The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-07-20


Mr. Benedict came in, kindly shaking
hands with Eunce as he did so.
81 see your house is to let F." said he.
eyes, answered Eunice.
While from the head of the stairway
Aunt Lobelia disposed herself to listen.
"Im glad that girl didn't shut the
parlor door," said she.
81 am intending to change my local
habitation, " observed Mr.. Benedict.
"Are you,' said Eunice. "Perhaps you
would like this house?'
''No," said Mr. Benedict, 81 don't think
| care about the house."
"Rude old monster" muttered Aunt
Lobelia.
"My aunt is going to Vermont" said
Eunice.
as she, indeed?' uttered Mr.. Benedict.
81 am thinking of going to the country,
too
81 wish I'd gone TO the door myself, y
said Aunt Lobela to herself. 81 know
could have coaxed him to come to Mapl,
Grove
''The fact is" added Mr. Benedict, 81
am tired of the city, Miss Eunice. | have
made up my mind to live among the daisies
and buttercups."
"Gracious mel" unused Miss Lobela.
"I'll put on my best front directly and
come down. believe the man has been
madly in love with me all along, and now
he has decided to unite our destinies.'
And away she scutled in her old carpet
slippers to beautify herself as expeditiously
as possible.
"And-you will excuse the interest of an
old friend, Miss Eunice," kindly added Mr.
Benedict-'but what is to be your fate?"
81 don't know" said Eunice, sadly. 81
should like to 20 to Vermont, too, but
Aunt Lobelia thinks | had better stay here
and be shop-girl."
"What do you think about it?' said Mr..
Benedict.
Eunice's dark-fringed eyelids dropped
81 have no choice" said she.
He gazed kindly at her. Her heart be-
gan to throb pulse or so faster than it.
usual won't
What pleasant blue-gray eyes he had
What frank, smiling mouth!
''Do you like the country?' said he.
II don't know faultered Eunice. 81
have seen so little of it. But whenever
think of heaven, it seems to me as if il
must be beautiful green meadows, with
violets opening in the grass"
He leaned forward and took her hand.
'Eunice, y he said, gently, 'your words
encourage me still more in the mission
upon which | came. have bought an old
manor house on the Androscoggin River.
with a farm and plenty of green trees
Will you 90 thither with me Eunice, and
be the Eve to my little Paradise? Will
you marry man, who, although he is
close on forty, is still young at heart, and
who will try his best to make you happy
And without shade of coquetry or a
particle of hesitation, Eunice joyful,
answered.
"Yes!"
"My own sweet girl" he exclaimed,
drawing her close to him. "You are quite
sure that you can learn to love me?'
"I-I don't knowr' murmured Eunice.
'But | think-nay, am certain-that !
love you now"
At that very moment the door opened
with long, creaking groan, and in tripped
Aunt Lobelia, with her newest front OF
curls and her Sunday smiles.
She started back with an exclamation.
'Ehn' said she, in some embarrass-
ment.
''Do not be alarmed, Miss Lobelia, "
said Mr.. Benedict, resolutely retaining the
hand that Eunice would fain have drawn
away. This young lady has promised to
be my wife, and when you go to Vermont
she will accompany me to Wallace Manor
House, on the shores of the Androscoggin
river
81 hope you won't be vexed, Aunt
Lobelia,' said Eunice, half expecting to
be scolded as of yore.
The fortitude of woman is proverbial, and
although the report of cannon could
not have electrified Miss Lobelia Lynn any
more than did this occurrence, she rallied
promptly.
'I-Im sure | congratulate you," said
she with little gasp.
The house was let that afternoon to a
widow who wanted to take few gentle.
man boarders.
Eunice was married. the next week and
went to Wallace Manor House-a supert
old stone mansion, which seemed like q
palace to her unsophistcated eyes.
And Aunt Lobelia sorrowfully took hel
away to Vermont.
''Im afraid I've msmanaged matters, ,
said she. ''If I'd sent Eunice to cousir
Peters at once, perhaps Mr. Benedict
would have proposed to met
And even this dubious perhaps" was
comfort to poor Aunt Lobelia. Saturday
Night.
KEEP 1T OPEN.