The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-08-26
Inez'S Story.

The big, old-fashioned kitchen, with
its sanded floor, and long snow-white
pine table, its five muslin draped windows,
its rows of silver-shining tins, its leaping
fire that cracked in the immense open
freplace-made pleasant picture to see
that cold winter night, and Rufus Gran
ger, the tall, good-looking farmers son,
thought, as he took off his mittens and
looked around the warm, cozy room,
that the prettiest picture of all was his
gentle-taced, gray-haired old mother,
who sat knitting in the shining corner
and Inez, with her Spanish face and
dainty, high-bred, foreign ways.
She was picture-and mystery. A
picture with her scarlet lips so perfectly
modelled, with her pure, darkly COM
plexion, with her dusky hair full of pur-
pile shadows where the freight cleaned,
with her passionate eyes, where smoul-
dering flame slept, and the heavy-lashed
lids dropped demurely over them-de-
murely, because lnez was only girl Of
fourteen, who had not yet awakened to
a sense of her capabilities or knowl-
edge of her wondrous beauty.
A mystery-from the hour when old
grand'ther Granger had found her nest
ling on her dead mothers breast out
among the cold wet leaves of a Novem-
Der night, nearly fourteen years ago, to.
this November night, the fourteenth an
niyersary of her welcome into and adop-
tion by the Changers, whose joys she
had tasted, share and share alike, whose
troubles she had known and endeavored
to tighten, to whom father, mother, son,
she had proved very jewel, and the
light of the dear old home.
Rufus Granger drew his chair little
more into the shadow Of the corner, and
looked at the girl, as she sat, with a
luxurious ease and repose of manner, be-
side the white pine table, her cheek rest
ing on her small, perfect hand, from
which the homely woolen sleeve fell
away, disclosing the exquisite wrist and
arm.
He was a fine, manly looking fellow,
with his secret in his grave, honest eyes
the secret of his life ever since he
could remember-his silent, absorbing
E hot mad crni linrr
mouthed, wayward girl, who as little
suspected her waywardness as the pas
sion she inspired.
Now, as he looked at her, so sweet, so
gracious in her sweetness, Rufus Gran
ger wondered if the time ever would
come when, in his judgment, he could
speak his heart to her; wondered, with
a great thrill of hurting pain, if the time
would not soon come when this young
eaglet would tire of the restraints Of
the dove-nest, and bid defiance to her
keepers. and fly away where he would
lose her.
And right into the painful, bitter fear,
old Mrs. Changers placid, motherly
voice came, addressing the ardent-faced
girl at her drawing-book.
'Its just fourteen years ago tonight,
dear, since father found you. Did you
remember it was the anniversary"
Inez's dark eyes flashed loving CLEAN
on the calm, sweet face.
"Forget? Could l ever do that while I
have my reason?'
Such an exquisite voice she had-won-
derful for the girl she was, and its low.
huuid music made Rufus Granger's heart
leap.
"We we're thinking-father and l.
dear, that it was high time you COM
menced at whatever business you intend
to follow. Don't you think so, lnez|
The girls face lighted up to smiling
brilliancy, and she cast a look of con-
scious delight at Rufus, that he returned
with one of glad appreciation.
"lndeed, | do think so; have wanted
so long to be about-'business,' you
called it "
Her gay, girlish laugh seemed of an
other world from the laugh of other
girls.
Because" Mrs. Granger went on, 81
saw Miss Mshetable Ferguson this after
noon, and she's ready and willing to take
you to learn the tailoring business-and
there's nothing equal to being first rate
vest and pants-maker-plenty of work
and good pay"
Busy over her cleaning. clicking