The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-01-30


stranger exceedingly. The aashy gentleman
had tried with all his power to gain the at
tention Of Ariel; but she, reading his true
character, repulsed him, and he bestowed
his gaudy presents upon Rose, instead.
She, in girlish delight, had accepted them,
and had taken more care in dressing than
usual, much to Ariel's grief, who really
liked the pretty country girl, and resolved
to befriend her if possible. Her joyous
ways were in great contrast to the sad air
of Mrs. Raymond, though much to the lat
ter's secret rejoicing.
But one evening Rose went to her room,
unlike herself, sitting for a long time beside
her window, instead of at once seeking rest
as she had been in the habit of doing.
Then all of sudden she arose, and began
taking from her trunk few clothes which
she packed in small bag lying close at
hand Article after article was taken and
left then trembling hand traced few
words upon small slip of paper which was
carefully placed upon her bureau, in plain
sight of any one who might chance to enter.
The girls manner was like one deeply
excited about something. She seemed also
afraid of being detected in what she was
about to do, for she started nervously at
every sound, and her chin trembled as her
shaking fingers fastened beneath it the
strings of her bonnet.
But at length her last task was completed.
Everything about the room wore the usual
look of neatness, and as the tall clock in the
kitchen struck the hour of midnight, Rose
Harrington opened her chamber door and
stepped out into the dark, narrow entry.
Then she stopped as if she had forgotten
something; for right in front of her was the
chamber Of Mrs. Raymond, and in it lay the
sleeping babe, the purest, brightest thing
about the old home she was so soon to leave
forever.
She could not go without one kiss. She
would go very softly; SO, without second
thought, she quietly made her way to the
little old-fashioned crib, and, in spite of her.
self, a sob escaped her as she once more felt
the pressure of the little clinging, pinkish
palm within her own hot hand.
That sob aroused Ariel Raymond from
her light slumber. She raised herself or
one elbow inquiringly just as Rose CLOSED
the door behind her; but her quick ear de-
tected the light step, while her woman's in,
stinct told her that something was wrong.
Rising hastily, she hurried on her cloth.
ing, keeping watch lest the gate should
open and she not hear it; and when Rose
Harrington passed down the narrow back
stairs of the old farmhouse, even her light
step awoke third party, who quickly com
pretended the state of affairs as he hurried
on his clothing. and crossed the entry to the
chamber of Vivian Wallace before he cen
sured, lest his censure should be wrongly
dealt. But no; the room was empty, silen
and lone Not dent upon the pillows, no
a stray article about. Everything was nea
as usual ,,and still.
With bitter, bitter fear in his heart
Lincoln Patten hurried down to the oil
kitchen porch, hiding behind the grea
wooden settle standing near, just in time t.
escape the touch of Mrs. Raymond, who wa
searching for shawl hanging upon PEI
in the porch. From his hiding-place h
could hear her hurried breathing, and hea
sob or two, while her choked words, ooh
he will be gone before l reach him Wha
shall do ?" filled him with sorrowful fore
bodings.
But she found her shawl at last. It wa
hastily and carelessly thrown over her head
The outer door was opened, and in the dark
ness ran Ariel Raymond in search of tn
wayward Rose, unconscious that in her ow
wake third person was following.
Over the fields, through the meadow!
until in the middle of highway known 6
Lovers Haunt so called on account Q
its loneliness, she came to an abrupt paus'
for close in front of her rapidly paced MAJ
dressed in dark clothing. She knew him
she knew, too, his hideous character, ft
afar off she heard the steady stamp Of horse
and was well aware that Vivian Walla,
, was lying in wait for gentle, unsuspectin
girl, whose affections he had won by h
J seeming grace and politeness.
! Rose had not met him as yet. Ari
knew that by his impatient walk, and tt
next moment her manner Of defeat vi
formed. Pulling her shawl all the mo
closely over her head, she crept slow
toward him, till at last she stood, crouchir
, and trembling at her rash act, before
| very face.
With quick bound he threw his strol
q arms about her, patting her flushed che
. with his white, shapely fingers.
r "My darling! knew you would n
r disappoint me-"
9 NAY, but will disappoint YOU" Al
. in the flash of the lantern held high abo