The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-09-12
THE HISTORY OF A LIFE.
~ THE AUTHOR OF CAPTAIN GERALD" 1.-THE
RIGHT OF Way" ETC.
CHAPTER VIII.-(CoNTINUED.)

CHAPTER -(CoNTINUED.)
"The people of the house are very
much surprised to hear of our sudden de-
parture," he said; but | have made it all
right by paying for the month we meant
to have stayed at the rate of our present
expenditure 1t was cheap way of get
ting off, for the bill was very reasonable
and they have been most attentive. |
fed all the servants handsomely, and 50
expect they will wish us bon voyage
with all their hearts,"
When Mr.. Roper had completed all his
preparations, Euphemia summoned the
femme-de-chambre.
"My maid refuses to accompany III"
she said; "and ,therefore, of course, as
she is free agent, | must leave her be-
hind. / regret this circumstance less, as
she does not suit me. She is well sup
piled with money, and, consequently,
there will be no loss to your mistress if
she chooses to remain here, even for
year. However, in order to make quite
sure she has not changed her mind, you
may 90 to her room, and tell her we leave
in about quarter of an hour;
but am most sure she will pretend not
to hear you, as she told me she was going
to sleep, and if any one disturbed her she
should not answer"
"Did she know of madame's intention
to leave this evening"
ooh, yes and she then told me fairly
that she was tired of service, and meant
to live like lady for little while; it
would be time enough to look out for an
other place when her money was nearly
gone. You may tell your mistress from
me that she will be quite safe in keeping
for several months, as she can quite well
pay her way. IL she should feel anxious
in this respect, will leave some money
with her myself"
Madeleine who knew her mistress to
be prudent perhaps parsimonious, suggest
ed that the madame's last proposition
would give satisfaction to all parties, and
she would 60 and rouse Margaret first;
and if she found she would not answer
or attend, she would fetch her mistress to
madame's room, and they could arrange
everything between them.
So saying Madeleine tripped off, with
golden Napoleon from madame, to add
to the other Mr. Roper had given her,
and which she had not considered neces-
sary to refer to, and Euphemia was left
alone.
What her feelings were during these
few minutes of suspense, we could not
describe. 1t was not the falsehOod of her
representations that troubled her; she
had acted lie SO long, that to utter one
was nothing new; but she trembled lest
her dose should not have been sufficiently
potent to keep Margaret from hearing
Madaleine's appeal.
But she need have no anxiety on that
account. Madeleine called Justify, in her
shrill, piping voice, and even shook the
stupefied woman; but she paid no heed,
and only seemed to dive deeper among
the pillows Persuaded now that it was
obstinacy, and ..also mindful Of her mis-
tress' interests, Madeleine made no
further attempt to rouse her, and went
off to find Madame Laroche, who, when
she saw Euphemia would guarantee her
against loss, was perfectly satisfied Mar
garet should remain, and proposed reason
able terms.
So far, Euphemia's plans prospered
splendidly. The dark day of retribution
might come; the one great sin which had
entailed SO many smaller sins might be
disclosed, and bring her to cruel shame
and mistsy, but not yet.
Now, as she sat by her husbands side,
looking back on the moonlit chalet where
the woman who had poisoned her life
slept ON unconscious of the fraud she was
perpetratIng, there was such a rush of
wild joy at her heart it almost sickened
her.
The Alps, with their white crown of
snow, lowered in front of her; and at the
thought of all this grandeur, contrasted
with her own pretty nature, Euphemia
lowered her head in sudden shame, and
unconsciously lowered it ON Mr.. Roper's
bosom.
"My darling" he murmured, caressing
her fondly, 1--WE shall be happy now at
last. That woman has stood between us
always" ...
"Oh, no, not that" she sobbed out.
"Then what was it, my love? There has
been something"
"Why should you think SO? What
have ever done or said for you to imag-
inc this?"
He held her closer
"You have been so cold to me often,
wife, and you can not tell how it has
grieved me-"
'rThen l will not grieve you again,
dear George; and, indeed" ," with sudden
odd thrill in her voice that moved him
almost to teSrs, 1--WE are going to be quite
happy now"