Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 5, Number 8, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 22 August 1874 — Page 2

A PAPER

TU VI ATT!""SSTar« SSK

Bodden be woke, and lo! Abov« blsa rtooO hla foe*— 8to ther wl 1. 7 .« blacks i,i htsrein .v.' th ,-c.J"-

Mohammad, thee to save .From Punter and the grave t" Allah the Pre .-ksd. «-d,

A-quake at- UMtdnad word, DurtherJei fell hisswcnd. MO?'--!l 5 id An !, .',•«•

Who Durtber no wean k»v* Fr«n Allah and ttie gTrtve?" "Alas! !.:•!. r.V

As the mystery was never explained, I have preferred to leave it with only a hint at its solution, rather than lower the real tragedy of the original, tale by any forced solution of my own.

The curious relation between the husband and wife really existed, and the dramatic situation (to aw the common phrase) is one to which only Hawthorne ooutd have done justice.

There is hardly aNew England town without some mush weird traditions hidden in nooks and corners but in these days, which entertain such profound oontompt tor all superstitions but their own, these old tales have become very shy game, and most be hunted as warily as golden plover, even where a few years they were household words, ey formed part of the life of the

I have always had great delight in folklore of every sort, especially that of our own English Puritan stock, and if any of our readers should have happened to inherit from grandparents, aunts, or nurse any such now inconsidered trifle as a ghost story, they cannot do me a greater kindness than to send it to me.

"Cecily Meadowes, what do you think Jane Maxley said to me yesterday about yon

411don't

know, Rebecca," said Cecily,

rather absently, and looking down at her embroidery. "Would you fill up this leaf with French knots or satin BtitohT'

Which is as much as to say that you dont care what she said," returned Rebecca Reid, half-offended "but I think you ought to know, for I dont believe In ally contrived to Convey idea that Miss Maxley's remarks had been something quits dreadful, settled herself in her rocking-chair with all the dignity of a girl that is married.

A Hunt flush crossed Cecily's fair laoe, bat she kept her lips closed, and went calmly on with her embroidery, knowing well that it would not be necessary to descend from her dignity so far as to ask a question.

She said," continued Rebecca, after she had waited a minute for the inquiry that was not forthcoming, "that you were going to marry Captidn Malison. Yon may oe sure I contradicted her, shortly enoogh. As if Cecily Meadowes. larry Captain Malison I

tSSf

says I, would marry Captain A man that oomcs from nobody knows whew, and Is nobody know* who, says I, and is old enough to be her tether Vf

He's just forty-seven, and I'm twen-ty-five," said Cecily, quickly, breaking her thread.

Well, I don't know how yon can tell so exactly," said provoking Rebecca. But any way, I tofd Jane that you, and all of us, would be angry enough at such a report, and I told Khun to oontradjet it everywhere he hears it, and h© will."

All of which discourse being interpreted, meant that Mis. Reid had been dying to know the tm+li of a report that was growing oomt

fceoca. can't bear to yourself awa^ Everyone sq l^spiiain is rid. no one knowstn it." "I believe to live upon Hi eo plied Cecily,

rtThen

Thy we*|* UivL- a^Rla, "And ftou Mohamm«l learn M«*rey to show la turnv li Thenceforth, the legend coda. These two were always friend.*.

Captain Malison's Box.

BY CLARA F. GUERNSEY

The following story Is based upon legend which was once current in a certain town in Vermont, and which has, I believe, some foundation in fact.

Thinking that such is really the case, I hare altered names, place, and date, but otherwise have taken as few liberties as possible with the story, which I have heard repeated by twoor three per* sons, with little radiation in the main incidents.

that she had not

d»i It® question thai she dfc^pro Inu-i-nviy of such a marriage, and took this v. ay to £xpn s» her fcaBw—i V' r.

Coolly ir.iw fbwk, i»i tion like tii.-u of a yonng aim a* tying in tile wind m»WML flatly,h"tl Iy, \oa bom not trouble rmelftooontriuijjttb# report* It la Jtatroe, and to tell you of my engagement wjwpart (tfmr errand here this afleniwn.

