The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1859-12-31

though often urged to do SO. Mrs.
RatEhurn had never seen her.
Thus Mrs. Rathburn reasoned and
she determined that either Edith Or Eva
should be the future heircss.
Great were the preparations made for
the expected gucsts--for Mrs. Lothrop's
nephew, Mr.. Kirkwood, was to accompany
her, and many the hints given to Edith
aud Eva concerning their bearing to both
for Mrs. Rathburn had her designs on
both aunt and nephew.
From childhood Annie had heard of
Mrs. Lothrop. She had been charmed
with the various stories told Of her great
heartedncss and ecceutricity, and cher
ishcd the most exalted opinion Of her
character; but much as she would have
liked to see and know her under other
circumstances, the knowledge Of her step
mothers designs made her approhend
that the visit would be productive Of too
much unhappiness and modification to
herself, in her stcp-mothor's fear that
she might fnd favor in the eyes Of her
|
Slowly, therefore, she assembled the
steps. The trunks yet in the hall, the
unusual hustle that prevailed, and con-
fused murmurng Of voices, admonishcd
her that the expected guests had arrived.
When she entered the parIor, short
time after, Mrs. Rathburn said, /" ibis is
Annic," in tone that told her at once
she had bccn the subject OF previous con-
yersation-and she knew full well that
whatever her stcp-nolhcr might have
had to say about herself, cou! d not have
been to her Advantage.
The rare smile seldom seen on Annie 5
face, which had lighted it at the antic-
patton Of seeing her fathers friend, faded
away at this something in her mother
tone but still, with more cordiality
than she was wont to show, she advanced
to the lady. What was her astonish-
ment, when she perceived her to be the
stranger who had accostcd her in the
street. With start, and 4 bright
smile Of recognition, she held out hen
hand. With modification she saw lat
the lady did not OF would not recognise
her. Ter hand Was just touched, not
taken, and brief inquiry made after hcr
health, in busincss-Iiko tone, to which
Annie, instantly rclapsing into even
more lhan her usual iciness Of manner.
replied laconically, almost haughtily.-
Her step-mo;hcr's glance sought Mrs.
I.othrop with an EXPRESSION which said
(" You see it is us | told YOU"
Annie was chen named TO the elegant
and distinguished looking stranger, con-
vcrSing with Edith Hartley in the bay
window, and who was 50 cngrosscd with
his fair companion, he barely gave her 4
bow, scarcely glance.
Mrs. Hathbum was delighted at
Apnio's cool reception from Mrs 10th
rop, SO different from Edith's and Eya's
had been. She did not reject that these
young ladies', acting according to her in
structions, had given the lady no choice
but had received her with much rapturc&
and overwhelmed her with 50 many at
tcnticns and carcsscs, that she could not
have rcpulscd them without absolute
rUdcncss. Bat Mrs. Lortlmop did not
consider this, and congratulated hers Ell
that her hints regarding Annie I.ai SC
marked an effect.
Annie was not mistaken in her aNprc.
hcns!on Of annoyauccs and notifications
they were, indeed, innumcyab!e. Sh,
never opposed words to Injustice, or con-
descended to explanations. When ;
child, goadcd at times beyond her quick
warm temper to bear, she would give
way to the most violent paroXysns o
tears and passion but that was long
ago, and She had had beth time and op.
Iportunily to learn command OF tongue
and temper: thcrcforc.sAc endured thc
taunts and sarcasns, apparently bidder
from others by their clothing Of Smile.
and kindrcss-thc wrong construction
put upon her words, and the false motive.
ascribcd to her actions, silently and with
all lmuoyablc countcnancc and when
at last, she took refuge with Willie tn,
greater part Of the time, Mrs Raihburn
with painted air, Is hoped Mrs. Lothrol
would excuse poor, dear Annie's incivli.
ty IN ncglcctlng to render the attentions
due to her, aud the unnecessary ahsenime
OF herself from her presence. She ha,
vcnturcd to hope that Annie would al
least treat with respect 50 dear frlemc
as her fathers. As for affection, she
had long since dcspaired of her feeling
that for any one indeed she seemed t,
be without heart or fccling--shc caret
for no living thing, but herself. No on,
could tell the grief and trooblc she hac
caused hcr--So different from her Other
children, with their aiiectionatc ans
uusclsh dispositions, who would do al
they could to repair Annc's neglect
they themselves were obliged to hear ;
great from her.
AS Mrs. Lothrop listcnded to this anc
other like remarks with attention and il
silence, Mrs. Rathburn became sure o
her sympathy, and grew less guarded il
her manner of speaking to and Of Annie
GRO BE CONTINUED
na,.=axsS-s=rss1Sss-ar,
t~J@Thc shores Of the lake fitlcaca, in PERI
IL 7On feet above the level Of the sea mr.
en- lo>cl by thick forest Of a beautiful rush