The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-10-16
THE DAILY STAR
NOT so BAD ASHETHOUGHT.

NOl bO DAD 40 II II HUOUu u .
"Here | am-Elinor Royston; my edu
ucation finished, myself ready to COM
mence life, with a fortune of $500 year,
and large and varied assortment of old
valentines, a canary which can not sing,
and pug dog with bad temper. o!
and heap of hideous dresses and an
adorable new ulster"
So exclaimed young lady as she stood
in momeptary stiffness upon the hearth
rug. after breathless burst into the
drawing-room of Oaktree Hail. The
master of the mansion, Graham Daglish,
had been reading in the peaceful enjoy
ment of splendid fire and luxurious
arm-chair,which, upon the girls entrance,
he had quilted, and came forward few
steps to greet her.
"Well," said Miss Royston, and after a
moments pause, in tone of WONDER and
gazing frankly into the eyes of her com.
panion, ''are you not going to ask me how
lamp
"How do you do?" Daglish nodded,
coolly.
81 thought you were too much engaged
in taking that inventory of your proper
ty for such ceremony as shaking
hands,"
"How do you like my ulster? Don't
you like it? It's all pockets" she said,
thrusting her hand into one receptacle,
then into another.
"What silly baby you are," Daglish
cried, trying very hard to frowp, and not
to smile, at the lovely, glowing face now
raised to his.
"Do you want everybody to be the
Nethuselah that.you arew Elipor pouted.
A shadow crossed his countenance at
the random words. Elinor Royston was
10; Graham Daglish 80; and as the dew
and sunshine are necessary to the life of
flowers, 80 seemed this wayward, win
ming girl to Graham Daglish to be neces-
sary to existence. When, twelve years
ago, she was left an orphan to their care,
both Daglish and his mother regarded
the trust as q serious and unwelcome re-
sponsibility, but time had changed both
their views The old lady had called
Elinor her sunshine and Graham had
grown to love the sweet, various-mooded
girl with all the strength of his resolute
nature.
Elinor's late absence at school was
source of deep regret, and now, upon her
return home for good, high festival would
be held in the hearts and in the man
sion of Oaktree.
care you not GLAD that have finished
with that detestable schoolw she contin-
ued, after short pause.
'It depends upon how much you
8now. What can you tell me conscien-
tiously you have learned, Nell?
She took her stand Immediately before
him. and checked off her accomplish
ments on the pretty fingers of her left
hands as she spoke.
emusic" she answered.
"yoice and piano gymnastics, should
rather say"
"German, the whole of the French
language, drawing, painting, and geo.
graphy.'
'Could you stand a good examination
on the capital cities of Europe% he in
terrupted.
81 should not like it," she frankly
allowed. "But what does it matter?
Everybody is not an old book-worm, like
you. Perhaps when l am your age l
shall know nothing else"
sI have yet to learn that ignorance is
80 interesting" said Daglish, somewhat
Grossly, under the irritation of her illu-
sions
$50 am ignorant now, and was silly
before. You need not have told me so
in the first hour that am at home-at
Oaktree. mean," in proud correction of
herself.
Occupied with his own bitter rehec-
tions, he did not notice the halt and
change of expression. But his indifier-
ence was differently construed by the
girl, who gathered up her hat and gloves,
and swept from the room in anger.
"He gave me no welcome, although |
gave him SO many opportunities" she
said to herself, as, brushing the tears
from her eyes, she shut the door.
However melaneholic the effect was
upon his intellect, Mr.. Graham Daglish
had soon to witness the terrible process;
for the next day the mansion of Oaktree
was full with Christmas visitors, and one
of these, Mr. Arthur Young, fell straight
wsy in love with the brilliant beauty
and charming ways of Elinor Royston,
and his tender sentiments Mr.. Young by
no means concealed from an interested
world. Miss Royston seemed, too, to be
receiving his attentions with favor and
complaisance.
Daglish might witness the position of
events with despair of spirits but as her
guardian he could make no reasonable
objection to Arthur Young, who was an
honest, handsome young fellow, and heir
to good property. Beforehand, though,
he would not have supposed him the
kind of man TO attract bright, original
Belle Royston. Her preference, however,
was clear enough; in fact, with the en-
couragement Young received, the only
marvel was that he did not urge his suit