And Cecily went on with her embroidery, and studied to be quiet, and subdoe the unchristian fcellngof irritatkn that mad* «wsry mm tingle at thought of KJiunWi inUrfrangJn her affidm and those of Uwt%pt»in,

Weill woiif well exclaimed R«-

W« an ascending **!«, "I

mvtr

:o Wiiiie mi? t.

ftat t* Wfcy.

Wnt tSat a jo»t it. a". Reh****, •Sr'v, '*1 nMNd},*1* «ie add-l. in •m-" oontu n, "no mm kamm about Mb, no# who jhis folks t, from." v-inai Of *«V 1»* W r- naik^jvin. rortm/' repiwd Cwaiy. telir aaM IMrmm, i.m! r,{ g«tting toa

wher «f n,

Ueaitoeoi ih "But—oo flyod :.:fca -j.] 5 right dar-w Osptt "Wb.

h* «aa»,w aha t* a t* n« of

TlXlt'ion, afrv-r had ||«^-r.nd or t*-. ,f an rifiwwr, Um laast- .«*k «a-, atany

I .. do it, lUtMMni f" aaid fly,'' *f rVv.f'.r:!. s-ft« hunuoi, am nor immtigs wis i?ww*

throw

Lfeiigkitw the Lbut

enough at," reilng this

«m«u amount of sustenance to Rebecca's fiuBolshing enri-

^Sh, indeed! Weil, yem siting on in life-qulte

ipcrijfou ungni if yet." (To do

marry were synenyrerbs In Mrs. Reid's

mons verbs language.) "There was ColonelJetiks, I'm surehe'dhavo instead u"d taken the

had yon

*%£&

bit of pa^ts to make yowself agreeable and only think! what a useful fleld you might liave had in bringing up them six motherless cfilawn I

Please excuse me, Rebecca," said Cecily, gently "it is not correct to say 'them children,' but those chil-

Cecily had tanght schocl, and if she chose to convert her knowledge of Lindley Muiray into a defensive weapon, who can blame her?

Well! wellI" said Rebecca, provoked, "I may not have my grammar always at my ftngers'-ends, but as a married woman I know more of the world than you do, and Elam says you are quite

"^4,.

good-looking yet,and ii you'd make any effort you luight do well, and I'm sure I'd rather wait a little whilo than throw myself away on a man like Captain Malison."

This insinuation that she was going to marry tho Captain only because she was growing old, and despaired ot any ono else, was almost too much for Cecily, and coming, too, from Elam Reid, who, not a year before, had haunted her steps like a shadow, and written her a letter telling, her that he "adoored", her aud entreating her to be in future liis "garden angle I" Cecily had declined to bo adored with two o's or act as Elam's angle, and though he had shortly alter married her second cousin, Rebecca, he had never quite forgotten tho slight. M!«b Meadowes was shocked to find herself assailed by a vulgar, worldly temptation to aggravate Rebecca by telling her about this letter, but she put by the

thought, eonsdenoe-strioken. I am going to marry Captain Malison because 1 love him, Rebecca," she said softly "and I think—I am quite sure, that he lovea meand with that Cecily's manned lost its forced composure, and, with a pleasant smile, sho ro gained her usual sweet placidity.

If the unbe-

concluded Rebecca

apply^ig tSe'firBt text at hand in rather a vague manna-. A slight shadow crossed Cecily's face.

The Captain is always in meeting,"

eeted in uncle Josiah's conversation." But there are tho queerest stories about the Captain. Jane Maxley gayg

I wcmld rather not hear what she says," remarked Cecily, quietly, but the irrepressible Rebecca continued "She says that Hannah Smith, that washed for them, knows Gacey Williams, that is sister-in-law to Hepzibah Long, that takes care of the Captain's house, and Hepzibah says he's got some dreadful queer ways. She says there's a big wooden box, bound with bars, that he always keeps under his bed, but that she'd never seen him open it, and once, when she cleaned house, Bhe thought she ought to look intolttoaee whether tho moths had got to the things, and as he was gone over to Castleton, she could not ask him for the kev, and she found one she thought would nt, and was just trying it, when in he comes, like a streak of lightning, raving and pitching, and caught her br the arm, and shook ber so, you can't think. Jane says Hannah told her that Gaocy says Hepzibah declares that he swore if she ever touched it again, he'd kill her. So there, now!"

