The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1850-12-21
SATURDAY MORNING DECEMBER 81 1860

sun was low. ! recollected rather in.
tricate crossing in the road some dis
lance back, ond was anxious to reach il
before night-fall. fastened back, but
soon found most Of my journey must
be made in darkness. The sun was set.
! ting and the difficult place in the road
had not been reached Darker fell the
shalcws round me, the gloom was de-
penlng III the wales, and the grey sky
was growing more and more sombre.
Still narrower waxed the red flush in
the horizon towards which proceeded.
One Or two stars Were visible. The
lines Of light strcaued from houses in
: The distance; around the dwellings in
the immediate vicinity Of the road were
gathered groups OF men. Sotn | found
had lost the TIE road; and ignorant of
! the distance from the village, and even
OF Its direction, | was completely at
fault. Meeting fellow who whistled
SO mcrrily that | thought he must be a
resident OF the noighborhood, inquired
my way. lie had been to the sown ma
ny tlme-knew all about the roads
thither and yet gave me so confused an
account that was more perplexed than
ever. | left him with no very exact no.
ton of what to do, but walked on in
hope of securing the aid of more eff
Gent counsellor. Presently a light
flashing from. small window, gave me
Il new hope. | knocked at the door and
was let III by beautiful girl whose fea-
lures so much resembled those of one
had once met, that for a moment for
got my intention. made inquiries,
and the girl blushing. perhaps at my
earnest stare, referred me to an old
man near the fire. He slowly turned
his head, and began explaining the
route, but before he proceeded far,
sprang forward and catching his hand,
cried "NIr. Ramsey" That is my
namc--how did you learn III" Do YOU
not remember me" saidI ono" My
name is "Seadrift;" and turning to the
girl | added, ''you surely remember
met" 81 hardly know whether to say
no or yes" "Then say yes, give me
the bcncG. Of 4 douto..." | laugh;ngly
cried, taking her hand.
The black curls that once clustered
around her forehead, were now braided
smooth, and yet saw SO much in her
to remind me Of the little Clara. She
had low soft tone as if she were used
to sitting close to the one she talked to,
or had subdued 1t to its sweetest modu-
lation because her disposition was kind.
She said but little, yet would not have
considered our conversation perfect hal
she kept silent. was in love with her
from that moment-so gracefully she
moved across the floor, that | could not
resist | passed a joyous evening, more
pleased 10 think NY presence contribu-
ted SO much happiness 10 the old man.
" hat dreams had by tia: frcside =
| will succoed--l 1nust-anh Clara will
love me--narry me---ah how sweet.
and my slumbers Were swectened BY
visions still more enchanting than my
waking thoughts. arose in the morn
ing refreshed, but not happy. The
beauty of the grounds about the house
justified the high notion had formed
Of Clara's taste. The situation was fine
commanding a beautiful view. There
had been several trosts and the foliage
ofthe adjacent woods was brilliant with
thousand blended tints. The sun was
Just arisen, and as sat at the window
looking out, became sad. | cannot
marry her. Could ask such being to |,
endure hardships} Is there no way to !
be happy without ter! She is fair; she
has the grace Of movemcnt-the dispo-
sition--thc turn of thought | love; but
is she the only one who possesses these
charms II was by accident met her
no arduous search brought me TO her
presence! Suppose we had not met
would | then have these hopes and fears!
| will love hcr--I will-but no matter.
Al breakfast she was more charming
than ever, her dress was plain; this
pleased me. hate that rustic vanity
which astonishes strangers with dis
play. ] knew I met her as she was ac-
customed to dress. After breakfast | !
tried to invent reasons for delay, and |
now as Der grandfather had taken stroll ,
| was left alcnc with her.
"Why is it you never visit our vii
Iage!
"Grandfather never goes out, and l
have no acquaintance there she an
swered.
"But," resumed, "a ride would do
your grandfather much sersicc-it will
lessen the weight of old regrets by cal
ling his mind of to things passing
around him."
"Ah you remember "added the aflec-
Tomato girl chow indifferent he was to
the very, gay scene in which you first
met us"
"Ifthen l cannot make that reason
for you to coax him to town with, let
me try another-now think of it. You
arc the la6y of ,rhoen ridinr I have