The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-01-30
My First Ball, and What
rs Came Of It.
CHAPTER III.

Of many other, which, together with
rides in the Park, shopping, and visits,
kept oar time always occupied. l had
quite lost my shyness and timidity, and
was fast developing into very self-pos-'
sessed, easily bored, and fashionable
young lady. / had become 50 used to
my altered life-my old happy childhood
seemed 30 far of and unreal-that l
sometimes could hardly persuade myself
II was not all dream, and that / had
never known surroundings different from
those Of the present.
Sometimes / felt weary Of 1t all as
memory went back wistfully to the love-
ly country, and the wild, beautiful seen.
cry where my youth was spent; and l
longed to see once more the warm-heart-
ed, humble friends who loved me so
truly. One Of those moods came over
me On an evening when ! sat by the fire
in what was still called ''the school
room" The others had gone to con-
cert, leaving me behind at my own earn
est request. and I anticipated with much
pleasure the quiet evening / should have
with Mary. The room was only lighted
by the CHEEKY fire. 1 had then, and still
have, a fancy for freight. There is
something 60 cozy in its fitfui, ruddy
blaze, shining now on one object, now on
another, and then comes the picturesque
effect produced by the deep, mysterious
shadow which envelopes one part OF the
room, while the rest is illuminated with
feeting radiance. Drawing my chair
close to the fender, leant back among
the cushions, and, looking dreamily into
the glowing Goals, was soon so absorbed
in thought that 1 did not notice the en-
trance Of Mary, until she said:
''Of what are you thinking, KatieT'
Nothing at all, except that feel
very comfortable" but the bleod rushed
to my cheeks a. I spoke, and felt thank
full she could not see my face, for I had
been thinking of one who was seldom alb
sent from my thoughts
"What cozy evening we shall have
together!n Mary said, as she seated her
self on the rug at my feet, leaning her
head'against me. '2sfeel just in the
hulnor for long gossip"
Yet she seemed in no hurry to begin,
but eazed silently into the fire, while /
stroked her soft brown hair caressingly,
and watched her sweet face while the
freight played over it. How sad it
looked tonight The soft, delicate lips
were tremulous, and the eyes were misty
with hushed tears,
"Katie, do you know Of what I am
thinkngw she asked, looking up sudden
u, and meeting my earnest gaze fixed on.
II am thinking Of one night six years
ago, when I was only nineteen, and SO
happy, thatI thought 1t was impossible
could ever know sorrow or loneliness.
The whole world was bright and beanti-
full to me, and my future fair and sunny
a. love and wealth could make it. Katie,
was going to be married." sa.'
Mary stopped suddenly, and choking
sob caught ner voice; then, after q mo
ment's pause, she resumed:,
IT shall not mention his name; but
that does not matter. He is dead now.
And, O Katie, can never tell you how
loved him. He was all the world to-
me; ;,sI seemed to- live only in his pres
ence; felt restless and unhappy in his
absence, and was all in all to him.
"One night, just q week before the
day fxed for our wedding, we went to a
ball given specially for us, and he was
to meSt me there. 0, it seems but yes
terday when think of it! My dress
was like that which you wore at your
Arst ball, Katie. He always liked me to
dress in white" ''.' .ri. '.. + q +'f Il
She stopped again and put her hands
20 her forehead, then without removing
them she continued: 81 gan '+.'N'''
"He had not come when we arrived;
but / knew he would be late as he had
another engagement likely to detain him.
The night we're on, and still he did not
come. l was in the middle Of waltz,
when / saw some people, whispering at
the door and looking at me. ! knew
there was something wrong, and went to
zee what it was. AT first they would not
tell me, and strove,to keep me back when
I,endeavored to leave the room; but / |
broke from them, and vefYs soon / knew
it all. He had been thrown from high
mail phaeton, almost 1T the very door
steps, and was carried senseless into the |
house. = & .,...s,,.. ......~.....,,v : 'f3
"'You must not see him. some one
said to me as ! tried to force my way
into the room where he was, but I did
not heed them, and was soon beside the
couch On which he lay. A couple of
doctors stood on the other side. His |
eyes were closed, and his breath came in |
long painful gasps; but, thank God, he
was not disfgured in the slightest degree,
and as looked at him I could not be- |
lieve what they told me, that the hurt
was mortal, aud that he would never see
another sunrise" g l'..''ii. 81.
.F1put my arms round Mary's neck, and
my tears fell fast. Her eyes we're tear
less, but her voice was hoarse and low |
with the memory Of q great agony as she |
went on: A5 %-an
AFTER little while he opened his
eyes and recognized me at ence. They
left us alone, and for the remaining
hours of his life / had my arm round
u = L L 49, -. l..u.A L