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


already become acquainted. Miss Essie
Hilton was the chief mover IN this ar
rangement; and, by common consent,
she and DR.. Newton were appointed to
head the cavalcade. Essie was a dash
ing brunette, fearless horsewon.an
brilliant and snowy, both in appearance
and habits. With her black riding dress.
relieved by pure white linen collar and
sleeves her velvet hat, with its long
plume floating sidewise and mingling with
her jetty curls her magnificent COM
plexion, and her dazzling eyes, she was
not a person to be gazed upon unmoved.
She was delighted with her position :;
the long line Of ladies and their attend
ant cavaliers, to which she could not but
be the common point Of view; her looks,
by herself wel-known to receive their
greatest Tightening from her riding
costume, and the consciousness of having
secured the handsomcSt and the most
distinguished of the riding party as her
attendant, all combined to elevate her
spirits to the highest possible point.
She sang snatchcs of songs she
laughed gaily at the few words OF her
companion, and gave full play to the
qulckncss Of her fancy and the exuber-
| ance of her feelings. DR.. Newton, for
the most part quiet, was the best COM
panion she could have desired how
could he be anything but enchanted
when he was so silent
Bat Albert in his own mind. was,
while admiring her brllliancy, comparing
her with the gaudy butterfly, the dazzling
flame, the evancsccnt mcteor-al things
beautiful, and yet dangerous or worth
less; he read in her want of heart, of
soul, of meek, quiet wonanly grace, and
would have Us soon dreamed of embracing
the spotted, fiery leopard, as to think Of
loving Essc Hilton. There might be
some proud, passionate sons of men, who
would delight in tanning, curling such a
Wild spirit; not so with Albert, he
behold unmovcd, unscathcd.
Ills revcric was startled by the loud
exclamation Of his companion {. Girls !!
girls what say you to a ride by the
river bank, and passing call at Dove
dale as We come home ~
Delightful!" " Charming !" " The
very thing!' was echoed on all sides :;
and taking q short turn to the left, they
soon came out upon the banks of the
noble Delaware. Majestic stream !!
calmly flowing between banks that were
fringod with green, and studded here and
there with farni-houses and villages !:
only the small fishing or pleasure boat
now clcaving the rpplcs that on, miles
away farther, W ere to spread and increase,
until they bore upon them mighty vessels
from distant lands, and flowing on--on-
past town and city and lonely marsh, at
length were to minglc with the broad
Atlantic waves.
Bright, golden sunset clouds cleaned
before them; the fair, young moon rode
calmly IN the western heavens the
golden light Of the departing god still
flashed on river and On forest the green
leaves g'owed in the gorgeous light !:
the whole party grew silent. VIII, has
not experienced such moments, when
gazing upon the sinking sun, it has
seemed as though the very gate of
Heaven was before our enraptured eyes !:
when we saw the sea Of pure gold, like
unto transparent glass, and thought that
could we but little strain our sight,
we might behold the blessed spirits there
passing to and fro, in their unutterabc
happiness
The road turned from the river and,
winding around the hill, the cavalcade
drew up before sweet Doycdale; always
beautiful, and losing nothing now that
the fading glories Of the sunset shone
upon it. But Albert Newton gazed no
longer on earth or sky he saw at an
upper window fair face, whose eyes
were turned with deep reverence on those
sunset clouds, that even in that one
glance, before the lively voices of her
friends had summoned her below, he had
time to read a worship of all this beauty
and this glory in which he felt full
harmony with his SOULS best nature.
In another moment, Ruth was at the
door, joyous y greeting her companions
and begging them to aight. When Dr..
Newton WAS introduced to her, he had
barely time to notice that her eyes were
of his favorite brown, as she shyly turned
towards him, and then quickly withdrew
with her young friends to the shelter OF
the farmhouse. A few moments more,
and the other members of the family made
their appearance, and by the time tina;
the young ladies bad arranged their
somewhat dishcvclled hair, performed
such other toilet rites as were requisite
to the occasion, and laughingly de-
sccnded the quaint old stair case, DR..
Newton felt himself thoroughly at home.
That was pleasant evening. The
call was prolonged to visit; the moon
light was just sufficient for romance,
glancing through the clustering vines,
and leaving many a dark corner, where
whispering couples might sit, unnoticed
by the larger group, which seated on the
wide porch, shone out in high relief for
| the foreground of the picture. 1t was a
merry time songs were sung, sweet old
songs,
cold songs of love and sorrow,
For their sufficient happiness
Great charm from woe could borrow. -
Ruth was the presiding spirit here
The kindly atmosphere of home was the
scene for her full development she Lad
forgotten the one stranger present, who