The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-05-24

clusively. "Why, you forget sha' my
man is Dolly's father J"
"As if that hindered it," impatiently
calculated Mr.. Perkins, rising. 81 tell
you, my lawyer has evidence that "your
man" is housebreaker, and the son OF
murderer, and you've made me make
fool of myself, and it amt the first
time"
"But do consider, DEAR" replied tho
wife, in modifying and convincing tone,
'Tve had Dolly years, and she'd be as
afraid of housebreaker or murderer. as
would myself
"What geese you women are, and what
idiots you make of us!" responded the
Hon. Mr.. Perkins, stopping to survey the
pretty wife whom he now felt to have been
great besetment to him. Snare Antony
was no bigger fool than the rest of US.
Here am mixed up in disgraceful mess
because, forsooth, Dolly coaxed you to
coax me-"
Mrs, Perkins here evinced some indica.
tions of bursting into tears. Mr.. Perkins,
knowing his own weak point, fastened to
avert such painful climax.
"After ALL" he said, conciliatingly, "it
is likely to end in the securing OF both
men. A detective is"
At this moment the conjugal confidence
was interrupted. Dolly herself stood be-
fore them.
She looked excited, and asked permis.
sion to "go out for an hours airing"
When she was gone, the master OF the
house said, severely:
"That girl must be watched. Let this
be the last time she goes out alone"
Mrs. Perkins perceived a certain look
in her husbands eyes that caused her to
meekly respond:
eyes, dear"
Chow ridiculous men are J" she petu-
lantly exclaimed to herself, when alone.
Gas if would keep poor Dolly in to pre-
vent her from such absurdity as seeing
murderers !"
. Meanwhile Dolly, by crcuitous route
but with great speed, fastened again to
old Miss Prm's.
I SAe entered unbidden at the rear of the
+ cottage, where no opening was visible to
the uninitiated.
W Within, an old man srouched in the
u most obscure corner of darkened room.
+ In plaintive minor key he cried:
"You can't come in, whoever you are
you've no business here, keep away.
10 Mary, Mary, come and send them off "
y The poor wretch shook like palsy
and was only induced by the presence anc
u urgency of old Miss Prim to remove
" his skinny hands from his haggare
" face.
He was a vivid illustration that the
m wages of sin are something more thar
, ph5 sical death.
I'd ooh, grandmother" cried Dolly, &C
le did not mean to frightcn him; but ther
is need for haste, indeed, there isl"
n ''There is none," responded the oil
rs woman, herocally. "Do you suppose
am not ready for this Do you think
ne have hid and guarded him these ten year
to let them outwit me now p
ch Looking about, Dolly then for the frs
time perceived evidences of preparatio
at for flight.
nd GLOW did you know?" she asket
"Where is fatherY
"My son is safe," mysteriously repie
en- the old woman. "He babe me say to yo
to that your tears and prayers were answers
that God helping, for your sake, he wou
re lead better life"
Dolly wept.
1ls The old man arose in vague alarm al
so wrung his hands, as he feebly paced tt
to floor,
At this sight the devoted old wife turn'
,ht savage.
IN Chow dare you scare my poor darling
she cried. "Have you no thought f
II him !"
I'd "She went to him, and with strang
grim tenderness stroked his gray hair.
Of "Have no fear," she said to him; "tru
ned me. saw the man lowering about he
last night, while the child prayed wi
The her tather-prayers for them, watching
me. have only waited to look once mo
, at her pretty face that | thought to ha
~ seen 50 many times now | am ready
49, lead you to safe place. Be easy al
.d; trust me darling"
;aa With the confidence of sleep-walk
or monomaniac, the old woman led h
=, charge forth toward the wood at the re
49,. of the cottage.
49, She appeared to have utterly forgott
,od Dolly who was left sitting there blank
W. entirely alone.
~, Some words Of the old woman still ru
in her ears.
81 saw some one lowering about hi
last night while the child pryyed." w