The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-11-23

of Mr.. Rutland, and he takes care
OF me for charity"
The last word was pronounced
with certain controlled quiver of
the lip. But she went on. "I
don't know about the letter, but I
heard gentleman was expected.
did not think it could be tonight,
though, as they all went out"
~ reasonable conclusion TO
come to, I thought, and thereupon
began musing on the eagerness Of
welcome displayed by my affec-
tionate Cousin George. If 1 were
the gentleman expected, they must
have received my letter, and in it
were fully set forth the day and
hour of my proposed arrival. ''Ah.
George, my dear fellow" I said,
''you are not q whit changed"
Arriving at this conclusion, I
raised my glance, and met, full,
the observant gaze Of q pair of
large shrewd grey eyes. My little
hostess, fcr the time being, was
regarding me with such a curious
ly lcgiblc expression on her fac,
that l could not but read it anl
be amused. It said plainly: 4
know more about you than you
think, and [ pity you. You come
here with expectations which will
not be fulfilled. There is much
modification in store for YOU I
wonder you came at all If Iwere
once well outside these gates, J.
should never limp inside them
again. If l knew q road out into
the world you come from, I would
set out bravely on my crutches.
No, not even for the sake OF q
stolen hour like this, in 81 velvet
chair, would [ remain here"
How any one glance could say
all this was riddle; but it did say
all this. The language Of the face
was as simple 10 me as though
every word had been translated
into my ear. Perhaps a certain
internal light, kindlcd long ago,
before this little orphan was born,
OF George Rutland had become
owner OF Rutland Hall, assisted me
in deciphering SO much informa-
ton SO readily. However that.
may be, certain things before sur
missed became assured facts in
my mind, and a quaint bond Of
sympathy became at once estab-
hshed between mo and my com
panion.
Miss Ray" I said, what do
you think Of q man who, having
been abroad for fifteen years, has
the impudence to come home with
out shilling in his pocket? Ought
he not to be stoned alivc?:"
4 thought how it was" she
said, shaking her head, and look
ing up with another of her shrewd
glances. Il knew it, when they
put YOU into such u bad bedroom.
They are keeping all the good
rooms for the people who are
coming next week. The house
Will be full for Christmas. It
won't do" she added, mcditative-
II.
"What won't do?" L said.
your not having shilling in
your pocket. They'll sneer at you
for 1t, and the servants Will find
it out. I have Il guinea that old
lady Thornton gave me on my
birthday, and if you would take
the loan of it l should be very glad.
l don't want it at all, and you
could pay me back when YOU are
better Off
She said this with such busi-
ness-like gravity that felt obliged
to control my inclination to laugh.
She had evidently taken me under
her protection. Her keen little
wits foresaw snares and difficulties
besetting my steps during my stay
at Rutland Hall, to which my new
er eyes, she imagined, must be
ignorantly blind. I looked at her
with amusement, as she sat there
seriously considering my financial
interest. I had fancy to humor
this quaint confidential relation