The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-02-18

Languld he was at all times. but there
is natural and affected languor. and it
seemed to me that the less he retained
the one the more he cultivated the other.
Few men can resist the daily presence
of soft tender eyes raised in appeal TO
their superior manhood-of an artlesS
innocence needing constant correction
from their large knowledge of the
world.
Miss Pickett and Mr.. Elliott were al
ways at loggerheads. Her keen sallies
were continually wounding his self
love; his languid assumption of super
iority was perpetual insult to her pro-
ual antipathy gradually expanded into
solid hatred
Miss Pickett was too thoroughly fenli-
nine not to be aggressive in her hostility,
so when | observed her closeted with
Mrs. Tyrrell for two hours one day, |
easily guessed what it meant
1t all came out the next evening, on
the hill behind the house, whittier Cora,
Elliott, and | had strolled. Mrs. Tyr
rell leaned back against friendly
mound and looked out into the night
one of those exquisite, luminous, dis
tinctly Californian nights.
The scents of thousand flowers
that of the orange blossom rising above
the rest as the voice of the prima donna
leads and accentuates. the song of the
chorus upward to charm our
senses.
Cora sighed little and then began:
Miss Pickett said | did not understand
men at all-that | was too unsuspecting,
too confiding. She said men liked to
play with such women, but that they
suspected most those women who treated
them best"
Miss Pickett be hanged burst forth
from Elliott
Then You don't think have done so
very wrong?n and her velvet eyes look
ed into his with a troubled sweetness.
Wrong! Humph!'
How dreadful it seems to never trust
anyone! l believe | would rather be al
ways deceived than come to that You
see" turning to me, 81 am strangely
situated. | am a widow, and yet | am
scarcely more than girl. You never
have heard about my marriage? 1t oc-
CURED four years ago, when | was only
seventeen, and still at school. Mr.. Tyr
rell was kind to me-and i was roman
tic. We were married on a Friday, and
on Monday my husband was summoned
to Mexico on business. 1t was August,
and they feared | would take the fever,
so it was decided that l must remain at
home. Some time in September came a
telegram announcing Mr.. Tyrrell' S
death. A wife of but four weeks, away
from my husband when he died
imagine my feelingsi For over three
years l have lived in secluson Now
you can understand how natural it is
that should make mistakes"
In her eyes rose mist that was dan
gerous to the Englishman's cherished
composure. He breathed hard, cleared
his throat, and shifted his position.
Finally little smile stole over Cora s
lips. and she gave him a glance that
was like a caress-I often told her she
kissed with her eyes.
The next day who should arrive but
the English girl! This advent, it seems,
some months before in England, and
which Elliott had not had the nerve to
discountenance.
/ happened to be passing through the
hall when Harriet Norton clasped her
lovers hand in greeting. No words are
needed to tell a sensitive woman when
she has lost mans affection. Harriet
Knew it then and there-I could tell by
the pallor that overspread her face, and
the sudden drawn. look about her mouth
Within ten days she had departed, &C
companied by her dignitied aunt, who
acted as chaperon. Yet though, she
was a reserved girl, l had learned to
esteem her even in that short time.
sit is very strange" she said. ''Percy
and I have known each other from
childhood. | believed | could trust him
utterly" Here tear welled up III her
clear true ewes. Il have never loved
any man but him. We were to have
been married next winter. | wonder
how it will seem never to see him
again" Then her gaze wandered over
to the softly tinted mountains, and she
seemed almost to forget my presence.
'.He is honorable after fashion, and
he would live up to his word; but do
not care for a promise after the life has
gone out of it.
1t was perhaps month after this that
Nh. ElliOtts engagement to Mrs. Iyrrell
was formally announced.
Cora went about with a litheness sub
tly suggestive of happiness. yet with no
undue demonstrations of triumph.
There was even an undercurrent of sad
ness running through it all, as though
she realized that hep gain was another S
loss. Her conduct began to be pro-
nounced admirable, even by those who
at first criticized her severely. Society
forgiveS almost anything sooner than an
exhibition of bad taste.
Late one afternoon we were all out
on the piazza, Elliott among us waiting
for Cora to come down. when tall
stalwart fellow strobe up to the door.
There was a certain boldness in his
stride, certain freedom in the swing
of his arms. which bespoke determina-
ton.
He asked for Mrs Tyrrell. She hap
pened to come out Just then, looking
even more dainty than usual, in her
clinging riding-habit. But as she
caught sight of the visitor she stopped
short, as though turned to stone.
"Well, Cora he began.
AO'iii AiS Nti' iiCt E'Osih, pul
stared rigidly before her, her cheeks as
white as the flowers at her breast.
Il don't call this exactly tropical
greeting" he continued
Somebody laughed. Cora's pallor
changed TO a hot red. She shut her
teeth together with 6 snap.
Il thought you We're in Australia, !"
she gasped.
Yes, l know you did," he rejoined
with asperity. But you see | am back
again. You might as well pack up and
come along"
Il will not she answered, digging
her little heels into the floor.
'.You will not2" quietly. II think
you will"
AT this Percy Elliott arose, and walk
ing resolutely up to the man said
Understand that you are dealing
with man as well as defenseless wo-
man"
A.