The Cecil Whig., 1871-04-01
SARA'S SWEETHEART.
CHAPTER ".

| A few days after, there came for Cyril
Anesley letter. 1t was at breakfast when
he received it, and he smiled as he broke
the seal.
''It is from my uncle, sill" he said to
Uncle Blamford. 81 suppose he writes to
tell me to expect him.
He began perusing the letter,-many at
the table were also reading their letters.
l, among them, was reading one from my
mother, when / caught the tones of Cap
tain Anesley' voice, speaking to my uncle.
The tones was somewhat strange, and his
glanced up quickly.
"Mr. Anesley bids me to tell you, he
will be happy to accept your invitation,
and will come tomorrow" Then with
evident embarrassment, the captain went
on to say, "My uncle informs me, sir, that
he is married; SO his wife will accompany
him."
Every one at the table was looking curl
ously at the speaker. Some few-myself
among them-knew how keenly this mar
riage affected him. From looking with
intense interest at his face, l next turned
my eyes to his betrothed wife. The tidings
had affected her seriously. She appeared
to be smothering her feelings as well as
she could, but she did not succeed very WELL
Perhaps it was my fancy, but, from that
moment I thought that Uncle Blamford' S
manner lost some of its cordiality to Cap
tain Anesley, and my heart throbbed with
indignation many times that day at seeing
Sara's GOODNESS to him.
He did not appear so much cast down at
his bad prospects as one would have
imagined; but l overheard an old lady say
ing to my aunt that she believed he would
do something desperate before long-take
to drinking or gaming-perhaps even blow
out his brains; and Aunt Blamford held up
her hands, and screamed little, lady-like
scream.
''Those quiet folks always do something
of that kind, you know" nodded the
imaginative lady; "it is not natural for
young man to take such dreadful blow
calmly, but still water runs deep"
This made me feel uncomfortable. How
pited him! How I yearned to comfort
him. | dared not own, even to myself,
how much 1 loved him.
The next afternoon, as l sat with Sara
reading, while she sewed, in her cosy sit
tingroom, the door opened, and Cyril
Anesley walked in. He came straight up
to Sara and stood at the side of her chair.
Sara" he said quietly, 81 am come to
ask you if this affair is to make any differ
ence to our engagement? l think it right
to ask you this, now that my prospects are
so altered
She looked coldly at him with her beau
tiful eyes, in which no shadow of pity or
sympathy had any place.
81 must refer you to my father, Captain
Anesley."
"No, Sara he said firmly; sit is your
decision only require. 1t will be time
enough for me to consult your father when
| have learn your determination.
81 do not think you can reasonably
expect, considering all the circumstances
-" she began, and even her hard voice
faltered.
"That is sufficient. Thank you,' he
said proudly, and he left the room.
felt very uncomfortable at having been
a witness to this little scene; but so quickly
had it passed that had scarcely time to
think of retiring before it was all over
AS the door closed Sara looked at me, and
our eyes met.
81 could not, you know she said, with
smile. 'Poor fellow" I'm sure l feel
very sorry, but no one in my position can
be expected to sacrifice herself in that way;
''can she Sara
"That depends on ones opinion" 1
said, dryly; "some people might not con-
slider it sacrifice, you know
Sara glanced at the large mirror, as if to
consider the amount of beauty that might
have been thrown away on a penniless cap
tain of dragons. She turned away with a
satisfied smile.
81 dare say he'll find some nice passable
little thing to marry him, and will soon
forget me- she said comfortably, as she
resumed her embroidery.
! said no more. Her self-conceit and
hardness disgusted me.
| The next morning it was rumored that
Captain Anesley would leave the Manor
the following evening. Meanwhile, old
Mr.. Anesley had arrived with his bride.
who was many years younger than himself
| There had been the usual joking and pleas
antry, and the elderly bridegroom had
thrown back gay repartees, for he was a
jovial old gentleman. Uncle Blamford had
given him cordiality enough.
Mr.. Anesley seemed thoroughly to under
stand the reason of the rupture between
his nephew and Sara, but he certainly die
not concern himself much about it,
That afternoon Marion came to me, an(
asked if should mind walk
"No, indeed" l said; 81 shall be glat
of walk"
"It is long way, Sara, over the East
Hill to Beckhurst,' she said. ''I an
going to take some little presents to poo
woman who lives there. | should not hav,
asked you, but not single servant can b,
spared to accompany me and cannot q
alone"
/ fastened to get my things on, and b,
three o'clock we started, carrying a coupl
of baskets, containing Marion's bounty.
1t was dark, cold afternoon, about TIN
beginning of November and we had thre,
miles to walk. AS we crossed the rougl
ridges called the East Hill, it began snow
ing.
81 don't suppose it will be anything,
said Marion, "and we shall. be home il
time for dinner.''
We stayed in the village longer than W.
ought to have done, and it was past fv
when we started for home. 1t had con