Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-12-15

/ wish to use no fattering language, but
assure you that never, never have Sc II any
Young lady who seemed to possess half her
attractions She is a lovely girl"
He stopped, and slight moisture in his
ewes signified that he was speaking from his
heart Mrs. Temple made graceful inclina-
ton Of her head.
ut is always agreeable to mother to hear
her daughter praised, she said. "Iou have
not overrated Sophia, as I, who have watched
her from her cradle, can tell you"
II came to see you this morning partly on
your account" Prendergast continued. u
know the responsibilities and anxietles OF a
mother, left in sole charge Of so attractive
girl. l do not wish to add to them, and the
least intimation of disapproval of my suit on
your part will be sufficient to make me
abandon it at once, and finally"
Possibly this grave gentleman, having eyes
in his head, may have known that the little
mother was dying to call him son-ln-law;
and this roble speech may have had trace
of humbug in it. But Mrs, Barbara rever-
enced this sort of humbug. 1t was moro
spicy than reality. She would not have
liked Prendergast for really meaning all this
civil consideration; but for pretending to,
mean it, and for uttering the pretense with
all air so perfectly pharisaic, she could have
kissed him there and then. 30, Pharisee
feminine against Pharisee masculine, she
looked at him with small and pensive sigh.
"How few men show such consideration"
II came Also" said he, ION my own ac-
count If Miss Temple is engaged, or if she
is not likely to look with favor upon me,
l>ol 1aoc irh nor
haps give me your-your-adutc'."
Mrs. Temple liked him better than ever.
"Sly fellow" she said to herself. "lf ne
dances as neatly as he plays demure he must
make good figure at ball"
Aloud she remarked:
sIn these matters I always like to speak
with the greatest possible frankness. We are
not driving a bargain across counter.
Your offer is to me, so far as / know you at
present." the defens.less woman inserted this
attorney clause with the sweetest smile,
''most gratifying. believe you would try
to make Sophia happy, and would succeed"
It was Prendergast's turn to incline his
head now, and he did it.
"As to Sophia" continued the mother,
joining the tips Of her fingers in pondering
sort of way, that is much more intricate
matter"
'She is not engaged, is she?' the suitor
cried hastily.
"she is not. She is perfectly unfettered.
But there has been a sort Of attachment; bel
affections have been"
II understand" Prendergast said with
grave face. "You wish to break it gently to
me. I can assure you should never try in
the remotest way to take from another man
affections should so treasure if they were
my own"
He was speaking his real mind now, and
Mrs. Temple looked at him, lowering between
admiration and amusement. She had lived
in a world of honor, but not quite honor OF
this sort; however, she alw""s made her bow
to virtue when it was we'll dressed and ex-
pressed itself genteelly.
"a most high-minded feeling" she said.
@Just as should feel myself. But in the
present case such scruples would be out OF
place. This is only boy and a girl affair;
there is no money, no prospect, no hope
have said n,yself-kindly, but firmly-that
marriage, or even an engagement, is out OF
the question"
"And you do not think Miss Temples heart
irrevocably given away"
1t was lesson in posture and grimace to
sec the little worldling's pantomimic answer.
She disjoined the finger tips, and her white
hands with upward palm, her gently raised
eyebrows, her shoulders quivering with a
scarcely perceptible shrug, her quick sig
nifcant smile, were each members of an un-
broken sentence. The meaning was, 1.-THE
female heart-our hearts, seldom given ir-
revocably. Try for yourself" 1t was per-
fectly Partisan.
'"In that case," Prendergast said, reading
her like print and with rising spirits, II am
full of hope"
"You may be-" she answered; "but still
my daughter is not an ordinary girl. There
must be great care. Every step must be
taken with thought, and with an end in view.
In word, Mr.. Prendergast, I think you
had better be guided by me from first to last"
81 shall most thankfully" he said; and
then he composed himself to listen to his moni-
tress.