The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-07-17
the TIMELY WARNING.


SIZE had entefedlthelroom SO nolselessly
that, until she spoke neither Of US had
been conscious Of her presence.
'stSood might, my daughter" said my
host, smile Of ilfnite tenderness
softening his rather stern features, and
holding out his arms as he spoke.
The Child sprang quickly to the
shelter OF that broad breast, laying her
soft cheek lovingly against his.
AS he held her thus, stroking ten-
derly, as mother might, the shining
hair that mingled with his own ietty
locks, thought that had never seen
prettier picture.
She was in torn so petite, with fea-
lures almost iRfantile in their delicaey
of outline, he 80 strong and stately; her
complexion was exquisitely lair, and
eyes OF the softest hue, while his were
black and piercing, and his face bronzed
by the exposure to sun and storm incl
dental to his adventurous life.
A matronly looking woman opened the
door, pausfng upon the threshold, as II
reluctant to disturb them.
AS soon an my friend observed her he
arose, and, blessing the enild with a
solemnity and tenderness l had never
Witnessed in him before, dismissed her.
"Not your own daugnLerW l saId az
soon as we were lett alone.
"No; but could not love her better if
she were. She Is the most precious Of
all my earthly possessions, rs we'll she
might be. My darling little Kathiel she
saved my lifel ....
"What that slender, delicate child?
| "Yes; and when sne was smaller and
| younger than she Is now"
81 Will tell you how it was," added my
friend, replying more TO eager inquiries
in my eyes Than 70 anything had said.
at is not long story"
And pushing toward me cut-glass
dish Of some quaint and curious pattern
hlIed with heavy clusters OF grapes, my
host settled himself back in his easy
chair and commenced as iolIoWs:
About two years ago business called
me to A., III tue western part Of
lCanada. Partly because was more ac-
lcusLomed TO tnat style OF locomotion, ,and
lpartly because public conveyances in
that section Of the country were slow
aud uncertain, l started on horseback.
l nau been about fortnight on my
way, and was beginning to- Congratulate
lmy self that was near the termination
OF my journey.
IL was near sundown, and the sky be-
fgan to leok as II a storm were brewing.
III had ridden many miles through u
trude, thinly settled habitation. 1t was,
Etneretore with y feeling of relief that i
Isaw, a few rods ahead of me, wnat
lseemed TO be pubhe house. II was SO
long since L Aaa seen one that, in spite
tof its dark, dreary appearance, 1t had O
pleasant look to me.
1 There were neither trees nor any sign
lot vegetation around the house, in front
Iof WnAcn a crazy looking sign was creak.
lug in the wind that was rising, and
upon WnIch could be seen few letters
Iof what was evidently once-sEnter.
tainment tor Man and Beast" now
nealy efaced by exposure 10 The
weather. ..G
As rode to the door l saw q stout
miudle-aged man Sitting On the rude
porch cleaning y gun.
''Good evening, friend," said. scar
you tell me how far 1T is to the village
of A-W
Tue man gave me quick, comprehen
sive glance, and Then dropped his eyes.
vt Is matter OF eight miles," he re
piled; 'just beyond The Black Forest
the edge OF which you can see from mere
You had better not attempt it tonight
ne adaed, as he saw was hesltatlng az
70 whether l lad better STOP or pusl
ahead, now that / was SO near my Jour
ney's end. ''There's storm comine up
besides, goou many travellers have
been robbed in Black Forest latelyD
II believed WON'T risk it, then,"
said; "lor ! have tnat about me that
wouldn't cure TO lose."
/ recatied atlerward the, sudder
brightenlngo of the landlords eyes as
salu this, but IL was SO brief that i
made little impression ON me at th,
, time. -...r. .
Remarking that his hostler had gone
away OH an errand, he took charge OF my
lshorse, and, taking my saddle bags in my
: jinand, entered une house.
1t consisted of u large hall, with a Qoot
sized room Oh either side. AS soon as ]
stepped in my attention was arresl e,
lby u little girl, in spite Of her neglecLe,
| lappearauce, one OF the most perlectl,
lovely little creatures that ever saw.
II Learned afterward that she was nearl,
: nine, but 80 small and delicate was sh
, that She looked lull three years younger
II In one OF the rooms WAS a hrge coars
featured woman, with u peculiarly dis
agreeable expression of oountenanee
engaged in domestic duties; the othe
was vacant, and entering 1t took sea
on The settee. "
The little girl came and stood by tn
, open door, tixing her large, earnest eye
upon me with mourniul intentness q
expression that ] mad never seen in an,
ciAld before.
; Ismilea and held out my hand to hel
, To my surprise she came directly to Inc
rouened BY this expression of cor
,, | taence in an entire stranger, no lesi
, Than by her exceeding beauty, / took he
, upon my lap.
You are not my papa" she sait
! regarding me with the same wistlu
LOOK, "but you look kke him.
"Where is your papa" l inquired
! more for the sake OF talking than becaus
! l cared to KNOW. ~
+ The child snuddered and turned pale
Just then the landlord entered, il
trowned rs his eye tell upon the child
, and looked uneasy.
"YOu must not trouble the gentle
: man." he said, in voice whose harsl
ness was in marked contrast 10 tb
: smooth, oily tone he had used in SPEAK
ing 10 me. "Get down anu 70 into I'll
!. kltchen.o tff
: The child shrank in mortal fear fro
: that tone, and in spite OF my detainin
hand slipped quickly from my knee an
4 lett the toom.
Alter partaking Of a warm, ,substanti
supper, requested to be shown to N
u room, as | was desirous Of taking u
q early start in the morning.