Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-08-16

"To remind me, perhaps, that I am engaged
to you for the next Lancers," was the demure
reply. "I have it on my card; so you need
not have been afraid of my forgetting"
II was not thinking of the Lancers, then.
T have something more important at stake
than an engagement for a. dance-something
involving the happiness or the misery of my
whole life," said the young man, with emotion.
He took her unresisting hand in his strong,
fervent clasp. "Theodora, you are too noble
for coquetry. I know you will not triae with
me-" he went on, in voice that shook little
in spite of his effort to be calm. "You must
know, we'll enough, that I love you-that 1
have loved you almost from the first hour that
we knew each other. dare say you think me
a very blunt fellow, to come down upon you
in this sudden sort of way-but can't help
coming to the point at once feel as if
suspense now would kill me. Tell me if you
can return my love?"
Blunt! She did not think him blunt. Ev'
cry word he uttered, fell with the charm Of
music on her ear. In her eyes, this manly.
bundering, straightforward young English
man, was as near perfection as any mortal
could be. Her heart throbbed tumultuously,
as she listened to his agitated appeal. She
had no idea of coquetting with him, yet a
strange reluctance to utter the. decisive word,
kept her lips sealed. Of course she did not
mean to refuse him, but how could he tell
that, looking at her face, which she kept so
steadily calm in the moonlight, and never sus'
pecting how swiftly flew her pulses, or how
strong tide of mingled emotions was surglng
through her soul!
"Do speak," he urged, in dread, lest some
intruder might break upon their retreat.
"Only one little work, Theodora-Yes or
No?
And then she flashed glance at him. l
am not sure whether she spoke any word or
not, but somehow, he read her answer in her
eyes, and felt that it was all that he deemed
it to be. What more would have been said
or done remains q matter of doubt, for at
that moment voices were heard, silvery
laugh Aoated out through an open window
near by, and their conference was at an end,
for the present. at any rate.
81 hear the band striking up the LancerS-
this is our dance, Miss Laselle,' said Claude,
with serious face, but with the most delight.
full triumph in his heart, as he tremendously
offered her his arm. They stepped in through
the French window, exchanging passing re-
mark with the gay flirt, Rosalie Harcourt,
and her companion, who had just established
themselves on low ottoman, within its EN-.
brasure, and took their places in the set that
was being formed. The dance might have
been cloud.dance in an enchanted land, the
music, strains struck from fairy harps, so
airily did they move through the figures in
blissful absorption of their own, quite lifted
beyond the bounds of all things earthly and
commonplace. To them the crowning happi-
ucys of fife h1d corne:
golden, and no thought of the future as yet
mingled with their perfect content.
1t was future that seemed bright enough,
too, had they paused to contemplate it.
Claude Stanley was the second son of veal.
thy and aristocratic English family, with
good looks, good temper, the best heart in
the world, and talent enough to ensure him
fair success in his chosen professionalism of
the bar. He was, moreover, distant cousin
of the Laselles', who had originally come
from the same county in which his paternal
estate was situated. Theodore was beautiful,
amiable and gifted. Add to these facts the
still more important one that they we're both
deeply in love, and what remained to cast
shadow of doubt over the brilliancy of their
prospects? They feared no opposition from
parent or friend on either side. Mrs. Lsselle
had frequently expressed her cordial liking
for the young man, who was always well
come guest at her house. And Claude felt
sure that the most exacting father and moth
er in the world could find no cause to cavil at
his choice.
When Theodore reached home that night,
she found her mother, as usual, sitting up for
her. There was a brilliancy in the girls
eyes, and an unwonted excitement in her man.
ner, which did not escape Esthers observa-
ton, and half anxiously she inquired the
cause. Theodore had no desire to make any
secret of her new-found happiness, which was,
indeed, scarcely complete until shared with
one who had from her infancy, sympathized
with every changing emotion of her heart;
and in faltering tones the confession was made,
while she hid her crimsoned cheek on her
mothers breast.
To her surprise, when she had finished, Es-
ther made no reply; and quickly looking up
into her face, she saw that it wore sad and
disturbed look.
Mammal" she exclaimed, appealingly,
"are you not glad2 Have I done wrong"
ave will speak of this tomorrow, Theodo'
ra," said Mrs. Laselle, with all effort to ap-
pear calm. II cannot think, tonight feel
weary and confused. You see, love, it is so
sudden" she added, forcing smile in answer
to her daughters alarmed glance; 81 was
unprepared, and therefore cannot answer you
at once"
"But you like Claude, mamma-l always
thought you did," said Theodore, piteously.
She had fancied that her news would be 30
differently received.
II do like him-he is good and noble and
generous" said Esther, warmly. "But indeed,