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-The Project Gutenberg eBook of Stella Rosevelt, by Georgie Sheldon

-

-This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and

-most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions

-whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms

-of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at

-www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you

-will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before

-using this eBook.

-

-Title: Stella Rosevelt

-       A novel

-

-Author: Georgie Sheldon

-

-Release Date: May 4, 2023 [eBook #70696]

-

-Language: English

-

-Produced by: Richard Tonsing and the Online Distributed Proofreading

-             Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from

-             images generously made available by The Internet Archive)

-

-*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STELLA ROSEVELT ***

-

-

-

-

-

-                            STELLA ROSEVELT.

-                               =A Novel.=

-

-

-                                   BY

-                         MRS. GEORGIE SHELDON.

-

-                               AUTHOR OF

-

-   “BROWNIE’S TRIUMPH,” “THE FORSAKEN BRIDE,” “LOST—A PEARLE,” “EARLE

-                     WAYNE’S NOBILITY,” ETC., ETC.

-

-[Illustration: logo]

-

-                               NEW YORK:

-                  _G. W. Dillingham Co., Publishers_.

-

-

-

-

-                        Copyright, 1883 and 1890

-                           By STREET & SMITH

-

-                            Stella Rosevelt

-

-

-

-

-                               CONTENTS.

-

-

-            CHAPTER.                                   PAGE.

-                 I.— ON THE ATLANTIC                       9

-                II.— SAVED                                19

-               III.— THE YOUNG STRANGER                   30

-                IV.— MRS. RICHARDS                        38

-                 V.— BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT                47

-                VI.— STELLA’S APPEAL                      57

-               VII.— A CONSULTATION                       68

-              VIII.— RETRENCHMENT                         76

-                IX.— CHANGE OF FORTUNE                    89

-                 X.— THE UNWELCOME GUEST                  97

-                XI.— FILTHY LUCRE                        104

-               XII.— THE CAMEO RING                      114

-              XIII.— A GLAD MEETING                      124

-               XIV.— “LET ME DEPICT YOUR FUTURE.”        135

-                XV.— A FATAL MISTAKE                     146

-               XVI.— A GREAT SHOCK                       154

-              XVII.— “WHY HAS HE DONE THIS THING?”       162

-             XVIII.— EXPLANATIONS                        175

-               XIX.— MALICIOUS FALSEHOODS                188

-                XX.— STAR’S DETERMINATION                198

-               XXI.— FRUITLESS EFFORTS                   212

-              XXII.— THE GOAL REACHED                    222

-             XXIII.— AN INTERESTING STORY                234

-              XXIV.— WHAT NEXT?                          248

-               XXV.— STAR’S DELIGHT                      258

-              XXVI.— “WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?”              265

-             XXVII.— DEFEATED                            273

-            XXVIII.— RESCUED FROM A HORRIBLE FATE        279

-              XXIX.— JOSEPHINE’S INGRATITUDE             288

-               XXX.— “I LOVE HIM STILL.”                 294

-              XXXI.— A NOBLE RESOLUTION                  301

-             XXXII.— “I PROMISE.”                        308

-            XXXIII.— “YOU ARE THE TRAITOR.”              316

-             XXXIV.— MUTUAL EXPLANATIONS                 325

-              XXXV.— MRS. RICHARDS’ GREAT EXPECTATIONS   330

-             XXXVI.— JOSEPHINE’S AMBITION                337

-            XXXVII.— THE MOCK MARRIAGE                   345

-           XXXVIII.— “I HAVE BEEN MAD.”                  353

-             XXXIX.— A CRUSHING BLOW                     363

-                XL.— STELLA’S MENTAL AGONY               371

-               XLI.— REHEARSING THE PAST                 382

-              XLII.— THE LAWYER’S REBUKE                 393

-             XLIII.— “GOD BLESS OUR STAR.”               403

-              XLIV.— FAITH’S TRIUMPH                     414

-

-

-

-

-                            STELLA ROSEVELT.

-

-

-

-

-                               CHAPTER I.

-                            ON THE ATLANTIC.

-

-                                       “A star

-             Which moves not ’mid the moving heavens alone,

-             A smile among dark frowns—a gentle tone

-             Among rude voices, a beloved light,

-             A solitude, a refuge, a delight.”—SHELLEY.

-

-

-A noble steamer was laboriously plowing the turbulent waters of the

-great Atlantic, heaving, and struggling, and creaking with every

-revolution of her gigantic screw, for the waves were rolling

-high—“mountain high”—in very truth. The huge dark masses of water would

-swell and rise up like a great black wall, reaching, it seemed, almost

-to the angry, leaden sky above, then sweeping down with mighty force,

-thunder upon the decks of that great vessel, making it shudder to its

-very center, sending it down, down into the yawning depths, as if eager,

-in venomous spite, to blot it out of existence.

-

-There were very few first cabin passengers on board the —— as she thus

-labored on her weary way between Liverpool and New York, for it was late

-in the year, and the rush of travel was over for that season.

-

-Fifteen were all they numbered, while there were about twice as many in

-the steerage; and well it was that there were no more to share the

-horrors of that dreadful voyage.

-

-It had been a very gloomy passage, a severe storm arising the second day

-out, which had increased in violence until now—the fifth day—it appeared

-as if all the elements had conspired to work destruction upon the stanch

-ship which was faithfully battling with the cruel waves and toiling to

-bear its precious freight of human souls safely into port.

-

-It was a forlorn little company that sat shivering and trembling in the

-close saloon—only five, all out of the fifteen who had not succumbed to

-the seasickness—and these five had the appearance, with their pale,

-pinched faces, their heavy eyes and disordered attire, of feeling

-anything but comfortable or well.

-

-An old man of perhaps sixty years, his hair and beard white as snow, his

-face sallow and wrinkled, his eyes anxious and sunken, sat upon the

-floor—indeed, it was impossible to sit anywhere else—braced against a

-stationary seat, and clinging to one of the iron posts which supported

-the roof of the saloon. He was wrapped in a heavy shawl and two elegant

-rugs; his soft hat was drawn down over his forehead, and he seemed

-entirely oblivious of everything about him.

-

-Two spinsters, companions and sisters, lay upon cushions flat upon the

-floor, and, also wrapped in their rugs, looked not unlike two huge bags

-of wool rolling from side to side with every motion of the boat.

-

-Another man had crept into a corner, where he tried to keep himself from

-pitching about by clinging to a rope which he had fastened to an

-immovable table.

-

-The only other occupant of the place was a little fair-haired maiden of

-perhaps fifteen or sixteen years.

-

-She was small and delicate, and was sitting, or trying to sit, upon the

-floor, not far from the old gentleman before mentioned.

-

-She was wrapped in a thick woolen shawl, and her head was covered with a

-crimson hood, so that not much could be seen of her, save the fair, pale

-face, with its sad, appealing blue eyes, which looked out from beneath

-masses of shining golden ringlets that had strayed from her hood and lay

-upon her white forehead. She had a sensitive mouth, a pretty, rounded

-chin, a small, straight nose, and altogether, had she possessed

-something of color and less of sadness in her face, would have been

-considered wondrously fair to look upon.

-

-This little waif, with her child-like countenance, her pathetic eyes,

-and her patient, uncomplaining spirit, was traveling alone.

-

-There was not a soul on board that vessel whom she had ever seen before

-the day of sailing.

-

-An orphan—her father, and the only relative on whom she could depend,

-had died just three months previous—she was going to the United States,

-to some distant connections who had consented to take her until she was

-of age and teach her to earn her own living.

-

-She had been put in the care of the captain by the people with whom she

-had been staying since her father’s death, and he was to deliver her to

-the strangers to whom she was going.

-

-Some strange magnetism had attracted her toward the old gentleman with

-the white hair and beard of whom we have spoken, and near to whom she

-was now sitting.

-

-She had hovered about him ever since the first day of the voyage, not in

-an obtrusive way, but as if she liked to be near him—as if there were

-something trustworthy and protective about him.

-

-Perhaps one reason for this was that her seat had been next his at

-table—while they had been able to sit at the table—and once or twice,

-when she could not attract the attention of the steward, he had handed

-her what she wanted, and helped her bountifully to fruit when otherwise

-she would have been neglected.

-

-When the storm came on with such violence that those not confined to

-their berths were obliged to take to the floor of the saloon for safety,

-she had crept as near to him as she dared, and though she had sat there

-all day long, he had never spoken to her once, or appeared to heed her

-presence, but remained, instead, wrapped in his own thoughts.

-

-Suddenly the ship rose upon a mighty wave—up, up she went, until every

-trembling passenger held his breath with awe; then she plunged headlong

-down into the raging deep, with a sinking, sickening sensation that

-chilled the blood and made the flesh creep with fear.

-

-The next moment another terrific wave struck her, with a noise like the

-roar of a hundred cannon, and with a force which made her quiver like a

-frightened creature from stem to stern; and in the dread pause which

-followed, and which was fraught with horrible suspense, the little maid

-clasped her small hands and cast an appealing glance at her gray-haired

-companion.

-

-He, seeing it, smiled grimly as he asked, in rather a gruff tone:

-

-“Afraid, sis?”

-

-Before she could answer him the vessel gave another tremendous lurch,

-and she was rudely precipitated almost into the arms of her questioner.

-

-He caught her just in time to save her from being dashed against the

-iron post by which he was sitting, and when she had recovered her breath

-a little, he put her gently down beside him, keeping one strong arm

-around her to save her from a second fall.

-

-“This is pretty rough weather. Are you afraid?” he asked again, and

-looking with something of pity down upon her white face.

-

-“It startles me to have the vessel pitch and tremble so, and those

-dreadful waves seem as if they want to swallow us; but I know that

-nothing can harm us, unless——”

-

-“Unless what?” the old man queried, as she hesitated and glanced shyly

-up at him, a tinge of color coming into her cheeks.

-

-“Unless it is God’s will,” she answered, reverently.

-

-A sneer curled her companion’s lip at this reply; but the sweet eyes

-looking up into his seemed to touch some tender memory, for it quickly

-died, and he repressed the skeptical words to which he was about to give

-utterance.

-

-But she _felt_ it, nevertheless, and, with a grave look and serious

-tone, she asked:

-

-“Don’t you believe that God rules the storm, and that He will take care

-of us?”

-

-“My experience all through life has been that I have had to take care of

-_myself_,” he returned, with some bitterness.

-

-“And I have been taught to trust ‘our Heavenly Father.’ I think one

-would hardly have much faith in _one’s self_ at such a time as this,”

-the little maiden said, with a look of awe and an involuntary shudder,

-as another wave broke over them.

-

-The man by her side felt the gentle rebuke, but he evaded it by saying:

-

-“I think no harm will come to us. I have crossed the Atlantic many

-times; I have sailed upon other oceans, and have been in storms equal

-to, if not worse, than this. I do not fear the elements much in one of

-these well-built boats. There is only one thing at sea that I _really_

-feel _afraid_ of.”

-

-“And what is that?”

-

-“Fire.”

-

-He felt the thrill of fear that went vibrating through her whole frame

-as he uttered the dread word, and appeared to regret having added to her

-apprehension, for he continued, reassuringly:

-

-“But an accident of that kind rarely happens nowadays, and where

-everything is so carefully conducted as on these large steamers. There,

-sit close beside me,” he went on, as still another thundering mass of

-water swept over them; “lean against me—so. I will keep my arm about

-you, and you will be safer than sitting by yourself. But how does it

-happen that you are traveling alone?”

-

-“My father and mother are dead,” she answered, with the same appealing

-look that had touched him before, while her lips quivered over the sad

-sentence. “I had no friends in England, and so I am going to live with a

-cousin of my mother’s in America.”

-

-“What is your name, little girl?”

-

-The “little girl” flushed rosily at this question—as what maiden of

-fifteen or sixteen would not at this slur upon her proudly attained

-“teens?”—while she thought he need not have asked if he had taken pains

-to look at the passenger list; but she replied:

-

-“Star Rosevelt Gladstone.”

-

-A startled, almost agonized gleam shot into the old man’s eyes, and his

-face seemed to shrivel, until he looked ninety instead of sixty, as the

-young girl, in her sweet, clear tone, uttered this name.

-

-“Star Rosevelt!” he repeated, with pale lips, while his voice sounded

-weak and far away.

-

-“Yes, sir,” she said, not noticing his emotion; “or rather my real name

-is Stella, but mamma called me Star always;” and her voice faltered as

-she spoke of her dead mother.

-

-Her companion did not answer, and the roar of the elements increasing,

-further conversation was out of the question, even had they been so

-disposed, which they appeared not to be.

-

-The old man’s head dropped upon his broad chest, and he seemed suddenly

-to have forgotten his companion, the angry waters, the rolling vessel,

-and everything else in his own sad thoughts.

-

-Darkness began to settle down upon them. The storm raged on; the

-spinsters moaned and rolled upon their comfortless couches; the man in

-the corner swore and raved as he was rudely jostled about, with no

-prospect of rest or sleep; while the gray-haired man and the fair-haired

-maid, encircled by his strong arm, sat side by side, silent, yet less

-forlorn than their comrades by reason of a feeling of companionship,

-until the young girl’s blue eyes closed, her golden head sank

-unconsciously upon the broad shoulder, and she slept sweetly and

-tranquilly the whole night through, a smile on her red lips, a sense of

-comfort and protection in her young heart.

-

-When morning broke and Star Gladstone awoke, she found herself lying

-upon a heap of rugs, a pillow underneath her head and a soft robe

-covering her.

-

-The sun was shining brightly into the saloon, where, only a few hours

-before, all had been so dark and dismal; the sky was beautifully clear

-and blue, without a vestige of the angry clouds which had so threatened

-ship and life a little while ago, and the good vessel was riding the

-gradually subsiding waves with strong and steady pulsations, which

-seemed to have almost a sense of victory in their throbbings, while the

-terrors of the night seemed only a troubled dream of the past.

-

-She arose from her soft couch with a murmured “How kind!” as she

-realized who had made her so comfortable, and went below to her

-state-room to make her toilet.

-

-After a refreshing bath she brushed out her long, abundant hair until it

-shone like strands of finest gold; then gathering it in her two hands,

-she plaited it into one massive braid, leaving the ends loose like a

-great golden tassel, and tying them with a broad blue ribbon.

-

-Then she substituted a charming little blue hood edged with white for

-the thick crimson one which she had worn all night, wrapped a soft gray

-shawl about her shoulders, and went up on deck looking as bright and

-sunny as the morn itself.

-

-She was very lovely. Short fluffy locks of her hair fell like a shining

-mist over her white forehead; her great azure eyes gleamed like

-bluebells after a shower; her cheeks were tinged with a delicate color,

-and a smile of joy at the return of fair weather parted her red lips,

-showing two rows of small white teeth between.

-

-As she stepped out upon the deck, she espied her companion of the night

-standing aft, looking out upon the silver-tipped, dancing waves.

-

-She glided to his side and saluted him with a sweetly spoken

-“good-morning,” which fell like music on his ear.

-

-He turned and looked at her, an involuntary smile parting his lips,

-which evidently were unaccustomed to such relaxation.

-

-“You are rightly named—you look like a star,” he said, abruptly, while

-his keen eyes were fixed intently on her bright face.

-

-She flushed, but answered archly:

-

-“Stars belong to the night; they are of no account in this glorious

-sunshine;” and she lifted her face up to the sun, as if in gratitude

-that its friendly beams were shining on her once more.

-

-“It _is_ a glorious morning,” said the old man, taking a long breath of

-the pure, keen air.

-

-“Sorrow may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning,” Star

-murmured, in a low tone, but with a thrill in her voice which told how

-she felt the words.

-

-Again a sneering smile distorted the lips of her companion.

-

-She saw it, and flushed a vivid crimson, and the tears sprang quickly to

-her eyes.

-

-“Mamma used to repeat those words so often when she lay sick and dying,”

-she said, sadly. “I know that _she_ looked forward to the ‘morning’ when

-she should be released from her suffering; but they never sounded so

-pleasantly to me as they do now on this beautiful morning after our

-night of terror.”

-

-“Anything which was a source of comfort to your mother you doubtless

-treasure very tenderly,” kindly replied the gentleman, who _was_ a

-gentleman, and felt sorry that his unbelief or skepticism should have

-brought a shadow upon that fair young face.

-

-“There is the breakfast-bell,” he added, in a light tone, as it rang out

-its keen notes. “Are you hungry?”

-

-“Indeed I am, sir,” Star answered, eagerly, adding, with a clear, sweet

-laugh that fell like music on his ear: “Eating has been an impossibility

-during the last few days, and I have considerable lost time to make up.

-That bell has a welcome sound.”

-

-“Then take my arm, little girl, and we will go down together; the boat

-is not quite steady even yet.”

-

-“Little girl!”

-

-She flushed again, and shrugged her graceful shoulders.

-

-Then she glanced up at him with a serio-comic air, and said, with a

-pretty pout:

-

-“I am sixteen years old, Mr.——”

-

-She could not finish, because she did not know his name.

-

-He laughed.

-

-“And maidens of sixteen don’t like to be called little girls, eh?” he

-said. “Well,” he continued, “I feel as if I am privileged to call you

-that, since I am nearly sixty, and _my_ name is Jacob Rosevelt.”

-

-Star stopped short and looked up at him in surprise.

-

-“How strange!” she exclaimed.

-

-“Rather,” Mr. Rosevelt returned; then asked: “How did you come by your

-middle name?”

-

-“My grandmother gave it to me.”

-

-“Was her name Rosevelt?”

-

-“No; her maiden name was Stella Winthrop.”

-

-Mr. Rosevelt started, then turned suddenly to look out over the sea, and

-to hide the pallor of his face. He asked no more questions, and all

-through breakfast he appeared absent-minded and taciturn. He scarcely

-spoke to Star during the meal—indeed, hardly noticed her at all—and she

-wondered if she could have offended him in any way.

-

-Before she was half through he left the table, and she saw no more of

-him until late in the afternoon.

-

-About three o’clock she left the saloon, where she had been trying to

-while away the time by reading, and went on deck.

-

-It was very cold, but the sky was cloudless, the sea calm and beautiful,

-and, save an occasional call and response from the sailors, the distant

-thud of the machinery, and the swash of the water as they plowed the

-sea, there was scarcely a sound on board the vessel.

-

-Star found a sheltered spot, and wrapping her shawl close about her, sat

-down for a little while to watch the white-capped waves and the speeding

-ship.

-

-She had scarcely settled herself, thinking with a feeling of gratitude

-how lovely it was after the dreadful storm, when there came the noise of

-a dreadful explosion from somewhere forward, followed by a fearful

-rocking of the vessel; then the most horrible shrieks and cries rent the

-air; a column of smoke, sparks, and cinders went pouring up from the

-region of the engine-room, and immediately passengers and sailors began

-running about in great confusion, and perfectly frantic from fright.

-

-Star was unhurt, but she sprang to her feet and stood as if paralyzed

-with fear, a look of horror on her young face, a feeling like death at

-her heart.

-

-“Something dreadful has happened,” she murmured, with white lips. “Have

-we escaped the storm only to encounter a worse fate?”

-

-Then, as she saw the sailors getting down the life-boats, a sudden

-thought seemed to inspire her. She darted from the deck down into her

-state-room, where, opening a tiny trunk, she seized a package of papers,

-which she pulled up from beneath her clothing, and thrust it into her

-bosom. She then took from a pretty box several articles of jewelry,

-which evidently had belonged to her mother, and fastened them about her

-clothing, putting some of them into a pocket of a skirt and pinning it

-securely together. This done, she darted out and up to the deck again.

-

-

-

-

-                              CHAPTER II.

-                                 SAVED.

-

-

-Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who

-were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them

-the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in

-the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused

-such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.

-

-As she went nearer the captain she saw Mr. Rosevelt. He looked gloomy

-and anxious, and very pale, while he was eagerly scanning the faces of

-the people about him, and holding a life-preserver in his hands. His

-face lighted as he turned and saw her, and he heaved a long breath of

-relief.

-

-“I was looking for you,” he said, in a hoarse voice, while he

-immediately proceeded to fasten the preserver about her person.

-

-He then drew her arm within his, led her to the side of the vessel, and

-stood quietly waiting until the boats were lowered and the captain

-should bid them enter.

-

-“Have you anything valuable that you wish to save—_if we_ _are saved_?”

-he asked, seeming suddenly to remember that she might have something.

-

-“Yes, I have a few important papers and my mother’s jewels. I went down

-to get them after the explosion. How did it happen?” she asked.

-

-“No one knows. It was one of those accidents which cannot be accounted

-for. The whole fore part of the ship is nearly blown to pieces,” he

-returned, gloomily.

-

-Star shuddered, and then turned to watch the men let down the boats.

-

-There were only three of them, the others having been destroyed or blown

-overboard. These were quickly filled by the frantic passengers and

-emigrants, who scrambled into them in spite of the orders of the captain

-to await his commands.

-

-They took everything into their own hands, and as soon as the seats were

-taken, began to push off, regardless of the appealing cries of those

-remaining on board, the anger of the captain, and the threats of the

-sailors.

-

-Mr. Rosevelt and Star were among those left, and the old man pleaded for

-a place for the young girl, calling them inhuman brutes to seek their

-own safety and leave a delicate girl to perish.

-

-“The boats will hold no more!” the frantic creatures cried. “Every one

-must look out for himself in such a time as this.”

-

-“Wretches! have you no feeling? Are there no fathers and mothers among

-you? Will you see this child go down before your very eyes? You _must_

-take her!” he cried, wildly, authoritatively.

-

-A feeling of shame seemed to come over them; there followed a moment of

-consultation, a counting of those in the different boats, then a

-reluctant consent was gained to take her into one of them.

-

-“Be quick!” they cried, as a rush of flame in the center of the steamer

-warned them that a new and terrible danger threatened; and Mr. Rosevelt

-led her toward the rope ladder swinging from the vessel’s side.

-

-Star was very pale, but her great blue eyes had a strange, determined

-gleam in them.

-

-“Are you afraid to go down the ladder?” Mr. Rosevelt asked, as he paused

-before it.

-

-“Not if _you_ will go _first_ and hold it for me,” she answered.

-

-“But I cannot; they will not take us both,” he said.

-

-She drew back from the edge of the vessel, and looking up into that aged

-face, said, tremulously:

-

-“Sir, you have dear friends who are waiting for you, and who would mourn

-your death. I have no one who loves me; I was going among strangers, and

-I should not be missed. You go; I am not afraid to die.”

-

-He looked at her in mingled awe and admiration, while those brave words,

-“I am not afraid to die,” smote him keenly.

-

-“Child,” he said, huskily, “it must not be. You are young and beautiful;

-there is a long life of happiness, I trust, before you. _My_ days are

-nearly spent, and I could not accept such a sacrifice. Come, they are

-clamoring impatiently at the delay. Give me one kiss, such as you would

-give to your own father were he living, and then I will help you down;

-or, if you are afraid, the sailors shall tie a rope about you and let

-you down.”

-

-He bent his head, his face filled with a yearning tenderness, to hers.

-

-“The captain and the sailors—must they remain and perish, too?” she

-asked, breathlessly, while she shuddered as a hot wave of smoke came

-pouring over them.

-

-“Yes; there is room for no one but you. Come; they will not wait longer.

-One kiss, little Star, and—God bless you!”

-

-She looked up at him in surprise; he was asking God to bless her, when

-only last night he had sneered at her trust in Him. But she kissed him,

-for his lips were almost touching hers as he spoke. Then she leaned over

-the vessel’s side, and said, in loud, clear tones:

-

-“I shall not go with you; there are enough in the boat already.”

-

-She turned her back resolutely upon what seemed her only hope of safety,

-and, clinging to Mr. Rosevelt, she said:

-

-“I will not leave you, the only one who has spoken kindly to me during

-all the voyage. They did not want me, for my extra weight would lessen

-their chances, and I will _try_ to be brave when—when the end comes.”

-

-She was ghastly even to her lips, but there was a clear and steady light

-in her eye.

-

-Mr. Rosevelt was horror-struck at what she had done.

-

-“Heavens, child! you shall not do this rash thing! Hold, there!” he

-yelled to those in the boat; “she _will_ go!” and he lifted her in his

-arms and bore her to the spot she had just left, while the captain

-roared to the men below to wait.

-

-But even as they were speaking the vessel gave a tremendous lurch and

-settled far down into the water. Smoke and flame were vomited up from

-below, and, horror of horrors! the boat into which they had just been

-urging—almost forcing Star—was swamped in the commotion of waters caused

-by that lurch, and its luckless freight were at the mercy of the hungry

-waves.

-

-It was a fearful moment.

-

-Cries and shrieks for help came up from the cruel depths, and white,

-upturned faces looked piteously toward the sinking hulk, as if imploring

-even the brief respite from a horrible death which it could afford.

-

-Boxes, spars, and anything that was at hand, were cast over to them, and

-several succeeded in reaching and clinging to them, while others went

-down to their watery grave before the eyes of that watching, agonized

-group on the burning vessel, who almost forgot their own impending fate

-in the sufferings of their comrades. Suddenly a shout rent the air.

-

-The captain hastened forward to see what it meant, and saw one of the

-sailors in the water on the other side of the vessel struggling with a

-boat.

-

-The noble man had espied it at some distance from the ship, and knew

-that it was one which had been blown overboard. It might be injured so

-that it would not be safe, but it appeared to ride the waters all right,

-and he resolved to swim to it and thus save if possible the captain and

-crew.

-

-He had nearly reached the steamer’s side with his trophy, when the other

-sailors discovered him and sent that triumphant shout.

-

-“Throw a rope!” shouted the captain, new hope springing in his heart.

-

-It was thrown with a will; the man caught it, and suspending his own

-labors, he and the boat were drawn safely to the ship’s side.

-

-Nimbly then the faithful crew sprang to obey their commander’s orders. A

-liberal supply of provision and water was put into the boat, with plenty

-of rugs and what clothing was at hand; the required number of oars were

-brought, and in a few minutes all that remained alive on that ill-fated

-ship were safely seated within it.

-

-Then they set to work to save those who were still struggling in the

-water. Ten were all that they could rescue, the rest went down; and now

-began the battle for life.

-

-They pulled rapidly away from the sinking steamer, lest they should

-share the fate of those who had just been swamped, and the wisdom of

-this was manifest in lest than half an hour, for, with another mighty

-lurch and plunge, which sent forth volumes of smoke and flame, the noble

-craft went down and the dark waters swept over it, obliterating it

-forever from the view of man; while the captain, with a groan of pain,

-covered his eyes and wept.

-

-It was as if he had looked his last upon the face of some dear friend.

-

-The day waned quickly; night shut down upon them cold and cheerless,

-hiding from their sight the other boats, and bringing with it such a

-sense of loneliness and misery as not one in that frail craft ever

-experienced before.

-

-Star, the only woman in that boat, clung to Mr. Rosevelt as if upon him

-depended all her hope, and all that long night through he held in his

-one small, fair hand, while he pillowed her bright head upon his knees,

-and kept her covered with blankets and rugs.

-

-Twice or thrice she awoke and started up, saying:

-

-“I weary you, sir; let me sit by myself.”

-

-But he only drew her more closely to him, as he said, tenderly:

-

-“No, no, little one; it does me good to have you near me. Lie still and

-get all the sleep you can, for we do not know what the morrow may bring

-to us.”

-

-When the morrow did come it dawned grandly beautiful. The sun came up

-from the east like a chariot of fire, turning the sea into waves of

-gold, and bringing cheer and courage once more to the hearts of the

-lonely little band who were struggling for life on the mighty deep.

-

-Nothing could be seen of the other boats, although they had been eagerly

-looking for them ever since the break of day; but they had no reason to

-think they were not as safe as themselves, and were therefore not unduly

-anxious.

-

-Star awoke much refreshed by her long sleep, and, as her lovely eyes

-took in all the beauty of the morning, a feeling of thankfulness for it

-and their safety thrilled her heart, and almost unconsciously she began

-chanting a hymn of praise.

-

-As she sang the first line, which was exactly like the beginning of the

-Lord’s Prayer—“Our Father who art in heaven”—every oar was suspended;

-the captain reverently removed his cap, an act which was imitated by the

-crew, and all listened with respectful mien as the sweet voice rose upon

-the still morning air, thanking God for His care through the dangers of

-the night, and invoking His protection during the day.

-

-“Thank you, Miss Gladstone,” the captain said, as her last tone died

-away; “it is well for us to begin the day thus. You have a fine voice,”

-he added; “will you sing something else and then we’ll pull westward

-with a will for awhile?”

-

-Star thought for a moment; then, with a delicate flush rising in her

-cheek, an almost holy light glowing in her eyes, and a thrill in her

-tones which touched every heart, she sang:

-

-                  “In the harbor safe at home

-                  Zion’s stately ship shall come,

-                  And her crew shall proudly tell

-                  Dangers she has braved so well;

-                  Never more to tempt the wave,

-                  Never more the storm to brave,

-                  Safe from rock and breaker’s crest,

-                  Anchored in eternal rest.

-

-                  “Courage, then, ye faithful few!

-                  Weary, weather-beaten crew.

-                  Let no hardship be compared

-                  With th’ exceeding great reward;

-                  Soon life’s tempest will be o’er—

-                  Lo! we near the promised shore,

-                  And o’er troubled waves afar

-                  Gleameth Bethlehem’s welcome star.”

-

-There were tears in the eyes of those rough, stern-visaged men when the

-song was ended, and more than one weather-bronzed hand was lifted to

-dash them aside. There was not a sailor there who would not have fought

-dearly for the life of this sweet-voiced girl, who had thus touched a

-chord in their hearts which had not vibrated before for many a year.

-

-A little while after the boatswain called aloud:

-

-“A sail! a sail!”

-

-All eyes were instantly turned in the direction toward which he pointed,

-and low on the horizon, very far away, there gleamed a white sail.

-

-The captain brought his glass to bear upon it, and reported a schooner.

-

-A signal of distress was hoisted immediately, and changing their course,

-they pulled vigorously for the vessel.

-

-But in less than half an hour it had disappeared entirely, and, with

-disappointed faces, they again turned their course westward.

-

-The demands of nature now began to assert themselves, and the captain

-served out a generous breakfast, treating all alike.

-

-Mr. Rosevelt regarded him anxiously as he did this.

-

-“How long will your stores hold out?” he asked, as the men began to eat

-hungrily.

-

-“Two or three days,” he returned; “but we are so nearly in the line of

-the steamers that we shall surely fall in with one before our provisions

-are gone.”

-

-The old man sighed, and bent a wistful look upon the young girl sitting

-beside him.

-

-Star had noted his anxious tone as he questioned the captain; she had

-also seen the look he cast upon her.

-

-“He fears that we shall be tossed about on the ocean until we starve,”

-she thought, a horrible chill creeping over her; and she quietly slipped

-all the bread that had been given her into her pocket, and only ate the

-more perishable food and delicacies which the captain had laid in her

-lap.

-

-That afternoon Mr. Rosevelt had a violent attack of vertigo, lying

-insensible for several hours; and now it was Star’s turn to pillow _his_

-head upon _her_ lap and minister to his comfort.

-

-She bathed his face and head almost constantly, and with her shawl

-shielded him from the sun, which during the day was very powerful, while

-from time to time she fed him with bits of biscuit moistened with port

-wine from a bottle which the captain had given her for him, striving in

-every way to keep up his strength.

-

-He appeared to revive toward evening, and said he was better; but Star

-saw that he was very weak, and that it was only by great effort that he

-kept up at all.

-

-Another night passed, another day came, and still there was no sail to

-gladden their strained and aching eyes.

-

-The third day the captain said, with a stern brow and pale, compressed

-lips:

-

-“Our provisions are nearly gone—they will last only one more day;” and

-he shortened every man’s ration, giving Star alone a generous portion.

-

-She cast a pitying glance at the brave men toiling so uncomplainingly at

-their oars, and her heart sank as she thought what might be their fate.

-

-Patiently she munched a single biscuit, while she slipped all the rest

-out of sight, hoarding it to fight the grim, gaunt monster which she

-feared was fast overtaking them.

-

-Mr. Rosevelt had not been so well the day before; he was even worse this

-morning, and she was very anxious about him, for he would eat nothing,

-waving all food away with an expression of disgust, and only sipping a

-little wine occasionally, while he had become so weak that he could not

-sit up at all.

-

-“He won’t live two days longer,” she heard one sailor whisper to

-another, when, a little later, he had another attack which utterly

-prostrated him. “He is failing rapidly, and eats nothing to keep up his

-strength.”

-

-“He _shall_ live!” Star said to herself, with an impulse born of

-despair; for he seemed her chief dependence, and she had grown to regard

-him with very tender feelings.

-

-All night she watched over him, every half hour moistening his lips with

-wine, and forcing bits of biscuit soaked in it between them.

-

-Every time she heard him swallow, her heart leaped for joy, for it told

-her there was hope even yet.

-

-She had several squares of sea-bread in her pocket, for she had saved

-something from every meal, and she was determined, as long as her own

-strength held out, that she would faithfully minister to him.

-

-Sometimes she was very faint herself from want of food, but she would

-take a little water in her mouth and swallow it gradually, and thus find

-a relief for a time.

-

-The fifth day there was no food to give out—and, oh, the hollow eyes,

-the blanched cheeks and despairing hearts of that ill-fated party!

-

-Mr. Rosevelt was conscious, to Star’s great joy, but too weak to move

-hand or foot.

-

-The sixth day the courage and strength of the crew began to fail

-visibly, and two of the passengers fainted from hunger and weakness.

-

-Star felt wretchedly guilty, with food in her pocket and those hungry

-eyes looking so piteously into hers; but she knew there was not enough

-for a crumb apiece, while the life of her friend depended upon it.

-

-Mr. Rosevelt relapsed into partial unconsciousness quite early in the

-morning, and she was as pale and wan as a spirit, but the look of

-determination never left her face. She worked over the sick man

-constantly, forcing food into his mouth as often as she dared, while all

-the day long not a morsel passed her own white lips.

-

-Just at sunset a little white cloud was visible on the eastern horizon,

-then it became a line of smoke; a few minutes later sails were

-distinguishable, and soon the broadside of a steamer became distinct. A

-shout went up from the throats of the faithful crew, and with renewed

-courage and strength they bent every nerve to their oars.

-

-It soon became evident that their signal of distress had been seen, for

-the steamer changed her course and came proudly plowing the waters

-toward the suffering band, and an hour later those starving, almost

-helpless ones were tenderly taken from their peril and every want kindly

-ministered to.

-

-“What is it—where am I?” Mr. Rosevelt asked, aroused by the sound of

-strange voices, a vigorous rubbing, and an extra quantity of wine.

-

-“A steamer homeward bound, and _we are saved_!” Star whispered in his

-ear, then bowed her white face upon her hands and wept for joy.

-

-She would not leave him until the ship’s surgeon told her that he would

-pull through all right with proper care, and commanded that she go below

-and receive the attention she herself needed.

-

-She staggered to her feet, a great burden rolling from her heart; but

-her waning strength deserted her entirely, and she fell fainting into

-the arms of a young, manly looking fellow, who was standing with pitying

-face just beside her.

-

-He carried her below and gave her into the care of a stewardess, and

-thought, as he did so, that he had never in his life looked upon a face

-so pure and delicately lovely.

-

-The captain and crew of the ill-fated steamer, with the other passengers

-who had been saved, were shown every kindness and attention which their

-critical condition demanded, and so ended that season of horror, and

-they were borne swiftly and safely toward America’s hospitable shore.

-

-

-

-

-                              CHAPTER III.

-                          THE YOUNG STRANGER.

-

-

-Mr. Rosevelt began to mend at once under the skillful treatment of the

-ship’s surgeon, and to regain his strength much more readily than the

-young girl who had been so faithful to him.

-

-He had been in a very dangerous condition, the physician said, and

-doubtless would have died but for the unremitting attention which Star

-gave him, in keeping his head cool and wet, and in forcing food upon him

-to keep up his strength.

-

-Mr. Rosevelt heard this with evident emotion, and during the remainder

-of the voyage evinced the greatest tenderness for her.

-

-They had not made much progress in their frail life-boat,

-notwithstanding the unrelaxing energies of the sailors, and found that

-they were still five days from New York when they were picked up by the

-other steamer; and although somewhat weakened by hunger and suffering

-and the intense cold, yet none appeared to be seriously affected by

-their experience, and a day or two served to make a great change for the

-better in them all.

-

-On the evening of the second day after their rescue, Star consented to

-be carried up on deck; the day was keen and cold, but the sun was bright

-and inviting.

-

-She was very wan and pale, but possessed a delicate beauty that

-attracted every one.

-

-They took her directly to Mr. Rosevelt, and she gave him her thin hand

-without a word. He, too, looked so thin and white that the tears sprang

-to her eyes, and she could not speak.

-

-“Dear child,” he said, tremulously, and taking it in both of his, “they

-tell me that but for your unwearied efforts I should have died. I have

-no words adequate to thank you for the gift of my life; but, little

-Star, I shall never forget it.”

-

-She could not talk much, she was still too weak, but she was glad to be

-near him, and gave him as bright a smile as she could summon to her

-lips; and then, chancing to glance another way, she found a pair of

-dark, handsome eyes fixed earnestly upon her face.

-

-They belonged to the young man in whose arms she had fainted upon

-finding that they were all safe once more.

-

-He lifted his hat respectfully as he caught her glance, and then

-advancing, said, courteously:

-

-“I trust the young lady is much better this morning.”

-

-Star bowed a somewhat cold assent, for she had been very carefully

-reared by her refined mother, and taught to be rather shy of strangers.

-

-Then, thinking that was but a poor return for his interest in her

-welfare, she said, with a rising flush, for there was no mistaking the

-look in those fine eyes:

-

-“Thanks; I am very comfortable this morning.”

-

-Mr. Rosevelt smiled. He had noticed Star’s reserve, and it pleased him.

-

-“She is a little lady,” he thought; then he said aloud, with a look at

-the young man, though he spoke to her: “I am very fortunate in finding

-friends, for since you have been confined to your state-room, this young

-gentleman—though I have not yet learned his name—has ministered to me in

-a manner most kind.”

-

-Star’s eyes glowed at this, and she vouchsafed the young stranger a

-smile that set his heart bounding.

-

-“I am afraid, though, that you are feeling far from well even yet,” she

-said, with an anxious glance into Mr. Rosevelt’s face.

-

-“Pretty well—pretty well, little one, for an old codger like myself, who

-has seen a good many rough times. I’m a trifle weak yet, but time will

-help that. We have had a narrow escape however, and you have proved

-yourself a heroine.”

-

-Star colored slightly at this compliment, and shot a shy look at the

-young stranger of the dark eyes. Then she leaned wearily back in her

-chair, tired with the exertion she had made.

-

-The young man turned abruptly and walked away, but he soon reappeared,

-bearing a beautiful reclining steamer-chair, cushioned with crimson

-velvet, a couple of elegant rugs, and a silken pillow.

-

-“Your chair is hard and uncomfortable, Miss Gladstone; pray allow me to

-substitute this one and wrap you more warmly. The air is cold, even if

-the sun is bright and genial,” he said, in a way that could not offend

-the greatest stickler for propriety, without even taking into

-consideration the license allowed on shipboard.

-

-Star could not refuse this act of courtesy, and the chair and soft, warm

-rugs, with the bright, silken pillow, did look inviting.

-

-She let him assist her into it, arrange the rugs about her, and smiled

-her thanks for his kindness, while she looked bewitchingly lovely with

-her fair cheek resting on the crimson pillow.

-

-“Your shawl is unfastened at the throat,” he said, seeing that it had

-fallen away, and fearing she would take cold.

-

-She put up her hands to fasten it, and found that she had lost the pin.

-

-Her young attendant noticed it, and drawing a scarf-pin from his

-neck-tie—a pin with a beautiful cameo head—he passed it to her.

-

-“Can you make this do for the present?” he asked.

-

-She took it, noticing the exquisitely carved stone as she did so, and

-pinned her shawl closely once more.

-

-When he saw that she was as comfortable as he could make her, he stepped

-back a pace or two, and drawing a card from a pocket, wrote something

-upon it, and then passed it to Mr. Rosevelt, saying, with a frank smile:

-

-“I presume you think it is high time that I introduced myself; pardon my

-neglect upon that point.”

-

-The old gentleman took the card and read the name:

-

-“Archibald Sherbrooke.”

-

-He bent a searching look upon the young man’s face for a moment, but the

-frank, honest eyes met his with such a genial expression that he could

-not harbor a doubt of him, and he said, cordially:

-

-“Thank you, Mr. Sherbrooke; I am glad to know your name. Mine is

-Rosevelt—Jacob Rosevelt—and this young lady allow me to introduce as

-Miss Star Gladstone,” he concluded, turning with a smile to Star.

-

-Mr. Sherbrooke bowed to Miss Gladstone and raised his cap in the most

-gallant manner; while Star, thinking what a nice-sounding name

-Sherbrooke was, and what a nice-looking man its owner was, acknowledged

-his salutation with a charming smile and blush.

-

-The trio soon fell into an easy chat, which lasted more than an hour,

-while the young girl grew more and more like herself. Several times she

-forgot that she was weak or had been ill, in listening to the gay things

-to which her new acquaintance gave utterance, and she indulged in a

-hearty, joyous laugh, her face dimpling and flashing, her eyes gleaming,

-her golden hair fluttering about her white forehead, until young

-Sherbrooke thought her the loveliest girl he had ever seen.

-

-He lingered long by her side, looking into her face with earnest,

-honest, admiring eyes, listening to her clear, sweet tones, and exerting

-himself to make himself agreeable to her; while Mr. Rosevelt sat and

-watched them with a sense of pleasure in their enjoyment, and never

-dreaming of the mischief brewing under his very eyes.

-

-Star told the young man all about the terrible explosion, their

-expectation of death when they found the vessel on fire, their

-subsequent sufferings and terror while drifting about in the life-boat;

-while her voice grew low and thrilling as she spoke of her feelings when

-she began to realize that their provisions were falling short, and she

-feared they would starve to death on the trackless ocean.

-

-“If the captain had not been so generous to begin with,” she said, “it

-would have been better for all of us. Mr. Rosevelt cautioned him, but he

-appeared to think that some vessel would surely overtake us in a day or

-two. But after that I saved my sea biscuit; I put away half of what was

-given me every time; and if I had not done so, he”—with a shy glance

-toward her friend, and dropping her voice—“would never have lived, for

-when the captain found he was too ill to eat he gave his share to the

-other men. He gave me a bottle of wine, though, for him, and I soaked

-the biscuit in it and crowded it into his mouth when he was too

-unconscious to feed himself.”

-

-“And did _you_ go without necessary food to do this?” Archibald

-Sherbrooke asked, with pitying eyes, and a feeling almost of reverence

-for the beautiful, self-denying girl.

-

-“I am young and strong; I knew it would not do me such serious harm to

-get weakened by hunger as it would him,” Star said, evasively; “and,

-besides——”

-

-“Besides what?”

-

-Star’s lips quivered, but she answered, in a hushed tone:

-

-“I knew it was right to do _all_ that I could to save his life, and it

-gave me something to think of besides myself; and I knew, too, if we all

-_must_ die, the—suffering would be _shorter_ if I did not eat.”

-

-“But you were dreadfully hungry, were you not?” persisted her

-questioner, feeling a sort of horrible fascination in the subject, yet

-shuddering over the dreadful story.

-

-“You will not tell _him_?” Star said, with a little motion of her hand

-over her shoulder to indicate Mr. Rosevelt.

-

-“No.”

-

-“Yes, I _was_ fearfully hungry,” she went on, with a shiver at the

-remembrance, and she grew very white. “Ever so many times, when I was

-soaking the biscuit for him, it smelled so good that I would raise it to

-my lips before I was aware of what I was doing; but the thought always

-came to me in time—‘he will die if I eat it.’ There was only a _very

-little_ left that last day, and I knew if he died I should always feel

-as if my selfishness killed him if I deprived him of it, and I was

-saved.”

-

-“I think you are the noblest girl that I ever heard of, Miss Star,”

-young Sherbrooke exclaimed, with reverent enthusiasm.

-

-“Amen!” said Mr. Rosevelt’s tremulous voice, close beside them.

-

-“Oh!” cried Star, starting and flushing, while the tears sprang into her

-eyes. “I did not mean that you should ever know——”

-

-“You didn’t, eh?” the old man interrupted. “I thought so; and when I saw

-you two talking so earnestly together, I imagined that you were giving

-our young friend a few facts which I wished to know myself, so I got up

-from my chair and came to listen. They told me,” he went on, with

-emotion, after a moment, “that you saved my life; but, oh! child, you

-should not have tried to do it by sacrificing your own; and you would

-have done it on the steamer also. I shall never forget it of you, little

-one, you may be sure.”

-

-He laid his hand gently on her head a moment, then turned and left them,

-to hide the tears that were welling to his own eyes.

-

-“He has friends who doubtless are waiting for him,” Star said, jumping

-to conclusions, and as if to excuse herself for sacrificing so much,

-“while _I_ have nobody since papa and mamma died.”

-

-“But you are so young and”—so beautiful, he came near adding, but

-something in her earnest, uplifted eyes restrained him from speaking so

-familiarly, and he added, solemnly—“and it must be so hard to die with

-all the world before you.”

-

-“Yes, if you have dear ones who love you,” Star returned, with a

-deep-drawn sigh.

-

-A wistful look shot into the young man’s eyes at this.

-

-“You have no parents, then?” he inquired, in tones of sympathy.

-

-“No. Mamma died more than a year ago, and papa has been gone three

-months. I have no brothers or sisters, no home, only some distant

-relatives in America whom I have never seen. They promised papa to give

-me a home until my education is completed, when I intend to teach.”

-

-“Was your home in England?”

-

-“Yes, in Derbyshire. Papa was a clergyman in Chesterfield.”

-

-“Was your home in Derbyshire?” Archibald Sherbrooke asked, with a slight

-start, while his face lighted.

-

-“Yes; were you ever there?”

-

-“Often.”

-

-“Isn’t it a lovely country?” Star asked, eagerly, so glad to meet one

-who knew where her home had been. “Can you imagine anything more

-delightful than a drive or a canter across the Derbyshire moors?”

-

-“No, indeed. I have often galloped over them,” he said, and then they

-fell to talking of other places that they knew; and when at last the

-dinner-bell rang, Star said, with sparkling eyes and cheeks in which the

-color was beginning to return:

-

-“I am hungry—really, naturally hungry, and I feel ever so much better.”

-

-Every day after that, during the remainder of the voyage, Archibald

-Sherbrooke sought the companionship of Mr. Rosevelt and his lovely young

-charge—for as such he regarded her.

-

-They became the best of friends, and the brilliant young Englishman

-seemed to arouse all that was brightest and liveliest in Star’s

-composition, so that as her sweet, clear laugh rang out, and she replied

-to his jests with merry wit and repartee equal to his own, many of the

-passengers paused in their conversation or lifted up their eyes from

-their books to smile at the cheerful sight and sound.

-

-The last day of the voyage came, and during the afternoon the two young

-people were pacing the upper deck, arm in arm, when Archibald Sherbrooke

-suddenly stopped, and pointing toward a distant city of spires and

-domes, said:

-

-“Ah! we are nearing New York. A few hours more and we shall be there. Do

-you know, Miss Star, I shall be sorry to bid you ‘good-by?’”

-

-The young girl’s bright face clouded at these words. A hot flush mounted

-for an instant to her brow, and her white lids drooped over her

-beautiful eyes.

-

-“You, of course, expect friends to meet you on your arrival,” her

-companion continued, after a moment of silence.

-

-“I do not know,” she answered, with a troubled look. “I did expect that

-some one would meet me upon the arrival of the other vessel, but now

-that we have had such trouble, I am afraid there will no one come for

-me, and I shall be obliged to go to Brooklyn alone.”

-

-“That will not be at all difficult, since Brooklyn is only just across

-the river from New York. If you know the street and number where your

-friends live, you can easily find them,” returned the young man,

-encouragingly.

-

-Star started and looked blank at his words.

-

-“The street and number were written in my diary. That was lost on the

-vessel. I did not think, in my haste, to get it,” she said, in dismay.

-

-“Whew! that makes matters rather complicated for you, then; but never

-mind, the captain will know what to do about it, and I feel sure that

-you will have no trouble. It is probable that the pilot-boat, when it

-returned, after leaving the pilot with us, took back the news that some

-of the passengers from the wrecked steamer were with us, and your

-friends may hope that you are among them, and come to ascertain.”

