The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-10-26

me, however, was this:
A paper in which was marked in pencil
notice of the marriage of Arthur Lorrimer
to Augusta, daughter of Everleigh Turner
Esq, and a note in an unknown hand
"Madam'-it read AS one of Mr.
Lorrimcr's closest friends, | am charged
with n message TO you. You see that he is
married to his love with whom he quarrel
ed two years ago. That love will have its
way is the only excuse he can offer. He
prays that you may be happy, and that
you will forgive him.
"a. APPLETON"
did not faint, did not weep, when
received this letter, but felt the shock in
every nerve My cousin had brought the
mail from the post Office, and as l sat gaz-
ing into the fire he touched me on the
arm.
Cousin Belle" he said, i read the
paper on my way home. See now what a
false heart you have been trusting in, and
setting aside love that would have lasted
you for life -
"Do not utter falsehood, Cousin Tom,
! said. 'YOu care nothing for me; you
want my money, for heard you tell your
mother So But l will marry you and
show this deceiver that am not pining for
him. Only remember, do not love you
any more than you do me; and will never
give you even kiss"
"Oh Belle, do love you; said what l
did out of pique!' cried Tom, 'tand I am
sorry you heard me. We shall be a very
happy couple yet
"Never" | said.
81 will write to this fellow" said Tom.
"preterA we have not heard the news
and tell him you We found out you like me
the best, and want to be off with me -
Eyes " ] said, 'you may do that, hate
you both: but tell any lie you like And
he ran away.
Sitting in the room where I stood was
looking-gass which reflected a portion of
the kitchen, As | happened to turn my
eyes that way, | saw my aunt standing
near the open fire reading letter. As she
read. she seemed to watch and listen.
In those days we used both black ink and
red for correspondence, and Arthur had
a fancy for red. This letter was written
in that color. The writing, too, looked at
that distance like his, and the secrecy Of
Aunt Cynthia's manner awakened my sus-
- 7 81,
flung it into the fire, and saw her run out
at the garden door. The next instant !
was in the kitchen.
The paper had not blazed up at once for
it had fluttercd behind the hack log.
caught up the longs and brought it safely
out 1t was scourched and yellw. But |
knew could read it; and running to my
room, bolted myself in and examined the
paper.
Ii was a letter from Arthur, and from it
l learned that he had written many times
and having received no reply, had grown
anxious that he had resolved to come back
again.
81 am greatly irritated today" he said.
''Some rascal thought it good joke to
publish a false marriage with an unknown,
probably imaginary lady. 1t is unlikely
that you will ever see a Baltimore paper.
but cannot help troubling about that, too
However, we shall meet in few days.
The stage should arrive at-next Thursday.
l saw it all-my cousin had played a
deep trick. The advertisement was his
work, and he had forged the letter, but l
was master at last.
As for my aunt, the cruel creature had
destroyed the letters for which she knew |
was longing-she would willingly have
broken my heart in order that her son
might have my money.
believe from what saw that she had
not been able to finish the letter, and was
not aware how soon Arthur would arrive,
for this day was Thursday, l remember,
and night was coming on.
Iwent down to tea as though nothing
had happened My cousin took my hand
and kissed it, my aunt advanced and
kissed my cheek.
"Here are true hearts," said she, and
we will compensate you for what false ones
have made you suffer"
Marry me tomorrow, my darling. said
Tom, land | can write to that man, not
that we are engaged, but that you are my
wife"
"a good idea," said l and just then l
heard the rumbling of wheels. A vehicle
stopped before the house, and some one
raped heavily with the knocker upon the
outer door
SIT is hep cried, and in a moment more
| was clasped in Arthur's arms.
"Ask me no questions" l cried, "but
take me away from these terrible people
who would stop at no crime in order to win
what little wealth is mine
That very night old Parson Partridge
married us, and l left the town with my
husband. At my prayer, he forebore to
punish Tom, and we have never seen any
of those people since, and have lived hap
PLY for years amongst my husbands kins-