The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-11-22

Il shall be delighted to crafty YOU"
said Sir Geotl'y. "You must come and
! diue with me; | have only an old house
keeper to cook FOR me, but she can serve
up decent dinner if she likes. You see
| SO seldom come down to the old place
that | don t find it necessary to keep a
staff of servants there
Then you have not found a wife yet?"
asked the artist.
No. | shan't dream of marrying until
Pm tbirty-fve at least" answered the
baronet; that is, he added, with bow
to Kate, 'Unless in the meantime | am
fortunate enough 10 ind such an excuse
for relinqushing my liberty as you have,
Charlie"
Kate acknowledge the compliment
with a laugh aud blush. and then the
artist resumed his work, and they all
talked until the shades of evening closed
around aud it WAS time to return home,
Sir Geoifry accepting an invitation to
share his friend dinner.
Kate left the two friends to their
cigars and condolences when dinner was
over, and Sir Geoilry heard the story of
Seabrock S marriage, his subsequent
struggles with fortune, and of Aunt
James legacy.
And now tell me about yourself,' he
sad, as he concluded the narrative.
Il m afraid there's not much to tell
worth hearing" answered Sir Geoffry.
when the poor old governor succumbed
at last 10 the govt | travelled abroad
great deal, aud had all sorts of adven-
t0rcs and escapes in the pursuit of pleas
ure. However, got back to England
with no broken bones, and now | live
mostly i'll London. | came down here
for few weeks to recruit my strength,
as was feeling rather done up
Then you have the same ByroIic
tendencies that got you. into such trouble
at college, said Seabrook, remark
which conjured up recollections which
caused both gentlemen no little merri-
meUt.
Some further conversation ensued, in
termixed with the relation of some of
Geoffry's adventures, which alth ough
highly gratifying to himself, and even to
bis graver and more orthodox friend,
need not be reproduced here; and then
the two gentlemen adjourned to the
drawing room.
The evening passed away most agree
| ably IN conversation and music. kate's
singing completed her charms in Sir
| Geotlry's eyes, and made her perfect;
aud as he walked home in the cool night
air he caught himself wishing that he
could meet with such treasure as Char
lie had discovered IN his wife.
I'D give up great deal for such a
delicious little woman as that" he solil-
oquized. q don't believe that quiet
old fellow half appreciates her," thus
falling into the common fallacy that a
mans love for his wife may be measured
| by its outward demonstration.
As the days wore on Sir Geoffry saw
more and more of his old friend and his
wife. He accompanied them on the
daily expeditions, and while the artist
was busy with his brush, his friend read
poetry with Kate, or searched for flowers
and ferns with her. Then, in the even.
ing, they dlned either at the Manor
Gas the scat of the Wilds was called by
the vilagers) or at the cottage. Kate S
manners were SO free and unaffected that
Sir Geof1ry fattered himself that his
society was not dis,greeabe to her. Nor
was he wrong. 1t was certainly pleas
ant diversion to talk and idle away the
time with her husbands intimate friend.
lie had seen so much of the world, and
could talk SO well of what he had seen,
that his conversation could not fail to be
interesting, nor could Kate condemn her
self for finding it 20 be so. Sir Geoffry
was asked to accompany them to the vii
lage church on Sunday, and, although
it was contrary to his usual habits, he
gladly accepted the invitation. During
the service he sat nursing his prayer
book and gazing at the sweet profile OF
Hates face, none the less sweet from the
solemn expression it then wore, and he
was not aware that the text for the oc.
casioa was the Tenth Commandment,
until he heard the young curate exclaim
in stentorian tones, Thou shalt not covet
thy neighbours wife," and then he start.
ed guilty and dropped his prayer book,
feeling as he picked it up that the whole
congregation must be looking at him.
This little incident had the effect OF
revealing to the baronet what otherwise
might have remained unrecognized by
him for some time-that he was fast fall
ing in love with his friends wife; and
this being the case, be felt that his prop
er course was TO go back to London at
once. After much reflection he decided
to remain where he was. The fact was
that Sir Geoflry Wild had not been
trained very judiciously. During his
mothers life, which continued until he
had arrived at the age of fifteen, no OBJ.
iect on which he had set his heart had
been denied him, and during the succeed.
ing years his father was too engrossed in
his own tavorite pursuits to pay much
attention to his only child; and so the
boy was supplied with unlimited pocket
money, and allowed to follow his OWL
inclinations. AS natural consequence.
all the family failings, which might be
generally summed up in his illustrious
surname, Geot1ry inherited to an almost
unprecedented degree.
One afternoon Kate and Sir Geoffry
Strolled somewhat further away from
the artist than usual, and so impercep.
tibly did time pass that Kate did not
know how far they had strayed until
made aware Of it by the sight of the river
at their feet
Good gracious she then exclaimed
I'VE must have left Charlie long time
he Will wonder where we are" and she
turned hastily to go back.
Pray don't return just yet" pleaded
Sir Geotfry, who did not share his COM
panion's surprise at sight of the river
''iet us rest for few moments. Charlie
will be too absorbed in his picture to no.
ticc the length OF our absence"
"Charlie is never SO absorbed that he