The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1903-09-04

atmosphere, and lie took no account q
the flight of time After some months o
this idyllic existence, she suddenly be
came very serious and sad. Marius
greatly surprised, questioned her, ant
finally she said:
II think that | ought not to live any
longer at your
But Marius frowned so tiercely that
she checked herself
"Oh, do not doubt my affection" sh,
exclaimed. 81 am not ungratctul, he
lieve me. But must earn my own liv
ing. My selt-respect demands that"
We'll. WE'LL said Marius impatiently
eve will speak of that tomorrow"
But that very day a friendly neighbor
an old lady, said to him:
My dear NJ. Lournier, feel my dut '
to tell YOU that people are beginning to
talk. know that you are the soul Of
honor and that Cccilc is an angel, but
evil tongues will wag. Why don't you
stop them
How can ]:
by marrying Cecilc."
What! Do you imagine that She"
II imagine nothing. know she is in
love with you. Trust a woman's in.
tuition"
And the old lady added with a
smile:
what if you are fifty, SO long as you
don't look it,"
Marry Cecile? He? What an absurd
idea!
But the more he thought about it the
less absurd it appeared. And, looking
squarely into his heart, he saw that he
loved the girl passionately. The little
fairy had given him back his youth and
awakened the heart that he had thought
dead forever.
All! If the old lady's intuition were
correct.
Then he began to pay great attention
to his dress and manners. lie even gave
up his pipe. Cecile noticed his rejuvena-
ton and complimented him upon it
frankly, and then he felt inspired to tell
his love and ask her to be his wife.
She listened in smiling silence and, in a
burst of grateful affection, put her hand
into that of her benefactor and said:
eyes"
The wedding was arranged to take
place in the autumn.
Meanwhile Marius lived at a hotel, but
came every day to his old house to see
his young sweetheart, who always wei
coined him with smile of tender atfec-
ton.
The summer wore on, and there came
time when the smile gave place to grief
and tears as soon as the unconscious
lovers back was turned.
Then one evening, he came and heard
Cecile's voice and another's coming fror1
the unlighted parlor. He recognized the
other voice as that of young architect
who was spending his vacation with his
mother, the lady who had suggested the
marriage of Marius and Cecile.
The situation at once became horribly
clear to Marius. He listened.
you are unkind." Cecile was saving.
81 cannot be your wife; you know that"
II only know that hate the old fool"
the young man replied.
Hush! Robert. You shall not insult
him."
81 hate him, say! He has ruined my
life"
"He loves me, Robert, and owe him
everything. Ihave given him my promise
and l will keep it"
But it is enough to drive ME mad, I
will tell him to his face that love you
and that you love me-"
eff you love me as you say you do,
Robert. you will let me do my simple
duty"
Marius had heard enough He went
back to his hotel, staggering like 4
drunken man.
He was an old fool then?
An old fool?
He asked his mirror and it told him the
truth.
How had he come to forget his thin
gray hair and the crows feet about his
eyes and to fancy that Cecic could really
love him?
Yes. He was an old fool
To night of agony succeeded heroic
resolve.
He sought Cecile and said:
"My child have come to the conclusion
that an old fellow like me, who has been
single SO long, had better remain single.
give you back your promise"
Cecile's heart leaped for joy, but she
replied
81 do not understand you, my dear Ma
RUS"
Hush" said he "Call me Father
won't you, my DEAR"
She comprehendcd the admirable self
abnegation expressed in those words,
and cried:
"Oh, how good you are to me always
Father
"And now" said Marius, with his old
time, good-natured smile, suppose we
ask our neighbors to dinner New York
News.
Beauty Measured In The Eyes.