Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-01-30
CHAPTER K.

Mr.. Churchill and his wife, who we're by
this time settled in their Italian villa, were
agreeable surprised by the sight Of Frank,
which was quite unlocked for, as be had not
forewarned them of his visit. They were
still more astonished when they learned that
he was on his way to America particularly
as he did not think it necessary to impart to
them his real reasons for the trip. He was a
little shy about entering into any explana-
tion upon subject which seemed very
sacred one, except with those whom it most
intimately concerned though he doubted not
that, in time, Eleanor would find out all
about it through Grace's letters, as those two
never could keep any secrets from one anoth-
er. Indeed, Eleanor, as soon as she began to
revolve the matter in her mind, was not with
out some suspicion of the truth, for of course
her brothers attachment to Mildred was as
we'll know to her as to the rest of the family,
but she did not choose to solicit his confidence,
since he did not voluntarily .bestow it upon
her. =, ........
"You are in a. desperate hurry to leave US,
Frank" she said, when he announced his In
tention Of setting off the third day after, his
arrival. ......E ............ s...,g.:l
perhaps shall see you on my way back, "
he replied; cor perhaps by that time you
will be at Beechwold again." ... -. g.. .. .....
"But you haven't seen Florence yet. You
should stay here at least fortnight or three
weeks, and let US show you everything f..
"Oh! I can do Florence in day. said
Frank. ... .....,. .,....,..-.,.,
"It won't be very thoroughly done, am
afraid but suppose we must make the best
of it. And there's one of the Princess of
Cont1s grand receptions coming off next
Thursday evening. Clarence could easily get
you a card, and should so like to have you
60" ...... n:,..,...... .sa......
81 am glad to be spared the inAiction, .
said Frank ungratefully. "Never mind, Mel
ly, don't look Mortified; shall be glad to
make the acquaintance of your fine Princess
one of these days, when I am in a filter mood
for merry.making than am just now" .,.r..
"'You have been worn down by business
worries at home, and have grown morbid.
Well, l hope your journey will do you good
and I hope it will be a prosperous one in
every way" said Eleanor rather significantly.
"You will go through Rome at all events y
said Mr.. Churchill. "It will not delay you
much" ......
Frank, however, did, care for sightseeing
he was impatient to be gone. He, therefore,
on leaving Florence, retraced his route as far
as Geneva, and thence proceeded to Brest,
where he intended to embark. But here an
unlooked-for accident befell him, which
forced him to postpone his. departure, and
caused him serious trouble and inconvenience.
In ascending the staircase of the hotel where
he was stopping for night, on his way up to
his bedroom, he stepped, unawares, upon a
marble which child had carelessly left on
the stairs. His foot slipped, and putting his
hand forward to catch himself as be fell, his
whole weight came upon his wrist, disocating
it, and obliging him to have the attendance
of surgeon, who fortunately happened to
be in the house at the time. The accident,
though it seemed triAing one, proved rather
serious in its consequences. The pain resulting
from it was great, and slight fever ensued.
His physician warned him against the hurry
and excitement of travel while in this condi,
ton. Indeed, he was rendered comparatively
helpless for the time, as it was his right hand
which had suffered, and he was obliged,
though very reluctantly, to submit to delay
of several days. He chated considerably at
the detention, but as fretting could do no
good, and rather tended to increase the evil,
he had to resign himself to circumstances
with the best grace he could. =. .,.........
He was strolling through the courtyard of
the hotel one evening, moodily putting Gig
ar, when voice he knew accosted him with
"Halloo, Frank, old fellow, what are you do
ing here?" J.. ....a;.-. 80!
He turned and saw college friend, James
Armstrong, whom he had not met since their