The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1883-12-22

justice IN his presence. lie answered
my request at once. | suppose he did
SO out of respect and kindness but the
consequence was, he found me in an
unbecoming dishabile, and with my
face and eyes red and swollen with
weeping.
Il felt mortified at Il prompt attention
SO malapropos, and my manner, in
stead of being winning and conciliat-
ing, was cold, unprepossessing. I did
not rise from the sofa on which | had
been sobbing, and he made no attempt
to sit down beside me or to comfort me.
Il pointed to the paragraph and
asked if it was true"
'"Yes, Lady Talbot he said, a
little sadly and proudly, Il shall relieve
you of my presence in few days. |
intended Writewell to call on YOU to-
day with a draft Of the provisions l
have made for your comfort.
"And | could not say a word in re-
ply. just lay sobbing like 4 child
among the cushions. Then he lifted
my hand and kissed it and I knew he
was gone"
For some days after his return Lord
Talbot kept strictly at the distance he
himself had arranged four years before.
1t was evident that if he approached
any nearer his beautiful but long ne
elected wife, he must humble himself
to do so. Why should he not In
Lord Talbot'S mind the reasons against
it had dwindled down to one but this
was a formidable one. twas his valet
This man had known his masters mat
rimonial troubles, and in his own way
sympathized with them. He was bit
terlv averse to Lord Talbot making any
concessions to my lady. One night,
however, he received a profound shock.
"Simmons." said Lord Talbot, very
decidedly, go and ask Lady Talbot if
she will do me the honor to receive
visit from me-"
My lady would be delighted. She
was in an exquisite costume and con-
descended to exhibit for his pleasure
all her most bewildering moods. 1t was
with great reluctance he left her after a
two-hours' visit. The next night he
stayed still longer. My lady had no
other engagement, and he quite forgot
the one he had made to be present at
the Marquis of Stairs wine party.
The following week my lady received
every morning a basket of wonderful
flowers and a little note with them con-
tanning a hope that she was in good
health.
One morning she was compelled to
say that she was not very well and Lord
Talbot was SO concerned that he sent
Simmons to ask if he might be permit
ted to eat breakfast with her My lady
was graciously willing, and Lord Richard
was quite excited by the permission.
He changed his morning gown and
cravat several times, quite regardless of
Simmons peculiar face, and with many
misgivings as to his appearance, sat
down opposite the lady in pale blue
satin and cashmere and white lace.
1t was a charming breakfast, and dur
ing it the infatuated husband could not
help saying great many sweet and flat
tering things. Kate parted them very
prettilv. 1T is we'll" she said. ''that
no one hears us. If we were not mar
ried they would think We were making
love"
and if we are married, Kate, why
not make love, dearo We had no OPP
portunitv before we were married."
"Ah Richard, in fashionable life we
should make ourselves ridiculous. Every
one now says our behavior is irreproach-
able. l should have dearly liked it
when only shy, awkward country girl !;
but now, my lord, we should be laughed
at"
"Then, Kate, let us be laughed at.
l for one am longing for it-dying for
it. If time shall run back and fetch
the age of gold, why not loveo Let
us go back four whole years and
half. Will you, kate-dearest, sweet
est kate?''
eve should have to run away to the
country, Richard, and now | think of
it | have not been to Esher since We
were-married-love"
When such a conversation as this
was prolonged for five hours, it was lit
tie wonder that my lords valet and my
lady's maid received orders to pack
valises and trunks, or that next day
Esher Hall was in happy tumult of
preparation.
Love comes better late than never
and Lady Kate always told herself that
she never could have been SO happy in
those sweet old gardens with her lover
as she was with her husband. Proba-
bly, they were both as perfectly satisfied
as it is possible for human love to be !;
for, greatly to the amazement of the
fashionable world, they not only spent
the whole summer alone in their coun-
try home, but actually, when they came
back to London, had the courage to
appear in the very height OF the sea-
son, in the same box at the opera.
Really, Kate" says Miss Selma, Il
never was SO astonished. The gentle
man on the left"
as always at my side now, dear. He
will never be in the opposition again. ~
| Chow delightful ~