The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-02-17

l clapped my hands in gleeful sort Of a
way.
And how much money are you goin g
to give me for my dresses and things"
dresses and thingS?' he repeated in
some surprise. Why it isn't six months
since You had your wedding outfit is it -
That just mans reasoning said J.,
impaten,ly. "As if hadn't worn every
one of my dresses at least half dozen
times. | would sooner stay at home than
go as dowdy.''
A panied look came over Ernest's pale,
intellectual face.
How much money do you WANT" he
asked.
:" could make hundred and fifty dol
lars do, | suppose. said | slowly.
He drew his cheque- book out of one of
the compartments of his desk, and filled
out the narrow slip of paper.
"There.' said he, g don't ask you to be
as economical as possible, for l ain sure
you will be that in any event. We are not
rich people you know, Minnie
81 know, / know. | retorted, hurrying
away, and not over pleased with my hus
bands last words.
1t was scarcely three days after this con-
versation that Earnest found me weeping
in my room.
"Mnnie! crying9" he exclaimed in
genuine surprise. "Why thought you
were perfectly happy at the prospect of
a month in Atlantic City"
II can't help it," sobbed l. 81 know
it's very ridiculous, but it S only because of
Alice Montpeliers diamond cross My
| little gold one looks so cheap and common
by the side of hers
"But, Minnie, poor authors wife can
/ hardly expect to wear diamonds
Yes, know" faltered l.; land that is
exactly what I'm crying about
! He looked at me with grave, troubled
expression in his face, and then left the
/ room.
Minnie said Ruth Elwell, my hus-
| bands cousin, who CHANGED to be sitting
with me, "you are very wrong. You have
panied Ernest deeply
| 90 I won't be lectured," retorted I, pet
tishy. elf you are so very considerable OF
! Ernest, it is pity you hadn't married him
yourself"'
/ Ruth recoiled as if something had stnng
her. THAT is neither logical nor gener.
ous Minnie" said she: and rising, she
went quietly away.
| The next day we started for Atlantic
City, but at the last moment, Ernest
changed his mind, and concluded to remain
at home.
81 have some work that ought to be
| Finished said he, land | dare say you
will enjoy it just as we'll in the company
of the Thayers and Miss Montpelier
! pouted little.
"Of course you can do as you please, y
said l.; but after all my preparations, l
shall most certainly go on"
! He bent his face to me.
"Do not let us part in unkindness, dear
little WIFE" he whispered.
But resolutely turned my head away
"Good-by.' said lightly, and We sepa
rated. Atlantic City was very gay that
season, aud for the first few weeks all was
a wirl of happy excitement, entirely con-
genial to my giddy brain.
"Oh.' said Mrs. Alcott, regarding me
through her double Darrell eye glass; "ths
is the wife Of the handsome young author,
isn't it? -
EYES," | said with a flush of wifey
pride. "Mr. Ernest Everett"
1" He's in town, isn't he?' said Mrs
Alcett, malcously.
"He still remains in Philadelphia, ]
answered, inditfereutly
$50 does his cousin, Miss Elwell, don't
woman.
Really" l answered. striving to speal
as light as possible, :" I'm not aware o
Miss Elwell's movements this Summer"
"Oho" said Mrs. Alcott--indeed p
Well, young lady, don't wish to be 3
prophet of evil, but its a dangers thing tc
leave these young husbands too much t,
the mercy of their old sweet hearts. Ha
ha. ha.
| pretended to take no notice of he
malicious insinuatons, but they sank, int
my heart, nevertheless, like poisoned
arrows.
Atlantic City had lost all brilliant attrac
tions for me. There was a mask ball tit
next evening, but l countermanded IT,
order for my dress, and astonished Alc
Montpelier by declining to take part in
picnic to Ceder Grove.
Why, Minnie! what ails you?" dc
manded Alice.
"Nothing,' | made answer, pettishly-
except that am home sick, and want t
return to Philadelphia.''
/ "Oh'', said Alice, with meaning laugl
"these husbands are terrible magnets
I'm glad I'm not married.
| flung my things in my trunk wit
reckless haste, determined to return HON
at once and accuse Ernest, face to face, {
his wickedness.
So if Ernest was .faithless-my love
my demi-go in whom could believe?
1t was nine o'clock at night when at las
| stood on the steps of my own door. Th
servant stared at me in bewldered way.
"Master wasn't a-expectin of 20,
ma m she said "and-"
81 know. Let me passn' l uttere
It hoarsely, and the next minute | stood i
Ernest's study.
| don't know whether or not | had e.
pected to see Ruth Elwell sitting besio
> him, but it was certainly relief beyon
expression to discover that he was alone.
Alone, bending over his desk, intent