The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-08-17


front garden palings.
"Lor, mum, they're coming! Mister Tom
Mister Joe, too
Joe Harden was hurrying up the road for
one direction and Tom Blake driving
another.
The two young men met at the gate, and
after exchanging few words Tom left his
wagon in the yard and they entered the
kitchen together.
"Tom's face was white, while Joes was
red as his mothers
"Well Joe,' said Deacon Blake, hastily
stepping forward.
Joe answered in a hard sharp way
"Parker left the hotel this morning at
5 o'clock. He hired buggy. He didn' t
say where he was going, but Larry, the
milkman, met him near the meadow bridge
driving with lady, who he is sure was
Lizzie
But in that case where was she all
night?'
Joe Sternly SHOOK MS Helu.
Mis-. Blake burst into passion of weep
ing.
Tom, meanwhile, had taken something
from small box on the top shelf of the
closet and was closely examining it Mt the
window.
''Oh, Toni" cried Elvra Jane. what
do you mean to do with that dreadful
thing?"
Tom made no reply.
His lips were firm set, and he put the
pistol into his breast pocket and turned to-
ward the door.
''Tom, my SOM" cried his mother, seiz-
ing his arm. "Oh, Joe, stop him. There'll
be murder somewhere He'll kill that
Parkerw
'If he don't" said Joe, deliberately, as
he carefully selected stout horsewhip
from number hanging in the closet-"if
he don't succeed in killing him, then I'll
finish him off myself, Come along, Toni
Elvira Jane screamed, and Mrs. Harden
and Mrs. Peters made sudden, elephan-
tine rush and placed their ample forms
against the kitchen door.
Mrs Blake threw herself into rocking
chair with wailing, and Patty, with tightly
clenched hands, mouth screwed up and
eyes double their natural size, danced
about the room on tiptoe.
"Stand aside mother! There's someth-
ing trying to get in here, said Joe, as the
door was pushed from without.
And wrenehing it open despite the
resistance of the two stout ladies' he threw
it wide, while the eyes of all the excited
turned ththerward.
Every one uttered an exclamation.
There stood Lizzie, bright and rosy, her
hat hanging on her back by its strings, her
curly hair all disordered by the wind, and
in her hands a little basket, the contents o:
which were covered over with fresh green
leaves.
At sight of the unexpected group her
face assumed an expression of the utmost
establishment.
ooh, Lizzie, Lizzie!' cried her aunt
starting up, "where have you been?'
"Where have been?" repeated Lizzie,
in bewildered tone. "Why, to the
meadow-bridge wood, to get straw
berries.
And she lifted the leaves and displayed
the red fruit beneath.
A dead silence ensued. Everybody
looked at each other, but no one spoke
until Miss Tucker inquired, half incredu-
ously:
'Who went with YOU"
"Mrs. Lamb and the girls, and Frank
Lamb and Mr.. Parker" answered Lizzie
unhesitatingly.
Oh, Mr. Parker!' said Miss Tucker,
with a significant smile and toss of her
head.
"Yes. 1t was he who told us, as we
came home last night, about the straw
berries being ripe at the meadow bridge,
and said that as he would bring us some.
And Mrs. Lamb proposed that, as her
wagon was to 90 early to the station, we
we should all 90 in to the strawberry
grounds, and it would take us up in return
ing. Mr.. Parker overlook us in his
buggy.
"And pray" said Mrs. Harden, severely
Chow was it that he offered you a seat in
the buggy instead of one of the others"
Lizzie hesitated, smiled and glanced to-
ward Elvira Jane. Then she stopped and
whispered word or two in Mrs. Hardens
ear, who countenance instantly cleared.
"lou've given us dreadful fright,
Lizzie said Mrs Blake, beginning to cry
again, but this time for pure relief and
happiness.
eyes" said Mrs. Peters, with a broad
smile breaking over he face-''yes, we all
thought you and Mr. Parker had run away
to get married. Amt it too ridiculous?
Lizzie looked around with an indignant
flush sufusing her face.
Uncle Joe sat down and broke into
wild laugh.
Even Elvira Jane smiled, for she had
caught Lizzies whisper"
And while they were all laughing Lizzie
turned to Tom. who happened to be close