Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-03-27
An Original Stury.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
THE BARSTOWS.
BY VICTOR VERNON.
CHAPTER TX.
>,.D,,sp n'.pcy


ly in exploring the city, did not fail, when
evening came, to carry out his intention OF
visiting his aristocratic-looking acquaintance,
in accordance with the invitation she had
extended to him. He did not know whether
she expected him so soon, but the interest she
had excited in him made him anxious to lose
no time in improving their acquaintance
His knock at No. II was Immediately an
swered by the old lady in person. She smll-
ed ON seeing him, and extending her hand'
said, pleasantly
$50, you are really come! 1 thought,
perhaps, you would be too agreeably occupied
to keep your promise"
"I have no occupation here, Madame" re,
piled Wifred; "but were I ever so busily or
agreeably employed, should count it priv
ilege to be allowed to visit you, and would
certainly not fail to keep my appointment"
81 think you know how to hatter, my
Young friend" she rejoined, evidently graft
fed, as she led the way to sofa, and motion
ed him to sit beside her.
Wilfred glanced around the room, and took
note of the elegance of its appointments, as
he simply answered, "No. indeed, Madame"
to her last remark. A handsome mirror, in
black and gold frame, occupied nearly the
whole wall opposite to him, rejecting the
various rich and costly ornaments scattered
in tasteful confusion around. A Persian car
pet covered the floor; the furniture was OF
deep blue velvet, and curtains of blue silk
and delicate lace draped the windows, and
hung also from an arch which separated this
apartment from one adjoining it, which ne
rightly conjectured to be a bedroom. Evl-
IDENTIFY, he thought the occupant of such
handsome rooms-for the other doubtless cor
RESPONDED with this-must he very wealthy,
to live in such style. Indeed, her whole air
was that of one accustomed to luxury; and
her dress, which, though plainly made, was of
elegant material, and one or two sparkling
diamond rings on her small, white hands,
betokened the same fact
She noticed his glance, and said, "Perhaps
you are wondering at my taking the trouble
to surround myself with such variety Of
useless knick. knacks when | live here alone,
and seldom have any one to see them; but
1 love pretty things, and cannot exist with
out them"
"I was only admring them, and made no
such comment as you suppose" he replied
"I, too, admire beautiful things, though |
have never lived surrounded by them. My
home abroad was of the simplest, plainest
Sort"
Luxury does not always constitute happl-
ness" said his hostess and then she sighed
"When one lives quite alone, the longing tor
sympathy and companionshp often overpow-
ers every other sentiment, and destroys the
satisfaction in mere outward comforts, which
would be so much more complete if shared
by any one else.'
ado YOU, then, live alone?' asked Wilfred.
ayes; Ihave no relatives, and few friends,
she rejoined. "For many years past this has
been my lot, and therefore should be too
we'll accustomed to it to complain"
at seems strange, Madame, that you should
want for friends" said Wilfred, looking ear
nestly at her.
"You think so" she replied, with smile.
81 ought to thank you for that fancy you
have apparently taken to me, and which l
believe is sincere. And in the meantime, it is
only fair you should know my name, which
you have been too polite to ask me, and
which I ought to have mentioned before. 1t
is d'Arcy-not the English Darcy, under
stand, but with the apostrophe.'
"a French name," remarked Wilfred.
eyes. am not French by birth, howev-
er." She then changed the subject, and be-
gan to question Wilfred, with an appearance
of kindly interest, in regard to his prospects,
and soon led him to speak of himself and his
past life. Unaccustomed as he was, from the
secluded manner of his bringing-up, to any
thing like secrecy or reserve, he was easily led
to bestow his confidence on one who appeared
to him so worthy to receive it; and ere long
she had gathered from him the whole of his
simple history, even to the peculiar fancy on
his fathers part, which had caused his mother
and himself to live, as they had done, almost
completely shut out from the world.
"You, then, are as solitary as 1 am" she
remarked, when he had come to the end OF
his narration. "How strange that chance
had thrown US together! What was your
mothers maiden name?'
"McGregor," he replied.
"Was she Scotch, then?"
"No, Madame; my grandfather was, be-
lieve"
"And you have no relatives that you know
of, you say, on either side?
"None. I have often heard my mother
say that she was an only child, and so, l
think, was my father. | must carve out my
future without assistance or advice from pa
rent or friend"
"It is a lonely position for one of your
age" said Madame darcy. "However, youth
is so hopeful, so strong! With energy and
perseverance you are likely to succeed. But
l am afraid you will not be happy in New
York"
"Why not, Madame?"
because it is such heartless, selfish place
and you, as l judge, are all heart" she re-
piled. "a person of your nature, OF your
education, has much to learn when thrown
into the vortex of worldly strife and ambi-
tion."
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