The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-03-13
(Original.
oRK.NDY,
OR THE
FORTUNES OF JULIET CLAYBURN

FORTUNES OF JULIET CLAYBURN.
CONTINUED.
duty is the surest road to happiness,
Juliet, said her aunt. "You have formed
good resolution, and I hope you will
keep it. But intend to watch you
closely, for when 60 back to Ashburn,
how can I answer for it, that you will not
fall again into your old habits, and leave
my poor brother to suffer for want of
care and kind attention."
.I will not-indeed, I will not, aunt
you may trust me. I thank you for
speaking to me on this matter; nobody
else would, and now see how wicked I
have BEEN" Presently she inquired,
where is father?"
tWhere he always is, said Mrs. Thur
low. unsparingly, "when he's not in this
sitting room. Sitting in his solitary
chamber, down stairs, with his head rest
ing on his hands, thinking, no doubt, Of
the time when he had people to love and
care for him. What else has he to do?
His daughter, the only person who can
amuse him, will not do it; she never
Whatsoever talks -neverrides with him.
or plays him sweet music, or sings him
he could do.'
Mrs. Thurlow might have been cor
rect, as general thing, concerning Mr..
Clayburn's whereabouts, and his mode
Of passing the time, but in this particu-
lar instance she was quite mistaken. The
gentleman was stationed, according to
agreement, just outside the door, listea-
ing to the interview on which so much
depended.
'Don't you think it would do father
good to take ride this afternoon?" asked
Juliet.
''No doubt of it," was the reply, ''it is
just the thing he needs. An excellent
way, too, of inaugurating your improved
line of tactics; but I doubt very much if
you can induce him to accompany you,
he has been left to himself SO long"
These last words excited Juliet to such
pitch, she arose Immediately, saying,
in something like her old way.
'1'll order the carriage this minute,
and persuade him to CO.,
She reached the bell and gave it an
impatient jerk, which made peal re-
sounding all over the house. Hetty was
electrified at the sound.
''Dat's Missiles bell, ringed as it used
to bin, she remarked to the cook, and,
jumping up, she made all speed to the
house. on the hall stairs passing Mr.
Clayburn, who, at this. interesting crisis,
was making his way to the solitary cham
Der to arrange his part of the perform
apce in the plot.
"Hetty, said her young mistress, "get
my hat and cloak, and order the carriage
Tell John to be in haste, or we will not
have time for a nice long ride"
Hotty. with a knOwino amile hrouokt
the hat and cloak, and left the room
She had ordered the carriage half an
hour ago, in obedience to Mrs. Thur
lows commands. Juliet stood at the
glass, putting on her hat.
"Well, certainly, aunt, 1 do look fright
full: with my hair cropped off in this
hideous style, and my skin like plaster of
Paris"
Mrs Thurlow could not refrain a
smile-her ruse had succeeded admira-
bly,! She felt convinced, if she could
just get her woman's vanity uppermost
again, and, fourishing in its pristine
glory, there would be no difficulty in
persunding her niece to tarry contentedIy
for little while yet among terrestrial
scenes. AS they were starting down the
steps, Master Rudolph opportunely made
his appearance, bowing and scraping
equal to Frenchman. and begging her
to be allowed the honor of escorting her
down stairs. Even with his support, she
had to catch the baluster, and was SO ex-
hausted with the unwonted exercise when
they reached the bottom, Mrs. Thurlow
had to give her an arm on the other side.
81 have been SO lazy" said .the sick
girl, in an excusing tone, apologizing for
her weakness, as if it were q criminal
offence. "Bnt I'll soon get strong again,
and be able to walk much better. Poor
father! I expect he is frightfully weak. >
"Yes," agreed Mrs. Thurlow, where
upon she received an ambiguous look
from Rudolph, conveying the impression
that he did not know which he most fell