-

-Star was greatly cheered by this view of the matter, and made up her

-mind to wait patiently for whatever was to come.

-

-

-

-

-                              CHAPTER IV.

-                             MRS. RICHARDS.

-

-

-It was very late when the stately ship rolled slowly up to her pier, too

-late for the customs officers to visit her that night, and the impatient

-passengers were forced to wait until morning to appear before them and

-undergo that much dreaded ordeal of taking oath upon their possessions,

-dutiable or otherwise.

-

-But early the next morning the hurry and bustle began, and there was the

-usual rush to claim baggage and get away as soon as possible from the

-place where they had spent so many monotonous days.

-

-Star had no baggage to claim, and, not knowing what else to do, she sat

-still in the saloon and waited, watching the departing people with

-mingled feelings of curiosity and sadness.

-

-Mr. Rosevelt had told her not to be anxious about her own fate, for he

-should see that she was kindly cared for, and if her friends did not

-come for her, he would provide for her until they could advertise her

-arrival in the papers. It was unfortunate, he said, that she lost their

-address, since it would be liable to cause something of a delay in

-reaching her destination. So, while he went to arrange some little

-matter with the captain, she sat and watched the hurrying crowd.

-

-Archibald Sherbrooke came to seek her there, and found her alone.

-

-“I’m off!” he said, with animation. “I’ve got through with the customs,

-and have come to wish you good-by. Mr. Rosevelt says he is going to take

-care of you. I hope everything will come out right for you, Miss Star,

-and that you’ll find a pleasant home with your friends. I’m very sorry

-that you’ve lost their address, for I’d call and see you before I go

-back to England if I knew where to find you. I trust, however, that we

-shall meet again, sometime; and—will you please always consider me your

-friend?”

-

-He placed a card in her hand as he spoke, and she saw that his address

-was written upon it.

-

-“Thank you,” she said, with a rising flush. “I shall never forget you,

-for you have been very kind to me. But wait—I nearly forgot to give you

-your pin,” she concluded, suddenly remembering that she still had it,

-and she took the beautiful cameo head from her shawl and held it out to

-him.

-

-“Please keep it as a souvenir,” he said, gently, adding: “And I wish you

-had something to give me in exchange.”

-

-“I’ve lost everything, you know. I could give you naught but a ‘tress of

-my yellow hair,’” Star said, with a light laugh, and lifting the heavy

-braid which lay over her shoulder with a look of mock dismay.

-

-“Oh, _would_ you?” he asked, eagerly, and taking her literally at her

-word.

-

-“It would be but a poor return for this lovely cameo,” she answered,

-flushing beneath his eager glance.

-

-“No, indeed, it would not,” he returned, earnestly. “May I have just a

-lock of its shining gold, please, Miss Star?” and his fingers touched

-the massive braid almost tenderly.

-

-“I have nothing with which to cut it off, and—I’m afraid it would be

-very foolish,” she said, with drooping eyes, but a quickly beating

-heart.

-

-For answer, he drew a tiny pair of scissors from one of the pockets of

-his vest, and held them out to her with a smile.

-

-She took them hesitatingly, her delicate face crimsoning even to the

-light locks which lay upon her forehead; then, with a hand that was not

-quite steady, she clipped a silken tress from among the curling ends

-below the blue ribbon with which the braid was tied, and laid it, with

-the scissors, in his extended hand.

-

-“Thank you; I shall always keep it,” he said, with glowing eyes, as he

-put it carefully between the leaves of a small notebook which he took

-from another pocket.

-

-Then he took her hand in a warm, strong clasp, and, with a reluctantly

-spoken farewell, a lingering, wistful look into her lovely blue eyes, he

-went away.

-

-As he disappeared through one door-way of the saloon, the figure of a

-woman, clad in plain dark robes, entered by the other, and threw a

-quick, searching glance around the place.

-

-“I’m in search of a girl named Stella Gladstone,” she said, in sharp,

-incisive tones, as her eyes fell upon our lone Star.

-

-The young girl took a step forward, her earnest glance fastened upon

-that plain yet not unkind face.

-

-“I am Stella Gladstone,” she said, simply.

-

-The woman looked at her keenly for a moment, and her homely countenance

-softened into something like pity as she noticed her delicate beauty.

-Then she said, bluntly:

-

-“Well, miss, if I was ever thankful to set eyes on anybody, I am on you,

-or I’m much mistaken. I’ve lain awake o’ nights thinking of you, ever

-since we heard that the vessel in which you sailed was lost at sea. If I

-got asleep at all, I’d wake with a start from horrid dreams, where I

-seemed to see you drowning and heard your dreadful cries. Two days ago

-another vessel came in, bringing in some of those who had been wrecked.

-We got the news in the paper the night before they landed, and

-madam—Mrs. Richards, my mistress—sent me down posthaste next morning to

-see if you was among them. Of course you wasn’t, so I went home and

-dreamed all night again. Last night news came that more had been

-rescued, and would land at this pier this morning, so I was posted off

-again to find you if possible. Well,” she continued, heaving a deep sigh

-of relief, “I’ve got you at last, and I hope I sha’n’t dream about you

-to-night. Of course you ain’t overstocked with baggage?” she concluded,

-with a grim smile.

-

-“No, I have nothing; everything was lost,” Star replied, while her

-large, earnest eyes studied her companion’s face, and she wondered what

-relation she bore to her, and who “Mrs. Richards,” “madam,” and “my

-mistress” were.

-

-“More’s the pity for _you_, then, or I’m much mistaken,” the woman said,

-with a peculiar compression of her thin lips.

-

-Then she added, with more of animation than she had yet displayed:

-

-“But, bless me! I suppose you’d like to know who I am, and won’t be much

-surprised when I tell you my name is Blunt; my name is like my nature,

-and I’m madam’s—Mrs. Richards’ housekeeper. A pretty time of it I have,

-too, or I’m much mistaken; though one can put up with considerable where

-their bread and butter and ‘fixin’s’ are concerned. But come, it’s time

-we were off. Have you had your breakfast?” she concluded, seeing that

-Star had grown rather pale, and thinking she might be faint and hungry.

-

-“Yes’m,” she answered, while a wistful expression stole into her eyes,

-and she stepped back and looked over the railing into the dining-room

-below, hoping to see Mr. Rosevelt. She felt as if she _could not_ go

-away without saying farewell to her kind fellow-traveler.

-

-But he was nowhere to be seen, and she saw that Mrs. Blunt was

-impatient.

-

-“If you please,” she said, timidly, “might I just wait a few minutes to

-say good-by to a gentleman who has been very kind to me?”

-

-“Lor’, child! it’ll be no use; you’ll never find him, and almost

-everybody has gone already. Probably he’s in the hands of the customs,

-having his trunks overhauled, and won’t want to be bothered,” Mrs. Blunt

-returned, good-naturedly, but really very anxious to get back to her

-interrupted duties.

-

-“But he has no trunks; he was on the wreck with me, and he told me to

-wait here for him,” Star persisted, almost ready to weep at the thought

-of going without seeing him.

-

-“I’m sorry, miss, but madam will be having one of her tantrums if I am

-not back shortly, as there’s company to dinner to-day, and it’s nearly

-ten o’clock now,” Mrs. Blunt, returned, a trifle indifferently.

-

-She turned as she spoke and led the way from the place, and Star was

-forced to follow her, striving hard to repress the sobs that were

-struggling in her bosom over her disappointment; and when, half an hour

-later, Mr. Rosevelt came to seek her, he was as much disturbed to find

-her gone as she had been to go.

-

-He made inquiries regarding her, and was told that some one had come for

-her and taken her away, but no one knew whither she had gone.

-

-This relieved his mind somewhat as to her safety, but did not lessen his

-disappointment at thus losing sight of her and not knowing where to seek

-for her; but he was forced to go his way and bear it as he could.

-

-Mrs. Blunt and her sad-hearted charge walked quickly from the steamer,

-and having no baggage, she immediately called a carriage, and hurrying

-Star into it, gave her order to be driven to a Brooklyn ferry.

-

-Crossing the river, they took another carriage, and a half hour’s drive

-brought them to a stately dwelling in a fashionable portion of the city.

-

-“There, child!” Mrs. Blunt ejaculated, as the carriage stopped; “we’re

-home, and I’m glad of it, for you’ve caused me a heap of anxiety first

-and last, or I’m much mistaken; but you’re safe and sound, thank Heaven,

-though you’re rather delicate-looking for what I imagine is before you;”

-this “much mistaken” individual prepared to alight, casting a look of

-honest pity into the face of the fair girl as she did so.

-

-Star looked surprised at this somewhat ambiguous speech, and would have

-liked to ask what it meant, but the woman gave her no opportunity,

-paying for and dismissing the carriage in her quick, energetic way, and

-then led her around to a side door and entered the mansion.

-

-Beckoning Star to follow her, she passed through a lofty hall and up a

-wide, thickly carpeted staircase, where on every hand there were

-evidences of wealth and luxury.

-

-Rapping upon a door at the front end of the upper hall, a voice bade her

-enter, and the woman opened it and passed in, and Star following, saw a

-handsome woman of perhaps forty years, dressed with great elegance and

-taste, sitting in a low rocker by a window.

-

-She turned an inquiring glance upon Mrs. Blunt as she advanced. She

-could not see Star, as she was directly behind her and hidden by her

-tall figure.

-

-“Well, madam, I’ve found her at last, and here she is,” she said, in a

-satisfied tone, and stepped one side to present the young girl.

-

-Madam heaved a sigh—it might have been of relief, it might have been the

-reverse; no one could have told which from the expression of her face—as

-she bent a critical glance upon the young stranger who had come to find

-a home in her house.

-

-She arose, came forward, and studied the fair, downcast face; for Star,

-after the first glance, knew she would receive no tender welcome from

-that cold, proud woman, and her heart sank like a dead weight in her

-bosom.

-

-Something like a frown gathered on the woman’s brow as she marked her

-exceeding loveliness.

-

-“Well, Stella, you have had a hard voyage,” she began, in smooth, cool

-tones, which made Star shrink from her and shiver slightly, they were so

-distant and devoid of feeling. “I am glad, however,” she went on, “that

-you are safe, and I hope, now that you are here and I am to give you a

-home, you will do your best to please me. You look very much like your

-mother as I remember her, although I trust your face will not prove as

-great a misfortune to you as hers did to her.”

-

-This last statement was made with some severity. Evidently Mrs. Richards

-was not pleased to find the new arrival so beautiful in face and figure.

-

-“Mamma unfortunate! How?” Star asked, surprise loosening her tongue.

-

-“Is it possible that you do not know how she disgraced herself and

-family?” madam demanded, sternly, as if in some way Star was to blame

-for said disgrace. “Have you never been told how a poor clergyman once

-preached in the church where your mother attended worship, fell in love

-with her pretty face, and finally persuaded her to marry him, to the

-utter disregard of her whole family, who were highly respectable

-people.”

-

-Star’s cheeks glowed hotly beneath this tirade, and her blue eyes flamed

-at this slur upon her idolized parents.

-

-“I do not consider mamma’s marriage anything of a ‘misfortune’ or a

-‘disgrace,’” she answered, with something of hauteur, and speaking very

-distinctly. “She was very happy all her life, and papa was a splendid

-man—a superior man.”

-

-Mrs. Richards smiled in a lofty kind of way, as she returned: “It is

-very natural, I suppose, that you should be your father’s champion;

-nevertheless he was not, socially, your mother’s equal, and she degraded

-herself in the eyes of all her family by marrying a penniless preacher,

-and a dissenter, too.”

-

-Star’s lips parted again, as if about to utter an indignant protest to

-this statement; but, with a wave of her white hand, Mrs. Richards coolly

-dismissed the subject and turned again to Mrs. Blunt.

-

-“I suppose everything belonging to her was lost,” she said.

-

-“Yes, madam; the poor child has nothing in the world save what she has

-on,” that woman answered, with a compassionate glance at Star.

-

-“That is awkward; but you can take her to the sewing-room and tell Miss

-Baker to measure her for a couple of dresses; tell her to make them from

-that piece of print that I purchased yesterday. Can you sew, Stella?”

-she asked, turning again to the young girl, whom she had not even

-invited to be seated.

-

-“Yes’m; mamma taught me to sew when I was quite young, and I have

-attended to my own wardrobe, with the aid of a seamstress, ever since

-she died.”

-

-“That is well. You can then assist Miss Baker about your dresses, and

-when they are completed I will arrange about your other duties. You can

-go now. Mrs. Blunt will show you the way to your room, where you can lay

-aside your shawl and hat and then go to the sewing-room.”

-

-Star gave the woman a stare of blank astonishment.

-

-She had been most delicately and tenderly reared; her education had been

-carefully superintended by her father, and the constant companionship of

-her refined and intellectual mother had made her a little lady in every

-sense of the word. She had been taught to be kind and courteous to every

-one; to sympathize with people in trouble; to rejoice with them in

-prosperity; and now this woman—this cousin to her mother—this human

-being, whom she knew her mother once saved from a dreadful death—had

-received her, after her long and perilous voyage, her suffering and

-hardships, in this unfeeling, indifferent way.

-

-She had not even taken her hand at greeting; she had looked her over and

-inspected her with a critical stare, as if she were some beast of burden

-that she was buying to toil for her. She had not offered her the

-commonest hospitalities of her house, or given her one kind word or

-look.

-

-She had instead simply, and in the coolest manner possible, commented on

-her marvelous escape from death, and then _insulted_ her by speaking

-disparagingly of her parents; and now she had dismissed her from her

-presence as if she had been a menial, ordered _two print dresses_ made

-for her, without a thought apparently of other clothing so necessary to

-her after being so long without a change of any kind.

-

-She took a step forward, her slight form drawn proudly erect, the hot,

-indignant blood surging over neck, face, and brow, and was about to

-demand the meaning of this strange treatment, when Mrs. Richards, seeing

-her intentions, said, haughtily, and in a tone not to be mistaken:

-

-“I told you that you could go, Stella. Did you understand me?”

-

-With a heaving bosom and flashing eyes, Star bowed with a sort of

-stately grace, turned and followed Mrs. Blunt from the room with the

-step of a queen; but when the door was shut behind them, she stopped and

-confronted that good though eccentric woman with an aspect which, to say

-the least, astonished her.

-

-

-

-

-                               CHAPTER V.

-                         BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT.

-

-

-“What does this mean?” she demanded, passionately. “Why am I received in

-this strange, this heartless manner, by my mother’s cousin? Why does she

-presume to cast aspersions upon my father and mother, and talk about

-print dresses, and assigning me duties as if I were a mere servant?”

-

-Mrs. Blunt’s breath was fairly taken away by these swift, indignant

-sentences and questions, and she could only gaze at the young girl in

-speechless surprise for a few moments.

-

-Star was wondrously beautiful then, in spite of her soiled and

-disordered attire, with her flashing eyes, her blazing cheeks, her

-delicate, dilating nostrils, her scornful, curling lips, and proudly

-poised head.

-

-“What does it mean, I say?” repeated Star, impatient at the woman’s

-silence.

-

-Mrs. Blunt found her tongue at last.

-

-“Mercy on us, child!” she ejaculated, her astonishment extending to her

-tones. “You’ve a temper of your own, or I’m much mistaken; and you’ll

-need it, too, if you’re going to live in this house.”

-

-Then she added, more thoughtfully:

-

-“I’m afraid, miss, you’ve come over here with a wrong impression—I

-really _am_.”

-

-“What do you mean?” Star asked. “How have I come with a wrong

-impression?”

-

-“What did you expect when you started to come to America to live with

-Mrs. Richards?” the housekeeper asked, evading her questions by putting

-another.

-

-“I expected that my mother’s cousin, who papa said, was very wealthy,

-and able to take care of me, and had promised him to do so, would give

-me a place in her home as a member of her family, and give me an

-opportunity to perfect my education, so that I might be able, by and by,

-to take care of myself. This was what my father understood her promise

-to me to mean—this was what I expected. But from the reception she has

-given me—cold and heartless—and as I would not have received the meanest

-beggar who came to my door—from disrespectful and insulting remarks

-about my parents, and what she said about my ‘duties’, I am afraid that

-my position here will not be a pleasant one.”

-

-Mrs. Blunt’s homely face was full of pity as she listened to what Star

-said.

-

-“Poor child,” she began, “you have expected entirely too much, and

-perhaps it would be a mercy to tell you at once how mistaken you are if

-you think you are going to find a pleasant home and a chance to get much

-of an education _here_. When madam got your father’s letter and knew

-that you were soon to be an orphan, she said at once that it was ‘just

-the thing,’ and you would do nicely to supply the place of Maggie Flynn,

-the chamber and errand girl, and who was not exactly trustworthy. She

-said the ‘English peasants always made good servants,’ and as you were

-young and would be wholly dependent on her, she could train you

-according to her own notions. And, to make a long story short, you are

-to make beds and do chamber-work generally, wait upon madam and run of

-errands.”

-

-And the housekeeper heaved a sigh of relief that the difficult

-explanation was over. And difficult it was, with those glittering

-sapphire eyes fixed so intently upon her, and that beautiful face

-gleaming with scorn and indignation.

-

-“In other words, she intends to make a servant—a slave of me,” she said,

-with quiet sarcasm, but uplifted head.

-

-“Ye-es—if you must put it so, miss,” Mrs. Blunt admitted, reluctantly.

-

-“What wages am I to expect?” and the clear young voice rang with intense

-scorn.

-

-“Wages?”

-

-“Yes, _wages_. What did she pay Maggie Flynn?” Star demanded, with a

-bitter smile.

-

-“Six dollars a month; but—but I don’t think madam has thought about

-wages for _you_. She is to give you a home for what you can do; and

-besides what I have told you, you are to wait upon Miss Josephine, who

-is not sparing of her commands, either.”

-

-“Who is Miss Josephine, pray?”

-

-“The young lady of the house—Mrs. Richards’ daughter.”

-

-“How old is she?”

-

-“Just turned eighteen.”

-

-“Two years my senior,” murmured Star, reflectively. “Well, Mrs. Blunt,”

-she added, after a moment or two, and looking up with a clearer face,

-“show me to my room, please, and let me have a good bath, for I need

-refreshing sadly. If only I might have some clean underclothing to put

-on,” she added, wistfully.

-

-“You shall,” the woman quickly returned. “I suppose madam never thought

-of it, and it is a shame. There, wait here,” she added, as she threw

-open the door of a small room on the front of the house in the third

-story, “and I will bring you a change of Miss Josephine’s. They will be

-a trifle too large, but never mind so that you’re comfortable.”

-

-She sped away, and as Star removed her hat and shawl she looked about

-her.

-

-The room was very scantily furnished, but it was clean, and as there was

-only a single bed in it, she knew she was to have it to herself—a point

-which she congratulated herself upon, as it would have been very

-obnoxious to her to room with one of the servants.

-

-Mrs. Blunt soon returned, bringing clean, fresh garments, and Star felt

-that she had never realized before how great a luxury cleanliness was.

-

-“You can go to the bath-room at the end of the hall,” she said, laying

-them over Star’s arm. “I have fixed the tub for you, lining it with a

-clean sheet, so that you need not feel shy about using it. I know you’ll

-feel a great deal better after it; then I’ll come to you again in a half

-or three-quarters of an hour, and take you to Miss Baker; and—I

-forgot—here’s a comb I’ve never used.”

-

-Star felt very grateful to the kind-hearted creature, and made the most

-of her opportunity.

-

-She had a refreshing bath, then combed out her luxuriant hair,

-re-arranging it as nicely and carefully as she had been taught to do in

-her own home, and when all was done she looked as bright and felt as

-fresh as a new creature.

-

-When Mrs. Blunt returned at the end of an hour, her plain face relaxed

-into a smile, though Star had thought that smiles were at a discount

-with her as a general thing.

-

-“Well, you _do_ look nice, or I’m much mistaken; and those

-hands!—they’re much too fine and nice, in my opinion, for drudgery;” and

-the woman glanced admiringly at those small members, of which, to be

-truthful, Star _was_ a little proud.

-

-“Well, I am ready to go to Miss Baker,” she said, with a little sigh.

-“It is evident that I shall not be in a condition to do any kind of

-work, or drudgery, as you call it, until I am properly clad.”

-

-“She’s true blue, and it’s an abomination to make a servant of her,”

-muttered the housekeeper, as she led the way to the sewing-room.

-

-Miss Baker was in the midst of fitting a party-dress for Miss

-Josephine—a rather fine-looking girl, with black eyes and hair, a

-brilliant color, and a full, graceful figure.

-

-Mrs. Blunt introduced Star, and then gave Mrs. Richards’ orders about

-the “two print dresses.”

-

-“Goodness gracious! are you Stella Gladstone?” ejaculated the pet and

-pride of the Richards mansion, with a stare of surprise.

-

-Star bowed a cold assent to this rude salutation, and then walked

-quietly across the room and seated herself by a window.

-

-Miss Baker, however, had nodded and smiled kindly at her, and she felt

-sure that she should like the weary-looking seamstress.

-

-“Well, I guess mamma will be glad you have come,” Josephine pursued;

-“she has been nearly plagued to death with that Maggie Flynn—you’re to

-take her place, you know, as chambermaid and errand girl.”

-

-Star did not reply, and Miss Baker shot an indignant glance at the rude

-girl.

-

-The young stranger’s heart was swelling within her until it was nearly

-ready to burst with insulted pride and bitter disappointment. She had

-longed, when she had found herself alone in her room, to relieve herself

-with a burst of passionate weeping, but she dare not give way to it lest

-it should unfit her for everything during the day; but now it seemed as

-if she could not endure much more.

-

-She had never dreamed that such a reception as this awaited her.

-

-She had pictured to herself, many times, being drawn into the arms of a

-pleasant, gentle-voiced woman, who had loved her mother, and who would

-love her for that mother’s sake, if not for her own. She had thought to

-twine her arms about her neck, and, laying her head upon a sympathizing

-bosom, tell her of her dear parents, what their hopes and plans had been

-for her, and what her own desires for the future were, and expected to

-receive only kind and encouraging words in return.

-

-How different it all was, and how cruel that all her hopes must be

-crushed in this unfeeling way!

-

-She had been ambitious to become a cultivated woman and scholar, and to

-follow out her father’s plans for her education, and come up to his

-standard, which was a high one.

-

-But instead she found she was to be degraded to the level of a common

-servant, all her prospects destroyed, all her hopes crushed, and she

-felt as if she could not bear it.

-

-“I _will_ not submit to it. I _will_ not give up my hopes. _I will not

-be a servant_,” she kept saying over and over to herself, while she sat

-there and waited for Miss Baker to attend to her needs, and felt rather

-than saw Josephine’s impertinent inspection of her personal appearance.

-

-“You’ve got a wonderful head of hair,” that young lady at length

-observed, as she approached her after being released from the

-seamstress’ hands. “I think I never saw such a heavy braid before; and I

-believe it will just match Nellie Colton’s; she is papa’s niece. I’ll

-tell mamma to have a barber come and cut it off. Of course you can’t

-afford the time now to take care of it, and it would make such a

-splendid band for Nell.”

-

-Star regarded her in blank astonishment. The effrontery of this young

-lady was simply overpowering.

-

-“Indeed!” she at last quietly replied. “If Miss Colton is in need of a

-band of hair, she will doubtless find it at almost any hair store in the

-city. I intend to keep mine.”

-

-Miss Richards colored angrily, for Star’s great blue eyes met hers

-fearlessly, and her tone betrayed an independence which did not promise

-well for any tyranny which she might expect to exercise over her in the

-future.

-

-“You will do exactly as mamma desires, miss,” she cried and then turned

-and left the room.

-

-Star’s face was also very red, and she swallowed an angry sob as she

-turned to Miss Baker.

-

-“I am ready to sew,” was all that she could say.

-

-She longed to get some work into her hands, hoping thus to distract her

-thoughts from self and her bitter disappointment.

-

-The seamstress cut off the breadths of a skirt and gave them to her,

-pitying the pretty, yet despised, stranger from the bottom of her heart.

-

-“May I use the machine?” the young girl asked, glancing at that

-labor-saving instrument.

-

-“Do you know how?”

-

-“Yes’m.”

-

-“Very well. This is a Florence, and I will show you how to thread it.”

-

-“I know how, thank you. Mamma had a Florence, and I have often used it.”

-

-She arose, and going to it Miss Baker saw at once that she was fully

-capable of using it.

-

-All day long she stitched and sewed, working quietly, yet rapidly, and

-by night one dress was nearly completed.

-

-“You sew very nicely,” Miss Baker said, as she examined her work late in

-the afternoon, “and this print will make you a very neat dress. I wish

-Mrs. Richards would allow me to trim it, but she told me to make it

-plain. She is in a hurry about the other work.”

-

-Star said nothing to this, but after the seamstress had gone home, she

-cut and pieced together some dainty ruffles from some scraps that had

-been thrown aside; and all the long evening, while the family were down

-stairs entertaining visitors and making merry, she was sewing and

-finishing off the print dress, that she might have something fresh and

-clean for the morning.

-

-But she was, oh! so sad and lonely, and she could not help thinking of

-the previous night, when she had sat in the gay saloon of the steamer

-and chatted so sociably with Archibald Sherbrooke, and felt a strange

-thrill of happiness in sitting beside him.

-

-She had not been allowed to eat with the family during the day. She had

-not seen Mrs. Richards, and did not even know of how many members the

-household consisted. It was evident that she was to be ignored, except

-as her services were required, that she was to be made a drudge, and her

-proud young spirit resented it with all the strength of her nature.

-

-“I will never live so; I am above it. I am capable of better things, and

-I _will not_ consent to become a nonentity,” her heart kept saying, over

-and over again.

-

-But she was wholly dependent upon these people; her father had consigned

-her to their care. She had no money, save a letter of credit for a

-hundred pounds, the sum total realized from the sale of all the dear

-objects which she had been accustomed to see in her home since her

-infancy, and this she had been advised, by the lawyer whom Mr. Gladstone

-had chosen to settle his affairs, to consign to the care of Mr.

-Richards. But she had concluded since morning to say nothing about it to

-any one.

-

-She had no other friends; if she had possessed them she would have flown

-to them at once. She was a forlorn stranger among strangers, and she

-could see no way at present out of the difficulties surrounding her.

-

-She had eaten with Mrs. Blunt, who was very kind to her, and tried to

-tempt her appetite with all the daintiest bits upon the table; but the

-poor child was so sick at heart that she could scarcely swallow a

-mouthful.

-

-When Miss Baker came the next morning, she looked the surprise she felt,

-as she opened the sewing-room door and saw Star seated within, busily

-sewing upon the dress she had been making for Josephine the day before.

-

-And truly the young girl was a goodly sight to behold.

-

-Her beautiful hair had been brushed until it shone like satin, and then

-gathered into a simple knot at the back of her head—she did not intend

-to have it cut off, and she had dressed it in this way so as not to

-attract attention to it—while the clustering locks which fell over her

-forehead, almost touching her eyebrows, gave a piquant expression to her

-face. Her eyes were bright, in spite of her “night of tears” and longing

-for the dear old home and familiar faces over the sea; her cheeks

-delicately flushed, and the fresh print dress, which fitted her slight,

-graceful figure perfectly, and which she had so tastefully trimmed,

-could not have been more becoming if it had been made of the richest

-materials.

-

-“Why, Miss Gladstone, however did you manage to finish your dress, and

-put so much extra work into it, after I left last night?” the dressmaker

-asked, with some misgivings about madam’s approval when she should see

-it.

-

-“I managed it because I needed it,” Star answered. “I did not like to

-put on the dress I wore on the steamer again, it was so soiled and

-disfigured; and I ruffled it because I like pretty things and have been

-accustomed to them.”

-

-“I am afraid Mrs. Richards will object to so much trimming, for she was

-particular to mention that it should be ‘plain,’” said Miss Baker,

-glancing dubiously at the ruffles up and down the front, and at the neck

-and wrists.

-

-Star made no reply to this, but her red lips settled themselves a trifle

-more firmly, and her small head was lifted with a quick, proud movement,

-which told that she intended to exercise her own taste as far as she was

-able in the matter of her own wardrobe.

-

-The second morning after her advent at the Richards’ mansion, as she was

-descending to her breakfast, she suddenly encountered a portly but

-good-natured looking gentleman on the stairs.

-

-She glanced up at him, and was about to pass on with a slight though

-graceful salutation, when he stopped short and regarded her with

-surprise.

-

-“Halloa! who are you?” he asked, brusquely, yet not unkindly.

-

-Star colored a lovely pink, as she replied, modestly:

-

-“I am Star—or, I should say, Stella Gladstone.”

-

-“Stella—_Star_ Gladstone!” he exclaimed, in surprise. Then he added,

-with an appreciative glance at her golden head with its dainty

-forelocks, her great, star-like eyes, and red lips:

-

-“That sounds well—very appropriate, too, I should say. When did you

-arrive? We have been very anxious on your account.”

-

-Star’s scarlet lips curled slightly.

-

-It appeared that he had not been notified of her arrival—Mrs. Richards

-had not considered it necessary to speak of the welfare of one whom she

-intended to make her servant.

-

-They had been anxious on her account!

-

-_He_ might have experienced some uneasiness concerning her; his kind

-eyes and pleasant face seemed to indicate a good heart; but the other

-members of his family, she judged, would not have grieved so very much

-if she had really gone to the bottom of the ocean, as they feared she

-had.

-

-“I arrived the day before yesterday—Tuesday,” she said, somewhat coldly,

-in reply to his question.

-

-“Ah! I was in Chicago that day—reached home last night. You’ve had a

-pretty hard time, little girl, haven’t you?”

-

-“Yes, sir,” Star returned, wondering if he had any idea _how_ hard,

-while the tears rushed unbidden to her eyes at his kind tone. “I never

-expected to see land again,” she added, trying hard to suppress a sob,

-as she thought she would almost rather have died than come among such

-cold-hearted people as her mother’s cousin’s family appeared to be.

-

-“Well, well, you are safe now, thank Heaven, and you must try to be as

-happy as possible with us,” Mr. Richards said, still more kindly as he

-remarked her agitation.

-

-Star lifted her great eyes to his with a look of surprise. Could it be

-possible that he did not know the position she was destined to occupy in

-his household?

-

-It certainly appeared so, for he was looking down upon her with

-admiration and even something of affection.

-

-“Thank you, sir; you are very kind,” she said, with a sigh, as she

-turned sadly away and left him.

-

-

-

-

-                              CHAPTER VI.

-                            STELLA’S APPEAL.

-

-

-Star went down to the housekeeper’s room after her encounter with Mr.

-Richards, and ate her breakfast in a very thoughtful mood.

-

-Mrs. Blunt watched her curiously, and with a troubled expression on her

-honest face.

-

-“Child, if you don’t eat more you’ll die, or I’m much mistaken,” and she

-deftly slipped a dainty slice of buttered toast on her plate as she

-spoke.

-

-“Thank you, Mrs. Blunt, but I believe I am not very hungry this

-morning,” she returned, with a smile.

-

-“I should think not, indeed, nor at any other time. You haven’t eaten a

-‘square meal’ since you came into this house,” the good woman said, with

-an injured air.

-

-Star was too deeply occupied to heed it, and finishing her coffee in

-silence, arose and proceeded slowly up stairs to the sewing-room,

-intending to finish her other dress that morning.

-

-There was a look of resolution on her young face; her eyes gleamed with

-a new purpose.

-

-“I will do it,” she murmured, as she stood thoughtfully outside the door

-a moment, one small hand resting upon the knob. “I may as well make a

-bold stroke for myself at once, or I shall sink into nothingness. I

-_must_ have an education; I cannot—I _will_ not grow up ignorant, and

-have poor papa’s kind care in the past all go for nothing.”

-

-She turned the handle of the door and passed into the room.

-

-She found Mrs. Richards standing in the middle of the floor, holding up

-the unfinished dress in both hands, and inspecting it with no pleasant

-expression of countenance.

-

-She glanced at the young girl as she entered, and as her keen eyes ran

-over her dainty figure in its new and tasteful garment, her face grew

-dark.

-

-Star bade her a courteous “good-morning,” but she did not even deign to

-notice the salutation.

-

-“Who trimmed these dresses?” she demanded, sharply.

-

-“I did,” Star answered.

-

-“Who told you to do it?”

-

-“No one, marm; but I like things made pretty, and as there were plenty

-of pieces which could not be used in any other way, I made them up into

-ruffles.”

-

-Star spoke very quietly, but a bright red spot burned on either cheek.

-

-“You like ‘things pretty,’ do you? And that is the way you calculate to

-spend your time in this house, I suppose?” Mrs. Richards retorted,

-sarcastically.

-

-She received no reply, and continued:

-

-“The pieces you have cut up into senseless ruffles I intended you should

-make into patch-work for the servants’ beds during your odd minutes.”

-

-Star glanced at the numerous “senseless ruffles” which encircled the

-indignant matron’s ample figure, and thought there might be such a thing

-as a distinction without a difference.

-

-“I’ve half a mind to make you sit right down and rip off every one,”

-Mrs. Richards proceeded, still chafing over the matter, and flushing as

-she noticed Star’s glance and half read her thought. “The idea of a

-chambermaid with ruffles and furbelows! And I do believe that seamstress

-has made your dress so tight that you cannot breathe,” she concluded,

-pouncing upon the poor girl to make an examination of the offensive

-robe, for the slight, graceful figure before her was not at all pleasing

-to her.

-

-“No, marm, my dress is not tight; it only fits me nicely;” and Star’s

-slender fingers laid over quite a plait, thus showing that there was

-plenty of room for inflating her lungs to their utmost capacity.

-

-“Then you are laced,” persisted madam.

-

-“Laced?” repeated Star, who did not quite understand the obnoxious term.

-

-“Yes; your corsets are too tight.”

-

-“Oh! I never wear corsets; mamma did not approve of them.”

-

-Mrs. Richards bit her lips and colored with vexation. She was not

-showing to advantage in this controversy. It was clear that Star’s

-perfect form was the work of nature’s own hand, and she would be obliged

-to put up with it, unless she tied her up in a sack to hide its comely

-outlines.

-

-“Well,” she said, throwing aside the dress she had been examining, “I

-want you to come with me now; I am going to assign you your regular

-work. For one thing, you are to make all the beds in the house, except

-those in the servants’ rooms; then you are to keep Josephine’s and mine

-in order, wait upon us generally, and sew when there is nothing else to

-be done.”

-

-Star stood looking down at the carpet in a thoughtful way while her

-would-be task mistress reeled off these instructions; then she raised

-her eyes, which looked almost black instead of their usual beautiful

-blue, and fixed them full upon the woman’s face.

-

-“Did you understand,” she began, “when papa wrote to you, asking you to

-assume the guardianship of his only child and superintend her future

-education, that he had any idea that I should come into your family as a

-servant? I am sixteen years old, and although I have been taught to do

-many things in my home, and to do them well, I have never done any

-_hard_ work. I have spent most of my time in study, and papa left

-written instructions with me regarding my future course in that

-direction. I am very fond of music; I can paint and draw quite well, I

-am told, for one of my age, and papa wished me to keep on with these

-accomplishments, so far as I was able to and attend faithfully to the

-other branches of my education. I tell you this that you may understand

-something of the disappointment I have experienced, since my arrival in

-this country, to find that I was expected to fill the place of a common

-servant. Do you think my father intended you to make me such?”

-

-Mrs. Richards regarded the girl in astonishment, while her face grew

-crimson with shame and anger. She knew very well that Albert Gladstone

-had never dreamed that she would degrade his child in any such way. But

-Albert Gladstone was dead, and could not interpose to prevent it. She

-was obliged to curtail just now in some way, and when she found she must

-have this girl in her family, she had decided to dispense with the

-expense of one servant and impose the duties on Star.

-

-But she had not once imagined that she would dare question her right to

-do with her whatever she saw fit, and she was amazed as well as angry at

-the quiet dignity and independence with which she made these statements,

-and called her to an account of her duty to her.

-

-“I don’t know _what_ your father _intended_, or what _you expect_,” she

-returned, in cold, precise tones. “I know that he wrote me you would

-soon be an orphan; that you had hardly a friend in the world, and he

-would leave you almost a pauper. He asked me to superintend your

-education, so that you would be able to earn your own living by and by.

-I intend to do so; and as you have nothing save your own hands to depend

-upon in the future, I am going to begin by making you useful at once.

-Did you suppose you were going to drop into the lap of luxury, and be

-reared in idleness?” she concluded, with biting sarcasm.

-

-“No, marm,” Star returned, respectfully, yet not one whit abashed by the

-way Mrs. Richards had perverted the letter which her father had written.

-“I am willing to be useful—I _wish_ to be useful—I should be unhappy to

-be idle; but I am _very unwilling_ to be made a common drudge, with no

-time nor opportunity to pursue my education. You say I have nothing save

-my hands with which to earn my living. You are mistaken; I have

-_brains_, and I intend they shall serve that purpose.”

-

-“It seems to me that you are making a saucy tongue serve its purpose

-pretty early in the day,” retorted Mrs. Richards, an angry red leaping

-into her face.

-

-“I do not mean the least disrespect in what I have said, Mrs. Richards;

-but I cannot give up all the hopes and aspirations which my father has

-fostered all my life without making an effort to accomplish them. I am

-frank to confess,” Star continued, coloring, while her lips quivered

-slightly, “that from your reply to my father’s letter, I inferred that I

-should be received into your family as an equal, and that you would give

-me a mother’s care and counsel during the next three or four years of my

-life. Papa, I know, also understood it so, and died content, feeling

-that I should be well and kindly provided for.”

-

-Mrs. Richards felt very uncomfortable, for she knew that every word Star

-uttered was truth. She knew, too, that she was doing a mean and cowardly

-thing in making the bright and talented girl a servant; but she _must_

-have a house-maid. If she must curtail, she must do it in this way

-rather than in her own or Josephine’s wardrobe.

-

-“You are very impertinent, miss, and have been reared with altogether

-too high notions for one in your position,” she said, angrily. “You

-ought to be thankful for a roof to cover your head, and anything to

-cover your nakedness, coming here, as you did, destitute of everything.

-An equal in my family, indeed! Music, painting, and drawing! What will

-Josephine say to that, I wonder? And who did you suppose was going to

-foot the bills? It won’t do you any harm to have some of this

-independence taken out of you, and I’ll have you understand, once for

-all, that you will fill Maggie Flynn’s position in this house, or none.”

-

-Star bowed her proud head coldly. She saw that she was helpless for the

-present, and must yield to the inevitable.

-

-“Very well,” she said, calmly. “I understand from Mrs. Blunt that Maggie

-Flynn was about my age; that she had six dollars a month besides her

-board, and two evenings out a week. I will consent to fill her place,

-_for the present_, upon the same conditions.”

-

-“Upon my word!” exclaimed Mrs. Richards, in a towering passion at this

-unexpected proposition. “I never heard anything like it in my life! You

-forget that you are indebted to me for the very clothes you have on at

-this moment.”

-

-Star could hardly repress a smile at this calculating outbreak.

-

-“You have given me the print for two dresses,” she answered, with ready

-tact, “the cost of which, with us in England, would be four pence a

-yard. I have nearly made them myself, but you can deduct whatever you

-see fit, and I will attend to my own wardrobe in the future. If I do

-Maggie Flynn’s work, I must have Maggie Flynn’s pay and privileges,” she

-concluded, decidedly.

-

-“You will have nothing of the kind”—Mrs. Richards was fairly hoarse with

-anger. “You forget that your father has consigned you to my guardianship

-for the next few years, and you will do exactly as I direct you. But we

-have wasted time enough in this kind of talk. You are to come with me

-now; I will set you to work, and see if we cannot take down some of this

-English impudence.”

-

-Star followed the woman as she was bidden, without a word, thinking it

-best to discuss the question no further just then; but there was,

-nevertheless, a determined gleam in her glorious eyes; her form was as

-erect and proud, her step as firm as if she felt herself in every

-respect the equal of the woman who appeared bound to oppress her.

-

-All day long she was kept steadily at work; not a moment was she allowed

-to rest, except while she was eating. She made beds, swept and dusted

-rooms, and ran upon errands, until every bone in her slight body ached

-with weariness and her small feet were nearly blistered.

-

-Her delicate hands had never performed such menial duties before, nor

-had her gentle heart ever throbbed with such revengeful, rebellious

-feelings.

-

-It was eight o’clock before her hard mistress released her from her

-labors, and told her to go directly to bed, so as to be up early in the

-morning and sweep off the front steps before people should begin to

-pass.

-

-She went to her room as directed, but instead of retiring, she took from

-a drawer of her bureau one of the packages of papers which she had

-rescued from her state-room on that burning vessel, and, weary as she

-was, she again descended two flights of stairs, and approaching the

-library door, tapped gently upon it.

-

-A deep, manly voice bade her come in, and she entered with a firm and

-decided tread.

-

-Mr. Richards was sitting at his desk, engaged in answering some business

-letters.

-

-Star had timed her visit to him, for she had watched and seen him go

-into the library after tea was over.

-

-He looked up as she closed the door behind her, and his face relaxed

-into a kind smile as he saw who it was.

-

-The girl had interested him in the morning by her beauty, grace, and

-intelligence, but he had been so busy during the day that he had

-scarcely thought of her since.

-

-He did inquire for her at dinner, but there was company present, and his

-wife made some evasive reply. If the truth could have been known, she

-was rather reluctant to inform him what her intentions were regarding

-the young stranger.

-

-“Do I interrupt you, sir?” Star asked, modestly, but without advancing

-beyond the threshold.

-

-“Not at all, Miss Star. Come here and sit down; I am just through,” he

-answered, heartily.

-

-She went and stood before him. She did not wish to sit down; she could

-say what she intended to tell him better standing, she thought.

-

-“You spoke so kindly to me this morning,” she began, “that I have

-ventured to come to you for a little advice this evening.”

-

-“Spoke kindly to you! Why on earth shouldn’t I speak kindly to you?” he

-asked, in surprise.

-

-Then noticing her pale, weary face, he continued:

-

-“What under the sun have you been doing to-day? You look tired to

-death.”

-

-Star tried to smile, but she felt more like dropping her face upon her

-hands and sobbing aloud.

-

-She controlled herself with an effort, however, and putting some of her

-papers upon the table beside him, said:

-

-“I have brought you some papers which papa gave me just before—just

-before he died”—a sob would come in spite of her then. “One is a copy of

-a letter which he wrote to Mrs. Richards,” she went on, “and there is

-also her reply. Will you kindly read them, and tell me just what you

-understand by them?”

-

-“Certainly, if you wish,” he replied, looking a trifle surprised at her

-request.

-

-He motioned her again to a seat, then opened the letters and read them

-both through.

-

-“I understand,” he said, when he had finished them, “from your father’s

-letter that, believing he was soon to die, he wished to provide a home

-for you. He states that he has no friends or relatives in England with

-whom he would be willing to trust you; that he has next to nothing to

-leave you, and begs my wife, as the nearest of kin, to assume the care

-of you and your education until you are able to do something for

-yourself, trusting to Providence to reward her for her kindness to the

-orphan. He mentions that he feels assured she will do this, since she

-once entertained such tender feelings for his wife for the signal

-service which she once rendered her.”

-

-“Do you know what that service was?” Star asked, in a low tone.

-

-“No; I asked Ellen when I read the letter which she received, but she

-seemed to have forgotten to what he referred. Perhaps _you_ know,

-though?” Mr. Richards concluded, inquiringly.

-

-Star colored vividly.

-

-“Yes, sir,” she returned, with compressed lips.

-

-“Well, what was it? I should like to know.”

-

-“My mother was a Miss Chudleigh before her marriage, as you doubtless

-know, and she lived near Halowell Park, in Devonshire, where Mrs.

-Richards was once visiting, and it was during that visit that she saved

-her from drowning.”

-

-“Whew! Your mother saved my wife from drowning, eh?” cried Mr. Richards,

-in astonishment, and coloring as he remembered his wife’s indifference

-upon the topic when he had questioned her about it.

-

-“Yes, sir. Now will you please read Mrs. Richards’ reply to my father’s

-letter, and tell me how you interpret it?”

-

-Star did not care to dwell upon the subject of her obligation, since

-Mrs. Richards had seen fit to pass it by so lightly.

-

-“I interpret it just as it reads,” he said, after glancing over it;

-“that she would be very happy to grant your father’s request, do her

-utmost to make a good and useful woman of you, and follow out his wishes

-regarding your future education as nearly as she could.”

-

-“Yes, sir, that is the way papa understood it; that is the way I

-understand it,” Star said, rising and standing erect before him with a

-gravity that made him wonder what was coming next.

-

-“My father,” she continued, “as you know, was a clergyman with a very

-limited income, and he conducted my education himself until he became

-too weak to do so, therefore I am pretty well advanced for one of my

-years. I have read seven books in Virgil, have read two years in French,

-and am nearly through trigonometry, and have read a good deal in

-history. I was studying harmony in music when papa died, besides doing a

-little in painting and drawing. I do not tell you this,” Star

-interposed, with a sad smile, “to boast of what I have done, but that

-you may understand what my feelings are when I tell you why I came here

-to-night. Papa wished me to keep on with my Latin, reading Horace and

-Tacitus, with French, music, and history—in fact, he left a written

-programme for me to follow out as nearly as I was able. I am ambitious

-myself—I am _hungry_ for knowledge. I want a _thorough education_, and

-as I must in the future earn my own living, I know of no way so

-congenial to my feelings as through literary pursuits. Perhaps I made a

-mistake in appealing to you just now, but I could think of no other way

-out of my difficulties, for of course I am wholly ignorant of the

-manners and customs of this country. I mentioned these things to Mrs.

-Richards this morning——”

-

-And now Star’s voice trembled, and the beating of her heart nearly

-choked her, for she did not know how this man would receive her appeal

-to him against his own wife.

-

-“Well, and what did she say?” he asked, feeling somewhat perplexed over

-the matter.

-

-“She told me that I could not go on with my education as papa wished;

-that—I was to take the place of a girl named Maggie Flynn in your

-family.”

-

-“What!” exclaimed the gentleman, in tones of the most emphatic

-astonishment.

-

-“Maggie Flynn, I understand,” Star went on, gathering courage as she

-noted his surprise, “was a sort of chamber and waiting-maid, and Mrs.

-Richards says that I am henceforth to perform her duties. I cannot tell

-you,” she continued, earnestly, “how repulsive such a life would be to

-me—to give up all my hopes, to forget, in the ceaseless routine of such

-an existence, all that I have already acquired; and I have come to

-appeal to you—to ask you if you will not try and persuade your wife to

-allow me to continue my studies? I am willing to work, and work hard,

-but I _must_ have some time to improve and develop my mind. There are

-plenty of girls who can be employed in my place”—Star did not know of

-the curtailing business—“and who do not care for an education. Papa

-authorized a friend of his to dispose of his library and our household

-goods, and give the proceeds to me, after paying all bills. I have a

-letter of credit to the amount of a hundred pounds. I do not know the

-expense of schooling in this country, but could I not be sent to some

-institution for a year or two, and take this money to pay for it? I

-should be fitted by the end of that time, I think, to teach, and could

-relieve Mrs. Richards of all responsibility regarding my support.”

-

-Mr. Richards’ face was very stern when the young girl concluded, and

-Star, looking into it, felt almost frightened at what she had done.

-

-But she reasoned that her situation could not be much worse than it

-already was, and it demanded desperate measures.

-

-

-

-

-                              CHAPTER VII.

-                            A CONSULTATION.

-

-

-“What have you been doing to-day?” Mr. Richards asked, in cold, stern

-tones, after what seemed an interminable pause.

-

-Stella began to feel almost faint. That hard face, in which displeasure

-was the chief expression, did not look very promising for her cause; but

-she replied:

-

-“I have done all the chamber-work, swept and dusted five rooms, and

-waited upon Mrs. Richards.”

-

-“You are not accustomed to such work,” he said, glancing at her delicate

-hands.

-

-“Not to any such extent, sir. Mamma used to require me to take care of

-the music-room, besides my own, at home, for we could keep only one

-servant, and I _know how_ to sweep, and dust, and make beds,” Star

-concluded, with a slight smile.

-

-“I should say that you know a good many things for so young a lady,” Mr.

