The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1889-08-24
WOOED AND--WON?

She looked so young, so happy, SO
innocent, that he was conscious of a
chord somewhere about his heart that
had not vlbrated for many long day.
He, Graham Standish, was making an
afternoon call, and she, Stella Grey, had
just tripped into the room. "My aunt
begs you to excuse her tor moment,
Stella said" ave have just come in,
and she is taking her bonnet off,"
Standish made polite and appro-
pirate rejoin der. In his heart he wished
devoutly that the moment might be In,
definitely prolonged. 81 need not ask
if you enjoyed the dance last night ~
he said, looking with increasing pleasure
at the fair and candid face.
"Oh, SO much, SO much i she re-
Piled, with pretty enthusiasm that was
absolutely unaffected. Her eyes danced
in the sunlight that streamed in at the
windows evidently darkened rooms
and cunning blinds and rosy lights
were not IN vogue in this house. Stella S
skin was like a blush rose, and, al
though she was not regularly beautiful,
there was something graceful and bright
about her which made her more at
tractive than many girls with greater
claims to positive beauty. al love
dancing, do not you2". she asked, smil-
ing radiantly at him. "If heaven were
to be one long dance | would be good
all the rest of my life"
II am sure you are good enough for
heaven, whatever it may be-" replied
Standish !; and he spoke with such
gravity, and even intensity, that Stella
felt little confused, and had to talk
rather fast to conceal her embarrass-
ment.
81 am not at all good. Quite the re-
verse. Ask Aunt Marian p' she said.
He looked at her with smiling in
credulity. She was like white lily to
him like the down on swans breast;
like snow fresh fallen on some noun
tain summit. And yet Standish was a
thorough man of the world sceptical
about religion, friendship, love and
women in general. But though he had
lived and had known almost every
phase OF society, he never said abso.
lutely to himself or to any one else, as
many younger and less experienced o.
his fellows do, "There is not such q
thing as good woman" On the con-
trary, he had maintained that this rara
avis does exist, but that the specimen:
are few, and when found to be valued
as pearls of great price. He was hard
and stern, with an iron will but he hao
a conviction that good, pure, loving
woman could change all the worst par1
of him, and inspire HIM with deep love
and tenderness. He had met Stella
for the first time on the previous night
and to- day already he felt she ap.
preached closely to his ideal.
81 am sure you like dancing, too
because you dance so well, said Stella
and then she blushed little at having
paid him compliment.
at was you who inspired me-" he
replied and then, deeply to his chagrin,
Aunt Marian came in. He had tc
control mis- eyes now and to talk al
sorts of platitudes but he went away
happy, having won from Mrs. Grey a
promise that she, her husband, her son
and Stella would dine with him at Hur.
lngham the following Saturday, and
allow him to drive them down in his
coach. When the door closed upor
him, Stella wallzed madly round the
room. finished up by embracing hel
aunt with an ardor which made thai
amiable lady smile and ask if she wa:
going out OF her senses.
GLOW utterly delightful What {
nice dear man !" Stella cried, and re.
sumed her gvrations.
81 believe he is rich and very wei
connected" observed Mrs. Grey, who
was, what they say every good woman
is, matchms ker. She was quite aware
that her son Leo and Stella fanciec
themselves in love with each other, bu
that was, Of course, ridiculous, as neithe
had any money. She tolerated the ides
with perfect good humor, but alway!
had her eyes open for good mattel
for either.
At dinner the admiral, Stella's uncle
and Leo were informed OF the invita-
ton, and received it with satisfaction.
ellis father and | served together,
remarked the admiral. "He was gooC
deal my senior. A bit of a martinez
but, by Jove he was tanned at home
He was frightened out of his soul b.
his wife, who was a handsome tartar
with will like iron. Her son looks a
if he had inherited some of it"
"Now, Uncle George, you are not Il
say word against him !" cried Stella
"We are going to eat his bread an
salt on Saturday, and she laughed de
lightedly.
81 suppose it is you, my GEAR, W
may thank tor his hospitality" said tn
admiral jocularly. Leo frowned.
Later in the evening, when the elder
were playjnp beZioue. Leo wh,sDered (