Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-03-07

of youth, she had enjoyed it we'll enough fol
a time. She received unbounded attention
wherever she went; but, happily or unhappi
ly, as the case might be, she had learned in
the beginning, lesson of worldliness, which
led her to accept the aattery lavished upon bel
as tribute to her possessions, rather than tt
herself. She had received, too, several offers
of marriage; none of which had awakened in
her mind the slightest wish to change her con
dition in life. She frequently visited at Mr.
Lacys, being twice as fond of Myra now al
when the latter had lived in her aunt's house
Marriage had greatly softened and improved
her, and she was one of the few to whom
prosperity seemed to bring nothing but good
Unless Helen went there, however, she saw
but little of her Myra coming but seldom te
the Dashwoods'. There could never be any
cordiality between Mrs. Eastwood and her
self, and, as she declared, she "always fell
worse in aunt Augustus company than any
where else." .a ... ..a..,. .... ..
As Helen sat now dreaming over her book
footstep was heard approaching, and d.
rectly after, Allan entered the room. Ht
came forward and sat down quite near her
If she had looked at him attentively, sht
would, perhaps have read an odd expression
in his face; but she did not give him more
than feeling glance, just throwing an alb
sent little smile at him, and then lapsing into
her reverie again. She felt entirely at home
with him now, and liked him we'll enough ir
his way, but she had sufficient penetration t
read his character pretty thoroughly, and
if the truth must be owned, she did not find il
contrast very favorably with that Of some one
else whom she knew.
Allan idgeted little with some things or
the table, watching her furtively with the all
of one waiting a favorable opportunity te
speak. There was no one at home but them
selves. His mother and Mr.. Dashwood had,
contrary to custom, gone out together to choose
some new furniture, and there seemed to be
an unusual exemption from visitors.
At last Helen, with little sigh, reused
herself from her dreamy mood. She sat up
right in her chair and threw her book from
her on the table.
II must not waste my time any longer
she said with an air of ofresolution. II believe
I'll put on my hat and 60 round to Myra's.
"Pray don't" said Allan, entreatingly.
She gave him surprised glance. "Why
not p" she asked
because want to give you my company
for little while. I have something very
special to say to you"
"Have you ?" She looked, amused. II
don't think you generally have anything very
special to say-at least to me-"
"You are severe" said Allan, coloring a
little. However, I accept the rebuke.
am aware that have not been making my
self very entertaining for some time past.
The truth is, I have been busy, and worried
about different things. I have been con.
fused, somehow"
"Oh, don't trouble yourself about making
excuses" rejoined Helen, lightly. Il am not
at all inclined to find fault with you.
81 hope you don't think my excuses are
simply made up, Miss Forester" he said, in a
half.offended tone.
Helen smiled. "Why do you trouble your
self about the matter. I haven't quarreled
with you, Mr.. Lambert? ?"
"The truth u.s." said Allan, using this phra
seology for the second time, 81 want to find
out what you really think about me-"
"It may not he easy for me to tell you."
(Which means, perhaps, that you don't
think at all"
II did not say that"
"I am not vain enough to consider myself
entitled to much thought from anybody
said Allan, with a good deal of humility in
his tone. "But it is pleasure to know how
one stands in the estimation of-of person
whose opinion one values more highly than
that of anybody else"
His companion laughed out right this time.
"You don't mean, I hope, to imply by that
speech, you value my opinion above all 9TH
ers?' she rejoined.
"That is just what do mean, Miss Fores'
ter" He had tried very hard to say Helen,
but somehow the name would not come easily
from his lips. II value it so immensely that
1 would give all possess, and much more, if
had it, for one kind word from you-one
word in encouragement of my hopes. Do
you-can you-overlook my imperfections
sufficiently-to marry me?"
1t was done at last-rather blunderingly
it is true; but fairly done, beyond the possibil
ity of being misunderstood or recalled. His
voice had sunk almost to whisper with the
concluding word and he felt his heart beating
furiously with the excitement of the effort he
had worked himself up to. Helen blushed
crimson. She was taken by surprise, and
vexed at not having been able to forestall his
intention. She hestated a moment, not from
any doubt as to what her reply should be-
but as to the best mode of framing it, so pos
itively as to be final, yet without giving him
offence.
"Mr. Lambert" she answered, presently
speaking as steadily as she could, 81 am
sorry you have told me this, since question
of this sort between people, naturally changes
their relative position somewhat-and l liked
you better as you were before think you
ought to feel that it would be impossible fol
me to marry you"
"Why impossible ?" be asked.
"Because-" she hesitated again for an in
stant-"I am sure we do not care in the least