The record-union., 1897-12-01

hogany table the fruit and a decantef
of old port, whose color was like the
rubies that fell from the magic song
birds mouth John tilted back his
chair Il little and looked at Cicely, who
blushed and looked at her plate. Then
he turned to his aunt and said quietly,
with a gentle smile on his lips, Aunt
Jane, Ciceiy and l are going TO be mar
ried"
His aunt gasped in astonishment.
You, John, at your age. And you,
Cicelyi Oh my dears, l am SO glad.
Come close to me and tell me about
it,"
Jonn nearly missed the last train
that night. Some gates must be very
pleasant resting places; we linger so
long at them.
John and Cicely were married in the
new year, and, for a time. the affairs
of Green. Richards & Van Schaacht
We're left to the careful carelessness of
clerks.
John was rich, and Cicely had some
thing Of her own, but he disliked what
he called show, and urged Cicely TO
be coutent with a small house and three
maids. He was not stingy, though, for
he ordered d carriage and horses and
gave her a very liberal allowance in
addition to her own income.
The first year of their life together
was a delightful time of happiness to
both. 1t was necessary. of course for
John TO be away all day, but Cicely
mig shtily enjoyed the novelty of being
married, and found it very amusing to
order things at shops and give her name
as Mrs. Green. Her mother had not al
lowed her to read many novels, deem
ing them pernicious, and so sub
scription to Nudes seemed like Alad-
din's Lamp for richness of possibility.
John left the city as early as possible
and was generally at home by half
past six.
Frequently they went to a theater or
dined out, and there We're Saturdays to
Mondays at Brighton or Eastbourne,
besides visits to the Hendon house,
where William greeted them with a
smile anticipatory of half a sovereign.
AS the second year wore on John
found it necessary to give more atten-
tention to his business. One or two
matters had lately gone amiss, giving
rise to an urgent request from the
firms New York correspondents that
their instructions should be more close
ly attended to.
John Green showed the letter to his
head clerk and said no more about it,
but he gradually fell back into his old
practice of staying late and seeing to
things himself. instead of leaving them
to those less competent or less inter
ested.
One night John had promised to get
home early, as they We're going to a
theater; but it was nearly o'clock
before his key sounded in the door
Cicely met him with a reproachful
glance He kissed her, and sat down
Wearily on the sofa
Il am dreadfuly sorry. dearest, but
it was impossible to leave earlier"
You promised, John; and we shall
be 50 late
Yes, dear, yes, | know. Now you go
and have dinner. and when | am rested
little I'll run up and dress, and be
ready as soon as you are
But you can't go without dinner"
Yes, l can. You run along"
He put his hand to his forehead and
pushed back his hair.
Are you so tired, dear?" Cicely asked
gently, bending over him. He smiled
up at her and took her hand
Then we won't go, dear" she said.
Yes, yes. l promised to take you
Cice,y"
'I'll forgive you You are very tired
I can see, and will be much happier
at home
Dear child" he answered, kissing
her hand. You really don't mind?''
She turned away and rang the bel
for dinner. She was bitterly disap-
pointed at not going, but she concealed
it from John and after dinner played
the piano to him, while he dozed in a
chair
That right was the beginning OF
many things. Cicely sought amuse-
ment more at other houses, and went
about with friends instead of with her
husband. This is the beginning of the
end with many a love match.
John was now very busy. He seldom
got home before s. and very often
found Cicely either going or gone to
some entertainment. to which he was
dlSincllned to follow her.
They gradually drew apart. living diff
ferent lives, and asking less ana less
of each other. John graw daily more
absorbed in his business. lie was very
fond of Cicely, but he had given up
showing it, and this is what a wo-
man hates Occasionally, after leav-
ing him to lonely evening. Ciceiy
would come down to breakfast in a
repenant mood, wishing him to pu1
things back as they had once been She
would make some pleasant remark. and
John would say yes. dear" or no.
dear, in his quiet tone, and would ask
her If she would have bacon or fish
and then would open the Times" and
spread it before him like some hideous
barricade without a loopho;e. til her
warm Intentions iced IN pride ana she
finished her breakfast silently.
Cicely, like all women who fancy
themselves neglected. craved enr ex-
citement. and sought intimacy al
houses to which, a year back, she
would not have cared to go She grew
extravagant in dress. wearing clothes
for effect rather than for adornment
and walking consciously.
In her new set it was fashionable
to play roulette, but the stakes were
| moderate. and. with her supply OF
money. the trifling losses were no in
| convenience. The excitement. though
| told on her. and perhaps. after a Ions
evenings play she would allow com
pliment to pass unchecked which would
| have ANNOYED her in a calmer spirit
More eenecially was she lenjent to one
man. George Proctor who, Of all hel
| friends. was the most agreea BILE. He
was a man in whose nature the anma