The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1871-07-01
Rowland glanced at his mother. She

grew very pale but did not speak.
Yes, l knew how it would be if l
spoke" replied the girl, "but mother sells
the cake and beer that Master Eddie is SO
fond of, and when he spends his allowance
and runs in debt, it's always paid just after
Miss Ellen (bless her heart, sells ring OF
a little brooch, or something of the kind
and know when gather the clothes for
the wash, her handkerchiefs don't smell of
cake, nor have bits Of icing sticking to
them, nor they are not stained with necta-
rine juice, either" said Fanny, signifi-
cantly.
Roland drew hard breath. The girls
looked at each other, as Fanny, now fairly
aroused, proceeded.
81 don't reckon it was Master Roland,
either, that whistled on the stairs when
Miss Ellen was crossing the passage with
the watch, causing the dear little heart
nearly to faint with fright, Just for him.
and don't reckon she was with you fish
ing, neither, and so got piece of fish-line
tangled in the broken chain, and l can 60
and show it to you. If young gentlemen
want to keep secrets, they oughtn't to talk
so loud and bold as Master EdwaEd;Y
The family sat in perfect silence till it
was produced.
"This is fearful" said Mr.. Grey, as tho
links in the evidence developed.
"You all could see nothing but his hand
some looks and smart ways. He didn't
think it necessary to put on much before a
poor creature like me, and sent me to the
devil whenever he chose to-nice gentle
Mountaineering you all, and killing his
sister,"
"That will do Fanny" said Mr. Grey,
"You shall have no cause to complain in
tho future. You are dismissed"
Roland's testimony supplied some miss
ing links such as Edwards avoidance
of him, and bravado declaration of his,
repeated by Tom Jones, "that he would
wear watch, as fine one, too, as Roland
Grey, man as he thought himself to be-
By prompt measures and good fortune,
Mr.. Grey succeeded in recovering the watch
from its watery bed, and after collecting
all the evidence, the family were that night
summoned to the library, as usual, for fam
lily prayer.
Prompt and just in all his measures Mr..
Grey had determined that as Ellen's con-
demnation had been public, her justifica-
tion should be equally so.
At the close of the worship, and before
the family had left their seats, Mr.. Grey
said, edward, are you aware that your
fathers valuable watch has been distracted
from your Aunt's drawer, and is considered
as stolen?'
A suffocating gasp from Ellen's corner
was almost lost in Edwards noisy "Lost
Uncle how SOP"
"We are trying to discover" replied
Mr.. Grey, gravely. "Suspicion points at
two culprits, Fanny, and-think OF it Ed
ward-your sisterr'
"Ellen ! impossible sirr replied the
boy, flushing deeply. $50, Think
replied Mr.. Grey.
Ellen, como forward" A low plead
ing, "please Uncle" was answered by
Roland putting his arm around her, and
supporting her before his father "Come
forward, Fanny" said Mr.. Grey. "Oh,
Uncle" cried Ellen, sinking at his feet,
edo not blame any one but me. l will
confess it ALL Itook it; punish me as you
will l am the offender, but oh, begged
yon not to tell Edward ~
And am here to speak for myself"
| said the boy, actuated by one of his sudden
generous impulses. 81 am the guilty one
l am the double-dycd thief that sent my
poor sister to obtain the watch, for the
petty qualification of wearing it to the
fishing party. 1 have been the offender,
throughout, and the only one that deserves
punishment"
Mr.. Greys brief, stern words, as he held
up the watch before the astonished gaze of
Edward, were cut short by Mrs. Grey's
cries of "my child my child - as spring
ing forward, she caught Ellen, who had
sunk into insensibility. 1t took many,
many weary days of unccasing love and
care to nurse the frail little body back to
health again, and months of prayer and
tender instruction to convince the mind of
it's error, and show how a continued course
of such deception was not only defeating
her parents desires and her own hopes, but
bringing temporal and spiritual ruin upon
one she would have given her life to save.
1t was deemed best for Edward to be
removed to sterner influence and stricter
care, and the loving heart which had dropped
at the announcement, soon had cause to
bless the wisdom which had so devised
His letters, indicating hearty and honest
penitence, were proved in his periodical
visits to be sincere though it was long
before Mr.. Grey could grant him either for
giveness or confidence.
The pale face of little Ellen was a con-
slant reproach to her uncle, as he remem-
bered bis former harshness, and hor conse-
quent suffering. Involuntalily his voice
took tenderer tone, when addressing her,
and there was nothing so grateful to him
as to hear the affectionate child declare,
when recovering from those hydra-headed
headaches, You nurse me just like Uncle
Grey"
If it had been possible to spoil the sweet,
unselfsh nature, there would have been
danger of spelling her now, but it was Mrs.
Grey's care to guard that she should not
sink into a lstless inactivity, nor into NOR
bid constituencies. How wisely she guided
her, Ellen lived to acknowledg e and bless,
and when blushing into healthy and beauti-
full womanhood, she gave her hand to one
everyway worthy of her, she declared, If
fitted for the duties which lie before me, if
in Gods providence I can ever fill the
true position of wife and mother, it is to
your gentle teachings owe it, Aunt Lucy,
and well may your children rise up and
call You blessed"
WITHOUT AN ENEMY.-IIeaven help the
man who imagines he can dodge enemies
by trying to please everybody! If such an
individual ever succeeded, we should be
| clad of it-not that ono Sbould no ponr