The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-02-18
cUPID's oUlvERINo DART.
s,. Louis Chronicle

1t looked very much as If she W ere to be poorly rewarded for giving Nita Dominique home. One night as she was returning home with her mother they met ragged Italian girl on the bleak moor and had taken her in and sheltered her.
 And how had Lucy's kindness been returned? By seeing daily that her lover was getting more and more in- terested with Nita and spending hours talking to her.
 One evening about dusk Mir. Dever- eux entered the keene cottage. The door and windows were open, and SC he walked in unannounced, hoping to surprise the ladies.
 He could hear Nita singing some soft Italian air in the garden, but he did not attempt to follow her, as he took seat in the bay window half concealed by the white curtains.
 The droway air caused him to fall asleep,, how long he did not know The sound of voices awoke him, which he recognized as belonging to Lucy and her mother.
 "Hark!" said Lucy, softly, after a moment or two of silence: "don't you hear Nita singing in the garlen9 l What & thrush like voice she has {! Mamma, Nita is growing restless; she thinks she ought to have something | to do."
 Lucy" said Mrs. Keene, "did 1t never strike you that-Mr. Devereux was beginning to notice Nita Domin- ique good deal?"
 "Yes, mamma"
 Lucy's voice was changed and con- strained now.
 Do you think he is in love with her, Lucy?"
 Fl think he is, mamma"
 But, Lucy," said Mrs. keene, with a disturbed tone, "it is not right thought hoped Mir. Devercux was growing fond of you"
 "Mamma, darling, hush !" coaxed Lucy. "Ought to grudge Nita the one drop of sweetness in her bitter cup? Come, mamma, don't let LIS talk of this any more. The piano is open in the back room, and have not | sung NOu tAlC Athitun CuliIofCllh tIidl Nita taught me last night"
 The mother and daughter went away, and when they returned hall an hour later, with candies lighted, the room was empty.
 "Ll&y,n, said Mir. DevereuX, a day or two afterwards, "l have been thinking of nice situation for Nita."
 "W hat is it?"
 There was no bitter jealousy in the soft eyes she turned up towards his lace; only the sweet, friendly interest one young girl might feel in the well fare of another.
 "What do you think of her as a companion and instructress to my lit- tie girls?" he asked.
 "I think Nita Dominique's compan- ionship would cnnoble and improve any yone."
 'Loyally spoken, my little advo- cate !" laughed Mir. Devereux. "Then you think had better speak to her on the subject? Though, perhaps, may be too old companion for her fresh youth at Devereux Terrace"
 Lucy hesitated and colored.
 "No, Mir. Devereux," she said qui- etly, M think Nita would be very happy at your home. She loves children, and-and-"
 "Well," Mir. Devereux decided, "at all events Pll try my luck with her. l have your sanction and approval?"
 "Can you doubt it?"
 But Mir. Devereux did not know that Lucy Keene cried herself quietly to sleep that night, when all the other inmates of the cottage were wrapped in. slnmber.
 MT. Devereux was walking up and down the garden path, after his usual fashion, with his hands clasped behind his back and head slightly de- pressed, when Lucy's light footstep sounded on the gravel.
 "Lucyl"
 "Yes, Mir. Devereux," she rejoined.
 "Nita has promised '"
 "I congratulate you," she said, with choked accents.
 "And l think l deserve congratu- lations. Now, that I have secured a good governess, I am not content, however, l want a wife"
 "A wife, MT. Devereux?"
 "Yes, a wife, Lucy, and no one but yourself will answer my expectations in that respect. My little treasure, have loved you long and truly; will you trust me with your heart?"
 And Lucy Keene's protestations were drowned in the tender accents of her lovers voice.
 "Nita Dominique" he laughed, "a bright little firefy, A jewel to wear on some Spanish don's breast. As if I should think of loving her-as if she expected it You, and you only, are the ideal of my dreams, dear Lncy" 1" 1 Go VT har tho I,rsIo ca x,a hoxun 4.