The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1855-10-06

Back | darted, and we We're soon on our
way to the woods and very light hearted and
elccful VIC were all the morning, though the
berries were small portion Of our trophies /;
birch wood, saSsafrass, and hazlcnuts till we
were quite 10 AIDED: so much indeed, that Dora
like a thoughtess child as she was, forgot
her basket.
She was just turning back to look for it
when gentleman appeared from behind the
trees, gun in ono hand and basket in the
other. Bowling low to his blushing little
maiden, he prollcrcd the basket which she
took. only thanking him by smile, aud a
timid glance which she quickly Withdrew
however, as she met the burning gaze of the
stranger, fixed full upon her
lie was noble looking fellow tall and
stately, with wealth Of chestnut hair, which
Law so gracefully over his broad white brow
did not half like the expression of his eyes
though as he gazcd upon dear, charming lit
tic Dora it was too-too Sonciltiao-I can
not tell what, but not at all like Walter Wood
vlllcs.
Dora, however, was entranced with the
noble looking stranger.
so elegant, so graceful why, Nellie. dear
one might have taken him for prince or a
king, he is so tall and stately
All but you know kings and princes are
prohibited articles in this free land, and, not
to be tolerated by lovers Of liberty, like your
self, dear Dora
But Dora didn't seem to care for liberty
just then; she was very busily engaged in
tossing her berries, one by one out of the bas-
kct. Suddenly she exclaimed:
How / should love to know his nUmc!'
Indeed! replied |, quietly.
oh, Nell, you are as cold AS an iceberg
this morning; please don't he cold any more,
Cold, indeed! who cootd be cold to Dora
| kissed away the pout upon her lips, and
told her that the name upon the fowling piece
was Eugene St Clair!'
Eugene st. Clair. so romantic, so poctical:
isn't it Nell! 2
Not half 50 pretty as Walter Woodyillc, ' |
replied.
Nellie, how provoking you can be when
you try poutcd Dora: but we are almost
home; VIII you ride with me Tomorrow g
ON, ma chcre, said |, laughingly,; au
reroU: and we parted.
The morning arose. clear and clou dless:
and Dora and were in high spirits as we
cantcrcd along, on our fine spirited ponies.
think never saw Dora more supcrbly beau
tiful than on that morning: she wore a dark
blue velvet riding dress, an elegant thing
setting her form off to the best advantage
then she had dainty little cap and feather
surrounding the flowing curls, which were
streaming III the wind
Her head was thrown slightly back breast
ing the breeze, her checks glowing, and bril-
liai.t as the rose bud at her BOSOM and her
eyes sparkling with excitement.
She Sat gracefully upon light arabian fleet
as The wind, and rearing Its aichcd neck as
though proud of its beautiful burden: and as
Dora bounded onward. she seemed indeed less
spirit Of Garth than air in her bright fairy
hike beauty.
Sweet. wtrhing, beautiful Dora! thou vert
indeed lovely, but. IovcIlncss Is dange. quo
gift to the fail children of earth.
On, Oh We went, bounding, rearing, chasing,
tasting the fresh air Of the morning. with the
blue sky for canopy, and the grass for a
carpet till flushed, GREATNESS, and excited we
rested meath Il spreading oak, and spoke Of
turning homeward.
Suddenly Dora. who had been watching
cloud ol dust in the distance, exclaimed ca
gcry.
look, look, Nelr is not that that the hero
Of our Yesterdays romancci'
| looked and sure enough, saw the self
same gallant knight on horseback. and riding
rapidly towards us.
1T is indccd,' said !; but scarcely had |
spoken, ere he rrincd in his charger, and ex-
claimed gaily:
well met, fair ladies' so you too have been
tasting the fresh morning air! forsooth it has
been lavish Of its roses this mornings; and he
bent those strange, eyes upon Dora, who
blushcd more and more, burt said not word.
May | ask to whom am indie bted for the
pleasure Of this mecting!' said he, smiling:
and then followed a very mdicrots introduce
ton indccd Dora Introducing ne, and in
Producing Dora, and the stranger hims elf, as
s.Eugcnc St. Clair and we all laughed hear
tily at our unique mode of proceeding, and
became acquainted directly.
And then he must needs accompany us
home, riding by Dora's side all the way, and
it might have been tancy--but when he left
us at the garden gate, nlcthought | saw him
press the little hand of Dora to his lips, and
sure am that when she turned her face
there was a blilliancy upon it which was lot
all because OF the fresh morning breeze.
Oh, Dora, Dora
Days; weeks rolled swiftly away-and each
as it pass, added a newer and a stronger link
TO the chain which was fast binding the low
ing, unsuspecting heart OF our darling to him,
whose fascinating influence seemed al length
to have bound her under mystic spell,
winch hotHlHS uau power " UIeah.
Alas! alas for Dora!
And thus they met; day after day-thc fas
cinating, hcartless, prohigatc man Of the
world, and the simple, beautiful, and trust
ing child of nature.
There was weeping and mourning in Squire
Grcv's homc-sorrow and signing, and wiring
ing of hands, for one bright, fairy face which
had lit up the old homestead for seventeen
happy years was miSSing-gone.
The parents listened in vain for her light
footStcp, and for the ringing voice which had
50 Icing chccrcd them; and their hearts were
filled with shame and sorrow for their darling
and with bitterness toward the proud false
man who had tempted their child away.
The snow fell upon the wihcrc Il leaves,
but it was not colder than that which gather
ed around the sorrowng heart Of Walter
Woodville, covering the blossoms hope and
joy which had faded all away.
And the bright spring clme with her smiles
and tears, and called the little volets forth
from their sleep IN the cold, dark earth, and
bathed them in her sunlight. But the sun
light rested not within his heart, and there
were no viulcts there. Nought but cold dark
withcrcd leaves.
But there were no tidings of til, absent one.
tears to the stricken parents, till hope had
well nigh given away to dcspair-tiIl they
sighed to lay their heads sorrowing in the
grave.
At length slight, fragile girl was seen.