The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-08-19

100 w bO az bHO IlS-hib, anu HOW hOuIu
appear beside al! those rustic beautiei
in their pretty fresh costum ,sp A lew
tears filled her eyes as she thought of it,
then she undressed, said her prayers and
crept into bed and when her candle was
once out she shut her eyes resolutely
until sleep made her forget her str.
rows.
"Dank! Dank Mayhew!"
II was only five o'clock in the morning,
but Mrs. Mayhews sturdy call rang out
determinedly along the narrow entry, and
Dank, slowly rubbing her sleepy eyes like
one bewildered, yet delighted when she
found the morning gave signs of tonny
day. At seven o'clock she was free to 90
to herroom and don the despised white
dress. Oh, for some ribbon or flowers!
But why complain, when jnst outside her
cottage door were growing the very kind
she needed Hastily running down stairs
her eager hands graspel her treasures, and
when she presented herself before her
mothers astonished eyes she appeared as
vision of loveliness To be sure, she wore
the despised white dress, bnt its folds were
caught up here and there with field butter
cups, and a crown of the same nestled in
the smooth braids of her hair. But the
smile of happiness on the red lips, and the
light in the laughing eye, far outshone her
simple attire as she gltnced up into tile
coldly severe face of her mother for the
eagerly craved words of commentator.
But they did not come. Mrs. Mayhew wis
not one to waste breath on her daughters
beauty, so she turned a cold eye on the
happy girl, and merely remarked
"You had better hurry, else you'll be late;
and, beside, want you home early. And
mind, don't go chasing after that young
Richardson either" she added, as Dank
went out, basket in hand, ''for won't
have him about here at all lettering around
after YOU"
81 don't imagine he will give thought
to me, mother" answered Dank, soberly,
and then Bho went down the path to meet
her friend Bessie, who on their way to the
grove was loud in her praises of the young
squire.
81 know you will like him." she said,
gleefully, "and almost know lie will fail
in love with you, Dnnk."
And it was even so. Dank Mayhem, in her
old frock looped up with field buttercups,
was the very one to captivate his fancy.
Her freshness and beauty attracted and
charmed him, and all that day on old High
Top he became her attendant, much to the
secret envy of the other girls And that
was not the end of that strangely formed
friendship either, for despite the severe
looks of Mrs. Mayhem, the young squire
daily visited the cottage, until at last he
won the young heart of pretty Dunk May
lew into his own keeping.
Many were the quiet talks the two had
over the future which would make them
one in thought and feeling, yet, despite
her great happiness Dak was far from
willing to let her mother know of her pre-
cious secret.
''She would be so cross" she said to
herself; "for, somehow, she does not like
Edgar. She wants me to wed that great
clown of a Claude Hopkinton, and I'll
never do that if l have to die for it. No,
no, Edgar and will keep our secret until
the decease of his uncle, who is abroad,
and who lies ut deaths door, and then
Edgar and will have enough for us both,
and we can afford to be ind pendent"
And so Dank would dream her cherished |
dreams, and meet her beloved in secret
until the day came for tile latter's return
to the land over the sea. His uncle had
sank rapidly during Edgars sojourn in
America, and his sudden death demanded
the attention of his nephew. So he was
going back, and many were the loving
words which passed between the lovers
GAS soon as l Can get the estate set
tied, Daisy" lie said tenderly, with a
yearning look into her sweet face, II will
send for you. You slall he cared for by
friends while on yonr way to me, and when
once there we shall become one in word,
thought and heart. Your mother will
hardly object when you tell her I am
rich, and she must nuke her home with
u.s."
Then with one fond kiss Edgar went
away, and all the brightness in Dank's life
went with him. But she tried to keep up
Ter courage, and waited patiently for the
letter which he was to write as
soon as he landed.
Mrs. Mayhem watched her curiously,
md when no letter came, and the young
,heek grew pale, she laughed aud said:-
'Don't go to putting on airs, Dank, for,
I'm not willing that fellow
should ever be your lover. Claude Hop
siuton is only waiting for one little wore