The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-05-05
The Belle of the 'fBranch. y


"I shall not remain in the city another
week. 1 am resolved to have my own
way in this matter. Itis a shame to be
shut up like this when all my friends are
enjoying the seashore. Yes, / shall leave
the city on Saturday. My mind is made
up, and when ! resolve upon a plan I
never YIELD"
This spirited speech came from the
lips Of pouting beauty, and was intend
ed for the ears of her husband, who had
his newspaper and cigar. He had not
heard the first of the speech, but was
forcibly reminded of the latter clause by
the energy with which it was uttered.
s'To the seashore, Nettiep 1 have a
plan in my mind, that l was to propose
this evening, which think you will like
BETTER"
''To board in the country during the
three warmest months"
SIN the country! For mercy sake,
George, do not talk about the country; q
place as gloomy and quiet as church.
yard, and swarming with mosquitoes. l
should die of loneliness to be banished
from society three months"
"But l shall be out every evening,
Nettie, and we shall have sunday to
enjoy together, while if you go to the
seashore, shall not be able to be with
you at all beside the enormous expense
of watering places, with the fashionable
style kept up there, would be serious
obstacle IN the way"
eIt need not be, am sure, George. l
know you can afford this little expense !;
and then, too, had rather spend fort
night at a general watering place, than
three months in the country. Live while
we do live,' is my MAXIM"
"I hoped, Nettie, that you would be
pleased with my plan, for have taken
great pains to secure an agreeable home
for US, in pleasant family in the midst
of a fine country village, where there are
plenty of trees, and woods, and hand
some summer residences. You can not
possibly Ire lonesome there"
"Nobody goes into the country, George,
only those who can not afford TO 60 to
the watering places. All my acquaint-
anoes have gone to Newport or the
Branch, and am going, too"
The next Saturday night found Nettie
domiciled at one Of the most fashionable
hotels at the Branch. George did not
his wife when he saw how happy she
was made by it.
Before she had been week at the ho-
tel, Nettie was unanimously voted the
"belle Of the season. q
This was very fattering position to
sustain, and in the midst Of this tide OF
admiration, she forgot what little good
sense nature had spared to her, and
plunged headlong into fashion apd
pleasure. A crowd of attendants were
pressing their services and attentions
upon her. Her talent for music was
brought into use, and no song.were so
much applauded as those OF The charm
ing Nettie.
In the midst of this homage, Nettie
was awakened from her dream by lei
ter from George. 1t breathed only kind
ness and love. He was happy because
she was enjoying herself SO much. He
wrote in SO cheerful tone that it reas-
make new demands upon his eXerti0ns.
More money was seriously needed to
make the necessary change OF clothing.
The belle of the season must not appear
two nights in the same adornings. To
excite the pride of her husband, she sent
paper containing an account OF the
last fete, in which her name shone most
conspicuous Of all the bright stars in
that galaxy OF beauty.
George received this letter in his
counting-room, worn out with oyerWork,
and it's contents were anything but grati-
fying to him. He had dismissed one of
his clerks to lessen expenses, and was
performing the extra labor himself. He
had not even found time to leave the city
for day, but worked early and late and
with renewed diligence, to make up for
the unusual demands upon his purse.
The money was sent with gentle re-
monstrance, and deep anxiety lest
she should be injuring her health by this
excess of dissipation. He limited at the
time of her return, and proposed TO go
for her whenever she would appoint the
day of her departure.
Among the many admirers Of the Long
Branch belle was a Spanish Count, who
had lost all but his title and ancestral
blood through some unlocked Tor change
In his native country, and therefore
came to America. He was accomplished
and prepossessing in appearance, and
excelled in music. With these exornal
advantages, he made himself very at
tractive to Netue. In fine, he was the
favored attendant.
Count Lenardo was flattered and graf.
flied by his power over the beautiful wo.
man. He became greatly enamored, and
with the impetuousness OF his national
character, gave evidence of his love by
the most untiring devotion. Nettie. was
blinded by her own life OF excitement,
and did not understand nor believe the
import of the Counts attentions.
After mature reflection, George Cava-
nagh took upon himself q disguise that
afforded him perfect security, and made
his way to Long Branch. Here he de.
termined to mingle with the crowd and
watch his treasure from a distance, and
vet be near enough to ward of danger, il
any should approach. His jealous love
coiored with the brightest tinge every
little act; the homage rendered to his
fair and beautiful wife seemed to hin
the foulest insult. He knew better than
Nettie the real character that lay be-
meath the pleasing exterior OF her many
admirers.
One evening party were strolling to-
ward the beach. 1t was a moonlight
evening, and nothing could surpass the
beauty OF the sea, with the soft light fall
ing on the waters, and the white sails o
little skiifs upon the waves. AT dis
tance one solitary wanderer paced uI
and down the beach, and occasionally
seated himself upon the rock. The gay
party went to the very edge OF the water
For some time the conversation was gen
eral, but the beauty Of the night tempted
| them in different directions and the com
pany separated into smaller groups, ant
| loitered away for quiet strolls..
Nettie and Count lenardO were lef