The story comes through too many people, Rebecca," said Cecily, smiling, '•and if it were true, it was surely natural the Captain should be annoyed. I know Hepzibah is a prying, meddling person, and I do not think her honest."

Bat, Cecily, Hepzibah says ho often the room all ni^ht, and she's walks heard

•ft HI ir Ill 4

rHkethis

f* sar of anything Hk* this In Ml my ugh she tnfprt BOMriblvhcvo *n»Uei whfta loading a

Ufe,"(aa known

1 Ail UJglJVj SllU BUOB

that box opened, and something rattle, rattle, and then he will groan and moan to himself, and she's heard queer noises in tha house too."

I believe he has had the toothache lately, and It has kept him awake," said Cecily, who disdained to be moved by thtsgoagflp. "Fray, when is tho wedding to be?" asked Rebecca, "I suppose you can at least tell a body that." "Hie last day of October," answered

^\^iiv^t^^Mx"woek, Thursday!" oied Rebecca. "HoW shy you lia,ve bean! And 1 mpppm yon are going to livain tbat little poky house ha rents of Jonathan Gard ner

No," said Cecily, "Hie Captain has bought the Htnrgess place." fW41y rather enjoyed telling this piece of news, though she folt tbat her satlsfhction was worldly, and not exactly

ooiiBiiicni*

***&. y,nsaid

Re-

I to ii it aotH" nark

from ««».•«»«y lij*ij,. JUn^ btf cousin's t«tnper. «t dont If T0ti should tliink no, Rtfboee*. rsftttr Cecily, still parsuing .rk ti Hit h«tlwt trambled In spite wi bet ivtrvA .xHnpoaurs "I dont know what yeu or any ona «nt find to against Uate Maliaoa.1*

in I ha on of re or a daring the last two years, with all Its solid, handsome furniture, out It had found no purchaser.

You don't aa/ ao!*' Mtid Rebecca. ••And suppose ho went to Boston last tpeek ta get carpeta and soch things."

I believe so." And waa it there ho piekod up that od Made follow that oano back with Mm?" "Y* Sr^utus used^

with him but the Captain says h©

in her ootsrin Cecdly. A girt be ride to a man who meant to mako bar mistreats of tho Sturgews jdaoe, and fj to a an an so ii

!•,.

-44i

wsmectfn

labotrthl

ton?'

"Yen ahall

m«a,"aiiid

tuitg to pat *r» know myae to the wedd wily «or ow •nri.v .i

way wo-o

I upon ber mind a diflfewnt effect "iadow«a engaged .. ioad y«a« and nteoedenta and bar tone

Sicily Moadowaa

:iptain of advanced oe nteoedenta and raspectfal as «^e asked. tiip Cfcptaih gal In

Bo»-

Jog whe« it

rial wo

her

ooneeUom."

v.si ii.tvo

sUlf#

.111 .mm

glrnJfa

Because—oh because I should not feel like being in a gay party at such time," said Ccclly, vainly trying to make Rebecca understand her own feelliigs. "But I hope you will bo there, and Ulani."

Cecily Meadowes was an

But wh^douT^andauit think fethor-an Officer in the army-had been quaintance. Jle killnH in tho miserable affair of 1791. whether the*Cani They are satisfied," said Cecily But you—when you're so religioushow you marry a man that has nev er experienced religion? lievi

T"h« fanfjiin ainrv«i in meetintr Mrs. iuarvin uaa 110 uiuci cuuuicii, »ua

one left dependant upon tl.-ir love. Cecily had beeu brought up in a delicate, refined, unworldly fashion. The liome atmosphere of real Puritanism is at once sweet and bracing, liko that salt wind which rushes in from the sea over the rolling plain of Nantucket, gathering, as it goes, the breath of sweet fern, pine and wild roses.

