The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1858-11-13

the impassioned denial her observations
met with, set it down as a fixed fact tina,
Ruthie must be in love, and, with
woman's curiosity, determined to ascer-
tain whether it was, in any degree, re.
TUNED, or whether Albert Newton was in
heart, as we'll as in appearance. the
devoted follower of Miss Hilton.
Mary Waters found but little difficulty
in reading in the Doctors eyes a coufr-
nation of her suspicious, and wondered
that for SO long period it had never
occurred to her, and in long talk, short
ly afterward, with William haywood,
gaily told him she had discovered the
secret of Ruth's abstraction. William
listened in some establishment, not will
ing at all to think that this could be the
case, blind, as in almost all such in
stances, man is to what passes under
his very eyes, and reminding one of
Bulwer's exclamation con! those
who sit and look on what world they
see, and what world they do not see.''
But il Mary Waters was certain, and
William haywood uncertain, this had
nothing to do with Ruth's feelings
Those most deeply interested in such
matters always see with different eyes
than the calm looker-on. Ruth only
knew that In some mysterious way, the
Doctor was constantly in her thoughts,
and that she continually caught herself
wondering what would be his opinion or
his views upon every matter presented
to her consideration, she had caught her
truant eyes wandering in search of his,
and began to fancy herself very misera-
bic for all this, over which she had no
control, and which she felt to be un-
maldenly, as it certainly was unsought.
Matters stood thus, when a pic mic
excursion was talked of. They had a
beautiful stream which cmptied into the
noble Delaware, and which, in its whole
course, was a model of beauty. The
forests which in some places covered its
high banks, had never been desecrated
by the axe Of the woodman there were
" dim forest paths" nowhere more beau
tlful than in our own dear country,
thlckly canopied over with deep shade
of tree and wandering vine, and softly
carpeted with bright moss or short thicl;
grass little rills leaping over huge
rocks, and even rocky cave for the
lovers Of the marvellous to explore.
What delightful parties those were,
which were annually held in this favorie
spot Oh many were the songs, the
tales which were rccounted and sung
and then how delightful was the rowing
upon the clear stream the fishing, the
merry games played upon a broad
mcadow-llke eXpanse, surrounded by such
tall old trees, that one might well fancy
this spot had been the scene Of many an
Indian council, and that these were the
same trees whose leaves had waved over
the council fires and shaded the dark
countenances Of the red men, which now
sheltered the children Of the pale faces,
who had swept them from the hunting
grounds of their fathers.
But | am forgetting this particular
picnic, which was Of all others to be
remembered. 1t was late in the after
noon; the more social pleasures had
been gone through the cave had been
explored ; the cold collation. had been
thoroughly discussed, and now in groups
of two or three We all were dispersed,
enjoying quietly the pleasures of the
lively scene, and it may be, the sweet
conipanionship of beloved friend
Mary Waters, with William and Ruth
haywood, and one or two others, had
determined to take farewell row upon
the CLASSY stream. Gently onward their
boat glided, and their merry song startled
the echoes as they swept beneath the
overhanging banks. They had needless
ly foated onward, until the vospcr star
appeared and warned them that the hour
fixed upon for departure was at hand
Instantly all was haste to return, and in
the confusion of turning, the boat upset.
The water was not very deep, though
running with swift current. The wild
screams Of the girls brought all of US
who were within hearing, quickly to the
scene of disaster. They were all speed
lily extricatcd from the unwelcome
clement, and placed in safety upon the
bank. All? no !. for where was Ruth !
In falling her head had struck something
and partially stunned, she had been un-
able to make any effort to regain hel
footing, the rapid current had borne
her-whither! So strong is the instinct
of self-preservation, that in the frs
moment each had but thought of them,
selves, and when first rescued, the i'm.
pulse was to laugh at their untowarc
appearance; but the first glance SHOWED
them all were not saved, and wild cry
went up; "Ruth Where is deaf
Ruth !"
DR.. Newton, with Miss Hilton, anc
some Others, had just arrived, in breath
less haste, as this sound was heard
The dripping forms upon the bank, the
overturned boat, explained all in one
moment. With but the words +" follow
me-" the Doctor rushed down the bank
eagerly scanning the waters as he passed
for trace of the missing girl. All fol-
lowed with silent eagerness. just below
was small island, where the water be.
came deep, and the current ran strong
around the corner, where lay mass OF
drift-wood, firmly set, and there could
be seen waving something like white
garment. Before the nearest of the
party reached him, DR.. Newton haC
thrown aside his coat and plunged into
the water, he swan out strongly and
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