The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1853-07-02
WHOLE No e22

u.
the ladies retired, which was not their
! wont, however, Florence pleading
slight indi>position-to the;r 5ou9oir,
and Frederick slFolIed listIessly for
couple, OF hours about the park and
lawns, evidently waiting for their APP
pearancs. But failing to JON hrn. as
heretofore, IN those morning walks, hfs
impateMce began to manifest itself as
the sun rising higher and higher in the
heavens poured down bis bright beams
that drank up the dews and withered
the morning flowers.
On the afternoon preceding the day
! in question, Lieutenant Collins had re-
| ceiyed an order from his superior officer
to proceed to Philadelphia without de-
lay, and join his ship, as she would put
to sea the first favorable wind. This
piece Of news, It " as Frederick's nur-
/ pose to have made known to the ladies'
on the previous evening, but the I'm.
fortunate discussion, of which the read.
er has already had synopsis in the fore
going chapter, gave the conversation a
turn, quite as different as UNEXPECTED.
having the etIpct,,aS We have seen, to
Danish Florence from the party at an
early hour. The young Lieutenant,
however, had mentiond the circumstance
to Julia, requesting aer to inform Flor
ence: hence it was that that artiul lady
hadsuggested, on The Ir,vious evening to
he: cousin, the probability of Frederick
taking leave shortly under pretence of a
call from headquarters.
he time was fast approaching when
Lieutenant Collins must take leave. Of
his friends; and yet Julia and her cousin
had not made their appearance since the
morning meal. Could 1t be tha. Flor
ence was the petulant child that her
present course O! conduct seemed to in
dictate, and which Julia had before
slightly intimaied Could he be SO
mistaken in womanl These doubts be-
gan to rise up like mailed rebels in the
heart OF the young officer, and besipge
that confidence which he had so long
rrPosed in the prudence and good sense
Of Florence.
Frederick with chatting Impotence
awaited the hour of his departure, st,ll
expecting the ladies to ma ke their ap-
pearance; but at length giving up the
hope as vain he penned the following
note, and despatched it by messenger
with orders TO deliver it to Florence:
"DEAR FLoRENcE:-As Miss Elliott has
doubtless done what intended 10 do. appriscl
you ol the neceSsit! ottaking leave this lnorning.
IN obedience to an unexpected call from head
quarters, have waited ill the hour of nv de-
rartnre has almost arrived, hoping YOU would
make your appearance, and now at thc-alD,ost
last moment, request as favor, if your indis-
position will admit, that you viii meet me in
the ltont parioc without delay and alone, if
possible. F.. Co1IryS ;,
julia in anticipation of such mes.
sage met the bearer-a little GRIN
the passage, and received the note, de-
string her TO wait a few minutes, and
she would convey the billet to Florence
herself. After,the lapse OF a short time
julia again appeared, and handing the
messenger folded note, requested her
to deliver it to lieutenant Collins.
The young officer breaking the seal
read as follows.
"DEAu SR:-I have this moment received
yonr note by the hand Of little Emma. ycouss,-
ing private interview but being unaware Of
any cause tor such clandestine meeting az YOU
propose, aud also feeling quite unwel hone
you Will excuse me for the present. | rpnret
lhas duty calls you away SO suddenly, but wish
ing Eou prosperous voyage and safe te,uln.
remain yours respectfully; good-by.
Lieutenant Collins,
Soon after Collins had finished pc.
rusing this epistle Julia made ner ap-
pearance in the parlor, where she found
him with the cruel billet in his hand
which, at her approach, he crumpled
and put INTO his pocket.
"And so, Mr.. Collins, you are about
to leave us to brave the dangers of the
treacherous sea ~ said Julia, addressing
the Lieutenant, as she entered the room,
with apparent sorrow. How sorry we
are to part with you. Cousin Florence
complains OF severe headache this
morning, and regrets that she is not
aoie TO act as hostess, but has requested
me IN that capacity to officate, to the
best Of my humble abilities for her, and
| do sincerely wish you a prosperous
voyage"
81 feel quite sorry that Miss Carey is
50 unweil, but suppose will have to
dispense with the pleasure of rendering
her my thanks ia person. for past tayors,
as well as kind wishes regarding nv
future welfare. PERM, me, however.
to assure YOU, Miss Elliott, that the dis.
appointment is materially neu'ralized
if not entirely subdued-bv receiving
your syhpathlsng and adectonate fare
we'll"
Frederick pressed Jnlia's hand and
htpng he wouldIo beentirelv forgotten