The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-01-13

cry either"
And that very hour. Die Werner goes
up to her own room to make few little
preparations for her advent into Mr..
Benson's sick room.
ITO be sure, / intended to bring my
visit to close this very week." she says
meditatively taking down a soft gray
cashmere wrapper from the wardrobe;
"but, I'd rather stay little longer than
not" and her cheeks flush, aud happy
little light shines in her eyes.
Then She laughs Softly to herself as
she enters. the door Of Mr.. Benson's
prison CELL" as he calls it, in his peevisl
welcome.
81 shall do frst-rate for your jailer,"
she retorts gaily; "and rest assured you
will have to be very docile and obe-
dent"
1t does n6t take many hours to convince
Mr.. Benson that pretty Die Werner is a
born nurse. She moves so quietly and
intelligently, never startles him by sud-
den motion into nervous horror, lest
she should hurt his sensitive ankle, or
crash against his arm.
She steps lightly. She knows that by
a sort of intuition when he wants cool
ing drink, and when it is agreeable to
him to have the room darkened for his
little refreshing nap. She is cheerful, a
little imperious, very charming, and GER
tainly as pretty and graceful as could be
desired.
She reads to him, and reads we'll. She
opens the doors leading into the music
room, and plays and sings for him, once
or twice. While Mr.. Benson shuts his
eyes and enjoys it. She plays chess with
him, and-beats him; she orders and fire.
quently makes such delicious little meals
for him that he actually begins to look
upon her as an inspiration, and to quite
reconcile himself to the prospect Of at
least month of such attendance.
"You're the most sensible little woman
| ever saw" he says, towards the end of
the first week, and actually reaches out
his available arm and touches her head
caressingly, as she sits beside him, hold
ing the tray of food for him.
She smiles, and fushes, and dexterous-
ly removes her head from beneath his
hand.
"Do you really think so? That good,
Mr.. Benson; just see if this pineapple is
sugared enough, pleasev'
When Die leaves the room with the
tray, after dinner Mr.. Benson lies in an
gentle, meditative mood, and
of her too.
~ never imagined there was such
difference in womankind," he muses..
This little girl is the concentration of
all that is womanly and lovely, and the
fellow would be a brute who wouldn't
be perfectly happy in her society. If she
ian make miserable sufferer feel con-
yented and comfortable, she would GER
a, suly make strong, we'll man more
han happy. / wonder why she don't
ome bacs9 1t isn't like her to neglect
ne 50 long"
And Mr.. Benson begins to grow fret
ul and impatient tor her to come, so
hat when Mrs. MilSr1rne enters the
oom, half-deprecatingly, he welcomes
Ter with the old cross fierceness.
"Where is Die? You can't do what I
equire DONE"
"Ob, yes, Mat; surely I can light the
,as and arrangs the curtains And Die
old me exactly how yQu liked your
vening meal served-N |
II tell you / don't want it! I won't
ave it unlsss it is arranged as am &C.
;ustomed to having it. Whv doesn't Die
lttend to it herselfT'
'She hasn't been out of the house for
! week, Mat" said Mrs, Miibufne, a
title reproof in her gentle voice as she
luietly lights the gas sand Frank Grey
ient her a little note to invite her to
line with him and his parents this even
ng. and so-she's gone"
Mr.. Benson sinks back on his pillow
With grunt of disdain.
'That idiot is young jackanapes!
The next thing he'll be making love to
lerv' 5..
Mrs. Milburne looks wondering at him.
"And why not? Franks a"
"Why not?" mimics Mr.. Benson,
vrongfully. Of course there's no imag-
nabie reason lwhy notp What fools
women are-married womenw
And Mrs. Milburne leaves him to his
genial thoughts as soon as possible-just
,wenty minutes before Die comes back,
1er dimpled lips all a-smile.
"I didn't stay as. long as / wanted
to-" she says cheeriIy. ..d .. 4..a
"Oh, you didn't, eh?' he retorts, cross
y. ......,.. .... o..
"No; but I came back entirely on your
account, you see."
"Oh. you did! WE'LL" and he lapses
into smile Of relief and content, eve
won't quarrel, since you have come.
Die, look here-I can't endure you to
leave me at all. l want you to stay
always, Die-won't you? Will you
marry meT
And Dies eyes twinkle as she demure-
ly bows.
"I thank you for the unexpected hon.
or, Mr.. Benson, but / am already en-
gagged to be married to Mr.. Grey"
"NoW he almost shouts, in genuine
dismay, ut can not be! 1t is cruel to me!