Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-04-28

posed to any such thing. l know Llzzl
we'll, and | know, too, that she will max
you good wife. You may depend upon m
assistance, for can tell you cont and ths
will be an end ont
They chatted while longer, and the
Jack took his leave.
"He'lp be here tomorrow forenoon" tn
young man said, as he reached the door. r.stone
81 shall be ready for him." was the reply
and funny light twinkled in the widow
eyes as she said so.
About eleven o'clock the following da,
Uncle Jerry called upon the widow. Sh
had left off her weeds, and now appeared a
fresh and fair as maid Of sixteen. Sh'
welcomed the captain with one Of her sweetes
smiles, and finally took a seat close by him
By dexterous turn she got him engaged
in relating wonderful stories of his adventure!
at sea, and thus an hour slipped away.
"O-no, l must 60 home to dinner" hi
said "But before 60 | have little bust
ness matter to touch upon"
"Then you M st wait, sir" pronounced the
widow, decisive y. ut is my dinner hour
and l must prepare it, Watt and eat with
me and then III !isten."- p
And with this Susan drew out her table,
and spread the .low.white cloth, and soon
had the dishes in their places. Then she
went away to the kitchen, and presently
the captain heard the pots and kettles rat
tling, the meat sputtering, and brisk, Gull
nary racket going on generally.
"Egad," the old fellow muttered to him.
self, "shes splendid craft. What clean
build. If l had come across such woman
years, ago, l believe l should have made a fool
of myself"
In due time the dinner made its appear
ance, and the captain was invited to par
take.
"Now make yourelf at home," the widow
said, with charming smile; "for look up.
on you as one Of the very dearest friends |
have"
"Egad! If she amt beauty !" Uncle
Jerry said to himself, as he moved up to the
table.
The lamb chops were done as the captain
had never seen them done before. So juicy
so rich-so delicately spiced-and so splen-
didly cooked. And then the little etceteras /;
and the pies; and the cake; and the rich,
golden coffee Eut above all was he en-
tranced by the bright smiles and the spark
ling wit of his fair hostess.
"Zounds" he muttered, while she was
gone away with the dishes, faint she charm
ing
FINALLY the widow came and sat down by
the captains side upon the sofa. Her dim
pied cheeks were all aglow; her bright eyes
sparkled with beaming lustre; and over
her pure white shoulder flowed a wavy, curl
ing tress which trembled ever and anon, as
though there were some strange emotion in
the bosom beneath it.
"Now, sir" she said, II am ready to lis
ten."
"Well-well," Uncle Jerry managed to
say, after prodigious effort at clearing bis
throat, "you must pardon me if | come right
to the point
"Of course"
"Then here it is. You know I promised
Bill-that is-Bill Garland-my old mate;
or I should sey, my young mate-that l
would look after you-care for you. You
"Yes sir" returned Susan, 49,, s-..,s,,
look. II know t,at and have blessed you
many times for your kindness to poor me.
Alas! don't know what | should have
done, but for your generous bounty"
"Tut, tut-don't talk so. How could l
help being good to you?
"Ah-but everybody don't have hearts like
yours"
The captain rather liked the compliment;
and then it came from such an agreeable
source, too. So he did not dispute it. But
he made another prodigious effort to clear
his throat, and then said
II have tried to be good to you, Susan !;
and l hope have been but can't do all
want to do for you at present l am COM
ing right to The point now." (Another
clearing of the throat) "You know you are
a widow"
She did know it.
"And you know you are yet young and
very beautiful"
"oh-No; Not beautiful; and, surely, not
very young"
"But you are not old, and-you are beau.
tiful Now this won't do. Scandal will
reach you. I-ahem-am not so old myself
but the shaft Of scandal might reach me too"
"You old?" uttered Susan, looking up re-
provingly and yet admiriugly. "Why-you
are right in the very prime Of manhood. A
man at your age and with your genial, happy
disposition. has just reached the dawn of life
at fve.and-forty"
Uncle Jerry rather liked this, so he did not
contradict as he had at first will to do.
Then, of course" he returned, applying
the compliment to his own purpose, "it is still
the more necessary that there should be a
new and nearer relation between US. l
love you too we'll TO have single breath of
suspicion rest upon you. Should you object
to such a relation.
The widows long lashes dropped, and the
dark tress on her bosom trembled more per-
ceptibly.
IF it is your wish, sir, should have no
opposition to make" she said.
"And you'll come and live with me?"
eyes"
"And we'll be as happy as kings p
"Oh! l sho,ld be very, very happy
she whispered; and as she did so her head
rested upon the captains shoulder, and the
bright tress fell ,pon his hand, with several
tear jewels gilt. ring amid its curls.
"What til. we'll have" Uncle Jerry
cried, winding his right arm around her
plump form, and drawing her more closely to
him. "When you are Jack wife well - u
"Jack !" repeated Susan breaking from his
embrace, and starting to her feet, Jacks
wIFE!' she uttered, dashing the tears from
her eyes.
"Why-bless me, yes"
"And you meant for me to marry him ?"
"Lord bless me who should l mean?"