The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-10-11

'nolsinecnre, for she was called upon
for song after song, and looked quite
weary and worn when we parted fol
the night. 10 ~. vr 49, Y, =
From that first evening Hilds Matt.
land wound herself unconsoiously
round my affections in manner that
surprised myself. First, my advances
of friendship were as coldly treated
as those Of others; but at last she saw
that mine was not insolent patronage,
but warm Liking, and then she seemed
quite glad to have found atrue friend.
She told me that all her life, short as
ltwas, had been one continued chain
OF trials and privations; for her father
had, as Miss White said. literally died
or starvation, and for some time she
was only able to earn very little; 80
that when her mother also laid down
the burden of life, it was for her own
Loneliness only that she grieved. Now
she could make sufficient to support
herself, and with strict economy save
little; but it was hard, trying work,
and ioyless life for one young and
gifted. Lavinia Primrose disliked her
cordially, for she was jealous of her
superior attractions, and feared her
as q rival, and she sought to annoy
and mortify her in every way worthy
of one 80 narrow-minded. When I
had made my observations for short
time, [ likewise fancied that Captain
Vernon admired Hilda, but she gave
him no visible encouragement, and in
q sort of pettish pique, he firted with
Miss Primrose, for whom it was easy
to see he did not care straw. But rs
Hilda never introduced the Captain s
name in our conversations, I thought
it better not to broach the subject.
One morning, Mrs. Wilson (who
from the commencement of my So
journ in her house had seemed to
think that I was an easily y-managed
Doarder,) came into my room in great
tribulation, to tell me that the Prim-
roses threatened to leave at the end
of their week, unless Miss Maitland
was instantly sent away; as they con-
sldered her low, designing person,
and declared that her manner with
Captain Vernon was forward and pre-
suming.
II cannot afford to lose two good
payers, nor do I like sending the
poor girl among strangers again, as
really don't think she has meant any
harm," she continued; "besides, L
don't believe Mrs. Colonel Stacey
would like to be without music now
it was one of the things that made
her come to live here"
"Tell Mrs. Primrose and her daugh-
ter that you cannot possibly comply
with their request, Mrs. Wilson, y"
1 said,' ''for their accusations are
perfectly unfounded; and should Miss
Maitland have to leave in consequence,
L shall accompany her; for, like your
self, do not think it right to throw
beautiful young woman like she is
needlessly about the world; there are
too many wicked enough to take
advantage of youth and innocence.
Miss Lavinia is herself the one whose
conduct is improper, but my own
idea is that she will never win her
game. One thing, however, you may
be sure of, that they will not leave
so long as Captain Vernon remains. :"
And thus the storm passed over;
but L think Mrs. Wilson gave Hilda
o few hints about what had passed,
for her manner towards Vernon was
more freezing than ever; though,
from certain signs, which a woman
alone can detect, 1 began to feel sure
that she really loved him, but for
some private reasons she would not
allow him to see it.
After this Lavinia seemed seized
with q violent friendship for Hilda,
and sought her company rs much rs
she had hitherto despised it. She
even went SO far rs to talk of having
o few singing lessons from her, but
this Miss Maitland declined, on the
plea that her time was fully occupied.
But in spite of her drawing back,
Lavinia would confde to her that
Captain Vernon had all but made the
offer to her, and she did not think it
would be long before she became
Mrs. Vernon. "And do you know, "
she continued, giggling, cat one time
l was little jealous of you, but the
Captain has assured me without n
cause"
"Quite so," replied Hilda, coldly,
but she did not encourage further
conversation.
One evening, shortly after this,
Mrs. Primrose addressed Hilda in a
loud tone from the further end of the
room, saying: