The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-05-10
PERDITA.

PERDlTA.
They found her sitting in the midst oi
bed OF tulips near the gate, which was
open, and her brown, dimpled fingers
had pulled the glowing petals in rain.
ow-shower over her.
Mr.. Goldwin-a gaunt old gray figure
in the rosy summer sun, with a schol-
arly stoop in the shoulders, and absent
oyes-looked helplessly down at the
brown creature caressing his huge slip.
pers, and then, very much like derrick
lifting an elephant, raised her from the
her.
"Mrs. Lucindap' he called, "come
here. If you please"
Into the scholastic shades of the study
presently rustled little old lady, as
dry and yellow as an autumn leaf, and a
languid, bldse man of about fiye-and-
twenty raised himself in q sleepy, hol-
low chair, from a doze over o French
novel,. and turned a pair OF evil, hand
some blue eyes on Mr.. Goldwin and his
charge, who was sucking one dimpled
hand vigorously, and looking about her
with great eyes of solemn baby-won-
der.
"What in.the name Of all the Olympian
deities have you got there, uncle? 2" he
asked, with an undercurrent OF instinct
i've irony in his polished voice and ivory
face.
"For massy's sakew calculated Mrs.
Lucinda. "The pretty dear! Wherever
did she turn up from, Mr.. Goldwin, sir?"
"That can not tell, my good Mrs. Lu-
cinda," said Mr.. GOldwin; and added
with a little touch Of quaint humor,
''she is, in the nature OF an insect, de-
structive to my prize tulips. She
wrought rare havoc amongst them.
Take her away, Mrs. Lucinda, and see to
her well-being, until such time as we
discover her owners, or, more properly
speaking, her parents or lawful guard
ians. Nephew, she is comely little
creature"
And in this manner Perdita became
an inmate Of Mr.. Goldwips establish.
ment.
Hugh Goodwin flung himself back into
his chair with a scowl worthy of Eblis,
and threw a craDbedly written letter
down beside his plate with curse both
loud and deep, and which b ad the effect
of bringing his companions eyes on him
from the chocolate she was languldly
stirring in Sevres cup with spoon Of
fretted gold.
"What does that meanf" she asked
in a refined, sonorous voice, folding her
long, dark hands on her tawny robe, and
looking at her companion.
SIT MEANS" he said, "that am no
longer my uncle's heir, but dispos sessed
for a stranger. May million curses
blight herl"
full smile darkening her face.
SWELL" ne said, detiantly, sit means
Ayesha, that we must part"
Isl am your wife," she said, sJill re-
garding him fxedly; ''why should We
part, Hugh Goodwin? am still in the
zenith of my popularity, and can work
Tor both. Wealth flows to my feet, anC
what is mine is yours"
Though she said the words of pleading,
there was burning irony in them thai
struck Hugh Goodwin like lash Of
| flame.
"Curse youw he said, with uncontroll.
able hate in every line of his evil face
"you blast my sightl Only for you
might have retrieved my fortunes by
marriage-only for.y0u-"
"StopW she said. imperiously. She
looked at him mockingly. ~ have no
/
She tore from the third finger plair
gold ring, lacerating the flesh as she die
| so.
She flung 1t on the carpet at his feet
dweit for a moment on his face, as
| though to burn its look of hatred aud eyi
into ner memory, and the next instant
| he was alone; and before a month was
over he had married Alice Wybro, and
the general had discarded her utterly.
In another month the general was dead
and every dollar he possessed was be
queathed to noble charity.
Hugh Goldwin was reaping the whirl
wind. =.
of vivid roses, and old Mr.. Goldwin, sit
ting on rustic bench beside her, foun(
her lovely face so much more attractive
than the great tome on his knee, that hi
had closed the book and was looking a
her tondly over his gold-rimmed specta
| cles.
chow you have grownw he said
ssHugh Will hardly know you. Poor lei
low, his marriage has turned out rather
unfortunately. But his father left hin
rich. l wish he had been more of youl
age, my heiress."
"Wny, Uncle Tommy" asked Perdita
Iiher great eyes, Qecp ana Qark as noun
tain tarns, full OF wonder as she raisel
them to his.
at would have amalgamated two
great fortunes" said MIR. Goodwin, rub
Ding his hands slowly.
Il don't like him." said Perdita
Hugh Goldwin stepped from benind her
with light laugh at her words--hag
gard, handsome and more like Eblis
tnan ever in the tender, vlrgin-ireshnes.
ot the dewy evening ON which he came
like bat against the sun-she sprans
up with throb of fear and dislike.
| ave did not expect you for an houl
yet, Hugh" said Mir. Goldwin. SHOW il
Alicer
"Very well, thanks,' he said, languid
ly; $50 sorry she. couldn't come with
me! How do.you do, my sweet little
coy2 How YOU have grown!1
''She is quite young lady now," SAID
Mr.. Goodwin, rubbing his nands gIee
| fully. ''Must look ouG.for husband loi
her sOon-eh, Perdita? But come in
Hugh, and get the dust Oh before din
| ner."
Perdita slept with a tide OF moonlight
/ fras q.