The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-01-28
(Original.
RKN GK.
OR THE
FORTUNES OF JULIET CLAYBURN.
A Tale OF the Palmetto State.

CHAPTER XVI.-THE BABBITTs' BALL.
New Year came, and with it the Bah
bits ball. On the evening in question,
about o'clock, the young ladies at Mrs.
Thurlow's entered the drawing-room,
having postponed donning their wrap
pings, to undergo the inspection of the
gentlemen and have sentence pronounced
on their toilets. Mr.. Won Oppenheim
and Richard Thurlow were sitting in the
drawing-room, both in tull dress, for Mr..
Thurlow protested, 'the contagious ma
lady of dissipation had thoroughly in
footed him, and an old manned man, as
he was, he intended to leave wife ut
home with the children, while he flirted
away the time with all the pretty girls at
the ball"
"What nonpareil of husband" said
Cornelia. ''Do you think would stand
such conduct, if I were your wife? In
deed, wouldn't"
"What would you do, Cornelia?" asked
Richards wife, laughing; chow could
you help yourself, if you had husband
who treated you so shabbily as mine is
treating me tonight"
''There are plenty of why's to keep n
husband straight" answered Cornelia.
'.In the first place, would play back
his Rn game. He would soon take a
distaste to flirting, methinks, when he
saw his own wife at it, But if he was
hardened sinner, and this method failed,
I would-well, I would cut his throat,
or anything else that came into my
mind"
81 verify believe you would, declared
Richard; land what would you do, Coz,
if you had flirting husbnnd?" he asked,
turning to Juliet.
"I'll take care never to have one of
that odious description" replied Juliet,
with smile.
"That sounds very we'll in theory, )"
said Richards wife; "but it doesn't an
swer the purpose in practice. You can't
tell the odious animal until he holds you
tight in his clutches, and then, the
knowledge comes too late to serve any
good. The only way to avoid the evil
is to eschew husbands altogether; then,
you are safe"
"The wisest plan, no doubt, assented
Juliet.
"She-Coz! said Richard, "you
know you don't think anything of the
sort Now be candid-aren't you going
to get married, some of these days? No
affectation-speak out, it is all in the IA
mily, you know"
hOW GILL l. ICl. Holl uIlCl, Will
crimson face. II dare say, will marry
some day, like the rest of folks
This is perfectly ridiculous in you.
Juliet" cried Cornelia; 'really absurd,
for believe firmly, you are .faacee this
minute"
Juliet almost fell to the foor-the
room began to swim before her vision
"What do you mean, Cornelia?" de.
manded Richard.
His wife whispered something to him
$50 it is Harry Babbitt, is it?" said
Richard, laughing. 'No wonder you
ore gotten up so handsomely for this
particular occasion. However, Cornelia,
continued Richard, "you should moi
make that speech about Juliet again
She is an honorable girl, and would
never be engaged to any man without
the knowledge and appreciation OF he,
father"
II make no such assertion" said Cor
nelia; II dare say her father does know
it; but she is 80 reserved, she will moi
tell me nor any one else about it,"
''Well, I'll bet my life, if Juliet is en-
gagged to Harry Babbitt, her father knows
nothing about the matter. Harry is 6
nice fellow, rich, good family and al
that, but Harry wouldn't suit Uncle
Clayburn's views for Juliet Do yor
hear that, Co..? Be warned in time, fol
] speak what I know, and what yor
must know also. There is but one mar
in the world your father will ever permi
you to marry"
"Pray, who is that?" questioned Cor
nelia. with her usual inquisitiveness.
mo need to mention names," sale
Richard; outlet knows, and that il
po1I lr n
liz, was not 30 NAL apropoS Juliet ha
been engaged for years past"
Karl quilted the room precipitately
AS he left, he heard Cornclias voice:
81 knew it" but he did not hear til,
conclusion of the sentence.
II knew it," was Cornelia's remark
''as soon as I saw that ring Oh he
finger"
Richard caught Juliet's hand. ant
inspected the ring.
, "a pretty barble, npon my word