The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-08-26

lIhad he injured her? She could re-
member, that on the night she had
first heard the name spoken BY her
mother; it sounded familiar to her,
but could think of no reason why it
i should be SO; and even now was there
i the same indistinctness.
She saw that any further questions
to her mother would only make her
angry, as her recollection of the SPOT
had worked upon her feelings, and
| she would remain for some. time in
her wild moods. Neither Naomi nor
her mother exchanged word until
the arrival of Jabeth, when the tents
were fixed. hasty meal prepared,
and eaten in silence, save few words
spoken by Jabeth and Naomi.
Thamar arranged the small tent
occupiad by her daughter, and re-
tired to her own, without breaking
the silence, and Naomi soon forgot
in deep sleep the conjectures she
had beeen so busted about.
On the following morning, Naomi
accompanied her mother, us she took
her course beside the Dove, down
the vale; she had not asked her
whittier they were going, since she
knew it could not be far distant, as
the tents were to remain where they
had been placed for some days.
Thamar spoke not, for she had scarce
done 80 during the morning, and
Naomi followed in silence, the beauty!
of the scene. in some degree, attract
ing her attention-for it was, indeed,
lovely spot-but to her mother it
seemed not SO, for she scarce looked
upon it; and, if she did, it was With
an air of sorrow. After some time
they left the river, beside which they
had been hitherto pursuing their
way, and turning to the left, stopped
| before mansion, which Naomi
thought was the one she had seen in
the distance; the gate was open, as
intruders were rarely found in that
remote spot, and they entered;
before them was q beautiful lawn
which fronted the house, and on
which gentleman and lady were
walking, amusing themselves with
the gambols of O couple of spaniels
playing together on the grass.
The age of the gentleman might be
about forty-five, and despite an air
of melancholy that was stamped upon
his features, he was still handsome
man; his wife was some years
younger, and bore the appearance of
one who had been really beautiful;
but sorrow had evidently done much
to weigh her down; it seemed as if q
saddened expression was on her
features which time had made habit
ual. Once or twice she smiled, as the
animals sported around her, but it
was family, and as if the heart had
not responded.
The gentleman, happening to look
towards the gate, perceived Thamar
and her daughter, who had entered;
at the sight of them, his anger seem
ed suddenly roused-for, turning
furiously towards them, he said:
"What vile hags have we here?"
"They are gypsies, Luke, doubt
less come to beg"
Lady" said Thamar, 81 came
not to beg"
"Then to steal," said the gentle
man.
"I came not to steal," again re-
piled Thamar.
eye had best be gone, ye and your
cursed tribe, or I will have you set
in the stocks, to brood over your
wickedness.
'Nay, Luke, be not harsh with
them; hear at least what they have to
say"
''Lady, I thank you for your kind
word, though did not much heed
his angry threat"
'Speak, woman, at once, and say
what you want, since you come not
to beg or steal"
'Luke Bradley, I come humbly to
pray you to listen to me-"
"Well, well-''
"Will you give me back my poor
boy?"
'Your boy! what boy does the wo-
man mean?"
'The child you took from me, now
fifteen years ago; oh! give him to me
again"
81 know not what you mean"
'"The child your cruel laws took
from me, and forced far, far away,
where could not follow him."
"Your child robbed me, and was
justly punished.
CONTINUED IN OUR NEXT
HJYYT