The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-02-05

thought at the time coquetted and
fiirted sometimes with Billy, some.
times with Gray, and frequently,
although I could see greatly to his
annoyance, with Relfont. AS to the
firtations with Gray, that worthy,
not wishing to offend Billy, for fear
OF getting out of the colonel's good
books. carried on so silly, that al
of Billy's jealousy fell Upon the man
who had thrashed him. Billy, there.
fore. set to work with his papa. and
got RReeis0no Reiifs0no moved TO the headquar-
ters of the regiment in town.
It was late in the evening. George
had left the billet, and I was pacing
before the door, meditating upon
those miserable pettinesses which
produce the greatest miseries of life,
when Billy Outrageous servant ran
against me.
"Halloa! yon scoundrel," I ex-
claimed, turning sharply round.
"Faith, an [ axes your honor's
pardon, but it's looking after the
master, I am, your honor" said the
fellow, touching his cap.
els he not the officer of the guard
for the night?" I said.
"Faith an he may be, your honor
but he's gone raving mad all the
same nor that, for here's the devil tc
pay and nobody to take the rickon'
ing"
"What the deuce do you mean, you
scamp?" said I.
"Mane, yer honor, why the big.
wigs daughter, the Sonora Marina
has jist run away. thin, and nobody
knows where"
Astonished as I was at this infor
nation, 1 still said, "hnt what in the
world can this have to do with youl
officer?"
"Faith, then, it's all to do with the
masters honor, for he's just run
after Mister Belfont, whose done the
dirty trick of chatting him out of his
two pooty black eyes,"
"Belfont run away with the girl
pshaw, it was too absurd" and ]
turned away to make inquiries about
her. First and foremost, I went to
Gray's billet; to my surprise, I found
he was absent upon night leave
however, the story of the girls alb.
duction soon proved true enough, fol
the Alcalde, the old lady who filled
the Office of Duonna and the servants
were running about in the greatest
excitement, vowing vengeance upon
the ravishers, Belfont and Billy, both
of whom, for some unaccouutable
reason, seemed alike to share their
suspicious. AS I could do nothing
in the matter, 1 turned in, and after
vainly endeavoring to unravel the
mystery, made mp my mind to SLEEP
till roll-call.
Scarcely, however, had I closed my
eyes, than l was awakened by my
servant believing Ill my ear that an
officer had been found murdered in
the little wood outside the town.
Hastily throwing on my undress and
cloak, I mounted my horse, and in
quick time was in the town, when,
imagine my horror, upon table sur.
rounded by officers, laid the body ol
Gray, pierced through the lungs!
"God in Heaven, gentlemen, how
came this?" 1 exclaimed.
"Ask your friend, Belfont, who al
though too cowardly to go out, car
quietly run a comrade through the
back" said Billy O'Dragon.
'Liar, this is not possible!" I ex
claimed.
"Mr. Crawford, you must answe,
this" said the whelp.
Gentlemen, this is too serious 6
matter for squabbling," said the
major; adding, to my friend, who
stood sternly gazing upon the body
"Mr. Belfont, you are under arrest
until this charge is answered"
CONTINUED IN OUR NEXT.