The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-11-01
ht Last.

4IA ARION Thornton stood alone
fIts in the dull gray twilight of a
S3yeS November afternoon, gazing
9fl{0 out upon the snow-hakes com
IGJ ing down faster and faster
touching everything with fairy-like
fingers, causing the whole earth to
appear very miracle of beauty.
A charming picture she made stand
ing there clad in her rich silk robes,
with the red glow of the fire falling
upon her hair and lighting it up until
it shone with the glory that old pain
ters loved to represent. That alone
had been enough to have beautified
any woman, yet Marion Thornton's
hair was but one of the many gifts
with which Nature had been so prodi-
gal in her regard. The eyes were large
and deep, and Of that peculiar bronze
brown SO often read of, yet so seldom
seen. Just now they were full of
weary longing which told of tears kept
back by strong will.
So lost was she in thought that a
quiet football never reused her, and
she started, turning from the window
when addressed.
Marion, my time Of probation is at
an end. 1 ventured to come to you,
feeling sure that you would expect
me, even though your heart has not
learned to echo the love that fills my
own."
lie was not handsome man, yet no
one would have questioned the fact
of his being the product Of generations
of afIluence and culture; then there
was look of power about him that
people never ignored. 1t told you
that what John Thorndyke 1cilled to
do he did, perhaps not honorably, but
nevertheless, surely
He was decidedly I'm hOmr1e de So
cjete- extravagant and morbidly fas-
tidious in taste, and withal delightful
to women, because they were COM
PEELED to work hard to obtain his ap-
parent approval. With men he fol-
lowed the Scriptural injunction, be-
coming all things to them, that he
might gain them all.
Until six months previous he had
never yielded to the gentle influence
of any woman. They had served to
amuse and while away some leisure
hours. Having done this, their mis-
sion was accomplished SO far as he
was concerned. Perhaps it had been
decreed in the annals OF Fate that his
fall should be deferred in order that
it might prove more sure.
He had met Miss Thornton at the
house of a mutual friend, and from
that hour his doom had been sealed.
She had invited him to call, having
known his sister during her school
days, and feeling sort of interest in
him through the bond of association.
He had availed himself of her courte-
Gus invitation in less than a week af-
ter that he sought her constantly.
There was a new and wonderful
; satisfaction in being in her presence,
in listening to her bright cheering
words, in watching her every move.
3 ment. He had all the world from
| which to choose, but this calm, self.
possessed, beautiful woman rested
him, and she alone.
When the Summer came he fol-
} lowed her to Newport, and one ey en-
f ing when he CHANGED to come upon
her Unexpectedly, as she sat in the
deep embrasure Of window at the
Ocean House, he told her that old, vel
ever new story, and then awaited hel
| answer.
, In truth he never questioned what
} that answer would be-there was ne
doubt in his mind Was he not Johr
, Thorndyke, the man who had beer
flattered and schemed for, and with
out whom society was deSOle.
Miss Thornton listened to his avowa
very quietly, so quietly, indeed, tina
, it boded no good to him; she may
= have become a trife paler-but sh,
never had much color-so who cal
I say that there was even a shadow O
change?
; At last she spoke, regretfully, al
' most solemnly.
/ "Mr. Thorndyke you have paid MI
the highest compliment a man cal
, offer woman. Believe me that I an
: not unmindful of it, nor forgetfu
of the many pleasant hours we hav,
passed together. Still l know tina
I cannot make you happy, ant
therefore must not become YOU
wife,"
She rose to 60, but he detained he
with: