Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-02-26

'tI hope Elizabeth is well" ;" he remarked,
after the usual exchange of greetings was
accomplished.
eyes, she is quite WE'LL" cheerfully re-
Joined Prudence. "She is not at home this
evening""
"Does she often go out at this hour ?" in
quired Mr.. Simpson in serious tone.
"No, very seldom; but she had an invi-
tation to spend the evening out, which we
allowed her to accept"
Friend Simpson sighed, and silence OF
some minutes ensued.
81 hope," he remarked at length, "that
Elizabeth is not growing frivolous"
Prudence redeemed.
"What makes thee suspect her of friV-
olity?" she asked calmly, but not without
a certain unwonted sparkle of the eye.
''I see her so often in the company of that
CAV young person-her name, l think is
Vane. And the name seems to be a suitable
index to her character, with slight altera-
tion of spelling) if [ may judge from out
ward appearance" rejoined Mr.. Simpson.
"Outward appearance is often deeeitful,
Friend Simpson. We must be careful how
SAY, and the heart is deceitful, too, ac-
cording to Scripture" quoth her visitor
"We are prone, too prone, to overlook er.
rOr when it suits our convenience to pass il
by, instead of administering deserved re.
buke.0
"I think" remarked Prudence, as she
rose and folded up her work in a damask
napkin of exquisite whiteness, "that 1 will
now see about getting the tea."
While she was absent from the room
Friend Simpson, whose remarks, poor man
had been drawn forth from the bitterness
of his heart, entered upon the subject which
engrossed his thoughts, and asked Reuben
whether he was aware that he had offered
his hand to Elizabeth and been rejected.
eyes, l heard so," said his host, rather
shortly; land I cannot commend thee
Friend, for thy want of discretion in the
matter"
"How so?" asked Simpson.
"Well, thee should have spoken to me
first, and not wasted thy chance on the word
of giddy girl. If thee had told me thy
wish, / would have talked reasonably tC
Elizabeth, and set such judicious arguments
before her as would have Influenced her ia.
vorably."
"Does thee Think" eagerly asked the
other, "that thee could still persuade her tC
do what 1 wish? I ain willing to leave the
matter altogether to thy judgment, if thee
will undertake it,"
II scarcely know" said Reuben, shaking
his head, "whether can do much good
nOlD. Thee has been rash, Friend Simpson
very rash. But of course, 1 am willing tc
try. think thee would make good hus:
band to Elizabeth-thee has true regard
for her, doubt not"
"Oh" interrupted the suitor, with unac.
custOmed fervor of manner, "thee uses but
cold words, Friend Carey! I would lay
down nv life to win thatsweet girls love-
"If thee did lay down thy life, cannot
see that her love would do thee much good
afterward," practically remarked Reuben
"But thee must consider, there is great dis.
parity of age between you two. Elizabeth
might well be thy daughter-does thee
see?"
"Unhappiy, yes-but 1 would love and
cherish her none the less truly; indeed, ]
would strive the harder to make her happy
And worldly comfort, as thee knows, she
would not lack though the wealth | am
able to lay at her disposal is mud and rub.
bish compared to the rich treasure of my
hearts love which I would have her ac'
cept;" -.., n
"Friend Carey" continued Simpson with
lowered voice." I fear thy good wife does
not heartily approve Of me-she looked
coldly on me, l thought, when I spoke Of
Elizabeth just now"
"Well, thee seemed to blame Elizabeth
in some way; and her mother is weak or
that point-she does not like her one eve
lamb to be blamed"
"Blamed! Oh, Friend! it was in sorrow
not anger that / made those few remarks
it grieves me so to think that the fair child
may be led by injurious association into
But here the entrance of Prudence, fol.
lowed by the maid bearing tea-tray, put q
stop to the conversation.
TO BE CONTINUED.