The Rev. Josiah was as deeply learned in the classics aa in divinity, and lie conducted Cecily's education himself. There was an awful rumor that she read Latin, but as no one had ever caught her in the act, she could not be convicted. She read history of that solid quality which has always respect to its own oigaitv but novels, with few exceptions, she distrusted. She read poetry—Popo, Milton and Thomson, Dr. Young, his "Night Thoughts," aud even bis tragedies,—I wonder if any ono reads "Zanga" nowadays,—and Shakspeare, and constantly the Bible.

The aunt taught her nil hoosewifery arts, and Cecily nad "faculty," and could turn her hand to anything, with that delicate management that makes the kitchen, where a lady presides, a kind of humble Paradiso. Sho was deeply and sincerely religious, and her character had that sound sweetness which grows from a strong sense of honor and duty controlling a naturally high spirit and intense temperament. If there was a fault to be found with our sweet Cecilv, sho was just a little foo rational. Sho had what i)r. MoLood calls a "superstitious horror of superstition." Hidden awry in the shadows of Now Kugland life was, and is, a feeling that the invisible world is sometimes very near, and that tho dwellew in the bonierlands do now tuid then intrude themselves into human life.

For such theories Cecily had no toleration whatever. Sho disregarded omens, signs and forerunners, and was never dismayed at broken looking-glasses or bowling dogs. If anything over

Cecilv

out

Reid and the Captain, bub to none of them had Cecily inclined. Who was men of the plaoe there among the to com who, In associate of ia

TERRE HAUTE SATURDAY EVExsIiSTG MAIL.

I ^*1^1 .^]

'm- ww?: !-1

%0izZ/

UPMOHT ON THB SOFA. MFTED HRR VEIL.

orphan.

killed in tho miserable affair of known as "St. Clair's defeat."* mother had lived onl bring into the world whom she commendea elder sister, Airs. Marvin. The child had never known what it was to want for tenderness or affection, for Mr. and Mrs. Marvin had no other children, and

inong the young men of the place pa re with h#r uncle A girl her own home, ia thc cohfctant

ion lur lhat of uiy Bun ttlmhml

dred a year

think, to be at

lived in comfort and respectability, and the nicest management mado both ends

yewr, sufficient for her aimnl Shortly altar the peace of (Ihent bad at an end to the war begun in 1812, Kptain Malison had come to B—.

'1 He gave no account of hltnaelf except tff^a th^ he had been at sea, Tha village beMirsa^^stOTi- itowad npon him the title of Captain, much *lf

.. anything coo Id have added to th« an* saiah of those whose friends were sacrl Ami on this omwloii, ooe might suppose the vents published in honor of Ui* d«a4 would havThia that envcU^We are told, I Outifcthey w«re "oriattd by the ea the firl«»4s,of sa—'•

M,.—M ... umiT aacTwcu worthtea who ner ww&a uwuij jjr. I hope yon will ooma suutaa Is as Mo*i It wtlfbe .vary qaht- y. tremhiing hand can hanhy lurid fy faint, devoted qnlll,

atral i-iii!

dlOg$" —k»i"t iirMwwi.

and ho did not refuse the hon»r, nor contradict the story that he had commanded a privateer. He iiad rented a little hougeon the outskirts of the village, and nothing could bo simpler than Ws personal habits but someway the rutnor grew that the Captain "had

DUJIiU JlUUtUlj UUV WHIIKITBY KHW

And your dress, and your things? grew that the Captain "had means." It rnnilv! rin toll nift all about it." was whispered that the buttons on his

ily! do toil me ail about it." was whispered that the bntu—. Mv dress is pearl-gray lutestring -r Sunday coat were of solid gold, and cubut must go home now and get tea. riosity exhausted itself in conjecture as But it you will como up to-morrow, to what, when and whore had been the will show vou the silk, and you shall toll Captain's past life. mo whether to have it made with a gre- 'i he most determined inquirer* could dan or a surplice waist." not bring themselves to cross-examine

