The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-09-09
ruin to her father, and bitter shame to

"ouiu nave uOne rlSnI. LII was nOt pow
erty she dreaded so much-or even starv-
alton; for what physical pangs could
equal her mental pain? 1t was the sud-
den abatement-the scorn of such world
ings as Mrs. Ruthvin that she dreaded,
and dared not face.
Heaven knows that she regretted all
this when it was too late to draw back,
and when Margaret's tyranny had grown
into curse even greater than her own
pride.
After some further conversation, Eu-
phemia returned home, having first hand
ed Margaret Cell another sovereign with
which to buy clothes She was afraid to
give her more, lest, finding herself to rise,
she should be inclined to lavish it on the
indulgence of her fatal propensity. The
next thing was to prepare Mrs. Beloe for
Margarets arrival, and be ready to meet
any objection which she might advance
Euphemia expected some opposition
here, for Fanny was an especial favorite
with her mother, and Mrs. Beloe certainly
expressed herself very strongly at first;
but when she found that Euphemla was
determined to have her way in this mat
ter, she said NO more.
The days wasted and waned, and the
awful one drew near.
An inevitable misery always grows
bearable in time, if no new shock comes
to disturb ones hard-earned composure.
Euphemia would have found comfort
even in the midst of her misfortunes, if
not reminded of them in any way.
But from the minute Margaret Cell
came into the house there was no peace
for any one. She quarreled with her
fellow-servants, and gave herself grand
airs of authority over the cook. As for
Fanny and she, they almost came to
fighting; and when Euphemia was ap-
pealed to, although Margaret was palpa
bly, wrong, she dared not say so, and had
to soothe Fanny, when the other was
gone, by the gift of brooch, accompan-
led by few kind words.
1t was no use warning Margaret to be
more careful in the future; she would
listen to no recommendations of the
kind.
"All the servants were against her."
she said; "and she wasn't going to stand
none of their nonsense. She'd have them
to know she was quite as good as them
any day; and she'd box that pert Miss
Fanny's ears if she didn't mind what she
was about"
So saying she bounced out of the room,
knocking an ornament off Euphemia's s
toilet-table as she passed, and breaking it
into shivers. Then she darted down
stairs, and was not seen or heard for
hours.
The dinner-bell rang, and Euphemia
had been obliged to avail herself of Fan
ny's services in dressing, as Margaret did
not appear. After dinner, she ordered
her to be searched for; and after long
time she was found in one of the empty
attics, lying on the floor fast asleep, and
in a condition it was impossible to mis-
take.
She was carried into her own bed, and
was very repentant in the morning; but
Mr.. and Mrs. Beloe were so annoyed and
disguised at this incident, that they al
most insisted Euphemia should part
with the woman, and were surprised
beyond measure when she persisted in re-
tanning her.
However, she was more careful in her
behavior after this, and certainly showed
certain aptitude in acquiring her duties,
which Euphemia had not expected. But
her tranquility was only that of some
sleeping volcano, which at any moment
might burst into fire and deal destruction
on all around.
AT last the morning broke broke that
was toise Euphemia united to Mr.. Roper.
II was cold and wintry, with thick fog
on the air and giving an indescribable
dreariness to the whole scene.
Euphemia lifted her sleepless eyes to
greet the new light, and shuddered con-
vulsively, shutting it out again by drag
ging the thick coverlet over her face.
"There is sorrow for every one," she
thought, "but there is no sorrow like
mine. If l might lie here and die before
any more harm is donep
But though Death often comes as a foe
to those who are in love with life, it often
refuses to come as friend to those who
long and pray for him. Euphemia was
destined to live while yet, to taste of
aspurious joy born of a stiAed conscience;
and then. But let the story unrayel
itself; the end is not 50 far distant that
our readers should lose patience in wait
ing.
Margaret came up at nine o'clock, and
soon after Mrs. Beloe, with cup of
strong coffee in her hand, into which she
had secretly poured tablespoonful of
some strong stimulant. All through this
month she had suffered tortures lest Eu-
phemia should break down, and proclaim
the sacrifice impossible.
If, after the marriage ceremony had been
completed, she should give way, it would
not SO much signify; but no effort of hers
would be left untried TO bring it to that
point, we may be sure.
Euphemia drank the coffee obediently,
and made no complaint of its bitterness.
She well knew that she needed this to
sustain her; and was willing, if death
would not come, to carry her sacrifice
through to the end.
Margaret was unusually quiet this
morninV thouuh she drova Fanny ont of