The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-05-08
THIRTY THOUSAND POUNDS.


Overlaid another feeling that matched her
smile.
She surveyed an attic chamber. In addi-
ton to the necessary articles of furniture,
it contained a desk piled with French and
German books-books of reference, and
dictionaries in several tongues. Two flow
er-pots graced the narrow windowslll, and
in them, geranium and citrina gladdened
the room with hints of woodland green,
with small sweet whispers of gardens of
bloom. Above the head Of the white bed,
plain cross of black wood stood upon
| bracket; another pictured cross opposite it
and beneath it, bowed in grief or resigna-
ton, kneeling female figure; suspended
above this, a framed, illuminated card bore
the words, "Out of the depths will | call
upon thee
| This, for use or ornament, was ALL
The occupant Of the room, Setar Ferrand,
sat in low chair by the window, holding
| in her lap a well-worn portfolio; an ink
stand was beside the pot of ctrina, die
| tionary leaned against the geranium, defy
ing the laws of gravity, and the article to
be translated was supported by two or three
books on the desk in front Of her. She
would have been pretty, if she had not been
too pale-if hard work had not defined her
delicate features too sharply. But her dark
eyes were like two Swallowed souls, doubt
| full perhaps Of themselves and Of all things,
but not for that the less loving, the less
anxiously truthful, or the less beautiful
While she still paused in her work, her
meditatiops were interrupted by n sharp
knock at the door, which was followed
Immediately by the entrance of a visitor
| With her came new atmosphere. 1t was
like the sudden blowing of strong fresh
"norther over the languid Texan prairies
Miss Gerry (Geraldine) Armstrong, rus
tied in heavy black silk, sparkled with
heavy ornaments, painted with the long
ascent from the elegant first floor, bloomed
with unsimulated health and enviable vigor,
ed against her breast-speaking, however,
before Setar had time to open her lips.
"Dear mel cried Miss Gerry, pausing
perforcc between words, "what an awful
ascent,-worse that Mont Blanc, | am sure.
| Just ran up to see how are-you poor lit
tie white woman-and toto ask if you
have heard the newso Such 1condertul
news -
"Take seat, Miss Gerry, pray" said
Setar laughing, cor you will kill yourself
trying to talk before you can breathe"
Miss Gerry dropped into chair, shook
her head reprovingly, laughed, and went
| on.
"You know what mean? Only to think
of it. How things do turn out, to be
sure, Neil Conway heir to thirty thousand
pounds, When did you hear it, Setar?'
And then Miss Gerry had little fit of I'M
| seasonable anger, and cried out vvacously,
"Why in the world don't you say some
| thing, you naughty little creature? Can
not any thing astonish yeu9'
| & That did, said Setar, picking up her
portfolio. She was minute or so longer,
| perhaps, in recovering the scattered papers
than was quite necessary; for Miss Gerry
possessed quick eyes. THAT did, indeed.
| | saw a paragraph in the morning paper
telling of Neil Conway's good fortune, and
| afterward Mrs. Tannant mentioned it to
me-"
As Setar lifted her head, her pale face
struck Miss Gerry unpleasantly. She was
so we'll herself, so full of strong vivacious
health, possessed of such unrestrained
nerves that Setar's pallor seemed sort OF
reproach to her.
"Mrs. Tannant mentioned it to you.
she repeated, sharply. is that all you
have to say9' And she glanced around
the room as Setar had done, but with q
more unmistakable expression.
:" am very glad of his good fortune
What should say?" Setar asked gently.
Nothing, certainly, if you prefer it, ,
Miss Gerry answered in an injured tone
"But | don't believe there is another CIR
in New York city, who would reflect upon
lost chance to be the mistress of thirty
thousand pounds as quietly as you do.
And Miss Gerry said this with an emphasis
which showed how culpable she though
that Indifference in every one.
Both were silent awhile. And then
with an effort-as if Setar's reticence made
talking difficult, Miss Gerry continued:
"Setar!" she said, resolutely, "you art
a girl of sense, or | would not waste mn
sense upon you; but as it is, | have some
thing to say to you. In SO many words
want you to marry Neil Conway; and | dc
not in the least care, whether you thinl
me oficious OF worse, to tell you SO. 1ot
need not blush and look so terribly. Nv,
no intention of dragging you to the ate
III ct arnsis, All | want is that you shoult
listen to reason-that is, to me! Here yol
sit, in this character of the muses-eigh
feet by twelve, with half window-an'
work, and grow palcr and thinner ever,
week Of your life, and make enough to sat
isfy Mrs. Tannant that she is not starvin!
you out of pure charity; for your appetite
would not satisfy canary. And, my dear
remember, if you please, that you are get
ting on in years, and losing your good looks
Have you reflected that you will be twenty
five your next birthday? Neil Conwa.
adores the very soles of your slippers; but
putting that aside, he is remarkably sen
sible man-tender- hearted, and would max
a good husband And he has thirty thous
and pounds! Setar Ferrand, be sensible.
1t was very kind Of Miss Gerry. Mis-
Geraldine Armstrong rarely troubled hel
self to this extent about the affairs of othe
people, and Setar knew it. And that tn
daughter of the magnificent occupants d
first floor suite, should mount to the atti
to expostuate with the unnoticed worke
under the caves! 1t was plainly too niue
for Setar's nerves. She was weeping.
AS | remarked before, Miss Gerry had II
nerves. The sight of Setar's tears discon
fitted her, and made her feel slightly al
noyed-in truth she saw nothing to cry fol
i, After waiting few minutes, during whic
Setar swallowed her sobs and tried vainl
| NJ ~ >