The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-10-18

arrival of hungry guests had been Ion;
deferred.
If Miss WILDER was disposed to cher
ish any romantic notions in regard t.
the curious scene, her guide was promp
to dispel them.
"Granniss set up restaurant" hi
explained, laconically. ''Busted tn,
first week. Off to the mines, and lief
his wife here to make out the best shs
can. They must have spare rooms VI
stairs, and she looks like tidy body
4 sadeyed little woman, with two
children hanging to her skirts, answer
ed their call. Her face partook of the
prevailing neutral tones of the desert
even to the dull eyes, which lacked the
sunny warmth of blue and the fire anG
sparkle of gray. Her countenance was
emblematiC of her character, which
having missed the dews and sunshine
of ordinary existence, had relapsed to
the dry monotonous level of the region
in which it was cast. As the fireman
had anticipated, she was ready to exc
out her insufficient income in any hon
est fashion, and the travellers were soon
installed in a couple of airy rooms,
sparsely furnished, but sufficient for
their needs.
y little separated from their fellow
passengers, and remaining for the most
part in their simple apartments, it hap
pened that they were left to themselves
the first twenty-four hours, and missed
the genial feast of reason and flow Of
soul with which old travellers beguile
the lrksome moments of detention on
the road. On the afternoon of the
second day, Miss Wilbur, answering in
person rap at the door, was surpris-
ed to see their whilom acquaintance,
the train-hand, standing there in re-
spectful attitude.
"N1ay ask after your fathers
health p
"Ihank you. He is feeling much
the same. He cannot expect to re-
cruit fully until our journey is ended"
She smiled as she spoke, rejecting
that the rough-looking fellow made
quite respectable appearance, di-
vesteu S5T Ills coarse garments and re-
lieved Of his coating of smut and SCOT
He accepted the smile as an invitation
to enter, and stepped inside the door
with the easy and unconscious assur-
ance OF a man accustomed to a ready
welcome in the humble homes he fire.
| quented. Miss Wilbur stifened per
ceptibly, but the Invalid, who had rec
ognized the young man voice through
the open door leading to the room in
which he was seated, called out a cor
dial greeting, and the two men were
soon engaged in a brisk conversation.
The young lady beheld this proceed
ing with unspoken disapprobation and
after sitting some time in silence, and
seeing that the unbiddcn guest evinced
no inclination to leave, she brought
out a little writing desk and busted
herself somewhat ostentatiously with
her letters. If she thought to affront
the visitor by this act, she made sig
nal failure. Whenever she lifted her
eyes she found his gaze fixed upon her
in secret admiration of the small head
with its graceful poise, and as he caught
the glance of her eyes he smiled a
friendly response. As he rose to take
his leave he ventured upon frank ex-
preston of his wishes for their welfare.
and you must not allow yourself to
be wearied with your enforced stay in
this bleak little place, Miss Wilbur. We
are having no end of fun down at the
train and over at the hotel-impromptu
theatrlcals, charades, burlesque operas.
If your father could spare you this
evening, now
THANK YOU Her voice was icy,
and the face she turned to him Dis
turbed even his easy composure. you
will have to excuse me. | am not &C
customed to such-gatherings." He
was moving toward the door and she
followed him, making desperate eff
fort to bring out something which OBJ
stinately hid in the depths of her poe
ket. As he reached the threshold she
displayed small purse of Russia
leather. "You must excuse us for oul
negligence yesterday she said, hur-
riedly. 1--WE could not permit you to
be troubled without some remunera-
ton" and she pressed small piece OF
silver in his hand.
At this malicious reminder of the
difference in their social status the
young man started visibly. He drew
himself up to his full height and SEEM
cd for moment about to spurn the
business-like offering, but his better
judgment or the admirable trait of civ
ilized beings which we call prudence
won the day, and, after scarcely per
ceptible delay, he turned the coin over
curiously in his hand, and then, care
lessly dropping it upon the floor, as if
to satisfy himself that it had the ring
of true metal, bowed low to his bene,
| factress.
"Do not speak of the service, Miss
Wilbur" he said, gratefully; this fully
Compensates me"
The girl was trembling with the ex-
element of her au1acious deed wher
she returned to the room she had lust