Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-01-23

debarred from the privilege Of having her
share of enjoyment on the occasion. 10 her,
however, the enjoyment was doubtful one,
and up to the last moment she was really
undecided whether to 60 or not.
Don't be hum-dum and poky, Mildred"
said Ethel "Do, for once, exert yourself
and try to have good time. Don't you
know you will be sure to create sensation r.
"No, my dear. I am quite sure of doing
nothing of the Sort" replied Mildred 81 am
not dashing enough to create sensation in
this fast place. nor would like to do so if |
could" ...,
Sensible and proper as usual, ," said Alice.
"But truly, I think it's your duty to 60, if
only to look after us. You never shirk your
duty, you know - 80 ..
II am not supposed to be your chaperone," }"
said Mildred, smiling. 81 leave that office
to your mamma, and am only glad she is
we'll enough to accompany YOU"
"Poor mamma I am afraid she doesn't
enjoy the prospect much; but it will do her
good, ''said Ethel who thought there was
nothing like frolic for curing any sort of
indisposition. Mrs. Crofon had wound her
self up, by great effort, to the exertion Of
acting as her daughters chaperone. She
could have found acquantances who would
have been happy to take charge of them, but
she had her English notions of propriety, and
did not put much faith in the American code
of manners in general. .-..... :.. ....
Chance favored Mildred's lingering desire
to excape from the ordeal of the fashionable
evening. On the day of the ball, she had a
severe headache, and was obliged to declare
herself incapable of accompanying the rest
of the family. The two girls avowed that
they we're sure she got up the headache
through malice prepsnse; but as it was too
reasonable an excuse to be gainsayed, they
could only vainly lament over it, and at the
appointed hour set of, leaving her at home
with new book for company.
The book did not prove especially amusing,
and she soon put it aside, finding more enter
tainment in her own thoughts. 1t was rather
luxury to her to have solitary evening
like this, and to be able to indulge, without
interruption, in memories and reflections in
which no one else had any part. So she lay
on a comfortable sofa in dreamy, abstracted
sort of state, feeling the quiet and silence Of
the hour an especial relief after the hustle Of
preparation which had been going on around
her all day. By. and by, the door was very
softly opened, and one of the maids looked in.
"Miss Mildred, is your head very bad now,
ma'am?' she inquired
mo, Juliet, thank you, feel good deal
BETTER" was Mildred's response. ..
"I'm very glad, ma'am;" Then, after
little hesitation, "I don't like to ask leave to
60 out, and you here all alone, but I've got
news from my sister who is sick, and wants to
see me right away. Would you mind it very
much, ma'am, if was to step round there
for an hour or two? I'll be home long before
the family returns from the bali"
"Certainly not. You may 60, Juliet am
quite willing" answered Mildred, glad to
oblige one who was always particularly oblig-
ing in serving her. "But isn't it very late for
you to be going out?'
"Oh, Thomas will fetch me there and
back" was the reply. (Thomas was the
waiting-man, an ardent admirer Of Juliets.)
at isn't far, ma'am, and he won't be gone a
quarter of an hour; I'll make him hurry
home"
"susan is out too, isn't she2" asked Mil
dred
ayes ma'am you know this is her evening
out-I'm sorry for it, too. Miss Mildred, l
won't take Thomas if you mind having him
go ain afraid to trust myself alone, just
couple of blocks"
"Oh, I don't mind; there will be nothing
to trouble me, you know. Thomas would be
greatly disappointed if you did not allow him
to act as your escort"
Juliet giggled, and looked down. Gas to
that, I'm sure it would make no difference in
the world" she replied. "However, if you
really don't care, I'll take him along, just to
carry bundle my sister wants taken to her.
He'll be back as quick as anything. Thank
you, am, and good night. I guess you
won't be sitting Up late ?"
"No, l shall not sit up very late. Good
night" said Mildred, and the door closed up
on the smiling Juliet, leaving her again to
her own meditations. In these, as it would
be useless to deny, one figure played prom.
inent part-the figure of Frank Coventry.
She had heard news, in casual way, of the
Coventrys that very afternoon, and it had
brought the memory of Frank, with unusual
vividness, to her mind.
81 got a letter from my friend Harding,
this morning." Mr.. Crofton had said at the
dinner table, "and he tells me, among other
things, that there is some trouble about the
Coventrys' property, across the river. Sir
Francis has got himself into money difficult
ties, it seems, and there's prospect of part
of the place having to be sold."
"That fine estate! what a pity" exclaimed
Mrs. Crofton. "What misfortune for young
Frank Coventry; he seems to be such tai
ented, gifted young man."
"I thought the Coventrys were so rich"
said Alice.
"They have always been we'll off, rejoined
her father, "though not one of the richest
county families. The property has always
been remarkably well managed. 1 can't i'm