The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1879-06-21
FOR HER LOVES SAKE.
by ELLEN MAY.
From GG,ieY'S Lddg's Book.


tered than Mrs. Gordon Delmaine, the
widow of the great iron merchant, who
kindly left her something over half a
million dollars to console her for his loss.
He was sixty eight when he died and his
wife twenty-five, and yet it had been
happy four years they had spent to-
gether, and the petted wife made a truly
mourning widow. But she was young,
beautiful and accomplished, and after
three years of secusion it was not unnat-
ural or monstrous that she entered soci-
ETY. again with 4 full appreciation of all
its pleasures, and a brilliancy of beauty
only heightened by three years spent at
her country seat on the Hudson. in quiet
retirement, with only such amusement
as was afforded by riding, driving or
walking, outdoors, and her piano, library
and work basket i'll the house.
| was her companion, her salaried
friend, who gave propriety to her con-
tinuing to reside in her old home. was
past fifty years old, many years widowed,
without money or friends, but Lois Del
maine took me into her warm loving
heart, and my life was one OF unalloyed
happiness until her three years of widow
hood completed, Mrs. Delmaine returned
to society.
Then trembled for her happiness. l
knew from many confidential talks that
her affection for her husband had been
more like that of child for father,
than the perfect sympathy of taste and
feeling that makes the ideal married life,
seldom, alas, realized.
Yet she was the most loving woman I
ever knew, overlooking with affection for
all who came within the circle of her
friendship. She was the most thought
full mistress to all her servants, true
friend in any trouble. She was gcner-
Gus, tender friend in social circles. and
full of noble impulse to help in all works
of charity. l think the words perfectly
womanly, describe her best, for while I
am sure there were the elements of a
heroine in her, had they ever been called
forth; she was essentially feminine in all
her dainty habits, her gentle manners,
and the sweet, low voice habitual to her.
The first winter in New York was a
round of gayety, and my poor head was
fairly dazed with the constant succession
of pleasure parties. Popular in her own
circle, with large wealth at her sole COM
mand, Lois Delmaine was at once the
cynosure of all eyes, n belle by right of
her amiability and many accomplish
ments, as we'll as by her beauty, at once
brilliant and winning. Balls succeeded
parties concert followed opera, morning
receptions We're varied by high teas, till
/, for one, was glad when June came and
we all fitted back to our country home.
But there We're changes there, too.
Every long closed bed room had been put
in habitual order, the stable made ready
for those who brought their own horses,
new servants engaged, and ''open house.
the order of the day. No less than TWEEN
ty guests at time made the house and
lawn bright, and there was Il constant
change of visitors, one going and another
coming. 1t needed just such quick and
loving eyes as mine to find out that there
was one, more than another favorite
with the hostess; but | knew that DR..
Graham's step was the one that called
the color to her cheek, the smile to her
lips. while yet he was too far away to
know his coming was expected.
His mother was cousin of Gordon
Delmaine's, little old lady OF precise
manner and almost Quaker-ike simple
ity of dress. but one Lois delighted to
honor. She had visited us before this
gay Summer, and Lois was careful of her
comfort and tenderly loving in her man
ner, But ''IIerbert was but name to
us in those days. We knew that he had
attained some eminence i'll his profession.
and was travelling with an invalid uncle
in Europe. We saw extracts from his
letters, and were convinced that my
boy as his mother fondly called him.
was worthy of the devoted love she gave
him. In every line of his many letters
could be read the proof of cultivated
intellect and noble nature
But he never came to us until the Sum-
mer of which | am writing. Mrs. Ora
ham was visiting Lois when her son re-
upon his being invited to come directly
to us.
"You promised me three months,
Aunt Mary" she said to the old lady.
land | am not to be defrauded in this
way. There is a lovely room Just across
the hall from your own that is yawning
with vacancy, and that shall be Dir. Gra-
hams"
SO our new guest came, and Won atten-
ton from the first by his total want of
resemblance to the fashionable men who
had found time to accompany wives, sis
tiers OF mothers in their visits to Mrs.
Delmaine. They We're devoted to GRO
quet, to waltzing flirting. singing. and
small talk. DIR. Graham gave one the
impression of towering over them all.
He was a noble looking man. tall, well
proportional and dignitied, with strong
face, broad of brow and well featured.
With this commanding presence he was
one who was earnest of purpose, giving
his heart to his profession, and. while he
could dance, play croquet, or talk small,
he evidently considered social duties
merely as amusements, and set far away
from life's realities. You never imagined,
as was the case with many others. that
he was giving his whole soul to frivoli-
ties.
We are often deceived in our expecta-
lions of what will please or repel another
person, and | thought there could he
little attraction for my bright, winsome
Lois, in this grave, almost stern man.
But he had not been in the house week
before knew that he loved his hostess.
and that his love was returned, although
Lois fought every inch of the ground
against her own heart.
- will never marry again" she said
again and again to me in those Sun,iner
weeks. Il am accustomed to luxury
and have horror Of poverty. and when
marry | lose everything here. Mr.. Del
maine ~illed his entire property to his,
nephew If | marry. and | save nothing
from my income. No love can repay me
for the loss of my home, my wealth.
And she tried to think she believed
this. while | could see how the struggle.
between her love and her prudence wore
upon her.
There was no secret in Mr.. Delmaine's
will and all those who knew his widow,
very well knew what she forfeited by
by q second marriage; and vet Lois had
more than one offer that Summer She
was woman to love, pure and tender,
and no coquette; so while she made no
effort to conquer hearts, they yielded to
her beauty and grace, and she grieved to
turn them away.
Last of all. when September was half
gone, saw her enter the drawing room
one morning to meet DR.. Graham, by his
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