Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-01-06

cold. Cyril experienced feenng OF dlScOil
fort as his eyes wandered around him, Whll
awaiting the appearance of the lady of til
house. 1t seemed a different atmosphere fro1
that which he had imagined must surroun
hisdivinity, and he recalled Lady Hungerford
remarks concerning the gloomy secluSion
which she Kept herself always enVelOped.
Rs'Doubtless she feels too sad to care to SUI
round herself with cheerful objects,' he re
hected ''But what mistake! In broodln
thus continually over past misfortunes, sh
will gradually lose all sympathy with her felloy
beings, and become insensible and cold. "
After little delay the door opened, an
Miriam appeared. She welcomed him gra
eiously and gracefully. There was more AMI
nation than usual in her look and tone, AM
for the first time, she permitted her soft, whit
hand to rest for an instant in his, as she eN
pressed her pleasure at seeing him beneath he
roof. *
II wonder why they brought you in here,
she said 81 never sit here myself. The room
is so large and cold. Will you come into m.
little. par1or. where l always spend my even
ings-or the library 20
S.Wherever you please. Lady Hepburn. /
can make no difference to nle,' replied Cyrll
feeling his surroundings already glorltied b.
her presence. She led the way into Ipretty
cheerful apartment, small by comparison VIII
the first, but still good deal more spacious
than the room which, in Cyril's own home
was used as dining room and parlor in one, an(
which was all they had there for general use
She invited him to take possession of low
luxurious chair, and sat down in another just
opposite to him, near enough for him to catcf
easily every inteXOn of her Subdued voice
yet not so near but that he could please him
self by watching, without rudeness, the eN
preston of her face us she talked. A delight
full hour of conversation enSued.| An hour or
to him, almost unmiXed happiness. say al
most, because although her presence was suffi'
cient to constitute very nearly perfect ENJOY,
ment, he felt little, just little sense OF
not being quite equal to the occasion sense
of her superiority over him, and fear that he
might not appear to advantage in her eyes.
Yet there was nothing in her manner to give
rise to such feeling on his part. 1t was per-
fectly frank, natural and easy, and so much
more cordial and friendly than it had been on
the occasion OK their previous meeting, that it
seemed as if she were trying to place him on
more intimate and sOcable footing, and make
him feel at horne.
When an hour had passed. he arose, reluc-
tantly enough, to go; but she detained him.
II cannot let you go without, at least, a cup
of tea,'' she said and ringing the bell, she de-
sired that refreshments should he brought.
Cyril cared little for any refreshments, but 1t
was new enjoyment to sit tetc-a-tete with her
at little round table just large enough to ac-
commodate two, to be helped by her delicate
hands, to be admitted to the pleasant familiar
ity attendant upon so informal arepast. Once,
in taking his cup from her, his hand accident
ally touched hers, and the color swept over his
face like girls.
"You have not seen my library yet," said
Miriam, as they rose from the table. "lt con-
tains some valuable books, and if there should
be any among them that you care to read, Mr.
Hope, they are quite at your service"
They went into the library, stocked from
floor to ceiling with volumes of every size and
sort a collection brought together by several
successive generations of Hepburns, and COIN
prising literature adapted to every age and
fancy, from the huge calf-bound folio in which
scholars would revel to the light novel suited
to a lady's parlor table. Cyril's eyes wandered
over the well-flled shelves with delight, per-
haps with little touch Of envy. What would
he not give 10 have I'LL this -lsre at bis disposal
Lady Hepburn urged him to selecv something,
and after some hesitation he took down vol
ume of Carlyle's esSay>, and George Eliot's
"Adam Bede." Il am not in the humor for
ANYTHING very profound.' he said, half apollo
getically, rs if he thought she might wonder
ut his choice. ''If my mind can grasp Carlyle,
it is as much as it is equal to just now and
us to Il novel once in while, I find it refresh
ing, especially from a hand like George FL
iOt'S.n
''rhat is point can't discuss with you,"
answered his hostess. 81 rarely look into
book. and know little of the comparative mer-
it's of different authors"
Il hnyN"I ~ n
age to pass your time ?" Cyril invOluntarily
exclaimed.
''I pass it chiefly in thinking" was her quiet
reply. Then she added, a sOmbre look passing
over her face, 'though do not know but that
might he more wisely employed. Thoughts
are gloomy companions sometimes--in my
case, always"
A brief silence ensued. Cyril regretted that
he had asked the question. Lady Hepburn,
however, seemed almost immediately to recov-
er her equanimity, and opening door opposite
to the one by which they had entered, said
''This is the music-room. Would you like
to look at it? There is large collection OF
music here. The late Lady Hepburn was, |
believe, quite musician"
''What delightful room,' rejoined Cyril.
1t seems a pity you should never use it,"
She smiled little. "Yesterday, for the
first time, 1 tried over some of my old songs"
she said.
"And you are going tossing them for me
now,' eagerl, cried Cyril.
"Would yo like it ?"
GLOW can ;ou ask me ? You know that |
would have pressed you the other evening, on
ly YOU seemed so resolved not to sing"
81 distrusted my own powers. Besides,
there are some people cannot sing for" re-
piled Miriam, as she sat down to the piano.
Cyril's heart fluttered. He, then, was not one
of these people. She would sing for him.
Happy exception He stood beside her and
turned the leaves She sang in a sweet, but
mot powerful voice, two verses Of little bal
lad. She was certainly not in practice, and
her tones as well as her fingers, were tremu-
lous but what did that matter? She was
singing for him, and for him alone. He was
the privileged one to enjoy what she denied to
others. and this knowledge sutiiced to make
him absolutely content. He had overcome his
dirfdence, his Self-tlistruSt now. He could
feel Il thorough, unqualified enjoyment of his
present position. 1t was growing late; but
no matter, he could not 60 yet. At his re-
quest she sang again and again, her voice
seeming to gain power and steadneSs as she
went on. At length, in spite of his remon'
STRANGE, she rose from her seat.
81 cd,tnot sing any more, she said. 81
have come to the end of my rcportoire. But
shall continue to practice, now that | have be
gun, since 1 find that my poor performance
can give any one pleasure
And you will sing for me whenever
come 2"
Yes, for you. But you must promise not
to betray me to any one else-to Lady Hun
gerford, for instance. If you should, she
,youl6 riyp mo M upapp -
Cyril's eyes, resting on her for an instant
with an ardent glance, betrayed his delight at
this mark of her confidence. her favor. They
said what his lips did not venture to utter