The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-01-14

buds, then answered ,heI:
"Nettie. 1 think Sue Martin Will wish
you were closely ensconced in your OWN
room--or aAywheYe but in her presence.
And stately Agnes Sianntore's dark
brow will grow still darker when she
sees you. l think, too, that our little
brOwn-eyed hostess will be all in tlut-
ter at having to present so many oil her
gentlemen visitors to Miss Gray"
"Much Obliged, Maggie. That's the
Hast bracelet, isn't 1t, YOu look like my
grandmother, in that brown satin; and
no one will guess that you are only six
years older than | am, and yet lack one
year of being AN old maid, for l thiuk
that state arrives with your tWenty-hith
year."
mo insiuuations, my DEAR" and,
taking tiual survey in tue tai mirror.
we went down 10 the hall, where Cousin
Jack and Fred. Holton were waiting
or US.
'Nettie looks splendid! 1 declare Pd
like to marry hrr, il ! wasn't going 30
commit matrimouy with little SdeV
whispered Jack, as took his arm and
descended 70 the spacious parlors Of
Colonel Waymart, preceded by FIed'
Holton and Nettie Gray.
10 Nettiel how beautiful you are'
said li.tle Fannie, iorgetlul OF the time
l
ward US, anu kissed the archsu lips oil
Nettie. watched her eagerly, for l
lexpecIed some betrayal ON her part.
But she moved alb puL like very queen.
| Once, wuen 1 stood near her, l saw
Harry Floyd propose u waltz; ior which
compliment she thanked him haughlily =,
anu whirled away with Cousin Jack. l
laughed to see Harry bite his lips, and
offer his arm, with a low bow, and NO
word, to Agnes Stanmore. He looked
angry and mortified; and l was glad
of il, for hated him more than ever,
now that he sought second time TO f1rt
with my darling.
How Nettie firted that nightl The
proudest and Wealthiest lowered near
her, leaving little Sue to pout and
haughty Agnes 10 froWH at the scarcity
of their admirers. In the hall L saw
Harry bend over Agnes. as he wrapped
her shawl about her, and whisper some-
thing in her ear that made her blush, AS
| had never seen her before, and made
the black eye softer in its expression.
Three weeks later, there was q we'd
ding at "Stanmore Hail." aud Agnes
Stanmore was Agnes Floyd hencelOrLh.
Harry's cheek paIed TO the hue OF death
, as he glanced at Nettie; Tor l was sure
he loved her; and looking at her, too, !
saw naughty, threatening lace, with d
cneek that never paled.
knew The cause, but did not marvel.
A year more had gone. Nettie was
now nineteen, and had graaaated six
months before. She came in from NOR.
ming walk, and whispered:
"Maggie, may l have the 'turret cham.
, ber' all TO myself r.
Eyes, Nettie: but why whisper it!
> Tbe walls won's tell If you're going to
be married"
"Not married-something BETTER"
, And she glided away to the chamber in
, the tuwer. That day, and the next, and
the next, there was hurrying to and
fro. There were packages, ana packs,
, and one great box smuggled in, that was
not opened until the evening OF the third
day.
"Come, Maggie" And Nettie's eyes
. had o strange, triumphant look, as she
led me to the room heneeforth TO be, "all
!, her own." "Help me lift this out
, please" And, opening the great box
sne pointed to crib, with blue-and
, white silk coyer-ld, and pillows encaseC
! in finest embroidery. ''Quiok, Maggie! il
- is getting late--she'll b. mere soon."
" "Who'll be here soon? What does al
i this meau? What are you going to doy
4 These and u host more OIL questions
= asked, as l hurried as last as L could
= considering my surprise, 10 help the al
= ticle into the chamber, and looked
y around still more ooniounded.
There was bed in tue room, will
jhangiugs ofrose-colored satin and whit
=, lace, the tapestry WASH aud brighte
u tAan ever. There was paper 0! greer
. velvet on the walls, before white, ant
a the haugings at the window matched
Is those OF the bed. There were couche
and divans, easy-chairs and ottomans
there were pictures and shells, birds
flowers and books, but above ali, Lha
cradlew
Nettle opened closed door, aud
70 saw black dresses and skeletons to
short for Nettie. She raised trunklid
~ and there, in peaceful order, lay arraye'
,e more baby accompaniments. l turned
!. TO ask Nettie what it all meant, and say
~ her leading In a pretty little blonde lad
", In black with a baby in her arms.
~ "Mrs. Rosie Fay, Miss Evans, Maggie
~ Mrs. Fay"
" Igave Sigh of relief, for now l com
)" pretended all. This WAS Nettie's guest
She kissed The Ii tie lady, and led m
I, away through the upper hall to dar
~ south room.
~ "Look through this glass. Maggie"
h looked. AT Rose Cottage" l saw HaY
/. ry Floyd bending over pale, otIonles
II Agnes. "A minister $1,000 D6Slu6 al B.
~ baster fount, and all were surrounde
~ by ANXIOUS, pale faces, While in the hous
and at every window lights were glant
"a ing here and there, as ii searching TO
some thing.
IN "What is all this, NettieF'
~ "My revenge! Is it not complete
q There Will be no baptism at Rose Co
w tage to-nignt. nave Lne bird in my ow
y pretty cage. And as Rosie Fa
- has been Six mouths widow, and thre
II days childless, she has come from he
~ nome in the east 10 care Tor my bab
~ now. And 'Rose Coz ls without an hei
l. ess"
n. "Nettie, will she be silent?"
Ia ayes, dear Maggie; silent as the grave
a She is to be our guest to all who see he
10 even the servants. / wonder if he i
~ happy now? lie should have known bel
~ ter than to trltie with meP' And for th
ar last time that wild laugh rang out an
ID made me shudder as l listened TO it ech,
ing along the halls
Az Five years more are gone, and Httl
id "Neltie Fay"-so we call hel--is still a
in inmate Of our household, with Rose ,
A guard her.
os Harry Floyd has not ceased to wea