Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1890-11-06
Nechanwown Frederick County, Maryland Thursday November s. 1890

lips, burylng them in the odorous mass.
"Pray, Miss Cecile,' said the captain,
twill you give me those flowers pressed
go warmly to your lips"
"Cecile looked iuquiringly lrto her
cousins face.
"'Je te defends,'' Victor muttered
in peremptory tone.
"The girl had been spoiled, and, un'
accustomed to be dictated to, that voice
of authority droye her to hasty decis.
ion. Without moments hesitation
she turned to Capt. Lymon and laid the
flowers in his hand. Victor's eyes
flashed with indignation at this unmer-
tied blow to his manly pride. His
cousins cruelty Glove to his heart as
with knife. He gave her scornful
look, turned upon his heels and depart
ed. A week after this occurred Captain
Lymou was recalled to his post of duty.
Thus Ceclle found herself suddenly be-
reft of both her loyers.
"This circumstance was not calcula
ted to enllven her situation. She now
eschewed the gayeties of life, and relln-
ouished further association with her old
acquaintances.
The country was then full Of young
girls, whose exuberance of spirits could
not be checked even by the sad tidings
which reached them from the closing
scenes of war. We had little to DO ex-
cept to amuse ourselves, and we resort
ed to every possible means Of satisfying
our natural propensites for pleasure
We took great delight in horseback
rides. There was lack of cayallers,
but we did not care, and rode out i'll gay
parties, half dozen in a squad, as we
called it. Cecile had generally accom-
panied us in these jaunts, either along
the river or down Crosse Tete lane to
the woods, where the pungent odors of
Wild plants and flowers filled our senses
with exhilarating delight.
"Before the complications of her love
affairs Cecile had been the most inter.
ested one in our riding parties, for she
was graceful rider and fond of dis.
playing her skill. But after the incl
dent | have just related she declined
with persistence every invitation to join
us until we lost the habit of calling up
on her when passing her gate.
Son our return home will show you
a clump of trees now battered and
gnarleu with age. They stand on the
river bank in front of Mr.. Jacob s dwell,
ing. At the time alluded to they were
young and vigorous, and so distributed,
that their limbs interlaced and formed a
magnificent bower. 1t was most in
viting spot. Beneath this canopy Of
leaves Mr.. Jacob had placed a number
of comfortable seats, where he and
his guests often enjoyed slestu on
warm summer days. The people Of the
neighborhood often stopped here, either
for rest or for the enjoyment Of the
cool breeze which comes from the river
One evening, on our return from long
and dusty ride, we passed the place at
about sunset. The sight OF the cool re-
treat reminded me of a spring which
bubbled from the bank few feet below
it. I suggested the idea of dismountine
in order to uuench our thirst, and was
the first to leap from my pony and pene
trate the shadowy recess. Guess my
surprise when in the gathering twilight
| perceived our deserted Ceclle.
"She stood in the subdued light like
a Calypso ready to resent ar intrusion
within the sacred precinct of her grotto
why Ceclle,' exclaimed, 1 took
you tor ghostl'
"For answer she burst into a little
u. irritable laugh-'Thanks for your com
pliment.
81 knew she was Tot in amiable mood
but went up to her and kissed her light
ly on the check. She did not change
her attitude nor unlock her arms from
behind her. Her airs provoked me, snt
walked to the bank, saying, I hop'
there is no law prohibiting people from
quafing draught at the spring.?
"At that IN ,ment I heard the chatte
of our little cavalcade. oh, gracious
, here's Ceclie. We thought you were
dead and buried ! what have you beer
J doing with yourself, Ceclle? 'Turnin!
nun, I suppose, to expiate for the SIN o
breaking hearts, What have you dom
with your lovers Where is poor Cousin
Victor: and the gallant captain
These were some of the questions which
fell upon her like a hailstorm.
Il pitied the girl and rushed to he
rescue. Girls, cried, at the same tim
struggling up the rugged steps in tn