The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-07-12


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10y y 4.t,sad pleasant dance together, but
Phillip was prejudiced. He was GER
tainly beginning to be sensitive on the
subject of his poverty aud too proud to
dance much with a moneyed lady. Lettie
| charmed him and he felt safe with her,
haTing made up his mind that she was
Miss Carson's companion. Though such
a companion surely no man ever saw
1t was beautiful vision that haunted
the poor lieutenant for the remainder of
his sleeping hours that night. A fair,
smiling face and profusion of blonde hair,
rosy red lips and large blue eyes.
He decided many times that it would
only be common courtesy to 60 and call
| the next day and inquire after the ladies'.
| True, it was a fashion long out of date,
but charming one nevertheless. 1t
would be a sad century to live in when
| all such little acts of kindness would be
despised. The call of enquiry that af-
ternoon, which ended in tea and delight
| ful chat, was only the fore-runner of
many more. Phillip could sing; Lettie
could play Phillip was in want of an
accompanist ; Lctte loved nothing better
than accompanying. 1t was an ordinary
state Of affairs enough, but productive of
infinite pleasure.
The old squire sat and looked on ap.
provingly Or victimized JEANNE to the
extent of a game of backgammon. Phil
| lip was too much fascinated to wonder at
his uncle's complaisance during his evil
dent neglect of the supposed heiress. He
would occasionally relent in his behavior
toward Jeannie, bring her book to read
or some flowers. But the experiment
never really answered, and he soon found
himself again beside Lettie. Once he
felt sure that he heard the old man laugh
ingly mutter something that sounded
suspiciously like deep game" and that
was on an occasion when he had been try
ing his best to appear interested n
Jeanne.
At last intimation arrived that his eX-
change was affected. He was to join tho
other battalion of his regiment the fol-
lowing month. He had but short time
longer in England, but meant to spend it
all at Woodbridge. 1t was foolish, he
knew, allowing himself to become more
and more infatuated with Miss Phili-
more, but at the same time l. was ire.
sistible. Compulsory Punishment from
England was a prospect dismal enough
to contemplate but voluntary Danish
ment from Lettie while in England, too
much to expect OF a susceptible young
officer.
Come, boy" said the old squire, the
evening before Phillips departure, 'you
mustn't be off into the drawing room yet.
You haven't done justice to my old port
for ever so long. The ladies are attract
i've, | know, but an old man must not be
neglected, especially an old one who
wishes you so well. Phillip" he contin-
ued, after he had filed his glass with the
rare old vintage, and shifted the aroma,
and surveyed the bees wing with the eye
of the good old connoisseur that he was.
''Phillip, l say, l had no idea that my
light words with respect to the heiress
would have taken such firm root, and
given the start to a wooing SO evidently
successful"
Phillip looked down and fdgeted with
his wneglass.
sSpeak on; SIR he said. 81 do not
know that there has been anything SO
evident that would warrant you in
coupling my name with that Of Miss Car
son."
.'Of Miss Carson" chuckled the old
man. mo, should think not, indeed.
And just as well for you, my friend, that
there is not The squire shook his fist
playfully at Phillip as he spoke. The
young man blushed.
II am quite aware that it would have
been the height of impertinencc in me-"
he said, "to have-to have"
made love, prompted the squire.
ITO Miss Carson" continued Phillip.
but, IN spite of her enormous fortune
and the immense convenience that it
would be to me, l must confess, sir, that
not for one moment have l wavered in
my allegiance to Miss Phillimore. My
intense admiration for that lady has dated
from the night of the hunt ball, and has
been on the increase ever SINCE
The squire shook himself about with
violent laughter, and his jolly round face
formed II marked contrast to Phillips
woe-begone countenance. Tho young
! man was somewhat nettled at his uncle's
uncalled-for hilarity.
-, sit seems no laughing matter to me,
r sir, " he said proudly, Though it would
, appear to amuse you vastly. l fail t.
, perceive the joke in my falling in love
: with penniless girl, and being too poor
!, to ask her to marry me-"
"Penniless ~ roared the squire, "and
who said Letitia was penniless ?"
Phillip could not say that anyone had
exactly committed themselves to the