The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-01-18

ried to Rupert Howell, and if mamma
gives her consent, we are to be married
next Spring" AMI here she opened beau
tiful velvet case and displayed a handsome
cluster diamond ring. "This," said Rita,
"sealed orr engagement. Indeed, May,
l had no idea that loved him as do but, "
continued she, "let me quote these lines:
'The heart like terdril, accustomed to
cling,
Let it grow where it will, cannot flourish
alone;
But will lean to the nearest and lovliest
thing.
1t can Irvine with itself, and make close
ly its own.
Then oh! what pleasure, where'er we rove,
To be doomed to find something still that
is dear,
And to know, when far from the lips we
love,
We have but to make love to the lips we
are near
And just as Rita finished repeating the
last line she sprang at May and suiting the
action to the words, gave her such kiss,
that May wondered what had come over
her.
Finally May said, 81 wanted Mr.. How
ell for myself. He is such a nice, hand
some young fellow, ard beside, Rita, l
thought there was a prospect of your be-
coming my sister,;
$50 am your sister, May, and love you
as such. Did you never have sister 81
said Rita.
eyes," said May, had, and as long as
we are confidential friends, will tell you
my past history, but you must never di-
vulge the secret to any one and be sure You
do not allude to it before papa
6 promise,' said Rita.
You know papa is a widower, and |
have no mother. My parents had been
married only eight years, and they were so
happy. They had three children; brother
Harry, the eldest, was nearly seven years
of age. l came next and was five and then
our little baby Bertha, nearly three, but,
land here she almost choaked, for the tears
were falling thick.
"Why, May, what is the matter? Did
she die 80
"Oh, no." sobbed May, "she was stolen"
"Stolen" said Rita
eyes, said May, "one day mamma
dressed our little darling, oh, SO sweetly,
and sent her out with the nurse. Hour
after hour elapsed and still they did not
return. After awhile the nurse came in
and told mamma she had been drugged,
and when she recovered her senses Bertha
was gone. Oh! Rita, l cannot describe to
you that night. Child, that l was, / re-
member it as though it were but yesterday.
All efforts to find her failed, and mamma
swooned away and never regained her
senses, and in a week died raving maniac.
The doctor pronounced her disease brain
fever. After her death dear papa, Harry,
and myself, were left alone. She died on
the very bed we sleep in. If little Bertha
is in Heaven, mamma is there to nestle
her closely upon her bosom, where she laid
so often when on Earth; if Bertha is liv-
ing mamma will be her guardian angel, and
know she will watch over her and some
day restore her to us. Oh! wouldn't we be
happy. But, oh! my; how pale you are,
Rita, what is the NATTER
Nothing" said Rita, "I was only deep
ly interested. Is there no way by which
you could recognize her," said Rita, still
looking as pale as a ghost.
eyes, papa said just below her shoulder
she had large mole, and when she wore
a low neck dress, it was very preceptible."
"Oh! oh! May-I j am your-sis-
ter,' and ere another word was spoken
Rita had tainted dead away. May called
loudly for help, and Mr.. Sellers, Harry, and
the housekeeper, rushed in the room, and
as quickly as possible May told them what
had occurred, and they tore open her wrap
per and right in the same place was the
identical mark.
"Mr. Sellers pressed the lifeless form
to his bosom and sobbing, "Oh, my God,
my God! knew this was my child; re-
cognized her as soon as saw her. Oh, SO
like my wife, her mother. My own Bertha"
and his convulsve sobs shook his manly
frame. Wake up, my own, my long lost
child and tell me if you are not my own!-
Speak one word to your poor old father,
and let me hear from yourlips all you know.
Oh! God, spare her, spare my child"
Turning to May he said, "Surely this is
a wise dispensation of Providence. You
have at last found her that was LOST
Mrs. Summerfeld and Rupert were
telegraphed to come on Immediately, and
in a few hours they arrived. Mrs. Sum-
merfield gave them all the information
from the hour of her adoption ON board
the Steamer, and she told them Rita did
not remember her parents. Her earliest
recollection was that of being placed by
some one with Mr.. Delachaux, the actor,
and her life from that hour, was too sad
to tell.
The doctor at first gave very little hope
of Rita's recovery; but good nursing and
kind attention, after several weeks illness,
restored her to health. The news was
kept from her as long as possible; but
when she regained her senses, she said,
"Oh! May, am your sister. Tell, oh tell
me-"
We will not dwell upon this scene; for
language is inadequate and fails to express
the scene that followed.
AS Rupert knelt by her bedside, with
her hand in his, Mr.. Sellers pronounced
them his children; and now Harry, May
and Rita are brother and sisters indeed.
One year from our last scene, Rupert and
Rita for she still retained this name) are
married and residing in Elkton, within sight
of Rita's own home, Mr.. Sellers and Mrs.
Summeriield are married and also reside in
this beautiful little town. May resides
with them. Reports say that she is soon
to marty Mr.. F. Harry is residing in New
York, practicing law, and engaged to be
married to Blanche Vaughan.
sB- John Allen, noted two years ago as
the "wickedest man in New York" died
at West Perth, N. Y, where his father