The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-05-02


axiously, said nothing, Annis spoke.
"fapa, sue salo, you are worth o
dozen Of them. Ihad rather i've in poy-
erty with you than in afluence with one
of them"
"You don't know what poverty is" said
Ter father, gloomily.
"But have curiosity to know" said
the daughter, bravely. "Be good papa
new, and don't tease me. am sure you
can save enough out of the wreck to fur
nish two rooms, and cook has been giving
me lessons. Won't II be fun?''
The ruined merchant sighed, bat he
waf not altogether dfspleased.
The girl had such sweet and coaxing
voice-she looked at him SO lovingly, and
he was in the habit of giving her what
ever she wanted. So the end of it was
that he let her do as she liked in this.
Godfrey Prime saved nothing from the
wreck. He was an honorable man, and
gave up everything to his creditors, even
his daughters many and costly ornaments
with her consent, too.
But even then all was not paid, and
humble as was the home to which the
pair betook themselves, the saddest
thought that entered there was that a
dollar remained unpaid against the name
of Prime.
at must be paid somehow" said An
mis-. ooh, if there was only anything
great, anything grand, that l could do !!
1t is shame there is not, after all you
have laid out on me, papa. Why, | am
the worst investment you have made, do
believe. Help me to think if there is no
way in which can earn money to make
you even with the world again. l could
not be an artist, for though you paid my
drawing such fabulous sums, I am
sure if | were to sketch you something,
you would be able to distinguish that it
had four legs and a head, and that would
be all. never could make any difference,
on paper, between horses head and
dogs. don't think should ever sue
ceed as an actress, and though | have a
toerable voice, l should be so frightened,
if were to try to sing in public, that l
could not utter note"
"Ah, my child" said the father, "if
you had only married some one of those
rich admirers of yours ~
Anns laughed.
"What is the use of saying that, papa
Not one of them has been near US since
your failure. | always suspected their de-
votion was not to be trusted. But if one
of them did care enough for me to come
forward noD, and offer to pay these dread
full debts, | believe should fall in love
with him out of sheer gratitude. would
marry clod, to see your name clear Of
debt"
The father and daughter had come out
for short walk at evening, and neither
of them noticed that, as Annis said these
words, gentleman, who had been walk
ing behind them, passed them slowly, with
lingering glance into the girls beauti-
tul face.
Some days passed, and then very queer
letter came to Annis Prime. 1t read:
"DEER MISS: i hav wacht you often
when yu didunt no it. j hurd what you
, sed too yure fothur abowt mariun emmy
wun hoo kood pa hiz dets. kan doc it,
und if yule hay me, will, ime clod,
but I've got the mummy. Ware q wred
rUze in you're hare, when yu go out too
} wauk the mex TYNE, if you aksep, and the
ent that glvs you bokay will be NEE.
CLoD.'
Annis spelled out this strange epistle
with some difficulty, for it was miserably
| written, aside from the spelling. Then
she showed it to her father, and laughed
till she cried.
"He spells rose with y and red with
a'w.' But think | shall 'aksep,' papa,
If you don't object, just for the sake of the
:. bokay.' You'll be with me, you know .
Accordingly, the merry girl, when she
went to walk that night, wore red rose
coquettishly below one ear, where its
:, crimson and velvet beauty brought out
the golden tint of her matchless hair raw
ishingly.
I Her father was with her. They had no
D been walking long, before they noticed
, approaching them, the strangest specimen
v ,ot humanity either had ever beheld.'
He was tall, and awkward in his move
v ments; his hair hung long and straigh
upon his shoulders. He wore very
r broad -brimmed slouch hat of soft felt, 8
r red neck-tie, blue vest, a swallowtai
coat, and plaid unmentionables, will
7 patent-eather boots, narrow of toes ant
!, high of heels. In one hand he carried
a bouquet, which he held at arms length
as if it were something explosive.
= "Here he really is, papa" said Annis
i with a smothered laugh. Now be sur
I'll L. L