Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-01-14
CHAPTER vi.

CHAPTER vi.
TWELVE YEARS AFTER.
"Estelle, pull that curtain down F.; the light
hurts my eyes-they are fsarfully weak to-
day."
eyes, uncle"
And Estelle Blandford, as she is called-a
tall, slim young girl of seventeen or therea-
bouts-steps lightly across the room to fulfill
the command, somewhat fretfully issued, OF
uncle Dick, who lies, sadly aged and altered,
upon bed from which he will never rise
again. Let US describe her as she stands by
the window, striving for a minute with the
cord Of the curtain, which has got into knot
and is not easily undone.
In stature she is a little above the medium
height, not yet fully developed, but with much
lissom grace in her movements, and the pro-
mise of completer beauty Of form and limb
when matured, than the still too slender out
lines now present. Her face is perhaps more
striking than handsome. 1t has not sufficient
curve or cobr for the essential charm Of youth ;
yet there is undeniable beauty in the deep
dark eyes, with their sweeping lashes and
pencilled Italian brows, and her features are
regular and well-cut As to their expression
we'll, it is not easy to describe that, or indeed
even to define it satisfactorily to oneself or to
Others People differ in their opinions re.
specting it some thinking that world OF
sweetness lies in her eyes and smile; others
fancying lurking something, it may be
shade of pride, or disdain, or uncandor-no
one knows what-which mars all its attraction.
In truth it is face which varies; yet scarcely
from impulse, or the too ready betrayal of in
ward emotion. 1t rather expresses at will
whatever degree of pleasure or regret, or ten
derness, or fear, or solicitude, its owner is
anxious to manifest. A face that is under
perfect command, and neither smiles nor is
sad out of the right time and place. A face
that artists would delight to paint and yet
would never feel that they had faithfully por-
trayed face sometimes alluring, sometimes
repellant, but always little puzzling to those
who strive to read it Alright.
Its expression now is one Of extreme gen.
tleness and earnestness, as she carefully ar
ranges the light to suit the invalid's wishes,
and then approaches his bedside to minister
in some other way, to his needs. She smooths
his disordered covering, lifts his head, and
substitutes fresh, cool pillow, for the heated
one she removes, then opens bottle of CO.
logne and saturates soft handkerchief, with
which she bathes his brow.
"Is your head easier, uncle? Has that
pain left it, which you complained of little
while ago?"
81 can't say, child. have queer, con
fused feeling, to-day, different from usual.
believe, on the whole, I'm rather worse"
"Oh uncle don't say sol"
81 think so, truly"
Estelle pressed his feeble hand in hers, and
bending over him, lightly touched her lips to
his brow.
"Dear uncle" she whispered below hel
breath.
The old man raised his eyes to her face, and
looked steadastly at her.
"Estelle," he said, presently, "you've been
a good child, devoted child, a faithful, kind
nurse to me- I believe you will be little
sorry, when am gone"
"Dou't speak in that way-please, please
DON'T" she rejoined, earnestly. ~ cannot
bear to hear you"
You are fond of me, child, are you not?-
we'll, we'll, I won't ask the question; kno"
you are. You have proved it in many ways
and fear, my dear girl, that have often re-
paid your kindness by being cross, and exact
ing, and ungrateful. But that was the weak
ness of ill-health, as you know. have ap
preciated what you have done for me, all the
same"
"Uncle, how can you talk of ever being un'
grateful to me Why, owe you debt Of
gratitude that can never repay, for all your
goodness to me through my life. But what
have done for you, 1 have done out of love-
and felt it to be a joy that could render you
any service"
"Well, child, you have done all, and more
than could have been expected from you
When your mother first let you come to me, !
had little ides.that you would turn out such a
help and comfort as you have done. But
you'll see that it shall not 60 unrewarded."
"1 have never thought of a reward, uncle. -
Gall right, my dear; never supposed that
you did. Ibeleveyou have acted from pure,
ly generous, disinterested motives. But il
would be pleasure to me to give you some
substantial evidence of my affection, and Of
the high opinion which have formed you.
There was pause. Estelle's breath came
little quicker than usual, and there was an
eager light in her eyes but she kept her face
out of sight, and went Oh bathing uncle Dick
forehead with quiet, untrembling hand.
Would he say anything more, she wonder
ed? She did not venture to interrupt his re-
Elections by word or sign, but waited-walted
outwardly composed and calm, inwardly
burning with feverish restlesness and impa
tience.
"You see child" he resumed presently
"besides what I think are only your just dues,
l owe you reparation for wrong did you
once-at least, I consider it a wrong now, in
looking back upon it, though I didn't think
50 at the time. I am going to make very
candid confession to you but 1 know you
have too much good sense to let it create any
resentment in your feelings toward me at this