Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1883-04-18

little wife was 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 curry
ing throat, and round her bare arms /;
they Hoped the overdress of exquisite
white lace through which the heavy
white silk shone duly, and they glitter
ed from the lace rosettes of her dainty
kid slippers.
Her cheeks and lips glowing with
excitement, and her great eyes were
like stars.
Cecil, you witch What have you
been doing?" he cried, as he led her
out to the carriage.
She laughed rather mockingly.
"I've been spending my lords mon
ey," she retorted.
A murmur of admiration greeted
them us they entered Lady Barmin-
ter's salon; and it was not long be-
fore Mortimer realized that he was
having very little of his wife's COM
pany. He began to wonder vaguely
if Cecil had not vein of coquettish-
ness in her nature, for she talked, and
laughed, and danced with one and an
other, and all seemed alike charmed
with her.
They had one waltz together, which
surprised Mortimer more than any
thing else, for never a partner Of his
had danced with such grace and light
ness as did his wife.
Later in the evening some one led
her to the piano. Mortimer's heart
gave great throb Of apprehension.
Foolish child - he thought; "she
ought to know better than to sing be-
fore these people-she will surely"
and he turned away to hide his NOR
tifcation.
Little he knew of the long hours
spent by Cecil in patient practice at
home! A few tremulous notes fell up
on his ears, and then, as he caught
his breath with dread, the sweet voice
increased in passion and volume, and
filled the room with enhancing melo-
dy.
Mortimer stood like one in dream,
while hrs wife sang song after song at
the request of the eager throng at the
piano.
He aroused himself with II start
when, leaning upon the arm of one Of
the leading journalists Of the day, she
once more approached him.
He bent toward her, laughing to
cover the depth of his feelings, and
murmured
81 expect next to discover that You
are Fuilleton herself"
Cecil said something to the gentle
man at her side, whereupon he said,
most impressively, to Aubrey:
"Mr. Mortimer, l have the honor
and pleasure of introducing to you,
in the person of your wife, the charm
ing authoress for whom ! have heard
you express such warm admiration"
Mortimer recovered himself almost
Immediately and bowed low, while his
lips framed some graceful acknowl-
edgment of this new surprise. But he
was very quiet for the rest of the
evening.
Cecil watched him furtively with
wstful eyes, and longed to be at home
once more.
When at last they stood in their
own chamber, Aubrey turned the gas
up brightly, removed Cecil's white
opera cape, and looked at her gravely
and sadly.
only wife," he said-"my brown lit
tie Cecil, whom | never feared of los
ing you have grown so far above
me, that l am dazzled by your splen-
dor"
"Does it trouble your" she asked,
with her hands upon his shoulders,
and her flushed face, a little weary
from the evenings dissipation, uplift-
ed to his.
He crushed her slender figure in a
passionate embrace, and kissed her
again and again.
at troubles me to think" he said,
hoarsely, that while my wife has the
whole world at her feet, she will not
care to know that her husbands heart
is wild with adoring love for herr"
Cecil's face paled to the very lips.
Once, twice she cssayed to speak in
vain, and then, with little nervous
laugh which ended in n sob, she MUIR
aubrey, | have loved you ever
since you were so kind to me OH my
journey to papa. You have been my
hero. II has been the one desire of
my life since knew you to win your
love, and thank Heaven, ] have sue
ceeded. My husband" and here she
kissed him shyly OH the forehead
''the world can never separate us"