Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-10-14
complimentary epithet to apply to any lady"

complimentary epithet to apply to any lady,"
1 answered, coldly. ..
"In some senses, of course not !; but only
meant it in the sense of being courageous, in
this instance. am sure Miss Vincent will
exonerate me from the suspicion of intending
to be mplmentary to her. But l see it's
dangerous experiment to fatter one lady at
the expense of another"
"Flattery is dangerous at all times" said
Ellen.
LESS dangerous to the recipient than the
donor, think, said I, rather contemptuously.
"How do you make that out?" questioned
Stephen.
"Because, unless the person who receives it
is very weak.minded, it must inspire him or
her with feeling of-well, I won't say what
but at any rate, an unfavorable estimation of
the character of the person who bestows it. :"
"Why, Rosamond, I did not think you
could be so severe" said Ellen.
II stand rebuked," said Stephen, bowling to
me, still with the same smiling air.
"Not at ALL I was not alluding to you, in
the least" I answered, indifFerently. II
thought it was merely an abstract question !;
for, to tell the truth, saw nothing Aattering
or unaattering, in your remarks, to lead to
the discussion. Ellen, have just remem.
bered something 1 wish to consult aunt Mabel
about. am afraid I may forget it if put it
off till later so I'll 60 to her at once" And
with slight bow to Stephen, J. left the pair
together.
found several causes for surprise in the
interview, in which had just played part.
First, my former admirers cool, selfpossessed
courtesy and indifference of manner toward
me-a manner to which it had seemed impos-
sible, judging from his past impetuosity, that
he should ever attain. Secondly, Ellen's vi
vacious, almost fighty mode of speech, 30 en-
tirely contrasted to her usual sedateness, al.
most amounting to formality. Her look Of
evident pleasure, mixed with what seemed to
be an agreeable sort Of embarrassment, when
Stephen spoke to her, and her unwonted blush
at his approach. Thirdly, the way in which
the two had combined to keep me, in great
degree, out of the conversation at first, to all
appearance, nearly ignoring my presence al
together! All this was inexplicable to me,
and 1 unused, as I slowly ascended the stair.
case, in no very pleasant state of mind, on the
singular turn which affairs had taken.
1 did not cs-e a pin for Stephen Holcombe's
regard. In fact, positively disliked and de-
sired to shun him and yet (such is the in
consistency of human nature) felt now
pqued to discover how easily the impression
of my refusal of his suit had worn off of him,
and how quickly he had recovered from the
blow. 1t slightly lowered my estimation Of
my own Importance, and it is never pleasant
to discover that our favor is less appreciated
by others than we supposed it to be, or that
the withdrawal of it is matter of small &C.
count.
Dismissing these reflections as we'll as I
could from my mind, entered my godmoth'
er's room with cheerful air.
"Where is Ellen, dear?" she asked.
"Down stairs in the piazza, aunty, enter
tanning a gentleman" I watched my aunt's
face little malciously as made this state
nent. She was strong adherent to the pro-
prieties of life, and only the previous day l
had heard her expressing her disapproval of
young girls carrying on 1te'a tste converse
tions with gentlemen-on the appearance of
anything like Irritation, as some did, in the
morning hours of the day, when, as she said,
they might be better employed; and l recol-
lect that more than once Ellen had virtuously
marched me off into retirement on the ap-
proach of certain agreeable acquaintance of
my own, lest l might be ensnared into some
such imprudence.
"Who is it?" asked my aunt, with just q
shade of annoyance in her tone.
"Stephen Hocombe."
"Stephen Holcombe! Is he here? When
did he come ;"
"He came to the hotel just few minutes
ago. Ellen and I were in the piazza, and he
came up and spoke to US.
Aunt Mabel said nothing, but drew the
needle she was plying with little extra en-
ergy through her work. Presently she got
up and went down stairs; and not long after
reappeared with Ellen, who looked as placid
and imperturbable as ever.
"Your friend has gone, Rosamond," she
remarked, calmly.
"My friend You we're much more friend
ly to him than was,' I rejoined.
81 had to exert myself to cover your inciv-
lily; the poor young man seemed embarrass-
ed by your cool reception Of him."
"He did not seem to me to be in the least
embarrassed; and as to my incivility, that
would not have been manifest if you had let
me come in when l wanted to-"
Ellen made no reply, but took up some
work and composedly commenced talking on
some Indifferent subject.
Stephen Holcombe took up his quarters at
a cottage near by, and we saw him every even.
ing in the public dancingroom Of the hotel;
but beyond this there was little intercourse be.
tween US. My aunt cordially disliked him,
and so did 1 and as Ellen generally acques'
ced (by silence at any rate) in our remarks
about him when be chanced to be the topic of
conversation, we took it for granted that she
shared our opinion.
One morning I woke very early. l had
had restless night, and yet felt indisposed to
sleep. Ellen was already up, and preparing
for her usual walk to the spring.
"Nelly," I said, after watching her for