The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-02-03

evening OF my arrival. l had met her at q
dinner party AMI three balls; I had attended
her with grateful humility throughout the
whole OF picnic. and her image rose hefore
me rather more often than I liked. It is
| very unpleasant to be haunted by o face, to
gee it whenever you smoke quiet, solitary
pipe; when you lean back in railway car
riage, when you are trying to get to sleep at
night. I really do not know which is
worst-to have q beautiful woman or tune
running in your head.
OF course, was not in that absurd state
which the ancients style "enamored," and
the moderns ''spoony;" I am of my age,
and despise romance. The man who loves
any one but himself, or values anything
moro than hard cash, is an idiot; and hope
l am free from any such extreme weakness.
But to certain sort OF attraction, or fancy,
or admiration, I must plead guilty. Mar
riage is state which is considered by many
hard-headed, practical men to have its ad-
vantages, and it did occur to me that if ever
! tested them, it would be rather pleasant
to do SO in partnership with Ada Dart.
had no idea that she was acquainted
with the Wintons, and her unexpected pre-
scence looked quite like fatality If ever
when expecting to find yourself in the midst
OF strangers, you have discovered familiar
lace among them, you may remember what
a pleasant revulsion it caused in your feel
1ngs, and how O mere acquaintanceship
bore the look of intimate friendship by the
contrast.
"What," said I, edo you know the Win
tons?"
EYES," she replied, looking rather aston
ished at my tone; "I have known them since
l was quite titty thing. Sarah Winton is
my great ally"
Her reply showed an absurdity and an
undue assumption of intimacy in my excla-
nation, which would have been very humb-
ling to reflect upon in the presence of most
ladies; but Ada Dart was like the sun; it
was impossible to feel cold or numb when
she was shining on you; and she always
shone. | do not believe that she ever
snubbed q poor fellow in her life. She
would laugh at him, indeed, on very light
pTovocation; but those who would bave re-
sented ridicule the soonest in any one else,
were never offended with Ada; no one ever
frowned at her, or disliked her, or scolded
her, or failed to pet and spoil her, since she
was first placed in the cradle, 1 believe
And ridiculous proverb asserts that
beauty is only skin deep For she was
beautiful; even other beauties acknowledged
that All they could do was to compare her
with models OF totally distinct style, or to
suggest that certain natural charms might
be due to at. She was plump and white as
baby; each of her large hazel eyes had O
distinct soul in it.; where other mortals pos-
sessed knuckles, she had dimples; her ear
was a flower, her -
But dare not dwell on her charms, SO,
pray try to imagine them, It is an impos-
sibillty; but never mind-try.
could not remain longer by her side; the
room was full of strangers, with many of
whom I had to form acquaintance for the
first time, even the ladies of the house being
unknown to me. was eventually paired
OIL with companion who was much inter-
ested in the Catholic revival, and evidently
thought little of me after making the dis
covery that I did not know what colored
stole should be worn in ember-weeks. Nv
dinner was spoiled by perpetual dread of
speaking with levity of things she rever-
enced; and if had not at last happily hit
upon the safe course of violently abusing
the Low Church party, 7 believe that I
should have had an Indigestion.
The place l coveted at the side of Ada
Dart was filled by Paddy O'Brian, who had
wonderful and enviable power Of showing
pollteness and apparent attention to the
general company. while really attaching
himself to one selected individual I had
met O'Brian at the same parties as Ada, but
had never noticed any particular attention
on his part Now, however, he seemed to
be establishing Irritation in form, which
was serious; for man may go very far in
public ballroom with comparative impu-
nifty, but trifing in country house is very
different matter.
Before the evening was over felt certain
that had no chanoe of walking over" for
the prize, and also that she was worth win
ming; for Paddy was not the man to court
uncovered beauty. Indeed, he could not
afford so romantic proceeding.
When the ladies retired, most of the
men repaired to the billiard-room, where
segars and grog were provided; but the ma
jority were tired, and went to bed early
leaving O'Brian and myself to finish a
game.