The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-09-06
From the Danbury News.]
DEBT OF HONOR.



the ividly-silvery stars of frosty Jam
uary night smiled radiantly, Dare Viv ian
looked out into the light, and warmth,an
brilliancy of the adjoining rooms, and
heard the sweet sounds of women's we'll.
bred tones, and girls melody of laughter,
and mems voices, and the soft strains of
the band, playing tender cadenza, pre-
paratory to the inspiriting dance-music;
and thinking as he stood there, of a pair
of lovely blue eyes, looking into some.
body's or others, and dimpled cheek
that very likely was flushing beneath an
admiring glance, and graceful, willowy,
girlish figure, that more than one mascu-
line arm would encircle in the dance that
night
And then, sending warm thrills all
through him, the very girl herself ap-
peared in the doorway, veritable vision
Of youth, and beauty, and elegance, lean.
ing caressingly on Mrs, Howard's arm.
The two came directly past him, so near
that Daisy Vaughan's dress rubbed its
silk folds against the damask curtains--so
near that faint breath of her delicate
perfume of violets and white rose stole to
his senses and SO near that he heard her
speak to his sister, as the two passed
ado you really like my dress, Alice?
You would never believe the trouble l
had matching the ribbon"
Only remarkably commonplace re-
mark, but it deepened that curious ex-
preston of distrust and displeasure that
was fighting against the passionate ad-
miration in Mr.. Vivian's grave, handsome
eyes. Then, Mrs. Howard's laughing
answer, as the two paused second to en-
able a brief, wolnanish scrutiny of the
toilet
"Well, you succeeded most admirably
Daisy! Yours is the handsomest dress
in my rooms, and I am glad tits SO be-
coming. Dare, you know, is such con
poisseur."
"Nonsense! Come, Alice, wouldn't
miss that opening for worlds"
And then Mr.. Vivian watched the ex
quiste, girlish figure, in its delicate sill
very blue and sunset-pink silk toilet
fash away.
The look in his eyes deepened and lin
gered long after Daisy had taken herself
away, with her elegant costume, that was
the admiration of the room, and that, be-
sides having cost the girl so much money
had cost her-Dare Vivian's respect Be
cause six morths before, Daisy Vaughan
had one day gone to Mr., Vivian's office
and asked him in her shy, sweet modes
way a request that surprised him beyond
measure, and yet one that he could mo-
well refuse-a request for him to lend hel
= hundred pounds for month or two.
Of course he had handed her the mon
ey and she had gone away with look of
happiness in her eyes that repaid him
hundredfold.
Then, when the "month or two" hat
expired, Daisy went to him again, he
lovely eyes full of shadows, her voice low
and quivering, and told him she was no
able to repay him, as she had positively
expected and wished.
He had done what any other gentleman
would have done-begged her not to Civ
herself the least concern about it, bu
that any future time would suit him per
fectly well.
But he was disappointed and dismaye'
at the principle of this fair, lovely girl
who had been the chief among women il
his eyes, and whom he loved Sc truly, 81
Not disappointed or dismayed becaus
Of her failure TO return the money, or be
cause she had borrowed it, but because
Judging from the standpoint of common
sense, be knew she might have repaid
more than twice over, had she so chosen
And tonight, after his sister and Dais
had gone back to the dancing saloon, h
stood thinking how much more noble
and honorable, and womanly it woul
have been had the girl kept her word an
paid her just debts, instead of wearin
the elegant expensive dress that was tn
admiration and envy Of the room.
Standing there, his thoughts grew NOR
and more bitter, till he had decided thu
he would never again let his heart go OF
towards Daisy Vaughan-till he had dt
cided that she was not the woman to t
his wife-till the music of the band an
the perfume of the flowers began to gro
annoying to him, and he made his wa
up stairs to his own "den," to enjoy c
gar, and to read his evening letters.
Among them was letter from a lad
who, of late, had interested him yer
much, and whose letter or rather not
of tonight was, as usual, brief, concis
and intelligent business commune;
ton relating to certain papers she VIZ
translating for him in certain law cas-
he was conducting.
The letter read and answered, Mr.. vi,
fan sat back in his chair, admir;aig II
.loo,,