The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-03-05
Kasper fairly ground his. teeth with

| nalteu DeIor6 massive OAK uOof, OIHa-
mented with many strange figures and
devices carved in the wood.
DArgenson opened the door, and
stepped into the room, followed by Kas-
per.
"There she is. Look, before | call
her."
Kasper did look, and saw, standing by
table, totally absorbed in viewing
book of prints that lay before her,
graceful, dark-haired little girl, who
bore a striking resemblance to himself.
"Islaw
"What? Do you mock me by that
name~
ut was her mothers wish. Isla, l say,
Islaw
Isla shut mp the prints, and looking
up, saw, for the first time, the strange
gentleman with DArgenson.
Although her cheek flushed, she came
forward with smiling face and unem-
barr sSed air.
"Isla, my dear, have you ever seen
this gentleman bafore?'
eyes; it was his picture that mamma
used to kiss SO often and cry over"
Kasper merely sneered at this.
"She was not tod to say this" said
DArgenson, noticing Kasper's express
sion. Il never heard a word of it before.
She never hinted that her mother had a
miniature"
"Ah. indeedW
Not noticing this covert doubt. DAr-
genson turned to Isla.
"My child" he said "this is your faith
er. Kasper, if you have the heart to re-
fuse welcome to this Little one, you are
BRUTE"
Isla seemed stupefed with surprise,
but, by force of will, regaining her COM
posure, she went up to Kasper.
"FatherW she said, putting her arms
around his neck, and kissing him; "you
don't want me to 60 away, do you? You
love me, don't you? l want to have a
papa to love, SO badly"
And the little voice faltered and she
burst into tears.
"Pshaw! That trap won't do. She has
fine histrionic talent and has been well
trained; but Pm too well used to stage
tricks to be deceived so easily"
IL tell you, Kasper, this child is yours
What other proof do you desire than her
similarity of features?'
mo, child" lid Kasper to little Isla,
utterly ignoring D'Argenson's remark;
II am not your father, but that man is.
He wants me to take care of you, but !
will not"
"Mlmma told me that he was my
guardian, and that he would take me to
, my father. You are he; know you
!, are"
81 am not, child"
"Mamma said so, and mamma told the
truth"
"She did not"
: "She did, and I hate you for saying
she didn't"
And with blazing eyes the little crea
! ture, rushing to an armchair, buried hel
!. head in its cushions, sobbing bitterly.
"There, Kasper,you see yourself repro
O duced She has your impetuous temper
! when aroused, and her mothers softer
= and gentler-"
"Y ou mean harder and more fend
ish."
: "No, Kasper; but it is useless to argue
j with you. You are insane on that sub
', ject, and will listen to no explanation.
. will give you another proof of her iden
tity. She possesses your peculiarly soft
" yet strong voice, and your dramatic an(
"a musical genius. Young as she is, sh
!, could create a furore in the pusica
y world. You must hear her sing. Com
O. Isla, dry your tears, and sing the Song
s the words of which wrot and the mu
~ sic Of which you composed"
She Immediately sprang to her feet
,r her face radiant and glowing with tn
. inspiration of harmony, and in voic
b which closely resembled the one whicl
sang upon the cliff, sang sweetly.
y During the song Kaspers face under
- went marvellous chance.
j Hard, passionate and cynical as h
- was, music possessed wonderful powe
, over this man, and brought out all tn
~ innate poetry of his nature.
.. "Do you believe me now~ aske
DArgenson.
~ eyes, do. Come here, my child; 20,
w are my own. God forgive rue for m
treatment of you and your mother"
n Isla sprang into his arms.
n. n "DArgenson, forgive me, too, will 20
not? have done you great wronl
but now l sue for pardon"
"Give me your hand. Do you forgiy
V Isla for her apparent injury.
nc "God knows do! 1t is not for me
Il, forgive. Ii she were alive, | would plea
se se for pardon for the many injuries | di
GO her."
"She isp' said DArgenson.
10 "What%
-, And Kasper, leaping up, saw standin
s.. 81 before him tall, golden-haired lad
do with outstretched arms.
He sprang toward her and they We
Ve locked in loving embrace.
Mutual explanations followed, an
'o' before the night ended Kasper and Is
m- were more firmly entwined by the chail
. of love than ever.
'n They still live on the cliff, and Il
sy onoa Iittla TsIa NOW huddin0 into nromi