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

cutS III Europe Mter the Close OF The
season, and Frank was going to Rome tc
meet her and marry"
"Have you no God-speed for me, Mis-
LeeT asked Frank Merrill at the last
grand party Of the year.
"Of course I have" said Eunice; ~
wish you all the pleasure and fame pos
sible."
He looked up quickly as she empha.
sized "fame," but she only turned tow.
ard him with a saucy smile, and he said
to himself, "She doesn't mean anything.
She will never know how I love her.
So he shook hands in q kindly manner
and Withdrew.
A few months flew by, and Eunice
was startled one day by receiving cards
to the marriage of Mrs LeGrange's
niece, Laura EARLY.
When she saw that the lady's choice
was no other than a brother of one of
her most intimate friends, and not her
old lover, her astonishment knew no
bounds, and she could not help asking
her friend show the change had come
aboutw
"Why don't you know the storyT'
asked her friend. ~ supposed you knew
it all from Frank, although he made us
promise not to tell any one of the cir
cumstances until after the wedding"
"You see, Laura EARLY and Harry
Stillman were schoolmates, and had
formed an early attachment, which
ripened into an engagement.
'But the Earllys were old friends of
Mr.. Richard Merrill, Franks uncle, and
had set their hearts upon marrying
Laura and Frank when they should be-
come old enough.
$50, after you and Frank had broken
off, old Mr.. Merrill arranged their meet.
ing at Mrs. LeGrange's, her aunt's.
"They knew the plans of their folks,
on both sides. But Laura opened her
heart to Frank, telling him of her love
for Harry, and the persistent refusal OF
her parents not to sanction their union.
$50 Frank, with his generous nature,
resolved to arrange matters by refusing
with great 'gusto' to marry Laura.
He succeeded so we'll that her par
ents, in fit of pique, gave their consent
to Harry, hoping that Frank would re-
gret the slight given TO their daughters
charms by him as soon as he heard Of
their engagement.
"But the worst of all Is that his rich
old uncle has disowned him. Whether
it will last or not can't say, but I hope
the old fellow will repent before long.
"Dear mel Eunice, always thought
you and he were made for each other.
I've INDUCED in many little romances
over you two. What made you quarrel
with him"
"We did not quarrel" said Eunice;
1--WE have always been the best of
friends"
"Well, Pm afraid you haven't appre-
ciated him." said her friend.
Two years have passed away, during
which many changes have come to Eu-
nice.
An uncle of hers had lost his wife and
onlv child, and, feeling the need Of
change and travel, sent to her, asking
her to 20 with him, as his companion
and heiress." He had always been her
favorite relative, and, symphathizing
with him in his great trials, she did not
wait long before joining him, to his great
delight.
After travelling for some months, Wis
iting the various cities of the old world,
they turned their steps toward Rome.
Eunice could hardly wait to get set
tied at the hotel before starting out to
hunt up Frank Merrill. She longed to
look upon an old friend, such as he had
been. Of course he would care but very
little about her visit, and she would not
expect any recognition other than lie
would give to his many acquaintance.
The last news his friends had re-
ceived from him che was studying and
supporting himself by his paintings in
Rome"
After settling themselves at the hotel,
Eunice called upon some friends who
had been sojourning in the ''great city"
some months.
She wished to hear about the various
studios, and to get her friends assistance
in hunting up Franks whereabouts.
But her pride was too great to call di
rect attention to him at first.
But the longing to see him as he was
now situated, depending on his own ex
ertions for support overcame all else, and
after spending few days in visiting the
various studios she made inquiry Of thil
friend. - .
II though you would Ike to know
about him, Eunice, so when we frs
came I tried to hunt him up and keeE
track Of him. But he is a queer fellow
"Once met him on the street and ht
seemed very glad to see me. Asked mt
about you, and all of your old friends
walked with me to my hotel, bat nevel
mentioned his lodging place. @
"He gave me his card, butit contained
only his Post-ofice address. After drop
ping couple Of invitations to him, i,
call on us, and receiving no answer,
gave him up,
"He looked very pale and thin, said b
had been very ill with fever, and hac
been unable to paint for months, bu
was beginning work again.
"Do you know, Eunice, I fear he j