The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-12-05

this was the way she glanced from one
| topic TO another-"for such an elderly
| gentlem IN! must display my attain
| ments, VI you will not think me half so
clever as really am. Didn't | use to
write real genuine Observation-Disclosures
letters, eh!"
Before l could reply, she took down
volume OF old German metaphysics, and
read with most admirable eHunciatl0n.
Then she translated selections from the
French and Italian writer's.
She glanced at me anon, a little
flushed.
"You see, | would not parade my ac-
compartments, buzz (and the voice
quivered) "you have the right to know
how have improved your kindness. If,
you were young, you might think
wished to ensnare you. | half wish you
were," she added, naively, coming TO my
side, and laying her bright head on my
wig, with its stiff, brlstling hair.
l had been more than once ashamed Of,
my stratagem. l was now thoroughly
disguised with it.
| How to emerge from my ugly chrysais
in II becoming manner now occupied my
mind constantly.
One evening walked into the parlor,
divested OF the disguise, which, let the
consequences be never 80 disastrous to
my hopes, L could no longer endure.
My ward sat before the fire, dreaming,
thought, for there was a smile on the
pretty mouth, and brighter radiance
in the magnificent air 50 intently re-
garding the lurid Goals.
She started as l entered, and queer
smile rippled all over her face.
You desire to see Mr.. Bernard, pre-
sumo. He will be down directly. VIII
you be seatedW
We sat a few moments in silence. l
was terribly embarrassed and filed with
the gloomiest forebodings, while she
gazed, with an absent air, on the toe OF
her slipper. Finally she arose, saying:
81 think, perhaps, l had better sum-
mon my guardian, for it will take him ii
good half hour to get down stairs"
l 1grasped her arm, as she would have
passed me.
"FIorelle, do you not know me?7
"lndeed do not" she replied, with
the greatest semblance of amazement.
"ForgiVe me, am your GUARDIAN"
A most grieyed and amazed express
sion stole over the features, working
convulsively an instant, ana then she
burst into a passion OF weeping, sob
blng:
"How could you SO cruelty deceive
mep
"Surely, how could IT l iterated. SGT
is past my own comprehension"
l drew her toward me, softly stroking
the curls; but the sobs did not abate.
"Believe me-" l said, hating myself
more sincerity than l had ever hated the
false Altnea, 81 deeply regret the part
have basely played"
But, TO my indescribable anguish, the
sobs kept on, with sundry hysterical
symptoms that merely frightened me out
of my wits. And then l burst into
paroXysm of fselfreproaches, interlarded
with all the endearments could recall
for, you see, it had been years since l
had had occasion for them.
At last the sufferer asked, In a voice
wonderfully firm for young, sorrowing
girl deluging my shirt-front with tears:
Sand are you really sorry ?W
"Yes,"I replied; ~ can never sufi-
GENTLY regret wounding your tender
spirit thus, and continued, with that alb.
ruptness evolved by an emergency. 81
am profoundly and contounuedly in
loveW
"With mew and the curly head went
up, disclosing face suspiciously
shining.
"Yes, with you."
"Excellentp and Florelle efferyesced
lfonl my en'p' "0e' my dear friend, the
tables are turned"
"Wha"!Ijust gasped, in my perplex-
ity.
"Did you think me so ignorant of your
real sell? saw you at Judge Finch's.
Eloise said you were glum and misan-
| thropic, and Pd have pretty time with
you. wrote that very profound note,
believing you would just take such an
| advantage as you have"
"Wernt you ashamed to kiss me
thenW asked, assuming a grave air.
mot blt," she answered, blushing in
spite of herself. 81 rather liked it,"
You are easily abashed."
yes, my friends always said So"
thought an instant.
"Perhaps we had better compromise.
Are you going to be my wife,"
81 thought to have time for reflection
but as you press Inc so hard, had bet
ter sy yes"
Ana that is how my stratagem ended.