The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1871-12-23
"snow Maiden and if go near her shall
expect to her vanish away in a wreath of

"snow Maiden" and if go near her shall
expect to her vanish away in wreath of
snow"
And Margie's dreams were none the less
fair and pleasant for hearing this.
There was merry breakfast in the
morning, and safe and pleasant journey
to Clifton, in the stage which the indefat.
able MIR. Cross had mounted on runners,
and joyful welcome from Col. Elliot his
handsome stately wife, pretty Sue, the
bride elect, and host of rosy checked lit
tie brothers and sisters. Sue was an older
edition of Emmie. A little taller, a little
graver, but just as pretty and warm-heart-
ed. They would not let Margie speak of
going tO-ville. Emmie and Alice
hung round her and entreated, and Sne
urged her to stay, and finally Mrs. Elliot
put an end to the controversy, by sending
off an express to inform Mrs. Delaney that
her niece was at Clifton, but she would not
be given up till after the wedding, when
Mrs. Delaney, who was expected to be
present, might carry her home with her.
So Margie was one of the wedding uests,
and not only that, but one of the BRIDE
maids having been prevented from coming
Margie was seized upon to fill her place.
Her plea that she had no white dress was
laughed at-a vapory "tulle of Sues was
taken in little here and there, and found
to fit her admirably, and Emmie clappe6
her hands with delight as she saw how
lovely the little "snow maiden" looked
with her white robes and silver arrow in
her curls.
When the wedding ceremony was over,
Mrs. Delaney raised her eyeglass, and said,
graciously, "Mrs. Elliot, may I ask the
name of the bridemaid withthe remarkably
beautiful hair and complexion-the young
lady next your daughter Alice ?" and Mrs.
Elliot, who had learned-no one knows
how, but she knew everything-Mrs. Delan-
cey's intentions with regard to her orphan
niece, answered by leading the young lady
forward and smilingly introducing her as
"Your niece, Miss Margaret Hepburn,
Mrs. Delaney
Mrs. Delaney was little taken aback,
and she resolved in moment, and as she
kissed "Margaret's cheek with much
show Of affection, she was thinking deeply.
She continued the same train of thought
| afterwards, when she watched Margie
attracting the admiration of the whole
room-which was in fact the whole county,
for the slieghing was fine, the moon bril-
liant, and Col. Elliot's house a proverbi-
ally delightful place. She listened to Mar
gie's exquisite voice, studied her graceful,
sweet manners, and came to conclusion.
Here was beauty of the first order-a girl
whose face alone was an ample fortune.
She was not to be kept in the background,
hid away in dingy school room, but must
be brought out p" with all the increased
lustre that beautiful setting could give to
diamond of the first water She must
add to the family grandeur by making a
brilliant match, and Mrs. Delancey's heart
beat high when she saw that already the
first catch" in the room, John Winston,
wealthy, distinguished, accomplished, and
handsome, was bestowing the most devoted
attentions upon her beautiful niece.
So the Fates-not always cruel-willed
that Margie's Christmas holidays should
be dream of plendor and gayety-of love-
ly new dresses, of parties without number,
and admiration without end, till Margie's
little head would have been turned if all
these things had not charmed her less than
the light in one pair of dark eyes, and the
low tones of voice that was dearea than all
the world besides.
That was gay winter in-ville, and
the next summer was fully as pleasant and
eventful.
"Have you heard the news, Jim 2" ask
ed Mr. Cross, drawing up his team before
the smithy, one sunny morning in June.
"What is 2" asked the blacksmith,
wiping his brow.
"Well, one wedding makes many, they
say. Here's young Mr.. Elliot going to
marry that pretty Miss Addy Brent. Fine
girl, after all, but just little hysted. And
Miss Margie Hepburn, the blessedest little
critter that ever stepped, is going to marry
Winston. 1t is good match, too, and 1
don't know any other man I'd say that
much for"
"Well, I must say kind of s'picioned
that" said Jim, smiling, "when they came
ridin' by here together last week, and my
July gave Miss Margie them wild rosies
that grow down in the ravine where fell
that night. Pretty pink things they are,
bout the color of her cheeks as July say"
"Well,l must say you are long time
spicioning it." said Mr.. Cross, dryly.-
"lt's been in my mind ever since that same
night. l have always heard that every
thing was for the best, and s'pose the use
of the thunderest snowstorm I ever saw,
was to bring them two people together,
that mightn't ever have seen each other
without it. But I don't keer about hav-
ing hand in matchmaker of that sort
every winter" and Mr.. Cross touched up
the leaders and disappeared in cloud of
dust
$73 A YEAR IN GOLD!