Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-01-07

ment who had, from the hrst, resented tne III
PRODUCTION of this new addition to the family,
and that was Carries old black nurse, Dlnah.
She secretly pronounced Estelle to be "a 'ceit-
full little ting" and her honest heart swelled
with indignation, when she found her admitted
to all the privileges and indulgences enjoyed
by her own darling She did not venture,
however, to give vent to these sentiments, es-
pecially as her mistress had given strict orders
that no difference was to be made between the
children, on pain of her displeasure. But not
the less did she chafe at the innovation, while
she kept strict guard over Carrie, that she
might not be imposed on, at least, while under
her surveillance, by the new conner. Estelle
had the wit speedily to find out the estimation
in which Dinah held her; and while she hear
tily reciprocated the dislike of which she felt
herself to be the object, she, nevertheless, took
pains to ingratiate herself into the favor OF
one whose position of high trust and lmpor-
tance in the nursery made it matter Of self
interest to cultivate her good graces.
But in branching off to these generalit'es,
I have departed from what was intended to
be the bject of this chapter, namely an oc'
currence which materially affected the life
and prospects of both the children, and made
a complete and startling change in the house
hold at "The Cedars."
1t was, as have already stated, bright,
clear winters day the air, though dry, was
unusually keen and frosty, and as Carrie was
suffering from a cold, her mother decided that
she should not, as usual, 60 out to play, but
remain, under Dinah's care, by the nursery
fire. This did not suit Estelle, who had taken
particular fancy to 60 down to certain
pond in neighboring pasture, in order to
sail toy-boat her "uncle John" as she was
taught to call him, had made for her. She
yielded, nevertheless, with an apparently good
grace to the prohibition, which affected her as
we'll as Carrie for Mrs. Blandford would, by
no means, trust her to 60 without Dlnah.
The two played together, for some time, with
their baby.houses and toys, while the old
nurse nodded in the chimney.corner, rousing
herself at intervals to add leisurely stitch or
two to a piece of work on which she pro-
fessed to be engaged.
A little before lunch-time, Mrs. Blandford
came into the nursery, cloaked and bonneted
for drive. 81 am going out with your mas
ter, Dinah," she said, as she stopped to give
good-by caress to little Carrie, who sprang up
to meet her. "I shall not be gone probably
longer than an hour; take good care OF the
children, and be sure and keep this room
warm. Carrie, my pet, don't keep me now;
papa is waiting for me"
"Don't 90, mamma" said the little one, as
with spoilt chid's privilege, disregarding the
injunction, she clasped her chubby arms closer
round her mothers neck, rubbing her rosy
cheek softly against the warm boa, which she
called I" pussy cat" and loved to stroke.
"Carre wants you to stay at home"
"But mamma can't stay now, darling; and
Carrie must be good girl, and play nicely
with Estelle, and mind all maum Dinah tells
her and I'll soon be back"
"Mayn't go with you, aunt Emily?' asked
Estelle.
"No, my dear; I am not going anywhere
where I could take you. Besides, you
wouldn't leave poor little Carrie alone would
you?"
"Oh! no, forgot" said Estelle demurely.
"We're playing house, aunt Emily and Car
re is my little daughter. Isn't that nice p
every nice," said Mrs. Blandford, smiling
at the grown-up air, which Estelle was fond
of assuming sometimes and avoiding, as she
was careful to do, all appearance ofpartiality,
she kissed Esteles cheek, while gently dis.
engaging herself from her little daughters
embrace.
"Carrie, don't you hear that papa is waiting
for me? Don't squeeze the poor pussy-cat so
hard, or all the fur will be spoiled, and it
won't be nice and soft any more There!-
that's my good-by kiss; now let mamma 60 at
once"
Was it premonition of coming evil that
made the little one still nestle so closely in
that dear embrace, as though she could not
bear even the brief parting of an hour?
Slowly and reluctantly she relaxed her hold,
and even when her mother had turned away
and reached the door, she sprapg after her,
and held up her face for "just one more kiss"
Mrs Blandford again stopped and pressed her
lips fondly on the rosy mouth, the dimpled
cheeks, the fair, angelic brow; then hearing
her husbands voice calling to her from below,
she hastily put tile child from her, and with
last parting smile and nod, closed the door
and ran down stairs.
To BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK.