Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-01-14

from the stairs to the right-and look IN the
upper drawer of my bureau for some more
OF this white wool Pm using. There is
bunch of it wrapped in silver paper. Sep
arate an ounce of it, and bring it down to
me-"
Again the sesentful feeling swelled in
Magdalen's bosom as she left the parlor.
Could she not have rung for servant to do
this errand?"
"Is she the young woman you spoke OF
getting to live with you?' asked Fred
erick Burton of his cousin, when Magdalen
was out of hearing.
'tI have her on trial. She only came this
afternoon. l cannot tell yet whether she
will suit me or not"
"Burton laughed little. "You won't
find her very submissive" he said.
elbow do you know?"
"Have you noticed her eyebroWs:"
"Not particularly"
"Well, they indicate temper. Her mouth
and chin bespeaka strong will. But l think
she is clever and she looks like a lady.
There is great deal in having a ladyllke
cOlnpaniOn You never could stand coarse
unrefined person about you"
"You make me little uneasy, howev-
er. Frederick" rejoined Mrs. Fairfax, look
ing troubled. "What want is an amia-
BILE girl rather than pleasant one, some
body who is obliging and patient, and has
a good heart. If I thought this girl was
bad-tempered, I'd send her right back"
ooh, but | didn't say anything about
I meant that she probably possessed reso-
lutte temper, which in some cases is very
good thing, and she is not likely to have it
tried in your mpanionship. You are too
amiable yourself to arouse any unkind
feelings in others. I. have an idea that you
will get on with her very easily"
II hope so, am sure" sighed Mrs. Fair
fax. "b am so anxious to get everything
settled"
"When do you sail?"
"If I decide to keep Magdalen, I shall
take our passage in the Brunswick, which
sails August 3rd.
$50 soon! am sure I wish that 1 were
going too"
Here Magdalen entered with the worsted.
Mrs. Fairfax thanked her, and as she was
about to return to her post at the window,
said kindly, "Don't 90 off there by yourself,
but take that little rocking-chair near the
table. You will find it more comfortable
than the window seat"
Magdalen complied, and Mr.. Burton, at
his Cousins request, rang for lights. Mrs.
Fairfax went on with her knitting. Her
hands were very thin and white, and on one
finger glittered superb diamond-her en-
gagement ring, the only ornament she wore.
Magdalen watched it Shine and sparkle in
the lamplight; she envied the fairness and
softness of those childish-looking hands
her own were not rough or coarse, but they
were somewhat embrowned by exposure
and household work. She mentally resolved
to put them under restorative treatment
at once.
81 wish you would play for me, Freder-
ick," said Mrs. Fairfax, presently "Music
is the only thing care for. now. You know
the sort like"
He rose Immediately and went to the
piano, which stood in the next room. His
touch was mastery, and from the keys he
drew charmingly soft, sweet strain. Mrs.
Fairfax laid down her work and leaned back
her head, and, in moment or two, Magda-
len saw tear steal from her closed lids.
Another and another followed. and then,
as if suddenly ovcrpowered by an uncOn-
trollable emotion, she rose from the sofa,
and swiftly, though noiselessly, left the
room.
Mr.. Burton continued playing, uncon-
scious that he had but one listener. Mag
dalen wondered whether she had better 60
or stay. While she was wondering, he
ceased and left the piano.
$50 my cousin is not here" he said in an
easy tone resuming his former seat. 81
hope I didn't bore her by strumming too
long"
II am quite sure you did not" she re-
Joined, speaking as easily as he did. II
think she seemed little overcome; and
went away, probably, to recover herself"
"Where the deuce did you pick up that
tone?' thought Mr.. Burton. "Do they
teach society manners at the Founding
Hospital?" For he was not clear as to the
precise nature of the institution of which
she had been an inmate. Magdalen looked
so composed and dignified that he felt 1T in
cumbent upon him to continue the conver-
sation.
81 suppose" he remarked, "you are
aware of the troube-I should say the deep
affliction-NIrs. Fairfax is now enduring"
81 know something of it, but not all the
particulars. Her husband died recently,
did he nOt?"
"Yes, while they were away from home.
And she also lost her only child, a lovely
little girl, under very singular crcumstan..
ces. The child was stolen, and no tidings of
her have ever been received"
"How very sad," said Magdalen.
"Most sad, indeed. 1t is no wonder that
Mrs. Fairfax finds it difficult to he con-
soled."
"She intends going abroad, she tells me:
Probably she will find a change beneficial" !"
remarked Magdalen.
"Probably-at all events, let us hope that
such will be the case"
All this was very proper and natural, and
Magdalen spoke quite as any ordinary
young lady would but to Mr.. Burton the
situation was beginning to be little tire
some. Perhaps he would have felt it to be in
some degree ludicrOus, only for the fact that
bo
gentleman easily bored; there were very
few people whom he found interesting-of
these few, his cousin Emily was however
one. He had always been very fond of her,
and at one period of his life had been very
near asking her to marry him, but just then
poor Richard Fairfax stepped in and won
the prize. Burton had never owed him
any grudge. He had even consOled him
self philosophically with the reflection that
a bachelor existence was perhaps the most
comfortable; and he and Emily's husband
had been excellent friends. He felt very
sorry for her now, and very anxious to be OF
some use, to show his sympathy in some
practical way. So he was good deal Oh
hand, transacted as much of her business as
she put it in his way to do, and brought her
little cheerful news now and then to di-
vert her mind. She, poor thing, was not
selfish in her sorrow. She tried always to
think of others, and never gave way to her
feelings when she could help it, except in
privacy. She held her grief too sacred to
be carlessly displayed.
Burton was relieved when she came back.
She looked very quiet and sad, and her eyes
were heavy with recent weeping; but she
spoke in her ususal tone, and soon after
wards Frederick Burton rose to go.
81 shall see you Tomorrow" he said as
he shook hands. "1ake care of yourself.
;-l&