The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-09-26

r9!i morning all right, so but that doesn't
~ saw you last night" said Euphemia,
quietly.
Mother" screamed the sick woman,
in shrill, anxious voice, 81 thought you
promised never to let Mrs. Roper get to
me when was aloneT'
Mrs. Cell came forward with an
apologetic air, that was meant for Eu-
phemia rather than her daughter. 1t
was clear that she had a mind to keep
friends with the lady at the Hall, if pos
sible.
"You see, ma'am," she said, with a
cringing smile, "sick folks get odd fan
cies, and Margaret seems to have dis
like for you somehow"
Margaret looked at her resentfully.
"You want me to be poisoned again,
because Pm in the way, expect. But
now my senses are all right again, I'll
look out for myself"
'But l only left you ten minutes, my
dear, just to get an ounce of tea at the
shop before it closed"
"Then she must have watched you
out" pointing to Euphemia sullenly.
1t was hardly worth contradicting, but
Euphemia did not know what revelations
Margarets temper might lead her 10
into, unless she were checked, and 50 she
fastened to interpose.
"No one wishes to harm you, Margaret.
was out for a walk last night, and
thought to come in and see how you
were. Finding that you could not un-
derstand me, and were too ill to be dis
turbed, went out again directly. l
could not have been here more than a
minute in ALL"
"At any rate, stop away altogether for
the future" replied Margaret, in tone
that left no possible doubt as to her sim
cerity.
To remain longer was simply to irritate
and injure the woman, whose temper
seemed at its very worst this morning.
She therefore took sovereign out of her
purse, which she handed to Mrs. Cell, to
be used as required, and left the house.
The sick woman's keen eye caught at
once the glitter of gold.
"Mother," she called out, eagerly,
''what did Mrs. Roper give you"
"She gave me pound, which was just
twenty shillings more than you deserved,
after your shameful conduct"
"I know what l am about" answered
Margaret, sharply. "You have to keep a
taut hand of gentlefolks when you have
got them in your power, or there's no
telling what trick they may play YOU"
There was minutes silence, and then
Margaret said: "I don't care for all the
doctors others, mother; l mean to have
some brandy. I'll doctor myself this
time, and get we'll all the quicker, I'll be
bound"
"The doctor said particularly you was
not to have anything of this kind" Mrs.
Cell ventured to demonstrate.
81 don't care straw what the doctor
says. I'll cure myself; and if you won't
get me some brandy, I'll try and man.
age it myself"
She made feint as if she would leave
her bed, and this decided Mrs. Cell. The
only thing was to keep the fact from the
doctor when he came, and to prevent
Margaret from taking any large quantity
of the stimulant she so loved.
Meanwhile, Euphemia had joined Ma.
bel in the lanes, and was listening to her
innocent prattle, with sense Of pleasant
refreshment and relief.
Mr.. Irwin was-to fetch his daughter
that afternoon, before Mr.. Roper's re-
return, and, therefore, Mabel had heI
dinner as usual at one o'clock, where Eu
phemia lunched. Then Euphemia re
membered that drive was always treat
to child, and took Mabel out in hel
own little pony carriage for couple oi
hours.
1t was nearly half-past five, and Mr.
Irwin was to be here soon after six
Euphemia had some tea brought up
and held Mabel jealousy in her arm
whilst she ate and drank, as if she coul(
not bear to part from her, or miss th'
, contact of her soft little hands.
The clock struck six.
Euphemia could not understand WHY
each stroke fell with such strange fore,
upon her very heart, and left her pantin!
; and pale. She drew Mabel closer agains
her, and concealed her tremors will
kisses.
"You'll come and see me very often
little Mabelr'
7 "Every day, if papa will let me, Mrs
7 Roper"
II shall send Jennie down to fetch yo7
whenever we can spare her, and then pap
: will not object"
3 "He's sure to love you, too," said Ma
bel, afectionately, "and"-witll littl
| scream of delight-"if don't declare
i here he isl'
= Mabel was passionately fond Of he
i father, as he well deserved that she shoul'
t be, and though she enjoyed her visit i'm
;, mensely, she was quite glad to see hin
J. again. She sprang off Euphemia's lar
It and darted into the hall. The butle
e was there before her, but Mabel insiste
e upon being allowed to help open the dool
It and waG in her fathers arms before h
% I'D crossed the threshold.
ooh, papa, she is SO nice, and she is tn
most beautiful lady you ever saw" mul
INJURED Mabel, eager to crowd as much il
linfOrmation as possible into the sho]