The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1858-12-25

calmly as | could.
Lady Frances glanced up with a start,
and turned very pale. Niles Henry gave
u careless look, then long, surprised
glance, and with detcrcntial manner half
rose in his seat, to the discontinue of
his lady mother, who ran the point of IA
needle into her finger. She looked
about to see what had made the com
motion, and the instant she saw Alice
her color changed. She turned to me
saying, in a stern way, Is that your
niece, Lonisa -
I" 1T is, my lady," was my calm reply.
Have you anything for her to do, Lady
Traces -
"l believe not now," she answered,
confusedly, the color deepening on her
checks, while Niles Henry regarded first
Inc, then Alice.
felt for Alice, whose bushes hcigh-
tened her beauty, and said, D." Perhaps,
you will need her another time" So,
rising quietly, bcckoned my niece from
the room, and explained the matter to
her. She was at first indignant, then
she laughed heartily ; and afterwards
asked, her manner growing quite serious,
"Who was that handsome young man -
That chill came as she spoke, the
same one | had felt before. | replied,
That is the son Of Lady Beatrice. l
expect he will marry that titled lady,
who sat by the window"
CON- She grew quite grave, then
said as if speaking to herself, " Well,
he IS mob o41141lem an -
That evening we saw them all drive
away from the house. Alice was in
raptures. Every time the family left, |
allowed her to 60 down and play upon
the grand piano. She enjoyed such
privileges exceedingly, so did I. Lady
Frances was said to be an exquisite per-
former = but | did not feel such wild and
novel emotions, whenever | listened to
her, as the simple strains of Alice always
called forth. Besides, she improviscd,
both words and music and, under the
cnchantmcnt of inspiration, her beauty
seemed positively splendid. We ad-
journcd to the music-room, | pondcred
upon what Niles Henry had said, as he
met lie an hour after Alice left the
room.
"Who was that angelic being you
called Alice %
"Alicc, sir, is my MECCA poor de-
pendant orphan girl, and no angel, Mr..
paulson,' L said, with meaning in my
look.
lie blushcd little. "But why have
| not seen her before % he asked.
Because | chose you should not, and
have been very cautious,' | replied
" My apartments are entirely separated
from those of your lady mother"
lie said nothing more, but went on his
way.
Alice sat down to tho piano forte, and
her eager fingers were soon busy with
the great piles of musc-throwing this
aside, adopting that-and then the grand
shower of sweet sounds fell. She sang
like bird. The noble instrument seem
cd to answer her every wish, obey every
sportive fancy, and l listened, wrapped
i'll admiration and wonder, whcn CHANGING
to turn my head i'll an opposite direction,
| saw to my CONSERVATION, Niles Henry
standing at the door, hat in hand, his
lips parted, his look entranccd, his
shining eyes dlatcd, and bent upon the
face Of my fair niece, and there was an
indie scribablc expression in their depths.
"Alice,' | said, with rapid GESTURE
IrAlice no more,'
"Oh no. don't stop! Play on
play on" exclaimed Niles Henry, gliding
in and past me, and stationing himself
at the piano. i" Play again, will you
Sing again-anothcr sweet ballad,
entrcat YOU"
For an instant, she seemed confused
but moment after, she smiled artlessly
in his face. She could not have done a
more dangerous thing that pure smile
and her sweet voice won his heart. As
for me, l trenibled from head to foot
There was no installing the intense
rapt, admiration with which he looked
and listencd-thc delighted wonder witt
which he contemplated every motion she
made. 1t did seem as if some bewitch.
ing spirit possessed her: for she capt..
waited me anew; but still | trenIbled.
could not answer for the consequence:
Of these meetings. I knew that Nile.
Henry had seemed attached to Lady
Frances, and that the heart of Lady
Beatrice was set upon the union.
trembled for Niles, but more for Alice
o, how many resolves did now make
| would wait no longer for a situation
for Alice, but board her out in somC
good family, where the hope of thi'
proud house should not find her, where
she should not be subjected to thu
scrutiny of those who hated her, because
she was good and beautiful.
1t was nearly an hour before the young
man left the MUSHROOM. lie had re-
turned on an errand for the Lady Frances
as had suspected. What would sh'
have said, had she known of this inter.
view
CHAPTER V.
The Anger of Lady Beatrice.
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