Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-03-04
CHAPTER XIV.

1t may be easily conlectured that EDWARD
lost no time on his journey, but proceeded,
without any unnecessary delay, to the little
town nearest Chateau St. Orme, which he had
fixed upon as his goal. Leaving his luggage
there, at an inn, be hired horse and rode
over, at once to the chateau. His great fear
was that Mr.. Eustace might have left there
before his arrival. But, fortunately this was
not the case.
pass over the meeting between Edward
and his uncle, by whom he was received with
the utmost cordiality. 1t was fraught with
sufficient agitation and excitement to the
young man, who felt all that was involved in
this acknowledgment of the relationship, so
recently discovered.
"And now, my dear boy" said Mr.. Eustace,
when their interview had lasted sufficiently
long for them to begin to feel somewhat at
ease with each other, and to be able to discuss
the situation with calmness, eve must settle
about your future career. Of course, you
won't 20 back to farming it's mere waste OF
life"
Edward hesitated. His old ambitious pro.
jects rushed over his mind but sense of
duty, and the recollection of the benefits con-
ferred upon him from his infancy, prevailed
over the momentary temptation.
"Mrs. Thorndales kindness to me has been
greater than can ever repay, sir" he replied:
"Ought to forsake her now, when she is old
and depends upon me in every way? She is
my near relative, too, my mothers own aunt,
and has claim upon me from this fact alone" !"
"Well, we must think it over" said his
uncle. "Of course, I don't want you to do
anything in hurry. But you must recollect
that you have means now, at your disposal, to
enable you to choose any occupation you may
prefer. Until you are of age, it shall be my
pleasure to provide for you as for my own
children, and when you are twenty. one, l shall
settle something on you, from which you can
draw regular income. 1t won't be very
much, but it will give you, at any rate, a good
start in life"
Edward thanked him warmly, though in
deed, as yet, he could scarcely realize his own
good fortune. The sudden change in his life
seemed like dream He must get used to
his new position before he could thoroughly
comprehend its reality.
And where, in the meantime, was Jennie
An unconquerable feeling of timidity had
prevented her from beingat hand to welcome
her former playfelow, and pro6ting by the
uncertainty attending the exact time of his ar
rival, she had absented herself from the house
during the greater part of the afternoon, pre-
ferring to delay their meeting until after ne
should have seen his uncle and perhaps made
the acquaintance of the master Of the chateau.
Edward, after spending some hours in the
company of the rest of the household, inward
" longing for her presence, yet restrained, by
an indefnable reluctance to mention her,
from asking where she was, at length rose to
take leave, saying that he must now return to
the inn.
"Pray, don't be in such haste" courteously
said Eugene, who had come in little while
before. "You must certainly dine with US
and if you intend remaining any time in the
peighborhood, hope you will consent to be
my guest for the remainder of your stay.
can easily send for your things
"You are very kind" replied Edward
"but the time of my stay is, at present, quite
uncertain. Probably it will only be short
and therefore, it will scarcely be of any use
for me to intrude upon your hospitality"
II shall be delighted to have you, | assure
you. At any rate, you won't refuse to dine
with us ?"
Edward, however, pleaded fatigue. Not
withstanding the young Frenchman's cordial
ity, he did not wish to become his guest.