The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-11-22
WHOLE No. $3.50

posed to a cold water shower. Since the
age of twelve he had practised the art of
making owe With more or less success.
The majority of his successes had, truth
to tell, been with married womed, no
doubt, owing to the fact that his mode
OF living Often threw him among classes
i'll which the moral standard vas not
particularly high. Probably the know
ledge that Mrs. Seabrook had been a
professional singer accounted, to some
extent, for his unfortunate precipitancy,
which would. perhaps, not have occurred
had he been likewise ava that the
slightest word of scandal hau never been
breathed against Kate Werner, a very
good sign in itself in the case of pro-
fessional lady that no occae ion had ever
been given for such WORD Sir Geoffey
had never experienced a more ardent
passion than that for the Indignant little
woman who now stood before him which
the unexpe'tod check BE- had received
caiy nSA wa Yin iiioIS w 'uhdulSs
Mrs. Seabrook, he said at last, 'you
are too severe with me. I'm sure that
your experience of the world must have
taught you that have done nothing but
what any other man might have done
under the circumstances. l really
thought you were not Indifferent to me-"
My experience has certainly taught
me that the insult You have subjected
me to is but a very ordinary occurrence.
But that renders it none the less dis
gushing to me. Iu being treachero us
villain you do not differ from many of
your sex. How dare you insinuate that
| have given you any encouragement. If
a woman cannot be sociable to her hus-
bands intimate friend without being
subjected to gross insult, husbands had
better dispense with intimate friends al
together"
Sir Geoffry was very humble now, or
at any rate looked it.
Mrs. Seabrook," he pleaded, forgive
me- But Kate motioned him scornfully
aside and walked away.
The baronet followed the steps of his
friends wife, wearing very crestfa lien
expression on his handsome fe atures.
His shame, however, not for his own
unworthy conduct, but for its results.
He had never before received such a
taking down" from woman, and his
passion for Mrs. Seabrook, though in no
wise abated was mingled with consider
able resentment. He was anxious to as
certain certain if Kate intended to inform
her husband of what had occurred, but
was nervous of asking the question. His
offers to assist his companion over the
tough and slippery places in their walk
were silently rejected, the lady proving
as capable of walking alone as she was
of guarding her honor. When they ar
rived in sight of the artist, who was
standing on hillock looking anxiously
around for them, Sir Geoffry became DIES.
perate and spoke.
''Forgive me, Mrs. Seabrook," he
pleaded, 81 shall never so far forget my
self again.
You will new Il again have the oppor.
tunity," answered Kate.
And have you forgiven me?"
81 presume you mean am l going te
tell my husband" was the scornful re-
ply. Gas do not wish his peace Of
mind to be upset, I shall not tell him; a
the same time I should be glad if you car
make it convenient to leave Edgetiele
for the remainder of the time we art
| here"
Sir GeoGfry murmured something abou
obeyiug any commands she pleased tt
give, just as they joined Seabrook.
Il was becoming anxious about you,
said the latter. II thought that one OF
both of you had fallen into the river, ant
that eacL in trying to save the other hat
met watery grave"
Sir Geoffry laughed boisterously to hide
his embarrassment.
"What else did you think of, old MANI
he asked, slapping his friend on thu
shoulder.
"Well, l remembered story l once
read of poor artist who sat sketchinl
from memory the figure of his wife into
a picture, while the lady herself was OF
the way to Dover with his dearest friend.
When this was said they were walkin.
home, and Sir Geoffry was thankful TO
the surrounding gloom, which concealed
his crimsoned face. Kate chung close
to her husband, and the artist himself
thinking of the story he had referred to
and contrasting it with his own happi
ness, murmured ''Poor devil" and press
ed his wife's arm fondly.
During the evening Sir Geotfry wa
unusually boisterous, and Kate was I'm
usually dull, but Seabrook, being tn,
most unsuspicious and unobservant o
men, saw nothing amlss, and that nigh
slept the sleep of the tired just, whil'
his friend the b ronet tossed in his bet
and plotted the destruction of his hap
piness.
| The next day and for several succeed
ing days it rained too heavily to admi
of any expeditions.
The Seabrooks saw very little of ST
Geoffry. but from what they did see Kat
was annoyed to find that he exhibited nj
intention of leaving Edgefeld, and tn,
artist vas grieved to observe that hi
friend was in rather bad way.
81 fear Geoffry is giving way to drink,
he remarked to his wife. ellis face APP
peared to be awfully flushed today"
"Perhaps he is not so desirable a frient
as VIII n you knew him at college," hint
ed Kate.
ooh, dear old Geof's goodness itself,
said the artist .oyally, ''only he's littl
weak l must give him a talking to-"
AS the next day proved to be fine, Sea
brook announced his intention of visitin!
tie Manor to admonish his friend.
81 shall walk to A "a manufacture
ing town about five miles distant) after
wards" he said, "as want to purchas
Few things, and the exercise will do M
good. | shall not be very late, though
perhaps you had better at wait Dime
for me-"
After her husband had one, Kate bus
led herself about the cottage until late il
the afternoon, when Sir Geoffry APP