The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1898-06-25

"RESOLVED."
By M. BELLFONTE.

The color mounted to her face as the
postman paused under her wiudow-she
caught the letter from his hands and tore
it eagerly open.
1t contained nothing but her own letter,
returned to her with these words pencied
across the envelope:
"Mr. Chandos Dale's compliments to
the young lady who beguiled his brother
into secret marriage, and he is conf
IDENTIFY of the opinion that her talent in
! the husband hunting line needs no assis-
lance D."
And this cutting taunt, this gratuitous
insult was all.
Theodore sat pale and silent She knew
that her husband did not care to refer to
his relatives much generally avoiding the
subject when she preached it, but she had
never dreamed that he had allowed them
to think her mere adventures who had
contrived to entrap him into dsadvanta-
geous marriage. She had long ere this dis
covered that Lionel Dale was a throughly
selfish man, but she had never dreamed
how selfish.
But the blow, sharp and sudden as it
was, neryed her to further exertious. She
put on her hat, went out to the nearest
lewelcr and sold her watch and chain
Lonel's wedding present-for probably
about one-third of its worth. With this
she paid her bill at NIrs. Locksley.
Begging your pardon, ma'am," said
the clearinghouse keeper, "but what be
| you going to do now? '
81 am going to give music lessons, "
said Theodore.
She had full, fresh voice, like lark's
and she knew that she could make this one
gift of God a hread-winner.
1T will BE life of drudgery," she told
| herself "but | would starve sooner than
apply again to the DAle's for assistance
And as the years crept by the sixteen
year old widow who stormed the eta del
OF fortune so hravely won the day.
''Siguora Theodore DALI No. haven't
heard her yet said Mr.. Chandos Dale.
indiiferently. But they say she is the
best Marguerite we have yet had, and have
sent to secure a box for tomorrow night.
Signora DALI was in her asst voice that
night when Chandos Dale, her hrother-jp-
| law, sat with folded arms in the prosenium
box. And the half blown hal Of five wears
ago had ripened by this time into the full
| blown rose OF loveliness Her blue-hack
hair iloatca like a jetty, glimmerng veil
of brightness down her shoulder; her eyes
Shone like midnight stars, while the radi.
ant pink and white OF her cheeks owed
none of their beauty to cosmetic arts
And Mr.. ChandOs Dale sitting there with
intent eyes and artists soul, all alive to
the flute like richness of her voice, Thought
she was simply the most beautiful Great
ure he had ever seen.
The Mayor of the city where the sgnora
was singing had Il little private reception
in her honor after the opera was over
Chandos Dale Of course, was among the
invited guests; and then Stguoa DALI
knew who he was.
4 have the avantage of him, " said Theo-
dora to herself smiling a curious smile.
And shal. take care to retain it,"
just month afterwards Mr.. Dale pro-
posed to make the beautiful signora his
/ wife.
Are you really in love with me?" said
the sisnora, opening wide her almond
shaped eyes, where the ietty fires seemed
to burn with sleepy lustcr with mean
opera singer"
And ChandOs, about as hopalessly inlatu-
ated as in the nature OF man to be, vowed
that he would commit suicide il she did
not have him at once
'Putit in writing" said the signora
Theodore DALI, with laugh
"Why ?"
at is my fancy"
"Your will is my law" protested Mr..
Dale. SO he wrote very pretty and poetic
declaration OF love, upon tinted paper,
and sent it to the signora's suit of apart
ments at private hotel.
The same evening he received the very
| letter which had come Lionel Dales widow
/ that October sunset with its penciled sar-
casm, And under it was written:
"Ihe young lady who begulded Mr..
! Chandos Dlle's brother into secret mar
riage has needed no assistance from his
relatives. The signor Dalli-o otherwise
! Mrs. Lionel Dale--returns the enclosed
/ compliments, and has the honor to bid Mr..
Chandos Dale farewell %
! Theodore never enjoyed anything so
much in all her life as she did the writing
Of this letter.
/ She had conquered her own fortune now.
She was indebted to no one. And the
next month she was married to a young
English gentleman, who had followed her
bright eyes half over two continents.
While Mr.. Dale had the satisfaction Of
knowing that he had wrought out his own
destiny.