The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-10-16

not to notice their return; but every gay
laugh of Nell's went into his bosom like
a poniard thrust.
The next day was one of singular
beauty as regards weather, and the sad
dle-horses were ordered round early, for
Arthur and Elinor proposed to take a
long ride.
As she stood by her steed Daglish
offered to help Miss Royston to mount.
"You need not trouble" said Elinor,
coldly, the incident of his neglect with
regard to the flower ranking in her mind.
81 prefer the groom; you either lift me
up short or fling me over on the other
side"
At the same time Young rushed for
ward and, seeing only servant in at
tendance, cried:
"Let me put you up, Miss Royston."
And she accepted his attendance with
the most gracious smile.
Upon their return, which was not until
3 or o'clock in the afternoon, Daglish
noticed that Elmer was very much sub
dued in spirits.
TO this circumstance, though, he did
not attach much meaning or Importance
until an event the following morning gave
the depression and ailment new signif
cance. The event was Arthur Young
making the startling announcement in
the course of breakfast of a necessity for
his leaving by the first train.
'Is it possible Mr. Young? and so sud-
denly, too" exclaimed Mrs. Daglish.
"You don't really mean it, old manY'
cried Graham Daglish.
The only person who showed no sur
prise was Miss Elinor Royston.
"Well, Nell, are we to have we'd
ding?' asked Mrs. Daglish, while they
were still sitting in the unsettled state
that hasty departure of one member
leaves any family.
At the same opportune moment serv-
ant entered with message from poor
widow, pensioner at the Hall, begging
she would see her with respect to some
trouble she was in.
Off hustled the kindly old lady, leavin~
Graham and Elinor to discuss the deli
cate topic she had introduced.
''Is that true, Nell?' asked Daglish in
low tone.
"What if it be?" said Miss Royston,
flashing defiance upon him from her eyes.
at is nothing to you"
"Nothingw he cried. 'It is much;
Elinor,", he said, speaking calmly, but
with certain tender gravity. "Your
happiness is almost my chief concern.
Arthur Young is good enough fellow,
his position suitable and all that, if you
feel that he is calculated to make you
happy and you love him."
at is something to be loved--to feel
that one is cared for. Love to me is what
water is to man dying of thirst" she
cried passionately,
"Elinor! Is that speech the fit reward
of your treatment hereY
"Forgive me-forgive mer' she said,
bursting into tears. "I am ungrateful;
but that is just my trouble. am a spe-
cies of dependent; the recipient of chari-
ty-kindly, generous charity-still chari-
ty"
"Well," he said, and he took both her
hands into his and looked straight at her.
81 think you should know how much
your presence is valued here. To my
mother you are almost necessary and as
for myself" he added, with a curious
break in his voice, "gone, you leave me
solitary man for life. But, heaven forgive
me! l never meant to distress you by
saying SO much"
"Why should you not? Your-your
conduct"
Then Miss Royston's tears flowed afresh
- choking utterance. Her head she
turned aside to hide her tell-tale face.
But not before Daglsh had caught
something of its tell-tale expression.
"Child, let there be no misunderstand-
ing between us in this supreme moment.
If you have given your heart to Arthur
Young, marry him, and happiness go
with you"
"You have no right to say such
thing" pouted Elinor, interrupting him.
"Much right and much reason, I
think" he answered, although you will
very likely set it down for jealousy"
Over Miss Royston's features a brilliant
smile fitted sufficiently expressive of sue
cessful mischief. But her triumph was
his also, for he saw and interpreted the
smile not altogether incorrectly.
"Nell, could you ever learn to love
me?" he asked, abruptly.
Miss Royston apparently needed time
to gauge her capabilities in that respect,
for she gave Graham Daglish no reply
for minute or two; and while she hesi-
tated two strong arms stole around, and a
voice whispered
care you mine, to be my darling, cher
ished wifeg'
Miss Royston seemed still to be af-
ficted with difficulty Of speech, but
she suffered without opposition, or even
remonstrance, the bondage in which she
was detained.
A Leadville jury last week, becoming
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