The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-06-16
CHAPTER XIII.

THE WIDOW DUERrIL RECEIVES AN UNEXPECTED
PRoPosAL-vIILAINY's DESPERATION.
To return to Jared Clark.
Finding Cecil had left the city, he drove
TO the residence of Mrs. Burrll.
He felt sure that his missing treasure box
was in the possession of the heiress, and he
could not think she would neglect to use its
contents to effect his overthrow. He was in
close quarters and pressed for money, to
obtain which he would be obliged to present
himself at the bank, which he dared not do.
Owing to bad speculations, his finances were
embarrassedand needed immediate attention
to save them from wreck. Extravaganza
had almost stranded him. Every move was
attended by fear. He scarcely knew wheth-
er to remain or fly.
Something desperate must be done, or the
game would be lost, and his course checked
forever. It was maddening prospects,
prison celia criminals end! Scared as his
conscience was, he could not help shrinking
from the grip of the law. It meant more
than mere imprisonment meant the
downfall of all his grand schemes, the loss
of every dollar of his ill-gotten wealth, and
q term of imprisonment which he could not
outlive. His declining years would be filed
with the bitterness of destitution, relieved
by no hope of betterment There seemed
but one way to save himself from penury.
Mrs. Burrin received him with wonder
full cordiality. In her estimation, he was
the quintessence of gentility and the model
Of manhood.
"RealIy, Mr. Eldridge this is an unex-
pected pleasure" she said, in dulcet-that
/, ,lnt l,,lo
He explained, with much elaboration, that
he was, owing to ill-health, about to leave
for pastures new. He was sorry to tear
himself away from such agreeable company,
but the exigencies of his case left him no al
tentative, etc., and he came to. say parting
word.
"How sudden" cried the belle.
"Rather, Mrs. Burrill-rather.
at is quite cruel in you to take yourself
off so unceremoniously. You'll offend
everybody. I'm astounded!
Disappointed would have been the most
appropriate word. Mrs. Burrill had strug-
gled hard to win second husband, but the
man of her choice fought shy. She could
not understand why he did not fall before
her charms. She had received some half
dozen offers during the few years of her
widowhood, but did not consider them eli
gible AIr. Eldrdge was her choice-Mr.
Eldridge's pocket book-and she fancied
herself a competent judge. How she should
mourn if her hearts affection were unre-
Quilted!
81 don't wish to co. my dear Mrs. Burrill,
but health cannot be neglected" responded
Clark.
The belle sighed.
"May you fully recuperate! Pray make
no mistake in your route; be careful as to
the places you visit.
Il shall indeed; my first stopping place
will be Boston, very favorable city"
Now, Boston, to Mrs. Burrll's mind, was
of all cities the loveliest Her husband
she had worried him to death-always felt
Mortified at the mention of it, and kept a
good distance away. After his demise, she
discovered that. she could not retain the
style of former days and remove to her much
loved Hub too, and she declared, to herself,
that it broke her heart
For three years she had kept pace with
her ''set" now, in the middle of the fourth
year, when milliners, grocers', wine mer-
chants, dress makers, and dozen other
bills of various sorts, were pressing, and no
husband to pay them, she began 10 get ner.
vous
And the man Of her choice was going to
Boston-beautiful classic Boston! Oh, that
she might fly to it!
Boston, she exclaimed, olasping hel
hands, and turning her gaze ceiling-ward
Heavenly place! Mr.. Eldridge, I admire
your taste. You could not do better. Th'
people are so cultured-so refnedF'
"There is only one thing l have agains
it, madam--too much brown bread ant
baked beans"
The belle simpered.
"How wittyT
81 did not intend to be, for really an
deadly opposed to the combination of cultur
and beans; can overlook the bread, but tn
beans"
"There are some evils we can bear for tn
| sake of the good, Mr.. Eldridge."
r Every true; our standing in society de
mands sacrifices which to the plebeian woul
be insupportable. 1t is only the middl
$ classes and the poor who mourn over petit
annoyances. There is but single circum
5 stance in my life which agitates me"
You are lucky, Mr.. EldridgeF
sigh.
.rThat circumstance causes dissatisfaction
in everything, my dear madam. I am sadl
Y disconnected. I have neglected taking a
important step through fear OF another, IN
that other womsn.'
The widow saw the crisis. She might 6
o to Boston after ALL
: Life is full of failures, Mr.. Eldridge
! she said, meekly.
e Her visitor indulged in meaning smile
;, "Ah, delicacy forbids your asking Il
| M
= misunderstood
t II am too stupid, sir, to put the right col
0 struction on it!' she laughed, nervousl
a II have not your keen insight.
: "rhen l must tell you that l am beir
! consumed by love"
i Up in the air went the bellies bejewel'
hands.
:. "How singular"
d Eyes, my dear Mrs. Burrill, love for 20
If Long, long, have treasured the hope tn
e you might one day be mine. That ho
1t has been beacon light guiding me to
higher manhood. The fervid fame W
r. never be quenched Brighter and bright
- IL burns with each succeeding day. l mu
~ have you, or my life is blank. Refu
= me. and swear will take my life!'
Ie The belle hung her head in sweet conf
q ion, and sided into Romeos outstretch
'e arms with faint shrek.
If .No. Jared, no! Your life is too precio
Y, to my soul! am yours forever! My da
A. ing, I adore you-you too are guidi
F. angel-my guiding angel-my own, preeio
az idol"
~ There was an exchange Of caresses, a
-, the bargain was effected.
y "What foolp growled the "happy" su
IN ryaf vid nf har Qf