Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-01-15
CHAPTER V.

Years passed by, unmarked by any farther
changes, except such as Time inevitably
brings. Mrs. Thorndale's hair grew grayer,
and her gait became more feeble, with each
added twelvemonth while in proportion, as
age set its marks upon her, the two young
people under her care blossomed into fresh
comeliness and grace The boy grew manly,
strong and selfreliant, as the promise OF his
childhood had been while the girl, plant
and loving, looked to him still for protection
and guidance, as in the day when they had
first met. Jennie, as she grew up into maid
enhood, became the admiration Of all the
country round. She was, in truth, wonder.
fully pretty and refined, Queen lily among
the rosy-faced damsels of the neighboring
villages and farms. Her eyes, blue and ten
der as baby's, impressed with their dove like
glances the susceptible heart of many youth
full swain, in whose ears the music OF her
flute.toned voice fingered with sweetest echo
long after they had ceased to listen to it
while the touch of her velvet palm, the al
most imperceptible pressure Of her small white
fingers, would send thrill through the stall
wart frame of the one who had the happiness
to feel that magic touch. In short, she was
the belle par excellence of the country, and it
was a wonder if, at sixteen or seventeen, her
head was not completely turned by the open
adulation she received.
Mrs. Thorndale often speculated, with &C.
cret anxiety, on the probable result of the in,
timacy between her and Edward. Was it
not more than likely that he, in time, would
become enrolled among the number of her
lovers, (if, indeed, he were not so already
and could she, Mrs. Thorndale, their mutual
guardian, look with encouragement upon such
an attachment and permit them to marry il
they both desired it? 1t was question OF
grave import, and while her heart counselled
her to act only with view to the happiness
of these children, her Judgment, it must be
owned, was not always on the same side
However, she was not yet called upon to make
decision Edward was still only boy, and
it might be that the very intimacy of associa.
ton, which wrought so close bond between
the pair, would prove safeguard against the
establishment of still more tender tie.
Edward had long since graduated at the
district school, leaving an honorable record
behind him. Mr.. Warner, the master, had
conceived so warm an interest in him, on &C.
count of his ability and studiousness, that he
was anxious to see him enter a higher institu
ton, and had offered to prepare him, at his
own leisure, for some college; but, to hi:
surprise and disappointment, this offer had
been declined, the boy saying that in the tu
ture he meant to work on the farm.
UVo,, o,,rht of 70 fhrnW sunh tQ llntS
as yours upon teamwork" urged the teacher
eff you would only complete your education
by going through college, you might study
some profession and become distinguished
man."
81 can't afford to go through college, Mr.
Warner the expenses there are too heavy"
"But Mrs. Thorndale is able to bear them
and I am quite sure she would not grudge
any amount spent in your behalf"
"Mrs. Thorndale has already done tot
much for me-" replied the boy in voice O.
emotion. 81 have no claim, really, upon her
and must now cease to be a burden to her
I should not only earn support for myself
but endeavor to contribute towards her in
come, in order to repay her in some measure
for the favors she has bestowed upon me-"
II am sure" said the schoolmaster, kindly
"that nothing can be farther from her inten
ton than to demand such payment at you
hands, What she has done for you she ha
done voluntarily, and from the prompting
of affection alone"
"And she has done enough, and more thai
enough. If ever l am to fit myself for
profession, Mr.. Warner, it must be through
my own exertions alone, when, by dint o
steady work, I have made enough to pay m!
way through"
"At any rate, won't you let me speak to he
on the subject?"
''No, no! indeed sir, beg you will not,
was Edwards most earnest rejoinder. "Yol
mustn't think I doubt her willingness, for sh
is always kindness and indulgence themselves
But l could not accept it from her, and
should hate to vex her by refusing"
Mr. Warner was really annoyed at tn
youths obstinancy. He could not understand
the secret motives which sustained his reso
luton in this matter. The same deep prid
which in early childhood had prompted hin
to call his guardians "Mr." and Mrs" in
stead of by more familiar titles, in order t.
| 4 4. l.L-,