The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-08-09

4 A'th oNSi. amy 'Pii''o "Sio "SohSi,
and her feelings had been very much hurt
by what Mr.. Thorney had said about the
cassowaries. She went signing through
the lovely Summer days, and often wished
for a better map of Africa, though she
knew she might as well have wished for
the moon.
Things came to climax one day when
they were at dinner. Mr.. Therney always
insisted on dining late-perhaps he thought
some of his noble relations might drop i'll
and as there was not much in the way of
luncheon, the girls were very hungry by Z
o'clock. That day, when they sat down,
Madge looked at the dish with some dssat-
isfaction, thinking that she and her sister
might perhaps get up hungry, as they
often did; but Mr.. Thorney soon deprived
her young appetite of its edge.
{" We shall have to alter our SYSTEM"
he said quietly. "Locke tells me that
meat is going to rise twopence pound"
"What can be the reason of that?' ex-
already
"There is so much money in the coun-
try that people can afford to pay it,
"Can they?' said Mrs. Thorney. 81
never heard of such thing! There ought
to be rebellion
Yes, my dear, and you had better head
it. In the meantime, we'll have as little
waste as possible"
You won't have the expense of keep
ing me long, said Mrs. Thorney, whom
this last unmerited reproach seemed to
drive to eXtremities. 81 shall starve my
SELF
"Don't do that" said her husband.
&c Your daughters will not find it pleasant
in the workhouse without you-Madge, let
me give you some more"
"No, thank you, papa" said Madse,
with an emphasis which made no impress
sion whatever on Mr.. Thorney.
When she and Fanny had escaped out of
the dingy dining -oom, with its ragged
Turkey carpet and old black family por-
traits, at whose heads Madge often felt
inclined to throw plates and dishes, and
restrained herself with great difficulty
when they were out of prison, she dragged
Fanny with her into the garden, and
plunged among the strawberries, to g make
her moan" at convenient distance from
everybody. Fans weaker nature was
already moved to tears. cts too dread
full, Madge," she said. 81 really think l
can't bear it any longer"
"And l won't" said Madge, stamping
her foot. "I've make up my mind. I'm
going to Cousin Sarah. Perhaps you'll
have enough to eat when I'm gone"
80 Madge, she's such a horrid old
woman. And what shall l do without
you?
It's of no use," said Madge, decidedly.
90 1t can't be worse than this. | must do
something, for my best boots are in such a
state that I can't possibly go to church in
them more than once again. wish with
all my heart I could go out as house
maid or a kitchen-mad; | shouldn't mind
how much scrubbing did. But, as Cousin
Sarah is the only thing | may do, it must
be done, and the sooner the better. You
must take great care of mother, Fan. l
do hate to hear papa teazing her as he does.
have to bite my tongue, sometimes, to
keep from answering him.
The girls went presently into the house,
and told their mother of Madge's determi-
nation. Mrs. Thorney knew it was wise
in a worldly point of view, but she wept
over her daughter, as if she was 1phigenia
going to be sacrificed. Old Miss Thorney
was rich, and lived in good house, but
she was said to be a vixen and miser.
"Have you any objection, papa?' said
Madge, when her father had been told of
her plan.
emo" said Mr.. Thorney, but it was in
| q tone of surprise, and ho looked at his
daughter with some interest, perhaps for
the first time in his life. She was a hand
some, upright, fresh looking girl, with
complexion rather tanned by the sun,
bright brown eyes, and quantity of soft
chestnut hair, not very tidily dressed
Her old wash out print did not fit her very
WE'LL for she and Fan were obliged to get
their dresses made as they could; dress
makers bills were out of the question, and
they had no talent for making dresses, as
so many girls have. have known girls
who were quite smart and fashionable on
ten pounds year; but they never paid
their debts.
"No objection, certainly" said MIR.
Thorney, after a pause. 'She'll give you
some new dresses, dare say. And shall
have to find the money for your journey.
Shall you want anything in the way of
outfit?"
al have no boots" said Madge, hesitat-
ing little.
"That's rather serious. How much is
there in my purse9 Two pounds ten
Will that be enough for you %
"Plenty, thank you," said Madge, feel
ing quite rich when her father put the
money into her hand.
Miss Thorney was written to, and her
answer came by return of post.
"Dear William" she began, " am glad
you have come to your senses at last. Mar
| garet may come TO me. L VIII give hel
thirty pounds year, with her board and
lodging, and hope she will behave accord
ingly. She must come next Monday, or |
cannot wait for her, as | have been nego-
tiating with farmers daughter in the
neighborhood to fill the same post; but
suppose in this case, the truest charity is
to give the preference to my own relation"
cold hagr' said Mr.. Thorney, when
he had glanced over the rest of the latter
elf had my own wy, no daughter of
mine should depend on her charity, as she
calls it. However, it's settled now"
Madge thought the letter detestable, but
it made TO difference in her wish to go;
though her father, out of the contradic-
ton of his nature, was extremely amiable
during her last few days at home.
Mrs. Thorney and Fan grieved over the
appearance of Madge's luggage-a worm
eaten old box, clumsily mended by the vii