The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-09-13

COIlSlUeE herself DelOT6 MIN. IL nc Idu
been angry at the thought of giving her
to Mabel as a mother, and he had no
right to seek tacit proofs of his power, for
the sake of enhancing his own triumph.
| She must take her true position from
this very moment, and make him see
that she had been traduced, and was un-
shackled in her liberty Of heart and
action as the widest sone.bird in the
woods. So she looked Mr.. Irwin full in
the eyes, and said, lauehingly, Shave
you heard of Mabel's discovery, Mr.. Ur-
win? 1t is almost as good as the sea-ser-
pent. | assure YOU" :
"No, what is itr inquired Mrs. Wes-
ton and Mr.. Irwin simultaneously.
"Oh she has found out, through old
Mrs. Winter, | believe, that | am going
- the vicarage by storm, force her
to taHe - heeome her man.
ma, against all the opposition OF reason
and common sense, to say nothing OF the
total unwilliugness of the principal par
ties concerned to any such arrange
ment. May has just been restored to
equanimity by my promise that no in
vasion of the sort should take place.
"Oh! am sorry that you should have
been told this absurd story" stammered
Mr.. Irwin, blushing like a girl and feel
ing intolerably miserable and ill at ease.
at was very foolish of May"
"Not at al" interrupted Bessie, quick
ly, II think it was cat,ital joke; don't
you, mammal?
"No, don't like such jokes" replied
Mrs. Weston, witt marked gravity; 'and
it is one | should carefully abstain from
myself. emit, therefore, agree with
you, Bessie. 1t seems TO me that, CON
sidering now much you have always
done fo'i Mrs. Winter, that she should be
the very last to propagate an injurious
repc ,rt of this kind; for it is injurious,
fr ON the fact of its giving pain to sew
eral."
I at is no use expecting any gratitude
from that class said Bessie YEARLY. 81
believe they look upon our minstratlon'
in the light Of duty rather that favor
and count their age and indulgence, as
certain claims upon US, which we dare
not. for conscience sake, deny. | have
have entirely lost all my faith in woman
kind as well as mankind, Of late"
II am deeply grieved to hear such al
assertion from your lips" returned MIR
Irwin, with profound gravity.
"But can you wonder at it," she re
, torted changing her tone to one OF play
full gaiety, "when Mr. Irwin, whom
, have been taught to regard in the ligh'
of a kind elder brother, a paternally-in
i, clined friend, actually takes to cailingm mt
Miss Weston, and that, too, without thC
slightest provocation that ] can possibly
,, discoyerw
"You have suddenly reminded me to
dav, and for the first time, that you are NJ
longer a child; and as our intimacy ha
, already led to misconstruction, which
can not feel astonished that Mrs. Yves
:. ton, as mother, should strenuously re
sent, it behooves me to do all in M
. power to put a stop to the report, TO
+ your sake"
y care YOU sure that you are not doin
:, it for your own?" said Bessie, the gnav
, inc pain at her heart rendering her shar
! and unjust.
q q "You must know, Miss Weston" rt
piled the young clergyman, with Sc
= iousness that removed all thought c
d fattery, "you must know that it coul
not fail to increase the reputation OF an
= man, whatever his name or position, t
have his name Joined to yours"
A secret thrill of JOY made Bessie re
:, diant for the moment; but the flus
faded, and left her so deadly white, thu
|. Mrs Weston fancied every moment 81
Il would faint But, after while, sh
e e rallied and looked Mr.. Irwin in IL
y face, smiling.
y "You are very complimentary" ST
- said; "but must not take SO much hon
y or to myself as your sentence implies.
g He held out his hand then, and 81
~ ~ put hers into il frankly.
i i "Good-by, Miss Weston"
, " "Good-by, Mr.. UrwinF
i, She stopped and kissed Mabel, VIII
!" feeling she had excited something OF
tumult by her innocent words, lookt
very peninent, and hugged Bessie with
closer strain, murmuring few words
. affection that no one could mistrust.
At last Mr. Irwin took her hand, al
,c led her away; and then the mother al
]. daughter were alone.
n, n, "Bessie, you must be careful in 70
v conduct for the future, said Mrs. W.
II ton, warningly. "These sorts OF stori
90 often compromise young girl, and le
N N to all kinds of unpleasant reports. I
r. sides, it is painful to me to hear such
to falsehood."
TTo RE CONTINUED