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

and the changes OF the world divided
us. He was some years younger than
myself, but ne is gone first.
She signed deeply, and gazed for
moment into the blazing fire, which
cast long hicl1ering shadow of her
self against the wall. Then turning
her gaze full upon us, she added, adj
dressing me, "You most resemble
your father.
$50 mamma says" I replied;
''Margery is exactly like our mother
Miss Langham looked earnestly at
my sister, and Margery blushed be-
meath the fixed gaze Of the old lady.
How beautiful my sister looked in
tie warm fire-light. There are few
girls as lovely as Margery, and SO
Miss LanghaW must have thought,
though she could not, Of course, ex-
press her admiration.
Il have two ether guests beside
yourselves, She added, aftera pause.
1.-The heir of Maldon, Mr. Cornelius
O Halloran, and a though
OF Il remote branch They are out
shooting, but will be introduced to
you at dinner. Perhaps now yon
take off your bonnets.'
We assentcd, and were conducted
by Miss Langham herself to two
charming bedrooms, opening en- suitc.
with a small boudoir.
"These three rooms are at your
disposal she said ''Shall | send my
maid to you?''
I declined, with thanks, adding
that we had 10 lady's maid ourselves,
and could dress without assistance; );
'tor, at least" I added, ''wc help
each other.
The old lady nodded approvingly,
and walked away
We unpackcd and prepared for
dinner; but ever and anon between
this occupation, / walked to the win
dow and looked out upon the park
and the soft gray landscape beneath.
4 new charm was added to the latter
in the near tower Of fine old church,
which rose above the trees; yet the
feeling Of depression which had
stolen over me on our entrance into
the park deepened as [ looked out
on the heritage OF my family, and /
thought that after ali it was pleasanter
to live In our mothers cheerful cot
tage, and gaze upon our own bright
hower-beds and green lawn, with its
one old oak, than on the gloomy and
suggestive grandeur of an ancient and
extensive park.
| was glad when Margery called
me to assist her in dressing, for her
light chat and anxiety as to how our
dresses would look, drew my thoughts
to cheerful commonplaces
Very lovely Margery looked that
evening. [ felt quite proud of the
admiration J. could perceive she ex-
cited.
Just before dinner, the two gen
tlemcr guests were introduced to us
by Miss Langham. Her companion,
Il pleasant chat'y person. and the
rector, a rather pompous old gentle
man, who could appreciate the pow
ers Of the Maldon cook SO we'll that
he talked very little, were of our
party. The rector's sileuce was atoned
for, however, by the ceaseless chatter
i can call it nothing elsc-of Mr..
O. Halloran. He is the most astouud-
ing individual lever met. Tall, hand
some and admirably dressed he is
nevertheless vulgar. les. the heir Of
Maldon would never be taken for il
gentleman. if one did not know his
birth. He has a most unpleasant
brogne, and uses expressions which
are quaint, but which gives one the
idea OF being the savings OF the Ame-
rltan peasautry. However. he is evil
IDENTIFY studying to acquire good
manner, and / could not help OBJ
serving that he both watched and
initiated Anthony Llngham, who is
as dlstlnguished-looking us II Lang
ham should be.
have learned since from Mrs.
Moore-AIiss Langham's companion
that the Old lady is sensible of the
want Of refinement in her kinsman,
and regrets the relationship. Ii he
had not made his appearance in the
most unexpected way from America,
Maldon would have descended to Mr..
Anthony Langham, as next male
heir, and Miss Langham mourns
over the entail which was to take ef-
feet after the death Of herself and her
sister. Still, she was too high bred
to let Mr.. O O'Halloran see that he
displeases or disgusts her, and / fancy
he even thinks himself G favorlte.
M. O'Halloran is much struck
with Margery's beauty, and offers her
tba Cil1.st l,,,,,,.D - / -