Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-03-13

not help believing that am. AS usual,
Ralph won't give me any satisfactory reasons
for what he does. At any rate, we are to
leave this place in few days, and 60 TO some
other, we don't know exactly where.
1t came about in this way. The evening
before Mr.. Trevor left Che stayed two days.
we were all sitting talking in the parlor, and
the conversation turned upon the different
Americans he had met abroad. few
months ago, he said, he met, at some German
watering place, very pleasant party Of our
countrymen, mostly from the Southern States.
With this party was an odd couple, lady,
also from the South, and queer German
doctor whom she had married just after her
arrival there. She had been twice widow,
he had been told, and her last husband was
dead somewhere about two years. His name
had been Tracy, and bis widow had travelled
about, first in America and afterwards in
England, almost ever since his death. " He
had met her in England last Spring, when
she was staying with some acquaintance in
the country, near London, and been rather
struck oy her dasbing, Aighty manner, con-
trasting as it did with her weeds.
I saw my husbands face change, and in
hurried, constrained sort of way he asked va
rious questions about the former Mrs Tracy;
which of the States she was from; whether
she intended to return to America, or would
remain abroad; where her present husbands
home was, and whether they were travelling
for the summer, and so on. Mr.. Trevor could
not answer very accurately. He believed she
intended to make her abode in Germany.
They we're travelling about for the present,
and perhaps we're not far of, for they had
spoken of making the tour of the Alps AT:
ter we were alone, asked Ralph why he had
been so inquisitive, and who this Mrs. Tracy
was.
"Don't you know?" he asked, looking at
me as if surprised.
"Why, no-I don't remember anybody at
home of that name" said.
81 forgot; you didn't know her, but |
thought you knew the name. She is a per-
son whom don't like, and don't care to meet
again. That is, if it's the same one, which
1 think likely. But it is possible may be
mistaken"
/ was going to ask him something more
about her, but he checked me rather abrupt
", said he was tired, and went to bed.
The next morning, after the clergyman had
left Ralph said to me in a careless sort OF
way, II believe you are not particularly fond
of this place, Lucy, are you%
"Why, don't know but that am fond Of
it, now," replied "Since baby came, it has
seemed to make our little home hallowed
spot"
"You romantic childw said Ralph. "At
all events, suppose you would not object to
change"
care you going home ?" I cried.
mo, dear; not to what you call home-but
I thought that word, in our case, meant any
spot where you and could live together"
said Ralph. "At all events, am thinking Of
trying change of base. We might find
some prettier, pleasanter spot than this, some
where on the other side of the Alps"
"But do you know Of any?" asked.
"Not exactly; but I have the location pref
ty we'll defined in my mind. It won't be
long journey from here. The jaunt will do
you good, too, and even if we don't get settled
directly, that won't matter much"
"But all our things, Ralph! Are we to
leave them here, just so, or carry them along,
or what?"
"Some few we can carry, travelling in
wagon. The rest can be left until l return,
or send for them"
1 felt rather dismayed at the prospect.
"Ifit were not for baby, should not care"
said I, "but think he would be likely to get
sick, wandering about in that vagrant way.
In fact I should hardly dare to try it,
"I forgot all about the baby" said Ralph.
And believe he actually had
He was silent for little while, then went
on to say that "perhaps he could cross the
mountains first, alone, and come back for us,
after finding place. Of course, this is the
only sensible plan. If we are to move at all,
baby must be kept safe and comfortable, and
not exposed to the hardsbips Of an indefinite
journey"
But what puzzles me is this sudden resolve
of Ralph's after his seeming so we'll satisfied
here. He says now that it is possible we
| NAV return. some time hence: but as to his
reasons for leaving, they seem so contradicto-
ry and vague that don't believe he is quite
sincere in what he says. That is, l fancy he
does not choose to explain his real motives,
and expects me, as usual, to give up quietly
without knowing the reason why. wish we
could wait until later in the season; the
weather is too unsettled yet. But Ralph has
gone off on his quest, and suppose in week
or so we will be called upon to move.
It is quite true, as I said, that 1 have be-
come attached to this place. Now that am
used to the loneliness, do not mind it, and
the climate and scenery are all that we can
desire. And our little garden, planted and
cultivated by our own hands, makes the COT
tage cheerful home-like spot. Then my
good, faithful Rosel ; I shall be truly grieved
to part with her, and she says she cannot
leave her parents to accompany me so far. l
must trust to getting another attendant where
1 am going do believe Ralph is afraid Of
meeting this Mrs. Tracy, whoever she may
| /, Who 40 eha T uondar