Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-04-03
"Ifyou will teach me, I will learn" replied

Wilfred, only too happy to obey her, followed
whittier she chose to lead. They went into
the large, dimly lighted library, sharing the
burden of the flowers, which had overhowed
Daisys little hands.
"Turn on the gas, please" she requested
Then, when this was done, "now will you
reach down that tallest vase? But oh l
forgot" she suddenly added "you have your
gloves on-how foolish of me to forget it l
hope they are not already spoiled"
"Oh! no." replied Wilfred, feeling that
gloves were small sacrifice in such cause
"The flowers are quite dry"
"Yes, that is one good thing; but you must
not touch them again"
"Ican take off my gloves" said Wilfred'
suiting the action to the word.
$50 much trouble Thanks; but l am
sure you did not expect to be put to work the
moment you got here" said Daisy, gaily'
Wilfred blessed his stars that he had come
early enough to be put to work. If he could
only spend his existence in helping this girl
arrange flowers, what happy thing, he
thought, existence would be. 1t was aston
ishing to see how sociable the pair became
over their task. There were consultations to
be held over the different sorts of flowers, to
decide which would look best in the different
vases. Then Daisy found that she had not
sufficient green, and Wilfred was sent back to
the conservatory for fresh supply. He
watched her deft little fingers sorting the
bright, many .colored blossoms, and thought
how white and delicate they looked, and how
pleasant it would be if he could only dare to
imprison them for one moment in his own
He admired the graceful pose of her head
the turn of her slender neck, the pretty ear
nest look on her face, as she pursued the oc
cupation which seemed to become her so we'll
He compared her, mentally, to the presiding
genius of the flowers, and good many non
sensical things besides. In short, that hall
hour with Daisy Courtaine in the library de-
cided his fate He was not quite sure what
his new sensations meant; but the truth was
he had already fallen in love-the blind
archer had hit him so suddenly, so sharply
he had no chance to escape
The flowers were all arranged, and there
remained nothing else for him to do but dra"
on his gloves again, and accompany Daisy to
the drawing room, which he did, just as the
clock was striking six. Mr.. Courtaine, at the
same instant entered by another door, and
commenced an apology for his prolonged ab'
sence, which seemed to Wilfred (naturally)
supremely absurd and entirely uncalled for
Then Mrs. Courtaine entered, and talked gra'
ciously to him for the space of minute and
a half, at the expiration of which time the
door bell rang, and the guests arrived stimuli
taneously, all knowing to second the precise
hour at which they were expected.
Wilfred felt that for him the pleasantest
part of the evening was over, and his shyness
began to return in the presence of so many
strangers, particularly as the ladies were, OF
appeared to be, of the most fashionable sort
These, however, were only two in number
The other four out Of the six guests were Of
the male sex. One of them, a pompous'
looking, stout, elderly gentleman, in volu'
minous white waistcoat, and shirt collar SO
high and stiff that it was marvel how his
ears escaped injury, presented tall, fair
haired young man to the host with this re-
mark:
81 have taken liberty which I am sure
you will pardon, my dear Courtaine, in sub
stituting a young friend of mine for Walker
Ford, who was unexpectedly called out Of
town this afternoon. Let me present to you
Mr.. Ralph Barstow, Virginian, just arrived
in New York"
Wilfred started at the sound of his own
name, and looked inquiringly at the bearer OF
it. The coincidence also struck Mr.. Cour'
taine, who, after duly expressing his gratifi'
cation at welcoming Mr.. Walker Ford's sub
stitute, turned to Wilfred and said, "Per'
haps you gentlemen are related to each other,
as you bear the same name. Odd that you
should meet for the first time at my house."
There was nothing specially odd in this, the
young men thought. But it was natural that
they should exchange glance of curiosity
and interest, as they were introduced. Mr.
Ralph Barstow, as have said, was tall and
fair, with corresponding blue eyes and light
curly hair, and set of features by no means
handsome, though refined. His figure and
address were good, and he bore the stamp OF
a man accustomed to society, and thoroughly
at his ease in the same Wilfred was darker
in complexion, with brown eyes and hair, and
his face was much the handsomer Of the two
but in height and figure they were almost ex'
actly alike.
These two, being strangers, had to be pre-
sented to the other members of the party, viz
Mrs. and Miss Lamotte, Col. Andrews and
Mr.. Richard Ford, cousin Of the absent
Walker. Then the dinner bell rang, and
they all walked into the dining.room. Will
fred would have given much to escort Daisy
but Miss Lamotte was his fate instead. 1t was
some consolation to him, however, to find thai
his innamorata fell to the lot Of old Mr.. Crow
ley, the gentleman who had brought Ralph
Barstow, and who he felt sure was much toe
dull and fat to interest her. His name sake
led in the hostess, while Mr.. Courtaine gave
Mrs. Lamotte his arm. Col. Andrews and
Mr.. Ford were obliged to content themselves
with each other, which gave rise to some wit
ticisms, as brilliant as such jokes usually are
The dinner was very elegant, but Wilfred
found it intolerably dull So many sub jects