Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1865-01-12

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her proud eycs aevor soften-l, nor her rich
voice trcmblca whca sac spoke to him. She
maintained toward hin, n sort of quecnly,
high bred reserve, which he neyor attempted
to overcome.
Frank Ashcroft arrived only two duys shcr
Margaret
The game began directly. For once it was
plain to sec, Ashcroft wss in earnest If he
did not marry Mis-, Wellington it would be
through no lack Of effort on bis part.
She kept all her feelings out of sight.
Whatever she felt, it made no change in the
brilliant rest and puict of her manner.
Day by day Ashcroft was by her side; her
companion in rides, walks, excursions her
most devoted cavalier constantly
Once she particularly noticed Horace Gran
Vile 1t was fine Scpscn'ber weather, and
tha whole party were sitting out on the yc-
randall. Miss Wellington was cmbroidcring
some fanciful desith on scarf of crimson
Thibet. Ashcroft was sitting beside her,
ready scraps Of Lady Geraldihe's Courlshp.
He put down the book and took up an end
Of the scarf The movement made her hand
slip, ahd the sharp point of the tiny needle
she was using entered her finger. She made
II hasty effort to pull it out; aud broke of the
point in the flesh.
Ashcroft uttered NJ exclamation of dismsy,
snd wculd have taken her hand.
rcrmi: me Miss Wellington, &as the
unfortunate carsc~--allcw ,re to do AL that
can toward repairing the misshct"
She turned away ffd,a him slowly and laid
her hand into The cu hand of Lieut., Gran
vile,
viii you obigc lnc = she snii,
=" Indecd-=,bnt he hus only one htnd,S be-
gan Ashcroft,
She checked him with look, and then,
for moment, her eyes met Granrillc's Both
gainel little oclo- both looked away in
stantly.
lie looked at the bleeding fngcr-took on.
his pocket knife--cut the flesh quickly, with
not so much as single word of sympathy,
and extracted the steel
She bowed in acknowledgement, folded AZ
her work, and retired
Shortly af,crYara Granville saw the geatn
of her wlitc ..FusS Hmong the shrubbery at
the foot of the garden-she had goAc to walk
with Mr.. Ashcroft.
The month passed santly--swifly.
Only those hours seem long which are given
to sadness.
On Saturday, Horace Granville was to re.
turn to New York His WOUND disabled him
for service, but be had the offer of lucrative
position in the War Office at Washington, and
would probably accept He WAS without for
tune his only income would be lis pension
question.
His expected departure was mentioned
amoHg thc guests at Kaiusfcrl. MI We're
rrJfu5a in their eScamations Of regret All
xsc,, Miss Wellington, She politely sap.
pressed yswn, and challenged Mr Ashcroft
t, game Of rawns. She was fired of chess
md music, on = night wien the crickcts were
50 jubiian!, would be out of place.
Ashcroft consented readily, but only on ons
condition, he said.
Miss Wellington Was too proud to rcccdc
from the arrangement.
/" Nanc your proposition" she said, coldly.
at is this: l pledge myself to perform
whatever forfeit you may inaict upon me
and l require The same from YOU
His dark eyes, expressing SO mocl moro
than his words, searched her face. Shs knew
that he meant put her to some test. She
hcsitatcd. He laughed tauntingly.
Miss Wellington, you are the last oiie
whom l would have believed would have
shown .le white feather
She lifted her syes-=-c0ld. proud, thread
able as those Of the Sphinx.
Il make the promise readily, temetnbcrr
ing that you arc gentleman"
He flushed hotly.
II will not forget ths. csaim to be-"
The company seated themselves. TIE
game entered upon was the weN EH0.ti one
of I" Couplcts.' The first player furnished a
l}ne Of poetry to be matched, or rhymea, by
the next player, and so on. Failing to make
the requisite rhyme, the delinquent must pry
Forfeit.
Mr.. Ashcroft sat nest to Margaret AS
shc had expected, he sa7c out a line the last
word Of skich Is was impossible to match
She made no stteinpt TO do SO, bat merely
said,
"WeIf Mr.: aslcrof. -
"Shull say on p
She grew little pale--set her tceth-and
answered bim, in cool, even voice.
Eyes, you may 60 on"
"And you promise to perform!"
Z" have promised
Every well then" He leaned Owe. and
whispered in her ear-the words were totally
inaudible to the others, but Miss WcNingto,
heard item Distinctly KISS Vie taafY yot:
love best"
SIZE Redeemed visib!S, and lots Of pain