-Richards said, kindly, for he saw that she was nervous over what she had

-been telling him. Then he added, more gravely: “I will consult with Mrs.

-Richards, and I think that we can arrange for you to pursue your

-education as you desire.”

-

-Star flushed.

-

-She knew well enough that a mere consultation with Mrs. Richards would

-not secure much for her, and that she would be very angry with her for

-having appealed to her husband, and she made up her mind on the spot to

-make a bold stroke for her freedom.

-

-So meeting his eyes in a frank, fearless way, yet speaking with the

-utmost respect, she said:

-

-“I feel confident from the conversation which I had with Mrs. Richards

-this morning, that she will be very unwilling to make any change in her

-arrangements, so I will be perfectly frank and say to you, that much as

-I should dislike to take any radical steps in opposition to her, or my

-father’s desire that I should remain with her, yet I _cannot_ consent to

-remain here as a common servant, with no privileges or time to myself. I

-presume Mrs. Richards will say that, as she has been appointed my

-guardian, I shall have to do just as she desires. But I have read

-somewhere that when an orphan in this country reaches a certain age, he

-has the privilege of choosing a guardian for himself. Rather than be

-subjected to the fate of becoming a second Maggie Flynn,” Star

-continued, her voice gathering firmness, “I shall exercise that

-privilege. Thank you for listening so kindly to my troubles, and I trust

-I have not wearied you. Good-night.”

-

-Without waiting for him to reply, she inclined her head in a graceful

-bow, and quietly glided from the room.

-

-“By George!” exploded Mr. Richards, staring blankly after her retreating

-form, “that is what I call spirit. Make a common servant of such a girl

-as that, indeed! My lady and I will talk this matter over, and

-see—_what_ we shall see.”

-

-Half an hour later he sought an interview with his wife, and there

-followed “a consultation” in earnest.

-

-Mrs. Richards was dumfounded upon being informed of the decided stand

-which her spirited little ward had taken, and her indignation in

-consequence knew no bounds.

-

-“The impudent little beggar!” she ejaculated, crimson with rage. “Does

-she expect to rule me, or balk me like this? She will find herself

-greatly mistaken. I will give her a dose in the morning—‘_such_ a dose,’

-as Mr. Flintwinch was wont to remark to his beloved Affery.”

-

-“Ellen, you will do no such thing,” her husband returned, firmly. “Have

-you forgotten Mr. Gladstone’s letter to you and your reply to him? When

-you wrote accepting the guardianship of his daughter, you did so in a

-way to lead him to believe that you would do your best for her.”

-

-“And so I am doing my best for her,” interrupted his wife. “You have

-talked of nothing but retrenchment for the last six months, and I have

-_tried_ to retrench. I knew the coming of this girl would make an extra

-mouth to feed, so I made up my mind to make her useful, and save

-something if I could.”

-

-“Well, the child says she is willing to be useful, but you are not

-fulfilling your agreement by making a drudge of her. Mr. Gladstone

-understood that you would give careful attention to her education, which

-he evidently has conducted upon the most thorough principles, and he

-expected that you would fill as far as possible his place toward her.”

-

-“How do you know what I wrote to him? You did not see my letter,”

-demanded Mrs. Richards, angrily.

-

-“I have seen it to-night. The girl has it, and showed it to me; and now

-I want you to live up to your promises,” replied her husband, gravely.

-

-“She ought to be thankful that she has a roof to shelter her. Do you

-suppose I am going to allow her to interfere with Josephine’s rights?”

-

-“Certainly not; but this girl is exceedingly bright and pretty; let them

-become mates and share alike, and I’ll wager that Star will never abuse

-your indulgence,” Mr. Richards said, generously.

-

-“And who may ‘Star’ be?” demanded his wife, scornfully.

-

-“Why, Stella, of course—Star was the name, I suppose, by which she was

-known at home. Now, I insist,” he continued, with decision, “that this

-child be given a fair chance.”

-

-“How about retrenchment if you have _two_ fine young ladies to support

-instead of one?” sneered Mrs. Richards.

-

-“Oh, bother! we’ll make it up in some other way. I’ll sell one of my

-horses; you can give up a new gown once in awhile.”

-

-“Not if I know myself, Mr. Richards. I do not intend that this girl

-shall interfere with my comfort in the least degree,” interrupted the

-lady, with a frown.

-

-“Well, we will manage in some way; but,” he added, beginning to get out

-of patience with her selfishness and heartlessness, “I swear, if you

-won’t promise to treat her considerately, and she repudiates you as her

-guardian, I will get her to choose me in your place, and I’ll treat her

-like a young princess—send her to Vassar, or any other first-class

-school she may choose, regardless of the cost.”

-

-“George Richards,” cried his wife, with flashing eyes, “if you take up

-weapons against me in this way, I never will forgive you.”

-

-“Can’t help it,” he retorted, coolly. “I’ll not have that girl made a

-common drudge of in this house while I am master here. How you could

-meditate such a thing for a moment is more than I can understand. Where

-is the gratitude for the life which her mother saved for you so many

-years ago?”

-

-Mrs. Richards started slightly. She had not intended that her husband

-should ever know of the debt which she owed Star’s mother.

-

-“I suppose she had to twit you of that in order to gain her point and

-make you her champion,” she said, sarcastically.

-

-“No, indeed. I asked her what her father meant by his allusion to the

-service rendered you, and to which he referred in his letter, and she

-told me of course, though in a very modest way, that her mother once

-saved you from drowning. Now, I want you to change your tactics. I want

-you to allow her to be one of the family.”

-

-“I _never_ will do that, Mr. Richards, and it is useless for you to

-suggest it,” Mrs. Richards interrupted, hotly. “I could never endure the

-sight of the girl at my table after this, and Josephine, I know, would

-not consent to it. Any one can see by the course she has pursued

-to-night with you that she is full of art and intrigue, and would not

-hesitate to interfere with Josie’s plans and prospects.”

-

-“Oh, ho! you’re afraid she will outshine Jo, are you?” laughed her

-husband, good-naturedly. “I should think one would set the other off,

-Star being so light and Jo so dark, and I should really enjoy seeing two

-pretty girls flitting about the house.”

-

-“I will never put Stella Gladstone on an equal footing with my daughter,

-so you can cease arguing upon that point,” reiterated Mrs. Richards,

-with a positiveness that was not to be mistaken.

-

-“If you insist,” she continued, after a minute’s thought, “upon her

-being allowed to pursue her education, since she makes such a parade of

-being a bookworm, let her; I will not interfere. But _I_ insist, on the

-other hand, that she make herself useful. She must work about the house

-before and after school, and do something in return for her support—more

-than this I will not concede;” and Mr. Richards, having gained this

-point, considered that he had won quite a victory for his wife’s pretty

-ward.

-

-“Very well,” he said; “I presume she will be satisfied with this

-arrangement. She said she was willing to work if she might only be

-allowed to study.”

-

-“Satisfied or not, it is all the concession that I shall make; and mark

-my words, George, I shall not _love_ her any better for this

-interference on your part,” his wife said, hotly.

-

-“Fie, Ellen! I thought you had a warmer heart; and it would not sound

-well outside if it should become known that you were making a servant of

-a relative. It would make quite a stir, let me tell you, if she should

-appeal to the courts to have a new guardian appointed,” Mr. Richards

-returned, in a conciliatory tone.

-

-Thus the matter was settled, to Star’s great joy. Mr. Richards made

-arrangements at once for her to enter a select school for young ladies,

-which was located quite near their residence, and she began her

-attendance there the following Monday, having passed a most “creditable

-examination,” the principal informed her.

-

-When she was advised of this pleasant change in her life, she thanked

-Mrs. Richards in a few well-chosen words for consenting to it; but the

-irate woman shut her up instantly by saying:

-

-“You owe me nothing, and I wish the subject never mentioned again in my

-presence. You will assist about the chamber-work in the morning before

-it is time for you to go to school, and help Mrs. Blunt with the mending

-on your return in the afternoon. Miss Baker will attend to the provision

-of suitable clothing for you, and you will work with her Saturdays. Now

-we will consider this matter disposed of until such time as you may deem

-your education finished;” and with this heartless speech, Star was

-summarily dismissed from the august matron’s presence.

-

-She was greatly rejoiced with even this ungracious permission to pursue

-her studies, and the hours spent in the school-room were a source of

-great delight to her; but her position at home was anything but

-agreeable.

-

-Mr. Richards treated her kindly whenever he chanced to meet her, but his

-wife and daughter ignored her presence when they could do so; when they

-could not, they took pains to make her feel her obligations and

-dependence in the most uncomfortable manner.

-

-With Mrs. Blunt she was comparatively happy, for the woman, though

-brusque and peculiar, was very kind-hearted, seeming to have conceived a

-great liking for the lonely orphan; and often she would sit up late at

-night to get the piles of mending out of the way, in order that Star—who

-was studying very hard to make up for having entered school in the

-middle of a term—might have more time to herself.

-

-Miss Baker, the seamstress, too, was very kind to her, and her Saturdays

-were often passed very pleasantly in sewing and chatting in the cozy

-sewing-room.

-

-She left home at a quarter to nine in the morning, and did not return

-until half-past four in the afternoon, taking a luncheon and spending

-the nooning in the school-room.

-

-This was not done on account of the distance, but because the dinner

-hour at the Richards’ mansion conflicted with the school hours.

-

-By staying at noon thus Star gained an hour’s practice on one of the

-pianos, with no one to interrupt her, and this was a season of unalloyed

-delight to her. Nothing had been said to her about continuing her

-music—Mrs. Richards had vetoed all accomplishments on account of the

-extra expense—but she could not give it up, so pursued a course of

-faithful practice by herself.

-

-Not a moment was wasted. She arose with the dawn, and every morning for

-an hour she might have been seen bending over her small table, busily

-engaged in writing or study.

-

-All her duties were faithfully performed; beds had never been so well

-made before, rooms were never so carefully swept and dusted, or so

-tastefully arranged; and yet one would scarcely have mistrusted her

-presence in the house, everything was done so quietly and unobtrusively.

-

-This general exercise, together with her brisk walk before and after her

-school, was very beneficial to her health. She grew tall, and round, and

-rosy, and in beauty every day.

-

-Saturdays Miss Baker’s weary face would brighten as Star sat and chatted

-in a merry, entertaining way, whiling away the long hours, her busy

-fingers often lightening her labors when there was no sewing to be done

-for herself, until she began to love the sweet young girl with a deep,

-warm affection, and to look forward to those weekly diversions almost as

-if they had been angels’ visits.

-

-Star was very tasteful also, and often suggested changes in trimming and

-the arrangement of drapery, thus making great improvements in her work,

-while, in spite of Mrs. Richards’ commands that “everything for Miss

-Gladstone be as plain as respectability would allow,” she took pains to

-fit the young girl’s figure with great nicety, and added many graceful

-touches to her otherwise simple dresses.

-

-All winter long Star pursued this busy life, improving every moment to

-the best advantage, making every hour count; and one morning, getting

-through her work earlier than usual, she might have been seen stealing

-forth from that elegant mansion a half hour before the regular time, her

-cheeks flushed with some inward excitement, her eyes gleaming, yet

-somewhat anxious, and carrying in her hands a goodly sized package

-neatly wrapped in brown paper.

-

-She took an opposite direction from the usual route to school, and

-walked hurriedly toward the business portion of the city.

-

-At the end of twenty minutes she stopped before the door of a large and

-handsome store, where for a moment she seemed to hesitate as if

-uncertain what to do next.

-

-At last, with fluctuating color and trembling hand, she turned the

-handle and entered.

-

-A little while passed, and then she came forth again, while now she

-appeared pale and agitated.

-

-As the door closed after her, she stood still for a moment upon the

-sidewalk, seeming lost in troubled thought; then a tremulous sigh, which

-was almost a sob, broke from her lips, and she turned and walked toward

-her school.

-

-

-

-

-                             CHAPTER VIII.

-                             RETRENCHMENT.

-

-

-Winter passed, spring came and went, and the commencement exercises of

-the seminary where Star was attending drew nigh.

-

-The faculty, as was their custom, sent forth cards of invitation to its

-patrons, requesting them to be present and see for themselves what their

-children had accomplished during the year.

-

-It chanced this time to fall upon Star’s birthday, although no one was

-aware of that fact save herself; but to her it was destined to prove an

-eventful occasion, and one long to be remembered.

-

-Mr. Richards received and opened his invitation with his other letters

-on that very morning, and after glancing over it, passed it to his wife.

-

-She merely looked at it, yawned, and then laid it indifferently one

-side.

-

-Mr. Richards compressed his lips at this. It did not please him that all

-the young girl’s interests should be thus slightingly ignored; but he

-said nothing, although his thoughts were busy during the remainder of

-the meal, and as soon as it was completed he repaired to his library and

-rang his bell.

-

-“Send Miss Gladstone to me,” he said to the servant who answered his

-summons.

-

-Star received the command, wondering what it meant, and went down, with

-some trepidation, to obey it.

-

-She was almost like an alien in that house, living so apart from the

-family, and so rarely encountering any of them; but she possessed a

-sunny, even disposition, and although she often grieved over the neglect

-she experienced, and yearned for love and sympathy, yet she would not

-allow herself to brood over it; thus she was always sweet and genial in

-her temperament.

-

-As she entered the library this morning, Mr. Richards looked up and

-smiled with pleasure.

-

-She was so fresh, and bright, and lovely that it was a delight to look

-upon her.

-

-“I have received a card for the closing exercises of your school

-to-day,” he said, pleasantly. “I think I should like to attend, if I can

-make it convenient. How have you been progressing?”

-

-“Professor Roberts has been kind enough to say that I have done very

-well. You know I did not enter until nearly the middle of the second

-term,” Star modestly replied, while her cheeks glowed and her eyes shone

-with pleasure that he should manifest this interest in her welfare.

-

-“Do you have any particular part in the exercises to-day?” he

-questioned.

-

-“Yes, sir. I have a programme here in my pocket; perhaps you would like

-to see it?” and she drew it forth, laying it upon the table before him.

-

-He glanced over it, and, third upon the list, he saw:

-

-“Music, instrumental, by Miss Stella Gladstone.”

-

-Further down he read:

-

-“Essay, by Miss Stella Gladstone. Subject: ‘Walls Must Get the

-Weather-stain Before They Grow the Ivy.’”

-

-He looked up at her with some surprise.

-

-“Did you choose the subject of your essay?” he asked.

-

-“Yes, sir.”

-

-“Why did you take such a topic?”

-

-“I do not know, sir,” Star answered, thoughtfully. “I read the line

-somewhere one day; it haunted me continually, until I wrote out some

-thoughts upon it, as I often do upon different subjects. Professor

-Roberts found them between the leaves of my Horace one day, and liked

-them so well that he asked me to elaborate and extend them, and read it

-as an essay to-day. He always has two or three essays from members of

-the junior class read upon commencement day.”

-

-Mr. Richards had been looking her over critically while she was

-speaking.

-

-She was clad in a gown of some light gray material, made very plainly,

-but fitting her graceful figure to perfection. Simple bands of linen

-were just visible at her throat and wrists, while a knot of pale blue

-ribbon fastened her collar.

-

-She looked lovely. She would have been so in anything; but he saw that

-her toilet was hardly befitting the ward of his wife.

-

-“Girls for commencement always have a new dress, don’t they?” he asked.

-“Have you made any arrangements of the kind?”

-

-“No, sir; I shall go just as I am. This is the best that I have,” she

-returned, glancing down at her dress and flushing slightly.

-

-“How much time have you before the exercises begin?” he inquired.

-

-“An hour or more,” she said, looking up at the clock on the mantel. “I

-am ready very early,” she added, smiling, “for I wished to look over my

-essay before reading it.”

-

-Mr. Richards looked grave. He remembered how Josephine had been all

-“fuss and feathers” at every commencement, and here this lovely girl was

-going to appear before a crowded hall in a dress which his daughter

-would not have worn in her own private room.

-

-“If you will step around to Hunt & Co.’s with me, you shall have one of

-those pretty summer silks that they are advertising so extensively. I

-should be gratified to have you as well dressed as your classmates, and

-I fear that your needs have been neglected in this respect,” he

-remarked, with a slight frown.

-

-Star flushed scarlet now.

-

-She had wished—oh, _so_ earnestly!—that morning that she could have

-something dainty to wear, and she had sighed regretfully as she thought

-of all her pretty clothes lying at the bottom of the ocean, for they had

-been prettily made, although they were of inexpensive material; and she

-had heard the girls talking of the new dresses which were being made for

-them. But when her toilet was completed and she looked in the glass, she

-felt that, notwithstanding the disadvantage of her apparel, there was at

-least a distinguished air about her which bespoke the true lady, and she

-was comforted.

-

-“Thank you,” she answered, quietly, while the color slowly receded from

-her brow and cheeks; “you are very kind to suggest it, but, if you

-please, I prefer to go as I am. I shall be gratified,” she added,

-dropping the proud ring out of her voice, “if you feel sufficiently

-interested to attend the exercises to-day, and I will endeavor to show

-you that I have tried to improve the advantages that you have given me.”

-

-“I should be willing to take your word for it,” Mr. Richards said,

-heartily, “but I will come and see for myself.”

-

-Star looked pleased at this assurance, and then, giving him a friendly

-little bow and smile, went away with a light heart.

-

-“By George! she’ll make a woman to be proud of, or—or ‘I’m much

-mistaken,’ as Mrs. Blunt would remark. She has spirit, too, and is bound

-to stand on her own merits. There are not many girls who would have

-refused the offer of a pretty new dress for such an occasion. I’ll go

-over to the seminary and see what she has been doing.”

-

-When Mr. Richards entered the hall of the seminary, he found it crowded

-to overflowing with spectators, anxious friends, and fond parents.

-

-He gradually worked his way forward toward the platform, for he was

-determined to hear Star’s essay, if possible, and finally took his stand

-beside a piece of statuary and near an open window, where he could have

-air and yet command a good view of all the exercises.

-

-Almost at the same moment a slight, willowy figure, clad in light gray,

-with a fair, delicate face, deep blue eyes, scarlet lips, and a wealth

-of golden hair, glided noiselessly to the piano on the platform, sat

-down, and after running her fingers nimbly over the keys for a moment or

-two, dashed off into a brilliant and difficult sonata.

-

-It was executed apparently without a mistake from beginning to end, and

-without notes, and when it was finished the fair performer retired from

-the instrument amid enthusiastic applause.

-

-Mr. Richards was astounded.

-

-He had expected some simple melody, passably performed. She had told

-him, in her modest way, that she had given some attention to music, but

-he had not imagined that she was as proficient as this, and he could not

-understand how she had kept up her practice, with no instruction, and no

-permission to use the piano at home.

-

-He did not know of that hour at noon, nor the odd minutes, when other

-girls were chattering away at recess time, that Star had diligently

-given to this science which she so dearly loved.

-

-He was no less astounded during the reading of her essay.

-

-When it was announced, she came quietly forward with graceful

-self-possession, and unfolding the roll of manuscript which she carried

-in her hand, read in sweet, yet clear tones, a production which held her

-listeners spell-bound from beginning to end.

-

-She must have woven something of her own heart history into it, he

-thought, for two or three times the tears welled unbidden to his eyes at

-the pathos which those smoothly rounded sentences contained.

-

-It seemed as if Star’s efforts were more highly appreciated than any

-other portion of the exercises. Even the valedictory, from a member of

-the senior class, although well written and to the point, was not

-listened to with such breathless attention.

-

-At the conclusion of the programme, the diplomas were awarded to the

-graduating class, and then the professor said he would read the names of

-those who had passed their examination and were to be promoted from the

-other classes. There were two young ladies, he said, who were entitled

-to a double promotion, having accomplished the work of a year in about

-six months, which was, to say the least, a very unusual and laudable

-circumstance.

-

-The names of those entitled to this were Miss Stella Gladstone and Miss

-Grace Turnbull, and they would, upon the beginning of the fall term,

-take their places in the senior class.

-

-As the people flocked by him out of the hall, Mr. Richards heard Star’s

-praises on every side, and inwardly vowed that the girl should have

-every chance in the future.

-

-He made his way toward the platform, intending to speak with and

-congratulate her upon her success; but just before he reached her

-another gentleman approached her, and after shaking hands in the most

-cordial manner with her, gave her a small package, and bending down,

-whispered a few words in her ear.

-

-He could not understand the expression of mingled surprise and joy which

-for a moment absolutely glorified her fair face as she received the

-package; then the tears sprang to her eyes, as, with tremulous lips, she

-appeared to be thanking the giver.

-

-The gentleman chatted a few moments longer with her, then put out his

-hand for the roll of manuscript which she still held, while he smilingly

-asked her for it.

-

-Star hesitated about giving it to him, while a lovely color suffused her

-face; then, with a shy movement, she laid it in his palm.

-

-He received it with a brilliant smile, bowed gracefully to her, and then

-left her.

-

-Mr. Richards now approached her, and taking her hand, said, almost

-affectionately:

-

-“Star, you have shone effulgently to-day, and I am proud of you.”

-

-It would not have been in human nature to have prevented the little

-gleam of triumph which flashed from her eyes at this tribute to her

-talents, but she said, gratefully:

-

-“Thank you, sir; but I owe my success all to you.”

-

-“Not a bit of it,” he returned, with some emotion; “you owe it to

-yourself alone; but I will take care that you do not thank me for

-nothing at the close of another year.”

-

-Star wondered what he meant, but she did not question him, and her heart

-was lighter than it had been before, since she crossed the ocean, as he

-led her from the building and walked home with her.

-

-But he noticed all the way that there was a nervous tremor about her,

-while she was unusually absent-minded and silent.

-

-“Who was that gentleman who came and spoke to you at the close of the

-exercises?” he asked, just before they reached home.

-

-Star glanced up with a start.

-

-“His name is Appleton,” she answered, and pretended not to notice that

-his eyes were resting curiously upon the package which he had given her.

-

-When they entered the house, Star ascended to her own room, while Mr.

-Richards sought his wife.

-

-He found her and Josephine together in the drawing-room, and, for a

-wonder, no callers with them.

-

-He informed them where he had been, and also of the brilliant appearance

-which Star had made before the public.

-

-Both mother and daughter sneered audibly at his account, and this

-aroused his indignation.

-

-His eyes began to blaze, and his wife sobered instantly; she always

-recognized and dreaded this dangerous symptom.

-

-“You are a couple of selfish, heartless women,” he began; “and now, let

-me tell you, you have got to turn over a new leaf, or there will be

-trouble in the camp. That girl, whom you have so despised and tried to

-degrade ever since she came into the house, has wonderful talent—talent

-of which any one might be proud. She is rightly named, for she certainly

-shone like a star of the first magnitude to-day. Her essay was superior

-to anything produced there, and her performance upon the piano something

-wonderful for one so young and possessing so few advantages.”

-

-“Oh, papa, you don’t mean to say that she can play the piano! I’m sure

-she has never touched this one since she came here, and no one can play

-well without constant practice,” asserted Miss Josephine, with a toss of

-her dark head, for she was accounted a good musician.

-

-“You don’t believe what I tell you, then,” her father said, frowning.

-

-“Well, I think you must have overestimated her talent in that

-direction,” the girl answered.

-

-Mr. Richards did not reply, but walked to the bell-rope and gave it a

-pull.

-

-“Go and say to Miss Gladstone that I would like to see her in the

-drawing-room,” he said to the servant who opened the door.

-

-“Really, Mr. Richards,” interrupted his wife, with severe dignity; but

-he stopped her short with a motion of his hand.

-

-“Go!” he repeated to the servant, who had hesitated as she spoke, and

-then he turned again to her.

-

-“I want you to understand,” he said, “something of the wrong which you

-have been doing this child, and now I am going to ask her to play to

-you. I desire that you treat her civilly, too, when she comes down. She

-should have been received here as one of us—I regret that I did not

-insist upon it in the beginning—she should have been on an equal footing

-with Josie, enjoying the same advantages, and receiving sympathy and

-encouragement instead of—well, it’s no use fretting over it now; but, by

-Jove! I’ll make it up to her in the future. Hark! she is coming, and now

-I’ll have no sneers or sour looks,” he concluded, as the door handle

-turned.

-

-Star entered at this moment, and seeing the whole family assembled,

-looked somewhat surprised; but Mr. Richards approached her, saying,

-quietly:

-

-“I have sent for you to ask if you will play again for us what you

-played at the hall to-day?”

-

-Star glanced at the two ladies, but their attitude was not encouraging.

-

-Mrs. Richards was the personification of dignified indifference, while

-Miss Josephine sat looking out of a window, and partially concealed by

-its drapery.

-

-She saw that she was wholly indebted to Mr. Richards for this

-opportunity of displaying her talent, and that they were evidently

-somewhat doubtful as to her ability to do what he claimed for her;

-therefore her fingers began to tingle to do their very best.

-

-“Certainly; I shall be pleased to play for you if you desire it,” she

-said, as she walked quietly and unassumingly to the piano and sat down.

-

-She had not struck a dozen notes before she had the undivided attention

-of every listener; and when she had concluded, two of the little company

-were quivering with jealous anger.

-

-Josephine had the name of being a good musician, but both she and her

-mother could plainly perceive that she had not a tithe of the talent

-that the fair, despised girl, of whom they had tried to make a common

-servant, possessed.

-

-“Play something else, please,” Mr. Richards said, when she had finished

-the sonata which she had played at school; and, without a word, her

-slender fingers went sweeping through one of Mendelssohn’s “_Romances

-sans Paroles_” in the most intoxicating manner imaginable, and her new

-admirer, with a look of pardonable triumph, thanked her most warmly when

-she concluded.

-

-She quietly left the room, although she felt assured that a storm was

-ready to burst as soon as she should be beyond hearing; the very

-atmosphere was heavy with it.

-

-She was right in her conjecture, for no sooner was the door closed

-behind her than Mrs. Richards’ tongue was loosed, and she broke forth in

-a torrent of wrath.

-

-“Well, George Richards, I suppose you imagine that you have done

-something wonderful in bringing that girl here and showing her off to

-us; but you will find that you have made a mistake. It is very

-praiseworthy, indeed, to seek to humiliate one’s own daughter, and I

-should suppose you would feel very proud of such an achievement. Where

-is your self-respect, that you bring a beggar in here and set her up as

-a reproach to your wife? I will not stand it, sir—I tell you I will not

-stand it! Things are come to a pretty pass, I should say, if our

-domestic peace is to be destroyed by that insignificant chit, and I was

-a fool ever to consent to her coming here.”

-

-This and much more of the same kind the angry woman poured forth in a

-perfect volley.

-

-Mr. Richards listened with quiet gravity to the tirade, and when she had

-concluded, he quietly remarked:

-

-“Well, Ellen, now that you are through, we’ll say that it’s my turn. You

-might just as well make up your mind to be reasonable first as last, for

-mine is settled upon one thing—_Star Gladstone has done the last day’s

-work in this house that she ever will do_! She is to have her time

-entirely to herself until she graduates, a year hence. I shall offer to

-allow her to pursue music, and painting if she desires, during the long

-vacation just at hand, giving her the best of masters which New York

-affords, and spare no reasonable expense to make her the accomplished

-woman that I think she is capable of becoming. _You promised_ all this

-to her father; he sent her to you with the belief that she would enjoy

-these advantages until she was fitted to become a teacher, _and she

-shall have them_. Now, one thing more—and you know that when I get

-aroused to this pitch I mean what I say—if I find that you or Jo are

-making her unhappy at any time, I’ll put her into the most genteel

-boarding-house in the city, out of your reach. As for ‘domestic peace,’

-about which you twit me, I believe I love my family better than the

-average of men, and am not in the habit of stirring up strife; so it

-will rest with _you_ to keep the peace.”

-

-Mr. Richards did not wait for any rejoinder to this plain speaking, but

-left the room, and finding Star out upon the balcony leading from the

-dining-room, he told her that he had decided to let her take up music

-and painting during the vacation if she wished.

-

-He felt amply repaid for his efforts on her behalf on seeing the look of

-joy which flashed over her face, while her voice thrilled with

-earnestness as she replied:

-

-“Oh, sir, I ought to be the happiest girl in Brooklyn to have so much of

-good come to me on this, my seventeenth birthday!”

-

-“Is this your birthday?” he asked, with a feeling of selfreproach that

-it should have come and nearly gone with no token of remembrance, while

-he glanced over her meager attire and marked the absence of all jewelry

-or trinkets such as young girls love, for she wore nothing of the kind

-save a dainty cameo head fastened to the knot of ribbon at her throat.

-

-“Yes, sir; and it is one which I shall always remember with great

-pleasure,” she said, with a tremulous smile that he did not then

-understand. “I thank you,” she added, “for allowing me to go on with my

-music, and I will be very faithful in improving my opportunity; but—I

-think, if you please, I will not mind about the painting at present. I

-am very fond of it, but—I——”

-

-“Very well; do as you choose,” he said, as he saw she was somewhat

-embarrassed. “You are to have all the advantages you desire during the

-next year, and you are to do no more work of any kind in this house——”

-

-“Oh, but I like to work about the house,” she began, eagerly; but he

-stopped her authoritatively.

-

-“No; I will not have it. You need all the time you can get for study and

-practice. Maggie Flynn, or some other Maggie, shall come back as chamber

-and waiting-maid, and you are to remember it is my command that you do

-nothing of the kind. If you have any spare time, use it in making the

-pretty things which young ladies of your age like so much. Here is

-something to begin upon, and I will allow you the same amount every

-month;” and he tucked a bill of no mean denomination into her hand as he

-concluded.

-

-He did not wait to hear her thanks, but turned abruptly away, feeling

-very tenderly toward this sweet young maiden, who had lived such an

-isolated, neglected life in the midst of that household of luxury.

-

-Star looked after him with a glorified face.

-

-“Oh, what a birthday!” she said, as she went up stairs and shut herself

-into her room.

-

-She folded that precious bill—more money than she had ever possessed

-before at one time—for “pretty things,” and laid it safely away in a

-drawer; then she took up a handsomely bound book that lay on her table.

-

-“A red letter day!” she murmured. “My success—my promotion—his kindness,

-and, above all, this beautiful book—it all seems to be too lovely to be

-real.”

-

-She raised the volume and softly touched her lips to it; then bowing her

-golden head, her heart overcharged with its unaccustomed weight of

-happiness, found relief in a shower of tears.

-

-“The book” was the package, devoid of its wrapper, which the strange

-gentleman had given her in the presence of Mr. Richards.

-

-                  *       *       *       *       *

-

-The next morning’s papers contained an interesting account of the

-commencement exercises of —— Seminary, together with a copy in full of

-Miss Stella Gladstone’s essay, and speaking in very flattering terms of

-its excellence as a literary production.

-

-Another important event occurred that morning.

-

-One of Mr. Richards’ driving horses was sold, and his wife, upon

-learning of the circumstance, lifted up her hands and scornfully

-exclaimed:

-

-“Retrenchment!”

-

-

-

-

-                              CHAPTER IX.

-                           CHANGE OF FORTUNE.

-

-

-A few mornings after Star’s emancipation from her duties as a servant,

-she encountered, as she was coming down stairs to her breakfast,

-Josephine, who was also on her way to the dining-room.

-

-“Well, I suppose you feel mighty set up over the fine show you made of

-yourself the other day,” that young lady remarked, sneeringly.

-

-“I had no desire to make a ‘show,’ as you express it,” Star answered,

-courteously, and ignoring her companion’s rudeness. “But it is always

-pleasant to receive thanks when one has tried to do one’s best.”

-

-“Thanks!” was the scornful rejoinder. “You have been very sly about it

-all; and I should think you’d feel mean enough about wheedling papa into

-giving you music and painting lessons.”

-

-“I have never asked Mr. Richards for either, and—I am not going to take

-painting lessons at all,” Star said, with scarlet cheeks.

-

-“You needn’t try to make me think papa would ever have made such a row

-if you hadn’t been at him and pretended to be so abused and ill-treated.

-But—where did you get that lovely cameo that you wore in that knot at

-your throat?” Josephine asked, her eyes having been sharp enough to

-detect the pretty trinket.

-

-“It was given to me by a friend,” the young girl answered, with

-trembling lips, for she was cut to the heart by the unjust accusations

-heaped upon her.

-

-“Some one must have liked to fool away money pretty well, to give you an

-elegant trifle like that,” the rude girl said, for she had known that it

-was valuable at a glance. “It doesn’t correspond with the rest of your

-wardrobe,” she continued, jeeringly; “you’d better give it to me.”

-

-Star looked up into the bold, handsome face beside her with

-astonishment.

-

-“I cannot give it to you,” she said, with compressed lips.

-

-“Well, _lend_ it to me, then.”

-

-She was loaded with jewelry, early as it was in the day. She wore a

-heavy gold chain, from which was suspended a blue enameled locket set

-with pearls and diamonds; heavy jewels hung in her ears, broad bands of

-gold clasped her wrists, while her fingers gleamed with numerous costly

-gems; and here she was coveting the single ornament which she had seen

-Star wear.

-

-“I do not like to appear disobliging,” she returned, “but there are

-reasons why I do not even like to lend it.”

-

-“What reasons, pray, can you have for refusing so simple a request?”

-Josephine persisted.

-

-“I have told you—it is the gift of a friend. I do not like to part with

-it.”

-

-“I will give you this handsome emerald for it,” said the spoilt beauty,

-turning a valuable ring upon her finger.

-

-“Thank you. No; I could not make the exchange.”

-

-“Nonsense! You’re stuffy enough, I hope,” the refined young lady

-retorted; and, with lowering brow, she turned impatiently away, and went

-into the dining-room.

-

-An hour later, while Star was busily practicing, she stole slyly into

-her room and pounced greedily upon the coveted little treasure, which

-was stuck into a dainty pincushion made of bits of silk and covered with

-an embroidered lace tidy, all the work of the little maiden’s skillful

-fingers.

-

-“I was _bound_ to have it,” the unprincipled girl said, triumphantly, as

-she examined it closely.

-

-“It is lovely; the most delicately carved cameo that I ever saw, and,

-for a little thing, must have cost no mean sum. Ah! it is marked on the

-back of the setting,” she continued, turning it over. “A. S. and two

-tiny strawberry leaves underneath. I wonder who ‘A. S.’ is, or—was? What

-a lovely ring it would make.”

-

-She lifted the skirt to her basque and deliberately pinned it upon the

-lining, an evil look in her brilliant eyes.

-

-“I’ll capture it for awhile, just to torment her for her presumption in

-trying to outshine me before papa the other day. The little minx! she is

-altogether too high-headed and airy to suit me.”

-

-This important matter disposed of, she began to look about Star’s room

-with some curiosity.

-

-To begin with, it was exquisitely neat and clean, and the utmost had

-been made of the small and meagerly furnished apartment. A sheet had

-been ripped in halves, gathered across the one window, and then looped

-on either side with broad bands and bows of light blue cambric. A corner

-bracket, brought to light from among some rubbish in the store-room, had

-been covered with blue cambric, and over this hung a daintily ruffled

-curtain of dotted muslin, while upon the shelf were arranged Star’s few

-books and a small vase filled with flowers. This last-mentioned object

-had been a gift from Mrs. Blunt at Christmas—her only remembrance on

-that day.

-

-The small table was covered with a spotless towel having a blue

-border—more of Mrs. Blunt’s thoughtfulness—and there was a bright strip

-of carpeting before the bed, which was covered with a cheap but

-immaculate spread. Upon the bureau another towel was laid, and on this

-Star’s few toilet articles were arranged with the utmost care.

-

-Josephine opened and curiously peeped into the drawers.

-

-In one there was a very limited supply of clean, neatly folded clothing;

-in another two or three handkerchiefs, as many collars, a ribbon or two,

-a small wooden box which was locked, and a worn portfolio—another trophy

-from the store-room—which was also locked and no key visible.

-

-“I wonder what is in this?” Josephine said, taking up the box and

-shaking it, to ascertain, if possible, its contents.

-

-They appeared to be somewhat heavy, and to be wrapped about with cotton

-or a napkin, and she was forced to put it down, her curiosity

-ungratified. It was the same with the portfolio, and, with a frown of

-disappointment, she returned this also to its place.

-

-There was very little to attract any one in the little maiden’s bower,

-and yet it had a cozy, home-like air about it; but her scant wardrobe,

-as Josephine opened the closet door to look within, appeared very mean

-in the petted and indulged beauty’s eyes; and, indeed, it compared very

-unfavorably with the pretty outfit which had gone down on the ill-fated

-vessel on which Star had sailed.

-

-“It is a mystery to me how she manages always to look so nice with these

-few traps,” Miss Richards muttered, as she shut the door with a sign of

-disgust and turned to leave the room.

-

-“Ha! what have we here?” she cried, as she caught sight of a new,

-prettily bound book lying on the small table. “Oh, this is that new

-novel that I heard Charlie Carpenter raving about the other evening. I

-wonder where _she_ got it. I think I’ll appropriate it myself; it looks

-inviting,” she added, slipping the leaves through her fingers.

-

-“Chatsworth’s Pride,” she continued, turning to the title page. “I

-should like to know who wrote it; but the author’s name is not given.

-However, I’ll read it, and see if it is as wonderful as Charlie said.”

-

-It was not a large book, and dropping it into her pocket, this “Paul

-Pry” in petticoats stole from Star’s little bower and glided unobserved

-to her own room, having accomplished her object in securing the coveted

-cameo, and vented her spite upon the offending girl for having dared to

-outshine her in the presence of her father.

-

-Later, when Star went up to her little sanctum and found both pin and

-book gone, she surmised at once who had been there.

-

-The loss of the book she did not mind so much, although she was reading

-it and had been obliged to lay it aside in the midst of a most

-interesting chapter; while she knew that when Josephine had read it she

-would doubtless throw it one side, and she could easily get it again.

-But to lose the cameo—that precious gift of kind, handsome Archibald

-Sherbrooke—was more than she could bear with either patience or

-fortitude, and a passion of tears testified to her grief for her loss.

-

-She knew that it would be useless to appeal to Josephine for it; she

-could not _prove_ that she had taken it, and she would doubtless feign

-astonishment and innocence if questioned regarding it, and unless she

-could regain possession of it by strategy, it was, she feared, lost to

-her forever.

-

-A week subsequently the family repaired to their country residence at

-Yonkers, where they usually spent the hot months, excepting a few weeks’

-sojourn at some fashionable watering-place or mountain resort.

-

-Here Star, who had been told that she was to have the use of the

-music-room whenever she wished, began her work in earnest, and gave six

-hours a day to hard, faithful practice.

-

-Wednesdays and Saturdays, however, she went into New York to take her

-lesson, Mr. Richards having arranged with one of the first teachers for

-her instruction. In spite of Mr. Richards’ commands to the contrary, she

-persisted in doing many little things to assist Mrs. Blunt, although she

-was relieved from all regular duty. The housekeeper often demurred when

-Star offered her services.

-

-“You shall not spoil your hands, child,” she would say, with a fond

-glance at those delicate members; “I can get along as well alone now as

-I used to, or I’m much mistaken.”

-

-“Never mind my hands, Mrs. Blunt; I can’t practice all the time, and I

-must have some exercise. It is a pleasant change for me to help you once

-in awhile, and have a little cozy chat,” Star answered, heartily; and

-the woman, who, to say the least, did not have either an easy or

-pleasant time herself, was often beguiled into allowing her to have her

-own way, and was cheered in no small degree by her sunny face and gay

-chatter.

-

-“That girl’ll make her mark in the world, bless her heart! She’ll make a

-better and smarter woman than Miss Josephine, or I’m much mistaken,” she

-was wont to remark forty times a month to the cook, and she grew to love

-our gentle Star with an almost motherly affection.

-

-When not attending to her music, Star spent most of the time in her own

-room, and no one questioned as to how she occupied it; and although she

-continued to be ignored by the family when it was possible to do so, and

-snubbed and sneered at when it was not, she was comparatively happy,

-knowing that every day well spent was helping her on toward emancipation

-and independence.

-

-One day Mr. Richards came home with a very grave face and sought an

-audience with his wife.

-

-“I have a letter from your Uncle Jacob here,” he said, drawing one from

-his pocket as he spoke.

-

-Mrs. Richards’ face lighted instantly.

-

-“From Uncle Jacob? That is good news. Has he returned?”

-

-“Yes.”

-

-“How is the dear old man, and when is he coming to make us a visit?” she

-asked, with animation.

-

-“He is not at all well—has been having serious trouble with his head and

-eyes. He returned last fall, and since then has been visiting your

-brother in the West. Listen, and I will read you what he says:

-

-  “‘MY DEAR GEORGE:—You see by the heading of this that the wanderer has

-  returned—yes, and returned to wander no more. I cannot write much, for

-  I am not able to do so. I returned from abroad last fall, since when I

-  have been with Henry, and now propose to go East and visit or make my

-  future home with you, as you have so often pressed me to do. I know

-  you will heartily sympathize with me when I tell you that the steamer

-  on which I sailed was wrecked, and all I had was lost. I regret to

-  come to you, as I shall, almost penniless, and in this broken state;

-  but you have so often told me that there would always be “a warm

-  corner in your home” for me, that I am going to take you at your word.

-  I shall not wait for a reply to this, but follow almost immediately,

-  for I know I shall meet with a hearty welcome.’”

-

-Then followed a few affectionate sentences for each member of the

-family, but Mrs. Richards scarce heeded them.

-

-“It can’t be possible that Uncle Jacob has lost all his property!” she

-cried, aghast. “Why, the last we heard he was worth a million!”

-

-“I know; but in these days it does not take long to lose a million,” her

-husband replied, gravely, adding: “It is a misfortune, indeed, for the

-old man; but we will do the best we can for him, allowing him to feel it

-as little as possible. He _will_ feel it, however, for he was, as I

-remember him, a very high-spirited, independent man.”

-

-Mrs. Richards’ face was crimson from mingled emotions.

-

-“It is a shame!” she cried, angrily. “Uncle Jacob always gave Henry and

-me to understand that we should be his heirs; and now we have to lose

-half a million apiece. How under the sun do you suppose he lost it?”

-

-“I have no idea—some speculation, doubtless.”

-

-“It appears that he expects to be taken care of in his old age just the

-same as if he were the Crœsus we have always supposed him to be,” Mrs.

-Richards said, wrathfully.

-

-“He has a right to expect it,” her husband replied, with some sternness;

-“you have always professed the deepest affection for him, and urged him

-to make his home with you. Who _should_ take care of him in his

-misfortune if not his only brother’s children?”

-

-“Henry is as well able to have him as I am, and I don’t see why he could

-not have staid there.”

-

-“Perhaps he was no more welcome there than it appears he will be here,”

-Mr. Richards remarked, sarcastically.

-

-“Well, I’m not going to have him here, and there’s an end of the matter.

-I shall post him right back to Henry. His wife does not have half the

-care that I do, socially. We might as well open a hospital for the lame,

-the blind, the halt, and beggars generally.”

-

-“I am astonished to hear you speak thus, Ellen, and of your own

-relatives, too, especially after all your flattering protestations. Of

-course we will receive your uncle kindly, and show him all proper

-attention.”

-

-“I will _not_,” his wife retorted, angrily. “I may as well set my foot

-down first as last; he shall not come here to be a burden upon us. You

-have had your way about Stella; now I’ll have mine in this matter. One

-beggar in the house is enough.”

-

-“Ellen, how you are changed! When I first knew you, you were

-sweet-tempered and kind. I believe your life of unlimited indulgence and

-luxury has soured and hardened you,” Mr. Richards said, with a regretful

-sigh for the early days of his married life, when his wife was loving

-and lovable.

-

-“Thank you; your _compliments_ are not of a particularly ‘sweet’

-nature,” she answered, scornfully.

-

-“Your uncle says he shall follow his letter immediately; he may arrive

-at any hour. What shall we do with him?” asked Mr. Richards, taking no

-notice of her sarcasm.

-

-“I don’t know—I don’t care. Tell him that the house is full of

-company—anything you please; only mind, _I_ will not be burdened with a

-half blind, decrepit old man;” and the excited woman flounced angrily

-from the room, leaving her husband sitting alone in sad and troubled

-thought.

-

-

-

-

-                               CHAPTER X.

-                          THE UNWELCOME GUEST.

-

-

-On the very evening of the day of that spirited discussion between Mr.

-and Mrs. Richards regarding the coming of the latter’s uncle, a railway

-carriage stopped before the door of their mansion, and an old man

-alighted.

-

-He was dusty and travel-stained; his hair and beard were white as snow;

-his clothing—a common business suit—considerably the worse for the wear;

-while he wore a dark-green visor or shade over his eyes, and appeared

-both weary and feeble.

-

-He inquired of the servant who answered his ring for Mrs. Richards, and

-was told in an indifferent, almost impudent, manner that she was

-“engaged.”

-

-“Humph!” ejaculated the visitor, lifting the green shade and giving the

-man a keen look; “where is your master?”

-

-“In the library,” was the rather more respectful answer.

-

-“Show me the way there,” commanded the stranger, authoritatively; and

-the servant turned with a subdued air to obey him, recognizing at once

-his superior in spite of the travel-stained, shabby clothing.

-

-Mr. Richards received his wife’s relative with every appearance of

-cordiality, although there was a restraint in his manner which could be

-felt rather than explained.

-

-“Ah, Uncle Jacob!” he said, as he shook him by the hand and took his hat

-from him; “we hardly thought you could arrive quite so soon. I should

-have looked for you to-morrow, however. Sit down—sit down; and, John,”

-turning to the man who had shown him in, “tell Mrs. Blunt to fix up a

-nice little supper and send it in here on a tray.”

-

-“Don’t put yourself out, George; anything will do for to-night. I am

-more tired than hungry,” the old man said, sinking into a luxurious

-chair with a weary sigh, and removing the green shade entirely from his

-eyes.

-

-Mr. Richards fidgeted and looked uneasy.

-

-He knew that there was not a room in the house that his wife would give

-up; every one had been arranged for company who were expected or had

-already arrived, and he was at his wits’ end to know what to do with

-him.

-

-“Uncle Jacob” poor and ill was an entirely different character from

-“Uncle Jacob” rich and prosperous.

-

-But he sat chatting socially with him until Mrs. Blunt appeared with a

-tray and served a tempting little meal, which the old gentleman ate with

-evident relish.

-

-“I _was_ more hungry than I thought,” he said, when at length he had

-finished his second cup of tea, eaten the leg of a chicken and a couple

-of rolls. “Now, if you please, I should like to be shown to my room, for

-I have traveled a long distance to-day. But—where is Ellen? I should

-like to exchange greetings with her before I go.”

-

-“Ahem!” began Mr. Richards, feeling extremely uncomfortable. “Ellen has

-a house full of company to-night; if you could excuse her, and wait

-until to-morrow——”

-

-“Certainly—certainly,” the old man said, hastily, but in a disappointed

-tone; for his niece had always been the first to greet him and express

-her delight at his coming heretofore.

-

-“And,” continued his host, growing very red in the face, “I am very

-sorry, but—every room in the house is taken. Would you mind sleeping at

-the lodge until we can make a place for you?”

-

-The old gentleman bent a keen glance upon the speaker at this.

-

-He saw his embarrassment, marked his averted eye and shamefaced air, and

-mistrusted something of its cause.

-

-“Sleep at the lodge?” he repeated, in a peculiar tone. “Oh, no; I’ve

-just come from Henry’s, where I slept over the stable. _They_ had a

-‘house full of company,’ too. Is the lodge far from here? You know I’ve

-never been in this house before.”

-

-“About two minutes’ walk; I will go with you and see that you are made

-comfortable. It is too bad that things should happen so,” Mr. Richards

-said, with real regret as he saw how weary the traveler was, and he had

-half a mind to ring and command that he be shown into one of the guest

-chambers in spite of his wife’s objections.

-

-“Never mind, George; I shall sleep just as well there as here, no

-doubt,” and he arose as if anxious to get away.

-

-“Where is your baggage? I will attend to having what you need sent

-down,” Mr. Richards remarked, as he took up his hat to accompany him.

-

-“I have nothing but a small valise,” was the reply. “You know I wrote

-you that I had been very unfortunate. I was on board the —— that was

-lost last fall, and everything I had on board went down.”

-

-“On board the —— were you?” cried Mr. Richards, in surprise, and glad of

-any change in the subject of conversation. “Why, then you must have

-known Star, as she was also on that steamer.”

