The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-12-01


cast. shall have to tell him not to be
afraid of me-"
"Letitia," said,Mrs Bushe, very grave
ly, this whole business dislresses me
more than can say. But to hear you
speak in this terrible, unnatural, almost
unwomanly way, is the worst part of it
all. l will 60, for l can not bear
to be with you. Why did you not say
at once to your father that you would
not and could not marry this manT'
PAPA has bad ally in you, cousin
F,orinda," answered Letitia, quietly.
"And it is the last thing l should have
expected Of you, to Observation-Disclosures.
But when one is driven to the end of ones
resources, and is without friends or help,
one must fight people with their own
weapons. A hateful thing to do, but
sometimes the only thing. You must
hope, now, that Humphrey Barrett and
L may agree"
~ don't in the least understand you,"
said Mrs. Bushe. ~ think I shall 60
mad, if l talk to you any longer"
"Then pray 60 and rest in your own
room," said lie itia. ,.
Mrs. Bu,he went. Letitia walked
restlessly up and down the room till she
heard the distant opening of door, and
heavy step coming along the hall.
Then she sat down by the fire with a
screen in her hand, to receive Hum
phrey.
He was rather startled by finding her
alone. All his bullying sclf-assertion
seemed to have left him; he was tanned,
as she said, by this swift and strange
realization of his wi,hes. He drew a
chair near her, sat down, and looked at
her. Letitia glanced at him over her
screen, and said the evening was rather
cold
is it? l have not felt it so," Hum
phrev said.
Then they were both silent for min
ute or two. Humphrey was anyry with
himself for being such an ass as to have
nothing to say to this lovely girl, who
had actually consented to be his wife--so
her father assured him; but even to his
dim perceptions she was wrapped in an
icy mist, beyond nj, power Of penetra-
ting. At last, rather bluntly, be put
some of his thoughts into words.
''ls it not strange to think what will
have happened, this time next week! Can
you imagine it at all9 I can't"
20, perfect "" said Letiia; ~ have
heard SO much about it, to-day and yes
terday."
"Well, I'm very glad to hear that"
said Humphrey. "I really was in de-
spair; and you don't know what it is to
me to have it all settled like this. My
people admire you, and all that, as much
as l do. We none of us tn cught that
you would ever bring your mind to it;
but you shall never regret it. | promise
you that" .-"
Heavensl what sort of lnve-making was
this! Even in her desperate position
I1etita felt as if she must lau h. She
did smile, and this had the effect Of cheer
ing and emboldening Humphrey.
"Letitia--I don't know a prettier
name," he said. "pve been told that it
it means joy and il no it suits you
we'll. One never could he dismal with
you"
II am clad you think so," said Letitia,
Though am afraid you are mistaken.
| wish knew you a little better, Mr.
Barrett" .." .}
"Well, you will soon do that. But call
me Humphrey, if you please" said the
young squire, drawing his chair little
nearer.
L titia, however, did not not look en-
couraging, ana this was his furthest adj
vance. ., ... .....
II want to tell you something, and to
ask you s,mething," she sud, "and !
wish knew how you are likely to answer
me-"
"How do you think, noww
Kindly and generously, hope" said
Letitia, in low voice.
II am glad you do me so much justice"
said Humphrey. "Always be true and
open with me; you will find it your best
policy. You don't understand what
feel for you, see that. Come, then,
try how far you can trust an English
man." -.. .F.s J
Letitia changed color slightly at this
last word. (
"You know" she said, "that all this
arrangement for next week was made bv
papa without any knowledge or consent
of mine. Ionly heard of it when every
thing was finally settled. ! might have
made great fuss, but am tired-I have
had trouble and vexation enough lately
and | thought that my best way was to
speak to you." 'e..
ave have all had vexation enough,
and from the same cause" said Hum
phrey, as she stopped for moment.
"rhen you understand me. I have
only to tell you that l meant what l
said that day. It is dreadful for me to
say this to you, but this treatment has
driven me to forget, that I am young
girl. Nobody will tell you if don't"
Letitia turned her face towards him.
All the pretty color had been driven
from it by strong feeling; she was white
and like statue, except her deep blue
ewes Rut all the sw atnpss WAS yona