Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1895-09-11

falr complexion ana Sanuy locks, ana
looked about 10 years younger than in
reality he was. His manners were
finished, and his conversational pow
ers insinuatiug. He sang a fine song,
danced minuet or hornpipe with
equal skill, kept blooded horses,
hounds and boats, and enjoyed the
fair fortune he got by his wife thor
oughly. She, his wife, was one of the
best of women !; quiet, pretty, excel
lent sense and good principles, with
but one weakness-an overweening
admiration of her husband. His wife
and his brother had been sufficient, by
their devotion and pride to and in him
to have fostered a much greater
amount of conceit than he showed in
his general demeanor; and their whole
thought being his pleasure, one could
not tell whether he was selfish or not,
for they never allowed him to be un-
selfish.
The brothers did not appear to have
gone down to read, for the packages
of foreign news were laid aside un-
opened. They lit their pipes and sat
down in the luxurious arm chairs
abounding in the cosy apartment.
"Henrietta is a perfect beauty" !"
said the younger brother. "It's a
shame, Jamie, to marry her to so cadav-
erous a specimen as this Taylor"
"Who talks of Henrietta marrying
him. Not that I know better, youth !;
but I would be 10th to see my singing
bird 60 into any other cage than
mine"
"She is no longer a child, Jamie,
and will soon have suitors enough in
the city. Her wealth-now the boys
are dead-would attract plenty of
them; but her face and form, are
enough for any man of taste had she
not penny"
"Her sweet temper and loving heart
are beyond her personal attractions.
Her mother says her only fault is her
timidity. To me it is an additional
charm. Margaret fears she is untitled,
by her gentleness, for fighting life's
battles; but while her old fathers
head is above the ground, he will see
no hair of hers is hurt"
Their pipes were smoked out, and
Mr.. Robert Cambell proposed they
should return to the drawing-room.
He had scarcely entered it, until he
asked of Henrietta song. She would
have refused, had it been any one else,
but it was habitual with his elder
brother and wife never to gainsay
request of his, and Henrietta had fallen
into their ways. Unhesitatingly, there
fore, she arose and went to the piano.
After two or three pieces there was
a pause, and Mr.. Taylor said good
night and left. He was pale, slight
man, his face not wanting in express
sion if it was in color; but possessing
no beauty, excepting deep blue eyes
beaming with purity and tenderness,
which might have looked forth from
those of woman. Henrietta's face
had frightened during the evening,
and her pallid cheeks now glowed
with some of their natural color. Her
father-we cannot write him step
father, for no own parent could even
have surpassed him in devotion-had
it not been for the late remark Of his
brother, would have innocently said,
"Taylor's visit has done the lassie
good :" but he saw there was truth in
"Robin's" suspicious as to Taylor's
object in coming to their house, and
felt jealous pang TO see another seek
ing to win away his "bairn."
After Taylor's departure, Mrs. Cam
bell opened her letters. The contents
brought a troubled look to her face.
After a second perusal of each, she
handed both to her husband. His
expression seemed a reflection of hers.
When he finished reading them, she
asked:
ado you see any alternative to keep
me from having to go?"
"Not unless l could go myself; and
Covers absence makes my leaving
Charleston, now, an impossibility."
ayes, I know that"
"What is it?" enquired Mr.. Robert
Cambell.
"These letters are from my business
men, and both relate to the estate of
Alexander and Henry. They say the
affairs have been so long in the hands
of agents, it is now imperatively neces-
sary one of the legatees should be
present at the settlement. I will have
to 90 to Jamaica, and, probably, to
Edinburgh"
A few remarks passed on either side.
The urgency of the case was undenia-
BILE, and the conclusion of the whole
was, that the next vessel sailing for the
West Indies must take on board of
her Mrs. Cambell.
"You will not leave Henrietta here
during the summer season ?" asked
Mr.. Robert Cambell.
"Of course, she will remain with
me- replied the elder Mr.. Cambell.
"You had better send her up to my
house to stay with Sue. I'm so much
from home, I would be glad to have
her there, as company for Sue in my
absence. 4 summer in the country
will do her good, and she will find it
dull here with Jamie, though such an
heiress will have plenty Of beaux to
drive away blue devils"