Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1895-08-07


dry French gilt pins gorgeously enrich
ed with rhinestones. Aside from Arta-
lissa, who was unquestionably the belle
Of the evening, there was little beauty
there, but looking at the simple, un-
troubled faces one comprehended why
the babies in the corner were so bound
lessly blessed with listless good humor.
1t seemed to Edith that all the compa-
ny had caught somewhat Of the vacant,
ruminant expression Of their own kline.
The musicians were already establish
ed in corner near the open doors lead
ing into two smaller apartments also
lighted and made ready for dancing,
into each of which the fiddler by cram
ing his neck ever so little from where
he sat upon the floor might command
the fullest view. He was not an impos-
! ing parsonage, this gentleman, being
afflicted with an extreme case Of stra-
bismus, while he was withal left hand
ed, holding his fiddle reversed, the end
resting upon the floor. It was for his
convenience in this particular presum-
ably that he preferred to squat in his
lowly, tailorlike' attitude, where it
would seem in the narrow limits Of the
room that there might be danger Of his
coming to grief from needless heels up:
on occasion, but with all his unassum.
ing position it was no less clear that he
was sustained by very large sense OF
his present Importance, as with doleful
squeaks he tuned the instrument, while
his wife, complacently seated at the
parlor organ, responded to his repeated
demand to give him "A"
Mrs. Dennison, q rosy little woman
in white gown, something of a misfit
from the shrinkage of many washings,
came in to welcome them presently,
volubly regretting that Mrs. Ellery had
not come.
"It was so unfortunate, Edith de-
clared, with polite mendaoity, "but it
was the children. She could not leave
them, you know"
But she might have brought them
surely" cried the hostess in all SINGER
ity, glancing toward the improvised
nursery IN the corner.
"But am glad that my sister is 60
ing to have glimpse Of society on the
range" put in Hugh hastily.
"Yes, I'm glad she come" returned
their hostess simply. Were so short of
ladies' Every one counts"
"But we're not going to dance, I'm
afraid, "HuCh returned, amusedly glanc-
ing at his sister, whose face had flushed
with shade of dismay at this speech.
"Mrs. Ellery insisted that we should
come home early. If we should once be-
gin dancing, it would be all the harder
to tear ourselves away, you know"
"Not going to dancer" cried Mrs.
Dennison, with such very blank ex-
preston that Edith nervously question
ed if their coming at all had not been a
mistake. "Why, you'll dance while
you're here surely. Why not?"
II shall dance if my number is call
ed and you will dance with me-" cried
Hugh gallantly. "And if tip the fid-
dler wink-has he a soul above brib-
cry, do you think? As to my sister,
though-oh, she doesn't know much
about dancing, Mrs Dennison. Her ed
ucation has been rather neglected in
some directions " Nobody disliked lie
more than good natured Hugh Ellery,
but he held that there was such thing
as justifable prevarication.
"Why, I should think you'd want to
learn" cried the little woman, turning
to the girl in innocent surprise.
II have thought Of it," murmured
Edith uncomfortably, darting glance
of mingled amusement and reproach at
her brother, but just then happily the
numbers for the first dance were called,
and a partner came to lead Mrs. Denni-
son away. "How could your" the girl
muttered in smiling rebuke.
II couldn't but for you, you migrate
full young woman! Where would you be
now but for me- I'd like to know? Stub
bing your little toes over this rough
floor at the risk of your life. I hope
you'll not lose sight Of the debt of
gratitude you owe me-" And he settled
back comfortably to view the company
now ranged in order for q quadrille.
Edith looked OH, dreamily amused,
the whole performance seeming as un
real as scene in play. 1t required
some self restraint to refrain from smil-
ing at the simple coquetries of the rud-
dy checked maidens, at the queer steps
and occasionally at the reckless gyrations
of their jolly, flannel shirted partners,
most of whom moved as though embar-
rassed by imaginary spurs upon their
heels, while not few were almost bow
legged from overmuch hard riding.
Now and then cry would issue
from the calico curtained creche in the
corner, at which sound two or three anx-
ious mothers would rush in body to
the spot, unceremoniously deserting
partners, to the great confusion of the
quadrilles, but these episodes seemed to
be accepted quite as matter OF
course, scarce calling for even smile
by way Of comment. Most of all Edith
found herself diverted by the humor de-
veloped in the cross eyed master of GER
emonies, who, while scraping out q
highly original rendering of "Sweet
Violets" and "Old Dan Tucker" was