The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-05-24
THE LITTLE TRIP.

Really, Clara: | cannot help it, l
must run down to New York on bust
ness for the firm and it will be impos-
sible for me to accompany you to your
mothers. know you will be disap-
pointed. but. what can't be cured must
be endured ~
And Mr. Norton. whistling, took his
hat from the hall-rack and took his de-
parture, Clara Norton sat silent and a
trifle sad her fair face was clouded and
her blue eyes held a suspicion of tears.
1t was disappointing, truly.
She had been married over Il year,
her husband was junior member of a
fourishing firm, and they had lovely
little home, and everything that heart
could desire. But the decisions with
which, woman-like, she had blinded
her own eyes, Investing, the man she
loved with God-like attributes, we're
being daily torn away, as she saw her
husband growing careless and indiifer-
ent toward her. not cold. but worse, to
a sensitive woman, for he seemed at
times to forget her altogether. And
she loved him SO devotedly that it was
worse than death to her.
The fact was, Henry Norton was a
man who could be easily managed if
only one knew how, and the lesson was
still to be learned.
Their home was situated in pretty
town about half a days journey from
the great metropolis, and Claras wild
owed mother resided at Albany, vet
Clara had not seen her since her own
marriage.
She had been planning trip to Al
bany all the summer. Her husband
had been promised a vacation late in
the fall Clara had felt certain that he
would not refuse to accompany her,
and she did not wish to make the trip
alone. =
But all that hope was past now. Her
husband Informed her at breaktas: that
morning that it would be impossible for
him to go business called him to New
York and Clara must remain at home
during his absence.
| think that young wife INDUCED in
"a good cry" when she was left to her
self; then she went to her desk and
wrote an affectionate letter to her.
mother, trying to make the disappoint-
ment rs light as possible. She was just
sealing the letter when her husband
made his appearance.
I'm off, Clara = he announced, with
characteristic abruptness, "the sooner
start the better, suppose SO l thought
would run home, pack 4 few things
and tell YOU goodbye ~
Clara arose and went quietly to pre-
pare his wardrobe for the trip. In 4
short time all was in readiness and with
a hasty kiss and careless 'by-bye-
III write often he was gone.
Clara busted herself restoring the
room to order, and just as she was
about to hang in the wardrobe the coat
which he had discarded, a scrap of
paper fell from one of the pockets and
Iluttered to the floor. Involuntary she
picked it up.
1t was the lower half Of a sheet of
note-paper which had evidently been a
letter but had been torn in two, and as
she glanced at it carelessly, these words
caught her eye:
Now, Harry, do not fail to be in
New York in time for my masquerade
ball on the sixteenth, or I'll never for
give you. | will keep ever SO many
dances for you, SO do not disappoint
me and | want to present you to sew
eral pretty ladies who will be present;
but | have warned them all that you
are an unreasonable hirt. Your
Cousin. IRENE"
The sixteenth, and to-day was the
fifteenth ! Clara began to see that i'm
perative business trip which prevented
his escorting her to her mothers. No
wonder she stood like one petrified as
A full knowledge of her husbands de-
ceit dawned upon her mind. The card
receiver held at that very moment in
ritations to the ball for her husband
and herself.
For long time she stood buried in
thought then look of resolution stole
over her face, and she brought her lit
tie hands together with an emphatic
gesture.
iii do it ~ she cried. There can
be no harm in the attempt, and it may
teach him lesson :" .; =
The Wentworth Mansion on one OF
the fashionable streets of New York
was ablaze with light. Sweet music
1oated on the perfumcd air, the dan
GERS danced, and all event merry as
marriagc-bcll."
Irene Wentworth, attired as Undine
in a pale sea-green silk covered with
white lace like foam and looped with
great pearls, while snowy water lilly
dropped from her floating, golden hair,
was beautiful indeed. For, although
her face was masked, the scrap of