The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-01-06

thoughts REQUIRED, as they did pretty often,
to his hunting days at Marlborough. Miss
Devonport's image was never far off. He
could not forget it, brave and resoIute as he
was. Great as was his self-control, there
were times when he showed that he carried
about with him traces of life's sorrow
There are some men who can only love
once. Oliver Henley was one of these. He
had loved Miss Devonport, and he did not
feel disposed to love any other woman
That was ALL
About two years and half after the Rat
tleborough affair, Henley was staying with
some friends in town. There was to be
dance in the evening, and the party assem-
bled at breakfast were full of the coming
event.
"Bythe-by, Mr. Henley" inquired his
hostess, "have not heard you say that you
were at Oxford with Mr.. Hughes, the gen
tlcman whose mining property is so i'm
mense?"
Yes, of course, Henley had been; and
what was more, he told the lady, though not
without pang of regret, he knew Mrs.
Hughes-a little. Perhaps he should hardly
recognize her now.
"ThcL. Mr.. Henley, you will sec two old
friends of yours here tonight"
| Oliver said nothing beyond that he should
be very glad. Nor did he think much about
the 'Mr Hughes whose mining property
was so immense, but he wondered how he
should meet Mrs. Hughes, who had done
him what he should ever think so grievous
a wrong.
Tho evening came, and when Henley en-
| tered the ballroom, the greater number of
the guests had already arrived. The first
person whom he caught sight of as he
entered, was Mrs. Hughes. He recognized
the Miss Devonport of other days at q
glance. The face had changed little, per-
haps, but very little; and somehow or
| other, as he looked, the hair did not seem
to him the same jet black color that it had
been. While he was standing looking at
her, Mrs. Hughes came up to him.
'Mr. Henley" she said, 81 cannot say
how glad, how relieved, am to see you.
For more than two years have longed to
do SO. Can you forgive me for what passed
between us when last we met? No, am
sure you cannot. But when you know
everything, think you will. There was
mlsapprehension between us, but you shall
hear everything byandby."
But Mr. Henley could only make some
lame remark to the effect that by-gones
were by cones. Would Mrs. Hughes give
name on the programme of the wife OF the
him the pleasure of dance by-and-by?
Gladly; and Oliver duly endorsed his
wealthy Mr.. Hughes.
The dance came; it was q waltz, the same
tune as that to which he had danced with
her when then she was Miss Devonport,
more than two years ago. in the ballroom
of the Egerton Arms ut marlborough.
When it was over, they strolled into con-
servatory adjoining. Henley longed to say
something about the old days, but she had had
promised the explanation, and it was for
her to begin.
Mr.. Henley" she Mt last commenced,
edo you remember the marlborough huut
ball? Do you remember what happened
after it-that interview between us?''
Henley made no answer
Would you like to hear how the whole
matter originated? Would you be glad if
all could be righted now?"
''What do you mean?" asked Henley
Simply what say"
At that moment, there was the rustic of a
dress heard amongst the leaves of the con-.
servatory, but Henley was too much en-
crossed with the remarks of Mrs. Hughes to
notice it.
Here, Mr.. Henley, here is my explana-
ton. Let me introduce you 10 my sister,
Miss Devonport."
Mrs Hughes, Miss Devonport? What
does all this mean?"
But Mrs. Hughes had risen and left the
seat. Only Miss Devonport was standing
before him-the same Miss Devonport of
the marlborough hunt ball, with the same
jet black hair, the same lustrous beauty,
the same sweet, sweet smile as of old
Henley was too overpowered to speak.
He tried to do so, but there was something
in his throat which seemed to choke his
uttcrances. But each understood the other,
and Oliver at last said one or two words,
and Edith Devonport knew their meaning
we'll
''Mr. Henley" she said, 81 have longed
for this hour to come; 1 have prayed for it.
I knew it would come some time or other,
but did not know when. 1t has come
now, and you shall know all. 1t was I
whom you met at the marlborough ball,
not nv sister We are twins You are not