The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-05-17
CHAPTER III.
II AM SAFE NOW "

Miss Maud Ovngton had returned at half.
past one o'clock from u ball given by one of
the leaders OF fashion, and wore her ball
dress of floating azure gauze, looped here
and there with water-lilles and diamonds.
This pale and cloud-lke dres, gave her
the appearance of some beautiful wat r
nymph newly emerged from her crystal
fountain.
Her long yellow hair had fallen loosely
over her shoulders. and hung about her
waist like shower Of golden rain. Her
large blue eyes were unnaturully dilated,
and shone with feverish light
Sometimes she clasped her small jeweled
hands and lifted them wildly above her
head
"Will he never conner" she cried, again
and again. "Is this suspense to last Tor
ever?"
At last exactly as the bands of the time.
piece pointed TO ten minutes before five, o
cautious knock sounded upon the panel of
the gilded door.
'At last!" she exclaimed-"at lastp
She sprang toward the door and unlocked
II almost noiselessly; then, opening it with
the same caution, she admitted q man
wrapped in heavy great coat, and with his
chin muftled in o cashmere shawl.
Cold as the night was, heavy drops of per-
spiration rolled down his swarthy face, and
his breath came short and quick, as if he
had been running.
"WellT exclaimed Miss Ovington- "well!"
The man hesitated for some moments,
twisting tie brim Of his hat round aid
round in his trem ling hands, and staring
yacantly straight before him.
Then, with visible effort, and without
looking at Miss Ovington, he said, slowly:
"l.ve done everything, madam, according
As was arranged"
Miss Maud Ovington drew herself up to
her fullest height, and a glance of mingled
JOY and triumph shot across her expressive
countenance.
II am very glad" she said.
There was something almost terrible In
ths slow, deliberation with which she pro-
nouuced these few words.
''You have done me great SERVICE headd-
ed after long pause, during which she had
seated herself IN thoughtful attitude before
the costly toilet -table-''you have done me
great service, and / will not forget my
promise"
She unlocked her dressing. case, which
was massive casket of ebony inlaid with
gold She pressed a spring in the inner
part of the casket and a secret drawer few
out disclosing few neatly y-folded papers
and roll of bank notes.
Miss Oyington took out the roll of notes
and handed to the man.
"Take this" she said. at was to have
paid for my wedding dresses, but Stewart
must give me credit for those Who would
imagine, to look at this room That there is
no one in this great city more in need of
Inonsy tl".a the Honorable James Ovington2
But what of that?' she added. with sndir a
change Of tone. "Giye me the packet, VIII
lam-the paeketr'
The man recoiled few PAGES.
'Im very sorry, madam he answered,
looking down, as if afraid to meet
the eyes of the beautiful creature before
him-'Tm very sorry, but l couldn't get
that"
"You have not brought me the packet"
"No, madam"
'IIe hadn't it about him, them"
''No, madam"
"And yet you"
81 did as you directed madam" replied
Che man, "because, Wy his words and his
manner, fancied he had the packet that
You wanted about him, and | offered him
what you told me if he'd give it up but he
wouldn't; so told him what You said and
there wus onv on course left. and then"
She stopped him with an impcrious ges-
ture Of her small hand
"Enough!" she said; "you did as told
you?"
"Yes madam"
"IO the letterf"
''To the letter, madam" answered the
nan, still looking down.
She waived her hand haughtily, and the
man crept toward the door.
"Stop!" she exclaimed. sCome back: I
have something to say"
The man returned and stood awaiting her
pleasure as before
II have said nothing to you," she mur-
INJURED slowly, "of keeping the secret of this
nights business. l have asked no oath
from you, for l know that such as you break
your oaths as lightly as you take them.
You have been well paid for what you have
done, have you not2"
"Yes, mad ,m."
Sand it was done of your own free will2"
eyes, madam"
"You will keep your secret then, remem-
Der for your own sake, not for mine. You
understand me?'
''Yes, madam answered the man, lifting
his eyes for the first time, and looking the
woman full in the face, Il understand you
perfectly now, and shan't forget o word that
you've said"
"Go then" said Miss Ovington, coldly,
''since you understand. Yet stay-one
word more. On my marriage, you will
leave my fathers service and enter that of
the General. You will be better paid than
you have been here"
The man bowed low.
"You are very good, madam be said.
81 want no thanks; go!'
She followed the servant to the door and
closed and locked it as noiselessly as she
had opened it.
"Ehe General will not see the traces Of
: tonight Is business in my face tom prov.
! am safe nOwl'
II CHAPTER ".
THE MIDNIaHT CRY.
! The Oak Street Station was brightly