The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-02-25

long dream OF Sptendor ana rest tllal
seemed so desirable. And the good, un-
selfish mother-the dear mother who
had known 50 much of sorrow would be
happiest of them all. And by-and-by
she would forget the old haunting fan.
cies that had been so sweet, and she
would learn to love Monreith as well as
he deserved to be loved.
"Will you not give me my answer,
Tessie?" pleaded her wooer, Il have
waited So long"
'If | were only sure ! would make
you happy" she stammered. undecided.
"You would, DEAR" he persisted ear
nestly.
81 should be happy in caring for you.
My child, ! love you SO unseltishly that
| should make any honorable sacrifice to
save you the pain or trouble of single
hour"
Little did Monreith Darlington guess
that this assertion was to be sorely tested
before that day would be done.
"And l." responded Tessie, in odd,
distracted, weary tones. "should rather
endure the worst in silence and alone,
than feel that one l loved was suffering
for me"
81 should be glad to suffer for you if
by that | might win you" he said.
But he had won her, and few min.
utes later he left her, the touch Of hel
rosy mouth on his lips, and she went
back to her mothers room wearing on
her pretty white hand the jeweled token
of her berrothal.
"Mamma, dear, I have accepted Mr.
Carrington," she said simply
81 am very glaas sTessie," replied Mrs
Rivers. 81 have feared that you woulC
refuse him. and possibly for the sake Of
John Eustis."
"John has never asked meato be his
wife, mamma" returned the girl, weari
lv, and something in the sudden spirit
less attitude of the graceful, dropping
figure, some vague, unsatisfied expires
sion of the strangely pale face hall
hidden by the loose tawny curls, dis
turhed and pained her watchful parent
When Darlington reached his office he
found a gentleman there waiting fol
him.
"Ah, Mr.. Eustis. You wished to see
me% he observed lightly.
eyes, | particularly desired to see you
to-day concerning mortgage you hold,
Just due, and that | wish to pay" was
the prompt explanation.
Darlington had quite forgotten the
claim he had against the property of
Mrs. Rivers, and that he had only re-
ceived from a clamoring creditor of her
deceased husband that he might befriend
the girl whom he so dearly loved.
care you prepared to do this9" he in
quired wonderingly of the young man
whose income was decidedly not opulent,
"And may know your motive for wish
ing to do this?
The fine, honest face of John Eustis
flushed slightly, bu. he evidently did
not consider the question impertinent.
"Cou'd | not have come entirely pre-
pared / should not have come at ALL" hi
returned quietly. "My motive is to
please and surprise the lady whom ex-
pect to marry. For months / have
dreamed how her sweet eyes would glisten
when / should be able to inform her
that had saved her dear old home for
her bonny sake"
Darlington listened, dazed, and pale tc
his bearded lips.
1t was impossible to believe any falsity
or littleness of John Eustis, and con.
ceited and egostical he certainly was not.
And it was equally impossible to sus-
pect coquotry or perfidy of sweet Tessie
Rivers.
Darlington ventured a few subtle
questions that were readily and inno-
Gently answered, and thus shrewdly
learned the truth. There was not, nor
had there ever been, any engagement be.
tween John Eustis and Tessie Rivers
only life long, wordless understanding
of tenderest affection and truest fidelity
He could understand now how the fan
girl, bound by no promises, doubtful fol
her future, ana solicitous for her moth
er, had accepted what seemed wisest and
best, while her soul was haunted by ar
unasked and unacknowledged love thai
might prove but shadow, fantasy, &
delusion after all, and with his whole
noble heart he exonerated and pardonet
her.
II should make any honorable sacri
flee to save you from the pain and trou
ble of a single hour" he had told he
that morning, meaning it to the utter
most, and time for the sacrifice hat
come. ....
The business was speedily and salts
factorily transacted, ,and Tessie's pleasan
young lover turned to 60 when his frient
II, too, wish to marry Miss Rivers,
he said. 81 shall follow you presently
Do not leave the house till shall have
come. Promise me you will not, John.
The young man promised and hurried
away, impatient to surprise Tessie witt
the proofs Of his loyal and generous de
votion.
"0h, John you ought not to have don,
thisw she cried, in voice Of regret ant
distress. 'FVou couldnot afford it, ant
beside something has happened, John
that made it unnecessary"
He gazed at her in mute wonder. The