The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-06-23
truth with any penalties Il may bring,
than to 90 or. ke this !!..'. Z =

ftell what Only; ;fo.Gight, as ! waited,
thought you had tired Of me: an. ) NOW
you 5wibgisa yourself ttpEme openly" = :.
He knelt at her feet-he took one OF
her hands and looaefda.i L With. Kisses.
Stay, she ; answered. Don't de-
ceive yourself, or let me deceive you
that, at least, I have hever done. M sIf
a6opeth hersyoiee ,sppnded as il
she were trembling, and forcing herseff
to stahd4oR the defensive againstan.a no!
eusation.q . She laid her other hand over
his; two with o kind. of reluctant caress..
"I mean simply, y. she said, 'that our
engagement ought to be broken off,"
The clasp of his fingers relaxed. He
fell back n little, as if he had been struck,
taep spiug} }leE hand more efF@lytthaan
"You are jesting?" he asked. He
dared hpt Resegh thRtsit Nas soT Helen
Forfescue seldom tested; but he asked It
In IN agony. --- '---------
oJ"No,h she answered. y"You are hurt
ing me. am quite in earnest"
He got up, turned away from her, and
went into the darkness of the room,
staggering ond catching at the tables and
chairs rs he went. She sat still by the
window, with the pale light falling upon
her golden hair, while she considered
what she should next say to him.
He went all the length of the room,
and came back to his former place oppo-
site her, deadly pale but ready to listen.
"I do not know" she began again,
"why I have not, said this before. I
have thought it for some time We
were foolish three years ago, both of us;
but we are not children now-not boy
and girl, that we should not be able to
give up our romance. =, MY aunt's health
is giving away, and as you know, her in
come dies with her; when she is dead,
my uncle will have to live less expen-
sivelyChe will think, first of all, OF rid
ding himself Of useless encumbrances.
In TACT, my home here, such as it is, is
every day in greater danger. ought to
think of the future."
youP Helen, you have been faithful to
me so long, don't, don't, change now.
For Heavens 8 sake. be patient a little!"
'Is it q question of patienceP"
eyes, only that. To-day, this very
day, 7 have had an engagement offered
She raised her head little, with O
quick, inquiring movement. She had
loved him once, in her fashion; perhaps
did still. She had been used to think
that, with his foot op the first step OF the
ladder Of SUCCESS, he would certainly
reach the top. II he had that first step
now. she might atill be true to him. But
it struck her that there was singular
hesitation in his manner.
SIT is q good thing" he went on,
+, almost unhoped- for fortune; and yet it
has its dark aide. I should have to leave
You for a year." ig ii- 3d.;
'.Well9" she said, impatiently, as if
that were lighs, thing.
"And it comes from O quarter don't
"Can you afford to have preferences?
I,cannot." ~
"No. truly. But this is from MIR.
Stuart, Lord Daintry's brother. He
wants private secretary, and will take
me. 1t is in itself q much better thing
than this, and will lead to something
more" .n..ia.
And yet you do not like it. Why
II think you know. You will soy it is
foolish; but, except for the sake of max
ing surecof you, would not take it.
will.
'tAnd that very promise would deprive
you OF it. No, Philip, you must take
1.-THE first chance of prosperity which
has come to you; but you must take it
Never. Why. but for you, should
care for it2 have all the necessaries of
life here-and you." ...,, "
He came to her side and laid his hand
softly on her hair, which still cleaned
golden through the hnlf darkness; but
she leaned back in her chair, moving her
head from under his touch. d
81 have something to tell you, also,D
she said, "and you will not like to hear
it. This morning, 1 had letter which
is Of importance to both of us.'' '
She paused O moment. shook off all
hesitation, and went on quickly. ...r:
'Lord Daintry wishes me to marry
him. He is rich, and I am tired Of
poverty; he is anxious to give me home,
and / am certain soon to want one.
Ought to refuse him?" : 49, ..an Fl.
you have accepted him2 Your word
to me is nothing, Helen?" He spoke
brokenly and harshly.
mot yet. I must answer this letter
tomorrow. "' -
Suldenlv ha fall boIP kpoal;no boforo