Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-10-07

Next came trOOplnR 1rOu Lie Lnlcket gay
and motley assemblage, composed of various
NEUROLOGICAL characters-Diana in tunic of
green, with bow and shaft; Iris in many.col-
ored robe, scattering pearly spray from a
crystal flask Aurora in rosy drapery, chasing
before her star.bespangled Night; stately
Juno, laughing Hebe, bene6cent Ceres, ra'
diant Flora with her attendant nymphs then
followed a group of Dryads and Maids, and
last of all dainty little Titania with gilt
tering train of fays, presenting an enchanting
scene as they scattered themselves over the
grass and fitted in and out among the trees,
their butterfly wings glistening with thou.
sand hues. The band played quadrille, and
with clasping hands and entwiniug arms the
Hours, Seasons, Goddesses, Dryads, Nymphs,
and Fairies with one accord joined in a gay
revel, their flying feet scarcely pressing the
emerald turf, cheeks flushing, eyes sparkling,
and ripglets, black, brown and fair, blown
about by the soft spring wind.
"How lovely!-how charmingl-how pic
turesque p' resounded on all sides from the de-
lighted spectators. "Why, Rosamond," ex-
claimed several voices 1--WE had no idea that
there was such pretty surprise in store for
US. How did you manage to get it up 50
beautifully"
Indeed, it is as much of surprise to me
as to you," I replied. "Here is the magician
whose wand creates wonders at his bidding"
and seizing my father by the arm, who was
standing near me, I cried gleefully, "Papa,
have you slave of the ring, who builds fairy
palaces in might, and makes nymphs and
goddesses spring out of the bosom of the
earth p
"Of course I have" said papa. "But it
was not l, or my slave either, who invented
this gay show. You must ask your godmoth-
er about it-she has been planning costumes
and composing poetry for the last six weeks"
"Aunt Mabel" exclaimed. "Oh how
good of her. must hunt her up to thank
her. How kind everybody is to me !"
"Isn't it astonishing" said Charlie Ray
mond, sauciy. "The idea of any one taking
80 much trouble as all this, just to celebrate
your birthday"
"Please to go away, Mr.. Raymond" re-
of you now. Or, on second thought, you can
go and find out where my aunt is, and come
back and let me know. must see her i'm
mediately."
II am honored by the commission" said
Charlie, without stirring. "But think you
may as we'll entrust it to some one else. |
mi ight not be able to find her easily"
Darling an indignant glance at him, l
turned away, and my eyes fell on Stephen
Holcombe, who was standing apart with a
moody face Twas wild with glee, and capa-
bic of committing any mischief. "Mr. Hol-
combe," said I, approaching him, and speak
ing in my softest tone, "may l ask you to es-
cort me to the house2 l have an errand
there"
In another moment we we're crossing the
lawn together. As we passed around the myr-
tie hedge, we found ourselves alone. All the
company were assembled in the glade, and the
house seemed deserted, even by the servants,
who had been enraptured witnesses Of the
novel display which had just taken place.
We entered through the piazza, and look.
ed in every direction, calling upon Aunt
Mabel as ran from room to room but she
was nowhere to be found.
"How singular" said l, forced at last to
give up the search. "She was certainly not
out there, was she, Mr.. Holcombe? She can't
have gone home. Well, We may as well re-
turn from our fruitless errand. 1 am sorry
to have given you the trouble of coming here
for nothing"
"Trouble!" echoed Stephen Holcombe, with
passionate vehemence in his tone. He check
ed something which had risen to his lips, and
walked with rapid steps to a window, where
he stood for moment, looking out. Then
he turned, and came back to my side.
"Do you not know that I would 90 to the
end of the world to serve your" he asked
abruptly.
"OhI know you are very kind" I an
swered with halffrightened laugh, for his
odd manner startled me. "But would not
impose such journey as that upon you"
moved towards the door, but he placed
himself in my way.
"Don't co." he cried, entreatingly. "For
heavens sake, Rosamond, give me moment
of your time"
/ stopped, trembling, and wishing with all
my heart that I had resisted the impulse of
coquetry which had led me to ask for his
comp panionship. knew what was coming;
his ardent gaze, his quivering voice, his excl
ted manner, all forewarned me Of catastro-
phe l now felt sincerely anxious to avert.
But could frame no excuse for escaping; l
was struck dumb, and stood with beating
heart awaiting the ordeal | saw before me.
81 have borne coldness and disdain from
you," he went on rapidly, land have been
stung to the quick by your Indifference and
contempt"
"Oh! no, no." interrupted, deprecatingly.
He silenced me by gesture of his hand.
"It is too true. Your avoidance of me has
been too marked to escape notice; but not
withstanding this encouragement, am drawn
to say what is burning in my heart-what
must be said, sooner or later, be your answer
what it may. You know that l love you
that 1 worship the very ground you tread
upon. Rosamond, can you, in the sight OF
God, put your hand upon your heart and tell
me honestly that you do not return this
love?"
In less serious mood, I could have laugh
ed at the singuIarity of this address; but his
face awed mt, and | did not dare to tritie
with him.
"Mr. Hocombe" I faltered, "did you not
yourself say that l was cold-that / avoided
you? How then can you ask me if love
your"
because I am resolved to know the worst
at once-because will not be kept following
in your track, moving like a puppet at your
bidding, if it is only for your pleasure that l
am made to do so-lured on one moment by
your smiles, to be repulsed by frown the
next. will not 60 from here until l find
out whether it is through pure coquetry that
you have tormented me thus"
"You have no right to accuse me of CO.
quetry," answered, stung to anger by his