The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-05-28
CHAPTER XXI.
'.Mx OWN BEAUTIFUL cRLBsTEr

leste van Duyne.
Miss Van Duyne has taken the advice of
her preseryer, and is now richly dressed,
while from her ears glisten . set of dia-
monds.
She has been reading to Clarice, but now
the book has fallen into her lap.
"Clarice, DEAR" she said, ''do you ever
crave wealth."
SAT times, Celeste"
"Have you ever craved it for the sake of
the position in society which it would give
you?"
''Never"
"How strange! Did you ever read
Monte CristoF"
Il do not recollect," said Clarice.
"Oh, you should read it" exclaimed Miss
Van Duyne. ut is lovely! Haidee, the
slave of Monte Cristo, is a delightful charac-
ter. Hers is love of the beautiful, for she
loves the adventurer with a love which is
scarcely ever to be found in civilized places.
She is so handsome, too. But Monte Cristo
soon forges her. because she is not educated
sufficiently to appear in society, and he,
l suspect, is sometimes little ashamed of
her"
"Is that an argument for edu 'ationw
Eyes, for do think great deal of educa-
ted people. They generally know enough
to be amiable."
Then you must admire James DaltonP''
said Clarice, unconcernedly.
"Who could help admiring him?" replied
Miss Van Duyne, bashfully. "Can you?
That reminds me that Mr.. Dalton will be
here to-day"
Clarice gave her a side glance.
''She has not much ambition" muttered
Clarice, and she will read those highly
seasoned novels and eat confectionery
| detest both!'
A ring at the door-bell interrupted their
| conversation.
''Mr. Dalton is here" she said; II pre-
sume you would like to talk with him few
minutes
"If you please" said Miss Van Duyne.
| modestly.
The beautiful young woman went to the
| door to welcome her friend.
| "Welcome, my benefactor" she exclaimed
| ioyfully, and wheeling the armchair mp to
| the fire, she waited for Mr.. Dalton to be
seated
James Dalton took the proffered chair.
| 81 will sit at your feet" continued Miss
Van Duyne, as she cast herself on an otto
| man beside him, and, with hands clasped,
looked up into his face. why do you re-
main away so long9"
| Business keeps me, )" be said, taking one
| long, hungering glance at her beautiful fea-
| lures nothing but business keeps ME
| from this house, for do not yet feel that
| you are secure from your enemies"
| ''Is there danger" she asked anxiously.
| "Yes, 80 long as you remain within q
| hundred miles OF Brooklyn"
| "You have no new tears!'
"Nono"
! Then l am safe!" murmured Miss Van
J Duyne. "Mr Dalton" she said, with an
arch look, "do you not notice that have
i followed your orders?'
"'Orders is q harsh word, Miss Van
Duyne"
''Please do not be SO formal-Miss Van
Duyne! am unworthy of being addressed
as You would address lady"
"Hushr' exclaimed James Dalton; "do
not speak so. You are a lady, despite the
environment of your life. How do you get
along with Clarce?"
Miss Suydam is an angel! I love her!
But she is very determined, and she has
such spells of silence. Why, often / dare
not speak to her!'
Poor Clarce!" muttered the artist.
''But never get vexed, for | know why
SUG lS 80 bhu-Sle has lObt AGE loNGIs
/ "Ah! has she told you?"
"No; guess it from her manner and the
looks she casts upon the portrait over the
mantel. Then ! have often noticed tears il
her eyes.
''Do you not think that silly, Celeste?'
James Daton's heart throbbed quicker ai
he uttered the name.
"Sily!" exclaimed Miss Van Duyne-
tcil luI oh NJ ;, ,;l =
woman to remember her lover when he il
dead?"
Il did not say thought so; but know
women, as q rule, are uncharitable in sucl
matters"
perhaps you are right" said Miss Var
Duyne; 'but | am sure l have heart tina
sympathizes with the woes of others, anc
especially with one who has lost the idol o
her life, for woman's love is all-absorbing."
''Do you speak from experienced" asked
James Dalton; then he said quickly: "Ex
cuse my impertnence, Celeste"
''You are so gentle with me, murmuret
Miss Van Duyne-''and l am so unworthy.
The beautiful head drooped and fell upor
Mr.. Daltons knee.
At this moment the handle of the doc
was turned. Miss Van Duyne lifted he
AASt%o ouNuohly, uAo "hOh SiuiASV ouJ h1Ah
entered the room, she was standing by {
window, intensely interested, seemingly
with something in the dreary street. Clar
ice renamed in the room but short time
so soon as she had gone, the beautiful wo
man left the window and seated herself upor
the settee
James Dalton still reclined in the cas-,
chair before the fire.
GA re hopn bora Ta1aoto9 ha acHaH
presently.
Happier than ever before" she said, toy
ing conusedly with the tassels Of the sette'
cushion.
"You do not wish to return to your ole
homer"
She dropped the silken tassels and CAV
him reproachful look.
81 know you still have some affection fo
your unworthy brother" continued the ar
tist, (which might, perhaps, give you mis-
, taken notion OF duty"
"Poor George!"
| "You pity, and yet fear him"
, "Yes-I fear him, because he is revenge
full man." said Miss Van Duyne, and tn
tears started to her eyes. o
, "What if he should find your"
'That must not be! 1t would result il
my death!'
} The innocent smile had vanished, and, a
a she spoke, her face paled to the whiteness @
: alabaster.
r ''But," said James Dalton, tenderly, ''it
, an awkward situation you are in. Look q
: it squarely. You must either assist me t
y arrest George Kicker, or live in danger c
being discovered and subjected to indignity
c George Kicker could so damage your repr
J. tation that you would be forced to go wit
+ him or starve."
q lis there no other wayP" moaned the pal