McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1884-02-28

And something like the diamonds in
her ears glittered in her fond mother
eyes as she turned away.
A delightful little octagonal room,
hung with the exact shade of dainty
pink silk that was most becoming to
Birdie Lorne's fair complexion. A pink
carpet that covered the floor in an I'm.
broken expanse of velvet. Chairs, OF
tomans and. cushions upholstered in
pink and ebony. With little lace tides,
and snowy, zephyr mats scattered
gracefully around; with elegantly-de-
signed and executed affghans on the OF
tomans and sofas. Lace curtains and
pink satin drapery, with the white
walls hung with small, rare paintings,
with statuettes on pedestals in every
available mich. A charming, glrlishly-
ordered room, that opened from the
drawing-room by one door and into the
beautiful conservatory by another. A
place where tears and trouble ought
never to have come, and the sight of
both of which uncanny visitants made
Cleve Symington paused a second on the
threshold as he caught a glimpse of a
golden head buried in two tiny fair
hands and heard the unmistakable sobs
that shook the little whlte-robed figure
crouching in heap beside low has
sock. He only hesitated second, then
with look of tenderest love, pity and
sympathy, crossed the room to her
side.
''Birdie, why crying SO piteously?
Can sympathize, or do l intruder"
She sprang up in sweet, shy sur
prise, her face all tear flushed, her eyes
as bright as dewdrops. She was one of
those Heaven-favored mortals that
weeping beauties She only looked
fresher, fairer, and so pitiful, and
Cleve's arms fairly ached to take her
to his heart and kiss her tears away.
And he would, he vowed ,rapturously,
in another five minutes.
She took her handkerchief from her
pocket-a little lace affair, white and
fragrant-and essayed to smile as she
wiped the tears from her lashes.
81 am afraid 1 appear very childish,
MIR. Symington-but when think
when it is all gone
Her exquisite lips quivered again,
but she checked the rebellious tears
bravely.
81 am as poor as a chu1 ch-mouse-
that is all. A letter from my guardian
says everything was invested in min
ing company, and the shares are not
worth the paper they are printed on"
Cleve fairly worshiped her then, as
she honestly explained her position,
with the quiet, lady-like way so natural
to her.
eft is a misfortune, I admit; and yet,
Birdie, there will inevitably come some
good of it-you will learn who are your
real triends.''
Somehow he said it so earnestly that
Birdie glanced curiously at him, then
dropped her eyes under the blue-veined,
long-lashed lids.
Cleve was close by her side the next
instant, with her hands imprisoned in
his and his impassioned eyes fairly
scorching her face.
''You surely understand me, darling?
You will let me prove my friendship,
my love, my alteration? Little girl,
say you will be my own. Tell me you
love me, and promise me the great
privilege of caring for you forever, my
little wife,
1t was so sweet, this manly, honest,
eager avowal, and, coming as it did,
on the very heels of her misfortune,
and from the lips of the only lover she
ever had prayed to hear the words
from
And yet-oh, woman's foolish pride!
all her perverse little heart rose in re-
beIlion at accepting everything and CIV
ing nothing.
1t never should be said of Birdie
Lorne that she took the first offer she
received after her misfortune simply
because there was money in it.
So, while Cleve waited, smiling pa
tiently at her bowed head, never doubt
ing that his whole earthly happiness
was just at hand, dreaming such rapid,
blissful dreams of the future, Birdie de-
liberately made up her stubborn will,
through horrid pangs of pain. Then
she lifted her head in a quick, naughty
way that it had often delighted in be-
lore.
s'You are so kind, Mr.. Symington,
and appreciate every word you say,
and will remember GU gratefully to my
lying day. But l will marry no man
20 whom would have to feel under
such obligations as would feel to YOU"
She spoke gently, but with a proud
ring to her voice. Cleve reeled under
The sharp, sudden blow. He clinched
her hands so tightly that her rings cut
n the tender flesh, but she only COM
pressed her lips and made no sign of
how he hurt her.
'sBut, Birdie, and there was such
agony in his voice that her own heart
1uailed second-'sBirdie, don't speak
Of obligations to man who loves you
IS 1 do; speak as if you knew you
Sc