Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-01-28

liged to tell you. don'tthink she believed
me, though"
"Clara Conway! Now what has she
been up to?" exclaimed the matrOn, Wiping
her hands on her apron and sitting down
beside Sophy. II declare these girls give
me no peace-some of Them"
well, she has always been a good girl,
for the defence, land really l don't think
she means any harm, so hopeyou won't be
hard on her."
"Let me hear all about it child and don't
keep me in suspense"
"The truth is, Mrs. Ellery, Clara has a.
we'll, a lover, l suppose / must call him.
He's very attentive to her. at any rate, and
l know she likes him."
idea Of yours?" -,
"Why no, ma'am, of course not! It's all
perfectly true. Clara has known this young
man for months, and corresponded with
dent not quite week ago."
"And who is the fellow:"
"She won't tell me his name. But she
declares he is honorable, of good family,
and devotedly attached to her. And she
raves about his eyes," said SOphy, unable
to restrain laugh. "You ought to hear
her talk"
81 don't want to hear her talk" said Mrs
Ellery, looking decidedly the reverse of
amused. II am very angry. to hear OF her
folly. She has the most foolish ideas on
such Subjects! Her head is completely fill
ed with romance and stuff. Now, how am
| to get at the proof of all this? suppose
YOU don't want to appear as her accuser."
mo, unless it can't be helped. But you
know Pm not afraid to speak up when it's
necessary" replied Sophy, in her off-hand
way, "Imay as we'll tell you that she has
an appointment to meet him this evening
after dark, in the summer-house back of the
garden while we are at supper.
"Did she inform you of this?"
81 guessed it from something she said,
and she didn't deny it,"
"Well, we'll, if it isn't too bad! indig-
nantly exclaimed the matron. "Of course,
I shall be on hand ; but only hope, Sophy,
you may be mistaken. 1t would annoy and
distress me more than you can imagine to
have any scandal connected with this Asy-
lum. Clara ought to be ashamed of herself.
I really gave her credit for having better
principles"
II believe she just thinks she is acting
out one of the rOmances she is so fond OF. l
am sure she doesn't mean any harm," plead
ed Sophy.
"Fiddlesticks my dear. Such behavior
can't be excused. But you were quite right
to tell me. l shall stop this matter before it
goes any farther, you may be sure"
"And you won't be hard on her?"
"I'll see about that" said Mrs. Ellery,
smiling little, and reassured by the smile,
Sophy danced off, quite sure that Mrs. El-
lery would do exactly what was proper, and
in discharging the very disagreeable duty
of informing against her too-impressible
friend.
Evening came, and when everybody was
assembled in the supper-room Mrs. Ellery
quietly slipped out into the garden. There
was faint young moon, and guided by the
imperfect light she made her way to the vi
cinity of the summer-house, which was a
dilapidated little affair, covered with ivy,
and accessible by apath from the gate at the
back of the grounds. She had not waited,
in her post of observation long, before she
heard approaching footsteps, and spied the
twinkling light ola cigar advancing through
the shades.
"Here comes the lover" she said to her.
self. "Now for the object of his alteration"
The object, doubtless for prudential rea-
sons, was tardy in arriving but after an
interval of about ten minutes, beguiled by
the expectant lover whistling in a sub
dued key, the popular air of "Lottie Lee,"
a rush and scramble was heard among the
bushes, quavering voice asked in a fright
ened whisper, 80, Charley, are you there 2"
and Miss Clara Conway appeared upon the
scene.
The cigar was thrown down, Charley ad-
vanced impetuously, and an embrace SEEM
ed imminent, but at this juncture Mrs.
Ellery stepped forward, and asked calmly,
"Clara, what are you doing here?"
fhi chrin
still.
"And you, young man," pursued the
matron in more severe tones, "may / ask
what right you have to be trespassing on
these grounds at this hOur?"
II wasn't aware, Madam, that l was tres
passing," politely answered the individual
addressed, who proved to be very good
looking, pleasant young fellow OF
four or five and twenty; 81 merely came to
see Miss Conway"
"To see Miss Conway. And is it custom
ary for visitors to enter by the back gate :?
If you had business with any one here,
you should have rung at the front door, and
you would have been properly admitted" !"
Il WAS quite willing to do So" answered
Charley, "but Miss Clara said"
"Oh" calculated Miss Clara, warningly.
"Well, what did Miss Clara say" asked
Mrs. Ellery.
"She said-well, she led me to suppose
that you might object-and so'
And so you preferred acting in an un-
derhanded, unprincipled way. Not another
word, sir, if yod please" cried the indig-
nant matron." | wish you good night,
and when you are gone, l shall be careful
to see that the gate is locked. Clara, go in
to the house instantly"
But Clara instead of obeying this COM
mand, rushed forward and threw herself
upon her lover, who stood the shock vail
antly.
"You shall not part u.s." she cried theat-
really. "Oh Charley, you won't desert me
thus ?"
"Clara, are you out of your senses?" eX-
claimed Mrs. Ellery. "Young man, if you
value your safety, and don't want a police
man called, leave these grounds without
another minutes delay. This conduct is
shameful ul-scandalousw
"Clara," said "Charley" in Il persuasive
tone, "don't you see it's right that you
should do as you are bid? I'll 60 now, and
if this lady will allow me to come and ex-
plain matters, she won't think SO hard of
us. Indeed, ma'am," he continued address
sing Mrs. Ellery," | never intended acting
contrary to rules. l am sincerely sorry for
having offended, and hope to prove to you
that my intentions are good. | can give
you references as to my family and my
character; and it's best to say to you open
ly that l am wanting to make Miss Clara
my wife, and that's why have been visit
ing her."
His address was 50 strai ghtforward, and
his tone so manly and honest, that the ma
tron was irresitibly softened. But she felt
that she must stand her ground.
"Ifwhat you say is true" she replied, still
speaking in stern voice, 81 am willing to