The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-06-04
A CARELESS WORD.


A CARELESS WORD.
"Now confess, Nita. There's no use
in putting ON all those little coQuettish
airs. We're only girls. like yourself"
Adelaide Vail leaned across the arm
of the sofa, until the golden spirals of
her abundant curls touched Juanita Re-
ivere's forehead.
Juanita drew back quickly, as from a
touch that was disagieeable. She was
tall and pale, with straight, serious fea-
tures, large blue-9ray eyes and juno
iesque figure; while, ON the contrary,
Adelaide was plump and petite, with
blue, appealing eyes, like those or
baby; sunny curls, simply tilleted back
with azure ribbons, and u general air of
artlessness, more apt to succeed with
the masculine than the feminine sex.
And yet, with all her pretty ways and
dimpled sottness, Adelaide Vail had
reached the age of tive-and-twenty with
out any prospect Of an advantageous
settlement in life.
The two Misses notwithstanding,
|simpering sssociety girls" without many
ideas beyond the "Lancers" and the
last pattern in polOnaises-giggled at
Miss Vairs bit of satire, and Adelaide.
encouraged at this mark of apprecia-
tion, went on:
"Iknow you like him. Now, Nita, you
may as we'll confess"
Juanita colored angrily, and jerked
her needleful OF rose-colored silk
through the square of canvas with an
energy that boded i'll for the eventful
success OF the pattern.
"Say, Nita, don't you love him? Peo-
pie are saying-
SIT matters little what people sayw
broke out Juanlta, a red spot on either
cheek, quiver on her lip. "Paul Lis
comb is no more to me-than yonder
gloveW
"Pll tell him what yeu say" twittered
Adelaide.
'sYou can do as you please about
that" fetorted Juanita, gathering up
her tiny work-basket and sweeping ma
|jestically from tie room.
"Dear, -dearw said Miss Clara Mark
land, lifting the eyebrows that she
spent twenty minutes every morning in
penciling.
~ hope she's not really vexed,o added
Miss Florentina, the younger.
Adelaide cast up her eyes, like an in
jured saint
"perhaps we'd better co." said she.
.tDear Mia has such an uncertain tenn
per! If she wasn't belle and an heir
ess, and all that sort of thing, nobody
gould put up with il for 3 single second.
dykes morning receptionY
The. Misses MARYLAND had not; 30 Miss
Vail proceeded alone, in the little pfi-
vate-looking coupe, whicn her uncle
iobbed al so. much an hour, to Mrs.
yFhornedyke's house, where there was a
breakfast ordered from Podalinps; a
band OF music hidden in the third draw
ing-room, behind screen OF passion
vine and smiiax, and ''crusR' of fash
ionables.
The first person that Addie Vail saw,
walking like Saul, a head aud shoulders
above the dapper little habitues Of So
ciety, was Paul Liscomb.
Paul LiscomD was tall, handsome and
a prince among men. He leaned back
against the mullion OF the satin-draped
window, with a countenance OF uninis-
taxable disappointment.
II don't believe she's coming, after
ALL" said Paul to himself; sand Minnie
Thorhedtke solemhly assured NE tnat
SHE would be here! Heighol what a
humbug these great noisy receptions
areV
"Dear me, Mr.. ~Liscomb,s purred
Adelaide Vail, holding out pretty pink.
should meet you hereR
"Strange? Mol Why should Ii be
stranger asked honest Paul. who had
but iittle idea of the sinuosities oil a
woman's mind.
"Oh, because I've just come here from
dear Juanita Revere's. and we were
talking about you, and--oh, dear me, it's
SO funny you should be herew r.
t.Not atall iunny," returned Nr. Lis
Ecomb, not without q little constraint.
ssMrs. Thornedyke told me Miss Revere
was to be here, and SO ! came"
Adelaide glanced UP, with a little
"You might have saved yourself the
tronple,'' said she, biting her fun scarlet
lip, and lowering, her voice to the e0nii-
dental strain Which made Paul lnyolun-
tarily bend his tall head to Hsten. ~
heard Juanita Say that she cared no
more for you than for her cast-off glove.
H's.no breach OF confidence to tell you
50, for she said 1 might"
aRsther d singular speech fol, q young
lady 70 max p said Paul, coldly, while .
yellowish pallor crossed his cheek, and
be . set b. his seelIh sl B tSgssnsr; $ gssns "a
then You Know dear Nifa is 80 out
spoken. Would you mind getting me .
pineapple ice? Pm SO thirsty, and the
room Is hot as an ovenW
"I'tl send it by d waitef,o said Paul,
and vanishe1 instantaneously amid the
thtohg, glad of an excuse to leave The
pretty blonde, while .Adelaide looked
after him, Y1uttering: L.
ssHorrid beati But no matter, I'll be
Mrs. Paul Liscomb yetp
Meanwhile, the UNCONSCIOUS subject OF
all this scnemins and plotting was hur-
tying home, d curious Succession OF
Emotions whirlfhg through his tuner con-
sciousness. n
sAnd i had decided to ask her to be
my wife to-day" be nuttered to himself,
pulling mechanically at his long, tawny
moustache, Which oversnadowed his lip.
upon my life, pve had q narrow es-
capel No more than a cast-off gloveI
ought to owe an eternal debt OF gratitude
to that chattefing IDIOT with the yellow
hairp
Poor ,Adelaide!, she could scarcely
have felt complimented at this .depre-
eiating. mention.
The minute Paul Liscomb reached his
hotel, he looked at the newspaper. i
,"The Rondeletia sails from Boston to-s
morrow, az noon, does shew ne com
mented, grimly, to himself. every WE'LL
I'll sail In her. II we make good speed
shall be able. to join the Percys before