The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-12-23


Don't distrust me-"
''She knows that he loves me, then |
thought, for | was blind to the fact of its
being herself that Blanche Fitzgerald was
thinking about.
"How well sprig of holly would look
III your fair hair" Lionel Poole murmured
to me a little later in the day; "the vivid
green leaves, and the brilliant veins, and
the bright golden locks would intensity one
another"
| resolved Immediately upon wearing one
that night; but l would not tell him so.
He should have the benefit of the full force
of the tlattery by seeing it in my hair.
1t was to please and honor Lionel Poole
that at first decided to wear the sprig of
holly.
| hardly know how it came about, but it
did come about in few minutes after this,
that Lionel Poole made me believe that |
had been the object that attracted him to
Mrs. Fitzgerald's party SO constantly dur
ing the past season, and that Mrs. Fitz-
gerald knew that it was so.
| suppose believed it all firmly, for when
our interview was over, he had proposed
and had accepted him; and to spare my
bushes, be had suggested, with vast show
of magnanimty, to keep it quiet until after
my departure.
May not, had not better tell Blanche?"
| asked; and he said:
Well, think not Eva dear. She'll be
so delighted at her expectations being real
lied that she'll air the fact, and then you
will have, no peace
About an hour after this | put on my
balmorals, did my dress up in the most
symmetrical vandykes, put on a seal-skin
paletot, and cavalier hat and scarlet
feather, and sailed forth into the snow
covered park in search of sprig of holly
betitting the occasion. | did not claim
Mr. Lionel's escort, for | wanted to be
alone to realize my new prospects.
At short distance from the house | met
Captain Villars. care you going to join
the Others Miss Travers >" he asked. And
told him, No; what others and don't
stop me, please; I'm to get something and
g, in and dress for dinner
"Don't be in such haste to quit me, y he
said, rather mournfully I'm going away
to morrow"
Going away?"
EYES, he said, stoutly. "lt's no use
a man making an offer when he knows he'll
be refused. But l can't stop any longer
and witness your Indifference" And then
seeing that looked sorry, l suppose, he
went on, And it makes my blood boil to
see woman l respect as l do Mrs. Fitz
gerald tolerate and encourage a heartless
scoundrel."
did not condescend to reply to this at
tack on Lionel, but | drew myself up in
dignantly, and pranced off on my high
heels like loyal goat l tried to think
| that it was of no consequence, and that
had just soon it was so. But all the
| time | felt sore and annoyed that Captain
Nillars should despise and condemn how
ever unustly, the man / was going to
marry.
90 In spite Of his having loved me in vain
! HIMSELF | said to myself, Economically, as
| walked in the direction of thick holly
hedge, 20 hope that in time, when I'm
married, Captain Nillars will do justice to
LioneIs noble qualities and that we shall
all be friends | attributed noble quail
! ties to Lionel on the strength of his eyes
being large and plaintive, and his nose
dclicately chiseled; and thought his judy
ment sound, naturally enough, because he
Lad chosen me.
The holly hedge ran along straight for a
considerable distance, and then curled it,
self round in a small circle, in the center
of which stood an arbutus. On no portion
Of the straight part could | find sprig
that fulfilled all my requirements. wanted
plenty of berries, not in heavy masses, but
iudiciously sprnkled amongst the leaves.
could have pleased myself in Michels or
Eagles ever so much sooner, | was fain to
confess, as | grew bluer momentarily in
the search. At last came to the circle,
the entrance to which was nearly blocked
up by the branches of the arbutus, and
there full in view, but at an elevation
which | could not attain from the sunken
path on which | stood, was Il magnificent
spiig of holly.
Its leaves were vivid, glossy, gem-lka,