The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-01-10

L
were going on swimmingly two years |
ago between Leigh ana Annie. They'd
have been married before now if nobody
had interfered. But Dennis and I-you
know Dennis ?--tip-top fellow got up al
little plan between us, and it worked |
splendidly. Didn't we raise the deuce !
L gained possession of some of Leigh's 1
handwriting, and practiced writing
like ii. l am an expert at that business,
l fla1ter myself; aud in few days l
could fairly beat Richardson with has
own weapons. So l vote a letter to an
imaginary cham of his--giyiag a descrip-
ton OF Miss Anuie--calliNg her soft lit
tie thing, telling him how she adored
the subscriber, and how the subs eriber
cared nothing at all for her, but was en-
joying glorious flirtatioa. OF course
the subscriber was Leigh Richardson.
This note-which was most lnse Ting
thing to any ~oman-we contFiyed TO
have dropped where Miss Annie would
find it, and the result was even more
jolly than mad anticipated. She nit
tened Richardson the next day, and re-
fused 10 listen to any explanation be
could make. Ha! hal II good joke ,Nasa't
it? Paid him for getting that cut. Aa-
ways intended to pay MIN OF some way.
He felt areadfuly about IL! My sister
Lucy boarded hlm at the time, aud there
was no sleep in the mouse for his tramp
ing up and down his chamber all night.
A little more lemonade, Ed, and don't
care IL there is a drop oil champagne IN
it. It's chilly this morning"
Etheredge waited TO hear no more. In
his present frame OF mind he felt as Ii he
could not bear it. He went home and
smut himself up in his chamber. Alter
all, Richardson had been true. How
bitterly he had been wrongeu! Annie
would repent and love him more than
ever. il she knew the injustice she had
done him. That was woman's nature.
| She atones for wrong by giving love.
And what IL al reimbursement should
| be brought aboutp Etheredge ielt faint
| and SICK, The future shut down dArh and
| blank, And only an hour before he had
dared indu ge such glowing visions. He
| saw his duty clearly enough, but 1t is
not always easy to do ones duty. There
| was a little struggle between his heart
4 and his conscience. A hundred times
| the temptation beset him to keep his
| knowledge to himself ana win Annie ior
his own. She would never know that
| Richardson was bIameless, and his great
love might make her so happy! At last,
he Kneit down and prayed over 1t. de
ALWAYS prayed over those things when
were too hard for him. After that lie
the west wind on his iorehead-4saw The
pale wfntry sunshine gild the long rows
of buildings opposite. For him there
was no more hesitation. Ii he could
make Annie happy, what matter TO MN
how it was Accomplishment ....
| He went down to the sitting-room
about sunset. He knew he Should tind
Annie there. Mrs. Etheredge was away
at society meeting.
Annie was sewing by shaded lamp.
She did not ike the glare OF the gas.
There was rich color on her cheek,
over which the loose hair dropped low.
Milton Etheredge's heart leaped at sight
| of her. but he stilled it down and TOOK a
seat beside her. ...-..
"Annie," he said, 81 am an old friend,
and think you viii not be offended If l
ask YOU few questions. Not because
am curious, but because L desire your
good more than any earthly thing"
| She looked in WOnderment, noticing
the strange unsteadiness OF his voice ana
: the tremor of the hand he laid on hers:
"Otfended--withy you, Mr.. Etheredgey'
she said reproachfully; "neYer that. &c
OIL am listening"
"Annie, you were once engaged tt
Leigh RichardSOnw
Her head dropped lower; the crimson
J came and went IN her cheeks.
| IL was" she said, IN a low voice.
Il "You loved him and he loved YOU
was 1T not SO, my childW
"We called it love-"
: sand you thought him falseW W
"As Satan himselfP
"What If yea knew that he was no
false--that he was true to you always
!. that the contemplate letter which yot
read. purporting TO have been writer
| vi la i,,,t
> She was looking at him in mute sur
1 prise. She drew long breath.
"Was it a forgeryY
ttIt was. / have just heard the his
i tory of it. An ill-nStured acquaintanc
9 OF Richardson's,Sso crafty a petty re
e yenge, wrote the letter and dropped i
It where you would be sure to ind il
If Leigh Richardson was leal aad true"
j. She sat very still before him, not lin
l. of her face changing. lie waited for he
: to speak, but she did not seem dispose
u to do so.
S "Annie, my dear child, shall l spea
!, to Mr. Richardson about this mistake p
u "If YOU please. l would like him
know that he is clear in my eyes.
y think he would be glad to know it. Te
l, him just how it Was, and ask him to fol
II give me, il was harsh with him."
II 'Is that allW
g "rhat is ail."
T. "AnMeW
e "Mr. Etheredgew
O. "PardOn me lor pursuing the subject
8 but, il you still care for him, you wi
d want to speak to him on the matte
" yourself"
o ''bnt do not care for him."
" "You do not2AWhy. may ask2
She blushed as red as a rose. Ethel
ledge put the blush and the portrait b
'llhad seen her kiss together. A shar
IS lpang pierced him.
u "Is 1t because you love anotherW
u eyes," she said, quietly, lit is becau;
e love another"
l. "And that other~
e She rose abruptly, and flung Off I'll
~ OBTAINING hand he laid on her arm.
ls "You nave no right to ask me that,
}! she said hoarsely. Gle me gol You to
y ture mep
II torture you, Annief IW VIII
70 possessed him he did not know--pe
'e haps, something her eyes said to hi
N made him bold. He put his arm aroun
W her and drew her to his side.
IN .tAnni0, II you love another, I mu
y givs,y0utto him. Your happiness sha
" be secured to you, though mine be shi
"a wrecked. did not mean to tell yo
.. darling; but / love you so, it alino
kil1a ma tn think 0f losing vou n a