The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1852-04-03
WHOLE Ne 657

married, while he-faithless man had
been guilty of two wives during his
"servlces in India" 1t was impossible
to tell which of the ladies he treated
with the most attention. Isabel Mont
ford took an especial delight in torment
ing him, and he was cynical enough to.
wards her at times. Although he frank
ly abused her piano-forte- playing. yet
he evidently preferred it to the music
OF Miss We're practised so indcfatigably
to please him, or to the songs she snng,
in voice which from high soprano"
had been crushed bv time into what
might be considered very singular
"mezzo." He somehow forgot how to
find fault with Miss Montford's dancing,
and more than once became her PARTNER
in a quadrille. 1t was evident, that
while the General was growing young,
Miss We're remained-"as she was!'
Isabel Montford amused herself at his
expense, but he did not-quick sighted
and man-of. the. world thong Oh he was
perceive it. At first he was remarka-
bly, fond of recalling and dating events,
and dwelling upon the grace, and beau
Y, and interest, and advantage, of what.
ever was past and gone-much to the
occasional pain OF Isabel We're, who,
gentle-hearted as she was. would have
consigned dates to the bottomless pit;
latterly, however, he talked good deal
more of the present than Of the past,
and, greatly to the annoyance ofyoung-
er men, fell into the duties Of escort 10
both adies,-accompanyIng them to
places of public promenade and amuse-
ment.
On such occasions Miss Isabel We're
looked either earnest or bashlul-yes,
positively bashful; and Miss Isabel
Mentford, brimful Of as much mischief
as lady could delight in. AT times
the General laid aside his cynical ohser-
vations, together with his cane, which
was not even replaced by an umbrella;
to confess the truth, he had experienced
several symptoms ofheart disease, which,
though they made him restless and un.
conf irritable, brought hopes and aspirs.
tons Of life, rather than fears of death.
One morning Isabel Montford and
the General were alone in the salon
where this little scene first opened:
''ChG difference has never been set
tied .yet she exclaimed, gaily; you
have nevehproved to me the superiority
of the Old school over the New"
simply because of your superiority
to both" he replied.
81 do not perceive the point OF the an.
swer," said the young lady. "Whst has
my superiority over both to do with the
question I"
The General arose and shut the door.
"Do you think you could listen to mo
seriously for five minutes I" he said.
"Listening is always serious work."
she answered. He took her hand with.
in his she felt it was the hand of age;
the bones and sinews pressed on her soft
palm with an earnest pressure.
"lsabel Montford-could you love an
old man %
She raised her eyes to his, and won.
dered at the light which filled them
ayes" she answered, 81 could love
an old man dearly; could confde to
him the dearest secret of my heart"
"And your heart, your heart itself1
such things have been, sweet Isabel"
His hand was rery hard, abut she did not
withdraw hers.
"No, not that, because-because |
have not my heart 10 give" She spoke
rapidly, and with emotion. 81 have it
not to give, and l have SO longed to tell
you my secret You have such inAu-
ence with my aunt; you have been so
affectionate, so like father to me, that
if you would intercede with her. for HIM
and me, know she could not refuse.
| have oiten-often thought of entreat.
ing this, and now it was so kind efyou
to ask, i'll could love an old man, giving
me the opportunity of showing that do
by confding in you, and asking your in
tercession."
The room became misty to the Gem
erals eyes, and the rattle of battle
field sounded in his ears, and beat upon
his heart.
"And pray, Miss Montford." he said,
after pause, "who may him be -
"Ah, you do not know him my
aunt forbade the continuance of our ac-
quaintance the day before had the
happiness to meet you. 1t was most
fortunate | wooed you to call upon her,
thinking" (she looked up at his fine
face, whose very wrinkles were aristo-
cratic, and smiled her most bewitching
SMILEY thinking the presence of the on
ly man she ever loved would soften
her, and hoping that should one day
be privileged to address you as nv
friend, my uncle !" And she kissed his
hand-lt really was hard TO bear. 81
have heard her say" persisted the young
lady, sthat when prompted by evil coun.