The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-05-17
DECEPTION.

pei. to himself, with shrug of his
shoulders. "but still-homc ~
The damp brown leaves were matted
by rain and tempest, where they had
driited up around the steps; the ampe-
!opsis vine which garlanded the old
tower had LOST its scarlet glow in the
cold touch of snow and frost the
cedars shudder in the blast. For Ken
pei Tower WAS 4 commanding hill.
which, although delightful enough in
summer. was not without its diSad-
vantages in the month Of December.
Mr.. keppel had been absent for
three months now. and this was his
first hone coming since he had re-
turned from Paris.
His mothers eyes Enlightened as she
stood-a commanding figure in black
satin and rich old Mcchln laCe-be
side the FIRE in the round drawing
room. with one hand on the gold-headed
cane which was her constant support,
the other extended toward him.
you are back again" she said
"Oh, Hugh, | thought YOU never would
return to me ~
The room WAS very pretty, with the
cheerful fire light Pickering on the blue
and-white tiles Of the chimney-piece,
the curtains of wine-colorcd plush, and
decorations of old ribbons, ancient
brass. and art embroidery. In all these
things he recognized Alice Amadine's
taste-the taste of the distant cousin
who had always lived with Mrs. Keep
pei since he GHugh) was boy. They
had grown up together, in fact, and Mrs.
keppel had made no secret of her
earnest wish that Hugh might event
ually marry Alice.
But Hugh keppel, with all a mans
pcrversty, had rather chosen to fall in
love with Myrtle Nennor, the blue
eyed daughter Of the old Judge who
lived in the pretty country house two
miles down the river. 70 be sure-
which was some comfort to Mrs. kep-
pel-there was no regular engagement,
but every one knew that the Young
people liked one another.
Don't mind. aunty, dear" said
Alice Amadine, with her gracious smile
and slow. musical accents. Love can
neither be bound in letters nor driven
in harness. Myrtle Nennor is a very
sweet girl. and no doubt everything is
for the best"
MY love" said Mrs keppel kissing
Alice's rich brunette cheek, you are an
angel and how Hugh can be so blind
is far beyond my comprehension.
Il can endure anything SO long rs
YOU love me-" said Alice Amadine
eitusively returning the cares.
Alice was as beautiful as ever, in her
garnct-rcd and she smiled her greeting
and presently they were seated at the
little round table at tea by the softcncd
light of student lamp.
And how are the Nennors ;" said
Hugh, after he had inquired after every
one else, vaguely hoping that Alice OF
his mother would mention the subject
without his suggestive question.
"Oh." smiled Alice, carefully meas
uring out the exact number of drops
of thick cream which Mrs. keppe
liked in her tea, the \ennorS are very
gay this season They are 10 remain
at the Grange until Twelfth Night. and
there are all sorts of balls and parties
and festivities going on. And the last
time | was at Miss Torrance's. the
drcssmaker, | saw Myrtle's wedding
dress being made.
Her wedding dress ;" echoed Hugh
And, oh" said Alice, still intent on
the duties ofthe table 1T was such
beauty . Old white brocade, trim
med with lace that must have been
perfectly priceless, and a white velvet
tablier front BREADTH Auntie will you
have some preserved cherries And
there were flowers embroidered in seed
pearl on the sashes, too utterly lovely
lG5s.describc. Are the Nennors SO very
rich Hugh -
Then she is going to 81 ,married p
he exclaimed, gnawing tierccly at his
lower lip, Myrtle Nennor-I could
not have believed it : and never to tell
me :"
Alice Amadine laughed softly.
Dear me, Hugh ~ said she, las if
4 girl confided that sort of her secrets
to her miscellaneous gentlemen friends.
And Myrtle Vennor always belonged to
the secretive kind, you know"
WHO is hc?" he asked, hoarsely.
The man. | mean?'
How am to know" said Alice
artles,ly. Colonel Fitz Urse has been
staying at the Grange all the autumn.
and DR.. Fenimore, from New York,
comes there often; and there's Mr..
Atwater and those two Young Yale col
legians, and-oh dear Myrtle is very
gay this year ~
Hugh sat silently looking into the
fire. The poisoned arrow had sped to
lis destination, as Alice Amadine well
knew. All the life and animation had
gone out of him that night and when
he had departed to his room in the
central roundtower. where the WIN
dows looked out on the surging tops
of the cedar grove, Alice laughed eN-