The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-04-01
AN EMPTY-HEADED FoP,

"Neu, what Is Walter Grantley CON-
ing here for every evening? hope you
are not encouraging him in any atten-
tions he may pay you."
"Why should not encourage him, Un-
Gle Charlesp respect and like him."
"Respect himl walking tailors' ad-
yertisement! An empty-headedfopV
"You are severe, Uncle Charles. Mr..
Grantley dresses we'll but with no more
attempt at display than any young man
of his age and appearance is justified in
doing. And he is by no means empty
headed. He has read much, has seen
the world at home and abroad, and con-
verses we'll, far better than any other
gentleman who visits here"
'Humph! All of which means that ho
| has succeeded in fascinating you. l eX-
pect you to marry, Nell. You can not
| waste ali your young life with an old
| fellow like me. But would ike TO see
YOU the wife of solid mana good busi-
ness man-one able to carry on my
business when am dead-a man like
James Nelson"
Ellen Baldwin kept profound silence,
her eyes fastened upon her sewing.
| 81 know he is not handsome, and 1s
nearly forty. His clothes are not made
in the latest fashion, and he is some
times rough in speech. But he is a
thorough business man, able to take
care OF your fortune and even to in
crease it. He would make the best OF
husbands, and, Nell, he loves you."
s'Not at all, Uncle Charles. Mr.. Mel
son has done me The honor ofsproposing
to marry me, but love has nothing to do
with the matter. And neither like him
nor trust him."
mot trust him! Why, Nell, he has
| almost the entire control of the ware
house! l have gradually lett everything
20 him, Not trust James Nelson! You
must be insaneW
MIR. Baldwin looked at his niece with
glistening eyes. AS she was entirely
| independent Of his control, rich by right
of an inheritance IRON her father, though
his own companion Tor nine years, ms
marked Difference to his wishes touched
him deeply. He was sell-made man,
lacking refinement, not we'll educated,
but with il making capacity, and
! he had the too common contempt for
younp men who, like Walter Grantley,
were college graduates, and paid atten-
zion to dress, to looks, to the nlcetles OF
etiquette and conversation.
"You know, Nell," he SAID, after mo-
ment of silence, "that have only your
| interest at heart"
II do not need to be told that" his
| niece said, warmly. "HaVe you not
| heen father and mother to me since my
| own parents died? My hope is that know
ing i love Walter, you Will also learn to
respect and like him. lie labors under
the disadvantage OIL wealth, having in
| dependent means, but he was i'll busi-
mass for IL IoDg time before q legacy from
mis- grandfather gave him sufficient en-
ployment in managing the real estate
and stocks in which it was invested.
Iry to like him, Uncle Charles, for my
sake"
IWell, l will try. But l wish it was
James, l could like him without try
ing" ,,,.
not long after this conversation, while
her own heart was happy in her love and
her uncle's kindness, Nellie saw that a
change had come over MIR. Baldwin. lie
mad always been a genial man, with
kindly impulses, friends with the world
proud of the prosperity that was the
work of his own hands, but he became
very grave and quiet, even sad, absorbed
in papers, and evidently deeply troubled
n Nell worried over the change, bu
waited to know the cause.
The knowledge came one evening
J when Walter Grantley was making {
call, True 10 his promise, Uncle Charles
was trying to be friends with the young
man. and that he was succeeding Was
proved by his speaking in his presence
"Bad news, Nell," he said heavily. -
am Il ruined mani
"You, Uncle CharlesW
NelPs arms were around his neck
while his hand was taken in cordia
grasp by Walter.
OF warm concern, II hope it is not s.
bad as that" r..
!, "But it is" was the broken reply; "i
: do not see my way out OF the muddl
in a lew days, the old house OF Bald
win must 20 into bankruptcy"
S s'Therc is my money, Uncle Charles,
. said Nell.
will touch that! No, no. l AIN past sew
'. enty, ana if l must go down, l will no
l. drag your young lie with me. But
v can't understand it all. Eyerythin
seems to have gone on well, and yet w
l. can not meet our obligations"
e 1t was late in the evening when the
separated; but, early in the Emorning
alter received little note from Ellen
"Uncle Charles Is very ill. He Wishe
s to see you. Can you come? NELL"
j. In answer to the summons, Waite
was soon at the bedside OF the invaliC
;, He was very ill, gradually losing contrt
}, of his own thoughts, but he seemed
: wish Walter to examine his busines!
r. By great effort he wrote u paper al
pointing the young man his represents
i tive until he was better, and before moo
|, delirium held him fast. For many lon
days Nell scarcely left the sick room
save for few hurried interviews wit
Walter. The old man exhausted, by hi
b unwonted anxiety and application
'. business, after years of comparativ
, idleness, lay between life and dealt
lighting violent attack Of fever. Eve
when the raving was over and he kne
o Nell again, he lay in state of pitiaD
:, weakness, unable to Keep up a settle
e train OF thought for two minutes tt
e gether, and still in danger Of sinking I'M
l, death sleep.
d Walter came often at night to tai
d Nelps place in the sick room, and ga'
her some hours of sorely-needed res
1t and friends were plenty to help in nur
ing. Still, it was more than six Weel
after the evening when he opened b
|. heart to Walter Grantley, before M
i. Baldwin seemed to remember his bus
d ness perplexities. But one night, wht
a all the household slept, the invalid, se
q ing Waiter seated beside him, said in
H. low weak voice:
n sis the warehouse closedW
m "Closed? No, indeed. Business WI
ls never more prosperous"
gsRut hOwW