The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-10-31

vate, (shut into the grounds,) that
there is no real cause for fear"
"Surely you won't go, Miss Sophy?"
was the general cry, and Mrs. Moore,
approaching me, demonstrated in q
low tone, saying that Miss Langham
was little childish on these points.
and had really better not go; but a
sudden resolution possessed me to
undertake the adventure, and l per-
sisted in it.
About ten minutes or u quarter to
twelve, left the hall, alone, wrapt in
a heavy woolen shawl, which [ drew
over my head. [ was followed by the
good wishes and remonstrances of
most of the guests, who escorted me
to the door.
1t was bright moonlight night,
and my shadow was east on the gravel
carriage-road almost as distinctly as
in the sunshine The wind sighed
mournfully through the trees, that
waved their large arms above my
head; and [ confess, when l turned
down the steps leading to the church
yard, a thrill of awe-I would not
allow it to be fear-passed through
/ me.
Everything was SO still and hushed,
and the tall shadow Of the steeple fell
so clearly on the ground in the solemn
light, that [ felt uneasy at tie idle
desecration of observing such u pagan
rite on the holy ground
AS [ approached the church more
closely. this feeling of reverential re-
luctancc to perform my foolish task
increased. Alas! if [ had only obeyed
Ii! But it was combated by the fear
Of ridicule, and Of the doubts my
companions might feel rs to my real
motive for not completing my task,
as we'll as by Il reluctance. to cast i'm
piled blame on SO aged lady as our
kind hostess. SO I took the basket
in my hand, and scattered the hemp
seed, whispering the formula, rs ran
round the tower
Suddenly heard the sound OF foot
steps. \ superstitlous fear, which
was quite uncomfortable, seized me.
| dartcd into an embrasnre Of the
wall, and crouchcd breathless behind
a large battress
The next moment, I heard voices
as Well as footsteps They came very
near, and paused close by my hiding
place.
Il tell you" said one voice. cit is
Of no use to make Il fool of yourself.
You must get the property at once.
or You will be found out. Here's the
needtul dose, if YOU like to give it to
her.
replied the voice Of O'Hal-
ldef Il can't DO it. She is very
old: I will wait and see what will
come OF it; if l am found ont, why
even then we shall have good booty.
We are sure of the plate, if we don't
get the estates. But my belief is. we
are all right, and shan't fail of success.
Having taken III the lawyer hitherto,
as we'll as the old woman, we have no
real cause to fear ut present; its n
long way to Amerik.y: and it's nothing
but your lmpatience to share the pro-
perty that makes on nrGe such haste.
Uncle Ned"
"Uncle Ned!' The voice Of the
speaker thus named w;;s that Of tall.
tine-looking footman, whom Miss
Langham had engaged soon after her
sisters death, when she resumed her
long-interrupted intercourse with the
world.
"Well, you have heard what John
Green said. He wouldn't have come
down tonight to warn us Ior nothing.
Give her this dose,' continued the
voice of the footman, ''and YOU will
be master here by morrow"
Il have said won't, and I won't, >
replied O'Halloran, doggedly. "You
may do it yourself, if You like; but
mind, don't consent to it,
The footman laughed, and said:
ga precious bull that. but am too
old a bird to be took with chaA,. /
amt going to pnt my head in an alter
for any one; bat advise you to take
Jacks advice and warming. Now, I
must go; It's nigh upon supper time,
and shall be missed"
They moved on. The next minute.
O'Halloran's foot crushed something,
quite audibly in the stiffness.
":dilloa!"' said he, with an oath,
"what's this? Hemp-seed all along
the path!' Another oath. "Some
of those confoundcd gals have been
strewing it, then! Can we have been
overheard?"
Nobody was here a minute or two
ago, replied Ned; II looked behind