Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-11-15

scarcely noticing the Introduction at all, and
fairly glaring at him over his shoulder as he
strobe away. How absurd for him to be SO
Jealous But now he might have cause to
be jealous in reality. She would 60 to the
conference meeting with Mr.. Whitak ker,
and wherever else he chose to invite her,
until Joe should come to his senses, and
make an humble apology. But after she
went to bed at night and heard the rain
pouring on the roof she devoutly hoped
that the storm would continue until to-mor-
row. so that she might be released from her
engagement, and her heart softened consid-
erably toward her recreant lover.
But morning came with blue skies, fresh
breezes and sparkling leaves, and at nine
o'clock Mr.. Whitaker appeared with the
finest team the village could boast, and she
could do no less than keep her engagement
Phebe had never looked prettier, but she
appearance. There were plenty of roses. If
no smiles and dimples under the pink brim
of her bonnet, and inspired by her lowell
ness, the schOolmaSter scared into poetry,
and quoted Tennyson as they drove along
the green -1nargined road under the quiyer-
ing elm and maple boughs. Other county
conference people were jogging in various
rustic equipages toward Eaton Corner. The
deacon with his wife and two daughters,
their red rural faces framed in lilac ribbons.
The parson driving his family in an ancient
carryall, with all the solemn Importance due
the occasion. The doctors daughter with
her lover from the "Port," and Miss Trim,
the village milliner, with On elderly sea
captain for whom, it was said, shewas set
ting her cap, sensation to all the town.
Phebe felt very much bored by the society
of Mr.. Whitaker, and went off into a tit Of
Observation-Disclosures in the midst of his poeti-
cal flight, coming to her senses with blush
and q start, when he bent over and looked
tenderly in her face at some passage which
dwells with the most delicate enthusiasm
on the charms of "My love-" Just at this
interesting period, who should appear along
the road, a witness of the whole scene, but
Joe Trafton. He returned her embarrassed
bow with slight inclination of the head,
but there was scOrn and Indifference even
in the way when he lifted his hat, and poor
Phebe rode on towards the conference meet
ing wishing that the earth would open and
swallow her up. What an endless, wretch
ed day that was. What a tedious interval
stretched between the thirdly and fourthly,
and filthy and siXthly of the eminentstran-
gers morning sermon. How flat and un-
musical the efforts of the choir. How in
sipid even the summer fnery, the airy mus
lins and new black silks, the flower resplen-
which filled the Westinghouse. How sick
ening the odor of caraway and Glove pinks
which floated in the close, warm atmos-
phere. How hateful the dinner at the lit
tie, crowded public house, where, as i'll luck
would have it, nearly all her own towns
people were congregated. How dreadful
the significant glances directed towards her
self and the schoolmaster and the sly chatting
of Clara Cole, the deacon's younger daugh-
ter, who Phebe was sure, had a lurking
fancy for Joe herself, and the dreary gossip
which was circulated in the parlor when
dinner was over. How utterly unbearable
the long winded missionary addresses which
rung on the air of the beautiful summer af-
ternoon, and spoiled the song of the breezes
and the birds. How detestable they drive
home in the soft purple twilight, with the
schOolmaster's voice in her ear, and his
eyes trying to say tender things to her own.
Phebe was absolutely cross, and snubbed
the poor man so numerically that he sub
sided into utter silence before they reached
home, and reflected deeply and bitterly on
the moods Of women, which were as impen-
etrable as the ways of Providence. She
certainly had encouraged his devotion last
night and now she expressed more than in
difference to his society.
And in the meantime Joe was as wretch
ed as herself. He had been ashamed after
due reflection, of his behavior of the night
before and was on his way to beg Phebe's
pardon when he met her driving with the
schoolmaster, and saw her blushing and
smiling, with his head bent almost into her
face while he whispered, it was very evil
dent, some lover-like compliment. He
made an immediate resolve to leave the
town, and never look upon her face again.
He had Just purchased the "Snow place."
a snug little farm with pretty house on it
facing the sea, and she had promised only
two days before to become its mistress be-
fore the harvest should be gatheredin. How
strange it was that she should have chang
ed her mind in so short a space of time.
He gave up sailors life for her. sake,
though he had been most successful, in this
calling and had only just refused wonder
fully advantageous offer to take command
of a fine ship which was about to make
trip to China. Now he could telegraph at
once to Fielding Brothers that he had re-
considered and would accept the situation
after all, and would 60 to his friend, John
Wiswell, who had wished very much to
hire the farm, and tell him that he could
have it for any term of years, or he would
sell it on the most liberal terms. But be-
fore he reached the telegraph office, which
was situated at the "Corner," two miles
u,
He was beginning to think that little i'll
terview with Phebe would be advisable
before taking such desperate measures.
Her behavior was most extraordinary he
could not imagine what excuses she would
be able to make for it, but tomorrow night
he would go to her house and demand an
explanation. Tonight he had an engage
ment with his friend at Pine Hill. 1t
would be hard to wait SO long in suspense,
but perhaps it would be better to do so in any
case, for Joe realized that he was a hot
headed fellow, and was aware that his first
impulses were not alway to be trusted.
The hours dragged themselves away in
the most wretched manner, for fate had
not given him patient mind. One mo-
ment he blamed Phebe entirely, bitterly,
The next moment he heaped all the fault
upon himself one moment he was humble
and ready to fall at her feet, the next he
was proud and taking some new view OF
the case, he would half resolve to 60 away
without seeing her again, after all. But
the evening of the next day, found him at
her door.
1t was late when he returned from Pine
Hill, and when he reached the farmhouse,
the new moon was hanging serenely over
one of it's old red gables. 1t was a cool,
clear night, with a strong breeze blowing
from the sea, and the scent of autumn al
ready in the air, though it was August
weather. The family were not seated upon
the doOrsteps as on warmer evenings, but
lights were burning redly in the best room
company within. The sound ola masculine
voice giving utterance to a gay peal Of
laughter awoke Il terrible suspicion in Joe's
mind and hpsitotinr tO ran on the door he