The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-09-05
was whispered back, as her head dropped

Stlll lower.
"Never shown the slightest preference
Is it possible that under my careless and
light exterior you did not detect more
serious meaning? But / am waiting my
answer" and he bent down to catch the
timid Yes
The night was moonless and dark-so
much so that the doctor could not see, as
he lsnged to see the blushing face of his
Mary. He kissed at random, and, being
determined to leave the seal of betrothal
on her lips, kissed first her ear, then her
cheek, and after meandering all about at
last settled upon her sweet lips, which were
turned temptingly upward.
"God bless you ~ he whispered. "To-
morrow evening l may come and see you,
l suppose, and then we can adjust our
happy future"
Just then the shouts of some lasses who
had been chased out of the back door and
around the graveled walks by their rustic
admirers, startled the lovers. DR.. Collins
kissed his af1ianced again, and dashed away
before he was discovered. Of course he
"walked upon air" and it is quite likely
his prescription for the invalid was a little
mixed But after he had gained the quiet
of his room, he lay awake for a long time
rejecting upon the stupendous step he had
taken. Somehow he half regretted that
he had been so hasty and he communed
with himself.
81 am afraid" he thought that my
mother and sisters will think her little
hoydenish. But it cannot be denied that
she is beautiful and shrswd, and if trans
planted into more refined soil will i'm
prove How she seemed to melt when she
found loved her, and how changed were
her manners. confess expected her to
accept my wooing with her old time half
came sweetly womanly tender and gentle.
l could feel her plant form tremble and
thrill in my arms, and her timid yes was
given with sob. By Jove had no idea
the child loved me so much; and l shall
always be good to the sweet girl. She
shall be the very apple of my eye"
With this resolve, DR.. Collins foated
into dreamland, to rehearse over again the
little love passage in the rustic porch of
Mrs. Goodwin and beneath the twining
morning glory vines. The following day
passed for him with leaden feet. He long
ed to see Mary Norris in her new charac-
ter of his af1ianced bride. That she would
be gentle and sweet with him, now that
they were engaged, he did not doubt, and
he felt he should like her better when a
tritle toned down. So the early shadows of
evening found him at the door of the Nor
ris mansion. Mary was at the piano. He
could distinguish her voice in some peculiar
strain. No doubt this was only ruse to
cover her natural confusion. a servant
showed him in, and he instantly discovered
that Mary was not alone. A masculine
friend from neighboring village was
devotedly leaning over her and turning the
music. The closing of the door announced
him. Mary started up from the instru-
ment, and without the slightest deepening
of the roses upon her cheeks, and as SIM
ply and natural as ever, came forward,
greeted him, and introduced cher friend
Mr.. Cummings
The hot blood surged into the cheeks Of
the doctor. and he attempted to express
his disappointment and ardor with one elo-
quent glance, but it fell entirely short of
its mark. No answering expression came
back to him. AS if unconscious of their
near and new relation to each other, Mary
Norris ran on in merry just and railery
until he became thoroughly out of humor,
and espoused the contrary side of every
question, and at an early hour took his
departure. When in the hall, where the
girl accompanied him, he turned upon her
with words of reproach.
GLOW could you admit that fellow to-
night when you expected me?"
81 beg your pardon, DR.. Collins" she
replied, her saucy black eyes dancing
You are very much mistaken. l did not
expect you tonight, and that fellow is one
of my dearest friends"
"Mary, you are trifing with me. Have
you forgotten what transpired in the ver-
anda only last night %
"What veranda ?''
"That of Mrs. Goodwin, to be sure
"You must be insane, doctor, or you
are laboring under some hallucination. l
was not in Mrs. Goodwin's veranda with
with you for single moment last night;
and if you made any engagements with
any young lady at that time and place, it
was not with your humble servant"
"Not with you ~ he gasped, pale to the
lips. "Who the deuce was it, then, l
should like to know?'
"F can't say. You should not be care
less, doctor. No doubt some fair Brown
vile girl is this moment looking her eyes
out while you are wasting your time with
me. But must go back, or Charley will
be jealous. Yet stay. l have one trifling
bit of confidence for you. We are en-
gaged.'
"Certainly. Don't know it?' he ex-
claimed, selling her hand, with sudden
radiant face.
"Knew it, and had the audacity to call
my Charley "a fellow, and to be angry
because l did not deny myself to him on
account of your stupidity in thinking that
under Mrs. Goodwin's porch you had in
formed me of your intended visit? O.,
goodness, what coquette you must be-
lieve me to be-"
His hands fell away from hers suddenly,
and his voice was husky as he answered.:
81 congratulate you. Good night
Out in the silent and dull village street
he ground his teeth, and used some very
intricate harsh words against himself, the
worst of which. perhaps was that he might
be considered "an ass He went d.
rectly to his office, and DR.. Peters noticed
the change in his manners, and kindly
inquired what was the matter.
"Any bad news, my boy?" he asked,
loosely. You look as though you had
been having a case of double conniptions,