The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-06-14
EARLscLIFF..


.sIf you mean who has firted most,
wasted the most delicious common
places, and bounced around with every
body, it is that tall blonde talking to
Frank Peermont. She calls herself Cary
Herndon.
"Ah, yes, the beiress, staying at the
Meals; but isn't there a cousin or some
thing with her"
"I believe there Is a cousin, Miss Ers-
ley, who is in mourning and never goes
out. should think the gushing manners
of Miss Herndon would disgust her with
the beau monde"
A moment sfter, Camil Hamilton had
Joined the dancers, and was bowling to
the ''star."
81 saw you outside talking to, oh,
such handsome man; who was itp'
saThat was Maurice Early; he never
dances, there are scarcely three ladies
in the city that he knows; he hates the
SEX"
sob, suppose disappointment in
love ;tell me all about him ;indeed he Is so
elegant looking that my curiosity is par
donable."
"He is the most inveterate lounger in
the world; smokes always; travels three
fourths OF the year, and only stays here
because his sainted mother sleeps in the
vaults of Earlsclitf, the home of his an
cestors.. But come, we are missing this
Boston,"
Cary Herndon and Champ Ersley
were cousins, travelling with an old
aunt. Cary was a spoiled butterfly Of
fashion; four years Champs senior, sell
fish and unprincipled. Miss Ersley was
| lust nineteen, with all the fresh loyeli-
ness of girlish innocence and purity. Her
mother died the year before, leaving her
sole guardian Of an elegant estate, and
| for the sake OF a companion asked Cary
| Herndon to travel with her.
| The morning alter the ball, just as the
suu was peeping over the dark line of
mountains, Champ Ersley bounded into
her saddle and was s'off for ride" On
she few until the city's hum was almost
forgotten, when suddenly the horse
plunged aside, breaking the girth, and
locating both rider and saddle in the
lifted the saddle on to "Dots" back, and
W walked to the top of the hill, to find out
4 the nearest house. For an instant she
| stood wondering. Just below, in the SER
pentine valley, lay Earlsclif.
In q few moments she was peering
| into the half open door Of barn. At
the far end lay the hostler fast asleep;
| Just at the door was mans saddle, ele-
yaut in its workmanship To transfer
/
| scarcely five minutes work. She drew
our her pocket diary and wrote on a
blank leaf, 81 have only borrowed it
dent be uneasy--you will get it again"
| This she pinned TO the old girth which
she left: and in a few moments was GAL
Looping away, little thinking that man
hat seen her and was wondering II she
were naiad or nymph, with the au-
dacity of a sprlte.
/ Maurice Early had been restless and
sleepless. Just as Champ passed the
barn door he threw open the easement
and stood admiring her as she sprung
lightly into the saddle; her superb fg-
ure, with its jaunty habit and queenly
grace. looked royal, and then bound
from "Dot" proved what a magnificent
norse-woman she was.
.ByJoye, what creature" he thought,
"daring and reckless, and rides like a
centaur.n
Three hours later Judge Norris was
reading tiny note, written in fair,
girlish hand:
"My Dear Old Pere,
"Do come up some time this morning d;
I want somebody to talk sense to.
/ CHAMP
] He had just finished reading it when
Maurice Early lounged into the office.
"My dear Maurice, you are just the
fellow. / have little friend in the city
and you are the only man would intro.
duce to her. She is an orphan and has
I an immense property, which I take care
of for her, being a connection of her
mothers. love this little girl as If she
were nay own child, and if you have no
other engagement we will just walk up
: there together"
"My friend, am at your disposal for
the next six hours"
In few minutes they were ushered
into Mrs. Neaps darkened parlor. Champ
theard his voice, and, without waiting to
see who was with him, bounced into his
arms. "Oh, you angel, l have been SO
awfully naughty and just wild to see
.. you."
.sMy own spoilt darling" and the tiny
mouth was raised for Kiss.
Maurice stood leaning against the
mantelpiece, looking like q gladiator in
his magnifcence; suddenly the old judge
remembered him and introduced them
. For second Champ was startled, and
: then with that native courtesy and self.
, possession so characteristic Of a true
: lady, she recovered herself, and bowed
gracefully. An hour passed and they
rose TO 90.
eOh, yes, devoted to it"
evening, l will bring my pet horse up fol
, you 10 ride; OF course you prefer youI
: own saddIe.n
II Forgetting everything but the antici
/ pated pleasure, she answered yes, an6
I the gentlemen left.
That evening they were riding merrily
: along; she was enjoying the 'spet horse'
: TO the utmost, when sudden turr
: brought EarlseiifY in full view.
"Oh! forgot borrowed something
from here this morning, and have not re
turned.i it yet. Who lives hereW
, "a man with doubtful reputation
/ but what did you borrowW
I; With the strictest injunctions to SO
crecy she told OF her morning adventure
3 | in her characteristic witty way,
/ SNOW, what am i to dop' she asked
!. in arch, confding simplicity. 81 WON
) know where to tell the groom to take it
! as oughtnt to speak Of = person with ,
! doubtful reputation"
pl He told her that the man would never
/ | miss it, and If she returned it aew b,
-kwould surely find her out, but to keen