Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-01-19


thought I would find in you friend and
ally"
ssOh, you did, Ell? Now you see, Miss So
phy, what comes of my indulgence and good
nature. Because I've spoiled and given way
to him all his life, he thinks I'm to be his
friend and ally in any rash, mad enterprise he
chooses to undertake. Well, well It's my
fate, suppose, always to be inveigled into
giving my sanction to his whims. And such
a whim as this By Neptune Sophy, don't
YOU know I intended to marry you myself %
ssNo, sir, I didn't know it. If had, never
would have accepted Harry" said Sophy,
archly.
''Ah ha, my lad! What do you think OF
that ?n cried the old sailor, rubbing his hands.
"Come, suppose steal march on you now,
and carry off the prize. Think what pretty,
charming, sweet little aunt you would have. "
II wouldn't have her for an aunt, sir, -
quoth Harry, not appreciating the joke, and
still rather inclined to be vexed. ''She'd not
suit me in that capacity at ALL"
His uncle laughed heartily, and seemed i'm
mensely amused. Sophy laughed too; but
seeing tie cloud on her lovers brow, she turn
ed to hin with a pretty gesture and put her
little hard in his.
cay, 60 to him coax him into good hui
NOR, Sorhy; he was ever hot tempered lad.
But should think he ought to understand his
foolish old uncle by this time," said the old
gentleman, kindly. "He knows I love you
both so well, that my chief desire is to see you
happy and as for money, would not give a
fig for the love that couldn't exist without
it. But what say papa and mamma DO they
approve?' 20
81 have not asked them, sir" said Harry.
sBut I have no reason to fear their disap-
prevail"
"Oh no! you haven't asked them! Then
go directly, sir, and do it-directly. won't
have any clandestine love-making-on the
Doctors own grounds, too. Be off with you,
while Sophy and stay here and have little
chat.'
Harry looked inclined to demur but his
uncle said again, "Be off ~ and tucking So
phys hand under his arm, turned about and
walked her briskly off in contrary direction.
So, after minute hesitation, the young man,
feeling that it was probably better to follow
his advice, advanced, not without some trepi-
dation, toward the gate which led from the
garden into the enclosure surrounding DR..
Nays house.
81 may as we'll have it over at once" he said
to himself, ''though it doesn't seem quite as
easy as thought it would"
DR.. May lived in roomy, rambling, pictu-
rescue dwelling, a good deal out of repair. 1t
stood on the summit of a hill not very steep
one, but high enough to command a pretty
view of the surrounding country, and of the
blue waters of little bay, which washed the
shore at no great distance off. This bay, form
ing as it did, starting-point for many ocean
bound vessels, and the haven of others, had
first awakened, in Harry's mind, the longing
for sailors life, which had beeh encouraged
and strengthened by his uncle's own expert
ence, and the relation Of his past adventures,
tales which had aroused the most ardent an
and desires in the boys heart. He
had expected to enter upon his chosen career
ere this; but when, at the age of eighteen, he
had first talked of going, Captain Russell (his
uncle, and also his sole guardian, had fallen i'll
of rheumatic fever, and this illness, lasting
as it did, through whole wet, dreary winter,
effectually put barrier in the way of his leav-
ing home. They lived quite alone, these two,
and common duty and affection rendered it in
cumbent upon Harry to remain with his adopt
ed father as long as he needed his care. When
the old gentleman got well, Harry was still in
no hurry to carry out his plans. Perhaps the
charm he foind in Sophy's companionship had
suddenly grown too strong for him to be will
ling to break it. At all events, from one cause
or another, Lis departure was postponed, until,
when in his twenty-frst year, hearing of ia
vorable opportunity which would occur in the
month of August, for him to sail under the
care of an cid friend of his uncle's, he resolved
to embrace it.
1t was now June and he thought with
touch of regret, born of his new prospects, of
the day not far distant that was to bring in
view the white sails of the craft which would
bear him away from all that his home held for
him all that was so inexpresibly dear. He
stood looking for moment at the water, ly-
ing smooth and soft in the light of the summer
sky; then passed through the vine-covered
porch and open door, into the front parlor,
where Mrs. May sat sewing.
Mrs. May was gentle, pleasant-looking
woman of thirty-eight; she had married at
seventeen, and was now just double her
daughters age. DR.. May was much older.
''Mrs. May" asked Harry, as she looked up
and smiled a welcome, ''excuse my intruding
at this honr Is the Doctor in ?"
mo, Harry, he is not. AS to your intru-
ding, my dear boy, you know you are always
welcome. Sit down. I don't know where
Sophy is. 1 dare say she will be in directly" s"
81 know where she is said Harry, smiling,
and reddening little at the same time. "She
is in the garden.''
''Oh, is she suppose you have seen her,
then"
eyes, have seen her." Harry fdgeted a
little with his hat, then brought himself to the
point. II have been talking with her and -
and it is about her have call to speak to
you-that is, to ask-you-something- {"
"Yes?" The gentle voice took tone of
surprise, and Mrs May looked at him with
an inquiring expression that brought hotter
flush to his cheeks. He was not in the least
afraid of her, however; it was rather a relief
to him to have his talk out with her, before
the Doctor should come in. So conquering
his temporary and not unnatural embarass-
ment, he rushed frankly into the subject at
once.
"Mrs May he said, coming to her side,
and laying his arm over the back of the sofa
where she sat, II suppose you know how