joined
US in the parlor; but he seemed thoughtful
and pre-occupied, and Stephen Holcombe had
the discretion shortly after to take his depar-
ture.
devoted myself sedulously to piece of
work with which had provided myself, wait.
ing for DR.. Wardlaw to break the silence.
expected that an explanation of some sort
would of course follow but I was mistaken.
Dr.. Wardlaw remained in sort of reverie,
gazing abstractedly into the fire. apparently
unconscious that anything in the shape of an
explanation was at all necessary for him to
offer me.
1 was surprised, mortified, indignant. As
nine o'clock struck, l hailed the sound as a
welcome summons, and rose to 60 to bed