Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-06-15
CHAPTER II.

Time went on, bringing no changes into
that quiet home at Freshfield. At length at
ter couple of years of this peaceful monoto
nv, small event was in prospect which prom
ised to vary the order of things. This was the
return home, after ten years absence IN In
dia, of Mr.. Talbot North, Mrs. Montague
only brother; and that little lady, grown:
since her Introductory struggle, younger and
plumper, thanks to Miss Lockhart's care, was
in happy tlutter of expectation.
1t was Sunday night, fair moonllt SAP,
bath evening. and Mr.. and Mrs Montagu had
gone to church. leaving Miss Lockhart at
home imparting little theological instruction
to their numerous offspring. AS Miss Lock
hart was thus engaged, her attention was
caught by the sound of a footstep on the gray.
el walk without: the next moment the hall bell
was sharply pulled. 1t was followed by brlef
dialogue between the new conner and the only
maid servant at home which terminated sim
ultaneously with the appearance of the stran,
ger in the drawing-room. This unexpected
and unknown visitor was tall, handsome
man of about thirty or thirty-ive years of age
and. as he stood within the doorway surveying
the wondering group about the table, he
smiled in an amused fashion.
At once it rushed across Miss Lockhart s
mind who was the unreasonable intruder ;and
meanwhile the newcomer had not all the gaz.
ing to himself, for the children's six pairs OF
ewes were riyeted upon him in unmitigated as
tonishment.
Finally the gentleman spoke. ''Do you not
know me ?'' asked he, laughing delightedly.
81 think you must be Mr.. North, " answer
ed Miss Lockhart, half rising from her seat.
''And you, am sure, are Miss Lockhart,
said Mr.. North, for it was no other than Mrs.
Montapus brother who had returned at this
inopportune moment. sBy name, at least,
YOU are exceedingly well-known to me" con-
tinued the young man, as he came forward
with frankly outstretched hand.
ssYou Uncle Talbot ~ exclaimed Guy, IN
tones of manifest disapproval and disappolnt-
ment, for their Indian Uncle had been a spe.
cies of hero to them. ''Come back like that !
Why you might be anybody"
Miss Lockhart, looking at the young man
standing before her in his splendid strength,
with his engaging debonair expression OF coun-
tenance, could not indorse Master Guys dis
cerning Judgment. o.,
she. as it occurred to her that she ought to
play hostess in Mrs. Montagu's absence.
''What will you take 20
ssNothing at present, thank you, except a
cup of tea if can have one."
So Miss Lockhart, mindful of her response
bilities made the tea and brought him cup
with her own hands, North watching the pro-
cess and admiring her dainty grace While sne
was at work. She was dressed tonight only
in plain dark woolen gown, but it tell about
her slender form in soft undulatlng folds as
she moved across the room, while about her
neck was drawn white handkerchief OF hlmy
lace. the quaint style of which set off her pecu-
liar beauty. Talbot North found himself no.
ting all these details with extreme interest.
Every pulse of Talbot North's being would
long beat to the slight incidents OF that even
ing every word spoken was craven upon MS
heart in letters Of enduring stone.
Mr.. North had just finished drinking MS tea
when slight commotion in the hall announced
the return of the church-goers. Miss Lockhart
rose in haste tsI had better go and tell Mrs.
Montagu.n she said, and left the room.
In a moment Mrs. Montagu had reached the
and her plump little form was
clasped in her brothers arms.
ooh. Talbot you promised to write or tele-
graph. Imagine our being gone to church ana
everything What have you had ~
''Miss Lockhart very kindly gave me cup
of tea" answered North.
"a cup of tea ~ exclaimed Mrs. Montagu
with shrek of horror. "a cup OF tea at1er
coming from Bombay! Good gracious we
must have supper at once AND 1or me 10 oe
out when you arrived could cry. Where
are your belongings Shall we seno 10 the
station for them %
81 have nothing but a handbag. An accl-
dent detained me in Paris, and they lett oy
previous train. 1 suppose they will turn up
all in good time"