C-ecily knew that, to her personally, the Captain. He was always courteous the proposed visit would bring nothing but there was about him a certain atbut discomfort, but sho had allowed mosphere which mado it impossible to herself to get into a state of unchristian intrude. With all his reserve, he was irritation at Rebecca. She knew tbat social)}' inclined. He attended the vil-

hear Rebecca's harcf, worldly chatter ho was generally thought to have fine over her bridal gear would bo a burden conversational powers. to her own fastidious soul. Without The minister had called upon him, as waiting for farther question or answer, in duty bound, and Mr. Marvin soon she bade good-night, and went on her discovered that the Captain was a wollway to her home, tho house of hor uncle, read man, if, indeed, ne bad not been i- Rev. Josiali Marvin, minister of university bred. The pastor could not

Iler but wonder a little about his new aoVt rt/4 V\AAM MainlmfnMAA ITa n/M11/1 tlAf AVOfl f/ktl

1791, whether the*Captain were an American, Hor iand yet it seemed that he certainly was

UOlvWI* allU vV Iv JSvCillvU HKIV UV vwni*

ly long enough to not British. He spoke English perfectly, the little daughter, but there was a something in his speech A f/\ f.Kfl AoMnf Itop wlit/tK aiirvfMofnr) fhaf. it*. Uraa nAt. hifl flft*

whom she commended to the care of her which suggested that it was not his native tongue. He said that he had been a sailor, and possessed a practical knowledge of seamanship, which old Uncle

Bates, who had been at sea all his life, doclared to be quite wonderftil and he had tales to tell of adventures by sea and land. Yet these tales almost always related to the exploits of others, and still were told with a certain enthusiasm and clearness which seldom springs from anything but personal experience. Yet, how was it that there seemed to belli tho Captain's manner a certain touch of ecclesiasticism—-a sort of studied, selfconscious self-control, and a little taint of suspicion, which was rather priestly than ministerial. The Captain liad tho look of a man who keeps a fierce temper well under but once or twice this temper had broken the reins, and shown itself so dangerous that no ono cared to provoke an outburst. He and the Rev.

Sir.

Marvin soon found that they had many opinions in common. They both thought General Washington the greatest and best Of mortals. Both believed that, on the whole, the war had been a mistake: that Tom Jefferson was a creature of Ikmaparte's, and that the Democratic party and Satan wero synonymous term's, with this exception, that the prince of darkness was a gentleman,"

Tho minister, as in duty bound, held Poperv theoretical horror the Captain liiated it with an intenso hatred. the soul pnades.

v......

4put

of temper, It was* a ghost

story'| and for overv tale of "fotch" or apparition she could find an explanation, often ao very roaaonablo aa to be more improbable than the legend Itself.

For the rest, she was a tall, fair, rather laive girt, brown-haired, gray-eyed, and with somewhat ciigtiiiifld and very

3^1

Klnm

Wtt noma, is ino con^n* SST"

scholariy old gentle- "^"8

man, ia often very difficult to pleaae. If ]ove tfmt The Rev. Josiah Marvin was a man of

Josiah

fine courtesy and real learning his wife

waa boen affection hitherto

tayWv:

... .merica,

he had seen too much of the Romish Church to be ablo to retain any toleration for the svstem but it was not often that he could bo led into an expression of his feelings upon that or) any other subject, it was evident, on his first visit to the parsonage, that lie very much admired the minister's niece. Indeed, for a man of education who had seen the world, there waa no one in the plaqe to compare with Cecily Meadowes. Her experience had bWn narrow but these narrow lives sometimes run very deep. Cecily's simplicity and gentle dignity, the harmony and composuueof her character, seemed strongly to attract Captain Malison.

