The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-11-27

LITTLE TEEclE.
Related by N5rs. Lirriper's Lodgcr.
BY CHARLES DICKENS.

lCONCLUDED.


We were ell thee ludicrously
amazed at the sudden metamor-
phose that had taken place. Teecie
was too simple not to show that
she felt the change in herself. felt
it kecnly, with a strange delight
ane c strange shyness. Nurse mad
so long been accustomed to use
her as q child, that she stood be-
wildcred. AS for me, was first
frightened at what [ had done,
then enchanted, then foohshlv
awkward, and almost as shy as
Teecie herself.
When L presented the cIutchcs,
Nurse looked at me as though !
must be some prince in disguise,
out Of the Arabian Nights. It was
with g curious feeling that I saw
Teecie Try them. not hmping now,
rather gliding over the nursery
floor. with the little velvet cushions
hidden away amidst the clouds OF
lace and muslin under her round
white shoulders, and the airy
masses Of the fresh tinted gown
just crushed back little by the
cleaning silver staves. I don't
know why it was that I thought
OF that moment, with q certain
rapture, of q guinea in a little bon
bon box, that lay below in the one
shabby portmantcau which I had
thought proper to bring with me
to Rutland Hall.
Our equipage awaited us. 1t
Vas too lateto Withdraw from what
: had undertaken. Teecie and I
We're soon dashing over the snowy
roads to Lady Thornton's. I will
not attempt to describe the remain
der of that memorable evening, or
the sensation caused by our arrival;
the wonder and modification of
my kind relations; or the mingled
pleasure and displcasure Of the
hostess, who, while delighted to
see her little favorite, took occasion
to whisper angrily in my ear, "And
pray, sir, how is all this to end?'
The scene was all new and de-
hghtful to Teecie, but her dread of
Mrs. Rutlan's portentous frown
would not let her enjoy it. We
both felt that storm would burst
over our heads that night, and we
were not wrong. None of the
family from Rutland Hall took
the least notice of us. When the
time came for going home, they
went off in their two carriages,
and Teecie and [ drove home as
we had come. When we arrived,
we found Cousin George and his
wife waiting for us in the library,
armed to the teeth. I saw it was
to be war and no quarter. Mrs.
Rutland took Teecic into her
clutches, and carried her off, and I
was left with George. [ need not
repeat all that passed between US.
Sir" he said, eve have suffer
ed your insolent intrusion long
enough. You leave this house to-
morrow morning"
"Cousin George" 1 said, "don't
put yourself in passion. I vii
go tomorrow morning, but upon
one condition-that Teecie Ray
may come with me, if she will
Helooked at me perfectly aghast.
<Do you know" he said, chat she
is penniless, friendless orphan,
whom : have sheltered through
charity?"
q want to make her my wife,
/ said, sternly, ''if, indeed, I be SO
fortunate as to have won her af-
fections."
"And, after that" he said, with
q sneer, chow do you propose to
live? Upon air, or your friends?"
IN 1t upon you, George Rut-
lanct," 1 said, looking him steadi-
" in the eyes. ''NIark me, j have
tried you out. [ have sifted you,
al in this house, like a handful
OF wheat. I found you all chaf,
but the one golden grain which
lies on my palm. I will keep it
and treasure it, if I may. God
grant I may''