The Cecil Whig., 1858-03-06
1l)arlliill9 isonlollcr.
From Blackwoon's Magazine
,se Girls at the Dolphin.


gle seemed to look aud talk to nobody
put him.
4 They went to church together, and
gNaomi took Ilarrv's arm. He was
4 about to offer it to Phoebe, sut Naomi
seized it and marched off with him in
triumph. Gerard took Phoebe. aud sat
wth'her in the family pew. Harry sat
next to him, and Naomi outside. 1t
seemed to be prcconcerted arrange
ncnt that she should not set next to
Gerard, and the consequence was, that
his mind went rambling. lie held his
book upside down twice, and let it fall
four times. Once Phoebe pinchcd him,
being at the same moment iuwardly con-
yulsed with silent laughter and he
discovered himself, while the sermon
which happened to be rather a prosy
one, mumbled by an elderly divine
was going on engaged in the act Of
whistling, with the most pla,ntiyo pa
thos, Mary, believed thee true !'-
a performance which greatly scandiliscd
some Of the very vincgary serious old
maids in the vicinity, who in speaking of
it afterwards, tossed their heads, and
said, " However, they ought not to be
surprised. at anything tha+ came from
those girls at the Dolphin !"
During that afternoon Gerard contri-
ycG TO have littlc talk with Naomi.
llc thought she looked upon him kindly,
but yet with reserve.
'' see how it is,' lie thought :" she
remembers how fond we were of each
othcr-that Is, how dotted on her
when We were boy and girl together,
and promised to be constant in that love.
| have been. She did not know her own
mind until this confounded Harry came
with his darned good looks and now
she's afraid to be free and pleased with
INC, for fear that | should think that
She still loves me-
Once or twice his arm-he couldn't
help it, poor fellow stole round her
waist. Each time he did so she turned,
and looked him in the eyes. She was,
certainly, not angry, but it was sor! Of
inquiring look, which seemed to him to
ask what he meant by thus proceeding
and, though the contact had been mex
prcssibly delicious, he let his arm fall,
and drew it away. Incidentally, too,
while talking, his hand fell en hers, and
the thrill Of ccstacy which went up
the sleeve of his coat to the left side OF
his waistcoat, it would not be possible
to conycy.-IIc fancicd there was a
softer look than usual in her eyes, as
they looked into his, and he almost ina
gucd there was trcmulous movement
of her eyelids but this foolish conceit
was knocked at once out ofhim, by ilar-
ry addressing her with tender speech,
to which she, laughing, returned an
equally tender reply, and, at the same
time, hastily snatchcd her hand away
from his, and his heart went down in his
very boots.
That evening Martin Dacre contrivcd
to do without the service of the girls,
and the two young men took them out
for 4 walk; but, as before, Naomi walked
with that provoking Harry Villiers, and
seemed to enjoy his company in the most
annoyingly unbecoming and offensive
manner. Not that she laughed louder,
on talked more than at any other time,
but she seemed to be so comfortable
with him, that every look or movement
of hers, as point of affection to Harry,
acted like mortal stabs upon the heart
of poor Gerard, who began to look quite
Woe begone, although he stroye to be
hilarious with Phoebe.
AS they passed tn ough field of tall
waving corn, towards a plantation at
some short distance off, Phoebe said to
Gel ard, " Naomi has grown nice girl
since you were here Gerard, hasn't
she z"
Gerard's heart trombled on his lips.
"Shc is perfectly lovely !" he said.
Isn't she :" replied Phoebe, with a
gaze of admiration at her sisters slight
form. so all the young men say that
come to the Dolphin ~ she added.
Gerard groancd.
lie cast his eyes on " that " Harry
"Ipresume," he said, /" she Is engag-
edF
Phoebe looked in the same direction,
too then she turned her eyes upon him
archly, and, said 'Well, may say no
and may say yes.-At all events, if she
is not quite engaged, there are, to re,
pretty strong signs that she very soon
will bc''
And she burst into merry laugh as
she concluded.
Gerard laughed, too, but it was not
with pleasure.
Harry turned his head round as he
heard the ringing laugh, and he stop
ped.
"Come, come," said he, "you two
seem precious jolly together. should
like to have little jollity placed to my
account !"
"Selish beast thought Gerard.
"Here," continued Harry, withdraw
ing the arm of Naomi from his, and
handing her over to &c ard" here,
Mr.. Earle, just take care of dear little
Naomi, will you. ] just want to have
a little advice from Phoebe :"
advice !" laughed Phoebe. ! should
like to see you take advice from me.
Naomi is your adviser general; don't let
me take her Office away
awe will confer, if you please,
Phebe.-None Of your nonsense with
ne You know | won't stand that,'