The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1876-04-20

out or doors, after being shut up IN the
house all the winter. Or maybe youG
prefer going in to see Cccil?'
Sensible old gentleman he had not for
gotten his own young days. intimated
not without considerable awkwardness
that the special object of my visithad beer
to " see Cecil"
"Well, she is in the parlor, all by her
SELF" said the Squire, good-humoredly
motioning me in. "Walk in-walk in
Cecilia Vernon was sitting in the parlol
alone, as her father lad said, the bright
center of a cheerful circle of lamplight
A bit of crochet-work was lying in hel
lap, and an open volume of poems
poems had sent her-was on the table
Cecilia Vernon was always fair 10 look
upon, in my sight: tonight, however, she
seemed more than ordinarily beautiful.
l sat down, and began hesitatingiy upon
the failing topic of the weather. A
proposal had seemed the easiest thing in
the world as | walked along the dewy
edges of the peaceful, starlighted road,
that was face to face with it, Alps upon
Alps Of difficulty and perplexity seemed
to surround its accomplishment. lwould
have given all that l was worth to post
pone the evil day but twenty four hours
all but my self-respect, and that was i'm
periled now.
Cecilia tried her best to keep the ball of
conversation in motion; she introduced
new subjects, asked leading questions,
and teigned deep interest in the most alb
struse of topics. But even Cecilia couldn't
talk on forever, and presently, with d lit
tie sigh of despair, she subsidized into ST
lence.
Now was the cventful moment of my
destiny.
Cecilia!" l said softly.
She raised the liquid brown eyes to
mine.
Il want to contide in you tonight
have your permission to speak ~
Certainly, Mr.. Markham!"
II am very much in love, Cecilia
in fact, my heart has long ago gone out OF
my possession into that Of"
stopped, with the fatal husky feeling
in my throat. Cecilia was blushing di-
vinely! drew my chair close to hers,
with the sensation of a man who has just
pulled the string of a cold shower bath.
"Who is the lady ?" faltered Cecilia, as
if she didn't know perfectly well already
"Shall showyou her picture, Cecilia?"
Miss Vernon inclined her head almost
to the level of my shoulder to look at the
little carte de risite | drew from my
pocket. l skillfully stole one arm round
her waist.
"See, dearest"
But, to my horror and dismay, she
snatched her hand from my clasp, sprang
up, and started away, like some fair aveng,
ing goddess!
How dare you insult me thus, Mr.
Markham"
Cecilia! how-what-"
"Don't presume to call me Cecilia
sir!' sobbed the indignant girl, bursting
into tears and sweeping from the room!
1 sat like one pslsied. What had
dones Why was the gracious mood of my
enchantress thus suddenly transformed tc
gall and bitterness? Surely she would
presently return and apologize for her ca.
PRECIOUS exit? But she did not return
and, after waiting long in vain, l sneaked
out of side-door and crept deiectedly
home, my heart burning with wonder and
resentment. I had no mind to meet the
assembled family group; so l admitted
myself with the latch key and stole noise
lessly upstairs, where my lamp still
burned-the lamp l had lighted with such
high and bounding hopes!
l threw off my coat viciously; as | die
so, the forgotten carte de uisite dropped
from my pocket. l stopped to pick it up,
1t was the portrait of Bessie Armitage
And there on the mantel, where in my
needless haste had left it, was the divine
countenance of my queen, Cecilia!
l had shown her the wrong photograph
All was clear now Her indignation
and resentment-the whole tan gled web o
mystery was unraveled now l caught W
my hat to rush back to her, but at tha
moment the clock struck eleven!
1t WIS too late now. All apology ant
explanation must be deferred until tn
morrow. And with a discontented spi-i
| sought my couch.
Early the next morning l walked owe
to the old Vernon mansion; but, >expedi
tious as l was, Trefoil had been there be
fore me- l met him coming whistlina
down the walk as self possessed as ever.
Good morning" l said briefly, en-
deavoring to pass him; but he detained
me.
Congratulate me, my dear fellow!
am the happiest man in the world. Cecil
ia Vernon has just promised to be m
witer'
stared blankly at him, and with on
or two unintelligible murmurs, turne
short round and walked home again. NJ
rival had improved the propitious oppol
tunity, and caught Cecilia's heart in tn
rebound! ...
Well-so goes the world, and l am
bachelor yet. There is but one Cecilia
and she, alas. is married to Fitzhugh Tre
foil!
MoRAL.-When you go courting, b
certain whose picture it is you are carry