-

-“Star—Star Gladstone, do you mean?” eagerly inquired Mr. Rosevelt, for

-it was he, as doubtless the reader has surmised before this.

-

-“Yes, Star, or Stella Gladstone, is her name.”

-

-Mr. Rosevelt sat down again, his face full of interest and animation

-now, and forgetting his weariness for the time in his desire to learn

-something of the beautiful girl to whom he was so deeply indebted.

-

-“Where is she?” he asked. “What do you know—what can you tell me about

-her?”

-

-“She is here in this house,” Mr. Richards answered. “She is the child of

-one of my wife’s relatives who resided in England, and Ellen, upon

-learning that she was an orphan and homeless, consented to have her come

-here,” he concluded, trying to make the best of a very poor story.

-

-“I never expected to hear anything of her again, but I am very glad to

-know that she is here,” Mr. Rosevelt said, with evident emotion. “She

-saved my life during that awful time, almost at the sacrifice of her

-own. It would, perhaps, have been better had she not exerted herself in

-my behalf so much. It is not a pleasant feeling to know that one is

-regarded as an incumbrance and a burden,” he continued, with some

-bitterness; “but I shall never forget her heroism while I live. She

-nearly starved herself to death to keep life in me.”

-

-“I am astonished at what you tell me,” returned Mr. Richards, feeling a

-deeper interest in Star than ever before.

-

-“She disappeared very suddenly from the steamer which picked us up and

-brought us into port. I went down to my state-room for something, and

-then to the captain to thank him for his kindness and bid him farewell,

-and when I went to look for her she had gone; some one had come and

-taken her away.”

-

-“Yes; we heard of the arrival of a steamer with some of the wrecked on

-board, and Ellen immediately sent Mrs. Blunt down to see if Star was

-among them,” explained Mr. Richards.

-

-“She must be a pleasant addition to your family, George; she was a very

-attractive girl.”

-

-“Ahem!” that gentleman replied, avoiding the keen eye fixed upon him.

-“Yes; she is a smart and talented girl; she will make a fine woman,

-without doubt. Would you like to see her to-night?”

-

-“No; I believe I am too tired. I will go to the lodge now, if you

-please. I can see her to-morrow;” and the old man arose again.

-

-Mr. Richards led the way from the room, getting his baggage from the

-hall, and then took him through the dining-room to lead him out by a

-side door.

-

-As they passed through the hall, sounds of music and laughter came to

-them from the drawing-room; and had any one been watching Mr. Rosevelt

-closely, he might have seen his lips curl with something like scorn and

-his eyes gleam indignantly, in spite of his weariness.

-

-As Mr. Richards opened the outside door leading out upon the veranda, a

-slight figure sprang up from the step, and Star, with a startled glance,

-turned and confronted them.

-

-A look of surprise swept over her face as she saw Mr. Richards’

-companion; then, with a low cry of joy, she darted forward and seized

-Mr. Rosevelt by the hand.

-

-“Oh, sir,” she said, tremulously, “I was afraid I should never see you

-again! How glad I am to meet you once more!”

-

-Mr. Rosevelt recognized her at once, and recognized, too, the heartiness

-and sincerity of her welcome. There was nothing forced or constrained

-about either her words or manner.

-

-“Ah, Miss Star, I am as glad to see you as you can possibly be to see

-me,” he said, shaking her hand warmly. “I little thought,” he went on,

-“that when you and I were faring so poorly together that we were bound

-for the same place. I intended then to come here before this. Why did

-you not tell me that you were a relative of Mrs. Richards?”

-

-“I did not think much about it, sir, or that my destination could

-interest you,” she answered.

-

-“Tut, tut, child!” he said, gently; “_anything_ connected with you would

-have been of interest to me after your kindness to me. I was deeply

-disappointed to find you gone when I went to seek you; but they told me

-that some one had come and taken you away, so I was forced to go my way

-also. Well,” he concluded, smiling, “I have found you now, and I shall

-not lose sight of you again.”

-

-“But are you going away now, sir?” Star asked, glancing at the bag Mr.

-Richards was carrying, and which had the initials “J. R.” painted upon

-it.

-

-“No; only to the lodge for sleeping accommodations, as there is no room

-in the house for me.”

-

-“No room in the house for you?” Star repeated, in astonishment; but

-something in Mr. Richards’ face warned her that all was not as he would

-wish, and she added, flushing: “I wish you would take my room, then; for

-I can sleep very nicely on the lounge in the sewing-room.”

-

-Mr. Richards raved inwardly over his wife’s obstinacy and heartlessness,

-which compared so unfavorably with this gentle girl’s generosity and

-self-denial; but he could only hold his peace and let matters take their

-course, for if he interfered with his wife in her present state of

-bitterness and disappointment over the loss of her expected fortune, he

-knew that a domestic squall would be sure to follow, and one which it

-would be hard to settle.

-

-“No, thank you, Miss Star,” Mr. Rosevelt returned; “I will go to the

-lodge until there is room for me in the house. You are as kind and

-self-sacrificing as ever, I perceive, but I will not deprive you of your

-room. Good-night, my child; I shall see you to-morrow.”

-

-He laid his hand in a tender, caressing way on her head; then went out

-with Mr. Richards, whom he enlightened still further regarding that

-eventful voyage which he and Star had made together.

-

-She stood still in the door-way looking after them, a puzzled expression

-on her face, a gleam of indignation in her large blue eyes.

-

-She had overheard Mrs. Richards telling Josephine something about “Uncle

-Jacob,” that afternoon after leaving her husband.

-

-The name had made her think of Mr. Rosevelt, and he had been in her

-thoughts most of the time since; but she had not imagined that they were

-referring to him, or that he was a relative of the family. Now she saw

-that he was the “Uncle Jacob” to whom she referred, but she could not

-understand his being sent out of the house to sleep.

-

-“No room in the house! What can they mean?” she murmured, with tingling

-cheeks, for she knew of three unoccupied beds that he might have had as

-well as not.

-

-To be sure they had been made up for company that was expected, but the

-visitors would not arrive for a day or two, and it seemed such an

-inhospitable thing to send that old man away down to the lodge, with its

-close, small rooms, to sleep.

-

-“I hope I shall never be rich if it would make me hardhearted like

-that,” she said, with indignation. “I would prefer to struggle all my

-life with poverty, and have a kind and generous heart—one that can feel

-for others in trouble and sorrow. How tired and ill he looked, too,” she

-went on, recalling his pale face and drooping attitude, “and he is such

-a splendid man!”

-

-“It makes me think of those other words,” she said, the tears springing

-to her eyes: “‘And there was no room in the inn,’ and of One who, in

-consequence, had to lie in a manger. _That_ could not be helped, for

-there _was_ no room; but this is shameful, for there is plenty and to

-spare here. How can any one treat one’s father’s brother so?”

-

-

-

-

-                              CHAPTER XI.

-                             FILTHY LUCRE.

-

-

-The next morning word was brought from the lodge that Mr. Rosevelt was

-quite ill, and not able to come up to the mansion for his breakfast.

-

-“Breakfast, indeed!” muttered Mrs. Richards, with a toss of her proud

-head; “as if he supposed he was going to be invited to sit at the table

-with my fashionable guests in his shabby clothes.”

-

-She had received a full account of his arrival and appearance from her

-husband the night previous, after Mr. Rosevelt’s departure for the

-lodge.

-

-Mr. Richards went at once to see him, and to give orders to Mrs. Mellen,

-the wife of the gardener, to do everything for his comfort.

-

-Later, his wife, with much inward fretting and fuming, followed his

-example, not because she had any desire to see him or felt in any way

-anxious about him, but to save unpleasant remarks and comments.

-

-She met her uncle with anything but a cordial greeting, and which, even

-in the midst of his suffering, he could not fail to feel keenly.

-

-“I am very sorry, Uncle Jacob, that you are ill, especially as I am full

-of company just now, and cannot personally give you the attention that

-you ought to receive,” she said, trying to speak sympathetically, but

-failing utterly.

-

-“Never mind me, Ellen. Mrs. Mellen seems very kindly disposed, and will,

-no doubt, do all that is necessary for me. I am sorry to be a burden to

-you in my misfortune, but you have always been so kind to me, urging me

-so cordially to come to you at any time, that I thought you would be

-glad to see your old uncle under any circumstances,” the old man said,

-regarding her closely while he was speaking.

-

-“I hope you will soon be better,” Mrs. Richards returned, evasively.

-

-She did not think it necessary to tell him that he was no burden, or to

-say anything to make him feel comfortable and at ease in his trying

-situation.

-

-She was so deeply disappointed and chagrined on account of the loss of

-his fortune, and consequently of her share of his million, that it was

-impossible not to betray something of her feelings.

-

-“Thank you,” he returned, coldly. “Do not allow my condition to cause

-you any anxiety. I am very comfortable. It is very quiet here, and I

-shall doubtless do very well.”

-

-“Yes; you _will_ be more quiet here than up at the house, where there

-are so many people and so much going on,” she replied, eagerly seizing

-this pretext for keeping him where he was. “And,” she added, “if you

-need anything, Mrs. Mellen can attend to all your wants.”

-

-After a few more commonplace remarks, she took her departure, feeling

-quite relieved to have him so easily disposed of. She had nothing to

-gain now by fawning and flattery, and since his gold was gone, he was no

-more to her than any other feeble old man, and it would not pay even to

-pretend what she did not feel.

-

-As she went rustling out of the room and down stairs in her rich attire,

-her aged and dependent relative lay back in his chair, with a darkening

-brow and a pale, pained face.

-

-“Money! money! money!” he muttered. “No one is of much account in this

-world without plenty of the filthy lucre. If I had come here as I used

-to, with plethoric pockets instead of an empty purse and shabby attire,

-no one would have been sweeter or more delighted to see ‘dear Uncle

-Jacob’ than Ellen Richards. And it was just the same with Henry and his

-family. When I could make them costly presents and shower favors upon

-them—when I was ‘Jacob Rosevelt, the millionaire’—no trouble was too

-great, nothing too good for me. It is a cold-hearted, selfish world; _no

-one_ is to be trusted. But it is a little hard on an old man to find

-that he must go down to his grave and feel that he is regarded with

-affection by nobody. Talk of ‘Divine dispensations,’ of ‘tempering the

-wind to the shorn lamb’—there is no divinity about it, for the adverse

-winds of the world never blew so coldly on me as at this moment,” he

-concluded, bitterly; and bowing his head upon his hands, he seemed to

-lose himself in troubled thought.

-

-“May I come in?” asked a gentle voice behind him, after a few minutes;

-and turning, he saw two blue eyes gleaming at him from beneath soft

-curls of sunny hair, a pair of red lips smiling upon him, while a

-slight, graceful figure, daintily clad in a pretty blue lawn gown, stood

-in the door-way, waiting for his permission to enter.

-

-Jacob Rosevelt’s sad face involuntarily brightened at the sight of this

-attractive picture, and he said, hastily:

-

-“Well, well, child, I believe you are rightly named, for you come like a

-veritable star into the gloom of my life. Star Gladstone—it is but an

-index to your character, for you both brighten and cheer. Of course you

-may come in.”

-

-“Thank you,” Star said, laughing, and advancing to his side. “I did not

-expect to be so highly complimented when I came out. I have brought you

-this lovely spray of oleanders which the gardener gave me from the

-conservatory,” and she held up her little vase containing the bright,

-fragrant blossoms. “And here,” she continued, “is a dish of the most

-delicious raspberries you ever tasted, every one picked by my own

-fingers,” and she held up her right hand, showing her slender fingers

-stained by the rosy fruit.

-

-He watched her, his pale lips relaxing into a smile, which even extended

-to the eyes that had been so sad a little while before. She was

-irresistible in her bright beauty; she was as fresh and sweet as the

-morning itself, while with her heart filled with kindness and

-consideration for him, he began to think that all the world was not

-quite so bad as he had thought.

-

-“Mrs. Mellen told me, as I came in, that you did not eat much

-breakfast,” Star continued; “and as she is about to serve you a little

-lunch, I brought my berries right up to give them to you myself.”

-

-Mrs. Mellen entered at this moment, bearing a little tray with a

-tempting lunch spread upon it.

-

-Star wheeled a small table to the invalid’s side, spread a spotless

-towel which she found upon the rack upon it, and then deftly arranged

-the dishes in the most tempting way before him, putting the oleander

-blossoms in the center and the raspberries just under his nose, where he

-could not fail to get their delicious odor and long to eat them.

-

-“How pretty and inviting you make everything look, little one,” he said,

-affectionately, as he watched her graceful movements and their result.

-

-“What would the world be but for the beauty there is in it? and what are

-pretty things given us for, but to enjoy?” Star returned, with a fond

-glance at the flowers, as she moved them a trifle nearer to his plate.

-

-“There,” she went on, smiling, and tossing her hat upon a chair, “I

-believe I am hungry myself, and if you will allow me to pour your tea, I

-think I could eat a slice of Mrs. Mellen’s delicious bread and butter

-with you afterward. You don’t often see such bread as that, I can assure

-you, and I frequently run down here and beg her to give me some.”

-

-The young girl shot a smiling glance at the woman as she spoke, and the

-woman’s face beamed with pleasure at this tribute to her skill.

-

-“Bless you, child!” Mr. Rosevelt said, as he unfolded his napkin and

-drew nearer the table; “the sight of your bright face and the smell of

-your berries have given me an appetite already. Sit down, sit down; my

-tea will taste ten per cent. better to be poured by your fair hands, and

-while we eat you shall tell me how it has fared with you during the past

-year. I see it has not changed _you_ at heart; you are the same as when

-we parted, and you were as ready as ever last night to sacrifice your

-own comfort for a poor old man.”

-

-Star blushed. She felt almost as guilty, knowing that there had been

-room for him at the house, as if _she_ had been the one to turn him

-away.

-

-“I knew these rooms were low and close, while my room, although rather

-high up, was much more airy; besides, you looked too tired and ill to

-walk way down here,” Star explained, with some embarrassment.

-

-“Your own is rather high up, is it? How high?” he asked, giving her a

-keen glance.

-

-“It is in the third story,” she answered, flushing again.

-

-“Ah! one _would_ be apt to get good air in that latitude,” said Mr.

-Rosevelt, dryly. “Now tell me,” he added, “what you have been doing

-since I saw you.”

-

-Star gave him an account of her life at school, omitting for several

-reasons to speak of the fate which had been intended for her, and said

-just as little as she could in connection with Mrs. Richards and her

-haughty daughter, or their treatment of her. She told him of her music,

-of the books she had read, and what her plans for the future were when

-she should graduate at the end of another year.

-

-She spent more than an hour with him, and when at length she left him,

-he was apparently much cheered and a good deal better for her visit.

-

-She went every morning afterward while her vacation lasted, always

-taking him something in the way of fruit or flowers, and cheering him

-with her lively chatting, until he began to look for her coming as the

-chief event of the day.

-

-Sometimes they would wander together through the beautiful grounds of

-Mr. Richards’ place, or, finding a cozy nook, Star would take some

-interesting book and read to him; and as the week went by, he appeared

-to improve in health and to grow more contented with his lot.

-

-He continued to remain at the lodge, in spite of the fact that the

-company had all departed, and there was now plenty of room in the

-mansion.

-

-Mr. Richards had gone West on a prolonged business trip, and, of course,

-could not use his influence as to any change; while Mrs. Richards

-appeared to ignore his presence entirely, unless she came upon him

-unexpectedly, when she would treat him with indifferent politeness.

-

-Josephine’s attitude toward him was one of proud disdain, although once

-she professed great friendship for him; but now he was nothing more than

-an aged, decrepit man—a sort of “cumberer of the ground,” and simply

-tolerated because it would be considered inhuman to cast him out at that

-time of life.

-

-In September Mrs. Richards and her daughter went to Long Branch for a

-change, leaving the household in charge of Mrs. Blunt.

-

-Star began school again, going back and forth by rail, as the town house

-would not be opened again until October.

-

-This made it hard for her, because she was obliged to go so early and

-return so late; but as her comfort was not a matter which usually

-demanded much consideration, and she made no complaint, the fact

-remained unnoticed.

-

-During the absence of the family, Mr. Rosevelt frequented the house, for

-it was much more comfortable through those hot September days than his

-contracted room at the lodge, and he was glad to avail himself of the

-privilege of the well-stocked library to while away the long hours of

-Star’s absence.

-

-In the evening she would entertain him with her music, while on Saturday

-they both felt like children out of school; and thus day by day they

-grew to feel a deep affection for each other.

-

-“She at least does not love me for my money,” the old man would often

-mutter to himself, with a grim smile, after receiving some thoughtful

-attention from the young girl; “her affection is sincere and

-disinterested, and I pray that her gentle heart may never become seared

-and hardened by the cold world.”

-

-He had long ago learned just how Star was regarded by the family, and

-how they had attempted to degrade her to the level of a common servant,

-and this did not tend to make him entertain any deeper respect for them.

-

-His information on this point he had gathered chiefly from Mrs. Blunt.

-Star would not talk about it, always evading or changing the subject in

-a dextrous way that amused him in no small degree.

-

-Meanwhile Josephine and her mother were flourishing among the

-fashionable at Long Branch.

-

-The season proved to be a very gay one; every hotel was crowded, and

-many noted people from various countries were sojourning there.

-

-Among others, the Richardses heard upon their arrival, there was a young

-English lord of great reputed wealth, having, it was said, the largest

-rent-roll in Derbyshire, England.

-

-“They say he is the handsomest man in the place, as well as the

-richest,” Josephine said to her mother, the night after their arrival at

-the gay watering-place, having heard this piece of news, with much else,

-from an intimate friend. “All the girls are wild about him,” she

-pursued. “Annie Falkner was introduced to him yesterday, and says he is

-as charming in conversation as he is in appearance.”

-

-“How old is he?” asked Mrs. Richards, pricking up her maternal ears at

-once over this wonderful information.

-

-“About twenty-one or two, Annie thought he might be. He has been

-traveling in this country for a year, just to see a little of the world

-before settling upon his own estate. It is whispered,” the eager damsel

-went on, with flushing cheeks and sparkling eyes, “that he has heard of

-the beauty of American ladies, and is on the lookout for a handsome

-wife;” and Josephine tossed her head with a conscious smile, as her eyes

-wandered to the reflection of her own fine face and figure in an

-opposite mirror.

-

-“That is somewhat doubtful, I think, since the English nobility are very

-jealous regarding marriages outside the pale of their own rank. However,

-such things are happening every year now, and this young lord may be

-captivated by some of our American beauties, after all;” and Mrs.

-Richards bestowed a glance of pride upon her handsome daughter, and

-thought how delightful it would be to figure as mother-in-law to an

-English lord, and to be able to say, “my daughter, Lady So-and-So.”

-

-That evening Josephine Richards, the most brilliant girl in the

-ball-room of the Howard House—the hotel where they were stopping—was

-made supremely happy by receiving an introduction to Lord Carrol, of

-Carrolton, Derbyshire, England.

-

-One look into the frank, handsome eyes of the manly stranger, one touch

-of his hand, one tone of his rich, musical voice as it vibrated in her

-ears, and she knew that she had met the man whom she should love with

-the one great passion of her life.

-

-He was tall, with a well-developed form, straight, strong, and lithe; a

-splendidly shaped head, with masses of waving brown hair; clear,

-truthful, brown eyes, full of fire and intelligence; a full, rather low

-brow, a straight nose, and a smiling but decided mouth, with brilliant,

-even teeth.

-

-It was not much wonder that the “girls were wild” over such a man as

-this, and he a lord, with a rent-roll of sixty thousand a year.

-

-Josephine herself, at nineteen, was a magnificent-looking girl, at least

-when she was good-natured and animated.

-

-She was a clear, brilliant brunette, with eyes as black as night, a

-wealth of midnight hair, a fine form, and clearly cut, rather delicate

-features; and all this, added to a faultless taste in matters of dress,

-went far toward making her the chief attraction wherever she went.

-

-My Lord of Carrolton seemed no less pleased with her than she with him,

-and spent a goodly portion of the evening by her side after making her

-acquaintance, much to the chagrin and indignation of other anxious,

-blooming maidens and fond, managing mammas.

-

-“Have you ever visited Europe?” the young peer asked his companion, as

-he led her to a seat at the conclusion of a quadrille.

-

-“Never, my lord, but I think we shall persuade papa to take us upon a

-European trip by another year. Mamma has some distant relatives, I

-believe, somewhere in England,” Josephine replied.

-

-“I trust you will be as well pleased with my country and countrymen as I

-am with America and Americans,” Lord Carrol remarked, gallantly, with an

-inclination of his grand head, and bestowing a look of admiration upon

-his companion.

-

-Josephine flushed with pleasure. His glance, his gesture, his words, all

-plainly indicated that he did not consider her the least attraction in

-America or among Americans.

-

-“Thank you, in the name of my native land,” she said; “but I think you

-must be an exception to the proverbial Englishman, for I have been told

-that, as a rule, they do not like us any too well. They cannot forgive

-us our independence.”

-

-“One may be forced to admire in one way that which it might not be

-pleasant to contemplate in another,” his lordship returned. “But,” he

-added, “I trust that as we, as nations, become better acquainted with

-each other by the frequent interchange of courtesies, we shall also

-become better friends.”

-

-“Have you been long in America?”

-

-“Nearly a year. I have visited a large portion of the country, and I

-must confess that I am greatly pleased and interested in what I have

-seen, and particularly so with your free institutions and schools. Your

-people, too, are generous, free-hearted, and intelligent, while the

-beauty of American ladies, you know, is proverbial,” he concluded,

-smiling.

-

-Josephine’s dark eyes drooped shyly beneath his glance, while the blood

-went rippling to her heart with a thrill such as she had never before

-experienced.

-

-“I shall remain two or three months longer,” he continued; “and I think

-when I do return, notwithstanding I love old England very dearly, I

-shall go with something of regret.”

-

-He would remain two or three months longer.

-

-Josephine’s heart leaped exultingly; she would meet him often, perhaps,

-this noble young peer; and what might not happen in two or three months?

-

-“Do you remain long at Long Branch?” she asked.

-

-“Three or four weeks, perhaps. I find it very pleasant here,” he said;

-and again that thrill leaped through her veins. “I shall then go to New

-York,” he added, “where I shall make my headquarters until I return to

-England.”

-

-“Perhaps we can help to make your stay in New York pleasant,” Josephine

-said, with her most brilliant smile. “Mamma and I are to remain here

-until the first of October, when we shall go home, and can, perhaps,

-help to show you more of our great city than you would otherwise see.”

-

-“Thanks; I shall be very happy to avail myself of your kindness. But

-there is the signal for supper; may I take you in?”

-

-It is needless to say that the fascinated girl accepted his invitation,

-and spent the hour feasting more upon the young lord’s handsome looks

-and charming conversation than upon the choice viands which he placed

-before her.

-

-It was evident that he also experienced pleasure in her society, for,

-when he took her to Mrs. Richards—as she made a signal that she wished

-to retire from the company—and was introduced to her, and then

-accompanied them both to the foot of the staircase leading to their

-apartments, he asked and obtained permission to call upon them on the

-morrow.

-

-

-

-

-                              CHAPTER XII.

-                            THE CAMEO RING.

-

-

-A fortnight passed, and the Brooklyn beauty, as Miss Richards was

-designated, together with the attention she was receiving from the

-handsome English lord, formed the principal theme of conversation at the

-fashionable watering-place.

-

-Mrs. Richards was in her element, and conducted herself remarkably well.

-

-His lordship considered her a woman of very fine appearance and of

-wonderful tact; and it was noticeable that when he was in her presence

-he paid her full as much homage as he did her daughter; but people of

-course said this was all for a particular purpose.

-

-“By the way,” she said to him, one day, when they were comparing the

-merits of their respective countries, “I am more than half English

-myself. The late Lady Thornton, of Hallowell Park, Devonshire, was an

-aunt of mine—at least, my mother was her half-sister—and I have other

-distant relatives living in the same county.”

-

-“Indeed!” said Lord Carrol, his face lighting at this intelligence. “I

-had no idea that you had any English blood in your veins; I thought you

-were purely American. I have often heard my father speak of Sir William

-Thornton, of Devonshire, and his son, Sir Charles, was at Oxford with

-me. I was only slightly acquainted with him, however, as he took his

-degree a year before I took mine. I am very happy to learn of this

-fact,” and, as if by some fascination, the young nobleman’s glance

-sought Josephine as he spoke.

-

-“I once visited at Hallowell Park when I was a young girl,” Mrs.

-Richards continued, although a flush arose to her cheek as she

-remembered all that had transpired during that visit, for it was then

-that Star’s mother had saved her from drowning. “It is a lovely place,

-and a very large estate, I believe.”

-

-“So I have been told. Sir William was quite an active statesman before

-his death, which occurred only a year after his wife’s. They had only

-one child, Sir Charles, I believe.”

-

-“Has _he_ a family?” Mrs. Richards asked, quickly.

-

-“I think not—at least, I have never heard of his marriage. If he should

-die without issue, I suppose the estate would pass into other hands.”

-

-Mrs. Richards started, and gave the young man a quick glance at this.

-

-“Whose, I wonder?” she said, reflectively, and suddenly seemed to lose

-all interest in the conversation, and the young lord turned his

-attention to the more appreciative Josephine.

-

-The month which the Richardses spent at Long Branch was an eventful one;

-it was the most brilliant season that Josephine had ever known.

-

-She had several offers of marriage, but refused them all, for her heart

-was set on becoming Lady Carrol, and going to shine among the nobility

-of England.

-

-When the time drew near for their departure, her heart beat high with

-hope; for Lord Carrol had lingered beyond the time he had intended to

-spend there, and she flattered herself that she was the cause of it.

-

-He certainly had shown her considerable attention, and it was rumored

-that there would be an engagement.

-

-He appeared to enjoy the society of both ladies, and although he had not

-committed himself in any way, he had accepted an invitation to visit

-them at their country-seat the second week in October, and both

-Josephine and her mother were hoping much from that event.

-

-The last evening of their sojourn at Long Branch, Miss Richards

-descended to the veranda of the hotel, dressed with the utmost care and

-taste.

-

-Her robe was of creamy white silk, with an overdress of filmy black

-lace, looped with crimson fuchsias. There were diamonds in her ears, her

-hair, and clasped about her neck and arms; but they were not brighter

-than her midnight eyes, which glowed with hope and love, while her

-smiling lips vied with the flowers which she wore.

-

-She was brilliantly, dazzlingly beautiful.

-

-The men watched her every movement with admiring glances; the women

-could but acknowledge her superior charms, yet with something of a

-feeling of envy on account of the prize they believed she was about to

-bear away with her.

-

-Lord Carrol seemed drawn to her as the needle to the pole. He had been

-sitting at one end of the veranda when she came down, but he almost

-immediately arose and went to her side, while he would not have been

-human not to have betrayed his appreciation of the exquisite toilet,

-which seemed to enhance her beauty more than ever.

-

-She was conscious of looking her best, and this made her appear to

-better advantage—for who does not feel more at ease and self-possessed

-when conscious of looking well?—while there was an unusual gentleness,

-almost sadness, in her manner, as if something foreshadowed that

-something was slipping out of her life to-night—something which would

-change and darken her whole future, unless the man whom she had grown to

-worship should lay at her feet homage equal to that which she had given

-to him.

-

-“What will the devotees at beauty’s shrine do to-morrow, Miss Richards?”

-the young lord asked, with a smile and a glance which told her what she

-knew already—that she was particularly attractive to-night.

-

-“The Howland House possesses a galaxy of beauties, and I do not think

-there will be any occasion for the ‘devotees,’ as you call them, to

-neglect their duty to-morrow,” she answered, smiling too, but with

-heightened color.

-

-“Ah! but it is plainly to be seen where they have bent the knee most

-devoutly,” he replied, with a gesture which called her attention to the

-many admiring eyes fixed upon her.

-

-She shrugged her graceful shoulders with an air of impatience, as if

-annoyed to find herself so conspicuous, while her darkly fringed lids

-drooped over her glorious eyes, hiding the wistful look which had

-suddenly crept into them.

-

-“The night is lovely, and the band is playing delightfully; let us go

-out and wander about the grounds for a little while,” Lord Carrol said,

-after a moment of silence, during which sweet, enticing strains came

-floating toward them on the evening air.

-

-She took the arm he offered her, her heart throbbing so wildly that she

-feared he would detect it, and they passed down the steps and away from

-the crowd on the veranda, some of whom smiled to hide their envy, others

-indulgently, as if upon a pair of lovers.

-

-“I suppose this will be our last night in this charming place,” the

-young man said, as they slowly wended their way along a sheltered

-avenue.

-

-She looked up with a slight start at the word “our.” He noticed it, and

-smiled.

-

-“I said ‘our,’ because I, too, shall leave on the afternoon express

-to-morrow. I have business in New York which will occupy me for a week

-or more.”

-

-Josephine flushed with pleasure at this, for she felt sure that the

-“business” was only a pretext. Her vanity led her to believe that Long

-Branch would be nothing to him without her companionship, and that he

-would go to New York merely to pass the interval of time which would

-elapse before he would go to Yonkers to spend the promised week with

-them.

-

-“Oh!” she thought, “if he would but speak a single word to commit

-himself that night, she could go away in the morning with a light and

-happy heart.”

-

-But he had never hinted of love for her; he had accompanied her and her

-mother almost everywhere they had been, often showing Mrs. Richards more

-attention than herself. He had danced with her, rode with her, walked

-with her, and no word beyond the most commonplace expressions of

-friendship had ever fallen from his lips.

-

-Sometimes she had thought that he was drawn to them more than to any one

-else simply because he had discovered them to be of English extraction,

-and felt more freedom and more in sympathy with them on that account.

-

-But she knew, too, that he admired her for her beauty, and she certainly

-had exerted herself more than she had ever done in her life before to be

-not only entertaining, but gentle, and winning, and womanly, and she

-kept hoping that a crisis would come before they left for home.

-

-They wandered on and on, the moonlight streaming upon them through the

-overarching branches of the trees, and making lace-like patterns upon

-the smoothly graveled walk at their feet, and he talked only of

-yesterday’s boating, yesterday’s racing—of anything save what her heart

-was craving to hear.

-

-The band played its softest, sweetest strains; the leaves rustled

-whisperingly above their heads, suggestive of lovers’ vows; they were

-almost alone in the beautiful, moonlighted avenue, and everything was

-conducive to love-making, if his lordship had only been so inclined.

-

-Soon they came out by a fountain where the lights were shining

-brilliantly, and he led her to a rustic seat, placed her in it, and sat

-down beside her.

-

-“I shall be very sorry to go,” Josephine said, with a pensive sigh, as

-she looked around on the lovely scene; “it has been very pleasant here

-this summer.”

-

-“It has, indeed, and I shall carry the memory of it with me for a long

-while,” her companion replied. “You have some very beautiful places of

-resort in your country, Miss Richards. You and your mother have made my

-sojourn at Long Branch more than pleasant. Since learning that you have

-English blood in your veins, I have grown to regard you almost as my own

-people; and sometimes,” he added, smiling, “I have felt as if I might be

-intruding myself too much upon you; but I trust I shall be able to

-return some of your kindness when you come to England.”

-

-Josephine’s heart sank like lead in her bosom.

-

-These were surely very commonplace words to speak to her on the eve of

-her departure, if he entertained anything of affection for her.

-

-“It would be a great delight to me to visit England,” she returned; “and

-you have told me so much about your beautiful home—your mother and

-sister—that I have a great desire to see both it and them.”

-

-“You must come to Cheshire Park—my mother’s and sister’s home. Next year

-I shall hope to show it to you,” he said, earnestly.

-

-Did he mean that he hoped she would go there with him, or was it merely

-a wish that she would visit England, that he might be able to return

-some of the courtesies which she and her mother had shown him?

-

-She could not tell, but hope seemed deserting her; her heart beat

-heavily, she grew pale and sad, and a slight shiver shook her.

-

-He noticed it.

-

-“You are taking cold, I fear; we ought not to sit here in this evening

-air.”

-

-“No, I am not taking cold; I will tie my handkerchief around my throat,

-however,” she answered.

-

-It was so pleasant sitting there beside him, so pleasant to listen to

-his rich, deep voice and look into his clear brown eyes, that she could

-not bear to think of going back to the hotel just yet.

-

-She tied her handkerchief about her white throat, and as she did so, the

-light struck full upon a ring which he had not seen her wear before.

-

-It was a lovely cameo, very delicately cut. It was Star’s little

-treasure, the gift of Archibald Sherbrooke.

-

-“Pardon me,” Lord Carrol said, with a slight start as he observed it,

-“but you have a ring on your hand that I have never seen you wear

-before. It is very lovely. May I examine it more closely?”

-

-Josephine unhesitatingly laid her hand on his palm, her whole body

-thrilling as his fingers closed over it, and he bent his proud head to

-examine the ring.

-

-She had had poor Star’s pin made into this ring, which she had worn a

-few times, and then tiring of it, had thrown it into her jewel-box,

-where it had lain unheeded until to-night, when a sudden whim had caused

-her to put it on.

-

-“It is a very finely carved cameo,” he said, after a few moments, during

-which he had regarded it intently. “I once saw one so nearly like it

-that I do not think I could distinguish it from this. It belonged to—to

-a friend of mine, although that was in the form of a pin.”

-

-“Was your friend a lady or gentleman?” Josephine asked, quickly, and not

-giving herself time to realize that she was betraying undue curiosity.

-

-“A gentleman,” he returned, briefly.

-

-“It is a pretty trifle which was given to me by a relative,” Josephine

-said, without even wincing at the _lie_, yet feeling guilty and

-uncomfortable to have the stone recognized.

-

-“It is evidently quite a valuable cameo,” Lord Carrol returned,

-thoughtfully, “and the person of whom I spoke prized the one he had very

-highly, for he is something of an artist, and had it carved in Italy

-after a design which he made himself.”

-

-“Indeed! Is your artist an Englishman?” Miss Richards asked, with

-downcast eyes, and more interested in this matter than she cared to

-appear.

-

-“Yes; and his name is Sherbrooke—Archibald Sherbrooke,” Lord Carrol

-replied, while he regarded her intently.

-

-Josephine started, and the color flamed into her face.

-

-Archibald Sherbrooke!

-

-The name smote her unpleasantly, for she remembered those two initials,

-“A. S.,” which were marked on the back of the setting of the cameo, and

-having two tiny strawberry leaves engraved underneath.

-

-Could it be possible that Star—the despised girl at Yonkers—knew

-Archibald Sherbrooke, the _friend_ of Lord Carrol, and that he had given

-this elegant cameo to her?

-

-She remembered how, when she had asked her to give it to her, Star’s

-lips had trembled as she said “it was the gift of a friend and she did

-not like to part with it;” but she never imagined that the associate of

-a peer would take interest enough in a girl occupying the position she

-occupied to give her so costly an ornament as this.

-

-The thought was not a pleasant one, or it told her that if such was the

-case, and there could be no doubt of it, that Star was known and

-appreciated by one whom this English lord held in high esteem.

-

-She would have liked to question him more about this “friend” of his,

-but did not wish to betray too much curiosity lest he should mistrust

-that she had the identical stone which he referred to, and should in

-turn ask unpleasant questions of her.

-

-She therefore changed the subject as quickly as possible, hoping to win

-him to a mood more congenial with her own feelings and desires.

-

-But her efforts proved unavailing, for his lordship had suddenly become

-thoughtful and taciturn; and Miss Richards at last, berating herself

-soundly for having worn that unlucky ring that evening, signified her

-desire to return to the hotel.

-

-Mrs. Richards had watched them saunter from the veranda in a flutter of

-anticipation, hoping that the all-important moment had at last arrived.

-

-But one glance at her daughter’s face when they came back told her that

-the much wished for crisis had _not_ arrived, and she felt deeply

-disappointed.

-

-“Good-night and good-by!” Josephine said, holding out her white hand to

-her companion as they entered the hotel. She could not trust herself

-longer in his society, lest she should betray something of her

-disappointment and ill-nature. “I must say my farewell now, I suppose,

-since we are to leave by the early train to-morrow.”

-

-“It is always hard to say farewell to our friends,” Lord Carrol

-answered, smiling as he took her extended hand. “However, I can say it

-with a better grace now than if it was to be a final one. But are you

-going to leave us so soon? There is a gay company in the dancing-hall,

-and I fear many will be disappointed if you flit so early.”

-

-“Yes, I am going up to my room,” she answered, wearily; and he noticed

-that she had grown very pale and was shivering.

-

-“I am really afraid you have taken cold; you look ill, and I fear I kept

-you out too long,” he said, anxiously.

-

-“No,” she returned, brightening a trifle as she saw how troubled he was

-on her account. “I have not taken cold, but I do not feel like dancing

-to-night, so I will retire. Good-by for a week.”

-

-“Yes, for one week; then I shall see you in your own home at Yonkers,”

-Lord Carrol said; and just then Mrs. Richards approached them.

-

-“How is it that you two young people are not in the ball-room?” she

-said, brightly.

-

-“I am taking leave of Miss Richards, who thinks of retiring, as she says

-you leave on the early train,” explained his lordship.

-

-“What is the trouble, Josie—are you not well?” the elder lady asked,

-with maternal solicitude.

-

-“Yes; but I do not wish to dance to-night, so I am going up stairs.”

-

-“Then I’ll go with you, for I have not quite finished packing. Well, my

-lord,” she added, turning cheerily to him and giving him her hand, “I

-trust you will spend the coming week pleasantly, and then we shall

-expect to see you again.”

-

-“Thanks. Shall I have the pleasure of meeting Mr. Richards then? Will he

-have returned by that time?” the young man asked.

-

-“Yes; he returns next week,” Mrs. Richards answered, a new idea striking

-her.

-

-Probably he wished to consult formally with her husband before proposing

-to Josephine; the English, she knew, were very punctilious regarding

-such matters.

-

-Yes, she was confident, now she thought of it, that was why he had not

-come to the point to-night.

-

-So, after a few more cordially spoken regrets, good wishes, and so

-forth, they left him and sought their rooms.

-

-Lord Carrol turned and went out into the grounds again, his face grown

-very grave and thoughtful.

-

-“I never would have believed it. I do not understand it at all,” he

-muttered to himself.

-

-But what he did not understand or could not believe, the future must

-develop.

-

-The next morning Mrs. Richards and her daughter left for Yonkers, and

-the same afternoon Lord Carrol was _en route_ for New York city.

-

-

-

-

-                             CHAPTER XIII.

-                            A GLAD MEETING.

-

-

-Back and forth every day from Yonkers, patiently and uncomplainingly,

-went Star Gladstone to her school, glad to pursue her studies and music

-at any cost or sacrifice.

-

-This occupied nine long hours of five days in the week, and, weary as

-she was upon her return, she always devoted what time she could to the

-white-haired old gentleman who watched her depart with a sigh, waited

-eagerly for her return, and who brightened so visibly when she appeared.

-

-One day, after school, Star had an errand at a music store, and was

-detained so long by the slow movement of the clerk who waited upon her,

-that she was obliged to hurry with all her strength to catch her train.

-

-She entered the station breathless, just as the last bell rang and the

-cars began to move.

-

-Hoping to overtake it even then, she ran for it, her small feet barely

-touching the ground as she sped over it. She reached the last car, put

-forth her hand to lay hold upon the railing and spring upon the steps,

-when a firm grasp upon her arms from behind rendered her efforts

-fruitless, and a deep, rich voice said:

-

-“Young lady, pardon me the liberty I take, but that is a very dangerous

-experiment.”

-

-The train was gone. Mr. Rosevelt would look for her in vain when it came

-in, but Star could not regret it, although she had exerted every nerve

-to catch it, for she would know _that voice_ no matter where she heard

-it; and, with a vivid flush leaping to her cheeks, her pulses thrilling

-with excitement and delight, she turned quickly to find herself face to

-face with her whilom _compagnon de voyage_—Archibald Sherbrooke!

-

-His face lighted brilliantly in an instant as he recognized her, for

-although she had changed somewhat during the past year, growing lovelier

-than ever, he had never forgotten those star-like eyes, those waves of

-soft, golden hair shading her forehead, nor that sweetly smiling,

-scarlet mouth.

-

-“Miss Gladstone!” he cried, putting out his hand to her. “I had no idea

-whom I was saving from committing such an act of imprudence when I saw

-you about to leap upon that moving train; but I am doubly glad now that

-my presumption prevented you from doing anything so rash, and gave me

-this unexpected pleasure.”

-

-“I am glad, too, for I am delighted to see you again, Mr. Sherbrooke,”

-Star said, heartily and frankly, as she gave him her neatly gloved hand,

-and looking straight up into his handsome eyes in a way that testified

-to the sincerity of her words.

-

-“I know it was imprudent to try to leap upon a moving train,” she

-continued; “but there is some one at home who is always disappointed if

-I do not return at a certain hour, and so I was anxious to catch it.

-However, another leaves in a half hour; and, indeed, I am very glad to

-have met you.”

-

-How lady-like she was! With what perfect self-possession and grace she

-greeted him, notwithstanding her sparkling eyes and the flush which had

-leaped to her cheek told of inward excitement.

-

-She was the same, and yet not the same; she had developed wonderfully

-since that morning when he had parted from her on the steamer.

-

-Her hair was still of the same beautiful golden hue as the lock which

-she had severed for him, and which he still treasured; her eyes were the

-same heavenly blue, her smile as bright and sweet, but there was an

-added, indescribable charm about her that made her tenfold more lovely

-in his sight.

-

-“Thank you,” he said, in reply to her hearty greeting; “and now, if you

-have only half an hour before another train goes, let us make the most

-of it, and find a seat in the waiting-room where we can compare notes on

-the last ten months.”

-

-He led the way to the ladies’ room, found a comfortable chair in a

-corner for her where they could talk undisturbed, and the half hour

-slipped by before they had any idea that it was time for Star to go.

-

-“There is my train,” she said, suddenly starting up as the first bell

-rang; “I must not miss this one, or Mr. Rosevelt will surely think

-something dreadful has happened to me.”

-

-“Mr. Rosevelt!” repeated young Sherbrooke, in surprise.

-

-“Yes; is it not singular? We met as strangers on board the steamer, and,

-after all, we were coming to be inmates of the same house and did not

-know it.”

-

-“Yes, it is strange. He was a fine-appearing old gentleman. I trust that

-he has recovered from the effects of his exposure at sea.”

-

-“Not entirely, and I fear he never will,” Star answered, with a sigh.

-“His health is not very good, and his eyes trouble him exceedingly at

-times. They were injured by the reflection of the glaring sun in the

-water while we were in that open boat. We are excellent friends, and he

-watches anxiously for my return every day.”

-

-“Do you come to New York every day?” her companion questioned.

-

-“Yes; I am attending a seminary in Brooklyn, and for the present go back

-and forth every day. But see,” she added, pointing to the clock; “there

-is only one minute more, and I must find a seat.”

-

-He assisted her to enter and conducted her to a seat; then, extending

-his hand, he said, smiling:

-

-“If you come to the city every day, I shall hope to see you again.”

-

-The ever ready color leaped to her cheeks again, more at the look he

-gave her than at his words.

-

-She was upon the point of giving him her address and asking him to come

-out to Yonkers to see her and Mr. Rosevelt, but the train started, and

-she was obliged to leave her invitation unspoken.

-

-He had only time to lift his hat, dart away and leap upon the platform,

-before the train was under way.

-

-Archibald Sherbrooke not only _hoped_ to see her again, he _did_ see her

-many times after that, for he contrived to be at the station on some

-pretext or other, or overtake her on the way thither, every day for

-nearly a week, and he was always greeted with a glad look and smile.

-Every day she grew more beautiful in his sight; every day his eyes told

-her so, and these chance (?) meetings grew very sweet to them both.

-

-“You must come out to Yonkers, some day, and see Mr. Rosevelt,” Star

-said, upon one of these occasions.

-

-“There, I declare, we have found so much else to talk about, that I have

-not even told you where I live,” she said, laughing.

-

-“And I am invited out to see _Mr. Rosevelt_, am I?” he asked, with a

-twinkle of mischief in his fine eyes.

-

-“Yes,” Star returned, demurely. “I know he will be very much pleased to

-see you—indeed, he said so when I told him of our meeting. He remembers

-how good to him you were after his rescue.”

-

-“Thanks. Then I shall certainly avail myself of your invitation, and go

-out to see Mr. Rosevelt some day very soon,” he said, with a grave bow;

-but his eyes told her that she would be the star to attract him thither.

-

-“You say _he_ remembers what transpired on the steamer. Do _you_

-remember, too, Miss Star, how you told me at parting that I should

-always be your friend—that you would never forget me?”

-

-Star’s glorious eyes drooped, and the quick color rushing upward,

-stained all her fair face to those soft yellow curls on her forehead.

-

-“I have not forgotten,” she murmured, softly.

-

-“Neither have I, as perhaps this will prove to you,” said the young man,

-lifting a tiny locket which hung from his watch-chain, and, touching a

-spring, held it up before her.

-

-It contained nothing save a tress of shining hair, and Star knew in an

-instant to whom it had once belonged.

-

-Like a flash she remembered the cameo that he had given her as a

-souvenir, and a choking sensation came into her throat.

-

-She knew by the way he was looking at her—by the way he had asked her if

-she “remembered”—that he was wondering if she had kept his gift as he

-had treasured that lock of silken hair.

-

-There was not a piece of jewelry about her person, and he had remarked

-that fact the first time he met her there at the station.

-

-Every article of her toilet was as dainty as it was possible to make it

-with her limited resources, and she looked every inch a lady; but it was

-not usual in those days to see a young girl of her age without the

-glitter of gold or tinsel somewhere about her.

-

-“You have kept it all this time,” she said, scarce knowing what to say

-from embarrassment, while she wondered what she ought to tell him about

-the cameo.

-

-“Certainly I have kept it all this time. I urged you to give it to me,

-and you do not suppose I was going to cast it lightly aside, do you?”

-

-“Perhaps not,” she answered, with downcast eyes; “but I hardly thought

-you would keep it in—in such a way; and—oh I Mr. Sherbrooke, I have lost

-that lovely little cameo that you gave to me.”

-

-She looked up at him now, and he noted the troubled, even pained

-expression that was in her eyes.

-

-“Lost it!” he repeated; and although he did not intend it, his face

-clouded, whether from disappointment or some other feeling she could not

-tell.

-

-She could not bear that he should know _how_ she had lost it, and she

-felt that she was guilty of no untruth when she explained its absence

-thus.

-

-“Yes,” she returned. “Please do not think that I did not prize it, for I

-did more than I can tell you, and I hope even yet to be able to recover

-it.”

-

-He did not reply, but his face had grown grave, almost severe, and she

-imagined there was something of constraint in his manner at parting with

-her.

-

-She felt that he was hurt by her seeming carelessness or indifference

-for his costly little gift, and bitter tears kept welling to her eyes

-all the way home.

-

-“I _will_ have it again. I will go to Josephine and demand it. She has

-no right to it, for it is mine; and if she will not give it to me, I

-will appeal to Mr. Richards,” she said, indignantly, to herself.

-

-“I could not bear to tell him how I lost it,” she thought, with rising

-color. “I do not wish him to know how I have been treated by my mother’s

-relatives, or how bitterly I have been disappointed in my hopes since

-coming to this country. But,” she added, with firmly compressed lips,

-“it will not be so much longer. In a little while I shall be independent

-of them all.”

-

-She little imagined how soon she would be independent of them, or how it

-would be achieved.

-

-This was Thursday—she had first met young Sherbrooke the previous

-Friday, and there had not been the slightest cloud to mar their

-intercourse until now, though they had met almost every day—and Star

-went home feeling somewhat sad and depressed.

-

-But the next morning her sadness disappeared when Mr. Rosevelt told her

-that he was feeling so strong and well that he would like a change, and

-he proposed to go to New York and call upon their young friend.

-

-He had given Star his address, and when she left for school on Friday

-morning, it was arranged that Mr. Rosevelt should go to town that

-afternoon and she would meet him at Mr. Sherbrooke’s studio after school

-and they would return together.

-

-It seemed, however, as if everything went wrong for our young friend

-that day. Her mind, usually so keen and active, refused to work with its

-accustomed vigor, and she was listless and almost inattentive, much to

-the surprise of Professor Roberts and her other teachers.

