Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-10-23

said, in an incredulous tone.
"Oh," said Madge, indifferently, eff get
an engagement in st. Stephens choir may
stay there"
The honest face Of the young man flushed
Indignantly.
every WELL" he said calmly, and he look
ed both handsome and manly as he rose to
ton, 'I'll not play fast and loose with my
life for any girl, not-not"-here his voice
trembled perceptibly-'not even for you,
Madge. / know we are not yet engaged,
but we've grown up together, and-and my
God-it would be hard to lose you now"
Madge Hudson at that moment felt utter
ly unworthy of herself. She was so much
inclined to laugh that she could hardly re-
strain her mirth within decent bounds.
She did not want to tell this young man,
who was not in the least rOmantically in
clined, what she was laughing at, because
he would not see the funny side of it at all
as she did. So she abandoned her 'idea, !" y
and told him of the letter. Then they had
a serious quarrel over Horace Wygant and
parted in q rage.
Before She Slept that night Madge had
unfolded her 'sidea" to her mother. Mrs.
Hudson laughed, but not so heartily as
Madge. She saw some disadvantages, but
after all guessed it would do.
s'I'll talk it over with your father" she
said. "What did Hiram think of it?"
sYou don't suppose told him?" pouted
Madge. II shan't worry him with any OF
''Another lovers quarrel" said Mrs. Hud.
son to her husband, when she had rehearsed
the story. "Ain't it Gurus, Silas, heow the
course of trew love never does run slick ?
We used to quarrel jess so, didn't we--hey'
old man."
. "Yaw-aw-I guess -goo-nite," yawn-
ed Farmer ! E Hudson: :
The scene changes, as they say in novels,
to New York, the wonderful city. 1t is the
fall of the year The trees are gorgeous in
their autumn bloom and beauty the air is
full of rich, ripe sunshine it is good to live
to breathe. The streets are gay with
throngs of well-dressed people. The fric-
ton of life makes all the atmosphere light.
In this fine, excellent air young man
walks jauntily he is thoroughly we'll dress
ed, has the tone of man who has travelled ;
looks as if health, wealth and prosperity
happy trinity-had showered all their bless.
ings upon him. He has card in his hand
and is looking for certain number on Sew
enteenth street.
Having found it, he rings and is admitted
AAN
the card.
ssMrs. or Miss Hudson" he asks with a
foreign infection of voice common to native
New Workers; s'are the ladies 2"
The little maid of all-work points bat
tered thumb over her shoulder.
"Dey leeves in dose rooms," she said and
vanished.
Mr.. Wygant elevated his aristocratic nose.
There was an odor of cooking that offended
that fastidious member; he removed a glove
and raped with his white knuckles on a
door:
No, she doesn't; there don't anybody
live here but me, and I've got all the bak-
ing-soda, seWing-machines and patent scrub
bling brushes I want"
Mr.. Horace Wygant made masterly re-
treat. He was by no means fool, and ne
quite enjoyed the want of perception which
allotted him to such useful sphere in life:
Another rap and the door opened. All !!
there, close to him, was delicious face,
with mirthful brown eyes, cheeks with
rosy dimples, saucy, .piquant chin, ana
the red curves of mouth that answered the
description of Queen Guinevere's.
"a man had given all other bliss,
And all his worldly worth for this
To waste his whole heart i'll one kiss
Upon her perfect lips"
Mr.. Horace Wygant may have had sim
liar thoughts to these, if less poetlcai,. but
he made no sign Of them, but said with as
much heartiness as his good breeding would
permit:
ssMiss Hudson, Pm very glad to see you
and you seem quite at home" he added as
he entered the pretty parlor, and, IN re-
sponse to her invitation, sat down by the
pleasant window. He told her that his sis
IN hnr fhn naYf 6Qv and
that she must consider their house her home
in spite of her refusal to enter it as perma-
nent guest. He lamented the fact that there
was no opera, but he had invitations by the
score to select musicales and would be only
too glad of her company and criticism.
Then he asked to see her mother.
Madge excused herself and went into the
next room. Mr.. Wygant had caught a
glimpse of Mrs. Hudson seated in comfort
able Boston rocker, knitting in hand, so ne
knew she had come with her daughter as ne
had prudently advised. He could overhear
them talking now, though he tried not to,
and even drummed on the window TO dull
their voices. Madge had asked her mother
answered her in her sharp New England
voice that she preferred to stay where she
was. Mr.. Wygant hadn't come to see her
and she'd like to be excused. So he mere
ly bowed respectful acquiescence when
Madge returned with her excuse.
The next day Mrs. Victor-the sister of
Horace Wygant-a lady of elegant leisure,
called upon Miss Hudson, and was exceed
ingly gracious and patronizing. She spent
nearly an hour there while her coachman eX-
ercised the blooded horses by walking them
around the block. Mrs. Victor had much
to say about the kindness Of the Hudson
family to her brother when he was ill at
their house it was so good of them to take
in stranger and treat him as a brother.
she could never forget it, and much more OF
the same nature. Mrs. Hudson was not IN,
and she left card and regrets.
When she was gone Madge laid her head
down on the stutfy little lounge-the rooms
were rented furnished-and laughed till she
cried, but at what it was difficult to see, for
Mrs. Victor was not by any means mlrth-
inspiring person. r
ed in the city she received a letter from FL
ram Armstrong. She did not laugh when
she read it for it was serious, manly letter,
albeit it was tinged with lovers jealousy:
It asked her to choose between him and
Horace Wygant, taking it for granted that
Horace had asked her to marry him. she
answered him at once and told him that she
had chosen, but requiring him as special
favor to refrain from asking her what the
decision was until the three months OF her
stay had ended. Then she added that her
mother sent her love-a postscript that mys-
tilted Hiram more than her postponed de-
cision.
Madge took her music lessons, and at
tended private class in dramatic elocution,
and dined often with the Victors when they,
had company, and so little was known Of Of
her, and her appearance was such, that 1T 1t