The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-03-22
Why She had pot Married.

Ventnor had not married. Talented, hand
some and wealthy, surely it must have been
her own fault. Although thirty-f years
Of age, she could still have queened it over
the best society in the village, and had her
pick of the marriageable men, but her cold
dignity and reserve raised an effectual
barrier, keeping both society and suitors at
respectful distance.
Miss Ventnor had resided in the village
of Canton ten years, and the people were
no better acquainted with her than on the
Arst day she came among them. She lived
in little vine-colored cottage, surrounded
by tasteful, even elegant grounds The
trim servant she employed knew but
little more about her than the people.
She never made calls nor received any.
She contributed to several magazines, and
spent large portion Of her time threading,
although in summer she worked hours,
even days, among the flowers in her
garden.
One beautiful morning. as Miss Ventnor
vas busy culling bouquet of flowers, she
heard baby voice exclaim:-
10, pity, pity fowers!"
Turning, she saw child about three or
four years of age peeping through the rail-
ing, with her tiny hands outstretched.
''Do you want some flowers? Come here,
little one.
The child entered the gateway, and
without any hesitancy approached Miss
Ventnor She was dressed in white ma
terial richly embroidered, and with jaunty
little sun-hat shading her golden curls
Around her neck was clasped heavily
wrought gold chain, from which was sus-
pended q locket, almost too large and
heavy for such child.
One glance into those deep hazel eyes,
and Miss Ventuor self-rosaerSed wo man
though she usually was, trembled violently
with agitation.
Little girl, what is your name2" she
Questioned, her voice sounding strange and
husky.
HGracie."
@Gracis whatf Whose little girl are
seu2"
"Why, papa's Of torse"
"Where does your papa live2"
"Hs's 'taying up there in that big house,
indicating the direction with nod of her
golden head.
'"Ths hotel, you mean"
'S dess So"
tAren't you afraid to go into the street
10 far, and alone 2"
The little girl looked up in surprise, and
Shook her head
'Not when papa and mamma are with
me all the time"
Miss ventnor looked around, but to her
astonishment saw no one.
''Where are they2 I do not see them"
'Here," replied the child, tapping the
iocket with one tiny white hand. II
don't kiss papa in here much, but kiss
mamma every night Don't you want to
gee 'em2"
Miss Ventnor knelt down, and with
trembling fingers unfastened the locket.
II contained lfe-hl1e picture of gentle
man, with brown, wavy hair, deep hazel
eyes, and proud, aristocratie features and
Q lady's sweet, child-like face, with large
appealing violet eyes, and crown of yellow
hair.
She gaz.d longest at the face of the
gentleman, and a look of pain swept over
her face az she noted the firm, almost
cruel, lines about his mouth, and thought
Of the words last spoken to her by those
lips
"wont you kiss pspa9" asked tho
child.
Miss ventnoY touched her lips to the
picture, then hated herself a moment
after.
Nov kss mamma
Miss ventnor shook her head, while q
hard look came into her dark eyes.
"Why not? I kiss mammals picture
most, for papa's up there, too, and mammals
only in here"
"Whers is your mammai"
'Dead, papa says. They put her in the
dark ground; but dess they took her out
and put her in here"
'Deadf" repeated Miss Ventnor, the
hard look vanishing from her eyes, and a
tender pity stealing into its place. All
that word will stop the most bitter current
y thought.
81 dass must 60 now" said the child,
tPapsn be SO scared"
ssEou never could fnd the way alone
pssas into the house aud will send Katy
xaA ysa.so,sT