Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-10-14
CHAPTER V.
STEPHEN HoLCoMBE, AGAIN.

One morning Ellen and were saunterine
up and down the hotel piazza, not feeling in
clined for either the bowling-alley or the bill
liardroom. We had been up very late tht
evening before, and were disposed to enjoy {
little interval of repose, without being obliged
to seek it in our own room, which, at tha
hour was uncomfortably warm. Two or three
ladies were following our example, and ont
pale youth, in spectacles, was extended on 6
settee, RECALLING himself with novel. With
those exceptions we had the piazza to our
selves.
Suddenly perceived figure that was ia
miliar to me, coming rapidly along a patti
which led to the front steps. looked for
moment, doubtfully, fancying l must be mis-
taken; but discovering, on nearer view
that my first idea had been correct, l turned
in surprise, to Ellen, exclaiming--
"Why, Nelly, there is Stephen Holcombe :
"What!" cried Ellen, flushing red, as she
looked sharply around. "Nonsense, Rosa
mond; you must be joking"
81 am certainly not joking" I rejoined.
little mysti6ed by her sudden blush and nerv
Gus tone. "Don't you see him yonder by the
gate as plain as daylight"
"Oh! yes, believe it is" she replied, with
what appeared to me to be forced assump
ton of her natural manner. IL see him now
. more distinctly. How odd that he should
come here"
"Very odd, and very disagreeable," said I
feeling more vexed than l cared to betray al
theunexpected arrival of my discarded suitor
"With your leave, Nelly, I'll 60 in, and leave
you to entertain him."
I was starting abruptly off, when she
caught my hand. Don't 60, Roaamond
pray" she said, earnestly. "Stay where you
are"
81 don't want to-" I answered, struggling
to release my hand. II hate to meet him
What is the matter with you, Nelly? Why
don't you let me go when I want to?'
because it looks 80 silly to see you run
ming off that way-it looks as if you were
afraid of him. Stay, there's good child"
II don't care how it looks" answered
pettishly but she held me fast, and, afraid
of his witnessing this little scene, was forced
to remain quiet as he drew near, though in
wardly burning with displeasure at what
seemed to me a most unwarrantable proceed
ing on her part. In another moment Stepher
Holcombe came up the steps, lifting his hal
as he approached US. felt myself growing
uncomfortably hot, and tried to conceal my
embarrassment by assuming an air of freezing
ha,aeur; but to my great surprise, as we'll a.
relief, he addressed US both in a most easy
and matter.offact tone, as if he and l had
been on the most friendly terms when we last
met scarcely more than looking at me, and
turning directly to Ellen to answer some re-
mark with which she greeted him.
"Did you not expect to find me among the
number of pleasure-seekers here, Miss Via
cent? Well it was only recently that l made
up my mind to come. felt that needed a
little relaxation after study"
"What have you been studying, Mr.. Hol
combep"
"Law. have decided on adopting that
glorious profession wise choice, don't you
think 80 ?"
"If you have fancy for it, l suppose it is. >
II have fancy that I: will succeed at il
better than at anything else; so 1 suppose
that ought to determine my choice. When
did you arrive here?' -
"About a week ago only"
"Shall you remain here long3"
GAS long rs we find it pleasant; and your
GAS long as my conscience permits me to
enjoy my holiday"
"Very indefinite" said Ellen, laughing. 81
don't know the dimensions of your conscience
Is it very accommodatingS
"Oh exceedingly so. Its capacity is al
most unlimited"
"Then it would have been more honest in
you to give me the same answer as gave
you.'
"Well, on the principle that honesty is the
best policy I will adopt your suggestion.
will stay here, like yourselves, as long as
find it pleasant. Is the hotel full I"
"Not quite there is comfortable crowd. -
"I am glad I came before there is an un'
comfortable one. suppose there is plenty Of
fun going on7"
"Of the usual sort-yes, said Ellen, with a
little shrug "Dancing, ten.pin playing, wa
ter.drinking-"
"You don't call that f,n?" he interrupted
with grimace.
Itis, rather to see the motley crowd, in
every variety of picturesque and unpicturesque
morning attire, surrounding the Spring. Some
going through the business of drinking with
the most intense gravity and earnestness, as
if it were too solemn proceeding to be light
ly hurried over; some gulping down the
draught in undigDifed haste, anxious to re-
turn and finish their morning nap; some ma
king faces at it as if it we're medicine, and try.
ing to summon resolution to swallow the
nauseous dose; some laughing and flirting
over it"
"To which category do you belong"
"Oh, to none Of those. am one of those
sober, matter-of:fact individuals who 60 down
with a resolution to do my duty bravely, and
get through it without any unnecessary fuss. y
"a principle by which you are no doubt
guided in more important matters than water
drinking at the spring but l must confess; 1
think it an uncalled-for piece of heroism to
rise and take that walk at such an unearthly
hour in the morning"