The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-05-01
THE MYSTERY EXPLAINED.

l
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THE MYSTERY EXPLAINED.
was spending the most beautiful
part of the year with Mrs. Ross at
Rose Hill, my usual summer resort;
and gayer, happier company than
that which was then around me, I
have seldom found. Excursions,
pic-nics, and all manner of enjoyments
we're continually on the list, and
never had time passed SO pleasantly
before. .., - j.. ,e
One among US, however, seemed
to take no interest in our gatherings,
or in any Of our pleasure parties; and
Charles Meredith's coldness and re-
serve was frequent subject of COM
ment, especially among the ladies.
Young and attractive he certainly
was. and possessed of brilliant col
loquial powers, which I myself had
often tested; for, strange to say, Mr..
Meredith had repelled all friendly
advances from others, and it was
only after many perseve,ing efforts
thatI finally drew him out of his
reserve. Our sameness of pursuit
had some, influence here, no doubt.
We were both artists. I was strongly
and irresistibly attracted towards the
handsome, energetic enthusiast; and
it pleased me greatly to find that in
my company, at least, lie would throw
off the mask of reserve.
When at length ! persuaded him
to mingle with our little party in the
drawing-room, the fascinating young
artist soon became general favorite.
I noticed more than one fair lady's
cheek blush with pleasure, when
Charles Meredith's dark eye flashed
into hers; but among all the ladies of
our little set, he seemed to choose
Annie Fay, the merriest little fairy
that ever danced upon the earth.
One stormy evening, we were sit
tingin the well-ighted drawing-room,
most of us in earnest conversatio
concerning the 'tsphere of woman"
I noticed that Charles was unusually
quiet as the discussion went on,
though his eyes were flashing strange
]y as he listened to our various ideas.
Suddenly 1 exclaimed to my oppo-
nent: "Say what you will, sir, when
a woman has once lowered herself
from her upper sphere, she has low
cred herself far in my estimation and
respect"
AS said this, I turned my gaze
full upon Charles Meredith's face, as
if to ask his opinion. To my terror,
I saw him spring from his seat with
pale face and hands uplifted, as
though suffering intense agony.
Several gentlemen sprang forward to
aid him, when suddenly his arms fell
helplessly by his side, .and, hastily
turning, he left the room.
''Poor fellow!' said Annie Fay;
che works SO necessarily that it is no
wonder he is i'll"
Her words were received as suffi-
cient reason for Charles behavior,
and were verified when he returned
to offer an apology for his abrupt
departure, giving sudden illness as an
excuse" t..
After that, Charles Meredith never
joined us in the drawing-room again.
More reserved than ever, he worked
in his room, or, with sketch book in
hand, spent days in rambling over
the hills. l now seldom met him; OF
when I did l was panied and sur.
prised to find that his interest in me
seemed entirely gone, SO cold and
\ discouraging was his behavior.
"Mr. Meredith has left u.s." re-
Nked Mrs. Ross, one morning
I'VE had breakfasted.
us?" / exclaimed. "Whert
Ape, and why?"
Aot know; he gave me nt
We had gone, I fount
the dark-eyed boz