Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-04-25
CHAPTER XIII.

Mary had been several times to Mr.. Give
house. On reaching town she had, therefore
no difficulty in finding her way there.
The servant, who answered her ring, sait
that his master was at home, and invited he
in. Mr.. Give presently entered the parlor
and greeted her cordially, but with eviden
surprise.
"My dear Miss Eustace, I had no idea 20,
we're IN town." he remarked. "When dit
you leave Mosslands?"
"Only this morning, Mr.. Give. But dit
you not receive my letter."
81 have received no letter. When did yol
writer"
Evening before last; and I thought i
would have reached you yesterday afternoon
or this morning."
"The mails are so irregular now" said th'
banker.
Mary felt embarrassed as how to proceed
At last she said, dif6dently-
81 am so sorry you did not get that letter
Mr.. Give. 1t would have prepared you fo
my coming. As it is, I fear you will consid
er that I am taking an unwarrantable lib
erty."
"In what way, my dear young lady3"
"In coming xpectedly to pay you Wis
it. The truth is, I want you to take care o
me for little while-unti I can make some
other arrangement" said Mary, thinking i
best to come to the point at once.
"Mr. Give looked puzzled. 1T will give
me the greatest pleasure to be of any service
to you," he rejoined, and then waited for {
farther explanation.
"Mr. Give, I have left Mosslands," con
tinued Mary-blushing good deal, and feel
ing as if, perhaps, she had done silly thing
after all because, from something which hat
taken place, found it disagreeable to stay
there while Colonel Dacre is away. | had
rather not 60 back at present, and thought
perhaps, you would not mind my staying al
your house for little while; and you could
advise me what to do next. I have no one
else to 60 to for advice" said Mary, with bel
old plaintive look, and a little helpless ges
ture Of her hands. al have been very much
troubled and distressed"
Mr.. Give looked concerned. IL am ex
ceedingly sorry to hear it-erceedingly sor
ry," he repeated. "Ofcourse you are entire
ly welcome here. Nothing would please me
and indeed all my family, more than to have
you remain with US for as long period as you
found convenient; but, most unfortunately, we
are Just on the eve of leaving the city. Our
arrangements are all made to start on to-mor'
row mornings train"
Mary looked blank at this piece of intelli
gence. She had not counted on such con
tingency.
"Ill tell you what, however" continued he'
friend, after brief deliberation, "if you dc
not object to going out of town and accom-
panying US to our destination-it is very
small, quiet, out of the way place-we should
be delighted to have you in charge, and my
wife, am sure, would look after you just like
one of our own girls. have engaged rooms
for my family at hotel up there, and | don''
doubt you could easily find accommodation
also. I, of course, will return Immediately
to town, on account of my business. What
do you say to the plan2"
II should like it very much" replied Ma
ry, eff Mrs. Give does not object. | do not
mind leaving the city in the least; it is all the
same to me where am, while l am away
from home"
"Of Mrs. Gives satisfaction in the arrange
ment I can safely assure you before speak
to her on the subject" returned the banker
with an ldfashioned, ceremonious bow
"Your society will be an acquisition which
she and my daughters will value highly. Bu
1 fear you will find it rather dull and lonely
in that little mountain retreat, which | SO
lectcd because it is the last place in the worlc
where the enemy, should they ever over.rur
our State, would be likely to CO."
"It has been dull enough lately at Moss
lands" replied Mary.
"Have you heard anything Of, or from, the
Colonel, lately ?" asked Mr.. Give, presently
"Nothing at all, for many weeks Hill
letters, of course, must have been delayed
and the newspaper accounts are 80 unsatis
factory"
"You saw, did you not, that he has beer
brevetted, and now enjoys his old rank 7"
"No! Has he, really2' rejoined Mary
flushing with pleasure. When did you learr
that?"
Mr.. Give opened desk, and took from i
small strip cut out of paper, which h'
handed to her. 1t was a brief paragraph
stating that John Brentwood Dacre had, fo
his gallant conduct in a recent engagement
been brevetted from the ranks to fill the pos
of Colonel of the regiment to which his com
pany belonged; that post being left vacant b!
the death of its former occupant. A few
words were added, in commendation of th'
Coonel's conduct OH the field, and expressive
of satisfaction at his well.deserved elevation
to the rank he had in former days occupied
under the old rfgime.
ut seems so strange he does not write," re
marked Mary. "How long ago was it tina
you saw this notice p
"About three weeks ago, believe"
"If he was wounded we would see it in tn
papers, would we not p
ave ought to. certainly. You know ther
is list of casualties published after ever.
engagement"
After a little more conversation on tn
always interesting subject of the war, MI
Give went to call his wife, and to inform he