The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-07-14


the young man, he beheld his beautiful
Efie whirling round clasped in the arm
of Captain Verschoyle.
She was very young-he must have pa
tience, Mr. Duff told himself as he glare(
at them and then by mighty effort re
solved to endure what panied him so ex
ceedingly, and not be hard upon her.
Captain Verschoyle danced to perfection
and Effie felt that she was the observed o
all observers as she foated along, guided b.
the irresistible Captain Verschoyle. Wha
change after Georges plunging
Captain Verschoyle was enchanted witt
her dancing-so he said. She could no
refuse him at least two more dances before
the evening was over He was so earnest
so determined to have them, that Effie, af
ter declining at first, proceeded to deliber
ate; and, having done that, the initiallins
took place once more on her programme
and the handsome Dragon expressed him
self duly grateful.
II hope you are not going to dance agair
with the partner have just seen you with
Miss Macgregor he said. II declare il
made me quite angry to watch how he
dragged you about? Who is he -
Il suppose you mean Mr.. Duff replied
Effie, coloring as she spoke.
duff? Ah-ought to be Dufer !" de,
clared Captain Verschoyle "Why, there
he is looking as black as thunder p And
Captain Verschoyle smiled an intensely ag-
gravating smile at George, who certainly
was regarding the pair with anything but
satisfied eyes; and, as he stroked his NOUS
tache complacently, something of the true
state of affairs dawned upon Efie's partner.
Perhaps that gave a sort Of zest to the
pursuit of Efie which followed, just for the
amusement of cutting out another man, and
for the pleasure of securing for a time the
affections of what he considered the pret-
tiest girl in the place.
Before the Dragons ball was over, more
than one matronly head had shaken itself
gravely at the attentions paid to Dr. Duff S
fnancee; and Mr.. Duff himself determined
that Efie should not, with his consent, have
another opportunity Of making herself con
spicuous with Captain Vcrschoyle.
But. alas, poor, foolish Fife was flat
tered Captain Verschoyle was the swell
of the regiment, very handsome, very rich,
and SO fascinating that in miraculously
short space of time she succumbed to his
attractions and good, honest George Duff,
who could not, because Of his love for her,
conceal his wrath, showed himself in a
light to Effie which apparently changed her
n. e l. Fg 4 '.,lT 1nSt
aversion.
To a certain extent Lady Macgregor and
Hester viewed the state Of affairs with conf
plaisance. If Effie found she could not
care for George it was as well to discover
it in good time. And by all accounts Yer
schoyle's wealth was ten times greater than
Mr. Duff's. He was the nephew and heir
presumptive of an earl; and for Eifie to
become countess was more in accordance
with Hester's ambition than to see her
plain Mrs Duff, of Ardloch Park.
But the mothers heart misgaye her.
Not that she disliked Captain Verschoyle !;
she admired him extremely; he was GER
tainly far more polished and elegant than
Mr. Duff But there was something
Mrs. Macgregor could hardly explain what
that she did not approve about him; and
she was honestly grieved and sorry when
Efie finally informed her, about fortnight
after the ball, that she and Mr.. Duff had
said goodbye to each other.
"He was so jealous, so tiresome, [ could
never have been happy with him, mamma;
besides
''You have seen some one you like bet
ter, Efie," added the widow.
perhaps [ have, mamma" she con-
fessed
Efie did not escape censure for her de-
sertion of Mr.. Duff. At more than one
afternoon tea-party her conduct was can
vassed and condemned. But why should
she care? she asked herself. Was not
Captain Verschoyle growing more devoted
more enpresse? Did he not come dashing
almost daily into Moray Place, driving his
mail l-phaeton with its pair Of snowy chest
nuts, a smart groom sitting behind? And
did he not parade the regiment past their
windows, with his handsome self at its
head, all for her sake? Did not the band
strike up just as they reached her abode
for her special delectation? And what
bouquets came from London! Edinburg
was not supposed to be able to furnish suit
able floral offerings for the idol Of his
heart For brief season Effie lived in a
whirl of happy expectation and excitement.
George Duff had departed; there was not
a cloud to mar her enjoyment least she
could not discern one.
At last the first bolt came from the blue
sky. The Dragons were ordered to leave
Edinburg and to march forthwith to Man
chester Pale as marble, Efie-who was
now deeply in love with Captain Versch-
oyle-listened to the news. Lady Mac
gregor and Hester were rather glad. 1t
would bring matters to Il crisis, and be
better for Efie, who had never been very
strong, and upon whom the unwOnted ex-
citement had already begun to tell Mrs
Macgregor was glad, too, in way. She
was afraid she had not acted very wisely In
Efies behalf; and every day she regretted
the honest heart her pretty daughter had
thrown aside. She felt certain that Cap
tain VerschoyIe would do his duty, that his
intentions were honorable But was this
gay butterfly likely to make good steady
husband? She pondered the question very
anxiously. IF Fife had had father, Oh
even an uncle, she would have felt safer
and gone to him for comfort and support
But the Macgregor family were strangely
devoid of the male element. Sir Robert
had been dead for several years, and th'
only surviving brother was in Australia
Mrs. Macgregor on her side had no broth
ers.
Lady Macgregor was very certain tha
Efie would be "all right, so she ex
pressed herself-and, now that Captain
Verschoyle's day of departure had beel
fixed, the family might hourly expect Ef
fe's second engagement to be announced.
Efie saw him at flower show on tn
day after the receipt of the unwelcome tt
dings. She herself was the fairest fowe
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