The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-12-22

ibreatb,n and she started violently as a
flood OF mellow music suddenly float ed
through the French windows near by.
"rnerel | am admlring him again
and it won't do. Iwould as soon think
OF loving Satan. Yet at times he tries
to gain my love-my love, that he would
throw away tor her money. And he
thinks me young, and easily won. ~,
sweet eighteen! were you ever so WHY
|betorew w aud she glanced into the sud-
denly illuminated windows at her side.
Through the muslin curtains she could
see the handsome artist, sitting Win
lsnguid grace at the piano, While MISS
Foster, perched rigldly erect upon y
hair-cloth settee, was knitting blue
socks.
"My dear coz" began the artist, turn
ing slowly from the piano, and levellnS
his magnificent eyes full upon Susan, I'm
confidence now, dou't l need "a wiieW
Florence caught her breath. "lps
coming" she gasped, 'he is going to pro-
pose,n and she leaned heavily against
the piazza railing.
CAL men require wives, unless they
wish to return 10 the monkey state,' re-
piled Miss Foster, without lifting her
eyes from the heel which she was snap
ing. MI
ence, trying in vain to leave the spot,
but held there by some irresistible I'M
pulse.
"Dear Sue, l agree with you" replied
| the artist, leaning eagerly forward ana
taking her hands in both Of his.
"O6, that scrap of paperW gasped
Florence, feeling excitedly Tor her
wallet; "I must save her at all haz-
ards"
0For some time past" continued Hugh
IGI have noticed the monkey instincts
becoming SO strong within me that
lear to remain longer a baenelor. 1n
short, dear Susan, have decided TO
marry, and ask you
With a dizzy, sickening sensation
Florence reeled from the window with
out hearing further, and dropped upon
the steps oil the verandah. In that IN
stant her love had conquered, ana sne
knew that Hugh Belmont possessed her
heart-a man who had but that moment
sold himself to woman Tor money,
man whom she hated and loYeu, de-
spised and worshiped.
| The evening breeze soon revived Flor
ence, and she hurried down the garden
walk, longing to fly from-she knew not
what. The moon cast weird, sllVery
light over the shrubbery and winding
1
paths.
."He is probably holding her to his
heart, at this moment," sobbed she,
dashing recklessly forward, unmindtul
| OF her muslin dress, that constantly tore
on the briar bushes, in her flight. Sand
why should | W she exclaimed,
choking back the tears, and stumbling
! into the dark summer-Aouse.
| rHeighow exclaimed familiar voice,
and Florence fell into couple OF strong
arms, that caught her up like baby,
and held her close to a manly breast.
"Let me go, Mr.. Belmont" she ex
claimed, hotly. 'How dare You insult
me in this mannerW
The arms dropped away suddenly and
Florence stood reeling, so quickly were
they snatched from her.
You have come directly from the en-
brace of your intended wife, and you in-
suit both her and me by this conduct.
MIR. Belmont, l wish you very good
evening"" and Florence stepped haught-
ily out OF the summer-house.
"StopW and strong hand was laid
upon her arm. "Miss Knight, there is
some mistake here. l have no intended
wife. or whom are you talkingW and
he also stepped out into the moonlight
"Your cousin, Miss Foster, of course ?
replied Florence, smoothing her rumple6
sleeves.
"Oh, you sly pussl You heard me, die
you! Well, l was asking Miss Foster'a
permission to propose to her adopted
daughter, and gaining Miss Foster
consent hurried out in search of sale
|, daughter. / saw figure running dow
the walk towards the summer-house, ant
surmising that it was the adopted
: daughter, | hurried into the summer
house, by the back entrance, to avail
her, After gaining the mothers consent
; may l not plead my cause with tn
/ daughterW and he lifted her hand ten
derly.
t "0n, yes, if you have determined t
= renounce the mother forever, for tn,
: watergruel, cheWing-gum infant, an
ready TO listen respectfully" replie
, Florence, with merry light in he
! downcast eyes.
; ''What the devill-I beg your pardor
| do you meanW
t con, simply that wonder at you
D change OF programme. "9ou were T.
1 marry the mother, and her nose and he
g money, and you suddenly prefer the Wa
: ter Cruel infant"
! "rDunder and blazes what have yo
q heard, or are you crazy, Florence W an
JuC tiSb NA"SPNN AAS 1S"NJ III q ~ ub ~ q
{ manner.
r con, no, this letter of yours will e1
: plain all, and she hurriedly produce
3 the scrap of paper.
: Hugh held it up in the moonlight an
Il read the first few words:
), 'By JupiterI Florence, but this is e.
+ traordinary. sent this letter to Jc
Hastings, here in this village, and no
- YOU nave it,"
$ "He probably lost it," replied Flo
II ence, with q saucy smile, "and l four
). it in crossing the meadow. Can you e.
plain itW
e A"Certainly," replied the ais tearir
n the paper into fragments. 81 did cou
Vt here with the intention of marrying II
Il cousin Sue purely for her money. / hs
e grown to believe that love was myt
e and money the all in life. / met yo
e Florence, and my selfish plans we
u dashed to the earth. You saw, and co
y quered. l now lay my fortune at yol
Vt ieet. 1t consists OF some paint, a fe
d brushes, and my humble self; but shou
you consent 10 become my wife, Flo
ence, / Will devote myself and sa
r brushes to you henceiorthY and lookil
h into her eyes, Hugh beheld somethil
g which caused him TO draw her tightly
l. his breast. .
The moon politely stepped behind
e cloud, and Miss Fosters voice was heal
& calling: s-
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