The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1860-12-08

| n M just as lie was opening MS lips to
assure Miss Lily that he was ready to
take the precious gift to his arms then
and there, without any unnecessary
delay, the door opened and in walked
Jones.
Mark was not at all cannibalstic in
his propensities, but then he could have
eaten Jones up with uncommon pleasure.
And there the fellow sat, pulling his
long moustache and talking the most in
sipicnt twaddle-sat and sat, until Mark
rose in despair to go. Even then he
had no opportunity to exchange private
word with Lily.
"You'l! not forget"
ooh, I'll be sure to remember" said
she, smilingly, and half wondering at
that unusual pressure he gave her hand.
I" Ladies often do provide their bachelor
friends So"
Mark went home, the happiest individ-
nal that ever trod New York pave
ment. Indeed so great was his felicity
that he INDUCED in various gymnastic
capcrs indicative of bliss, and only paus-
ed in them at the grutf caution of a
policeman, who probably had forgotten
his own counting days
"Come, young man, what are you
about 7"
"Was there ever more delicate way
of assuring me of her favorable consider
alton! Was there ever more feminine
admission of her sentiments Of course
she will come herself-an angel, an
angel, breathing airs from Paradise-ob !.
the delicious words Wonder in what
ncighborhood she would like me to en-
gage residence Chow soon would it be
best to name the day Oh if should
awake and find it all Il blissful dream 70
Early next morning, Mr.. Thornbroke
set brskly to work, rghting up things
How he swept and scoured-the room
was aired to get rid of the tobacco
smoke and sprinkled with cologne, and
bcautltied generally. And at length,
when the dust was all swept into cor
ncr, and covered bya carelessly C) dis
posed newspaper, he found the window
glass murky. and polished it with such
vengeance that his fist, handkerchief and
all, went through, sorcly damaging, and
nccessitating the ungraceful accessory
Of an old hat to keep out the wiutry
blast for the time being. However,
even this mishap didn't dampen his
spirits, for was not Lilly coming!
Long and YEARLY he waited, yet no
tinkle at the bell gave warning of her
approach. cts all her sweet, feminine
modcsty,' thought he and was content.
At length there was an appeal below,
and Marks heart jumped into his mouth
beating like a reyeille drum. He rush
ed to the door, but there was no one but
a little grinning boy with box.
"Miss Raymond's compliments, and
here's dc housewife, SIR"
"The housewife, you little imp of
Erebus"
eyes sir, in box, all right"
Mark skunk back into his room, and
opened the box, half expecting to see a
full dressed young lady issue from it a
Ia Arabian Nights; but no it was only a
little blue velvet book, and full of odd
compartments in azure silk containing
tape, needles, scissors, silk, thimble and
all the nice little workable accessories.
"And she calls this housewife"
groaned Mark, in ncffable bitterness of
spirit at the downfall of his bri ght
visions. But won't be put off So"
Desperation gave him courage, and
he HE'D to the Raymond mansion, deter
mined to settle the matter if they were
forty Joncscs and Esthcrs there.
But Lillian was alone, singing at her
embroidery in a sunshiny window case
ment.
"Dcar me, Mr.. Thornbrokc, is any
thing the matter!''
Perhaps it was the shadow from the
splendid crimson cactus plumes i'll the
window that gave her checks such a del
icate glow-rerhaps--but We have no
right to speculate.
eyes"
And Mark sat down BY her side, and
took the trembling, futtering hand.
"iou sent he a housewife, this morn
ing"
"Wasn't it right ?" faltered Lillian.
alt wasn't the kind [ wanted at all.
"Not the kind you wanted"
"No; lprefer a living one, and !
come to see if could change it.
want one with brown hair and eyes
something in short, Miss Lillian, just
your pattern Can't l have it 90
Lily turned white and then red
smiled, then burst into tears, and tried
to draw away her hand, but Mark held
it fast.
"No, no, dear Lily first tell me if
can have the treasure ask for!''
eyes," she said, with the prettiest
confusion in the world and then, in
stead ofrcleasing the captive hand, the
unreasonable fellow took possession OF
the other too. But as Lilly did not
object, we suppose it was all right.
And that was the odd path by which
Mark Thornbrokc divergcd from the
path of old bachelorhood, and stepped
into the respectable ranks Of matrimo-
ny.
SHEEP MANURE. Very frequently in