The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-11-10
BuSGLY ENGAGED
CONCLUDED I

and substituted Ethel"
[ had little difficulty with the
worthy squire. SO long as he secured
me (he was pleased to say) for one of
his dear girls, he was comparatively
indifferent which-and / saw that
Mr. Lowry's suit was gained.
All now seemed smooth and happy.
My intended father-in-law was yet
expatiating on the peculiar fitness of
choice [ had eventually made, when
his wife entered the room hastily;
with letter in her hand.
"Mr. Crowdie-Philip!-I must
speak to you directly"
made movement to withdraw.
81 beg your pardon, Mr.. Purkiss
1 did not see you. Pray remain, +"
said the lady; f.this concerns you"
Upon my word, this is most
singular!' calculated Mr. Crowdfe,
after glancing over the epistle. 'It
would hardly be believed Purki,s,
[ scarcely know how to- tell YOU.
Spifflicate me! Mrs. Mompesson,
whom we never contradict, writes me
here, In confidence, that, seeing y
young strangeri(yourself. Dick, here,
and not knowing what his intentions
might be, she had stopped, on the
road, to send me this intimation. that
she had promised her influence with
me IN reference to Ethel-who is her
great fayorite-on behalf of Sir
Edward Tottenham, who has been
eagerly desiring to improve the ac-
qualntance he made with her at the
county, ball Now, my dear Dick, to
offend Mrs. Mompesson is ~
''Just so, my dear sir. Ttmust not
be. TO say the truth, until you fairly
presented one of your fair daughters
to me at the altar, [ should not regard
my happiness as secured
ooh, Dick. this must not end sol"
said the squire, with genuine regret
and feeling. "After all, there's
Leonora
''The eighth attempt, sir, may be
more prosperous, replied, rather
bitterly; ''let it be so. Do with me
as you please. My affections have
been SO perpetually nipped, that 1
don't think they ought to be expect
ed to bud again without some as.
surance that they will be allowed to
blow"
Come. that is but fair said the
squire. "Harl1 ye, Dick. My Leo
nora has no will, no fancy, except
what is mine. Will you take that as
surance? She is dear, good girl,
and, though she is at this moment
out for walk, you may-yes, L am
sure you may-consider yourself en-
gagged"
L bowed, and remembered, with
some satisfaction, that my letter to
my uncle was not yet gone. Of the
fair Leonora / knew little-had never,
IN point of fact, addressed single
observation to that young lady. But
l felt sure that I should like her. I
had remarked the beautiful acuuies-
cent disposition of these young peo-
pie. Moreover, the selection had as
sumed that character which has i'm
mortalized the late Mr. Hobson-
Leonora, or nothing eshook hands
las before, and, subject to the young
lady's approval, the matter was ar
ranged.
Mr.. Crowdie was still speaking.
when Alice, the invalid, was wheeled
into the room. Her fathers voice
and manner always, I had noticed.
underwent softening change in the
presence of this his favorito child.
Kissing her tenderly, he intimated to
her the connection I was about to
form with the family, and then,
leaving us together, hurried away
with his wife to meet Leonora. T
glanced at my companion. The pure
and spiritual beauty of her face was
marred by an expression of pain.
Il fear you are suffering" I said
I'm mind, yes" said Alice, "but
not in body. 1 am, in reality
Heaven be praised for it-much
BETTER
Indeed: Believe me, rejoice to
hear that there is q posssib-''
Il see,'' replied Alice, with her
angelic smile, ''that you partake the
impression that has gone abroad
that [ am deformed. 1t is not so.
Patience and change of climate are
also says my doctor-that [ need
to regain certain, if not robust
health. But it is not of this 7 wish
to speak,, she added, hastily. ooh.
Mr.. Purkiss, what are you about to
do? Is the human heart toy, to be
passed from hand to band~given.
re-taken, crushed perhaps at last.
without one compassionate scruple
for the treasures of true and abiding
love that might have ho,risbod +b o,.oS