The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1859-11-19

sure we could not be seen concea led as we
we've by the window curtains, turned round
Il little to sec her There sat my step mother s
chair, the red fire light playing upon the
young sweet face which had shade of gravity
almost sadness about it. | can see it now. -
Years have passed, but cannot forget that
picture.
She vas wonderously beautiful. Tall and
perfectly graceful, with the tiuicst hands
and feet ever saw, and a small, we'll formed
head, with light brown curls loopcd back
from her forehead. The dark maroon colored
merino that she wore, relieved only by plain
white collar and cuffs heightened the trans
pnlency Of the delicate complexion. Her eyes
were large and gray, with long lashes-
mostened by tear. 1t may have been
The face was almost childish in its perfect
simplicity and purity: but still there was
determination iE the setting of the mouth
and womanly dignity in the open brow ana
withal holy light seemed to beam upon her
couhcnance--a calm and holy light, as
though it might he the reflection from the
wing Of her guardian angel, for it seemed not
Of earth.
She sat a little forward on her chair, one
hand resting on its crimson arm, and the other
playing with the folds Of her dress, looking
earnestly into the fire.
How much longer might have cazcd at
her do not know: but Clifton who had
started up, strobe across the floor, dragging
me after him to her side; then in low
awkard tone. he said -
Il am Clifton, ma am; I'm glad to see
you
| had never before seen my brothcr-who
was rather celebrated for cool rIronteIy-so
t,,r,, iI,l ,I,,,, Il
ment my father returned.
! cannot find them anyWherc.-Oh YOU
are here, are you! Where have YOU been
hiding. sirs {? Clifton. Harold, come and
speak to your mother. What does this mean.
sir g he added, putting his hand heavily on
my shoulder for ! had shrunk back, fright
cncd by his angry look, and thinking how
soon Granny S prophecy seemed coming tue
that our father would not love us any more
he had now wife, lie raised his hand-it
had never been lifted upon me before bat in
Il moment my stcpmothcr had sprung up
with frightened cry, Malcolm And she
was between me and the blow. His hand
dropped at his side, aud the stern look
passed away.
There Edith, take him: You will find
him a sad. naughty boy, I'm afraid, hu! he
will he better with you. | have neglected
them sadly of late
She sat down again, and still keeping her
arm around NE, as it had been raised TO Shield
me, drew me towards her and then. holding
both my hands i'll hers, looked up into my
face.
"And this is Harold, my Youngest she
said, atlectiona ely smoothing back the hair
from my forehead, and pressing soft, warm
l. ilIr I, hnt Co, I,,D Il
haSnt he ? and he must he my pet. fol CHI.
ton is so tall and manly that lie will not Ike
that man
That individual stood with his back to the
table, growing rcdder every moment untll.
in pity Tor his confusion, she turned to me,
and said in a low tone
eve will know and love each other better
soon, Harold"
In two weeks Clifton went away to school,
hut not till he had become perfectly subducd
My Stcp.mothcr treated him with dcfclcnce
that ilattcrcd his boyiSh vanity: and, com.
plctrly forgetting his vow of week before,
he was a. respectable and obcdcnt as posi-
ble-and when he was going, he had to whis.
lie harder to keep b4ck the tears, than when
he parted from Granny. was Of more
obstinate and proud disposition. Thoroughly
best TO find everything wrong in her.
.She tried every ,ittle tender act to win my
affections: the gentle nursing when was
sick the kind interest in my plays, and oc-
cupations, the alfectionate caress and wien
the terrible truth dawned upon her that
wonW nat love her, these were not withdrawn,
but continued with n mOarntul tenderness
that almost conquered me.
| j,Jr.I ia la, bo,
lap, and tell her that did love her, hut pride
came to my aid. Had she not taken my
mothers place? Had not said that would
not love her and would never ca Il her mother?
And would not, and tried to scurn Clifton
for being so easily conquered.
1t was a cold. wet day in January I had
not been we'll. and as my father went out of
the door, my s;ep-mother said PLEASANTLY
We must find amusement in doors. Harold,
for cannot let you go out 10 day"
Only the day before the boys had tainted
me with being ruled by her, because had
quoted her about some triilng matter. now
was good time to show my independence
so replied without looking up, tina. must
90 out for ! had something to do in the barn.
| was going when she called me back.
Harold listen to me-
turned and looked at her. Her eyes were
full Of tears, but the lines about her mouth
were fixed
Now Harold, you must not go out this
morning: | have forbidden it,
My spirit was reused in moment: it was
the first time she had spoken so DECIDEDLY
now was time to show that she was nothing
to me. | whstlcd tune and walked quietly
out of the house aS.far as the barn; then, as
there WAS nothing to interest me there, and
my purpose was accomplished, returned
slowly TO the house.
My step mother was sewing when entered.
Her face was very pale. and grew raler as |
came in She rose Immediately and took my
hand in hers. The grasp Of that little hand
was firm, and there was resolution in every
movement that did not dream Of resisting.
You will come with me, Harold she sa id,
and followed mechanically.
She took me to my room, placed me in q
chair. and then; with the same calm. digni-
fed step, she went out and locked the door.
was so overcome with establishment that
| made no resistance. That she, so Young
and beautiful, almost timid in her gentlcncss,
should have taken such decisive measures,
was to me perfectly unaccounablt She had
never before directly commanded or forbid
den me to do any thing. She had seemed to
try and win my love, not my obedience but
now she had taken an entirely different course.
she had eXerted an authority over me which
| had forgotten she could claim, and shown
a spirit for which was unprepared.
At first | was angry. Visions Of the cruel
ct at, r,ni hrr oar, Hn.tinp hnC