The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1899-02-04
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/ One afternoon, after eseorting the widow
home from walk, Herbert thought Of
Grace with pang of dutiful reproach, and
getting out his bicycle rode off whistling
to call upon her.
| When he arrived at the house he found
Grace very chatty and cordial, but with
an entirely different manner about her,
which profoundly puzzled him, until be
caught the sparkle of ring upon her
finger.
"You will be pleased, I know, to hear
that am engaged" she said, half shyly.
"And am sure you will be able TO con-
gratulate me, since you intend to commit
matrimony yourself"
"In' gasped Herbert, in astonishment.
ooh, yes; don't pretend not to under
stand have heard all about that fasci-
mating little widow that lives opposite to
you, and | am sure hope you will be very
happy indeed"
| She talked lot about her coming mar
riage and her iance, and Herbert sat and
listened in dazed kind of manner, until
the appearance of the newly elected bride
groom woke him up to the fact that bis
presence was not exactly required. On
his way home he met his brother and
cousin starting out for walk.
Congratulations, shouted Edwin like
a lunatic, pulling him off his bicycle. ooh,
you artful man. said Belle, turning up
her eyes. "No wonder you were so ready
to" but she stopped suddenly and
looked up at Edwin in confusion.
"What is the meaning Of all this ?" said
the cyclist, angrily.
"Why, we have just heard of Grace's en-
gagement, and that you are bent on follow
ing suit. We met Mrs. Law"
you don't mean to say" gasped Her
bert you said anything to her about
"We did, indeed" said Belle, land she
looked so pleased"
And Herbert inwardly groaned, and
without further remark rode off home for
all he was worth. But when he reached
Chenille road he was SO absent-mindtd
that he wheeled his bicycle straight up to
the cottage, and before he knew what he
was doing found himself in the back gar
den of the widows snug little home.
Strangely enough, there was Mrs. Law
renee sitting upon the garden seat, and
looking so youthful and charming that he
felt quite confused at his audacity, and
nervously accepted her invitation to sit
down.
81 came" he began, "to make clean
breast of everything to you. | haven't
treated you fairly, Mrs. Lawrence. l.
Dear dear - said the little widow,
brightly. whats all this about you
haven't anything to reproach yourself
about. Don't you suppose | know per-
fectly well why you have made yourself so
amiable to me all along"
"How you must despise me-" groaned
Herbert.
"Not at ALL" smiled Mrs. Lawrence.
81 admired you for it. You did it for that
other woman's sake, and disinterested
motive is always a commendable one"
"Do you know what people are saying OF
us? said Herbert. regretfully.
| "No, WHAT asked the widow in limo.
cent wonder.
THAT we are engaged to be married"
GLOW absurd, said the widow family.
els it so very absurd ?' demanded the
young man. 'Is it, Blanche? %
Ridiculous" said the little widow, as
her head fell gently upon his shoulder.