The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-04-01

Little girl, = he said, Il love no wom-
an better-you believe me, don't youp
/ am not very good man. have lived
an idle life, and had many rowing fam
eies; but no woman commands of me
such honest liking and respect as does
the daughter of the m;sn who was my
dear friend. / do not expect you to love
me, just at first; but aHtha money aud
earnest desire can do, shall be done to
make your life a happy one; and, little
girl, you can make my home bright and
pleasant. We win drop this wandering
life and settle down comfortably at
home. Come dear, am as lonely as
you are-shal we not join our for
tunes?''
And Cecil allowed him to take her in
his arms and kiss her, saying in her
heart all the time:
HE does not love me! He shall not
know how dearly love him!''
To England they went, after being
quietly married in an old stone chapel
in the queer little German town. and
began housekeeping in a luxurious FASH
ion in fashionable quarter of London.
For year they went into society not
at all, and received very little company.
During that time new writer had en-
tered the literary world, whose nom de
plane was Feuilleton. Charming
sketches of the old world and daintily
sweet bits of verse-which not infre-
Quently were set to music-appeared
under this name.
Again and again did Mortimer praise
these articles to his wife.
1.-The author must be a woman" he
said, s'rich in experiences woman who
has seen the. world, loved passionately,
and suffered, yet who has been true to
all the nobler instincts of her woman
hood. ! would be proud to count that
woman among my friends"
And quiet Cecil, swaying to and fro
in her low chair, in her plain home at
tire, with bit of needlework in her
hand, would smile little wistfully, and
say nothing.
When they began to go out more, in
vitations poured in upon them, and at
last came one from Lady Barminster,
leader in society, who had the reputa-
ton of gathering under her roof the
most brilliant authors, musicians, and
men of science.
eve must attend this party, my dear"
said Mortimer. Lady Barminster is an
old friend of mine. l met her in the
street this morning, and she told me that
the publisher, who has printed so many
of Feuilleton's exquisite articles, has
promised to induce the authoress to &C
cept an invitation"
Cecil, with demurely downcast lids,
signified her pleasure.
Il wish you could play and sing, Ce-
Gil; they'll be sure to ask you"
Il used while at school," said Cecil, a
faint color fiuttering into her brown
cheeks. And then, half sorrowfully;
s'Fl do the best can, Aubrey. hope
you won't be ashamed of me-"
Helaughed rather uneasily.
s'What sensitive little thing it isH'
And his lips touched her brown head
lightly as he passed her on his way to
the door, where ne heSitated for a mo-
ment, and then returned.
Cecil" he said, hesitatingly, ''what
shall YOU wear? 1t must be something
exquisite, for Lady Barminster gives
magnificent parties. | wish you would
allow me to select something for YOU"
Then, for the first time in their ac-
quaintance. Cecil showed her temper.a as
she faced him, bright-eyed and crimson
checked.
NOW, Aubrey, you may just so
straight about your business, which ism
the choosing of my toilet. | will en-
dcavor to spend as much of your money
as l can upon it, in order to do you
credit"
And then, as Mr. Mortimer puckered
ND his mouth for whistle, she broke
into a ringing, musical laugh, and hur-
ried him out of the room.
On the evening of the party, she came
down to the drawiug-room, where ker
husband was awaiting her.
fIa innEa # kay. in fIIlY:7 IN anna 2pDanYt
lie had never before seen her in full
evening dress, and it burst upon him all
of u sudden tll;u his brown little wife
was a beauty.
She wore, for TIE first time, the dia-
monds which he had given her.
They cleaned among the masses of
her braided hair, about her curying
throat, and round bare arms; they
Topped the overdress of exquisite white
lace, through which the heavy white
silk shone duly, and they glittered from
the lace rosettes of her dainty kid slip
pers.
Her cheeks and lips were glowing
with excitement, and her great eyes were
like stars.
"Cecil, you witch! What have you
been doing?'' he cried, as he led her out
to the carriage.
She laughed rather mockingly.
Il We been spending my lords mon
ey," she retoI1ed.
A murmur Of admiration greeted them
Rs they entered Lady Barminster's So
lon; and it was not long before Morti-
mer realized that he was having very
little of his wife's company. He began
to wonder vaguely if Cecil had nota
vein of coquettishness in her nature, for
she talked, and laughed, and danced
with one and another, and all seemed
alike charmed with her.
They had one waltz together, which
surprised Mortimer more than anything
else, for never partner of his had danced
with such grace and Hghtness as did his
wife.
Later in the evening someone led her
to the piano. Mortimer's heart gave
great throb of apprehension.
Foolish childr' he thought; s.she
ought to know better than to sing be-
fore these people-she will surely" and
he turned away TO hide his modification.
Little knew he of the long hours spent
by Cecil in patient practice at home! A
few tremulous notes fell upon his ears,
and then, as he caught his breath with
dread, the sweet voice increased in pas
sion and volume, and filed the room
with enhancing melody.
Mortimer stood like one in dream,
while his wife sang song after song at
the request of the eager throng at the
piano.
He aroused himself with start when,
leaning upon the arm of one of the lead
ing journalists of the day, she once more