The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1868-10-24
THE MISTNKE.
A LOVE STORY OF EVERY YEAR.

SlSahtic run morse came 10 4 dlSnlilcu pauS
beside the little Gothic building known a
Mllbrook "a pretty edifice half hidden
among leaning willows whose green bough
fioated on the surface of the quiet stream
ripping away towards the woods beyond.
David Creswich had been watching 70
Mllbrook Station during the last half hour
it seemed as if the carriages had never NOV
ed so slowly, and yet the other passenger
might have borne witness that the train hac
Numbered through the quiet country witt
lightning speed. But then David Creswicl
months of weary absence, and that made al
the difference in the world
Milbrook looked very lonely in the orang,
light of the mellow sunset, with its white
church spires rising up among the elms, ant
the blue wreaths of smoke circling abov,
the woods, as David Creswich stood an in
slant on the platform, drinking the clover
scented air into his lungs as one might quaf
a draught of beaded champagne.
Home again." he murmured under hi.
breath, as he turned to walk up the shady
country road into region of lovely sylvan
meadows and orchards bending beneath thei
weight of emerald green fruit. Well, i
is like entering into another existence tc
breathe the fragrance Of sweet fern and new
mown hay, after three months spent anon.
the dust and gas pipes of the city. Don't
remember how used to sigh after London
and fancy it was like some enchanted city a:
l read of in the Arabian Nights There.
nothing like stern experience for scattering
such decisions to the four winds. That wa.
ten years ago, and things wear different
aspect to my eyes now.
He sighed little as he walked on. un
consciously treading the silver daisies under
his feet.
David Creswich was tall and strongl,
built with pleasant blue eyes and auburl
hair that rippled into wavy curls over Iii:
frank, open forehead-a man whom yor
could scarcely look at without liking-whl
carried letter of introduction in his yer,
face. And as he strobe along, passing
through the alternate floods of sunset fgh
and moving wells of shadow that lay along
the velvet grass of the country lane, he
smiled to himself without being aware O
the smile.
"Philippa be glad to see me of course =
was the thought that hoateI uppcrmost ii
his mind. " Dear little Philippa! | won
der if she has thought of me half as Often
as have dreamed about her | suppose sh,
is leaning over the gate and expecting m,
now, for she must undoubtedly have heard
the whistle. Will she be pleased with tn,
little garnet ring have brought her to veal
in token of our engagement? | think sh,
will like it, if only for my sake If it were
diamonds now, flashing like her own Lowell,
eyes, instead of commonplace garnet!
can't help wishing | We're rich, to load m,
beauty with sparkling stones and shining
silks. Never mind, Davy Creswich, you ar,
only junior clerk, bat with patience and
perseverance your time will yet come"
His face Unfortunately frightened, the next
moment, as a turn in the road brought Him
within sight Of pretty little white cottage
guarded by crimson holly hooks, with its
old fashioned windows all ilumincd BY the
glimmer Of sunset, and its wealth of clematis
dropping in fragrant fes;oous around the
pillars of the wide porch.
Philippa May was standing at the gate
he saw that with one quick, instructive
glance but she was not alone, and he rather
fancied she was not watching for him.
There was not pretter creature in all
the village of Miibrook than this same little
Philippa May. Slight, but perfectly mould
ed, with melting black eyes and shining,
silky tresses of raven dark hair, there was a
Spanish splendor in the type of her beauty.
Her skin, soft and fine grained as velvet, was
of rich olive tint, with crimson lights burn
ing on either cheek, and the daintest little
dimple came and went: perpctually provok.
ing, on her round chin, whenever the rosy
lips broke into smiles. And as she stood
there, with her pink muslin dress softly hut-
tering in the breeze, David Creswich, albeit
not of particularly romantic nature, could
think of nothing on earth but living, breath.
ing fower-a blossom suddenly become in.
stnct with humanity.
The dashing young officer who was leaning
on the fence post beside her lcl; a very diff.
ferent sort Of impression on David Cres-
wich's mind. He was very handsome GER
tainly, with curly brown hair and bold dark
eyes, and the gold epaulettes were undoubt-
eddy very becoming to his Corsair style of
beauty, but David conceived an instanta-
neous dislike toward him, nevertheless
Perhaps it might have been the secret in
stinct of jealousy gnawing at his heart-men
will be so unreasonable wherever the little
blind god is concerned.
Philippa looked up, half smiling and col
oring at some whispered remark of her COM
panion, as David Creswich approached.
"Philippa."
She raised her jetty eyebrows a little, and
instead of putting up her red lips to give
him the expected kiss Of greeting, extended
one little hand.
"Good evening, Mr.. Creswich. Allow
me to introduce Captain Danesford'
The two men looked vindictively at each
other for an instant, and then bowed.
philippe" whispered David, somewhat
reproachfully, while the captain played care
lessly with his watch and chain, ''did you
not know l was coming to Milbrook to-
night?'
"Of course did," responded Miss May,
little petulantly.
81 would rather have met you here alone,
my dearest.
Greatly" said Philippa, drawing her lit.
tie figure up rather hautily, 81 don't recog-
nize your right to dictate to me as to ha,
society l shall choose, Mr.. Creswich."
David looked panied, and gu ok flush
rose to his forehead. He hesitated mo.
ment and then spoke again.
Philippa, can have word with your
"A dozen if you like. Captain Danes,
ford, will you go in and find that volume Of
poems We were talking of? l will join you
in half minute"
The dashing young officer glanced from