Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-04-08

and make an abrupt departure. Carry had
at one time made it her habit to 60 into his
room every morning, just after breakfast, and
put it to rights but he said it disturbed him,
and begged her to discontinue the practice,
preferring the uncertain attentions OF the
cook, whose omissions would, he knew, be
supplied by Alice, later in the day. Car
ry was not at all displeased to be released
from the duty, for, as she told her mother,
"Uncle Brainerd was so snappish, and made
such queer remarks, that she was on pins the
whole time she was in there" Ofcourse, his
preference for Alice did not pass unnoticed ;
and though the younger members of the fam
ily troubled themselves very little about it,
and in fact rather rejoiced at the circumstance,
inasmuch as it absolved them from self-re-
proach on the score of negecting him, Mrs.
Fielding did not view it with the same equa.
nimity. Had she ventured to do so she would
have intertered, but she was afraid of excl
ting the old mans displeasure, and she knew
that if Alice absented herself from his room
by her orders he would not rest until he had
found out the cause.
$50 Maurice is coming this evening"" said
uncle Brainerd, presently, as pause ensued
in the conversation.
"Yes," said Alice, quietly. He could not
see how her heart leaped up, as she uttered
the simple monosyllable, or how her pulses
quickened at the thought of all that Maurices
coming implied.
you're glad of it, suppose, amt you?"
he continued.
eyes, sir, of course 1 am. 1t will be pleas
ant to have him at home again." said Alice,
in matter-of-fact tone.
"Ah! I should think so. But from the
way you answered just now, couldn't make
out whether you cared about it or not
"It would be strange if all of us were not
pleased at it," said Alice, demurely.
ri confess I am pleased" said uncle Brai-
nerd "Though haven't seen much Of Mau-
rice in the last few years, have no reason to
alter the opinion have always entertained of
him. He is good lad-a high-toned, con-
scentious lad. And if he wasn't coming
home now, or at any rate soon, don't think
I'd have much chance of seeing him again.
"Why not, uncle?"
"Why not, my dear? Why, because |
think shall speedily be going the way of all
uCSu, odlO IllC Olu SCuIlCilob3 "1tt - SA'oA'
tremor in his voice. Il have notion my
days won't be many more on earth. "lm
failing very fast, Alice failing very fast"
Alice took his thin hand. "Don't say So,
uncle Branerd," she exclaimed, cheerfully.
II think you have been unusually well lately !;
and many persons live to be great deal older
than you are"
"I don't know about that" said the old
man, not displeased at the suggestion, howev-
er. "Threescore and ten, you know, is our
allotted age"
eyes, but how many people live to eighty
or more, and you are not yet seventy-two.
swell! well, it's point we can't settle,
child, so we may as we'll not trouble our
heads about it," said uncle Brainerd, sighing
a little as he leaned his head against the high
back of his cushioned chair, and closed his
eyes. Presently he dropped asleep, holding
Alice's hand clasped in his as it rested on his
knee and so they sat for some time without
stirring, while the gathering twilight deepened
around them.
Suddenly Alice heard approaching wheels.
She started and listened eagerly-yes, sound
Of welcoming, chorus of joyful voices be-
came dimy audible to the ears; Maurice had
come! Her heart throbbed; she longed to
jump up and fly out to the front door to join
her welcomngs with the rest; but she could
not move without disturbing uncle Brainerd,
whose hand, even in sleep, had not relaxed its
clasp. How strange Maurice would think it
if she did not 60 to meet him He might
suppose she did not care-but then again, he
might come in search of her he would at
least come to uncle Brainerds room in little
while. So she restrained her eagerness and
remained still, only trembling little with
excitement, and with feverish spot burning
in each cheek, that made the room seem in
supportably warm and close.
About ten minutes had elapsed, when the
old man stirred, and opening his eyes, said
"Was it only a dream, or did | hear some
body come just now?"
"Maurice has come" said Alice, not trying
now to repress the glad inAexiou in her voice.
He has, has he?" said uncle Brainerd,
starting up. "Why didn't you tell me?
Where is be, child? Have you seen him ?"
"Not yet, sir; I only heard him."
"And you stayed here with mel Good
child But 60 directly and see him; and
tell him to come in here after while"
Alice needed no second bidding. She sped
like a bird along the passage, but checked her
speed as she reached the hall-paused mo-
ment to gain composure at the parlor door,
then quietly turned the latch and entered.
Maurice was there, standing in the midst of
all excited group, with his arm around his
mothers waist, and Susy cinging to his hand.
Ha did pot bnr T,,et o,,,l el, hol loic-
ure to observe him before she came forward.
How handsome he had grown! How manly
and noble-looking, with his sunburnt face
and broad shoulders and that brown NOUS
tache shading his upper lip-she had never
seen him with a moustache before. Her
heart throbbed with pride in him, even though
it did not own the right of possession. Sud-
denly he turned his head toward the door and
saw her. His face lit up, and coming forward,
with extended hand, he exclaimed
"Why, this is Alice, now! Alice, thought
you were not coming to give Inc any welcome
at all.
His greeting, and the kiss he pressed upon
her cheek, were as frank as brothers, but
the rush Of joy that surged over Alicc's heart
was almost overpowering, and she could
scarcely find words to reply. He did not
notice her agitation, however, but drew hel
forward into the circle he had quilted, and
went on talking as before, still keeping her at
his side. 1t was happiness enough for her tc
stand there, drinking in the tones of his voice
and hanging on his words, even though not
addressed to her. 1t was enough to know
that this would now be daily joy, at least
! for some time to come.
81 should think you'd be tired, Maurice,
said Mrs. Fielding, at length. "You'll find
your own room ready, whenever you wantetc