The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-01-23

gineer met with but scant welcome, at
Gullystone, save from Garry. But
what he met with from her, on the
rare occasions when he ventured to
appear, made up for all the rest.
1t was In the winter time when this
vision of an ill-loolling tramp prowl-
ing about the house shook MI. But
ler's nerves, never case-proof against
such assaults. Indeed, it was Christ
mas eve; and Garry knew, if her
uncle did not, that Walter Lechmere
would surely have pressing business
in the neighborhood of Gullystone
before the day was out, even though
it was now showing fast, with the
prospect of worse weather to come
in the leaden sky. And soon, indeed,
she saw him from her bedroom win
dow, where she had been Watching
al the day, come riding along the
road, not with the hard and heavy
pace usual to him, but slowly and
cautiously, his mare tottering and
limping, hardly able to do her work.
She had fallen with him, and had
hurt herself SO badly, that it had
been matter Of anxious calculation
with him whether he could reach
Gullystone at all to-day. However,
doubts were at all end now: for here
he was in sight Of the gates, and
that bright mass of violet in the
centre window waving q small white
flag, which he knew to be Carry wav-
ing her handkerchief; and soon both
man and marc stood before the hall
door, and the haven Of love md rest
was won. ''Who's that?" cried Smith
Butler, when he heard the peal of
the door-bell and the clatter and
clang that. followed ''Mr. Walter
Lechmere, SIR replied the ubiquit-
Gus and ever-civil Banks, making no
sign of conciousness that he was
handing his master bitter pill for
his Christmas digestion. Mr.. Smith
Butler swore-he often sworc-and
muttering, I'll soon send the young
dog paclAingr' went straight into the
drawing-room, where he found Wal
ter and Garry Winston standing in
demure propriety on the hearth-rug
young ears being sharp, and he
having a reasonant cough, always
worse when he was ANNOYED. $50.
Mr.. Lechmerc, he said, as he enter
ed, 'sto what may l owe the honor
of this visit, ch?' "Well, sir, L was
in the neighborhood, and L could not
resist the temptation of riding over
to see my old friends" answered
Walter chcerfully. 'sAll very we'll,
sir, for you,'' returned Mr.. Butler;
"but perhaps it would have been
more becoming if you had reflected
whether the temptation, was ours
or not" cat Christmas tins every
one is welcome said Walter ''Oh,
indeed, sir!-that is your opinion. is
it? beg leave to differ from you,
Mr. Lechmere; not even at Christ
mas time is every one welcome at
Guilystone. ''I am very sorry, sir.
said Walter, ''but | fear 1 must tres
pass little on your hospitality, for
my marc has fallen with Inc today.
and is so badly hurt 1 cannot ride
her back to the station. l am
ashamed to say it, " he added, tossing
off his bright brown hair and smiling
frankly, "but / fear it must be that
you either lend me horse (and he
glanced at the binding snow or give
me shelter till L can use my own"
"Lend you a horse, sirr' uuivcrcd
Smith Butler, angrily send one Of
my valuable horses out with you on
sucn day as this! Are you mad,
Mr.. Lechmcrc? DO you know what
my stables cost me? Do you know
what my horses are worth at Tat
tersalls? Had you not better ask me
for my servants, and my carriage,
and my plate, and my bankers book,
and all that l have at once?" Here
he stopped. out OF breath, and cough
ing loudly.
''Thcn I am afraid Mr. Lechncre
must stay here, uncle, said Carry,
with fine show Of not particularly
caring which way it went cit is
twelve miles 10 the station; his own
horse cannot go, and you will not
lend him one of yours-of course; 50
what can be done? 1t is such trc-
mendous day, too; he would very
likely be lost i'll the snow if even he
attempted the walk; and it would
not be very pleasant to have that said
OF us. . STUFF and nonscnse!" said
Mr.. Butler, tartly Lost IN the
snow, forsooth is he Il baby, or are
we living on the Alps?' and ho vent
to the window to look ont. But
even he could not deny the terrible
ness of the day IT. woS NOT ,nornlx-