The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-09-02

better, really, in all my life. A sudden
spasm is not an illness, and might hap
pen to any of U.S. You see have entirely
recovered now."
She invited him to look at her, and so
he did, with love softening his clear,
honest eyes, and leaving a tender shade
about his shrewd lips. Euphemia
stopped and took up her work again,
plying her needle as industriously as if
her very bread depended upon her speed.
Mr.. Roper was not sensitive man;
Scotchmen are not wont to be, it is said;
though we have known some who are as
easily moved as children, and had the
tenderest of human hearts under their
grave exterior. However, her diligence
set her nerves On a quiver, evidently;
for, after while, he captured the busy
white fingers as they hurried backwards
and forwards across the frame, and took
the needle quietly away, fastening it
carefully to the canvas.
81 want you to listen to me for a little
WHILE" he said, "and after that you shall
be as industrious as you like. To see you
stitching away so TRANQUILITY, when | am
in state of doubt and excitement, is
more than l can bear" And then after u
pause, he added, Miss Beloe, you have
not given me answer yet"
"You have asked me no question"
"Not in so many words, perhaps, but
you must have understood me-"
81 have no imagination, Mr.. Roper,
and that tell you fairly. At my age,
women seldom have"
81 can't think why you will try to
depreciate yourself, Miss Beloe. At
twenty-eight you should consider your
self as you are, in the very prime of wo-
manhood; and assuredly any girl of six
teen would give her youth willingly for
your beauty"
at would be a cruel exchange. They
would have to take something beside my
beauty, as you are pleased to call it,"
eff knew of a stronger word, should
be glad to use it,"
All men are foolish when they are in
love, and Mr.. Roper was no exception to
the rule. Ordinarily, he had certain
dignity which ennobled his carriage and
features, but it was not to be expected
that he void show anything of this now
when he was a suppliant, and. was infat-
uated enough to think that life without
Euphemia would be worth nothing. Her
hand wasswithin reach; he caught it up,
and kissed it rapturously. She withdrew
it directly and even frowned, but his
eyes pleaded for pardon so passionately
that she was fain to forgive him.
81 am too presumptuous," he said, "but
| love you"
81 am sorry to hear you say that"
"Iou have no need to be. Your hap
piness would be safe with me-"
"I'hat | firmly believe, so far as con-
Germs your part of the contract; but |
have to consider what my own share of
it would be as well, and, therefore, am
bound to decline your offer. | regret
the necessity, if it is any comfort for you
to hear me say so; but what is right, is
right; and it is best to keep as close as
possible to this simple rule, for fear of
going astray."
"But why should it be wrong for you
/ W mari -llt! IOu dllON ult w lIltl
that you have certain regard for me-"
at is true" she replied, quietly and
firmly.
"Ihen why should you hesitate? am
not a lad, who falls in love easily, and is
easily cured and though | may look
cold and grave when | take a business
face in a busy world, you will always
find me gentle, tender and considerate ;
ready to fulfill your lightest wish, devo-
ted to your service If it were not So |
would not ask you to trust your whole
life to me-"
She put out her hand to him kindly.
"Mr. Roper, | like you so much, it
grieves me more than | can describe to
cause you a moments anxiety; but really,
and truly, ] dare not accept the happi-
ness you offer me"
"You must give me reason, If | am
intended to take this decision as final"
She lowered her head and flush of
shame mounted to her very brows.
"You love some one else!" he added,
quickly.
"No.'
"Then you are welded to a dream and
memoryY
,"Nay, there is no pleasure to me in
dwelling on the past. | should be only
too thankful to forget everything con-
nected with it, as if it had never been"
"At any rate it is in your power to
make your future so bright, that the past
can no longer dare to obtrude itself If
you will only respond to my prayer, there
is nothing my fortune can buy that you
shall not have for the asking"
She looked down one moment, reflect
lively.
"You are noble and generous" she
said at last. "But, for those very
reasons, | will not marry you"
'If were in any way different to what
| am, would you marry me? Only speak,
and if there is any power in me to change,
| will"
His impunity began to frighten her
1t is hardly woman's nature to resist
such pleading as shis. She felt that she
might yield, perhaps, and so she rose,
and moved toward the door, with good
resolution in her heart, it was only a
pity she never found the courage to full
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