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

In the sultry atmosphere of the tropics, q
degree of languor and inertia stole over Es.
ther which robbed her completely of the
cheerful elasticity of spirit she had hitherto
displayed. An inexplicable melancholy op'
pressed her, and Raymond, fearing she might
; fall i'll, became, for time, seriously alarmed.
AS they entered cooler temperature, howev-
er, her strength gradually revived, and the
healthful color was restored to her cheek, and
brilliancy to her eye; yet her former gayety
did not return, for cloud was cast over her
spirits which she could not Danish, though
herself ignorant Of the source from whence it
arose.
The Spaniard haunted her like shadow,
and her aversion to him daily acquired greater
force. Yet, by strange fatuity, her husband
seem ed blinded to all suspicion all fear that
this devotion was prompted by any but the
purest and most disinterested motives, and
even jested with her upon the unlocked for
admiration she had inspired
Esther, my love-" he said tc her one day,
approaching her when she was alone, 81 bring
you a piece of news which ought to convince
you of your injustice in regard to our gallant
friend, and restore him to his former place IN
your esteem"
"He never occupied very high place in
nv esteem" said Esther smiling; but am
quite willing to be convinced of any error of
mine which you may choose to point out"
"Well, he has done, or rather is going to do
me very great favor. Heis intimately &C.
quainted with very influential parsonage,
whose friendship would be Of inestimable val
ue to me, especially in political point of view ;
and he has promised to present me to him at
the earliest possible opportunity"
us that all ?" asked Esther in disappoint.
ed tone.
GAIL! You unreasonable child think it
is a great deal. General K is one Of the
most prominent men in our part of the world
and yet, by run of ill-fotrune, as it seems,
there has always been some impeachment in the
way of my coming in contact with him. Sew
eral times l have been foiled, in the simplest
and yet the most provoking way, in my at
tempts to meet him and now the opportuni.
ty of an introduction, through an intimate
friend, is too good one to be thrown aside"
"But," said Esther, speaking slowly, as if
reluctant to cast damper upon his enthusl-
asm, show can you tell that this talked.of
friendship really exists? What proof have
you that this Alaseuez is speaking the truth?"
cious a nature" said Raymond, laughing.
"My motto is, believe the best of person
until you find out the worst. wonder that
you ventured to marry me, as l could give no
proof but my own word of not being an i'm
postor."
"Ah! Paul, that was so different"
81 do not see wherein the great difference
consists"
"The idea of comparing yourself with that
man !" she Indignantly rejoined. "Why. his
very face bears the impress of wickedness
upon it."
"Wickedness Now, my dear Esther, that
is really too bad. 1t bears the impress of
very ugly wound, which certainly does not
enhance its sweetness of fexpression-and that
reminds me, by.the.by, that he told me yes
terday how that wound was obtained, and it
reflects great credit upon him. believe he
is good.hearted, well.meaning fellow, thoug h
somewhat uncvilized and queer and he real
y seems to have taken quite fancy to me. l
wish could disabuse you of your prejudice
against him."
81 cannot help feeling as I do; but it need
not worry you, Paul, since it does not inter-
tere in any way with your plans" ;,
"But it may interfere with a plan | had
thought Of" said Raymond, hesitatingly;
"for I would not do anything against your
will"
"What plan was that?' she asked, not
without foreboding of something unpleasant
in store for her.
II did think of inviting him to accompany
us home-iust to remain for day or so, un-
til we could find an opportunity of going to-
gether in quest Of General K"
"Oh, Paul, dont!' she cried impulsively,
seizing his hand. "Don't ask him to 90 with
US, whatever you do Appoint some place to
meet him, if you will; but please don't bring
him to our house"
"Well, dear, of course will not, since you
object to it so strongly" he replisd gently,
though with touch Of disappointment in his
tone. 81 was only anxious to make some
slight return of his courtesy ; but | am glad
spoke to you beforehand about it. Of course
he never dreamed of receiving the invitation,
So it will make no difference to him"
II dislike so much to oppose your wishes"
said Esther in troubled tone. 81 know you
think me very unreasonable; but, indeed, l
cannot overcome my repugnance to the idea
of having him with us longer than is neces-
sary." -,
''On the whole, you may be right" said
Raymond. "One thing is certain, at any rate
it will be in6nite y more agreeable to me to
have you all to myself, when we get home,
than to be annoyed by the presence OF any
outsider, for ever so short time. The thing
merely occurred to me as matter OF expedl-
ency-one has to be a little polite sometimes,
you know-and as to the man himself, neith-
er dislike nor mistrust him"
81 do-both," said Esther, in her quiet, de-
cisive tone
Il know it, little skeptic that you are
But / shall not quarrel with you again on
that score. Ishall take care that he does not
persecute you with his attentions after we
land, since they vex you so much; though l
must own that look upon them merely as an
involuntary tribute to your charms"
"Involuntary or not, they are hateful to
me-" she rejoned with energy. "And [ do
wish, Paul. that you would not be led into
any intimacy with him. Something tells me
that he will prove no true friend"
"Trust me to take care of myself, MY wise
little counselor" said Raymond lightly. "Re-
member, I have not had you with me all these
years to keep me out of mischief"
"Now you are laughing at me, Paul but
don't YOU know womans instinct often finds
out things that mems superior wisdom fails to
discover?