The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-02-02

had not proceeded to such lengths as to
attract general notice. This was owing
as much to Miss Marys prudence, care.
modesty-call it what you villas to
anything else. for she shrank instinc-
lively from publicity in the matter.
That she personally knew that Tom
worshipped the ground she trod on
myself thoroughly believe. Surely, she
would have been no woman else!
One evening Tom and Rhody were
sitting over their fire, smoking after
supper. There had been silence in the
room for some time, when Tom, stirring
uneasily, broke it.
'Rhody, OF man. he said.
"What air up, TOM" was the reply.
"Thar's somethin' THAT is, thought
you mout like to know mean eff
you're interested, that is
''In course, Tom, I'm interested.
What's up9''
81 kinder 'sposed you knew"
'Knew what9 Anything the matter
with the assays, lad?'
''Blame the assays! No!'
''Wa'al, lad, don t take my head off.
What's up? Grease the slides an let
it flicker and Rhody looked at Tom
with smile.
'I-er-the fact air-that ar-rm in
love-
I'm love lad? Who with-the widdero
She'll make good wife, Tom"
The widder9 No. Amt Their no
other sides the wiGder Twin at tn foot
O tn hill?'
Rhody started, and his face grew
dark.
You don't mean the school marin.
do yea he asked, in strangely altered
voice.
Il means Just her, | love, her Rhody,
better'n my life. Why. What's the
NATTER he continued, CHANGING up at
his partners face.
Rhody got up from his seat and walked
ont of the cabin without speaking. AS
he passed swiftly down the path, taking
by habit the turn toward the widows
house, his breast was full of conflicting
feelings. y man Of strong passions, and
one who was not apt to let others take
from him that which he claimed his first
feeling was one of bitter anger. The in
formation he had just received was a
shock to him; he had never thought of
anything of the kind. 1t was little
wonder that he should at first determine
that this thing should not be. The
thought flashed across his mind that he
could drive Tom from the camp the next
day if he discharged him, because, as
superintendent, he had supreme power.
And with this idea came another-that
if Mary was separated from Tom she
might forget him. Think myself he was
wrong in this; still he believed so. He
exclaimed against the injustice of this
thing. Tie though of his loneliness, of
Toms popularity with all men, and his
own lack of it. He felt as though his
partner was taking from him the only
thing he cared for, and he fought against
Thought fiercely.
BY and by softer feelings began to find
place. He recollected how close Tom
| had been to him; how he had nursed
Tom through the fever, and how dear
the lad had grown during those long
hours. He thought of his nobleness and
his courage, his truth and kindness. The
hours passed swiftly by as Rhody walked
taking little heed of the time. A bitter
struggle was fought on that night in that
mans breast, but in the end his better
nature conquered, and he returned to the
cabin exhausted mentally and bodily, but
with his mind made up. When he came
in Tom was asleep, and he stood there
Watching his face by the Pickering fire.
light. In his sleep Tom murmured two
names, "Rhody" and "Mary," and his
partners face softened as he listened.
The next morning he said
tom, Eve been thinkin' over what
you told me last night, an dunno but
what 'twould be good thing. At any
rate. lad. I'll help you"
"What made you leave so sudden like,
oil man.
sob, nothing. l kinder thought Id
Ike 20 go over the thing by myself" was
the answer, made lightly enough.
= II ~. II
what his partner had done for him.
Having Rhody's consent, Or, rather.
goodwill, Tom had talk with Mary. 1t
was in the afternoon, when school was
ended for the day, and the two were
strolling along through the little valley
just beyond the camp. What he said to
her and what she said to him is of little
Or no consequence here, because it would
be, in the first place, stupid if repeated,
second place, it had nothing to do with
the yarn. Besides, do not know what
was said, as was not there. 1t is enough
that Mary allowed Tom to understand
that she was willing to marry him. This
much was proved by the announcement
of the engagement, which was speedily
made. But just at this point arose the
queerest difficulty. AS have said, the
men in the camp looked upon the school
mistress as being one in whose career
they all had personal interest. and they
objected strongly to the proposed match.
At first Tom and Mary were both rather
disposed to laugh at the idea, but they
found in time it was no laughing matter.
The question was taken up warmly and
debated with the utmost acrimony on
a. a.