The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-09-05
THE HISTORY OF A LIFE.
~ TIE AUTHOR OF CAPTAIN GERALD, THE
RIGHT OF Way" ETC.
CHAPTER Nv.
A MUTE WARNING.


self before Euphemia in the morning,
knowing, as he did, that she had been at
a ball the evening before, and must be
tired. However, he thought he mi ght
venture after luncheon, and had put on
his hat ready to start, when, as ill-luck
would have it, visitor was announced
whose business would not wait.
Mr. Roper turned back into his office,
sighing. Still, he was too cautious and
sensible to risk the loss of any pecuniary
advantage, and therefore he gave his
heart to the work before him. When it
was concluded it was half past four
o'clock, and the short winter day was
drawing to close.
After all, this was perhaps, the best
time, he thought They should sit by
by the freight together, and any natural
awkwardness he might feel would be less
observable.
He walked briskly to Mr.. Beloe's door,
and there he paused. Now that the su-
preme moment had arrived when his fate
for life was to be decided, a sudden
tremor seized him, and he had not cour-
age to advance.
Unconsciously his eye wandered to the
window where Euphemia was wont to
sit, and there was the shadow of her clear,
even profile across the blind, Mr.. Roper,
like most lovers, was only too glad to
have the chance of contemplating
her at his leisure, and stood alb
sorbed, until suddenly he saw her fling
back her arms over her head, as if in the
paroxysm of some mental agony almost
beyond endurance. Probably her mother
had just left the room, for her lips had
been quiet before, and now they worked
convulsively, and the beautiful profile
became transfxed.
What could it all mean? Such a pas
Sion of despair Mr.. Roper had never yet
seen or imagined, perhaps, all the more
terrible that it was dumb and voiceless.
Once she dashed her head against the
window-sill, or struck her chest with her
chest with her clenched fist; and then
the fury Of the storm seemed to subside,
and she lay back in her chair, motion
less.
Mr.. Roper was generally considered a
wise man, and it struck him that there
must be reason for all this display Of
passionate feelings reason which might
make it expedient that he should with.
draw from her at once, while it is yet
time.
He hesitated, it might have been for
ten minutes; and the conflict of feeling
within him ragged so high that he shook
from head to foot.
What should he do?
He loved this woman deeply, as he had
never loved before, and never would love
again; and yet it behooved him to ask
himself whether there might not be some
secret in her heart which would initiate
against their married happiness-some
shadow that would rise darkly between
them, and divide them body and soul
in division worse than death.
And then a sudden revulsion of feeling
overlook Mr.. Roper, and he was ashamed
of his suspicious, aud bitterly angry with
himself for having dared to doubt a
woman whom he had never yet seen with
her head lowered for single second, or
with flush Of shame upon her face.
And now, because he had seen her writhe
with physical pang which was beyond
her strength to endure, he must needs
fancy that she had some painful secret
which she desired to conceal!
"Fie on you, George RoperW he said
to himself, and marched straight up to the
door, and rang the bell.
Tn otha,, 1,ta ha fpr%4tI hi1nealf ir
Euphemia's room. There were no candles
but the ruddy freight danced and flick
cred over the crimson-and-white carpet
and made it bright and pleasant, and the
genial warmth was grateful to Mr.. Ro
per, coming chilled from the outer gray
ness.
Euphemia rose to meet him with {
smile. Her face was pale and there wa'
white circle round her lips, but she wa'
as calm and gracious as a queen.
"Have you been ill? he inquired
glancing at her keenly as he held hel
hand.
''No!-Whyw
81 saw your shadow just now on th'
blind; and / feared, from your attitude
that you must be suffering"
"Only a sudden spasm-I am subjec
to them" she said, breathlessly. "Yol
never need to be anxious ON my account
lam always strong and well"
"You don't look so."
II am a little tired this afternoon
that is all. ought not have danced 81
much at Mrs. Ruthvin's"
"You want some one to take care O
you, Euphemia, and that is the fact, fo
you will not take care of yourself. vii
you give me that right?'
"Shall you never repent hearing me sa,
yes?
"Never."
She held out her hand to,him then.
"Only you must be gentle and patien
with me-" she said, "for | can not be ga.
and bright as some women are, for it il
my nature to seem proud"
81 shall teach you better" he replied
drawing her towards him and kissing ne
lips.
''Isn't it a little too late to- learnT sh'
asked, shrinking little and yet smiling
too.
lIu. L