The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-07-15
MY PORTRAIT.

II htNtiy hShCi SiCsth W you
John Jennings, said Rosie Atwood, indig
nantly. Never
John Jennings was myself
Rosie Atwood, besides being a prett.
girl, was my promised wife.
The cards were ordered. The cake wa.
under way-a twenty pound lump Of indi
gestion, with whole swarm of sugar
Cupids and roses built on top of it.
l had even seen her in her wedding dress
something that looked like glorious snow
storm of white silk, tulle and flowers
And here she was, telling me to my face
that she would "never, never speak to me
again-never."
| rubbed my eyes, and pinched myself
to make sure that it wasn't an active fit o.
the nightmare, after the lobster salad we
INDUCED in at the close of the opera last
night.
Rosie said l, "you're crazy
"No, I'm not" said she, behind hel
pocket handkerchief. But you're tlirt
"a mean, miserable, male coquette. &c
away. Here's your ring. never want tc
see it or you again"
And the little diamond twinkled Devil,
deringly at me, as she flung it towards my
feet.
"What have done ~ demanded l, gain,
ing courage from the exigencies of the
position. "Rosie, insist upon some reason
for this very unaccountable conduct"
you've been corresponding with Nina
Southwick. You've been sending her your
photograph Historically walled my bride,
elect. "Go away, you false, vile man."
81 don't know Nina Southwck from
Eve" l protested. 81 haven't an idea
what you re talking about
" How dare you deny it," cried Rosie,
"when l saw it with my own eyes? 1t
was feigned hand, to be sure, but there
was no feigning the photograph. Mary
Green saw it, and Mary told me, and Mary
brought Miss Southwick here, and she
show ed me the portrait herself. So there,
now''
Mary Green is meddling old maid.''
cried l. nearly distracted
But Nina Southwick isn't. Nina is a
pretty, giggling miss of sixteen-.just the
one to take gentleman's eye" said Rosie.
"But l didn't think it of you, John,
after all your vows of eternal consistency
and never changing love-
china Southwick may be as beautiful as
Hebe," protested l, "but solemnly swear
to you that | never set eyes on her in my
life"
Don't perjure YOURSELF" said Rosie.
u" Remember your precious soul. | dare
say you can argue very finely, but you can't
make me dsbelieve the evidence of my
own Senses"
Won't you let me plead for myself,
Rosie? Won't you listen to me?'
"No, won't" said Rosie. 81 won't,
| won't, | won't" And she ran out of
the house with two little dimpled hands at
her ears.
l went home with Rosie's engagement
ring wedged as far as it would go on the
little finger of my left hand, feeling very
much as if the world had made sudden
revolution, and turned everything upside
down.
- don't know who Miss Southwick can
possibly be-" quoth to myself; "but she's
done for me, whoever she is. Nina South
wick. | never heard the name in my life.
But Rosie is in earnest, that's plain enough
| wonder what it all means 20
sat staring at my fire, very low spirited,
indeed. And small wonder. An hour ago
l was 4 happy individual, with the wedding
day close at hand-now l was nothing
more than a Tilted lover, with my sweet
heart mortally incensed at me, and all for
no possible fault of my own.
81 don't know what shall do" said l,
half aloud, "unless | find out this Miss
by some hocuspocus or another,
and ask her what Rosie can possibly mean.
There's some mistake. OF course there is,
if could only lay my finger on it."
was sitting thus, with my head in my
hands, and my elbows resting on my knees,
when there came tumultuous knocking
at the door, and in rushed my old chum,
Dick Arnold.
Hello" bawled Dick, nearly wringing
my hand off i'll the boisterous cordiality of
his greeting. "Wish you joy, old chap.
When's the happy day? When will you
me? But what's the matter?
Neuralgia or toothache? Brandy's good
for that-or if she don't like the smell of
it in your breath, try rose drops"
cit isn't that" said |. gloomily.-
" Dick, I'm glad you've come in just now.
need friend to contide in"
"Eh?" said Dick, rumpling up his hair
until he looked like an Indian.
"She has thrown me Off for ever"
"No," cried Dick.
60 1t is too true. And all on account of
one Nina Southwick."
What" roared Dick, jumping up
Miss Southwick ,"
"Yes. And what's the best of it, or
rather the worst of it, l don't know Nina
Southwck from Queen Victoria"
81 do" said Dick, tugging modify at
his carrot colored moustache.
Perhaps" said l, with CLEAN of hope,
you'll introduce me, then. Because she
may be able to help me see daylight through
this curious muddle!'
cold fellow" said Dick, 81 didn't mean
it, But don't kick me downstairs-it all
my fault
" You are mad" said l.
"Iou will be when you hear it all, "
said Dick, with a dolorous effort at smile.
s. sent that photograph"
"What Photographic"
" Yours
" GU sent it?''
"Yes."
"To Miss Nina Southwick ~
eyes, to Miss Nina Southwick And
I,ll tall vo,, iuSt bo,U If oap,o to poSS