Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-02-05
gu Original Sturg*
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
THE THREAD OF FATE.
BY VICTOR VERNON.
CHAPTER TX.

CHAPTER TX.
Some six months subsequent to the events
recorded in the last chapter, Jennie was sit
ting, with her uncles family, in an elegantly
furnished private salon Of popular Partisan
hotel
need scarcely say that my little heroine
was, in some respects, considerably metamor'
phosed by the change which had taken place
in her hitherto uneventful life. In outward
appearance, at least, the transformation was
especially noticeable The art Of the most
stylish dress-makers had been brought into
service, to make her toilette all that was desi'
rable, and having the natural advantages OF
a pretty face and figure to cooperate with,
such art had been exercised with the most
gratifying results. A well-6tting dress OF
simple, yet elegant material, with all the daln-
tv fnishings requisite to make it taultless
an arrangement of the thick, blonde hair
which was Mr.. Stanley's admiration, equally
simple, vet 80 becoming and artistic that none
but skillful hand could have produced such
an effect; fairy like slippers, rosetted with
lace, on the small feet, and a sparkling ring
Tor two on the white hands, had changed the
little country girl into stylish young lady
giving certain .je ne sais quoi to her whole
air and appearance which, nothing short OF
such judiciously exercised taste and skill, could
have produced.
Mrs. Stanley had welcomed her, warmly, to
their home, and had spared no pains to graft
fy her husband by doing all that was in her
power to give her the advantages he was anx'
ious to have her possess.
Mfr. Stanley had conceived warm afiec'
ton for her, and the wish that he felt to atone
for the neglect her mother had suffered
prompted him to do even more for her than
perhaps, he would have otherwise thoug ht Of
Although essentially worldly in many ofthelI
habits and opinions, both he and his wife were
thoroughly kind and generous and having
ample means at their disposal, were ready to
lavish them, without STINT upon any object
which attracted their fancy, or secured their
esteem.
Jennie, as we have seen, was gentle, attec'
tionate girl, and was readily sensible Of the
kindness she received Indeed, she would
have been ungrateful now had she failed to
respond to the advances of her new relatives
or shown lack of appreciation for the favors
they bestowed upon her. She had already
become sincerely attached to them all while
they, on their part, looked upon her as one oi
themselves, and felt quite secure of their abil
ity to keep her permanently with them.
eYou know, my DEAR" Mr. Stanley had
said to his wife, when first he introduced hi;
niece into the household, cit wouldn't do tc
iSh to har
and so forth she naturally feels the separation
from the people she has lived with so long
and is only reconciled to it by the idea of re
turning to them one of these days. But, be
tween ourselves, feel confident that that no
ton will weaken, and gradually die out of it
SELF The total change from the life she ha
led all along must have charm for her, ant
having got used to such different mode o
life with us, she will never be willing to return
to the old, hum-drum existence she has left
Imagine pretty, lively young girl condemned
to vegetate on a remote country place, sur
rounded by the most commonplace sort OIL peo
pie, with no amusement from one year to tn
next but quilting parties and strawberry'pic
MICS, where they play kissing-games, ant
dance Virginia-reels to the music of cracked
fiddle and pair of bones"
dreadful !" said Mrs. Stanley.
"And then that young fellow-that Hall
told you of. If he wasn't so uncommon,
good-looking and above his station, shouldn'
have felt half so uneasy. But he's just tn
sort who might easily win a girls fancy, ant
the intimacy between them was of the mos
dangerous kind"
Il hope he hasn't won her fancy already,
said Mrs. Stanley.
81 hope not; at any rate, doubt if per
manent mischief has been done. He's moth
ing but boy as yet; about eighteen or so,
should say
"Who is he, really?'
81 can't tell you, am sure. All | coul'
find out about him was that he was kind q
adopted son of the old ladys-a founding
probably. He works on the farm, however
and calls her Mrs. Thorndale. Very quiet
respectful manners he has"
"And he is good-looking. you say?"
"Handsome- -undeniably handsome. Ha
splendid head, curly hair, fine dark eye
and regular features, and a straight, muscula
figure; wonderfully gentlemauly, too, in hi
air and manner"
"And clever?'
81 should say so. Remarkably we'll in
formed, too, for one in his position"
"Well, if he is such paragon, it is wei
you have brought Jennie away in time,' re
marked Mrs Stanley, with smile
$50 think. And we must do our best
make her forget him, by putting other object
of interest in her way"
Jennie had objects of interest enough
occupy her attention; but she was very ia
from forgetting her old friends. She wrot
letters regularly to Mrs. Tborndale, and ono
even ventured to address an epistle to Ee
rorJ tbourh che had never nuite oot ove