The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1891-11-21


stop ! Surely you know that | have
been engaged ever since | was eigh,
teen to Professor Mark Tyler.
Everybody knows tive had a be-
trothal party-he is just going to
Europe for six months, that is what
was crying about why, all our
set knew about it, though he has
been away for nearly two years in
the Rocky Mountains and Cali
fornia. Mamma said we were to
wait until | was twenty one, but |
love him just the same-and | am
quite sure | never did anything to
make you think | could care for you
in this way, Mr.. May - and Bessie
looked Just little bit indignant.
81 have had the honor, Miss Bel,
of being your escort all winter"
cob, dear, did you think | was
going to marry you for that? In all
our pleasant little dinners and drives
and dances, is there matrimonial
speculations ? at would indeed be
Dire ,dtuI !"
She loved the professor too truly !;
she had been simply pleasant and
friendly to him as she had been to
all her other gentlemen friends, who,
however, had too much sense and
modesty to misconstrue her kind
ness. Then she walked to her pretty
little aviary and began cooing to her
birds. Julius hardly remembered
what passed afterward, except that
he received a cool, courteous Good
night, sir, in answer to his Fare
WE'LL" and that he found himself
walking round Madison Square in
very unenviable state of mind.
To this speedily succeeded the
thought OF Nora he must see her
to night to morrow Bessie would
give her own version of his conduct,
and then-well, he would not ac-
knowledge that could make any
difference in Nora's liking for him.
And yet" he murmured, women
are such uncertain creatures" j."
Where his own interests we're con-
cerned, Julius was not wanting in a
certain strength and decision of
character, and in less than an hour
after his rejection by Bessie Bell he
had so far composed and encouraged
himself as to determine upon visit
to Nora, though whether he should
offer himself to her or not was
point he left to the development Of
circumstances
He found Nora at home, and,
moreover, she seemed disposed to
welcome him with extra cordiality.
He noted with admiration the refined
and cultured aspect of the room
the luxurious copies OF her favorite
authors-the artists proofs of rare
engravines-the blooming terneries
and fowers-the cosy students
Chairs-the sofa, warm rugs and
carpet-the dancing frelight-the
rich silk and lace that robed the
1.-THE, graceful figure Of Nora-all
these things had fresh and delight
full charm in them. In little while
he managed to make the conver-
sation Drift toward Bessie.
Would she be married when the
professor returned from Europe?
ooh, dear, no not till she is
twenty one"
"Is it not rather a mesalliance :"
Nora's eyes grew dangerously
bright.
"Certainly not Professor Mark
Tyler IS a wonderful chemist and
geologist-a man of worldwide
fame. 1t is great honor for Bessie
to be loved by such great soul"
"Ah, indeed | had not thought
OF it IN that light. People usually
spoke OF mesalliances in regard to
money affairs"
eyes, know" replied Nora, "and
just there they are frightfully wrong
there are worse mesalliances than
disparities in fortune-but, however,
here there is none of any kind the
prosessor has found chemistry a
sufficiently rich alembic with
residium admitting of no kind OF
doubt"
"Will you be glad when she
marries ?"
very"
"Yet you will lose your friend p'
"By no meane. She will remain
at home ; and the professor and l
are very old friends, he knew me
when | was little girl"
"Indeed Perhaps you may marry
before Miss Bell"
81 may do so. l have do specific
against doing such athing eventually |
but | am quite sure shall not do so
immediately"
"Why not"
because | cannot afford it. | am
lust one of these women who would
be likely to make a mesalliance-in
money matters-and | repeat, | can
not afford it just yet. | have at
present another extravaganza before
me, a great deal nicer than a hus-
band"
81 should like to know what it is"
"a long European tour, with,
perhaps peep at the Pyramids and
ramble about old jerusalem"
"Oh, dear !" said Julius, in a tone
half serious and half mocking. q
should have no chance, | suppose,
against such a temptation !"
"NOt at all" she said. DOSitiyeIv