The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1873-04-10

OH but now that was face to face
with it, Alps upon Alps of difficulty
and perplexity seemed to surround
its accomplishments. / would have
given all was worth to postpone
the evil day but twenty. four hours
all but my self respect, and that was
imperiled now.
"Cecilia," I said softly.
She raised the liquid brown eyes to
mine.
81 want to confde in you tonight,
have l your permission to speak ?"
Certainly, Mr.. Markham"
VI am very much in love, Cecilia !;
IN fact, my heart has long gone out
OF my own possession into that Of %
stopped with the fatal husky
feeling in my throat. Cecilia was
blushing divinely I drew my chair
close up to hers, with the sensation
of a man who had just pulled the
string of a cold shower.bath.
"Who is the lady?" faltered Co.
cilia--as though she didn't know
perfectly well already.
"Shall l show you her picture, Ce.
ella ?"
Miss Vernon inclined her head
almost to the level of my shoulder,
to look at the little carte de visite ]
drew from my pocket. l skilfully
stole one arm around her waist.
"See dearest"
But to my horror and dismay, she
snatched her hand from my grasp,
sprang up, aud started away, like
some fair avenging goddess
slow dare you insult me thus,
Mr.. Markham %
Cecilia how-what-"
"Don't presume to call me Cecilia,
sir !" sobbed the indignant girl, burst
ing into tears, and sweeping from
the room!
sat like one palsied. What had
l done? Why was the gracious
mood ofmy enchantress thus sudden
ly changed to gall and bitterness
Surely she would presently return
and apologize for her capricious
exit
But she did not return; and after
waiting long in vain l sneaked out a
side door, and crept dejectedly home
my heart burning with wonder and
resentment.
l had no mind to meet the assem-
bled family groop, so 1 admitted
myself with the night key, and stole
noiselessly up stairs, where my lamp
still burned-the lamp l had lighted
with such high and bounding hopes
l threw off my coat viciously (; as
did so the forgotten carte de visit
dropped from my pocket. l stop
ped TO pick it up. 1t was the por
trait of Bessie Armitage!
And there on the mantel, where
in my needless haste l had left it
was the countenance of my queer
Cecilia!
had shown her the wrong pho
tograph.
All was clear now! Her indigna
tion and resentment-the whole
tangled web of mystery was unrav
eled now! / Icaught up my hat t
rush back to her, but at that momen
the clock struck eleven!
1t was too late now. All apolog,
and explanation must be deferred un
til the morrow. And with a dIscon
tented spirit I sought my couch.
Early the next morning I started
over to the old Vernon mansion but
expeditions as l was, Trefoil ha
been there before me. I met hir
coming whistling down the walk q
selfpossessed as ever.
"Good morning!' I said briefly
endeavorlng to pass him; but he de-
tanned me.
Congratulate me my dear fello "
/ am the happiest man in the world
Cecilia Vernon has promised to b
my wife /"
l stared blankly at him, and wit
one or two unintelligible murmurs
turned short round and walked hom
again. My rival had improved tn
propitious opportunity and caugh
Cecilia's heart in the rebound.
Well-so goes the world, and
am bachelor yet. There is but on
Cecilia, and she, alas is married t
Fitzhugh Trefoil.
MoRAL.-Young men when 20
go counting be certain aohOse pictur
you are carrying next your heart!