The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-08-09
"Thank you very much" said Madge,
instant v aoneptiDp his offer

"Thank you very much" said Madge,
instantly accepting his offer.
cit is so hot to-day and so dusty" he
went on. 81 dare say you thought you
wouldn't have time to get any tea?'
81 did think So" said Madge. elbow
very good of you"
/ "When you've done, I'll take the cup and
saucer back. Don't hurry; we have five
minutes more"
"It was very refreshing" said Madge
returning them. Would you tell me
| how much it was please %
| She colored scarlet, and so did Robin,
though he ought to have been past the
awkward age.
Oh. I-nothing-I really don't know
paid for it with my own things-I can't
tell you, indeed,'' said Robin, with his
kindly smile; and away he went, leaving
Madge in horrible puzzle.
She must have been dreadfully wrong in
accepting a cup of tea from an entire stran-
ger-what would mother say to it!--what
a stupid thing she was, quite unfit to travel
alone-all kinds of self-reproaches occurred
to her till Robin came back, and got quite
naturally into the carriage.
They were not alone this time; he was
followed by two or three other people, who
beguiled the way with farm-talk and local
gossip till; after an hour and a halfs Jour-
ney, they stopped at pretty little station
among trees, with picturesque hills in the
dstance-Abbot's Dene, as the board in
formed all corners. This was Miss Thor
ney' nearest station, and Madge supposed
that here she should part forever with her
friendly fellow-traveler. To her surprise,
howoeer, he got out and turned quite
naturally to give her his hand.
"Miss Margaret Thorney, l presume ?"
said voice behind her, as soon as she was
on the PLATFORM "woolly voice." as
George Eliot would describe it. This voice
belonged to fat old man. servant in rusty
black, who accompanied his words with a
formal bow.
"Do you come from Miss Thorney, at
Monks Dene ." said Madge.
Yes ma am; l am Miss Thorney's but
Ter. Where is your luggage, ma'am, if
you please"
Here it is. They are just getting it
out" said Madge; and then she turned
instinctively to look for Robin. He was
still lingering in the neighborhood.
GOOD evening"" said the young lady,
with bow and smile.
"Good evening" said Robin, raising
his hat; and with an uncomfortable desire
to add something more, he was beginning
81 hope but Madge's eyes were gone
in the direction of her box; and her fell
low-traveler had nothing to do but to walk
quietly away, saying to himself "After
| all, it might have been forward"
| A few minutes later, as he was walking
along the dusty road that led to the little
town of Abbot's Dene, fly rumbled slow
ly past him, with the familiar old box on
the top, the fat butler in front with the
driver, and somebody inside, who, of
course, was Miss Margaret Thorney, al
though she was looking persistently the
other way. So they both went toward
their respective destinations; Madge, sad
and tired, and doubtful of her welcome;
and Robin full of hope and spirit; young
man with no encumbrances, and the whole
world before him-his uncle's large inherit
ance to begin with.
The fly which conveyed Madge to her
| fate turned down a lane to the right hand,
in the outskirts of the little town, and
proceeded slowly along its wi1rdings fer
about a mile and half. The country
seemed to grow more melancholy; the hills
were left behind, and Madge could see
nothing in front, when she looked out of
the window, but green mass of trees
They ratified over straight piece of stony
road, between rows of scraggy poplars,
and then seemed to plunge into forest
just as they stopped at a rott'.n-looking
old gate. The butler got down to open it,
and walk by their side across a. rumbling
wooden bridge, and then along drive, en-
tirely rooted by trees; then round lawn
of long rank grass, to the front of house
which had once been white, but was now
all stained with green and brown streaks.
A stern-looking maid of about fifty was
standing at the door. Madge was out of
the fly in an instant; and, without time to
look round was taken cross a square hall
into long low drawing room, where
Cousin Sarah was sitting at the table, with
large book before her.
GLOW do you doe Sit down." she said
extending her hand with a frigid air.
There was minutes silence, for Madge
hardly knew what to say, and gazed help
lessly at the old lady, who was extremely
thin, with nose like a parrots beak, and
small gray eyes set very close together.
People always look like sweeps after Il
railway journey, SO suppose l must not
judge of you by your present appearance, :"
said Miss Thorney.
81 hope you WON'T said Madge, sum-
moning up her courage, 81 feel very
dusty"
Then your feelings are accurate, my
dear. Lawrence. take this girl up stairs,
and give her water to wash her face.
declare the air has been quite full of dust
since she came in. Change your things,
and don't come down till dinner time.'
every well,' said Madge. who had al
ready determined to take all her cousin s
sharp speeches as matter of course
"What time do you dine? ''
Miss Thorney elevated her eyebrows;
she was not used to be asked questions in
so cool a tone. Six o'clock, Miss. Are
You going? Lawrence is waiting for you"
ITO BE CONTINUED.
This being the season of unripe fruit,
a Massachusetts, newspaper makes pertinent