The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-01-04
stitute, SO that he may carry back a ia.

u
vorable report"
sIf he comes here as spy he had bet
ter return" said Kate. "Doubtless b,
will be well paid for his news"
Why did Minnie's cheek flush and he
fingers tremblep Surely the girls sneer
ing, cold tone was nothing to her.
The party started off on horseback IL
fine spirits. In about two hours they re
turned slowly and sadly as iunera
train. Minnie fastened to the door
Upon rude litter, carried by four of tht
party, lay, apparently dead, the trav
eler. who had the night before come tt
the inn.
Show did it happen?" she asked.
"Lent his own 'orse to another man. y
said the hostler, ''and the borrowed one
struck the upper bar of the first gate and
threw him over. The 'orse was killed
miss"
They carried him to the best room, sent
tor surgeon, and Minnie fingered near
the door while young Oldtield and an
other OF the party tried to restore him to
life. She fastened for any restorative
they demanded, and at last, when the
surgeon arrived, crept into the room to
hear his verdict.
When George Savage arrived the next
day his friend was in raving delirium.
For days he lowered between life and
death, and in all that time not one of the
gay fishing party again came to the poor
artist. Minnie was his nurse. Her old
aunt, who was very much interested in
the poor young man, directed her and
George Savage in their treatment of the
invalid, ana when the young man was
again out of danger, and his friend had
returned to London, Minnie and her aunt
were left to take care Of the stranger.
mr. rlrn
made study of Minnie. He was charmed
with her gentle, tender care of HIM, and
amazed at the fine cultivated mind the
simple country maiden possessed. When
his friend Savage sent him any new
books from town, and Minnie read them
aloud to him, he was delighted with the
depth of Information her remarks dis
played. In short, Mr.. Herbert Grant
was in love.
One morning Minnie was reading to
him in her rich melodious voice from
Miss Landon's poems:
SIT is fearful thing
TO love as 10y Love nes to feel the world
A blank without thee. Nevermorc to me
Can hope, joy, fear, wear different seeming.
have no hope that does not dream for thee;
! nave no Joy that is not shared by thee:
have no fear that does not dread for thee:
All that once took pleasure in-my Lutte
Is only sweet when IL repeats thy name;
My flowers, only gather them for thee;
The book drops listess down. l can not read,
Unless it is to thee"
"PshawW said Minnie, trying TO laugh.
"Has not your friend sent you something
more interesting than this?"
Minimize" said Herbert, looking full
into her large dark eyes, 81 think it is
beautiful"
What brilliant color the innkeepers
daughter did possessl
''Minnie. my own Minnie, love you,"
said Herbert.
"A week or two later there was a very
pathetic parting.in the little room which |
Mr.. Grant occupied.
said aer5eg ana sba go0any Se d hdnrs
are up tomorrow. / will write in day |
or two, and soon return to claim you, |
Minnie"
: The next morning Minnie was up very |
early. Had she not to get her fathers
breakfast before he started to market?
But after her father had left why did she
not return to the house, ins tead of stand
ing and talking to the hostler, as he fed |
and watered Mr.. GRANTS horsep 1t was |
a beautiful horse, and Minnie evidently |
thought so; else why did she stand strok- !
ing his name, and patting it so fondly?l
MIR. Grant was looking out of his window.
and there was pleased smile on his |
face when he noticed her. He came
down few moments afterward, booted |
and spurred, and, though still pale and
rather weak, in high spirits.
Minnie had secret for her fathers ear |
that night, and the old man said:
"Well, lass if he'll prove he's respect |
able man, and can support you, why he's
suppose l must let you CO."
And Minnie, seated beside him, nestled |
close into his arms and sang her sweet |
est songs.
In an elegant apartment in London
young Herbert Grant is pacing rapidly |
up and down; an elderly lady seated ON |
sofa, is talking to him.
"Dear HERBERT" she is saying, 81 wish |
you would listen to reason. What will
Kate sayW
"Katel cold-hearted girl, who saw
me brought, dying, apparently, tU house
within hall mile OF her, and never sent
to know if I survived my fall was a
fellow creature at leastW
''But, my dear"
"Mother," said Herbert, taking her
hand, and seating himself beside her,
"you do not know Minnie. She is no
coarse, uneducated rustic. Any lady
might be proud OF her beauty and talents
and, mother, I firmly believe, if it had
not been for her kind nursing, should
have died."
"You did not send for me-" said his
mother.
'No; until I was conscious, they did
not know where to send" he replied.
.sGeorge came down by a former invita-
tion, and l feared to tell you, lest, in
spite of your feeble health. you would in
sist upon coming to ME. Mother, you
will consent to call Minnie daughterf"
1t took more than one such cOaxing to |
win her; but Herbert was her all in all, |
and finally she consented.
"My wife,my wifer' whispered young
man in carriage driving through Lon
don streets one evening, and he drew his |
companion close to his heart. "Here we
are. darling; and now my poor tired bird
can rest"
They had been on the continent and
were now home.
"Welcome, my daughter" said an ell
derly lady, pressing the traveller to her
heart, "N elcome home."
"Would your lordship like any refresh |
ments ~ said a servant coming in.
"Lady Adair," said Herbert, gaily,
"shall order refreshments"
"Lady Adairp said Minnie.
"Why, HerbertW cried his mother.