The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1900-08-04


was written for the CECIL Wig by O
bright young Cecil county school girl,
Miss Miriam /. Rowland, daughter Of
Mr.. Il. T. Rowland, of Woodlawn, IeI
nom dc plume being Isabel Land. She
is pupil OF Chapel public school, and
has written Il number Of other stories and
contributions to papers.
NHE day upon which our story opens
was excessively warm, but ae
4 evening advanced had become
cooler. The setting sun shone
down upon handsome mansion, the home
Of Richard Leighton, who was the wealth.
lest man living in the town Of Battleford,
Everything was calm without, but not Sc
within.
In a handsomely furnished room, three
young ladies were in earnest conversation.
They were the daughters of Richard Leigh
ton. Viola was the oldest. She was a
beautiful blonde, having many admirers.
Maud the next, possessed neither beauty
nor fine taste. Dorothy or Dolly, as she
was generally called, was the best looking
one OF the three. She was fair with even
features, and possessed what the other two
lacked
Living with them was a cousin, whose
name was Violet Granier. Their fathers
sister had married in England to an
officer named Granier. Three or four
months after Violet was born, Colonel
Granier was killed in battle, and his wife,
who was very delicate, followed him in
five months time, leaving her little baby
to her brother Richards care.
She was brought to her uncles in America
and had been living with them eighteen
years, when our story opens.
Viola was talking in angry tones. 81
don't see why we have to take Violet to
every ball or party we go to. She is not
rich, and has no relations but us, and
every one knows it. But Papa will make
us take her.
The soft mellow tones of Dolly were
next heard. "Why Viola, you are Jealous
because you are not as pretty as she is.
Why she is even prettier than l am. You
are afraid she will captivate Lord Grayson g
heart"
Viola answered in sneering tones, "that
she wasn't afraid of her taking his heart. "
Though in her heart she felt secret l read.
For she had seen that for several days he
had been very attentive toward Violet.
ooh, WE'LL" said Maud, who was also
jealous of her good looks "We will have
to make the best of it until some prince in
disguise comes along and marries her."
The conversation came to an end by the
entrance Of their father. He was about 45
years old, and it was from him Dolly got
her beauty.
At this nc nent the tea bell rang, and
they all FASTENED away. AT tea, Viola
said, ''Violet dear, l don't think you had
better 60 to the ball tonight, as you have
very bad cold and'-she raised her eyes
and met her fathers stern look. So the
sentence remained unfinished.
"Violet will go to the ball, VIOLA" said
her father.
"All right" said Viola, sullenly.
And her father said, "before you 60 |
would like to see you in the library"
Viola turned pale at these words. What
was going to happen. 1t was question
she could not answer Just then.
When she was dressed for the nall, she
started for the library. When she reached
the door, she was so faint, she could hardly
stand up, but at last, managed to open the
door, and in tones which were trembling
with fear, said. Father what do you
wish TO see me about"
He motionsd her to a seat and closed the
door, which vas rhe last thing Viola hoped
he would do.
What passed between them, no one ever
knew For when Viola came out, her eyes
were red with weeping.
As it was too late 20 90 TO the ball, she
entered her room, and was not seen again
until the next evening. The servants took
her meals up, but she sent them down
untaated.
On her appearance, Dolly aud Maud
questioned her as TO what their father had
said to her. But her lips were sealed to all
their questions.
That evening, Lord Grayson called Viola
FASTENED down, her face all wreathed in
smiles, but it was soon to be cloudei over.
Viola loved him with true woman love.
But it was not so with him, for he called
out Of friendships sake.
When she entered the room, she greeted
him warmly.
He just said, good evening"" and asked
to see Violet.
Viola faced him coldly, and asked him
"what he wanted to see her for"