The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1897-09-18

called away Just as Alien Is coming. L
promised to help him get a school, too. No
help for it, though-so | leave you girls to
snake my apologies, and do the honors of
the house for my old friend. Many a
scrape he's helped me cut of at college, and
want him to enjoy his visit Aliens n
good fellow" he continued, breaking open
cottony puff-ball of biscuit and taking
sip of coffee from his blue-tlowered china
cup. "But don't fall in love with him,
Val, for he's poor as-as pusley, ~ he
added.
"Humph! Much danger Of me falling in
love with poverty-stricken schoolmaster!'
replied Valera, with a scornful shrug of
her shoulders.
Valera was the beauty OF the family,
and put on airs accordingly.
'Why,..Eric, l never heerd of folks bein'
poor as pusely," put in old-fashioned
Cousin Abigail, who kept house for the
Cymons. "I've heerd of 'em bein' as
mean as pusley, though, afore now.'
Eric smiled good-naturedly.
'Say poor as black-eyed peas, them he
suggested. "They are poor enough, in all
conscience. But Allen hasn't mean streak
about him." he added-"uuless it's mean
to be poor"
"Oh Eric" cried Hilda, the youngest,
sis he-is he good-looking?
Good locking? OF course Handsome
as Apollo, Or any other OF those old Grecan
gods. But | must be oif-only half an
hour to catch the train--hc hoe goes. Be
good, girls, now, and treat Allen well when
he comes"
And catching up his valse, Eric hastily
kissed his sisters good-by, shook hands
with Cousin Abigail and strobe of.
Hilda, standing at the window a few
days later gazing at the varied woodlands,
with their foliage of crimson and gold, and
dun, now rapidly changing to brown, he
held tall figure coming toward the house
the figure of q man carelessly dressed,
but handsome and grave-looking, and car
rying well-worn valise.
She hurriedly smoothed her nut brown
locks, Strengthened her ruilled apron, and
went to open the door.
'Does Eric Cymon live here?" inquired
the stranger, while a pair of deeptinted
blue eyes scanned him eagerly
Gle is handsome" thought IIlda.
"Why, Apollo couldn't hold Il candle to
him, Pm sure !"
"But aloud she answered, eyes sir!'
primly enough.
81 am friend of his" the visitor has
tened TO explain. "My name is Allen"
81 know! interrupted Hilda. eric
was expecting you; but he is away from
home now. He was obliged to leave on
business; but he said you were to stay, just
the same, and he thinks he can get you a
school when he comes back"
And she led the way to the sitting room,
drew forth high-back, split bottom rocker
for visitors comfort, and tripped of
again in search of Cousin Abby.
An amused smile appeared in the young
mans handsome brown eyes as Kinda
disappeared.
"That cannot be the beauty Eric used to
tell about" he declared to himself.
"Though she is pretty enough, too, with
eyes like wild bluets shining in the sun
light"
He was introduced to Valera, at the
dinner-table, but her naughty bow and
arrogant manners counteracted the effect Of
her caImine check and violet tinted eyes,
and he turned from the faultless features
and superb coloriDg to gaze with more real
admiration upon Hilda's Furnished braids
and sof; blue eyes, which 50 reminded him
of the woodland bluets be had known and
loved in the days of his boyhood.
u bright wood fire was blazing in the
vic mout,,,. ..',~..,. replies, i-ht'E,,
up the cozy room with its ruidy blaze,
Frightening the newly-Scoured tin pans
which stood on the old-fashioned dresser,
and the polished brass hoops on the tall
cedar wood ohUlli III the corner, giving ar
ADDED warmth ana iustlc to the gai,
striped rag carpet on the floor, and even
playing pranks with Miss Ahby's brass
trimmed speCtAces ana shining steel knit
thug needles, that flew in and out under
her busy fingers.
For some reason or other a worried look
rested on Miss Abby's usually placid coun-
tenance, and she shook her head from time
to time, AS if in deep cogitation.
eyes" she commented at last, giving
her yarn jerk that sent the ball rolling
into the middle of the floor, 81 must write
to Eric. He kin settle it; and, beside, its
nothin moG'n my dnty to let him know
how things air a-gon' while he's away.
Mr.. Allen pears like mighty good, honest
man, and know Hildy thinks powerful
sight of him, but Eric knows more about
him than we do. Anyhow, Valeria takes
on so about her sister a-throwin' herself
I'm n!gmnfinn