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

ing drearily enough the contents OF
her modest purse, Aubrey Mortimer
came TO her.
Her lip quivered at the sight of
him-he was so interviewer with her
life, her joy, her bcreavment.
He drew the poor little purse away
from the slim brown fingers, and seat
ing her with gentle authority in the
one easy-chair the room contained
he said:
Cecil, child, your loneliness must
excuse me for speaking to you of love
at such time. You need a protec-
tor, poor child, 1t was your fathers
wish that you should become my
wife"
"And yours?" she queried, timidly.
"And mine"
"Mr Mortimer" raising two wist-
full, tear-flled eyes to his face, edo you
love me ?"
For an instant he was struck dumb.
The handsome lips which framed so
readily in society smooth and charm
ing speeches, were mute before little
Cecil.
Suddenly he knelt upon a hassock
beside her chair, and framed the sad
girl-face in his strong hands.
Little girl" he said, 81 love no
woman better-you believe me, don't
you? | am not n very good man.
have lived an idle life, and had many
rowing fancies but no woman com
mands of me such honest liking and
respect as does the daughter Of the
man who was my dear friend. do
not expect you to love me, just at
first but all that money and earnest
desire can do, shall be done to make
your life happy one; and, little girl,
you can make my home bright and
pleasant. We will drop this wander
ing life and settle down comfortably
at home. Come dear, | am as lonely
as you are-shall we not join our for
tunes ?"
And Cecil allowed him to take her
in his arms and kiss her, saying in her
heart all the time:
Gle does not love ne! He shall
not know how dearly love him !"
To England they went, after being
quietly married in an old stone chapel
in the queer little German town, and
began housekeeping in luxurious
fashion in fashionable quarter of
London.
For year they went into society
not at all, and received very little
company.
During that time a new writer had
entered the literary world, whose non
dc plane was Feuilleton. Charming
sketches of the old world and dainti-
ly-sweet bits of verse-which not in
frequently were set to music-appear-
ed under this name.
Again and again did Mortimer
praise these articles to his wife.
"Thc author must be a woman" he
said, erich in experience woman
who has seen the world, loved passion
ately, and suffered, yet who has been
true to all the nobler instincts of her
womanhood. | would be proud to
count that woman among my friends"
And quiet Cecil, swaying to and
fro in her low chair, in her plain home
attire, with bit of needlework in her
hand, would smile little wistfully,
and say nothing.
When they began to go out more,
invitations poured in upon them, and
at last came one from Lady Barmins-
ter, a leader in society, who had the
reputation of gathering under her
roof the most brilliant authors, must
clans, and men of science.
1--WE must attend this party, my
DEAR" said Mortimer. Lady Bar
Minister is an old friend of mine. l
met her in the street this. morning,
and she told me that the publisher,
who has printed so many of Feuille-
tons exquisite articles, has promised
to induce the authoress to accept an
invitation"
Cecil, with demurely downcast lids,
signifed her pleasure.
81 wish you could play and sing,
Cecil they'll be sure to ask you."g
81 used to while at school," said Ce-
ell, faint color huttering into her
brown cheeks. And then, half sor-
rowfully; "Fll do the best | can, Au-
brey. hope you won't be ashamed
Of me-"
He laughed rather uneasily.
"Whata sensitive little thing sheis!"
And his lips touched her brown head
lightly as he passed her on his way to
the door, where he hesitated for mo-
ment, and then returned.
Cecil" he said, hesitatingly, what
shall you weari 1t must be some
thing exquisite, for Lady Barminster
gives magnificent parties. ! wish you
would allow me TO select somotbinp