The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-01-13

SiadiicSs thai she was free from greater
, ones.
1t was only about week before the day
fixed for their marriage, that Mr.. Bligh
+ ventnred to speak decisively to her. Very
earnestly and gently he spoke, beseeching
her to open all her heart to him, and
to tell him if any other image had ever
displaced his. And lIadge listened to him
thoughtfully, and analysed her own emo
tions, and finally answered him.
9 If he had come first, should hav low
ed Theo desperately; as it was. l didn't
dare let myself. You're not afraid, are
YOU"
.'Ony for your happiness, my poor
child,' he said, not for my own honor"
81 like You so much, you know" she
said, energeticaily it does seem so hard
that one can't express all ones little gra-
dations OF feeling in words-I like You so
much-but it's dark to me now without
him, she added. with 4 sudden passion
that carried her ont of herself, and con-
WINGED him that she could never be Ills
wife.
- He is the younger man-aud-you are
right" lie tried to say it calmly, but it
was an awful blow: and again, as the
strength of his manhood was shaken, Madge
wavered and strove to comfort him.
"Let things go on and l shall forget
him, Or grow indifferent to him; know
myself shall live it down.
You need not, poor child, for he loves
you too
eyes, know that" she answered with
the reckless opehness that made her what
she was.
After that, so much of the world as knew
the Blighs and Dundees had fresh and
delightful source of wonderment for a time.
The marriage between the owner of the
Chase and '!adge was broken off, and still
neither would listen to one word against
or comment on the conduct of the other.
Time wonld tell, people said sapently,
reserving their belief as to what time would
tell to themselves.
Six months passed, and then Theo Bligh
received those letters of which mention has
been made. One was from Madge. and
contained these words:
''Your uncle has promised to explain
everything. I need only say that l shall
always be your faithful friend, Madge Dun
dee"
The other was from his uncle, and con-
tanned free forgiveness, this one only
implied, not coarsely volunteered,) and a
full account. "Come back and win what
l have lost. and as love you as my son,
SO will love her as my daughter" That
was something like an invitation from a
defeated to successful lover.
Once more fate was against things right
ing themselves in the clear and good way
that was made so open. Theo had by this
time taken 4 situation in q mercantile
house in New \ orl-a situation Of trust,
which he could not hastily quit, or place
another man in rashly. Great interests
were involved in it, which he could rot
endanger by his absence for year at least.
. But life was bright to him again, and he
hore the delay bravely, having illimitable
faith in the girl he loved and in himself.
Had she not calamity won this faith by
avowing her love for him, and losing the
richer man and the better position by the
avowaln Had she not, of her own free will
written to him those few sweet words of
promiseo Small worder that he could live
contentedly through the present, when
such future doomed before him.
At last he was free-free to go home and
win his blide, and obtain personal absolu-
ton from his uncle for those sins which
love had made him commit Fate favored
him now The steamer was d fast one,
and in q fortnight he was down ut the
Chase, graspns his uncle's hand.
"And HOW you know what my next
move vii! be- he said when the greetings
were over, subduing his own gladness as
much AS he could out of respect for the
SORROW by which his uncle had brought it.
sWhat is the matter?' lie added in alarm
seeing il change in the kind cordial face
that was bent on him. " You know have
come to ask her to be my wife
u have borne an awful grief and disap-
pointment, but I'd bear it again rather
than have to tell this to you, my boy. You
have stayed too long
"Great Heaven is she dead ,"
"Not dead, but as lost to you as if she
were; and you must so back, and she must
never hear you have come, OF she will be
true to herself, ptiful and over kind and
like woman generally, shall | say: She
is married. you have stayed too long
1t did not kill him, and it did not send
him to the bad. convenient locally to
which fction-writers frequently consign
their Tilted heroes. But it duiled his life,
and robbed him of his belief in the good
ness and fidelity of women.
Notwithstanding which he forgave her,
and was friendly with her in after-years:
and though her ficbleness had earned his
contempt, he never paid tine debt. And
s, poetical justice was not awarded to the
..iagrant tiirt'' Bonnie Dundee, who
would have been better woman if shs
had not been SO thorough one.
THE POOR DRJTNKARD.