Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-02-22
The gturp Teller.
A PEACEM MAKER.

one chill October evening. In fact, ne was
generally alone, and his solitary life, though
of his own choosing, was fast changing MIN
into gloomy, mOrose man. -,
AL around him were evidences OF wealth !;
velvet carpets, silken draperies, statuaryy
and rare paintings, and library OF wen,
bound volumes, worth Of themselves small
fortune ;'but there was an aching void in
his crusty, old heart, thatev these things
failed to fill.
Over the mantel hunga portrait, a hand
some, boyish face with frank, blue eyes and
a sensitive, smiling mouth. The poise OF
the head betokened pride and self-will, and
the square chin looked very resoute, but
the eyes were kind and true, and these lent
a charm to the whole countenance.
Old Jasper looked up at the handsome,
smiling face and sighed. He would have
the portrait hung there where he could see
it every day, even though its original was
banished from his sight forever.
And sometimes, when he felt the resent
ment diving out of his heart and his pride
giving way to kinder feelings, he would
turn away from the picture, lest in his softer
mood, the tender lips and pleading eyes
would make him yield the forgiveness for
whichthe man was: too proud to ask
:gs"A.young lady SIR, announsed eae sDut,
lerat the door, and the cid man started fr0m
Trently Manor.
"I'U see her here" he said shortly. ~
She came in timidly, small, slender girl
with pretty, oval face, and dark, Wlstful
ewes. Jasper Trently glanced her over with
look of approval and motioned to her
seat.
"Your face looks familiar" he said, "yet
I do not recollect having seen you before,
81 am Hilda VintOn," she answered;
"Percy Vinton's daughter
The old man started from his seat.
"Percy Vinton's daughter ~ he eXclaim-
ed. "Is it possible? Well, yes, you have
your fathers features. What brings you
here ?"
His manner was not unkind, though he
spoke so brusquely.
II have been an orphan for year," Hill
da said, and her voice quivered: '"Ihey
both died in France, and [ was thrown on
my own resources. Father never found the
fortune he was expecting, you know"
"No, though we both started together IN
life. He was dreamy man, never meant
for real work, though I remember his wild
talk about the wealth he would have one
day. Poor fellow! so he's dead ?''
He stared at the glowing Goals with
dreamy ewes, and shook his bald headsadly.
Then his mood changed and he leaned for
ward in his chair with flushing face.
81 tried to keep him steady" he said, eX-
citedly, "but it was no use. He was like a
rolling stone, here, there, and all over, and
precious little moss he ever gathered. When
he planned that foolish expedition to Eu-
rope, I was thoroughly veXed with him,
but when he married pretty French singer
the first year without cent to live on, L
washed my hands of him altogether"
..She was a good wife, ;" Hilda said, gently.
Then, when the old mans excitement had
subsidized, she continued: "Father mention
ed the quarrel, but before he died he told
me what staunch friends you used to be, ana
though he hadn't heard from you for years,
address. re told me II was ever in tr0ll-
BILE, to come to you, and he was sure you
would help me. l did my best for awhile,
but was poor and unknown, and everything
went wrong, so made up my mind to take
fathers advice, and
"And here you are" interrupted Jasper
Trently. "POor Percy! Well he was a
good fellow, after all, though no man for
business"
sI have been we'll educated" said Hilda,
''and thought, with your influence, | might
secure good position as governess. am
willing to work hard, sir"
Jasper Trently surveyed her with kindly
favor. He admired her spirit, and her
face, so like her fathers despite its foreign
ewes and complexion, awakened the dorm
ant affection for his old friend.
The little ormulu clock chlmed ten.
"We'll talk it over tomorrow. You look
tired, and doubtlessly need rest" he said,
and rang for the housekeeper.
They met again early the next morning.
The old man told Hilda his purpose at once.
81 need some one here; the place is lone
ly. If you will stay, will remunerate you
we'll" he said. - =.
His first thought had been to offer her
home there without duties or cOmpensa-
ton, but he knew that she was too proud
to accept dependent position, and adroitly
worded his proposal. i.
Hilda Vinton thanked him with tears of
gratitude in her eyes.
care you sure that you need me, SIR"
she asked. II did not expect this"
"Yes, | need you. There is no one l
would rather have here than Percy Nintons
daughter"
SO Hilda remained at Trently Manor.
The days went by. Gradually there came
change of affairs in the lonely mansion. 1t
lost its old gloOminess; the silken curtains
were parted to admit the sunlight, fresh
flowers from the conservatory filled the
empty vases, the Old-fashioned piano was
as in the olden time, echoed through the
vast rooms, when Hilda's dainty fingers
pressed the yellow keys.
Old Jasper grew cheerful and genial un-
der the sunny influence, and life assumed
brighter aspect to him. But he was not
quite content
Hilda found him one day leaning on the
library mantel with his eyes on the portrait
above. They wore a wistful expression,
and his face looked sad and grave, almost
regretful.
"Who is it, sir? ?" she asked softly.
The old man frowned on her, then turn
ed with sudden impulse.
''That's Charlie, my nephew, Charlie"
he said, with emotion. 81 have never spo-
ken of him to you, my dear, but he is sell
dom out ofmy mind. We used to get along
f,mousy, but he was wild bit, and self
willed, and one day we quarreled. l don't
think either of us meant one word we said
then, but we were both very angry, and the
end of it was | ordered him from my house
forever. He took me at my word, and |
have not seen him since.''
You loved him, sir?'' asked Hilda.
GAS my own son." he answered; then
with sudden bitterness, "but he did wrong.
/ was in the right, and he was too stubborn
to yield. told him l would never forgive
him."
"Oh, / am sure you WILL"
Hilda laid her hand on the old mans arm
and looked at him with wistful eyes. They
had grown to be very fond of each other,
and the bright young girl held a deep place
in the old mans affections.
"I'm sure you will" she repeated. "He
was such boy then, you know, and he has
repented."