Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-01-06

opposition brought to bear upon her, although
she was anxious to modify the displeasure she
was causing, by every means in her power
and was especially anxious to bring the pres,
ent discussion to favorable close.
In order to give the reader clearer insight
into the state of affairs in question, it may be
we'll to 20 back few weeks previous to the
commencement of his narrative, at which pc
riod Mr.. Paul Raymond had first made his
appearance in the circles of New Y York society.
He came from the wilds of the West, where
he reported himself to have been living for
the past ten years but was a perfect specimen
of polished courtesy and good breeding,
though indulging in certain freedom of
speech, and not ungraceful carelessness OF
manner which signalized more unrestrained
mode of life than that followed by the inhabi'
tants of populous and long-settled regions.
He was eminently handsome, and his conver-
sation gave evidence of his thoroug gh acquain-
tance with all the current topics of the day.
Had he possessed few attractions, people
would soon have ceased to trouble themselves
about him but as it was, speculation was rife
concerning him. By some he was reported to
be the owner of extensive gold and silver
mines, which were the source ofinexhaustible
wealth. Others pronounced him mere ad-
venturer, depending on his own personal
qualification to ngratiate himsefinto popular
favor, and perhaps secure an advantageous
alliance with some wealthy and aristocratic
family. 1t was noticeable fact that nearly
all the young ladies to whom he was intro
duced conceived an immediate liking and ad.
miraton for him while the fathers and moth
ers, for the most part, showed an inclination to
hold somewhat aloof, as though deeming it
prudent not to encourage the advances of one
of whom they knew 50 little. Apparently,
Mr.. Raymond was equally Indifferent to ad.
miraton and to mistrust. He was genial and
courteous to all, ignored covert Sights, yet
maintained quiet dignity which asserted its
claims to consideration and respect. This
nonchalance, however, was speedily shaken by
his acquaintanceship with Esther Leighton,
to whom he was presented at a public ball
and with whom, to use a somewhat hackney
ed, but in this case very suitable phrase, he
almost Immediately fell over head and ears in
love- And it was not very long before he
managed to assure himself that the object of
his regard-one of the most quiet, decorous
and modest of reigning bellies, and one, more.
over, who had already received and refused
several advantageous offers Of marriage-was
guilty Of the extreme indecorum of having suf.
fered herselfto fall in love with him in return.
The delight and triumph of the suilor, and
the displeasure and dismay of the lady's guar
dians on making this discovery, may both be
more easily imagined than described.
Esther was of age, and, therefore, quite at
liberty to make her own choice; but Mrs.
Pembroke, her fathers sister, who had prided
herself upon being the pink of propriety all
her life, considered it her duty to warn her
most solemnly against the rashness Of her con.
duct, and to protest, with all the vehemence
of which she was capable, against the match
she contemplated making. Argument, en-
treaty, reproof, all alike proved vain. Esther
WAS as resolute inwardly, as she was outwardly
mild and gentle and although sincerely re.
GREETING the disapproval of her uncle and
aunt, was evidently bent upon carrying her
point Mr.. Pembroke was less determined in
his opposition than his better half He was an
indolent man, and always found contention of
any kind troublesome; so when it became
plain to him that his niece's mind was thor
oroughly made up, he was willing to let her
alone "My dear," he said to his wife, "when
a stubborn woman gets the bit between her
teeth, you may as we'll drop the bride and
let her take her course. If she has fancy to
run over precipice she'll do it"
Nonsense, Mr.. Pembroke" said the lady
shortly Suppose she breaks her neck"
"Well, then, it must be brokeu-that's all.
I, for one, see no use in making commotion
aboutit It's ordained by fate, suppose, and
what is bound to happen must happen, in
spite of all that you and can do" Mrs.
Pembroke, thus reduced to the necessity of
carrying on the battle alone, was finally forced
to give it up in despair, leaving Esther mis-
tress of the field. The marriage was fixed for
the first of June. 1t was now May, and the
engagement was scarcely three weeks old !!
OF course the affair created a sensation in So
ciety, and Mrs. Grundy, as usual, had plenty
to say. Speculation, wonder, criticism, disap-
proval, pity, all had full play but Esther, in
spite the many comments which Mrs. Penn
broke took care should reach her ears, re-
mained unmoved through them all. Quietly
and without any fuss, her preparations were
carried on, chiefly under her own supervision ;
for her aunt, in her displeasure, declared that
she washed her hands of the whole matter.
She did not, however, openly quarrel with
Esther. She was really fond of her, after her
own fashion, and her anger arose chiefly from
the fear, which in her mind amounted almost
to certainty, that the latter was wilfully
throwing away her chances of happiness in life.
"You will have to be great deal to me,
Paul." Esther said to her lover one day, not
long before their marriage; "for | have quar-
relied with nearly every one for your sake"
II will be everything to you, as you will be
to me-" was his rejoinder. "What need we
care for the displeasure or disapproval of out
siders, while we have each other to care for ?
We will live blissful little world of our own" +"
"And suppose, after you get me out into
that wild western country, you should tire of
me, and 90 off and leave me alone among the
savages," said Esther, jestingly. "What
would become of me then? ?"
Paul Raymond's manner suddenly grew
very grave. "My love, you are speaking
lightly now," he rejoined, in a serious tone
"but, tell me truly, do you trust me with all
your heart and soul-do you place yourself in
my keeping without one doubt, without one
fear?"
"Without single one, she answered, read
lily, raising her frank eyes to his face. "What
would my love be worth if | did not p
"And will this faith ofyours last unshaken
always, no matter what betides ? Will you
still trust me implicitly, no matter what clouds
may come over our sky, as they sometimes
come even into the brightest and happlest
lives ?"