The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-04-27

exultant and triumphantly goOd-natursd,
though I seemed to read sneering and de-
fianee in the very cock Of his hat. Sullen
and morose, as l saw her lifted over mud
dy places in his proud arms, or climbing a
stile by his gallant assistance, followed
more slowly, and completing this pleasant
party behind me and before me, and about
me, wherever he could get within stumb-
ling reach, trotted my favorite aversion,
Rover, and ugly, awkward, senseless, and
ill-conditioned puppy, whom Dora had
elected her prime pet and favorite, for no
better reason apparently than that we all
hated him. The colonel kicked him, Mrs.
Marstor chased him, the cook scalded him,
the boys stoned him, and 1 could hardly
refrain from giving public utterance to the
anathemas that burned on my tongue,
when the wretched animal, who seemed to
have an insane attraction to me, floundered
about my legs as l moved, Or tapped his
stump tail under my chair when l sat still.
Dora alone, with strange perversity, per-
sisted in ignoring his bad habits, his vul-
gar manners, his uselessness, his uglyness,
and his impudence, and set me at defiance
when objected to him, by pressing him
in her beautiful arms-happy cur that he
was and laying her soft cheek against
his villaineus bristles, till in very disgust
and jealousy I ceased to complain, and
learned to submit quietly to his revolving
familiarities.
On the present occasion the few private
kicks and pinches which l ventured to
bestow, availed nothing against his cling
ing affection, till we drew near the water,
and the sight of rabbits white tail furth-
er up the bank effected my release from
his attentions, for he Immediately galloped
in pursuit of it, and a similar happy acct
dent left me for a moment free to ap-
proach Dora without the Intervention of my
friend. Mr.. Hayes, who had CALAMITY vol
unteered to scramble up a step bank for a
cluster of pink flowers which Miss Dora
persistently admired, as they waved in in
accessible beauty above her head, though
sister blossoms bloomed all about her feet.
Being thus freed from the attendance of
both puppies, as 1 suitably classed them
in my mind, approached the little queen
of my heart, who stood on the very verge
of the wet sand, where she had planted
herself in express defiance of my profess
sional warning, with the water gently ooz-
ing up around her thin slippers.
Don't come here, cousin ! Pm afraid
you'll wet your feet J. she called out i'm
pertinently as drew near; but her eyes
were not lifted, and such roV flush crept
up her face as she said it, that forgot my
hot walk and hotter indignation, and glow
ed less with anger and more with love. l
laid my hand lightly on her shoulder, look
ing down on her hooking lips, and stoop-
ing, whispered something in her EARN
spite of female coquetry lin her person.,
and her uneasy pretexts to escape, in spite
of Tommy Hayse, in spite Of Rover, that
marplot puppy, had moments hearing,
and used it manfully, and as I whispered,
my heart beat thick with triumph, for she
could not raise her eyes to mine, they
were pensively watching the source of the
ripping flood, and bright tears seemed
quivering on the silken lashes, her cheeks
wore a warmer scarlet, her pretty lips
with the fateful answer, and I
was sure it wasn't no, and saw them pout,
gracious heavens to suit one of those
shrill female screams which more than
trump of war or voice of cannon strike
panic into the bold heart of man, and un,
nerve him to the finger ends. My dog,
my puppy she sobbed, 'he'll be drowned,
he can't swim? He's coming down stream,
tail first, poor fellow! 1 knew it was
Rover! Oh why don't you go and save
him9'
This passionate appeal was addressed to
the sympathizing Hayes, I being in dis
grace on account of an unfortunate ejacu-
lation, wrung from me in the first surprise,
an impoliteness in strong contrast to the
graceful gallantry of the hero of the cliff,
who supported the weeping maiden in his
arms, and tenderly soothed her excitement,
as the unhappy Rover wheeled and eddied
toward us.
why don't you 60 p she reiterated
stamping her little foot, and
as her eyes this time wandered toward
me, I responded by throwing off my cap
and coat, and preparing to obey; it was of
no use to demonstrate or to explain to her
that it was almost impossible to rescue the
dog, and that the attempt would involve
great risk of my own life-what did she
care for that? The emotion l had SO
proudly misinterpreted on her lovely face,
was for laundering senseless puppy; the
heart had so faithfully served to win, was
given to miserable dandy: what remained
to me, but to finish a life devoted to an
object, by consistently sacrific-
ing it in the same worthless cause; and
with the bitter hope that my failures
would enc here, prepared to plunge into
the rushing water.
l could not help looking back at Dora,
who, tightly clinging to her lovers arm,
had been hidden from me during my rapid
by his tall figure and ample
white linen robes. Don't you co. she
had said to him; let George 60; if he can
swear, he can swim-don't you try, Mr..
Hayes"
Mr.. Hayes had NO idea of trying; he risk
his life, life so precious to a world of
spinsters, for miserable fellow puppy! he
wash the dye from those perfumed whskers
dear to the hearts Of so many maidens-
he ruin those freshly laundered clothes. he
abandon those new French boots Ride
ulous He glanced down into his compan-
ions pale face with smile of exquisite
as she said it, but Dora's eyes
were tightly shut, and she did not see him;
so the sheer travelled to me, who was about
to drown in his stead for his lady's pleas
ure, and gave my heart its last dying pang
as quilted the shore.
4 cry of terror and recall, from what
had been dear voice, following my splash
ing descent into the deep water, and thrill
ed my nerves moment; but struck out
bravely for the whirlpool, where, plunging