Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-03-05

Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
A RASH EXPERIMENT.
BY MISS M. LEE.
CHAPTER III.

handsome, clever, good -humored, and with
out dollar in the world. His parents had
died when he was lad, and he had since
been dependent on the bounty of an uncle,
who was willing to provide for him If ne
consented to walk in the way wherein ne
wished him TO 60. This way led to the
clearinghouse where old Mr.. Monteith had
reigned as president for many years. I'm
fortunately, however, Harry was strongly
averse to the prospect of becoming a bank
ers clerk. He felt, as he said, that he was
destined for something better; and was,
therefore, at the present time quite uncer-
tain what course he should pursue.
He had already passed easily through two
or three love affairs, which had left no scars
on his heart. Being susceptible, as Robert
said, he capitulated readily to the battery
of winning glances and the lure Of soft ac-
cents, but as readily turned his attention
elsewhere when these had lost their charm,
or when he was out of reach OF their In
huence.
He was at loss to account for new and
peculiar sensation that took possession OF
him i'm the presence of Elizabeth; a sensa-
tion which, far from inspiring him with
brilliancy in conversation, and readiness in
complimentary speeches, seemed to strike
him dumb and render futile all his attempts
at being unusually agreeable. The timid
aud modest deneanor of the beautiful Qua
keress subdued his levity and demanded q
corresponding gentleness on his part; and
though he thrilled with pleasure each time
that he chanced to meet a glance from
her soft brown eyes, and watched with a6-
surd anxiety for such glances, he scarcely
found courage to address dozen words to
her in the course of the evening. TO Eliza
beth it seemed quite natural that it should
be so, for she was too little accustomed to
the society of young men to be familiar
with the current Of light talk, usually ex-
pected from them, which she would have
been perplexed to know how to respond to-
She secretly thought how very handsome
so much handsomer than Heien's brother
= Robert, who was almost the only young
gentlemen she knew and was we'll pleased
that he sat near her during the concert, and
occasionally rendered her some slight SER
vice, or made brief remark. And then
those delicious strains of music she was lis
tening to seemed to raise her into new
sphere-she had never heard anything half
so exquisite. Altogether, she had very
ibid thee pass an agreeable evening, my
daughter?" asked Prudence, as she gave
her welcoming kiss on her return home.
Harry Monteith had helped her out of the
Vanes' carriage, and had held her hand for
an instant as he said goodnight; and she
came in out of the darkness flushed and
smiling, with joyous light in her eyes.
''Oh yes, mother dear! 4 lovely evening
the music was perfect" said Elizabeth, re-
turning the kiss. II am so sorry to have
kept you up"
III do not mind it, dear. Father got
'"fhat was right"
Chow we'll thee looks, Lisbeth" Pru-
dence uttered the gentle hattery involun-
tarily; adding almost Immediately, mot
that looks are of consequence-and hope
thee has kept quite warm, child; it is a
frosty night"
"Quite warm. The Vanes' carriage is
close, you know. l think we may as we'll
60 to bed mother-don't you?"
eyes, Lisbeth; otherwise we shall be
very tired in the morning." said the moth
er as she lit a candle. They went up stairs
together, and Prudence paused moment
at her daughters door to remark. "Friend
Simpson has been spending the evening
with US. He stayed until nine o'clock, in
the hope, think, of seeing thee before he
went"
"Ah! then 1 am glad I was out" said
Elizabeth carelessly. At that moment,
Friend Simpson seemed far removed from
her little world; she dismissed him easily
from her thoughts and setting her candle
on her toilet-table, she looked for some
moments in the small, muslin-draped mir
ror that reflected little more than her face.
Of course she knew she was pretty; her
mirror had told her so, many times before !;
Helen Vane had told her so-her own sense
had told her so-even her mother had been
moved to pay her compliment, in her de-
mure fashion, to-night-and she knew that
tonight she was looking prettier than ever
before. For some moments she stood quite
still, her dark dancing eyes riveted on her
refection-then with sudden thrill and
blush of shame at her own vanity, she turn
ed quickly away, undressed herselfand went
to bed, first saying an earnest prayer. 1t
was all the more earnest, perhaps, from the
consciousness she felt that some sort of temp
tation was about her, and from the glimpse
she had had of the world, that had been so
sweet, in contrast to her narrow daily life.
1t was the last opportunity she had for
anything in the way of pleasuring, for some
time. A day or two later her father fell
sick, and several weary weeks were passed
in assisting her mothers ministratiOns at
his bedside. Before he got well, business
summoned Mr.. Vane abroad, and he took
his family with him, leaving his son at col
lege and his house shut up; so that when
Lisbeth again went about as usual, she
found one of her chief interests in life re-
moved, with the loss Of Helen's society.
The winter crept slowly by. She received
several letters from her friend, but nothing
was said of her ret lrn.
One spring afternoon she went down
town on an errand for her mother. Just
as she was leaving the store where she
had made her purchases she saw a face that
made her pulses leap suddenly, because it
brought back the memory of a very pleas
ant time with which it was associated; at
least, she would have accepted that as the
reason, if she had thought about it at all.
1t was the face of Harry MOnteith, looking
handsomer than ever, and wearing an eX-
preston of unmistakable delight as he re-
cognized her and came toward her.
Miss Carey, lam too happy to meet you
he said, in rather low tone, as he held out
his hand. They shook hands convention
ally, and then Elizabeth, not knowing
whether she was doing right or wrong,
found herself allowing him to walk on at
her side. After short silence she asked
him some question about the Vanes, and
this served as topic of conversation for
some time. Then she found out that he
had finished his college course, and was
spending little while in 'looking around"
as he expressed it before settling down.
JJa told bar Wbara bic homo was and that