The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1883-10-27


door herself. There on the steps stood
her gardener friend, no longer in his gray
working suit, but very stylshly attired
and looking SO elegant that Cecy felt
rather abashed till his smile treasured
her. She did not know how pretty she
herself was looking in her simple house
dress, hat and mantle being laid aside.
He brought the plants into the sitting
room at her request; and then, delighted
at finding no one there, fingered to help
her arrange them in the window, and
to give her few directions about their
treatment. From one subject to another
they passed until at last, fairly launched
in conversation, they found themselves
talking about books, about life. about
their likes and dislikes, their wishes and
disappointments.
81 declare ~ exclaimed Bell, an hour
later, when she came home and found
the gardener just gone. This is the
most mysterious thing =! Who ever
supposed those Ravels had such a hero
of nephew? And do you mean to tell
me, Cecy, that Gala only cost twenty
cents? Ravel would have asked me
every cent of dollar for it ~
'He says he will come for me to-
morrow evening to take me to the green
house to see the night blooming cereus
in blossom" said Cecy, demurely.
'Well, l must say" declared Bell,
with an emphasis, sit all sounds great
deal more like fairy-land than like the
Ravel green house But then to be sure
have not been there for nearly two
months, and perhaps they have fitted it
up afresh for winter
That evening, as Bell was lounging on
the sofa half asleep, Cecy began to ask
her curious questions, as, for instance,
how much did she love the gentleman
she was to marry; whether she would
have loved him the same under any cir
cumstances; whether it would have made
any difference suppose he had been a
farmer, say, instead of a lawyer. And
then she announced with spirit that it
would make no difference to her what
business a man followed if she loved him
and of all occupations she thought the
raising O. vegetables, or of fruit, or of
flowers, was one of the incest and nc.
blest. To all of which Bell answered
sleepily; but remembered well enough
to give Cecy an unmerciful teasing about
it next day.
The next day was fine and sunny, and
Bell took Cecy shopping with her. AS
they were going from one store to an
other, gentleman met them and bowed
very politely to Cecy, who returned it
with the brightest of smiles.
why, don't you know" replied
Cecy. That's Mr.. Ravers nephew the
gardener, who was so kind to me-"
"Cecy Leigh ~ exclaimed Bell, Selling
Cecy by the ann as if she were afraid of
her escaping. Turn right short about,
and let US go back up High Street, and
do you show me the house you
went to-"
Cecy obeyed, little startled, and
after abont ten minutes of the fastest
walking Bell ever had dons, they came
in sight Of the greenhouse where Cecy
had met with such good fortune.
There it is" said Cecy, pointing.
would you like to go in, Bell?"
This was too much for Bell, divided
between mirth and CONSERVATION.
''Cecy Leigh - she utteted; breath
lessly. 'That greenhouse belongs to
MIR. Charlton, one of the wealthiest and
most respected citizens of this little
town. And that elegant brown house is
where he lives. Don't you see-these
are private grounds! And you have
been there buying flowers ~
Cecy stood speechless.
"Now come with me- pursued Bell,
vigorously, land 1 will show you the
Raval green house."
She pulled Cecy along with her
little farther, and then turning down
side street on whose corner the church
stood, Aunt Maria's landmark, they
came almost directly to two modest
little wooden houses, side by side, and
just behind them, half built into the
hill, long, low, unpretending green
house.
There, my dear !" said Bell i'm
pressively, 'look at it we'll! That is the
Ravel green house, and 1 don't believe
there are dozen plants in bloom to-day.
They were all bought for Kate Gove's
wedding. Why, don't cry, Cecy! l
think it's a splendid Joke, and don't
suppose one of the family, besides Louis
knows any thing about it."
Charito-, ''~'ly troubled and bewii-
But Cecy, WI ~ not accept it
dered and ashamed, col. I'D take
as joke. She declared she sho,. e
back every plant she had bought, and !.
was too bad for him to deceive her so.
1t was indeed. And to think she should
not have known at once that no one
could buy Gala for twenty cents, nor a
heliotrope for eight.
Never mind, child y said Bell, laugh
ing. "You can explain and apologize to
your hearts content, when he comes for
you this evening, to go see the cereus
bloom"
But can't go with him nou. Of /
course l CAN'T faltered Cccy. at is the
most dreadful ching that ever happened
to me.''
But 1T was not dreadful at all as if
turned out. He called early that even
ing, fully prepared to find that Bill had |
betrayed him, and whom Cecy met him |
in her humiliation, there was only very
charming little scene of reproach and |
like pretty drama that
ends we'll before you have hardly time to |
feel troubled about it. She went with |
him, after all, and came home again two
hours later, looking like her own noun |
,ain daisies, wee modest, crimson
tipped" and bearing in her hand Il snowy
,ereus. She had seen all the Charitons,
she said, and they had been SO kind to
her, and laughed and petted her.
But" said Cecy to Bell, few
months after, Il don't seem bit nearer
to having home of my own, for Louis
has set his heart on our travelling for a
year."