The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-01-02

Th6n composed myBe1, ana walking
calmly to the hotel, sought my own
apartment, My mother--gentle SOUL
attributing to my parting with Roger,
10 allow her thus to deceive herself, did
not attempt to explain.
In short time heard his voice ask
ing the servant If we were disengaged,
and regardless of consequences, sent
down message that was too i'll to see
him; on that, the last evening that we
were to be together The next morning,
before the ship sailed, wrote line to
Mr.. Roger Dermott--and returning a
book which had found awaiting me the
night before, told him-with no expla-
nation-that he was free, our engage
ment was at an end. And, with quiet
scorn, warned him not to write to me,
tor if he did, ! should burn his letters un-
never broke my word. Then 1 slipped
his ring into the envelope, and SO, it was
all over. -..
Alter that we returned to our home in
New York, and there the fever seized
me. went down to the gates of death F;
but my feet were stayed at the portals,
SO came back again to life, with its du-
ties and stern realities. One blow fol-
lowed another in quick succession.
Hardly had 1 regained my strength
when my mother, prOstrated by my long
illness, set forth ON that last, lonesome
journey that we all must take alone.
With her dear hands in mine watched
her as she "fell on Sleep" She died un-
conscious of what had come between
Roger and me, and our two names were
the last upon her lips. Died! and we
who had always been together were
a r n tln In II fNv ka
first time, s'the old, the old fashion,
Death;" but, "thank Godl all who see it,
for that older fashion yet, OF immortal
typ
stood alone in the world-God help
the poor woman who has that to say Of
herself-and with q woman's very pre-
carious chances of earning an honest
livelihood. But was fortunate in find
ing friend, and just at the blackest
hour of my night (the hour before the
day-dawn); just when my heart had
faied me, and, desolate and alone, felt
"hedged in" by all the pitiless world-a
kind hand was stretched out to save me
from despair. An old time friend of my
father offered me the charge Of circu-
lating library, and, too thankful for words
ed my tace in the direction of my work.
1t was in the beginning of winter, and
glad was l of the employment which
would secure me from want during that
1nclement season, and l was ready for
the hardest, most irksome task. Mr.. Lee,
my employer, was genial old GENTLE
man, perfect "book- -Worm," and soon
found my labor very engrossing. Among
books could not be lonely, and 80 the
days wore away, and winter glided into
spring, and still was employed.
Some three years had elapsed since
my mothers death, when one day there
happened to me one of those ineXplicable
occurrences which no one can accoun t
for, which puzzle the wisest and most
learned OF scientists and scholars; some
call it providential interposition. Now,
l am simple little woman, and perhaps
l do not reason very soundly, or more
likely do not reason at all, and just ar
rive at the conclusion of such matters by
the road of my own intuition. But,
like to think tnat my mothers spirit Is
in better land, looking upon me, and
knowing now the mistake under which
she IabOred when she died-concerning
Roger Dermott and me-with loving
care, directed me that day. At least it
will do no harm to think SO.
At all events, going one day into an
unused room, l stumbled over a small
wooden box. "Bless mew cried Mr.. Lee,
looking little yexed, ''if there isn't that
box of secondhand books which pur-
chased ever so long ago, and then forgot
all about them. They comprise some
valuable works and will be useful to u.s."
So saying he hastily removed the lid OF
the box, and l was soon assisting to as
sort the contents. Was it any wonder
that grew pale and faint, as put my
hand on a copy of Longtellow, with Rog-
er Dermott's name on the fly leaf? Well
did remember the book, which he had
sent me, the very day before he sailed. [
did not stop to conjecture how it came
there, but sat idly tluttering the leaves
with one hand, and thinking of our last
meeting. l closed the book with a ges-
ture Of contempt, as the memory of that
day came back TO me; when just then, /
perceived that something had dropped d
IRON between the leaves and lay upon
the floor at my feet.
"What have you there, Miss Marian"
asked MIR. Lee, smilingly,. and in maze
l answered, "a post-office, l should
Think" for l saw that the object lying
there was letter-a letter with nv
name on the envelope, and in Roger Der
motifs hand. tore it open-tnis is what
it said:
MY DEAR MARIAN-Forgive me If l do
not come as early as usual tonight. Lit
tie Jeanette Dent has begged me to do
her favor. The poor girl has lover
an honest, steady fellow, who lives few
miles away. Old Dent whom you know
to be a worthless, drinking man), swears
that the marriage shall not take place,
and l have promised Jeanette to beg
her fathers consent and entreat him to
alter his former decision. This she is
sure can accomplish, as have some
influence with him. 1 will bring the re-
suit OF my intercession to her this even
ing on the beach, as she fears to see me
at her own home. could not refuse to
do this. for The poor girl Is almost wild
with trouble; ana thinking, my Marian,
OF our own happiness, sets my heart q
quiver at thought OF the misery of any
one, no matter how humble. send this
note, and the copy of Longfellow Iprom-
ised you. by the servant. Please wait
patiently the coming Of your
The spring sunlight stole in the narrow
window of the dark old lumber room,
and danced across the dingy floor, where
crouched with my head bowed on my
clasped hands, and the hot tears stream
ing from my eyes, and falling on the
dusty boards at my feet. So, we were
separated forever, and I, in my mad
blindness, had done it all.
dried my eyes, and went back to my
work; but the heart was gone from it,
hpncefOrth and when the sIlmmer came