The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-05-09
GIVE AND TAKE.


fourth-rate clearinghouse. There was no
fire in it-Kate sat in shawl to keep
herself warm, that raw, November after
noon-the carpet was all faded, and the
one window-blind was out of order,
and wouldn't draw up or down. Kate
glanced dolefully at herself in the one
sided mirror whose gilt holdings had
dropped off like over-ripe berries. 1t was
fresh, pretty reflection that met her
glance, with jet-black hair, wistrul dark
eyes, and cheeks red as newly-blossomed
oleander.
eyes, I look well enough" Kate petu-
lantly apostrophized herself; "but what
good do my looks do me? | wish |
were rich. I'd have blue silk dress,
trimmed with white point-applique, and
a pearl fan, and set of diamonds;
and I'd give a black silk to Madam
Fougomme, the French teacher, who
has worn rusty black alpaca until it's
turned to a rich cinnamon brownl O.
and I'd send five-pound note anony-
mously to the poor young wood engraver
next door, he with the pleasant blue eyes
and the church-yard cough. If were
only richl"
While this disjonted reverie passed
through Kate's mind a soft tap came to
the door.
"Come in" Miss Emery called out,
and the young wood engraver came
in, with cluster of superbly colored
autumn leaves in his hand.
"From the old homestead" said he,
cheerily. "Mr. Noakes remembered my
penchant for autumn leaves, and has sent
up this bouquet by his son, who came to
town with load of potatoes. Would
you like some%'
Every much," said Kate, glancing at
an empty vase on her mantelpiece GLOW
fragrant they are"
Eugene Neville's pale face lighted up.
"Oh, if you knew how they recall the
old woods at home" he sighed. "Homel
But have none now. When my father
died and the place went into other hands,
the world became meaningless to me.
| thought that | should one day be
rich and buy it back. | do not think
50 now."
He sighed almost inaudibly as he sep
arated the brightest branchlets for her.
Kate looked at her almost as a mother
might pity sick child.
"No," she thought, her hand rustling
softly among the dead leaves, "I would
not send him money if l were rich; |
would buy back the old homestead, and
let him die there in peace, poor fellow;
for he can not live more than a year or
two under the most favorable circum-
stances"
"Oh, take care" said Eugene, as he
stopped; "you have knocked letter off
the table. What an official looking doc
umentw he added, "seaed with splash
Of scarlet wax! Catherine Carlton En-
cry! l. is for you"
Kate opened the letter as he went out
opened it and read it, and rubbed her
eyes to make sure she was not asleep and
dreaming.
"Oh!" she murmured, "Uncle Carlton
has left me his money, and | shall be a
great heiress. Oh! if poor mamma could
only have lived!"
Madam Fougomme got the black silk
dress; and Kate enjoyed the golden har-
vest of her money TO her hearts CON
tent. And Eugene Neville-was he for
gotten?
"Poor fellow!" Kate murmured to her.
self, che can not last long; and /, who am
everybody's godmamma just at present,
| will make him happy, at least for a
time"
1t was a soft April morning, with the
scent of cherry blossoms in the air, and
sudden sheets of sparkling rain cleaving,
as it were, the golden wall of sunshine,
when Kate called to take Mr.. Neville
out in her pony phaeton.
"Its such a delicious day." said she
"and Pm sure it will do you good, Eu
gene"
The young wood engraver stood in the
doorway pale and smiling.
81 ought TO be at work" said he.
ooh, tiddlestick" said Kate, indepcnd
emily. All work and no play-you re-
member the old proverb."
And away rolled the little carriage.
(Which way are you goingW the
young man asked, leaning back among
the cushions.
ooh, l don't know-the Nettleville
road, I suppose"
Eugene's eyes frightened, the color
rose to his thin cheeks.
81 should like to 90 as far as the old
place" he said. 81 have not seen it fol
ii year"
"Just as you like" said Kate, chuck.
ling inwardly, "Come up, Elfn! What
Sre you about, you lazy little villain!
Yes, we'll 60 to the old place"
How his eyes sparklcd as they swept
along under the dropping tresses of the
superb old elms that covered the road
How he started when the first tinkle of
the little cascade under the hill fell on
his ear!
at is like a dream" said he. "Alasl
but the waking will come"
"Does it look as you expected%' Kate
asked, as she checked her ponies in front
of the wide, old fashioned porch, where
the honeysuckles were putting out buds
of green leaves, and hyacinths blossomed
along the borders.
ut is not changed" said he modify.
at is | that am changed"
Kate sprang from the phaeton.
"Come in" said she. He shrank back.
"I-I would rather not. l don't wish
to intrude," he said.
'But you will not intrude," cried
Kate. "See, the old rooms are waiting
for you"
Reluctantly, yet willingly, he came
forward into the old sitting room, where
he had played as a child. The sunshine
streamed through the little panes of the
south windows; the wood fire blazed and
cracked on the hearth.