Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-02-24

mOmmer SAID 1 SnOulQ nave tuo uoA'
hat that wasn't out Of the store"
"Poor Ninesyl I forgot she was not
to know. I have bungled dreadfully.
We meant to surprise the girl" Miss
Winfold said. Jack was too eager to be
off for thought of anything else, but If
he had been looking he would have seen
Nina's tongue thrust significantly into
her cheek.
It is a psycho-physical fact that gal
liant young fellow very deeply in love
with one woman cannot steel his heart
utterly against another who is reason
ably attractive. Before Timothy and
Clover had covered two miles of the ten
before them Jack was chatting gayly
with his convoy and not by any means
displeased with the estate wherein he
found himself. There was this excuse
for him-Miss Winfold talked we'll aft
er chirpy, gossipy fashion, wholly free
of malice. Then, too, she had warm
words of praise for Rob, the bravest,
proudest little thing! If only she might,
she would 80 gladly help and comfort
her. "But you know it isn't easy, " she
confided to Jack. The McGregors are
suoh high, proud people. Mommer does
not like Rob. But I-oh, think there
is nobody like her. She is so nice to me
always I know she cannot mean any
harm by the things she says that sound
so rude an"-
Truthful" Jack supplemented as
the other paused. "You are right. She
does mean no harm. She has grown up
at her fathers elbow. She has his ideas
in everything, especially in honor. 1t is
pitiful to see what weight she carries.
There must be change soon, and-and
when it comes can I count on your
standing her friend, no matter what 1t
may be?"
"Of course you can," Miss Winfold
echoed, then shifted the talk so bright
" and skillfully that in little while
Jack had taken the further plunge Of
asking if he might hope to take her to
church upon the morrow.
"How wish I could say yes right
off," Miss Winfold returned airily.
"But, oh, I daren't, not without askin
mommer. She's let us fix to Co. but we
won't know until night whether or no
there is preachin at her church. If there
is, + may have to 60 there. You know
what Baptist she is an how strict they
are. Maybe you'll be glad if I do have
to 90. 1 half believe you have asked me
lust because you were sorry, not that
you really want me"-
"What nonsenser' Jack said. "Of
course I am sorry for myself, to think /
have so few chances Of taking you about
and making you behave for a whole
day"
AS he said it he leaned thought to-
ward her, lazy laugh in his eyes. Miss
Winfold answered it with smile that
showed all her pretty teeth. She had
hardly ever looked so we'll as at that
precise minute. AS Jacks face came yet
closer she gave him dainty FLIP across
the cheek, saying lightly: "Ah, ha, Mr..
Impertinencel You are the one that
needs to be kept in order. "
"Think SOP" Jack retorted, kissing
her outright. She drew away with a
feint Of pouting, but to the most casual
eye it was plain she was not displeased
and that he, albeit far from shy youth,
was far and away the more embarrassed
of the two: He sent the horses along at
mad rate, keeping silence till the
town spires came in sight. Then he said
humbly: "Miss Alice, I-I-oh, hang
it all, I'm q cad, an idiot, but-but
please forgive me. I'm not quite myself
today"
"Why, Jack, what can you be talkin
about?' Miss Winfold returned, her
eyes full of large, innocent wonder.
Though Jack had wretched day OF
it, cooling his heels about town while
he waited Miss Winfold's pleasure,
there was no trace Of it in his face when
he sat at the Winfold supper table, chat
ting with the family. He was a just,
clean minded fellow, ohivalric almost
to the degree Of quixotry. The Win
folds, he had reflected, were blameless
in the arrangement of his plans They
had known nothing of them. They could
not suspect under what duress he was
held. Besides it was part Of the amends
owed the dear nanny to do her bidding
joyously, as though it was no task. 1t
made his heart sink to know he could
not possibly see Rob alone for another
whole day. All the same, when he got
up to leave, he reminded Miss Winfold
that she had not told him about the
morrow.
"Mommer must tell you, Miss Win
fold said, blushing, but too family to
be unbecomiug.
Jack shook his head. II hate to say
it," he protested, "but I believe you are
trying to get rid Of me so you can go
with some other fellow"
"Jest listen at himl' Mrs. Winfold
said, with smile that showed all her
yellow teeth. "It makes me laugh,
Jack. The idearl AS ef ! wouldn't an
Alice wouldn't be jest too glad ter have
her 90 with you wherever she goes at
all. Though thar's preachin at our
church, she may 60 with you ter the
Methods meetin an thanky inter the
bargain. Not that I don't believe the
Baptis' doctripg jest as strong as ever
but other secs have got religion-yes,
real religion. Your mother. now, IS
Methods, all thar amt no better wom-
an nowhere"-
"Thank you, ma'am, there is not, -
Jack said, with q bow. $50 may call
it settled that you 90 with me, MISS
Alice. Be sure you don't play me false
And now goAd night all.