The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-08-23

! shall expect to make all the arrangements
for it myself, and shall invite you and
your family here for the wedding. You
will probably think yourself unable to
settle anything on Margaret, in which case
the honor of our family will oblige me to
set aside a small annual sum for that pur-
pose. Send nae any objections at once, or
they will be too late.
Your affectionate cousin,
SARAH THoRNEY.
How fortunate how delightful -
Large estates, does she say?' exclaimed
Mrs. Thorney.
"Something in the nouudeu richie line,
I'm afraid said her husband doubtfully.
81 hope he's not a snob, and that Madge
likes him. won't have her sacrificed for
all the old cousins in the world"
sob, she wont be sacrificed; she likes
him very much" said Fan joyfully. "He
was SO polite to her on her journey. l
know she likes him extremely"
What! is he the subject of those reams
Of paper she sends you every two or three
days? But mind, ladies' you are not to
put your fingers into it. Don't mention
this letter to Madge on any account till
things are further advanced
"You don't seem at all pleased" said
Mrs. Thorney. What discontinued
creatures men are! Now, 1 can't imagine
anything more delightful than to have
dear Madge we'll married! How kind
Cousin Sarah is about the wedding and all
that. Let me read her letter again"
After breakfast, Mr.. Thorney took turn
in the garden, and then wrote his answer:
DEAR COUSIN: l am obliged by your
letter, and your kind intentions in regard
to Margaret. Provided that the young
mans character is good, and that she likes
him we'll enough to marry him, / can make
no objection, being too poor to say any
thing on the score of family. l am afraid
l should not be justified in declining your
generous offer of settling small sum on
Margaret. Her mother joins me in thanks
for your kindness to her, and in anxiety
for further news.
Yours very faithfully,
WILLIAM TuoRNEy.
Listen to me, Margaret" said Miss
Thorney the next afternoon. Her prote-
gee was reading to her, and had just
stopped to take breath at the end of a
chapter 81 had young woman living
here with me once-not so very long ago
who took it into her head to disappear
We looked for her everywhere; the stream
was dragged, but she was nowhere to be
found"
"What had happened to her?" said
I Aa1l I,
woman's history.
"She had run away with a lover of
hers" said Miss Thorney, after moments
pause, during which she glanced sharply
at Madge. every fine fun l daresay she
thought it. But it was not respectable
thing to do; SO hope you are not going
to play any such tricks"
"What do you mean? ?" SAID Madge,
opening her brown eyes wide, and letting
her hands, with the book they were hold
ing, sink slowly into her lap.
sc should not be surprised" said Miss
Therney. Young people will do any
restraint. And that young man would
not be hanging about here so much, if he
had not some design in his head. But
should be very angry, Margaret, if found
you were gone; so take my advice, and do
nothing underhand."
Madge's color had been deepening slow
ly while her cousin spoke. She rose from
her chair, and stood very upright.
''Cousin Sarah" she said, 81 do not
know what reason you have for suspecting
me in this way. If you object to Mr..
Hyde's comming here, you had better tell
him so, instead of accusing -
"That will do, my DEAR" said Miss
Thorney. Sit down, and be quiet. You
look exactly like my grandmother.
eff you think 1 am likely to.misbehave
myself" said Madge, not so easily pacified,
81 will write at once to papa and tell him
l am coming home. 1 have no wish am
sure -
"Sit down, child, l tell you. Or 60
upstairs, if you feel disturbed. There is
Mr.. Hyde coming along the drive"
Madge threw down her book and ran
away to her room with undignifed haste.
81 suppose you have very few acquaint-
ances in this neighborhood % said Miss
Thorney to Robin, as he sat with her in
the drawing ROOM"
"Not many,,, said Robin.
6, You are able to spare us so much
time"
81 hope l am not in your way ?' said
Robin, a little hurriedly.
"Not at all,' answered Miss Thorney
with unual graciousness. every glad to
see you; but most people think Monks
Dene so dull that l am surprised when l
have visitor"
81 don't find it dull" said Robin. GA
very pretty place. and he looked absently
out of the window.
care you going to live in the old house
at Abbot's Dene ?''
81 have not quite made up my mind 1t
depends on circumstances"
"Perhaps you are going to be married ?"
"I-don't know. Miss Thorney, the
fact is that came here to-day on purpose
if she would-if might -
Robin got up, and walked rather dis
tractedly to the window and back again.
Miss Thorney sat in her arm, chair, quite
cool and collected, with really good-na-
tured smile on her face.
"You are hardly doing wise thing"
she said, shaking her head. "Margaret's
father is very poor man; don't suppose
he could give his daughter anything. You
might as we'll marry a beggar at once"
81 don't care-not the least in the
world" said Robin. 81 would rather she
had nothing. Oh, thank you; whore is
sheo Can l see her now ?"
"You had better come back in the even
ing" said Miss Thorney. 81 put her out
of temper, and she went upstairs. She
has her portion of the old Thorney spirit,
Mr.. HYDE
"What time shall come 2''
"Seven o'clock, if you like shall pro.