The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-04-18
A CURE FOR CONCEIT.

his supremacy, and reducing her 10 her
former meek and submissive state. with the
patronizing, hslf.amused, half plying smile
with which one notes the FIRST attempts of a
child at speaking and Gustavas, who, to
regain her smiles and favor, had at last
stopped from the height of his own immeas
urabe superiority in way that he had
never dreamed Of before, finding even that
condescension perfectly vain aud UNDECIDED,
sought consolation in his dogs and horses.
or sat- by the hour together, silently watch
ing Lima from behind book, which he was
supposed to be reading upside down.
Matters we're in this unsatisfactory state,
when one day Miss Elton surprised Lima in
the garden by flying towards her with an
open letter in her hand
"Only fancy, Caroline" she exclaimed
ecstaticslly, 'the Honorable Mrs. Anterior
has invited us to a .tete champetre that Is to
take place on the seventeenth. Lord Oak
lands told US about il, you know, when he
called the other day. Do come in, there's .
dear, and let's have a consultation about
dresses"
Lima uuwillingly laid down her gloves and
gardening tools, and left her roses aud ger
aniums, to discuss the relative merits OF
muslins and grenadines.
day. when Lima was seated At the piano,
rafting away at lively vslse, MIR. Elton
entered and SAT down by her.
"Lins," he said, humbly enough, when
she had finished playing, 81 expect We shall
dance to morrow. You will"
dance with You ?" said Lima, promptly.
''Cersainly-with all the pleasure in life, if
you'll remind ne again in time. Once be-
tore, if | remember right, you forgot to dc
so, which was unfortunate, as my card was
filed up before you happened to recollect
it,
Closing her music book, Lima fitted out
on the lawn, singing gay French song as
she went. Mr.. Elton pulled his uoustache
in gloomy slieace for few moments, then
walked 10 the window, and stood watching,
with very grave and subdued expression,
the tickle cloud shadows melt and change
over the sunny landscape
''She dosen't love me, he muttered, shsk-
ing his head ''she doesn't love me now !;
and it 8 no woader. Good heavens! what q
stupid, conceited, egotistical brute Eve been
al cay lie "
Having arrived at this satisfactory con
clusion, and pondersd over it moodily for a
moment or two, Mr.. Elton slowly left the
room and the house, to sit Gismsily perched
for fish that wouldn't rise, and feeling su-
premely miserable all the drowsy summer
afternoon.
The following day proved lovely enough
to realise the anticipations of the most
sanguine pleasure seeker and, Judging
from the unclouded state of the sky, there
seemed but little likelihood that the gsiety
Of the affair would be dsmped or extinguish
ed BY "capricious weather."
"fou really hook lovely, Louisa said
Lima, sffectionately and sincerely you've
the tslrest complexion ever saw, and that
delicate blue suits you exactly"
Miss Elton was not proof against this
speech, with It's ever welcome hsttery. She
bent and kissed her, and Lima, putting up
both OF her plump arms, clAsped her round
the neck, aud returned the caress with
interest, while her brown eyes spsrkled with
rather suspicious brightness.
why, child, you're cryingr' exclaimed
Miss Elton
NO, am not" replied Lima, sturdily.
a.d laughing. "I'd scorn the action Come !
the carriage waits
The two swept down stairs together, arm
IN arm, singing their last duet and, as
they waltzed into the hall, nearly knocked
down Mr. Elton, who was turning on his
heels with the utmost meekness on the mat.
They had not far to go; indeed having
the carriage a little bit of harm less
ostentaron on their part, IS one side of
Anterior Park joined Mr.. Eiton's land, and
there was a door through which they could
easily have passed. But, as Miss Elton
observed, ''Whas was the good of having a
carriage if one didn't use it?' Accordingly
they dashed up the avenue of the Hail, and
Id. ...al Il
impressive noise and splendor it was p"ssi-
bic for q pair of greys to produce.
The honorable lady was Of course en-
chauted, delighted to see them, being
PROBABLY reminded of the fact Of their exist
ence by seeing them there before her eyes :;
aud having returned her compliments and
Fluctuations with others about Is remarkable
for their sincerity, they sauntered away, and
mingled with the crowds Of guests that stud
ed the sunny lawn with groups of graceful
forms and brilliant colors.
During her stay at the Elms. Lima had of
course made host of particular" young
lady friends, who, espying her now, besieged
her in body, and carried her off in triumph
to the archery grounds, where she chiefly
distiu guished herself by missing the mark
with unfaiIing success on every occasion.
"Oh Lina-hckle, false aud fair-since
when dates the dismissal of Gustavus ?"
whispered one of her acquaintance, Hatty
Bernard.
~ don't understand you," said Lima, look
ing rather scandaiised.
"Of course not, pretty innocent how
should you p" said Miss Bernard. II really
beg your pardon, dear but as Mr.. Elton has
been perseveringlv sulkiDg in corners all the
afternoon, l fanoied it broken off or
something. Look at him - only look at him
Not their by the marquee"
Lima looked as desired, and beheld the
unfortnnat Gustavus recling against a pedes
tai in an attitude of the most profound dejsc-
ton.
'Unfrieded. solitary, slow" quoted Miss.
Bernard, laughing bu. Lima turned away,
and took Lord Oakland's profered arm with
a very grave face indeed.
"She we leave these noisy people, Miss
Wynfsrd ?" he asked and hardly noticing
what he said she mechanically acquiesced.
There's a large piece of wetersome where in
the park, know" he.con;inued, as they
crossed the lawn-"at the far end of the
plantation, l fancy. We should get light
breeze there, which would be acceptable.
don't VOC think so You are looking rather
pale Just now" sob no." said Lima. 81
don't feel pale at ALL"
"How is it to feel pale ?"askep Lord Oak
lands, laughinely. SIS it to feel wre.ched
and low spirited and responding?
81 suppose So" replied Lima, as they en-
tered the plantation; 'but / really 80 seldom
ex perience the sensation, that m hardly
co mpetent Judge"
"If what / have described is really the
feeling" said his lordship. with a pathetic
sigh, Il feel very pale indeed. Miss Wyn-
ford"
Really" said Lima, innocently, "Well,
you certainly don's look it but appearances
are proverbalIy dece ptive.''
Yes: replied his lordship, with an air of
the protoundest melancholy; ",he bud does
not always show the worm ,ba, ;; a....o,;ro