The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-07-13
AM Y.

dow ourtained with coarse white mus
lin-the fl )or covered by scanty carpet
somehow the broad March sunshine
brought out every element OF poverty in
the abode Of the poor widow aud her
daughter.
"Put on a little more coal, AmyW
said Mrs. Ardenham, shudderingly,
drawing her shawl closer around her
frail figure, as she dropped her needle
work: "it is bitterly cold this morning."
Amy obeved silently-yet she could
not help noticing how nearly The llttle
stock of iuei was exhausted, and re-
membering how inadequate their slen-
der purse was to the repleAlsb ment
thereof, her heart sank a little.
Only little, though, tor Amy was not
one Of the desponding kind. No-she
was a sunshiny little creature, iuA OF
bright, infectious hOpetulness-and
somehow, in that squalid room, she
seemed like fresh rose blossomlng in
a sandy deserti She was very pretty,
with brown, tender eyes, just the shade
of the heavy braids of nair aboVe-a
small, coral mouth, and cheeks delicate
ly shaded, anu as she took up the news
paper, you coulu't help noticing what a
snowy, taper little hand she had, with
plnk-llpped fingers, and .dimples at
every joint
"Maiuma," she said, suddenly, "here's
an advertisement for a gOVerness."
"Well, what of il I" asked her moth err.
"M by, mamma" hesitated Amy, "you
know we are very, very poor, anu-and
| should like very much TO earn little
money"
Mrs. Ardenham had bowed her face
upon her hands, and in an instant. Amy
was kneelIng beside her.
"Mamma, darling, don't acryW she
said.
Il did not mean to be SO foolish, Amy,
but it all came back to me at that
mUmenl--the wealth. and station we
nave lost--the poverty to which we are
reduced. On, Amy, 1t is too hardl'
"But thinK ,mammaW said Amy cheer
; fully, snow delightful it will be Tor Inc
10 AXE all my school accomplish men Is
help US along IN the world. May L Try
for thls situation? I should like it sc
muchw
III you think it best my child" ac
dulesced Mrs. ArdeHham, resignedly.
"rnen l must lose no Limc' said
Amy, as sue began TO arrange her han
and adjust the details OF her. simple
toilette.
"How do look mamma %she e,laughed
when at length she was ready 70 de-
part. And Mrs. Ardenham's aumiring
atfectiouate glance brought the roses to
her cneeks as she trlppeu away.
For she dld look eXqulsltely pretty
the coarse shawl toOk graceful curves
about her slender form, and The cneap
straw hat with its pam black rib Jon
IN gut have been the most fashionable o.
Donnets without being whit more be.
| coming.
"Darling Am W pondered the mother
as her llguJ lvOtstep died away on the
star; "ehe is perfe5t little sunbeam
| in the darkness of my daily eX sLence
| Her heart mas never ached with The
bitter pangs of lies stIarpest trlals.'
But Mrs. Ardenlam Was mistaken
Amy had tasted the butter cup-nay, SHE
naa drunk 1t to the very dregs.
| There was vein of poetic apprecia
| ton somewhere in the jumbie OF iun anC
| Sentiment, good humor and sarcasm
that constituted Frank Ashley, as ht
lay laz,ly on The sofa, plsying with 1--WE
| or three golden-headed children, VIII
were toddnng about the room.
| "I'll tell you what, Lizzle," said he t.
| his sister, who sat tmDroIdering, "y0l
spoil these young imss about as com
pletely as any mamma my acquaint
ance."
LAS you didn't spoil them ten time
worse" retorted Mrs. Jay, ladgning
when succeed in obtaining Il govern
ess, perhaps they will be pat unde
some sort of discipline. But, really
Frank, L have always wondered tha
you nave never married."
'Iudeedl Why W
All
mestic sort Of a husband-you are S
fond of home. l know that tnat maneu
yering Miss Roland lud a desperat
siege to the rocky citidel OF your hear
but | thought you disliked her."
You were right" he replied; "sh
was indescribably repellent TO me-"
.srnen WHY
"Why did | ifever marry anybody else
Well, listen, Lizzie, and Phi tell you.
] was once in love with one of the SWee
est girls, l believe, that ever Wake
this earth, 1t was when l was stayin
at Br ighton; she, too, was spending tn
winter there. AT first l thought sh
encouraged my suit, but all at once sn
grew cod and distant. determined q
all hazards to know my late, for lie
how wretched life would be withou
lher, But The very evening that l ha
resolved TO submit my suit to her-W
were both invited 10 a party at Mis-
Ruland's-I learned that she had lie
Lne town. Miss Roland told me, not
direct words, of course, but as delicat
Iy as possible, that it was To- avoid m
continuous attentions"
"And did you credit thisT' asked Mr.
Jay. w
was one of her most intimate friends.
left Brighton the next day, and the
and there ended all Of love that it wi
ever be my taLe to know"
As he ceased speaking, a seryal
came in.
"It you please, ma'am, lady is
low, who says she has come TO app
for the situation of goyerness. Sha
| show her upW
: Mrs. Jay assented, and the me-
moment Amy Ardennam entered tl
room.
the first remarks Mrs. Jay made.
~ am eighteen, m@am," said Am
qu city. 49,.
the newspaper, glanced quickly up
, The tone OF her voice, and rose to b
feet. At the same instant, Amy's e.
met his and she grew deadly pale.
, "Amy," he exclaimed. "MIss Arde
+ hamp
! But Amy had tainted.
. An hour later, Frank Ashley was {