The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-09-20
THE HISTORY OF A LIFE.
BY THE AUTHOR OF CAPTAIN GERALD" ''THE
RIGHT or wAY,n ETC
CHAPTER XIV.
A Visit TO MARGARET CELL.

RSotinS Hict OhS tililS anu tuCu dliOthti,
and seemed surprised when she declined
each. At last Euphemia grew desperate
Cant you see am tiredf' she said,
almost angrily. 81 must be quiet this
afternoon"
"But l should have fancied the air
would restore you"
"Not at all. l don't believe in long
drive as cure for headache. You are
sure to come home weary, and worse than
when you went out"
Still, Mr.. Roper looked disappointed.
He had evidently allowed himself to
count upon her company all the after
noon, and would not allow himself to an
ticipate any pleasure without it. He
ventured upon one more remonstrance.
"It is such lovely afternoon, Euphe-
mia, and we need not drive far if you do
not like it."
"You must allow me to have will of
my own in such matters" she said, cold
Iy. Tomorrow | will go with you where
YOU like"
''Then suppose I must make myself
contented. However, | am sorry, too"
"Thank you for The compliment" re-
piled Euphemia, who, now that she had
gained her end, could afford to be gra-
cious 81 will try and be particularly
entertaining tomorrow, in order to merit
your regret"
81 never thought there was room for
improvement" he said, smiling at her
lovingly, ais he went out.
No one could doubt that Mr.. Roper's
heart was wrapped up in his beautiful
wife--that his every thought was for her.
The recollection that she was suffering,
poisoned the pleasure of his walk and
took away some Of the sweetness OF the
flowers.
"Poor child! she is over-fatigued," he
said to himself; "and she's not strong. |
must take more care of her than | have
hitherto done, or she will die some day
and, leave me desolate."
TO dream of this was to torture him.
eslf unnecessarily; but his exceeding
love made him fearful. He began to
plan all kind of things for her pleasure
and comfort as he walked along. Mean
while, Euphemia, having watched him
well off the premises, hurried on her hat
and shawl, and stole out into the lanes.
No one saw her go, and she hoped to be
back again before Mr. Roper could return
to ask for her.
We can,not hope to describe the bitter
pain she had at her heart, the suppressed
and agonized rage against fate, which she
fancied had treated her so ill.
She would not understand that Meme
sis at her heels had never been appeased
yet-only biding his time as patiently as
he might.
Nov he was close upon her, and she
knew that there was very little hope that
she should escape. Her face was very
pale when she entered Margaret's cottage.
The woman was in bed, and looked
haggard and worn beyond description.
She was racked with pain in every limb,
and full of fever, but her eyes, unnat-
urally large and bright, glared angrily at
Euphemia, as she came boldly to the side
Of her bed.
80 you had my message, 1 see, and
thought fit to obey it. Do you know,
ill as l am, if you had not come to me, /
would have gone to you?
II can quite believe that" replied Eu-
phemia, in tone of concentrated rage no
words can convey. "You have tortured
me like fend ever since ] first set eyes
OH your face"
NAY, l wasn't SO bad at frst--come,
that is false. | never did much harm un-
til you taught me how"
81 never taught you anything; indeed
am sure it was you who first put the
thought of flight into my head"
"Hush!' exclaimed Margaret, pointing
warningly towards Mrs. Cell, whom they
could see through the open door, sitting
by her dead daughter.
"Mother is not deaf and I can tell you
she is pretty curious to know how the
likes of me can be mistress over such a
fine lady as Mrs. Roper. But ] tell her
a secret is the safest with one If was
to die, I'd make my will, and leave her
that as legacy, knowing that it would
keep her in comfort for the rest of her
life"
"Dd it ever strike you, Margaret, that
might yet weary of all this some day,
and make my escape?"
"You weren't SO lucky last time, as it
should make you anxious to try again.
Who would ever have dreamt that
chance should have brought you and me
together again-one not wishing it, and
the other not expecting it? And, if you
only knew
"Knew what~
"No, I won't tell you; that is best kept
for surprise! and what surprise it will
be-oh, myp
Il must insist upon knowing what you
mean" said Euphemia, family. "What
surprise can there be in store for me
hereW
Margaret chuckled until her racked
limbs protested againstit in every fevered
joint, and then she groaned instead, and
the drops of cold Precipitation stood in
great beads upon her brow.
Euphemia watched her; and perhaps
her inward hope found expression in her
face, for Margaret looked at her with ma
ignant eyea
'Oh, you think ! am going. to die, and