Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-05-01
gu Original Storg.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
AFTER EIGHTEEN YEARS.
CHAPTER x.

A few weeks later beheld Carroll with his
wife and child at his own place, Chantilly,
which was distant few hours by rail from
Warner Grove.
When the excitement and agitation at
tendant upon past events had subsidized, and
matters had once more settled down into
something like their ordinary routine, Ma
rion began to feel a little lost and purpose
less, as though there were no definite place
or occupation for her to call her own. She
missed the constant diligent duties which
had been hers during the latter part OF the
war, and since it's close. She longed torsome
care, some object more engrossing than the
very light housekeeping which she had to
attend to, and which, now that the house
hold consisted of only Jessie and herself,
occupied very small portion of her time.
Besides, she looked forward to the future.
Warner Grove was not properly her home,
though her uncle's kindness had made 1t so.
Jessie would marry some day-at no distant
day, perhaps-and then she would feel her.
self to be in the way, though she had no fear
of being unwelcome. John Ellery's atten-
tions to her cousin were becoming too mark
ed to leave doubt of their significance;
and it was therefore no surprise to her when
one day Jessie came to her with confession
that "Mr. Ellery had said something to her,
and-they werenot exactly engaged-but-"
"But soon will be-" said Marion, kissing
her. "Well, dear, 1 am not so very much
astonished at the news as you seemed to ex-
pect me to be, for have an excellent pair
of eyes, which can see as far through amill-
stone as most peoples. And when is the
wedding to come off,"
"Weddingw echoed Jessie. "Why, Ma
rion, how you talk as if I had even thought
of such thing"
"Oh! I thought possibly you might con-
template some such step in the distant fu-
ture," said Marion, with smile. II rather
think Mr.. Ellery does, at all events"
"But I told you we were not even en-
gagged"
"And what am to understand from that,
Jessie? Not that you are flirting, hope"
"Why no, Of course not. Only told him
to wait until tomorrow for an answer"
''It was cruel of you to keep him in sus-
pense. But seriously, dear, am very glad
of this-for have no doubt what your an
swer will be. He is a good, brave man, and
quite worthy of you, l think. And, Jessie,
dear, your telling me this opens the way for
me to speak to you about something which
has been rather on my mind lately. DO
you know, I have been thinking OF going
away"
"Going away! Oh Marion, where?"
81 don't know exactly yet, my dear. But
when you are married, and don't need me
any more, think shall be more content
ed than am now if I can find something to
do. A life of idleness does not suit me at
all and 1 am very idle now, you must ad-
III II think YOU have had work enough to
last you for life time,'' said Jessie. II
should think you would be delighted now
to rest. And as to your going away and
leaving me, no matter what happens, the
very idea is ridiculous. AS if l could pos
sibly do without you! No, nor could he
Jack-Mr. Ellery, mean-ifhe were here
that is-'
''That is, when he comes to live at the
Grove for of course you will not go away
from the old place-there is no one but you
to keep it up, now," said Marion, quietly.
sWell dear, we won't discuss the subject
further at present. shall not leave you un-
til YOU are married at all events"
"Nor then either" said Jessie, determin-
ed to have the final word; but Marion in
her own mind decided differently.
And she felt that it would be wise to
make her plans soon; for Jessie's engage
ment having once become fact, her lover
pleaded hard that it s. ould not be unreason-
ably prolonged, and the wedding was final
ly fixed for September.
Marion soon became busy enough in help
ing with all the necessary preparations; but
at the same time she privately wrote letters,
and arranged her own affairs, saying not a
word of these until they were definitely set
tied. Then she seized her opportunity one
day when Jack was at the Grove speak to
Jessie and himself conformity, and prepare
them for the step she was contemplating:
There were at that time several sister,
hoods being established in various parts of
the South, for the purpose of accomplishing
Church work, hunting up the poor, nursing
the sick, and other charitable ends. She
had resolved upon attaching herself to one
of these, and had communicated with the
Bishop who was at its head, from whom
she had received all desired information {;
and had promised to join the establishment
in question as early in October as practicable.
These facts she stated quietly and concise
expected, by a storm of indignant expostu-
latiOn.
"Itw shameful-it was outrageous, Ma
rion was breaking her word; she had
promised to stay at the Grove. She knew
perfectly we'll that she could not be spared.
Was not the Grove her home; and had she
ceased to care for it, that she must needs go
away and leave people who loved her like
sister?''
This from Jessie; and Jack added very
earnest protest on his own account He
did truly hope she would think better of
her decision. She knew perfectly we'll how
grieved both he and Jessie would be to
lose her.
Marion did not interrupt their flow of
speech, but as soon as they gave her a
chance she made her reply.
81 know you are both quite sincere in
what you say, and thank you from my
heart; and l am very grateful and very
happy to think that you value my society
so much. But Jessie, you accuse me wrong
ly-how am breaking my. word? have
made no promise to stay; simply refrained
I thought it best to let the matter remain for
awhile m statu quo. The Grove is my home,
and a very dear one; and if you will let me,
1 shall always look upon it as such. But
you know when first broached the subject
I wished to do so. My caring for it, or my
caring for you, has nothing to do with it at
all. The question is one which I think
have right to decide for myself, because
it affects my own personal welfare and hap
piness. am not happy when unemploy-
ed / need an object, and such an object
l shall find where l am going. When I
was in the Virginia hospitals, found that
I had discovered my vocation. Believe me,
I am doing the best and wisest thing for
myself in joining st. Anne's Sisterhood
And it is not like immuring myself in a
Roman Catholic Convent; am free to come