The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1881-02-12

no doubt she was thinking more of her
own mild tirtations than of Margret Sim
clair. 1t was not easy for Caroline Mas
ten to divert her thoughts from this all
important subject. 1t was a part of her
religion to believe half dozen men in
love with her, and she had way of con-
founding divine and human love that
made for her most satisfactory form of
worship. 1t was part of her belief i'll Il
future state that she was pred0stined to
select the most wealthy of her admirers,
and she never looked more heavenly than
when cogtating most deeply on this
''article" of her faith. She had that
cast of features that SO easily lends itself
to a saint-like expression.
Practical Caroline Masten lived in Il
great deal more of dream than did the
Fire Fly. only her dreams would have
been nightmares to Margret Sinclair. Ar
irving At the lake i'll this placid frame Of
mind. she saw. to her CONSERVATION, Harry
Rogers with Margret Sinclair, and was so
far touched ;esthetically as to say she had
never seen "such a pretty picture If
perfect happiness makes pretty pie
ture.' it was before her. This world
never knew a happier being than Mar
greet Sinclair at that time. She had nc
thought for past or future. Harry Rog-
ers was with her. her head rested confid-
ingly on his shoulder, and the story was
told. At sight of Caroline Masten there
was no attempt on the part of the lovers
to change their position. but Harry Rog
ers, looking up, said coolly, "Poer Cousin
Carrie. and did you think would give up
a thousand commissions for the sake of
this little girl?''
Caroline Masten's sense of propriety
never deserted her, and she found herself
quite equal to Indignant rcmonstrances,
at which the FREELY laughed. 1t was
not in her to feel danger or dismay with
her hand in Harry Rogers hand. For
life or for death she was ready. Caro-
line. however, finally consented not to
betray them, promised most solemnly not
to tell any one she had seen Harry Rog-
ers, aud went straight back to the house
and told her father.
The old Commodore, in a fit Of passion,
and before he had seen Harry. reported
him to his superior officers. Informed the
Sinclairs, and all Washington soon knew
court-martial was ordered on Harry
Rogers. No one saw Margret Sinclair
for weeks. During this time it began to
be whispered, and then known, that
Harry Rogers could not stand up against
these accumulated troubles. He pass
ed his days and his nights in uncon-
seriousness, and when dismissed from the
navy. he never realized it. What kind
of 4 blow this was Margret Sinclair no
one ever knew. She came amongst us
again, to all appearances having forgot
ten Harry Rogers. but we knew it would
not be safe to disparage him to her: and
when he died from mdnia-apofH, soon
dlbtl. Nv ollC SaISu w tSii Sdi NV
at this time understand any better than
did then the mistaken kindness which
allowed her to go to ball the very night
of the day on which Harry Rogers was
buried. nor can | ever forget the shock it
was to the giddiest of us to see her come
into the room. dressed III white. with the
J,1o
rible snow storm raging all day, and she
looked the incarnation OF it. Not parti-
Gle more color in her face than in her
dress: but she danced as one possessed.
and when midnight came, | saw her float
out of the room to the music of the
g Angel-sleeve Waltz" 1t was stopped
instantly, and as if by one consent. but
she had gone; and the next time saw
Margret Sinclair she lay in her coffin,
looking not winter or colder than when
she drifted out of that ball room.
She went home with her parents very
quietly. They noticed nothing unusual,
and it was not until the next morning it
was discovered she was not in the house.
Search was made far and wide: the snow
had cffectually corcealed her path, and
the day wore on without any traces of
her. Some one suggested the cemetery,
and it seemed strange it had not been
thought of before. There they found
her, on Harry Rogers grave, the snow
covering her entirely, except that one
angel sleeve" tluttered fcebly over the
mound. Harry Rogers had promised to
leave all pleasures and pains for those
angel sleeves" and she impotently
called on him to fulfill it.