The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-11-07
''Nine?"

SAID Sir Richard Purk1Ss. ''One--a
sweet, charming girls unhappily
deformed. Out of the remainder,
Crowdie is anxious-and so am /
that you should select the partner of
your life; and, my dear boy, since L
have never known you express any
thing but an indifference, almost
amounting to contempt, for the entire
sex, [ trust you will the more readily
fall into our views
81 know so little of these good peo-
pie"
Don't call them good people, sir,
as if they were fishwives," said my
uncle, little warmly. eff you don t
know them better, the faults your
own. They like you, Dick. Come, 1
may say that-and-and-I fear am
telling tales; but 1 am by no means
sure that you have not (unintention-
ally, of course somewhat compro-
missed the peace of mind of Miss-of
one of them, already"
"I'm glad it's only one," I said,
laughing. "But are you serious? If
so, you should at least tell me frankly
to which Of these ladies you refer"
"Ihere, you must excuse me. That
[ cannot do said my uncle, myste-
riously. tNo. Were [ to indicate
Miss Crowdie, ] might be doing an
injustice to Miss Sophia, or, by point
ing, however indirectly, to Miss Lucy,
L might divert your ideas from my
pretty Matte, whose claim, without
prejudice to Ethel, might only be
exceeded by my little Laura Jane. In
Enough. Let the doubt remain.
1t gives q mysterious charm to the
expedition. But there is still diff
ficulty.'
"Isee none," said my uncle, impa-
tiently.
"sapposing, among so many, I
should find it impossible to make "
sclection?"
ooh, is that ALL" said Sir Richard,
much relieved. ''I think that obsta-
Gle might be easily overcome. Let
Crowdie choose. He is the best Judge
of his own children. Yes; [ am clear
you could not do better than refer it
entirely to him. And I think / can
promise you, Dick, " added my uncle,
cheerfr>lly, 'that he has already made
up his mind.
81 am sure he is very kind" said I.
''But, uncle, to-mo1vo,r?"
cas- | have already Observed" re-
turned Sir Richard, s'you or l. NV
brothers earnest desire was that there
should be a direct heir in our family,
and he named twenty-six as the latest
age to which he could wish your mar
riage deferred. You have neglected
to make your choice, and, hang me,
if think you ever will. Now, mark
me, II you don't, shaN. l am told
men do marry at sixty-generally
some chit of eighteen-and 1 know a
pretty little thing Of the sort, (she's
at school, not a hundred miles hence, J
whom, as your aunt, you could not
fail to revere. AS for my testament
ary intentions, Dick, L have never
made a mystery of them. You are
my heir. But if I marry, my wife
and children will take away the bulk
Of the fortune | would fain have had
descend upon you. Come, Dick, set
me free from this responsibility. Go
and visit these good friends, to-mor-
row, and let your first letter announce
to me that you are engaged.
The kind old man extended his
hand. l pressed it in acquiescence,
and the next day departed for the re-
sidcnce of Mr. Crowdie.
Not being quite certain whether
my uncle had prepared the family for
my visit, / thought it expedient to
give it the appearance Of 2 morning
call, and, accordingly, leaving my
luggage at the village inn, strolled
up to the mansion. The whole family
were in the garden, and thitlaer 1 pros
ceeded.
The party assembled on the lawn
was of appalling dimensions. About
eighteen young ladies and one young
man were engaged at croquet; while
Mr.. and Mrs. Crowdie, with Alice,
the deformed, reclining on a chair
couch, looked on. Six of the players
eliminated themselves from the COM
pany, and came to greet me.
'Now comes the question, ="
thought [, ''of which of these fair
checked maidens have my dangerous
attractions and assiduous attentions
proved the bane?"
Miss Matte, with her brown, frank
eyes, was quicker than the rest, and
gave me her hand
''It isn't you,' thought, and dis
missed her gently back to her game.
ell