The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-10-29
II.

John and Cicely were married in the
new year, and, for a time, the affairs
of Green, Richards & Van Schaacht
were 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 content with a small house and
three maids. He was no stingy,
though, for he ordered a carriage and
horses and gave her a very liberal al
lowance in addition to her own in
come.
The first year of their life together
was a delightful time of happiness to
both. 1t was necessary, Of course, for
ohm to be away all day, but Cicely
nightly enjoyed the novelty Of being
married, and found it was very anus
ing to order things at shops and give
her name as Mrs. Green. Her mother
did not allow her to read many
novels, deeming them %pernicious, and
SO a subscription to Nudes seemed
like Aladdin's Lamp for richness of
possibility. John left the city as early
as possible n was generally at home
by half past six.
Frequently they went to the theatre
or dined out, and there were Saturdays
to Mondays at Brighton or Eastbourne
besides visits to the HendOn house.,
where William greeted them with a
smile a~nticipatOry of half a sovereign.
AS the second yea wore on John
found 1t necessary to give more atten-
ton to his business. One or two mat
ters had lately gone amiss, giving rise
to an urgent request from the FIRMS"
New York correspondents that their
Instructions should be more closely at
tended 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 interest
ed.
One night John a promised to get
home early, as they were going to a
theatre; but it was nearly 8 o'clock
before his key sounded in the door.
Cicely met him with a reproachful
glance. He kissed her, and sat down
YEARLY on the sofa.
II am ~dreadfully sorry, dearest, but
it was impossible to leave earlier"
you promised, John; and we shall
be so late"
Eyes, dear, yes, I know. Now, you
go and have dinner, and when I am
rested a little I'll run up and dress,
| and be ready as soon as you are"
But you can't go without dinner"
Eyes, I 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.
Eyes, yes. 1 promised to take you,
| Cicely."
"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 N rang the bell
for dinner. She was bitterly dis
| appointed at not going, but she con-
| cealed it from John, and after dinner
played the piano for him, while he
| dozed in a chair.
Tha night 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 8, and very often
| found Cicely either going or gOn to