Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-03-19
An Original Stnrg.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
A RASH EXPERIMENT.
BY MISS M. LEE.
CHAPTER v,

CHAPTER v.
Several months went by unmarked by
any notable event. Harry obtained two
short vacations, which he spent at the home
of his betrothed; but no word he had We
breathed of his engagement, to his uncle
He now got fair salary, and as he lived
economically and discharged his duties in
satisfactory manner, he and Mr.. Monteitf
continued on very comfortable s,n,I terms W.T. ba
each other, the only point of dissenslon be-
tween them being the lady whom Harry
refused to court.
sWhy can't you like her well enough p
the old gentleman asked, testify, on one oc
casion, when he was arguing the subject
Isn't she good enough for you?"
'She is probably far too good for me, " re:
piled his nephew. II have no fault to finC
with her at ALL"
"Then what obstacle is in the way? Con
found it, can't understand you young fel
lows at all. Most young men in your situa
ton would jump at the chance of making
an excellent match like this"
"My dear sir, you speak as though there
could be no doubt whatever of the lady.'s
state of mind-as if it were quite certain
She would accept me. I don't see what can
make YOU think that" said Harry.
"Try her, that's all. If she refuses you,
shan't say another word on the subject"
But Harry, for the best of reasons, would
not put'the matter to the test.
AS the year drew to its close, he began to
feel some uneasiness regarding his future
He was not, of course, certain that by mar
rying Elizabeth he would forfeit his uncle's
favor, but he felt that the chances were
against him. He must provide home and
support for his wife, and if obliged to lose
his present situation, and seek his own for
tune, he knew that for at least some time
to come poverty would be his lot. Would
it be right for him to ask Elizabeth to share
such a lot, particularly after she had been
led to believe that his future was assured
On the other hand, he felt that he could
brave everything, endure anything, rather
than give her up. Such reflections often
made him anxious, and then again his natu-
rally hopeful spirit would bouy him UP, and
he cheered himself with the belief that his
uncle would pardon his offense and retain
him in his favor, and all would thus be
we'll.
His conscience told him that the right
course for him to pursue was to lay his case
candidly before the old gentleman, and
then, if the result of his confession proved
unfavorable, to exercise equal candor to-
wards his betrothed, so that she and her
parents might understand exactly how his
future stood. But he dreaded postpone
ment of his marriage, and decided to wait
and let matters take their course.
Elizabeth in the meantime, unconscious
of these perplexities, cheerfully pursued the
even tenor of her life, happy in Harry's
love and the prospect which looked 50 fair
to her. The only shadow that clouded its
brightness was the natural regret she felt in
the anticipation of leaving her parents, and
her childhood's home. Harry wrote regu'
larly. He constantly alluded to their mar
riage, and at last came letter reminding
her that the term of their engagement was
nearly expired, and asking her to fix def
nitely upon the "happy day."
"What shall do about it, mother?'' ask.
ed Elizabeth, when she had told her moth
er the contents of the letter.
"Well, dear, thee must keep to thy agree
"Thee knows we have looked forward tc
this, all along. We will hold family
council, and decide upon the day."
The family council was accordingly held
the point in question finally settled, and
the bride-elect, with fluttering heart wrote
to inform her lover of the decision.
Now came the ordering of the wedding
dress, and other preparations necessary to
the occasion. Prudence, notwithstanding
the grief of the impending separation felt I
secret pride and satisfaction in the fact O
her Lisbeth making such an excellen
match, and was worldly minded enough t.
take sincere pleasure in ordering all things
suitable for the celebration of so momentou
an event.
The wedding was to take place at home
and the best parlor was to be renovated by
some inexpensive additions to the furniture
and the substituting of lace curtains for th'
plain drab shades that hung at the win
dows. These improvements had just beer
effected, and Prudence, standing in the par
lor, was looking around with pardonable
pleasure, when there was knock at the
door and Friend Simpson entered.
"How gay thee looks in here" he remark
ed in q tone Of evident disapproval, as III
took proffered seat. II see the pomp
and vanities Of the world are not withou
their charm, even for Mee."
"There is nothing unseemly, as / think
in the few changes we have made," replied
Prudence. "Our poor room was looking
somewhat shabby for bridal party to en-
ter'
''Party," repeated Simpson, with empha
sis.
II use the term simply in relation to tn
small company we expect to assemble to
gether, in connection with the event. o
course we shall have only a quiet time
Thee will be here, I hope, Friend Simpson? p
'Thee must excuse me-" stifiy replied he
visitor. 81 should feel myself entirely ou
of place and under the circumstances, the
could scarcely expect me to witness Eliza
beth's nuptials with joyful heart"
81 beg pardon, Friend,' gently reioinet
Mrs. Carey. 81 forgot at the moment, tina
thee had felt disappointment in connec
tion with my daugh hter;. but she woul'
grieve to think that thee did not regard he
with kindly feelings still"
II made no allusion to the fact thee re
fers to-" said Friend Simpson, more stiff,
than before. 81 have long since accepted
that as dispensation of Providence intend
ed doubtless to further my spiritual welfare
and have ceased to repine. What mean
was, that the worldly prospect upon which
see Elizabeth entering with so much ca
gerness, affords me pain, and serious doubt
as to it's results. Has thee well consldere'
the dangers to which thee permits her to b
exposed"
''What dangers ?" asked Prudence.
"Her union with a carnal-minded, frlv
oous youth-one who is a follower of fash
inn of lipht and diSSinated habits and ten