The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1865-12-23

WIS dSltcd'iy sui p'l>'u W hHu ''' nv"
neither so savage or inaccessible as he had
been represented to me. He had a painful
chronic disorder his manner was brusque,
and his voice often harsh, but he could soften,
and | was able to give him relief from pain,
for which he repaid me by gracious recep-
ton.
Christmas was drawing near, and | had
resolved to lay my heart before Lillian, and
ask her to be my wife. | was heir to con
siderable property left by my father. had
a good practice, pleasant home, and could
offer her the pure love of young heart, so I
was not without hope, especially as | could
see the flush deepen on her check, and
glad light spring to her blue eyes whenever
was announced. She wore mourning, and |
often longed to question her about the loss it
implied, but our private interviews were very
brief, and but seldom occurred, and she neter
spoke of her sorrow. |, too, had a story to
tell OF course, if she became my Wife, she
must hear about Trot.
1t was the day before Christmas, and the
snow was smooth and hard round Hopedale:
so venturcd to propose sleighridc mean
ing to open my heart to her as we drove
She accepted my proposal readily, and we
were soon on our way Somehow there fell
II long silence between US; longing but
not daring to speak, my eyes fixed upon that
lovely face framed in its pretty fur-bound
hood, the eyes looking down, the sweet
mouth set with sadder expression than
had ever seen it wear. Suddenly she spoke:
81 expect my parents, brothers, and sis
tiers here tomorrow.
"For Christmas gayetes? % questioned.
No, to escape them. They ore coming
here to pass the day quietly, far away from
any festivty. 1t is a sad day for us. Doc
tor, do you believe in broken heart ?'
Yes, know they exist"
"And are fatal ~
Sometimes have seen heavy sorrow
drain away life"
"My poor sister, she said, sadly, her
eyes filling with tears, " fear her heart is
broken" And after pause she said: "a
year ago-a year ago-poor little Trot.'
"Trot!" | cried, breathlessly.
Ny sisters only child, who died on
| Christmas day last year.
Died?'' | said, my hopes sinking.
Burnt to death y she said, sadly. eve
had had a Christmas tree for the children in
the nursery. My sister had been widow
only three months, so we had no holiday
gathering, but we dressed a tree for the lit
tie ones and lighted it on Christmas Eve
The next morning they, the children. we
mean, We're all in the nursery, and we sup
pose one of them tried to light the tree
Certain it is that they set the room on fire,
and before we could save anything the whole
house was in flames. All escaped but my
sisters child, her only one; he persisted in
the fire"
" Are yon certain p
"Where else could he be? My two little
brothers and my sister were saved with diff
Guilty. and the roof fell in while we were all
searching and calling for Arthur or, as we
always called him, Trot. My sisters health
gave way entirely under this blow. She had
concentrated all the strength of her love
upon this child after her husband died, and
the loss Frustrated her utterly. We took
her to Europe; we have had the best advice
for her, but she is slowly dying of broken
heart
1T is from no impcrtncnt curiosity"
said "that question you. Will you an.
swer my inquiries?' ~
We were speeding over the frozen ground
toward my home, az she answered.
Certainly"
"This little child-had he pet name fol
your
"Yes my home name. They all call IN,
Daisy, and be called me Aunt Daisy ~
"And your sisters names are Mary ant
Sue, your brothers Walter and Baby" -
Yes, yes" she said, turning very pale.
And Trot's nurse Ellen, did she 20 tt
Australia ?'
AYES, year ago last fall. Your face il
radiant Speak quickly-our lost boy"
We were at my door; her face was ash,
white with emotion, but she obeyed my mo
ton, and let me lead her from the sleigh t.
my office. / made her sit down, and began
to explain, when" Uncle Charley's come
Uncle Charley" rang out from my pet
voice. and Trot burst into the room. Lillian
rose to her feet with a wild cry of "Trot
| Arthur! darling! !"
0 For moment he stoodHewildcred then
sudden rush of memory came over the child
, ish heart, and he sprang into her arms.
"Aunt Daisy Where sImamma wan
A mamma! Quick quick Uncle Charley
y. Aunt Daisy, take me to mammal"
For nearly three hours we sat in the it'll
+; Office before Lillian could tear herself ava
/ from the child, but at last she let me tax
$ her to the sleigh, consoling Trot by prom
y Use that tomorrow he should see his mother
= | left the disclosures to her womanly tact
c But, on the morrow, when drove over wit
C the child dressed in his black velvet suit
t altered to fit him by Mrs. Watson's tremt
# ling fingers, and moistened am sure b
n many tears, found all prepared for tn
d great Joy.
Il Such Christmas never dawned for me
To tell of the gratitude of the pale widow
a the joy of the grand parents, the boisterou
n | greetings between the children is beyond th