The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1875-08-20
LEOMIE.
,sMiss Cameron,

: Leonie Cameron lazily looking out o.
a bOW-WindoW upon garden flaming
+ with autumn tints and sunset glow, lifted
, a pair Of soft dark eyes to Mrs. Toll.
| mans face.
"What is the matter?"
+ An awkward pause followed that ques.
tion.
, Mrs. TolIman fldgeted under the in.
quiring glance Of the dark eyes, cleared
J her throat twice and finally said, with
nervous emphasis
John Furber."
Miss Cameron's face seemed to freeze.
TWAS a very beautiful face, with pride
for a leading expression.
"rhere," Mrs. Tollman said despair
ingly, "Pye made you mad already, and
/ haven't said any nythng."
II am not mad," Leonie answered, and
there certainly lurked u smile in her
mouth at the good woman's consterna-
zion; "but you have not told me what
troubles yoa."
''lRs--i's-John, Miss Cameron, and
he's my nephew, miss, as you know,
though his father is a rich man, yery
rich; and John is above his mother 8
place in her lite. She's dead, and John
Twas spoiled somewhere between the
year she died and two years ago. don't
know where, but ne took to bad ways.
lie was brought up an idler upon his
fathers money, and from idleness to
drinking, gambling and bad ways is an
easy road. His father is hardunan and
he thrust him out near year ago. Dis.
inherited him. He came here, for love
him. I'ye nothing else to love-husband
and children in the graveyard, so love
J0Ln."
i There was a piteous pleading in the
woman's face, but Leonie,s was blank,
save for an air OF polite interest.
"He WAS most desperate when he came
here, but l'ye coaXed him up little.
But-but-O, MISS Cameron, you know
what l want to say. Eve no right to find
fault, but--but--don't flirt with John.
lie is in trouble, Respondent, disinner-
IIted, and he's falling iii love with you as
iast Aas he can. believe, if you pay
with him, he will kill himself, body and
soul"
:. I'll understand you Alright, you wish
me to Ignore your nephew. 1t is not so
easy, as he is in your house, SO Irhad
better leave it,"
"Goodnes5!" cried the widow, aghast
at this Interpretation Of her words. IL
lneyer meant that. Where can you find
another boarding place near herep
Il can return TO London"
el'ye put my foot in it. John will
( Idisconsolately.
But there WAS no sympathy in Leonie's
1 face, aud she turned away at last, per-
i picked and more anxious than ever.
And Leonie, sinking back in her chair
Eagain, looked at the sunset clouds and
variegated foliage, and thought perhaps
it was time TO return to London.
She had come to s., weary with
round of fashionable life, tired of fiat
lery, dancing, flirting, and she found
rest ana quiet under Mrs. Tollman's
mo.hcrly care. she was rich, richer far
than the landlady had any idea Of; but
she had no near relatives, only a second
cousin to keep her lonely home, and
play propriety.
Society constituted itself her amateur
guardian, and lying back in her cush.
Toned chair, in the sunset glow, she Won
dered indolently what society would
say about John furber.
I Then, from thinking Of society's opin-
ion, she quite unconsciousiy glided into
considering her own. This dark-DroWed
man had made fair portion of her sum-
mer pleasure for three months; had been
ner cavalier in many country walks,
drives and sails, had quoted poetry un-
der trees, sang i'll a superb baritone up
on murmuilng waters, looked into her
eyes on a moonlit porch and Whispered
delicaley -worted 1iattery.
Finally, lifting her eyes with soft
sigh, she saw him leaning against tree
oDposte the low window, look.n at her.
I A vivid flush stained her cheek as be
said:
"What can you have been thinking Of?
You have not stirred for halt an hour.
Only that your eyes were open,I should
have thought you asleep"
Your powers Of observation are mar
velous," she answered, lightly. II was
dreaming"
sOf wAatW u
"lhe world in general, my world in
particular. 1t is almost time returned
there."
She was prepared for some polite show
of regret, butnot ior the ghastiy change
in his face.
She snuddered, remembering his aunt's
words.
| "Going away! Why, of course you
would be soon," he said, trying to speak
| carelessly, while his eyes hungrily de-
fvoured her lace, and his white, parched
lips were drawn as if in sharp physical
pain.
II have been here three MONTHS" she
said, feeling her own heart ache at his
misery.
eyes, yesl You will go, certainly
"And you," she said,. very gently,
"you will be in the city, presume. i
should be glad to welcome you to my
house."
.sNo," he said, harshly; 81 will not
take such advantage Of your kindness. 1
am man your friends would tell you to
shun, Miss Cameron-a man who has
wasted lite till it is too late to take up
1 the threads again. You do not know,
perhaps, that my aunt keeps me here
from charity?"
s"I know you have offended your fa-
ther," she answered; '.but you are man
scarcely thirty, and it is cowardly to
| talk OF despair at your age"
Her words cut him like .whip-lash.
The dark blood mounted to his forehead
as he repeated:
"Cowardl might fight the world yet,
but" and here has tone was bitter, and
| yet strangely pathetic, "the battle is
scarcely worth winning. What would l
gain? Money! do not value it. Posi-
| Iion? have thrown it behind me. /
have played the fool, and ! must take a
FOOLS wages"
~ will not have you say so," she said,
reused TO an earnestness she never had
intended to betray. "You shall not
throw away your life."