The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-04-14

was to kiss me, and murmur: ~ love
youw
At last she could cit up and talk a
little. And then she told Roscoe and me
her story.
will not repeat 1t here. 1t was o tale
famed by liquor; OF mans tyranny; OF
woman's weakness. Her husband was
false to her and to his manhood. She
clung to him, pleading; he knocked her
senseless at his feet. And before that,
she had borne-oh, pitiful heavens, so
imuch!
.'He has killed my love for him." she
said; white and shuddering. II am
afraid of himi I have a horror of himl
had rather die than live with him
again! Let me stay here! Here, he will
not find me. Oh, Roscoe-C onstarce,
let me stay with youW
We soothed her-promised earnestly
that she should stay, protected, beloved
by us. For the conversation was most
hurtful to her, and nearly brought on q
relapse of her fever.
And Roscoe wrote to his aunt, Mrs.
Brompton, of New Orleans, asking furth-
er particulars Of, Ora's story, and an
nouncing his determination to protect
her against her husband. To which Mrs.
Brompton replied as follows:
81 am glad Ora Is with you. Her mar
riage has certainly turned out most
dreadful affair. Her husband was
wealthy, moved in the best circles here,
but blame myself that 1 did not inform
myself concerning his principles. He is
now avoWed to have none-rather, he
possesses the worst The scandal is
dying out here, but ii Ora wishes TO re-
main with you Tor the present it will be
better than returning to New Orleans.
My love to her.
"AUGUSTA BRoMPToN."
So I found what 1 had never had--a
sister-and think we made her as hap
by as she could possibly be after tie
terrible blight upon her youth. She
found fund of comfort in little Lyle,
who was very fond of her, calling her
"Lolo" In his soft, lisping accents. She
was most unseltish and sympathetic in
disposition, and this latter trait won
from me, at least, confidence.
She sat with me, sewing, in my cham
ber, one day. Roscoe had just sent out
from town a package of new books 1
wished to see. We had looked them
over--promised ourselves much enjoy
ment in the long winter evenings COM
Ing.
SWhat splendid man Roscoe isl"
Ora said, thoughtfully "He is COM
panion-a friend-he is Interested in ey-
erything you care fOr-he cOnsults your
| wishes-ministers to your tastes. Now,
nay husband never seemed to care for
anything only to own mew She seldom
or never referred to her husband. 1t
seemed to make her ply ysically ill to do
SO. l hurried away from the subject.
II know have good husband, Ora;
/ respect him, l admire him. But yet,"
added, II should have been happier il
l had married another man."
Then 1 told her a tale of my youth.
| OF my exceeding beauty-of the tourist
| who wandered to my mountain home
| Of his beauty, his. charm, his pOwer-my
passion for him. OF my invalid mother,
who prayed me not to leave her--ot the
choice / needs must make-of his de-
parture-his subsequent desertion. or
how my mother died blessing mellow
my conscience approved, yet my pas
sionate longing Tor what L had lost. The
hot tears rained down my face as 1 con-
concluded-so deeply had my nature
| known this experience.
Ora listened, with wide eyes, quick
ened breath; her work dropped upon
her lap. When 1 had done, she said:
.sWhat was his name, Constancep You
have not spoken it,"
s'Ivan Grey"
"Have you picture Of him~ she
asked, in sharp, suppressed voice.
| 1 unlocked the cabinet, found the pho
tograph, placed 1t in her hand.
She glanced-dropped it as if it stung
her.
"It is my husband, Constance"
could only stare al her.
"It surely is, Constance" she said,
winding her arms about me. "When
you first spoke Of your girlhood's love in
Blue Mountains, remembered to have
seen some sketches my husband made
there, bearing date 1865. Eight years
ago. Oh, COMFY! what an escape you
made that you did not marry himl To
be the wife of Ivan Grey was reserved
for my fate" she added, mournfully.
"Was Mr.. Grey's name IyanW stam-
mered.
"Yes," she answered.
| was forced to accept the truth.
| rose, by-and-by, and put the letters
and the photograph in the fire.
| And that night talked alone with my
husband. Through all eternity he will
never doubt now that love him.
Ora is still with US. Roscoe has taken
measures to procure for her divorce.
Corks are cut from large slabs OF cork