The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-02-01
ALPS Well That Ends Well.


always a proud, naughty race, arroga-
ting to themselves the leadership OF
their sot, both socially and politically.
Intense pride, indomitable VIII, and an
aristocratic sense of superiority and eX-
clusiveness were the family characteris-
tics. For generations they had lived in
q large, handsome mansion on the banks
Of the Thames, at Putney.
Ralph Delaney, the present head of the
family, was true to the family traditions
ia man possessing an iron intlexibility
OF character, naughty in presence, super
cilious to interiors, and dictatorlal to
spected, but loved by none. lie had two
sisters. The elder, Isabelle, a dark.
eyed, imperious beauty, who queened it
in society right royalty, accepting Its
homage gracefully, but with digniied
condesceusion, Edith, the younger sis
ter. was quite her contrast. She was
fair-haired blonde, with smiling lips and
saucy blue eyes; we'll developed, plant,
and elegant in figure, viyacious and
pleasing in manner, and gentle and
kindly in disposition. She was an
anomaly in the Delaney family; ray OF
bright sunshine beside The statelinsss OF
her sister aud the grand haughtiness OIL
her mo her.
|
entire hopes and joys were centred upon
ner children. In Ralph and Isabelle she
| felt that her fOndest desires would be
| realized; lor them she looked forward to
matrimonial alliances which would IN
| wealth and position uphold the family
name, But lor Edith she trembled. She
feared that she might be ensnared into a
derogatory marriages. lear that tor
tureu her beyond measure.
The wa ling night-Wind swept by; the
heavens were black with clouds, vaIling
the moou and her starry cohorts. UpoA
dropping flower and wildly tossing tree
a heavy rain was falling; darkness
shrouded the drippiag landscape.
| Delaney Hall loomeu up grim and
spectre-like in the storm. Slowly and
ste althily side door opened, and fe-
male figure fitted noiselessly out. For
an instant sne paused and listened. A
streak of red light from the hall falls
across her face, and discloses the Iea-
lures Of Edith Delaney.
"Phank neaven" she calculated, as
Eno sound reached her ear.
| Then, with noiseless step, she glided
through the dripping shrubbefy and
rain. .Durdened flowers on toward little
SummeI-louse. As she entered, man
Ily form rushed to meet her, and, clasp
ling her i'll his strong embrace, lifted her
within.
81 did not expect you, Edith, darling,
lon this wild night. You should not
lhaye exposed yourself to the fury of the
storm"
"There was less chance OF detection,
Hubert, and knew you would be here
But these meetings must cease, Hubert;
IL is too great a risk. Ii should be
lseenl | shudder when l IN. NIX OF the
wrath OF my family"
yes, darling, you are right. 1t is
neither manly nor honorable Of me to
lsteal interviews with you, as II were
outlawed from the society OF the pure
and vlrtuouF. l will seek your brother
Immediately. and claim the right to visit
you freely and openly"
"Oh, Hubert, 1t Will be useless-worse
than useless. He will treat you Will
eontumeiy and seorn, and he VIII never
let YOU see me again"
Oils scorn l do not tedr, and M
C earthly power will keep me from youl
side, dearest, until you yourself bid me
go.
"And that will never, never be, Hu
: bert. Whatever happens l am thine
thine foreVerW
"Bless you, darling, tor those sweet
words! And now return, Edith, and to
, morrow l will seek your brother, anc
: acquaint him with our love-"
With a cry OF mingled fear and Joy
she nestled In his arms for moment
, then broke from him and sped heetly
/ | back to the house. AS she drew nea
, the door, to her terror she heard tht
stern voice OF her brother excitedly dc
| mandjDg her whereabouts.
Covering upon the wet steps, sht
listened a moment, then turning, wal
about to fly back into the darkness
| when the door was suddenly wrencheC
open, aud she stood face to face Will
. the angry brother and an excited mothe
aud sister.
| Ralph seized her by the wrist, ant
drew her within the door.
. "What disgrace is this you have
3 brought upon yourself, girl" he eX
claimed. with whom 1id you hay
THIS clandestine meetlngp
J Sue glanced, terrified, into his wrath
4 lul face.
"I-I-oh, mamma-sister-pity me |!
: she soDoed, Reaching out her hanIs im
Q plorIngly.
+ 500 not appeal to me-" said he
e mother, in cold, hard voice, "unles
4 you eau satisfactorily explain your suS
} piciouS absence"
| "Who mas enticed you into this die
a grace, Edith? Answer mel" demanded
!. ner brother.
5 Brushing away her tears. and raising
, her tear-stained lace unblushingly h
a hIm, she replied, vehemeutly:
8 "he did not entice met is all IN
g fault! L knew you would never allo,
e me to see him openly; and IL offered t
meet him secretly, she said, choking
i ly.
a 'His name-his nameW exclaimed be
: brother, While "SnameIess grill" an
o what follyW burst from the lips {
s mother and sister.
u Hubert Coverlyv' answered a full
manly voice; and Edith's lover steppe
e through the still open door.
e can eavesdropper, las we'll as contemp
It BILE adyenturerP sharply retorte
d Ralph Delaney, wheeling around, an
a turning the fun blaze of his angry fac
e upon HIM.
Edith gave sharp little cry of a
l fright, aud rushed between them wit
s raised hands, as if striving to protec
s her lover from her brothei's vengeance
e Hubert put out his arm, and drew he
= gently to his side; then, in constraine
voice, as ii he was exercising his ST on
d will to keep his pent-up passion froi
bursting forth, he said: