The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-12-20

S'NS
And lift the thankful hand.
FoLGER MCKISsEI,
Ocean Beach, n. j., Dec. 1884.
A MODERN CINDERELLA.
London Truth.
The Hon. Marmaduke Gervoise was
man with two very decided ideas:
one was that any young lady on whom
he might propose to confer the name
of Gervoise ought to think herself
very lucky girl indeed and the other
was that she ought to have a magniti
cent fortune to counterbalance in some
measure the immense advantages which
would accrue to her from such union.
He was not by any means bad tel
low-in fact, men generally said Ger
voise was deuced good fellow-so
good tempered, you know, and always
ready to lend hand" And they
were right in saying SO, for he had
learned that a good-tempered man,
who is willing to be usefulto his friends
in little matters, is generally welcome,
and everybody is only too glad to make
use of him, instead of undergoing any
trouble themselves. But he had one
disadvantaee-he was exceedingly
poor. Still he was to be met every
where in town and country, and in the
latter particularly ladies gave him
hearty welcome. "Mr. Gervoise was
So Jolly and SO useful. We really don't
know how we should get on without
him" Besides, he was undoubtedly
a man of good family; and, even if
queer stories had occasionally been
whispered about him, how many people
are there whose lives would endure
rigid cross examination Only mothers
with daughters whom they were deslr-
Gus OF placing in society looked ask
ance at him, and warned their girls
mot to give any encouragement to
that Mr.. Gervoise." The rest of the
world was glad to see him, or was ut
terly indifferent to him; and, as ne
shot well, played good game of bill
lizards, was great in the art Of arranging
picnics and water-parties, and had a
good tenor voice and had some know
ledge of music, both men and women
found him a good companion indoors
and out, and pronounced him an &C
QUESTION.
At the time of our story there was 4
very large gathering of guests in the
fine old house known as Bindon Court
the, property of Thomas Fudgelow,
Esq. an honest hearted and hospitable
manufacturer, who had married very
charming. beautiful, and well-bred wife
and who was never so happy as when
entertaining as many pleasant people
as his picturesque, but somewhat ramb
| ling. house would hold. Among the
number of his guests at this particular
time was the Hon. Marmaduke Ger
voise. He found the house very
pleasant one to stay in, and made him
self very useful, in many ways, to the
owner, putting him up to many wrin
kle in the matter of inviting and enter
tanning his guests, and managing te
make all things run smoothly and pleas
antly when difficulties cropped up, a
they occasionally did. But he ha(
another, and far more particular reason
for wishing to be at Bindon Court Oh
this especial occasion. Miss Murie
Merriewether was very lovely, yer,
young, very charming in manner, yer,
highly accomplished, and report sai'
that she had 100000 year, Absolutely
in her own name. Moreover, she wa
an orphan, she was great friend 0
Mrs. Fudgelow's, and she had promised
to spend this October at Bindon Cour
SO TIE Hon. Marmaduke CondesCend
ed to imagine that he might be induced
to think seriously about her. At an
rate, the shooting at Bindon was frs
rate, and if the young lady did no
prove SO attractive as he hoped, h
would at least have some sport.
To Bindon, therefore, he went, an'
he at once set himself theoretically t.
work to carry the lovely Muriel and he
fortune by assault. 1t must be re
membered that he was a favorlte witt
women, that he was fine, manly hand
some fellow enough, and ore VIII
, would hardly fail to make an impre:
sion on any girl whose heart he ha'
determined to win. Miss Merrle
wether was not a girl easily won, how
ever. She had set up for herself
standard of manly excellence far be
yond that required by the averag
young lady. 1t may be that her healt
had already made her suspicious {
, men and their purposes but it is Gel
; tain that her standard included hig
} integrity, resolute purpose, noble all
in lie, and other things of which Gel
voise had not the faintest conception
. 1t need not be supposed from this thu
! Miss Muriel was dull, heavy solem