Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-03-21
Am 0rigiual Storg.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
MARIPOSA;
THE HEART OF A BALLET GIRL.
CHAPTER XIX.

Active preparations were speedily lnaugu
rated for the prospective journey. Heller
found great delight in selecting Posy's outfit
which she wished to have as handsome ane
complete as possible, and almost every day
would 60 out on a shopping expedition and re
turn hnme with something new and beautiful
until the child was bewldered by the variety
of her possessions, and Margaret declared
that "Miss Forester was regular princess
and must have a mine Of gold to her hand
The faithful attendant, herself, was not for
gotten, but came in for goodly share of pres
ents. Helen seemed to feel that she coulo
not sufficiently prove to her how much she ap
preciated the care she had taken of her sister
Margaret was to 60 with them, at her owr
desire. Helen had caught her privately cry
ing one ds.y. soor after the journey abroad
had been settled, and finding that her grle
arose from the anticipation of parting with
her little charge, had Immediately promised
that she should 60, too.
"When will Posy be strong enough to 'e1
Off" her uncle asked, more than once, and
Posy always answered, "Oh l can 60 any
time, Uncle I'm plenty strong enough" But
still it seemed as if they must wait little
longer, until she should be triAe less weak
and feel better able to exert herself. At last
finding that she did not improve, they all con
cluded that it would be wiser not to delay
any more, but trust to the journey itself to
strengthen her, and day was definitely
fixed for their departure.
1t drew rapidly near, and soon all the ar
rangements were completed.
The eve of the appointed day arrived, and
sitting together in Posy's room, the little cir
Gle cheerfully discussed their plans. Mr.
Dashw had not succeeded in finding a
suitable escort for them, and SO intended ma
king the journey with them. 1t was great
event for him, as he had not left home before
within forty years. Posy seemed unusually
bright and we'll, and was in high spirits. For
the FIRST time, she entered with enthusiasm
into Helen's cheerful anticipations, and ap,
peared willing to be convinced that the
change would be a benefit to her. She had,
of her own accord, exchanged her cashmere
wrapper for close-fttng dress. and Helen
had playfully insisted on gathering up her
loose curls into a coifure more in accordance
with the fashion, only leaving two or three OF
the soft, brown tresses nesting against her
slender, white neck. And in this improved
guise, and with color just sufficiently bright
to give a semblance of roundness to the too
delicate outline of her cheek, she looked, as
Helen triumphantly declared, almost quite
we'll.
"Oh Posy, dear, just as soon as you breathe
that lovely Languedic atmosphere, and see
the blue hills, and my own Garonne, with the
sailing.b boats like swans floating down the
eide, and the old brown chateau among the
trees, and dear old Madame's kind face
smiling a welcome to all Of US, you'll be a
new creature, and forget all about weakness,
and short breathing, and sleepless nights, and
the other horrors that pull you back now. In
two months, Uncle, I'll wager my diamond
ring against your gold spectacles, that you
wouldn't know her.
"What use would my gold specs be to you,
Chatterbox?"
"Oh! plenty of Use. Don't you know I'm
growing old? And Posy, we'll 60 sailing
some evenings, when it's warm and pleasant,
you know, and watch the sun going down be.
hind the hills. And Mopsieur Victor will
take an oar, perhaps. when the wind dies
away, and say, in his serious tone: we must
avoid the night sir, Mesdemoiselles, for ii
would not do that Ia belle petite should
catch cold"
"You always seem to think of me, and to
expect other people to think of me, as child,
said Posy, looking amused.
"And so you are, my darling, compared
with me. am two whole years your senior
in age, and at least twenty more in expe
rience," said Helen, sagely.
Posy looked doubtful, but did not dispute
the point She was quite willing to be treat
ed as child, by this elder sister, who welded
such loving dominion over her.
They talked on until near nine o'clock, and
then Mr.. Dashwood declared that if they did
not all retire at once, nobody would want to
be up in the morning in time.
81 don't feel tired this evening, as I gener'
ally do" said Posy, as she kissed the Others
goodnight. Il think am better than
have been for months"
"Of course, you are" rejoined Helen
"You have taken fair start now, and are
Just going to keep on improving all the time.
Posy felt strangely happy and light.hearted
as she laid her head down on her pillow, hav
ing said her simple prayers, when Margaret
had put out the light and left the room II
did seem to her like revelation of future
ioys in store for her, such as Helen had fond
ly predicted, but on which she had scarcely
allowed her thoughts to dwell until now
She hoped it would all betrue, that she woulo
find her old strength and buoyancy return te
her, making her life pleasant once more, and
with Helen for her companion and stay, she
could be content, away from every one else ir
the world. A passionate fondness for hel
sister had sprung up in her heart, acquiring
new strength with each added day of thei'
intercourse. She had learned to cling, with
the trusting self:abandonment of naturally
dependent nature, to the elder girl, who had
from the first, taken her under her care anc
guidance, as though there had been differ
ence of many years between them, yet whose
perfect sympathy of heart and mind with he