Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-03-10

WOuauuOOQ. DuI, sGTduR6 " Eolalos
Teddy Barton was not to come with the
other young fellows to the merrymak-
ing. Mr.. Topmark had said fiat he
paid ''Teddy fer doin other things than
gallivantin round like er gentleman Of
leisure. I am tired er keepin er dog
an then doin his barkin." Teddy had
got to stay at the store that night,
if no other. Stranger still, Teddy was
jubilantly clipper, though he made
open and loud lamentation over old
Tops sudden meanness. He did not
mean to NOPE. That was one thing GER
tain. "I'll git er lot er fellers all by
my lonesome an have fun as is fun"
Rob, of course, was asked to both the
quilting and the party. Miss Winfold
wrote a honeyed note in her very best
sloping hand. Mrs Winfold said in
the bosom Of her family: ~ jest aohed
ter leave that little limb out, but 1t
wouldn't do-no, never in the world.
Brother would be 80 mad. He is the
biggest fool about that girl; said he
couldn't even tell the time Of day ef he
wasn't lookin up toward Roscoe. May
by, though, she'll have sense enough not
to come. She said always she hated
quilts and quiltin. OF course she nc
need ter work ef come she does, though
really few stitches amt much ter pay
fer mighty good dinner"
Mrs. Winfold had social ambitions
like herself, small and narrow. They
began and ended indeed in the purpose
full desire to get the most and best Of
all that was going for herself and her
own. It was utterly past her oompre-
hension, the MoGregor delight in hospi-
tality for it's own sake.
All Walnut Greek save Mrs. Talbot
came to the quilting early and with
itching ears. Every woman Of them
knew so we'll Mrs. Winfold's knsok Of
gossip there was distinct feeling that
it was mighty pity Mr.. Topmark could
not be some one else's brother for this
day, if no longer. Still, leaving him
out Of account, there was the matter Of
Jack Talbot and Rob MoGregor. Most
unaccountably Luce Aliens tale had
got bruited about, with emendations
that made it we'll worth hearing. By
this time it was upon most hands agreed
that there had been great scene. Nam
Liza had denounced Jack to his face as
q triAer, the old man had overheard and
had hidden the young one either take
the girl or leave her for good and al
ways, and Jack, who had gone there
every day, did not 90 there any more.
Not unnaturally the good women-they
were really very good-who sat stitch.
ing away at the latest Winfold triumph
in patchwork, made up their minds az
the story was told in chorus that Jaoh
was innocent of anything beyond warm
friendliness and Rob guilty Of deep and
desperate designs.
"I expect she counted on gittin Jacl
through him bein so high toned. You
know all the Talbots are awfully high
toned" Mrs. Brazzleton, mother of So
ply Ann, said to her next neighbor,
who nodded and said, measuring q
length of thread:
eyes, I do expect so. She's 80 bold,
that Rob. I never liked her."
"She is, as you may say, fighty, but
I reckon she'll get husband, no matte,
what Is said about her," Mrs. Brazzle.
ton returned, with significant glance
In the direction Of Mrs. Winfold.
Just then Nina called from the door
"Hush talkin, all Of you. Yonder comes
Rob McGregor."
The news was unwelcome. At least
two-thirds of the quilters indeed felt II
q distinct hardship, for with Rob visi-
bly, present they would be compelled to
discuss her aside. Everybody looked at
her as she came within the door. Some
few faces were full of kindly pity. With
out exception they were those OF moth
ers without daughters, either ohildless
or having only SONS. One among them,
Mrs. Carter, who ranked socially with
Mrs. Talbot, got up and kissed Rob on
either cheek, saying, with little, wist-
full smile:
"Come and sit here by me, honey.
want somebody who is not too indus
trious for a neighbor. "
"Thanky, ma am, Aunty Carter, but
I can't I am here just to say that
could not possibly come," Rob said
brightly, yet clinging to the friendly
hand She was too finely strung not to
feel the bridling and drawing away that
had marked her entrance. 1t was not
the first time, either. So far, secure In
the strength of innocence, she had whis'
tied down the wind such hostile demon
stration, only wondering duly If it's CO.
casion was Mr.. Topmark's inthrallment
and the merry athletic madness which
possessed him. She was used to know
ing people talked about her, but unused
to quite the faces that greeted her to-
day.
Yet it was sense Of this hostile at
mosphere which had brought her thus
among them. II will beard the Win
folds in the face Of all their world" she
had said, nodding to her image in the
glass. "I'm not a coward, whatever
other sins may lie at my door. I'll go
and excuse myself, then back to the
party. Jack-yes, he will be there. So
will Mr.. Topmark. pine to give him
one sharp snub right before Mrs. Win
folds face
Now, while Mrs. Brazzleton and 9th
ers Of her kidney stared, Rob stood
chatting gayly with Miss Winfold and
her mother. In little while she turned
to go, saying over her shoulder:
"Look for me back at early candle
light. That's the time, isn't it, Mrs.
Winfold9 And, oh, ladies all, young and
old, I almost forgot to tell you the great
news. Lawyer Howell from Oldbridge
is at the store-going to stay week
and shoot doves-and Teddy ran 30