The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-11-27

Grafton. b.
"You had better transfer your proposi.
ton to Nellie, since your sympathy Is lost
upon me-" answered Mira, disappearing
| around the house. .a
Nellie looked up archly into Mr.. Graf
toms face, but he pretended not to see tho
fine opportunity for love-making. His
eyes had followed Mira. ...
Mira felt keenly her Cousins sarcasm,
and when, few minutes hter, Hurry came
up the walk, she looked at her red hands
and wondered if lie had noticed the con-
| trast between them and Nellie's soft white
ones.
"Where are the others?" lie asked Mel.
lie, stepping upon, the portico.
''If you mean Mira, yonder SHE goes,
\ tending to her stock; she is carrying @
| bucketful of buttermik to the pigs"
Mira heard a gay, mockmg laugh, in
| which Hurry joined, aud she felt the blood
| rush to her neck and temples. A few mo-
ments later, she smoothed her hair, put on
a becoming evening dress, and went out to
meet her guests.
Nellie and Harry were occupying one
seat, and Mr.. Grafton politely asked her to
sit by him. Nellie darted aquick glance at
Harry with her flashing black eyes, ami he
noticed soft flush on Mira's cheek.
|
A slight pause followed, then all grew
lively and Mira was unusually bright and
full of repartee. She noticed that Mr..
| Grafton's broadcloth was of the finest tex
ture, his white vest exceedingly becoming,
lis hands soft and white as a baby's. He
rested his arm on the back of the seat, and
she could not resent it; but it brought her
nearer than she had ever been to his
side.
"He fairly worships you," said Nellie
an hour later when they were alone, land
you we're cut out for lady; you can put
ON as much dignity rs any person l ever
saw. How beautiful you would look in
silk and velvet!"
"If wishes were horses" said Mira,
laughing, II might hope to wear such
beautiful costumes. But Harry loves me
without them, and that is happiness
enough sor me-"
"But Mr.. Grafton could make your
wishes come to pass. Think, Mira, how o
diamond would flash on your finger instead
of that plain gold ring! Beside, there's q
great deal of flirting done in high life.
You wouldn't be expected to bestow
all your sweetest smiles on your hus-
band"
"Nellie, dare you intimate that I might
be untrue to the man Imarry p
"Hush! you silly little goose. No,
nothing Of the kind; only you might have
mansion, q carrlage, and servants, nnd
till enjoy young society. Mr. Grafton
would naturally seek his company among
he older class at social gatherings
| Mira cheeks still burned, but she re-
plied:
Il doubt whether could adapt myself
% such circumstances. l might do SO
many awkward things my husband would
Je ashamed of me-"
But Mira could not quite shake off the
Impression of Nellie's words. Since she
;ame to their happy home she had mo-
cen Harry alone for five minutes. Nellie
,as always sure to be present, though she
lad Harry were much alone together.
"How elegantly Mr.. Grafton dresses =
aid Nellie, one day, as they watched hin
o down the path. Don't you thiuk
Aunt Kate that Mira might turn one o
er beaux over to me ?" laughingly aske'
.Ae subtle girl.
t'Yes, provided you eould fancy her re
| jected."
II am willing to take either, and bin'
up his broken heart
II think Mira lays no claim to Mr.. Graf
ton," replied her aunt, little severely.
| Before she could say any more Harr
entered having just thrown away th
stump of cigar at the door. The SINE
| of tobacco smoke tainted the air as b
came in. He was dressed in light gra
I,suit, very becoming Mira had alway
| thought; but just now she was comparin
| it with Mr.. Graftons fine black broadclotl
his calf skin boots with Grafton's patei
| eaters, his gray vest with the immaculat
white, and his brown hands with the SO
| fingers of the rich man.
i How unfortunate that you should con
| Just when we were going to dlsse
you and Grafton" said Nellie, gayly.
cali! then had better retire."
'No; we can defer it till some 9th
time. 1t was only aunt and /. Mira
invincible- firm as a rock" she continue
mockingly.
"And you, Nellie?"
"Oh, / change with every handson
face. Inever could love the same mi
! more than six weeks" And she cast 1
admiring glance upon him.