The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1881-06-14
A sCOUu DREL..

| "Lef HIM Who mooto with pearl IA the OcoAl
Of IiSe take hsed hsv hscasss i, sway."-lOnen
tai Proverb.
"A daughter Of the gods. divinely
tall. and most divinely fair !" quotsd
my friend, Jack Norris, - l stood
beside him, . little apart from and oul
Of the crush at Nm. Ellerbyis bridaI
reception-and turned. quite eager
II ", at his words. for Jack was moi
much given to enthusiasm about
feminine beauty. and was curious d
So the goddess who had called such q
panegyric forth.
She was certainly handsome enough,
and-in some charming, Undesirable
way-attrsctivs enough to justify his
admiration. Tall. slender. graceful ;
and inexpensivsly aitired in black. 70
which her exquisite rose-and-lily skiu
aud her profusion of bright golden
hair gave an admirable relief and
brightness, she Vas the cynosure of all
eyes q she passed quietly and grace
fully up the long room and seated her
self At the piano. Mrs. Ellerby came
forward and spoke to her, but l
noticed that she introduced her to no
one. and presently, after . few pro-
liminary notes upon the instrument.
her voice arose-upon the lull Of coo-
vsrsation which her entrance had
caused-sweet and clear Is the song
of a bird.
"Who is she?" was the universal
question. Mrs. Ellerby was inclined
to be somewhat reserved about the
matter. An old friend and school
mate of her own, whom reverses of
fortune occasioned by her fathers
failure and death-had left dependent
upon her musical talents for support.
"And not herself alone, but her
mother has to be provided for, sighed
Mrs. Ellerby. poor Rose"
"She ought to have more than q
support, with her beauty aud such q
voice" said Jack Norris. earnestly.
pray has she thought of going on
the stage?"
He moved away with Mrs. Ellerby,
60 that did not hear her answer. and
as looked after him l INDUCED in
q knowing smile. I was foolishy Dung
fellow in those days Qong years ago).
and looked up to Jack. who was
several years my senior, as model to
be copied ana hero to be sworn by.
chiefly because, while an acknowledged
favorite of the sex, he had hitherto
been found proof against all their
wiles and charms, ''charm they ever
30 wisely" but I smiled to myself
tonight as be passed out of my sight.
and marked his esrnes. tone and
look Of interest. HE Is caught at
Iast!" | said in my heart, very
knowingly.
/ said it with more reason some
two months later. when l met him in
the company of Miss Rose Lestrange
walking along Broadway. He was
too much engaged with his companion
to be aware Of me. and this time 1
sdded to my former sage observation ::
"He is certainly done FORT
/ ventured to speak to him about
the matter when next We met. An
older man than myself might have
hesitated before he intruded upon
Jacks private affairs but knew
that he would take more from me and
conlide more in me than he would in
older and wiser people.
"You are certainly in love IN earnest
at last. Jack. said to him, and told
him how had met him the other day,
myself unseen.
He looked startled at first, and
then smiled-a curious. uneasy, doubt
full emile, l thought.
"In love in earnest" he repeated,
musiDgly. "Yes, l suppose 1 an,
Bert. If there Is such a thing as
meeting ones tate, I've met mine in
Rose Lestrange. I've said to myself,
L certainly must love her, or Why
should I even wish that our marriage
could be possible? En-"
/ stared At him. "Isn't it possible :"
said.
"Why, how can it bel" be answer
ed. with some irritation. "a poor
devil of . literary hack. like myeelf,
can't take upon himself the RESPONSE
bil;ties of marriage. I shouldn't like |
ny wife to be on the stage. to begin |
With, and yet what right have to
lsk her to sacrifice what NAV and will
be q brilliant career for such q hum
1rum existeDos as my wife's must be
Heavens! what sacrificed"
'sBut women look At things 90 diff
srently," ventured to suggest. 81
lon't suppose she would think any.
hing q sacrifice that secured her
lnion to you-tbat is, of course, If
he loves you."
He moved in his seat restlessly,
vith half inarticulate and impatient
vord, "Ah, yes; she loves mel" be
aid. With Q sigh that was almost q
roam, poor child, she loves mel"
l watched him curiously as he ran
lis fingers over his broad white fore
'ead. as if be tried to brush away q
Dad of care. |,
"She thinks she can teach music,
nd help me along" he said, sadly !
I'd fretfully. I'VE know what that .
mounts to. 10 practice, when q family /,
ONES along! And there's her mother
, be cared for-oh. it would never ,
o! think l certainly love the girl !
If l don't there's no love in nv i
ature-but q fellow like me cant /;
rush ambition out. cant hide his candle
nder bushel for loves sake, sup =
nse"-slowly and with . certain /
,ame-'I suppose it will be nv 9
Dom to marry. not for preference at 4
I. but just because the girl has q
oney." 4
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