The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1858-07-10


tone. A." In one of the worst streets of
the city, of course. Sucha woman could
live nowhere else
/ trcmblcd and took her arm.
lo1 can 90 back if you choose,
Emma" said sistcr-m-law, diSdainfully.
"But will never turn until | have
convicted that base man of his pcrfdy."
As turning back was utterly impossi-
bic, unless Tom did so, as neither of US
had the slightest idea of onr where
abouts, | did not avail myself Of this
permission. by and bye ul unconscious
guide began to grow bewildercd. lie
crossed and rccroS4ed, assembled steps,
came down again, and at last turned into
Il dim, unlightcd street. AS we followed,
looking anXouSly in the direction where
Toms hat was dimly visible, we forgot
to pick our way with that care which
the state of sidewalks rendered ncacs-
sary, and just in the darkest part, down
We came plump into y bed Of mortar
left by some workmcn in front of an UNI
finished house. We scrambled out as
quic|il y as we could, and followed in the
direction Tom had taken.
Tom apparently began to feel sure of
his locality. We were now in a we'll
lighted street and in few moments
stood in the full blaze Of light which
fell from a briliantly-liglitvd apothecary
st nc. What sights we were mud
and mortar to our very knees. The few
people we passed stared at US as though
we were Turks and if poor Tom, walk
ing unconaciously before us, co1H have
seen us, believe he would have tainted.
! made Il solemn league and covenant
with myself that night, that if | ever
got ont Of the Scrapc, no power no earth
should invciglc he into such another.
At length Tom paused before "A very
pretty cottagc-likc house, with green
ohrubbory i'll the garden, and a pleasant
light falling softly through the curtained
windows and after Il moments inycSti-
cation lie assembled the steps. The
sound Of music and merry voices noatcd
out upon the air as the door WAS opened.
\ wonan's form bowed graceful well
come at the vinc-wrcathcd threshold, and
Tom vanished from our eyes.
son, Emma ~ sobbcd poor sistcr-in-
law. " How awful That bold crca-
turc Did You see the roses in her
hair, and those .jewcled bracelets No
doubt Tom gave them to her. ny Tom.
Oh dear whoever would have believed
it No matter, it 5 all over, and I'll
show him what an injured woman can do
aid say"
We stood during this colloquy in the
shadow Of dark stone church, nearly
opposite the house which Tom had
entered. The shutters were opcr, and
the gay scene within was only hidden
from our sight by the glossy folds of
lace which drapcd the windows. The
clouds which had been lowering all day
long were gathering i'll black windy
masses above our heads, and presently
crash Of thunder was heard, and down
poured the rain in absolute torrents,
drenching us to the skin.
Oh . how miserable we were, standing
there i'll the rain that dark, dreadful
night
The. storm passed over before long;
and just as the last drop had fallen, the
door of the house opposite opened, and
Tom, with a lady on his arm, emerged
thcrcfrom. As soon as the door had
closed, and the couple were sufficiently
in advance, we followed. Toms voice
began the conversation.
Il had forgotten the nunbcr,' he
said, " and had some difficulty in finding
the house."
Why answered the woman, ssdidn't
you get the note left for you ~
No." replied Tom, " have received
no note to-day"
Why, where can it have gone ?"
exclaimed the lady. 81 put it on your
office table with my own hands"
Emma, | know that woman's voice :"
whispered sister-in law. 81 am sure ]
have heard it before. can't think who
it is, but know her."
just as she spoke, party of Young
men, very much the worse for liquor,
came stumbling around the corner, sing
ing Bonny Annie Laurie" in that
peculiar style most in vogue by those
who " make night hidcous,' after oyster
surpcrs or other genial asscmblagcs
where the rosy wine had been freely cir
culatcd--thc first gentleman bowling the
first verse, while the second gentleman
shrickcd the chorus, and the third con-
tented himself by repeating "Annie
Laurie " in melancholy tones.
There she is :" hiccupped one of the
trio. "Ihcrc's Benny Annie Laurie
That's her. I'm going to kiss herr
Look here are you Benny Annie
Laurie or not tell the TRUTH said
the second specimen of Young America,
cause | want to know"
"Oh oh ! oh :" shrickcd sister-in-
law. "Tom help murder come
quick Tom | say, it's your ill-used,
lil-trcatcd, deceived, dcluded wife -
Tom turned in great establishment, and
came towards us. The two genil3men
went very hastily around the nearest
corner, and the third fell down an open
area, where his companions left him.
"Janc-Emma Why, how on earth
did you cmeo here ?" cried Tom.
Don't sreak to me - said sistcr-in-
law. " Wretch villain don't dare to
speak TO nc! As for you, woman, know
that your abominable letter is in the
possession of an injured wife You are
in my bower base, vile sc0rpion that yon