-

-Her thoughts were playing truant, and half the time were far away in

-that artist studio where Mr. Rosevelt was visiting.

-

-When the hour came for her to join them, all her listlessness departed,

-and she was her own bright self once more; and when, in answer to her

-gentle knock upon his door, Archibald Sherbrooke opened it to admit her,

-he thought she had never seemed so lovely before.

-

-He had begun to realize that the feelings with which he regarded her

-were something deeper and stronger than mere friendship called for—in

-fact, he knew that he loved her more dearly than any other object on

-earth, and that his heart had not really been his own, if the truth were

-known, since that day when they had parted on the steamer; and he had

-that morning come to the conclusion that the time should not be far

-distant when he should tell her in words of the emotions she had

-awakened in his heart.

-

-“This is a pleasure that I had not anticipated until about an hour ago,”

-he said, with a brilliant smile, as he took her by the hand and led her

-into the room, where she found Mr. Rosevelt reclining comfortably in a

-luxurious chair.

-

-“And this,” Star said, looking around her with a long-drawn breath of

-delight as she noted the many beautiful paintings hanging on the walls,

-“is a pleasure which I had not anticipated.”

-

-“Ah! then it is my _work_ which shall give you pleasure, rather than my

-_society_, as I had presumed to flatter myself,” the young man said,

-ruefully, and making a comical grimace, although his eyes were looking

-down into hers with an expression which made her tremble.

-

-She laughed, while a lovely color leaped to her face. But she tried to

-hide her embarrassment by retorting, archly:

-

-“I suppose I must be polite, and affirm that I expect to enjoy both; but

-really, Mr. Sherbrooke, although I knew you were an artist, I had no

-idea that you painted such delightful things.”

-

-“You give me more credit than belongs to me,” he answered, smiling; “but

-wait until you are rested, and then I have something in particular to

-show you.”

-

-“Oh, I am not weary. Let me look now, if you please; we have only an

-hour, you know;” and she began to move about the room, examining with no

-uncritical eye the works upon the walls.

-

-The young artist kept by her side, telling her the subjects of the

-paintings, and relating many instances connected with them.

-

-At length they came to a corner where there stood an easel, upon which

-there was a picture covered with a green cloth.

-

-Mr. Sherbrooke removed the covering, simply saying:

-

-“This is the picture that I particularly wished to show you.”

-

-It was quite a large painting, and represented a young man and maiden

-standing on board a steamer, while silver-tipped waves and a deep blue

-sky formed a charming background for their youthful figures.

-

-The former stood in an eager attitude, with one hand extended, a smile

-on his handsome lips, a gleam of wistful admiration in his honest brown

-eyes, while his companion seemed to be clipping a tress from a massive

-braid of shining golden hair that hung over her shoulders.

-

-The fair young girl was a faithful representation of Star as she had

-appeared on that day, which they both remembered so vividly, and in the

-act of severing that lock at his request. She stood with drooping eyes,

-a flush on her cheek, a half-smile on her beautiful scarlet lips, a shy

-and modest grace in her posture, while her slender fingers daintily held

-braid and scissors.

-

-Archibald Sherbrooke watched her as she gazed upon his picture, his

-heart in his earnest glance; while Star, although her eyes were riveted

-as if fascinated upon the familiar scene, could not say one word

-regarding it.

-

-He had made her very, very lovely, with that sheen upon her hair, those

-soft, bright curls lying low upon her forehead, which gleamed beneath

-them like purest ivory; with those half-averted eyes, in which the iris

-was just discernible, so richly blue,

-

-                   * * “As if the sky let fall

-                   A flower from its cerulean wall;”

-

-with her delicate hands in their pretty act showing to such advantage,

-and her slight, willowy figure so gracefully posed—so lovely that she

-could not help the conscious blush which mounted to her temples, nor the

-quick heart-throbs which stirred the lace upon her bosom; for something

-whispered to her that his hand had lingered fondly upon that picture, as

-if over a work that he had loved.

-

-“What do you think of my work, Miss Gladstone?” he asked, gravely, and

-breaking the silence which was becoming oppressive to him.

-

-“It—it is very—correct, I think,” she faltered, with averted eyes and

-deepening color.

-

-An anxious gleam shot into his eyes at her reply.

-

-“Have I displeased you by putting it on canvas?” he asked, earnestly.

-

-“N-o,” she returned, somewhat hesitatingly.

-

-“I fear I have,” he said, still more gravely than before. “Do not

-hesitate to tell me if you are offended, and I will obliterate it with

-one sweep of my brush.”

-

-His eye was full of pain, a deep flush burned on his cheek, while there

-was a thrill in his low, earnest tone that set her pulses bounding

-afresh.

-

-She glanced up at him, smiling slightly.

-

-“No, I am not offended,” she said; “but I’m afraid I appeared very

-foolish that day to offer you a tress of my yellow hair.”

-

-“Have I made the picture appear so?” he asked, quickly.

-

-“No; you have made it altogether too beautiful,” she answered,

-earnestly, and then was covered with confusion at having admitted so

-much.

-

-“Thank you,” he said, brightly, his face clearing. “I could not do that,

-if I had spent twice the time I did upon it, and”—bending nearer to her,

-and speaking in a tender tone—“it is a picture that I painted for myself

-alone; no one has ever seen it before, and I shall always keep it.”

-

-He covered it carefully with the cloth again as he ceased speaking.

-

-“These are not nearly all my work,” he said, as she turned to look at

-some others; “they are the united work of an old artist, ‘our master,’

-we call him, and of three of my friends—companion artists. We have been

-traveling together during the last ten months, and these pictures are

-some of the results of our pilgrimage. We are to return now in a couple

-of months, having spent our year in America both pleasantly and

-profitably, I trust. We had to make our headquarters somewhere, so we

-took this room as a sort of studio, and thus putting our work all

-together, we manage to make quite a respectable display.”

-

-“I am glad to have seen these pictures,” Star said, “and to know they

-are all the work of my countrymen. I wish, however, that _I_ was going

-back to England in a month or two,” she concluded, with a sigh, and a

-tear springing to her eye.

-

-“Do you?” her companion asked, eagerly. “Then you have not become weaned

-from your native land?”

-

-“No, indeed,” she said, earnestly. “I love it as dearly as ever, and if

-I live I shall go back some day to my home.”

-

-The young man bent toward her, an eager light in his eye; his lips

-parted as if he were about to speak, but Mr. Rosevelt, from the opposite

-side of the room, suddenly addressed some remark to him, and he was

-obliged to turn his attention to him.

-

-

-

-

-                              CHAPTER XIV.

-                      “LET ME DEPICT YOUR FUTURE.”

-

-

-Before Mr. Rosevelt and Star left him, Mr. Sherbrooke arranged a little

-pleasure trip to Coney Island for the following day.

-

-“I suppose, to-morrow being Saturday, you will have no school, Miss

-Gladstone,” he said, with an appealing look at her.

-

-“No; but I have a music lesson at nine,” she answered, doubtfully.

-

-“Could you not arrange to postpone it for once?”

-

-“I think not; the hour is engaged for me, and if I am not there I lose

-it. I should hardly like to do that, for I must make the most of my time

-this year.”

-

-Star said this last more to herself than in reply to him. She wanted to

-go—oh, so much!—and yet felt that she ought not to lose her lesson.

-

-“Well, an hour will not make much difference; you will be through by

-ten. It will not be too late for our excursion then, and that will give

-us the best part of the day. The sail will be delightful, and we will

-come home by moonlight. I speak for to-morrow, as I am to leave New York

-next week for awhile. I think you will go, Miss Star?” Mr. Sherbrooke

-concluded, questioningly.

-

-“I think I should enjoy the trip very much,” Mr. Rosevelt here

-interposed. “We’ll say ‘go,’ little girl, for we have had no holiday

-this summer. Yes, yes, Sherbrooke, thank you, we will accept your

-invitation, and Star will, I think, be willing to shorten her lesson a

-trifle, so that we shall be able to leave the city by half-past ten.”

-

-Yes, Star said she would do that; and the matter once decided, her face

-brightened and her eyes glowed with anticipation.

-

-She had not had a holiday that summer, as Mr. Rosevelt said; indeed, no

-one had planned a day’s pleasure for her before since she came to

-America, and the thought of this little excursion was very gratifying to

-her. A whole day spent in the company of Archibald Sherbrooke would be a

-“red letter day” to her; and so, with thrilling pulses and bounding

-heart, she took leave of him and went away with Mr. Rosevelt, to talk

-about it, to dream about it, and, girl-like, to plan how to make herself

-as charming as possible for the occasion.

-

-As for Archibald Sherbrooke himself, he sat down after his guests had

-departed, and allowed his thoughts to have their own way.

-

-“She is as lovely as a dream,” he murmured, watching her from the window

-as she tripped lightly along by Mr. Rosevelt’s side. “I did not think

-when I started for America that I was coming to meet my fate; but so it

-proves. Unless I can win Star Gladstone’s love, the remainder of my life

-will not contain much that will be worth living for. She is as pure as a

-lily, beautiful as a veritable star; and yet there is something that I

-cannot quite understand about her; there is a reserve, an occasional

-sadness, that seems strange in one so young, while once in awhile she

-lets fall a word which makes me fear her life is not as bright as it

-should be. There is something of a mystery, too, about Mr. Rosevelt. How

-sort of ‘seedy’ and neglected he looked to-day, and I judged, when I met

-him before, that he was a man of abundant means, and without a care,

-pecuniarily.

-

-“How startled my fair one looked when I showed her my picture,” he went

-on, with a luminous smile; “and I really believe that she realized

-something of the tenderness that I have put into it.”

-

-He arose and went over to the easel, and removing the cloth, stood

-looking at the lovely girl with a world of affection in his handsome

-eyes.

-

-“My glory-crowned Star,” he murmured, “I began to love you the moment

-that you fell exhausted into my arms when you were rescued from the

-hungry jaws of death, and I will spend my life in winning you if need

-be. I have seen no other woman your equal during all my sojourn in

-America—at least, no one who has so moved my heart—and I know of no one

-in all England whom I should care to win for my bride.

-

-“Star Gladstone! It is a name symbolical of her nature,” he said,

-unconsciously repeating what Mr. Rosevelt had once told her, “or I am no

-adept in reading character. She will crown my life with light, and bring

-gladness and beauty into my home, if I can win her; and I think I am not

-mistaken in believing that I read the sequel to my own love-story to-day

-in her blushing face and shy, drooping eyes.”

-

-Saturday came, and at an early hour Star awoke and arose to see what the

-morning promised, and to prepare for the anticipated pleasure of the

-day.

-

-The sun rolled up from the east without a cloud, its light, a dusky red,

-tinging all the earth with a rosy hue—a sure harbinger of a hot, dry

-day, and just what Star of all things most desired.

-

-“Why?” does curiosity question.

-

-Because her one best dress for summer had been a simple white lawn,

-which her own fair hands had fashioned in the most dainty manner, and

-she had nothing else really pretty to wear.

-

-“If I cannot have embroideries and laces, I can at least have ruffles

-and tucks, for they cost nothing but time and patience,” she had said to

-Miss Baker, when the question “how it should be trimmed” came up for

-discussion; and ruffled and tucked it was in the most artistic manner.

-

-She ran down stairs to practice for an hour, after which she went to her

-breakfast, and confided to Mrs. Blunt the fact that “she and Uncle

-Jacob” were going to have a holiday—her throbbing pulses warned her not

-to mention the third member of the party, lest she should betray more

-than she cared to—and that good woman remarked, with characteristic

-emphasis, that “if she wasn’t glad of it, she was much mistaken, and

-hoped she’d have the best time in the world; she’d certainly had

-_precious few_ good times since she came there.”

-

-This duty over—for she did not feel right to be gone the whole day

-without telling some member of the family of her intention—she returned

-to her room to give her attention to that, for once with her, very

-important subject for consideration—her toilet.

-

-She arranged her shining hair with great care. It was her glory, and

-Archibald Sherbrooke had made it appear such in that picture which he

-had shown her yesterday, and which she now remembered with crimson

-cheeks and glowing eyes, as she brushed those shining strands until they

-gleamed like burnished gold. She then wove it into one massive braid, as

-she had worn it that day which neither of them would ever forget, and

-tied it a little way from the end with a fresh, delicate blue ribbon.

-

-This done, she donned the spotless white dress, with a broad belt of

-blue and its great bow on one side, and fastened a simple knot of the

-same at her throat, but heaving a regretful sigh as she thought of her

-precious cameo, and wished she could have had it to wear to-day. Then

-she tied a pretty chip hat, with its mull trimmings and bunch of

-forget-me-nots, over her golden head, and blushed rosy red at the vision

-of loveliness that looked out at her from her small mirror.

-

-Taking her roll of music, and throwing a fleecy shawl over her arm, she

-ran down stairs with a light, springing step, intending to go to the

-lodge for a word with Mr. Rosevelt before she went to the station.

-

-“Where are you going, miss, rigged out in that style?” was the rude

-query that saluted her ears as she came out upon the veranda and stopped

-a moment to fasten her gloves.

-

-Looking up, she saw Josephine sitting at one end of the porch, and half

-hidden by the luxuriant growth of vines climbing the trellis.

-

-Her radiant face clouded; it seemed almost like an omen of evil to have

-her anticipations of pleasure broken in upon thus.

-

-“I am going to New York to take my music lesson,” she answered, touching

-the roll underneath her arm.

-

-“Do you always dress yourself out like that to take your music lesson?

-Perhaps you are trying to strike up a flirtation with Professor

-What’s-his-name,” sneered the haughty beauty.

-

-Poor Star glanced down at her offending dress, an indignant flush rising

-to her cheek.

-

-The entire cost of it had been less than what Josephine was accustomed

-to pay for even a pair of shoes; and yet she knew, without being told,

-that the gay belle, with all her expensive trappings, had never looked

-half so fresh and lovely as she did at that moment.

-

-Josephine realized it also, and her heart was filled with bitter envy

-and malice.

-

-“Go back up stairs and change your gown,” she continued, angrily,

-without giving Star an opportunity to reply to her taunting remarks.

-“You have no business to go to the city, dressed as if you were going to

-a party.”

-

-Star’s small head came up like a flash of light; her eyes darkened and

-glowed with a sense of wounded pride and injustice.

-

-She stood still a moment, her scarlet lips compressed until only a

-narrow line of red was visible; then, in a calm, clear, but very decided

-tone, she said:

-

-“You have no right to lay such commands upon me, Miss Richards, and I

-shall not obey you.”

-

-“You insolent beggar! what do you mean by answering me in this way?”

-began the astonished girl; but Star had glided down the steps, and was

-walking with a proud, elastic step down the avenue; consequently her

-rage was expended upon the empty air.

-

-But she was fairly startled by the exquisite loveliness of the young

-girl. She had never seen her dressed with so much care before, and had

-not dreamed of having such a rival in her own dwelling.

-

-Mr. Rosevelt was standing on the porch of the lodge when Star came

-along, and he, too, marveled at her exceeding beauty, saying to himself

-that he had never seen her so brilliant and spirited before.

-

-And, indeed, he had not, for she never had been so thoroughly aroused

-before during all her residence in Mrs. Richards’ family.

-

-“Good-morning, Uncle Jacob,” she said, brightly, as she saw him standing

-there, and her indignation immediately began to subside.

-

-What was Josephine Richards that she should allow her to mar all the

-pleasure of her own holiday?—that she should drive the happiness from

-her heart, the sunlight from her face, when she was going to spend long

-hours of delight in Archibald Sherbrooke’s presence?

-

-Nothing, save a coarse, rude girl, devoid of feeling or refinement; and

-with a resolute effort she drove her from her thoughts, the smile

-returned to her red lips, the light to her eye, as she ran lightly up

-the steps and stood beside Mr. Rosevelt.

-

-“How well you are looking,” she said, gayly. “I just ran down to see if

-you were all right, and to jog your memory about our little celebration

-to-day.”

-

-“You did not need to do that, Starling. I am as eager as a schoolboy for

-my day of pleasure,” he returned, with a fond smile, adding: “But how

-dainty you are this morning. I shouldn’t wonder if our artist friend

-would be wanting to paint the picture of a ‘star’ one of these days,

-eh?”

-

-Star blushed and laughed lightly.

-

-She could have told him, had she chosen, that it was already painted.

-

-But she only charged him playfully to make himself look as young and

-charming as possible if he intended to be her escort to Coney Island;

-then waving him a farewell, she tripped away with a smile on her lips, a

-song in her heart.

-

-He stood and watched her out of sight, murmuring, with something like

-regretful fondness:

-

-“My bright Star, somebody will want something more substantial than a

-painting if you are onehalf as attractive in his eyes as you are in

-mine.”

-

-The little German professor of whom Star took music lessons rubbed his

-small fat hands with delight, his face dimpling all over with smiles,

-when she came like a ray of light into his room.

-

-“Ach! but der fraulein should have been called Miss Gladheart,” he said,

-regarding her admiringly. “She is as bright as der day, as fair as der

-morn; she is like a flower dot is newly bloomed.”

-

-Star laughed merrily.

-

-It seemed ludicrous enough to her to hear this fat little man, with his

-bald pate, his red face, dumpy legs, and his broken English—who scarce

-ever was known to express a thought that was not connected with music

-before—bubble over thus unexpectedly with sentiment.

-

-“Oh, Professor Schwab, you overwhelm me!” she cried, gayly; “and I’m

-almost certain that your compliments will degenerate into a veritable

-scolding before I have been here fifteen minutes, for I fear I am not in

-very good order to-day, my head is full of pleasure.”

-

-“Pleasure is good now and then; it is made for youth,” the professor

-remarked, with a sigh, and a glance at Star’s bright face and dainty

-costume, as if he regretted that he was no longer young.

-

-“I want you to let me go in just half an hour, for this is to be a

-holiday,” Star said, as she removed her hat and gloves.

-

-“Der fraulein shall do shust vat she pleases—I can refuse her notting

-to-day; but,” he added, assuming a business-like air, “let her mind dot

-she keep her fingers right and der time goot.”

-

-Star settled down at once to her work with such earnestness of purpose

-that she really outshone herself, executing her brilliant and difficult

-exercises in a way that would have done credit to the composer himself.

-

-“Verra goot—excellent goot! Der heart is glad, her hopes are bright, and

-der work is well done. Miss Gladstone, in six months I teach you notting

-more; you go to Germany—to Italy, to study,” he said, his face beaming

-with satisfaction at her proficiency.

-

-Star thanked him with her brightest smile for his praise, and then left

-him with a light heart; and when she reached the place appointed as the

-rendezvous by Mr. Rosevelt and Mr. Sherbrooke, this latter gentleman

-also thought her the fairest object he had ever seen, and knew that, as

-he clasped her small hand, his eyes were betraying that old, old story

-of which his heart was so full.

-

-The sail down the river was even more charming than they had

-anticipated. The day was perfect, the air being just cool enough to be

-exhilarating, while our trio of friends were in a mood to enjoy

-everything in the way of pleasure that might present itself.

-

-They reached the island about noon, when Mr. Sherbrooke, ordering a

-carriage, they drove directly to Manhattan Beach Hotel, where they

-partook of a sumptuous dinner, and thus fortified, sallied forth to

-enjoy the beauties and attractions all about them.

-

-A couple of hours were spent in visiting the different objects of

-interest, and then Mr. Rosevelt said that he should be obliged to give

-up and take a rest.

-

-So Mr. Sherbrooke ordered a room for him at the hotel, and he went to

-“take a nap,” while the young man, with a feeling of exultation that now

-he should have Star all to himself, took a carriage for a long drive

-upon the beach.

-

-For miles and miles they drove over the smooth, hard road, both in their

-happiest mood, and giving themselves up to the enjoyment of the hour.

-

-Every moment spent in Star’s society only served to entangle our young

-English friend more securely in the meshes of love’s net; while she

-began to realize that the world would never be quite the same again to

-her when he should be gone and no prospect of their meeting again.

-

-“He is going away next week,” she kept saying again and again to

-herself, while a chill pain gnawed at her heart. “How can I bear to have

-him go, and feel that I may never see him again? Oh, England, my home!

-my home! would that I also could go back to you!”

-

-So intense was her longing for her home, so keenly did she regret this

-parting, which she felt was inevitable, that the tears sprang into her

-eyes, and a deep sigh came welling up from her burdened heart.

-

-“Miss Star, why that doleful sigh?” exclaimed Archibald Sherbrooke, in

-surprise.

-

-Star started, and looking up, found her companion’s eyes fixed upon her

-with grave questioning.

-

-She colored vividly, fearing he had read something of her thoughts.

-

-“Did I sigh?” she asked, evasively.

-

-“Yes; and I did not like the sound of it, either. Are you tired of

-driving? Shall we go back and try something else?” he asked, only

-anxious to give her pleasure.

-

-“Oh, no; this is delightful,” she answered, quietly. “I fear I have been

-guilty of rudeness if I have given you the impression that I am not

-enjoying every moment of this lovely day. Do you know, Mr. Sherbrooke,”

-she asked, with a smile that had a tinge of sadness in it, “that I am

-indebted to you for the only real holiday that I have had since I came

-to America?”

-

-He regarded her with surprise.

-

-“Is it possible?” he asked. “I fear, then, that you have not had a very

-happy life during the last year, or else you are working too hard over

-your books.”

-

-She feared she had betrayed more than she ought. She did not want him to

-know how hard life had been made for her. She was too proud to complain

-of the ill-treatment, the coldness, and even dislike which had been her

-lot, where she had expected to find only kindness, love, and sympathy.

-

-“I _have_ been working pretty busily,” she answered, as if that were

-all. “I am anxious to graduate this year, and I have to apply myself

-rather closely with my music and other duties.”

-

-“Why are you so anxious to graduate this year? Why not take more time,

-rather than run the risk of injuring your health?” he questioned,

-gravely.

-

-“I am going back to England some time,” she said, her eyes kindling,

-“and the sooner I can complete my education, the earlier I can go. I

-have my own future to carve out, Mr. Sherbrooke, and my aim is to

-prepare myself for a teacher.”

-

-“Your own future to carve out!” he cried, greatly surprised. “I thought

-you had friends here who were to care for you always.”

-

-She colored, but answered, gravely:

-

-“I should not be content to pass my life here. I shall stay only long

-enough to complete my education; then I shall go back to my own country

-to teach.”

-

-He understood her; he saw, even though she would not confess it, that

-her life since coming to America had not been a happy one.

-

-He saw now, as he looked down into her face, so fair and beautiful, what

-he had not noticed before, she had always been so bright and animated

-when with him.

-

-There was a wistful look in her eyes, lines of sadness about her

-sensitive mouth, that told him of a heart yearning for love and finding

-only husks to feed upon.

-

-She was going to be a teacher, she said; she was bending all her

-energies in that direction, and was working, he felt assured, far beyond

-her strength.

-

-She did not look fit to fight the battle of life alone; she was slender

-and delicate, although he felt that, in spite of her fragile appearance,

-there was an element of strength in her character which would overcome

-every obstacle which it was possible for a human being in her position

-to overcome.

-

-She had “her future to carve out,” she had told him. What did she intend

-that future to be?—what were her hopes, her aims, her plans? Surely not

-to teach _always_.

-

-Ah, if she would but learn to love him—if he could win her, it would be

-very different from the wearying, dragging life of a teacher.

-

-Before he was hardly aware of his intention, his heart had overleaped

-every barrier, he bent toward her and said, in a low, earnest tone:

-

-“Star, I love you. Let _me_ depict your future for you.”

-

-

-

-

-                              CHAPTER XV.

-                            A FATAL MISTAKE.

-

-

-The beautiful maiden cast one startled glance up at her handsome lover,

-and then grew colorless as the dress she wore.

-

-But when he softly laid his hand upon hers, saying, gently, “Darling, I

-have frightened you with my abruptness,” her whole being thrilled

-beneath his touch, and the rich crimson swept swiftly up over neck,

-face, and brow, until it lost itself in the fluffy masses of sunny hair

-which lay upon her forehead.

-

-“I could not help it,” he went on, a glad light leaping to his eyes as

-he saw her blushes; “and I have known that I love you, my beautiful one,

-for a long time. Do you remember that it was I who received you into my

-arms when you were lifted to the deck of our steamer from that frail

-boat in which you so nearly perished? Do you know that your fair face

-lay upon my breast, and as I looked down upon you, _I_ knew that no

-other had ever moved me so strangely and so deeply, despite its pallor

-and the tale of suffering that I read there? Its power grew upon me

-during the few days which followed and while we were so much together,

-and when at last we were obliged to part, and I begged a tress of this

-sunshine”—touching the massive braid which lay over her shoulder almost

-reverently—“the picture that you made, with your shy grace and modest

-beauty as you unhesitatingly clipped it for me, stamped itself indelibly

-upon my heart, where I have carried it ever since, growing to love it

-more and more, until I determined to make it always mine by putting it

-on canvas. I did not know as I should ever see you again, and yet I have

-been haunted by a feeling that some magnetic influence or strange power

-of attraction would eventually draw us together again; and so it has

-proved. Star, I know that I love you as deeply and truly as it is

-possible for one human being to love another. You say you love England;

-you wish to go back and make your home there. Tell me that, some day,

-_I_ may take you there—that _my_ home shall become your home, and you

-will be my cherished wife. My darling, you have made yourself very fair

-to-day—so like the picture I have painted, and which I showed you

-yesterday, that something has whispered to me that a thought of _me_

-prompted it; that there was something of tenderness in your heart which

-made you put those shining locks, which you have been wearing in another

-fashion of late, into this massive braid again, and tie it with this

-lovely blue, so like your eyes. Raise them, dear, and let me look into

-them, to see if I can read anything of the story I wish to know. Tell

-me, Star, that when I come to America again, I may come to claim this

-hand and call its owner my wife.”

-

-His hand had rested lightly upon hers all the time he had been speaking.

-She had not attempted to withdraw it, and now his fingers closed over it

-in a firm, loving clasp.

-

-It still lay trembling but unresistingly there; and when, as he bent to

-look into those drooping eyes, she lifted them to his with one shy

-glance of answering tenderness, he knew that he had not sued in vain.

-

-“My own darling!” he whispered, passionately, his face flushing with

-happiness; “you _do_ love me; I read it in your eyes, and the world was

-never so bright to me as at this moment; but tell me, shall I have what

-I want—will you give me your promise that, next year, when you have

-completed your education, instead of going back to England as a teacher,

-you will go with me as my wife?”

-

-She grew suddenly grave, and lifting an earnest look to his face, said:

-

-“I have told you that I am only a poor girl, with my own fortune to

-carve out. You have no idea _how_ poor I am, how dependent, how

-friendless. You, perhaps, have proud relatives; you may occupy a place

-far above me socially, and your friends might object to your claiming

-one in my position as your wife.”

-

-“I care nothing for your poverty or dependence, dear,” he returned,

-tenderly; “it cannot alter the fact that you are the only woman whom I

-shall ever love well enough to make my wife. But,” he added, with a

-thoughtful look, “I forget that I am almost a stranger to you—that you

-know nothing of me, that I have told you nothing——”

-

-“I have not given it a thought,” Star interrupted, earnestly. “I can

-_trust_ you; I _know_ you are true.”

-

-His face grew radiant.

-

-“You will never regret your trust, my darling,” he said. “I—am an

-artist, Star, but I believe I can take care of you, and promise you that

-you shall never know the meaning of the words poor and dependent again.

-Of course I have friends, and—but I will tell you all about them some

-other time. I want my promise now—you will give yourself to me, dear?”

-

-“Yes,” she breathed, her scarlet lips parting slightly with a tremulous

-smile, “by and by, when I am better fitted to be your—wife.”

-

-He longed to take her in his arms and draw her to his heart, and kiss

-the lips that had promised him the greatest joy he had ever known; but

-there were other carriages near, and curious eyes all about them; so he

-could only clasp that small hand more fondly, and murmur low and tender

-words to tell of the deep, true love of which his heart was full.

-

-“You shall indeed go back to England now, my darling,” he said, “but

-never to _teach_. You shall remain here until you have completed your

-course of study if you wish; then I shall come, before this time next

-year, and take you to my—our home. I shall return with a happy heart

-now, for I shall have an object to work for and something to look

-forward to. Ah, my dear, my dear, do _you_ realize what is in store for

-us?—a long life of joy and love together, with brightest hopes and

-congenial tastes. Star, my beloved—my _star_, indeed!”

-

-Who can wonder that she gave herself up to the bliss of loving and being

-loved, when wooed in this tender manner?

-

-Who could chide this heart-hungry maiden, who had been starving for

-affection and sympathy, for feeling that she had never known happiness

-before?

-

-And she loved him with all her soul. He had won all the passion of her

-young heart, and she gave herself up to him wholly, unreservedly,

-trusting him without a suspicion or thought that he could be anything

-save truth and honor itself.

-

-Twilight was beginning to gather when they returned to the hotel where

-they had left Mr. Rosevelt, but it was not yet so dark but that that

-gentleman remarked the glorified expression of the young man’s face, and

-the brilliant light which gleamed in Star’s radiant eyes.

-

-“May I tell our dear old friend, Star?” Archibald Sherbrooke whispered,

-as he assisted her to alight from the carriage.

-

-She started, and grew crimson.

-

-“Oh, Mr. Sherbrooke, not to-night, please.”

-

-“To whom are you speaking, my Star?” he interrupted, with assumed

-sternness and reproach.

-

-She glanced up questioningly, yet with burning cheeks, for she knew what

-he meant, but was not quite sure yet what he wished her to call him.

-

-“My mother calls me Archie,” he said, with a meaning smile.

-

-“Must _I_ call you that?” she asked, her heart thrilling at the name,

-yet instinctively shrinking from addressing him quite so familiarly just

-yet.

-

-“There is no ‘_must_’ about it, nor about anything else that you do not

-like, my darling,” he said, very gently, but looking a trifle grave, she

-thought.

-

-“Then please let me go—Archie, for I know Uncle Jacob is wondering why

-it takes me so long to get out of the carriage, and—and ever so many

-people are looking at us,” Star said, wishing she could hide her hot

-cheeks, and realizing, if he did not, that he was holding her hands a

-great deal longer than there was any need of doing.

-

-A brilliant smile parted his lips as he released her, and she darted

-away just as a servant came forward to take the horse, he following more

-leisurely to give her time to recover herself a little.

-

-“You have enjoyed your drive, little one?” Mr. Rosevelt asserted,

-questioningly, as she came and stood beside his chair, while he regarded

-her with a keen glance.

-

-“Very much, Uncle Jacob; and you—are you rested?” Star asked, eager to

-turn his attention from herself.

-

-“Entirely, and am as hungry as an old bear, too. These sea breezes have

-sharpened my appetite to a painful degree,” he replied, as if his hunger

-was the only subject which occupied his thoughts, while all the time he

-was watching her closely, and telling himself that there must be some

-cause more potent than “sea breezes” for her brilliant color and that

-tender light in her eyes.

-

-“I am delighted to hear it,” young Sherbrooke said, now joining them,

-“for our tea is waiting for us, I am told, and we shall have just about

-time enough to dispatch it comfortably before the boat is due.”

-

-They went in to an inviting meal, spread in a private room for them. The

-young man had given an order to this effect before going to ride, as he

-had noticed that Star was annoyed at dinner by the attention which her

-lovely face had attracted.

-

-But it was noticeable that Mr. Rosevelt did most of the eating, for our

-lovers were in altogether too exalted a state for such commonplace

-realities as bread and butter, or even for anything so tempting as

-peaches and cream.

-

-When Mr. Rosevelt’s hunger was appeased, he asked Star to play something

-before they left.

-

-There was a piano in the room, and he was extremely fond of music.

-

-“I want our friend here to know what a talented little musician we

-have,” he said, with a fond glance at his favorite.

-

-Star was only too willing to comply with his request, glad of anything

-to relieve the awkward consciousness which had pervaded her all through

-tea, and sitting down to the instrument, she played several pieces.

-

-Archibald Sherbrooke was astonished at the proficiency which she

-displayed, and the appreciative silence which prevailed upon the veranda

-outside the open windows, told that her power had swayed a larger

-audience than she had thought of having.

-

-“She is mine; I have won her, this talented, beautiful, pure-hearted

-girl,” Archibald Sherbrooke said, exultantly, to himself, as he closed

-the piano for her, and pressed the hand that hung invitingly near him.

-

-They repaired to the boat-landing soon after, for it was nearly time for

-their departure.

-

-When the steamer arrived, Archibald found a sheltered seat for Mr.

-Rosevelt, and then drawing Star a little apart, wrapped her shawl

-carefully about her and sat down beside her, her hand clasped in his

-under cover of its soft folds.

-

-“He will not mind, and I want you to myself,” he whispered. “I cannot

-see you to-morrow, love, for it will be Sunday, but Monday or Tuesday I

-shall come to you. I cannot wait longer.”

-

-Star glanced at him somewhat anxiously.

-

-She knew what that coming would entail upon her—sneers and taunts, and

-perhaps more unkindness than she had ever yet received from Mrs.

-Richards or Josephine.

-

-Mr. Richards, she felt assured, would be more considerate of her

-feelings; yet, under any circumstances, this visit of her lover would be

-a very trying one.

-

-Ah! _how_ trying, Heaven only knew.

-

-She thought perhaps she ought to tell him something of her life during

-the last year, that he might not be wholly unprepared when he should

-present his suit for what she feared would be a very disagreeable

-interview.

-

-But she was so supremely happy sitting there by his side in the glorious

-moonlight, and knowing that she was so tenderly beloved, that she could

-not bear to mar it by so much as a word or thought of what she had

-suffered in the past, or might have to endure in the future, until he

-should come for her to claim her as his wife. No, she would not tell

-him; she would wait until after he had been presented to her guardians.

-There would be time enough then, and it would be just as well.

-

-But it was a fatal mistake.

-

-Had she told him then, all the pain and anguish, all the misery and

-hopelessness which she afterward experienced would have been spared her;

-but how could she know?

-

-So they sailed on up the river, side by side, hand clasped in hand, and

-thought only of the supreme happiness of the moment.

-

-It was one of those beautiful fall evenings, calm and still, and bright

-with an almost intoxicating brilliancy; the heavens, the river, with its

-gliding banks on either side, all lighted with a radiance that was

-absolutely dazzling; and Star wondered if ever in all her life before

-she had seen the world so wondrously beautiful.

-

-“Monday or Tuesday you are coming to Yonkers?” Star murmured, in reply

-to this remark of her lover’s. “I thought you were to be away from New

-York next week?”

-

-“And so I am; I am coming to Yonkers to see you,” he answered, smiling.

-“My darling, do you not know that all the world is changed for me now?”

-

-It certainly was for her, she thought, with a tender little smile, and

-then she said:

-

-“Have you a card and a pencil? I must tell you where to find me, you

-know.”

-

-“True. How stupid of me not to have thought of it,” he returned, as he

-searched his pockets to find what she wanted.

-

-“I thought it better to write it than to tell you,” she said, archly,

-“fearing you might forget.”

-

-“I own that I am not in a condition to remember anything to-night, save

-that you love me and that I have won you,” he whispered, putting pencil

-and card into her hand.

-

-She wrote the street and number of the house where she lived, and gave

-it back to him, and he put it away without even looking at it.

-

-And thus the moments sped swiftly on until they landed, and that

-delightful homeward sail was over and had become one of those events to

-be remembered and treasured when, in the dark future, they should look

-back upon it and wonder if as bright a gleam of happiness had ever

-really existed in their lives.

-

-Mr. Sherbrooke accompanied Mr. Rosevelt and Star to the station where

-they had to take the train for Yonkers, and found comfortable seats for

-them.

-

-“I shall see you again very soon,” he said to the old gentleman, as he

-took his hand at parting.

-

-“I trust so. We shall be glad to see you at any time; and many thanks

-for this day’s pleasure,” Mr. Rosevelt replied, heartily.

-

-“The obligation is all on my side,” Archie said, with a meaning glance

-at Star, which made the color come again and her heart to bound like a

-roe in her bosom.

-

-The bell warned him that he must go, and with a lingering, loving

-pressure of her hand, he reluctantly bade them a final good-night and

-went away.

-

-The young girl had no idea of the lapse of time after that, until she

-heard Mr. Rosevelt heave a long-drawn sigh.

-

-She started, realizing then that they were almost home, and that she had

-not spoken one word since her lover left them.

-

-“Uncle Jacob, are you very tired?” she asked, anxiously, and with a

-feeling of selfreproach.

-

-“No, dear; only thinking how beautiful the world is under some

-conditions, how dreary under others,” he returned, watching her

-intently.

-

-The young girl’s cheeks glowed hotly, but she had not a word to say in

-reply to those sentiments. But she knew that the events of that day had

-glorified the whole world for her, and all the way home she had been

-weaving golden plans for the future, when Archie—it came easier every

-time now—should take her to his simple home over the water—for of course

-it must be simple, since he was only an artist—and which she would make

-just as bright and beautiful as love and taste could make it.

-

-

-

-

-                              CHAPTER XVI.

-                             A GREAT SHOCK.

-

-

-The next morning, on descending to her breakfast, Star found the whole

-house in a state of great excitement.

-

-On asking Mrs. Blunt the meaning of it, that good but evidently much

-disturbed woman informed her that a “real live English lord was expected

-to arrive the following day, and Mrs. Richards had given orders that

-everything be done up in the grandest style possible.”

-

-“A lord?” Star said, smiling—she had seen many a lord, and had not been

-very crushingly impressed with a sense of her own inferiority and

-insignificance in consequence—“a lord, Mrs. Blunt?” she repeated,

-laughing. “You will find him simply a man, very much like the rest of

-mankind. He will eat, and sleep, and talk, and walk exactly like anybody

-else. But what may his lordship’s name be, and what brings him here?”

-she concluded, with some curiosity.

-

-“Lor’, Miss Star, you take it pretty coolly, or I’m much mistaken,” Mrs.

-Blunt remarked, with an admiring glance at the girl’s bright face; “but

-I suppose it’s because you’re accustomed to seeing ’em, being English

-yourself. But a lord is considered some pumpkins on this side of the

-water—at least, madam appears to think so, since he was courting Miss

-Josephine all the time down at Long Branch, and she hopes to have him

-for a son-in-law one of these fine days.”

-

-Star looked surprised at this bit of information. Mrs. Richards and

-Josephine had been home a week, and she had heard nothing of this

-before, although the subject had been pretty thoroughly discussed among

-the servants of the household. But she had been so intent upon her

-studies and music, going from home so early and returning so late, and

-keeping her own room so much, that it was nothing strange.

-

-“Is Miss Josephine engaged to him?” she asked.

-

-“Couldn’t say positive, Miss Star, as to that; but if she ain’t, she’s

-expecting to be, and doing her prettiest to catch him, or I’m much

-mistaken. She’s talked of nothing else since she got home; and the

-beautiful dresses she’s bought, and the grand things she’s been planning

-to do when he comes, would fill a book if rightly writ up. It’s a

-mystery to me how anybody so grand and mighty can walk on two legs like

-the rest of us common mortals,” she concluded, with grim humor.

-

-Star laughed merrily.

-

-Evidently Mrs. Blunt, as a loyal subject of a democratic country, did

-not look forward to the advent of this young sprig of nobility with very

-much relish.

-

-“You have not told me his name yet,” Star said.

-

-“Carrol—my Lord Carrol, of Carrolton, Derbyshire, England, and goodness

-knows what else,” Mrs. Blunt replied, spitefully, but with a toss of her

-head so exactly in imitation of Josephine when that young lady went

-soaring among the clouds, that Star was infinitely amused.

-

-“Lord Carrol, of Carrolton,” she repeated, reflectively. “I have never

-heard of any one by that name, and we lived in Derbyshire, too; but of

-course there are a great many people there of whom I know nothing.”

-

-“That’s true, no doubt; but his being a lord don’t make him any the

-better worth your knowing, according to my way of thinking. But,

-gracious me! I mustn’t stand here talking, when there are such heaps of

-work to be done;” and the excited woman began to bustle about the room

-with decidedly more of energy than grace.

-

-“Now, Mrs. Blunt,” Star said, picking up an apron and tying it around

-her slim waist, “since you have such ‘heaps’ to do, let me do something

-to help you.”

-

-“Bless you, child! you sha’n’t touch a thing. You ain’t going to spoil

-those pretty fingers for the piano, lord or no lord. I was baking and

-preserving all day yesterday, and had no time to make the black cake

-that madam gave orders for, so I suppose I’ve got it to do to-day, if

-’tis Sunday.”

-

-“And you’ve got all those raisins to seed, those currants to clean, and

-that citron to slice. It is too bad, Mrs. Blunt, and on this holy

-Sabbath, too,” Star said, gravely, while she heaved a regretful sigh as

-she glanced from the window and saw the bright sunshine tinting

-everything with a golden light.

-

-“Can’t help it; it’s got to be done,” the housekeeper responded, grimly.

-“I expect,” she went on, her thin lips curling with a curious expression

-of scorn, “if madam don’t work herself on Sunday she thinks she’s

-keeping the Sabbath in a proper manner and according to law and gospel,

-no matter how much her servants may have to do. I’ve a notion that

-perhaps _her_ Bible don’t read like _mine_; that part where it says

-‘thou, nor thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant,’ must have been left

-out of those velvet covers of hers. But you go away, Miss Star. If I’ve

-got to break one of the ‘thou shalt nots,’ you ain’t going to be a

-partner in my sin,” she concluded, as the young girl sat down to the

-table and began to open a large package of raisins which lay there.

-

-“No, indeed, Mrs. Blunt, I am not going away; I am going to help you;

-and if we work nimbly together, perhaps we can get through in season to

-go over to the chapel for evening service;” and she pulled out a great

-bunch of the fruit and began to pick it from the stems.

-

-“Miss Star, I couldn’t consent to it no way; I couldn’t have it on my

-conscience that you should do it,” the woman returned, real distress

-pictured on her honest face.

-

-“Now, be reasonable, Mrs. B., do,” Star said, coaxingly. “If you had so

-much to do yesterday that you _couldn’t_ do this work, and it _must_ be

-done to-day, _I_ shall not feel that I am doing anything wrong to help

-you, and _I’m going to_.”

-

-“Well,” the housekeeper said, with a sigh of resignation, “that cake has

-got to be baked to-day, and it would take me six mortal hours to clean

-that fruit alone, let alone the making and baking. I’m sure it’s real

-good of you to offer to help me, but—there are your fingers, Miss

-Star——”

-

-“I know it, and nimble ones you’ll find them, too,” interrupted the

-young girl, smiling. “Now, don’t raise any more objections, there’s a

-good soul, for I _may_ have to do this kind of work for myself

-sometime,” she went on, with a slight flush, and drooping her white lids

-to hide the happiness in her eyes, “and I should really like you to

-teach me how, although I must confess Sunday would not be the day that I

-should _choose_ on which to learn to cook;” and, without more ado, she

-bent over her self-imposed task, while Mrs. Blunt turned aside to heave

-a sigh of relief and wipe a tear from her eyes; “for,” as she told the

-house-maid afterward, “it was no fool of a job to get nine pounds of

-fruit ready for cake, and the day had looked longer than the first

-twelve chapters of Chronicles, with their sons and son’s sons, which her

-father had made her learn when, as a child, she had played truant from

-her Sunday-school.”

-

-Hour after hour Star patiently worked with the tired woman, helping to

-stone the raisins, stem the currants, and slice the citron; and when at

-last the fragrant fruit was all mixed and floured ready for the cake

-that was to test the digestive organs of the notable lord, she beat the

-eggs, browned the flour, and waited upon the housekeeper until the

-savory mess was finished and put in the pans.

-

-“Two mortal hours it will take me to bake it, and then it will be ready

-for the confectioner to ice,” she said, as she slipped it into the oven

-and shut the door upon it with a sigh of relief.

-

-“Blessings on you, child,” she added, gratefully, “for your kind heart

-and willing fingers, and when you’re married, if I’m living, I’ll make

-your wedding-cake for you.”

-

-“Thank you, Mrs. Blunt; I shall not forget your promise, you may be

-sure,” laughed the happy girl, as, flushed and tired, but with a light

-heart after the performance of a kind act, she sought her own room to

-rest and think of the manly lover who was to come in a day or two, and

-to wonder if Mrs. Blunt would really make her wedding-cake.

-

-She could not feel that she had been guilty of any wrong in lending her

-aid to the weary and overworked woman below, even though she had spent

-long hours of that Sabbath in labor; and when, as the evening bells

-called to prayer, and the glorious harvest moon came sailing up from the

-east, flooding all the earth with beauty, they wended their way together

-to the chapel of which Star had spoken in the morning, and where she

-loved to go because everything was so quiet and unostentatious, a

-peculiar peace seemed to pervade her heart, and a voice, as of some

-angel, to whisper the benison “well done.”

-

-Monday all day the greatest excitement prevailed, as on the preceding

-day, in the Richards’ mansion, for its ambitious mistress had determined

-to make a favorable impression upon the young lord whom she was anxious

-to secure as a son-in-law, and accordingly spared neither pains nor

-expense to make her house and hospitality as imposing as possible.

-

-Star was away, as usual, all day at school, and therefore was not mixed

-up in the confusion; but, upon her return, she could imagine something

-of what had been done, for the house was a perfect bower of beauty, and

-order, and cleanliness from top to bottom.

-

-Flowers of the choicest description were everywhere; fresh draperies had

-been put up wherever they were needed, and most tastefully arranged; the

-servants were all arrayed in immaculate suits, and went tiptoeing around

-with that air of importance and expectancy which betrayed the interest

-they felt in the arrival of an English peer; while Mrs. Richards and

-Josephine were perfectly gorgeous in new dresses of latest fashion and

-most artistic design.

-

-The coach, with its burnished trimmings and its span of spirited bays in

-their gold-mounted harness, was standing before the door, ready to go to

-the station to meet the expected guest; and with all these evidences of

-preparation around her, Star would have been less than human not to have

-experienced some curiosity regarding my “Lord Carrol, of Carrolton.”

-

-“Well, it may be one of the ‘good times that I can’t be in,’ as poor

-Glory McGuirk would say; but then I had _my_ good time yesterday, and I

-don’t know as I care very much,” she thought, with a smile half sad,

-half tender, as she watched the carriage containing Josephine and her

-father whirl away in grand style to the station.

-

-However, thinking it might be expected of her to make a good appearance

-in case she should happen to meet the distinguished stranger, she

-changed her school dress for a fresh, blue lawn, trimmed with a dainty

-white edging, spanned her small waist with a broad belt, and fastened a

-bunch of waxen snow-drops at her throat.

-

-She had no jewels, no elaborate _lingerie_ like Josephine with which to

-make herself attractive; but she had a way of giving herself such a

-touch of elegance with these little accessories, despite her simple

-attire, that no one could pass her by unnoticed; and now, with that

-new-born smile of happiness on her ripe lips, that light of love and

-hope in her eyes, and the coming and going color in her cheeks, she was

-fairest of the fair.

-

-When her toilet was completed she sat down by her window—which, although

-in the third story, was upon the front of the house, where she could

-look directly down upon the porch, and also commanded a view of the

-winding avenue which led down to the road—to watch for the return of the

-coach and the coming of the illustrious guest.

-

-Sitting there, she fell to musing—to thinking of the time when she

-should go back to dear old England, the land of her birth, the home of

-her love.

-

-Only a few months more and her course of study would be finished; a

-little more of faithful application to her books, a little season of

-patience and forbearance, then a life of brightness and happiness.

-

-Some one would come for her then, and she would go away forever from the

-slights, and sneers, and malice which had made her life so cheerless and

-forlorn, so hard to endure during the past year.

-

-So absorbed did she become thinking of this, that she did not hear the

-carriage when it turned in at the gate and came smoothly rolling up over

-the hard, graveled drive-way, and it had almost reached the door before

-she was aware that at last the noted, titled stranger had arrived.

-

-She leaned out to look as the spirited horses were reined in before the

-porch, and the sound of laughter and gay voices came floating up to her

-ears.

-

-A tall, darkly clad figure sprang out and held forth a hand to assist

-Josephine to alight; but a massive post was in the way, and she could

-not see his face. Mr. Richards followed the young people, and they all

-passed up the steps together.

