The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1889-05-25

ford all of this.
Mary wrung her har.ds in sympathy
with the poor, erring creature, who had
been their guest half the day long.
Oh, don't, don't she cried. 1t will
ruin her life
And it will break his heart, for he
loves her dearly, said Paul, sadly, but
it must be done.
Why not let him find it out himself,
urged the gentle Mary, and inf1ict such
punishment as he sees fit?
That internal French bit of sophistry
again, he exclaimed. Cut it | am not
a coward and will do my duty, though
a more unpleasant one never fell to my
lot.
In the morning he wired Rockford
to come to his (Paul's) house at the
earliest possible moment. He was
bracing his nerves for the painful inter
view when the door beIl-rang.
1t was Miss Millington-pale, Wild
eyed gasping.
What did she say2 What did she
not say2 Everything that weak and
SHINING woman could say under the cir
cumstances. The love of dress had
tempted her her position of depend
ance was so calling; the necessity of
keeping up appearances was SO abso-
lutte in the ultra fashionable set in which
they moved; and, after all, her ma
n9uvres had not been unsuccessful she
had caught husband a good-man-
Paul pounced upon the truthful cpl
thet.
Too good for you, he cried. He
shall know of this from my lips. would
deem it dishonorable to withhold this
knowledge from him. l have Sent Tor
him.
He is coming here? she asked in
dismay.
l expect him every instant, he said,
calmly.
Let me go, she cried. rushing toward
the door.
Paul turned the key, took it out,
pocketed it. Miss Millington sank into
an easy chair. Mary wept.
Oh, Paul, husband, you are cruel,
she said, between her sobs.
Mr.. Rockford was announced. Paul
unlocked the door and let him in. He
had had difficulty in getting away from
business, he said but the telegram was
SO peremptory; what could be the mat
ter1
A deathly silence fell on the group.
Paul, who had counted so confidently
on his power to disclose to his friend
knowledge which would make him mis-
cradle for life, suddenly found himself
tongue-tied. George Rockford looked
from one to the other of the trio in
complete astonishment at this strange
demeanor.
Will you kindly explain the meaning
of this scene, one or the other of your
he asked In the quiet, direct manner of
the business man.
No one answered.
A rap at the door broke the silence.
Come in, cried Mary Devereux.
To her intense surprise the servant
who mad been recently discharged
walked into the room with a resolute
air. A man of flashy, shabby apparel
and ditto manner closely followed her.
Excuse my coming right into your
parlor, said the woman, with curt polite
ness, but my business is that kind that
ye don't want to let the grass grow un.
der your feet about it. See1 What l
want to say is, you thought l stole
spoons, didn't your
What if we did ?" cried Paul aagrily
What2 roared the indignant servant
Why, I'm an honest woman, | am,
though l cook and wash. Spoons is
safe where l am, and how many of
those present can say the same2
Walk out of the place, shouted Paul
in frenzy.
In two minutes and a half l will, re-
piled the resolute person, who had
come to vindicate her character. Sam
Rowley, produce them spoons.
Her follower, with an apologize air,
extracted three handsome silver soup
spoons from the side pocket of his coat.
Pawned with me, he whistled through
the aperature caused by lost front teeth,
by M. Millington
Them spoons was lost the day she
unched with you, went on the Amazon
ian accuser, and next day they was
pawned with S. Rowley, cousin
of mine, which is here. Books will
l
show amt making up no trumped-up
charge. Shes got the pawn ticket
sommeres, you'll find. and the injured
person tossed her head Indignantly.
George Rockford looked like man
who is on the verge OF lunacy.
Paul, Paul he cried, with bitter
moan, explain all of this to me, | beg
| ertreat OF you.
Don't ask me, George; l can't !;
groaned Paul, hiding his face in his
hands.
Miss Millington rose to her feet
slowly.
The whole question is this, George
Rockford, she said, in icy voice would
you marry woman of loose principles
as regards-well doggedly, stealing?
| No he shouted.
Then nothing remains, l suppose,
but for me to say goodbye to you2 she