The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-09-24
THE HISTORY OF A LIFE.
u THE AUTHOR OF CAPTAIN GERALD" THE
RIGHT OF Way" ETC.
CHAPTER XVII.
AFTER LONG YEARS.

dIOHe, especially DIS Sllo ScclIleu W D6
troubled with apprehensions that had
never assailed her before.
After few minutes of deep reflection,
he looked at her acrossh his cofee-cup, and
said, 81 am going to bring your mother
back with me, Euphemia, if I can per-
suade her to tear herse away from Lon
don in the very middle of the season;
but l really think you ought to have
some one with you whilst | am away.
Mrs. Weston is a very kind, friendly per-
son, from all I hear; why not call upon
her this morning, and ask her to spare
you her daughter for couple of days"
W don't like Miss Weston"
"No? am surprised at that, zoo. My
baililf talks as if she were an angel Of
goodness and beauty"
"That would never have been my YER.
dict, certainly. However, he may be the
best Judge. But let her be ever 50 good
and charming. I would much rather be
alone than have her here"
"But there is the wears daughter"
"Has he daughter%
"He is a widower, with one child"
"How old is this child"
ri really do not know, but quite young.
She would not be much of companion
for you, am afraid still, she would be
better than none at ALL"
"What is the wears name? inquired
Euphemia, after long pause
"I really did not catch it, and was
ashamed to ask. Walker mumbles his
words frightfully. However, you will
an opportunity of finding out to-day, [
fancy, for he told me he would call upon
you especially. | wish him always to
come to you about the charities; and |
will give you carte blanche to do as you
like, SO that you can settle everything to-
gether this morning"
"Should you think it too much if |
dedicated hundred year for that pur-
posew
ooh, dear, no? out of an income of
over three thousand pounds we ought to
be able to spare that"
A sudden flush passed over Euphemia's s
face. If Mr.. Roper gave this sum into
her hands annually for the poor, she
might distribute portion, and exc it out
with dainties from the kitchen, SO as to
get a.reputat!on that would satisfy him
that his wife was doing all the good he
had intended, and yet be able to make
up the deficiency in her own income by
helping herself largely from this.
To rob the poor was terrible sin, but
Euphemia, having decided to keep her
wretched secrets to herself, was driven to
Ill kinds Of unholy expedients to evade
detection.
In times gone by, she would have re-
garded such an act as this with utter alb
horrence; but now the thought of escap-
ing from her pressing difficulties by such
In easy method, brought a transient
eush of satisfaction to her pale face.
Mr.. Roper saw that he had pleased her
by this proposition, and was infinitely
delighted with his own happy thought.
"WelI, then, it is settled" he said,
"only you are to be sure and ask his lit
tle girl to stay here, whilst l am away.
1t would be real treat to the child, you
may be sure, and innocent prattle would
keep you amused"
II think will take your advice. But
you will only be away one night, | sup
bose?
'Not more, certainly. If I put things
in train little, your father will be able
to manage very well without me-"
IL hope so; only in case the vicar
Bhonld not call this morning, l can not
20 to his house, and ask him myself"
II shall be going past there presently
and will call, to make sure. If he has no
objection to the arrangement, | can bring
the child back with me, and he can come
and fetch her tomorrow evening, and
stay to dinner"
"That would be a very good plan,"
answered Euphemia, cheerfully. "She
would, perhaps, be unsettled if she saw
hin this first day"
Finally, this was decided upon, and Mr..
Roper left.
Euphemia was conscious Of an odd feel
Ing of excitement she could not at all ac-
count for, as she awaited the arrival of
the wears little daughter She could
settle to nothing,
She opened book, but only to throw
It down directly. She tried to sing, but
her voice sounded harsh and discordant
even to herself, aud she went to the
piano, and took up her tapestry frame.
When she found that she had been work
Ing in yellow wool instead of pink, she
became disgusted with this, also, and
took to wandering up and down the pass
noe az a last rps0llrce
Finally she heard Mr.. Roper's voice on
the stairs, and another voice answering
him-a voice sweet and clear, and fresh,
like birds. Euphemia darted down to
meet them, and without stopping to ana
I lyze the instinct that prompted her to
Buch unusual demonstrativeness, held out
her arms.
I Mabel was not naturally shy, and it
was evident, too, that Euphemia's fancy
was fully reciproeated, for the little
creature kissed her cordially.
"Are you the lady he" (pointing to Mr..
Roper "has been talking about coming
Rlongw
n expect so. You will not be afraid
to stayw
"No; I think I shall like it," nodding
her head sagaciously. Chow MANY rooms