The Placer herald., 1873-08-09

AhS tWhtSut YuCtiy INV WIZ
gloom Of black night. Cecy sat thinking,
her hands folded, her head leaning against
the back Of her easy chair. Several flashes
of lightning, in binding succession, reused
her to sitting posture, and she listened
eagerly for the thunderclap 1t come soon,
deep and rolling at first, then crashing
through the heavens in terrific, deafening
peals, died mutteringiy away. The girls
face. when revealed by the lightning chain,
wore a look of intensest awe, reverence and
delight. Suddenly her ear, on the alert,
heard rap on the door. She knew that
her mother was probably by this time envel-
oped like mummy in feather beds, conse-
quently it was not her mothers rap-on
the hall-door, too. She rose fearfuly and
opened it, Outside stood tall figure, dim-
ly defined by the glow of the freight behind
her. She was hesitating what to do when
a voice remarked with quiet amusement:
"May come in, Cecy, or don't you want
to be disturbed ?"
Cecy held out both hands: 81 didn't
know who it was, DR.. Howard! | AN very
glad to see you," she exclaimed joyfuly1
forgetting for moment that terrible bug
bear in the shape of the wife. f''~-.-.
DIR. Howard hung his hat on the rack,
and tossed his gloves on the stand Cecy
led the way into thu parlor.
"Shall get light ?" she asked.
''No, don't; it's much pleasan,er this
way, Cecy. Come back to your chair and
watch the Storm King hold his revels,"
Tom answered, throwing himself lazily on
the sofa under Cecys window. The glow
of the freight Aickered over Toms face.
and Cecy knew the dark, handsome eyes
were watching her intently, though she
looked steadily out of the window. Tom
played with his chain ard watched her in
silence for some time. A binding flash Of
lightning made her start suddenly. DR.
Tom. laid his band softly over hers.
"Ah, me-" thought Cecy, her heart filed
with longing at his gentle touch, "Heven
help me! how love Tom! And he mar
ried! Oh! have the utmost contempt for
myself-my disgraceful weakness. But
loved him first, and she--oh, Tom!' The
thunder ratified loudly over head. Tears
filed Cecy's eyes and rolled slowly down
her cheek. Afraid the next Lightning fash
would reveal them to Toms steady, searchs
ing gaze, she turned her head away and put
her hand over her eyes. The lightning
quivered for an instant ON the tear-dr p that
forced its way between her fingers. Dr.
Toms eyes flashed curiously. 50
''Has the lightning hurt your eyes,
Cecy?" he asked
Cecy shook her head.
eff it had | was going to prescribe for
them, you know" said Tom, spice of
mischief making itself heard through his
clear voice. The rain beat heavily against
the window and the wind walled mournful-
ly. Tom drew note from his pocket, aud
gave it to Cecy. as
Mrs. Canning commissioned me to give
it TO you, he said.
Cecy dropped it in her lap
'It's too dark to read it. l presume
you can tell me what is in it," she an.
swered.
How dare you accuse me of opening
your letters?' demanded DR.. Howard, with
an injured air, reaching up to pull the long
burl that lay ON Cecy's shoulder.
81 didn't. supposed you came at the
contents by intuition
"Wel, as near as l can guess, it is an
The newly married couple, Tom. and Lu.,
have come, " responded DIR. Howard.
"Who has come ?" gasped Cecy, wildly.
"Why, Mrs. Cannings brother, Tom.
Bennett, and his wife, Du." ~
go, dear" said the amazed Cecy. 81
thought it was you!' "A
"Me" said Tom, sitting upright in.
his surprise. But Cecy's long restrained
emotions had found vent at last, and she
had covered her white face with both hands
and was crying quietly. DR.. Tom put bis
arm protectingly around her and drew her to
a seat beside him on tire sofa.
"Dear, did you think | had forgotten my
promise p be asked very softly. g. 4 g,.l
eyes, said Cecy, letting her hand fall
on his knee. Tom. took it in his own ara
gave it loving queeze. .a'' -
Poor little girl, be said softly, tes-
der. wistfu glow in bis eyes as he looked
down at her. "Why, Ceey, dear, never
loved any one but you, and | have loved
you, oh, SO long! Have you nothing to say,
sweetheart? can't you give a fellow
chance for happiness when he's been gone
for three long years, and came home tired
and sick in the bargain? and all for the
love of you little one?" he added, pur-
suasively. Cecy laughed gaily, as he had
not heard her for many month.
"All that?" she said, glancng at the
handsome, boyish face watching her so ea-
gerly. Her voice lowered and her head
dropped to his shoulder as she whispered
softly:
80. Tom! I have loved you longer than
you know -e...
Toms face was rapture personifed as be-
looked down at the pretty head ON bis shoul.
der, and, though neither looked through
the window nor yet the key-hole, know TO
certainty that he claimed his bride with a
kiss. $50,
And here, to all intents and purposes, I
may as well withdraw, for, thoug gh it should
rain .pitchforks and hail omnibuses, nothing
could disturb Tom. and Cecx's xell-dA.