The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-01-16
wound you, Elsie, May 1 call you

ElSieP
Mrs. Linville entered just then, and
said, seemingly not having noticed the
tableau;
Elsie, my dear, where is your hus
Ibandi" .-
AS if in answer to her inquiry the gen
eral presented himself the next moment
saying:
"My dear, there is one OF the children
from the asylum waiting to see you, ii
Mr.. Mayo will excuse you a few mo-
mentS."
How glad she was to escape. When
she returned to the drawing-roOm again
it was in answer to her husbands sum.
mons, saying Mr.. Mayo was going.
Cold and trembling was the hand he
clasped, the eyes raised an instant to his
filed only with sorrow and regret.
"No anger, thank Heaven" he said af-
terhe had left her.
'spoor boy" General Lester said, as
the door closed on the unhappy young
man.
That day hearts had been revealed to
Elsie's husband as we'll as to her mother.
Not returning to the drawing room, but
throwing himself on little sofa in the
library, General Lester began to think
for the first time il he had done wiselyin
wOOlng and winning his chid-Wile, in
uniting her young life with one SO diff
ferent in every respect. Hidden behind
the heavy curtains OF the bay-window,
he was not seen when Elsie came In, to
be Immediately followed by her mother.
| A few moments of silence, and Mrs. Lin
vile said:
"Elsie, my child, how can l speak of
my fearst' Mr.. Mayo-he-"
| "Mother, you must not. Know this,
and be at peace. The wife of such a,no-
| Ia Ia u,l tnH nr
cause either blush Of modification to
mantle his brow, or doubt of her faith
| to come for one moment to the heart OF
| her husband.'
Was that the voice of Elsie! Child no
| longer then---WOmanly commanding, as
| suring. Her husband felt it SO.
| The next .day. Elsie received a little
note from Earnest Mayo. Thus he wrote:
'Pity and forgive. You will when
tell you, until from your mothers lips
heard those hope and heart crushing
words, believed you General Testers
daughter. God bless you! Good-byep
| That was all; yet, oh! 80 much it was
to her. She was so truly thankful that
he had not fallen from the high pinnacle
on which she had placed him. In igno-
rance he mad loved her.
| Feeling that her mother must also ac-
| Quit him Of Intentional wrong, she placed
the note in her hand. Mrs. Linyille was
relieved.
That night when retiring General Les
ter found on his dressing-taDle Earnest
Mayo's defense. He knew Elsie had
placed it there tor him to read.
| "Poor children! good children! Well,
| well, they are young and may be happy
yet" he said:
| A few days sitter he handed Elsie a pa
per, pointing 10 the announcement OF the
Rev. Earnest Mayo having resigned his
charge of - church and was on the
pOint OF starting on mission to Africa.
More attentive aud devoted than ever
was Elsie to her husband. Some that
had predicted an unhappy change mar
veled much that time seemed to increase
| the love they bore each other. And he
| that had SO petted and cherished his
child-wle loved the noble woman with a
| love SO devoted and unseltish that
| tho tghts for her future happiness were
ever in his mind and heart.
-"Shc is so young; years of happiness
| will vet be hers,' he often murmured.
| Ten wears had passed away. and still
| in that foreign cline Earnest Mayo lived
and worked Danish Elsie from his mind
he could not, yet the angels who guarded
about him could not ceusure him tor the
love he bore her. He knew not even that
she lived, and never made attempt TO OBJ
tain any tidings Of her. lie only pray ed
that they might meet in That land where
all is love and love for all.
AT last after all those years there came
sach longing for his native land, his
mother home, mis- thoughts could Go long
er be regulated. They would carry hin
away. Tar of, back to the dearest spot OF
: cartn. Home in dreams ever he went
yet.hc would not yield until one dal
there came tidings from home--a lette
: IRON well-known lawyer, inclosipg on'
from General Lester, and informing hin
OF the death of the good and noble man.
, Hastily tearing open the generaPs let
1 ter. Earnest read:
"My esteemed friend: When you re
n ceiye this Elsie will be alone;. come t
Z her, To no ones care can l.entrust m
darling with such perfect confidence a
q to yours. GERALD LESTER"
"Oh! the unspeakable tide OF joy whic
: rushed into Earnest MayO's soul then
5 No longer was it wrong ior him to Low
her. Had not the noble heart. then pass
q ed from earth, wished il SOP Was he nc
1 in heaven them watching 0VeH ana pray
IL ing for their happiness!
When Earnest reached, his natly
shores, Elsie had been widowed NOR
j. than a year.. Truly she had mourned he
I husbands death. When Earnest saw he
r he thought hen lar more beautiful tha
u in bright, happy youth.
She sat thinking of Earnest, and wol
% dering if he WAS Still in that tar on lant
. She had thought SO much OF him latel.
n and she loved to 10 so.
IL "For now there is no wrong in it" ST
T. said.
If A coming step. The opened door We
q darkened by u well-relaembered forr
a and Elsie heard again the voice OF Ear
ii est Mayo close beside her saying:
s. .He Dade me come to yOu,- Elsie. Ca
g. you welcome mew
&c "He-who? Oh, yes" she murmure
le placing her hand in his.
1t "Tne General, Elsie," and, still clas
IA ing his dear hand, Earnest drew for
~ tnat precious messenger from the abse
"a one and held it before her.,
n GLOW good, noble and unseltish
y; was" Elsie said, her eyes filling Wi
~ tears. IL,
IN "Did he know, Elsie?"
al "More than either of us, l think Ri
nest"
ir faye, and loved and trusted bol
His last thoughts were for our hapRjnes
IA God has been very good, Elsie. l. ney
Ie, hoped after that day of terrible awake
ing to have the right to love you exec