The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-02-05

wellsd up the thought that she at last loved
The thought gave to her face tender,
spiritual beauty it had never possessed be-
| fore. The love of other men had annoyed
and worried her, but this mans love, inter
preted as yet only through his eyes and
voice, was heaven to her.
The weeks passed on; Capt. Gilmore
showed the same preference for her society
that he had always shown, but made no
new advances toward her, though he must
have stepped, almost imperceptibly, little
way in the path of passion, for he began to
miss her when she did not appear, and he
would discover himself watching for her
and listening for her footsteps. And he
never felt fatigued or the fight of time
with her. There was an event in his life
which he wished he had told her of in their
earlier acquaintance; it seemed such an
awkward thing to do now; and SO the secret
troubled him, and made him look oftener at
Mabel She, woman-like, noted the change,
slight as it was, and was triumphant; she
interpreted his new dameanor her own
way.
'Let us go out in the park, said Mabel
as she came across him one evening on the
piazza. 81 am SO tired of the dancing and
music and crowd.' -
IT am glad you called on me to escort
you," he said, as he placed rustic chair
under one of the grand old trees away
from the throng of promenaders.
"Why?"
''Because this is the last evening I
will be here, and want to spend it with
YOU"
The moon was shining full on Mabels
face, and revealed to Capt. Gilmore that
every vestige of color had left it. She
caught her breath with a quick sigh, as
though stricken with a sudden pain.
'But - but you will return, captain ?''
she said, in a faltering voice, as she reached
forth her hand to him.
He took the little hand offered him,
which lay cold as ice in his, and all
swered:-
mo, Miss Weston, must not return"
'Is it possible" he thought, that this
naughty, peerless woman cares for me !?
And great temptation came to him which
he crushed almost before it became O
thought, and hated himself for the tran.
sient emotion.
There was silence for moment between
them and then Mabel Asked
"Why must you go?"
'Because a dear friend, my wife, returns
from abroad tomorrow, and 1 must be al
home to meet her."
Mabel had not expected this. She had q
vague fear that she would hear the name OF
some one whom he preferred to her, but
never that his answer would tell her she
had given the great wealth of her love tx
another woman's husband.
"Why have you never told me of thil
before ?" asked Mabel, withdrawing he,
nara from Ills. IL lS uuuerStOOu uerS Ila
you are widower."
81 did not think that our short acquaint
ance called for recital of my domestic
affairs, Miss Weston. My wife has beel
abroad SO long that only friends about N,
own home know that l have had one. If
could have known that you would have beel
less my friend if l were married, shoulc
| most certainly have told you. You vii
: believe this of me, will you not ?"
She was too thoroughly wretched to up
I braid him, and the thought came to he1
too, that she had nothing to upbraid hir
for. She had always sought him and h
: had never in any way committed himself t
r he1. Chagrin and unrequitted love cause
! he1 to forget her womanliness and sh
} threw herself in her chair again in passio
of grief.
Capt Gilmore took her hands in his.
r II am sorry, Miss Weston, believe me
and curse myself for what have SO III
/ Willingly done. l never dreamed that yor
g ill your youth and beauty, could care fc
me. You will get over this and be happ
yet, hope"
Il 'Can l put love on and off at will, Cap
Gilmore No, no! You will leave m,
d but shall see your face, hear your voice
o and look into your eyes time and etc
6 nifty !"
S Hush, Miss Weston for your ow
t sake. Mabel" he said, as he released ht
d hands, 81 am but mortal, and you cannC
d know to what the love of a beautiful woma
), like you tempts me-"
n ''Do you love this wife?" asked Mabe
after little pause.
+ my love has been in her keeping f
II years, Miss Weston; and there lies all II
e trust and honor"
g ''You are good husband" faltert
If Mabel, "and must honor you as long