The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-01-26
THE sTBp.MOTBRR.


THE sTRP.M0THRR.
The clear, vivid sunshine Of Sep-
tember day was shining, like sheayea Of
ieweled arrows, into Cecile Montpen-
sier's spacious drawing room.
It was o handsome apartment, fur
nished in lilac and gold Lilac is q
utryingn color TO most faces, however
fair and youthful, bnt Cecile Montpen-
sier knew that she could safely sur
round herself with lis soft, illusiye
glow. AZ. b.
For Cecile's complexion, fair and del.
icate as pink iaponica, was perfection
in It's waxen bloom, and her hair, deep
broynish gold. waved into natural
curls and ripples upon her transparent
temples. Her eyeswere the deep, linn
pid violet, that almost yerges on black,
almond shaped, and with long thick
lashes, and hor mouth, red and melting,
like dewy coral, had but one fault-it
was almost too full and. scerlet.
Richmond cheswick gazed down at
the languid beauty with 0 look Of en-
thusinssic admiration, which ii was inn
possible 10 misconstrue, How lovely
she was, Ms sho sat there. with his moth
erless little ono in her arms, shower.
ing kisses on Willie's golden hair, and
lisping pretty carca5ing, sentences OF
''baby.talk to the fouT-J ear-old child.
at do think he is the most beautiful
creature ever saw in my life I she OK.
claimed, looking up into Mr.. Ches-
wick'sface, with the deep eyes all soft
and sparkling, and The coral lips apart,
Just disclosing a roFof tiny pearls with.
in. az love him 10 dearly |"
Ordinarily Richmond Chesyick was n
cool, composed sort of personage, as
little inclined % any man 10 act sudden
", and without delibefption-but We
are all infatuated, at one period or an.
other Of outlives, and eecile Montpen.
sier's rare beauty would have maddened
almost any one. tt'H-s9
"Cecile 70 he exclaimed, suddenly,
:" do you love him well enough to be
his mother? Do you love me well
enough to share LIES lot with me ? For
/ feel that youl have taken my heart
captive, and-I never can be happy with
any one else I Cecile, speak to me-do
not keep me in suspensoI . ,aia5,sd
The roses crep over Ceciles satin
cheek in soft pink billows Of bloom, as
she bent her head in charming confu;,
sion IL would have takena wiser man
than Richmond Cheswick; TO know that
this was the very consumation she had
expected, and been maneuyering for,
during the last six months.
She had triumphed at last-and when
he went away Leading unconscious little
Willie, who thought papa stayed 0
long time, +" Miss Montpensier was Rich
mond Cheswick's promised wife, ~
GThere, nurse, take the little fellow
upstairs for his sleep, he said, as he
sat down in the big easy chair opposite
the glowing FIRE Of anthracite coal, IN
his handsomely appointed library, and
began TO contemplate the new and
dazzling future opening TO his minds.
eye. iiiae a!5l : q s,,.lo,ls !, :, 4, !.
what q regal Mrs. /" "oheswick'l Cecile
would make. His FIRST wife, Willie's
mother, true andloving as wife could
be, but utterly ignorant OF all thosepol-
ished graees and acquired amenities
that made Cecile SO attractive. And
when she lay upon her death;bed, she
had said 10 him: alart4i4 ~,
Dear Richmond, II ever you shonld
marry again-n'a, si....i llalh u
Hehad interrupted her with wordsof
passionate protest-she held mp her
slender finger with q plaintiye, moon.
lipht sort OF smile.
aHear me out, my husband. II ever
YOU should marry Again. and you areso
Young tliat I think II more than likely
you will have only one favor to beg
Of you. Do not give Willie into q step;
mothers care. Send him TO my home
In the fresh, pure country; my sister
will gladly assume all the charge Of
him. and / shall rest more quietly in
nv grave Will you but promise me
tLiaSn y nEl I.i ri 'Tis ~
Blinded with tears, Richmond Ches.
wick had promised, and so Janet had
died calmly, with her little sleeping boy
clasped closely to her breast g,gls,
But now hewas going deliberately 70
break this solemn compact with the
dead. ,a
al cannot spare the merry, loving
little fellow, he thought "He is.too
close TO my heart; II Willie were gone:
half the sunshine would perish out Of
my daily liie, and oecile q SO doyotediiy
attached TO him, also. II Janet could
have known oecile, she would never
have wanted to send the boy away.
And then, he thought, with o thrill.
very nearly approaching 10 disgust, how
plain and homespun Hetty Bryan was.
Inc Hetty the old people had wanted
MIN 10 marry, when poor Janet died.
What d contrast she was to royal Cecile
Montpenaier. ~.
,rbbed his wrinkled white hands, and
Titis a good thing you've caught tho
riclISWidowev al last, Uecile,. he said,
in hiaiat. huskywhi6per. 1--WE couldn't
heve n stood Il much loneer.the funds
were giving away duhedly fast, You
Rsye rather genius for spending
~ r. tlla suall gdFflFC