Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-10-21

ly as though the thermometer had been
more creditably employed than in graft
flying a ceaselessly aspiring ambition,
and was back again as promptly.
Drink this tea instead" urged she,
producing blue willow pattern cup
and saucer from which u delightful odol
arose. Waters dangerous when you're
so het up"
"That's real kind Of you, Mis- Frost, u
said Mrs. Pease gratefully. "There
amt nothin I like better'n cup Of tea
when I git overheated, but, Of course,
wasn't goin to speak Of it."
II relish it more'n anything myself
such days." said Mrs. Frost, watching
the red patches grow paler on her visit
or's forehead and cheeks "This piaz'
zy's real comfortable when the SUN gifts
round behind the house"
"Ory often wishes we had one on our
house." said Mrs. Pease contemplative.
ly. "It's the fust thing we shall have
if we ever git forehanded, but believe
in lettin well enough alone"
"Ory's notions are little high," an
swered Mrs. Frost, with certain mean
ing, scanning Ora's mothers face mar
rowly to discern any indications Of re-
sentiment at her freedom. you've had
a hard time to git your place clear, an
I never favored gittin into the mire
when you can keep out. Why didn't
Dry come round with your"
"Steve Judkins carried her to the
beach this AFTERNOON with his new
horse" replied Mrs Pease, trembling
at the opportune inquiry that enabled
her to state the news she had come 80
far to tell without absolutely forcing
it into the conversation. cts reg lar
beauty. S'pose you amt seen it YETI"
LA, yesl Indeed I have"
Mrs. Frost spoke the truth, for Steve
Judkins had driven by that very after
noon with his new possession on his way
to get Ora, but with the perspicacity
peculiar to certain minds she OWNED
Mrs. Pease's uneasiness at the indef-
niteness Of her reply and determined
not to lessen it by any explanatory re-
mark.
"He always said Dry should have the
fust ride," added Mrs. Pease, uncon-
scious how much anxiety was being
manifested in her florid face.
81 amt sayin she didn't"
Mrs. Pease did not lack in penetra.
ton and could see that Mrs Frost was
endeavoring to annoy her. She was an
cry, and, Strengthening herself, made a
bold and unconsidered stroke.
"'Twould be funny if she hadn't, I"
said she, coloring with the effort she
was making. II s'pose some day twill
be hern."
The rockers on the chair occupied by
Mrs. Frost made wide scratch on the
painted boards Of the piazza as she gave
an involuntary lurch forward. Two lit
tie spots of red famed in her sallow
cheek, and her eyes snapped visibly.
"Do tell! Well, I hadn't s'posed it
was so serious. Then Ory's really
caught him at last
Mrs. Pease was conscious Of a tumul.
tuous beating of all her pulses as she
stared her quest:oner in the face. To
hear the inference drawn from her pre-
sumptuous declaration voiced in such
plain and unmistakable terms almost
paralyzed her.
~ amt at liberty to say anything
more yet" she stammered confusedly.
can you mustn't mention it to soul
outside till I give you leave"
"That's queer. should think you'd
want it spread" said Mrs. Frost. lift
ing her thin eyebrows. "Steve's the
catch of the place. If twas my Char
lotte, wouldn't let the grass grow un-
der my feet before I'd Giro late it pretty
freely"
"Ory's queer about them things.
She'd be awful mad if she knew I'd
told, returned Mrs. Pease, whose brain
seemed to be spinning around cratic
ally.
IT shall tell Charlotte anyway, in
sisted Mrs. Frost. "Steve Judkins took
quite o shine to her one while, an he's
invited her to ride with his new horse
some day. If he an Dry are goin to git
married, he amt no business to be TAX
in other gals to ride, an she shan't go.
She'll have to have q good reason,
though, or there won't be any stoppin
her."
Mrs. Pease's resources seemed on the
point of deserting her. Diplomacy was
as foreign to her as the telling of un-
truths Her pale blue eyes were full
of a perplexity that mystified Mrs.
Frost, though the latter had not ven
tured to doubt the truth of her visitors
statement, disagreeable as it was to her.
There's a partic'lar reason why I
can't say any more just now," feebly
reiterated Mrs Pease. Promise me
faithful you won't tell what l said to
anybody, not even Charlotte.
The request, which partook strongly
Of the nature of entreaty, had scarcely
been voiced when the green shutter
above flew back with a bang that sent
both women half out of their chairs,
and a sharp young voice called out tri-
umphantly:
"I've hearn it all without bein told,
Mis- Pease! You ought to be moro care
full about tellin secrets under open win
ders. I'll be down in a minute. "
The tones of the sarcastic voice fell
like lashes OH Mrs Pease. She sank into
her chair as helpless as a wounded crea-
ture, her face ashy, her heavy mouth
twitching pitifully. The quality of Mrs.
Frost's questioning gaze made her draw
her breath with difficulty, but that was
as nothing compared to the prospect of
Charlotte's coming attack. They could
hear her bouncing through TIE uppe~
hall and down de stairs, like herald
of the aDDrOaching storm, and in q mo-