The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-01-13

" Mere difference OF opinion, my love.
Don't let us quarrel
mo. Then, how much character there
as in his nose
Decidedly
l had large nose, reader.
Room for more"
| startled her there by dropping book.
l was actually getting angry. But she
recovered from her fright almost immedi-
ately, and went on in a still louder tone:
How do you think he will asnwer?'
"Answer?'
Miss Arden spoke inquiringly, in a puz-
2led voice:
You speak as if you thought intended
to propose to him."
And ST., dare say, you will, it being
leap year, and you so smitten."
A merry laugh followed this sally.
''In that case think he will answer in
the Affirmative
"Oh. you conceited creature, Lot
Ardenr'
"Hush, What if Mr.. Eldridge should
overhear us -
As if l hadn't overheard them.
''Who cares if he does? It's nothing to
him"
Nothing to me. to sit there and hear
myself discussed in that way. o, nothing
at all,
"But, seriously, what do you mean?'
Why, have you forgotten that | pro-
phesied tlirtation9 l mean how do you
think he would do for that -
All. Irritation. Maybe I didn't hold
my breath for fear of losing the answer,
and then maybe.
60 passabie, if he understands his place
and stays in it,. hate presuming men,"
"Men. Boys
Well, boys, then. Men in assurance,
boys in intelligence, are what we are now
a-days."
She spoke as if she had lived in the age
of her grandmother. Iclenched my hands,
and declined Jupiter under my breath in
Latin.
500 you think you'll bring him around?'
"For shame. I'm sure l have no such
design on his peace
Now, really, | am aching to know
what you intend to do. Shall you tlirt
with him ~
My intentions were not consulted, but
made them, nevertheless. biting my finger
nails vlciously all the time.
"Oh, no matter"
- You're too bad. l got you apart from
the other girls on purpose to have conf
dental chat. aud here the time is almost
up, and you haven't told me thing"
"Well, will now-two things. Your
hair is twisted out of your net, and your
collar is shockingly tumbled.'
Bother my collar. Shall you tlirt with
him? Iwould't mind, only that hateful
Sue Liscomb vows she'll get ahead of you,
and don't want to see her win. Now, do
tell me-"
thrust my Lead up again and looked at
them. They were not minding me in the
least, though they had stopped directly in
front of me. Lizzie looked flushed and
anxious, Miss Arden cool and self-pos-
sessed.
laid my hand upon the bell and gave
it a violent ringing. The two girls stared
like culprits, and glanced hurriedly up 1T
me. What they saw in my face | can't
say, but they both colored Just then they
separated for their Seats but not before I
heared Lizzie whisper desperately, " Shall
you?'
q shall"' foated back the reply, low
taken.
Should she? Well see.
That afternoon, while | was engaged
with the French grammer class, | was
started by sharp little scream, and by
Lizzie Dane springing up and crying out:
go. hornet has bitten Charlotte Arden,
Mr.. Eldridge.'
The whole school Uttered. l scowled
very pedagoguely Ito coin a word, and
commanded her to resume her seat.
Lizzie hounced into her seat, very red in
the face, and saw Miss Arden put book
to her face to conceal smile.
After school went to her and inquired
politely for her arm. She showed me her
round, dainty wrist. with large, discolored
swelling marring its wilderness.
Good heavens I exclaimed, forget
ting myself, chow it must have panied
you. Why didn't you go home? would
have excused you
She smiled and looked amused. That
smile recalled me to myself.
"Oh, it's nothing. 1t was slightly pain
full at first, but | was not child enough to
run home for slight hurt
In spite of my anger at her, envied the
naughty lips. Had she already begun
her arts ~ | asked myself. If that sim
plcity of look and frankness of voice were
art, why, counfound nature! Well, walked
home with her, carrying her satchel OF
books. My excuse was her arm. AS if
she hadn't but one, and couldn't, by any
possibility, have carried her books on the
other o, the day that followed. o, the
DAYS that followed-and the weeks and the
months. Miss Arden wanted to tlirt, and
we flirted, Miss Arden wanted me 10
make love to her, and did. OF couls.,
] had no further exposition of her wishe S
on the point than the overheard converse
ton of the first day; but that was nough.
| took the part assigned to me to play, and
played it with all my heart and hand.
had the satisfaction of knowing, as
stood by one of the long windows at the
close of the last day, watching the scholars
file out, that the whole village was alive
with the rumor that my beautiful pupil
and myself were engaged.
Charlotte Arden fingered behind the
others as if wishing to speak to me. The
coquette had her last snare set, thought,
bitterly.
oil stopped to bid you good by she
said, fAlteringly, as l approached her
How the proud face was humbled by its