The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-11-05

guessed the secret OF his love for
Maude. He talk ed of her so constantly,
telling me how bravely she did her duty,
and how her beauty OF character ex-
called even the charm of face and torn.
w g looked to him almost as our delv-
erer, for fathers health and VigOr were
at last restored; but when he asked him
for his bill he laughingly replied:
"That was private matter with Miss
Maude. She is co settle that"
M father looked amazed, but l could
appreciate the payment he would &C
cept, and imagined their surprise When
he demanded it at their hands.
the summer was rapidly approaching,
the time Tor Maude's home. coming was
at hand. With glad happy heart deco
rated our room with the roses she loved;
hung the fresh muslin curtains from tae
windows; looped them back with sprays
OF flowers, all the Whiie singing aloud in
my joy. l had reason to be happy, for
Muude was coming TO home OVer which
hung no shadow OF debt. The mortgage
had been paid. What she had saved
should go toward her trousseau when
Sue needed one, for father mad prospered
beyond expectation.
At last l heard the sound of wheels.
Nearer and nearer they came. lsprang
down stairs to meet her, caught sight Of
the carriage coming rapidly up the drive,
saw her smile OF welcome, and saw that
she was not alone.
81 bring you SURPRISE" she had
written, and by her SIDE sat DR.. Mel
rose. knew it all. Was it not as l
pictured, tancied, hoped? l only knew
tnat an impulse whicn sprang from some
corner of my being caused me to turn
hastily up the stairs, and, burying my
head in my pillow, sob aloud.
"Ellie, darling! where are your ques-
toned sweet, glrlish voice; aud |
sprang up, ashamed OF my momen AIRY
weakness, 70 find myself clasped in my
sisters warm, loving embrace.
Sne had come back lOVeller than ever.
Ah, could guess what had deepened
the flush upon her cheek, the radiance
to her eye.
L smoothed my disordered hair, lis
tening the while TO her merry talk,
though not a word did she say of HIM
whose deep, manly tones l could hear,
now and then, as he sat talking.
"Look your best" she said, with a
rOgulsh lWinkle-"yOur very, very best
Tnere-l AN satlsiieU!'
And, taking me NY the hand, she ran
rapidly down into The room wnere they
all sat.
Dr.. Melr0se instantly arose, and came
for " ard with his old smile Ui welcome,
and made Il movement as tuougu he
would already give me bro ouher's kiss,
but remembered in time tnat his secret
WAS not yet disclosed.
Inc evening passed rapidly away in
pleasant lau9 and jest. Occasionally l
intercepted glance between Mau ana
her guest. iull OF meaning, but no one
else seemed to notice 1t. "A last ue rose
10 bid US good night, and as he held ny
haHu moment III his own, he wills
peTed:
"1 ou have always been most ipd3lat-
igaDle in pressing my small Claim upon
you for payment. May see you for a
lew moments i'll the morning?'
'CerLalnly," answered; but ny voice
trGmDled, aud | think, had ne stayed ii
moment longer, l should have bursJ into
tears.
All through that long Mi gdt l watched
my sister, sleeping 80 peacefully by my
side, waging my little war with sell.
How natural that he should love her, So
young, so lovely! But, an! why had my
| heart gone forth unasked TO meet his
At least the secret was all my own
| none should suspect it.
| l had not known 1t myself until l haC
seen them side by siue. With perhaps
a shade less color, a little qulvering o
| the lids, but nothing more, L entered the
| parlor next morning to greet DR.. Mel
rUse, who STOOD waiting Tor me.
81 have come, as you know, to claim
my payment, Ellie. can you not CUES
| Ilt?"
A momentary struggle with myself
then l. answered, braVely-
"1es, / know it all. You have my
| consent, Doctor Melrose, although YOU
take our d.arest possession"
He looked bewIIdered, but suddenly
seemed to understand, as he said
gravely-
"Then you know, Ellie? Since the day
first saw you in church l nave loyel
you, nave cherished rs my londes'
dream the hope OF making you my wife
Darling, you are sure L nave your con
| sent?"
"But Maude?' 1 almost gasped.
| "Maude Is only loo happy il the hope
that may win you. She is engaged t,
u cousin Wnom she met at Mrs. Marvin's
and who is soon coming to claim her
He is a splendid fellow ana well worth,
OF ner; but l, ah, my darling, can accep
40 other payment tnan yOurself!"
And, III wild burst of passionate
joy, OF marvellous unbellef, gave it t,
nlm, as he sealed IL WILu tAe ii st kiss L
our betrotAal.
49,