The Placer herald., 1873-08-09
For the. Herald
CECY'S MISTAKE.
BY LANCELOT,

called Mrs. Leonard, from the garden gate,
where she stood, dressed for riding, fecking
the pretty ponies .impatiently with her whip.
And SO am ! waiting for you, too, Ce-
cy, DEAR" thought DIR. Tom Howard, with
a sharp pang, as he stood with Cecy Leon
ard, just inside the parlor door. But he on
ly bent his dark head protectingly over her,
and said:
II shall not keep you waiting. Goodbye,
Cecy, end don't forget me-"
Goodbye" said Cecy, sadly enough,
giving him her hand But he threw his
arm around her suddenly and drew her to
his side:
Goodbye, sweetheart, goodbye; but
not forever and forever" he whispered
and pressing his lips tenderly to her pure
forehead, he released her, and was gone, al
most before she realized it. She walked
slowly down to the gate in despairing
state of mind.
81 am sorry DR.. Howard has gone," OBJ
served her mother. "NVe shall miss him
very much" Oecy seated herself in the
carriage without reply. Mrs. Leonard be-
slowed herself beside her daughter, wonder
ing what caused the faint color on Cecy s
usually pearfy cheek. o. most unobserv-
ing of mothers! not to know that the signal
had been called up by her careless mention
of the name Cecy loved best to hear. Cecy,
herself, would not have acknowledged that.
She thought well of DIR. Howard, and was
proud to call him her friend AS for Tom,
he had known Cecy for three years, and had
loved her as long He was about depart
ing with his uncle, DR.. Canning, for tour
through Europe, to complete his medical
studies. His travels were intended to oc-
cupy the next three years, more or less.
Cecy, sitting idly in the carriage, beside her
mother, wondered how she was to pass the
time away without DIR. Toms gaiety, mis-
chief and subtle tact to enliven it.
"Where are we going, mother ?" inquired
Cecy, listlessy.
"To call on Mrs. Canning first" replied
her mother. The name of Toms aunt
brought DR.. Tom again into Cecy's mind.
90, dear!' she thought, despairingly, 81
am going to miss him so much, if he gros
always teasing me. I'm afraid in two or
three months I'd be willing to accept of an
elephant, if he were to bring it to me" One
vf Da. To,n'e latest freaks lad been to give
Cecy small basket, in which was deposited
much cotton, wool, with very little dog
underneath. The dog had been productive
OF considerable amusement, and he was in
vested with the title of NJ. D.. after bis
donor. The "Doctor" was lively addi-
ton to the household. 1Ie frolicked gaiy
with Cecy's best bonnet, scratched energet-
ically at the rack to bring DR.. Toms bat
within reach of his devoted paws, and, fail
ing in that, began to make hay of Cecy's
flowers. She spied him willie engaged in
the full force of thnt last operation, and
catching him by the dropping appondage of
the extremity of the back bone, with an i'm
patient jerk, exclaimed:
go! you little beast! you've ruined my
carnations!" and shook him till his ears
tapped wildly. Then she bundled him into
the cellar. Half an hour aftcrward Cecy
heard succession of queer noises in the
lower regions. She lifted the trap-door and
descended to see what new freak had seized
'Doc. >" while DR.. Tom came lesurely af-
ter her with an amused smile playing round
his handsome mouth. "Doc. was indus
triously prospecting large hole he had
scratched in the center of Cecy's choicest
cake, which the little nuisance had tumbled
from the shelf.
go, dearp said Cecy, sitting down on
the lowest step, .near ready to cry with
vexation, and looking reproachfully at the
little culprit, who was making raid on the
cheese. "Doc. how could you destroy
that cake, when only made it this morn
ing?" She rescued Doc. and the cheese at
the same time. AS she went up the steps
behind the sympathizing DR.. Tom, she
dropped Doc. into the pocket of his linen
coat. But the little black paws and wildly
waving tail made Cecy laugh, and DIR.
Howard deposited his namesake in the
wood box to mediate at his leisure.
The depth of Cecy's regard may be sur
missed, when she would consent to accept of
an elephant, were DR.. Howard to offer it.
The day passed slowly to Cecy. She reach
ed home at last, and took off her bonnet,
and sitting down, shed few tears quietly,
hardly knowing what she was crying for
But she grew cheerful as the days and
months went on, and looked hopefully for
DIR. Howard's return. At the end of two
years and half, she looked anxiously for
ward to their meeting She was laughing
and chatting gaily with Gus. Dent one af-
ternoon, when the following note was put in
to her hand. She excused herself to hand
some Gus, the "catch' of the season, and
withdrew to the window to read it. Only
these lines from Cecy's best friend, Mrs.
Canning:
"DEAR EcY:~-Come over tonight and
rejoice with me. Toms married. The
wedding took place week ago. ! want
your advice about the furnishing of their
parlor. which they, not being responsible for
anything during tie honeymoon, you know,
have left to me. DR.. Canning will be home
soon, so come over and rejoice, say"
Alas poor Cecy! Her power Of rejoic-
ing suddenly failed her. 1t came to her like
a fash that she loved Tom. Howard. Too
latel The girl shat her lips c!ose apa walk-