The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-04-09
A CURE FOR CONCEIT.

And so you think you love me, MIR.
Elton, do your"
The speaker looked away from her com
panion as she uttered the question gazing
thoughtfully over the sunny landscape seen
through the open window. She was slen
der, trim little parsonage of eighteen, with
bright brown ey-s, aud a mouth round the
curves of which fingered perpetual halt
emile, self contained, shrewd, and grave,
and but rarely breaking into laugh. Her
hair was smoothed, with the utmost
occurrences, straight behind her ears; not
withstanding protest or two on its part,
in the shape of sundry sus oppressed ripples
that only wanted liberty to start into life a.
once Is full grown waves. She had on a
black stuff dress, very much too short for
her, brown at the seams and worn ell over ;
and altogether she was decidedly shabby
faded, and questionable. Her mpsniou
slipped his arm round her waist before he
answered her question.
"I'm sure do. Lima" he said "Y'es-a
--'pon my life; I'm awfully in love with
you"
"Hem !" said Lima, rehectively; and she
left of contemplating the landscape, and
raised her eyes to his. IL suppose you
know" she continued, that what relations
have are anything but genteel, and that
myself am only governess and On orphan
nothing more ?"
Mr.. Elton withdrew his arm from her
waist, drew himself up, and settled ms cor
lar. ,.l.
ayes" he replied, with slight increase
IF dignity. .I-a-know. But you see,
Lima, as my wife, you-a-in short it
doesn't matter what ="
You mean" said Lima, quickly, her
mouth giving q peculiar twitch, that the
honor and grandeur | shall acquire in be-
coming Mrs Elton, will render my sntece
dents matter of supreme indifference p
Mr.. Elton gave his moustaohe a pull, and
very likely accidentally, glanced toward his
reflection in the pier-glass on the chimney
piece.
"Wsll-a-," he began hesisasingly
but Lima interrupted him.
Don't trouble yourself TO explain she
said, quietly, 81 quite understand you.
Thanks, very much, for your offer, which Is
peculiarly condescending, and, here she
gave gulp, as if trying to swallow some
thing that didn't 60 down very easily-"l
will be your wife,
For once surprised out of that "repose OF
manner" which is the distinguishing chsrac-
teristic of modern gentleman, Mr.. Elton
bent down, aud gave her a hearty kiss, to
which she submitted without murmur.
Lima, darling, you're a jolly little glri, u
said he. ave shall be swfully happy to
gether, I'm sure. OF course, now and
here he recovered his dignity and compo
sGre-"you will leave Mrs. Reynolds al
once and, as you have no near relations
l should like you to remain at the Elms, a.
my sisters visitor, till you become my wife
and its proper mistress. Louisa does no
yet know of our engagement, or that have
only visited here to see you so, perhaps, a
first. she may be surprised and, as she
rather proud we all are, ratherl, may thinl
| might have --a-msrried-a- better bu
I'm sure, for my sake, she'll welcome You
and"
All" said Lima, quietly, I'm very glsc
you re sure of that, because, you see, su
not. When your sister was here, visiting
Mrs. Reynolds, she WAS so extraordinar,
polite to ne when she came into the school
room, that I'm sure she cordially detests me
However, you must really go now. Mrs
Reynolds will be home soon. and she doesn 7
like morning callers mesndering about with
the governess. Good bye"
There was another kiss and then Mr. Elton
marched serenely away, and left the little
governess TO her reflections.
Hem she said again, though:fuily; $50
N going to be married, am | Funny
very; and still fuDnier that Mr.. Gustavus
Elton Is TO be my hus band. bow thankful
ought to be for his condesceEsisn, to be SURE
It's very comfortable sort OF thing
really Notwithstanding TINS, she gave
two or three impatient little wriggies, anC
relieved her mind BY viciously tearing bI
of paper into the smallest of scraps, befor,
she proceeded, meditativel VI remembe
thinking, when first | saw him, that OF a.
concelted, pompous, stuck up-psha tina
was before he said he loved me. He has
proved himself since a man Of discern ment
sense, and uHexcepuonsble taste. 1t Is 10
ms love thank him, and am grateful. ha
better blessing for q lonely, friendless girl
than the affection of good, true man, ant
gentleman, and gentleman land as fol
his manner, its just nasty. hard polish
that society and his detestable sister hav
vsneered him with. If he hadn't warm
heart underneath, he'd never have kissed
me like that Bless the man do love
him. He deserves r good wife, and he shal
have one and it's strange if don't scratch
that polish off before long" With that
Lima turned and left the window.
A bright, pleasant little morning room
filled with sweet colours from the flowers in
the conservatory near. Fancy work, draw
ing materials, music books. and other tokens
OF feminine occupancy lie strewn about in
elegant disorder" and reclining in q luxu-
rious arm chair near the open French win
dow Ia Miss Louisa Fitz Gerald Elton, al
present mistress of the bowery, and the house
to which it spper,sins.
A very stately young lady was Miss Elton
"diviney fair" indeed her complexion
verged upon the universal delicacy OF TIM
unkndly designated washed out, and i
was not relieved by the hue of her hair, which
was sort of compromise between straw
colour and pale auburn. and like many
other Compromises" not particularly salts
factory in its results.
"Well Gus I" she exclaimed, in continue
ton of conversation with her brother, VIII
was seated near, looking rather guilty an {
uncomfortable, "your betrothed may be
I've not the slightest doubtis-a very charm
ing young person when you know her well,
as you say but she must be q mighty i'll
bred little chit to keep me waiting III Thu:
way, when she knew perfectly well the dress
maker would be here al eleven with the
hodies for Lady Broadland's ball Half past
i thought 40 "
Shes a very nice little thing, Louey, 'pon
my life replied Gus, discreetly ignoring the
modiste and her attendant bodies" ''only
she wants forming, yon know. When she
has been with you bit"
"Oh, I'm not going to trouble myself
about her" said Miss Louisa, languidly
We chosen your wife yourself and
wash my hands of you both. You knew my
mind long ago
This was perfectly true for she had from
time to time. given her brother so many
"bits of of it, that it wss really wonder that
she had any left for herself.
"But, you see, at first the ways OF COCO
society seemed strange to her" resumed Mr
Elton. "She's very humbe-and-gratefu
for-r
so she ought to indeed! !" interrupted
Miss Elton. IFS very great condescensior
on ynur I on,a;do.