The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-04-07

L doubt il there is a reader of these
lines OF mature years, who can not recall
some characters like hers, and vividly
remember the outlines of its heartless-
ness, and the features of its similar dis
graces. How paltry seems the pride and
the pursuits of such characters Their
former history trails with them. Secrets
they seek to hide will leak out about them,
and they are kept in continual apprehen-
siveness, especially in society-where
they are playing false part. When dis
grace thus follows remorse is not far be-
hind; and they learn, OF how keenly!
the truth of those despairing lines in
Bulwers "Pilgrim:" r
who scoru tn the near must advance to the far;
Who forsaketh the landmark must march by the
And the steps, that once part from the peace Of the
valley,
Can never 20 Dsckl'
4 As have said, Lucille Montrose made
misery in the new society in which she
moved, and she was made miserable her
self.
| Beaux, both those who knew and those
who were ignorant of her previous his
tory, futtered, by turns, around her
each according to his nature, knowledge
or discrimination, admiring, fattering or
loving, and all at last forsaking or being
forsaken by her. Those with whom she
sometimes fancied she could have been
happy turned from the untrusty woman
as they gained an insight into her hollow
heart. Others who would have played
the libertine, foiled by her selfishness if
not her chastity, abandoned the pursuit
only to defame her; and as her main
thought was to be admired, her own sex
gathered up the cry, considering her a
dangerous rival. So that not many years
passed when she found herself an object
of general avoidance. They were many
whom she deceived, and many who de-
ceived her in turn. Some fled, and
cursed the love they fancied they had
won; and those whom she most sought
to captivate told her plainly that they
knew her
Thus retrbutive Time did not fly on
ROSY wings for her. Declining means and
declining personal charms followed the
decline Of friends; and the pride which
at first prevented her from resorting to
labor for her support, did not prevent
her, in On hour of despair, from an act of
pecuniary fraud to obtain it. She was
detected, but was spared on relating her
whole story.
"You will suffer enough, madam" said
the person she had thus deceived; "but
for your souls sake / entreat of you to
beware of such practices upon world
you will not find SO lencnt IA l. Follow
the dictates Of conscience. Deceive none.
1t is never too late to mend"
How complete to the runaway wife, in
that hour, must have seemed her humili-
ationl Though the man had not held
her up to public scorn, the knife of self
condemnation was turning in her heart,
as, with yelled but streaming face, she
turned away.
While she was suffering the vicissitudes
of friendless life, Ernest Atherton was
pursuing with devotion his business ca
reer, far from all tidings but not all
thoughts of her.
He had married again. He had loved
her once; but wrong and dcsertion, fore
: ing him to battle on alone in sorrow, had
learned him that he was an alien. And
in her to whom he rendered the second
plighting of his heart, he had found such
a tender, devoted and womanly opp site
to his wife, that her friendly acquaint-
ance came like balm TO his wondering
heart, and her married affection made
, him happy. So may it always be with
those whose hearts shall have been SINH
larly wreckedl So may some kind min
lister in human form come beaming with
love on the desulated pathway that the
new and true Eden may bloom beauti-
fully as they had dreamed, and honora-
BILE purposes and useful powers may not
he perverted from the end to which an
gels would aim them.
For nearly score of years they lived
together, and six children grew about
their hearth to cement and signalize
their happy loves
"You seem serious, Ernes'," she would
sometimes say. perhaps you have
, heard of her, or are thinking of her"
Caroline" he would reply, with a sad
; smile, 1T would be both Ease and unnatu-
raj in me not to think of her frequent y;
but with no regret for the exchange!
Ali no, dearest. But | sigh at times,
that we had not met the first; and the
memory of the love ! bore her prompts a
, mourntul interest in her fate"
"May God forgive her, as you have for
given her, Ernest" would be his wife's
, sincere reply. "But try and be more
cheerful"
In an evil hour for Ernest Atherton,
death called and took his comforting an
| oo1 oy,y Nnihinr in l;faDn humop