The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1875-08-18
A SUMMER AT oAKDALE.

"A SUMMER AT OAKDAkE.
"Only for this once," pleaded Amy
Edgeworth. "Aunt, If you only knew
| how tired am of fashionable watering
places you could not say no."
Miss Edgeworth--for she was a lady
of uncertain age-r0lled her eyes and
clasped her hands at her niece's remark.
'Oh, the degeneracy of this ageW she
! cried. IA child OF your years to talk as
| if LIE had already lost It's freshnessw
"Just think, Auntie," she continued,
| I have spent one season at Newport, one
at Saratoga, one at Long Branch, and
4 one at Cape May since l was fifteen
years old, and not one good long visit in
| the real country during all that time. 1
want to go to some retired country vii
lage where not beau can disturb the
calm serenity OF my thoughts"
sand that place-where shall 1t be
found?" inquired Miss Edgeworth.
/ !sEver since you have been in short
clothes l have found it trouble enough to
break up your flirtations."
| Amy laughed.
Il am in earnest this time. I do not
| wish 10 see one of the male sex to speak
| to for the next six months"
| ~ devoutly hope your wish may be
granted" responded the lady fervently,
"for then may have season of peace;
| but where shall we go?'
"Oh, know charming spot. Annie
| Lander brought a number of sketches to
school which she had made of village
called Oakdale-a little, sleepy place
containing only about one hundred ill.,
habitants. We'll go there"
Miss Edgew0rth made no objections,
and week later they were en- route for
Oakdale. ,-
"a delightful spot" Miss Edgeworth
exclaimed, after they were duly settled
| in dear old-iashioned farmhouse. "We
are encircled by mountains, shut out
from the whole world by natures own
bulwarks, and no one will find us here"
s'No, indeed" rejoined the laughing
Amy. "Here you will have the rest you
sighed for, dear aunt"
For week everything went on smooth
ly. The two ladies occupied their time.
by sketching, riding and rowing on the
little lake.
"Aunt," observed Amy, one morning,
81 am going over to Glen Cove to make
sketch<ot that highest peak. Farmer
Grey has offered to 60 over with me for
guide"
Miss Edgeworth held up her hands in
horror.
sImpossible, Amy. You will surely
gethurt-perhaps killed. 1t is a peril
GUS place."
Sand d,therefore-another reason why /
should go; SO goodby, auntie, your bad
penny will return safe enough"
Three hours later the farmer returned.
followed by a gentleman carrying Amy
in his arms.
Miss Edgeworth rushed down the
steps.
has happenedp
"Compose yourself, madam" was the
response-"she is only in swoon."
Miss Edgeworth shiyered at the sound
of his voice, but felt it was no time TO
give way to any emotion.
Amy was put to bed, doctor called
and the stranger disappeared.
Two hours later Amy was able to tell
what had occurred. They were in the
deepest part of the stream when she
made sudden movement, the boat up
set, and she fell out. Grey was old and
stout; he could not swim, and before he
could render any assistance Amy had
sunk twice. At that moment a stranger
divested himself Of part of his clothing
and leaped from the cliff into the water.
He rescued her and carried her home.
"You never shall leave me again."
| Miss Edgeworth calculated. 81 knew
On the following morning the stranger
called to inquire alter the young lady's
health.
1--WE have met BEFORE" he said to Miss
Edgeworth, when she thanked him in
tremulous tones lorfher niece's life. 'EDo
YOU not recognize mel / am Stephen
Hayden. Please introduce me to, your
niece"
''I-I am happy to meet you, Mr.. Hay
den," she faltered.
Then leading him to where Amy was
reclining in a large easy chair, looking
unusually pale after her bath, she said
INV niece, Mr.. Hayden. Amy, this
gentleman rescued you from DEATH"
Mr.. Hayden declined hearing any thing
more concerning that, expressed his
pleasure at seeing her SO we'll, and then
lell into light, easy conversation. He
informed them that he was an artist, and
was rusticating near Oakdale Tor the
summer. .e.
From that day he became the constant
companion Of the ladies, although beau
had been something unwished for.
AS the weeks Went by, Miss Edge
worth became quieter than was her
won't, and would have Kept apart from
the pair of lovers-as she designated
them-if they would have permitted it.;
but Amy insisted on her accompanying
them on every expedition.
AT last the summer was drawing to
close, and one afternoon Miss Amy stole
off and left the artist and her aunt to-
gether. Miss Edgeworth fdgeted-she
was annoyed; but when Mr.. Hayden
changed his seat and came nearer to her,
a new thought stole into her brain.
sThey are engaged" she whispered to
herself, "and he wishes to ask my con-
sent"
"Angie," he said softly, ell have
lived over the past once more: Ihave
been happier this summer than ever L
expected to be again, and, it is in your
power to make me happy for lite; will
youw
"Yes," she said slowly, "she is worthy
OF you, Mr.. Hayden; give her to you,
though she is all have 10 love-"
He looked at her.
"Who do you mean?" he asked.
"Amy."
"Amya / was not asking for Amy.
/ have never had bnt 1ns sweethearh IN