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

promised to marry Mr.. Pettibone p
''Eustacia !"
Why not ?" she answered defiantly
"Mr. Pettibone likes me, and may as
well be engaged as-as other folks
Just as you please" CARL said quietl,
and one week afterward he sailed for
Japan.
And Eustacia, prejudiced though she
was against the fair unknown quantity
of Mr.. Upham's life equation, could not
but pity herself for the long months and
years of doubt and solitude through
which she must pass before he came HON,
again Yes, she felt that she was reven
ged
The years went by, as years have a
fashion of doing, whether we laugh OF
weep, suffer or enjoy; and old Mrs. Piper
grew feebler and feebler with every Christ
mas She would have Miss Moore if she
had been condemned to exist without h, r
tender care, although she did scold terribly
when Eustacia broke the marriage contract
and gave Mr.. Pettibone back the. diamond
which had dazzled CARL Uphams eyes in
the freight.
"Dear Mrs Piper, l am happier with
you," coaxed Eustacia, and the poor child
less old woman had not the heart. to chide
her further
af rl
Eustacia sat before the fire, as they had sat
many and many momentous evenings,
when the door opened and in marched Nj.
tpham, tall and brown, and whiskered
like Corsair.
What joyful welcome there was for
him But, after all, a certain restraint
fingered over them all
Don't disturb yourself, l beg; my chair
here is very comfortable, Mrs. Pettibone,"
said Carl tremendously, as he seated HIM
self.
''Who is he talking to-" shrilly de-
manded Aunt Piper. "rhere is no Mrs.
Pettibone here ~
SIS not Eustacia''- and he colored and
stopped
'No, she's not, bless your heart, CARL;
she never cared for him.
Then" said CARL, speaking to his
aunt, but looking straight at Eustaca,
why did she engage herself to him.
81 don't know myself" involuntaril,
answered Eustacia, feeling her cheeks burn;
a girls freak, | suppose -
And the subject, to her great relief, was
allowed to drop there.
The next day, however, when CARL wa,
giving them a gay description of his lif
in the dominions of the Tycoon Aunt
Piper interrupted him somewhat acrimon
iously.
''If you were having such a very mic,
time there, | don't see what you cam,
home at all for -
perhaps, said Eustacia, with her eyes
fixed very intently on her crotchet work.
he came here to be married"
'What do you mean ?'' asked CARL.
L that is stammered Eustaca
heartily wishing she had held her tongue.
That evening | engaged myself to Mr..
Pettibone, | accidentally happened to over
hear Mrs. Piper and you talking about
your engagement
about my engagement? Oh,
it all But it wasn't al
engagement in essc, only an engagement
in future. You were the girl | wanted t,
marry, Eustacia. | wrestled mortal hall
hour for Aunt Dorcas' consent, and whei
| gained it you were wearing old Petit
bones ring
Il thought you loved some one.else,"
Eustacia. II was half mad
with jealousy. o, CARL, how could !
think SO meanly of you ~
''Is it too late now, Eustacia, to be tie
lovers we might have been p
"No,' she answered softly.
The cup of happiness, long withheld,
was at their lips now, but they had lost
ten years of lifetime.
When will lovers learn to use their COM
mon sense.