The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-12-04
Mxra,s eyes flushed with joy as she threw

Tie father coul not answer because CT
his sharp, cutting e"ugh, and fain would
| have hidden the handkerchief stained
with blood. She locked straight into lis
eyes. 1
"Tell me truthfully, dear father, would
1t make you any the happier were to
decide to marry your employera" ?" said she,
clenching her hands firmly.
"Conscentiously, yes my whole hap
piness depends upon this union,' lie re-
piled.
Myra, on the impulse of the moment,
with mnrtyr-like resignation said:-
81 will live only for your happiness,
papa"
He kissed her tanderly, we'll knowing
that fond words would accomplish more
thnn authority.
That evening when her lover called she
told him all. Great drops of perspiration
rolled from his forehead while lie pushed
her from llim.
"Gold has bought you! Thank God
have found out the dross 80 early i'll life!"
he said, madly. .r..
Myrts martyr-like resolutions were van
sacrificing.
"Oh Will I cannot please my parents!
I will go with you in spite of all" she
said desperately.
He stood leaning against the mantle, and
did not even touch the hand she laid upon.
his shoulder, but looked at her long and
dreamily, with an expression filed with
silent pain.
NO." he answered, II will not blight
this prospect that will raise not only you
but your family to SO high an eminence.
l will not marry you-you are free! l
would have spoken to your father very
soon-but now," with a tremulous voice,
"you are free to sit upon golden throne
only"
He hestated ere he finished She had
thrown herself in careless abandonment
upon the sofn, sobbing passionately. He
raised her in his arms, saying:- ..
Darling, life is not long at most, and
surely hearts that arc SO united here can
not remain severed in the great hereafter,
I am at loss to know how to act; your
fathers family are dependent and his
health failing, SO perhaps It's best that you
obey" He pressed kiss on the wet face.
"After THIS we meet as friends, but not
lovers" .....
After that night Myra began to droop.
Her rich lover found her more interesting
with those dark rings beneath her eyes,
and the pale, listess face; all! he knew
not the aching heart and torn soul,
but courted more assiduously this lovely
flower.
In the searching looks of the millionaire
she read no tenderness; the thin lips held
no sweetness in the kisses he bestowed,
only a sort of ownership. Myra was a
simple innocent girl, with no taint OF
worldiness upon her pure brow-and well
might this man glory in the possession of
precious pearl.
They were united. Myra found that she
loved the surroundingsof wealth. after all
what woman does not2 She sat in state in
her grand home, while upon the white hand
and still whittier throat, cleaned luminous
diamonds. She dressed in the most be-
witching of toilets. Still within the beau,
tiful eyes, was a sad, lonely, beseechine
look, as though in all her possessions she
held no love. She crossed the ocean
entered the presence of royalty, and
attracted universal attention in polite
circles.
Her fathers health failed rapidly. The
wealth of her husband enabled her tt
lavish luxuries upon the helpless family
Who could say Myra did wrong? All
but none could read the awful bitterness il
her heart. No one thought of plying thi
lovely queen in society. She would gadl,
leave all her splendor, for the touch o
this abhored man made her very fesl
creep. And when she met pale, intellec
tual man, whose close studies had brough
= him from behind the counter to one of tn
high places in life, her heart tainted with
in her. He was still unmarried and Myr
would. in spite of all conventionalities
6 have gladly overstepped that high barrie
: between them and tell Will she had neve
forgotten him. ..
4 One night, at grand soiree, she sa,
l. him. He avoided her, and at last steppe
y into the quiet conservatory. His coldnes
nearly broke her heart. She followed hin
y laid her hand as of old upon his shoulder
q and said:-
u 20 Will! can you never forgiv
: me p
!, With eyes beaming with love he turne
toward her. For one moment he near
0 forgot his honor, almost yielling to IL
| l. 1o. ,f loo