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

CHAPTER Nv.
Lena, or, more properly, Helena Coventry
was, as l have already said, the favorite O.
her brother Frank, among the three sisters
of whom she was the youngest. Eleanor
being just turned Of twenty, was nearest hi
own age; Grace, in her nineteeth year, carn'
next, and these two were devoted companion
and kindred souls pursuing the same round o
quiet womanly occupations, engrossed by th'
same ideas, the same interests, and moving il
beaten track from which they had no wist
to diverge They were not brilliant or origi
nal, but they were amiable, refined, Agreeable
girls, and generally popular among thei
friends. But Lena was different. Hers wa
bright, gracious, daring spirit, scorning con
ventionality and what she called "the marrow
usages of society,"" and soaring into sphere
infinitely beyond the reach of the comprehen
sion of the other two, who were often, indeed
somewhat dismayed at her vagaries. Sil
Francis limited to his wife, in confidence, thai
"he feared the child was inclined to be fast.
But Lady Coventry, who had studied and
thoroughly learned her children's disposi
tions, felt no apprehension on this score. Le
ma was young yet, only sixteen; i'll fact moi
emancipated from the schoolroom, though
her duties there we're limited now to certain
hours of each day. She had much Of the
exuberant gayety of child, and INDUCED in
freedom of speech and action which wouid
scarcely have been admissible in full-growr
young lady; and her mother doubted moi
that, as her ideas matured, her own sense
of propriety would combine with the inAuen
ces which surrounded her to soften down al
undue levity of behavior. That she differ
ed totally from the others was not to be de-
MED. Lady Coventry even admitted that she
was more troublesome than they had ever been
or ever could be; but her maternal heart fell
natural pride in the girls cleverness and
ability, which placed her on level hitherto
unoccupied by any member Of the present
household, even Frank not excepted.
"The truth is, I consider her genius, "she
remarked to Sir Francis, who looked doubt.
full, at this announcement.
"My dear, have not much fancy for geni.
uses, particularly among the higher classes
said Sir Francis. However, it's lesser evil
in woman's case than mans. Men are at
liberty to go abroad and indulge in their &c.
centricities at pleasure; but women are, as
matter of course, forced to bow to higher
will than their own, so that they cannot Eek
cept in rare instances) overstep reasonable
limit"
| Lady Coventry thought within herself that
1t would take tolerably powerful will 10
mould Lena into any other form than that
which her own inclination pointed out; but
she wisely foreoore to express this opinion to
her lord. Of late, the baronet had had too
many heavier cares on his mind to be able to
concern himself, as much as formerly, about
his youngest daughters whims The result
of this pre-occupation was rather agreeable to
Lena, who, being quite ignorant Of the cause,
only felt relieved that her papa did not ap'
pear, as critical as he used to, and that she
could enjoy herself, in her own fashion, un-
checked.
She was in even higher spirits than usual,
on this particular day, and chartered with her
customary Auency and abandon, until sudden
ly discovering that her brother failed to re-
spond, with ardor, to her merry talk, she
checked herself and exclaimed
"What under the sun is the matter with
you, Frank? Have you got the blues? Be-
cause, if so, I wish you would just turn right
round and go home, and leave me to finish
my ride alone"
"A good sister would rather propose to
share my trouble, if had any," responded
Frank.
"Well, if you had any real trouble, I sup
pose should. But know what the matter
is; papa has just been bothering you about
his dishonest tenants, or the ineficiency of his
agent in town, OF some such nonsense. Don't
l know you were closeted with him, after
breakfast, in the library, for ever so long?"
Frank smiled, but made no reply.
81 hate business-talk," pursued Lena; "it
always makes people disagreeable. When
ever Mr.. Comfy comes here, papa is cross ;
though l am sure l can't tell why. Can
you"
II can't tell what they may have to talk
about" replied Frank, evasively. 81 am not
in all my fathers secrets, you know"
"Well, you ought to be; you're his only
son, and twenty-five years old. But one COM
fort is, you can be even with him, for he isn't
in all your secrets either, is he, Frank ?"
"How do you know l have any secrets,
Iiss?" asked her brother.
"Oh know you have one-a charming
oe," said Lena, gleefully. "A little bird
whispered it to me- ever so long ago."
That little bird was very impertinent, and
ought to be severely punished" said Frank.
"Bt it was all fiction, my dear child; you
maydepend upon that"
"ldon't believe you" rejoined Lena, very
deciddly. 81 am perfectly certain it was
true. Now, Frank, why should you deny it !?
Don'tyou know that she is just the dearest,
nobles sweetest creature in existence, and
that itiabsolutely cowardly and shameful in
| vnu to ,-,tond tbot vou q re disloval to her p"