In the atmosphere of the parsonage he seemed to breathe more freely than anywhere else, and to speak more openly, lie delighted to make Cecily's eyes light up, and her cheek flush, with some tale •f heroism or suffering for conscience's sake, as though ho wore pleased to convince himself that under that sweet, outward quiet was

The will to do, tneaoul to dare.*

I should like to linger on these days, and tell how ft waa that Cecily learned

J.venHto

hat

ht"r,"iwas

however, irnwt re-

sarvivors-the th'feae*' of

i'.i write the action* of

:ms

ikmir valor and their sk

liir

sTbere were Iflben a cloud oiert

P™

....... was almost too good any human creature lived at once on earth and

heaven, sanctified by prayer and thanksgiving, and finding lis joy and doty in hopes that clustered around the dally

lnl,,n

V* Yet this love never to carry oat

£S«ot

fourlmn-

Th,, JtiS Ed

mother. But that It was wasted and lostIn that wierd destiny which waa reserved for Cecily I cannot say. Against what evil did it hold its lonely watch?— or darkness did It against i&hat powers

The Captain's wooing, unlike that of most sailors, was rather long In the doing. He made his approaches cautiously, and offered his homage with a deli caey that implied not only reverence,

...r Iy passion, but such as a mortal might have justice to

felt for a goddesa, ware it an i„—compare Cecily Meadowes to any of the heathen women of Olympus.

There was a subtle sweetnww in ttds worship that it wonld hardly be Wr to call flattery, and which waa for moreerfoctuai in winning Cecily heart than all tho flames and darts ever kindled or rgwl by ancient or modern fextrava-

w^ver, come and from

«alaat, however, with rime

hiifi't between justification and sanctifleatlon. However, be put aside tbeso great matters ao for as to listen, with interest to the Captain's statement about himself and bis affairs, inasmuch as thoy concerned Cecily's ftiture.

Captain Maiison statod that ho was the son of a gentleman of South Carolina, who, when his son was but a child, had gone to the West Indies that he had boen placed in the British naval service when a mere lad, bot that, having a strong republican bias, he had resigned his commission, and so offended his fothpr that he had been entirely cast off, and had como to New York. There ho bad found a berth on a ship trading to South America, and had worked his way from before the mast to be captain of a vessel. Ho had been for a short time in the service of the Argentine Republic, but, on tho breaking out of the war between Great Britain and tho United States, be had returned to America, and had been very successful as commander of a privateer. Within the last year he had xieard of the death of his father, (without a will,) and his father's man of business had transmitted to him the

Sian

could not even tell

speech

roceeds from the sale of the West Inproperty. The Captain seemed nervously anxious that Mr. Marvin should assure himself of the truth of all these statements, aud gave him references to a distinguished naval officer and to a well-known firm in New York, both of whom indorsed the Captain's respectability and the reality of his future. Mr. Marvin was a singularly unworldly man. The appearances of thiugs had little power over his mind though he was innocently glad that his Cecily should have in her power such "means of usefulness" as wealth confers, it did not occur to him to feel additional respect for Captain Malison.

The Rev. Josiah took off his spectacles, and while he softly polished them with a silk handkerchief, he fixed his eyes on the Captain with a certain gentle wistfulness.

I could have wished," ho said, a little sadly, "that the man my Cecily has learned to love might have been, like her, a partaker of the Christian's hope."

For a moment a black frown swept across the Captain's face. He set his teeth, as though to keep back some word most unfit for tho time and place. Mr. Marvin, theugh surprised, was no- offended. Thirty years of pastoral experience, acting upon a fine and sympathetic temperament, had given him a power in "discoursing of spirits" Jesuit or Dominican and it struck him that the Captain had been moved to anger rather ity some memory upon which the words had jarred than by anything in the words themselves.

In a moment or two, however, Captain Malison smoothed his brow, and answered—

I understand vou, Mr. Marvin. It is true that hitherto I bavo given little thought to religion, but it is only since I haveroen privileged to enter your home that I have understood how beautiful a thing Christianity may be but it is a subject on which I must think long and deeply before 1 can venture to make a pledge before God and man as solemn as your faith demands. In tliis most important matter, well as I know liow happy such a profession would make Cecily—and I would lay down my life for her—I can do nothing hastily."

Mr. Marvin was much better pleased with these remarks than if the Captain had expressed a wish to bo at once admitted to tho fold. Ho disliked what be called "excitement in religion," and had more than once boen censured for want of "spirituality" because of his distrust of hasty professions and conversions.

He shook hands heartily with the Captain, and gavo his consent to the marriage, which—seeing that Cecily had already said her gentle, immutable' saywas a mere matter of form.

