The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-10-03
muttered Mrs. Ricart, RUNNING her fin

muttered Mrs. Ricart, RUNNING her fin
gers over several closely written pages.
"Jane does write such lot of twaddle,
to be surel All, here it is: by the bye,
did you meet a young fellow-Burton-
on board. Mrs. Somerville has a
lady from the country visiting her, who
knows lad by that name who went out
to a situation in Calcutta by your steam
er. He has just come in for fine estate,
and no end Of money, from the grumpy
old grand-uncle who sent him out, and
with whom, it seems, he was favorite,
though he never guessed it. / don't sup
pose you would dream of cultivating his
acquaintance on board; but we were just
thinking what good chance it might
bave been for Alice and Cissy, and that
you might encourage any opportunity OF
meeting him again. You can give my
news this mail to Emily, etc."
Mrs. Ricart had been lying luxuriously
back in a low chair as she read; she
folded her letter in silence. Alice's face
had become more and more surprised; at
the end she elevated her eybrows, and
whistled softly.
"Alice, wish you would not do that;
it is so unladylike," said the mother, re-
proachfully.
"Ah, bosh! But Burton will be fine
CATCH"
eyes; much better than Lambert"
"Then I am to give up al idea of the
one, and try the other, eh?" Is that the
little gamer
"Don't speak SO vulgarly, Alice. You
understand that your aunt wishes Cissy
to encourage Captain Lambert, and that
Mr.. Burton would be an excellent parti.
You have your own way to make in the
world, as your aunt and I had; and you
know what stupid choice made (not
but what your father seemed we'll enough
off at one time); and, on the contrary,
you see what an excellent position your
aunt enjoys, with plenty of money and
as the wife of a judge. | should advise
you to make yourself agreeable to Mr..
Burton, and leave Cissy to the man
her mother wishes her to marry"
"And which she DOESN'T" said Alice,
bluntly.
"Absurdityl She's very insipid, and
won't care"
rs i'll waters run deep, you know"
"Fiddlesticks! Don't be sentimental
Do you mean to let the chance slipw
"No, not I. dare say you'll help
me-"
"Of course, with pleasure; ] am glad to
eve you so sensible. In the first place,
you must make yourself look nice. You
do look rather well tonight; but You
want something brighter in your hail"
81 should nrt object to your opal
aigrette," said Alice, coolly.
"Well, then, you must take care of it,"
and to Alice's astonishmcnt the jewel
was willingly produced and fastened in
her bair, where the weird lights SHIN
mered beautifully.
eyes, you'll do," said her mother, ap-
provingly. els not that Cissys voice in
the drawing-roomW
ayes, and the grea. Lambert is sure to
join her. l suppose | need not 60 in,
eh?"
"No," said Mrs Ricart, with answer
ing smile. awe will go into Emily's
room a littl :, and tell her some of James
news-only forget the letter. She can
see it some other day, you know"
Alice shrugged her shoulders callousy,
and followed her mother
Meanwhile, Cissy had ghded into the
drawing-room in soft cloud Of white,
her eyes deep and mellow, her cheeks
glowing. and a glad tremor away deep
down beneath the serene exterior. When
the gallant Captain joined her and re-
quested a song, in the little interval be-
fore dinner, she had poured the words
out with full expression, glad to be free
from talking to him, and to relieve the
murterings of her heart in music. Cap
tain Lambert was still standing behind
her with simpering smile, congratulat-
ing himself on the rich voice and hand
some figure of his future bride, when
the guests began to flock in, all dressed
for the evenings amusement.
TTo BE CONTINUED