The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-01-26

Thorleywas trembling, and he coult
hardly stand.
"Mr Lyle" he said. huskily, edo you
know how old l am? I am nineteen,
sir, and l never touched farthing thai
was not my own before"
ut is time to end this" Mr.. Lyle said
rising and approaching the bell.
swat one moment, sir" Frank Thor
ley said, passing between him and the
belEpull; and has desperate, angu ished
look stayed Mr.. Lyle an instant. "Shail
J 1 tell you who tempted me to do this
whose beautiful face came between me
and right, and lured me on to ruin? As
you hope for mercy hereafter, sir, hear
mel Hear how came 10 fall, and then
refuse to- be mercitul, ityou ean.'
81 am listening" said the merchant.
Il never saw London till two years
! ago-you yourself have commended me
for withsLanding its temptations. You
know, sir, that l neither drink nor
gamble. The smallness OF the amount
have taken must prove that your money
was not spent in that way. You have
been pleased to be very kind to me, sir.
DO you remember urging upon me the
acceptance 0i an invitation to q party
giveu by your daughterY l was reluc-
LanG, but went and from that hour my
tate was sealed. The most fascinating
as well as the most heartless OF CO.
quettes did not scorn to set her snares
Ior me. to dazzle me with her ioveliness,
4 and lure me with her smiles. There Is
no iuGoxication like the first love Of
youBn, sIr; don't you know that? There
is no frenzy like that inspired by a
woman VINO makes you love her.
lived in a delirum; was mad on ac-
count OF this woman wnom loved, ana
who seemed to love me, and L incurred
a debt ior her-a debt which, in a mo-
ment, & moment when l had just been
| scornfuIEy cast off by her-L paid with
your money!
"What was your deb.2" Mr.. Lyle
asked, briefly.
"It was lor ring.
GA ring with a diamond set in clus-
ter Of rubies ~ the merchant asked, win
a flash Of remembrance.
Yes, Sill" Ihorley said, reluctantly.
| The merchant sat down, and. notion
ing Thorley to seat, remained some
moments thoughtful, and with his face
averted. Then, touching the bell, he
waited, while Frank Tnorley covered
his face with his hands.
"Tell Miss RoXie l wish to see her
here" he said to the servant VINO
answered his summons.
Roxie was just going out, and she
| came dressed as she was for the party,
feecy white floating about her like
cloud-wreaths, her lips red, her cheeks
agloW, and her eyes sparkling.
| she reddened somewhat at the sight OF
| Frank rhorley's g1astly face.
| did you SEND for me, papaW she
asked OF her tather, who sat with his
face In shadow.
| For reply, he reached and took her un-
| gloVed hand in his. 1t was dainty
nand, slender, small, and white and gilt
| tering with rings. He put his finger
upon one, small diamond surrounded
| ny rubies, and lifted his glance to hers.
Rlxle shrank little, ana looked as
though she were going TO cry.
Turning toward Frank Thorley, Mr..
Lyle said: "Upon one condition | will
forgive you. Repeat what you have Just
said to me in the presence of this mis-
guided girl"
Poor Frank Thorley! Perhaps he
thought even exposure would be prefer
able to such humiliation before her whom
he loved. Perhaps a second thought OF
his mother came and nerved him. He
hesitated only a moment, and told the
story with desperate, hiatt sarcastic elo-
quence, that took the vivid color out OF
Koxie's brilliant face, and left it white
and scared.
"Won'G you forgive me, Frank?r she
cried, and ciung to her father with
burst OF sobs.
"Will you forgive her, Frank Thorley,
or MOI" demanded Mr.. Lyle.
"Heaven knows forgive her, sir, as l
hope 10 be forgiven"
"Thank you, Sir. I think she has
Wronged you more than you wronged
me, and | will suoW, young man, how |
can forgive, Tomorrow"
But when the money came frank
Thorley mad lett London with his moth
er; and vain were all MIR. Lyle's efforts
to discover him.
Years passed. There came financial
crash; and though everybody supposed
Lyle q 20. to be established ON too
firm basis to be shaken, they were
not able to outride the STORM.
Scrupulously honest now as ever, Mr.,
Lyle gave up everything; made no
effort to save SO much as Roxil's piano
from going under the hammer.
"Neyer mind, papa" she said softly to
him that last night before the sale; tive
have still eacn other, and am Young.
Perhaps may fud some use now for
those accomplishments you nave
lavIshed upon me SO freely. You didn't
THINK" she added, with an attempt at
gayety, THAT you were putting money
by when you were spending il on me, did
youW
'Heaven knows what is to become of
usp moaned the unhappy merchant.
"T0-morroW at this time we snail have
no right even to The roof that shelters
our heads. But Heaven bless you, INV
child, Tor this sweet courage. 1t is some. |
thing TO have 50 brave child. You have
been used to such freedom from care |
though, Roxie. l wish you had married
dear, and you would have had home
now"
81 have got you. papa, and there's no.
body l like better"
"Nobody, Roxie~
The SOFT checks flushed a little and |
the red lips trembied.
''DoRt ask me, papa. There's nobody |
now," she said, hiding her face on his
shoulder.
"Was it some one who went away?u
eyes," iaiutly.
~ thought SO, dear. It's like you wo-
men to love the man they have wronged
most"
The two hid away in the remotest cor
ler OF the house while the auction was
going ON the next day, and Roxie exert.
I'd herself incredibly to sustain her IA
hers heavy heart. He grew old fast in
hose few hours. This losing his home