Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-01-04
CHAPTER II.

.'* 81. CHAPTER II.
Three weeks passed by, during which Kate
went over frequently to the manse. She had
for some time past been emancipated from
the schoolroom there, but being pet both of
the minister and of his wife, who was her
godmother, she had habit of running there
often in her leisure time, and Of employing
herself in helping the minister in his flower
garden, Of which he was fond, or Mrs. Ross in
her housewifely duties, and she always met
ready welcome, and was treated quite like one
of the family. ..'.
It was about this time that Mrs. Kennedy
began to observe change in her daughters
department, for which she was at loss to ac-
count. From being an exceedingly cheerful,
light.hearted girl, she seemed gradually to
become serious and reserved, wearing at times
an distracted, absent look, as if her thoughts
we're far away from her present surroundings,
and occupied with some new aud engrossing
subject. When spoken to suddenly, she
would start and color up violently, as if de-
tected in something wrong; and more than
once her mother was surprised to find her in
tears, though she accounted for this last phe-
nomenon-an almost unprecedented one in
her case-by saying that she did not feel we'll.
"Katie, lass, l don't half like it" said Mrs.
Kennedy, ON one of these occasions. "You
are not used to be greeting in this way, nae
body knows for what, and moping about all
your lane, as youve been doing lately. Some
things wrong wi you, that l feel sure. Cam
ma you tell your mither what it is p
"It's nothing, nothing, mother, but what
I've already told you," hastily answered Kate,
striving hard to regain her woDted composure.
"I'm ma just very well-that is, my head is
dizzy. like, and it aunoys me, and makes me
foolish, that's all"
"God grant you may not be going to be i'll,
lassie," said her mother, anxiously. "Your
head dizzy, did you say? That's an uncom'
mon complaint in one so young and healthy.
And do you have any pains? Put out your
tongue and let me look at it. Nay, Isee moth
ing wrong there-and your pulse is slow
enough. But maybe we'd better have the doc
tor around. He's an uncommon clever man,
and can doubtless give you some remedy that
will set you right again"
"Oh no." said Kate, laughing family,
with burning red spot in either cheek. IL
don't want the doctor, mother; I'm not going
to be ill. Just don't worry about me, for
there is no cause. I'll feel quite we'll again
soon."
81 hope so, truly, my bairn, for it makes
nv heart sair to see you so dull and moping
like. I like to hear my Katie's merry songs,
and see her CHEEKY smile; they always gil me
with pleasure, and tighten my work." said
her mother, affsctionateIy. The girl clung to
her, as she fondled the dropping head, pass
ing her rough, toil-hardened hand with ten
der touch over the glossy dark braids of her
daughters hair. She was not much given to
caressing her children, usually, but it seemed
as though her newly awakened solicitude must
needs find vent in this way. Kate cried again
after she was left alone Evidently there was
some deeper cause for her depression than she
had chosen to confess but she made an effort,
when next in her mothers presence, to appear
as gay as usual, and partly succeeded in dis
sipating the latter's anxious fears.
One evening, as she was returning home, af-
ter one of her usual visits to the mabse, a
quick step followed her, and voice called
her by name. With deep blush she looked
up, as the young Euglishman, who was still
one of the minister's guests, came to her side.
Good evening, Mr.. Mortimer" she said,
shyly, as she suffered him to take her hand.
"Katie, don't hurry on so fast; I have so
much to say to you" he said, gently detain-
ing her. "Canuot you stop awhile and talk ?
We will sit down on that rock yonder, where
no one will interrupt us. Nobody is likely to
pass at this hour"
"But it is getting late" she rejoined, hesita-
tingly, "and mother will be wondering where
I am"
"Oh no, it is not late-it is only dim in
this wood; see how brightly the sun is still
shining on the hillside. You must stay, Katie,
for have piece ofnews to tell you' and some
thing very particular to say beside"
Thus urged, she made no farther objection,
but allowed him to lead her to the spot he
had designated, where fallen rock, half
grown with moss, offered a resting place, al,
most screened from view by a clump Of low
trees, that stood between it and the path.
Here they sat down, Mortimer still keeping
her hand in his.