The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-09-02

toward Mr.. St. Alban by the time they
all seated themselves on the little rustic
benches about the table. She even made
an attempt to sit beside Minerva; but her
brother provokingly anticipated her. and
paid no attention to the surreptitious pinch
which she inflicted upon his elbow.
When lunch was over Mrs. st. Alban
begged the rest to amuse themselves with
out her, as she was tired, and would 60
and rest in the picture gallery awhile. Mr..
Merritt looked disconsolate as the last glim-
mer of her mauve silk disappeared in the
shrubbery, and abruptly excusing himself
to his sister and her companion, walked
deliberately off to smoke cigar.
Emma, being very young lady of Puri-
tan morals and great conscientiousness, ex-
tremely novel and refreshing in these days,
looked Enthusiastically annoyed and embar-
raised. She longed for an opportunity to
box the ears of her unretleuting brother,
who had left her alone with stranger who
was married man and a desperate firt,
and whose wife was undoubtedly at this
moment suffering the keenest pangs at his
desertion of her.
She was aroused from her reflections by
polite remark from St. Alban, who offered
his arm for a further stroll.
'fm tired" she answered, somewhat
chidishly, and turned shortly away.
Gustavus looked inexpressibly sympa-
thetic. Let me take you down to that
secluded nook by the water, where we may
be undisturbed by these crowds" he MUIR
INJURED in tones so treacherously tender that
they only increased her confusion and bewil-
derment.
6 1t doesn't matter particularly, that
can see," she answered, sullenly, and not
very lucidly, whereat Gustavus opened his
eyes and hesitated. An awkward silence
ensued.
81 need not add, Miss Merritt, that l
have the honor to place myself entirely
under your commands, he returned, with
elaborate polteness.
"Oh, dear! don't do so. l didn't mean
that" she exclaimed, rather incoherently.
go any where you like, I'm sure; l sup
pose one place is no worse than another
It's all the same to me, anyhow"
Mr.. St. Alban answered her by look of
polite bewiderment; again offered his arm,
and this time little Emma accepted it,
smothering pretty little sigh of perplex-
ity as she walked with her fascinating
escort down to a cluster of laurestines
which grew by the pond. He placed her
on an ivy mantled seat and sat down beside
her, his bold and eloquent eyes regarding
her all the time with admiring interest.
"Do you like San Francisco ." she asked,
making faint attempt at entertaining him,
but feeling irrtated and uncomfortable.
81 was not in love with it until to day,
Miss Merritt"
$50 our picnic has had the effect of revo-
lutionizing your impressions. Pm afraid
you have very volatile disposition, Mr..
Alban."
Your picnic has had nothing to do with
my metam OrphosiS, except that | shall al
ways bless it as the medium through which
l became acquainted with you. With you
always by my side, life for me would be
invested with an enchaDtment which all its
stern realities could not dissipate."
please don't. Mr.. St. Alban. dislike
insincerity and abominate flattery."
81 should blush to be guilty of either,
Miss Merritt
"Avez-vous raudace de me dire cecir'
Pourquoi pass" he demanded, smil-
ing. Sou ajje dit? que je vous admire,
c'est tout
"What can Mrs. St. Alban be doing so
long, she exclaimed, starting up as if to
go iE search of her.
"She's been gone just fifteen minutes
and a half" said Gustavus, composedly,
slancing at his chronometer. "Sit down
again. Minerals a patient little thing;
but she's not strong, and often leaves me
to solitude, which you have rendered en-
chanting in this instance"
81 think" exclaimed Emma, flushing
and speaking recklessly and little unin-
diligently, "that husbands ought to be so
grateful to their wives for-for"-
"Certainly; l think SO too" assented
Gustavus encouragingly. "Ihope in time
to be the most grateful husband in the
world"
"Oh, you do!' said Emma, scornfully,
yet with great stateliness. Permit me to
assure you it's my opinion that you never
will no tb;pE ito draadful for q ,,,r
ried man to tlirt"
$50 do l, Miss Merritt. ct is usually
unbecoming in lady to fly into a passion,
but l beg to inform you that it only en-
hances your attractions)."
you firt horribly, Mr.. St. Alban.-
(lIow can help flying into passion when
you persistently provoke me into losing my
self-possession
"Upon my word do not, my dear Miss
Merritt. Il have no objection to your get
ting angry, as it gives animation to our
discussion. l have meant every word l
said to you to-day-and much more.'
$50 much the worse, !" sighed good little
Emma, now thoroughly convinced that
here was an object of hopeless depravity.
She rose with an air of determination
"You can do as you think proper, but I'm
going to find Mrs. St. Alban.'
She inclined her head slightly to him as
she walked away toward the Conservatives.
With innate courtesy, Gustavus attended
her to the entrance, and then left her.
She entered the manifcent dome shaped
glass pavilion and paused to collect herself
before marble fountain, which threw dia
mond jets of water from the mouth of a
gilded serpent over thickets of riotous
plants. From the crystal crescent of the
roof hung downward vivid scarlet bell like
blossoms, pendent from web of tangled
tropical vines that clambered up tluted pill
lar and lattice frame to reach the ceiling
overhead 4 graceful naiad stood by the
fountain, on whose cleaning shoulders and
arms the drops of spray sparkled like anne