The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-03-09

her lovingly.
"Now dearest, spring is here, and every
day want you to walk here and will
meet you. Won't you?" he said, with
sweet smile upon his face
! She raised those beautiful brown eyes to
his and answered in mild and sweet voice:
81 surely will, Charlie. Oh, you can't
imagine how lonely Pve been without
you"
"But Linnie think how have suffered
also, wondt ring how | could get to see you
again, but now that day has come, and in
few weeks from now will take you for
my bride for all time. Can |, dearest?"
As he held her white ieweled hand in his
she pr, ssed a sweet kiss to his lips that
sealed the engagement
! Linnie was on her way toward the house,
and now and then breaking the long grass
that grew in great lunches here and there
over the orchard With the glad sense of
freedom she walked quickly onward, free
from thought OF any sort save the exquisite
knowledge of the sweet conversation just
held between her lover and herself. She
reached the entrance of the hall and thtn
glided up the staircase as light as leaf is
blown by the wind to her room. She
stepped before the mirror and viewed her
rosy cheeks and lovely form.
/ "Oh, Pm perfect picture" said she
half aloud, showing beautiful row Of
lace and needle. "Oh, just think how
lovely shall look on my wedding night.
know uncle won't approve of me marrying
Garlic Lorton. but love him; I'll cling to
him; I'll die for him. He is mine and
mine only, the dear soul.'
Iinnie had given up all thought of Clyde
Thompfon, the lawyers son. She had at
last found an opportunity of seeing her
loved one, and no other thoughts disturbed
her.
The meetings of the two lovers continued,
until one day her heart was saddened
again. Elizabeth, the servant. was sent to
Linnie's room with a message from her
uncle, that he would see her in the library
at once.
Poor Linnie felt backward in going to
her uncle, for she was aware how stern he
was. Perhaps he had seen her with her
lover in the orchard and--oh. what would
she say? But she had no more time to
think; she would have to 90 to him at
once.
The old man sat in an easy chair, with IL
newspaper before him, when Linnie opened
the door softly.
"Ahem! you came, did YOU
''Yes, sir"
"Well, what have to say is, Mr., Clyde
Thompson is to come here day after to-
morrow evening, and you are to entertain
him here. have my papers to look after,
and probably will not be able to devote my
attention to him much. Ahem. And have
already arranged it with him about the
wedding"
''Pray what wedding, uncle?n queried
Linnie.
"Mr. Clyde Thompson's and yours, most
certainly.
A pallor o'erspread her face, and gather
ing courage Linnie said
"Why, uncle, cannot marry a gentle
man | never laid my eyes on
A sharp look from his eyes met Linnie 8
as he said
But you have to do as tell you. He
is wealthy and you must marry him with
out word"
'But-but uncle, do not love him."
Glove him. What of that? Nobody
but fools marry for love. You must do as
| say. Go to your room and prepare to
meet Mr.. Clyde Thompson day after to-
morrow evening"
! Trembling, Linnie, arose and went to
her room. 'Heaven have mercy on me, {"
she cried, ooh, what base and obstinate
man he is. What will my life be if | stay
here? Oh, the wretch, to arrange my
wedding with a man unknown to me. No,
no, no, it cannot be. What would Charlie
do--what would he think of me? Had
known the disposition of my uncle would
never have come here. ! would have shaved
as kitchen girl in some great city. Oh,
my young lifo will be blasted
When the next morning dawned, twas
as bright as the morning before. Linnie
had hastily dressed and with heavy laden
heart was on her way to meet her lover,
going to the same place along the fence,
and peering through the space she spied
Charlie Lorton coming down the pathway.
Soon the two were together and all
Linnie's troubles were laid before him
he comforted her and gave hi" best advice
But Charlie, | can never entertain
him."
Eyes, Linnie, entertain him, and it will
be for the hest you know. feel positive
my little girl does not love the man, and
you can do that to keep your uncle in good
spirits. That will be it, won't it?'
"ies, dearest, you always know"
Linnie later met the gentleman, and he