The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-05-30

L.
Iwould gladly have kept my promise 70
devote my friendship to the latter, Tor she
was now an heiress; but she left the coun-
try, and l should have returned to my
drudgery of teaching at Rocklawn Semi
nary, but that was offered the situation
of companion to widow lady residing In
the city.
1t was better than teaching in the seclu-
sion of the country, for her house was
frequented by men as well as women.
She was an attractive persona very
beautiful brunette-and perhaps she reck-
oned. on my style of face and figure as set
ting off hers-lor she was not without
coquetry.
On the summer following her engage
ment with me, she went down to the Cape
House, at the seashore, for the season, and
of course accompanied her.
Her motive in going there was to secure
wealthy match with certain banker,
and she secured it.
One day she said to me:
eff / were not engaged to Mr.. Goldth-
wait, l should set my cap for Reginald
Amberly."
"Who is Reginald Amberly," | asked.
Gone of the best matches Of the season,
probably, since he has just come into a
fortune of one hundred thousand dollars,
and is young, handsome and dlst'ngne.
But it's too late for regret. Yet ne would
hardly suit me, being dark, just my style,
| look better beside large, horid man,
like Mr.. Goldthwait.'
eyes; and his age makes you look so
young-a mere child-a real old man 8
darling" responded, aatteringly; for she
was beginning to age, and the idea horri-
fed her.
"IIe is sixty-just twice my years." she
responded, with a frank look, though l
knew her to be forty.
"One would never take you to be thir-
ty," | answered, and left her looking
in the mirror, while | went to my room.
The general balcony ran outside my
windows. Three young ladies', with arms
entwined, were walking outside, and
soon discovered their conversation to he
on the subject of the expected arrival, MIR.
Reginald Ambery.
One of them seemed to be acquainted
with the gentleman, and well-iniormed re-
garding him.
Screened by the blind, l listened eagerly
to their conversation, and soon h,aru
enough to convince me that Reginald Am
berly was certainly a most desirable match
-'as good as he is rich and handsome,
said one Of the girls, "and entirely with
out bad habits"
There was no limit to my aspirations
| should not have attempted the selSe
however, if it had not been for one remarl
of the girls-''IIe is passionateIy fond 0
gems and jewels"
I felt my eyes flash like my jewels.
My sapphirest
"They were very costly; they were rare
ly beautiful; they were very becoming t.
me. There were scores of women in tn
! hotel more likely to win Reginald Amber
ly, but these gave me one chance, and
. determined to take advantage Of it,
1, There were balls almost nightly at tn
Cape house, but had seldom attende
them, as | did not dance and could out
- shine nobody in dress. But that night
h went to the ball.
think | looked well in a dress of pnl
o. white tulle, made high in the neck to cor
+ ceal my thin shoulders, and with my so
hair arranged in shadowy clusters abou
my face, before put on my sapphire
g But they gave me an air OF elcganc
which was very striking.
- Ny spirits rose high with delight as
Il surveyed myself, preparatory to taking a
v arm of Mr.. Goldthwait, in compan
}. with Mrs. Clare, and entering the ball
room.
,s My first fear was that Reginald Amber
!. was not present, but in an instant | kne
4 that | was mistaken.
The stranger, young and superb in a,
" pearance, talking with the leading bel
!, of the season, must be and was Regina
Amberly.
: "Why, Ignatia!" cried Mrs. Clare,
X I dropped the mantle from my shoulder
u on entering the lighted hall.
~ "Is that the necklace given you by yo
" old friend?' she whispered 81 ney
u saw anything so magnificent"
= Every eye that fell upon me lingere
e, was the object of increasing attentio
s but cared for nothing but to win t
~ observation of Reginald Amberly.
Such piercing eyes could not long fl
le to observe me. | feigned to be talkil
ID earnestly to another adnirer of my sa
i'd phires, when saw his glance fall up
rs me, saw him start, and leave his COZ
I'd panions to approach me nearer.