The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-10-10

at once my elOquence and my life.
The boat passed under the huge beams
OF the bridge; profFered my assistance
TO my beautiful companion, and we
stood erect again. "Eyen proud people
sometimes practice the virtue of numil-
ity," said the lady, laughing at my mar
row escape. Il hope you found it no
hardship to kneel."
"To you or with you, neverP' | re-
piled, and SO our conversation went on
mine in strain OF exaggerated gal
tlautry, and hers in q playful 6ddjBage,
with which she parried my at aIks, and
Ike epU me at respectful distance.
But the more we cOnversed together,
walking on the narrow deck, watching
| the ever-shilting scenery, or sitting on
la seat l improvised from some luggage,
the more | admired, not only her beauty,
her elegance, and u certain charm that
hovered around her, or envelopeu her
| like an atmosphere, but her wit, her
taste, her sense and cultivation.
| And | was, though entirely aud deeply
respectful, frank and bold in the express
| sion Of my feelings. 1t seemed but just
| that | should express the admiration L
| felt. And when L did so, though there
was a slight flush on her cheek and brow,
| she still answered playfully:
| "BuJ, my dear Mi. Stranger, do you
remember how long it ls since you first
saw meW
"a few brief hours" replied, "but
they might have been ages. My soul
has known you always. 1t has been
seeking you through the eternitles.
| Who can u man know so well as his
ideal of all that is beautiful, noble, and
lovely2 10 whom else should he bow
his spirit? So must bow to-"
"Loy bridgeW shouted the steersman,
sharply; ana it was time. The bridge
was very low. 1t was not enough to
crouch or kneel. We were obliged to
throw ourselves fairly and fatty on the
Ideck, where we lay, side by side in the
gloom Of the shadow, until the Light
broke upon us as we passed Deheath lhe
last low string-piece.
There was something so ridiculous in
our PROSTATE condition, and III my Ell
forts to pick myself up IN haste, and
assist the lady, that dia not attempt to
finish the speech which mad been 80 un-
tremendously interrupted.
The dinner-bell rang, and | placed
myself beside her at table. How self
possessed, how graceful, how charming
She was! Her conversation sparkled
with wit; she told little anecdotes with
an exquisite humor. Her rare beauty,
l a
fstyle of singular elegance. In my not
Hong. indeed, but somewhat varied eX-
perience, l had never met 80 lovely a
iperson.
Snow for flirtatIon," said |, at the
beginning-but it soon became too seri-
Gus Il matter with me.
But the Iady-the more entangled L
became-the more adroit and conii,lant
was she. How sSilltully She parried my
attacks! | could find out nothing about
her besides her first volunteered eXpla-
nations, even by my most daring efforts.
"Don you want to know me" said |,
as we sat in the cabin after our really
good dinner.
"Know you? l fatter myself l do
know you pretty we'll. You must think
me very dull, to suppose me ignorant OF
a gentleman after half uay's interest
ing conversation, and seeing him IN so
many positions"
"But it might be convenient to know
my name?" said /, determined to lind
out hers, if the thing were possible.
"And why, pray? Pne lawyers do
very well with John Doe and Richard
Roe. Your name may be Jonathan, or
Jeremiah--what matters? 'Hne rose, by
any other name, would smell as sweeD-
and Jonn Smith is as good as another
|
"You WON'T hear my name nor tell me
yours"
"Ah! there it is? III have your name
must give you mine in exchange. How
do YOU know that would be a lair bar
gain? Nine may be twice as pretty. 1t
NAV be Rosa Matilda, for aughtIyou know.
No doubt you have imagined some thing
Very elegant and romantic. DO you
think shall undeceive you? Would you
have me say | was Miss or Mistress S
Nancy HiggiGgs? No, sir; l respect
your feelings too much to oVerwAelm
you with such an avoWalW
"Your are very cruelW
| "Indeed!-you are finding out my i'm
pertections, then? How long since you
thought me perfectT
| "a lady VINO Knows her power ought
not to abuse it,"
ga gentleman who would be happy to
assert his power, must first make sure
of it,"
81 surrender at discretion"
"rhen you have more discretion than
gave you credit for" said she, enjoying
her triumph with a quiet but evident
delight.
We walked upon the deck again. l
had learned the TRICK OF the bridges, and
to assist my fellow-Voyager in our fire..
Que0L pTOBJTallOHSs w u became very
friendly, and as long as l retrained from
compliments, or the expression or the
admiration l found it hard to suppress,
she talked with a freedom, gayety, a
sense Of humor, l have seldom known.
The afternoon wore away rapidly as we
lneared the end of our journey.
1t had been my intention to spend q
day or two in Rochester. 1 wished to
visit the Falls OF the Genessee and the
young and growing city of four-mills.
Now had another inducement. l was
determined to see more of this charming
lady-we may say 1T Is enough to know
a person-what need we care Tor their
condition or surroundingsi 1t Is not
enough. The universal ques tion: "Who
is hep" or "Who is sheY' requires more
for It's answer than the personal appear
ance before you. "Look" is not the all.
sufficient answer.
as the sun was sinking In the west,
we saw spires glittering in the eastern
horizon.
''rhere is my home," said my fair
friend, pointing with her finger, and un-
consciously (perhaps) assuming an at
titude full OF Deauty-a living statue on
the PROV of the boat, gliding along the
willows, and relieved. against the she'll
like hunS OF the sunset SkV