The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-08-09

gently, ''and have to Thank you most OF
all, Christy, ffr making it SO. But al
things must have al end, dear friend"
"Yes- all Things" she answered, with q
dreary sigh. "All things except life, and
it were more merciful if that"
"Christabel!"
The tone in which he spoke and the
look he bent upon her recalled her to her.
self. She passed her hand across her brow,
and murmured:-
"Nay-do not mind me, Cecil. 1 was
thinking"
'Of one who is far awayp" he said, as a
keen, jealous susp con shot for the first
time through his heart.
She glanced at him in mute surprise,
then colored, and said, abstractedly:-
"Yes."
He felt wronged, bereaved-as if some
treasure had been suddenly torn from his
grasp. Even this did not show him his
heart, and struggling with the feeling as
if he had been unworthy, he answered.
81 have no right to pry into your sor-
rows, Christy, and yet could wish"
"Wish nothing, Cecil; it is the surest
way to win all you would have" she an
swered, bitterly. And then fearful of be-
traying herself, she answered, hastily,
"Do not heed my folly; it is nothing, and
will quickly pass away. But tell me of
your future what are you going to do
when you leave this placer"
Her beautiful blue Eyes turned upon him
with dreamy, abstracted look.
II am going to be married, Chrstabel."
In those few words came the deathblow
to her love and pride, but she heard him
as quietly as if she had been marble
statue.
II knew it." she said, with gay smile,
not the less gay because it covered 9
breaking heart. "And who may tie lady
be2 | have often seen you thinking ot
her when no one but ME was near you
have not ?"
'It is very likely"
"And her name-may hear ?"
"Maud De Ligney."
ooh, she is foreigner" said Christabel
She felt some slight relief, she knew no
why, on hearing this.
mo; she is American born, though he
parents are Italians. l met her in Mo
bile two years ago."
'Is she beautiful?'
Judge for yourself" said Brent, en-
Enthusiastically; and draSing from his yes
small velvet case suspended from chair
of Etruscan gold, he touched spring au(
held it toward her.
All hope died within her as she looked
What had she to offer in exchange for tina
smiling, radiant beauty? Oh, was i
strange, that with face like this, lying
close to his heart during those twelve
happy months she had known him, he la,
failed to love her. The picture fell from
her hands.
1T is very beautiful" she said, in a Low
voice.
81 knew you would say so. She is tn
belle of the Southland yet she low,
me" And the happy lover kissed TIL
: picture as he restored it to its hiding
place.
Jhristabel grew sick at heart.
1t is late and must go in" she said
shivering in the warm night air. "And
suppose we must say good-by."
But I shall hear from you now an
then?" he asked, holding her hand, all
looking steadily in her face.
"If you wish it-certainly."
'Then good-by, dear friend, good-by
l and may God bless YOU"
: "Good-by - good-by," she murmuret
1 feeling kind Of frantic wonder at herse
1 for being SO cold and unmoved.
He clasped her to his heart and kisse
: her. Only once did she return the pre-
Q sure, and then, breaking from him su,
r denly, she ran up to her room, scarcely abb
to see the way, for the passionate teal
0 which blinded her eyes.
8
t Christabel at twenty four was brillia1
2 and successful woman. Not beautiful
/ for that she could never be--but SINGULAR
: fascinating and greatly sought after. III
o romance of her youth had been laid asil
f like q withered flower, and in the world
s. wisdom of her late years she had marie
t Cyril Desereaux, the great broker, whol
Q fortune was almost fabulous in its amour
Diamonds glittered in the dark curls
d Mrs Desereaux, where white rosebuds he
/ been twined in the days of Christabel Vanc
d and the simple dress of her early yout
IS was laid aside for costly robes of velv
g and silks that would have almost stoe
l. alone.
Il 'It is all very well to talk of rust
r loveliness in virgin white" said Mr.. Desc
eaux, "but when first saw you, my da
ling, you were only a fne-looking girl