The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-05-10
lnTHE WtLL.;

Z : Z
AZ the parlor window of a',spretty
villa, near Walton, on the Thames,
sat one evening, at dusk, nm
old man and young woman.
The age of the man might be some
seventy, whilst his companion had
certainly not reached nineteen. He.
beautiful, blooming face, and active.
Light, and upright figure, were in
contrast with the worn countenance
and bent frame of the old man; but
his eyes, and in the corners of his
mouth, were Indications of self-con
tidence, which age and suffering had
damped, but not extinguished.
''No use looking any more. Mary "
said he, "neither John Meade nor
Peter Finch will be here before dark.
Very hard that when sick uncle
asks his two nephews to come and
see him they don't come ut once.
The duty is simple in the extreme
only to help me to die, and take what
l choose to leave them in nv will!
Pooh! when I was young man I'd
have done it for my uncle with the
utmost celebrity. But the world is
getting quite heartless!"
ooh! SIR" said Mary.
"And what does oh, SIR mean ?"
said he. 'Do you think I shan't die?
L know better. A little more, and
there'n be an end to Billy Collett.
He'll have left this dirty world for q
cleaner-to the great sorrow land ad-
vantage) of his affectionate relatives.
Ugh! Give mo glass of the doctors
stuff" ~ .
The girl poured some medicine in
q glass, and Collett, after having con-
templated it for moment with inf
mite disgust, managed to get it down.
g! tell you. what, Miss Mary Sut-
ton," said he, "I don't by ony means
approve of your 'Oh, sir, and Dear
Sir, and the rest Of it, when I've told
you how L hate to be called sir at all.
Why, you couldn't be moro respect
tul If you were Il charity girl and I q
beadle in goid-laced hat! None of
your nonsense. Mary Sutton, if you
please. I've been your lawful guard
ian now for six months, and Won
ought to know my likings and dislik-
ings."
''My poor father often told me
how you dislikcd ceremony" said
right" said MIR. Collett. s.Fred.
Sutton was u man of talent-a capital
fellow! His only fault was a natural
inability to keep farthing in his
pocket. Poor Fred! he loved me-
I'm sure he did. He bequeathed me
his only child, and it isn't every
friend would do that"
"A kind and generous protector
you have BEEN"
.'Well, don't know; I've tried not
to be brute, but I dare say I have
been. Don't / speak roughly to YOU
sometimes? Haven't I given Won
good, prudent, worldly advice about
John Meade, and made myself quite
disagreeable, and like a guardian9
Come, confess you love this penniless
nephew Of mine"
'Penniless indeedr said Mary.
"Ah, there it isl" said Mr.. Collett.
and what business has poor devil
OF an artist to fall in love with nv
ward? But that's Fred. Sutton;s
daughter al over! Haven't 1 two
nephews? Why couldn't you fall in
love with the discreet oncHthe thriv-
ing one? Peter Finch-considerins
he is an attorneys n young man
he is indu trious in the extreme, and
attends to other peoples business
only when he is paid for it. He de-
splses sentiment, and always looks to
the main chance. But John Meade.
my dear Mary, may spoil canvas for
ever and not grow rich. He's all for
art, and truth, and social reform, and
spirited elevation, and goodness
Knows what. Peter Finch will ride
IN hi9 carriage, and splash poor John
Meade as he trudges on foot"
Ihe harangro was here ;..terrunteJ
by ring at the gate, and Mr.. Peter
finch was announced. He had