Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-05-01

granddaughter, was not present, and there
fore every one could freely discuss the case.
It was universally conceded that it was very
distressing-so sudden, such an unlocked for
calamity yet underlying all the sympathy
and regrets was an agreeable vein of excite
ment, and of interesting speculation regarding
his successor. Lucy sat little apart, more
silent than was her wont. She could not
talk Auently even upon thi" subject. Laura
Philipsou, tall and rather handsome girl,
showily, if not fashionably dressed, was q
great authority. She had been round to Mr..
Lullems and had had long talk with Min.
ME, and so of course knew all about the case.
Laura was the centre of attraction, and
therefore in her element. People asked her
all sorts of questions; what had Minnie said,
and how had Minnie looked, and wasn't she
dreadfully broken down by the shock, poor
child, and SO on; and she had elaborate and
comprehensive replies for all, dwelling par
ticularly on what she had said to Minnie,
and how she had comforted her before she
left. Lucy always thought that Laura talk
ed like dictionary. She was in truth rather
too fond of using long words, and words not
in common use, and therefore passed for be-
ing very learned.
"And doesn't Minnie know who's likely
to take her grand.pas place, my dear?"
asked old Miss Dorsy, the President Of the
society, who was fonder of news than atr
tending to her work.
"Indeed, Miss Dorsy, I do not think that
poor Minnie has turned her thoughts to aat
question. They are concentrated at present
on her grandfathers distressing situation, to
the exclusion of all minor considerations.
gracefully replied Laura. -a.
"Ah! she's good girl, is Minnie" piped
little Miss Trigott, IF some smart young
minister would come along, now, and marry
her, and both on 'em live with the old man
and keep house for him, 'twould be nice ar
rangement. What was the name OF that
likely young man who was along here couple
of summers ago
"Lor, Miss Trigott, he was married" cried
chorus of voices.
"Oh as'he2 I'm sure forget. Well,
there's hopes of another coming, now the
place is vacant. All of you girls will be Set
ting your caps at him. I s'pose, and then there
will be pretty work. But l hope Minnie will
be the lucky one"
Laura Philipson raised her handsome brows
disdainfally, and whispered to her next neigh
Dor that Miss Trigott talked so much about
marriage, she must be thinking Of entering the
matrimonial state herself. And so the idle
tittle.tattle went on, the fingers moving scarce.
ly as fast as the tongues, Everybody knows
how the tongues of sewing circle can run
on), and by-and-by tray was brought in
with the welcome refreshments, and there was
brief lull while Laura cut the sponge cake,
and was assisted by the younger girls to hand
it and the lemonade around.
Suddenly there was knock at the front
door timid knock, 80 gentle that it was
twice repeated ere it attracted anybody's no
tice. Lucy was the first to hear it. She
glanced out Of the window, then said to the
hostess
"Mrs. Philipson, there's a lady standing
outside-shall open the door%
"Do, if you please, Miss Lucy. I thought
everybody was here"
"It's stranger, think" said Lucy, as
she moved to the door.
1t was stranger; young and delicate
looking woman, dressed in deep mourning
with pale face and pair of frightened
dark eyes, that met Lucy's wistfully.
"Is this Mrs. Philipson's, if you please p
she asked in low tone, almost whisper.
EYES," replied Lucy. wont you come
in!'
II am not intruding, hope," murmured
the stranger Still more family.
"Oh no." said Lucy, opening the parlor
door wide as she spoke. "We've only got
a sewing circle here, and Mrs. Philipson isn't
busy"
All eyes were of course Immediately turned
upon the new conner. The lady of the house
rose and came forward with an inquiring air
The young woman in mourning stood, ner'
vously shrinking, in the doorway, glancing
at the strange faces with scared, appealing
look, and pressing her hands-they were
gloveless hands, and very white, small and
finely shaped-closely together, as if mutely
petitioning for sympathy or aid.
"Won't you come in ?" asked Mrs. Philipsor
after momentary pause. She could not i'm
agine what the business of the stranger NIGH
be, for she did not look like visitor, and she
did not look like beggar. There was Ger
tainly nothing beggarly in her attire, though
it was quite plain and cheaply made, ano
rather the worse for wear. She might have
been somebody taking round subscription
list; but she had no signs about her of any
such occupation.
"I-I won't sit down, if you please" sht
rejoined, hesitatingly, in breathless sort o.
way. II do not want to take up your time
I see you are occupied"
"Oh! not at all" rejoined Mrs. Philipson
"Pray make yourself comfortable" and sht
drew forward cane-seated chair, which tht
young woman took in reluctant manner
looking anything but comfortable as she die
So She evidently wished herself somewhere
else, and it was no doubt inconsiderate in the
hostess to expose her to the embarrassing