Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-01-21

QlQ nOG OulWdIuly DIV pul VII llSl
usual impenetrabIe air, and made her an
swers as brief as possible, yet while feign-
ing indifference she contrived to give them
a very lofty idea of her position.
"And of course you'll forget all about as
noW,n said Clara. "And as to the Asy-
lum-pretty soon you'll not even recollect
the existence of such a plebian place, eh
Magdalen?"
Nonsense" said Sophy. "She'll never
forget us, or the Asylum either. Why
should she? Are we her enemies?"
"No, but she won't long count us as her
friends" responded Clara, who, as usual,
was reclining in lazy ease with book in
her hand, for it was recreation time. "OWn
up now, Mag; won't you be ashamed to
confess that you spent three long years in
an Orphan Asylum, and in such vulgar So
ciety as that of its inmates ?"
~ really haven't given a thought to the
matter, Clara" was Magdalen's reply. She
was rumaging in her bureau drawers, and
took out some little trinkets, to which she
did not attach any special value.
"Here, Clara, you may have this as
keepsake--and you, Sophy, this' she said,
holding out to one little jet cross, and to
the other plain ring. Clara laughed as
she took the cross. SOphy thanked her af-
fectionately.
"And whatever else of mine don't take
I bequeath to you two to divide between
you or give away at your discrestion. You
see there are some things / shan't need,
and it isn't worth while for me to carry
them off, particularly as | am going on
voyage so sOOn.'
"a voyage to Europe! Oh, what joy"
said Clara. "I envy you that, Mag, posi-
lively do. Never mind, perhaps my turn
will come some day"
II am sure that have no idea that mine
ever WILL" said Sophy contentedly.
"For that matter, no one ever has an idea
that anything unusual is going to happen,"
us dreamed Il little over week ago that
Magdalen was going to turn into fine lady
and make trip to Europe ?"
"Well, | suppose must go noW," said
Magdalen, who, by this time had finished
her preparations. She kissed them all
round as matter Of duty rather than incli-
nation, made hasty tour of the building,
leaving adieuX as she went, and was just
congratuiating herself with a sigh of relief
that the business was over, when on her
way to the parlor she was stopped by lit
tie pale girl on crutches, who held out
a small parcel to her.
"They said you were coming back to tell
US all goodbye" she said, $50 made this
for you, Magdalen. You'll keep it, won't
"What is it?" asked Magdalen unwil-
lingly.
'sJust pin-cushion. I hadn't any silk
pieces, but one side is velvet, and / think
it's pretty-don't you?" She watched eag-
erly as Magdalen unfastened the parcel.
"Oh yes, it's pretty, Amy. Thank you,
Pm sure"
"And you'll keep it to remember me
by w.. ~ ot oour,o - c,o ,..+;,r ,;s.ed tho
little cripple, put the pincussion in her
pocket and ran on.
At last she was through with her task,
every good bye was said, and Mrs. Ellery's
parting admonition received; they reenter-
ed the carriage and drove off-and now, in
deed, the Asylum was left behind 'for
good" Happy Magdalen she had escaped
from her prison. Freedom, glorious free.
dom, was hers at last:
Mrs. Fairfax on reaching home COM
planned of a severe headache, and retired
early to bed. Magdalen drew a low chair
to the table and took up a book, prepared
to spend delightful solitary evening, for
she was never happier than when she could
read and think without interruption, and
she had never felt less inclined for conver-
sation than now. After desutory glance
through the pages before her she laid the
book-down, and gave herself up to retlec-
ton, which best suited her present mood.
What a change, truly, had few short
days made in her prospects and surround
ings! What a field was suddenly opened
to her ambtion With smile of self-pity
she recalled her fondly cherished wish Of
becoming teacher-hoW poor and narrow
seemed such a life l1U, compared to the
far broader anticipations opened up to
her view. What drudgery would it have
been, as set against the easy occupation of
making herself companionable to an amia-
BILE person whom she could dominate, by
the force Of her own will, in any way that
should suit her--at least, so she fully be-
lieved. Leisure for reading, opportunities
of enlarging her mind, of acquiring eXpe-
riemce and knowledge of the world and that
polish which only polite and cultivated So
cety can impart; money for gratifying her
tastes-all this was now to be hers, in return
for her easy work.
Most girls Of seventeen or eighteen in
dulge in dreams flove. but romance formed
no part Of Magdalen's nature, and if the
thought of marriage ever occurred to her, it
was in a most practical form. She would
marry Should the opportunity become hers)
a man of wealth and position, one who
would satisfy her pride and crafty her
ruling passion, ambition; but a mere love
match she regarded as weak, sentimental
affair, objectionable if it involved poverty,
or the overthrow of any cherished plans.
While ndulging in these musings, there
came ring at the front-door bell, and a
moment later Mr.. Burton entered the par
lor. Mag1alen felt rather annoyed, but she
rose and greeted him with wonderful self
possession-at least, it appeared wonderful
to him.
81 am so sorry Mrs. Fairfax is ill.," she
said, half expecting that he would retire on
finding that she was alone. But he took
seat with the air of intending to remain.
81 have been attending to the purchase
Of my Cousins tickets" he said, taking a
little package from his pocket. "One for
her and one for yourself. Will you kindly
take charge of them?'
"Tickets?" repeated Magdalen, inquir-
ingly.
"Your passage, you know, on the Br,0's-
rick. Mrs. Fairfax asked me to get them.
So you are fairly off, or will be in a few
short weeks. | wish | WAS going too"
Magdalen did not echo the wish, either
mentally, or aloud. She took the tickets
with little thrill of satisfaction, feeling
how much they promised for her gratifica-
ton. Mr.. Burton lay back in his chair-he
always chose a comfortable one-and clasp
ed his hands indOlently above his head.
He evidently did not think it necessary to
be ceremoniOus in her society. This was
quite apparent to her, and was one reason,
perhaps, for her half unconscious dislike to
his company. Seeing that he remained ST.
lent and seemingly uncOncerned at her
presence, she determined to meet him on
his own ground, and resuming the book she
ho1 loi .hn fp of hn nil