The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1883-06-23

sideration," answered Mr.. Bilbury,
gravely.
but, let me ask you, do you yourself
indulge in these virtues? All. men are
very inconsistent, | fear. However,
hope that you do not believe that woman
are bad as rule"
"Well, | know to my cost that some
are bad. Yes, some even betray their
husbands
"And in such cases I'm afraid that the
husbands are also to blame"
Il don't think SO, said Tom, CURLY.
"But you are worrying yourself, | S e,
although you try to affect indifference.
What is it -
Worrying myself? Not bit"' cried
Mr.. Bilbury.
81 am glad TO hear you say So re-
turned his wife. 81 don't worry myself.
Cozy suppers and"
"But the probable death Of your hus-
baLd.' interjeculated Mr.. Bilbury.
"Oh, | am philosophical. We only
lived together for two days. we only
knew each other for a few weeks. What
am | to him? What is lie to me? Life
is still before me.
THAT is rather plain speaking
thought Tom. g | wonder whether she
would like to get up Irritation with me.
| will draw her on little
"Ahr' he said aloud, " on have hap
piness within your grasp and you can
make another happy. 1t is not every
man who is so fortunate as to meet with
a woman like you. Now, | confess that
have been unfortunate in experience.
But if thought that l might hope fol
your sympathy
"Surely, Mr.. Tilbury, it would be I'M
womanly of me to refuse it,
Tom drew his chair nearer to that Of
lis wife, and continued: "Oh, if might
hope for your sympathy, and look fol
your regard and pity, my dear Mrs. Bill
bury, life, | assure you would soon as.
''"'iS a. Nv" Sohi piS>ioH W my CyCSs I-S'
us be plain. Can you not make me hap
Ivy, and bestow your sympathy, your love
and your pity upon one who will value
such gifts at their true worth >"
Mrs. Bilbury, evidently agitated, rose
Really she exclaimed, Il was not
prepared for all this. feel the need o.
love, love such as yours; but" AnC
she buried her face in her hands.
This" thought Mr. Bilbury to him
self, is my faithful and devoted wife,
yet he was unable to refrain from seating
himself beside Lydia and putting his arm
around her waist. Dear Mrs. Bilbury, >
ile said, - love you. Do you, can you
love me >"
She gave scarcely perceptible gesture
al assent, and Tom, now thoroughly con
WINGED of his wife's untrustworthiness
sprang up and confronted her.
Mrs. Biibury, he said, what would
your husband say to this? You hav,
disgraced him.
She looked up and held out her hand.
imploringly.
GU are vicious woman he con
tmued, unrelentingly-
Then why, just now, did you ask fol
my love?" she demanded
Because | wanted to assure mysel
that you were as vicious aad worthless a.
now know you to be. AS for loving
you'll despise you. All. if you were only
good woman And he approached hel
and took her by the hand. For an in
slant he stood thus; then he raised the
hand and kissed it, and finally lac aSsseG
his wife on the cheek.
* Are you going. Mr.. Tilbury? si<
asked.
Yes: had better go; it is for the best
We could not be happy. Good-byer'
lie kissed her again, and then moved
away to the door, where he stood, pain.
fully regarding her.
Good bye she echoed. But, =
she continued, in another voice, " Tom
Tom repeated Mr.. Bilbury. saasting
and coloring. "Who told you my H&a,i
was Tom ."
You did you foolish fellow, about two
years ago
And you know me, Lydia % lie cried
as he quickly returned to her. " You
have known me all alonga'
No, l did not know you until you
told Inc that tremendous story about the
tiger. There was no installing you them
BY this time Mr.. and Mrs Thomas
Bilbury were embracing each other SC
aflectonately that the conversation was
rendered very fragmentary AMI disjolnt,
ed. 1t is, therefore, almost impossible
to chronicle what they said; but it Ii
certain that they forgave each other, and
it is matter of notoriety that there has
since been no happier couple on Rich,
mond Hill.