The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-01-27

AFTER MANY YEARS.

busily engaged in the manufacture oi
two elaborate evening dresses
"A deep and philosophical remark
mamma" said Nav Marshall, looking ur
rather saucily. "Pray what oocasionet
kr'
"You won't know anything about it, >
was the reply, "but your Aunt Efie
will"
Miss Efie Selwyn looked up in hel
turn, twisting, as she did 50, bright
blue ribbon into tasty knot
MRS. Montgomery has Just called
said Mrs Marshall, "and tells me that
her brother Harold will be home in time
for Mrs. Grants party"
The knot of blue satin ribbon was sud-
denly crushed out of all shape by the
quick, convulsive grasp of Miss Effie Sell
wyn's fingers, while about that lady's
lips gathered whiteness and moisture
that threatened fainting fit.
For moment the room looked dark
and the voices sounded far away and in
distinct-only for a moment; then she
reused herself to see that her agitation
had been unnoticed, and to hear her
niece Carrie saying: .-
II never knew Mrs. Montgomery had
. brother" t..-.. :.
Probably. not" said Mrs. Marshall.
"He has been in China for-how many
years is it, EfieT'
"Twelvew
Twelve yearsp' cried May. "No
wonder you think Carrie and I know
nothing about him. He must be as old
as his sister,"
"Let me see; he was about twenty
three when he went away" said Mrs.
Marshall, musingly. HE is not more
than thirty-fve. That is still young for
q man."
She looked, as she spoke, at her pretty
blooming girls of eighteen and twenty,
and vaguely called to mind the stories
she had heard of the large fortune Harold
Russell had gathered together during his
exile.
Then she gave herself little mental
shake, thinking
"Pshaw! l am not going to turn into
a rnaneuvering mother yet" and. taking
a anaedle, also engaged in the work Of
ball-dress making.
For Mrs. Grants party was to be an
event in the quiet little town of Aeydon,
the hostess residing in the largest and
most stately mansion, and opening upon
gala nights long, wide ballroom that
was the delight of dancing feet.
The Misses Marshall, brightest of
blondes, were to appear at the coming
festival in clouds Of white tulle with
blue trimmings, and the multitudinous
skirts, puffs and rufiles demanded by
fashion required busy stitching for weary
hours beforehand.
Miss Selwyn had also been hidden to
the party, but "Aunt Eflie never went
anywhere" the girls said, so there was
no dress preparing for her adornment.
As her needle went in and out, through
cloudy tulle and lustrous satin, Effie
Selwyn thought '.' '..-
"Coming home! Home to what7 Does
ne bring wife from the far-away land
Of his sojourn, or will he choose one here
among the fair young girls Of his own
country?
ooh, the bitter folly Of the past May
and Carrie are now light thearted and
gay, as l was when Harold Russell and l
clasped hands with promise to be all in
all each to the other.
"Only one little year Of happiness, and
he left me. How long was it? A year,
two years, before knew that he thought
me false to him, never guessing that it
was Kate's betrothed husband he saw me
greet so warmly, when / never guessed
he was near.
"a brothers. caress and kiss worked
al the misery. Poor sister Kate, she
never knew the anguish her handsome
lover caused her. Well, they are far
away, happy in their home, and What
of met ,,..,,.'. .s',
"Can it be that I am so foolish as to
think the old days can ever come again?
If Harold Russell loves now, it will be
some brilliant girl, not the faded shadow
of his old love!''
The eventful evening came at last. and
the girls were shut up in their room pre-
pairing for conquest.
Mrs. Marshall was likewise engaged in |
toilet mysteries.
In her own rooofl, with the door Sc.
curely fastened, Effie Selwyn was, she
said in her own heart, making a goose"
of herself.
A very fair and satisfactory goose she
made, as her preparations were COM
pleted, though her own criticism was not
complimentary.
II am but a faded old maid, after all"
Was she?
Her thirty years of peaceful life, with
only nna hAart aggie, M nsa .s. .-s. AAr face
as smooth as in girlhood:
= Considering it is twelve years since l /
wore this dress and flowers, / do not look
30 very antiquated. A,train is always
train, and l suppose the overskirt moder.
nizes it," thought Efie.
Then she went to box hidden away
IN her bureau drawer, and from its most
secret corner she took ring, wrapped
carefully IN soft cotton.
"Dare Ig' she whispered, turning it
round under the gaslight, and showing
the device, an enameled violet, with a
flashing diamond for its heart.