-

-It was a pretty picture that she looked down upon, for now she could see

-all that transpired. Mrs. Richards, handsome as any queen in her elegant

-black silk dress and duchesse laces, her diamonds gleaming like drops of

-dew in a moonlit night; Josephine, bright and sparkling in an elaborate

-street dress, with her jaunty hat and bright plumes, standing proudly

-beside the finely formed young man as he exchanged greetings with her

-mother; and Mr. Richards, stout and comely, a perfect pattern of the

-hospitable host, with his good-natured face, which was expressive of a

-most cordial welcome.

-

-But Star had grown suddenly pale as snow, and caught her breath

-convulsively, as a clear, manly laugh rang out on the air at some jest

-of Josephine’s, and then the stranger turned, hat in hand, having made

-his bow to his hostess, to speak to Mr. Richards, and thus she could

-look directly into his face.

-

-There was a look of horror in her eyes as they were fastened upon that

-handsome face, her lips were drawn and pinched, and the pain that was

-clutching at her heart betrayed itself in a low, sobbing moan.

-

-There was no mistake—although she could scarcely credit her own

-senses—she knew that dark, chestnut-crowned head, that handsome, smiling

-face, that straight, stalwart form but too well, even though a cruel

-mist was creeping up before her eyes to hide him from her sight. She

-knew that clear, ringing voice, even though the roaring sound in her

-ears seemed striving to drown it. Josephine’s guest—her accepted lover

-she had tried to make it appear—the titled stranger, Lord Carrol, of

-Carrolton, was no other than _her betrothed, Archibald Sherbrooke_!

-

-

-

-

-                             CHAPTER XVII.

-                     “WHY HAS HE DONE THIS THING?”

-

-

-What could this strange thing mean? What was Archibald Sherbrooke—the

-man who, two days before, had told her that he loved her and no

-other—doing there in that character of Lord Carrol? Why was he there,

-laughing, chatting, and exchanging greetings in that familiar way with

-Mrs. Richards and her family?

-

-Star’s heart nearly ceased its beating; she grew faint, giddy, and

-absolutely soul-sick. Her face paled until it was as white as those

-cold, waxen berries at her throat; her very life-blood seemed to be

-congealing.

-

-What could it mean?

-

-Looking down upon the little group, she saw that Josephine’s eyes were

-fastened upon him—_her_ lover—with an expression that there was no

-mistaking. It was full of pride and wistful affection. Her voice was low

-and sweet when she spoke to him, her laugh silvery clear as it rang out

-upon the still evening air at some light jest of his; and Star knew that

-she loved him deeply, passionately; that she would stop at nothing to

-win him, if, indeed, he was not already won. Oh, what—what could it all

-mean?

-

-It was cruel, cruel as death, to have her short, bright dream shattered

-thus; to have given all the wealth of her warm young heart to the

-handsome young stranger who had called himself Archibald Sherbrooke, and

-now to discover him to be a myth—that there was no such person, that she

-had been made the plaything of an idle hour. And yet it had all appeared

-so real; he had _seemed_ so true and loyal, and to have loved her so

-fondly.

-

-But stay—might she not be jumping to conclusions, after all?

-

-A different solution to the mystery flashed into her mind. She started

-eagerly up, the color coming back to her face, a joyful light flashing

-into her eyes.

-

-Archie had told her that he should “come to her Monday or Tuesday—that

-he could not wait longer;” but she had not thought he would come

-to-night. She _did_ expect him to-morrow, and perhaps he had arrived.

-

-On the other hand, Lord Carrol had, perchance, disappointed his friends.

-They had gone to meet him, and had not found him as they expected.

-

-Archie, very likely, had taken the same train from New York that his

-lordship had intended to take, and on arriving had inquired of some one

-for the street and number that she had written on the card for him; the

-individual whom he asked might have known it was Mr. Richards’

-residence—for he was well known there—directed him, and he, on learning

-the man’s errand, had probably, with his usual good nature, invited him

-to take a seat in his carriage, and had driven him home.

-

-Thus she reasoned with her aching, fear-burdened heart, clutching at

-this little ray of hope as a drowning man clutches at a straw.

-

-But he did not appear like a stranger to any of them; neither did

-Josephine seem like the disappointed girl she probably would have been

-if her expected lover had not arrived. She was chatting and laughing

-with him in the most friendly way; her face was glowing with happiness;

-her tones and her laughter were musical from very joy.

-

-With these doubts mingling with her sudden hope, Star leaned forward,

-eagerly listening for him to inquire for her; but the words which came

-floating up to her smote her heart with a deadly pain, drove the color

-back again from her face, and made the love-light in her eyes change to

-a look of mortal agony and despair.

-

-“My lord,” Mrs. Richards said, graciously, “we will not keep you

-standing here; the drawing-room, where we have other friends waiting to

-meet you, is more inviting, and our dinner will soon be served.”

-

-And my lord, with his most charming smile and bow, replied:

-

-“Mrs. Richards, you have given me a most hospitable welcome to your

-delightful home, and I shall be happy to meet your friends;” and giving

-his arm to Josephine, he followed his hostess within, to be presented to

-the other guests who had been invited to meet him.

-

-All hope was gone now—they had called him Lord Carrol and he had

-replied, and, stricken with despair, Star slipped from her chair like

-one from which all life had been suddenly smitten, and fell prone upon

-the floor, where she lay in a semiconscious state for more than an hour.

-

-But when at length thought and feeling began to return to her, she

-wondered if she were herself or some one else who had lived through a

-century of misery—youth and happiness, joy and hope seemed to be

-attributes of an age so long gone by.

-

-“Why has he done this thing?” she moaned, sitting up and clasping her

-icy hands across her burning brow. “Why has he deceived me thus, making

-a fool and a plaything of me merely to pass an idle hour? Why did he

-call himself Archibald Sherbrooke, when he is Lord Carrol, of Carrolton.

-Why could he not have left me alone when I was content with my music, my

-studies, and my simple life? Oh! why need my whole future be blighted

-thus? I could have gone on my way—I could have carried out my plans and

-gratified my ambition to become a teacher and be independent, and

-believed myself happy, if he had left me to myself. But now—if I could

-only die—if I could even go mad—_anything_ to make me forget how I have

-allowed myself to love him, and built all my future hopes on his love

-for me!”

-

-The sound of gay voices and laughter came floating up to her from below

-as she sat there mourning her blighted life; it smote her like the stab

-of a knife, and she shivered from head to foot, every nerve cringing

-with keenest pain.

-

-In imagination she could see how Josephine was assuming her most

-bewitching airs to win the treacherous man who had blotted out every

-hope of joy from her existence, and who, perhaps, was bending over her,

-speaking soft and tender words, even as he had done to her only two days

-ago.

-

-Yesterday and the day before she had lived upon the mountain-tops—“upon

-the heights”—where life had seemed opening out before her like a

-paradise; to-night, in a single moment, she had been hurled into the

-very depths of misery.

-

-She got up from the floor, tottered to the window and shut it, to keep

-out those hateful sounds from below which nearly drove her into a

-frenzy; then, too weak to sit up, she crept into her bed, where she lay

-shaking as with an ague and moaning with pain all the long night

-through.

-

-Morning found her burning with fever, with an aching head and a crushed

-and breaking heart.

-

-She could not rise, and, although faint, the very thought of food filled

-her with loathing, and yet her throat and mouth were dry and hot with a

-terrible thirst.

-

-Thus good Mrs. Blunt found her about ten o’clock. She had missed her

-from breakfast—something very unusual, for Star was as prompt as the day

-itself generally—but she had not had time to inquire into the cause of

-her absence until now, for there had been lively doings down in her

-department that morning.

-

-“Merciful sakes alive! whatever in the world has happened to you, Miss

-Star?” she cried, when, on thrusting her heated face in at the door, she

-saw the young girl in her wretched condition lying on the bed.

-

-“I believe I do not feel very well this morning,” Star said, wearily.

-

-“I should think not, indeed! You’ve got a high fever, and yet you’re

-shaking with the cold. Goodness gracious, child! and you all dressed out

-like this, too! What has happened?” Mrs. Blunt cried, aghast, as she

-pulled back the coverlid and saw at a glance that she had been lying all

-night in her clothing.

-

-Star was too miserable to explain, as the good woman saw, and she did

-not press her with questions; but with nimble yet tender hands she

-removed her clothing, replacing it with her _robe de nuit_, and then

-wrapping her in a heavy blanket, she tucked her snugly into bed once

-more.

-

-She then went down below, where she prepared a steaming drink of some

-kind, with which she hastened back to her patient, and insisted that she

-should drink it—“every drop.”

-

-The poor child obeyed, feeling too wretched to offer any objections; and

-then saturating a napkin with camphor and water, Mrs. Blunt bound it

-about her aching head, and darkening the room, bade her go to sleep

-again as quickly as possible, for of course school was not to be thought

-of that day; and indeed Star had forgotten the existence of such an

-institution.

-

-The hot drink warmed and soothed her, while the kind attention of the

-woman comforted her; and exhausted nature asserting itself, she soon

-dropped into a profound slumber.

-

-It was late in the afternoon when she awoke again, and realized that she

-was much refreshed physically, although her burden of misery was still

-crushing down upon her heart.

-

-Mrs. Blunt found her as white and wan as she had been flushed and

-feverish, when she looked in upon her again just before dinner, and she

-could not understand the look of hopeless despair that lay in her

-usually bright and joyous eyes.

-

-“Whatever in the world is the matter with you, Miss Star?” she asked,

-anxiously. “It’ll be bad luck for me if you’re going to be sick, for

-since you came into the house, with your bright face and cheery ways,

-the days and months have grown shorter by half. Come, come, chicken,

-don’t look so downcast; it breaks my heart to see you so white and

-drooping.”

-

-“I shall be all right by to-morrow, Mrs. Blunt. I am better already,

-thanks to your kind care,” Star returned, sitting up in bed and trying

-to bring her shattered nerves into better order. “If you will please

-hand me my school dress,” she added, “I think I will get up and take a

-run down to the lodge. I have not seen Uncle Jacob since yesterday

-morning, and he will wonder what has become of me.”

-

-“Indeed, child, you mustn’t go out to-night, and as for Mr. Rosevelt, he

-knows all about you already. I sent word to him before noon that you

-wasn’t able to go to school, and he’s been up to the house twice since

-to inquire for you. He sets a store by you, Miss Star, and I believe it

-would break his heart if anything was to happen to you.”

-

-A wan little smile flitted over Star’s face.

-

-It was about the only ray of light or comfort that she had in her great

-darkness—this knowledge that there was one who did really love her, and

-to whom she also was almost a necessity.

-

-She could rely on “Uncle Jacob,” if upon no one else, and she longed to

-go to him and lean upon him now in her trouble. Of course she could not

-tell him how she had let handsome, fascinating Archibald Sherbrooke win

-her heart from her, and then found all too late how cruelly she had been

-deceived. She was so thankful now that she had not allowed him to tell

-Mr. Rosevelt as he had wished, though, perhaps, that had only been

-another ruse of his, and he had not intended to tell him, after all; but

-it would be a comfort to go down to the lodge and see him, and listen to

-the kindly tones of his voice.

-

-Mrs. Blunt helped her to dress, for she saw that she was glad to sit

-down by the window—though she shuddered as she remembered that she had

-sat just there last night when her heart had been broken—and rest, while

-she began to fear that she should not be able to get down stairs, after

-all, that night to go to see Mr. Rosevelt.

-

-Mrs. Blunt watched her closely with those small, keen eyes of hers, and

-saw that her trouble was more of the mind than of the body, though what

-could have caused it was a puzzle to her.

-

-She did not trouble her with conversation, but after making her room

-tidy, she went quietly out and left her alone. She returned after a

-little while, however, bringing her a bowl of hot soup and a plate of

-nice little biscuits.

-

-“You are very good to me, Mrs. Blunt,” Star said, gratefully; and she

-ate the soup with a relish, for she was very faint and hungry, while the

-housekeeper looked on with a satisfied air as she saw a tinge of color

-coming back to her pale face.

-

-“Somebody else was good to a poor old woman yesterday, or I’m much

-mistaken, and I reckon it’ll take a good while for you and me to be

-quits on that day’s work,” the kind-hearted creature returned, a tear

-starting to her eyes as she remembered how bright and happy the fair

-girl had been during those long hours while she had worked so busily and

-patiently with her.

-

-But she could not stay with her, much as she wished to do so, and try to

-bring back her truant smiles, for her many duties called her below, and

-she went away, cautioning Star to be very careful and not take more

-cold.

-

-Left alone, the unhappy girl felt that she must get out and away from

-that close room where she had suffered so much; she must _do_ something

-to make her forget, or her brain would be turned.

-

-So, wrapping a shawl about her, she stole down a back way, out by a side

-door into the grounds, and taking a circuitous path, made her way as

-rapidly as her strength would permit toward the lodge.

-

-She had accomplished about half the distance when her limbs began to

-fail her, and she became so weak and faint from the exertion she had

-made that she was obliged to stop and lean against the trunk of a large

-tree to rest awhile.

-

-It was nearly dark, for the sun had gone down and the heavy foliage of

-the surrounding trees made deep shadows all about her; the air was chill

-with the breath of the frost spirit—so different from the mild

-loveliness which had prevailed only forty-eight hours before—and the

-rustling leaves above her seemed mourning over the fate awaiting them,

-when its cold hand should sway their frail stems and lay them low.

-

-A feeling of unutterable woe overcame her—such a sense of loneliness and

-desolation that she could not bear it; and covering her face with her

-hands, she gave way to the flood of tears which would not be restrained.

-

-She had no idea how long she wept—time, place, everything was lost in

-the utter abandonment of her grief—until she was aroused, and a thrill

-of terror went tingling through all her nerves, as a hand fell suddenly

-yet lightly upon her shoulder.

-

-With a start, her hands dropped from her tear-stained face and she

-looked up, to find the grave, questioning eyes of her faithless lover

-looking down into her own.

-

-A low cry of surprise and dismay escaped him as he recognized her.

-

-“Star! My darling, what does this mean?” he asked, in astonishment. “How

-came you _here_, and why do I find you grieving thus? You look more like

-some stricken white dove than like my bright, beautiful star. I was

-coming to you to-morrow—I wanted to come to-day, but I could not. Tell

-me, dear, how is it I find you here in the grounds of Mr. Richards,

-where I am visiting?” and he would have gathered her into his arms, but

-by a quick movement she evaded him, and stepping back a few paces, she

-confronted him with a haughty uplifting of her small head, her face and

-eyes glowing with scorn and indignation.

-

-“To-morrow you would have come to me,” she repeated, with curling lips.

-“Pray, where would you have sought me?”

-

-“Here in Yonkers, at No. 56 —— street. I think that was the address you

-wrote on the card,” he said, apparently bewildered by her strange

-conduct, and regarding her with a troubled look. “I wanted to go there

-to-day, but there has been no opportunity,” he said again. “And

-to-morrow I was intending to ask Mr. Richards to direct me to the

-address which you gave me.”

-

-“Do you know the street and number of _this_ residence?” Star asked,

-sternly.

-

-“No. When it was arranged that I should come here to make a short visit,

-Mrs. Richards was so kind as to say that her carriage should meet me at

-the station, so that I do not even know the name of the street on which

-they live.”

-

-“Then to-morrow, when you should ask to be directed to the address which

-I gave you—if, indeed, you intended to ask for it—you would have been

-told that you would find me here in this place—this house. Mr. Richards’

-residence is No. 56 —— street,” Star said, proudly and coldly.

-

-She had no faith in him; she believed he was acting a part.

-

-“Impossible!” he cried. “I never dreamed of such a thing. Why, then,

-have I not seen you? Why were you not with the family when I arrived

-last night? Why have I not seen you to-day?” he asked, as if more and

-more astonished.

-

-“Because,” she answered, her voice rising, with a scornful, bitter ring,

-“I am a dependent upon the bounty of the rich; because I am a burden and

-expense in a house of luxury, and only tolerated on account of a promise

-made to my dying father and to cancel a debt due to my mother. You have

-not seen me, because I am not allowed to breathe the same air, eat and

-drink, and sit at the same table with those who think they are of finer

-mold than I. But it is just as well, my lord——”

-

-“My lord!” he repeated, in a startled tone, interrupting her. “Star,

-that from _you_!”

-

-She laughed bitterly, lifting her head with a haughty gesture, though

-her face gleamed like a piece of marble in the waning light.

-

-“Yes, that from me!” she said. “Fortunately, I was at a window above the

-entrance when you arrived last evening, and witnessed the honors that

-were heaped upon my _Lord Carrol, of Carrolton_, and the revelation of

-your _true character_, although a sudden and bitter one to me, was,

-perhaps, after all, a providential one; for, if it showed me how I had

-been duped and betrayed, how I had been made the plaything of an idle

-hour, it also gave me time to collect my scattered senses a trifle

-before meeting you and telling you how I _scorn_ you for——”

-

-“Duped! betrayed! plaything! Star, listen to me,” pleaded the young man,

-his breath almost taken away by these startling accusations and by her

-wild words, so full of derision and pain.

-

-“I will _not_ listen to you!” she cried, passionately; “I have listened

-to you too much already. Oh! why did you do this wicked thing? Why could

-you not have left me alone? Had you not enough already, with your

-riches, your title, and your life of pleasure, without coming in cruel

-sport to spoil a poor young girl’s life? Was it not enough that you

-could woo and win the heiress, the belle and beauty of Long Branch,

-without the amusement of trying to win and break my poor heart?”

-

-“Star! Star!” he cried, drawing nearer the excited girl. “What wild,

-wild words! Every one is like a dagger plunged into _my_ heart. You do

-not know what you are saying, dear. I try to win and break your heart!

-My poor darling, you have been misled by having learned of my title. I

-should have told you before, but——”

-

-“Then you _are_ Lord Carrol? You own it—you acknowledge it?” Star

-interrupted, with a ring of wild despair in her tones.

-

-When she had looked up into his face, into his kind and loving eyes;

-when she had heard his voice, so low and eager, yet tender; when he had

-called her “his poor darling,” and said her words were like a dagger

-plunged into his heart, her own had begun to thrill anew, and she almost

-hoped against hope that there was after all some mistake, in spite of

-what she had seen and heard.

-

-But now he owned it. He was not Archibald Sherbrooke at all; he was the

-titled peer, and he had sought to win her love under false colors; and

-all the pain, and bitterness, and scorn returned, even while she waited

-breathlessly for his answer.

-

-“Yes, I am Lord Carrol, of Carrolton; but, Star——”

-

-“That is enough; I want to hear no more,” she said, stopping him with an

-authoritative gesture of her white hand. “I will not listen to another

-word from your traitorous lips!”

-

-She turned proudly from him and would have left him, but he sprang

-forward and seized her hands.

-

-They were cold as ice and shaking as with palsy, and he was shocked by

-the hopelessness visible in her face as he looked down upon it.

-

-“Star, my darling,” he began, in a voice that was almost stern from

-emotion; “you _shall_ listen to me. It is my right to be heard, and I

-can explain everything to you if you will but give me the opportunity.”

-

-But she would not. Pain, despair, outraged pride and affection made her

-unreasonable and almost insane.

-

-She flashed a haughty glance up at him.

-

-“Lord Carrol,” she said, in her iciest tones, “release my hands, if you

-please.”

-

-He dropped them as if they had been coals of fire, and drew back a pace

-or two from her, deeply wounded, while his own face was nearly as white

-and pained as hers.

-

-“Star, you are wronging me more than you dream. Surely you will listen

-to my defense,” he said, and his voice trembled with suppressed feeling.

-

-Oh, how she longed to yield and allow him to win her back; how she

-longed to let him take her into his strong arms, and hear him murmur

-again those tender words such as he had spoken to her so recently; but,

-remembering his attentions to Josephine last night, her looks of

-affection and pride, her bright face and happy laugh—remembering what

-she had heard regarding his devotion to her at Long Branch, and the

-reason that had been given for his coming there to her home, she could

-not.

-

-He had played the role of rich lover to the proud heiress; he had acted

-that of a poor sweetheart with her; for had he not told her he was an

-artist, but _hoped_ to be able to take care of her, so that she need

-never know the meaning of the words poor and dependent again; and now,

-with all this evidence before her, how could she help believing him

-false to the core—to have simply amused himself at her expense?

-

-“You can have no defense to offer me, and I will hear nothing,” she

-returned, coldly. “You have deceived me most cruelly; you came to me as

-Archibald Sherbrooke; you used all your powers of fascination to make me

-love you as a poor artist, while you had already played the part of a

-rich lover in a different character at a fashionable watering-place. I

-congratulate you upon your marvelous success as an actor, my lord,” she

-concluded, with scathing sarcasm.

-

-A deep sigh broke from him; her words hurt him keenly, for he was very

-proud.

-

-But he saw how she was suffering, and he tried to be patient with her,

-feeling sure that if he could only make her listen to him all would be

-well.

-

-“My dear,” he said, gently, “you do not understand. Pray, let me tell

-you all about it. I swear that I am both——”

-

-“You need not swear; I know enough already. Go back to my more fortunate

-cousin, Miss Richards, whom the whole household expects you intend to

-make Lady Carrol. She, I own, is better fitted to be the bride of a peer

-of England than the poor alien who is a burden upon her bounty. She will

-grace your proud home and name with her beauty; she will add to your

-riches with her wealth. But let me tell you”—and Star had no idea how

-superbly beautiful she was as she stood so proudly before him and

-uttered this prophetic sentence—“that the girl whom she has despised and

-insulted, whom you have deceived, and whose life you have blighted by

-your treachery, will yet rise to a position that shall shame and

-humiliate you both. Go back to her, I say, and—ask her for the cameo

-which you gave me. I told you that I had lost it. I put it that way

-because I did not like to tell you how badly I had been used by those

-who should have given me only sympathy and love; but she—the girl whom

-you have come to win for your wife—_stole_ it from me, my one little

-treasure, the only ornament I had which I could wear in my humble

-position, and which I prized more than anything else in the world. But

-let her keep it; I relinquish it freely, now that I have discovered the

-baseness of the giver. My Lord Carrol, of Carrolton, alias Archibald

-Sherbrooke, the artist, I despise you, and I bid you farewell!”

-

-She was gone before he could hardly realize that she had ceased

-speaking; she had sped down the avenue with the lightness and swiftness

-of a fawn, leaving him dazed, bewildered, almost paralyzed from the wild

-words, the terrible denunciation which she had uttered.

-

-

-

-

-                             CHAPTER XVIII.

-                             EXPLANATIONS.

-

-

-“Star! Star! my dear love, come back and let me undeceive you,” he

-called aloud, as soon as he could recover his senses sufficiently to

-speak.

-

-But there was no answering sound, save the sad sighing of the rustling

-leaves which had so unnerved the unhappy girl a few minutes before.

-

-He followed the direction she had taken. He wandered about the grounds

-for full half an hour, but could discover no trace of her; and at last,

-feeling greatly disturbed, he was obliged to retrace his steps, and

-returned to the mansion.

-

-He had strolled forth at the close of dinner to smoke, and to get away

-for a little quiet musing, for he had intended, as he said, to seek out

-his beautiful love on the morrow, and put upon one of her white fingers

-the seal to their plighted troth, and, this done, to tell her that he

-was both an _artist and a peer of Victoria’s realm_.

-

-During his stroll, and while thinking fondly of the bright girl, he had

-unconsciously strayed into the very avenue where Star had stopped to

-rest.

-

-Wrapped in her heavy shawl, and with head bowed upon her hands, he had

-not recognized her, but thought it might be one of the servants,

-perhaps, who had got into some trouble.

-

-Always ready to relieve suffering of whatever nature, he stepped up to

-the sobbing girl and gently laid his hand upon her shoulder to attract

-her attention, and when the tear-stained, suffering face of his own love

-was lifted to his, his astonishment rendered him speechless for the

-moment.

-

-But it was a fact, nevertheless, that he had appeared in different

-places in different characters—he was at once Archibald Sherbrooke and

-Lord Carrol, of Carrolton; how, we must let his own words explain.

-

-“Poor child! it is very awkward, and I never dreamed of any such

-denouement; but I cannot blame her. If she would but have given me one

-moment in which to tell her how it is; but she was wild with pain,” he

-said, with a troubled face, as he slowly went back to the house.

-

-It is doubtless now made plain to the reader how he had happened to

-recognize the cameo ring upon Josephine’s hand at Long Branch, and knew

-at once that it was the very stone which he had given Star at parting on

-shipboard.

-

-He did not like to question Miss Richards about it, but he was deeply

-hurt when she told him that it had been given her by a relative, for he

-felt sure that he could not be mistaken in the stone—there _could_ not

-be another like it, for he had designed the figure upon it himself.

-

-Yet, to be quite positive about it, he had told her that it had belonged

-to a gentleman named Archibald Sherbrooke; and then when he saw her

-start, and the color flame into her face, he knew that Star had parted

-with it for some reason or other. It had caused him a pang to know that

-she should have prized it so lightly as to give it away, while he had

-treasured that lock of gold as one of the most precious things in his

-possession, and had learned to love the face which he had painted as he

-never expected to love any object on earth.

-

-Then he had met Star, and she had told him—not that she had given his

-gift away, but that she had “lost” it.

-

-The two stories did not agree, but looking into her glorious, truthful

-eyes, he had believed her, and felt that some time she would make the

-mystery plain.

-

-He had told her, on parting from her Saturday evening, that he should

-come to her Monday or Tuesday, and he had really intended doing so, and

-was deeply disappointed at not being able to keep his promise.

-

-But all day Tuesday he had seen no time that he could escape from the

-company of which he seemed to be the center. He had about made up his

-mind to ask Mr. Richards to direct him to No. 56 —— street after dinner,

-and go away to spend a quiet evening with Star; but Mrs. Richards upset

-this plan by laying out a programme in which he would be obliged to

-figure largely, and he was forced to bear it with what patience he

-could, hoping that the morrow would bring him the opportunity he

-desired.

-

-He had never imagined that he could be a guest in the very house which

-he was so anxious to visit, and which was the home of his beloved; and

-now the knowledge was not pleasing to him, for Star’s bitter words, and

-the fact that she had not mingled with the family, told him but too

-plainly how she was undervalued there.

-

-How she must have suffered, sitting at her window, as she said she had

-done, and been a witness to the reception which had been tendered him by

-her proud, cold-hearted relatives; and to have been led, too, by them to

-believe that he had come there as a suitor for Josephine’s hand.

-

-This had been rather a startling and unpleasant revelation to him, for

-he had never once imagined that any such construction would be put upon

-his visit there.

-

-He had been drawn toward Mrs. Richards upon first meeting her, for she

-was really a fascinating woman, and upon learning that she was of

-English extraction, and that he knew something of her relatives, he at

-once felt almost like an old acquaintance, and in this way had been led

-to attach himself to her party.

-

-Josephine was a brilliant and attractive girl, and had made herself very

-agreeable to him, and he liked her as a friend and acquaintance; but no

-thought of love for her had ever entered his mind. That fair face, with

-its crown of gold, its starry eyes and coral lips, which had lain upon

-his breast at sea, had made too deep an impression upon his heart to be

-easily forgotten.

-

-But now, just as he thought he had won her—when he was on the verge of

-claiming her, he found himself in deep waters, from which he feared it

-might be somewhat difficult to extricate himself.

-

-Star had a right to denounce him, believing what she did. He had parted

-from her on Saturday evening as Archibald Sherbrooke and her accepted

-lover, while on Monday she had seen him driven in great style to the

-Richards’ mansion, and greeted as Lord Carrol, and a suitor for the

-brilliant Josephine’s hand. Surely circumstances were against him.

-

-“I must get out of this muddle as soon as possible,” he said, as he

-ascended the steps and paused a moment on the porch to consider what he

-ought to do.

-

-Entering the house, he avoided the drawing-room, where a gay company was

-assembled, and passed on to a music-room which led into the library.

-

-Mr. Richards was in the latter room, seated at his desk, and the door

-between the two was open. As he saw his lordship, he arose and came

-forward to meet him.

-

-“Can I have a few moments’ conversation with you?” the young man asked,

-gravely.

-

-“Certainly; as many as you wish. Shall we retire to the privacy of the

-library?” returned Mr. Richards, who at once jumped to the conclusion

-that he was about to receive a formal proposal for the hand of his

-daughter.

-

-So also thought another listener, who happened to be standing on the

-veranda just outside the open window of the music-room, and who had

-caught the above sentences.

-

-“No,” Lord Carrol returned. “What I have to say can just as well be said

-here as anywhere. I find myself unexpectedly in a very unpleasant

-situation, and I have come at once to you, because I consider a

-straightforward course the wisest always to pursue. I wish to tell you a

-little story, and then ask your assistance in correcting an awkward

-mistake.”

-

-“Anything that I can do for you, my lord, I shall be most happy to do,”

-blandly affirmed Mr. Richards, little realizing what he was promising,

-while he followed the young man’s example and sat down to listen to his

-narrative.

-

-“I came over from England, nearly a year ago, on the steamer ——,” he

-began, “and on board that vessel I met a young girl of great personal

-beauty and intelligence, in whom I became intensely interested. She

-could not have been more than sixteen years of age, but her mind was far

-in advance of both her appearance and her years, while it was evident

-that she had been reared with great care, for every word and act

-betrayed her to be a perfect little lady, and every day spent in her

-society only served to make her more attractive in my sight. At parting,

-I gave her a trifle as a souvenir of our pleasant acquaintance, and

-asked in return for something to keep in memory of her. I did not know

-that I should ever meet her again, and had I not done so, the

-remembrance of what I had enjoyed in her society would eventually have

-become, it is probable, but a pleasant episode of the past, although I

-must confess that her face haunted me continually.

-

-“But I did meet her again, and only a very short time ago. She had

-changed—developed into even greater beauty, and had become more mature,

-and I began to realize at once that I had even a deeper interest in her

-than I had imagined possible. Subsequent interviews—for I took pains to

-see her often—and the study of her character, convinced me that I had

-found the woman whom I could love with all my heart, and whom I should

-win for my wife if I could.”

-

-A rustling of the drapery at the open window just then made the young

-lord pause; but hearing nothing more, he thought the wind had simply

-stirred the curtains, and continued:

-

-“Within a very few days I have brought things to a crisis—have, in fact,

-asked and secured a promise from her to become my wife as soon as she

-shall have completed her education, and I had intended to-morrow to seek

-an interview with her friends and make formal proposals for her hand.

-

-“This may sound rather strange to you, knowing my position, and

-realizing something of the prejudice of the English against marrying

-outside the pale of their own rank. But I was convinced from the first

-that this young girl was of good blood and parentage, and upon a more

-intimate acquaintance with her, I have learned that her mother was an

-English lady from an excellent family.

-

-“Now, what I have to tell you,” Lord Carrol continued, with a smile,

-“has a slight touch of romance connected with it. When I left England, I

-came away known as Sir Archibald Sherbrooke, baronet. Two months after

-my arrival here, I was notified of the death of my mother’s only

-brother—Lord Carrol, of Carrolton—and who, being a widower and

-childless, willed his estates and all that he possessed to me, with the

-provision that I was to assume his name, and consequently his title.

-

-“It would have suited me better to travel and remain plain Archibald

-Sherbrooke, as I always called myself, until my return; but I was with a

-company of friends—all artists, who were traveling and studying with an

-old painter—who knew all the circumstances, and they would not hear a

-word to my remaining incognito, and insisted upon introducing me

-everywhere by my newly acquired title.

-

-“As plain Archibald Sherbrooke, I met, wooed, and won the young lady of

-whom I have told you, but I intended, when I formally asked for her

-hand, to reveal the circumstances which have made me Lord Carrol. I have

-not for a moment thought of deceiving her, for I abhor double-dealing of

-any kind; but, notwithstanding, I find myself in a very awkward

-situation.

-

-“You will, perhaps, be surprised to learn that to-night, since going out

-after dinner, I met my betrothed by accident, and very much to my

-astonishment. She had discovered that I have been sailing ‘under two

-flags,’ or, as she supposed, under false colors. She had heard of my

-meeting your daughter at Long Branch as Lord Carrol, and the report

-seems to have preceded me, much to my surprise”—here the young man

-colored from embarrassment—“that I intended something more than a

-friendly visit here, and she has passionately denounced me for my

-duplicity—as it appears to her—and refused even to allow me to explain

-my position.

-

-“This is the mistake that I wish you to help me rectify by securing an

-interview for me with her, so that I can exonerate myself from all blame

-in her sight.”

-

-Mr. Richards was greatly astonished at what he had heard, and in no

-small degree disappointed, for he liked the young man, and his wife had

-affirmed that Josephine was the magnet that had drawn his lordship

-thither, and she had also confidently asserted that he would propose for

-her hand before he left.

-

-But, of course, he could not betray anything of this feeling, after

-having been made the confidant of another love affair; therefore he

-said, with as much self-possession as he could command:

-

-“The situation is somewhat unpleasant for you, I admit, my young friend,

-but I think it may be easily made right. I must confess I am much

-surprised by what you have told me; the story is certainly romantic in

-every respect. And you met the young lady by accident to-night? She is,

-then, a resident of Yonkers. Who may she be? Perhaps she is no one whom

-I know.”

-

-“She is Miss Gladstone, and your wife’s ward, I believe,” Lord Carrol

-replied, and bending a grave look upon his host.

-

-Mr. Richards nearly bounded from the piano stool upon which he had been

-sitting at this startling intelligence, while outside that open window

-there was a sound as of some one weakly sinking into a chair. But both

-gentlemen were so deeply engaged in the subject under consideration that

-they did not appear to hear it.

-

-“Star!” ejaculated Mr. Richards, when he could recover his breath.

-

-“Yes, sir; Miss Star Gladstone is the lady of whom I have told you,”

-Lord Carrol replied, somewhat coldly, for he could not understand why

-any one so lovely and accomplished in every way as Star was should have

-been so slighted and ill-treated in his family.

-

-“But I do not understand—I cannot see—I—I beg pardon; but, to tell the

-truth, I am completely taken aback by what you have told me,” Mr.

-Richards stammered, for it was to him a most astounding revelation.

-

-“I expected that my communication would surprise you; but you cannot be

-more so than I was upon learning to-night that Miss Gladstone is a

-member of your family,” returned his lordship.

-

-“But you tell me that you were intending to call upon her friends

-to-morrow, and here you have been in the same house a day and a night

-already.”

-

-“True; but I was not aware of the fact until within the last hour. Miss

-Gladstone gave me her address last Saturday evening. Here it is; you can

-read it. It was late when I asked for it, and she wrote it hastily upon

-this card.”

-

-The young man passed it to his companion as he spoke, and Mr. Richards

-read the street and number of his own residence.

-

-“You will remember,” Lord Carrol continued, “that I am an entire

-stranger in this place, and that I do not even know the name of the

-street upon which you reside, as Mrs. Richards was kind enough to say

-that some one should meet me at the station upon my arrival. I wished

-very much to go to Star to-day, but courtesy demanded that I should not

-disarrange Mrs. Richards’ plans. I fully intended, however, to ask you

-to direct me to the place designated on that card to-morrow, never once

-suspecting that I was already in the house where the lady of my choice

-resides.”

-

-“And has Star never mentioned our name to you?” Mr. Richards asked.

-

-“No; she has been very reticent regarding everything connected with

-herself save her studies and her music, and I have not thought to

-question her on that point.”

-

-Mr. Richards’ face clouded.

-

-Star had good cause for being reticent, he knew, and the subject was

-becoming an awkward one for him.

-

-“You say you met her to-night?” he said.

-

-“Yes; I went out for a stroll and a smoke after dinner, and came upon

-her suddenly in the grounds. She appeared to be greatly distressed, and

-I, never suspecting the cause, pressed her to tell me. She turned upon

-me like an outraged queen, and denounced me in a manner that fairly took

-my breath away. She believed me to be simply Archibald Sherbrooke, an

-artist, until last night, when she saw me driven to your door and

-received as Lord Carrol; and, having heard exaggerated reports of my

-attentions to Miss Richards while at Long Branch, it is not strange that

-she should resent the seeming deception, for appearances are certainly

-against me. But a few words will set everything right, if you will

-explain something of this to her and secure an interview for me.”

-

-“Then it is our Star whom you want to marry, my lord,” Mr. Richards

-said, reflectively, and as if he could hardly comprehend it even yet,

-while he wondered if they could ever live through the tempest which his

-wife would surely raise when she should discover that Star had won the

-lover whom she was bending all her energies to secure for Josephine.

-

-“Yes, hoping for your sanction, of course,” Lord Carrol answered, with a

-rising flush, for he could read something of what was passing in his

-host’s mind. “But, pardon me,” he added, fixing a look of grave

-questioning upon his face, “now that I find she is the ward of your

-wife, I cannot understand why I have not met her with the other members

-of your family.”

-

-“Ahem! Well,” began Mr. Richards, with evident embarrassment, “she has

-been very deeply engaged with her studies ever since she came to us—is

-ambitious, you know, and also spends a great deal of her time practicing

-music, and my wife thought it would be best for her not to—to mingle in

-company much until she had—um!—completed her education;” and Mrs.

-Richards, sitting just outside that open window, where she had heard

-every word of the above conversation, thanked the fates that for once

-her husband had smoothed awkward things over for her quite comfortably.

-

-Lord Carrol simply bowed in reply to this statement. It would not become

-him to question the truthfulness of what he had heard, but since his

-interview with Star, his opinion of the family had changed very

-materially.

-

-“Well, I _am_ nonplussed, and I reckon that this state of affairs will

-create quite a commotion when it becomes known,” Mr. Richards resumed,

-after a few minutes of thought, during which his surprise seemed to

-increase. “I never dreamed that our Star would ever step into such a

-chair of state, although she is of good blood, I believe.”

-

-“Of the best,” Lord Carrol returned, decidedly. “She told me upon one

-occasion that her mother was a Miss Anna Chudleigh, of Chudleigh Manor,

-Devonshire. I know something of them, and they were a fine family,

-although I have been told that they were very much displeased at the

-marriage of their only daughter with a clergyman of limited means.

-But—have I your sanction to prosecute my suit with Miss Gladstone, and

-will you arrange an interview for me?”

-

-“Certainly; I shall do what you wish, and I must say that I am glad that

-things are turning out so well for Star. _I_ have been very fond of her,

-for she is a bright and winsome little body about the house. She is

-talented, too, to say nothing of her beauty, and she will make you a

-good wife. I congratulate you both, and there is my hand on it, my

-lord,” Mr. Richards concluded, heartily, and extending his hand to the

-young peer, which he took and cordially shook.

-

-But Mrs. Richards, her heart filled with bitterest rage, felt as if she

-could have strangled her husband with a good relish for taking such an

-interest in Star’s prospects, while the gorgeous air-castle which his

-own daughter had built was tumbling to the ground about his ears.

-

-Mr. Richards then rose.

-

-“I suppose you are anxious to see Star at once?” he said.

-

-“Yes, if you please. I desire to make my peace with her as soon as

-possible, for I know that she is deeply wounded, and I cannot rest until

-she knows the truth.”

-

-“Very well; I will go to her, and send her to the library. You will be

-free from intrusion there,” Mr. Richards said, and immediately left the

-room in search of Star.

-

-He came back very soon, however, saying that she had not returned to her

-room, and no one had seen her that day save Mrs. Blunt, who told him

-that she had been very ill, and not able to attend school.

-

-Lord Carrol’s face fell at this information, and he realized more

-forcibly than ever what Star must have suffered from this unfortunate

-misunderstanding.

-

-“Perhaps it will be best for me to wait until to-morrow morning,” he

-said, after a moment of thought. “She appeared so greatly excited when I

-met her this evening, and has been so ill all day, it may be well for

-her to get rest before exciting her any further. Yes, I will wait,” he

-concluded, with a sigh, for he was deeply disappointed and anxious.

-

-“Is Mr. Rosevelt a member of your family also?” he asked, after a

-moment, and suddenly remembering that Star had told him they were

-inmates of the same house.

-

-“Yes; well, not exactly a member of my family,” Mr. Richards returned,

-flushing over this, another awkward question. “He is my wife’s uncle,

-and one of us; but his health is so poor, and noise affects him so

-unpleasantly, that he prefers to have a room at the lodge rather than

-here where there is so much gayety and confusion.”

-

-Mrs. Richards, still an eavesdropper, heaved another comfortable sigh

-over this rough place made smooth.

-

-“You must have met Mr. Rosevelt also,” he added, as it came to him that

-Star and his wife’s uncle had shared that dreadful experience at sea.

-

-“Yes; and I think him a fine old gentleman. I must see him also

-to-morrow,” his lordship returned; and then he went on to explain more

-fully how he had made the acquaintance of these two unfortunates, and

-described their sufferings and hardships so graphically that his

-listener, who did not know onehalf, was deeply moved.

-

-“Miss Gladstone was considered quite a heroine on board our steamer

-after her rescue,” the young man said, “when the passengers learned with

-how much fortitude she had conducted herself during the disaster and the

-dreadful events following. The captain told me, with tears running down

-his cheeks, how she had denied herself both food and drink in order that

-the life of Mr. Rosevelt, who, she declared, had less vitality than

-herself on account of his age, might be sustained. She did not even take

-the rest which she needed, but watched and worked over him

-unceasingly—in fact, she _saved his life_.”

-

-“She is a noble girl—she is a splendid girl!” Mr. Richards returned,

-tears in his own eyes, and his heart full of remorse over the life Star

-had led since she came into his house. “She will make you the best

-little wife in the world. God bless you both!”

-

-Lord Carrol saw that he was sincere, and began to suspect where all the

-trouble lay regarding Star. He was inclined to think, and rightly, that

-jealousy or ill-will on the part of the petted Josephine and her proud

-mother was the cause of her unpleasant position in the family; but he

-inwardly resolved that it should be entirely different in the future, or

-she should not remain there.

-

-But he had been absent a long time from the gay company in the

-drawing-room, and, feeling assured that he could not see his darling

-that night, he returned to it, trying to wait with patience for what the

-morrow would bring him.

-

-

-

-

-                              CHAPTER XIX.

-                         MALICIOUS FALSEHOODS.

-

-

-As soon as Mr. Richards and his distinguished guest left the music-room,

-a white hand parted the curtains from the window, and a blanched,

-distorted face appeared in the aperture.

-

-It belonged to Mrs. Richards, who had, as before mentioned, been a

-listener to all that had transpired. Seeing that no one was in sight,

-she stepped softly inside, for the window was a long one, reaching to

-the floor, and sank back into a chair, the picture of a woman whom a

-fierce passion had exhausted.

-

-She had chanced to be out upon the veranda when Lord Carrol had entered

-the music-room and requested a “few moments’ conversation” with her

-husband, and feeling, with a thrill of delight, that the most important

-moment of Josephine’s life had come, she drew near to listen, as she

-supposed, to his lordship’s proposal for her hand.

-

-Her emotions can better be imagined than described when instead she

-heard the story which the young man told her husband, and learned that

-Star, the despised and neglected waif, had secured the prize which she

-had so coveted for her brilliant daughter.

-

-A perfect tornado of wrath, jealousy, and hate raged within her heart as

-she heard his praises of her, and his manly confession of love for her,

-with the intention of making her his wife.

-

-Star, the beggar maid, as she had always regarded her, the burden

-reproach of her life, the wife of a peer of England!

-

-It could not be; she would not have it so, when she had plotted and

-schemed to win this proud, handsome young aristocrat for her daughter;

-when she had spent hundreds to snare him; and when, she knew but too

-well, Josephine had learned to love him with all the fire of her proud,

-passionate nature.

-

-If it had been a girl in a position equal to that which Josephine

-occupied whom he had chosen, the disappointment would not have been less

-severe, but the mortification would not have been so galling.

-

-This was what had made Star’s face so radiant, then, during the past

-week, making her seem to bloom into new beauty, and glorifying her with

-exceeding happiness. She had noticed, but could not understand it.

-

-This was the meaning of the unusual attention which she had bestowed

-upon her toilet last Saturday—for Josephine had told her of that little

-scene upon the veranda—and also of her protracted absence that day.

-

-For half an hour she sat there, white as alabaster with passion, her

-eyes glowing with hate for the innocent cause of all her disappointment.

-

-“Not in her room, eh?” she muttered at length, vindictively. “I’ll find

-the little vixen, and if it is possible to _widen_ this breach, it won’t

-be my fault if it is not done.”

-

-With a cruel expression on her still white face, she arose and swept

-noiselessly from the room by the same way that she had entered, and

-passed down the steps of the veranda out into the grounds.

-

-With a quick, swinging pace she walked down the avenue, casting keen

-glances among the trees and shrubbery as she went.

-

-But Star was nowhere to be seen.

-

-Mrs. Richards, however, was determined to have an interview with her

-before either her husband or Lord Carrol could do so. She did not think

-she had returned to the house, and had an idea that she might be at the

-lodge with Mr. Rosevelt, so she persevered in her search.

-

-She kept on her way until she came out by the lodge, where she saw John

-Mellen, who was both gardener and porter, sitting upon the porch.

-

-He looked greatly surprised as the light from the lantern at the gate

-fell upon her face.

-

-“Is anything the matter, marm?” he asked, touching his hat respectfully,

-but wondering to see her there at that hour, with no wrap, while he

-noticed that she was very pale.

-

-“No, John; but have you seen anything of Miss Gladstone?” she asked.

-

-“Yes, marm; she came running down here about half an hour ago, looking

-like a wraith, and bounded up stairs like a fawn, to the old gentleman’s

-room,” he answered.

-

-“Is she there now?” Mrs. Richards demanded, quickly, her lips settling

-down into a hard, straight line.

-

-“Yes’m—leastways, I’ve not seen her come down yet.”

-

-The woman bent her head in thought a moment, then briefly remarked:

-

-“I think I’ll go up.”

-

-Gathering her rustling skirts in her hand, she passed inside the lodge,

-mounted the stairs with a noiseless tread, and paused before Mr.

-Rosevelt’s door.

-

-Bending close to the keyhole, she heard sounds of sobbing, mingled with

-low, soothing words spoken by her uncle.

-

-She softly opened the door, and standing upon the threshold, her face

-grew dark and wrathful at the picture which she saw within the room.

-

-Mr. Rosevelt sat in his arm-chair by the table which stood between the

-two windows of his room, while Star knelt upon the floor at his side,

-her golden head bowed upon the arm of his chair, sobbing as if her heart

-was breaking.

-

-The old gentleman had laid one hand upon her bright head, and was

-soothing it gently as he tried to quiet her with low, fond words.

-

-“Dear child,” he said, tenderly, “don’t grieve so; you have been very

-brave so far; bear it a little longer, and all will be well. I know you

-have tried to hide it from me and every one else, but I’ve seen and

-known what you have had to contend with ever since I came here. You’ve

-had no love, no sympathy, and your poor, starved heart was well-nigh

-broken under it. But cheer up, my dear; you have been a blessing to me.

-I have been very lonely and forlorn many times, but I should have had a

-sorrowful time of it, indeed, if my bright little Star had not shed her

-genial rays upon my pathway.”

-

-“_In_deed!” interrupted a voice from behind them, in its most sarcastic

-tones, causing Star to spring to her feet with a low cry of surprise, as

-she turned her flushed, tear-stained face toward the intruder, while Mr.

-Rosevelt looked up at his niece with a grave, displeased countenance.

-

-“_Indeed!_” Mrs. Richards repeated, her anger waxing hotter and fiercer

-as she imagined that Star had been pouring the story of her love and

-trial into her uncle’s ears. “You have both been sadly abused and

-heart-starved, haven’t you? For a couple of dependents you fare very

-badly, don’t you? And this is the gratitude and appreciation that you

-show. Stella Gladstone, go back to your room and remain there until I

-come to you; I wish to have a private conversation with you. As for you,

-Uncle Jacob, I am surprised that you should take sides with a

-sentimental schoolgirl against those who are providing most bountifully

-for her.”

-

-Mr. Rosevelt reached out his hand and took one of Star’s.

-

-“Remain where you are,” he said, with a quiet authority which amazed

-while it enraged his niece.

