The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1882-05-26
miscellaneous.



have alone here. snid little Mrs. Gray, drop
ping the curtain IN the cosy sitting room and
turning to her husband But | would like
to go to the opera she added her dimmrd
face lcDgthcning little. You have promis-
ed, you know, Fred, but suppose you are
tired
Yes yawncd her drowsy spouse from
his post on the sofa, where, with heels erect
after the fashion of the masculine world in
general, intent on physical and mental COM
fort he lay smoking.
But never mind" finished Rosa, consol-
ingly, we can 60 another time, and will
read 10 YOU" And she drew near the shaded
light on the centre table and picked up
book "IIark there goes the door bell" and
she rose to her feet
stay will answer it, said Fred sudden
ly forgetting his WEAKNESS, and springing up
he went into the hall.
Rosa he said, presently appearing at the
door, tits Davis; promised 10 go with him
to B---strcet To see sick friend of his. -
You won't be lonely, pet, with so muc', to
entertain you, and with Il kiss he was gone
with her don't stay too long ringing after
him.
Rosa sat listening till the sounds of their
footsteps died away
Now, | shall have to spend the evening
all alone Oh, dear" she said, disconsolatc-
ly.
At that moment she spied bit of paper
lying on the carpet and STOPPING, picked it
up. 1t ran rs follows:
Opera at $50. Will call Davis"
"Ahw said Rosa, her brows contracting
as she spoke. That's il! That detestable
Davis--and Fred, too" she finished, the tears
springing quickly to her eyes. "Why didn't
he say So il he didn't want me go Oh if |
could only go tonight" And with little
sigh she sat down by the table and looked
into the fire.
In n few minutes the door bell rang again.
"Gentlcman to see you, num-" announced
Katie, in rich, Irish broguc
SHOW him in," was her reply. II wonder
who it is? Why, George, when did You
Gomez was her delighted exclamation, an
instant later
Further ordinations were lost in the
kisses showered upon her from the lips of the
tall, bearded young man.
MY darling little sister! So you are glad
to see the wandercr?"
Indeed, Pm delighted" warmly respond
ed Rosa "How handsome you've grown,
George"
"Flatterer," smiled her brother. but
where is Fred l am anxious to make the ac-
quaintancc of that happy brother whom |
have never seen. How much / wanted to
come to your wedding, dear, you cannot
know. was in Brazil when your message
reached me. But what's the NATTER" he
asked, az he paused, and quickly glanced at
Rosas grieved face. There, tell me all
about it" he said, seeing the tears in her
eyes.
Rosa poured the tale into his sympathzng
ears, and ended with
"Oh, George five could only 90 ~
And We will. How soon can you be rca-
dyy ~ he asked rising and looking ut his
watch.
I'm fifteen minutes" and Rosa ran blithcly
away to dress.
There wasa slight stir in the house as cou-
pie entered; very late they were, and all eyes
were centered upon them-thc lady, slender
and graceful, with great azure pillows of silk
falling about her in shmmering folds, pearls
braided low in her brown hair, and a snowy
opera cloak drawn carelessly about her
shouldcrs-the gentleman stately, noncllal-
ant, wearing the air of polish attained by
foreign travel, and devoted to his companion,
whom he seated with careful tenderness.
Gray" said Davis, giving his companion
a nudge, who is that last party that is
making such a sensation
Gray turned carclessly and looked the look
opened to stare, and he gazed blankly at
the lady who fiuttered at her spangled white
fan with the taintest suggestion ola smile, as
she turned to her companion with a remark,
while he bent his handsome head low to hear.
Fred turned scarlet, then pale, and clutch
ed Davis tiercely by the arm.
why" he gasped, "its Rosa And who
has she with herr"
II don't know" returned Davis, Indifferent
~ "Some friend, probably. Sit down
Gray don't make fool OF yourselfp'
al will not sit down." retorted Fred rasc,
bly,. Friend My wife here with another
man ~ And with an imprecation, he strobe
from the house. "I'll go home,' he mutter-
ed angry, land sec what it all means. Serves
me right for leaving her. How lovely
she was didn't know she was half so beau.
tiful But my proud darling at the opera with
another | cannot understand it y
A few minutes rapid walking brought him
to his home.
kate" he inquired, summoning that wor,
thy, where is your misressg
"Surc, she went out" volubly explained
the girl, "with a foine gentleman that came
soon after yez left, and was that glad to see
her, thought he'd never stop kissin' her"
THAT will do you can CO. sternIy COM
manded Mr.. Gray, and he slowly made his
way into the little room he had left an hour
before with different feelings.
The light was burning brightly, the papers
scattered about, the open book, even the lace
trimmed handkerchief, that in her haste she
had dropped on the floor, all spoke eloquent
ly of the dear little wife, and Fred groaned
as he picked up with nervous fingers, a card
from the table on which was written, gone
with handsome man." and on the other
side, George Curtis"
Fred laid it down as quickly as though the
innocent pasteboard scorched his fingers, not
noticing in his haste that the name was the
maiden name of Rosa and falling upon the sofa