The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-08-26
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thought wish less satisfeo otory result NV
cheeks we're pale;I .trembled with nerv-
BUSINESS. You little sdowdy thing, I said
at1grily to .my reflection In the mirror.
At the hall I found the ,love,iest pink
rose awaiting me, but, alas, in my, tremu-
lous eagerness ttoh arrange II, LLsnapped
the stock off short and il would not stay
among the, soft limp tresses Of my hair.
1 think I could have cried with vexation,
If had not been ashamed. Then, trem-
bling, I followed Maggie to the drawing.
bright fire blazed in the chimney, throw
Of gliding and amber draperies
most disadvantageousb back ground in the
world for me-a golden picture frame for
my rivel Yes,I. felt that at the first
glance; how could it be otherwise? I re-
member her so we'll that evening en-
tered. reclining langMdly in low amber
fauteuil, her face all. but her splendid
eye, shaded from the fire by a large
black fan, She dropped it slowly, as
came toward the group, but did not stir
from her position. o, ~
"This is Katie" said Mr.. Calvert,
coming forward and kissing me, "Yo-
lande, this is Charlie s jiance'
Then she rose and put out one slender
hand covered with jewels, and smiled.
It seemed to me as if there was tinge
of disdain in her well-bred, courteous
manner, not an!Rfom of warmth certain
~. Tall, slender, graceful, with queen
ly carriage and proudly turned head.
Her features were not regular, but she
had bright complexion, and more va
ryirg expression than any one else ever
saw. She wore black velvet dress, cut
square and trimmed with point lace, and
in her dark hair a cluster of scarlet
pomegranates-I understood at once why
Charlie wanted me to wear white and
pink that evening. Was. it my over
sensitiveness, or did detect shade of
disappointment on his handsome face as
he saw US standing side by side in the
full blaze of the wax lights.
"'Charlie!"I whispered, anxiously, as
he came to my side after dinner, edo
you admire her very much?"
.'No, darling; I can fancy some men
being crazy, about her, but she is not the
sort of woman care for"
II can fancy some men being crazy
about her." repeated to myself many q
time afterward, and then wild longing
to be worshipped surged up in my heart.
No, that was not for me. I could never
have learned the pretty airs and coquet-
ries that men find 80 charming. Icould
have caressed and fattered and piquod
them by turns, aud loved, or seem to
love, half dozen In quick succession.
No, 1 could only love dearly and faith
fully and love only once my whole life
through. watched Miss Pelham keen
ly, and I saw how charming she made
herself to every one. She was full of
tact, and knew how to interest and flat
ter each. She seemed to read their
thoughts-to divine at once what was
nearest to every ones heart. I could
see how charmed Mr.. Calvert was with
her-how Maggie watched her with un-
disguised admiration; even papa bright
ened when she talked to him and looked
more eager and interested than I had
ever seen him before. She scarcely spoke
or looked at Oharlie-if she did, it was
with pretty little appealing manner, as
if apologizing for intruding herself on
some one to whom she had no right. At
dinner she led the conversation; after
ward she sang so sweetly we all listened
enthralled, tie tears coming in our eyes,
and when she rose from the piano, state
ly, with glistening eyes, her neck curved
in the imperious disdainful manner Pc
culiarly her own, and smile of conscious
power OH her lips, I trembled and shiv-
cred. For myself, was silent, weighed
npon with hea3iness; deeply, painfully
conscious Of lny own inferiority. I
scarcely spoke; never in my life I felt
had been so utterly unattractive, and
an agonizing fear filed me that Charlie
thought so too.
Even was fascinated by Yolande Pei
ham; intensely as / feared her, I could
not hate her, not then at least. God
forgive me all the passionate anger of
heart have felt her since. Day by day
I watched her as the poor trembling
bird watches the snake. Papa used to
say was wonderful judge of character
for young girl, and I think read hers
through. You would have thought, lit
tie mother, she possessed a passionate,
impulsive nature; her red, full mouth
and splendid eyes seemed to hide vo-
lumes of suppressed FIRE. She had that
open, steadfast gaze you could not have
helped but believed her true and honest,
and yet that was all false, mother-a lie
written on fair page. She was as cold
and self-contained as ice. She could
simulate every feeling, every passion.
that makes men worship woman, and
yet keep the most perfect mastery over