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

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81 was vexed, and said she could &c
when she'd a mind to; but of course she
knew didn't mean it,
''HOw could she know that? Cassie,
Cassie, I've warned you more than once OIL
twice that your impatient temper would
bring trouble at last. Elizabeth is like
what her poor mother was-proud and easy
hurt. And she'd not been long enough
with us since her mother died to get fami
liar with your little irritable ways, and tc
know at the bottom there's good and true
woman's heart. Cassie, doubt but you've
driven the poor child off,
Mrs. Blake burst into tears.
"Whats to be done, Joseph? God
knows, Lizzie is as dear to me us if she was
my OWL. And l did hope" she added, in
a lower tone-I did hope to be able to call
her mine some time. Tom"
And here she choked and burst into
fresh sobs.
"Yea, yea. Tom will be dreadfully cut
up by this" said the old man, slowly
shaking his head as the two proceeded
down stairs. ''But ! wish he'd hurry
home now, for until he comes l hardly
know what's to be done.'
Hadn't we better send over to Cynthia IS?
Maybe they'd know something that would
serve for clew, since Lizzie was there last
night. No doubt she took the II o'clock
train for the city. Stay I'll write line
to Joe, and ask him to step to the hotel,
and find out whether Parker had left
there"
The hasty line was written and dis
patched by Patty, who had all this time
time looked on with wide open eyes and
mouth.
"Now, Patty, run for your life, l." said.
mistress as she gave her the bit of paper
Patty ran-only stopping once to tell
somebody whom she met that Miss Lizzie
had run away to get married.
In ten minutes she returned, accom-
panied by Mrs. Blake's sister, Mrs. Cynthia
H,rden, and her daughter, Elvira Jane.
Mrs. Harden, a portly lady, was all out
of breath, and Elvira Jane, slender and
willowy, and pale and agitated.
''Cassandra," gasped Mrs Harden. as
she dropped heavily into chair, "what is
all this hear? Patty says Lizzie's run
away to get married; but can't believe it
is true
And then Mrs. Blake explained what had
occurred.
''She left my house last night about half
past nine said Mrs. Harden, growing
very red while her daughter became equally
pale. wasn't Tom with her Elvira
Jane ~
"No, ma. Tom and she quarreled the
first part of the evening, because she danced
with-with Mr.. Parker
Aud Elvira James voice trembled as she
spoke the name.
81 thought so. They've undoubtedly
run off together, or perhaps, he helped to
get her off to the city
~ wouldn't have believed it of Eliza
BETH" said Mrs. Harden with indignant
emphasis 81 wouldn't have believed it of
any girl that she could such play an under
hand part When she knew that Elvira
Jane was good as engaged to Orvile
Parker.
At this, Miss Harden's feelings, hitherto
suppressed, became too acute for endurance
and she sat down on the kitchen settee and
bust into hysterical weeping.
Don't cry, Elvira ,Ianen' said her Uncle
Joseph, kindly 'If the fellows capable
of acting in this way, he amt worth she'd
ding tear for.
"Therell be something to shed hesid .
when Joe comes to hear it, said Mr..
Harden savagely. 'He amt one to see his
sister put upon in this way, Joe isn't
Just then there was knock at the outer
kitchen door, which, being opened, admit
ted two or three of the nearest ntighhorS,
who had come to obtain information and
administer consolation to the family in
their trouble.
For by this time, thanks to Patty half
the village knew that Deacon Blake's
pretty niece, who ha made his home 80
hri.ht in the few months that she had lived
with them, and who, everybody had de-
cided was to marry his son Tom, had run
off and got married to the dandy dry goods
clerk, lately imported from the city.
"Well, I'm awfully cut up about it, I'm
sure" said Mrs. Peters, the wheelwrights
wife, as she folded her hands on her ample
chest. and solemnly shook her head. 81
wish could say something to comfort you,
Mrs. Blake, but I've always noticed that
them as you're kindest to has the least
gratitude.
''As for me, I've been expecting it all
along" said Miss Tucker, who was pres-
dent of the Female Mission and Charity
Association. Il noticed the way Lizzie
Gray and that Mr. Parker looked at each
other in church Sunday night; and Tom
Blake noticed it, too, for he appeared awful
glum, and got up and went ont before any
body else-almost before the blessing was
spoke. remember | said to myself, 'f
Elizabeth Gray and Orvlle Parker don't
make runaway match before long, then
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