The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-09-01
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE.

really ill; my throat was sore, my head
ached. aud a violent chill was soon followed
by n high fever.
My cold had been aggravated by my i'm
prudence in opening the window, and
weeks Illness and confinement to my bed
was the result.
was really suffering SO much that for
got my neighbors, and it was not until the
tenth day after my seizure that my inter
est in my fellow creatures revived suffi-
GENTLY to prompt me to ask Rosa single
question.
We'll, indeed, mum, I've had so little
time to spare since you've been sick that
cane tell you what's going on even next
dor. But the cook says that she thinks
they've had wedding this morning over
at the Barretts', for the young lady went
away in carriage two hours ago, all
dressed in new travelling dress, and young
Mr.. Brown and another gentleman went
with her, and all the children was stand
ing on the steps a throwing old shoes after
them, and Mrs. Barrett was half laughing,
half crying, at the parlor window"
"Married!'' | exclaimed" the design
ing girl! Then my warning was useless.
But she'll never be happy, that's one COM
fort. Do you know whether Mrs. Brown
is expected this week, Rosa ?'
"Mrs. Brown! Why, there she comes
now, mum, just getting out of her car
riage, I do declare" answered Rosa, gaz-
ing from my window.
In moment my resolution was taken.
Help me to get up, Rosa. III go right
over there and break the news gently to
the poor woman myself" | said, as | sat
up, suddenly forgetting my ailments in my
compassion for poor Mrs. Brown.
In, or
on the steps, and l had rung the bell. That
pompous waiter ushered me into the par
lor, and took up my card; and before had
time to collect my thoughts, Mrs. Brown
entered with my card still in her hand.
"Miss-G Greenfield, she began, as if she
fourd my name too much trouble to pro-
nounce, 81 have not the pleasure of your
acquaintance, l am sure; but if it is char
liable errand-"
Here l cut her short at once. mo, in
deed, my dear madam, | am not come on
an errand, although my motives are benevo-
lent. The fact is. bring you bad news"
She started violently. bad news!" she
repeated.
"Yes ma'am, bad news. Your excel
lent SON"
But she turned deathly pale; then clutch
ing my arm as we still stood (for she had
not vet had the politeness to ask me to sit
down, she gasped,
"What is it? Is he i'll, or hurt? Do,
for heavens sake, speak! Don't keep me
waiting, woman.'
"No, no; he's safe-safe and well,"
said. But she fairly pinched my arm as
she ordered me to tell her what l meant
without delay.
1 never saw more naughty, imperious
woman than that Mrs. Brown, and l must
confess she conquered me. meant to tell
my story in my-own way, but she forced
me right to the point
"He's marriedt' answered. Then see
ing her look of incredulous amazement,
added, Yes, married this very morning,
not two hours ago, in your absence, and to
that artful little neighbor of yours, in spite
of all my efforts to open your eyes,"
Mrs. Browns face was study. She
looked by turns puzzled, astonished, angry,
and scornful; then, with very disagreed
BILE smile, she asked:
care you in the habit of writing anony-
nous letters, Miss Greenfield? What you
have just said would seem to connect you
with contemplate epistle of that sort,
received some weeks ago, which burned,
half read" Just as if she could make a
woman believe Mdt,.) "Now, since you
are SO interested in my son, let me assure
you IudU uc ID HOt tudIIlcu, tudI uIllc
more than two hours ago he assisted as
best man at the wedding of his old school
mate and friend, Lyman Bertrand, who
returned from Germany three days ago to
claim his promised wife, Lucy Barrett,
after an absence of nearly two years.
She said all this very slowly, with her
eyes on my face and, can tell you, l was
not comfortable. Still, would not give
up yet. l replied.
ssBut you must allow that your son has
been very attentive to an engaged girl; or
perhaps you don't know that he has been
spending most of his evenings there-writ-
ing such long letters, too, when he didn't
go himself"
Mrs. Browns smile was more supercil-
ious than ever when she said, "Mrs. Bar
rett, as you have doubtless discovered, is
poor. Lucy is an admirable German scholar,
and my son expects to spend the next three
years of his life in Germany. Consequently
she has been instructing him for months
past, at my urgent request"
But the morning you received my let
ter, saw you rush up to your sons room,
and hold an earnest conference with him.
Then for days he avoided going next door.
Was not that in consequence of my warn
ing?" asked, anxiously.
son the contrary l never told my son
OF your letter; but had received intelli-
gence from relative in Germany of young
Bertrand's serious illness, and | went to
comfort Lucy that same day by Lesie's
advice. Poor girl. she was so distressed
that the German lessons were discontinued
until news of her lovers complete recov-
cry gave her courage to go on. l think
now that l have fully satisfied your curl
osity, Miss Greenfield; but let me assure
YOU that never would have copdescended
to these explanations if l had not been
afraid that you would iniure Lucy by your
imperfect and garbled version Of all you
have seen. Talk, then, since it seems you
can not help it, but be truthful if you can
Good morning" and with that she swept
out of the room like an empress, leaving
me standing there like fool.
Well, must say she had made very
plausible story, but always had my doubts
about it.-Ha1per's.
WAsHINGToN.-Oneo of the noblest char
acteriStcs of the father of his country was