The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1883-12-01


said old Zaloc Peck, as he stood over
the recovering patient, with hot towels.
Il didn't know Il thing about it till she
ran up, as white and brcathlcss as snow
furry, to get me to help you in. She
had swun ont to sea and dragged you
back to land herself. She's brave gill,
is Perseverance, and there's nothing she
can't do if once she sets herself about
it
Major Cheston Thanked his young res
cuer earnestly; but nothing would induce
her to take the gold he offered her.
ut must be a poor creature that wants
reward for saving mans life, /" said she,
with short laugh.
And Cheston desisted
''The girl is too pretty" he said to
himself. "No one but the hero of third
class romance ever marries half civil
lied young savage, because she has dark
eyes and hair growing low on her fore
head. must get away from this place
and | must keep away ~
Physically this was an easy thing to
do: but mentally-what is there but the
wild winds of heaven SO uncomfortable
as a mans thoughts?
At the end of year he came back from
Switzerland and went straight to the
Long Island marshes.
81 mist see her, he said to himself.
81 must tell her that l love her. l must
ask her to be my wife,
When the train reached Nineveh, the
nearest station, tall, beautiful girl, in a
cashmere dress, sparkling with jet, and
a saucy black hat, came to him, holding
out her hand.
You are Major Cheston % she said.
"And you," he answered, 'are Perse-
verance Peck p
She smiled and nodded. How beauti-
full she had grown.
Il was going out to the old house." he
said.
Il do not live there any MORE" said
Perseverance. ''Father's dead, and I'm
being educated. You see," she added,
that your words, hard and cruel as 1
then thought them, were not without
their effect. I am staying with some
friends, and share the advantage of their
gorerness. And Mrs. Russell thinks
am not stupid Scholar
"Russell -
That name was very familiar to him.
AT Castle Point, little way down the
island" explained Perseverance. They
know you very well. Hugh Russell and
often talk about you"
Hugh Russell \ dagger thrust of
jealousy went through Major Cheston 5
heart. Hugh Russell, whom he remem-
bered such a handsome, daring young
fellow? Was he. then, too late in his de-
eli. ion? Had some other hand gathered
this exquisite wild f1ower9
And then, with the innocent hypocrisy
of lovehood, he vowed that he had in
tended all along to visit the Russells, and
accompanied Perseverance thither at once.
Yes" said placid Mrs. Russell. SIS
she not beautiful? She used to come to
my Sunday school class last summer, al
the little Sunday Point chapel, and when
her poor old father died took her to stay
with me. And we are all so attached to
her, and she is so lovely and winning.
Quite like my own daughter"
Late that evening Major Cheston went
out on the stone paved terrace, where
Perseverance was sitting on the rail, look
ing up at the million golden stars which
spangled the violet sky. She welcomed
him with her quiet, self. possessed smile.
perseverance" he said, ''you are sew
enteen years old. now -
Yes" she as$cnted, Il am seventeen
years old
almost a woman" said he.
Quite woman, she responded. sob,
it seems as if had grown so many, many
years older since poor father died ~
Has any one spok, II to you of-love 81
he asked, abruptly.
No." she answered, with gravity.
"But they will-sometime
Il suppose So" said Perseverance.
Evidently there was nothing of the
coquette about her.
"Would you be very much surprised,
Perseverance, if were to tell you that |
loved you?''
She started and colored to the very
roots of her hair.
Surprised 2" she repeated. eyes
oh, yes! For you despised me in those
days"
''Never - he cried.
'Or az least fancied so, she fal.ered.
"But love you now, Perseverance,
sweetest, precious treasure of my soul ~
he went on, reading some dim encourage
ment in the downcast eyes, the red, quiv.
ering mouth. Il will not let you so un-
| til you promise to be my wife. You have
saved my life once and it is in your power
to save it from further shipwreck now"
Hugh Russell had spoken the same
words of love in her ear two hours before
and she had run away from him, halt
angry and wholly frightened But this
this was different.
"Will you promise me, Perseverance,
he gently reiterated.
| eyes," she answered.
And that was the way in which Major
| Cheston, whose heart had been so long
regarded by his lady friends as an unvul.
nerable fortress, won the beautiful young
wife who was as unlike the other bellies
of society as is the tropical blossom OF
the scarlet pomegranate to the common
place red roses of the garden border.
Itwas strange meeting still stranger
wooins, but most happy marriage. And
perhaps this is the most satisfactory rec
ord that any love affair can leave.
For The Cecil Wing.
| A SAILORS YARN.
Mn EDITOR.-SIauv of your readerS