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
gwen all was worth to postpone
The evil day but twenty four hours
all but my self respect, and that was
imperiled now.
"Cecilia," ! said softly.
She raised the liquid brown eyes to
mine.
IL want to confide in you to night,
have | your permission to speak %
Certainly, Mr.. Markham"
! 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 | drew my chair
close up to hers, with the sensation
of a man who had just pulled the
string of cold shower. bath.
"Who is the lady?" faltered Ce-
cilia--as though she didn't know
perfectly well already.
"Shall ] show you her picture, Ce,
ella? '
Miss Vernon inclined her head
almost to the level of my shoulder,
to look at the little carte lie UiSite
drew from my pocket. i 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
How 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
/ 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 oapricious
exit
But she did not return; and after
waiting long in vain Isneaked out a
side door, and crept deiectedly home,
my heart burning with wonder and
resentment.
had no mind to meet the assem-
bled family groop, SO / admitted
myself with the night key, and stole
noiselessly up stairs, where my lamp
still burned-the lamp / had lighted
with such high and bounding hopes
threw off my coat yiciously as
did so the forgotten carte de oisitt
dropped from my pocket. ] stop
ped TO pick it up. 1t was the por
trait of Bessie Armitage
And there on the mantel, where
in my needless haste / had left it,
was the countenanee of my queen
Cecilia
had shown her the wrong pho,
tograph.
All was clear now! Her indigna.
ton and resentment-the whole
tangled web of mystery was unrav
eled nowl ] caught up my hat to
rush back to her, but at that moment
the clock struck eleven
It was too late now. All apology
and explanation must be deferred IN.
til the morrow. And with dlscon
tented spirit / sought my couch.
Early the next morning / started
over 20 the old Vernon mansion but
expeditions as ] was, Trefoil haC
been there before me. i met hin
coming whistling down the walk a
self-possessed as ever.
"Good morning - / said briefly
endeavOrIng to pass him; but he de
tanned me.
Congratulate me my dear fellow
am the happiest man in the world
Cecilia Vernon has promised to b,
my wife |"
stared blankly at him, and witt
one or two unintelligible murmurs
turned short round and walked HON,
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 Tretoil.
MoRAL-Young men when yol
go counting be certain whose pictur
| you are carrying next your heart