The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-01-19

BY PAUL GREYToN.

al u MS lOugtuRS dt MIS-. SOV6Y 8 rALner sOOQ-
er thanshe was expected. 1t WAS late in the
evening, and, having entered by means of a
night key, and finding nobody stirring he walk
ed leisursly up to his room. - 4I
This was the apartment Mr., Derby had al
ways occupied in Mrs. Covey's house but on
thisoccasion it seemed very little like home
Before leaving town he had carefully put away
all his clothes in his trunks, and during his
absence other revolutions had been made in
the room W hich gave it different air.
Nor the least disagreeable thing in the room
was darkness. Mr.. Derby had entered with
out lamp, expecting to find that desirable
article in the old place but after knocking
over an inhibottie, vase, and snuff box, in
his blind search, he concluded that the wisest
course would be to stop swearing aud go to
bed in the dark. 500 -t-
In very good humor Mr. Benjamin F.
Derby began to uDdress.- To return home af-
ter an absence OF two weeks and to be obliged
to go to bad in such a dismal manner, almost
broke his heart He might have rung for the
servants,it is true and he might have reflect
ed that his friends were excusabIe, since they
did not expect him; but Mr.. BENJAMIN F. Der
by chose to be angry and silent. e q
And where is Margaret Maria q muttered
the unhappy man. oh, faithless daughter of
an unfeeling landladg When 1 tore myself
from your arms two weeks ago you protested
heart, that you would watch, with the an xious
eyes OF love for my .resurns On, this looks
like it Even now, know you are making
yourself merry with some fresh conquest or.
if you are sleeping under this roof, you are
dreaming of pleasure in which have no
share So saying, Mr.. BENJAMIN F. Derby
threw his trowsers on chair, and began to
grope his way in darkness to the head of the
bed. At this moment a merry laugh close to
hia chamher iOor a1arfaA hin, ~,
paused. .--.--. -
Margaret Msria's laugh by all that is falsee
groaned Mr. Derby. She said she would do
nothing but sign and weep during my absence
and hear her ha she laughs again ! The
false hearted-
Mr.. Deroy's reflections were suddenly inter
rupted By sound of a hand grasping HE door
latch. With considerable trepIdation he few
to lock the door but before he could reach
it, merry laugh and blaze of light and two
girls burst into the room
Now Mr. ID. was very modest person, and
it was a lucky circumstance for him that the
closet door was ajar, the retrea: convenient
and his limbs active. He lodged out of sight
before the girls had time to cast their eyes
about them and soon the door was shut, and
Mr.. DIS ears pinned back.
:" nat time do you suppose it is q asked
Margaret Maria. There, the bells are striking
twelve Oh, bain't we had gay time, Su
san .
Gay enougho was Susan's reply. 'Ha ha
but wouldn't your poor, dear absent Derby be
amused if he knew-'
'Ha ha hal laughed Margaret Maria
"My poor, dear absent Derby If he knew
Poor fellow, it would break his heart Fl
thinks do nothing but sigh and cry durin
his absence. Am / such goose -
'Such a goose y ooh p groaned DERBY
rsinfuIiy intereated
Such goose! echoed Sue. He wouldl'
think of it if he had seen you eating the oys
tiers with Dan Robbins.
1 only hope added Margaret Maria, that b
will keep away week longer
so that we can have this room p
No-not exactly that-but Dan has invite
me to go to ball on Thursday night, and 70
know couldn't 60 if my poor, dear, abser
Derby should come back in the meantime
Derby was trembling with cold and wratl
'fou mean to marry Derby then asked ST.
Il suppose / shall, cried Margaret Mari,
gaily, Il like to hirt vito Dan, and if he ha
as many dollars as my poor, absent Derby
you would choose Dan p
TO be sure Iwould. He amt such a 70.
DERBY Ha ha But what is this. A Goa
pair OF pantalooBs. go s+E
here!'
Derby was trembling with exci.ement-bur,
ing with rage but now he felt a new eoure
of uneasiness. The discovery of pantaloor
might lead to the discovery of himself. Ha
he been dressed, he would have liked nothiu
better than to confront the perfidious Marga
ct Maria-but for the present it was not to b
thought of He felt himself blushing all owe,
in spite of the cold. To his relief, howeve,
the girls after making out that there was M
body in or under the bed, did not seem dii
posed to inquire into the mystery of the pants
looms but Margaret exclaimed:
'l'll tell You what will do, Sue I'll dres
myself in these clothes, and go into tie widor
SHADES room She'll think it is a man, an
won't she be frightened %
Frightened Mop cried Susan. sshe
had two husbands, But do>it, See what sh
will say -
will. Here, help me, Sue. Ha, ha
And here's a hat too. How kind ia eomehod
to leave all his clothes here - =
Derby, poor dear, present Derby-was breett
ing very hard. his heart beat heavily. an
every nerve shook
What the deuce was he to do if Margar,
Maria went off with his pants he could in q
manner determine aud from the exceeding
interesting conversation which was going q
he knew that his worst fears we're to be re
lized. as
oh amt it a ft.' cried Margaret Maria
sOnly turn up the trousers five or Elk inchs