The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-12-15
the color stricken from her face, she took

Had Harvey watched her then, he
would have thought that that poisoned
arrow had missed its aim. But it was
not so. The work was thrown aside, the
piano rang out under her restless fingers,
a novel was opened, a room was put in
order; but while the calm face betrayed
no secret suffering, the girl was tortured
all day by the words of the anonymous
letter.
"Fred. Holt and his wifew
And while she was striving to hide
from any eyes the tortures she endured,
James Rutherford was storming up and
down his library, holding the second of
Harvey Fosters communications in his
hand. In the same awkward handwriting
the same facts We're stated, the same hour
and place to verify the writer's words.
But the peppery old bachelor made no
secret of his wrath. To have listened to
him one would have supposed that max
ing mince- e-meat of his disobedient
nephew was the least he intended.
1t was with a chuckle of satisfaction
that Harvey Foster, secretly hidden in a
narrow courtway, watched a tan, stately
figure leave a carriage at the head of
Ralph street, and walk to the door OF
No. %.
In the quiet of the street he heard a
clear voice ask the servant who opened
the door: teaf.. ~
Does Mrs Holt live here?"
eyes, madam second floor"
l. ~. L., I'd L.
"Oh, yes, ma'am; you will find them
both there
Then Maud Chester entered the house,
lust as short, painting man dashed up
the steps, and, not pausing to make any
inquiry, also entered.
In the passage, Maud Chester, turning,
as rapid steps followed her, faced James
Rutherford.
"You herel" he said. "You have heard,
too. then, of the trick this ungrateful
hound has played upon both OF us?"
II have heard" she answered, in a
cold voice, ''that your nephews wife
lives in this house. l wish to ascertain
if it is true" .r..- ...E .s.ts-s
"We will soon see! we will soon seel
. Second floor. Here we are. "Now them
And the old gentlemaa's raps proved the
excitement under which he was labOring
A very pale, sweet woman opened thu
door, her eyes showing that she had beer
weeping very recently. "t.t
"Does Mrs. Holt live here~ thu
old gentleman asked.
"That is my name, sir"
"Can see your husband"
The soft eyes, full of deep trouble
were lifted inquiringly to his face. III.
CTS it.on business, sirs" ...a
! every important business" was thu
rather dry response. r.
because the doctor said to-day ht
must not have any mental excitement
He is so very much worse to-dAy; II
am afraid he is dying!" And sobs broke
out again.
"Dying!"
= "Dying! An accident?'
"No, sir; it is fever from over work"
"Fever, overwork."
"Josie-Josie!"
) If ever Fred Holt spoke he spoke ther
from an inner room and the little wife
seeming to forget her strange visitors
answered quickly
"pm coming, Fred"
She went at once to the room from
which the voice came, and again the two
listening intently,. heard Fred's husk.
:. voice. e-.E
"Brng the last cordial, Josie. Tel
drops! am sure he knew me; but he i
faint" t.
, "a moment later, the same CHEEKY voic
spoke again.
"Drink this, old fellow. Seel-see
!. here is Josiel Don't you know Josie"
Then another voice-oh! so very faint
said .
"Jose-little wife!' .....
A moment of utter silence followed
and then Jose said
"There is gentleman and lady in tn
other room, Fred, who want to see Frank
Will you see them@
And Fred, appearing in compliance
with this request, found his uncle vigor
ously tanning Maud Chester with news
!, paper to bring her out Of a fainting fit.
: Before he could frame question, hi
,, uncle said quickly
"Get some water!' ., .u.
He obeyed. Then when Maud's blu
eyes opened with a bewildered stare, tn
: old gentleman continued:
"We were sent here to see your do
' mestic felicity and we seem to be misin
, formed" ......
! "My domestic felicity" cried Fred.
, "Read that" said his uncle, handin,
A the anonymous note. And Fred, com
!. piled.
!, "Humph! yes,' he said. $50 you com
to see Mrs. Fred. Holt. Well, that lad
! has made me happy man." and his eye
j. flashed merrily upon Maud. "But
will introduce you to my cousins wife
S Mrs. Frank Holt. a.''
o MAUD" he continued, with gentl
0 gravity, "since you have come here, i
e will be an act Of Christian charity to rt
0 maiu, for'--and his voice sank very 10,
h -"we are afraid the poor little woma
d will be widow before morning" ,7
Il fln... II solJ Uauo..