Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-07-15

ciety to hers. She was 80 much the livelier
and more entertaining Of the two. But Jen-
ME, though she liked him, had never taken to
him quite as cordially as she herself had done
from the first.
One day, Hugh, Jennie and Claribel were
in the parlor. The former had ridden over
to bring some books he had promised them,
and it being before luncheon time, Edna was
busy about domestic affairs. It was seldom
that Hugh came at this early hour, but this
was one of his weak days, and he had not
been able to resist the craving of his soul.
He knew that the two youngest girls usually
occupied the hour before luncheon in practic-
ing their music together, and, as he had an
ticipated, he found them both at the piano,
when he entered.
"How nice of you to come" cried Clarlbel'
springing up. "Jennie has been tormentlng
me to learn ever such difficult duet, and
now you have afforded me the means OF es-
cape"
"It is not nice of him at all, said Jennie,
little decidedly, though laughing as she
spoke. "You should not neglect your duty,
Claribel. Should she, Mr. Thornton ?"
II am sure she never would do that" he
replied, in the same jesting tone. "However,
if 1 am in theway, I'll ride right away again,
as soon as I have delivered this parcel into
your keeping
"No, nonsense; sit down." said Claribel,
gaily, as she pulled large chair toward him.
II know you must be tired, after your ride" !"
"such long ride" said Jennie, mockingly.
But Claribel, with smiling empressme''t, took
his hat from him and hung it up in the hall,
saying that luncheon would be ready in
quarter of an hour, and he must not think Of
going until it was over. Edna would scold
them both if they permitted him.
"But Miss Jennie does not want me" ne
replied, glancing at Jeanette.
"Miss Jennie is always happy to see you,
when you don't make naughty children neg
lect their tasks" said that young lady, unity
ing the parcel he had brought as she spoke,
and beginning to examine the contents.
care you Claribel's taskmistress ?" asked
Hugh, smiling.
"No; wish were"
"You are hard on me to-day" said Claribel,
lightly, while Hugh bent puzzled look for
an instant on her sisters face, as ifto discover
how much of earnest might be underlying the
careless surface of her words. Jennie, how
ever, concentrated her attention on a novel,
and her two companions began to talk Of
other subjects. Presently Hugh said
"You rememberyou promised some time or
other to let me drive you to the ford, where
there is such charming little view which
you have never seen. Suppose we 60 this
afternoon :"
II should like it of all thinns" she -renlied
promptly.
"Then will come for you at six o'clock"
"Clariew said Jennie suddenly, 'you for
get that you have an engagement to 60 out
with me this afternoon"
"Oh yes, I did forget it; but could you
not just as we'll put that off till tomorrow p
"No; it suits me much better to go to-day"
"Then, of course, will 60 with you," said
Claribel, wondering little at her unusually
positive tone. "You hear what she says,
Hugh"
"I perceive" he rejoined in slightly con-
strained manner, "that she is quite resolved
to-day not to let you shirk any of your en-
gagements."
"No, I don't believe in broken engage
ments," said Jennie, whose eyes were still
fixed upon her book. Again Hugh bent a
scrutinizing glance upon her, but her counte-
nance was impenetrable. At this moment
the luncheon bell rang, to the relief of Clari-
bel, in whose mind the idea suddenly sprapg
up that everything was not quite smooth this
morning between her sister and her prospec.
tive brother-in-law, though what should have
caused any such jar, if it really existed, she
could not by any means divine.
They adjourned to the breakfast room, and
almost directly after luncheon Hugh took his
departure, saying that he feared he would not
be able to come over that evening, but would
certainly see them all on the following day.
After he had left, Edna was standing at
one of the windows, looking out with pre-
occupied and somewhat pensive air, when
Claribel put her arm around her waist and
asked her what made her look so SOBER
Nothing, child" said Edna rather abrupt
ly; and detaching herself, though not unkind
ly, from the younger girls clasp, she almost
Immediately went out of the room.
EDNA is queer, I Think" said Claribel,
who was not used to having her caresses slight
ed. "And so are you, Jennie; you were de-
cidedly queer, when Hugh was here"
"Was II" was all Jennie vouchsafed to re-
ply and half puzzled, half vexed, Claribel
went off to the parlor, to propitiate her by
practicing the obnoxious duet.
In the afternoon, they started together on
their expedition, which was to carry bundle
of clothes to poor woman, who lived at a
farmhouse, not far off. Jennie was in very
amiable mood, and Claribel had quite forgot
ten the triAing annoyance of the morning, so
they chatted as merrily as usual as they walked
along. AS they were on their homeward way,
however, having accomplished their errand,
Jeanette, speaking in a graver tone, said
"Clarie, will you be vexed with Inc if l give
you little piece of uncalled.for advice?"
"It isn't likely that will" said Caribel,
gaily. "It seems that you and I have changed
places to-day"
"In what way?"
"You always tell me that love to preach