The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-11-03
THE DAILY STAR
EDITH'S LOVER

made and how well it was that my mis-
tress had chosen Mr. Hollis for her flu
ture husband wheh so many attractive
young gentleman aspired to the honor of
her hand.
As approached, Mr.. Hollis was say
ing:
"To-morrow is our wedding-day,. dear
Edith! Tomorrow! / can scarcely real
ize il. And how proud and glad | am"
My lady looked up at this moment,
her cheeks all aglow, her eyes shining
with happiness. Hearing my step she
said in her gentle way:
"What is it, JennyY'
ga strange woman has presented her.
self at the kitchen door, madam. She
asked for you and will not be denied.
She does not live in these parts, l think;
her accent and dress are both peculiar,
Good gracious, there she comes now, and
left her on the kitchen step"
My mistress looked in the direction in.
dcated and beheld a dropping, forlorn
figure slowly advancing from the rear Of
the house.
She changed color and drew back with
startled cry:
"Mrs Hawkinsw
The woman came nearer and paused
on the upper step, looking curiously
about her.
Forgive me for comin'," she said, in
a low, broken voice. 1T aims right to
be troublin' one like you. But what
could do with him beggin' and pleadin'
and frettin' himself ill? | hadn't the
heart to refuse his prayer, and"
Hush" My mistress drew her strange
visitor hurriedly down the steps.
She was very pale, and trembled with
excitement.
"No more now-I can not listen," said
she in a whisper. eff you have any er-
rand with me come again by and by when
am alone"
The woman sighed heavily.
"Let me give you this note, madam
It's from him, an I'll trouble you no
more. You'll read it, an do all it asks,
ma'am% she added, quite plaintiveiy, as
she thrust bit of crumpled paper into
my Iady's hand.
EYES, yes. Now go-go at oncew
81 will But don't disapp'int him,
ma'am; don't do it"
There was desperation in her voice and
looks - perhaps even menace as she
turned and made her way with difficulty
down the path.
Mr.. Hollis naturally made some in
quiry as to the strange visitor, but, at
Miss Edith's solicitation, he dropped the
subject and soon afterward went away.
About 10 o'clock that night my lady's
bell summoned me to her chamber.
found her sitting with her wraps On
and bit of paper-the same the woman
had given her--clenched in her hand.
Her face wore sadder expression than
had ever seen upon it before.
Jenny" she said, turning in her chair
as | entered, edo you know place in the
village called Holmes Cottage?"
eyes, ma'am."
Good. Get your bonnet; wish you
to take me there. wish to set out at
once"
"But it is long distance, madam; if
you must go, shall l not order the car
riage%'
Il do not wish this visit known to any
one else in the house, Jenny. The ser
wants would think strange of it. You,
am sure, are discreet and faithful"
We left the house by side door, lock-
'ug it and taking the key with us.
Presently we reached Holmes Cottage.
ftwas long, low building in the out
skirts of the village, at some distance
from any other dwelling. Since my
knowledge of the house began, it had
been occupied by the poorer class of tell
ants.
''Some one l wish to see is here" she
said, quietly. Remain, outside, Jenny,
shall not be long away"
She entered without knocking and
closed the door. The nextinslant heard
glad cry within, then burst of sobs.
Suddenly Mr.. Hollis confronted me,
his face white and convuised in the
moonlight!
"Tell me-" he said in husky whisper,
"was it Edith, my promised wife, that
went in at yonder dOor!"
| could not speak, but my looks an
swered him.
He dropped my hand and was turning
away, when few agitated worlds came
through the open window:
Edith, knew you would come! my
precious darling, my wife! You were
not so cruel as to forsake me utterly"
1t was mans voice, but MIR. Hollis
seemed to hear simple word onfy of
those it uttered
"Wifep he echoed, in hollow tone.
"Wife Il Good God! And tomorrow was
to have been our wedding-day!"
In spite of my terror and bewilder-
ment, had the presence of mind to grasp
his arm and drag him further away from
that House.
"What brings you herel" I sternly de-
manded. "Why have you followed u.s."
81 did not follow you; am no spy! it
was chance that brought me in this di-
rection tonight. Nay, not chance" he
added, with sudden vehemence, "but the
providence of Coz
Then, before | could say word in re-
nlv he had freed himself from NV grasn