Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-01-29
CHAPTER VIII.

MT. OldultY mduo ulliscll iuIIe o0 AonlSi
and readily accepted Mrs. Thorndale's hos
pitable invitation to spend as long time
at the farm as he felt inclined. He had a
long conversation with his hostess after the
young people had retired for the night. And
the following morning Mrs. Thorndale called
Jennie, at an early hour, to her room, saying
she had something of Importance to tell her.
my dear, she began, drawing the young
girl to seat beside her, II wanted to speak
to you before you met your uncle again, in
order to prepare you for an offer he intends
making you, as l don't wish you to be taken
by surprise. He has asked me to let him
take you with him when he goes"
"Take me away-to live, do you mean,
Cousin Martha ?" asked Jennie, looking
alarmed.
II cannot tell you exactly, dear; but be
is anxious to carry you home to his family,
and afterwards to take you abroad. You
remember he mentioned to US yesterday that
they intended making another visit to Europe
soon."
Jennie was silent. Her face expressed
good many mingled emotions which she did
not put into words
GLOW should you like it, my child ?" kind
ly asked the old lay, stroking her soft little
hand
I-don't-know," said Jennie, slowly, at
length. Her voice was uncertain, and she
looked half inclined to cry, but she repressed
the inclination. .....-... .....
"Of course, pursued Mrs. Thorndale, "your
uncle would not force you to 60 with him
against your will. But I could see that he
would feel a good deal disappointed at re-
fusal, and when he spoke to me about it |
could not make any objection, because, after
all, he has the best right to you, being 80
near relation
"But he is almost a stranger, cousin Mar.
tina, and I have known you so long," said
Jennie, with quivering lips .-...
"That is so, my dear. Indeed, / love you
so much, that it is not pleasant to me to think
of giving you up" replied the old lady, ten
derly. "But you know, Jennie, it would be
greatly to your benefit to travel little, and
have all the advantages of education, which
he could afford to give you"
"Why, cousin Martha, could not 60 to
school any more. l am seventeen, already
"You are not too old to learn music and
other accomplishments, and even years
more study in the palmer branches, could not
hurt you You know you have lived very
quiet, secluded life here in the country And
though I, for one, see nothing to find fault
with in your manners, or your appearance, l
dare say he observes contrast between you
and other girls, who have been somewhat in
the world" ..
"Oh ! I dare say, he thinks me country6ed,'
said Jennie, in tone of pique.
"He did not say anything Of the kind
He spoke very kindly and Aatteringly Of you
But you know, dear, if he does wish to give
you some of the advantages which his own
children enjoy, and which circumstances have
deprived you Of, it would not be right for you
to reject his offer, would it? He might feel
hurt as we'll as disappointed, to find that you
didn't appreciate his anxiety to do you ser
vice. And you must recollect that he is your
mothers own brother. He seems, too, to be
very pleasant and kind. I should not feel
like trusting you to him, if he were differ
ent sort of person. Don't you like him ?"
30, yes. He seems nice enough" replied
Jennie, in much less enthusiastic tone than
she had employed, when praising him to Ed
ward, the evening before.
"I thought you seemed quite to fancy him
and I felt sure you would be glad to accept
his proposal"
"Glad to 90 away from you all !" exclaim
ed Jennie in tone of reproach; and now
her tears really began to fall.
"You know don't mean that, my child.
Mrs. Thorndale cried too, and for few min
utes neither of them felt like resuming the
subject Jennie was the first to resume hel
composure She dried her eyes, and kissing
her good old friend, said in more sprightly
tone
eff you really think I ought to 60 with
him, Cousin Martha-I mean, if it would be
wrong for me to refuse-1 suppose III make
up my mind to do it ; but warn you, l don't
mean to let him keep me altogether-that
cannot do. I'll be back again at the old farm
before very long because it is really and truly
my home, and can never love any Other
place so WE'LL"
"Well, darling, think that's the best way
to look at it; and indeed you know it's only
for your own good that I should be willing to lei
you 90. l shall miss you sadly, and so / an
sure will Edward, and everybody else. But
I think you'll soon grow attached to youl
uncle, and won't regret living with him fol-
awhile. 1t will be bright, pleasant changt
for you. The very novelty will make yor
enjoy it."
Under some circumstances, Jennie fel
that the change would be pleasant; but JUS
now it seemed particularly hard to make VI
her mind to leave the farm. She wondered
as she went slowly off to bathe her eyes anc
make herself presentable for breakfast, hov