The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-01-16
A'cRUEL JOKE.

w
course. Rumor had declared it would be
the most brilliant Of the season. Gen.
Lester 10 Elsie Linyille.
At length there was a little SUR near
the door which ANNOUNCED their coming.
A half suppressed murmur OF surprise
and admiration escaped the lips OF many
as the noble-looking man walked proudly
up the aisle, bearing on his arm the beau
titul child-for only u child she was,
truly.
Scarce eighteen summers had passed
over her, and not as yet had cloud rest
ed on her young brow.
Many no doubt thought Mrs. Linville
most fortunate in having secured for her
child such brilliant alliance.
A few maidens as young and fair as the
bride cast enyious glances, not on The
young girl, but the costly gems in which
she was decked.
Had Mrs. Linvi,le no misgivings when
she gave her young daughter TO Il man so
very much older? Gen. Lester was quite
sixty. Truly their union was like May
and December.
No, the mothers heart was not trou-
bled. She had secured for her darling u
life of luxury-eyery thing that money
could purchase. Surely Elsie must be
happy, ana she was.
ueucTal LcSttl luOllLSu Hio
child-wife. How he enjoyed Watching
her delight when lie carried her to see
the wonders and treasures Of the old
world. Like a joyous cid she returned
home after an extended tour, laden with
costly toys.
TWO years passed, in her home of I'M
surpassed splendor Elsie lived, still no
shadows clOuding her bright LIE. Ey-
erywhere the General saw his darling
admired. Often he would laugh merrily
when some young acquaintance would
ask to be introduced to bis daughter.
Yes, frequently the young wife was thus
mistaken, yet it brought no uncasines to
her trusting husband. Ills was perfect
confidence as well as love.
olrcy were at Saratoga, Elsie more beau
{, tluf than ever. There were many new
arrivals one day. Among them the Rev.
Earnest Mayo. lie was quite young, but
already had won the reputation Of being
| one of the most gifted OF the time.
| lie stood talking with a young class
mite who had for several weeks
been guest at the springs. Looking
" 18th much interest on Il group seated Il
little way of, he asked:
"Who is that grand-looking man?
should like to know him.
| "And the lovely lady beside him, l I'M
.arine, too" Interrupted his friend.
"Yes, 1 should; she is very beautiful
His daughter, suppose, returned Earn
est Mayo. :,
ayes, General and Miss Lester; will
ask permission to present you," said hi
friend, wild, thoughtleas fellow, eve
ready for joke, not caring much wha
the cost might be. 1t just struck hin
what capital fun it would be to hav,
Rev: Earnest Mayo doing the agreeabl
to General Lester's wife, thinking her
young girl.
sion, the young man presented hi
friend.
The form OF Introducing General an
: Miss Lester was .unnoticed by eithe
Elsie or her husband; as the young ma
hoped it might be.
That evening spent with Elsie decide
Earnest Mayo's late. She, In her innC
cence, endeared herself every hou
more firmly to the man who had neye
loved any woman, save his mother an
sisters.
He was so different, so far superior
= those whom she had betih accustomed
meet, that Elsie loycd to have him wit
them, And the General equally we
leased with the young clergyman, co
3 daily invited him to JOIN them i'll the
f parlor; and tnus, morning, noon an
night found him the guest of Elsie an
y the General. A week passed so, an
Y then when Earnest was summoned ha
l t.Iy home he had not discovered the mi
take he had made. Many times /
thought he must write to her, or to u
o General for permission to do SO. Bl
o not confident that he had now more tina
v a friendly remembrance from the iovel
:. Elsie, he dared not. Wait he determine
to, until he should meet her again, Whit
y he felt sure would be at no distant da
II Early that autumn 1t was announce
;, that the Rev. Mr.. Mayo would preach
the church where Elsie and the Gener
IL attended.
s. Both were delighted to meet the
II friend again. =.
- .sUome, dine with US tomorrow" sa
T. the General, and "do comep from Elsi
3 made Earnest very happy.
It He went, his heart filled with love al
hope, so soon to be crushed with despa
TO feel the love, which he believed
er pure, must be baltled with, conquere
L. and cast forth. as one unholy.
NJ Elsie presented her friend to "mama
~ and Earnest naturally believed her Nj
'' Lester.
10 Mrs. Linville was woman Of t
Il world, experienced and discernil
:, When she saw the earnest devotion
u the young mans manner toward h
RS daughter, she grew anxious; .watchi
OF more attentively Elsie, she could not
20 to notice, she regarded this young IN
10. with more than common Interest. Tit
y for the first time since her child's IL
he riage, the mothers heart was troubled
an Alter dinner Genera! Lester was cal
ne from the drawing-room on business, a
ii. Mrs. Lnville being absent, Elsie "
On left alone to entertain their guest. I'll
nd Earnest talked OF his happiness in me
he ing her again, Of his regret at be-
,at called 80 suddenly from her.
be-. "Many, mary times l've felt as !
is must write, but dared NOT until kn
l." more OF your heart" he SAID.
en- A frightened look came into her eye!
To tide OF crimson over h.r fair iace---an
is slant more and she grew SO pale I
ri. Earnest sprang closer to her, saying
al- he caught her hand
"What have l said to trighsen