The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-07-06
SOU . FRIENDS.

when she wanted 1t to be so.
Gle ism t at all my ideal man physically,
she explained to her cousin Tom. She
was telling him, because he was the only
person she knew to whom she could talk
with absolute freedom. The fact that Tom
loved her did not interfere with their friend
ship. She made a business of forgetting all
about Toms love. She had happy
faculty for forgetting every thing she wanted
to forget.
ole is little round shouldered and not
the least bit in the world handsome, but,
oh, how my soul go,s out to him." she
sighed.
''Tom, DEAR she went on after little
touching her cousins cheek caressingly,
edo you believe in rencamtion?"
GIVE never thought about it, Tom
answered. That touch Of saba $ hand had
made his heart beat wildly in spite of he
frequent assurance that her caressee were
only given him in sisterly way
''Hendrick and ! must have been twins
in another life. How else could we have
known each other So well from the tirst?'
saba unused.
And when are you going to marry him?
asked Tom in husky voice, which he
tried to make sound matter of fact.
saba looked at him pathetically.
'How can you, Tom? | should think
you would know did not mean anything
of that sort. I'm disappointed in you,
Tom. Such thing as marriage has never
been mentioned between Hendrick and me
and never will be!''
Tom was silent moment, then inquired
in hes tating way, as if he were not quite
sure how she would take his question:
''Did you ever pat his cheek as you did
mine moment ago?'
rush of color came into saba S
face.
''Of course not, she answered emphati
cally. ''lm not given to doing such things.
Only there is something about your silly
old face that tempts me when | am with
you, with Hendrick it is different. 1t is
his soul that | care for
Toms first expression of relief was
followed by one of mournfulness. What
if saba did speak in this way now? OF
course she would be betrothed soon to the
man whose soul had attracted hers.
A season passed, during which daily
letters were exchanged between the soul
friends. AS the hour approached for them
to meet again saba could hardly wait for
it.
"Tom, dear, | am SO happy? l have
been counting even the minutes" saba
said, when her faithful cousin put her in
the car that was to take her to Summer
Vale Springs, the trysting place.
aunt Lucy was slightly indisposed
yesterday and | almost killed her with
attention for fear she would not be able to
travel today" she added "Now, kiss me
Tom, and hurry away, Or you may be
carried off when the train STARTS
When Tom stood on the platform beside
her window, she cried out:
'Smile. How dare you look solemn,
you selfish boy, when Pm so happy"
The journey was very trying. She
couldn't read, and there was no Tom to
talk to. Aunt Lucy was no company
She was too poor traveller.
When Summer Vale Springs was reached
the soul brother was at the depot to help
saba off. She gazed jealousy into his face
but did not tell him how she had counted
the hours.
Then began those delightful talks and
walks. So mnch new music had to be
conned, so many new books discussed.
One day saba made an unusually becom-
ing toilet and asked Hendrick cautiously
how she looked. He studied her attent-
lively, and she found herself waiting
breathlessly for his answere.
That night she wrote to poor, long
d9ring Tom: "Our friendship-Hen-
II Is and mine-is more idle than ever
as he soul satisfying" And Tom sighed
her emo, to himself, ''She will tell me of
At the gent in her next letter"
of the first week saba said
II am makih.,
gettinp all Of o5he most of my time
you will tell your ffe that l can Soon
girls who cross your 20 one Oh 'ne many
object to our friendship ana , sne may
for his answer her heart a 40 ''e 'ls''ieu
beat. oSt ceased to
mo" Hendrick sad slowl CO.
think shall. 1t is probable t., w" :
never marry shall
That night saba cried herself to
The next morning she tried to fin eop'
why she had cried out
1T is because am woman, and won,
are senseless about some things" she told
herself furiously.
a few days later Alice Baudret arrived
at the Springs. Hendrick remarked that
she was one of the most beautiful girls he
mad ever seem A dreadful MI; 4,