The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-09-10
THE HISTORY OF A LIFE.
~ THE AUTHOR OF CAPTAIN GERALD, 1.-THE
RIGHT OF Way" ETC.
CHAPTER VI.-(CoNTINUED.)

this, and left Euphemia to the anything
but tender mercies of her new maid.
Euphemia sat quite patient under the
Others hand-fnding no fault, making
DO suggestions; and Margaret arranged
everything as she thought fit. Euphemia
had insisted upon wearing bonnet,
although her mother had gravely object
ed. Fortunately Mr.. Roper, when ap-
pealed to, seconded his bride; ard de-
clared that it had been his wish all
along, although he had not liked to inter-
fere.
So that Euphemia had her way in this,
and was thankful not to have more con-
spicuous toilet than was quite necessary
to the occasion.
"There, you'll do now!" said Margaret,
at last and looked at her with certain
pride. "And there's your pocket hand
kercHief; though what use such fiimsy
thing as that will be, can't tell. How
ever, if you are satisfied, that will do"
Euphemia longed to be alone; but
she dared not lose sight of Mar
garet longer than was absolutely
necessary. She feared that she might
take advantage of her leisure to in
dulge in her fatal propensity, and then
she knew that nothing would persuade
Mr.. Roper to take her with her. He had
very rigid notions of justice and pro-
priety, and brief view of Margaret, one
day, when she came into the room where
he was, to ask some question of her mis-
tress, had elicted from him an expression
of absolute repugnance to her manners
and appearance.
81 never saw you show bad taste but in
this solitary instance, Euphemia," he
said; "and, certainly, | do wonder at your
choice of maid.'
Euphemia had her current excuse
ready, although she colored guiltily as
she spoke.
"The woman is so faithful and devoted;
and really, one ought not to think OF her
appearances only. OF course, l should
like it betterif she were more presentable;
but she can't help that"
"She can help her manner, Euphemia."
"She might if one could only make her
conscious of the defect. But | suppose
she thinks it better to be little rough
than deceitful."
81 don'tse that her choice lies abso-
mtcly between these two alternatives"
"Nor /; but they always consider 50
in that class of life"
"Wcll," said Mr.. Roper, "she waits
upon you, and not upon me; therefore, it
is better you should be satisfied than |.
However, | should be careful how l
trusted her too much, or let her get any
information respecting my private af-
fairs"
~ am not apt to be over-confdential
with servants" replied Euphemia, coldly;
"and | hardly fancy that Margaret Cell
would be that kind of person to tempt
me out of my usual reserve"
Mr.. Roper said no more, as he fancied
from Euphemia's tone that she was some
what offended at his interference; but he
certainly wondered little at the ano-
maly of Euphemia's preference for per-
son like Margaret.
But on his wedding-day he was too
much absorbed in his own happiness to
even realize that such person was in
existence. He had been waiting about
ten minutes in the church when Euphe-
mia arrived, walking up the aisle with
the steps of a queen.
There wasn't vestage Of color in her
whole face; but her eyes were strangely
large and luminous, and looking steadily
before her to where Mr.. Roper stood,
although they were not once lifted to his
face.
In spite of himself, her manner chilled
him. She went calmly through the SER
vice, without quiver of voice or a
flush of the cheek; and though, of course,
Mr.. Roper would not have cared to have
any childish demonstrations, he would
certainly have liked to see some sign of
feeling.
He remembered long afterwards, how,
when he touched her lips with his lips
fondly, calling her CHS own dear wife" !"
when they were alone, that she shuddered
convulsively. and looked for one minute
as if she were going to faint. But she
rallied quickly, held out her hand to
him, and smiled.
"You see, l don't recognize myself I'M
der my new title. | dare say it will all
come natural though, after little while" "
81 hope SO. | expect you will hear it
often enough"
at is only just at first, you know, that
these things seem odd; and am not so
adaptable as l might have been eight
years age However, | hope we shall get
on well together"
81 trust we SHALL" he replied, with
deep feeling. "It will not be my fault
if we do not"
"Nor mine."
"Thank you, my wife, for that assur-
ance."
"Again!" she murmured, with well
assumed playfulness "You are deter
mined that the novelty shall be no nov
city long"
81 promised you that, remember"
Don't you like novelty yourself?''
"This | do," he replied significantly;
"only it doesn't make me shudder."
"You have forgotten how cold it is"
u am too happy to be cold"
"lt is fortunate that hanninass has NOT