The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-04-26

"You dear, innocent giru But when
we take 1t into consideration that the
last six years of your lite was spent at
dear old st. Catherine's, we will par
don you for not being on more intimate
terms with New York slang. 1t is re-
ally too bad we start for Lake George, to-
morrow;, III you were to remain here any
length of time, you would soon learn the
meaning of those phrases. Now, l think,
Maud, to use Harry's own language, he
was trying to get you on strlng. 10
you know what that means, little YER
dantW
"Oh, yesl Ihave heard that express
sion since remember"
"You didn't know that Harry was
quite woman hater, did you"
"No, wasn't aware of it," and Maud
turned away her fair face to hide its
grieved expression.
Harry Graham was the idol Of her
childhood, her girlhood, her womanhood.
She remembered the oldtime battle;
how he used to torment her, make iun OF
her freckle-iace, anu call her auburn
locks red; but he was her king Tor all
that.
| And now, at two-and-twenty, he was a
| woman hater, and he refused to touch
her hand when they met.
"Never mind, Harry Graham, when l
offer you my hand again you'll take it..
1 held my own in days gone by, l think
| l can do it now."
Three weeks had passed, ,and Maud had
carried out her programme. Sne had
treated Harry with showing or re-
spect, but in the manner indicated by
| his conduct toward her on their irst
meeting and her resolution. AS for
Harry he had undergone change in
his opinions, but was still striving to
lconceal the fact both from himself and
from her; and while Maud had changed
during her stay in the convent from the
Ufreckled red head" he had been wont
to call her, to handsome young lady,
Harry, in the three weeks, had changed
from a woman hater to a Worshipper OF
the one companion of his cnildhood's
days. He was setting alone with these
thoughts in his mind and trying to drive
"All alone, Mr.. Graham? This is
something unusual"
ayes, all alone. Somehow L prefer be-
aAh, indeedl then can take the hint
and co."
"No, indeed, Maud, that is not what l
intended; l would have you stay"
| Maud opened wide her blue eyes, and
seated herself before the piano.
Harry rose from the sofa, crossed the
room and stood by her side.
"You have sung for every one but me,
Maud. Perhaps l don't deserve 1t, but
can't refuse me-"
"Certainly not, Mr.. Graham, what
shall it beW
"Whatever you like best"
| A merry twinkle came in Maud's eye.
| She was determined to punish hlm.
Her fingers ran over the Keyboard,
and in ciear voice she sang:
| Charlie, he's my darling,
| My darling, my darling,
| Charlie, he's my darling,
| lie gay young cavalier.
| Something near Harry's lett side gave
u great bound. He was in doubt no
longer: he need ask himself no more
questions. He was in love-madly in
love with Maud Burnett, and he kindly
| wished Charlie Willis du didble.
| "Maud," said Harry, desperately, 81
want to ask your pardon Tor my con-
duct, when l met you at Albany.
tried my best to disgust you; ii sue
ceeded, Maud, it serves me riglt."
spray don't trouble yourself about It,
Mr.. Graham; you dldnt succeeu'
II wish to explain my conduct, Maud.
Father expressed a wish that would
marry you-"
"Come into the garden, Maud,
Pm here at the gate alone,"
sang the voice Of the gay young cava.
iier.
uOh! there's Charlie" said Maud, ris
ing. And your father wishes you t.
marry me? Well, what an ideal Tel
your father, Mr.. Graham, that
Il will marry you and share your cares,
When you see an oyster walk up stalrs;'
and Maud was of like flash TO join
Charlie.
"Have you heard the news yet, Hal
ryY' said Maud next morning, as sh
found Harry alone. She condescende'
to call him Harry now.
"What news, Maud? Sit down her
beside me, and tell me all about it,"
"NVhy, am the first to tell yoI tina
, Charlie has proposed, been accepted
and we are going to have grand wed
ding when we go back to town. Won
: it be delightful! Charlie says you az
to be groomsman, and l--Wnnp'
the matter, Harryi You like Charlie
, don't you? For goodness sake, dom
! look like That, Harry! Tell me; dom
, you like Charlie for II brother-in-laW y
n "For a Drother-in.lawW p and Harr
i started from horrible trance.
+ "Oh! Nj aud, my harlinsw and Harry
Charlie had proposed to you. Ii he did
n and you had accepted him ,I-well don
/. know what would have been the conse
}. quence."
= 'sOnl consistent man. How this agree
a with your conduct three short week
ago."
g But be merciful ye that would judge
}, Harry was two and twenty, and Maui
such Il charming girl, that, as Dundrear
k says, it was one OF those sort CT thing
n thai no fellow can't heip.
"WeR what preposterous ideas va
It do get INTO your head, Harry; as if %
<. sizes lover would propose to me! Bt
II won't 1t be nice, you are to be groom
Is man; and l will be BRIDES maid"
"Now,. my dear Maud, that prt
n gramme was made out without consul
n ing my wishes. do not intend to pla
in second fiddle, neither shall you. Wh;
you say TO making it a double weddin
i, Maud?
- "What nonsense, HarryW and Mai
-, turned away her blushing face.
~ But Harry, with his usual consistenc
, did not think it Was nonsense; nelth'
= y did Maud, although she said So.
~ The double wedding came on In Il
IL fall, and Harry is no longer "wom
q hater."