The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-05-08
IN SPITE OF HIMSELF.

made very pretty picture as they ro0e
along In the little phaeton, with the
white reins lying easily in Miss Hopes
pretty, fair, strengthful hands, and the
silver-plated harness and white fy.net
contrasting so admirably with the pony's
jetty, glossy coat--a lovely afternoon,
with faint suggestions Of coming au
tumn days in the golden hazy sunlight,
and the cool breeze that made The as
pens simmer Whitley.
A fair, quiet, peaceful country scene,
with the level turnpike stretching like
band Of silver gray between the vivid
emerald OF wooded hills and wide
spreading pasture lands at their base on
one side. and the quiet, CLASSY sheen Of
the river, that followed the roadside for
miles, and was fringed with graceful
trees, and dotted with islands, and
frightened by groups of sailing parties
in gayly-painted boats-a sweet, restful
scene, on which Mr.. Hope looked with
lazy, contented eyes, and leaned back
on the navy blue cushion Of the phaeton,
the very tableau of enjoyment.
Such a splendid-looking fellow as he
was, with his lazy. sleeping eyes that
could fire, and light and flash enough
when occasion demanded; with his
dropping mustacne OF tawny amber, his
| fair, blonde lace, his darkly amber hair,
cut short to his tiue head-so short that
saucy Iva, the sister who was driving
his lordship out that day, declared he
was barely saved the necessity OF brush
ing it; with his faultless attire-the low,
" hite straw hat, with the bread, black
band. the immaculate, diamUnu- studded
linen, white necktie, rough, dark-Dlue
suit. spotless, diamond-buttoned cuhs,
polished booJ-every detail OF the man
| was attractive and harmonious; ana Iva
Hope, his only sister, his pet, MS oar
ling, looked at MIN with fldsh OF warm
pride on her own charming lace, so Ike
his, except tor The oellcate oleahaef
flower tint ON her cheeks, and the darker
tinge of her violet eyes, that mad The
same hint OF Ianguor and suppressed
fire in them, the same heavy, we'll
shaped nose, the same curling lashes.
| She looked az him, and thought how
grand it was to have him home Tor good
and all-thougnt OF what Florence sgd
ney mad said oil him-pretty, piquant
Flo. who had been 1va's bosom friend
and confidant tor years, VINO had read
all of Rutherf0rP5 letters to his sister,
aud who had fallen desperately in love
with his picture.
So Iva thought of all this and little
smile parted her lps-uiaking the love-
liest dimple on one cheek-as she
thought vi Florence Sydney's daily ex-
pee led arrival tor "a long visit, and now
! her handsome brother would be sure 10
isuccumb, and give her Florence lor a
sister,
MIR. Hope saw the smile, and looked
curiUusiy at her.
IWell, tell me what is SO pleasant FOL
you to contemplate"
| a To q c
pertection-sweet as womau's, but
with not an eifeminate note in ,it-clear
resonant, caresslng in its quality.
Ivas smile developed into u joyous
little laugh.
IL was thinking what a splendid time
we will have Wueu Florence comes. On
Rutherford, you must lall in love with
her! She is just as sweet as sweet Car
be, and Oh, neiress to l can't tell now
much!i
Her enthusiasm fell on very rocky
ground, for MIR. Hope only settled him
self more laztly i'll the corner OF the
phaeton, and pulled mis- hat over his eyer
to shield them IRON the sun.
"You are very considerate, my dear
in offering sucu a charming temptation
but may as well relieve your anxious
mind AZ once, and assure you tnat 0
L
your schoolgirl divinity, and the other
an heiress."
A trowu that was very becoming wrin
kled Iyus low, white forehead.
'Ol, Rutherford! The idea of despis
ing Miss Sydney because she hal
money! Suppose, when 90 out int
society, the same remarks are applied
TO m1e?'
He showed his teeth for a second in al
amused smile.
"Dont be profound, Iva. You ar,
sweet, pretty and retned-"
Sne broke in eXcitedly;
sand Florence is hundred time:
more SO! Rutherford, please don't b'
ugly when she comes"
"Uglyl I ugly? Now, sis, that's tot
bad! But tell you frankly don't ali
ticipate seeing much of her. can eujoy
it in imag agination-imporLant, naughty
vulgarly conscious OF her personal ant
golden charms! No, thank you, Iva
When marry, 1T Will be to a girl wht
never knew what it was to have sec
ond silk dress to her name-one Of youl
quiet, gentle, sensitive fowerets, who
will have to owe everything that make.
Lille pleasant and happy to me-"
Alter that, the drive didn't seem 81
pleasant, and Iya's cheeks were consid
erably more flushed than usual whel
she threw the reins to the groom in walt
jius, and ran up the marble steps to gree
a Seileu youaS lady, who mad arrived .
moment before. ...,.
In the elegant, large bedroom, t.
which Iva conducted her guest, tht
girls had long confidential talk.
"It is too aWfully Aorrid in him, Flor
encel / know he would just WORSHIP
you il he knew you; but he Will not giy'
you chance to become intimately ac
quainted. lfyou were poor, mise ra BILE
ionely-Florence Sydney! Oh, FloI
can tx it'll can fink That sultan of
brother OF mineW
There was sparkle In Miss sydney
dark eyes-lovely, luetrous eyes, will
white, Dlue-velned, curling, lashed lid
and little quiver of true womanl.
shame ON her exquisite mouth.
"But, Iva, tell me one thine-dol Ha
Mr.. Hope the faintest Idea how L
have fallen inflow admire-his pic
lturep oh, Iva, l should die with sham,
il thought he knew had given him al
unsought, unasked hearLW
But Iva was not disposed to humol
Florence's tender modification.
son, Flo, It's so perfectly glorious +
think what we shall do with Rutherford
He shall fall in love with you, in spite O
his imperial opinion to the contrary. h,