The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1898-08-20
6be Fair Pbi|a3tbroPist.
Gossips at Five O'clock Teas and How They
Were Suddenly Brought to Tears.

"Ohl whom do you think | saw driving
with Gerald Morton this morning." asked
Mrs. Norris of her great friend, the doctors
wife, as the two ladies were enjoying five
O'Clock tea and the general gossip of the
parish together one afternoon.
'Beatrix Harcourt," Mrs. Maynard an
swered promptly.
"Ah, you saw her, too, them l must
that young Morton bears the character Of
being the fastest man in the neighbor-
hood"
81 have long ceased to be surprised at
anything Beatrx Harcourt does,' the other
lady answered significantly. "lf Mr..
Kenriok does not mind, do not see why
anyone else should trouble their heads
about her eccentricites.
''Certainly not" Mrs. Morris agreed.
"But, really, Rose, she was laughing and
talking in the most familiar manner, and
Gerald was bending toward her until his
face nearly touched hers
''Aud that is our future wears wife!
Well, / shall take care my daughters do
not see much Of her. And Mrs. May
nard drew herself up with kind of lofty
indignation, as some fresh visitors were
shown into the room.
Poor Beatrix! Her numerous Delinquent
cies were the subject of many afternoon
l.. l
came to Hillchester, four years ago. She
certainly was unlike other girls; for, in
addition to being blue stocking and
having taken her degree at Oxford she had
most unreasonable interest in the work
ing classes-not mere ladylike interest,
which cOntented itself with calling at their
cottages with few words of good advice
and a tract All, no. she had always some
plan, Or "craze,' as the good people of
Hillchester called it, for their benefit on
hand-casses for the young girls, ambu-
lance lectures, concerts, teas, what not?
For the conveptionalities of society she
cared not at all. She never attended the
afternoon teas, therefore she heard no Cos.
sip She was not even particular about
being in the fashion; in fact, the black
serge dress she usually wore looked, from
constant exposure to the weather, as if it
had seen better days.
She had been known even to take the
broom off the lame old crossng-sweeper at
the corner of the road and work away in
earnest until there was passage fit for a
queen to walk over
And in spite of all, the vicar of Hill
chester had asked Beatiix ITarcourt to be
his wife. Well, as the leaders of society
in chichester remarked with ominous
signs, wonders never cease!
Nevertheless, it must be confessed that
the Rev. John KenriclS was in no very
enviable frame Of mind, as a week later be
wendet hi way somewhat slowly toward
his lady loves abode
The gossip which had begun in Mrs.
Maynagd's drawing room had spread all
over the parish, until version of it,
highly exaggerated and colored, had reach
ell even the Wears ears.
Beatrix was leaning over the drive gate
which led TO her fathers house, watching
for him as usual, aud as he saw the glad
LOOK Of welcome brighten and sweeten all
her face at his approach, he said to himself
that his darling was as pure and sweet as
the wild roses she fastened in her belt
But Beatrix soon discovered something
was amiss, and after the first greetings
were over she asked, almost anxiously,
what is the matter, John? You do not
look we'll -