The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-03-18
THE TWIN SISTERS.

"Lucy and Lucilla those were the
names old Paul Meredith had selected for
his twin daughters.
Paul Meredith and his young wife both
died before the twin girls had attained
their third year
Lucilla was taken by Miss Patience Mer-
edith, spinster, Paurs only sister.
81 don't know what to do with you,
child" said Miss Meredith, staring at her
charge through a pair of spectacles.'
"Please love me a little, aunt" pleaded
the child; and the words We're like an open
sesame to the good lady's heart.
AS for Lucy, size was sent to Mrs. Morn
ingham's boarding school, Mrs. Morning
ham being distant relative of her mother;
and so the girls grew to eighteen, and the
story of their lives began in good earnest
"ln love, Lucy?'
eyes" said Lucy, with carmine roses
on her check and saucy lights in her eyes;
Gin love, Lucilla, and engaged, and OH
very, very wretched."
The two girls were sitting clasped in one
another's arms in the vine Swallowed bay
window Of the little room that Lucy Mere
dith called especially hers, so alike in the
soft luxurance of their flax gold hair, the
shine of their deep blue eyes, the very dim
pies in their chins, that you could hardly
have told one from the other.
"Wretched, darling? But 1 thought
true love made one happy"
"And so it ought" cried Lucy, dashing
away her tears with quick, impatient
movement. "But he isn't satisfied with
me-
"Then he must be hard to please"
81 don't mean quite that" explained
Lucy. "Only-only he's always scolding
and criticisipg because l am not dignilied
and lady-lke enough. Lucila, tell me how
to be dignfied."
Lucilla smiled.
"You have not yet spoken his name"
Marchfeld-G Marchfield. Isn't
it a pretty name?" cried Lucy, bursting
from her sisters arms, and searching in the
dishevelled depths of little rosewood desk
for photograph. "And look! Isn't he
handsome?''
She danced about the room like a little
eltin sprte as Lucilla gravely studied the
clear lines of the picture.
every handsome, indeed",' said she.
"But we've quarreled," said Lucy.
mot seriously, dear, l hope
"Well, not so very, very hopelessly.-
But he wants me to sit up straight and
fold my hands, and talk like a model soci-
ETY. young lady. He says laugh too loud,
and forget my dignity, and"
"But do you think he could be quite
satisfied with you, if the mischievous
Lucy element were elided from your
nature, and you were transformed into
cold, passionless lady?''
"No, I'm sure he wouldn't" nodded
Lucy. "And, oh, Lucilla, I've a great
mind to try it,
"How do you mean % asked her sister.
"Dear Lucilla, he don't know you are
here. He is coming this afternoon to see
what effect his numberless lectures have
produced on my demeanor. We are exactly
alike. You shall personate me, Lucilla.'
"I9 No, Lucy, that is asking too much
of me-
"But, darling, only think" cried Lucy,
showering persuasive kisses and caresses
on her sister; ''it'S a test to determine my
happiness. If he really approves of you,
Il I'm al-ar
ess, it will De a sign that our engagement
had better come to termination at once,
for | shall be quite sure, then, that never
can please him. But if-mind, | don't
think it's bit probable-if he wants the
little gypsy back again, oh, how glad |
shall be! Won't you, Lucilla9 Dear, dear
sister, won't you help me just this once
Lucilla smiled, herself half captivated
by the idea.
"But do you know, Lucy, it is rather
dangerous experiment to try?'
"There are seasons" the little fancee
gravely made answer, "when it becomes
necessary to resort to extreme measures.
And this is one of them. Now, come to
my room, and I'll do your hair just as l
wear mine, and put Oh my rings and lockets
and fol de rols and you shall be Lucy for
awhile.''
"But," hesitated Lucilla, "shall we not
consult Mrs. Nottingham ?''
Consult your grandmother" retorted
irreverent Lucy. "What for, I'd like to
know9 What does she know about girls
love story? No, We'll consult no one but
ourselves
81 am not certain whether l am right or
wrong" pleaded Lucilla.
"It is not necessary for you to have any
convictions whatsoever on the subject"
argued Lucy. 81 am ready to assume all
the responsibility. He's to be here at five,
and it's past four already"
And Lucilla, formed by nature TO De the
tool of others, could not but submit.
Five o'clock, and Gerald Marchfield
flinging away his cigar as he stood on the
steps, appeared.
Luciila Meredith's eye took in all this as
with throbbing heart, she watched beside
the window.
"Ah, good evening, Mrs. Nottingham!
Why does not my little Lucy run to meet
me, as usual? Not i'll, hope?' question
ed Marchfield.
And still Lucilla listened and palpitated,
while Mrs. Mornngham's prim, carefully
modulated voice made answer:
GAS well as usual, sir, believe; but
Miss Meredith thinks too great freedom of
manner unbecoming to young girl, and"
"Pshaw" interrupted Mr. Marchfeld.
"And,' stihly went on the preceptreSs,
''she has, at last, | am happy to say, re-
solved to act upon your suggestion, and
merge the too impulsive gaiety of girlhood
with a demeanor more"
More fddlesticksr' thought Gerald.
"I've no patience with this rule and plum
met system of education, that would make
all our women as much alike as kiln of
bricks
For Mr.. Marchfield had Just been suffer