Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-10-30
be able to 90 about again in year, and that

/ wish you would 20 in and see her this
evening. You don't often favor her now,
and she likes to have you stop and speak to
her."
"I'll go tonight, for I don't know when I
may be able to do so again, as 1 am prepar-
ing to leave the city for the West"
This announcement was sudden shock
to those who heard it for the first time, and
Ralph was met with questions, but he soon
put a stop to them by excusing himself and
leaving the table.
"That girls at the bottom of it all,
know" said Mrs. Lawrence, who could not
conceal her vexation. II haven't a doubt
she thinks that rather than let him leave
the city, We'll consent to the match. But
she'll find herself mistaken. Let him go.
He'll forget all about her out there, and be
glad enough to come home after a while,
and thankful, too, that we prevented a low
marriage"
Tom bit his lip to keep from saying what
rose to his tongue, but he was quick enough
to see he would not help Ralph by taking
sides with him openly just yet, and he hur-
ried from the table in order to write to Miss
Bascom, feeling that was all he could do at
present. He felt better when it was &C
complished, and determined to 60 and speak
to his niece, Maud, little lady of whom
at times he was very fond. She had been
thrown from a carriage in the spring, and
so severely injured that it was thought at
first that she would not recover, but hopes
were held out now that in time she might
be on her feet again. At first, when she
suffered the most, Tom had been all devo-
tion. Then, when she was away in the
summer, and was pitied and brought for
ward on all occasions for attentions and SYM
pathy, Toms devotion became thing of
the past Now, however, that she was at
home again and confined to her room for
the winter, he spent more time with her
and was rather returning to his allegiance.
On his way to his room that night, he met
his brother in the hall, but the expression
on his face caused Tom to start back invOl-
UNFAIRLY, and ask, anXiously:
"What is it, Ralph? Are you ill?"
"No, no. 1t is nothing. Do not mention
haying seen me to any one"
Tom speculated good deal on the change
in his brothers. looks, as he walked slowly
towards the sick room.
30, Tom," said Maud, when he entered,
II am so glad to see you. You'll talk to
me, I know. Uncle Ralph wouldn't, and he
only staid moment. Isn't Miss Andrews
good to hold me ON her lap, instead of max
ing me lie on the bed all the time. Nobody
ever did that before, you know"
81 thought it might rest her." said Miss
Andrews pleasantly, as she looked up.
Tom thought it might rest anyone to have
such pretty face looking down on him,
and half wished he could be sick himself, if
she would talk and entertain him. She did
talk that night, drawing Tom cut, and in
teresting herself in what he had to say so
that the evening slipped away before ne
knew it, and his engagement was broken.
81 don't care" he thought; "I've had a
better time;" and when Maud bade him
good night, and softly whispered, "1sn't
she splendid?'' he would willingly have
given more than simple assent, had not
Miss Andrews herself been dangerously
near.
From that time Tom devoted himself
once more to Maud, spending many of his
evenings with her, and bringing her many
little things to interest and amuse her; but
before long he found he was not the only
one who was doing it, for Ralph had sud-
denly taken it into his head to do the same
thing. Tom was little puzzled over this,
and for some reason took good care to keep
away from Maud when Ralph was with her.
The weeks flew by, and Tom became
more than ever puzzled over Ralph's con-
duct. He had never cared before to do
more than run into Mauds room every two
or three days, say few words to her, and
then run out again; but now he spent hour
after hour and seemed to enjoy it. Had he
forgotten Miss Bascom so quickly? And
what could he, Tom, do? He had said ne
would keep his word, if he only knew what
to do for her. And while he thought over
it, he became rather cool and distant in his
manner towards his brother, who, he be-
lieved, was tickle, a thing Tom looked on
as almost dishonorable.
It was thus that matters stood, when 9th
er members Of the family began to notice
things and see them in a new light and take
alarm.
"Mother," said Mrs. Lawrence, anxious
ly, "you don't suppose it possible he is ac-
tually falling in love with her. Surely
Ralph would have more sense than to get
entangled in any way with hired nurse.
l was afraid from the very first that she
would not know her place and this proves
it'
"How, I'd like to know" said Tom,
quickly. "What has she ever done that
she should not have done? If Ralph has
fallen in love with her, it's not her fault
She couldn't help it. 1 dom It believe she
has ever said a dozen words to him out
side of Maud's room, and she couldn't drive
him away from there, when it was his own
niece he came to see."
"It strikes me there are two, instead of
one, she has captivated," said Mrs. Law
renee, with a curl of her lip, and toss OF
her head.
"Whatever she has done, she is perfect
lady at all times" said Tom, moving away
to avoid further discussion.
But the subject once having been brought
up, was destined to become a serious topic
of interest for some time, and the question
of what should be done, was discussed from
time to time. At last Ralph was questioned
as to his intention of going West, and when
he announced the fact that he had given up
all idea of going at present, the storm broke.
He listened quietly to what his mother and
sister had to say, and then told them 1t
would be useless for them to say anything as
his mind was made up. They had already
acted so that one lady considered it would
be lowering her dignity to enter the family,
and it would be we'll for them to be little
more careful second time. If they were
willing to ma ke their, peace with Miss Pas
com, so that she would marry him, and he
could ask her 10 do so without fear Of her
being insultcd, he would 60 back to her,
otherwise he would do all in his power to
make Miss Andrews his wife.
"Anything rather than hired nurse -
said Mrs. Lawrence, when she and her
mother were alone. "I've thought it all
over, discharging Miss Andrews, speaking
to her, and everything, and don't see any
thing to be done but to make terms with
the first. Wish 1 knew whether she's any
relation to the New York Bascoms; one of
them has just come into the possession of
half million. 1t would be comfort to
know she was related"
And Mrs. Lawrence whose word was law
in the family, after much more thought and
deliberations wrote to Miss Bascom, apollo
gizing for what might have seemed rude
before, and asking her to reconsider the an