Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-08-03

Charlotte bit her lips, and perceptible
shade of annoyance crossed her face; but as
it was partially averted from her cousin be
did not observe it.
"Couldn't we 90 tomorrow as well2' she
asked after moments hesitation. "The light
is so bad now in the. afternoons, these short
days-I think the morning is better for shop
ping, don'tyou ?"
"Oh we'll, it would not sig ify for what !
want to buy. 1t is quality, not color, that
want your advice about, and gaslight will do
for that. I have an engagement tomorrow
and I heard you say you were going to Spieg:
ler's for uncles glass this afternoon, 80
thought we could get through all at one time. u
II did speak of going out" said Charlotte,
slowly, "but am not sure now whether can
or not-that is"
"Oh! never mind, of course, if you don't
want to" said Arthur, carelessly. "Another
time will do as we'll; but thought it likely
this afternoon would suit you, if you had no
other engagement"
"If I do TO-" said Charlotte, speaking rath-
or fast, and with little pink color in her
cheeks, II must go and see Sophia Wells. l
have been owing her visit this great while,
and believe she is goingin in the country soon. /"
"Sophia Wells! must respectfully decline
escorting you thither, my dear. Of all the
young ladies in the world, that friend of yours
is to my taste the least attractive"
II was thinking I might help you with your
shopping first, and 60 there afterwards, if we
went ear y enough" said Charlotte, apparent.
ly anxious to propitiate him, and effect an
amicable arrangement
LAS early as you please; dinner is over, you
know, by four"
Charlotte hastily revolved in her mind the
practicability of getting through the shopping
and reaching the - Gardens by half after
four and though doubling whether it could
be accomplished, she saw no way out of the
difficulty, and consented with apparent gra-
ciousness to the arrangement This being set'
tied, Arthur dismissed the subject at once
from his thoughts, little imagining how import
ant one it was in his cousins estimation.
While she was wondering, with secret anxiety,
whether it would be possible for her to per.
suade Clayton, the inhexible hancock, into
having dinner triae earlier than usual, in
order to facilitate the keeping of her appoint
ment, his mind was reverting to bis conversa-
ton with his uncle, respecting a union be-
tween them-a scheme which seemed to as
sumo fresh absurdity Of aspect the more he re-
garded it. Since this conversation, which
had taken place few days before, no allu'
sion had been made to the subject, greatly to
his relief Mr.. Graham's health was improv-
ing, and he had been occupied with his tran
stions from one stage of recovery to another,
with his progress from his bed to an easy
chair, and from cruel to beef tea, apparently
to the exclusion of other considerations. Ar
thur wondered, as he watched Charlotte, who
had gone back with stolid composure to her
darning, whether it would be possible for any
body ever to fall in love with her-still more,
whether it would ever come to pass that such
thing as love could be awakened in her slug
gish soul-the sort of love which his romantic
fancy touched with poetic halo.
Clayton did condescend, on Charlotte's rep,
resenting to him the necessity of her going out
early, to send in dinner at quarter before
three; and as the meal occupied but short
time, Arthur being rapid eater and she her.
self feeling but little appetite on this occa'
sion, they were able to start a little before
four o'clock on their expedition-an hour
which the increasing shortness of the winter
afternoons made not at all too early for any
one who had business to transact.
They went first to the matchmaker and
jewelers. store where the eyeglass had been
left for repair, then betook themselves to
furnishing establishment, where Arthur de-
sired to make sundry purchases, in the shape
of cloth for new everyday suit, hose, neck.
ties and other small articles of apparel, all
of which, Notwithstanding Charlotte's prompt
ly rendered opinion, he took an interminable
time to select.
"How hard you are to please this after
noon," she was goaded into saying at length,
by her extreme, though carefully-repressed,
impatience. ,
"And how 6dgety you seem to be this af-
ternoon," he retorted. "But 1 forgot, you
have that visit to pay. 1t is rather inexcusa'
BILE in me to keep you so long. Well, Lofty,
you can 90 now, and I'm much obliged to
you. You've helped me with all the import
ant things, and I can do the rest very well
by myself"
"Are you quite sure?"
eyes, of course. You just 60 on now and
see the adorable Sophy-and don't forget to
give her my love-"
"Are you going anywhere else, yourselfr'
she fingered to ask.
eyes. I'll take stroll down to Johnson'a
office. There's a little matter of business
promised uncle to consult him about"
Relieved at this announcement, Charlotte
set off at once for the Gardens, which we're in
just the opposite direction to the office OF
Mr.. johnson, the broker, glancing at her
watch as she did 80. It already wanted ten
minutes to FIVE, and her heart beat with the
fear that she might be too late. But as she
arrived within sight Of her destination, she
experienced sudden thrill of satisfaction al
the discovery that her fears had been unfoun'
ded In another moment slim young gen.
tleman who had been lettering near the gates
becoming cognizant of her approach, hastily
advanced to meet her and extending his
hand, bestowed most lover-like pressure or
the fat little tightly-gloved fingers she placeo
within it.
"You are late," he murmured, bending 6
tenderly.reproachfu glance upon her face
which was lighted up with smiles. g! waE
beginning to fear you were going to be &c
cruel as to disappoint me-"
"Oh, no." replied Charlotte. "The truth
is, would have been punctual if | could, but
1 had to 60 somewhere first with my cousin
Arthur, and was not able to get of earlier
"Your cousin Arthur! Naughty little an
gel, do you want to make me jealous"
jealous Really, Alphonse, that is ab
eurd s;mnered Charlotte. "He is quite likt
my brother, you know. But even brother