The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-02-19
A VALENTINE STORY.

"And 50, Eunice, this is to be the ent
of our engagement, and / must awakel
from my boyish dreams to find you falls
to me and a proud coquettep '-h
"Not SO, Frank, Pm not a coquette.
tell you again that this is no woman
caprice, but duty owe to my woman
hood. Your uncle objects to nothing il
our engagement but my poverty
Though he acknowledges me as superior
to many women who have more of thi
worlds goods at their command, ant
your equal as to family, he still treat
me as beneath your choice as a wife. II
! marry you l must plod through life
with feeling Of resentment toward him
as long as l live, and must suffer the
kind Of humiliation, which Is the most
distasteful of any, to me. You are
swayed by his will, instead of being q
man for yourself, and how do I know
but what might become, before many
years, a neglected wife? Mol Pm no CO.
quette, as your heart tells yon Frank,
but l shall never marry you, until you
have some calling or profession, and can
act for yourself in all things" go.
"Eunice, you know I've stood firm in
my engagement to. you, through all the
storms my uncle has raised, and how can
you doubt me now, lover
II know that, but look at the number
of times our wedding day has been post
poned, from you, ON this account. I tell
you, once for all, consider our engage
ment broken, and leave you free to
choose from your uncle's numerous and
wealthy friends. ! shall be true to the
memory CT the past, and my young love
dreams shall still hover over me, Z,
sweet remembrances of happy days gone
BY" .,.,
Frank Merrill stood before her, the
picture of despair. His face had grown
pale while she told him of her decision.
And now, as he looked in her cold, proud
face, he saw that what she said was not
to be trifed with. ~~aJ
He took step nearer, holding out his
hands imploringly, but Eunice waved
him off, sayinq, sadly and quietly, 'It is
for the best, Frank, and you will live to
come to the same conclusion"
But he shook his head, and turning,
went out from her presence.
For days Eunice questioned herself
whether she had done wrong or not.
Sometimes such longing to hear his
voice came upon her that she felt almost
compelled to drop line to him calling
him to her presence again.
But the days sped by, and at last she
expected to meet him again.
Mrs. LIE Oranges cards were out for
the "ball of the season."
How she longed for the evening. And
how particular she was about her dress!
The mirror told her, she never looked
better. "Would he beg to see her soon,
promising to take up some profession for
and not allow himself to be gov
erned by his uncle's whims? Would he
prefer herself to his uncle's wealth.
And how could she bear to send him
away from her again, even if he did not
prove his new promises, when she SO
longed for his c0mpanyS
She knew he would tell her Of all this,
and more. That he was going immedi-
ately to Rome to finish his artistic
studies, as he had often planned to do,
and that in few years he would stand
among men, noted and honored.
OH yes! she felt sure Of Frank. He
had been spoiled by his uncle, but his
love for her would overcome everything,
and he would soon be on the road to
fame and fortune of his own making.
So the hours wore on, and the arrival
of Eunice Lee at the ball was hailed
with pleasure by her numerous admirers
Somehow every one seemed to have
heard of the broken engagement, and
greeted her accordingly. ~
The ladies took especial pains to tell
her Of the latest arrivals in society, and
the gentlemen took pleasure in waiting
upon h"r slightest wishes.
Eunice Leeewas witty and wise, anc
society paid her the greatest homage &C
corded to such fascinating personages.
Many beautiful women looked at hel
with envy as her powers of fascination
drew to her side the lions of society.
Have you seen Mrs. LeGrange',
niece~ asked one of her lady friends
She is great heiress and very beautiful
They say Frank Merrill is smitten will
her charms, and / suppose you would b.
glad of it, as have heard how dread
fully you treated him. a
"Here they come," and she steppee
aside without noticing the extreme pal
lor that mad come over Eunice's face.
Mrs. LeGrange's niece was indeed
beautiful! Eunice thought she ha,
never seen SO beautiful creature. Blu
her heart sickened when she looked from
her to Frank.
He looked more manly and dignifet
than she had ever seen him; and, as h
bent over his fair partner it seemed t.
her that a change had taken place in hi
face, which shut her presence from hi
view. i59.0. ~ .t...a
He came to her calmly and pleasantly
presenting his new-made acquaintanc
with seeming pride and tenderness. Hi
eyes seemed to fall constantly upon tn
fait yvt,no IL, af his siA6 an1 Etifica fel