The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1879-03-22
Orcs during the evening she and we, c

speaking very slowly, her great, wonder
ing eyes never removing their gaze from
my face SO wished To see the lady who
had won my cousin Maurics's heart and
who would call Lindenhurst home. -
lou could not desire a fairer one, she
said again presently. finding had no reply
TO give her save a vivid blush. You
should esteem yourself happy"
81 do, +" stammered. scarcely knowing,
in my embarrassment, what ! said, only
feeling some remark from me was expected
=" indeed do; | think no place in Eng
land can be moro beautiful, and | shall
always he near my sister
To my great relief Mrs. Hunter cams IN
inst then, and the conversation was dropped.
That evening was bat the commencement
Of I:.auy others such. Miss Warrington
came To Clovernook with Maurice, aud
The ready grace with which she adapted
herself TO my fathers simple, reserved hab
its completely won his heart. had never
seen him unbeud 10 any one as he did 10
her.
Bat between Maurice and mysel: a lit
tie cloud was arising very small Al first,
scarcely perceptibe, but growing gradu
ally larger and larger. One by one the lit
tie attentions | had been wont 10 receive
from him were discontinued: little by lit
tie he withdrew himself from my society
and devoted himself TO Grace. was too
r,rntH IN, LII, liant, La,
-Ea:d 20 see the attentions which by right
were mine given to another-hald Ia find
the love which had been so precious TO me,
and which | had expected would cheer my
life through, growing cold, dying away.
And 81 passed April with its sunshine
ami showers, May with its blossoms and
birds. June, the month of roses, came,
and still Grace Warrington fingered at Lin
dcnhuTst.
For some some time had been expert.
eucing considerable anxiety on Mira's nc.
count. She had been extremely delicate
during the Winter and, as Spring ad-
slight form grew yet more fragile, the
sweet face more wan. the slow step yet
more halting. Deeply Immersed IL his
books and flowers my father failed to re
mark how this, his choicest flower, was
fading before his eyes, and | dreaded TO
awaken him to The know ledge of it. But
u day came when lie could remain in isnor.
ance no lou.er-whcn doctors. hastily sum.
moued, told him that earthly skill, human
love, could avail nothiug-that we must
lose Mira.
There was no violent outburst of grief.
\ dazed, ag"nized expression crossed his
face and rested on his eyes rs he listened
10 the doctors; then, without a word, he
Turned away and fastened himself in his
study.
On the slow dreariucss Of that day. 4
hush-as though the shadow of death how
cred over it-fell upon the house. In its
stiffness could hear the low of the cattle
from the farm, the hum of insects from
the garden. In my sorrow | lungcd to sec
Maurice, to hear from him few comfort.
ing words: but tie day waned and he came
1sot- II " 49, - NttA now sI4Gc llC L1u DtcU
At Cloyernook.
had avoided Mira all day. | feared
to trust myself very long in her pres.
cnce until had gained some little com
mand over myself. dreaded lest, 4, the
first gentle word, all my pain aud SORROW
should lind vent in a passionate outbuTst
and gricve and disturb her. But at sunset
Barbara came 10 me and told me she had
been asking for me, SO went then to her.
She turned her sightless blue eyes in my
direction as | entered.
'Is that you, Jean =" she questioned
Yes, dear: Barbara said you wanted
me-"
Come aud sit beside me, Jean, and tell
me why you have kept from me all the
afternoon;
took cushion and knclt beside her,
and, for reply, pressed lingering kiss
upon her face.
Have You been grieving fer me- she
asked presently. All, Jean, never do
that only a little while, and then you
will come to me-
But my tears fell fast at this. | could
not keep them back.
dear" she said again, finding had
no words to give her, 1" | have felt for some
time that it must be So, and To me The dec
tors words this morning were but con-
lirmation of my own long formed opinion"
There was utter silence then-utter ST.
lence, save for the ticking of the clock in
the room beneath.
81 have thought much lately" she
sumed dreamily, "how poor ana useless
my whole life has been, how very little
could ever do to repay you for all the love
ard care you have lavIshed upon me, hsw
lifting II seems that | should he taken
| early, You will mourn for me awhile"
she went on after pause" you will miss
the sister who has been so dependent upon
your care: bu, the days will pass on and
the sorrow will grow lighter. Then you
will 20 to Maurice: aud at Lindenhurst new
loves, new duties, new cares will await you;
and by aud by you will rejoice to feel as.
surcd that am where care and sorrow can
never reach me.
There was silence again n0w-no sound
save the tick, tick, tick, OF the clock.
:. | have often longed 10 look upon the
trees and fields and flowers" the gentle
voice resumed-"t to see the beautiful carih
you have never wearied of describing; but,
when | awake some golden, eternal morn
ing, and find myself in the land where fade
less flowers bloom, shall be more than
satisfied. have often longed-oh. how in
teutIy.-to see your face, dear. Shall
recognizs it in the land where parlings
never come, | wonder"
/ \ peculiar far away expression came in.
TO the ride open sightlcss eyes. Were they
striving to pierce through the darkness
which had ever bound them and catch a
glimpse OF the slores SO soon to be revealed
to them
csuld hear no more lust then | went