Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-03-07

> cottage and call II nerS.
! The womankind of the BroXton fam.
/ lily and of the Spillman had always
been the best Of friends, and now that
there was no womankind left in the
Broxton family Miss Malvina and her
mother felt a lowering sort Of interes,
in the lonely boy representative OF
what had once been the most impor'
tant family in the county. 1t was nat
ural that Miss Malvina should have q
hand in things connected with Broxton
Hall.
Mrs. Spillman held that nothing short
J of Toms own marriage would have
warranted such "A turning upside
down of things" adding Indignantly
81 suppose all Mrs. BroXton's silver
and china will be used just like 1. was
their own"
Miss Malvina sounded u placating
i note. "Oh. that's all right. mother.
Ollie wrote to Tom that she wanted to
have her birthday celebration on his
grounds, and he wrote back he wvu.d
be only too glad to have her chase the
shadows out Of the old house. to use
everything as freely as If it was her
own"
Trust them for doing that; but, as
for her chasing the shadows out, that's
more'n she can do. Malvina-more'n n
anybody can do. They are gathering
thicker and blacker and heavier. and
the storm will burst over that poor
boys head without one friendly voice
to give him warning"
Dear me, mother. how. you do worry
over Tom! He's all right. His father
trusted Mr.. Matthews if you don't.
Give him warning Of what?
Miss Malvina performed as many OF
her daily duties within reach Of her
mothers ear trumpet as was practica-
BILE. 1t saved time and steps. Just
then she was hurriedly buttoning up
her stoutest pair Of boots. They would
be waiting for her up at the Hall.
There was no end Of things still to be
done.
The stand for the band was to be
| decorated. and Jess would be wanting
to know how many turkeys were to be
dressed. and all that cut glass was to
he washed. CHANGING up from her low
stool. she saw something that made
her stare curiouSly marks Of damp
yellow clay on the soleS Of her moth.
er's ample Oxford ties. which were
| crossed conSpicuouSly on the haSSock
in front of the chair. She fired an In.
dignant protest through the old lady's
ear trumpet
Mother. you have been walking
about out Of doors without your rub
berS."
"Rubbers! Out Of doors. Walking
about! Who says so? Who saw me?
What are you talking about, Malvina
Spillman"
Her voice was so shrill and her man.
ner so excited that Miss Malvina look.
ed at her in growing alarm. Mother
is certainly turning queer"
Aloud she said Soothngly: well,
you've got right to prowl around If
you feel like it. hummer. | only don't
like you To go out without overS1oes.
Good old ladies are getting scarce, and
want 10 keep mine a great many
years to come
"Oh. I'm all right. child! What made
you think had been out Of the house?'
CLAY on the soleS of your shoes,
and your white flannel wrapper is all
bedraggled about the hem. mother"
\ look of intense cunning came into
the faded eyes. The old woman chuc-
kled audibly.
"Well. you are one for finding a body
out thought heard somebody at
the chicken coop last night. Malvina."
You heard. mother|
"Oh, I'm not as deaf as you think |
am nor rs blind neither! Why, could
20 from here up to the Hall the darkest
night that ever came and so all over
the house without stumping toe. If |
wanted to-"
81 hope you won't want to, mother"
Just then. with swish Of starched
petticoats and q catching Of hurried
breath. Mrs. Deb Lyons presented her
self in the cottage doorway. She had
q roll of cloth in her hands.
IL just thought | would step over,
Miss Malvina. and ask you If | might
run up Johnny's brcecheS on your ma
chine. Mines got the very old mischief
in it. and the childll die outright or go
plum crazy if he don't have pair Of
new breechcs to wear to the coming
out party"
rs your Johnny invited to the par
ty? asked Mother" Spillman, with q
slight infusion Of sarcastic incredulity
in her voice. Not that he amt good
enough"
Mrs. Deb laughed frankly.
After 4 fashion. he's invited. Miss
Ollie told him If he would fix. up real
nice he might pass lemOnad. around
among the folks. He is in her Sunday
school class, you know. She is real
sweet young lady. My, but what an
affair it is going to be! They say Miss
Ollies dress is going to outshine any
thing Miss Jeanne Westover's fetched
over from Paris"
I'D be rather glad" said Malrina in
consequently. Ito have you sit with
mother while I'm gone" Then. with
lowered tones: She's been so restless
Ia. ely. don't know what she'll be up
to when she's alone. | have put the
machine in the back room so that l
can sew when mothers asleep. Some
times think she hears the buzz"
'I'n watch her. Thanks for the ma
chine. | guess you'll be on hand be-