The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1875-09-25

lowed by oliver Murray, who gave O
start as he saw Fleming, and then his
frank, honest face twitched and l saw a
cold, gray shadow cross 1t, and knew
that he was suffering intense pain.
IAN. Ftemingp said uncle quietly,
"yeu herey"
'"Yes, MIR. Wllmot," said Fleming,
smiling; ~ brought you over the paper,
that's all. Just oil. Good morning.
Good morning, Miss Wilmot," he said,
pressing my hand.
"Good morning, and thank you, my
lad" said uncle quietly, his eyes liked
ON me the while: and then with short
nod 10 Oliver Murray, John Fleming
went out, while our other visitor crossed
to and shook hands in quiet grave
way, and could see now the pain had
caused shining out of his soft, gray,
earnest eyes; for had not this man, with
. all the tack Of a gentleman, told my IN
Gle that he loved me Though save In
his grave gentle way, and little kind
nesses, he had never shown it to me.
/, could not help comparing the two
men--lhe one tail, handsome, distiHgue,
the other broad-shouldered and plain
as said few words distantly in reply
TO his inquiries; ana saw his lip quiyer
as read him throagh and throu ia, as a
girl may read amy true, frank man; and
ne was saying to himself, s'God bless
her! may she De happy with him." And
then, IN spite of my outer coldness, the
throbbinss OF my heart began, as 1 could
not help thinking how true and earnest
was this grave, gray-eyed man toward
the woman who he felt was gone from
him forever; and my heart seemed to
swell with great pity tor one Who could
be such gentleman ut heart.
''I think you're right, Murray" said
uncle, tapping the glass again. ''SAe's
gone down again in tne last hour OF two,
wonderful"
! 81 could hear the distant thunder as I
came across" said Oliver. giezins ut me
the while; ''tney're having a heavy
storm on the hills, and l thought Pa
come and warn you."
"rnanky, my lad, thanky," said uncle.
"Murray will have a bit OF dinner with
us. NeiIy-but, hang il, man, what's
The matter? you look like somebody else.
You were as CHEEKY AS cricket as we
came."
dare hardly glance at him, but did !;
and | saw the grave, painted eyes wan
der from me to uncle, and back again,
and there was IL terrID.e silence in the
| room.
At last he spoke.
"Pve been took aback, Mr.. Wilmot,"
he said, with IL plteous smile; IL nave
been surprised this morning, and after
what l said TO you, sir, it has come upon
me like II thuuder-clap, Pm not myself
miss Wilmot," ne said, making an ef-
| tort over himself, and speaking calmly,
as he came TO where l stood, feeling
white now, and took my hand, 1--WE may
be neignbors for years, 80 think it bet
ter-to speak out plainly-said some
words to your uncle yesterday-in ig-
norance-l did not know what you know
now, or l would not have spoken. /
meant to naye-to have asked you TO be
my wife, for was blind to every thing
but the fact that loved you very dearly.
Now it is all over, and l say-GJd bless
you! May you be very happyp
lie raised my hand TO his lips and
kissed il as if had been queen, and
my heart swelled more ana more with
ing; and as he dropped it ana stood gaz-
ing reyerently at me l could hear no
more, but ran up stairs to throw myself
on my bed and lie there sobbing as ii my
neart would break.
l don't know now long lay there, din
ner and everything forgotten but those
two soft, tender, piteOus eyes looking
into mine wnen l started up awake 10
the fact that the room looked very dark.
that it was thunuering very heavily, and
there was the sound OF rushing waters.
hastily bathed my eyes, which were
now dazzIed by the lightning, and
smoothed my hair to so down below; but
out ut the front the rain was coming
swollen SO that Its irothy surface was
Iaypl with Ia font brilVa
son, miss, amt it awiul" said voice
at my elbow. "Master's at the mill with
Mr.. Murray and the men, aud they're
afraid somthin' viii be swep' away
ohv'
The girl-our maid-gave shrek as a
vivid flash OF lightning seemed to ii | the
house; and for the next hour the light
ming, rain and thunder were incessant,
though mover left the window for mo-
lnent.
Once, in the midst of it all, uncle and
Oliver Murray came running up from the
mlll, drenched both of them to the skin,
70 fetch a screw-wrench and couple Of
crowbars; and the water streamed from
them as they said lew cneery words,
telling me not to be afraid, and then ran
back.
Suddenly the storm seemed to be
swept back toward the hills, the rain
ceased as if my magic, the thunder grew
more distant, the lightning more rare /;
out ash hastily tied ON . hat, and went
out over the streaming paths, the sight
of the little river was now terrific. The
water was almost black, but covered
with foam as it rushed along. The bridge
was washed away, corn sneayes, dead
sheep, loose hay and trees were being
| whirled along, and ifit went on swell
ing could see that the mill would be in
danger.
"Ah, Nelly, dearestl' said voice;
"Pve come to see II could be OF any
helps" and turning, there stood John
Fleming, well dressed, dry, and unruf-
He'd, as he threw OFF q macintosh.
just then oub from the mill came uncle
and oliver Murray, grimy. soaked and
with their hair clinging " their fore
heads.
"Ah, Fleming! come to help? said un.
Gle grimly; "better stand aside my lad {;
we shall soil you"
He laughed and whispered something
to me about Oliver Murray's appearance; |;
but turned away Indignantly, as Muir
ray smiled pleasantly aud said:
"Ahl don't look much of a fady's
man nOW."