Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-05-27

frightening visibly when he saw who 1t
was, "I am happy to see such little sun.
beam in my gloomy old study. Sit down."
''No, sir, I can't tstay," said Bessie, taking
courage, II only came to speak to you, sir,
about-about being married"
"About being married!" echoed Mr.. Lee
roy, in genuine astonishment.
ayes, sir" went on Bessie, twisting her
fingers together; "the people in the parish
think YOU could do so much more good II
you were married."
$50 might" assented the minister mus
ingly. "Ihave thought of that myself"
"Oh! then you have thought of it, sir"
cried Bessie delightedly. 81 am so glad"
"Bessie, I have been here long time."
eyes, sir; know you have"
"Should you be sorry to have me 60
away?"
Bessie lifted her eyes with a roguish
sparkle beneath their brown lashes.
"You need not 60 away, sir; that's ii"
eff what, Bessie ?"
"Mother said this morning she would be
very proud to be the minister's mother-ln-
law"
Mr.. Leroy looked little surprised, but
not at all displeased as Bessie stood de-
murely before him with her roseate cheeks
and disheveled curls, like a schoolgirl on
her bad behavior.
"Did she really say so, Bessie"
"I heard her say So"
ITO you ?"
"No not to me, sir"
"Bessie, would you like it?"
"Oh, sir, I should be delighted" cried
Bessie, clapping her hands gleefully.
"a minister's wife has many trials to
deal with, Bessie"
"Oh, yes, sir; but if she loves her hus-
band"
"Do you think my little wife would love
her husband ?''
How strange it was to think of Minerva
as "little wife," Bessie thought love
must have cast glamour on the young
minister's eyes; but she answered, never
theless.
81 am sure of it, sir. Minerva is so sem
sible and learned"
"Yes, I know" answered Mr.. Leroy,
with something of puzzled expression in
his face. "Miss Minerva is very worthy
person, indeed, and Ishall be very happy to
be connected, however distantly, with her."
Bessie stared until her blue eyes were
like newly opened blue-bells. What on
earth did the minister mean?
Mr.. Leroy, however, appeared to be very
clear on the subject of his "intentions." He
took Bessie's hand in his and drew her to-
ward him witha caressing gentleness tha'
the young girl felt to be very pleasant.
But you, Bessie, my dear little wild flow
er, when you are my wife"
"I!" echoed Bessie, suddenly becoming
as rosy as her own pink neck-ribbons. u
your wife, Mr.. Leroy?"
"Who else ?" demanded the young min
ister with a puzzled countenance. IL have
been in love with you for the last three
months, my Bessie. Nay, do not try 81
tremblingly to escape from me! Surely
: surely I am not so disagreeable to you a.
, that!"
"N-no," hesitated Bessie, 'it isn't that
but I thought it was Minerva"
Mr.. Leroy laughed.
II respect Miss Minerva very sincerely
OUT SllOulu JuSt DIS oooH liilhh Va ''"AA A''
my Greek dictionary"
"But am such silly little goose, and
am only sixteen, and mamma and MinerV
are always scolding me'
"But," mimicked Mr.. Leroy, with play
: full fondness, "they will not scold the min
4 ister's wife And 1 shall never let tn
+ winds of Heaven blow too roughly on m
little flower"
81 can't believe it," said Bessie, energe
ically.
"But you love me, Bessie, do you not?
81 have never thought about it before,
e said Bessie, meditatively twisting one
her curls around her finger; "but think
do"
= "Bessie Bessie, child !"
" Half an hour had elapsed, and Mrs. Ellio
J. was calling loudly for the little stray
# come and set the table for dinner.
ia 81 never saw such child" sighed tf
!. widow. ALWAYS out of the way whe
r she's wanted. Oh here you are Whe1
on earth have you been?'
# "In Mr.. Leroy's study, mamma"
"What were you doing there?'
q "Talking to him, mamma, about his ma
M rage," answered Bessie, mischievously.
el "Is Mr.. Leroy going to be married:' e
al gerly demanded the widow.
eyes, mamma"
,, Mrs. Elliott elevated her eyes and han'
id in unison.
w "Bless my soul alive! Minerva, DO yt
hear that? And to whom ?"
r. "To me, mamma"
"Nonsense"
v. "But it isn't nonsense, mamma erie
o. Bessie, triumphantly, showinga little go
Is ring with blue stone that Mr.. Leroy HI
IS placed on the foretinger of her left han
if "And we are to be married in Septemb
next! Mother, you will be the minister
tn mother-in-law, after ALL! +"
is "Bessie are you in earnest?" demand
ou Minerva.
to "Never more so in my life"
Se "Do you love him."
Bessie sobered down in minute, and
th her face on her sisters's shoulder.