The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1898-05-21
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, this trouble? Pm perfectly innocent.
few more weeks of this worry will kill me.
t No explanation now. When | die you
will not be forgotten. | never thought
/ Ebenezer's only son would have threatened
me.
; "Two questions only for the present
, When did you leave New York? And
what steamer did you come by?"
To say that he was astonished at being
J called by his Christian name would be a
) poor way of describing his feeling, but his
reply was straightforward
II left New York. sir, three weeks ago
are lahoring under some unfortunate mis-
take.'
'llush; not another word,' said the old
gentleman, producing roll of banknotes,
which he thrust into his hands. "Put
these in your pocket quickly. Some OF the
servants might overhear US. An, here
is Alice and the young lady entered the
room, looking none the worse for her
I SIiBHb IdlntDeSS.
''Alice, my dear, kiss Cousin Morris; he
is coming back this evening to stay with
u.s.
How lovely she looked as she shyly APP
preached, saying in low, musical voice,
Ppm so pleased to meet you, cousin, "
holding up her sweet face in modest,
natural m.nner.
What could he do under the circum-
stances? lie was almost intoxicated with
the strangeness OF the position, and kissed
her not once, but twice. He felt as though
he could do anything for her sweet sake
How he had scoifed when hearing of man
falling suddenly in love, but here he had
accidentally met a pure and beautiful
woman, with large, wistful blue eyes who
had spoken to him kindly. Her presence
made him feel different being, happier
THAI he had ever been in his life
before. She had truly sympathetic ma
ture, and his heart went out to her at once
with passionate longing, an intense de.
sire to do something for her sake, and Nor
ris for the first time in his life knew what
it meant to fall suddenly and desperately
in love.
There was an awkward silence on his
part, which was broken at last by her
gentle voice:
''You will come back tonight, Cousin
Morris, as father wishes, and do exactly
what he desires by letting the past be for
gotten?"
Before he could reply or think of an
answer there was knock at the door, and
, a footman appeared.
"The carriage is waiting, Miss Alice, !"
he said, respectfully.
''Thank you, Reuben; good bye, cousin,
till the evening. Tell the coachman where
to leave you, and in the meantime will
: practice some songs for your especial ben
eft, and gently pushing Morris she led
the way to the front door, the old gentle
man warmly grasping his hand, giving him
a significant glance to keep silent.
In a half.dazed condition he entered the
carriage, telling the coachman to drive to
Fleet street. Diminishing the conveyance
close ny the Bank of England, he hurriedly
walked to IIolborn, entering the hotel and
going directly to his rooms.
"What did it all mean?' he solloquized.
"Evdently they have mistaken me for
someone else Cousin Morris -how
-
flash of lightning it crossed his mind that
he had been taken for the person who had
answered the advertisement to the personal,
and, drawing flom his peck ct the copy, he
again read it,
"N V T.: Meet me tonight at 8 o'clock
at the entrance to St. GATHERINGS docks.
Fail at your peril. This is to our mutual
advantage"
THAT sounds like threat | will never
believe that the old gentleman and that
beautiful young girl have ever done any
thing wrong. | will keep this appoint
ment"
1t was a cold, damp night with plenty
OF mud and fog, but exactly at 8 p. M,
Morris was standing close by the entrance
to st GATHERINGS docks. 1t was so dark
that he could scarcely distinguish the faces
OF passers-by, most of them being sailors
and docS, hands, who had been drinking.
At last Young man, similar to himself
in height and appearance, took up such a
position shat he knew must be the person
lie was looking for.
Suddenly be was startled by great
commotion Cries of ''Stop him" "Runa-
wayr' resoun1el on all sides, and horse
and wagon came numbering along. The
man he was watching spraDg forward, at
tempting to stop the terrified animal, but
slipped and was dashed aside 1t was so
quickly done that no one noticed the acct
dent, and Morris Immediately went to his
assistance.
''Are you much hurt ?'' he said, helping
him to his feet.
He groaned and in a dazed manner said:
"My arm is broken help me to cab;