Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-01-31
An 0riaiual Starg.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
Written for the Yorkvllle Enquirer.
- MARIPOSA;
E. .o"' >.. OR,
THE HEART OF A BALLET GIRL.
CHAPTER TX.

When they entered the parlor of bel
cheateau, Madame Preville, laying aside he
shawl and quilted silk hood, seated herself IL
hiph.bscked chair near the window, ane
adjusted her gold-rimmed spectacles upon ne
nose. al g t&a, ":ft -.. p. ....' . -.1' :"
"Give me the letter, child" she briefly
said. '''..'.%' .'. 3. ....... .....- ...
While she read it, Helen, standing nea
the fireplace, INDUCED in various and rapid
ly-succeeding reflections concerning the SIN
eular and unexpected news she had received
With one little foot resting upon the polished
fender, her hands loosely clasped before her
her head, from which her straw hat was care
lessly pushed back, slightly bent forward
and her eyes fixed dreamily on the glowing
Goals, she stood motionless, and quite uncon
scious that Victor, from distance, was intent
" and mournfully regarding her. His ex
preston was something more than mourntul
1t had an intense hungering, yearning wi't
fulness, pathetic, almost despairing. 1t seem
ed to say, "Now must look my gil, for soor
YOU will be lost to me forever" .''(.
In his own mind, she was lost to him al
ready. ........ ....'., ........
Madame Preville read the letter through
very carefully, from beginning to end. Then
she went back to the commencement, and
went all over it again this time murmuring
pithy comments as she proceeded.
3"'Dsar niece;' yes. no doubt. 1t is sur
prising how fond people get of others who
have become suddenly prosperous. News OF
an interesting nature Highly interesting
to them. 1 can easily believe. H'm-h'm
pretty property, I admit, very pretty. Not
difficult to imagine how greatly it enhances
the Importance of its new possessor. Warm
est congratulations sincere interest," Dear,
dear, how remarkable that this wonderful in'
terest has waited until now to develop itself
Oh this dear uncle shares the sentiment, OF
course. He always manifested the most ten
der regard for his brothers child. Poor in-
nocent angel Yes, madame, the son, too,
undoubtedly entertains the most friendly sem
timents for the wealthy heiress. That is just
as it should be. Ties of mutual relation
ship'-a close tie, forsooth. | cant make
out myself where the relationship comes in
But no doubt they can explain it satisfactory
". if desired. Recall to your mind the
fact Bless my soul, it's the first time ever
knew the fact was there to be recalled-I
don't remember any such arrangement.
H'm-think of it ! picture the anxiety ofthose
loving, simple, disinterested hearts, waiting
to receive the poor exile from the land of the
stranger, the cold, inbospitable foreign land
to the native home from which she has been
banished so long. Hoping to become per-
sonally acquainted There accept your as
sertion, my dear madame as absolute good
faith; give you full credit for sincerity in
making it, Dear, loving, a6ectionate Aunt
Augusta what treasure your niece possesses
in your regard"
With which concluding remark, Madame
folded up the epistle and returned it to its
envelope ....
"A most astonishing letter, my dear Helen"
she said aloud Helen started from her re-
verie, on hearing her name, and coming for
ward seated herself on an ottoman near her
old friends knee.
II can hardly realize it at all" she rejoiued.
"Realize your good fortune, you mean p
"My fortune, good or bad, whichever it
may be. am sure I don't know whether I
am most pleased or sorry" answered Helen,
with puzzled look that confirmed this state
ment
"Pleasedl Of course you should be pleased,
my child" said the old lady, kindly enough,
but with touch of sharpness in her voice.
"ReAect, it is not only the acquisition of
this fortune upon which you are to be con-
graduated, but 80 much besides-the dis
covery of your relations warm love and re-
gard, which they have never manifested be-
fore, and which I am sure must cause you
greatjoy"
HeIeu's eyes met Madame's glance won.
deringly. She did not quite know how to in
terpret her words.
1T is quite evident" pursued the latter,
"that they have only been awaiting suita'
bic opportunity to invite you to return home
and what better opportunity could be afford
ed than this, when it is only natural and
right that you should hasten to unite your
self to them, that you may all rejoice togeth'
er over your good luck, of which they are SO
disintersstedly glad! Their anxiety to vel
come you now is almost too great tor express
sion, as you may easily perceive"
The sarcastic inhexion in her voice was
not to be misunderstood. The color came in
to Helen's cheek, and she looked down.
II know what you mean, Madame" she
said, in low tone; "you believe that this
anxiety is only attributable to the fact Of my
sudden prosperity, which has made me Of new
Importance in their eyes"
"But then, what is more reasonable?" some
what ruthlessly continued her friend. "ll
has been, no doubt, wholly with view tc
your advantage that you have been suffered
to remain away so long. A foreign educa
ton is of course of immense Importance tc
Young girls from your country, where there are
none but modern institutions. Then, too, you
we're removed from all the horrors of the civil
war, while it lasted besides being in the en-
ioyment of a saubrious climate, most benef
cial to your health. All these, and other ad
vantages needless to enumerate, were doubt
less the cause of the admirable selfdenial
practiced by your uncle and his family, in