The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-10-08
A STORY OF INDIA.


CHAPTER Ill -(CoNTINUED.)
Encourage him? Not she; it's that
aunt and mother of hers. They are such
disagreeable ruling women, the whole
staten is in arms against them; and being
the Judges wife, Mrs Campbell of course
holds great sway. She Keeps so aloof
with her party, making such cliques. 1t
was never so before; we used to be SO
soeiabls, and now there is nothing but
squabbling,and cutting one another. Any
one can see with half an eye, at any rate,
that Cissy is quite weary of that detesta,
bic puppy, Captain Lambert
Perhaps she will be too conscientious
to marry, excepting whom her mother
bids her, said Graham, coptemptuously.
Not she; she has too much sense. |
told her once she was too yielding; and
she said it was only for the sake of peace,
and where it made no material difference.
"But if it did make a difference to any
oneT asked. Marrying some one you
did not care for, for instance?" Captain
Lambert was Just on the tapis then. 81
should never do that" she said, quietly
ut would be wrong, as we'll as disagree
able. Were it ight l might, disagree
bic or not; but l could not take false
vows" So / know she will refuse him.
4 believe he has proposed, anyway,
said Burton.
1ndeedp -,.-
Yes; he told me when we were dress
Ing that he had left a note behind, which
he doubted not would make a sweet heart
futter;' and Graham mimicked his tone.
He asked me to congratulate him.
No! Conceited creature! And what
did you say?'
'Chaffed him-asked him if he was
quite sure the sweet heart would melt at
his approach; if he was not afraid il
might hutter in the wrong direction
'And hep
He only grinned, as if it were capital
Joke. So preposterous, you know, ha,
hap
Mrs. Stevenson laughed heartily.
Take care and don't tell any one Of it,
Graham, he's sure to be so Sold
you believe itp
sIndeed do; but I must be off, and
she left him.
Graham's lip curled.
'Credulity,' he muttered scornfully,
and stalked into the house.
Lalseria was already'ablaze with light
and the ballroom thronged with gaily.
dressed people, as Graham Burton drove
Captain Lambert within its gates. As
they entered and separated, a brilliant
scene met their gaze.
What need to describe fancy ball, or
calico one, as they usually are at these
Indian ace-meets-the little gay spurts
that blaze up for week or ten days here
and there over the country, to which
young folks look forward with youthful
health and spirits? Men and women,
apparently of all climes and countries,
talking one common language. are met
together with one common object-to
enjoy themselves. Here comes a stately
queen, with flowing train and sparkling
jewels, laughing and chatting with a
common policeman, on whose arm she
hangs; and old woman, with many-col-
ored gown, moh-cap, and wizened face,
glances merrily over her spectacles at a
Chinese mandarin with whom she con.
verses; Mary Queen Of Scots flies round
the room in the arms of an old Moham.
medan, with long white robes and snowy
flowing beard; and a mermaid, with
long, silyery tail, sweeps round in the
arms Of solemn-looking monk. The
strange effect of the masques, worn at
will. lends bewilderment to the scene,
and all are laughing merrill ly as they strive
to recognize their friends.
In the far corner Of the room sits a
1ady in Elizabethan costume. A stout
party in black, supposed to represent a
Spanish duenna, is on one side; a fair
girl in long sea-green robes, with falling
masses of gold-brown hair, on the other.
'Ann, wonder if Captain lambert is
here? Do just ask, says Mrs. Campbell.
The lady in black moves off, and re-
turns speedily
That is he by the door, Emily, with
che maseue, dressed as Sir Walter Raj
Bigh.'
THANKS. See, there comes the Ire.
maines; you will want to speak to them
I dare say; | am going to send him tc
Cissy.'
As the two ladies move away, the
girls face blanches, and her fingers twine
nervously.
Mrs. Campbell goes up to the figure
near the door, which has been pointed
out to her, and taps the chevalier on the
arm. He bowed.
'Cissy is in the corner there Captain
Lambert, waiting for you; shall leave
you to have a chat together
Graham Burton's. heart beats rapidly
as the lady who addresses him passes on
to another acquaintance. Fora moment
he hesitates, and then approaches Cissy.
Cissy looks up with throbhing bosom,
her senses too bewildered to notice him
and as her companion rests his haud on
the couch on which she is seated, and in
his agitation finds no words to say, she,
anxious to end a painful interview as
soon as possible, plunges at once into the
r,1 hiaot