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

til the last moment that he would repent OF
his decision; but he still adhered to it, and
did not even accompany Mrs. Thorndale and
herself to the gate when they were going OFT.
He worked hard, as usual, all day, and was
returning to the house about dinner-time,
when he espied stranger coming in through
the front gate, near which stood horse ana
buggy. The newcomer was gentleman,
stylishly dressed, and altogether different in
his general appearance from the class OF per-
sons residing in that rural and retired neigh
borhood. He made slight but courteous
gesture of recognition to Edward, who touch.
ed his hat in greeting as he came forward, at
the same time wondering who it could posi-
bly, be. = i 5f,ss ..s.f..+ s5,sast s.s.E ,. =.
Excuse me-" said the stranger; "is his
Mrs. Thorndale's place? I was directed to
come here" t....
"Yes, sir. this is her place. Mrs. Thorn
dale is out, however"
"Does young relative Of hers-Miss Eu-
genia Lyle-still live here with herr
EYES," replied Edward, wondering still
more. s'tf- E'>' . ~ -,
81 am Miss Lyle's uncle" explained the
gentleman.
"Oh," was Edwards comment, as the an
nouncement fell with the weight of a blow
he did know why-upon him. The stranger
was progressing enough in manner and ap-
pearance, but the fact of his being Jennie's
uncle seemed to put him in the position of an
enemy at once. .y - -.-...sy. ....t
"You had better come in, he said in a
constrained voice, and not with the best grace
in the world. "Mrs Thorndale and-and
Miss Lyle have gone to sort of picnic, but
they'll be back after while"
"Well, think shall" was the easy re.
ioinder II have ridden long way this
forenoon, and am pretty tired, and hungry
besides"
Upon this hint, Edward could not do 9th
erwise than to ask him to share the farm din
ner, which was always ample, whether few or
many were to be present at it. The invita-
ton was readily accepted, and the two sat
down together at the table, Edward mentally
contrasting his own appearance, in his rough
farm clothes, with that of his we'll dressed
and fashionable-looking guest. He felt EN-.
barrassed and out of temper, but endeavored
to do the honors civilly, and was rewarded at
least by an unqualified approval on the stran-
gers part of the good things set before him,
as testified by the manner in which he caused
them to disappear.
That's frst-rate dinner" he remarked
when he had finished, leaning back with
satisfied expression in his chair. 81 haven't
eaten such fried chicken and stewed corn
since I was boy in the country myself.
By the way, whereabouts is this picnic the
ladies have gone to attend? Is the place
far from here ?"
"Not very. About couple Of miles"
"Could you show me the way? Or, per-
haps you will be too busy ?" g..
Il am too busy this afternoon" replied Ed.
ward, rather curtly; "but can easily direct
you, if you like The road is plain enough"
Every we'll. l suppose | shan't get lost:
III drive over there. for little while, and
surprise my niece. think III go at once"
Edward followed him to the gate, gave
him the necessary directions, as concisely as
possible, for finding his way, then turned back
to his own occupation.
81 believe he takes me for farm hand,
from the way he spoke" he muttered to him.
SELF "Wel, it doesn't matter. l should like
to know what he has come after Jennie for !?
To put her out of conceit of our plain folks
around here, suppose. hope he doesn't
intend to stop very long"
The thought of the new arrival, and con-
cerning his motives in coming, occupied him
all the afternoon. He found it nearly impos
sible 10 attend to his work properly. just at
sunset he heard the sound of wheels, and gay
voices approaching. The strangers buggy
ho nd from
alighted himself, Mrs. Thorndale and Jennie,
whom he had driven home Jennie appeared
in the gayest spirits. She ran, singing, into
the house, and calling aloud for Edward, who
had kept out of sight.
Edward? Edward Where are you hiding
yourself? Oh here you are," she exclaimed,
as she discovered him in a corner of the back
porch, where he had taken his seat. "Come
into the parlor, won't your l want to tell
you all about our day. 1t was so pleasant
Of course, you know my uncle is here"
"Is he going to stay here ?" asked Edward,
in constrained tone. s.-s@ .'se-.
''Oh, for day or two, I expect. Isn't he
handsome, and hasn't he nice manners !?
Don't you like him ?"
"What has he come for?"
"Why, to see me, to be sure. He's my
mothers own brother, you know her younger
brother. He has been living abroad for
years-was at college in Germany when she
died-and has lately come home with his fam
ily. He has wife and two little daughters
He expects to return to Europe next Spring
he prefers it to America. | am sure never
knew had an uncle; did you? p
tcII H. "A pad uord
"It seems poor mamma married against
the consent Of her family; and afterwards,
when she was very poor, she was too proud
to apply to them for help Uncle Herbert
that's this uncle-was only little boy when
she married, and scarcely knew anything
about it; and then after his father and moth
er were dead, he continued to live abroad,
and in that way of course was too far off to
find out about me- But after he came home
he met some people who had known mamma,
and they told him was here; and he came
right off to see after me. Wasn't that kind
of him ?"
every kind"
"And he was so pleasant and funny at the
strawberry party. He came right in, you
know, where we were all sitting around at our
dinner, and nobody knew who he was, or any
thing. The first thing he said was, "Is Mrs.
Thorndale here ?" and cousin Martha was so
surprised, because she had no idea who he
was. So he shook hands with her, and said
he hoped we'd all excuse his joining US unin'
vted, but he was so fond Of Strawberries he
couldn't resist coming, and he had very par
ticular desire to see Mrs. Thorndale besides,
and couldn't wait until she got home. After