The Penn's Grove record., 1884-02-23

on the third finger chung a PLAIN, heavy
wedding ring.
She was a plump, rosy little lady,
not as tall 10y a head as the handsome
young fellow who called her mother p"
and in whom her whole hearts affec-
tious were centred, and to whom shs
was at this present administering as
a reploof as she ever had found
to do.
Naughty, headstrong Cleve listened
very respectfully, as he leaned his head
on his hand and mis- elbow on the
mantel-piece, with an air that demon
strated the perfect uselessness of the
arguments his lady mother advanced,
Then when she paused in triumphant
breathlessnes-breathless because of
her long sentences, and triumphant be-
cause She certainly accepted Cleve's
silence as the consent she aspired to
securing.
After this Cleve smlled-so sweetly,
coolly, right in her face.
But l shall marry little Birdie Lorne,
mamma-that is, if she Will have me.
Now, don't frown so, you look so much
prettier when you smile and blush,
little mother. Tell me to propose to
my pretty little sunny-haired girl and
bring her here for the maternal bless
He leaned his handsome head toward
Mrs. Symington and looked at her ~
such a proudly coaxing way that in her
fond heart she wondered how any
woman could resist HIM. Then she
shook her head until the diamonds i'll
ner ears sent their brilliant corusca'
lions both far and near,
"How can |, Cleye, when / am morally
sure Miss Lorne wants Your mony only?
A hundred thousand isn't to be secured
every day; and to marry for money is
too perfectly miserable. L married for
monoy. Cleve, and you know the life l
led until your father died. You are my
only comfort. Don't pain me by bring
ing home a wife who will only endure
us for the sake of what we can give
her."
Evidently she had forgotten her
mental decision that no girl with a
human heart could resist her boys hand
some face. Certainly it was very I'M
like the proud, self-assured Mrs. Symes
Symington to underrate her own inn
portance so tremendously, as she had
Just done.
But then even the richest, pFoudest
and haughtiest people have their othA
side that only a few friends know; and
this was Mrs, Symington's other
side.
| IShe watched Cleve's face anxiously,
bat there was no sign of change of
views in the gay, deboniar face, with
the contradictlng eyes so grave and
steanly decided.
"You mistake Birdie altogether,
mother dear. How can 1t be possible
she wants me for my money when lots
of other fellows are after hersp She Is
an heiress in her OWL right-forty or
fifty thousand"
"Ohl is that the case? Well"
Her altered tone, her h~esitating words
so delightfully."- emphasized We're enough
for Cleve. He caught her up in his
arms, regardless of her elegant toilet,
and kissed her until her face was as
scarlet as a girls.
''Clevel are you not ashamed of your
self? Pat me down this minute, Or
or-or-yOu shant marry Bird
He dropped her instantly.
you're down, mother; and in Jusi
one hour prepare to see my little dari-
ing-all bushes, dlmples, smiles and
sweetness"
He went out hurriedly, caught up
his hat from the rack and hailed a pass
ing cab that would speed him on his
mission,
Mrs. Symington watched him be-
tween the plumb-colored damask cur
tains, her eyes kindling with pleasure
bic, pardonabIe pride.
''Ihe dear boy! he wants me to think
1 settled the matter he arranged long
ago. OF course he would have married
her, anyway, but Just to think how
splendidly he mas behaved to me"
And something like the diamonds in
her ears ghttered in her fond mother
eyes as she turned away.
i X = 4 q
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
lqrpet that covered the floor in an un-
broken expanse OF velvet. Chairs, otto
mans and cushions upholstered IN pink
and ebony. With little lace tides, and
snowy, zephyr mats scattered gracefully
around; with acknowledgement and
executed afighans on the ottomans and
sofas. Lace curtains and pink satin
drapery, with the white walls hung
with small, rare paintings, with statu-
cites on pedestals in every available
niche. y cha ming, girlshly-ordered
ROOM, that opened from the back draw
iug-loom by one door and into the
beautiful conservatory by another. A
place where tears ard trouble ought
never to have come, and the sight of
both of which uncaney visltants made
Cleve Symington pause a second on the
threshold as he caught a glimpse Of a
golden head buried in two tiny fair
hands and heard the u-nmlstakable sobs
that shook the little whlte-robed figure
c~rouching In a heap beside a low has
SOCK. He o3ly hesitated asecond, then
with a look of tenaerest love. pity, and
crossed the to her side.
birdie, not crying so piteously.
Can 1 sympathize, or do l intruder"
She sprang up in a sweet, shy sur
prise, her face al tear-ag he'd, her eyes
as bright as d~ewdrops. 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
other 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.
II am afraid l appear very childish.
Symington-but when | think
when it is all gone"
Her exquisite lips quiyered again,
but she checked the rebellious tears
brayely,