The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-01-19
BEWARE BEWARE !"
BY EMILY LENNOX,

Pretty Mrs. Floyd was standing at the
gate in marvellous morning robe. \
charming black-lace fichu was draped
across her breast; her beautiful hair
flowed in heavy curls down to her
shoulders: and she wore the most be-
witching little breakfast cap you ever
saw. In short, she was a perfect vision
of loveliness.
She seemed to be all ribbon and lace,
and size should have been all smiles, as
! she usually was. But then her liege lord
had just gone off i'll high dudgeon: and
she stood looking down the avenue after
HIM, with a halfrueful countenance.
Yet what pretty picture she made, with
the trees aud sky for back ground.
How perfectly absurd, ''she exclaimed.
Il wonder why it is that American hus-
bands are all SO unnecessarily exacting.
In Europe, the married women are the
charm of society, and | don't see that
the proprietieS suffer in consequence.
natural. One cannot be at ease in gen
tlemen's society, but must be prudish to
the last extreme. The idea of my hav
ing tiirted with Kenneth Gray. Why,
am sure | have more regard for my rep
utation. Lester Ought to know that,
| too
| Whether Mrs. Floyd was more sinned
against than SHINING, in this matter. is
rather difficult to decide. To be sure,
| Lester, who loved her after the rianner
of few husbands was somewhat prone to
be jealous: but then Mrs. Floyd had GER
tain little ccqEetish ways, which, while
very becoming to her beauty. were not
at all conducive to Testers peace of
mind. On the whole, they were about
equally cuIpable, if so strong a word can
| be used.
In the particular case of Kenneth Gray
| Mrs. Floyd may have been unusually
provoked; for that handsome young ply.
stefan had once been her faRce, and she
might lave known that Lester would eye
him with disfavor. But she had taken
no pains 10 avoid q misunderstanding.
She had danced with Kenneth Gray at
Mrs. Lathrops lawn-party; she had
talked to him on numerous occasions;
and once or twice she had met him on
the street, she had allowed Linn to walk
home with ler. But the browning OF
fence, in Testers eyes, bad been the ac-
ceptance Of beautiful basket Of flow
ers from the young physician.
To be sure this was only the payment
of bet; bat Lester argued that mar
ried woman had 10 right to make bets
with a manageable man. and in partc-
ular. Mrs. Floyd should not do such a
thing with Kenneth Gray.
Now the truth Of it was, that as the
rupture Of her engagement with this
man had occurred under circumstances
which left her in rather disagrecable
position, Mrs. Floyd was bent upon show
ing him that he had passed entirely out
of her regard, and that she could meet
him on familiar footing without the
| slightest concern.
But Lester could not appreciate this
motive; hence the stormy scene after
breakfast, and Mrs. Floyd's indignant
soliloquy.
"A man who is unreasonable jealous, :"
she said, as she stood listlcssly at the
gate, after her husbands disappearance,
'Vush to have something to be jealous
about. | think that if Lester were made
thoroughly miserable about me for once
in his life, aud were to find out that
there was no serious occasion for it, it
might cure him of this uncomfortable
weakness. | have though of it fire.
quently. aud I've half a mind to concoct
a scheme OF some sort, that would bring
it to pass
Her thoughts were running in this
channel, when she saw Testers brother,
Terence, coming up the road. Instantly
her face was wrcthed in smiles, and
archly, smelling at flower she held,
she said, half coquettlshly:
| 4 am So glad you came, Teddy. am
just brim- full OF a project, and | must
tell it to someone. hope you are a safe
| coniidant?'
The best in the world was the re-
ply, thinking as he said it how pretty
his sister in law looked ut is one of
my accomplishments
"Well--but come into the house. You
know she began, when they We're there
and with little hesitation, you know
Lester aud have just had a-a-''
''Row? No, didn't know it. But l
might have supposed as much. That is
the conventional thing between married
people, [ believe
Teddy was a bachelor.
at wasn't row." Mrs Floyd ex-
| planned. Rows are vulgar. This was
ADHERENCE, misunderstanding; but it
was very disagreeable all the same.
Would You believe it, Teddy? lie &C
cused me Of flirting with Kenneth Gray"
"Of course I'd believe it." Teddy re-
piled, promptly. You are just thought
less enough, and Lester is just jealous
enough, for You to get up the semblance
OF such a thing between you. Why,
there are times when you are the very
representation of Longfellow's She gives
a side glance and looks down If |
were not your brother-in-law, | should
say to myself: Beware as Longfelow