The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-04-25
"MY SWEET SELF"

Strictly speaking, we-tbat means man.
ma, my sister Olivia, and my sweet self
are at home at 76. Carnford Hill, Kensing
ton; conventionally speaking, we are out
of town-for everybody who is anybody is
out of town in September. We do our
very utmost to be fashionable, but find it
no easy matter to be SO on mammals small
iointure. We are having stormy discus
sion over letter which arrived this morn
ing, and Olivia, with actually an animated
expression upon her white face-says to
me-
You are most provoking, Alice; but of
Aunt Stockdale's letter, knew that we
could not count upon you. for you think of
no one but your sweet SELF
81 haven't met with any one better
worth thinking of than my sweet self"
"You selfish girl ~ exclaims mamma
"why cannot you, for once in your life,
put self aside and do what l ask you ~
why, it is just such thing as is prac-
ticed every day." chimes in Olivia. owe
cannot afford to go out of town like our
more wealthy acquaintance, and it looks
bad. Aunt Stockdale's invitation is only
for mamma and me for few weeks; but,
if you will only say that you have not been
strong. and that the doctor has ordered
you change of air. you will be sure to have
-, !, H.,
the house-and it would be such saw
ing"
l pitch my lace-work on to the table,
jump on chair, and survey myself in the
pier-glass. I see the womanly, rounded
form of a girl of nineteen. pair of healthy
looking hazel eyes, and abundant soft
wavy hair to match-in short, girls
bright face, with no indication of illness
about it. turn to Olivia and say, gravely:
won't do, Olivia; but, since it's neces-
sary for the success of your scheme to
have an invalid in the family, why not per-
senate one yourself, and say that you must
bring your affectionate sister to take care
of you? 1t will not be the first little
story you have told about me-
al declare, Alice, your insolence is un-
bearable Mamma and Olivia gives
her meaning look" it would not do at
all for me to be the invalid
"Decidedly not says mamma. "The
fact is, Alice, your cousin Trevor has so
warmly seconded the invitation that fancy
he has something more than mere cous-
inly feeling towards Olivia"
look towards my sister, who sits there,
complacent, squat, fat, sandy, and thirty
two, and then mentally see Terry Stock
dale-tall, bronzed. brown bearded and
twenty seven, and, With eyes wide open
with amazement, | say
"Good gracious. Olivia, surely you don't
imagine that Terry is in love with you !!
Why, you might be his grandmother or
maiden aunt ~
81 never said that he was in love with
me" she replies, sharply; "hut suppose
he is, see nothing wonderful in it ! 1t is
often an advantage when the wife is a year
or so older
"You are more than year older than
Terry say, provokingly- "Let me see
now: Terry is about twenty seven, and
you must be nearly thirty-three-six years
older than he is Why, should be bet
ter match for him myself!"
"Always thinking about yourself, of
rse-self self-nothing else But now
let us give over talking nonsense, and de-
eide upon what is to be done. Will you or
will you not do what mamma and have
arranged?'
az will not ." and anxious to avoid any
further discussion on the subject, l leave
the room.
How intensely hated the little petty
deceits to which mamma and Olivia were
perpetually resorting for the purpose of
excepting up appearances that bane of
English people had never seen Stock
dale, but Cousin Terry had paid us cou-
pie of flying visits, and had favorably i'm
pressed us. Stockdale Dene, lie had told
me, was a delightful ramshackle old place,
with an unknown number of bed rooms
and other unlimited hospitable resources.
If had had my own way in the matter /
would have written to Aunt Stockdale, my
CO. lo,, &,lI Ia