The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-02-05
THE SURPRISE

neF unueT MS own rOOI, Mr. Dumng gCOL /
paid her the same affectionate devotion
he would have eVlnced Tor his owl
daughter, and SO we'll did he husband
Eher little property, that before she at
tanned her maiority she was quite inde
\ pendent Of the world. That Is TO say
she WAS relieved from the necessity o
embracing any of the few professions u
Which women are sometimes compelle
Ito resort. '''''-H H'st f. '
Mary Hawkins grew to be beautiful
1t would be impossible to describe her
lori do not possess the power OF giving
a description OF her marvellous iaee and
figure. d.. t 's ".-
MIR. burlington was lawer of very
Igood means and no mean reputation in
his profession, and bis connections being
excellent, the society to which Miss
Hawkins was introduced embraced some
OF the best families in the country. Mr..
Butfingto was u widower, and had two
sons, who resided at home; but our busi-
ness will be only to notice the younger,
named Edward.
Miss Hawkins, in her twenty first
year, was nota tavorite with her sex.
There was kind OF NONCOMPLIANCE anu
independence in her character that or
tended many, and though she was
aware of the fact, she never made the
least effort 10 conciliate her friends or
alter her demeanor.
Mr.. Burlington, shortly after taking
Mary into his family, had the misfortune
TO lose large part OF his wealth, and
his two sons, who would have been rich
had not this unfortunate circumstance
occurred, mad very little to expect from
their father at his death. The elder, who
| was possessed of great energy, at once
went 10 neighboring city, and entered
mercantile professions; but Edward,
who had weak character, still fingered
at home, and passed most of his time
with his gun and dogs, when he was not
lingering over Mary Hawkins at the
piano. For long time Mr.. Buffington
was not aware OF the growing attach
ment OF his son and ward, and when he
a. last made the discovery, it gave him
great uneasiness.
He knew that Mary's income was not
more than sufficient to support herself
in respectability, and that he could give
little or nothing to his son, who, with
his habits Of incidence, gave no promise
| Of ever becoming man OF business.
| Mr.. Burlington was prudent man; he
| knew that direct Interference between
the young people would be worse than
useless; he therefore determined TO find
|
yond the influence of Mary Hawkins
charms. With this view, he entered
into correspondence with 4 friend, and
procured his son an appointment in the
| office OF one of the great railroad lines
| OF the West, ....
"Must 1 go?" asked Edward, with a
hesitation i'll his manner that his father
did not at all like.
eyes, my son." he replied; "you must
60, and one day you Will thank me for
the going" q
An hour later Edward was pouring
into the ears Of Mary Hawkins his bill
ter complaints.
She sympathiZed heartily with his
| feelings, and vowed her determination
Of changing her guardians purpose to-
ward his son, ana she was not long in
trying to effect her object. Meeting MIR.
Bu1tiugLon at The garden steps, she
asked him to walk with her, and when
they had reached retired spot, she ab-
| ruptly remarked "And so you propose
sending Edward away from homer"
GU are correct, my child" be re-
piled; "he has been too long idle, and it
Is time he was seeking some means of
maintenance; for you know if died to-
morrow he would have little or nothing
from my estate. l am no longer a
wealthy man, Mary"
SIS there no way to modify your de-
terminationW she asked, .'77'
"None whateVer," replied Mr.. BuE.
fngton; "nor would l have YOU Mead
win me on the subject"
Mary Hawkins returned to the house
with detected look, and Impaired to
her lover Lne lact that she had failed to
effect her purpose with his father. and a
lew days later Edward Burlington was
speeding away Tor his home in the West.
WINTER CAM and passed, and warm
and lovely spring found Miss Hawkins
ever porlng over the pages of novels,
"Come, my. child" said Mr.. Buffinp-
ton one day, Il wish you to take walk
with me.n
The residence of Mr.. Burlington was
situated couple Of miles out of town
in very lovely part OF the country and
the place he selected for their walk was
In Deaulllul grove which adjoined his
nome. vending their way slowly and
conVersing upon ordinary topics, they
suddenly came upon stranger who was
engaged i'll making sketch OF the scene.
The artist arose from his seat upon a
rock as the party approached and apollo
gZed ior what he feared might be tres
pass, and was about to retire, when Mr..
Burlington begged him TO remain, and
informed him Lhat he was entirely well
come to the use OF the grounds. Finally.
ne requested, as favor, that his fair
companion and himself might have a
peep at his portfolio.
Inc stranger was young man about
thirty years of age. His comp exon was
Drowned by the sun, but his features
were handsome and his manner that of
Well-b ed gentleman. He exhibited.
his pictures, remarking with smile.
that he feared they contained but little
merit, but that ne was passlonaLely Iond
OF the art.
Both MIR. Burlington and Miss Haw-
klns expressed themselves much pleased
with The examination, and bidding The
artist good-day, passed on.
Induced by curiosity to make some
inquiries regarding the stranger, MI,
Burlington learned that he lodged In the
cottage of widow VINO resided near
the grove, that his name was Moreland
and that ne had been exceedingly Kind
10 the poor woman. -
Some days elapsed, and Mr., Bufinpton
was again in the grove, and once more
encountered MI. Moreland at his work |
Upon this occasion the lawyer passed |
more than an hour in the artists society.
and when they parted Mr.. Moreland mad
upon Mir. Bufingtons earnest Invitation
DrOInised to visit him