The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1871-03-04

cnln, ana the way IN winch the head was
posed on the bosom, "like beethoven or
its bed" might have inspired Mr. Brown
ing with that smilc.
1t was not only love at first sight, but
love with a photograph. had not thought
my susceptibilities easily reused, but here
| was in fever of love about small pic
ture on piece of pasteboard. Who was
this girl? That was the question. hast
lily took the Photograph out of the book,
and looked to see who the photographer
was. There was no name at the back OF
it Plain cardboard, that was all. The
usual photographer imprint and number
Of the negative absent. Where had Teddy
got it? Was it a carte of one of his
friends? or had he picked it up somewhere =!
Was she married? OF engaged? in short,
who and what was this mysterious girl,
who had changed me from sober and
rational being into a strangely frantic and
excited creature?
When would Teddy come in? paced
the room impatiently, holding the photo
graph before me. l opened the window
and looked up and down the street many
times, and at last, after what seemed hours,
I heard his footsteps on the stairs, and he
lounged into the room.
"Well, old man, how are you? ?" he said
"glad you got my note and waited"
"Teddy." said, without returning his
greeting, and showing him the photograph,
"tell me whose likeness this is ?''
"Oh" ~ said Teddy, prolonging that
exclamation in the most aggravating way
possible, and coollylighting pipe. elbow
excited you are about it ~
81 know I am excted,' l said, for l had
worked myself up into perfectly ridicu-
lous condition. But do answer my ques-
ton. Who is this girl? 1 must know"
"Let me see," said he, pretending not
to recognize it. so yes, that-that-a
photograph of my aunt, the Empress of
China. Nice old girl, isn't she? %
"Teddy"' said, impatiently, "please
be serious. I'm awfully spoony upon this
and all about it,
81 tell you my aunt" he began, and
then seeing how annoyed looked, he said
''Well my dear boy, the fact is, don't
know who it is any more than you do. |
thought it was tidy face, and bought it
of some Photographic chap in the suburbs
somewhere, for shilling"
was bitterly disappointed, and sat down
in disconsolate way, still keeping hold of
the photograph. had almost rather he
had told me the unknown beauty was mar
ried, Or out Of my reach in some other
way; it was the suspense, the absence of
any knowledge whatever about her, that
was so hard to bear.
"Why, Frank, old boy" said Teddy,
"you look all knocked of a heap. You
don't mean to say that you are really
spoons on that carte. Why, she may be
the mother of any number of promising
children. She may be blessed barmaid
She
"Teddy, please don't. I'm hard hit. /
know I'm an ass, but | cant help it. Twill
find out about this girl, if possible. Can't
you remember where you bought the pho
tograph9'
"No, upon my honor | can't. Some
where near Westbourne Grove, fancy l
was dining in Bayswater, l know, but
can't be sure"
81 may have it, suppose ?"
"Certainly. But if you'll take my
advice, Frank, you'll put it into the fire"
"Thank you. l sha'n't do that" And
l placed the carte carefully in my pocket
book. "Now, good-by. Look you up
again Tomorrow
"All right. But where are you off to i'll
such hurry"
"Well,' l said slowly, az think l shall
take walk in the neighborhood of West
bourne Grove.'
"You old ass" was the complimentary
and then l went away.