The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-09-04
THE HISTORY OF A LIFE.
~ THE AUTHOR OF CAPTAIN GERALD" "THE
RIGHT OF Way" ETC.
CHAPTER III.-(CoNTINUED.)

At this minute the butler announced
that the carriage was at the door, and Mrs.
Beloe rose, as if by no means sorry to put
an end to the discussion. Euphemia fol-
lowed her out, in that state of feeling
when it only required one more feather
added to her load to make it unbearable,
and sweep away all those considerations
which had hitherto deferred her from
accepting Mr.. Roper.
Mrs. Ruthvin's drawing-room was
nearly full when she and her mother
entered, and Euphemia could not help
remarking how much less alacrity people
showed in coming forward to greet them
than formerly. Personally, Mrs. Beloe
had never been very great favorlte; and
now that she was likely to lose her sole
claims to their attention, no one felt in
clined to assume regard they did not
feel.
Euphemia, with her proud head in the
air, and her splendid eyes darkening and
flashing, walked to her seat like queen.
If rich attire became her generally, the
red flush on her cheek frightened up her
dark beauty into such splendor, that she
required no extraneous aid from dress to
make her beautiful tonight.
Some of her old partners crowded round
her, and she danced few times, but
without spirit or pleasure, thinking of
her father, over his dreary toll, until her
heart ached more than she could bear.
During this time, Mrs. Beloe-who
dared not retire from the ballroom until
some of the last Of the guests, lest her
motive should be suspected listening
to the impertinences she was afraid to re-
sent; and mindful Of the fall which
might be so near, looked humble now, in
hopes that people might forget that she
had ever been proud.
But Euphemia's part was still harder
to play. She had other griefs to wrestle
with, deeper and more stinging, hun
dred times than the loss of wealth and
position could ever be. But she bore
herself bravely, nevertheless.
At length, breaking away from her at
tendant cavalier, she joined her mother.
Mamma" she said, bending down to
the others ear, 81 can't keep up this farce
much longer without a little rest-can
you? Let us go into the conservatory
for a little while"
Mrs Beloe rose gladly, and an anima-
ted waltz which had just then com
menced, favored their escape. When
they reached the conservatory, they sat
down on one of the benches, and drew in
eagerly a full draught of the COOL fra
grant air. Mrs Beloe relaxed her stereo-
typed smile, and permitted herself to
look as anxious as she felt; whilst Eu-
phemia caught in her breath, as if she
were smothering sigh. But each was
too occupied with her own individual
thoughts to enter into conversation Just
then. Presently, they became aware
that another couple had entered the con-
servatory on the other side, hidden from
sight by circle of growing exotics; and
then came a conversation which COM
pletely transfixed both mother and
daughter.
II see Mrs. Beloe and her daughter are
here tonight" said female voice.
$50 found" answered her compan-
don; "and must say felt great deal
surprised"
"Do you really believe, then, that mat
ters are really as bad as people say?"
"My father told me last night that he
wouldn't trust Beloe for pound note
under any consideration whatever, and
he is considered rather venturesome than
otherwise by the mercantile world. Be-
sides, look at the way Mr.. Roper has
dried off all of sudden. He is known to
be very cautious, and his desertion gives
an ugly look to the business" (Mrs. Be-
loe gave her daughter an emphatic pinch
at this junction,) "a beautiful woman,
like Miss Beloe, is not thrown aside with
out sufficient reason"
"Do you call her very beautiful, then~
"Yes; don't your"
"She is not my style. / have seen a
great many women l thought hand
Gomer."
81 have never seen but one."
A little affected laugh from the lady
proclaimed that the other pointed his
epigram with his eyes. But at this min
ute the music stopped, and the conserva-
tory was soon overAowing with hot and
painting crowd of dancers; so Mrs. Beloe
and Euphemia rose and returned to the
ballroom.
Several departures were taking place,
out Mrs. Beloe and her daughter stayed
through one more qradrille; then they
made their solutions to the hostess, and
retired.
"Thank heaven, it is over" exclaimed
Euphemia, half an hour later, as she
stood over the fire in her mothers sit
ting-room, slowly shaking the flowers out
of her hair. "What an intolerably long
long evening it has been"
ut has, indeed" answered her mother,
with sigh; "But if it has taught you
the necessity of marriage with Mr.. Ro-
per, the modification we have endured
tonight may be the means of saving us
in the end"
"Oh, mother, if there were any other
way Of averting our downfall, | would
embrace it willingly; making no effort to
guard myself form any of the contingent
cies that might arise! giving myself up
entirely to that end, and acknowledging
all thrOuph the Righteousness of my, sao1