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

quite understand why l was excluded from
the invitation, particularly as | had had
pretty fair reason to surmise that Cousin
Terry had a-well. no matter what shall
call it cousinly feeling towards me. 1t
was rather vexatious to hear mammals
comments about Olivia, and felt that, if
/ l could do it by open and fair means,
certainly wound try to get an invitation to
60 to Stockdale Dene; but l could not
endure to GO to anybod's house under false
colors.
| l sat there looking out of my bed room
window, and l thought and thought, and
| turned over in my mind the oft-reiterated
asseverations of mamma and Olivia that
cared for no one and would try to please
nobody but my own sweet self; and tried
to think it out and find if the charge were
true of me. Somehow or other, | did not
get on well with Olivia or Mamma; the
truth is, that petty subterfuges disguised
me. could not help seeing through them.
Neither had they ever shown much moth
erly or sisterly love towards me, and l
often-oh, how often !-yearned for it.
But then, we were essentially an undemon-
strative family towards each other. And,
as l sat there thinking, on that bright,
mellow September afternoon, I concluded
that perhaps really did think too much
of myself-that did not sufficiently bear
and forbear; but then my soul revolted
from the little mean pettiness that my rela-
tives SO often asked me to countenance
and to take part in. Should assume an
amiable part for once-make compromise
with my conscience upon this occasion,
and pretend to be an invalid just to oblige
Them ! go over to the looking glass, and
taking my hair out of the multtudinous
curls and plaits in which my soul delights,
l brush it as straight as its curly nature
will admit; then, arranging it in decorous
Quaker-like fashion, / dress myself in
staid looking, grey merino dress, and, re-
turning to the drawing room, say:
"Olivia, am ready to offer myself on the
altar of sisterly affection. Do you think
my get up is invalidish enough? '
"Wel, really, now you are unselfish for
once in your ife-I'll say that much for
you ~ exclaims Olivia, literally. elf you
will only keep up the character week or
so, you can then pretend that the change
of air has done you so much good.'
l say nothing; but think what an Attic.
ton Olivia is, and rosy-red flush of shame
suffuses my face. I am of opinion that
mamma dmly reads my thoughts, for she
says, deprecatingly-
You see, Alice dear, people in our cir
cumstances must do these things; there is
nothing unusual in it.
alt is the way of the world" is Olivia's
original remark.
say abruptly" You had better tell me
what is to be the matter-if it is to be
govt, consumption, or softening of the
brain. Take my advice, and make it the
latter; object to be a rheumatic subject,
as that role would interfere with the free
use of my limbs, and softening of the
brain would account for any eccentricites.
1t is decided that l am to suffer from no
specified disease am merely to be " not
very strong" In few days pressing
and affectionate invitation arrives from
Aunt Stockdale, and a week later we are
standing on the busy, crowded railway plat
form, mamma and Olivia frantically seiz-
ing upon polters and guards in their en-
deavor to get their luggage looked after.
AS for me, take no active part in the pro-
ceedngs. l had taken upon myself the
character of an invalid, and l had deter
mined not to be cheated out of the privi-
leges attendant upon the situation. AT
length" our troubles and our perils DER"
we are seated in a luxurious first class
carriage, and are being rapidly whirled
away into pleasant, genial Devonshire.
About two o'clock in the afternoon we
stop at large junction station, where we
are informed that we have fifteen minutes |
for refreshments. l am not hungry, and
object to leave the carriage; SO off mamma
and Olivia 60, promising to bring me some
sandwiches on their return. Two or three
minutes pass, during which time lie laz
lily back and idly watch the engines and
wagons being shunted to and fro; present
ly, hearing some one open the door, l look
up, and am unfeignedly surprised to see
Terry Stockdale.
"Why, Terry exclaimed amazedly,
and then come to full stop.
"Why, Alice" he exclaims, laughingly.
al have Just seen Aunt Charters and
Olivia in the refreshment- room, and was
surprised to hear that you were coming
down with them"
My spirits sink, and my dignity rises.
Indeed; didn't you know that l had
been invited ~
"No; have been from home on and
off, for the last month, and l don't know
much about mothers arrangements. except
that l heard that Aunt Charters and you
and Olivia were coming down, so asked |
mother here he gives me one of his
merry looks" not to ask you down with
them, for have to 60 up to London for a
few days, and thought how awfully jolly |
it would be for me to bring you down with
me-"
| think so too, but of course l do not
say so then, suddenly recollecting my as
sumed character, l say:
81 suppose you know that I am gong to
Stockdale Dene for change of air, Terry?'
$50 hear. What's the matter with
you ?''
az am very bad" l say, solemnly, and
staring fixedly at the opposite cushions
every bad indeed-worse than you have
any idea Of
He has been sitting beside me dnring the
foregoing conversation; but, as | conclude,
he seats himself opposite, and, looking at
me steadily, with a look that causes the
swift bushes to pass over my face, he says
dryly, and with more candor than polite
ness
"Alice, believe you're quizzing me"
Now | know quite well that Terry, Joy
GUS and off-handed as he appears is more
keen-sighted than people in general give
! l.: L.. IL 1 i l