The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-11-07
At the Eleventh Hour.
by p. M. NJ

resung on Winifred's shoulders.
There were no signs remaining in the
evening sky Of the gorgeous sunset. The
sweet summer breeze came through the
window, and stirred the thick waves OF
tlaxen hair on Winnie's head.
There had been long deep pause be-
tween the friends.
Presently Lille broke it by saying:
"Winnie, tell me candidly what you
think Of me-"
"I think you are like the summer
wind.D Winifred answered in her grand,
even tones, 'sweet and refreshing. But
believe you put me most in mind of
peach. blossoms. can hardly'explain
why, unless it is because your cheeks
are so delicately pink. You are very
pretty, my pet"
"Winnie, tell me-" whispered Lille,
"what you think of Hubert Lisle. Will
he be the right husband for me? Is he
| the right man? Come, tell me what you
! think of him. You have been now two
months with me, and surely you have
\ formed an opinion"
Winnie did not reply Immediately, and
when she did it was in a measured way
unusual to her.
"He is good and true," she said, "and
I admire him very much. He is hand
some. and [ think whole-souled. 1
would rather see you the vile Of u grave
man. for you are light and gay yourself.
Hubert is of the same temperament. /
do not in general approve Of like mating
like. But tell me, little friend, how you
cnanced to meet him. L am never tired
of listening to the sweet story"
"I met him in Devonshire," began
Lille. nesting closer TO her friend. 81
| vent there to live quiet life with Aunt
| Feuton ON the peaceful farm. [ did not
expect to see any one there except aunt
and uncle and The farm people, but
| tolIud Hubert at home there. He was a
| net and great favorite Oi,aunt and uncle.
| They sent for him to come and live with
| them. as they had no children of their
| own. Wicked relatives, they always
| contrived to leave US together. o.
course l ended in loving him. l felt at
thai time more than at any other the
| wretched loneliness of my orphan life
and the troubles OF an heiress, and when
he offered me so much pure love and joy
| listened to him very willingly. l knew
he was poor from the beginning of our
| friendship, but did not at all care for
| that. / am rich enough to make our life
one of ease and enjoyment. And so,
| Winnie, l said Yes when he pro-
posed" ....
ing low, tell the story SO well now as
YOU did when first came to you. Your
voice does not thrill in the telling. On,
Lille, you love him still, do you 1otW
| "Certainly! | do not think 1 shall ever
change toward HIM. love him too much
| for tnat."
Suddenly the door opened and the
subject of their conversation came, in.
Lille knew it was he by the sound of his
lootialls.
| "Hubert," said she, without looking
around, 'come here and sit on the floor
atmy feet. Winnie and are dreaming
here in the shadows. Ii you are quiet,
sir, we shall not object to your pres
ence."
He came forward and flung himself on
the floor at their feet. He rested his
head against Lilies lap.
| Lilies hand strayed over his hair.
Winnie could not endure the sight of
him leaning against her friend, so looked
aWay IRON the picture at the gHtteriDg &
stars, with apeculiar a expression in her
eyes.
81 have taken a great liberty with you,
Lille" said HuborG, presently, break
ing the pause. 81 have invited my
brother Charles up to see you fortnight.
You are not offended, are you, dear
est?'
"Why, no, answered she. 81 am glad
YOU did it. l did not know you had a
brother. You never told me anything
about him. What is he like? Like
lyouw
HE is handsomer than 1. You will.
however, soon see him tor yourself, SO
there is no need tor me to describe him.
He lives in Paris. lie is an artist. His
publisher has sent him over to make
sketches of English scenery ior French
lbook. He arrived yesterday. L have
Ikept silent about him because wished
to surprise you. How you will like him /!
He is. not so laxative as l am. He is
grave and grand, and noble as a king.
In France, among our friends, he Is
Icalled King Charles.
i "You have made me very curious" re-
marked Lille, 'and l shall feel anxious
and impatient till see him. l have an
Idea your brother will be my ideal man.
| I.Ahlyou don't know that have thought
Iabout heroes and grand men. or course
YOU imagine / find all ever dreamed OF
lin YOU. Blessed conceit! When is your
brother coming?"
"It is now beyond the time l ap-
pointed" Hubert answered. "But,
lnarkl there he is now at the door,"
| just as the bell rang, the moon in all
| her glory came out from behind the
clouds, and flooded the room with mel
low light.
The door was flung open, and the
servant announced.
"Mr. Charles LisleW
Lille looked at him, and their eyes
met. She felt spellbound by his glance,
10 her the world suddenly underwent
a. wonderful change. From. that. mo-
ment when her eyes rested on his her
| life was what it had never been before.
1t appeared as if she had abruptly said
farewell to her former self.
Hubert introduced his brother, who
was as handsome as he had described
handsome, with sleepy blue eyes, yellow
hair and beard, broad shoulders, and su-
perbly developed figure.
He did not speak much, but. what he
did say was elegantly and gracefully ex-
pressed. He had not taken any notice
Of Winiired when his brother presented
him to her; butshe had suddenly become
animated, and laughed and talked as she
was never wont to do.
Lille, after few words of welcome.
remained mute and dreamy. She could
not Join Winnie and Hubert in their
bright small talk-why she could not
comprehe nd. She could only sit and