The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-10-21


willing to make the same offer.
SO the bet was made; and it was about
it that | was thinking when Dan spoke to
me.
every strange scenes" he said again,
noddmg at me over his oars. | suppose
the expression had been well digested and
proved wholesome, so he repeated it.
'They say cabman could tell a good
DEAL" he continued, still nodding. "But
bless you, sir, what can they see or hear?
There they sit, flogging their poor horses,
while the people are behind them, shut up
in rafting, rackety thing. They can't
hear, sir. How can they? Now we, you
see, Mr.. Fred, when we come forward like
this, we could almost kiss the people, much
more hear what they say" TO prove his
assertion, old Dan suited his action to his
words, and bent over his oars, leaning for
ward as far as he could. Having finished
his long speech, he nodded again mysteri-
ously, as if to say, "There, l have enlight-
ened you quite enough for one day." and
then pulled on again.
AS he seemed inclined to be silent, and
did not speak, my thoughts gradually re-
verted to our bet. Lucas had told US that
the young lady was Miss Leith, that the
old gentleman was Major Leith, and that
they and Mr.. Henry Leith were living at 6
Marine Gardens. But that was not an
introduction, and 81 see no chance of get
ting one" he said to me, ruefully. All his
numerous cousins had proved perfectly use
less on this occasion. Among US Ned had
been the most lucky. Miss Le!th had
bowed and thanked him when he picked
up book which she dropped upon the
Parade. l came second. In passing once
| was honored with a second look. The
rest were nowhere; and Just week had
elapsed since we made the bet. Up to the
present time Miss Leith had been invinci-
BILE, though we had all done our utmost to
obtain an introduction. Not that any of
us cared for the stakes; they were tntiing
enough; but there was a spirit of emula-
ton at work within us for the honor of the
first shake of the hand of the young lady.
The more difficult it became the more eager
we all were to win it. We had found out
that nobody in the town knew her, SO we
were thrown upon our own resources.
She went down to the beach every morn
ing when it was fine, and walked upon the
Parade in the afternoon; but was always
accompanied by either her father or Mr..
Henry Leith. Whether Mr.. Henry Leith
was her brother or her cousin, and in the
latter case her lover, we could not find out.
But we put him down for brother.
We had told Dan about our bet, and he
had promised to help us if he could. That,
perhaps, was the chief reason why seized
the opportunity of having him to myself
for an hour.
"Seen Miss Leith, Dan ~
The old fellow shook his head. Heard
she was fond of pulling, though he said,
after short time.
"Oh. indeed"' answered, as thought
struck me. 81 say, Dan, l shall want
your boat for two or three hours day for
the next week or so.'
Now Dan had been in the habit of lend
ing me his boat because he knew that l
could pull and manage it properly. did
not anticipate any trouble in getting it, so
was surprised when he appeared to hest
tate.
"What are you going to do with it, sir,
may | ask ~
Never you mind, Dan. You lend me
the boat. What | do with it is nothing to
you; that is, as long as don't damage it. :"
You are right, sir. You shall have it. 3"
He smiled as he spoke, and | could easily
see that he guessed for what purpose
wanted the boat. However, he said moth
| ing till the hour was up. Then, as l was
getting out, he called me by my name, and
said in a low tone:
81 have known you now for long time,
Mr.. Fred. Do mind what you are about,
sir. Young women are changeable crea-
lures. l should not like you to be taken
! in
! His voice was so sad, and his old bronzed
! face looked so troubled, that | knew he
was speaking from experience-perhaps
| from some bitter lesson he had learned in
his youth, and which in some way &C
counted for the odd name of his boat.
| Come, old Cato,' | said, sit is only to
win the bet; am not in love wi tn the
young lady. See you to- morrow. Ta-ta."
The next morning, according to our
agreement, Dan brought the boat round to
the part of the beach nearest to my house.
| did not live in the town, but some ten
minutes walk from it, along the cliff and
there was a path from the house down to
the beach. He found me there, dressed in
an old boating suit, with my face hid as
much as possible by a large slouching hat.
was then twenty four, but looked little
older, and meant in this disguise to lay
siege to Miss Leith.
BE careful Mr.. Fred,' were the only
| words he said as we exchanged places and
then pulled leisurely to where the visitors
generally resorted. How all this would
help me to obtain an introduction was not
quite clear; but l was, to tell the truth,
jealous of her having spoken to Ned, and
| thought that, at any rate, l should be
able, in my capacity of boatman, to get a
word from her. had also hazy idea
that might possibly give her hand little
shake as | helped her out of the boat, if
ever were fortunate enough to persuade
her to come in. | thought that it would
be extremely agreeable to sit opposite her
for an hour, hearing her talk, and almost
near enough to kiss her, as Dan said, when
ever leaned forward.
"Boat this morning, sir?' | said, as
pulled past the place where Miss Leith and
her brother were sitting.
"Not this morning, thank you," he an
sweled.
Lucas had heard me, and looked up, but
did not seem to recognize either me or my
voice, and that emboldened me. Then the
Major came down with his paper and Mr..