Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-10-16

was TOO pleasant drifting on among the lilies to
work hard; and he found never falling inter-
own looking 50 pretty Under her oP broad hat
with its bunch OF wild flowers Harry behaved
beautifully. He sgged to be landed on small
island to fish; and the others were most oblig
1ngly ready to humor him. So they fioated
softly on, Ia dreamy world of youth and love
and hope; and all seemed inexpressibly sweet
to Cecil-too happy almost TO b, true. OF
course they gathered forget-me-nots Years
after Cecil could hardly look at the little PACKET
laoeled June 10th, Edgar" without tears s
the long, still, happy summer day wore on 10
perfect evening; and when Edgar went hom,
tnat night, he was quite satisfied that all other
loves had been shams and delusions and tn It
Cecil Was the only girl In the world worth liv-
ing Tor.
CHAPTER II.
After the first glamour of those early days,
prosaic arrangements began to be discussed
| Mi. TTesillian urged most strongly thai the
marriage should take plac, as soon as possible.
Mrs. Maynard was by no means In as great a
hurry, nor was either Cecil or Edgar In haste to
bring the betrothal to CT )se directly. But the
fathers persislency had Its way. and &c Was
september. The lovers were very happy,
though Cecil sometimes thought Olive Denzii
had grown little strange since that memorable
evening at Mrs. Appleton's. To tell the truth,
owe had determined TO try her power over
him, his choice Of Cecil having piqued her ex-
ceedngly. She did not deliberately intead 10
| win him away; indeed, she never thought much
about what might follow her action. she just
did what pleased her, and took her chance.
| lut SedSOu NdS drawing 10 CLOSE, June was
nearly over, but the Denzlis had party. which
| was to be sort OF finish to the galeties they
had peen having without cessation for TWO
| had insisted on getting up some theatri ,as.
| She OF course had The effective part; and Edgar
was TO do the handsome lover to her French
| Countess OF the Revolution period. She looked
| very charming In the part and acte1 wonder
fully Well-too well. Cecil thought, considering
the circumstances OF the case. Edgar, at the
| perpetual rehearSals, which he thought great
| fin. had been rather stiff as lover; bat on the
| evening In question he got warmed up by the
audience, infected as he was oy Olives splendid
| acting, aid Intoxicated By her fascination. He
meant no harm; but to Cecil the situation was
| certainly trying.
When it was all over Edgar came to her for
applause. She only said a few words very
| quietly out she 1nV0lnntarily shrauk colilY
| IRON him as he placed his arm on the sofa
behind her, almost touching her Shoulder
| owe sent message TO her, begging her to
come 10 Inc room 10 help In getting her hair
| right again. She went. up at once olive was
standing before the glass with a flushed face
that enhanced her already dangerous beauty.
| wei. she cried gaily, how Solemn you look.
Ce C.i DID you ike the plece?"
Cecil answered with some hesitation: 81
lhougnt you acted beautifully: but IN not sure
l liked the play ITSELF"
AND Edgar-Mr Tresilllan-didn't he do il
| splenaidly?" said Olive, with sort OF triun-
Cecil was of too open nature; she could not
| Help speaking coi6ly and with little haugaCl-
ness, though she tried hard. Yes" sac
| answered; "and your dresses We're greit
success"
49,, You jealous little thing!' cried Olive, laugh
LEY i plncnl I her cheek, ''you are going to
| mon0poiize Edgar altogether, and you grujye
NE even his sham courtship."
ae lou are quite wrong, olive returned Cecil,
was little bit too rree l thought, But indeed
am not Jealous OF Edgar. l only can't ha,o
wonder Ing always that he chose me, and nos
clever at whatever you try Bat sjnce ha doa.
prefer me. should be fool to be jealous
owe eva was lrrltated by these words. She saw
that Cecil meant what she said; and in her
present excited unnatural mood she gr,Idgei
her her security In Edgar's love oIG was
happy olunder OF yours, Cecil" she said, al
~ GU found out splendid way OF securing
your OWE success-by chance"
~ hat DO you mean?" demanded Cecil,
"oh, never mind! Nothing. What an idiot
Olive! ! will know. What bundsr did 7
neSs?' ff-
We'll If you VIII haveit," said Olive. i'm
r aI IL can make 10 difference to
you noW-do you remember the letter you
MIo.e me tne cay, or two days before he pro.
o G9e TUNED deadly pae she just formed the
# Nov CecIl don't look Ike that What does
so Geel seized her wrist "Tell me-" she cried
see it?n oman Oio Ut
owe reluctantly nodded.
o,. mDld you show it to him?" demanded Cecil
NO no! 0 Cecil what a wretch am to tell
you You sent the two notes wrongly directed
res nad Veiy little heart but she did
ieel genuine sorrow and remorse when she saw
now dtep the stab had gone. The poor girls
ACE was p1teous as she sat down beside The
caDle IN Tie silence Of despair.
Dear, dear Cecy, do forgive raa'- cried O,iva
1inglng herself beside her agitated companion.
Cecil quietly put her hand away as it caught
n -
a voice more calm, but which seemed tn have
lost ITS former youthful tone. II viii follow
eiif na ;,.i am al right. only want to be
owe obeyed her, feeling thoroughly ashamed
OF herself for almost tie first time In her life.
Yer, very soon Cecil Ieappeared She Looked
thing. Ao''00u any
,,,' my darling" said Edgar, you do not look
Ike yourself tonight! Have vexe1 you?1
Please, do not worry me nov, EiSar.n She
SAID sharply. II can never talk with a heal.
ache she turned away from him; and very
Edgar saw them to the carriage as usual: hi
Cecll did not speak except to murmur a cod
R 2Gaplg IN 1ya as ID, he pressed her band
was put into his hands IL contained the preiry
dlau,ond ring ana other presents he had given
Secl, and a little noe which ran thus: Il re.
mint 1Ou Will not wonder, [ think, at nv
breaking Oil our engagement when | tell you
Aiio" NOW tIlat you OILY sacrificed Yourself to
Iae CUT OF pity. 1t was good OF you: aud Won
nave been very coed 10 me since: but If Won
know 1ne at all Et.ar, you must know never
VIII pear 10 be the wife OF one who has no real
love for me. DO not think have taken this
sep IRON pllue Or any passing feeling OF the
SORT. an quite quite sure am doing right in
c. NJ" III 49,
Al first, Edgar was utterly at a loss to under
sltnu tae motive which had actuated this sfen
on tecno part; and then ii flashed upOn him
in2' owe had betrayed the secret he had fair
ne would nave guarded from Cecil with his Ifa
ne Co'lid nave shed tears when he realized what
tecns shame would Of. He resolved he should
see her. Az '1o"i"
When he got TO Gloster Terrace and was
ShoMn IN as usual; he was kept waiting some
u ,a; anu at last Mrs. Maynard came TO him.
looking very grave He started forward as the
door opened, and then stood disappotnte1
MIS-. Maynard-where Is Cectl?"
She Is upstairs, Edgar, but she will not see
you she begged you hot to urge it. Indeed il
would De useless. Cecil Is very determined as
you Know, when she takes notion In her head );
But dear Mrs. Maynard, what can do?"
pleaded Edgar. wa
MY dear boy you can do nothing but wait.
IL she sees you keep really faithful to her she
may cone back to you. But l believe worry
ing her now would only drive her further away,
You know what Cecil i5-how proud and senSi-
tive"
Edgar pleaded to see her; Mrs. Maynard shook