The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1854-03-04

ter. Father says must 60; that look pale
and mopish'-that change of scene and society
will do ME good. Aunt Nancy is to keep
house for father while I'm away-indeod he
thinks of trying to persuade her to stay with
us Away. wish he could, for notwithstand.
ing her odd, queer ways like her, and l
know she is good, kind old lady.
And now Bel I'm going to tell you some
thing that will surprise you. The other ev-
ching father was reading the paper while Nero
and were taking our accustomed game in the
yard. Just as had run race with Nero
and beaten flor he is gallant dog,) was
startled by hearing close behind me, GOOD
evening Miss Maggie" pronounced in a
familiar voice; turning, behold Frank May.
lie is just from College, having graduated with
much honor to himself. We sat in the porch
and talked until sunset when father rcmcm-
bcrcd that he ought to go and see Deacon
Simpson, and excuslng himself to Frank, he
left us. Frank, who had before seemed rath-
or reserved, grew talkative, told ne of his
prosI cc.s-(he is to read law with old Judge
B-)-and his hopes for the future. Then VIC
talked of Martha and of days gone by, when
he and Iwcre chldren-(hc is twenty-imo now
you know of his teaching me to ride on
Fanny '-rccall,d an evening | well r,mem-
Der, when he and young Langly came to take
Martha and riding. Father had just brought
me home new hat and wore it that evening
for the first time. Martha had rolled my hair
over hot iron, vainly attempting to make it
resemble her own natural curls. We rode to
C and came home by moonlight mp the
glen, by the old bridge. That was delight
full ride, and | was very happy that night.
AS Frank lifted me from the saddle at the yard
gate, he pulled a flower and giving it me,
asked if would not give him one in return.
l remember how laughing responded, Help
yourself, sir, to such as you fancy But
turning to rcmount, he said: Nay, then,
Will have none whereupon rcpcntcd, chose
white rose and carried it to him a(ier he was
in the saddle. AS he received the flower, he
stopped and kissed the hand which gave it.
How often | have thought Ct that evening
since. But, to return Frank remembered
all these little incidents too: he told me he
had that rose still, preserved among his treas
urcs, and in short, Bel, he said he loved me
better than ausht else in this world-that his
happiness rcs.ed with me-that | had the
power of making him very happy or very
miserable-and a great deal more which |
cant remember. Then | burst into tears, Il
wish Bel | could co nqucr that foolish habit of
crying whenever feel sorry:) begged him not
to talk to me thus told him was very, very
sorry, but could never love him; that | was
unhappy and his talking thus made ME still
more miserable. Then wish you could have
seen him Bel, he grew so calm and iron-likc.
Gazing steadily, searchingly into my eyes, he
said:
Maggie tell me truly, is there no love in
your heart for me? Did you never think of
me as other than Il friend brother!'
replied None; never
lie arose calmly and pressing my hand
said:
God bless you, Maggie; Good bye"
And before | could utter a word he was
gone. | watched him down the little path,
and as he passed from my sight, l fIt the
tears rolling down my checks, and heard my
self murmur: Dear Frank, l wish | could
love him.
| know you arc laughing at me, Bel, but
was in earnest. | do wish could love him.
My heart would not feel so lcsoate, if it had
another idol to fill NIartha's place; but no,
none can ever fill her place in my heart After
Frank left Inc l sat awaiting fathers return
He came at last, and chidcd me for sitting up
on the porch until that late hour; said he
guessed must be in love, or would not have
been inscnsible to the chilincss of the atmos-
phcre, and ended by saying he shouldn't be
surprised if old DR.. Gray had long bill
against him within month for Group syrup
and cough candy hope his fears arc quite
groundlcss; hut to confess the truth believe
| have taken cold, and my head feels rather
strangely, to which please attribute all the
foolish Or abscurd things contained in this
Once more Adicu'
1t was long time ere I again heard from
Maggie; but in the interval my mothers let
tiers informed me that she was ill-that she
could not recover; then came the joyful intel
ligcnce of her convalesccncc and finally this
letter written from Now York.
Il am here Dear Bel in the busy busting
city; but were you beside me Just now, you
would not dream you were in the great world.
The Parsonage is in quiet part of the city
and my window commands a view of the old
Stone Church, in which Mr.. d. ofIiciates.
Martha has pleasant home, and Mr.. Dart
more, who always heretofore inspired me
with awe, has, of late awakened more ten
der feeling in my heart. lie has been so kind
to me, that could not well help loving him
little. suppose Aunt Katy has told you that
have been ill-very i'll. After closing my
To T Il I,J