The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-03-31

ImurmureQ MIS- love ana graGnuue.
Time passed, and yet they fingered.
Suddenly noise was heard, and quickly
! Leroux resumed his mask.
81 must leave you," he whispered;
"but before we part tell me once more
that may hope"
"Go," responded Lucie. "Go, and let
the thought of me strengthen and regen.
crate you. Dante, Beatrice will never
forget you, and now FAREWELL"
With these words Mile. st. Croix en-
tered the conservatory and disappeared,
and in moment more, Henri Leroux
turned to leave the boudoir.
81 have had the pleasure of hearing
my daughters last speech to you, sir,'
were the words that greeted him upon
the threshold, "aAd as the father of the
lady / must inquire your name, not be-
ing able to recognize you in this dress
and mask"
"If / decline to reply at present, Count
st. Croix will pardon me-" responded
II will neither pardon nor accept ex-
cuse; but insist that you reply upon the
Instant" was the naughty reioinder.
"Then ] must again refuse. You,
moreover, force me to recall the fact
that my mask gives me the privilege ol
refusing to make myself known. l now
take my leave, Count st. CroiX, with the
solemn promise to return shortly and
| solve this present mystery"
AS he said these words Leroux ad-
vanced toward the door; but in mo-
ment st. Croix had grasped him roughly
| by the arm.
"Unmask instantly" he exclaimed
fercely.
"As you WILL" responded his listener;
"but remember, l begged that you
would abide my time"
AS he spoke, Leroux removed the
mask.
''Then was not Mistaken" continued
the Count. sit is Monsieur Henri Le-
roux whom / nave the pleasure of ad-
dressing, Monsieur Leroux, who, unbid-
den ana stunned, has, in secret, gained
admittance to my house and laid siege
to the affection of my child"
Incensed at the intrusion and angered
by the scene he had witnessed, St.
Croix raised his arm to strike Leroux.
zone instant" responded the listener,
grasping the upraised arm firmly, II
have been wrong in thrusting myself be-
meath your roof, and have but one ex-
cuse. love your daughter, and seek to
and fortune, l desire more fitting op-
portuniJy. Circumstances compel me to
ayow all now; but do not desire your
answer. l only beg you will give me
time to prove my repentance for past
folly, and my steady purpose for the fu-
| ture."
sin you, sir, / see no future for me or
mine. l only know that my child shall
never be your wife. Rather than give to
you her youth, her purity and innocence,
| | would implore the God that blessed me
| with such child TO call her hence. You
| have my answer for all time. Cop
"Fatherw murmured soft low voice.
"Father, love him."
"Then will protect you against your
self; and ds TO you, Henri LerouX, leave
my house instantly, unless you would be
driven hence by my servants"
A faint cry of griet escaped the lips of
Lucie, and in an instant more she lay in.
sensible upon the floor. The love, which
until that night had been cherished ST.
lently in the heart Of Lucie ST. Croix as
some hidden and priceless treasure, was
now no longer a part of inner life, but
had been torn from its seclusion and reft
from her by one terrible blow. Sensi.
tive in spirit, and reserved in character,
Lucie shrank from the shock. For days
life seemed almost extinct. AT lenglh b
the crisis passed and health seemed to
return; but, to their sorrow, the Count
and Countess found that the trial had
proved too severe for one SO delicately
organized. With returning yigor OF
health her mind wandered.
At times Lucie was listless and moody,
and again happy and playful as child
Her fancy clung to one thought. She
deemed herself Beatrice, and as the
name of Dante and LerouX were ever or
her lips, as though connected and closely
linked with some wild thought.
| Two years elapsed, when at length the
| Count st. CroiX received a message tell
| ing him that the Venetian Ambassador
then travelling in France, would visit tn,
chateau.
! AS st. Croix had formerly accepted
his hospitality, the request could not bt
ignored, ana every preparation wa
made for his reception.
The Countess, entertaining O yagu
hope that a gay scene might benefit he
unhappy child, gave all direction
gladly.
The morning of the reception dawne(
bright and beautiful. Lucie, eXquisiCel,
dressed, was seated upon the terrac,
with Antoinette. WOnderingly she gaZet
at the decorations, and with pleased sur
prise listened to the music.
i Atlength the Ambassador arrived, ant
when within sight OF the chateau, he dis
mounted with his retinue, and ON foo
advanced up the wide avenue.
4 Slowly the group approached. An
toinette was particularly attracted b,
the appearance of one of the gentlemel
who walked near the Ambassador. Hi
dress was subdued in style, but singu
larry becoming to the dark, handsom
lace. Suddenly Antoinette felt her han,
grasped by her companion, and turning
she saw Luce eagerly watching the MAJ
described. AS the group reached tn
terrace the stranger turned toward th
; young girls. The expression OF his ey
spoke sadness and deep thought. o.
seeing Lucie st. Croix, look of gla
recognition lit up his tace, and he ad
yanced few steps toward her; the
pale, and death-like, he halted, pressin
his hand to his heart, as though seize
with sudden pain.
Lucie mad watched him attentively
Suddenly releasing her hand from Anto
inette's fond hold, she rose, her loyel
!. face beaming with the light of reason.
"Henri," she cried. "Henri, you hay
comep
81 have" exclaimed Leroux.
In an instant, Lucie st. CroiX wa
folded in the arms of the man she had S
truly loved, and her head pillowed aboy
+ his heart.
'Dante, your Beatrice has waite
your coming," she whispered. 'Bu
Il H..