The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-10-11
A Boarding House Romance.
CONCLUDED.

Whne chatting thus, the door
opened, and young lady, whom I
had not yet seen, entered. Her
beauty could not fail to attract instant
attention; her features we're regular,
her complexion that peculiar waxy
pink and white, her eyes clear true
blue. and her hair, which was per-
fectly golden, was drawn in wavy
luxuriance off her broad forehead,
and gathered at the back into mas
sive bow. She was tall, with figure
OF rounded proportions, and even in
her dress of plain black alpaca, and
simple linen collar and cuffs, she
looked stylish and lady-like.
"Who is that lovely girl?" asked
eagerly of Miss White.
t'Ohi that is Miss Maitland. Her
father was q poor !curate, who died
from over-work and starvation, and
his wife soon followed, leaving this
girl alone without relation in the
world; so she turned her musical to
Tents to account, and gives lessons all
day. Mrs. Wilson knew something
OF her, / fancy, and she has been here
for the last two years, helping to
amuse the boarders, and paying some
very trifiing sum for home. She
plays and sings very we'll, as you will
hear presently; but until Mrs. Stacey
has finished her nap, the piano is not
allowed to be touched
"Miss Maitland looks sad," 7 re-
marked.
3 cob! as for that, !" she replied, "she
won't be friendly with any one, but
sits like a statue, without speaking.
Last winter, I fencied the captain was
struck with her pretty face; but she
tossed her head at him, and gave her.
self as many airs as though she had
been young woman of fortune, in
stead of o poor music teacher tramp
ing the streets of London, and going
from house to house, wet or fine, for
half-a-crown an hour"
Poor girl!' I said, compassionate
~. sit is sad position for one born
lady, and endowed with beauty and
talents
''Well, so it is" said Miss White;
'.and that is why [ say there is nothing
like a good trade. Now 10y father
rose from a mere shop-boy, but he
managed to leave twenty thousand
pounds behind him; and, without
seeking it, I get more respect and at
tention, because I am independent,
than the clergyman's daughter, who
probably congratulates herself upon
having no relations or friends in
trade"
Mrs. Stacey now made her reap
pearance, and I noticed that she gave
the young musician o patronizing
shake of the hand, and, as soon as
settled In her armchair, called out,
"Now then, my dear, give us one of
your pretty songs" Captain Vernon
advanced to lead her to the piano,
and though he had but greeted her
with a bow when she first came in, he
now held out his hand. She took it
formally, and then intimated, that as
she sang and played without notes,
she would dispense with his presence
at the piano. He looked vexed, and
returned to his place by Lavinia's 8
side. and began talking to her in
most animated strain. Every now
and then she interrupted him with.
LA! Captain Vernon, don't talk such
nonsense-yoI make me quite vain. i"
Then there was the mothers echo.
''Now, Captain, 1 mustn't let you ex,
cite Livy so, or she won't sleep a wink
all night. But Miss Maitland began
to sing and the hum of tongues ceased.
Her voice was replete with exquisite
sweetness, and she sang with such
simple, unaffected taste and express
sion, that ] introduced myself, on
purpose to thank her for the treat she
had given me. She seemed pleased,