The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-05-16

TAe interview Anu not taRen place wltnUu
listener. The pale face aud black eyes o.
Clarice Suydam appeared between the foldh
Of the curtains
"AIerciful Heaven!" exclaimed Maud
Ovington after that ominous pause, "you
cannot mean this, Clarence-you cannot
mean to be SO cruel?'
''As there is light in the sky, will do
what l have said, he answered, with ICY
coldness.
'And you will have no mercy2"
"None! You have been merciless to me,
and you shall find me merclless."
"You will not send the letter to the Gen
eral to night, Clarence2 said Miss OviDgton.
''ferhaps tonight, madan-perhaps 10
morrow"
Grant RE one mercy-promise not to
send them I'LL tomorrow.
$50 be it; promise. And now, madam,
let me escort you to your carriage. We c-n
have nothing more to say to each other"
"Do not touch mel" she exclaimed, as the
artist extended his hand in order to conduct
her to the staircase.
She waived him aside and left the room;
then, hurrying down the stairs, she sprang
lightly into her carriage and drove away.
The lamps were lighted in the street be-
low the windows, and the artists studio was
half in shadow when Miss OyingtOn left the
house.
An hour later, Clarence Suydam and bis
cousin Clarics were seated at their simple
meal in the partment adjoining the studio.
The artist pushed aside his untouched
plate aud, with his head resting on his
hand, abandoned himself to bitter reflection.
Clarice Suydan never removed her eyes
from the face of her cousin, but she Kept
silence and did not attempt to disturb his
reverie.
They had sat for nearly an hour over their
untasted food, when the servant of the house
entered and handed Clarence letter.
The young man opened it mechanically,
and shrugged his shoulders, with an impa
tient gesture Us he read the brief contents OF
| the epistle.
"How provoking!" he said; "a commission
tonight above all other nights!
"a commissionr' exclaimed Clarice-
"from whom2'
.From stranger. Listen, Clarice: Mr.
Spenc er, having heard OF the rising genius
of Mr.. Clarence Suydam, is anxious to treat
with him for picture to add to Mr.. Spen.
c,rs collection of modern paintings As
Mr. Spencers stay in New York will be very
short, he will feel obliged if Mr. Suydam
will call upon him this evening, at 81, a.
the Metropolitan Hotel"
"You will not go, Clarence, will your
said Clarice; you have suffered so much TO
day, and you are worn out with all you hav,
endured. You will not go?"
| "Not 60, cousin ClarlceT exclaimed the
young r'n; you must indeed think mt
weak if u can imagine that the loss of Il
false woman can SO much affect me! No,
no! Art shall console me. A glorious fu-
ture shall wipe out the past! l will show
this woman that the artist in his greatness
may be worthy the love of an Empress"
Clarence Suydam rose and looked at hi
watch.
Eight o'clock" he said; plenty of time,
Goodnight, Clarice."
when will you returnl" asked his cousin
"By eleven, at the latest"
cousin Clarence" said Clariee, earn
estly, do not go to this place tonight.
There is something at my heart that tells
me that harm to yourself will result from
this meeting If this Mr.. Spencer desires
to patronize you, let him come here-or lei
him wait till tomorrow"
"Impossible, Clarce. I may lose valu.
able patron if fail to keep this appoint
ment.'
"stay, Clarence; there is danger before
you!"
Danger"
GAY, danger. feel it-I know it"
"Pshaw, my poor little cousin, this il
folly!" said the young man. "You neet
fear no danger and at eleven o'clock yor
shall see me safe at home.
"You promise, Clarence"
"I will return at eleven"
"SNear it, cousin, said Clarice, solemnly
Il swear"
The artist seized Clarice's hand ant
pressed il in his own; then, hurrying dow
he stairs, he left the house and walked
slowly along the street.
} Clarice sat pale and motionless before tn
deserted supper table.
For two hours she sat in the same atti
tude, immovable as a statute but when tn
clock upon the chimney-piece struck clever
, she rose from her seat and walked to tn
window
ELEVEN o'clock, murmured Clarice; 18th
hour has struck, and he has not yet returned
Clarence Suydam never yet broke his oath
My cousin ID dead"
7 Twelve - one two-three-fou o'cloe
struck from the turrets Of he neighborln
church; but still she waited.
A 81 am waiting tor his corpse, she mul
INJURED, as the long night wore away.
am waiting to receive his corpse, for b
Eever will return alive"
To BE CONTINUED.