The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1870-01-08
Cupid in Disguise.
" ONLY A CONDUCTOR"


"oh 1 beg pardon !'' replied the young
lady addressed, with start, opening her
port-monnaie and extracting therefrom the
desired sum.
A smile wreathed tho handsome face OF
the young conductor, although the finely
chiseled lips scarcely stirred. For the
naughty Maud Darrell to thus unbend
was something unprecedented. She caught
his amused expression, and vivid scarlet
tinged her cheek, as elevating her stately
head, she strove to resume the train of
thought he had interrupted but, it was a
futile undertaking. The physiognomieal
developments of nondescript parsonage
opposite had lost their interest Whether
or no intellect formed any part of their
owners possession she had ceased to care,
and with sense Of something like relief,
she watched him at last get out of the car,
and allowed her thoughts to return unre-
strained to that impertinent conductor"
This was not the first time she had seen
him. Two or three weeks before they had
met at concert, when her attention had
been called to the evident interest with
which he regarded her. His gaze, though
intent, was perfectly respectful, and the
young lady-whom Damo Grundy had long
since denominatsd an icsberg-found her
self specializing rs to his-respectability p
Oh, no but, what to her was almost
synonym, his social position. That he was
| int
and countenaace plainly showed the pres
ence of intelligence and refinement. The
seal Of ignorance was lacking, but did he
move in 'good soeiety?''
Maud Darrell was essentially noble, but
she had been educated in the Marrow
grooves of aristocratic conventionalisms,
| and at twenty could not be expected to
veer around instantaneously. So day or
so after, when she saw the object Of her
curiosity engaged in the anomalous oceu-
patton Of collecting fares from the different
specimens Of humanity who patronize our
city horse-cars, it is not surprising that
she was disguised with herself, especially
when one takes into consideration the fact
that she was an engaged young female"
ay. had been promised in marriage to a
young gentleman of wealth, who for the
last ten years had resided in Europe, and
whom she had not seen since childhood
After determining with set lips that if pos
.ble this should be their last meeting, she
ordered the car to stop, and, with little
toss of her daintily poised head, stepped
down from the platform.
A quick clasp, and before she could utter
word of expostulation, she was lifted
back. Turning in anger she saw that the
conductors lips were white, and following
his look, took in the whole situation A
span of horses had curveted by so close to
the car as to Craze the lower step. Had
she reached the ground, death or lifelong
infirmity would have been the result
''You sec," he said, in low voice, re-
replying to her first indignant expression,
81 could not help it."
She was trembling with excitement, and,
for the moment ignoring caste, answered
humbly, "Forsive me!'
With look of something akin to triumph,
and a smile of indsscribable tenderness, he
assisted her to the crossing; then, with a
whispered "God bless your pulled the
bell and hisd on his way.
With rather strange blending Of emo
ton, Miss Darrell, after reaching home,
reviewed the events Of the day. Dissatis-
faction predominated. She acas dissatisfied,
not with him, but with herself. She hadn't
eren thanked him
"Oh, Maud p whispered her sister that
evening, as they sat in their box at the
theater, there is the gentleman who gazcd
at you so the other evening"
Maud cast quick glance round the audi
ence, and sure enough within few feet
of stage sat her conductor. He was, evi-
IDENTIFY, engrossed in the acting, and had
no idea of being saubbed by Miss Maud
She sat for moment in doubt a. to what
course it was best to pursue. He had saved
her life, and it would but be good breeding
to show little gratitude. So, with I'M
heard Of pertinscity, she looked into his
face until, compelled by her stsadfast glance,
he raised his eyes to the box. Then she
smiled bewildsringly, and bsckoned him
forward. With grace which belisd his
humillatins occupation, the gentleman rose
and proceeded in the direction Indicated
She opened the box door, and in an under
tone, which lie alone could hear, said, |
"Name?"
'Thornton," was his lew reply.
He was introduced to her companions, |
and was soon engaged in An animated con-
versation. After the conclusion Of the |
performance, he conducted her to the car
riage-as the sisters had no escort but their
father-and whispered softly:
81 earnestly hope you did net feel COM
PEELED to do this thing"
GO You saved my life
cit was my duty and business. I also |
saved my own reputation. Please under |
stand l expected no such recognition, and
shall not feel injured if you never know me |
again"
For an answer she extended her hand |
and said, calmly: "Mr. Thornton, reside
at No. -- street, and shall be happy to
see you, whenever you can make it convsn-
lent to call "
Three days aftor Miss Maud and an arts
tecratic lady friend entered his car. She
Maud was busily engaged in talking, and
did not look up. Thornton bit his lip and
flushed to the forehead as it came time for
him to collect their fares; then, with a
strange smile, advanced toward the two
Understanding before them with face as
impenetrable as that of sphyn1. Maud |
saw him then and crimsoned perceptibly ;
then with a look of defiance said ::
"Why, good morning, Mr.. Thornton"
Her companion was looking on in amaze
ment, and smiling mischievously, she con-
tinued:
Mary, allow me to introduce my friend,
Mr.. Thornton-Miss Ware" They bowed,
and the gentleman returned to his duties
with wonderfully satisfied look. That