The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1866-11-24

Presently, through ltS Silence, htr voice
| broke clear, rich, and strong, rising in waves
up the impassioned heights OF the melody,
and then flowing softly and tenderly, like
smooth dream.
ooh, if YOU would only sing it with her.
Fran" whispered Iiclen. Your tenor is
| 80 rich"
81 should spoil it," he answered shaking
his head.
mo, no, let me speak to her!'
She sprang onward and softly whispered
few words in Miss Westburn's car as she
ceased singing.
"Your cousin p said the lady, in answer,
her face lighting as she glanced toward him.
Indeed, should be very happy
IL wish you wouldn't urge this, Helen"
put in Mrs. Page. I'm afraid Fran viii!
over.exert himself
''Just one song, auu,y, jus: one. Come,
Cousin Fran
Oh, how conscious, how terribly conscious
was he Of his misfortune at that momen,!--
Never before had he so dreaded to have the
defect in his form noticed and commented
upon. 4 sharp psng shot through his gentle
heart Why was he SO cursed2 what had he
done? what wickedness committed. that he
should be singled out from other men by
this wretched curse Of dcformity, robbed OF
the love-
Come, Franz said Helen.
Yes"
He arose and offered her his arm, ard
they went to the piano together. Ths was
the beginning of Miss Westburn's and fran's
acquaintance. They seemed to understand
each other as they sang that night. Through
the sweet melody of their voices, which
mingled 30 beautifully. unmarried by the
faintest diacord. undivided by the first bleni-
ISL, a sweet, subtle knowledge ran, and they
understood each other heart to heart.
curling.
Poor Fran" sighed Mrs Page, III her
ueicc's ear.
But Helen only ssd,-
beautiful. beautiful aud wiped her
eyes with her lace handkerchisaf
Two months passed away, and it Was ru.
morcd about that it was tough, ii desperate
Irritation between Mr.. Woodbury. aud Miss
Wcstburn; that they were both tirts OF half.
a.dozcn seasons, and had broken NOR. hearts
than they would ever see years.
The report reached Miss Westburns ears
one day, as she sat in the par!or.
''I'm sure you don't act like a colnottc,'
said the gossiper, little, fair faced, unso.
phiSticated creature.
"Don'tI? -
"No, Pm sure you don't, and I'm sure
don: believe yon are getting /" love with
Mr.. Woodbury."
"Indeed!" said Eleanor, slightly coloring
as she raised her eyes and saw Fran seated
by the window.
MAY I tell you something that l heard
| this morning.
''It you wish it. ! have no choice"
"Well. Kitty Burr said that she heard Mr..
Woodbury. telling Mr.. Harris as they were
walking one night, that you hadn'; any en-
ergy, that you didn't choose well in your
Subjects and that you had set yourself on
Fran. poor Francis '
"Silence How dare you como to me
with such q miserable story" Eleanor,
springing up with flashing eyes. See
She gave one quick glance towards Francis,
who sat as'if frozen. his white even, teeth
crushed down upon his pale lip.
~ didn't know didn't see I'm sure"
said the girl, half:crying as she moved to.
wards the door. "fm sorry
For moment Eleanor walked up and
down the room, her face flushed and angry.
Not once did Fran glance towards her.
You know me better than this, she said,
psusing before him, while her eyes filled
with tears. ST | thought YOU did not" abe
went on hurricdly, II would leave this house
this moment, and never look upon you
again.
He looked up into her face with his great,
sad eyes.
Let me ask you now to shut your ears to
what you hear; to believe that am not
heartless and not false; that would sooner
die than wound you, or cause yon moments
pain-will you believe this -
She held out her hand as she spoke. He
csugh, it and pressed II to his lips At that
moment Mr.. Woodbury. stepped inside the
door.
"Ah, excuse me-" he said, beating re.
| treat. {" was not aware that | should he
in,ruding."
Eleanor turned nbou, her face changing
instantly in il expression.
~ Oh ere not iu,ruding,' she said, haugh.
tily, Please walk in and be seated"
She resumed her needle work without
another word, and without seeming to notice
that he had taken scos close beside her
upon the sofa.
II, would be Il splendid dar for that ram.
be that We more thsn half decided upou
last evening be sail.
She bowed
The morning is cool, irrah aud sweet"
Another bow.
At any other time Mr.. Woodbury. would
have left the room without another word.
Int utter the little tahlesu which be bad Just
Witnessed, ha did rot dccm this the most
advisable thing to do.
Shall ~e so?" be asked.
IF you please, yea sba auewcrel
| promptly, rising aS she sroAe.
"Alons7" 90 qucried.
''By all mcaus.
| In bis sclfcuucet this was enough. lie
! did not stop to notice that her liz cur!ed
| scornfully ss .ho spoke, or that irym the
! depth Of her dark eyes ali augry contempt
famed up ~hen be addressed her. They
were going, aud a!opc! This was what he
thought Of, aud THO was her CHOICE, better
than all. They rambed OF through the
valleys, and Out acroos the fields together,
Mr.. Woodbury. and Miss W,stburp. Fran
went up to bis room and watched them until
they disappeared in the distance, aud then
seated himself by his opeu window, aud
dropped bis face upon bi; bands. Hours
went by, aud bs did not mo"e from that 20.
sition.
: "W'hy hadn't shut myself AWAY from
| sight, hidden my face aud unsightly figure
from, the gaze Of every human eyc?' be
nurmered to hulscf. ''Wby did not hee
! like cursed, guilty thing. when my eyes
frs. fell upon her face, and felt aud kuew
! uh.i ,,,ulA enfn, IN uInf ri unX she