The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1865-11-24
"M,ess! who says 'must?''' -

4AoSe. WIZ SatyS HuSL.
ssI do
"And if I answered 'won't?'"
"Then we should r,c-+ !"
In violent agitation, he rose, and
took two or three turns in the room,
muttering Then he came back to
the fire, and stood leaning on the
mantel-piece. Rosy could not see his
face distinctly, but she noticed the
convulsive clench of his hands.
She softened her voice little, but
maintained its frmness.
''Will you do it, George?'
eyes, I'll do it. But if you ever
drive me into such corner again -
Without finishing the sentence, he
dashed out of the room, and Rosy
saw him no moro in private for the
rest of the day.
Nor did she desire to do so. Her
confidence in him had received a
shock it was impossible speedily to
recover from, and while under the
immediate impression of it, she felt
she could not treat him as she was
wont to do.
In spite of herself, Stephens words
rose in her mind: THAT man will
never love you as love you-it is
not in him. He is not worthy of
you
And even were that the worst, but
it was not; and Rosy shrank under
the bitterest of all humiliations, that
of the sense of shame in the man she
loved.
Some days elapsed, and the lovers
were still on a footing of GOODNESS and
haf-avoidance-on Mr. Wilbraham's S
part, more than half Was he, then,
sullen and resentful, in addition to
his other shortcomings? Day by day,
hour by hour, Rosy's bitterness of
heart grew and strengthened. But
still, to keep it from her father, she
gave no sign.
But the climax of matters was yet
to come.
A week passed by Mr. Whining
ham was gone, and the lovers were,
as far as appearances went, nearly
restored to their usual footing, when
one morning Sir John came to his
daughter with an open letter in his
hand.
Every odd and very annoying this,
Rosy" he said. 'Wilmingham writes
to mo that a letter of Importance,
addressed to him here, has never
reached him. He has made every
inquiry, and has actually traced it to
this house; but there the clue stops.
I have questioned the servants, but
every one denies all knowledge of the
letter. And yet, you know, it must
be one of them. What's to be done?"
Rosy sat with her back to the light,
so that her father did not see the
changes that came over her face.
"What day ought the letter to have
reached Mr.. Wilmingham?" she asked.
She would hope while it was possible
to do so.
con the 23d-yesterday week"
There was a moments pause Then
Rosy got up from her chair, and stood
beside her father.
Papa, [ know what became of the
letter. Ask me nothing, / 6eseech
you; only be assured there is no fault
of mine in the matter. I will write
to Mr.. Wilmingham, and explain all.
Leave me his letter Dearest papa,
you will trust me? Perhaps some
day you may know everything; but
ask me not now"
Her father consented and left her.
The instant she was alone, she sat
down at her desk and wrote as follows:
''DEAR Mr.. WMMINGHAM: An acci-
dent has just brought to my know
ledge the fate Of your missing letter.
At this moment, [ cannot tell you
whether it has been destroyed or con-
cealed, but as soon as can ascertain
the fact, you shall know it.
81 can tell you no more now; and I
appeal to you, as a gentleman, to ask
me no further questions, and to be-
heve that [ am blameless in this mat
ter. Yours sincerely,
''R. MAURICE"
She folded but did not seal the