Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-11-02
A NARROW ESCAPE.

AS surveyed myself in the glass, | felt a
conscious blush rising to my face. / wanted
to look my best tonight, and l knew that my
white dress and pearls became me well.
"There, thatll do now, Miss Gertie, dear,
you look just lovely"
Poor old nurse according to her was al
ways lovely Whether arrayed in silks or cot
tons, ball dress or morning gown, her verdict
remained the same.
ssGive me kiss, nursie'' cried, ''and then
60 and get ready while show myself to papa.
How do do, papa 20 demanded, bursting
upon him in all the splendor of my attire.
''Eh, my little girl, he said, looking up
from the book he was reading ''are you ready
to start so soon ,"
'Yes, promised to be the first arrival, you
know; and please, want your candid opln-
ion. Nurse thinks I look lovely"
81 am afraid nurse is a partial critic," he
returned, with Il fond smile. "YOu look very
nice, indeed, my darling. You are growing
wonderfully like your mother"
knew that this was the highest praise he
could give me, and forgetful alike of my dig
nifty and my extensive train, ran to him and
clasped my arms around his neck.
''You dear old papa! YOU'RE sure you don't
mind my leaving you-and you won't feel
lonely without me, will you -
''No, my child-nO."
AS drove along with nurse in her prim
black bonnet, seated opposite to me, my heart
beat high with nervous anticipation. | was
going to my first party; for though l was
eighteen, papa and | had lived such retired
lives that, till lately, / had known nothing of
the gayeties usual to girls of my age. Six
months previously, the Mortons, some old
friends of my fathers, had settled in the neigh
borhOod, and at their house | had begun to
appear in society. Already, Oh the strength
of a few musical evenings and a garden party
or two, felt myself quite dissipated person.
When we reached Holme Lodge, the large,
comfortable old country mansion was all ablaZc
with light, and from the open door streamed
an inviting flood of warmth and brlliance.
In the hall was seized upon by Louie and
I.ottie Morton, the twin sisters.
''COme upstairs to our rOOm,H cried LOttie
''we shall have time for a nice chat before the
people arrive.''
The sitting room, specially appropriated to
the girls for their use, was a pretty, cosy
apartment A wood fire was burning on the
tiled hearth, and near by a table was set forth
with a dainty repaSt of coffee and delicious
cakes.
After we had examined and commented on
each others costumes, Louie began filling ouI
cups just as young lady entered. She was d
friend staying on a ViSit-lSabella SalOnl by
name-and by birth, half Italian and half
English. She looked remarkably well, in d
dress of heavy, saffron-tinted brocade, and
necklace, ear rings and bracelets of dull gold
and as | gazed at her | cOmprehended how
lovely she was.
was engaged to Rupert Morton for the first
waltz but we had only taken couple OF
| turns when he whispered
''Do you not particularly wish to finish this
dance If not, will you come into the con
servatory ? 1t is cool and pleasant there"
! | was about to make some laughing rejoin
der, but a look in his gray eyes stopped me
and bowed al assent.
''Gertrude," he said softly, as we stood bys
marble basin wherein tiny fountain sent NJ
a sparkling cascade of silvery drops, ''d0 you
guess why asked you to come here -
| glanced up at him saucily.
':Certainly; because it is cool and pleas
ant, replied.
! 'sAh, that was only the preteXt, the excuse
! You must guess my real reason, darling. lol
know | love you, do you not -
strove to cover my burning cheeks witt
nv fingers but he gently removed them ant
held them in his own as he bent his head tt
the level of my d0wncast eyes.
"Have YOU not a word to say to me ? CaI
you not give me one word of hope -
could not at first speak, but he read nj
answer in my silence.
| "Rupert.' > murmured presently, raising