Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-03-07
an unAattering opinion of my veracity, it is

"You know do not mean that. You vii.
fully misconstrue my words. But it is not
strange" said Helen, speaking with some splr-
it, 'that should hesitate to believe in the ex-
istence of strong attachment for me on your
part, considering the evidence have had to
the contrary. Since my stay under your
mothers roof, what proof have you given me
of my being an object of your regard ?"
"Is that your reason for refusing meF'
asked Allan, with difficulty.
"Not altogether, of fcourse it isjust as much
that have no feeling toward you that would
warrant my giving you different answer,
even if I thought you desired it very much"
"rhat being the case" said Allan, in con.
strained voice, II presume it would be useless
to add any farther persussions to what 1 have
already said"
"Quite useless" Helen paused, then held
out her hand. "Mr. Lambert" she said,
frankly, "don't let US have any unpleasant
feeling about this. Please forgive me, if |
have said anything blunt or wrong, and let
US both forget what has passed between u.s.,
and be as friendly as we were before"
"It is easy enough for you to talk in that
way" said Allan, who felt too mortified to de-
scend readily from the position he had as
sumed "but you can't expect me to forget
all that you have been saying, at least, in a
moment. You have had me at disadvan.
tage, and have not spared to use your oppor-
tunity."
"Well, of course, I will not urge my apollo
gy upon you, if you are not in mood to &C
cept it" said Helen, quietly suffering her ex-
tended hand to drop at her side. "Perhaps,
when you think the matter over calmly, you
will be more ready to acknowledge that l
have neither been unjust or unkind."
So saying, she turned and quilted the room,
leaving her wooer utterly discounted, the
more so as he had keenly felt the truth of all
that she had said. AS to his disappointment
that was slight, in comparison with the hu-
initiation of knowing, or at least, strongly
suspecting, that she had been sufficiently acute
to penetrate his fimsy pretence Of love, and
read the true motives concealed beneath. He
fingered awhile on the scene of his defeat,
struggling with his vexation; then suddenly
bethought himself of promise he had indef-
nitely made to visit some friends in the coun.
try, and when tea-time came, he was reported
to have gone out of town, to be absent for
week.
Mrs. Eastwood partly suspected the posi-
ton of affairs, and was on thorns. She watch.
ed Helen keenly, but the latter was studious-
ly calm and unembarrassed in her manner,
and appeared quite unconscious Of being an
object of scrutiny. As usual, her aunt could
make nothing out of her.
As Mr.. Dashwood was sitting alone over
his last cup of tea, a custom he had of doing
before joining the family in the drawing. room,
ring az the dooF:beII was heard, and a SER
want came in to announce to him that man
wanted to see him on business.
"What's his name2" asked the old gentle
man.
81 don't know, sir; didn't say"
"What sort of looking person is he2"
Gan uncommon dirty-lookin' sort of pus-
son." replied Dan, with disdainful express
sion. "Shouldn't be s'prised if he wanted to
fool you out of some money, massa."
"Humph! Well, let him come into the
hall. I'll see him there"
Daniel, the black, departed on his errand
with the same contemptuous air with which
be had alluded to the "pusson." He had been
boru and bred among the Equality folk" and
had all the aristocratic negros antipathy to
that class of individuals known as "poor
buckra" or "poor white trash"
Mr.. Eastwood rose reluctantly from bis
comfortable chair and went out into the chill
ly hall. A rough-looking parsonage, mufiied
in shabby great-coat and a WOODEN comfort.
er much the worse for wear, was seated there
on the edge of one of the chairs, and made
an awkward sort of salutation, without rising,
as he approached.
"Beg pard'n for intrudn', SIR" he said,
grufay. "I've got matter of Importance to
speak to you about"
Estate your business, if you please" re-
Joined Mr.. Dashwood.
The visitor glanced around. "Ain't you
got no place more private than this ?" he
asked. 81 reckon we might be overheard
here without much trouble"
"Well, come into the library, then. I sup
pose that will be private enoug to suit you"
said Mr.. Dashwood, little reluctantly, for
he did not like the mans looks. However,
he led the way to the designated apartment,
and was there closeted with his mysterious
visitor for an hour or more. At last the lat
ter went, and the old gentleman, with an agi-
tated face, appeared at the drawing room
door.
Augusta, my DEAR" he said, in evident
excitement, "can speak to you for mo-
ment, alone?"
"Come in, Uncle" said Helen, jumping up
directly. "Ill 60 out of the ROOM
"Well, my dear, we'll. Just leave us for
little while there's good child. This thing
affects you, too-but won't say any more of
that at present. Just step into the library,
or anywhere you please, until I call you"
Helen wondered, as she ran up to her own
room, (preferring that as retreat,) what could
be the matter. Her uncle seemed strangely
moved, and then her curiosity was excited by
bis hint of her being concerned in some at:
fair, she did not know what. Perhaps there
had been some faw discovered in her great
aunt's will, affecting her heiress-ship! Not