-

-Then turning to her, he continued, in the same quiet tone, but with a

-deliberation which made every word tell:

-

-“Ellen Richards, you are a heartless, arrogant woman. You need not speak

-yet, for I am going to relieve my mind, once for all. I am your father’s

-only brother, and when you were a child I helped him provide the very

-bread that appeased your hunger. When, later on, I became a rich man,

-and you were married and settled, you fawned upon and flattered me,

-protesting that there was nothing in the world that you would not do for

-‘dear Uncle Jacob.’ Every time I returned from abroad, bringing you rich

-and elegant gifts, you urged me to quit my roving and come to live with

-you—your ‘home and heart would always be open’ to me, you said. It was

-the same with your brother Henry; words cost nothing, and his

-protestations were as fluent as your own. But when misfortune overtook

-me, and I returned to remain and to take him at his word, everything was

-changed. He received me coldly, giving me the poorest accommodations his

-house afforded, when before the best were none too good for me. Finally,

-he and his family, by their coldness, neglect, and disagreeable hints,

-drove me to desperation, and I left them. I came hither, hoping that

-your woman’s heart would prompt you to receive a sick and failing old

-man with the kindness and sympathy which he so much needed and craved.

-But I met with even a worse reception; the very atmosphere of your house

-when I entered it told me at once that I was an unwelcome guest. You

-have ignored me when you could, and when you could not, you have taken

-pains to make me feel like an intruder and a dependent, although your

-husband evidently would be glad to be kind to me, if he could do so and

-keep the peace. This child alone,” the old man continued, looking

-tenderly up into Star’s sad face, “has given me love and sympathy. Her

-kindness and little attentions have been like a bright spot in the

-darkness and loneliness of my life since coming to you; while your

-treatment of her has been _culpable_——”

-

-“Has she dared to complain of me to you?” cried Mrs. Richards, crimson

-with anger; for every word that he had uttered had been a reproach to

-her, and while she did not quite dare to vent her wrath upon him, she

-was glad of this allusion to Star, for upon her defenseless head she

-felt free to relieve herself.

-

-“No; she has never complained—she has even tried to conceal your

-treatment of her—but I have eyes and can see for myself, and it has been

-patent to me how her young heart has been starved, how every bright and

-enjoyable thing has been crushed out of her life. I know how she has had

-to do battle for even her education, and that you would have made a

-drudge and a slave of her, had you dared and your husband allowed you to

-do it. It is disgraceful, Ellen, for you to treat your cousin’s child in

-such a manner, when you owe so much to her mother——”

-

-“How do you know? Who has been telling you all this? I am out of all

-patience!” Mrs. Richards interrupted, passionately. “Everybody is

-continually throwing at me the fact that Anna Chudleigh once saved my

-life. Hundreds of people have saved the lives of others and considered

-it their duty to have done so. If I was drowning and Anna saw me, it was

-natural for her—it _belonged_ to her to save me if she could, as I

-should have done, no doubt, had the circumstances been reversed.”

-

-“True; but this view of the case does not lessen your obligation, nor

-license you to abuse the trust that has been committed to you,” Mr.

-Rosevelt answered, sternly. “You bound yourself to this child’s dying

-father to ‘do the best you could for her,’ to give her a home, and see

-that her education was properly attended to, and you owed it to him and

-to her to keep your promise.”

-

-“I owed her nothing,” cried the enraged woman, losing all control of

-herself; “and you, Uncle Jacob, are overstepping all bounds by

-interfering with what is none of your business.”

-

-“The girl saved my life almost at the sacrifice of her own, and I shall

-_make_ it my business to do what I can for her while I live,” Mr.

-Rosevelt answered, with dignity.

-

-“Well, you will find, I reckon, that you have not helped her cause very

-much by taking up weapons against me for her,” snapped his niece,

-vindictively, and with a glance of dislike at Star. “Saved your life!”

-she continued, sarcastically. “Well, perhaps, she did; but, in my

-opinion, that is all sentimental gush, for she is an artful jade, and

-has doubtless palavered and cooed over you until she has pulled the wool

-over your eyes in fine shape.”

-

-“What could have been her object, Ellen?” asked the old gentleman,

-dryly. “Certainly not the expectation of getting any portion of my

-fortune, since appearances must have indicated to her as well as to you

-that I had nothing to give her. If she had known me, and done all this

-_when I was considered rich_, there might possibly be some reason in

-your accusations.”

-

-This shaft told keenly, for his niece colored guiltily to the roots of

-her hair.

-

-“Your irony is ill-timed, it appears to me, Uncle Jacob,” she said,

-sullenly, “especially as you are indebted to me for the bare necessaries

-of life, not to speak of its comforts.”

-

-“Indebted to you, am I, Ellen? I do not believe in recriminations, but

-allow me to ask, do you know the cost of those diamonds which you have

-on, and have you forgotten where you got them?”

-

-Mrs. Richards’ brilliant color forsook her in an instant, and she became

-as white as the mass of snowy lace which rose and fell with the angry

-pulsation of her heart.

-

-Her passionate temper prompted her to tear those flashing stones from

-her person and cast them in the face of her accuser; but her pride and

-avarice were the strongest attributes of her nature, and knowing that

-she would not be likely to have them replaced, she refrained from so

-rash an act.

-

-“I do not begrudge you your jewels, Ellen,” Mr. Rosevelt continued, more

-gently, perceiving how keenly she felt his reproof, “but when you twit

-me of being indebted to you for the simple necessaries of life, it is

-rather more than I can tamely submit to. I was fond of making presents

-in the days that are gone, and I felt repaid for my diamonds by the joy

-that lighted up your face when I gave them to you; but I confess it is a

-little hard to be considered a burden by you now, while I am deeply

-grieved to have Star’s young life made so unhappy.”

-

-“I tell you you do not know the girl; she is as artful as she can be,

-and I can prove it to you,” Mrs. Richards exclaimed, glad to have the

-subject changed, for she was considerably conscience smitten over the

-diamonds.

-

-“I do not think you can prove anything of the kind, Ellen,” Mr. Rosevelt

-returned, quietly.

-

-“Listen, then,” she retorted, eagerly, “and I will tell you how to-night

-I have discovered her to be guilty of the most shameless conduct.”

-

-Star started and flushed at the accusation. She had not a suspicion that

-her secret had been discovered.

-

-“It seems,” continued Mrs. Richards, “that while going back and forth,

-to and from school this fall, she has been flirting in the most

-desperate manner with a young man—a perfect stranger to her, and one so

-far above her socially that it was rankest presumption in her to do as

-she has done. She has even entrapped him into—or rather, I should say,

-she has misconstrued his conversation with her to mean a declaration of

-love for her, and now that he has found her out and turns with disgust

-from her artful designing, she has shamelessly taxed him with

-unfaithfulness and treachery.”

-

-Star turned and regarded her accuser in perfect amazement. She could

-scarcely credit her sense of hearing.

-

-How did Mrs. Richards know anything about her meetings with Lord Carrol,

-alias Archibald Sherbrooke, or of her interest in him? And who had

-represented it in this disgraceful light?

-

-“This young man,” the cunning woman went on, “is no other than Lord

-Carrol, who, for the month that we were at Long Branch, paid the most

-devoted attention to Josephine, and accepted our invitation here with

-the intention, as we supposed, of formally declaring himself to her and

-securing her father’s consent to their marriage.”

-

-A convulsive tremor ran through every fiber of the young girl’s being as

-she stood there and listened to this artful tale, and Mr. Rosevelt, who

-still held her hand, was sensible of it, and wondered what it could all

-mean.

-

-He had not a suspicion that Lord Carrol and the handsome young artist

-whom he so admired were one and the same, but he knew that something

-must be very wrong to move Star so and make her look so deathly white.

-

-“You look astonished,” Mrs. Richards said, “and well you may, and your

-surprise will increase when I have told you all.”

-

-“I am sure,” he answered, glancing from one to the other, “that there

-must be some mistake.”

-

-“There is no mistake,” replied his niece, coldly, and fixing a merciless

-glance upon Star, “for Lord Carrol has just had an interview with my

-husband, during which he told him the whole story. He says his first

-meeting with Stella was caused by an accident, and that she appeared so

-bright and intelligent that whenever he met her afterward he spoke with

-her and treated her kindly. He did not even have the least idea where

-she lived until to-night, after dinner. He went out for a quiet smoke,

-when she presented herself before him, accused him of coming here as

-Josephine’s lover, and denounced him as a traitor in the strongest terms

-and most unmaidenly manner, and telling him, greatly to his surprise,

-that she was an inmate of the house where he was a visitor. Of course,

-after such a denouement, he could do no other way than to seek Mr.

-Richards and explain everything, lest this rash girl should, out of a

-spirit of revenge and disappointment, destroy all his prospects with

-Josephine.”

-

-It was a cunningly distorted story, and Star, as she listened to it,

-bowed her head and covered her face with her hands, while a low cry of

-despair broke from her lips.

-

-She had not _dreamed_ that the man whom she had learned to love, who,

-with his open, handsome face, his frank, manly ways, had won her deepest

-respect, her strongest affections, could be guilty of so cowardly an act

-as to betray her thus.

-

-And yet he must have done so, else how could Mrs. Richards have known

-anything about the matter?

-

-Yes, without doubt, he had feared that she would openly denounce him

-before the family where he had so unexpectedly found her, and so had

-given this version of the great wrong that he had done her in order to

-shield himself.

-

-His own prospects of winning the rich heiress must not be interfered

-with, so he adopted this _coup d’etat_ of going to Mrs. Richards and,

-with apparent frankness, confessing that his trifling attention to a

-silly girl had resulted in leading her to believe she had won a wealthy

-and titled husband.

-

-This was just what Mrs. Richards had wished to make Star believe, and

-she succeeded only too well, for the young girl was well-nigh crushed to

-the earth with a sense of shame, and humiliation, and wounded love.

-

-And yet, even while she felt that Archibald Sherbrooke—she could not

-think of him in any other character—had been guilty of a most cowardly

-and treacherous act, had steeped his soul in sin by winning her heart to

-break it, and thus ruining her whole life, _she loved him still_.

-

-

-

-

-                              CHAPTER XX.

-                         STAR’S DETERMINATION.

-

-

-“Star, my dear child, what does this mean?” Mr. Rosevelt ejaculated, in

-a tone of wonder, as his niece concluded.

-

-“It is unnecessary to ask her whether I have spoken the truth or not;

-her very looks and manner betray that she is guilty of what I have told

-you,” Mrs. Richards said, scornfully. “I did not suppose, however, with

-her innocent face and apparently quiet, modest manner, that she could be

-quite so shameless. But it is always so; such cat-like natures always

-work in the dark.”

-

-Star’s proud little head came up with a haughty air at this taunting

-speech, while her blue eyes grew dark and ominous.

-

-“You are accusing me ignorantly and most unjustly,” she said, in a hard

-tone, but with pained and quivering lips.

-

-“How so? Do you presume to deny that you met Lord Carrol in the grounds

-to-night?” demanded Mrs. Richards, severely.

-

-“No.”

-

-“You _did_ meet him?”

-

-“Yes.”

-

-“And denounced him as a traitor?”

-

-“Yes. I believe him to be a traitor to truth and honor, and—_a coward_!”

-

-They were hard, cruel words to be said of Archibald Sherbrooke, whom she

-had loved so dearly and believed to be so noble and true, and her heart

-thrilled with keenest pain as she uttered them, but she believed he had

-basely deceived her.

-

-“Explain yourself,” commanded Mrs. Richards, bridling.

-

-“I shall explain nothing,” Star answered, coldly, yet firmly. “What I

-said to Lord Carrol to-night was intended for him alone. If he has

-chosen to betray me, the responsibility rests upon himself, and you can

-go to him for explanations if you choose.”

-

-“Where did you meet him first—how did you make his acquaintance?” asked

-Mrs. Richards, longing to get Star’s version of the story.

-

-“I decline to answer any questions upon the subject,” she returned,

-quietly.

-

-“I command you to tell me.”

-

-“And I still decline,” Star said, with an air that surprised both of her

-listeners.

-

-She was as colorless now as a block of marble, but so beautiful in her

-proud sorrow, her agonized scorn, that they could but regard her with

-wonder.

-

-“You have no right to refuse what I ask of you. I am your guardian, and

-I demand a truthful confession of this whole scandalous affair,” Mrs.

-Richards reiterated, sharply.

-

-“You have already had it, you say, from Lord Carrol’s own lips; it will

-therefore be unnecessary for me to repeat or enlarge upon it,” the young

-girl returned, with calm scorn, while her delicate nostrils dilated, and

-her sweet lips curled with supreme contempt.

-

-“I cannot understand—there _must_ be some mistake in all this,”

-ejaculated Mr. Rosevelt, his face a perfect blank. “I thought, Saturday,

-Star, that you——”

-

-A slight motion from her checked him in what he was going to say.

-

-“No, there is no mistake; and this much I _will_ explain to _you_. I did

-meet Lord Carrol to-night, as Mrs. Richards has told you,” she said. “I

-did believe myself his betrothed wife, and him to be a man of honor,

-until he came here last night as Miss Richards’ acknowledged suitor, and

-when I saw him this evening I did denounce him as a traitor. It seems

-that he has volunteered explanations to suit himself to Mr. and Mrs.

-Richards, and I decline to go further into particulars with them. I have

-no desire to blight Miss Josephine’s prospects in life, and I wish her

-all joy with her high-born and honorable lover.”

-

-Pen cannot portray the scorn which pervaded those last words, ringing

-out so clearly, so scathingly that Mrs. Richards’ cheeks burned and her

-ears tingled; for this was the man—if he really had been the traitor

-which she wished to make him appear—whom she was using all her arts to

-secure for Josephine’s husband.

-

-“I am amazed—I cannot understand!” Mr. Rosevelt repeated, with a

-troubled face.

-

-He believed Star to be as pure-minded and as innocent of wrong as a

-little child.

-

-He had been convinced from what had transpired on the previous Saturday

-that she loved Archibald Sherbrooke, and not knowing that he was also

-Lord Carrol, he, of course, was completely puzzled over the mystery.

-

-“I do not see how you dare look any respectable person in the face, and

-confess what you just have, without seeking to clear yourself,” retorted

-Mrs. Richards, sternly. “You are compromising your character in the most

-wretched manner. What can I believe of you—what can any one believe of

-you, if you own to having been upon such intimate terms with a man of

-such standing as Lord Carrol, while he is here as the acknowledged

-suitor of my daughter?”

-

-“The very worst that you can believe, madam,” Star returned, calmly, and

-meeting the woman’s eye fearlessly, but with a look which made her quail

-in spite of herself, “can only serve to compromise the man, whose favor

-and title you appear so anxious to secure, more than it possibly can me.

-Notwithstanding whatever claim I may have supposed myself to have

-heretofore possessed upon him, I now _most cheerfully_ resign it in

-favor of Miss Richards.”

-

-Were ever words so cutting? Was there ever so barbed a sentence so

-calmly uttered before?

-

-Mrs. Richards ground her teeth with rage over the feet that the man whom

-poor, despised Star Gladstone thus spurned, believing him to be the very

-soul of dishonor, she knew Josephine was using all her arts to win,

-while of course she could not undeceive her because it would spoil her

-plot.

-

-“You are an insolent, overbearing girl,” she said, in a low, hissing

-tone, “and I wonder how I have tolerated you in my house as long as I

-have. I wonder how you dare face me, and use such insulting language to

-me after your shameless conduct.”

-

-“I am neither insolent nor overbearing, Mrs. Richards. Ever since I came

-into your house I have striven to do as nearly right as I knew how, and

-to make as little trouble as possible. It is _you_ who have been

-overbearing, who have wounded me by insulting the memory of my parents,

-and have tried to crush and trample upon me. In no way have I rebelled

-against your authority, except in the determination not to become a

-common servant and to pursue my education. This I did in justice to

-myself, and because I had promised my father I would do it. If you have

-‘tolerated me in your house,’ believe me, there has been as much

-toleration exercised upon my part, for in no sense of the word has it

-been a _home_ to me; instead, it has been merely a place of shelter, a

-spot to exist in until I could complete my education. I can bear it no

-longer. I shall consider your house no longer my home,” Star concluded,

-with a decision which rather startled Mrs. Richards.

-

-But she retorted, derisively:

-

-“Your independent spirit ill becomes you. Where could you go? Who would

-take you, a penniless beggar, and give you the advantages which you have

-been enjoying during the past year? But it is folly for me to give heed

-to your idle words. I command you to return directly to your room, and

-hold no intercourse with any one, and to-morrow I will decide what

-course to pursue with reference to your future.”

-

-She had been planning to pack her off to Brooklyn with one of the

-servants until Lord Carrol’s visit should be ended, and thus avoid all

-possibility of an interview and its attendant explanations.

-

-But Star did not move. She remained standing quietly by Mr. Rosevelt’s

-chair, as if she had not heard her command.

-

-“Did you hear what I said?” she demanded, sharply.

-

-“Yes, madam.”

-

-“Well, do you intend to obey me?”

-

-“No, madam.”

-

-“What!”

-

-“I refuse to recognize your authority over me from this moment. I refuse

-to obey any longer one who, from the first, has been governed only by

-feelings of personal spite in all her dealings with me,” Star returned,

-firmly.

-

-Mrs. Richards could scarcely credit her ears.

-

-She had not imagined that the usually quiet girl possessed a tithe of

-this spirit.

-

-“Well, Uncle Jacob, what do you think of your little pattern of

-excellence now?” demanded the astonished woman, turning with an injured

-air to her uncle, who was nearly as much amazed himself.

-

-“I think the child has been severely tried,” he returned, quietly,

-whereupon Mrs. Richards flew into another rage.

-

-“I must say, Uncle Jacob, that I consider it very bad taste in you to

-take sides with her against me; and let me warn you, that you have both

-got yourselves into trouble by the doings of this night.”

-

-The arrogant dame did not wait for any reply, but turned abruptly and

-left the room, retiring, however, with a sense of defeat which it was

-not pleasant to contemplate.

-

-The moment that the door closed after her, Star dropped again upon the

-floor by Mr. Rosevelt’s side, heart-broken. He saw that she was utterly

-unnerved by what had just transpired, and for awhile he left her to

-herself. At length, when she became more calm, he said, sorrowfully, yet

-gently:

-

-“My child, tell me what Ellen means. What cause has she for coming here

-to accuse you of such dreadful things? Who is this Lord Carrol, and what

-has he been to you?”

-

-Star lifted her white, pained face to him.

-

-“You do not believe what she has told you—you do not believe I would be

-guilty of anything so shameless as she would try to make me appear?” she

-questioned, brokenly.

-

-“No, no; I think there is some terrible misunderstanding. I do not

-believe you would do anything which you knew to be wrong; and yet your

-own words have mystified me. I cannot comprehend them.”

-

-“I will tell you all about it. I would not explain anything to her—I

-could not after she had told me what _he_ said,” Star answered, but her

-face flushed with shame at the thought of confessing a tale of love and

-devotion on her part, of deception and treachery on the part of the man

-whom she had so trusted.

-

-It seemed to her like a lack of dignity and of strength of character

-that she should have been so easily duped.

-

-Then she told him all the story of her love for Archibald Sherbrooke,

-beginning with that day when they had exchanged souvenirs on the

-steamer, and which, she felt, had been the commencement of their love.

-She told him how he had prevented her from leaping on the cars when they

-were in motion, and how every day after that he had contrived to meet

-her, luring her heart from her day by day, until the previous Saturday

-he had declared his love for her, and won her promise to be his wife as

-soon as she should have graduated.

-

-“Oh, Uncle Jacob,” Star concluded, hiding her face on the arm of his

-chair again, “I believed him so true, so honorable, so _worthy_ of my

-love, and now to find him so unprincipled and treacherous, it crushes

-me!”

-

-Mr. Rosevelt looked very grave, almost stern.

-

-“This is just as I supposed—as I was led to believe from your appearance

-last Saturday. I knew well enough, when we returned home from Coney

-Island, that you had promised to be Sherbrooke’s wife. But I don’t

-understand his treachery, as you call it, nor what connection all this

-has with the young lord who has come to ask for Josephine’s hand,” he

-said, coldly.

-

-Star looked up again, at the unfamiliar tone.

-

-“Oh!” she said, wearily; “I am so miserable that I have not made it

-plain to you—I have not told you; but Lord Carrol is only another name

-for the man who called himself Archibald Sherbrooke. Under the latter he

-cheated me into loving him, and he has ruined my life; under the former,

-which is his real name, I suppose, he has been trying to win the

-heiress.”

-

-Mr. Rosevelt was speechless from amazement at this revelation, and for a

-full minute could only look down into those piteous, uplifted eyes in

-mute dismay.

-

-“Impossible!” he cried, at length. “I cannot believe it; I cannot think

-that young Sherbrooke would be guilty of anything so dastardly. There

-must be some mistake.”

-

-“There is _no_ mistake,” Star returned, with despair in her tones. “I

-was sitting at the window of my room when he arrived, and, of course, I

-recognized him at once. His form, his bearing, his handsome face, the

-tones of his voice—everything was identical with the Archie Sherbrooke

-from whom we parted last Saturday evening. At first I was crushed by the

-blow; then I thought perhaps Lord Carrol had disappointed them, and

-Archie had come to me as he had promised to do Monday or Tuesday; but

-this hope fled when I heard them address him as Lord Carrol, and he

-replied at once to the name. It has broken my heart, Uncle Jacob,” Star

-wailed, pouring out all her sorrow to him. “I do not know how I ever

-lived last night through; I do not believe I was conscious half the

-time; while to-day I have been too weak, and ill, and wretched to care

-what became of me.”

-

-“Poor child! poor child!” he murmured, softly.

-

-“To-night,” she went on, “I felt as if I must get out into the air. I

-must see a friendly face and hear a kindly voice, so I came to you,

-although I did not mean to tell you anything of my trouble. I meant to

-bear it alone, and never let any one know how cruelly I had been

-deceived, or how readily I had given my foolish heart away.”

-

-The old gentleman laid his hand on her shining head, smoothing her hair

-with a tender touch. He was nearly weeping himself to see this beautiful

-young girl so crushed.

-

-“On my way down here,” she pursued, “I felt faint; my strength all left

-me, and I stopped and leaned against a tree to recover myself, and while

-I stood there _he_ stole up behind me, laid his hand on my shoulder, and

-asked me in surprise how I came to be there. I gave him the street and

-number where we lived last Saturday, but I suppose when Mr. Richards and

-Josephine went to meet him at the station and brought him here, he did

-not once think it was the same place, for I have never told him their

-names. He believed me to be a poor girl, and never would have thought of

-finding me in a place like this; that was why he was so overcome with

-surprise when he saw me to-night. But when I charged him with

-personating two characters—having two names—he could not deny it; he

-owned that he was Lord Carrol, but tried to make me let him explain. I

-would not; there could be nothing to explain. He had deceived me, and it

-was enough; I could never trust him after that. I called him a traitor

-and a coward, and then I ran away and came to you, who are the only

-friend I have in this wide, weary world.”

-

-“You did right, dear, to come to me; but were you not a trifle hasty and

-rash? I think you should have listened to young Sherbrooke’s—or whoever

-he may be—defense,” Mr. Rosevelt said, gently.

-

-“What possible defense could he have had to offer?” Star cried, in a

-voice of scorn. “He has pretended to be Archibald Sherbrooke, a simple

-artist, to me, while everybody else knows him as Lord Carrol, of

-Carrolton.”

-

-“But he may have been traveling incognito under the former name,”

-suggested Mr. Rosevelt.

-

-“Then why did he not keep it to the end? Why did he go to a fashionable

-watering-place and flourish as a titled Englishman, and devote himself

-to Josephine? Why did he _resume_ the former name upon meeting me again,

-and lead me to love him, believing him to be a poor artist? No; there

-can be nothing said in defense of such double-dealing as this. He has

-cheated and fooled me. I have found him out, and compelled him to own

-it. It is enough to make me scorn him; but it has been a bitter lesson,

-and has taught me never to trust a man again,” Star concluded, with

-vehement bitterness.

-

-“Never, Star? Surely that acrimonious resolve does not include me,” said

-Mr. Rosevelt, with gentle reproach.

-

-“No; I know that you are kind and true, and you are the only one in the

-world who cares for me,” the suffering girl said, in husky tones.

-

-“Indeed, my child, you have become very dear to me, and my life would be

-very forlorn without you.”

-

-Star bent down and touched his hand with her lips. In her wretchedness

-it comforted her greatly to know that she had contributed to his

-happiness.

-

-“But I cannot get over what you have told me. I never was so deceived in

-my life before; and if this young sprig of English nobility is the

-villain you represent him, he is not fit to live,” Mr. Rosevelt said,

-sternly, after a few moments of thoughtful silence.

-

-Star shivered with pain. Much as she believed she scorned him, she could

-not endure that another should speak disparagingly of him.

-

-“Never mind him, Uncle Jacob,” she said. “I have put him out of my life

-forever; and now I want to talk to you about something else. You say

-that I have made your life happier since you came here, and that you

-would be very lonely without me. I am going to tell you a little secret,

-and then I want you to promise to go away from here with me. I am not

-going to remain here another day,” she concluded decidedly.

-

-“Is that your secret, Star?”

-

-“Part of it,” she answered, with a sad smile. “I have a little money, as

-you know—a hundred pounds—which, at Mr. Richards’ suggestion, I put at

-interest last year. Now, I want to take this money and make a cozy

-little home for you and me somewhere, until I get through school—there

-will be enough to last till then, I think—and after that I shall be able

-to take care of us both in fine style, by teaching and giving music

-lessons.”

-

-He smiled skeptically as she planned so hopefully what her poor hundred

-pounds would do, while a tear started to his eye at her thought for him.

-

-She saw that he did not think she could do all that she told him, and

-flushed.

-

-“You do not believe that I shall be able to take care of us both,” she

-said, eagerly, “but I know that I can, for I have not yet told you all.

-Listen.”

-

-She bent nearer to him, and putting her lips close to his ear, told him

-something which even you and I must not know just yet, my patient

-reader.

-

-He was nearly as much surprised as he had been to learn of Archibald

-Sherbrooke’s treachery.

-

-“My dear,” he said, while his face lighted with pride and joy, “you

-shall have your way, and I will do just as you wish, and I——”

-

-He checked himself suddenly, dropped his head in thought for a moment,

-then resumed:

-

-“I am not happy here any more than yourself, and have been thinking for

-some time that I must go away; but I could not bear the thought of

-parting from you. Now we will go together, as you wish, unless——”

-

-“Unless what, Uncle Jacob?” Star asked, anxiously.

-

-“Unless you will let me see this young scamp of a lord, and take him to

-task for his faithlessness to you.”

-

-“Never!” Star replied, proudly. “What good would it do to——”

-

-“There _may_ be some mistake; he might be able to explain everything

-satisfactorily,” interrupted Mr. Rosevelt.

-

-Star’s beautiful lips curled.

-

-“What would his explanations amount to? He is here as a suitor for

-Josephine’s hand—they all confess it; and did you ever listen to a more

-monstrous story than Mrs. Richards repeated here to-night? To think that

-he could say anything so basely false of me is almost enough to drive me

-wild,” Star cried, excitedly. “No, Uncle Jacob; although he has been

-guilty of the most cruel treachery, I will not contend with him. If he

-is such a craven that he would try to win a young girl’s heart for the

-amusement of breaking it, and then seek to blight her fair fame by

-charging her with what he has imputed to me to-night, he is too far

-beneath me to be worthy of anything save my supreme contempt, and I

-never wish to meet him again. I only want to get away from them _all_,

-and never see their faces more.”

-

-Her voice broke with such a wail of despair in it that the old man could

-not find it in his heart to refuse her anything.

-

-“Very well; we will go away to-morrow,” he said, sorrowfully.

-

-“Oh, thank you, Uncle Jacob!” the unhappy girl said, eagerly; “and will

-you go without letting them know? They would never consent, and I do not

-wish them even to know where I go.”

-

-“Yes; we will go without saying anything to any one. We can leave a note

-telling them why we go, and it shall be the object of the little time

-that remains to me to care for you and try to make your young life a

-little brighter than it has been,” he returned, thoughtfully.

-

-“How early can you be ready?” he asked, after a moment.

-

-“By daylight; the earlier the better,” she returned, earnestly. “Every

-moment here is full of pain for me.”

-

-“Very well; there is a six o’clock train—the workingmen’s train—into New

-York; we will take it, and find a home for ourselves somewhere in the

-city. But how about your school, Star? They will seek for you there.”

-

-“I will go to Professor Roberts and tell him that circumstances compel

-me to leave, and ask him for a recommendation to some other institute.

-There are others in the city where they would never dream of looking for

-me, and where I can graduate next year, as I have planned to do.”

-

-“It shall be just as you wish, my dear; I feel that I am doing you no

-wrong in gratifying you. You shall be like a young daughter to me, and

-I—I promise I will be no burden to you, notwithstanding that I am old

-and feeble,” Mr. Rosevelt answered, with a sad smile.

-

-“A burden!” Star repeated, with quivering lips. “Oh, please do not

-imagine such a thing! It is _you_ who are to take care of me and shield

-me until I graduate, for without you to help me bear the responsibility,

-I should not dare to take such a step.”

-

-Mr. Rosevelt smiled again.

-

-“You try to make the obligation appear all your own; but I share it,

-nevertheless; and I think you and I will be far happier away from the

-unpleasant influences which have surrounded us during the past year. I

-am quite anticipating the change, I assure you. Now you must go to rest.

-You look more like a ghost than a star just now; and my heart has been

-deeply pained to-night for the suffering that you have had to endure;

-but I believe it will yet be made up to you in some way,” he concluded,

-with grave thoughtfulness.

-

-He sat regarding her earnestly for a few moments. Then he said, while

-his eyes were fixed questioningly on her face:

-

-“This is a different kind of a storm, child, from the one which you and

-I passed through at sea. Your faith was strong then; you were not afraid

-to die; how is it now? Do you believe your God rules this kind of a

-storm also?”

-

-There was a skeptical smile on the old man’s lips, and a bitterness in

-his tone as he asked this, which filled the young girl’s heart with

-remorse.

-

-She looked up at him with a startled glance, while her pained face

-almost instantly relaxed into an expression of trustfulness and peace.

-

-“Uncle Jacob,” she said, with a solemn sweetness which impressed him

-deeply, “you could not have said anything for which I should thank you

-more—you have recalled me to myself. I should not have forgotten for a

-moment that God rules everywhere and over everything. Yes, I _believe_

-He knows best, even though I cannot _understand_ why I must suffer this

-bitter trial.”

-

-The old man sighed deeply, and his face was very grave.

-

-“Good-night!” he said, abruptly, and rising, led her to the door.

-

-When he reached it, he bent suddenly down and touched her forehead with

-his lips; and Star, with a low-spoken “good-night,” went away with a

-sorely aching heart, indeed, but greatly comforted by his sympathy,

-while a spirit of submission had succeeded to the bitterness and

-rebellion of the previous hour.

-

-Jacob Rosevelt locked the door after her, and went back to the table

-where he had been sitting when she came to him.

-

-Opening the drawer, he took out a package of papers and letters, which

-he carefully looked over.

-

-When he had read them all, he selected a portion, tore them into atoms,

-and throwing them into the grate where there was a slow fire, watched

-them until they had burned to ashes, with a white, stern face. Then he

-sat down again, and wrote far into the night.

-

-The next morning when Mrs. Blunt went up to see how Star was feeling,

-and if she had any appetite for her breakfast, she found her room empty.

-

-“Goodness gracious! the child has got up and gone to school, and without

-a mouthful to stay her stomach, or I’m much mistaken,” she said, in a

-voice of dismay.

-

-Then, as her eye fell upon the open drawers of the bureau and the empty

-closet, a sudden fear oppressed her.

-

-A little note lying upon the bed now attracted her attention, and she

-eagerly pounced upon it.

-

-It was directed to her, and with trembling fingers she opened it, and

-read:

-

-  “DEAR MRS. BLUNT:—Something has occurred which makes it impossible for

-  me to remain here any longer, and I am going away to take care of

-  myself. You have always been very kind to me, and I thank you very

-  much for it, and shall never forget it. Sometime I hope to see you

-  again, and I trust you will always think kindly of

-

-                                                     “STELLA GLADSTONE.”

-

-The good woman sat down and wept bitter tears over this brief note, for

-she had learned to love the bright, kind-hearted girl who always had a

-cheery word for her. She knew the house would never seem the same again

-without her.

-

-Then she went down to tell the news to her master. She met John Mellen

-in the hall, who had come with the intelligence that Mr. Rosevelt left

-the lodge early that morning, taking all that belonged to him—“which was

-not much, yer honor,” he volunteered, and he handed Mr. Richards a note

-which the old gentleman had left for him.

-

-

-

-

-                              CHAPTER XXI.

-                           FRUITLESS EFFORTS.

-

-

-Mr. Richards and his family were thrown into considerable confusion by

-the double surprise which this morning revealed to them.

-

-He was really a kind man at heart, and had been very much troubled by

-the way that his wife had conducted herself toward her aged uncle, and

-also by her unfeeling usage of Star.

-

-Mrs. Richards, however, found it difficult to conceal her satisfaction

-at the turn events had taken. She kept her own counsel regarding her

-knowledge of what had transpired during the interview between her

-husband and the young lord; neither did she consider it necessary to

-mention the stormy scene which had occurred at the lodge the previous

-evening, in which she was so prominent an actor.

-

-“Josephine shall have everything her own way now,” she thought,

-exultantly; “at all events, _that girl_ shall never triumph over my

-daughter by becoming Lady Carrol.”

-

-Mr. Richards declared that he should go immediately in search of the

-fugitives. He could not endure the thought that the delicate young girl

-and feeble old man should go out into the world to earn their own

-living, for this he supposed they would be obliged to do, since what

-little money he knew Star to be possessed of could not support them both

-a great while.

-

-But Mrs. Richards indignantly objected to this proceeding.

-

-“Let them alone,” she said, angrily; “they will not thank you for your

-trouble, and doubtless would refuse to return if you should succeed in

-finding them. I am sure they have shown precious little gratitude for

-what we have already done for them. Uncle Jacob says in his note that it

-has been very unpleasant for him here, and if such is the case, let him

-go where he will fare better if he can find such a place. As for that

-proud-spirited, independent girl, I never want to see her again; I am

-glad to be rid of her.”

-

-Mr. Richards did not reply to this tirade, but he felt very sorrowful,

-for every day only seemed to reveal some new trait of selfishness and

-heartlessness in his wife, which served to detract from his respect for

-her.

-

-Nothing of all this, however, was mentioned before their guests, and

-when after breakfast Lord Carrol sought his host in the library to make

-further arrangements for an interview with Star, he was astonished and

-dismayed by the intelligence which he received regarding her secret

-departure with Mr. Rosevelt.

-

-“Have you any idea where they can have gone?” he asked, with a very

-pale, anxious face.

-

-“Not the slightest,” Mr. Richards answered, “and I am deeply concerned

-about the affair. You will believe me, I am sure, when I tell you that I

-admire Miss Gladstone exceedingly, although I am obliged to confess with

-shame that her sojourn with us has not been made as pleasant as it might

-have been.”

-

-Mr. Richards made this confession with a lowering brow and in a stern

-tone.

-

-“I judged that she was not happy here from something that she dropped

-last night,” Lord Carrol said, gravely. “And,” he added, with evident

-embarrassment, “it is a delicate topic to touch upon, but I believe

-plain dealing is best—she also stated that it is generally believed in

-your household that I am here as a suitor for Miss Richards’ hand. I

-trust, however, that there has been no such misunderstanding as this. I

-enjoyed a very pleasant month at Long Branch with both your wife and

-daughter. Perhaps I sought their society more than might have been

-deemed proper unless I had serious intentions; but this was owing to the

-fact that I discovered Mrs. Richards to be of English birth, and knowing

-something of her friends abroad, it seemed to become a bond between us,

-out of which a friendship naturally sprung. Mrs. Richards very kindly

-invited me to make one of a party here, and I accepted her invitation—I

-give you my word of honor upon it—with _only_ thoughts of friendship and

-the pleasure of meeting congenial company, and with the intention, if

-she ever came abroad, of returning her hospitality in the same spirit. I

-hope—I trust, my dear sir, that my coming here thus has not been

-misconstrued, or placed Miss Richards in an awkward position.”

-

-The young man’s face shone with a look of real concern as he concluded,

-and Mr. Richards was convinced that, notwithstanding his wife had

-asserted that he would propose to Josephine, he had never entertained

-any serious intentions regarding her.

-

-“It is all right, my young friend,” he responded, heartily, and feeling

-great respect for him for his straightforwardness. “I am satisfied that

-you have been perfectly honorable, although I must confess that I was

-greatly astonished last night to learn that Star was the object of your

-affection. I regret sincerely the misunderstanding that has arisen

-between you, but we will do what we can to find the missing girl, and I

-trust that then it will not take long to effect a reconciliation.”

-

-“Thank you,” the young lord said, but he looked very grave, for he did

-not feel as if it would be a very easy matter to find Star. He knew that

-underneath her usual gentleness and sweetness there lay a strength of

-purpose and determination which would lead her to do thoroughly whatever

-she undertook, and if she had gone away to hide from him it would take

-both patience and sagacity to find her.

-

-However, he resolved to devote all his time before the day set for his

-return should arrive in searching for her; and acting at once upon this

-decision, he sought Mrs. Richards and Josephine, telling them that, much

-as he regretted doing so, he should be obliged to cut his visit short,

-as business of importance called him unexpectedly away.

-

-Josephine was bitterly disappointed and chagrined, for she was as yet in

-total ignorance as to the cause of his departure, and Mrs. Richards for

-the moment was rendered speechless from indignation. She had not once

-thought that he would go away before the expiration of his week.

-

-“We shall see you again, I trust, before you leave America,” Josephine

-said, with her sweetest smile, as he took her hand at parting.

-

-“Perhaps so; I cannot tell,” he answered, absently.

-

-“We return to Brooklyn next week,” Mrs. Richards now managed to say. “If

-you are in New York, you surely will find time to run over and call upon

-us now and then.”

-

-“Thank you. I may be able to do so,” he replied, courteously; and then,

-with a somewhat formal bow, he went away to seek for his lost love.

-

-“What under the sun is the matter with Lord Carrol this morning, mamma?

-He does not appear like himself at all; and what has possessed him to go

-away so soon?” Josephine cried, nearly ready to weep as the door closed

-upon the man she loved, and she was left alone with her mother.

-

-Mrs. Richards then related what she had overheard the previous evening,

-and told her also of her subsequent interview with Star and Mr.

-Rosevelt, and the news that had come to them that morning of their

-flight.

-

-Josephine listened to her in dumb amazement, hardly able to comprehend

-the romantic story.

-

-“That girl has done nothing but set everybody by the ears ever since she

-entered this house,” she burst forth, at length, quivering in every

-nerve with anger. “Lord Carrol in love with _her_! I cannot comprehend

-it, and I think it is scandalous for him to confess it, after the marked

-attention that he paid me at Long Branch.”

-

-“I think so, too,” Mrs. Richards echoed, but rather faintly, for she

-knew how Josephine had almost been thrown at him, so to speak.

-

-“Well, I am glad she is gone,” the excited girl continued. “I hope now

-that we shall be able to take some comfort. She bewitched papa with her

-pretty face, her music, and pretended love of study. She was an artful

-thing, making herself so conspicuous at school that even the newspapers

-took it up, and was so puffed up on account of it that her airs were

-insufferable. It is a mercy that Uncle Jacob lost his fortune before he

-came to us, or she would have been likely to wheedle him out of it.”

-

-“She has been as sly as a fox,” commented Mrs. Richards, wrathfully, her

-ire against poor, unoffending Star waxing hotter and hotter, for she was

-as bitterly disappointed to lose his lordship as a son-in-law as

-Josephine was to lose him as a husband.

-

-“I never heard anything like it. To think of his being engaged to her,

-and we never suspecting such a thing! I’ll bet,” the refined young lady

-continued, as a bright idea struck her, “that she went away to meet him

-last Saturday, and that was why she was rigged out so. That must be the

-secret of her insolence to me. She knew she was soon to become Lady

-Carrol, and she was trying how it would seem to lord it over me.”

-

-“You forget, Josephine,” interposed her mother, “that she did not know

-anything about his title, and so you are all wrong in your surmises.”

-

-“True,” she replied, somewhat crestfallen; “but when do you suppose he

-engaged himself to her?”

-

-“I am sure I do not know—very recently, he said. I tried to make her

-tell me about it last night, but I couldn’t get a word out of her. One

-would have thought, by the way that she faced me, that she was already

-my lady somebody. But I reckon I fixed it so that she will not be at

-present. I made her think that his lordship had told the story in a way

-to make her appear as ridiculous as possible, and she has gone away,

-believing him to be as faithless as it is in the power of man to be;”

-and the hardhearted woman threw herself back in her chair with a sigh of

-satisfaction at the thought.

-

-“It is a shame, anyhow. Everything has gone wrong, and I—I really was

-fond of him,” Josephine confessed, with a passion of tears.

-

-Mrs. Richards’ face darkened. She never could tolerate anything which

-interfered with the desires and whims of her only child.

-

-“Well, we will not give up hope, even yet,” she said, trying to speak

-comfortingly. “We shall go back to Brooklyn next week, and we will try

-to see him as often as we can. We will visit his studio, and look at his

-pictures and those of his friends, and if he is unsuccessful in his

-search for that girl, he may turn to you again for comfort.”

-

-“I cannot get over it that _she_, with her great eyes and yellow hair,

-should have attracted him and won him, when we have strained every nerve

-and spent hundreds for him,” Josephine said, angrily.

-

-At this moment a servant entered the room and handed her a note.

-

-She opened it eagerly and read it.

-

-Her face flushed a deep crimson, and, with a passionate gesture, she

-instantly tore it in two.

-

-“What is it?” questioned her mother.

-

-“It is too dreadful!” the spoilt beauty cried, stamping her foot; “and I

-believe that girl will be the death of me yet.”

-

-“Tell me what it is,” persisted Mrs. Richards, growing pale.

-

-“It is a note from Lord Carrol himself,” Josephine answered, her cheeks

-still hot from mortification and anger. “When we were at Long Branch, he

-noticed this cameo ring that I wear—I happened to put it on the last

-night that we were there, unfortunately—and said that it was very much

-like one which belonged to a friend of his. He appeared rather strangely

-when he said it, and told me that his friend’s name was Archibald

-Sherbrooke. Of course I can understand now why he would not say that it

-had belonged to him. I told him that it was given to me by a relative,

-and he did not appear like himself after that.”

-

-“But how came you by it—who gave it to you?” interrupted her mother, who

-had never noticed the ring until now, for Josephine had so many trinkets

-that she could not keep track of them all.

-

-The girl flushed again, guiltily.

-

-“To tell the truth, it belonged to Stella,” she confessed, reluctantly,

-“and it was such an exquisite little thing that I took a notion to have

-it. I offered to buy it of her, but she wouldn’t hear a word of it,

-saying she ‘prized it too highly as the gift of a friend.’ But I was

-bound to have it, and went to her room one day and took it, and had it

-made into a ring, for it was in the shape of a pin. Of course I intended

-to return it sometime, but I meant her to understand that a girl in her

-dependent position had no business to refuse so simple a request. The

-initials A. S., with two strawberry leaves, their stems crossed, are

-engraved on it, and I knew, when he described it to me, that it was ‘his

-friend’—or rather himself, as it appears now—who had given it to her. I

-heartily wish now that I had let it alone. But just listen to this.”

-

-Miss Richards took the pieces of the note, which she had held crumpled

-in her hand, and putting them together, read the following:

-

-                                                       “Oct. 10th, 188—.

-

-  “MISS RICHARDS:—Doubtless before you receive this you will have

-  learned that Archibald Sherbrooke—whom I represented to you as my

-  friend, for reasons which you cannot now fail to understand—and Lord

-  Carrol are one and the same person. Under the former name, which was

-  the only one which belonged to me at that time, I became acquainted

-  with Miss Gladstone on shipboard, and was so pleased with her that, at

-  parting, I exchanged souvenirs with her, giving her a little cameo

-  which I prized very highly. It is the same one which you have had made

-  into a ring. When I met Miss Gladstone a short time since she remarked

-  that she had ‘lost’ my gift; last night she told me _how_ she had

-  ‘lost’ it, and I would respectfully ask you to send it to the inclosed

-  address, that I may return it to the owner, should I be so happy as to

-  find her.

-

-                       “Very respectfully,

-                                       “ARCHIBALD SHERBROOKE, Bart., and

-                                           Lord CARROL, of Carrolton.”

-

-“Why on earth can’t you let other folks’ things alone, Josephine?” cried

-Mrs. Richards, when her daughter had finished reading this formal note,

-and feeling almost faint from mortification upon learning of this

-disgraceful episode in her life. “I’m sure,” she added, reproachfully,

-“you have trinkets enough without taking the only thing a poor girl

-had.”

-

-“Isn’t your commiseration somewhat ill-timed, mamma, for the ‘poor

-girl,’ now that she is not here to reap the benefit of it?” sneered the

-dutiful young lady. “I don’t care; it is an elegant trifle, anyhow, and

-I’ve half a mind to keep it, in spite of his lordship’s demand,” she

-added, defiantly, as she held up her hand, on which the ring gleamed,

-and regarded it covetously.

-

-But she did return it, nevertheless; she did not quite dare to retain

-it, particularly as she could not relinquish all hope of winning the

-young lord even yet.

-

-Mr. Richards, accompanied by Lord Carrol, proceeded with all possible

-dispatch to New York, and thence to Brooklyn, where they went directly

-to the seminary which Star attended, and inquired for her.

-

-It was only half-past ten when they arrived there, but early as it was,

-Professor Roberts told them that she had come at the usual hour and

-severed her connection with the school, and very much to his regret, he

-added, as he considered her one of the most promising members of the

-senior class.

-

-Both gentlemen looked blank at this information; they did not suppose

-Star would be so energetic to cover all traces of her flight.

-

-She had asked, the professor said, for a recommendation, that she might

-more easily enter some other, as she hoped to be able to complete her

-course, although she did not tell him where she was going.

-

-“And I did,” he continued; “I gave her the very best one that could be

-put into words, for she deserved it. But what is this you tell me—that

-she has left her home without the knowledge of her friends?” and he

-appeared deeply troubled.

-

-“Yes; but it is only on account of a slight misunderstanding, and one

-which would have been very easily explained if she had not been quite so

-hasty; and I hope we shall be able to find her and make it right very

-soon.”

-

-“I trust so; I am very sorry to part with her,” said the professor,

-gravely, while he measured the young lord with his keen eyes,

-mistrusting that he was somehow concerned in the mystery. “I had

-anticipated taking her through the course and presenting her with her

-diploma. I tell you, sir, Miss Gladstone bids fair to become a most

-brilliant woman. Why, the essay which she read at our last commencement

-would have been a credit to the most profound literary talent in the

-country.”

-

-Lord Carrol’s eyes glowed at these praises of his darling; but Mr.

-Richards winced under them, for his conscience was smiting him keenly

-for ever having allowed Star to occupy so questionable a position in his

-family.

-

-“You will oblige me if you will account for her absence in some casual

-way, if you are questioned about it,” he said. “I should be sorry to

-have anything unpleasant said of her.”

-

-“Certainly; you may rely upon my being very discreet, for _her_ sake,”

-Professor Roberts returned, somewhat stiffly.

-

-He bowed his visitors out, and then returned to his duties; but all day

-long, and for many days, he missed the bright, earnest face of his “most

-promising scholar,” her brilliant recitations, and the respectful

-attention which she had always given him.

-

-As for Mr. Richards and Lord Carrol, their way seemed suddenly hedged

-up; they did not know which way to turn next. They knew it would be very

-difficult to find any one in the great city of New York, and it was

-possible that the fugitives had left the metropolis, although Mr.

-Richards, knowing how ambitious Star was to complete her education, was

-inclined to think she would remain there until she had accomplished this

-end.

-

-Still Lord Carrol was determined not to relinquish his search for her,

-and he neglected painting and everything else, riding from one end of

-the city to another day after day, unweariedly visiting schools on week

-days, and haunting churches on Sunday, until the day of his departure

-arrived; but all his efforts were unavailing and fruitless.

-

-An advertisement was inserted in all the daily papers.

-

-“Star, let me justify myself!” That was all; and Star, in her

-hiding-place, read it many times with curling lips and scornful eyes.

-

-“There can be no justification,” she said; “one man bearing two names

-and deceiving two girls, can never be justified.”

-

-But her heart ached none the less, for, with shame she owned it, she

-loved him still. The days seemed endless, her duties arduous and

-monotonous; she grew thin, her step lost its elasticity, and she was as

-miserable as even Josephine, in her most malicious mood, could have

-wished.

