Daily Republican., 1883-12-22
A SMALL DECEPTION.

A SMALL DECEPTION.
81 cannot possibly take you sleighinf
this afternoon, sisley; l have o,hel
arrangements. viii not some Othei
day do quite as well?" Major Charles
Elmer said, rather uneasily.
Another such perfect day may no
soon come again. his girlish wife re-
turned, In an eager and cOaxing voice
al should enjoy nothing SO much AZ :
sleighing jaunt; and everybody Il
already On the avenue Can you no
defer what you have arranged ?"
She was q pretty creature, this Sisley
Elmer, with her amber hair, her eye
of luminous azure, her slender shap'
and her exquisite grace.
In pearls and pink brocade, sh
looked like some deliciously quaint OLE
picture, as she stood at the oriel win
dow beside a great, blossomtng oieander
and gazed wistfully at the silver.
splendor Of the world without.
1t was indeed a perfect day. The sky
was one speckless, dazzling dome, tn
earth ono gloaning ex anse OF fresi,
feathrry, white snow ; the air was de
|lightfulIy exE.larating, and every wher
resonant with the sounds Of Laughter
and bells, and gladstone voices
Everywhere the avenue was gay
with motley eqnipages, the brigh
pumes Of rosy women, tho gaud
trappings of prancing horses.
Sisley Elmer gaztd on the scene wit
glowing eyes.
"Can you not alter your arrang'
ments, Charley, dear, ust this once
please me ." she pleaded, winding Oh
soft arm about his neck, and prrssin
ono pretty cheek caressingly against h
bearded face.
81 cannot, really" no answered
with the slightest irritation and SOM
lwhat rrgrctfully, too. If you ha
mentioned tho matter earlier | coul
lhave gratitied you. But,' he added,
q 81 ngularIy he.i1ant manner, " b'
business is business, you know
"Rut can have the horses, can
not 2" she queried, with sudden chez
, fitness, 81 shall do very we'll alon
! and do 80 much wish 70 CO.
. The handsome major averted h
eyes, and his features flushed oddly.
"The horses are PROMISED he ia
tered, "for friend. | fear you mu
stay home this time, Sisey.'
Her fins eyes filled with tears
vexation.
81 might suppose that yon do n
care to oblige me, she said, reproa'
s fully. "Anh should be willing
r disappoint every body else in tho who
q world so nigh, crafty you, Una
= ley"
: >" You have not always felt like thi
;, Sisley," he returned, with II grave al
meaning smile.
"Your allueion is ungener0us,' &
retorted, in a mart and offended wa
n When | refused to tolerate the pre-
4 ence Of one who was near to you, OF o
= who was hostile to me, and u dlSGre'
l. to us both, did what was best. cot
- scarcely have acted differently. y
Well, dare say ougnt not alIn
I, % subject you would prefer taboo
II altogether and | have never precls'
blamed you, DEAR" he SAID, hurried
DESTROYS To ehn d "'eIe's ''n" u"i''"''
~ discussion. o .
I. In another moment ho wa" h'",' a
!. and Sisley was alone ny l'e VI
Il oricl. She gAzN o'Scoi''oal'ou'y a.
~ the handsome mai or az he walked RI
r. idly down tbs avenue, and when at |
II his tall ana elegant ''e'i" ,'n'' ''1;,h
the distance she turned away Win
restless sigh. \,
n She loved nm paS"'oli'1'' y, u T.
10 Proud, uhdeihoiis.r"t'su 'nn' w."
=. already lived out nan MS no "ho
r. welded The bride OF MS you'n "no. !, =
~ ley was yet uh oorl'' "no'' , UhJJ 81.
ye had become a commlnlcant "h'ie DIS
A.. was still in her cradle lhat oh'y Gu
rr "a wayward, reckless being n''u . :,
,r been her iinplacable enemy, ana
r.. brought only pam an" sna",o Ia
We ever pardoning father ana ms less
dulgent young wife, until sisl'y !
closed her doors and her hcart agar
A one who seemed a" lnt'los' ~ ''"''
n errlng beyond rru'L'pt'oh' ,o,r,v
She loved htr n''so" '.,''u1u ' shs r..
not even Tor MS sake "ou .. . S,,o 81 u
compassion or tolerance Tor tue CT
r who was her foe, and perhaps no 90
not deem her bIamable. ,o
III 81 havenever precisely blamed 20
he said, as he left her that winter !, !,
That gay seemed inlernInahly i
w to her. Her dainty hco"'e-M"'N wa
her, music "ouiu NV So1.' n,','
reading was an impossibliily. o'I''
f Itne sounds Of merlimen' lhcrea>"''