The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1897-12-11
LIES HISTORY.

Soh ohiCly "ithohp NSthipl, ipoHihS
back over this long stretch of years, that
l was not unjustly called the belle of our
town. 1t was quiet place during eight
long months Of the year and | found it
dull enough and wondered why it was ap-
pointed that l must drag out my life
within its limits but the remaining four
months saw it emerge as the butterfly from
its chrysalis, and walked into such action
that it almost compensated 1t was dur
ing those periods that learned my beauty
entitled me to wider sphere, or so l
thought in my narrowuess of judgment;
but when, at ball or reception, | saw men
leave the richly attired women whom they
met the wear around to seek an introduce
ton to me, simply dressed and the
daughter Of retired army officer, it was
little wonder that blush OF conscious
pride rose to my cheek, or my eye burned
with satisfied vanity.
was but IL when l met Vance Will
mour. He was double my age, and when
he bent over me with that wonderful grace
of manner he so fully possessed, or let his
ewes dwell on mine with an impassioned
glance, my heart would throb as a voice
within would say: "This is love" 1t
seemed as though an emperor had stopped
from his throne to ask the peasant girl to
share his high estate when he asked me to
become his wife. My father shook his
head when |, ioyously exultant, asked him
to receive my lover.
ole is not the man to make my bright,
uncaged bird happy" he answered. Take
care, Madge. No matter how brightly
glded the bars may be, the mountain
songster will beat out his life against them
in the struggle to he free
But to all that he might say my ears
were deaf He could bring forward no
real obstacle, however, and so ! won at last
reluctant consent, and six months from the
day met Vance Wilmour I became his
wife. At last was to see and mingle with
the world 1t was OF this l thought,
rather than Of the solemn vows | had Just
uttered as side by side we had babe fare
well to the old home and were journeyiug
to the new. Still. all my heart was his,
and Rad he cared to mould me he might
have cast it in any form.
was not long in finding the emptiness
OF that | had so desired. The home to
which my husband had brought me was
perfect in every appointment. The suite
Of rooms he had had prepared for me to
my unaccustomed eye presented vista of
fairyland, and for time was happy But
then, as my father had predicted, my wings
began to beat themselves against the bars.
| learned to recognize that underneath the
velvet touch was the iron hold, that must
stand ever ready with smile, faultlessy
dressed to receive him and those he sum
moned to admire his captive No weari-
ness, no fatigue, gave excuse. learned
then why he had married me. Wealth,
station, all were his, but his pride de-
manded more. My beauty he knew would
reflect credit upon his taste. was too
young TO interfere with his pleasures or
assert my rights as his wife. So he
reasoned, and his judgment served him
we'll.
For time there was little to mar the
scene; then my health failed. Excitement
and constant gayety did their work Nature
demanded rest, and even he was obliged to
recognize the necessity. Then followed
months in which scarcely saw him. when
he hardly found time to come to the couch
on which | constantly lay to inquire il
were better or worse, and when in my i'm
patience would greet him with words Of
repToach or anger, he would silence me
by some cutting words of scorn, which
would leave their sting for days behind.
l was utterly unable to cope with him,
and when in the Spring three years from
the date Of our marriage he was induced
to join hunting excursion on the Western
plains | babe him goodbye with scarce
feeling Of regret.
Six weeks later I was one day sum-
moned to the presence Of gentleman who
told me with trembling voice and pallid
lips that | was widowed. Their party
while hunting had been attacked by
party OF Indians, and Vance had fallen in
the field, while they, to save their own
lives, had been unable even to rescue his
body. The shock proved more than I
could bear, and for months they thought
would not live; but as health and strength
crept slowly back wonderful softness had
taken possession of my heart, and 7
mourned him with tender pity, buryinp
his faults in his far-off grave.
As soon as I was able to bear the
journey closed my house and turned nv
face to the old home with a great content
nesting in my heart that the quiet I had
once despised again was to be mine. NV
dear old father met me with wide oman
arms, and I felt when pressed to his breast
as though ! had gained haven indeed
after my long and stormy voyaging on the
sea OF life. Two peaceful years passed
away and my fathers hair grew white and
his form bent. began to think Of the
time when | should be alone in the world