The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-10-03

laundress must have left the soak' open. |
Come inl
The door opened, and In walked q |
young lady, dressed in a neat black stuff |
costume, with small felt hat, from un-
der which fell q quantity Of golden |
brown hair.
As she entered the room, her gaze was |
timldly directed towards the capert; but |
she had scarcely arrived at the table in |
the center of the room, when Malden1
suddenly exclaimed, "Confound it'll |
Nellie May, by all that's untortunatew
Nellie looked up in astonishment at |
the speaker.
For moment she was unable to utter
a word, and then, recalling her energies, |
She said, "Mr. Maiden, what does this
mean? l came here in answer to an
advertisement. l neither expected nor |
wished to see you-Nay, sir, any eX-
planation OF your conduct is unneces- |
saryl Allow me to take my leave. l
wish you good morningW
And, with a dignifed bow, Nellie
passed from the room.
Scarcely, however, had she reached
the front door ere mist seemed to come
before her eyes, and, losing all her
strength, she would have fallen to the
ground, had not Harourt, who had fol-
lowed her from the room, supported her
round the waist.
The fresh airs and the knowledge of
her position brought her to herself once
more.
Uoloring deeply, she gently removed
| his arm from around her waist, but, as
she did SO, staggered, and almost fell
again.
Offering his arm, Harcourt said, GAL
4 low me to see you to cab, Miss May"
"Tnank you," replied Nellie, grateful
A F. Il. k.I h., N
very well, lately. and the sight OF Mr..
Maiden recalled some unpleasant recol-
| llections."
| Calling four-wheeler In Fleet street,
Harcourt carefully handed her In, and
still more carefully did he note down
the address which she gave The driver.
About fortnight previous to the IN
sertion OF the advertisement, Mrs.
Richards, widowed sister of MIR. May,
wrote and invited Nellie to spend few
weeks with her.
| AS MIR. May had noticed that his
daughter had lost her color, and had not
appeared very well lately, he accepted
his sisters invitation with gratitude,
and Nellie was dispatched up 10 town.
| While staying with her aunt she had
lobserved the announcement, and, acting
lupon Mrs. Richards auVice, had deter
mined TO apply Tor the situation, with
the result related.
The next morning, about u O'Clock, as
Mrs. Richards was employed with some
needlework, and Nellie was at the piano,
the servant Of all work opened the door
and said, "Please, marin, nere's gen.
tleman as wants to see Miss May"
And, closely following his announce.
ment, in walked Arthur Harcourt, who,
bowing to both ladies, turned to Nellie
with a smile, and said, "You must par.
don my intrusion, Miss May; but could
not resist calling to inquire after youl
: health, and also to explain and apollo.
gize for the cruel hoax of which you
were yesterday the victim"
He then proceeded to relate how NAL
den and himself had fabricated the ad.
yertisement that had attracted her.
Before HarcOurt had finished his con-
fession. Nellie had glanced more than
once at his handsome person; and when
he finished, she determined that it was
her duty to forgive.
} By the time he had brought his visit
to a conclusion, Mrs. Richards had dis
covered that sue had formerly been ac-
uuainted with Mrs. Hareorrt, Arthurs
mother; SO, when he rose to take his
} leave, he received an invitation from the
elder lady TO repeat his visit, which, il
eyes speak the truth, was certainly not
negatived by the younger.
On his return to Essex Court, Har-
} court found Maiden seated in his arm
. chair, enjoying cigar, to which he had
, helped himself from box on the table.
Walking up to the fireplace, Harcourt
! leant against the chlmney-piece, and
steadily observing the smoker, observed,
/ II have but now returned from Miss
Mays, where have been to apologize
for yesterdays business"
| 'I.OI hppn tn little NAIIip hnVp
youW replied Maiden, With Indifference
: HAh, she's not bad sort, but an awful
fool. l had great fun with her down iL
} the country, but l soon got tired of her
she's much too attentive, you know
l She" .-.
Harcourt sprang forward, and, will
= his expressive features working
. with excitement, exclaimed, "Silence
D sir! Ii you say another word agains
. the girl, pl pitch you neck and crop ou
OF that Window
q For moment Maiden gazed at hi
l companion in establishment; but b.
looked SO thoroughly in earnest, that b,
:, saw he was not to be played with; so
i with tinge OF sarcasm in his tone, b!
Quietly observed: "Really, Arthur,
a was not aware the fair one had SO Vehe
Y ment a champion. l should have bsel
more careful in what l said"
/, SAnu ADVISE you W ue uiOEe ClrCunl'
: spect in the future, Mr.. Maiden. If, a.
Isuspect, you have ever behaved in al
! 1ungentlemanly manner to that youns
n lady, tell you plainly shall not be to-
g anxious for the pleasure of your SC
i cietS."
3 "Ha, ha, hap laughed Maiden, as h
t slowly rose, and commenced putting o.
e his gloves. ''How the fellows at the clu
: will laugh at The idea OIL"
Harcourt frowned, and interrupted
e him, saying, 'I warn you once for all
, Maiden. II 1 hear you have been utter
T ing word respecting either Miss Ma!
or myself, Pll give you the soundes
thrashing man ever hadW
III "Upon my word" replied Maiden, ad
i ljusting his hat, 'the young lady in Ques
q tion ought TO feel herself highly hon
r oredl Fancy the exclusive Arthdr Har
court becoming enraptured with coun
: try parsons daughter!'
u Harcourt, clenching his fist. advance,
a step toward him; but Maiden, consid
i. dering discretion to be the better part q
: yaIor. had left the room.
1 1t was about three months after Har
!. COURTS first visit to Mrs. Richards tha