The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-11-08


trothed, Miss Crowdie, walking with
the timid assurance of a bride, and
looking, in the moonlight, / must
confess, fair and graceful as Diana's
self. 1t seemed to be an understood
thing that I was to give her my arm;
and thus it came to pass that, in the
walk down to the lake, we were left
together, an arrangement to which
Il noticed with some relief Miss So
phia's exertions greatly contributed
They were really q charming family,
on the best terms with themselves,
each other, and all around them. We
had merry row, and were in the
midst of an italian barcarole, when
Mr.. Crowdie's jovial voice hailed us
from the landing place.
''Let's put in here, said one of the
party, pointing to bank, on which
we could sec glow-worms sparkling.
AS we neared the spot, several of
the party rose at once. The boat
gave q sudden lurch-there was g
shriek--a plunge-a gurgle-Miss
Laura Jane had toppled overheard,
and gone down in the deepest
part of the lake! [ tore off my coat
and plunged after, catching her,
imagine, as she rose to the surface,
and bore her safely to the bank. The
poor child, though much frightened,
did not seem materially injured by
the shock. She was put carefully to
bed, and all seemed going well, when,
somewhat later, the house-keeper
beckoned Mrs. Crowdie out of the
room.
A little after, Mr. Crowdio received
similar summons, and it became
known that Laura Jane was not in
satisfactory state. She had become
feverish and delirious, talking wildly
OF the accident and of her rescue.
Mr.. Crowdie came down with an
anxious look on his broad visage.
''We think, Purkiss, that she wants
to see you.''
''lie, my dear sir?"
"Yes. Would you xnind stepping
up? Ny wife will be greatly obliged
to you.
In a"minute or two, L was beside
the poor girls couch; her mother and
the nurse standing opposite-her
father at the foot. Her cheek was
flushed, and her eyes, bright and
restless with fever, rolled eagerly from
face to face, till they dwelt on mine.
Then sudden change came overher.
She became calm, stretched out her
little hand to me, and, closing her
eyes, seemed as if she would sleep,
still keeping my fingers prisoner.
"WhO shall sit ND with her. NV
dear?" asked Mr.. Crowdie. ssStopI
Her lips move. She knows us. She's
trying to speak. Ask her, Dick, who
shall sit by her?''
repeated the question.
.lou," was the embarrassing reply.
And the little patient sank into a re-
frcshing sleep.
AS soon as was able to release nv
hand without risk of disturbing her,
her'mother supplied my place, and T
returned to the drawing-room. All
the fair company, however-even nv
newly-affianced Susan-had disap-
peared. But [ was not long left
alone. Mr.. Crowdie soon rejoined
me. His manner was embarrassed.
"Purkiss, he said, ''the child
whose life you saved is very dear to
me. Ahem! You do not desire to
embitter the existence you have pre-
servcd?"
emphatically disclaimed any such
intention.
''Then listen to re, Dick re-
sumed Mr.. Crowdie. s'N1y wife and
l have arrived at the conclusion that
your noble act has left an impression
upon our dear girls mind stronger
than mere gratitude-to be efaced
only with life
MY good sir,' I gasped.
Gone moment. You are about to
refer to Susan. Danish that anxiety.
She is a sensible, afectionate girl,
and has Q may as well mention)
already assured us that no claim, no
prediction of her own, shall -
you understand. Permit us to vel
come your alliance as the husband of
my Laura Jane, and our happiness is
complete"
What could I say? My affections
We're manifestly regarded as transfer
able, and they were transferred on
the spot: 1 had the pleasure that
very night of shaking hands with
Mrs. Crowdie as the betrothed of
Laura Jane
E'Humph!' I thought, as I Law
down rather tired, ''three engage
ments in one day will satisfy nv
uncle that I have not been idleI'
was up with t. 1t bird which is
Il