The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-09-09
THE HISTORY OF A LIFE.
n THE AUTHOR OF CAPTAIN GERALD" 'THE
RIGHT OF WAY" ETC.
CHAPTER VI.-(CoNTINuED.)
"Whatl and part with Fanny?"


Mr.. Beloe, warningly. 81 don't mind
telling you that the woman's appearance
and manner impressed me very unfavor-
ably. She was very insolent to me, and
told me plainly that she would see you
whether liked it or no."
ave must make allowance for people
when they are in 50 much trouble" said
Euphemia; "she never used to be that
kind of person, and talked very well to
me last night
"It is just as you like, of course, Phe-
mie; but if my advice were asked, l know,
what l should say"
So saying, he left the room. We
know that Mr.. Beloe himself could not
be more reluctant to have Margaret Cell
near his daughter than she was to have
her herself; but she thought it necessary
to pave the way, and prepare his mind
for such step, in case it should be
forced upon her, which she greatly
feared.
1t was quite impossible for her to al
tow Margaret the sum she demanded, as
that would probably be more than the
garet would have been satisfied with sol.
or Sol. year, she would have done her
best to give her this, and manage her
toilets in such way that Mr.. Roper
might never have suspected that any part
Of the money he gave her for her dress
had different destination to the one he
designed But the woman's unreasonable
ness placed her in painful dilemma.
out Of which there seemed out one way
of extricating herself, and that was bv
.submittingto. the terrible infiction of her
daily service.
How to escape from this was the bur-
den of her passionate interrogations as she
took her way to the interview with Mar
garet Cell. Euphemia caught sight of her
tawdry shawl and gay bonnet sometime
before she got to her, and shuddered in
wardly.
Margaret was watching the street with
Keen, anxious eyes, and soon perceived
Euphemia.
$50 you are come" she said, directly
the other was near her. 81 began to
think you meant to play me false, and
you'd have been sorry if you had"
"Not more than am now, perhaps; |
can not picture any greater shame or
misery any greater than that which L
now endure"
at is all your own fault. Matters
would have been different if you had be-
haved different"
"It is always easy to say that when the
mischief is done, and can't be remedied
OF course should not act in the same
way if l had my time to come over
again"
"I doubt it," said the woman, scorn-
fully; "you have got such a cruel, bitter
kind of pride, that [ believe it would
lead you even as far as murder. If you
could kill me out of the way this min
ute, dare say you would"
Euphemia drew herself to her full splen-
did height, and grew pale with disdain.
'Look here, Margaret Cell" she said;
al have been miserably humble, and am,
in manner, in your power; but you
shall not speak to me in that way. What
is to prevent me from escaping if ! choose,
and baking you of your prey. You can
not always keep watch at my door; and
if you could, might manage to evade
you all the same. Have care, and don't
push me too far. You know very we'll
that even the worm will turn when it is
too much oppressed, and | have borne
nearly all can bear"
"If you'll keep civil, I WILL" replied
Margaret, in sullen tone. 81 only want
my dues
"You have no actual claim on me-"
"Perhaps not; but mean to make one,
at any rate"
"Well, then, be quick"
'1 told you last night whatit was to be
either two hundred year, or your sit
dation. won't take nothing less"
81 am not likely to have as much as
two hundred year myself. If Mr.. Ro-
per allows me one, | shall be satisfied ;
and, of course, he would expect to see me
well dressed upon all occasions. I will
give you half of that, if you will promise
to be contented."
"What, fifty pounds yearl" returned
the woman, with short sharp laugh; !;
IL WOuiuI HiuCll HioIt tidll kctp Hlc Ill
shoe-leather. Besides, what is the use of
marrying rich man like Mr.. Roper, if
you don't make him pay up we'll"
81 have no wish to impoverish him."
said Euphemia, coldly; Il don't see what
should gain by that"
"That's your business, not mine. l
mean to have the money, or else you may
take me as your maid"
"You must see that your coming to
hive with me would cause good deal of
Yemarkw
81 don't care if it does.'
t"Itmight lead to discovery, remember"
"No fear of that. know how to keep
my tongue between my teeth"
"But, really, Margaret, to speak plain
ly, are you fit for a ladys servicew
81 was considered so in times gone by,
and | don't expect Pm much altered.
You'll give me some money to get MY
clothes, of course, in order tnat I may
'ome decent and respectableq
TIT must be, I suppose" said Euphe-
pia, with sigh Of utter weariness. 81
wish by all that is mercifull had never
set ewes on yOur face"