The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1875-10-08

nored. He rose to his feet, and running
| his hand nervously through his brown
beard, exclaimed iH voice whose emo
tien he could not conceal: la.
"What nave you to say 10 me, Jessief
Shall l 70 or stayp IL i.
| She rose alsp, looked straight into DIS
feyes and replied, with superb nonehal-
ance:
"After due deliberation, Charley.
have decided the momentous question
for you. II were you, would go
West. But remember, If the Indians
catch you, you must give them my ad.
dress, so that IL they scalp you they can
send me a lock of your hair" ..
| He turned from her with reproachful
glaBce and left the room without
q word. He paused in the bait
to- draw on his overcoat and gloves,
| ranged her music, closed the piano, and
| went singing softly UP to her chamber.
Before disrobing, she drew from her bo-
som a locket containing his picture, and,
gazing into the dark eyes raised 80 ten
derly to meet her own, she exclaimed III
voice whose every accent was love:
| II shah not be So hard on you again,
Charley dear. I'll capitulate the very
next time you ask me-"
| "Wnere Is father? asked Jessie as
she and her mother sat at the breakfast
table the next morning. "There was
terrible accident on the st. Louis road
last night" was the reply, land your
father and several other physicians were
telegraphed for.">
| IAN accidentlo exclaimed Jessie In
anguibh, the renefnbraHce OF her unklnd-l
ness to Charley flashing like lightning
upon her mind. "Wheil? WHERE? how
did it happenW Id.
"The messenger was so excited that l
eonid CATHERINE particulars. There was
a collision, however, and many OF the
passengers were killed and wounded"
"Oh, mother" sobbed Jessie, "Charley
tAnderson was on that train. I drove
him away by my folly and wickedness.
On, how loved him, moIhefi and now II
Ire should be dead or wounded can
never, never beshappy again
"Perhaps he is among the saved"
said Mrs. Roberts, cOnsolingly. "We
will at least hope so until we hear to the
CONTRARY. Your father isrcoming now;
perhaps he can tell US something OF
UharieyW
"Oh, fati.er," exclaimed Jessie, the
tears streaming from her eyes, as she
met him at the door, "can, you tell nae
anything of Charley~
"Why, bless my soulln exclaimed the
old doctor, "Pve nothing to do vita
Charley"
"But, father, he was on the train that
was wrecked" she exclaimed In eXpla-
nation.
swell, well, my little girl, that alters
the case. But, JESSIE" and he gathered
her to his heart as II she were a child,
''if Charley " as aboard that ill-fated
train he is butied among the debris.
am going back in q few hours and Will
make inquiries for him."
A lew hoursi What a lifetime OF mis-
cry could be compressed into a few hours,
Jessie thought, as her aimless feet wan
dered into the cold, darkened parlor
whence but last night he whOm she now
mourned had gone forth 80 strong and
vet so helpless, 50 brave and yet such
coward.
"On, mother" she exclaimed. as a soft
step entered the room and sought her
side, s'if Charley would but com back
to me alive and well, / would marry him
to-morrow-to-day il he would but ask
me again."
| A pair of strong arms encircled her-a
brown beard rested against her cheek.
81 am here, my darling," "a well-known
1 voice excla med. '.and1 shall hold you to
your words"
Jessie rallied in moment.
''But you were not on the train," she
| exclaimed. t...
1 NO." lie answered graveIy, 'I was
not. A kind Providence was watching
ever me aud keeping me from harm. l
reached the depot, but moment toe
late. AS soon as l heard of the accident
1 came here expecting to find you in
sackclOth and ashes and 10! 1 am not
disappointed" He locked saucily into
her eyes,. But stay,I will dispatch
your father for the license and the minis
ter, and will summon the necessary Wit.
nesses and We will be married imfnedi-
ateIy. Pm afraid to trust yeu again,
Jessie, and you know you said you
would marry me today if I would ask
yOn." saA1a -
"But you have not asked me yet, thai
remember"
1 81 will, however," He put his hand
beneath her chin and raised her face to
his. '.Jessie, will you be my witer
"Of course will" she answered.
tTve intended to all the time." 4 I
"And L shall claim the privilege .oi
naming the day" he replied, ''or force
| you TO surrender now"
So he aHewe her but a month in which
to gather together all of those wonder
tul things Which constitute a trousseau,
but Jessie declares yet that he took adj
vantage Of her By irigntenfng her into a
: capitulation.