The Captain waa leaving the study, when he suddenly turned round and camo back to the table, where the minister was once more losing himself in pursuit of the dactyls and their mysterious affinities.

Mr. Marvin," he said, hastily, "I believe that you are a true man. Do you think there la any uso in prayer."

Sorely !M said Mr. Marvin, Iookuw up, surprised, "Even If there does not always come any definite answer, I cannot but think tint in the spiritual, aa in the natoral world, no foree 1* lo^t the love and aspiration which finds voice in nrayer must at last, It seems to roe, be effectual for righteousness."

Then pray for me, that I may be delivered from evil," said the Captain, his voice shaken aa if with some deep emotion scarce controlled, and, barely waiting to hear tho minister's earnest asaent and words of encouragement, he left the room.

CHAPTKRll.

It was the eve of Cecily Meadowe*' wedding-day. On the white bed, in her aunt's spfcre

gift,) a priceless cobweb of that Oldfashioned, dainty, artistic Brussels, which moved Rebecca Reid's soul half with wonder, half with envy*

There vrs*.

The1

ng in all the rooms at "the Sturgeas placo," that every powible dampness

aiising pel lea!

odFtoc wind, atelf

Captain's I wMtsthloip tnage foe lays and

C5ecily

«Jkier why «®l the

and sigh over that inbred sinfulness of heart which made her speak sharply to the cat, and end attending to the waotS Qf cross old Mrs. Dent wiaifa^me instead of delightthe Captain spoke reciprocity was all on one i*. It had been. Ceciiy," moat startling suddenintense feeling and

{!^ionf a pa3Wion whit!ff\aid-

ed by the traitor in the garrison) had moved and shaken Cecily into saying "yea sooner than her conscience and hot habit of self-exami-nation might have warranted Htit having said the word, her engagement was to her sec(wM in aoerednosa only to her hristlan coven«nt» .Mr. and Mr*. Marvin liad jxpeitly astonished wluen il. fi.'iiin bad aakod their his marriage. Mrs. ^,1 via had someway decided in her own

mind

that Cecil

'1 Would never marry: and ihad not occurred to her that the Captain, la his visits, had any otner object than the advantage of her husband's society and conversation.

As for the Rev. Josiah, he had been greatly occupied with theplan of a work to be called "The Influence of Paganism upon tho Church," and also with an essay which waa intended forever to decide tho order of precedence

iB«lS

from the new £fpe£

Owing

tcable rnaii! •beenptcva

caprk»,(S upon to visiit") beccm, in comj had gone all oy been greatfjr ftn (theirthe the china.

ure home. wi$ Mrs.

extreme ofluxury,)

dsome ftiraiture, and silver anc

All day Rebecca had been going (a little help and a good deal of hindrance) at

the parsonage, and now, before going home, she stopped to have a parting gossip with Qeeily—a ill wbldn *bo ras all on one side." ah* reutarkad, "if vou'd

iilM wcbldTiavefWleaoiaho j^utoe .| ijfecli#*/' she ferj^fwili fcsud*aft, «db oh kitotr What night it is to-morrow night?"

Thursday/October thirtj^flrst, said Cecily. es—but it's Hallow Ev»," returned

"Oh nothing, of course only they do say, you know, that all the ghosts walk abroad that night, aiul.that it's not a lucky time."

My dear Rebecca," said Odlv, annoy adj "how can you dwell on such an absurd superstition

Well, now, you may talk as you like, Cecily, there are some things you can't account for. Did tit your own atint Hetty, when she went to eat her apple before the glass, see tho face of the man she waa engaged to looking over her Shoulder, (but all pale and bloody,) and didn't word come that he'd been killed by the Iiidiaus tho very time she saw him?"

If sHfe did sadh a thing, or think She saw it, it might easily be accounted for by the effect* of imagination," replied Cecily, "and really, I cannot think that aunt Hetty, who was always so good and pious, would have thought it consistent to engage in any auch supemtitious practices—relics, as they are, of paganism and popery." "Oh, you always flud a reason for everything under the sun bnt if I were you, I'd nave picked out some other night to be married in. My 1 there'sthe Captain poming J" And Rebecca, who stood in! some awfe of that gentleman, escaped by one door, as Captain Malison entered by tho other.

