Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-01-09

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or pretending to be disloyal?" -..
"Never mind," said Lena, with defiant
little shake of the head. 81 only know that
if had lover-which I never shall, for all
men are horrid-and he said to any one else
that he didn't care for me, should never
look at him or think of him again"
II haven't said anything about not caring
for anybody. But if you are so mysterious,
and won't explain, of course I can't defend
myself" ....
"Don't be goose, Frank. You must
take me for one, if you really think I am ig-
norant in regard to that subject" said Lena
oracularly. Don't you remember when we
were at Hastings'-?"
Certainly, remember when we we're at
Hastings'." .....
"And do you remember whom we met
there ?" ........... .........
II remember some of the people; not all. !"
II dare say not You were too much
taken up with few, or may say one, to
remember the rest. You haven't forgotten
old Mrs. Henderson, and her young friend
who was spending the summer with her,"
"Her young friend-oh! you mean Miss
Rathborne, presume. ..
eyes, I mean Miss Rathbone-Mildred
Rathbone. All! Frank, you are blushing.
I knew would make you betray yourself
Now do you believe that I know your secretp'
eyes," said Frank, suddenly changing bis
tone; 81 see that you do, and think with
you, Lena, that it would be shameful disloy-
atty in me to deny it any longer. But, my
dear little sister, hope you have not been
indiscreet enough to breathe word Of this to
any one else7" >:
"Indeed, 1 have not" replied Lena, ear.
nestly. "But Frank, why do you want to
keep every one in the dark about it? Why
can't you come out boldly and say what your
intentions are?"
"My intentionsl Indeed, Lena, | hardly
know what they are" said her brother, rather
sadly. They had both checked their horses,
and were now riding at slow pace through
Aower.scented lane. my prospects seem
so indefinite just now, that it is not easy for
me to make any plans"
81 don't understand you," rejoined Lena.
"Do you mean you are not certain about
herf"
"About her feelings in regard to me, do
you mean? Of course / am not certain about
those, because never asked her."
"But you think she does-you know what
I mean.-Oh! Frank, do you, ly?-are
you not almost sure9' cried Lena, eagerly.
"Oh! why don't you ask her at Once, and
find out p
"she is in America at present" quietly re-
piled Frank didn't you know it?"
"In America" echoed Lena, in a tone Of
dismay.
eyes. The whole family have gone out
there"
"To live?-but no, of course not; that
couldn't be-"
"No, do not suppose the move is likely
to be permanent one. He, that is, Mr..
Crofton, has gone there, I understand, on bust
ness connected with the firm. You know he
is not really an active partner, but he is the
only one whom it suited, just now, to Co.
And suppose his family wanted a pleasure
trip"
"How much you seem to know about them !;
you must have been making particular enqui-
ries," said Lena, mischievously.
II thought everybody about here had heard
of their departure" reoined Frank. "It is
quite recent, however. They have only been
gone about three weeks.
"And where have they gone to? New
York ?"
"San Francisco, California"
"California That seems to me the reno
test spot on the earth's surface Oh Frank,
what if they should never come back?"
II am not afraid of that"
"3ut don't you feel dreadfully about it ?
You ought to, l am sure"
"What if I should take trip over there
myself, some day?''
ooh! will you? Please, please do! And
take me with you, there's darling" cried
Lena, dropping her ponys bride to clap her
hands. "Oh! what fun it would be! You
would let me 60, wouldn't you, Frank"
my permission would not have much to
do with the matter, ] am afraid" said her
brother, laughing. "My father would not be
very likely to give his consent to such mad
cap scheme"
"But are you really in earnest? If you
brought her back with you, should be con-
soled for not going myself: You would bring
her, wouldn't you? Is not that what you are
going for?"
"My dear child, any one would suppose
that my matrimonial affairs were all arrang-
ed, to hear how you run on" rejoined Frank.
"You forget that am not even engaged, or
sure of becoming so; for how do know that
Mildred would have me?'
"Oh she would, l am sure; for she is
girl of taste, could see that in the few weeks
that we were together"
"Thanks for the compliment implied"
"But Frank" pursued Lena, "now that
you are in such delightfully."- confidential
mood, please answer, truthfully, another ques-
tion I am about to put to you. Was that
time at Hastings the only time you were ever
thrown much in Mildred's company, or had
you some other opportunity"
Frank laughed again, without replying;
hr+ bic toll 10 hluob rosa to hia forehead