The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1892-07-30
COUNTESS CONSTANT.

BY MRS. FINDLEY BRANDEN.
The name had clung to sweet
Mildred Moray through four con-
secutive seasons. Four Summers
had come and gone since her accept
ed lover, Jared Lismund, had sud-
denly left for the West in search OF
fortune. Fame he had never coveted,
but he did long for competency on
which he might venture TO wed
Mildred Moray. The thought of
asking her to share his poverty had
never once entered his mind. And
so they had parted with the inter-
changed promises that she would
ever be faithful, and that he would
surely return to claim her for his
bride when success and wealth were
won AT first, his letters to Mildred
were bright and hopeful, but in a
few months they became respondent
and finally ceased altogether But
she never lost faith in Jared Lis
mund. l promise to be true, she
would say in answer to all protests,
and shall be to the end. So her
gay young friends gave her the
name of Countess Constant. and
the beautiful appellation seemed to
fit her like robe.
1t just describes Mildred, said
Norma Lake to Captain March, the
latest newcomer at Cliff House.
The captain was fifty, if a day, but
reputed to be enormously wealthy,
and therefore extremely eligible. So
giddy Miss Lake at once took it
upon herself to attach the captain to
her train. She even introduced him
to Mildred Moray, because she
knew she could trust her, so far as
rivalry was concerted.
Our Countess Constant still con-
siders herself engaged to Jared Lis.
mund, continued volatile Miss Lake.
He went west four years ago, and
hasn't been heard OF since. He was
very poor and proud, and we fancy
he is still unfortunate. No doubt
that is why he does not return to
claim Mildred.
Captain March was tanning him
self vigorously. Lismund, you say?
The young mans name was Lis
murd? | know a Jared Lismund
in San Francisco. He is struggling
still, and | suppose its the very man.
But Miss Moray is better off without
him. A girl with her beauty and
talents can have a millionaire at her
feet.
Miss Lake smiled, uneasily. Mil
dred wouldn't. She will not accept
the attentions Of any one. And that
is why she so merits the title Of
Countess Constant. Why she has
had score of offers. Indeed ex-
claimed the captain. l must tell her
| have met this Lismund, and that
she'd better give him up at once.
But I'll 60 about it carefully, for
she does not seem very approach
able. And during the next ten days
Captain March made but little pro-
gress in his acquaintance with Miss
Moray.
But one morning they met on the
cliff. Stay! said the captain. You
will pardon an old mans interier-
ence, but they tell me you are wait.
ing for Jared Lismundl l know
him we'll, and he lives in San Fran
cisco.
Countess Constant calm blue
eyes we're fixed upon him. You
know Lismund? Captain March
drew from his pocket pictured
face
You know thatP
Yes, she said simply, it is Jared
Lismund. And something sus-
piciously like tear glistened on the
fair cheek opposite Tell me what
you know of him, she continued,
bravely.
And Captain March began his
story: | have often heard Lismund
speak OF you, and that is why ven
ture to address you now on what
must be painful subject Lismund
is still struggling on, and 1t will be
years before he can marry. You are
wasting your youth upon him, Miss
Moray, and it should not be. That
was why he stopped writing. He
wanted TO make you free, and he
expected to hear of your marriage to
another long ago. But they call you
Countess Constant | was sorry to
learn that; yet constancy is beau
tiful thing, and worthy OF all imita-
ton.
Mildred Moray's slender hands
we're hutterine nervously. You
would have me false and heartless,
then2 she exclaimed bitterly.
No! cried the captain, decidedly
no, for believe poor Lismund love:
you still. We've been friends ou
there, and I've helped him all l can