The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-12-25

acter, and it was he who Angel Temple afs.
frmed to her mother loved her with his
whole soul and strength. The acquaintance
between those two was not the acquaintance
of day, and the attachment, which existed
on both sides, had grown with their growth
and strengthened with their strength, for
they had known and loved each other as
boy and girl He was in cavalry .regi-
ment, his commission having been bought,
at his own request, by the modest patri-
mony left him BY his father. Reginald
and Stephen were orphaned Of both parents,
enough being reserved to purchase bis Gag
taincy, negotiation which had just been
effected, and he had come down to the cold
Court" that Christmas for the first time as
Captain Hautain-a penniless captain, for
his last shilling had been swallowed up in
the purchase, and he would have to per
form the almost unprecedented feat in a
cavalry regiment Of living upon his pay.
No wonder that worldly-minded wo-
man like Mrs. Temple looked upon her
daughters attachment to ttSteenie Hau-
tain" in the light Of madness and dis
grace. Angel herself had, after fierce
struggle with her own better self, decided
IN favor Of the elder brother, who, as she
truly remarked to her mother, needed but
the slightest encouragement on her part to
throw himself and his prospects at her feet.
She had not met Steenie since his elder
brother had openly declared himself as her
suffer, and the idea of the meeting on that
| memorable Christmas Eve was full Of bit
terness to her bruised and aching heart.
ssOh, Steenie Steenie why were not
you the eldest p she had said ferceIy, in
| the anguish Of losing him after the cold
! every vel, which we have heard her pro
| nounce, had sealed her destiny for life; for
| Angel was not one to look back when she
had once put her hand to the plough, either
for evil OF for good. She had told herself
repeatedly that their mutual attachment
could never lead to happy results. Iftheir
union ever took place at all, it must be
clandestine one, for both her father and
mother were people violently opposed to the
idea Of their only daughter and heiress ally
ing herself to q young penniless adventurer,
as they called him, with nothing but his
handsome face and chivalric nature to re-
commend him. She thought she had count
ed the cost before the conversation with
her mother which she had determined
should decide her fate; and she went up to
the ''Old .Court" that evening, knowing
that she would leave it the affianced bride
Of man whom she detested and loathed,
but who. would have it in his power to
!, make her. eventually baroness, and the
mistress Of that stately old home
She had never, perhaps, looked more
beautiful than she did on that occasion as
she entered the drawing room of the cold
! Court" and Lady Hautain looked admir-
|ingly and even lovingly upon her, and
thought what handsome couple she and
her adored nephew Steenie: would make.
She had with a woman's penetration. long
ago discovered their secret, and had made
provisions in her will that her favorite
[should not always be q penniless captain,
fand, under certain provisoes, had generously
remembered Angel herself. ,-
I :t"sCome and sit by me, my DEAR" she
said to our heroine, after having afectionate-
! " kissed her on the cheek. ss'You look like
: white rose. ss::cceriie Las just arrived"
she added in q whisper; 'syou know he is q
captain now s<g ,G,0.,.
Eyes, know it Lady .Hautain; Reginald
told me so the other day" /: .sizs.,
Lady Hautain looked surprised. Stephen
had always been ssSteenie" on Angels Lips,
who had known him as boy, but she had
never heard Reginald. called anything but
! sMr. Hautain" by her before. ..;
|. sz s'I wish Reginald had only a 1.-THE Of his
! good looks" said the kind aunt, who, loved
the younger and more worthy nephew with
her whole heart. tsI never saw two brothers
so totally unlike, both in person and mind"
1 feThey are great contrast, certainly"
was. the young lady's. reply; 'but il has
|passed: into a proyerb; you know, the fasci-
nations Of younger sons. Reginald, would
scarcely change places with his brother if
he were twice as uncouth and ugly, and
Steenie twice as handsome as he is.'
stIshould not like to Be TOO sure Of that.
Steenie possesaes one. advantage over his
brother, for which think Reginald would
] give much: You know what I mean, An
Ege1, and none better than YOU
sOn the contrary, I know: Of none, dear
Lady Hautajn," replied the girl quickly,
! Iblushing over neck, face, and brow at the