Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-04-03
"What sort of person uould you have taken

"What sort of person would you have taken
him for?" asked Daisy, almost unconsciously
resenting his disparaging manner.
"Oh a very good sort of young fellow;
only a little trihing, you know. Men who
are educated to compose music and that sort
of thing, are not apt to be much interested in
the more solid branches of learning. In fact,
musical men are so proverbially good-for.
nothing, that one scarcely expects anything
practical or useful from them," said Ralph.
1t was, undoubtedly, not in good taste for
him to express his opinion thus freely, in re-
gard to the merits of person to whom he
had just been introduced in Mr.. Courtaine's
house. And 80 Mr.. Courtaine's daughter
thought. In fact, Ralph knew better, and it
was not at all his habit to be guilty of similar
ta,z pas. But sudden feeling of jealousy
and dislike toward Wilfred had been stirred
up within him, and it had vented itself thus,
almost before he was aware of his own inten.
ton. Feeling now that he had been impoli-
tic, as we'll as impolite, he hastened to eface,
as far as possible, the impression hehad made,
and, by conversing some time in as agreeable
and entertaining strain as he knew how,
succeeded 80 far as to Danish from Daisy's
mind, at least for time, the remembrance of
his uncomplimentary comments.
It was after eleven when the little party
broke up. Ralph, separating himself as soon
possible from the other gentlemen, strolled
slowly homeward, with cigar in his mouth,
indulging in no pleasant thoughts.
What life of luxury all those people seem
to lead p was his mental comment, referring
of course to the people he has just left.
"Wines and dinners, and fashionable amuse-
ments, come as natural into their daily ex-
perience as poverty come into mine. Well,
it will 20 hard with me if don't conquer
fate and cope with the best of them yet"
The termination of his walk brought him
to small house in an unfrequented street,
through the front windows of which a light
still shone. He entered. The parlor was oc-
cupied by pale, light.haired woman, shah.
billy dressed, who sat by the centre table, en-
gagged in sewing.
"Up still, mother?' he exclaimed. "You
ought to be in bed"
mo, I am not tired, Raph," she replied
but her voice told of weariness, notwithstand.
ing. "Had you pleasant eveningT'
"Oh we'll enough" he answered, throwing
himself into chair near the fire as he spoke.
He thrust his hands into his pocket, and
stretching out his legs seemed rather disposed
to contemplate the half.wasted Goals in 81
lence than to enter into any description of
his entertainment.
"Were there many people there ?" Mrs.
Barstow presently asked.
mo. Four men, besides myself, and two
women; one old and one young. The last
was a silly, brainless creature, but rather
pretty, and apparently a great friend of Miss
Courtaine's"
els Miss Courtaine attractive" :"
"She is beautiful creature" answered
Ralph, with more animation than he had yet
evinced. "But as to her being attractive"
he added bitterly, lit would be rather mis-.
fortune than otherwise, were to allow her to
attract me. What presumption she would
consider it, for me to enroll myself among her
admirers, whose name, I suppose, is legion"
II don't see why, my SON." said his moth
er, gently. "You are as much of gentle
man as any of them" ...
"a poor gentleman (which is pretty much
the same thing as poor devil" said Ralph.
"In fact, here, the terms are synonymous.
Don't you suppose Mr.. Courtaine would be
amazed if were to present myself as can
didate for his daughters hand?"
"But you have no intention Of doing so 2"
said Mrs. Barstow.
"Who says I have, mother?" he rejoined
impatiently. ave were only discussing the
possibility, you know, An Improbable dis
cussion, 1t must be allowed"
His mother looked panied at his tone. Ap-
parently, he felt that he had given her some
cause; for minute or two afterwards, he left
his seat, and coming to her side, leaned over
her and kissed her forehead"
"You look so pale, mother. / wish you
would not make such slave of yourself, sit.
ting up over your needle night after night"
he said halfaAectionately, halfreproachfulr
ly. "You are completely worn OUT
"Oh no, my dear boy. I am used to it"
she answered, while her cheek flushed with
pleasure At his oaress, and taking his hand,
she pressed it fondly twice or thrice to her
lips. ut is you who are overworked. am
always glad when you have little recrea-
tion, though you don't seem to enjoy it very
much"
81 generally find pleasure-going more
trouble than prolific jeu ne vaut pas la
chandsAe," he rejoined, resuming his former
Indifferent tone, He was silent for little
while; then asked suddenly
"Do you know Of any one of our family,
mother, who married and went to live
abroad p
"My mother married abroad, you know
her third marriage, that was" she replied.
EYES, but I don't mean that. l am allu-
ding to the 3arstows. Did Virginia Bars
tow ever marry and live in Germany or Swift
zerland?"
Mrs, Rarstow peroeptibly grew shade
palar, fWhy do you askw she rejoined,
bending little lower over her work, which
she had taken up again.
"Because there was young fellow at Mr..