Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-10-07
CHAPTER III.
MORE RASH THAN WISE.

MORE RASH THAN WISE.
This piece of intelligence quite excited my
interest, and aroused my sympathy, and for.
getful of my own disturbed feelings, ran
down stairs, eager to proher my assistance
1t was not needed, however. When reached
the parlor, I found that DR.. Wardlaw had re.
covered from his temporary faintness, and was
sitting upright on the sofa, looking quite COM
posed, though very pale.
81 am more grieved than l can express, to
have been the cause of so much trouble and
confusion" he said, in penitent tone. "Csn
you forgive me, Miss Lambert, for interrupt
ing your festivities in this manner p
"Oh! how i'll you look, DR.. Wardlaw," l
cried, impulsively, without regarding his
words, for I was rather shocked by his ap.
pearance "Do you feel very badly"
81 am better now, thank ENTHUSIASTICALLY
better. There is nothing alarming in this
little attack, assure you. 1t is merely the
result of over.fatigue. have ridden farther
to-day than was prudent, considering that
am not yet very strong"
"And it is so warm" said /, taking up fan
that lay near me, and commencing gently to
fan his face Hesmiled at me gratefully, and
I mentally wondered at no one having had
the sense to think of tanning him before.
"Pray do not let me detain you," he said,
presently. "You are very kind, but I really
do not stand in need of any farther assistance.
Your friends out of doors will miss you"
"Oh no, they won't mind" replied: But
my father took the fan quietly out Of my hand.
"Yes, go to your friends, Rosy" he said in
rather decided tone. "It will not do for
them to be left entirely to their own devices.
I'll take care of DR.. Wardlaw."
Thus admonished, there was nothing left
for me to do but to obey. Soon my father
had the parlor cleared of every one but DR..
Wardlaw and himself, declaring that perfect
quiet would be the best restorative for the
former, and the revels on the lawn proceeded !;
but my fste had lost its charm for me, and |
was not sorry when the gayety was over, and
the guests dispersed to their homes.
Aunt Mabel Vincent, my fathers married
sister, quick, active, bright-eyed little lady,
stayed behind for quiet chat when the rest
had gone, and l now had an opportunity Of
thanking her for her kindness in providing
such charming entertainment for us.
II was looking all about for you, before"
I said, as soon as found out that it was you
who had arranged it all but I could not find
you anywhere"
"Was that what you came to the house
for p she asked.
EYES," l replied, and then the recollection
of what had transpired on the occasion flashed
over me, and l felt myself blushing scarlet.
Aunt Mabel looked at me keenly.
"Was not Stephen Holcombe with your"
was her next question.
"Yes; but 1 thought you were here," I re-
piled promptly.
My aunt shook her head. "Rose, my dear," ,"
she said gravely, II hope you are not encour'
aging that young man"
Encouraging him !" cried. "You need
not be afraid of that; / detest him."
"Do you, really? I should not have sup.
posed So" said my aunt I felt the implied
rebuke, and resented it.
1T is very singular" said I pettishly "that
a girl can't be seen talking to gentleman,
or walking with him, or letting him pay her
ever such a trifing attention, without being
accused of encouraging him. If Stephen
Holcombe chose to dangle after me, l could
not help it. -,
"He certainly has appeared very devoted D
she rejoined.
"Well, he won't appear so any more" said
I. II have let him see pretty plainly what
1 thought of him."
On being questioned regarding this asser:
ton, I acknowledged that Mr.. Holcombe had
addressed me, and that I had refused him.
II suppose it is hardly proper for me to tell,
said l, "but of course can trust you not to
let it 60 any farther"
She looked more relieved than surprised.
"To tell the truth, I antici pated something Of
the kind" she replied. II am glad you have
shown such good sense, my dear; he is not
the style of person should like to see you
marry. In fact, you are too young yet to
think of anything of the sort"
II don't see that exactly" said 1; chow
ever it's not likely that will have any more
offers at present"
"No," said aunt Mabel, laughing; Il sup
pose moi"
"Is DR.. Wardlaw going to stay here any
time ?" I asked, abruptly changing the sub
ject.
II believe your father has invited him to
stay for some days."
"Oh I am so glad. Don't you like him
very much, Aunty"
II have scarcely seen him, child. He has q
good, clever face, and looks and talks like q
gentleman; but as to his real merits, can't
decide on them so quickly. I suppose, being
a physician, he ought to know how to take
care of himself, but he looks very far from
strong. His fainting so easily was bad sign"
"He said it was from over-fatigue."
"May-be so he has had fit of illness, I
believe. I dare say, with little good nurs-
ing and cheerful company, he'll soon recupe-
rate"
mentally resolved that he should have
both
Nv father informed me that evening that
our guest had promised to stay with US a
week. He is really not fit to travel again
Just yet" said he, "and it will be pleasure
to me to have him here. He won't be in your
way, will he Rosy"
"Of course not, papa"
"You know, dear, you need give yourself
no trouble on his account. He is go much old.
er than you are, that he won't consider it
incumbent on you to entertain him; so you
can 60 among your young friends just as
usual"
"How old do you suppose he is, papa?"
81 am sure ne er asked" said papa. "But
should call him middle-aged man-not as
old as I am, perhaps"
"No, I should think not-why, you are
quite an old gentleman, you know"
"You are very complimentary young
lady," said my father, laughing. However,
when 1 was seventeen, I suppose forty'hve
seemed an immense age to me, too"