Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-02-11
gu Original Sturg.
Written for the YOrkvile Enquirer.
AN UNQUIET LIFE.
BY STANLEY STCLAIR.
CHAPTER VII.

would be good thing if we should marty" "
Magdalen was sitting near window, en-
broidering. Burton was leaning against
window frame, looking at her. Neither of
them had moved for the last ten minutes.
"Have you?" she rejoined, without lift
ing her eyes. "Whom shall we marry ?"
"Why, each other, of course. That is
what meant" >
"This is rather sudden idea of yours, is
it not?" =,
"By no means. I have entertained it
since-well, for some time past"
~ confess that you have given me no
reason to suspect it."
~ am a peculiar man, as l think may
have remarked to you before. Perhaps 1
don't act as people usually do under these
circumstances. Nevertheless, suppose
YOU will condescend to take my word."'
There was silence. Magdalen stitched
diligently, and Burton watched her.
SWELL" he said presently, show long
shall be kept waiting for an answer to my
question ?"
any question. 1 thought you had merely
offered suggestion"
"Then, permit me plainly to ask the ques-
tion-Miss Frost, will you marry me?"
"Mr. Burton, it seems to me that the an
swer will require some deliberation."
"You are not the sort of woman who de-
liberates. Your conclusions are always
prompt and decisive"
''In most cases-yes. But this is an ex-
ceptional case. Besides have you consult
ed Mrs. Fairfax on the subject?"
Certainly not. You were the first per-
son to be spoken to-"
"Well, it will be best for you to take her
into your confidence"
"Am I to infer from that remark that
your consent to my proposal depends upon
hers?"
Magdalen hesitated and looked thought
fully out of the window.
"Well, yes," she said last, 81 suppose
So" ,.,. o.,
''Then you accept me-conditionally ?"
"Conditionally."
"Will you shake hands upon the COM
pact?"
She gave him her hand. He held it a
moment, pressed it slightly and relinquish-
ed it..
II am going to my cousin" he said, and
left the room.
Magdalen leaned back in her chair and
reflected. Although she had professed to
be surprised at Burton's proposal, yet, in
truth, it had not taken her unawares.
Mrs. Fairfax received the young gentle
mans communication quietly enough. She
said she thought it would be a very good
thing for him to marry Magdalen.
and that is what shall like" she added.
OF course YOU would not leave me alone 2"
"Oh, no, we can all be together, if you
like" he replied. "And now what want
settled is this-how soon can the wedding
take place."
looking bewildered. "You and Magdalen
must settle all that"
because, you see," said Burton, " am
obliged to start for home within week
within fortnight at the latest; and l am
very unwilling to leave you here. If Miss
Frost-if Magdalen will consent, we had
better be married Mt once, then we can
all 20 home together. Don't you think
that is our best plan?"
ut seems very sudden" said poor Mrs.
Fairfax.
"Well, yes, it does seem little sudden,
but then there are good reasons; and OF
course no preparation is needed; we don't
want any fuss or ceremony; at least am
sure I don't. We can have a quiet service
in the English chapel, and start right oH
that same day."
ats all so confusing, I can hardly rea-
lie it ! I had no idea you were in love
with Magdalen."
"Nether had l." said Burton, with a
smile that might mean anything. He
went back to Magdalen, told her that Mrs
Fairfax had given her consent, and then
unfolded his plans, to which she listened
without opposition. AS long as she had
given him her promise, it did not make
much difference to her whether the engage
ment was short one or not, and she was
quite willing to return home.
One bright morning, ten days later, wit
messed quiet service, as Burton had said,
in the little English chapel; and when it
was concluded, the bridal party, all in trav-
cling gear, adjourned to the hotel to COL
lect the last of their effects and were speed
lily thereafter transferred to the train which
was to bear them on the first few miles of
their homeward journey.
Months, years glided by. Mrs. Fairfax
had sold her old home, and became an in
that gentleman having purchased a pretty
house for himself and his wife, soon after
their return to their native State, on the
outskirts of Maysville. Mrs. Fairfax contin-
ued in very delicate in health. At times it
was doubtful whether she could recover !;
but her mental trouble fortunately did not
increase. She had already made her will,
the contents of which were fully known to
Burton and Magdalen. She bequeathed to
her missing child should the latter ever be
found; rs this contingency was most un-
likely, she considered it quite positive that
her large fortune would eventually be their
own. In case, however, of the unlikely
event, certain portion was to revert to
Burton, who was to be appointed the guar
dian of the child.
Two children were successfully born to
the Burtons-a boy and a girl; and both
died in early infancy. This was great
disappointment to the father, but less so to
Magdalen, who was naturally not fond of
children, and disliked the trouble of attend
ing to them.
They had been married five years, when
Burton one day made an unexpected sug-
"Both our little ones are gone," he said,
land the house is awfully quiet and dull ;
must own it would cheer me up to hear a
merry chld's voice about. What do you
saw, Magdalen, to our adopting some nice,
pretty little girl, and rearing her as our
own?" :.
ut seems to me rather curious idea" )"
said Magdalen. "However, I have no OBJ
lection, provided you don't expect me to
give up my. time and attention to the child
when it comes"
"Oh! l shan't expect you to give up any
thing" replied her husband, little lmpa-
tiently. 'Of course, however, you mustn't
pull altogether against me in the matter, or
It won't work very we'll. You must be
willing to look after the child in a general
way-see that it is properly clothed and fed
and cared for, as one of the family. This is
an affair which I could not manage alone,
and on which we must be agreed, else 1t It
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