The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-02-27
[Original.
oRE&NaE E3X.
OR THE
FORTUNES OF JULIET CLAYBURN


CHAPTER V.-NoxIoUs Flowers.
Mrs. 1hurlow and Rudolph had gone
back to Ashburn. It was the day before
the household at Orkney were to leave
for Charleston. About dusk, Cornelia
entered Mrs. Clayburn's sitting.room.
Glow have you stood the noise, the
hustle and the comm otion of packing?"
she asked, addressing the invalid.
81 have not allowed myself to be dis
turbed,"' replied the lady; "I've been
very quiet, boarding mp my strength for
the journey. AS for Juliet and yourself,
l expect neither of you are able to stand
from fatigue"
GIVE given myself an intolerable head
ache" said Cornelia; s'but I am going
to retire directly after tea, and in the
morning, do not doubt, will be myself
again: Nothing like sleep for q head
ache"
every true" agreed the lady; .'but if
Your head aches 80 badly, the pain will
prevent your sleeping"
'.But sciU Sleep" replied Cornelia.
'I have come to ask you for a narcotic
either chloroform, or something of the
kind
"Look there, in the medicine chest, ="
said Mrs. Clayburn; '.you will find every
description of that sort of thing. Un-
fortunately, am often compelled to
resort TO such means myself, to palliate
pain
''Tou certainly have good stock on
hand" remarked Cornelia, glancing her
eyes over the labels; "every variety of
physic."
"1u venture to AFFIRM" said Mrs.
Clayburn, "that it is as select and as ex-
tensive collection of drugs, as you will
lind anywhere this side of town. But
Cornelia, be careful how you use narcot-
les, or we will be necessitated to leave
you behind in the morning, and get out
the sleep you seem so determined to
enjoy"
'No danger" said Cornelia, standing
on the round of chair, to reach the
bottle she wanted; 'I'll take par ticular
care not to overdo the matter. know
all about such things and am quite accus-
toned to their use."
She kissed Mrs. Clayburn good night,
the kind lady expressing regret at her
indisposition, and hoping she would
speedily get rid of so unpleasant COM
panion. The household retired early
Mr.. Clayburn declaring he would have
all hands up by times, for he desired to
make an early start in the morning. Eu
genla Rawleigh had come over to pass
the night with Juliet. She was to com
pose one of the travelling party, going
under Mr.. Clayburn's care to her aunt's
in the city Juliet blew out the candle,
but instead of following Eugenia to bed,
enveloped herself in a heavy shawl, and
throwing open the blinds, sat Mt the win
dow, looking out at the stars She held
the little mother -of-pearl case in her
hand. Pressing the spring, the lid flew
open and Juliet drew forth her ring
She slipped it on her finger-then slipped
it off again, for the thought passed
through her mind, it would be better to
leave it off this particular night In the
hurry OF departure, she would be certain
to forget it. However, while thus cogi-
tating,. she had, unconscionsly to herself,
slipped on the ring again. With her
head leaning against the glass panes in
the window, she continued to sit there,
gazing at the stars, wondering if Karl
were gazing ut them too Eugenia awoke
from her first nap.
Juliet, where in the world are you?
Come to bed. Are you going to sit there
all night, looking at the stars and play
ing romanticP"
I'm coming now,"' said Juliet, laugh
ing little; "to tell the truth, whether it
AZ oTtnOdOX In romance or not, this
steady look at the stars. has made me
awfnlly sleepy"
She went acroes the room, found her
travelling sachel, locked up the case, and,
as she thought, the ring, and then Jump
ed in bed. Juliet was soon asleep, but
her dreams were troubled. She thought
she was in her mothers room, and Mrs
Clayburn was again pulling the ring from
her finger. Then the features gradually
changed. It was Cornelia now; Corne-
liza looking like q monster, with dishevel-
ed locks and green malignant eyes. She
seemed to the sleeping girl to be holding
her down forcibly, while she drew away
the ring She struggled tried to
scream with alright, but sine could not.
This passed. Juliet YVES with Karl. It
was his hand which held hers; his fingers
which twined softly with her's-which
played with the ring. She told
him bow n hod loft hor f,.o. -