The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-03-22

about and mentioned as having kissed his
picture. He scarcely gave this second
thought, judging she had simply done so
to please the child, because she had re-
quested it; so, as Oracle would not allow
him to pass the house, but persisted in her
ehtreaties to enter, he thought he would
call and thank the girl for his childs safe
return to him. He entered the gate, with
Grace triumphantly dancing at his side,
and walked up to the little porch. Katy
stood at the entrance, watering some
plants.
"Good morning"
Good morning, sir"
II called to thank you for the trouble
you took to bring my little girl home the
other day"
'1t was no trouble at all, sir" returned
Katy, modestly.
Grace stood silently by with pout upon
her lips.
"What is the matter with my little girl
now2" the gentleman asked, kindly, strok-
ing her head
"That isn't her," she said in grieved
tone. II want TO see tother one."
'It is my mistress she means" said
Katy; please walk in, and will call
her."
Miss ventnor, sitting by the window,
had heard his voice, and face SO white
met Katy's eyes that she started back
in alarm. Miss VenG2or smiled forced
smile.
"Do not be alarmed, Katy; am only a
little dizzy. have worked too hard with
my pen lately. 1 must take rest"
Little Oracle and gentleman are in the
parlor, and want to see you ?"
Every well, I will be down in moment"
she said, just as calmly as if her heart were
not striving to break its prison with its
wild throbbing.
The gentleman stood with his back to
the door, studying rare painting, when
Miss Ventnor, looking very pale and haugh-
ty, swept into the room. Oracle sprang
forward, shouting gleefully:-
'It is her, papa-the one that kissed your
picture"
A wave of crimson swept over Miss Vent
nors face. Little Oracle had unconsciously
dealt terrible blow to her pride.
The gentleman did not seem to notice
the child's remark. His eyes wera fixed
upon Miss Ventnor's face, and his own
was pale as ashes. He took a step for
ward.
"Imogene, am dreaming, Or do again
look upon your face after SO many
years2"
Then he sank into chair and buried his
face in his hands. After q few moments
he looked up.
"Forgive me; should have said Mrs.
Atwood"
81 do not claim that name," she said,
coldly.
"Have you never married ? I have
always thought of you as George At
woods wife. Are you really Miss Ventnor
still ?"
"I am"
"will you tell me why you never mar
ried him-or another?"
because did not love-"
ooh, Imogene, can dare hope that you
have remained single all these years be-
cause you could not forget that you once
loved me2 Nay, forgive me-hear me
out. as he saw the flash of naughty pride
which swept over her face. 'Tmogene,
can you forgive me when tell you I have
never ceased to love you and how have
suffered for those cruel words which parted
us thought then was only doing my
duty, and was just to myself. You remem-
ber / embarked Immediately for Europe.
had not been one day out at sea when
became convinced that 1 was wrong in my
mad jealousy of George Atwood. As soon
as reached England l sent a repentant
letter, begging you to forgive and love me
again: but the answer which I received
nearly crushed my heart"
"The answer2" she interrupted. II
never received or wrote any letter"
"What can this mean? certainly re-
ceived a letter in your handwriting, stating
that my repentance had come too late,
as you were already the wife of George
Atwood"
''It was q base forgeryl"
''But who could have been guilty Of
such thing3 would have sworn it was
your writing"
No doubt 1t was George Atwood him.
SELF He used often 10 bring me my mail,
and he could initiate handwriting 70 per
Nfection."