The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-10-18
ONE In TEN THOUSAND.

sweet, sweet Muriel with her tender
brown eyes and ripping dusk-Iark
hair.
Far as she could see, over smiling
meadow aud ripening fields Of grain,
down the shady valley, where the mill
stream tumbled in joyous music, clear
| to the low, blue-misted hills that sklrted
| the wide dumain-Gar as MurlePs happy
eyes could see, 1t was all hefs-Aer very
own.
Not that she had ever cared much for
riches-not that she had not been con-
tent as she was, when the Wondrous
news came to her that she was the sole,
unuisputed heiress of a distant relative,
whose existence she had almost lOr-
gotten: but for Carroll Holm's sake she
was SO exquisitely happy-Carroll
Holm, her lover, her one among men, her
one darling.
| They had not been betrothed very
Ilong-nalf Of twelvemonth; but such
perfect bliss and content had been
crowded into those days OF betrothal
that it seemed to Muriei that she could
scarcely remember the days when she
dId not have Carroll Holm for lover.
| They were 10 be married soon now-in
less tnan another six months; and 1t
was sucn gladness to this true; tender
W oman to know she did not go empty
| handed to the lover whose own wealth.
was even greater than hers.
| Before her accession 10 this almost
unpounded wealth, Muriel had thought
it well that a wife should owe all 10 her
husband. Now that she had the pes
sessions to take with her, IL seemed to
aer right and pleasant.
| Hers was Que OF those natures who
were content in whatever position they
htt1lr h,at
lovely conLentment of soul that made
eypry one love ner so-that, looking OUT
rom her brown eyes, made her so fair
and resLtul TO see.
| And she was passing sweet ana falr
| mis- lldsummer afternoon, watching the
shadows lengthen and waiting lor her
| lover TO come.
| And Carroll Holm, as he threw his
horses reinS to the groom, Perched
Isutfl on the hig1, back seat of the ele-
lYaut lutte phaeJ0n, and walked eagerly
M tue shaded, flower-bordered pain, telL
Inow immeasugaDIy good the lates had
been to him, to give this beautiful girl 10
be his own.
II have been waiting ten minutes for
y.u. Carroll" she SAID, moment later,
} aiLer he mad taken her in his arms, and
smiled down in her pure, lar lace, and
kissed ner red mouth.
lie laughed.
"AcLually six hundred seconds! Mu.
riel, you DON'T often watch for my
coming"
His handsome eyes-gray, intense will
feeling, and eloquent OF expression
wore glance somewhat reproachtult
: and Murlel, with quick RENE mDrance
Of her invariabie habit of watcnlng hin
back of the shelter of almost closeC
blinds, flushed little.
f But, you see, L wanted to see you 81
E espec ally to-day. have been doing
something, I Larroll, and | am anxious
lfor your opinlon-or, rather, yOu2 ap
g lproval."
, He was looking at her with his ad
5 miring eyes.
"TAoge IS but one something yol
could do which would meet with m!
disapproVal, Muriel-that is 10 cease t.
p love me-"
She flashed him back mute, worship
full glance. 1t was so like her not Il
1 make any other answer of assurance.
/ "You remember having heard M
speak of the death, year or so ago, OF
friend of my mOther's-Mrs. Wliils. Sh
l left her daughter ia straiCened circum
n stances, and the child has no one to Iool
e alter her. She Is fairly we'll educated d
II promise OF a magnificent voice, to cult
n vate which and become singer is th
h dearest wish Of her life. SAe wrote tt
me, Carroll, and | at once felt it was m
duty to care for her. telegraphed he
= to come to me at once, and make he
v home permanently with me. Sne cam
LnlS morning."
Her earnest eyes were reading ever
y shade Of change on his face, that ha
0 taken on an expression OF slight annoy
II ance.
"she came this morning! She is her
l. now! | confess l am surprised, and
8 well, perhaps little displeased at sue
e all irruption into a pleasant little circle
:. Wat could have possessed you, IN
darling, 10 yield to such Quixotic In
ID pulse"
~ son, Carroll, sudden as 1t was, pleas
do not call it an impulse. 1t was II
"a honest conviction Of duty. Why, Cal
roll, with ali the money l nave. should
not make others happy? | an SO happ
d mysell-Oh, Carroll, SO happy-thaC
= want every one TO be! Tell me you ar
l. not angry because FIOrienne Willis ha
y come to 1--we with u.s."
One small, fair hand lay coaxingly o
I'd MS sleeve; the eager face, with It's wis
q lul eyes, was lifted to his hali-smilln,
lb ndll-lEON ulHR Duesi Gue ef flulSlte nOul
n was very temptlngly near MS own, an
50 he kissed her, and told her 80 lar a
ia ne was concerned she was welcome
a the great clod-hopping country glri; onI
a he hoped she would not torture his ear
,e with disCordanG screams and falls
notes.
Muriel smiled as he caressed her til
y gers, his gentle master-tOuch s1ndln
- ner blood III pulslng warmth along ne
veins.
And then there came suddenly owe
her face a look as strongly marked as
x. shadow is different from sunshlne-a
p expression That he had never seen b,
D. lore in her eyes, as she raised them a
u most soemnly TO his face.
IL "Carroll, Carroll, do you love me ? Al
you sure you love meW
In 1t was unusual tor her to give vent
in her passion so. IL amazed hlm, touche
5. him, thrilled him 70 the very heart.
Be And sne, to have saved her soul, eoul
le not have explained the sudden lmpuls
THAT gent the words trooping to he
nj Tongue. Afterwards she understoo
IA why.
NJ And Carroll, gathering her in hi
Of arms, took her closely to his heart, an
II gave her an answer that chased ava
10 the brief shadow, and brought deliciou
flushes TO her pale lace; that made he
=; voice bright and gay again, as 81
~ laughlngly 'prisoned his arm in hers.
M.