Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-02-01
"But. mother. wasn't 1t a strange

think that should be a great lady,
and ride in my coach like the ladies
at Middleton Place and The Oaks,
and 'Singletons,' and all the rich peo-
pie about here?-and 1t all seemed so
true, mother-so very true, I didn't
know where I was when I woke up
this morning"
There was a devilish leer in the old
hags eye, as she looked into that OF
the vain-hearted but innocent girl be-
side her, and answered her in a speech
we'll calculated to increase the Idle
folly already so active in her mind.
Humphries heard nothing Of the dia-
logue-he was quite too far of; but
he felt so deeply anxious on the sub
ject of the old woman's connexton
with his sister, that he had actually
given some directions to the two
troopers along with him and was
about to emerge from his cover, and
separate them at all hazards, when the
bells from the village steeple struck
up, and warned him Of the extreme
risk which he must run from such
an exposure Of his person. The same
signal had the effect Of bringing Bella
and Mother Blonay more closely to the
copse to which the old woman now,
by various suggestions. contrived to
persuade her companion. While they
approached the thicket, Humphries
changed his course and position, so as
TO find a contiguous spot, for the
concealment Of his person. the moment
they should stop, which would enable
him to gather up their dialogue; and
1t was not long before they paused. at
the old woman's bidding. in a we'll
shaded place. completely unseen from
the road and quite out Of hearing from
the village. Here the conversation
between them was resumed-Mother
Blonay leading off in reply to some-
thing said by Bella, the purport Of
which may be guessed from the res
ponse made to 1t.
"a bad dream, do you say, my
daughter? I say 1t is good dream,
and you're a lucky girl, IL you don't
stand in the way Of your own fine for
tune. There's good coming to you;
that dreams always a sign Of good
1t never fails. So mind you don't spoil
all by some foolish notion"
why. how shall do. mother? what
shall l say? Dear me! l wouldn't do
any thing to spoil 1t for the world y
And the two seated themselves up
on the green turf in the thicket, the
right hand of the girl upon the knee
Of the hag, while her eyes looked up
apprehenslvely and inqulringly Into
the face of the latter. She gave her
some counsel, accordingly. in answer
to the questions, OF vague, indefinite
character, very mysteriously delivered
and the only part of which, understood
by Bella, was a general recommended
ton to her. quietly to receive, and not
to resist her good fortune.
But, mother, I thought you said
you would show him to me-him. my
true and-true husband, that Is to be.
Now l wonder who 1t can be. 1t can't
be John Davis, for he's gone away
from the village, and they say he's
out in the swamp, mother-can you
tell?"
mo, Bella: and it's no use; he's
nothing at all to you. You are not for
such q poor scrub as John Davis"
You think so, mother? Well, I'm
sorry; for l do believe John had
true -and-true love for me in his heart,
and he often said so. I wonder where
he is"
John Davis, indeed my child how
can you speak Of such a fellow? Why,
what has he to show for you? A poor
shoat that hasn't house, nor home, nor
any thing to make a wife comfortable,
or even feed her when he gets her.
No, no, girl, the husband that's for
you Is a different sort Of persona
very different sort of person. indeed
"Oh. do. mother! can't you tell me
something about him, now-only
little: l do so want to know. Is he
tall. now. or short? l hope he's tall
eh?-middle size. and wears-oh,
speak, mother? and don't shake your
head so-tell me at once!"
And the girl pressed forward upon
the old woman, and her eyes earnest
" watched the features Of her counte-
80 ha which
rested upon her lips, and the gener-
ally fiendish expression Of her skinny
face. The old woman did not imme-
diately answer, for her thoughts SEEM
ed to wander, and her eye looked
about her, as II in search Of some
expected object.
What do you look for, mother?-
you don't mind what l say, do you?'
II was looking and thinking, my
daughter, how to answer you best.
How would you like, now, instead OF
hearing about your husband that Is
to be. to see him."
What. can you make him come.
mother. like a picture with a big
frame round him? and shall I see him
close-see him close? But 1 mustn't
touch him. suppose; for then he'd
vanish, they say"
"Yes,-how would you like to see
him. now, Bella?"
"Oh, dear me, l should be frighten-
ed! You'd better tell me who he Is,
and don't bring him; though. indeed,
mother, l can't think there would be
danger"
Monochrome at ALL" said the old
woman in reply, who seemed disposed
to prolong the dialogue.
WELL If he only looked like John
Davis, now!"
John Davis, indeed, Bella! l tell
you. you must not think Of John Da-
Wis. You are for a far better man.
What do you say. now. of the SER
geant, Sergeant Hastings? suppose II
happened to be him, now?"
Don't talk to me of Sergeant Hast
ings mother; for was a fool to mind
him. He don't care that for me, 1
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