The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1875-12-20
A .tsToRY."
BY N. L. RAYNE.

day, with the clear blue sky Of late Au-
tumn, rather than the dreary gray OF
November, and the great city wore
holiday look, and elegant carriages rolled |
luxuriously along the smooth avenue,
and the few pedestrians seemed all loi-
tering pleasantly, us If life had nothing
for them but enjoyment. At least, this
was the view from Mr.. Sidney Van Du- |
sens plate-glass windows, and as 1t APP
peared to Miss Clara Van Dusen, the
beautiful and accomplished only daugh-
ter of the house.
The young lady herself had just de-
scended to the parlors, having accom-
plished most elegant and satisfactory
toilet, preparatory to the late dinner at
which q select company would be pres
ent by special invitation. TheVan Dusen
family being abroad, it could not be ex-
aotly a family affair. Miss Bertha Van
Dusen, Clara's cousin and intimate
friend, was stopping with her while her
friends were abroad, aud the two girls
were inseparable. In few moments
after Clara entered the parlor, Bertha
Joined her there.
/ Show sweet you look in bluep
,"How sweetyou look in pinkW
Then there was more mutual admi-
ration and futtering of silken skirts,
when servant entered with card.
Alfred May wood Ingersoll, U. 5. A.
"Col. Ingersoll. Oh, Bertha! and he
has come to PROPOSE" whispered Clara
in real distress, "and l expect Harry
with the ring at any moment. What
shall do2 Send word down that am
engaged Literally true, ain'titW
@Why, see him, of course, If only to
break his heart by refusal. Think how
detected he will look when he knows
that he can never inherit the Van Dusen
estates.o
"You seem to think no one can love
me for myself" pouted Clara.
"Oh, yes, dear; Harry Westervelt
does, am sure. But has not Col. Inger-
soil mad love to all Of the eligible young
ladies with rich papas, and yet he Is
| so conceited he can not be snubbed
short of declaration and refusal. IL
YOU could make him believe you were
poor, he would not trouble you long with
his loye-making. ,.ts
"Show the gentleman up" said Clara
to the servant who had waited respect
fully mute, during the brief and whis-
pered colloquy OF his young mistress and
her friend.
| A moment later Colonel Ingersoll, ele-
ganIly attired in full uniform, his small
proportions stretched on the tip-toe of
| llover-like expectation, and his shrewd,
worldly looking face, beaming with sur
! face smiles, was ushered into the pres
ence of Miss Van Dusen. He found her
alone, standing as if she expected him,
| in the center OF the luxurious room, ex-
quisitety dressed in pink silk, with lace
| ruff1es and oYer-dress, her dark hair tied
back in long loose curls and fastened
with coral comb, while coral clasped
1.-The dimpled whiteness OF her throat and
1 N hri N
crate suffused the late daylight with q
rosy color, and to Colonel lngersolPs
| dazzled ewes it seemed as il his divinity
| toated to him ON pillows of pink; he
| A .yapced to her with both hands out
stretched in lover-like ecstasy of ad-
mirati0n.
III was almost afraid of intruding on a
family reunion" he said, after the pre-
lmlnaries OF greeting were over, "but
felt that l must see you to-day and
| earn-"
| "Isn't the day beautiful" interrupted
Clara, ruthlessiy; she was sitting on the
same sofa now, and his attitude was hor-
| ribly lover-iike, and Harry might come
any minute"
mot half so beautiful" began the
Colonel.
ssShall move the screen a little?'
asked Clara, solicitously, Tor the Col
one's face was very red, and it might be
the fire.
But she could not 60 on forever inter
ruptlng, and the colonel was desperate
ssSly dear Miss Van Dusen," he began
firmly, II may be presumptuOus, bul
your kind reception of my attentions
nas led me to believe that you may al
some future time make me 50 happy--sC
blessed"
cious Clara. "You call me Miss Van
Dusen. All! how wish dared to tell
YOU sad STORY; you are so good, sc
kind, that
"May L, ohl may then call you
Clara?" murmured the enraptured lover
to whom tue delay was becoming some
what exasperating.
"Wait, Colonel Ingersoll, until 1 tel
YOU story. You have often beer
pleased to compliment me on my skill as
an improvisatore, but this is a story o
real lite. Let me ask you question
who does the world say amp"
"Who? Why, Miss Van Dusenl Clara
NAV call you ny that sweet name, the
lovely and beloved daughter Of Sydaey
Van Dusen."
$50 the world says, now listen: wal
born abroad"
$50 L have been informed" said th,
Colonel, whose curiosity was slightly
aroused.
s.My father and mother lived nearl,
fourteen years in Europe. 1t was dur
| ing their residence in England-in Lon
don--that this story am going to tel
YOU happened. May tell this, just al
il it were story, romanceT
"Yes, yes! But why tell it at all
what can it have to with my atfec
tion-my loveW
'"Waitw cried Clara, with downward
droop Of her long lashes. "You are in
terested in this story, Tiff You have tn
regard you profess for me. Now let m
teil it in my own way. Take this chat
facing me, Colonel-I must see my au
dience. Now warn you thai this wei
be a surprise. Are you readyW
eyes, yes; but after the story
claim"
"Once upon time," began Clara, in
low and impressive voice, ''away acros
the waters, in the big city of Lor
don, there was a great hign hospita
with while wall and Iron gates
and inside were long halls or ward
with rows and rows OF small, nal
row beds, on which poor sick and dyfn
|. | people lay. Well, it was one cold win
ter's day that woman died there; sh
was thin and emaciated, and oh, s
= wretched they had found her in th
7 poorest section OF the city, and brough
i 4 ;<.I 4