A few words of greeting passed between the two who wero so soon to bo bride and bridegroom, aud then Cecily, who at this last minute had some Indispensable little bit of stitching to do, rose and lighted the lamp,

Captain Malison atched her, as she sat down and began quilling a bttle lace edge on a muslin collar. Her faco was bent over her work, but her whole look and air bespoke a sweet, gracious consciousness of his presence. If Cecily had glanced up, She might have been startled by the look on her bridegroom'k face. There was love, but there was a^so doubt and anguish the expression of ono "tossed by tempest and not comforted." "Cecily," he said, suddenly, and as lie spoke he rose and stood behind her chair, "do you feel afraid to keep your promise tome?" 1A

Cecily dropped her work in surprise. I don't understand you," she said, simply.

My lovef—my love!" and the man spoke with a sort of sad yearning, as if the girl had been hopelessly parted frqm him, instead of close at hand—his promised bride. "Do you feol no distrust of me? Is there no misgiving—no fear of the future, in your mind?"

A girl more self-conscious, more subject to moods, might have doubted her lover's affection, and taken offence but Cecily only paused for a moment before she answered, that she might bo sure of telling the exact truth. "I suppose," she said, "that no ono takes any important step in life without some misgiving. Since yon wish me to tell you, Iwill confess tbat I havo been all aav pursued by a( strange feeling as if, in keeping rrfy word to you. I was acting against some opposing and hostile influence,"

in pained give you up? But for you—you might

safer, happier. Oh. God help iael", ho said, with anguish in his voice, "what shall I ao

You surely do not think," Answered Cecily, amazea, "that I would draw back now, and give up—the—any one I loved because I am weak enough to let such a silly fancy oome into my mind?"

Captain seemed as if about to

speak, but no word passed,his lips. Ho released her hands fcnd sat down bosido her.

My aunt told me," continued Cecily, smiling, and resuming her work, "that when her own wedding-day camo she was so disturbed In heir mind that, it overything bad not been ready, sho ooula have drawn back at the very last moment." •.

The Captain, as If with an effort, resumed his usual manner, and in a little time he bade her farewell, saying that ho would not, on this last evening, selfishly Interfere with tho rights of tye* adopted parents.

Nothing interfered to prevent Cecily's wedding on the next oveningi Tbebndo was pale, but lovely, and too little occupied with herself, and too fully impressed with tho sacredness Of her vows, to be fluttered or embarrassed. The bridegroom, a secondary but still neoeesary person at a wedding, looked, as he was, a man of noble presence. Mr. Marvin,, performed his Office with a somewhat trembling voioa, but otherwise with his usual self-possession. .j

Cecily was married with a ring, pjro-

ptain said had been an heirloom in his family for twoor three genetatioha. One or two observers fancied that 83 he put it on the bride's finger he glanced round the room with suaden defiance in his look, as though he expected some one to step forward and challenge his right.

The black servant was present, and waited on the guests with that intense propriety which only an African can ox-« hibit but Sejanus showed nothing of that sympathetic delight which would have seemed natural on the occasion.* There was a solemnity almost gloomy in the man's air, and he watched the bride constantly, though furtively.

The Captain's new carriage and fine gray horses, used for tho first time that nignt, were at the door. Mr. and Mrs.j Marvin gave their child the last toarfol kissed aud blessing*, and the bride and bridegroom were now away to their own home. *,, *. -it .... r? bit.

CHAPTER III.

The next morning, even the orderly household at the parson*^ wwb a little later than usual, and the breakfast-table was not in readiness till mil twenty mlnntes after the appointed hour, somewhat to Mrs. Marvin's annoyance, for she felt as if It were a weakness that even Ceclly«s wedding had caused her to bo "be-Ji find hand with the work."

As sho went about the house, sho missed (fecily with the keen longing^ that is born of recent parting and radi[cosrrstJKD o» FOURTH PACUB.]

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