The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-09-29

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heard he gp to az snspriss, s cSssIie Fssson sa
sworn IL was his. iistened:1 listen ioo's silence ence
epsuad for q few seconds. when I heard
Gertrude say. in merry voice:
r eat last, Charlie, you shall make q
stolen visit to your Grace"
And then followed most Enthusiastically
the sound of a kiss.
''Infamous, young womanp' mutter.
ed. mot only lost to sense of
shame herself, but she endeavors to en-
trap anotherp'
When she returned, it was with diff
Guilty that swallowed down the wine;
then bidding her hasty adieu, I hur-
ried off to meet the train. This Charlie
Fearon, q wealthy. handsome, but indo-
lent young man, was the pet of the To-
dies, but I had never, until now, be-
ieyed him to be one of those scoundrels
who make business for the divorce court.
My next move was to call on Mrs. Still
lingfeet and inform her that her hus-
band would bo away for few days. She
appeared grieved of the intelligence, but
she answered that she supposed it was
necessary, and that such absences were
the common lot of wives. She looked
very beautiful and very innocent in her
elegant morning attire; but I was too
much man of the world to be deceived
by woman's manner, and as returned
home, I almost dreaded to meet Stilling-
feet, lest he should read in my face the
almost conviction that had forced itself
on my mind that there was something
wrong. Poor Stillingfeet! I had envied
him once, but now pity took the place
of envy. 1t was q cruel blow. However.
I told him thet I was investigating the
matter, and, in spite of my doubts, en-
couraged him at least to hope. At 12
o'clock the following day. despatched a
messenger with letter to Gertrude, bid
ding him wait an answer. AS had ex-
pected, he brought me word that she had
left by an early train for the city.
"Now," said I to Stillingheet. 'syou
must return unexpectedly. l will ac-
company you. If your wife be really
guilty, there will be visible signs of agi-
tation, and an attempt will be made to
conceal this fellow, Fearon. You have
already promised me that you will in any
case forego divorce, and arrange q
separation; therefore, the step we are
about to take is. I am convinced, the
wisest."
lie had promised to control himself,
and knew that he would do so. Using
his latch-key, we entered the house, but
not before we had been perceived by
Gertrude. Without appearing in undue
haste, we opened the parlor door, and as
we did 80, we saw that of an adjoining
close, and I heard Mrs. Stillingaeet say
"Charlie. we are discovered at iast!"
Poor Stillingfeet heard her also, and
r his wife approached him, he seized
I r by the arm with one hand, and,
pointing to the opposite door with the
other, exclaimed, while his face was
white with emotion:
"You are too late, madamel Whom
are you concealing in that room?"
shall never forget the momentary
look of horror on that sweet face, nor
the delicious little laugh that followed it,
as she exclaimed:
"You darling old goosep'
AT the same moment Gertrude opened
the awful door, and, saying, "Behold
the culprit! Charlie, come forth" ex-
hibited to our astonished gaze beauti-
full little dog-a veritable "King Charles. -
"Thank God" exclaimed Stillingfeet,
as he pressed his dear little wife to his
heart; I was brute to doubt you!'
1t was now necessary to explain all to
the ladies. How thankful were all par
ties concerned that 1 had not been pre-
cipitatel I was now informed that Still
lingfeet, having been bitten by dog
when boy, had always evinced a NOR
tai aversion to the canine race. Grace
had, therefore, daring her engagement,
entrusted her little pet, the gift Of an
absent brother, to the tender mercies of
Gertrude, and was only waiting the time
when she could overcome her husband S
prejudice to have him with her. Hence
the contretemps. If I had not com
menced to prosper from that time, be-
lieve Stillingfleet would have gone to law
with his tailor or grocer rather than
allow me to be without client, so re-
joicea was he at my friendly handling of
my first divorce case.