The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-12-05
MY STRATACEM.
And | Never GrOwltd at Its Failure.

'psy, his hOuSekeeper. Az the age OF
twenty-five fervently hated every wo-
man in the world but her. 1t would be
too notifying to me, and dull and unin-
teresting to you, were l to recapitulate
the causes which bred Il dislike SO keen
and intense. l may just hint that Althea
Brand (who is now Madame, with an
ugly German name utterly uuprOnounce-
able), had something to do with my mis-
anthropy.
l led quiet, somewhat secluded life
life of my own designing. l smoked
and read, or went to the club, or ON eX-
cursions, when l chose, with no one to
question my motives. congratulated
myself in grim sort OF u way, when
alone, on my freedom, which l lero-
ciously declared l would not be de-
spoiled of.
Imagine my alright, my horror, when
the following epistle came 10 hand:
"MY DEAR MR.. BERNARD-I am dying.
The only relative you have in the world
will soon be an orphan. 1 contide her
TO your care, knowing your magnanimi-
ty and beneyolence. Please make neces-
sary arrangements for her provision.
Do this for the sake Of your dying
cousin AGATHA FRoTH."
l could not wholly resist this plea,
though deputed Mrs. Yepsy, who was
in every respect capable woman, to do
what my conscience told me l should
have given my personal supervision to-.
In weeks time my housekeeper re-
turned, saying she had placed Florelle
in very respectable seminary; SO l.,
with a deep, relieved inspiration, dis
missed my unwelcome protege from my
mind, Without any inquiries relative to
nn nc,
too discreet to furnish gratuitous infor-
nation.
AT the close of the war tiny note, in
school girls hand, came 10 my address.
was angry and annoyed. | did not
answer it. For five years these dreaded
missiVes arrived with persistent pune
tuality. l could not shut my eyes TO the
TACT that the unknown writer had i'm
proved rapidly in these five years,
though no very great depth Of thought
was perceptible; yet the chirography
was elegant, the spelling, for wonder,
beyond criticism, while those glaring
ldlosyncrasles characterizlng romantic
young ladyhood were apparent. At last
she announced that she mad finished her
education, and was going TO stay awhile
with the dearest girlin the world"
L read this from a tiny sheet OF per-
Gumed paper, under the hall lamp, be-
fore going to Mrs. Finch's reception. l
had hardly paid my compliments to that
lady before Judge Finch took my arm,
and, nodding toward petite young girl,
whom had already noticed as seeming
to bewltch young and old with her
spirited, plquant way, said:
"a young friend OF my daughter-Mfss
Floreile Froth. Shall present youT'
mo, excuse me-"
And, as the Judge moved away, I
drew back in the shadow OF curtain.
and watched my ward. l had, all along
tancied that my bank-notes were deyeI-
oping pale-faced, faXen ringleted little
thing, VINO would, some day, in a fit of
romance, elope with fictitious lord. I
was not at all prepared for the contrast t
to my 1maginlngs that the sparkling
sylph presented to my dazed pelGep-
lions.
l returned to my domicile, dreaming of
1alry in crimson silk, with scarlet
roses in her hair, and the next morning
became the recipient Of the subjoined
gushing but not positively compliment
tary letter:
my DEAR OLD GUARDIAN-WiH YOU
alloW me to come and see you? | am in
town, stopping at Judge Finchs. Is he
an acquaintance of yours? just give
me pei mission to visit you. and see if
you regret It'll l know how to compound
al leasI a dozen preparations for pre-
venting the hair from falling off. l will
Tie your neck cloth (drab or white do
You wear? and get your cane and slip.
pers, and make Cruel tor you when you
are lald up with the gout. I'm so pretty.
and so smart, and can dance, or sing. or
read your favorite German and Fren ch
authors. Your eyesight must be failing,
eh? %
VI DO so wish to see you! pledge
my word, as lady, not to be disagree
able, nor bring company. PlI just de-
vote myself TO you. Your curious ward.
"FLoRELLE FRoTH.
am sure the worthy pastor whose
church regularly attended would have
been shocked at sundry calculations be-
gotten by that tlattering epistle, in which
modesty at all events was not apparent.
l trod the hoor with hurried steps,
strongly emphasized. l stroYe to think
bitterly oil tlorelle, as l had heretofore
done OF all women, but the sparkling,
changing face, set in crispy curls, FRANK
and enhancing, despite its pertness.
swan before my vision, and charmed me.
while the memory of her audacious
style of address was any thing but sooth :
ing.
II will punish the MINK" was the
sum OF my cogitations. Therefore, the
following:
"MIss FLoRELLE-I am old, and, con-
sequently, entertain a distaste for soci-
ETY., and i'll just now, and desire quiet:
yet, perhaps, 1t is no more than Justice
to you TO accede to your wishes. If YOU
come let 1T be alone. Leave Judge
FincPs with the understanding that you
have been suddenly summoned away, |
trust you will not expect me to amuse
you. HUBERT BERNARDO
Toward evening brisk knock at the
door, and, an instant later, the footman
ushered in my ward, clad in something
l can not describe q dress SO beWilder-
lng-Whlch augmented her beauty Won
derlully. had ensconced myself in a
capaclous armchair, arrayed in a wig
slightly grlzzled, and green goggles,
with my ankle sWathed in flannel.
MY dear old guardianp she eiacu-
lated, and claspeu me about the neck.
kissing my cheeks delightedly.
"Mlss Florelle, L suppose?" l said, in
staid, measured tones, though nv whole
being was thrilling at the touch of her
lips. .
She tossed her hat, with its bright.
nodding plume, upon the sofa, her cloak
across a chair, and, drawing u seat close
beside me, leaned toward me.
''HeaVens, young ladyr 1 shouted,
hOarSelV. NCan YOU NOT sea that ,n,, 4, 90