The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-10-08

OF course you'll meet with all sorts of abuse,
But don't think to stop them-it amt any
For people will talk, you know.
'-'N' - y -1--A--s- e-L---
THE DOUBLE INSULT.
care you still bent on risking your
life with that vicious animal, Miss Ros-
lyn?" and the speaker, gentleman of
some eight-and-tWenty years, barred the
passage to q young lady, who, equipped
for ride, had made her appearance.
sI think, Mr.. Roberts, that your ex-
perience with Temper invests him with
greater share of wickedness than he
merits. He certainly is not meek, but
that is quality I scarcely covet for q
horse. It is hardly probably that the
same train OF circumstances should COM
bine to make him as unmanageable as he
was on the occasion you and have cnuse
to remember. Temper and I under
stand each other. and have no fear, the
best talisman against accidents. Is it
not, TemperP" and Constance Roslyn
caressed the arching neck of her hand
some horse which stood near, ready to
receive his burden. -i
It undoubtedly was beautiful picture
on which fell the declining rays of that
early Autumn sun. In the background,
the pretty Gothic cottage, with its vine
embowered porch in front. the smooth,
well-kept lawn, giving it life and anima-
tion; the sleek, black-coated Temper,
champing bis bit with impatience for the
canter he knew awaited him and his
pretty owner. Not much, however,
thought Calvin Roberts of the landscape,
but he gazed with undisguised admira-
ton at the animated face of Constance
Roslyn, as she stood, the folds of the
handsome riding-dress gathered in one
hand, while. the other toyed with the
dainty whip, that was decidedly more for
ornament than use, and his eyes were
not slow to tell his thoughts, even were
his tongue unwilling to do its Office.
With q light spring, Constance has
reached her saddle, and gathering up
the reins, she said: "Now, Temper, no
break-neck PAGES to-day, il you please,
or Mr.. Roberts might not be so conve-
niently near to rescue your mistress"
"Wrong for once, Miss Constance. I
have so little faith in that horses good
behavior, that, with or without permis-
sion, I constitute myself your escort"
Even as he spoke, groom led up his
own handsome bay, and moment more
saw both cantering side by side.
Silently, as if by mutual consent, they
rode along, both busy with their own
thoughts. Constance was mono too we'll
pleased at the constant espionage her
companion seemed to have established
over her every movement in the last few
weeks, yet she did not care to show her
displeasure, as she remembered the SER
vice he had rendered her, when Temper,
frightened at the vivid flashes of light
ming and loud crashes of thunder, had
become unmanageable, and was only
saved from the fatal plunge on the rivers
brink by his GOODNESS and presence of
mind. How he had happened there was
OF no moment, suffice it that from being
n casual town acquaintance he had be-
come daily visitor at the country house,
and, finally, through her aunt's graft
tude, an inmate for the last three weeks.
The length OF his stay, rs fixed by him
self, had already expired, and still lie
fingered, until Constance was becoming
uncomfortably aware that summers
idleness was not the only thing that de-
tanned him at the Oaks. In vain had
she openly avowed her engagement to
Richard Vane; in vain had spoken of
their approaching marriage-he turned
deaf ear to all, and continued his un-
mistakable attentions to her.
While such were her thoughts, his
were very much ukin to them. He best
knew what had brought him to the
neighborhood of the Oaks, when he
learned that Constance Roslyn was to be
one of its inmates. He had no definite
plan Of attack, trusting to his usual sue
cess with women, to whose good graces
his handsome face, polished manners and
immense wealth had always proved un-
exceptionable passports. Chance had
thrown an opportunity in his way, of
which he had not been slow to avail him
self. Nor had he been ignorant of Con-
stances engagement, but holding that