Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-02-19
DAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1880.

of the idea. could scarcely have suspected
you of cherishing such thought-but since
T must infer from your significant tone that
such is the case, may as we'll not pretend to
misunderstood YOU"
"Well, perhaps was foolish to fancy so, u
reioined his friend, mu& relieved. 81 admit
frankly, that such an idea has entered my
mind, and is has been very distasteful to me. "
"But I don't understand exactly why that
should be. Is she not lovely young lady,
and would she not be most eligible partte :
l know you would like to see me married
man." exclaimed Eugene.
$50 I should, provided you were to marry
sutably-that is, as I should like. Very
presumptuous in me to wish to dictate to you,
isn't it? But you know, Eugene, am only
woman after all, and we all have our weak
nesses, and our whims."
81 have never found you whimsical, and
have yet to learn your weaknesses" replied
Eugene. 81 am dying Of curiosity to learn
who it is that you have done me the honor to
fix upon in your mind as the future Madame
St. Orme!"
"Nay, this is no suitable time to tell you.
fear to injure my cause by pleading it pre-:
maturely, or when you are not in the right
mood to listen"
"But am in the right mood to listen-1
must hear-you have excited my curiosity be-
yond endurance! Chere Madame, you wont t
be so cruel as to leave me in suspense?"
"Well, 1 will tell you," said Mrs. Stanley,
actuated by sudden resolve. "Come near.
er-here, in this window. would not be
overheard, for the world. Cannot you guess
the name of the girl whom desire to see
your wife? Just think a moment-your task
is not difficult"
"Is it some one I know well?"
"Some one you know very we'll, indeed"
"Have known her long ?"
mot very, but quite long enough to be
able to form an opinion of her character and
TASTE"
"Is she tall or short, dark or fair p
eff / describe her to you, you will recog-
nize her portrait too easily.
Eugene laughed. A mischievous light
played in his eyes, though he colored at the
same time
"Let me, then, describe her." be said. "She
is graceful, slender, not tall : with complex
ion like lilies and roses, hair like spun gold
of the palest shade, and very abundant; blue
eyes, limpid as the waters Of my own little
Slvery Brook, and voice as melodious as
the ripple of its waveets over the stones.
She is gentle, innocent confding as child,
frank yet dignifed, wearing the charm Of
perfect modesty in all her actions and words !;
in short, dainty Howeret, sweet as the breath
of Spring, and pure as the essence Of a poets
dream" !"
II don't know what the essence of a poets
sed, half provoked, "but l know you have ac-
curately described the person mean, as far
as her outward appearance goes. Now if you
are going to make jokes on subject in which
| I feel so warm an interest"
Jokes !' echoed Eugene, trying to look
serious 81 never felt less inclination to joke
in my life.'
"Then why do you seem so amused p
81 am amused only at my own powers OF
divinitiou. never imagined | was con-
jurer, BEFORE
II don't know that you are such a con-
iurer, after all you have not yet mentioned
her name"
"Her initials are E. L., and she occupies
the position of your adopted daughter. Am
l correct %
swell, you seem to know all about it.
Had you been studying the idea at all before
suggested it to you p
"I must confess that I had not. You
know it's subject which has never occupied
my thoughts. But I suppose I'm getting
old enough now to begin to think about it
little"
"Certainly you are. And, my dear Eugene,
believe me, l have considered it very careful
ly, and truly think that nothing would be
more likely to conduce to your happiness
and, may add, hers also-than such an ar.
rangement as that which / have at heart
Come, you will think it over, will you not j.?
| Promise me"
But to Eugenes relief, before he could
promise anything, the door opened and their
conversation was interrupted by the entrance
of some of the other members of the house
hold. Though he had discussed the question
mooted by Mrs. Stanley so easily, he had
really found it embarrassing, and his careless
ness had been only feigned. Anxious tor
| au opportunity W CcAsl1el ~ az teiou'o 'i'a
undisturbed, he took his hat and sauntered
out for solitary walk.
1t was brig ght moonlight evening. The
air blew soft and cool, and he bent his steps
towards the river, occasionally smiling to
himself for in spite of little vexatND he
could not at the same time help being amused
at the unexpected turn affairs had taken.
Until now no thought of marrying Jennie
or of entertaining any sentiment beyond
that Of friendship for her, had ever entered
his head He considered her very sweet
little girl very pretty, very attractive, per-
fectly lady-like. He could not desire more
charming mistress for the Chateau, if it was
necessary to find one-but-
AS this but occurred to him, his attention
was suddenly arrested by the sound of per:
son crying, not far off, Subdued, smothered
sobs they were which fell upon his ear, but
none the less woeful for the evident attempt
to suppress them, and the occasional bitter
ejaculation, "Mon Dieu! all, Mon Dieu p
which interraingled with them, as though
wrung, by exceeding suffering, from the heart.
The kindness of his nature always prompted
him to relieve distress, when it was in his
power to do so. After listening for moment,
he turned in the direction from whence the
sounds seemed to proceed. Near the edge of
the road was little copse, where some laborers
had, that day, been telling some trees, and on
one of the trunks, almost screened from view,
by the branches, he discovered, on approach.
ing sufficiently near, the figure of peasant
girl, seated in crouching attitude, with her
elbows resting on her knees, and her face hid