The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-10-25
Mr.. Devercux knew that I always


in assisting me with q particulsrly
difficult task, designed for, the next
days recitation. So$I was not, sur
prised to hear; him make this offer,
though little ashamed of the cause
of it, as my failure had resulted from
my wilful inattention and careless
ness. I thanked him, however, with
o flushed face, and went to my seat.
But it was not entirely shame that
flushed my face. %,
AS I expected, Mr.. Devereux came
in the evening to explain my French
lesson. But he did not find me alone.
Aunt Katharine sat by the table sew
ing, and looked even handsomer
than in the morning. My heart gave
autter of impatient anticipation
every time Mr.. Devereux looked at
her, and after the lessons were
through, did my best to make her
talk to please him. My aunt always
talked we'll, but she quite excelled
herself in conversation that night. 1
saw that Mr.. Devereux was interest
ed, and I was delighted with the sue
cess Of my secret plan.
L The Course OF the evening, John
Aubrey, my lover, came in. OF
course, I claimed John as my lover,
for, though he was O nice young man
OF twenty-seven, and mere child
of girl, hardly sixteen, he had
beauxed me to parties and concerts
all one winter, and told me O dozen
times that I was the sweetest, pref
tiest and most lovely girl in all Hart
ford. So that, when John came in, I
went and sat down by him in cosy
corner, and left Aunt Katharine to
entertain Mr.. Devereux--a plan
which I thought at first seemed to
anit ell around.
But, after little time, I saw John
casting uneasy glances toward the
place where Mr.. Devereux, looking
superbly handsome, sat talking with
my aunt.
"You needn't be jealous of him,
John, I said; ''he's only my teacher.
John started and leaned back in
his seat without saying q word.
Neither of the gentlemen stayed
very late, John going away directly
after Mr.. Devereux, and I went to
my room elated with my prosperity,
or rather the prosperity of my plans.
did not need assistance in my
studies before Mr.. Devereux came
again, and after a short time it came
to be regular thing for him to spend
an evening once or twice week with
us. With US, I say, because could
see that, though he admired my
Aunt Katharine very much, he had
too good taste to monopolize her
company entirely, to the exclusion of
mine. I enjoyed those evenings very
much. It seemed to me that Mr..
Devereux grew remarkably agreeable
very fast. Sometimes John would
come in, but John seemed to have
grown strange and moody of late. I
thought it was because Mr.. Deyereux
was at our house so much, and en-
deavored to please him by extra
attention when he did spend an even
ing with us, but it didn't seem to be
of much use. I resented his silence
and inattention to me one night, and
after that he didn't come to us for
nearly month. But we seemed to
get along just as well without him
at least, did, though Aunt Katha-
rine asked me q number of times
about the cause of his absence.
'tHe is sulky, 1 suppose. Don't
fret about me, Aunt Katharine; it
don't trouble me at ALL" I said.
/ A few evenings after, John made
his appearance, and entered the par
lor where Mr.. Devereux and I sat
playing chess, while my aunt was
writing q letter at side table. 1
thought it would be rather awkward
for him at first, but he came forward
easily, and after speaking to Mr.
Devereux and myself, crossed the
room and seated himself by my aunt.
Pleased with this arrangement, I
devoted myself to my game, and did
noD look around for some half an
hour afterward, when my attention
was attracted by the sound of John
Aubrey's voice, which, though low,
was remarkably earnest and emphatic.
L turned my head and gazed in won
der. My aunt's cheeks were flushed
crimson, and Johns face, rs seen by
me for an instant, was pale and agi-
tated. 1 turned to Mr.. Devereux in
astonishment, but he only smiled
slightly, made q move, and then
waited for me to do the same. But
I could not play from excitement
caused bY the scene had observed n