The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1879-03-22

= t0nger-of the sister whose life had been So
pure. so gentle, ard who was about To he
) called away: SORROW and change. pain and
care were everywhere.
The birds full song burst forth rs reach
ed the grove. There was nothing sad in
that 1t spoke Of nothing save hope and Joy
aud my thoughts went out then to the land
where sorrow never enters, to the home
where partings are unknown.
had stood musing some time when the
sound of voices aroused me- Wonder ng
much who it could be, and DESTROYS not. 20
Toe seen, | hastily drew back within 1he
friendly shelter of the lime-trees There
was no need To wonder long; the moonlig ht
fell full upon the faces Of Grace and Ma l.
rice. They were talking low and earnest y,
but hraTi every word.
And so,'' Maurice was saying. you
leave us next week -
Z" es, she replied, stopping short in h. +
walk aud leaning uesligentiy against :. tree
=" unless you have some strong inC uce-
ment to hold ont. But have stage. to"
long already am sure You must hc fred
of me. Is not the song OF rha; nigLtiug ale
delicious
Never that he cried, taking no heed
of her last words. e. You know You are
speaking that which you do not believe. |
dread to think how lonely I.indeuhurst wil
be when you are gone.
You will have Jean" She said. with
light, hooking laugh. "Sulcly She will
have power to console ynu?''
lie did not reply Immediately, and she
continued
" Seriously Maurice, wheu | say have
been here too long, speak but the truth.
for, since my arrival, yen have grown dis
satisfied with the lady you once Thought
perfection"
because in those days, Grace. believed
her faithful and true oi heart. not mercsEa
~ and calculating. as you,havc shown me. =
Such y mistake you: engagement has
been all along Maurice How yon became
so Infatuated with 4 stupid, commonplace
little body | cannot comprehend. She is
not so stupid however bs unmiudful
OF t.,c advantage Of possessing home like
Lindenhurst ~
:" could never have believed il Of Jean
from any one but you, Grace
Just fancy, rs one day succeeds another
how you will weary Of her and Of the tie
that binds you the false, knocking voice
wcnt..on. on aud your position. Mau-
rice, should command a W lfe whose accom-
plishments and beauty would be your pride
and make LiudeuhuTst hame of refine
rncn.. But woman who has not e single
idea in her head save rs regards her blind
sister, who will be studied and considered
before you in everything, until she becomes
a perpetual source of discomfort to you
Maurice. | pity yon from my heart ~
Hush, hush - began Maurice; but
waited not 10 hear what lie would say, for
| came out from my shelter amongst the
lindens and stood before them.
All the pride and passion and wounded
love of the past weeks broke foIth.
could have borne her insulting words about
myself, but not her cCarse allusion to Mira.
forgo, all said. only knew my words
were singing, bitter. passionate-the words
of a sighted, injured woman.
All the time she stood regarding me with
an air of cool, negligent grace which mad
ened me Maurice once or twice attempted
10 speak, but would not hear him.
Have you done - Grace asked when
paused. Maurice, | find | moderated
this lady abilities: She appears to number
eavesdropping and defamation amongst
her accomplishments. Come as the enter
taiument is at an eud. We will CO.
She swept me low, me ckus bow and
turned away. Not 50 Maurice he came
nearer TO me.
Il was no intentional listener" | cried
passionateiy. "i3ut have something more
to say. Maurice, you free. Linden
hurst is net so desirable that | should wish
to call it home now that its owner has be
come indifferent to me"
II am not Indifferent, Jean he said
And if have appeared so. your own
conduct has caused it. No man c. IS to
know that the woman he is about To marry
is sufficiently unwomanly TO boast that she
accepts him merely for the home he oilers
her, as you did to Grace on the very even
ing of her arrival.
Grace is false and untrue exclaimed
vehemently. IL never said such a thing.
Take back your freedom, Maurlce-take it.
Grace thinks me too common and plain 10
be IN istress of Lindenhurst. You must
hold the same opinion, fo: her words pass
ed without rebuke from you.'
JEAN" he said and could see by The
moonlight that his face was white and agi-
:ated -" have been cruel aud unjust ever
to doubt you. but believe you now. For
give the last few weeks; forgive and for
get"
Forgive, yes" said: "but | cannot
forget. could never again trust the man
who gave ready credence to a slanderous,
insulting story about me because the mar
rator possessed beautiful face and win.
ming manner"
Jean he cried, as | turned to go.
"listen to me only one moment
Never again. replied, as | walked
ont of the grove.
There was no nightingaie's song now.
Ii was hushed. Aiirighted by my stormy,
passionate tones, the bird had ceased !
saw not now the sweet Summer flowers;
regarded not the clear, bright moonlight.
In my heart surged bitter passions, jealousy
strong as death, cruel rs the grave.
Jean, Jean
The cry was but low and ndistinct. yet
it reached me; but kept on my way, never
glancing behind, and entered the house.
In the morning sought my father and
told him that all was at an end between
Maurice aud myself. lie must have won
dered much at my quiet, composed manner
have felt some disappointment at the
abrupt termination Of an arrangement that
had pleased I'm; but he said little. Mira