The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-04-16
A CURE FOR CONCEIT.

"Horrid, isn't it 2" said Lena putting down
her plate.
"No egadl" replied his lordship, earnestly
and sincerely. 4 like you all the better for
"Thats Fortunate" said Lena. 81 wish
there were more people in the world of your
opinion Shall we go back ?''
1t would be an incom parsbly happier
and lovelier world if there were more people
like you, Miss Wynford," said his lordstip,
az they left the room.
"Oh no." replied Lima, laughing. 81.
wouldn't be at ell desirable, believe me"
They then whirled away together in the
dizzy vAlse, the tesder, mournfal tones OF
Weber's sweet melody sounding family
through the hum and buzz of the crowded
rooms.
by Jove, Elton, you're lucky man ~
observed gentleman who was standing
near Gustayus, by the chimney piece. "Mss
Wyntord is the loveliest aud most fascina
ing girl in the room. She's such bright,
fresh little thing and there's something in
her well bred, unaffected manner, that
stamps her at once as lady, in the truest
sense, of the word. | congratulate you,
old fellow, with all my heart" he added, Is
he sauntered away, leaving Mr. Elton to
watch Lina's pretty figure through the
mRzes of the dance, with a fresh light graz
ually dawuing upon his mind, mutterlhg TO
himself, Lima lovely and fascinating |
Little Lima, that be and his sister had snuo
bed and KEEP. down with such care and per- |
seryance-had taken such constant pains to |
Undue with proper sense Of her own utter
fnsignifcence-Line,w whom he had chosen,
chiefly because she would make, he had |
fsncied, such a nice, humble, meek, adoring
wife-just the sort of wife to make man
feel comfortable and satisfied with himself
little Lima, 'wel.bred, lovely, fascipa-
ting"
He watched her as she stood with Lady
Mary Oaklands, the centre of group of
admirers. He could hear the laugh that
ever and anon greeted some apt
repsrtee from her lips; he could
see the approving eyes that followed her
as she crossed the room on Lord Oakland's
arm; and turning away disconsolately
enough from his post of observation, he
could not but acknowledge inwardly-with
curious sensation of having been beguiied
and dsluded-that his friend was right.
Well, he had been mistaken, tina, was sill.
There was more in Lima than be had
thought He must take more notice of her, |
and not snub her so much, poor little thing.
She had very likely been frightened at him,
hitherto but he would draw her out and
encourage her, and let her see he didn't OBJ
Ject to her being clever and admired, In
moderaton-as far, OF course, as it rebound.
ed to his own honor and glory, as was right
and proper it should. And the noble senti-
ments that filed his bosom made him at
least one inch taller, as marched across The
room to where Lima sat, talking to Lord
Osklands and his mother.
Lady 0sklsnds turned away Just as Mr
Elton approached and Lima went on con-
versing with the young nobleman, apparent
iy totally unconscious of MIR. Elton's pres
ence. It WAS rather awkward standing
there. He didn't quite see just then how
10 begin the drawing out and encouraging"
process; and he was Just turning away,
when Lima perceived him.
"Ah Mr.. Elton" she said, ''are you
there ? really beg your pardon l didn't
ses you.'
Ia didn't wish to disturb YOU; it's
oniy-it's not of the slightest consequence"
stammered Mr.. Elton, feeling supremely
absurd, and conscious that THAT puppy
Oaklands" was laughing at him.
well, I'm glad it's of no consequence, /
whatever it may be-, said Lima, laughing.
"We're rather il the dark about ii al
present
Il think, perhaps, the carriage"
"No, ! don't think the carriage Is come /
yet," interrupted Lima. SIS it, Lord Oak
lands, do you kuow2''
II think not" replied HIS lordship, his
shoulders shaking violently from some sup
pressed internal emotion; and Gustsvus,
having no further excuse for staying, turned
away, with dIsagreeabe consciousness OF
having got the worst of it. and having made
himself ridicu lous into the bargain
Miss Wynford," said Lord Oaklands, IN
low tone to Lima, as ne wrapped her cloak
round her in the hail, II must thank you
for the most enjoyable evening | ever spent
in my life. Had the-aw-festivities to
night been ungraced by your presence, for
me, at least, / assure you, they would have
possessed no claim to their title"
Bravo my lord ~ laughed Lima. THAT
speech does equal credit to your heaQ
and"
Heart" said his lordship, in an impress
sive whisper believe me, dear Miss WTn-
ford, 1t was that alone which prompted it.
Good night"
Lima was placed in the carriage BY Miss
Louisa; Mr.. Elton followed, closed the win
dow and they drove away.
Now comes the tug of war" thought Ii /.
ma TO herself, as she shrank into the fur.hest
corner. Il shouldn't wonder, after this I
nights work, if I'm not given up altogether,
as q hopeless and irreclaiRsble sinner.
What a relief it would be !"
She was, however, mistaken. Miss. Elton |
took not the slightest notice OF her, but the .
moment they had fairly started, addressed |
her brother.
swell, Gus" she exclaimed, sit has been
delightful! Lady Oakands is really the |
most intelligent and affable woman ! ever
knew. She has been talking to me Dearly
the whole of the evening" mean of course,
when l was not dancing. And Lady Mary, |
too, ID charming
$50 is h .r brother" said Lima, "charm-
ing
Then Miss Elton spoke. Turning slowly |
toward her, she trsnsixed her with a |
glance.
Il shall not venture, of course, to call /
your taste in question. Miss Wynford," she
said, coldly From the ease and noucha-
lence with which you carry yourself, and the
excessive familiarity with which you address
persons to whom | should not dream of
speaking, save with the most distant respect,
it is evident that you have long been accus
toned to move III the most exalted circles.
/ can only regret you did not inform US
sooner of your eristocratc antecedents,
which would have prevented the mistake IN
der which ! appear to have labored, and for
which | sincerely apologize
Don't trouble yourself said Lima. quiet
ly. "Your only mistake has been in imag-
lining that the manners of a lady are not to
be acquired out of the narrow circle in
which you move. Believe me, Miss Eli n,
it is something much higher and deeper
than the cold artificial polish of fashionable
life. that gives Rentlewoman right to her
name q, and that code of manners IL neither
a lady's nor christians, which teaches
contemp t of those who are inferior only In
no accidapt nc h,rth ~