The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1858-12-18

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sooner than was his wont, and retired.
CHAPTER IT.
MY Journey.
1t would take fully two days of con-
slant travel to reach my suffering sister.
| started with Il heavy heart on the fol-
lowing morning, bearing with me a vision
OF noble Niles Henry, who mounted OF
horseback, his cheeks crimsoned with ex-
ercise, rode nearly Il mile with me.
$50 we are to have guest at Lake
mere,' he said, laughingly. " BY my
mothers description of Lady Francis,
judge she wouldn't object to my falling
in love with her"
Have you ever seen her - | asked
Never; but have heard about hel
ever since | was born. She must be al
the least calculation, ten years older
than | am; an immense fortune, too ~
he laughed lightly. The wind toycd
with his brown curls he sat on his horse
with the grace of Il finished equestrian.
You would not sell yourself for a
fortune, hope" said, gravely.
"No, nor for all the Lady Frances
Faulkners' in the wide universe. What
do want of a proud, rich wife? No,
that's not my taste. Give me some mod
est lily of the valley, pure as heavens
own blue--a woman whose first love is
my own-that is all wish.
Then, sir, there is trouble in store
for YOU" | thought in my heart.
lie left me soon after, and | iourneyed
on. L was very much fatgucd when at
last reached my destination, and stop
ped at an inn for the purpose of chang
ing my travelling dress, and finding out
the whereabouts Of my poor sister.
In less than an hour / found her,
She had taken room in mean lodging
house, and when l first saw her had not
yet risen from her bed.
The poor child how changed she was j!
Grief and disease had worn her almost
to a skeleton. She was very handsome
in her youth-so handsome that | al
most worshipped her for her beauty
she was still delicately handsome.
Il shall die, Louisa" she said to me,
mournfully, g | think | shall not live a
month, and then what will my poor Alice
do %
Alice shall find friend in me !"
said. " Don't feel the least uncasincss
on that account but [ shall nurse you
up, and you will be we'll soon.''
She shook her head that hectic flush
smotc my heart J. fear my lips gave the
lie to my convictions.
Where is Alice - asked.
She went to buy bread" said my
sister, family. 4" | dread to have her
move outside the door, it seems like ex-
posing her to insult. Do you remember
L used to write you how beautiful she
was when child! That fearful beauty,
oh it makes me tremblc for her,"
At that moment my niece entered.
will not rhapsodise but merely say that,
as tome, Niles Henry Paulson was super
Tor IN manly beauty to all the young men
! had ever seen, SO the ETHEREAL sweet
ness Of the face of Alice was more ex-
quisitely rare than anything | had ever
met among women.
Her modset grace charmed me-the
blush that decpencd the color on her
check quite took my head. 1t was
strange, perhaps, but the very words of
Niles Henry rang through my brain
"Give me some modest lily of the
valley, pure as heavens own bluc-a
woman whose first love is my own-tLat
is all | wish"
Instantly the dangerous thought was
banished, and | applied myself to the
care Of sister. She seemed much better
when left her, at the expiration Of
three days. placed fifty pounds in her
hands, and as she tried to thank me, |
told her that she should share whatever
was mine. She had exacted solemn
promise of me, that | would be a mother
to Alice, and L had given it with tears.
1t was gloomy parting that the grave
was soon to seal. A fine rain came on,
and kept me company for nearly the two
days ride. | felt uneasy and uncomfor-
table as drew near Lakemere, but laid
it to the fact of my sisters serious illness.