The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-04-26
ut is pain at my heart, Blanche, but

'Did you receive letters from Canada
Oh, why doesn't Charles come back to you
II my lover were to stay away in that sort
Of fashion"
flush, Blanche You are not acquaint-
ed with the circumstances of the case. He
cannot c~re back-at least, for many years.
have not much hope of ever looking upon
his face in this world. Perhaps in
heaven"
But Blanche's passionate, impulsive tears
interrupted her sisters low, quiet voice.
"0h, why don't you tell me about It,
sisterr Why am 1 kept in Ignorance Of
your trouble I am only q silly child,
l know, but am your sister, and love
you"
.'gThere is not much to tell, dear; and we
Lave only kept it from you lest your young
life should be over-clouded with the dark
ness of other existences. Mr.. Rossley was
involved in terrible financial catastrophe
he became somehow entangled in the
snares of designing villains. 4 frank na-
ture seldom doubts the integrity of those
that surround it. Charles was ill-ftted to
cope with intriguers, and before he was
aware of it, he had somehow become re-
eponsible to frightful extent. I shall
never forget the morning he came to me,
pale as death, to tell me that the bright
castle of promised wealth had fallen in
ruins-that flight was the only escape from
liability actually appalling. Now you have
the whole story, dear Charles Rossley is
ruined man; but not guilty one!"
'The rain will soon be over, Miss Blanche
Just take seat and wait; III be back in
half a second"
Blanche Roy cast one regretful glance
from the side window upon the white,
binding sheets of rain that were eddying
through the narrow street, and sat down
close to the curtained glass door that led
into Obadiah Green's hair-dressing shop.
1t was a snug, thrifty little house with
plants in the windows, two plump babies
in the cradle, a tortoise shell cat curled up
under the centre-table. Katy Jones had
not done foolish thing when she left her
situation as nurse to little Blanche Roy to
become the wife of honest Obadiah Green,
the barber.
While Blanche stood wishing she had
brought an umbrella a name spoken care
lessly in the other room sent the roses to
her cheek.
'Melton-Percy Melton!" said one of
the gentlemen waiting in the shop for the
shower to terminate, "of course know
him. A smart fellow he is too; a Little
too smart, that's all."
II don't understand you,' said the lethar-
gic old gentleman in the corner, whose
gold-bowed spectacles gave him such q
pompous appearance.
Blanche could see them all, as she stood
behind the sheltering white curtain.
"You don't? Does he owe you any
money!"
''Not he. don't lend to every adven-
turer who comes into my Office with empty
pockets"
$50 much the better for you, Mr.. Dud-
ley. He is gentleman who lives by his
wits entirely Paying particular attention
TO a young lady of the West End, am told
He is quite connoisseur regarding the
fair fex."
The old gentleman looked quickly up
from behind his spectacles.
"Ah, indeed? That explains q little
business operation of his with client of
mine-Rand the jeweler that rather puz-
zled me at the time. He hired set of
diamonds for three months"
''Hired them !" 2
ayes. Rand was a little uneasy about
them, and he keeps sharp lookout on the
| gentleman
II should advise him to do so. Why,
Dudley-of course l don't want to inter
| fere with any amusement Melton may have
on hand-but he happens to- have a very
interesting French wife in Paris"
"The scoundrel!"
can appropriate appellation. happen
to know, moreover, that this is not the
only Irritation he has on hand at present.
He"
But Blanche Roy heard no more. Mrs.
| Green's hand was on her shoulder.
"Dear me, Miss Blanche, how pale you
are I'm afraid you're tired out. Do let
me get you glass of wine"
mo, Katy-I-I-only want to borrow
an umbrella. 1t does net rain much now. VI
'Miss Blanche, just look at the win
dows!"
'Yes, but I must get home"
Mrs. Green saw that appeal was quite
useless, and wisely hustled away to gel
Obadiah's best silk umbrella.
Il don't like to let you go, Miss Blanche,