The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1882-06-09

Dohng that time ) NV writer had en-
bssod he literary void whoss Hoss d.
plume was Ecuillcton. Charming
sketches of the Old world and daintily-
sweet bits Of vcrse-which not intro
qucntly were set to music-sppeared
Again and again did MORTIMER praise
these srticlss TO his wife, Az
The author must be o woman" he
said, ''rich In experiences woman who
has seen the world, loved psssionstsly.
and suffered. yet who has been true TO
all the nobler instincts eof her woman
hood wsSld BE proud = count that
woman among my frienda."stW
And quiet Cecil. swsying to and fro
q, her low chair. In her plain home 1t.
tiFe, With bit Of neod1evosk q her
hand. would smile . little wistfully. and
AZ nothing, -
Fhen t6sy began . ro out more, in
vitations poured In upon them, and at
last came one from Lady Barminster, Q
lesder In society. who had the reputa-
ton Of gathering under her roof the
most brilliant authors, musicians, and
men q scisnce-un
W must attsnd this party. my DEAR"
said Mortimer. Lady Barminster IL an
old friend OF mine. Imet her in tho
street this morning. and she told me that
the publisher, who has printed 20 many
Of Feuilleton's exquisite articles, has
promised to induce the authorizes to ac-
cept an invitation."' 81 81
Cecil. with demurely downcast lids,
signified her pleasure.
II wish you could play and sing, Ce-
Gil; they'll be sure to ask YOU"
81 used while at school" said Cecil, q
faint color fiuttering into her brown
cheeks. And then, half sorrowfully;
'.Tn do the best 1 can, Aubrey. Ihope
you won't be ashamed of me-"
Helaughed rather uneasily.
What a sensitive little thing It isr'
And his lips touched her brown head
lightly as he passed her or his way to
the door, where he hesitated for a mo-
ment, and then returned.
Cecil" he said, hesitatingly, ''what
shall you wearP 1t must be something
exquisite, for Lady Barminster gives
magnificent parties. l wish you would
allow me to select something for you"
Then, for the first time in their ac-
quaintance, Cecil showed her temper. as
she faced him, bright-eyed and crimson
checked.
''Now, Aubrey, you may just 60
straight about your business, which isn't
the choosing of my toilet. L will en-
deavor to spend as much of your money
as l q upon it, in order to do you
creditl'8 gR ~ NkaR AE
Aud then, as Mr.. Mortimer puckered
up his mouth for a whistle, she broke
into a ringing, musical laugh, and hur-
ried him out of the oom
On the evening of the party, she came
down to the drawing-room, where her
husband was awaiting her. rils.gr
He looked at her ndumb amazement.
He had never before seen her in full
evening dress, and it burst upon him all
of a sudden that his brown little wife
was a beauty.
She wore, for the first time, the dia-
monds which he had given her.
They cleaned among the masses of
her braided hair, about her curving
throat, and round bare arms; they
Topped the oyerdress of exquisite white
lace, through which the heavy white
Gin ShOilC uulJ anu Iucy SlltlClCu run
the lace rosettes of her dainty kid slip
pers. az
Her cheeks and lips were glowing
with excitement, and her great eyes were
like stars.
"Cecil, you witch! What have you
been doingp' he cried, as he led her out
to the carriage.
She laughed rather mockingly.
'I'ye been spending my lords mon
ey," she retorted. +AtasEt
A murmur of admiration greetedthem
as they entered Lady Barminster's Sa-
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 not q
vein of coquettishness in her nature, for
she talked, and laughed, and danced
with n and another, and all seemed
alike charmed with her.
They had one waltz together, which
surprised Mortimer more than anything
for never %partnerof his had danced
with such grace and lightness as did his
wife.
Later in the evening someone led her
to the piano. Mortimer's heart gave a
great throb of apprehension.
"Foolish childr he thought; "she
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
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 o dream,
while his wife sang song after song at
the request of the eager throng at the
piano.
He aroused himself with a start when,
upon the arm of one of the lead
ing journalists of theday, she once more
approached him.
He bent toward her, laughing to COW
the depth of his feelings, and muir
II expect next to discover that you
are Fuilleton herself"
Cecil said something To the pent1eman