The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-04-18
A BUNCH OF ROSES.

yOuHB man Cduit ClOSC anu SCAul
placed his hands over her blue eyes.
Frank, how dare you'll" she exclaimed
''let me 90 this instantw
The hands were Immediately with
drawn, and the fair girl turned around
half angrily, to encounter the fair dis
turber Of her reverie.
"Why, Algy, is it you? How did you
get here2 thought You were at Mot.
combe. This is surprised" she added
papa will be 80 glad, and Frank, too"
And you, Masgie7" said Algy, as he
shook hands with her warmly, venturing
upon gentle pressure of the hand.
"Of course, | am delighted, particular
ly as Jessie Hamblyn is coming to-day.
You recollect her2'
"Ohl perfectly; she used to be my
ideal of beauty until -" He stopped.
"Until that terrible attack cost her her
eyesight, you mean? Yes, indeed, she
was a lovely girl. l admire your taste,
Algy."
a did not exactly mean that" he re-
piled; 81 meant -"
"Never mind just now; but tell me,
like good fellow, is that the smoke OF
the steamer over there? If so, must 60
and tell Robert to get the pony chaise
ready"
Algy shaded his eyes from the glare,
and bent all his powers of vision upon
the tiny cloud on the horizon.
1t was indeed a fair scene upon which
his eyes rested. The blue waters of the
bay were hecked with foam as the brisk
breeze met the restless sea on the flood
tide. Till now Maggie had in vain
sought for a token of the vessel, and
with shaded eyes had watched the wide
expanse, at times almost despairing. But
now all doubt was removed. The black
streak grew more and more defined; a
long train Of smoke extended far across
the blue distance.
Come along" said Maggie, 1--WE must
tell papa and Frank. They will be
astonished to see you. BY the way, do
you generally greet your lady friends at
Motcombe as you did me just nowT'
Algy blushed as he replied, "Of course
not; besides, have no particular friends
there"
ooh! Not Miss Luttrel? and Miss
Alice--is it Alice-Carrington? Fie, Al
gy, tie! what would they say to hear you
disown them thus? But here is Frank"
As she spoke her cousin, Frank Carson,
appeared. He ..llked slowly and with
peculiar watchful gait, but he turned
his head neither to the right nor left, as
he approached the merry pair,
"Well, Frank, old fellow, how are
your exclaimed Algy heartily, as he ex-
tended his hand.
"Why, Algy Vernon, back already!
We thought you were studying medicine,
or cutting peoples legs off to keep your
hand in tor surgery. Oh, you truant"
The young men shook hands warmly.
Have you been here dong this timer"
asked Algernon.
About a fortnight" was the reply;
"Maggie's school-chum is coming-I am
very anxious indeed to make her ac-
quaintance / understood she's lovely
not that her good looks matter to me-
Algy was about to make reply when
Maggie made him sign not to speak.
"Wlll you come and IN ct her, Frank
We are going"
"Of course; | shall be delighted to well
come her. Pll 60 and get some flowers
for her-a bunch of roses will do" As
he spoke he walked quietly away.
"What did you mean by telegraphing
to me in that mysterious manner@'
asked Vernon.
Frank doesn't know that Jessie is
blind now, 80 don't tell him. She may
recover her eyeSight, the doctors say.
Perhaps your skill may prove of USE"
"Not much, | am afraid" said AIger-
non, sighing. "But I've made the eyes
my study too. Now, your eyes,
But whatever compliment he intended
to convey was cut short by Maggie's sud.
den departure.
In half an hour the party were all
ready to proceed to the wharf. The
pony-chaise led the way at brisk pace
while a cart for the isitor's luggage fol,
lowed more soberly.
The steamer soon came alongside, and
Maggie's quick glance at once deserted
her friend.
"There she is, Algy, and Barton is
with hief, as usual. What kind crea.
ture she isl"
Barton recognized the party at the
same moment, and told her young mis-.
tress, who turned round and waved her
hand.
Jessie Hamblyn must have possessed
no ordinary share of beauty before the
fell ravages of smallpox had deprived
her of sight. Even now her almost clas-
sic features were very striking, and her
open lids at distance did not betray the
terrible trial to which she had been sub
jected. Fortunately the disease had not
marked her to any perceptible extent,
and had her eyes been spa ed, her beauty
would have remained almost unimpaired.
Her tall, welI-formed figure was drawn
up as if in defiance of the pity she knew
was felt for her, and of many kind ex-
pressions which her quick sense of hear
ing caught and resented. At first she
had rebelled terribly against the will that
had mercifully chastised her, but lately
she had bowed her head to the DEGREES Of
Providence, and almost without mur.
muir.
"How glad I am to seeT' she ex,
claimed; 81 mean, to know | am with
you once again, dear Maggie! How kind
you areW
dearest JESSIE" whispered her friend
Eve are all delighted you have come, and
looking so well, too. Here are tive
young gentlemen waiting to be intro
duced; though l think you have met
Algy Vernon before"
Ooh, yes! | recollect Mr.. Vernon quite
well. We had famous picnic to the
Glen, think it was"