Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-04-27

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had written to my tancse Of our contemplated
visit, that might be sure to find her at home,
and at the appointed hour We repaired to Miss
Storr's, where both ladies were ready to re.
ceive US. Having introduced Selwyn, and
exchanged a few words with Olive, left those
two to entertain each other, and devoted my
attention chiefly to the elder lady, to give
them better opportunity of improving their
acquaintanceship. noticed with satisfac-
ton that Olive looked unusually beautiful,
and that she conversed with animation, while
delicate color flushed her cheek. I could
not forbear casting proud glances toward her,
and was delighted to perceive, from selwyn's
looks, that he was as much pleased and inter-
ested in hersociety as I had desired him to
be. He seemed in his most genial mood, and
put forth all his powers, which. he 80 we'll
knew how to exercise, to make himself agreea-
BILE. We stayed to dinner, by our hostess invi'
tation, and returned at late hour to our ho-
tel. I made an appointment with Olive to
see her again early the next morning, before
starting for home.
I did not ask selwyn any questions, but
waited with impatience for an expression of
his opinion in regard to my betrothed. 1t was
not long in coming.
"Well, Phil, my dear boy, I congratulate
you," he exclaimed, as we emerged into the
street. "Your choice is perfect and quite wor-
thy of you" .....
"Worthy of mep echoed. II should be
only too glad to think I was half worthy of
her-but I'm not"
"She looks most amiable, and her manner
is charming. I assure you, I consider you q
most fortunate man." ......
"Much more fortunate than I deserve to
be" was my rejoinder.
81 will not agree to that, because I know
you deserve as much happiness as can fall to
anybcdy's lot. There isn't too much of it in
this world anyhow, God knows" he added,
with sigh. .....
In my own overaowing bliss, I longed to
find some panacea for his depression. Not.
withstanding the vivacity he had displayed
during our visit, he was now evidently out of
spirits. Indeed, ever since he had come to
Lyndon, it had been apparent to me that he
was not in healthy frame of mind.
Next morning asked Olive what she
thought of him. She answered, iudiferently,
that she thought him quite agreeable; but
displayed no enthusiasm about him, and al
most Immediately reverted to some other topic.
"Ah! Olive" said I to her at parting, chow
blest it is to think that in few more short
weeks We shall be together, not to part again /!
Lyndon is desolate without you. How bright
your presence will make it."
She changed color, hesitated, then laid her
hand on my arm.
"Phillip," she said, with gentle depreciation
in her tones,C have request to make of
you, which, fear, you will think strange"
"a request? am only too happy to hear
it," rejoined. "You have never yet allowed
me the pleasure Of gratifying any expressed
wish of yours"
"But fear you will consider this whim;
though, indeed, it is not"
"Whatever it is, dearest, you may rest as.
sured will spare no pains to crafty it."
She still hesitated, reluctant to speak. L
urged her fondly to confde in me, again prom
ising compliance, in any case.
"Phillip, when We are married, would it
pain you very much not to live at Lyndonr
"Not to live at Lyndon p echoed, unable
to disguise my astonishment at 80 unlocked for
suggestion. "Why, Olive, do you not like
the idea of living there?"
"No, do not like it would rather, far
rather, 60 abroad somewhere. You know l
was educated abroad-and like continental
life so much. have many associations there,
especially in Germany"
Associations! But you have associations
and pleasant ones-with Lyndon also, l
thought ?"
II have-but painful, as we'll as pleasant;
and 1 cannot reconcile myself, somehow, to
taking the part of mistress there-not exactly
mistress either, ofcourse, but mean, being in
some degree at the head of the house-and al.
together don't feel fit for it; and I thought
you, too, liked living in Germany-and so,
hoped you wouldn't mind-though l know
you must think it strange"
She broke of, nervously. Her whole man
ner was quite different from usual-uncertain,
eager, hesitating, beseeching, all at once. I
was perplexed and troubled at this sudden
disconcerting of all my expectations, and could
not forbear showing my disappointment in my
face.
"This seems 50 strange to me, Olive" l
said, though not reproachfully. 1 would not
have reproached her for the world. II thought
you loved Lyndon 80.
eyes, dare say it seems strange feel
that it husband I do love Lyndon but I
don't want to live there-now."
The last word escaped her as if involuntari'
ly. I looked at her searchingly.
"Noso-as my wJs do you mean, Oliver
"Yes-in my new position" she faltered
little, and blushed brightly. thought there
was distressed look in her face.
my dearest Olive" I said, after moments
consideration, II confess don't quite under
stand the feeling you seem to have about it,
The reasons you have given me for your OBJ
lection to what I regarded as settled plan,
appear scarcely satisfactory-but still, I will
not urge you to do anything you dislike. If
you are bent on going abroad to live, I will
put no obstacle in the way; but perhaps We