The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-02-04

Hall, ndu CrduSOTmeu tuo pTctty laCc
and figure, and frightened Nellie into a
most attractive hostess.
Only ten minutes left for the dining
room.
Jane was sure to have well-cooked
dinner and neatly arranged table. but
a few touches here and there removed all
the stiff primness of James work, while
tall vase of June roses made the din
ing-room fragrant and pleasant.
When George Huntley opened his
hall door with his usual weary sigh, his
foot had scarcely passed the threshold
when pleasant sense OF rest and relief
crept over him.
The long-closed doors Of the drawing
room stood wide open.
The half-closed blinds of the open
windows admitted the cool evening
breezes, softly stirring the lace curtains;
vases and saucers of fresh, fragrant fow-
stood here and there, and upon the open
plano were scattered loose sheets of
music.
In this pleasant room chubby boy in
white was running to meet papa, while a
smiling wife spoke few gentle words OF
welcome.
No fretful woman with untidy dress
and rough hair; no boy banished to the
nursery tonight .
George was a philosopher.
He made no comment; but Nellie felt
the added tenderness Of his kiss, noted
the admiring looks in his eyes and felt
that her work was appreciated.
Dinner passed off pleasantly.
Encouraged by her success so far.
Nellie chatted gayly, and George found
himself lingering over the dessert OF fresh
fruits, till long after his usual time for
leaving the table. =.
"You are not going outa' Nellie said,
as she saw George advancing ominously
toward the hat-rack.
Il was going to Kate's Will you not
come alongT
81 would rather have you here"
"Then will stay. You have the first
claim"
Thanks. I was thinking how long
1t was since we had game Of backgam-
mvn." '.. ........... ...... .....
II hoped you were going to play for
me-" with glance at the piano.
"I will. Tonight you must remember
that am out Of practice, but afterward
I will not claim that indulgence. To-
morrow I will resume daily practice"
"I wish you would" was the earnest
reply. 'It has really grieved me to see
such musical talent and culture as yours
being wasted"
Even in that opening prelude the
skillful fingers regained some Of the
cunning and force, and when at last
Nellie said she was tired, both were
amazed to find two hours had flown by.
A few games of backgammon, song
or two, and it was time to retire.
Instead of lonely, hurried breakfast
the next morning, George found Nellie
in neat morning dress, presiding over
the table, as in the days when house
keeping had the charm Of novelty.
Three weeks passed away, and then
Kate came to spend an evening with her
brother. accompanied by the pretty wi
dow, Mrs Gordon.
Nellie had scarcely admitted to her
self why she chose her softest aad pref
tiest muslin for that evening wear; why
she was 80 very careful in the arrange
ment of the Pompadour roll her hus-
band declared so becoming to her lace;
why she selected her prettiest set Of jew
elry, and crisp new ribbons for hair and
necktie.
But George, as his visitors entered the
room, could not refrain from the COM
parision between Nellie and Retta, and a
throb Of exultation at the thought that
he had chosen we'll.
Pique, or more ignorant impulse,
prompted the dashing widow to exert all
her fascinations. ....
She played brilliantly; she sang well;
she chatted with wit and vivacity; but
Nellie met her bravely on her own
ground and conquered her.
Her musical attainments far surpassed
the widows snowy, superficial playing,
and her voice was full of depth and feel
ing. ..a-.
Not once did she waver.
Her husbands heart was the stake for
which she PLAYED, and though she knew
it had never strayed far from its lawful
allegiance, she wanted it firmly fixed
upon herself.
The evening was nearly over, when
Kate said: Isl
"You have quite deserted us, George.
It is three weeks since you have spent an
evening at our house."
"Impossiblel 1t can not be 30 long,
Nellie turned her head away to hide
her glad smile of triumph.
"But it is" Kate persisted; tive were
counting the days this morning"
II will come with Nellie some evening
next week. Where has the time flown,
Nellw .. s.... t. 4
"There were two evenings at the the
ater," Nellie said, demurely.
Eyes, and we have been learning some
new duets. And I am reading Owen
Meredith's poetry aloud to Nellie, and
We are contriving some additions for the
conservatory, thattakes time to calcu-
late and plan. Then Nellie is helping
me about some papers that want to get