The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1894-03-31

one of the clerks shouted:
Some one at the telephone for you
sir.
Who is it? John asked, raising his
eyes from a letter he was read
ing.
Forty sseventh National Bank
President Budder, the clerk re-
piled.
Wait a moment, said Brixton,
dropping the letter, seizing his hat
and starting for the door I'm out
you don't know when I'll be
in.
One OF the firm who overheard
the conversation asked his partner
whether he supposed Brixton had
been specializing in Wall street and
got more accommodation from the
Forty seventh National than his
colaterals would warrant, and the
partner replied that it might not be
bad thing to keep Brixton out of
temptation by sending him to South
America to look after railway con
tract which they had been trying to
secure through correspondents.
| As Tor Brixton. he went straight
home and prowled about the house
until he found his sister.
Ettie, said he, you and l have
always been confidential friends,
although we're brother and sister.
| want to ask you to answer an un-
usual question and I want you to
answer it without joking or raising
your eye brows or any other teasing.
Suppose l should suddenly deter
mine that | wanted to marry.
Whom would you best like tor
sister.
The woman did not start or
laugh or do anything expressive of
astonishment but answered promptly.
I've longed for years to see you
and Agnes Hammice make a match.
You're made for each other.
Longed for years, eh? Never
changed your mind9
Never. Isn't she my dearest friend?
Isn't she as good and sweet and hand
some as-as she is poor?
What does mother think of herr
lust what l think, and what every
one must who knows her. The dear
girl would have been snapped up
long ago If she hadn't been too poor
to appear properly in the society for
| which she's best fitted. AS it is
scarcely any young men know her
except those who are not fit to tie her
shoes.
What dc you suppose she thinks
of met
Well on general principles she
cant help liking yor. For the rest
unless she iorgets every thing | say
to her, she must think you're the
one supremely perfect man on the
face of the earth.
HIN! What wonderful things you
must have said of me-behind my
back. Do you suppose you could
arrange for us-she, you and / to
take drive this afternoon.
Exactly. Then find some excuse
after you return for inviting her to
find something which will unavoidably
prevent your going.
By way of reply Elite Brixton sprang
from her chair, kissed her brother
effusively and hurried off to dress for
morning call.
Miss Hammice went driving with
Tohn Brixton that afternoon, and
although she was very sorry that dear
Etttie wasn't with them she enjoyed
herself greatly after the manner of
busy people whose special pleasures
come infrequently.
As the drive prolonged itself she
changed her mind about Ettie. She
wouldn't have had the Girl with her for
worlds, for although there was more
happiness in that carriage than she had
ever before imagined the world con-
tanned there was only enough for two,
and the mere presence of any one else,
even her dearest friend, would have
entirely spoiled it. Instead of taking
her directly home after returning
from the pleasant country lanes though
which he had driven, John Brlxton
drove to his own home and called his
sister down to the little parlor, while
he remained outside to watch the
horses.
1t seemed to him that he sat there
alone at least "a hours, although the
parlor clock had licked off only 20
minutes when Agnes tore herself away
from Ettie with the remark that she
could not be entirely happy until she
had reached home and told her mother
all about it.
President Budder was still at his
dinner table that evening when a letter
was brought in. The servant said a
special messenger had brought it, with
instructions to deliver it at once.
One of the delights of beng a finan
cial magnate growied the old man a:
he tore the end from the envelope.
Can't eat my dinner in peace. Any
customer in such hurry must be
, great Scott!
Has some one failed ! asked Mrs
Budder.
| should say so-failed to make
! fortune. Listen to this:
4 DEAR BUDEER Perhaps men grow
c more bashful as they grow older. A
any rate, I'd rather write you than te
& you face to face that the reason
e hesitate to avail myself of your kin,