The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-03-24
ALOVE PASSAGE.

go, have cousins behind"
"CousinsW he asked, with an earnest
ness that was quite comical.
"Yes. There they come"
And Sarah and Annie rode into the
yard, scolding at me for leaving them.
"Hush!' l whispered. 81 have a good
excuse. Here is Howardp
introduced him, and he helped them
down. How l Tonged to know their opin-
ion of himl Sarah was SO quick, so sar-
castle even, and Annie 50 fastidious.
Yet why need l care? They were not
going to marry him. But, after an even
Ing of something like constraint on all
sizes, eve went to our rooms, which were
connected. listened eagerly to their
words of pratie, and felt relieved and
happy that b oward had suited them SO
well.
"Take care of him, Lettice p said Sa-
rab, as she turned away. ''Annie is
sad firt, and would no more mind tax
ing him from you than she would mind
taking mouse from her pet kitten"
looked at Annie. Her face was calm
and sweet.
"Believe me, Letticel' she said softly,
VI am no nIrt. Howard is sale from my
arts"
Yes, ! knew that; but was as sure Of
tie circumstances that led me to a belief
that Sarah Hale was determined to sup
plant me. knew it by the quiver that
ran TREMENDOUSLY through my nerves
when she addressed him-her habitual
sarcasm sottened and subdued to him
only; her voice taking a sWeeter tone,
almost caressing in its tenderness. she
sang to him sweet thrilling songs, and
looked the rest. He was charmed, sur
prised, fascinated. Day by day, the
spells she wrought so cunningly sur
rounded him ana made him yield to her
power. They rode together, walked to-
gether, sang from the same book, sitting
ON the same seat, holding each others
hands, looking into each others eyes.
And bore recovering my deep pain
with the semblance of gayety, and ad-
yerting to my marriage as an event
that must happen. Alasl Howard Dey-
er spoke OF it at all; but looked on my
preparations with an Indifference al
most amounting to disgust. Annie
spoke frequently of the event, and of the
part she and Sarah were to take; but
her remarks won no response from Them.
"Lettice," said my mother one morn
ing, at the breakfast table, 81 want
something from town To-day. Can you
goW
A look OF meaning, which afterward
recollected, passed between Sarah and
Howard. The latter excused himself
ON account of business letters that must
be written, and Sarah had a violent
headache, and was going to lie down.
SO Annie and myself took the light car
riage and my own pony, and went away
Immediately after breakfast.
1t was then that first gave utterance
from by overburdened heart, to Annie.
Dear grill she had seen 1t all and longed
10 tell me, but dared not. She blamed
Sarah greatly land wished that she could
persuade her to 60 home and leave her
evil work unaccomplished. We rode
slowly along, talking all the time of this
painful theme, and did not return until
near noon.
l went to my room and beckoned An.
ME in, tor supposed from the stiffness
that Sarah was still asleep. Mother
had gone out to make calls, the servant
SAID, and Annie and proceeded to the
parlor, where we talked softly of the
same subject that had occupied us all
the morning, until the bell rang for din
ner. Mother had come in, and was
waiting for US at the table. Neither
Sarah nor Howard appeared.
"Did they not return with you, Let
ticeW
"What do you mean, mother? You
heard what they said; we have not seen
them since"
"But they went away in Howard's
carriage, an hour aIterward, and l sup
posed that they had followed and
Joined you. They have not returned"
Kept calm, outwardly, and | tried to
eat my dinner; but had 10 plead that L
al m nj. Mnk hnl a.
me go to bed, and Annie went up stairs
with me.
"What does it mean, LetticeW she
said, when we were alone.
"Noth1ng, surely,' l answered. "Why
Annie, DO you suspect any thing more
than that they have been delayedW
mo-" she said, slowly, "but how
wrong for them to 70 at all"
"fernaps they did mean 10 join u.s."
She shook her head and passed into
her own room; then quickly came back
with note IN her hand, directed to her.
self.
II can't read it, Lettice. am
afraid
"Silly girl! give it to me. 1t is prob
ably an excuse for going away"
The note ran thus:
"Annle, L am going away with How
aru' can noC see Lettuce again, nor
does he wish to see her. l should feel
for her too much. 1 am sorry to bring
disappointment upon her; but some OF
US have got to be miserable, at all
events, and perhaps she will not suffer
80 mucn as l should, in giving him up. |
will write you when we are settled.
Tlll then, you must remain where you
are. SARAH"
"Cruel, heartlessp exclaimed ANNE,
coming to my chair and leaning over
me. ooh, Lettice, my poor grip
"Don't pity me, Annie. L am only too
fortunate 10 be rid OF such a false, tickle
lover. am glad she has him." L an.
swered.
This, of course, was bravado, and ]
could not keep it up long. did moi
break down, however, until l saw my
father, VINO had been absent at noon
he came up TO my room, after seeing
my mother. He was bitterly enraged,
and threatened Howard Ashley with ali
sorts OF punishment; but l entreated
him TO be quiet for my sake.
"Then you did not care tor him, Let.
ticeW
go, father! how could you think me SC
false? Yes, did care for MIN; but now
every bond is broken. | shall be q
brave girl, and live only for you and my