-

-November came, and with it the day of Archibald Sherbrooke’s sailing for

-England.

-

-No one ever returned to his native land with a sadder heart and deeper

-regret than the young Lord of Carrolton, and he would not have gone even

-then, but that some urgent business connected with his uncle’s estate,

-and his duties as his heir, imperatively demanded it. He would have much

-preferred to remain and search for the fair girl whom he loved so

-devotedly.

-

-But he resolved to return to America at the earliest possible date and

-resume his efforts to find her.

-

-

-

-

-                             CHAPTER XXII.

-                           THE GOAL REACHED.

-

-

-The winter passed, the summer came again, and on a sunny day in June the

-great chapel of the Normal College of New York city was packed with

-human beings to its utmost capacity.

-

-Upon the broad platform were seated the professors, the tutors, and

-guests, while the body of the vast hall was filled with its fifteen

-hundred students, attentive and vigilant like so many soldiers at their

-posts.

-

-These were girls all the way from fourteen to twenty years of age; girls

-of every shade of complexion and degree of beauty, or the reverse;

-bright maidens with latent mischief twinkling in their eyes, of every

-variety of color and shade; lasses of mercurial temperament, such as

-keep a household in a state of excitement and tumult, brimming with

-animal spirits and kittenish pranks. Others there were, however, with

-quiet serenity and dignity of manner, having sweet, clear-cut faces, and

-gentle ways shining through their countenances; and those, too—let us

-whisper it—with a suspicion of the vixen and virago; prudes and tomboys,

-angels and shrews—all mixed indiscriminately in that immense place,

-gathered for the final act of the school year—the graduating exercises,

-the distributing of the diplomas, and the departure of the senior class

-from the halls of learning out into the great world, there to take up

-their duties as teachers.

-

-Among the large number of this class who occupy, on this occasion, the

-front seats in the chapel, there is one quiet figure, having a pale,

-delicate face, large, deep blue eyes, and a fair, gleaming brow, shaded

-by hair of brightest gold, which more than one of the numerous visitors

-have singled out from her sister graduates, on account of her peculiar

-loveliness and an indefinite something which seems to appeal to them

-from the depths of her lovely but rather sorrowful eyes.

-

-Slight of form, unassuming in manner, but with a dainty, star-like

-beauty that was almost magnetic in its influence, she sat quietly in her

-seat until one of the professors announced the “Address in French,” as

-per programme, when she arose, and Miss Star Gladstone at once stepped

-upon the platform, saluting first the officers, teachers, and guests,

-then her fellow-students, with a charming little bow and a graceful

-inclination of her body.

-

-In clear, bell-like tones she began her address, without the slightest

-appearance of self-consciousness or embarrassment, rolling out sentence

-after sentence in the smoothest and purest of French, until those who

-were well versed in the language wondered at such proficiency in one so

-young, while those who could not understand it were spell-bound by her

-exquisite voice and graceful gestures.

-

-Star had been well taught in French before coming to this country, until

-it had become almost like her native tongue; therefore, after a year of

-arduous study under the best of teachers at the Normal College, it is

-not strange that she should have been chosen, on account of her purity

-of accent, to deliver the French oration.

-

-“Who is she?” questioned one of the visitors of a teacher.

-

-“Miss Gladstone,” she answered, pointing to the name on the programme.

-

-“How lovely she is, in that simple lace bunting, trimmed with its knots

-of blue ribbon, and those blush-roses in her belt!”

-

-“So I think,” the teacher replied, with an affectionate glance at Star.

-“She has only been with us a year, however. She was hardly up to the

-mark when she entered the class, although she came highly recommended by

-Professor Roberts, of Brooklyn. Our standard, you know, is very high.

-But she was anxious to enter the senior class, and assured us that she

-would not drag, and said she was particularly anxious to graduate this

-year.”

-

-“And she has done well, I am sure,” the visitor said, bending another

-admiring glance upon the fair graduate.

-

-“She has been one of the most brilliant scholars of the class. Her

-recitations have been wonderful. I do not think she has made a single

-failure during the entire year. If she had been with us throughout the

-course, she must have taken the valedictory; but she has acquitted

-herself grandly in the French essay, which she composed and translated

-herself.”

-

-“She has, indeed. I never heard purer French spoken, even in Paris. Does

-she live in the city?”

-

-“I believe so, although I do not know where. She comes and goes very

-quietly, and her clothing indicates that her friends, whoever they may

-be, are in limited circumstances. She appears to have no intimates, and

-yet she is a favorite with all. There must be some sorrowful story

-connected with her life, I think, for there is a haunting sadness in her

-eyes whenever they meet yours, except when she smiles or becomes

-animated in conversation; then she is charming.”

-

-“I should like to know her,” said the first speaker, musingly; but

-President Hunter here arose to distribute the diplomas, and she gave her

-attention to his remarks, although her glance frequently sought the

-lovely face which had so attracted her attention.

-

-The subject of the above conversation, although unconscious of it, was

-none the less worthy of it.

-

-After leaving Jacob Rosevelt on the night of her exciting interview with

-Mrs. Richards, she sped swiftly back to her room, where she gathered

-together a few articles of clothing and packed them into a small valise;

-her school-books also, with her portfolio and the small box which had so

-aroused Josephine’s curiosity that day when she went to steal Star’s

-lovely cameo.

-

-These preparations ended, she retired to rest.

-

-She awoke long before daylight, and dressing herself in a dark street

-dress, she sat down by the window to wait for the dawn.

-

-She penned that little note to Mrs. Blunt the last thing before leaving

-the house. The woman had been so kind to her that she could not find it

-in her heart to go away without a single word of farewell; to the others

-she gave not a thought.

-

-As soon as it was light enough, she stole softly down stairs and out at

-the front door, as it was nearer, and, besides, some of the servants

-might be up if she went out the back way, and turned her back forever

-upon the house in which she had only been “tolerated.”

-

-When she reached the lodge, she found Mr. Rosevelt waiting for her on

-the vine-covered porch.

-

-He smiled a silent good-morning, motioning her not to speak, with a

-gesture which told her that John Mellen’s wife was not far off; and

-together they went out from the grounds by a side gate and proceeded

-toward the station.

-

-They were in time for the early morning train, and reached New York long

-before the household which they had left behind were aware of their

-flight.

-

-“We will go to some quiet street and board for a few days,” Mr. Rosevelt

-said, as they sat down in the waiting-room of the station to consult

-upon what was best to be done. “You must not lose a day of school if you

-can help it. I know just the place for us, I think, where there is a

-good, motherly soul of a landlady. Perhaps she will know of some rooms

-which we can obtain at a reasonable price until you graduate, and then,

-perhaps, you may not care to remain in New York.”

-

-Star assented to this plan, and they repaired to the boarding-place

-which Mr. Rosevelt had mentioned, and found the “good, motherly soul”

-very willing to take them in.

-

-After partaking of a simple but wholesome breakfast, Star went at once

-to Brooklyn, and had an interview with Professor Roberts, as we already

-know.

-

-She told him just as little as was possible, but said that circumstances

-obliged her to make a change, although she had not yet decided where she

-should pursue her education.

-

-She was surprised at the recommendation which he gave her, for it was

-indeed the very best that he could put into words, and she felt very sad

-when he shook her cordially by the hand and expressed his regret at

-being obliged to part with her.

-

-On her way back to New York she decided, if she could pass the

-examination, she would enter the Normal College, believing that among

-the multitude who attended there she would escape observation more

-easily than in a smaller school.

-

-She went immediately to the corner of Sixty-ninth street and Fourth

-avenue, had an interview with the president, who consented to give her a

-private examination; but the curriculum was a little different from that

-of Professor Roberts’ seminary, and she was not quite up to the standard

-in some of its branches, and being unwilling to go back into another

-grade, she was admitted to the senior class, “upon conditions.”

-

-She was not long in showing him, however, that such a stipulation was

-wholly unnecessary.

-

-She gave up all thoughts of music for the present, and bent all her

-energies to her studies, and soon not one of the forty who were to

-graduate gave promise of a more brilliant ending to her career as a

-scholar than she who had been admitted “upon conditions.”

-

-Meantime Mr. Rosevelt had found three furnished rooms in a cheap but

-respectable locality, where they took up their abode, the woman, who

-owned and lived in the house, agreeing to furnish their meals and act as

-sort of housekeeper general for a reasonable amount.

-

-Mr. Rosevelt would not hear a word to any other arrangement, although

-Star declared she could do a portion of the work herself.

-

-“No; you shall do nothing of the kind. You will have all you can attend

-to to keep up with your classes,” he said.

-

-“But it will cost so much, Uncle Jacob,” Star answered, ruefully, for

-she found that her poor hundred pounds was melting rapidly away—at

-least, it would do so if they paid for having all their work done. Mr.

-Rosevelt smiled.

-

-“My dear,” he said, though somewhat sadly, she thought, “you did not

-suppose I was going to allow you to assume the burden of my whole

-support, did you? I never should have consented to come away with you in

-that case. I am not quite penniless, and what I can afford to pay toward

-our support will at least relieve you of all necessity of laboring as a

-household drudge.”

-

-They were as cozy as they could well be with their simple yet home-like

-little parlor, and two bedrooms leading out of it, and with their meals

-served to them there, it was very much like a home of their own.

-

-“It is just as nice as can be, and I am happy as a queen,” Star

-declared, over and over again; but he often looked troubled when he saw

-how thin her cheeks were growing, noticed her oft-repeated but quickly

-suppressed sighs, and that “haunting sadness” in her eyes.

-

-They lived in a very quiet way, never going out except for a quiet walk

-or to the little church near by on Sunday, and never met or heard

-anything of Mr. Richards or his family.

-

-Star had read that advertisement relating to herself, and it had caused

-her bitter pain, for it brought all her suffering so freshly to her

-mind; but she had not the least faith that Lord Carrol could say

-anything which could justify himself in her mind. She felt that he only

-desired to cheat her still further with honeyed words, and so paid no

-heed to it.

-

-Mr. Rosevelt also saw it, and wondered if she had read it; but she gave

-no sign, and he never mentioned that name to her; it was a topic which

-they avoided by tacit consent.

-

-Once during the year, when speaking of what she should do as soon as she

-graduated, she said that she had decided to apply for a situation as

-teacher in the city; she had concluded to remain in America instead of

-returning to England, as she had at first planned to do.

-

-He did not ask her why; he understood what she meant—she wished the sea

-to roll between her and the man who had so ruined her life; and perhaps,

-he thought, with a very tender feeling in his heart, she wanted to stay

-with him.

-

-Thus the year sped round, and brought with its revolution another

-commencement day for Star.

-

-“Uncle Jacob, you are coming to-day to see me graduate, are you not?”

-she asked that morning, as she poured his coffee for him, and looking up

-into his face with more eagerness than he had seen her manifest since

-her trouble.

-

-“Of course I shall; I would not miss it for anything. Then you have

-really passed your final examination, and are going to receive your

-diploma?” he said, bending a look of pride on her.

-

-“Indeed I have. You did not suppose I should _fail_, did you, if I

-really set about it?” she asked, with a little accent of scorn on the

-disagreeable word.

-

-“I did not know, dear. I was confident that you would do your best; but

-you told me you were only received upon conditions, and I sometimes

-feared the work might be too hard for you.”

-

-“I should not have begged to be allowed to enter the senior class if I

-had not felt confident that I could do justice to myself,” Star

-answered, quietly, as she buttered her roll. “I considered the matter

-thoroughly before I applied. I had already read almost as far in Latin

-as the whole course demanded, and my French, thanks to papa’s care, was

-nearly equal in pronunciation to monsieur’s own. The review of some of

-the studies of the junior class, with which I was not familiar, and the

-training for teaching, were all that was very hard for me.”

-

-She spoke lightly, but he well knew that she had labored unremittingly

-upon those reviews, and that she had spent many extra hours with one of

-the “critic” teachers, who had kindly offered to assist her, in order

-that she might be up to the mark in the practice of “model

-school-teaching.”

-

-Thus she had persevered and overcome every obstacle until the goal was

-reached, and to-day she would receive her diploma.

-

-And so Uncle Jacob had gone to the great chapel with other interested

-friends, and watched the dear girl with glistening eyes while she so

-creditably performed the part assigned to her, feeling that she was an

-honor to her class, and in his eyes, at least, the gem of them all.

-

-That evening there was to be a grand reunion in a commodious hall near

-by, where graduates of previous years were to meet the senior class of

-to-day, to offer their congratulations on their success and their good

-wishes for their future career.

-

-Star had no fine clothes in which to make a show of herself, and was

-obliged to go clad in the same simple lace bunting that she had worn

-during the day; but she gave herself an air of elegance by substituting

-some bright flowers for the knots of blue ribbon, and excitement lending

-a rich color to her cheeks and light to her eyes, no one thought of

-criticising her garments.

-

-Jacob Rosevelt, too, dressed in a full new suit of handsome broadcloth,

-with a satin neck-tie and light kid gloves, did not look much like the

-bent, shabby old man who had arrived, dusty and travel-stained, at Mr.

-Richards’ mansion a little less than a year ago.

-

-“Where _did_ you get it, Uncle Jacob?” Star exclaimed, as he came forth

-from his chamber and asked her if she thought he’d do.

-

-He smiled mysteriously, then said:

-

-“I told you that I was not quite a beggar, dear, when I left my niece

-Ellen’s inhospitable roof, and so I’ve been saving up for this occasion,

-in order that I might do honor to you.”

-

-“You are just as fine as you can be,” Star said, delightedly, as she

-went round and round him to examine the material and fashion of his new

-garments, “and I do not believe any one will be more proud of her escort

-to-night than I shall be; and yet,” she thought, “Uncle Jacob must have

-been _very saving_ indeed to have been able to buy such an expensive

-suit.”

-

-His eyes glowed with pleasure at her words; but when they entered the

-brilliantly lighted hall, and he saw the elegant toilets of some of the

-young ladies, he could not help regarding her with something of regret,

-although very many admiring eyes were fixed upon the arm of the stately,

-gray-haired gentleman, as they went forward to pay their respects to

-President Hunter and his corps of assistants.

-

-“Miss Gladstone, I have a friend who desires to be presented to you,”

-said one of Star’s teachers, seeking her out later in the evening.

-

-She led her toward a lady who was standing a little apart from them, and

-who appeared to be three or four years Star’s senior, and introduced her

-as Miss Meredith.

-

-It was the visitor who had inquired so particularly regarding our

-heroine during the graduating exercises.

-

-She was drawn toward her at once, and they were soon chatting as

-sociably as if they had been acquaintances of long standing.

-

-While thus engaged, a gentleman approached them, greeting both young

-ladies in the most cordial manner.

-

-“I was hoping that you two would meet to-night,” he said, bestowing a

-smiling face upon them both. “Miss Meredith is a graduate of two years

-ago, Miss Gladstone, and I am sure you will find her a congenial

-spirit.”

-

-“Thank you, Mr. Appleton,” Miss Meredith responded, brightly; “but you

-should have put it the other way, for I have been very impatient to meet

-Miss Gladstone. I singled her out from her class to-day, and felt sure

-that we should be _en rapport_, as the spiritualists say, if we could

-only become acquainted.”

-

-“Well, I think it does not matter much which way you put it, now that

-you know each other,” the gentleman returned, smiling; then turning to

-Star, he added:

-

-“So, my young friend, you have really ‘run the race, and finished the

-course;’ and now do you remember the promise which you made me several

-months ago?”

-

-Star flushed vividly at this question.

-

-“Did I make you a promise, Mr. Appleton?” she asked, evasively, adding,

-with an arch glance: “I thought it was _you_ who made _me_ a promise.”

-

-He laughed and shook his finger at her.

-

-“You said that on your eighteenth birthday I might reveal a secret.”

-

-“And you _promised_ you would _not_ reveal it until I was eighteen,” she

-retorted, brightly, although the color deepened in her cheeks as she

-continued: “I am not eighteen yet, Mr. Appleton.”

-

-“No, but you will be to-morrow. You see I have not forgotten the date.

-Now, let me take time by the forelock a little, and whisper to Miss

-Meredith _who_ the author of ‘Chatsworth’s Pride’ is. She has been on

-the _qui vive_ to know ever since the book was published,” Mr. Appleton

-said, bending a roguish look upon Star, who now stood with drooping eyes

-and appearing somewhat confused.

-

-“Oh, do you know? Is it some friend of yours, Miss Gladstone?” Miss

-Meredith said, eagerly, to her. “I think it is so tantalizing not to

-know the name of the author of a book,” she went on, “particularly if it

-is one you happen to like very much; and here this provoking man who

-published this one only put a great star where he should have printed

-the author’s name. Do tell me, please, Miss Gladstone; I am, indeed, all

-curiosity.”

-

-Then remarking Star’s embarrassment, she looked from her to Mr.

-Appleton, questioningly.

-

-“Is it?” she went on, excitedly, as he smiled and glanced at the fair

-girl. “Can it be possible that it is Miss Gladstone herself? I believe

-it is,” she said, with sparkling eyes, as she seized Star’s hands; “and

-oh! what can I say to you? It is a charming little book, and I have

-enjoyed it more than I can tell you. There! let me shake the hand that

-wrote it, and if I had a laurel wreath here I would put it on this

-golden head and make you wear it the remainder of the evening.”

-

-And she squeezed and shook that small, white, gloved hand until Star

-laughingly begged for mercy.

-

-“See what you have subjected me to,” she said, with a half-reproachful

-look at Mr. Appleton.

-

-“You might just as well make the best of it, my modest little friend,”

-that gentleman replied, laughing. “I have kept silence for a year under

-the most trying circumstances, for I have been unmercifully besieged to

-tell who the author of ‘Chatsworth’s Pride’ is, and I could not stand

-the fire any longer. My time is too valuable to be spent in any such

-way; and I came here to-night not only to congratulate you upon your

-graduation, but also to introduce my fair young author to my friends.

-Yes, Miss Meredith, Miss Stella Gladstone is the author of ‘Chatsworth’s

-Pride.’”

-

-“Miss _Stella_ Gladstone?” Miss Meredith repeated.

-

-“Yes; and, you perceive, I was not far from giving the name after all. I

-was obliged to ‘make her mark,’ since I could not write her name,”

-returned Mr. Appleton, jocosely.

-

-“Ah, yes, I see. Stella means a star; and certainly,” Miss Meredith

-said, turning to her new acquaintance again, “you bid fair to shine like

-one.”

-

-

-

-

-                             CHAPTER XXIII.

-                         AN INTERESTING STORY.

-

-

-Jacob Rosevelt stood not far away during the conversation between Mr.

-Appleton, Miss Meredith, and Star, and a proud light beamed in his eyes

-as he listened to their praises of the girl whom he had learned to love

-so well.

-

-But it was nothing new to him that Star was an authoress; he had known

-it for nearly a year.

-

-That was the secret that she had whispered in his ear when, after Mrs.

-Richards’ terrible accusations, they had been left alone and she had

-begged him to go away with her to make a little home of their own,

-telling him that what she should receive for her book, together with her

-hundred pounds, would be ample for their support until she could

-graduate and obtain a position as a teacher.

-

-She had written it that first winter; for after Mr. Richards had vetoed

-his wife’s plan of making her a servant, and insisted that she should be

-sent to school, there had been many lonely hours which would have been

-very irksome to her if she had not spent them in this way.

-

-Her studies that winter were not hard; she had no associates to help her

-pass the time pleasantly, and so her heart had overflowed in this way,

-and she had penned the charming little romance which had at once set

-everybody to wondering who the author might be.

-

-This was the package with which she had stolen forth so early one

-morning, taking it with fear and trembling, yet with something of hope,

-to the great publisher.

-

-When she was shown into his office and made known her errand there, he

-looked at her in wonder, astonished at the temerity of one so young and

-simple as she appeared to be in bringing her manuscript to him and

-asking him to publish it.

-

-But the deferential yet winning way in which she made her appeal, and

-the influence of her loveliness, won a reluctant promise on his part “to

-look it over.”

-

-He did so, opening the neatly folded package with an amused smile, and

-expecting after a casual glance at its contents to be nauseated with

-some sickly sentimental love-story.

-

-But he became strangely interested in it at once, and read on and on,

-now with smiles, then melting into tears, until it was finished, and

-pronounced a “little gem;” while he was convinced that a sensitive,

-refined, and talented girl had thrown her heart, and perhaps something

-of her own life, into those touching pages.

-

-He sent a note to her at once, asking her to come and see him again, and

-when she obeyed the summons, he questioned her about herself, how she

-had come to write her book, and what incidents had suggested it.

-

-She told him that the scene of her little romance was laid in

-Derbyshire, England, and that many of the incidents were connected with

-her childhood; and the tears sprang to his eyes as she related to him

-something of the misfortune which overtook her in the death of her

-mother, the subsequent loss of her father, and how she was obliged to

-come, a stranger, to this country; of the tempestuous voyage across the

-ocean, with its thrilling events, and that as soon as she could complete

-her education she intended to become a teacher.

-

-He was greatly interested in her, and told her that he should publish

-her book, and if the first edition sold well, she should have a thousand

-dollars, and a certain per cent. on all other editions.

-

-It seemed like a fortune to Star, who had not thought of receiving

-anything like such a sum, and she went back to her duties with a joyful

-heart to await the issue of her book.

-

-Mr. Appleton was so pleased with her that he saw her often after that,

-and having received a card from her for the commencement exercises of

-Professor Roberts’ seminary, he decided he would go; and the little

-package which he had given her in the presence of Mr. Richards was a

-copy of her book, which had just come to him from the hands of the

-binders; and it was he, too, who, admiring her fine essay, begged it of

-her and sent it, with those few flattering remarks which had so annoyed

-Josephine, to the next morning’s papers.

-

-Star had put no name to her work, telling Mr. Appleton that she did not

-care to be known as its author; and he, too, thought it best, since it

-was her first experience in literary matters; so, when she had told him

-that her name was Stella, he had put a simple Star in place of it.

-

-But the book had sold beyond even the publisher’s most sanguine

-expectations, and when it became evident very soon that a second edition

-must be published, he asked her to allow him to put her name to it, as

-everybody was besieging him to know who wrote it.

-

-But she was firm, and insisted upon having his promise that he would not

-betray her until after her graduation and her eighteenth birthday.

-

-When he wrote her a check for the promised thousand dollars, she had

-taken it directly to Mr. Rosevelt.

-

-“Now we need have no fears for the future,” she said, with a proud

-smile, as she put it into his hand. “You must have every comfort, Uncle

-Jacob—fruits, and wines, and everything nice, to make you strong and

-well. There will be more coming, you know, as the other editions are

-sold, and when I begin to teach I shall have my salary besides.”

-

-The old gentleman was deeply touched by her thoughtfulness for him; he

-could not speak for the choking sensation in his throat, but drew her

-gently to him and kissed her fair forehead, feeling that she was the

-only gleam of sunshine which his life contained.

-

-Now, as he stood by and heard her praises sung, and knew that she would

-have the fame that belonged to her, he exulted over it; and when, a

-little later, she came to him and slipped an envelope into his hand,

-saying: “It is another check, Uncle Jacob, which Mr. Appleton has just

-given to me. Please take care of it, for you are my banker, you know;

-and,” a tear starting to her glorious eyes, “I believe I never expected

-to be so happy again as I am to-night,” he thought his own cup of joy

-was nearly as full as hers.

-

-She was, indeed, a star after that all through the evening, and held a

-right royal little court, receiving and making the acquaintance of the

-admirers of “Chatsworth’s Pride,” until she became so weary that she

-longed to get home to quiet and rest.

-

-As soon as she could find an opportunity to do so, she drew Mr. Rosevelt

-to President Hunter and made her adieu.

-

-Just as she was turning away, some one touched her on the arm.

-

-“Miss Gladstone, allow me to present my brother, Mr. Ralph Meredith.”

-

-It was Miss Meredith—Grace Meredith she had told Star she was called—who

-spoke, and looking up, she found a pair of brilliant dark eyes looking

-into hers, a handsome face smiling down upon her, while a musical voice

-acknowledged the introduction with evident pleasure.

-

-“I expect you are _the ‘star’_ whom I have been wishing to know for a

-long time,” he said, significantly, as he took the hand she held out to

-him, and thought he had never seen a lovelier face in his life.

-

-Star thanked him with a charming smile for his interest in her, and

-introduced him to Mr. Rosevelt; then turned to Miss Meredith to escape

-from the praises which she saw he was longing to pour into her ears.

-

-The young man was somewhat chagrined at being thus summarily disposed

-of, but he was too polite and good-natured to betray it, and did his

-best to make himself agreeable to the old gentleman and win his

-good-will.

-

-Gradually, however, he managed to attract the attention of the young

-ladies, and then the conversation became general, and they chatted

-pleasantly for several minutes, until, at a look from Star, Mr. Rosevelt

-declared they must go, “for he was not used to late hours, and Star, he

-knew, was nearly worn out with the excitement of the day.”

-

-Mr. Meredith regretted that they must leave, but begged, with his most

-captivating smile:

-

-“May I have the pleasure, Miss Gladstone, of coming with my sister to

-call upon you?”

-

-“Certainly,” Star answered, graciously, for she was pleased with both

-brother and sister. “I shall be very happy to have you do so. We live——”

-

-“Wait a minute, Star, and I will write our address down for them. It is

-so difficult to remember numbers, I am afraid they will forget;” and

-taking a leaf from a small notebook that was in his pocket, Mr. Rosevelt

-wrote both street and number and passed it to young Meredith.

-

-Star thought he looked surprised as he read it. Was it because of the

-humble locality? she wondered.

-

-They then exchanged good-nights and parted. When they reached the

-street, Mr. Rosevelt said:

-

-“I am going to call a carriage, dear, for I know you are just ready to

-drop from weariness;” and Star did not object, for she was indeed

-exceedingly tired.

-

-When they reached home she insisted upon making a cup of tea for Uncle

-Jacob, saying that he was not accustomed to such late hours and

-dissipation; “and besides,” she added, with a smile, “she felt like

-having a drop herself.”

-

-But the old gentleman was so absent-minded over his tea, that she felt

-almost guilty for having kept him up so late, and feared he would be ill

-to-morrow.

-

-She put away the tea things when they were through, and was about to

-light her lamp to retire, when he stopped her, saying:

-

-“Star, my dear, come and sit down upon this ottoman by me; I have

-something I wish to say to you.”

-

-She obeyed, wondering what had happened to make him look and speak so

-gravely.

-

-“Are you _really happy_ to-night, my child?” he asked, tenderly.

-

-A startled look came into the girl’s eyes at this question, and her

-heart leaped with sudden pain as her thoughts went bounding over the sea

-to one to whom she had given the first grand passion of her soul.

-

-“Uncle Jacob,” she answered, gravely, though he could see the quiver

-about her lips, which she tried in vain to repress, “I am happier than I

-ever expected to be again. It is useless to regret or mourn over the

-past. I have tried to be sensible over it, but sometimes, I am afraid, I

-have not succeeded very well,” she said, with a smile that was a trifle

-bitter. “If,” she added, more brightly, a moment after, “that _one

-episode_ could have been left out of my life, I believe there would be

-nothing to mar it now.”

-

-“I would that it could have been so,” Mr. Rosevelt sighed. “But I want

-you to listen to me for a little while. I know it is late, and you ought

-to go to rest, but I particularly wish to tell you a short story of my

-life to-night. It is a page which has been turned from sight for many

-years, and no one has ever read it save myself. You are about entering

-upon a new era in _your_ life. I have learned to love you very tenderly,

-my child, and I want to bind you yet closer to me.”

-

-“Why, Uncle Jacob, you do not think I have any idea of going away from

-you, I hope,” Star said, in surprise.

-

-“No, for I have grown to feel that you belong to me. I want you to think

-so, too, and I am going to tell you why. Fate—or Providence, I suppose,

-_you_ would say—has thrown us together in a strange way, considering all

-things. Do you remember telling me, on board that ill-fated steamer,

-that your name was Star Rosevelt Gladstone, and how surprised you were

-when you learned that my last name was the same as your middle one?”

-

-“Yes, sir; and I still think it a strange coincidence,” Star answered.

-

-“Perhaps you will be more surprised when I tell you that you were named

-_for_ me.”

-

-Star looked up astonished at him.

-

-“How can that be possible?” she asked.

-

-“In this way,” Mr. Rosevelt returned, a shade of pain crossing his face.

-“When your grandmother, Stella Winthrop—that was her name before her

-marriage, was it not?”

-

-“Yes; and that is all I know about her, Uncle Jacob,” Star answered,

-with a troubled look. “Papa never said much about his friends. Indeed,

-he did not appear to have any relatives, and never would allow me to

-question him about them. Once I said something to him about my name, and

-he remarked: ‘Your grandmother once told me that if ever I had a little

-girl of my own, she would like me to call her Stella Rosevelt, and that

-is how you came by it.’

-

-“‘Where is my grandmother, papa?’ I asked.

-

-“‘She is dead,’ he said, and immediately left the room, looking so pale

-and miserable that I never dared ask him anything more about her.”

-

-“It seems strange that _I_ should be the one to tell you about her,” Mr.

-Rosevelt said, thoughtfully, “and I am puzzled to know why he should

-have been so reticent. Did your father ever have any trouble with his

-family?”

-

-“Not that I know of; and yet,” Star said, flushing, “there _was_ some

-trouble about his marriage with mamma, though that seems to have been on

-the part of her family rather than his. Mrs. Richards once twitted me

-about mamma—who was a sort of cousin to her—having married beneath her.”

-

-“I do not see how that could have been, for the Mr. Gladstone who

-married Stella Winthrop was a very wealthy and important man in the

-county of Devonshire—at least, I was told so—and if your father was his

-son, he might have married almost any one he chose, and have conferred

-an honor in so doing. But this is not telling you my story.

-

-“When Stella Winthrop was of your age, and I three or four years older,

-we met at a large reception in London. That meeting was fatal to us

-both, for we loved from that hour as true lovers ever love. For six

-months the world was like Paradise to us, and then I was called away to

-the far East on business for the firm with which I was connected. I am

-an American, but most of my life has been spent abroad.

-

-“If I was successful in my business undertaking, it was agreed that I

-might claim my bride when I returned at the end of two years. The vessel

-on which I sailed was wrecked—I have had more than one such experience

-you see, my dear—and it was reported that every passenger on board was

-lost, while only a very few of the crew lived to tell the story of the

-disaster. But I was fortunate enough to secure a large cask, and with

-this I managed to keep afloat for two days, when I was picked up by a

-sailing-vessel bound for the Philippine Islands.

-

-“My first work upon reaching land was to write to Stella and tell her of

-my safety; but my letter never reached her. I also notified the firm

-that I was all right, and should proceed directly about the business

-upon which I had been sent, but they knew nothing of my connection with

-Miss Winthrop, and accordingly did not communicate with her. I kept

-writing at intervals to my beloved, but never heard anything in return.

-At last, in despair, I wrote to the firm, telling them of my engagement,

-and asking them to notify her of my safety and give her my address in

-case she should have happened to lose the one I had given her. In reply,

-they said that the Winthrop family had gone abroad for an indefinite

-stay. Of course this was a great trial to me, and I was exceedingly

-impatient; but my two years were over at last, and I turned my face

-toward England once more. I had succeeded in my business beyond my most

-sanguine expectations, and I looked forward to the immediate fulfillment

-of my hopes when I should return.

-

-“My first duty on reaching London was to acquaint my employers with the

-result of my transactions, and my next thought was for Stella—my bright

-Star. Never for an instant had I doubted her fidelity; I believed she

-would be as true to me as I was to her, and my heart beat high with hope

-as I bounded up the familiar steps leading to her home and rang the

-bell. I asked for Miss Winthrop of the maid who answered my summons, and

-she stared at me as if she thought me demented.

-

-“‘Miss Winthrop?’ she repeated. ‘There is no Miss Winthrop, sir; she was

-married and went away nearly a year ago.’

-

-“‘Married!’ The word was like a thunderbolt to me, and in an instant all

-the light went out of my life—my heart was paralyzed. I staggered from

-the place, and hid myself from every one for a week. Then I gained

-something of calmness and courage to go out among my friends and try to

-learn how it happened that Stella Winthrop had married. As I told you

-before, it was reported that every passenger on the vessel in which I

-sailed was lost. Those of the crew who were saved affirmed that such was

-the case, and my betrothed had believed that I was dead.

-

-“She grieved herself almost to death over my loss, and her parents,

-fearing they would lose her also, took her abroad and traveled for many

-months. It was during this absence that the firm received my letter

-relating to her, but were unable to learn her address, as she was moving

-from point to point, and so could not communicate with her.

-

-“Six months after learning my fate, she met Mr. Gladstone in Paris. He

-fell in love with her, and offered himself to her. He was a gentleman in

-every sense of the word, was kind and sympathetic, and she liked him as

-a friend. She told him the story of her grief, and that she could never

-marry. He did not sneer at her ‘girlish folly,’ as many would have done,

-but comforted her, speaking so kindly and regretfully of me that he won

-even a warmer place in her heart. He was patient with her, and when at

-length a second time he asked her to marry him, she told him that she

-could never love him as she had loved me, but if he could be content to

-take her with what respect she could give him, and the duty she would

-strive to yield him, she would become his wife. He told her he would be

-content, and they were married—a year and three months after I sailed on

-the fatal voyage.

-

-“They traveled several months longer, and when at length on their return

-to London, only three or four months before I arrived there, she learned

-that I had not perished, but was soon expected back, the shock nearly

-killed her a second time. Her husband was all kindness and attention,

-took her immediately away again, and showered everything that wealth

-could buy upon her; and after a time children were born to her, and

-those new ties aroused her to her sense of duty as a mother. I never saw

-her, for I had not courage to look upon her dear face, knowing that she

-was the wife of another; for I never ceased to love her, with an

-affection that amounted to idolatry. They told me that she had two

-children—two noble boys, one of them resembling her, the other his

-father—that she was a tender, faithful mother, and very much beloved by

-every one who knew her.

-

-“That was forty years ago, Star, and for thirty I have not heard one

-word concerning either her or her family; but I have lived my life out

-alone; I could never take any one to my broken heart; and perhaps, if

-your belief is true, my child, and I can ever be made clearly to see it,

-I may find my lost love somewhere in the great future; but I do not need

-to tell you that my past has been one long season of longing and regret,

-of sadness and loneliness.”

-

-His voice broke, his lips quivered painfully, and it seemed for a moment

-as if he must break down utterly.

-

-Star softly slipped one of her small hands into his, and the sympathetic

-little act comforted him greatly. His closed over it in a strong, yet

-tender clasp.

-

-“You pity the old man’s weakness, don’t you, dear?” he said, with a sad

-smile; “but it is not easy to open the secret chambers of one’s heart

-when they have been closed for forty years.

-

-“When I first saw you,” he continued, after a moment, “there was

-something in your face that touched me—a light in your eye, a sheen on

-your hair, that somehow smote a familiar chord in my heart. I watched

-you, although you were not aware of it, and felt sorry for you during

-that dreadful storm at sea; for your white face and great, startled eyes

-appealed to me as nothing had done for many a year. But I would not

-yield to it. I had shut my heart to every one; I had vowed that I would

-never love any one again, and I mistrusted every one who sought to win

-me to a better mood. But when that lurch of the boat threw you directly

-into my arms, and you clung to me in such a helpless way, I could not

-resist you, and some good angel prompted me to gather you close to me

-and make you rest upon me. When you told me your name, the shock nearly

-unmanned me—‘Star Rosevelt Gladstone,’ you said—and I knew as well as if

-I had been told, that you were in some way connected with _my_ lost

-Star, and I watched over you all the night through, feeling almost as if

-some sweet spirit had been sent from her to me, to give me a little ray

-of comfort at the end of my long, loveless life.

-

-“When, the next morning, you told me that your grandmother had named

-you, and that her name was Stella Winthrop, I had not a doubt; I felt

-convinced that you must be the child of one of her sons. You thought it

-merely a strange coincidence, but I knew better, and all my boasted

-coldness and hardness melted away, and I began to love you then and

-there. When that dreadful explosion occurred, and you urged me to save

-myself, as ‘doubtless I had dear friends’ and ‘you had no one to love

-you’—when you refused to leave me, and took up your station by my side

-to die with me, as we both believed, I felt as if something of the

-spirit of my lost love was shining through you. Then your tenderness

-toward, and your care of me—your heroic self-denial and efforts to save

-my life while we were helplessly afloat on the mighty ocean—your sweet

-voice singing those hymns of faith and cheer, completed the conquest of

-my hardened nature. I can never make you understand how disappointed I

-was, on arriving in New York, to find you gone. I meant to tell you

-something of myself, and learn your own destination, so that I might see

-you once in awhile.

-

-“But I never forgot you; and when I visited my nephew in the West, and

-met only coldness and neglect, simply because of my misfortunes, I could

-not help contrasting it with your kind attention to an entire stranger.

-

-“I left those heartless people and came to my niece, and met with the

-same reception, when before they had always fawned at my feet, flattered

-and humored me as if I had been something more than common clay.

-

-“I felt forsaken; no one loved me, no one wanted me; I was a burden and

-incumbrance. But just then you appeared to me, and your heavenly

-kindness made my poor old heart glow again. Still, I was so embittered

-by finding my only brother’s children so heartless and selfish, that I

-was not quite sure of you. It made me mistrust everybody, and I feared

-you might grow to be like them. But for that I should not have remained

-a day beneath Ellen Richards’ roof; I should have gone my own way again

-as soon as I became rested and recruited. Do you remember how you came

-to me the next morning after my arrival, and cheered me with your merry

-chat and your thoughtful little gift? I said, ‘Surely this child must be

-artless—she must be true;’ but I resolved to stay awhile and test and

-study you, and you have been a blessing to me from the first. My dear, I

-began to love you for my lost Star’s sake; now I love you for your own.

-There, you have all my story now, and you must go to rest, for to-morrow

-will be your birthday, and we must celebrate a little in honor of it,”

-Mr. Rosevelt concluded, patting her softly on the shoulder.

-

-Star lifted a flushed and tearful face to his.

-

-“Uncle Jacob!” she cried, tenderly; “it seems as if you are _really_

-that to me now; and I am so glad that you have told me how you have

-loved my grandmother, and I shall try more than ever after this to make

-your life as bright as possible. I do not see how any one could ever

-have treated you unkindly or disrespectfully.”

-

-Uncle Jacob smiled fondly at her.

-

-“I know there is one at least who treats me kindly for my own sake, and

-who would share all her laurels with me. My child, I was very proud of

-you to-night.”

-

-“And I of you,” Star added, quickly. “I never saw you look so nice—so

-like an _aristocratic_ old gentleman.”

-

-He laughed, such a bright, hearty laugh that she wondered to see him so

-pleased over her little compliment.

-

-“Now, good-night,” he said, rising; “I want you to be as fresh as

-possible to-morrow.”

-

-He led her to the door of her room, and then, with a softly breathed

-“God bless you!” sought his own.

-

-God bless you! Those words rang in Star’s ears. Was he beginning to

-believe in her God, after all? She hoped so—she _prayed_ so.

-

-But she did not go directly to bed, as he bade her; his story had

-strangely stirred her heart, and she could not rest until she had

-decided some questions that were troubling her.

-

-She opened a drawer of her dressing-case, and taking that worn portfolio

-to which we have before referred from it, unlocked it, and drew forth a

-sealed package.

-

-“Papa told me to wait until I was eighteen before I opened and read it,”

-she said, musingly; “but a few hours can make no difference, and I feel

-now as if I must know if he was _her_ son, and why he never would tell

-me anything about his family.”

-

-With reverent fingers she broke the seals, a sob rising to her lips as

-she thought whose hand had fastened them there, and how tenderly it used

-to stroke her hair and call her “My bright little Star.”

-

-The package contained several papers, and it took her more than an hour

-to examine them; but when she had read them through, there was a look of

-wonder in her large blue eyes and an almost blank expression on her

-white face.

-

-

-

-

-                             CHAPTER XXIV.

-                               WHAT NEXT?

-

-

-Star Gladstone’s eighteenth birthday dawned as bright and charming as it

-was possible for a morning to be. At eight o’clock she and Mr. Rosevelt

-sat down to their breakfast, and a merry meal they made of it, for both

-appeared in the best of spirits, in spite of the sad and exciting events

-of the previous evening upon which they had conversed.

-

-About nine a handsome carriage drove to their humble abode, and the

-driver rang and asked for the “gentleman and lady who were going for a

-drive in the park.”

-

-Star looked surprised as she peered from the window and saw a pair of

-sleek, coal-black horses, with their silver-mounted harnesses, and the

-shining, velvet-lined coach.

-

-“Uncle Jacob, did you order that carriage to come for us?” she asked.

-

-“Yes, my dear,” he said, with an expression of satisfaction, as he, too,

-looked out and saw the team. “It is not often that I ride, as you well

-know, but when I do, I like to go in style. One ride a year in

-‘ship-shape’ would satisfy me, where a half-dozen in some broken-down

-hack wouldn’t give me a bit of pleasure. Now, put on your hat, and tuck

-some roses in your belt, as you did yesterday, for this is to be a gala

-day, and I want you as fine as possible.”

-

-Star laughed and tripped away to obey, coming back after a few moments

-with such a bright and happy face that Mr. Rosevelt thought she had

-never looked so lovely before.

-

-All the morning they drove, four long, delightful hours-hours that were

-always a pleasant memory afterward to both of them; and many who saw the

-nicely dressed old gentleman, with the fair, bright, golden-haired girl

-beside him in their elegant carriage, thought what a green old age must

-be his, with so much to make life pleasant.

-

-About one o’clock they turned toward the city once more, and Star said,

-with a sigh of pleasure:

-

-“Uncle Jacob, I believe there never was such a perfect day before, and

-I’m sure I never enjoyed a birthday more. You were very kind to plan

-this pleasure for me.”

-

-The old gentleman’s eyes twinkled. Her delight, her bright, animated

-face were such a joy to him.

-

-“If I had only been rich as I used to be, I should so like to have made

-you some nice present to-day—a watch, for instance,” he said.

-

-“You gave me something last night which I value far better—your

-confidence,” Star said, softly. “I should like a watch,” she added,

-after a moment, “and I mean to have one some time. When I have earned

-it, you shall go and select it for me, if you will. But what have you

-done with your own, Uncle Jacob? You had a very nice one when I first

-met you, and I remember seeing it on you after the wreck.”

-

-“Watches and I have not had much in common during the last two years,”

-he answered, evasively; and she thought perhaps he had been obliged to

-sell it since he became poor.

-

-All at once the carriage stopped in a quiet street up town, which, Star

-noticed, was lined on both sides with elegant brown-stone dwellings.

-

-“What are we stopping here for?” she asked.

-

-“A good woman whom I used to know lives here, and I thought, as we were

-in gala attire to-day, I would like to stop and make a call,

-and—introduce my Star to her,” Mr. Rosevelt said, preparing to alight.

-

-He helped Star out, and together they went up the marble steps.

-

-Mr. Rosevelt rang the bell, and then took a card from one of his

-pockets, and, with an arch smile, said:

-

-“It almost seems as if we were really fine people, doesn’t it, dressed

-in our best, riding about in our carriage, and sending our cards in at a

-brown-stone house?”

-

-“Yes, indeed; and it would be such fun if we could keep it up for

-awhile,” Star said, gayly. “But,” with a regretful little sigh, “like

-Cinderella of old, I suppose we shall soon be aroused to the fact that

-our coach and horses are gone, and find the stern realities of life

-staring us in the face again.”

-

-Mr. Rosevelt laughed.

-

-“Would you like to be a fine lady, Star?” he asked.

-

-“I don’t know,” she answered, thoughtfully. “I believe I should like to

-_try_ it for a little while, just to see how it would seem.”

-

-There was not time for any more conversation, for the door was at this

-moment opened by a neat-looking servant.

-

-She appeared to recognize Mr. Rosevelt, for she greeted him with a

-smile, and then her eyes wandered inquiringly to Star’s lovely face.

-

-She invited them to enter, and conducted them into a handsome

-drawing-room on the right of the hall, when, taking Mr. Rosevelt’s card,

-she retired, leaving them alone.

-

-“What a lovely room!” Star breathed, as her eyes roved about the

-apartment, over the beautiful pictures, the bright, rich carpet, the

-carved ebony furniture, upholstered in warm-hued satins, choice

-bric-a-brac, and all those fine things which add so much to a place like

-that. “Your friend must be a ‘fine lady,’ with plenty of money,” she

-added.

-

-Mr. Rosevelt merely nodded his head in reply, while he watched the door

-with evident impatience.

-

-It was soon slowly opened, and a familiar face appeared in the

-aperture—a face all beaming with smiles of pleasure and good nature.

-

-“Mrs. Blunt!” cried Star, in astonishment; and springing toward the

-woman, she grasped both her hands warmly.

-

-“Yes, Miss Star,” the woman returned, half laughing, half crying; “I

-_am_ Mrs. Blunt, or I’m much mistaken, as I sometimes imagine I may be

-when I get to thinking about everything, and how strange it has all

-turned out. How well you’re looking, miss, and it does my old eyes a

-wonderful sight of good to see your bright face again.”

-

-Star thought her language somewhat ambiguous; but everything seemed

-rather ambiguous just then.

-

-“Do you live here?” she questioned.

-

-“Yes, I live here; or——”

-

-“Have you been in New York long? and why haven’t we seen you before? and

-what are you laughing at?”

-

-The young girl’s astonishment seemed to increase, for the woman appeared

-strangely, and was shaking with suppressed laughter.

-

-“I’m laughing because I’m so glad to see you. I’ve been in New York a

-month, and haven’t been to see you because the last time I saw Mr.

-Rosevelt he told me he was going to bring you to see me soon; so I’ve

-been content to wait,” Mrs. Blunt explained.

-

-Star wondered if the present occupant of that elegant place allowed her

-housekeeper to entertain her friends in the drawing-room; if so, it was

-surely a new departure, and not exactly in accordance with Mrs.

-Richards’ ideas of the treatment of servants.

-

-“Take off your hat, dearie,” Mrs. Blunt continued, “for I have a nice

-little lunch waiting for you.”

-

-“A lunch?” repeated Star, in amazement, and with a puzzled look at Mr.

-Rosevelt, who was regarding her attentively.

-

-“Yes; I had orders to get up the nicest lunch I could for my old

-friends, and I’m much mistaken if I haven’t done it,” the woman replied,

-with an air of satisfaction.

-

-“You must have a very kind mistress,” the fair girl said, as she drew

-off her gloves and removed her hat.

-

-“I have, the best in the world,” the queer creature returned, with a

-chuckle. “But come, I’ll show you the way to the dining-room.”

-

-Mr. Rosevelt arose, and drawing Star’s hand within his arm, followed her

-to a room on the opposite side of, and farther down the hall.

-

-As she opened the door, Star saw a charming dining-room, furnished in

-costly woods of different colors, its floor inlaid in an intricate and

-lovely pattern.

-

-In the center stood a table, covered with a heavy white damask cloth,

-and spread with a glittering array of silver and cut glass, and where

-also a most tempting repast was awaiting them.

-

-Mr. Rosevelt led his wondering companion to one side of the table, and,

-looking down upon her with the fondest look in the world, said, in a

-voice which was not quite steady:

-

-“Star, my dear, my pure-hearted, faithful little friend, I here formally

-install you as _mistress of your own table and of your own home_. This

-is to be your seat henceforth—mine opposite; and, my darling—for such

-you have become to me—I trust you will be as happy as an old man’s love,

-gratitude, and wealth can make you.”

-

-Star had grown suddenly pale while he spoke, and regarded him with a

-puzzled expression.

-

-“I do not understand,” she said, clasping both her small hands around

-his arm and leaning heavily upon him.

-

-“I will tell you,” he answered, tenderly. “When you met me on board that

-ill-fated steamer I was a very rich man. When it was wrecked, and I had

-discovered that you were the grandchild of the only woman whom I ever

-loved, and also what a kind, tender little heart you had, I formed a

-sudden resolution. I had always, as I told you last night, been

-flattered and cajoled by my relatives, who knew I was rich, and I

-resolved that I would test their sincerity. If they stood it, I would

-divide my fortune into three portions, one of which should be yours, the

-others theirs. If they did not, it should _all_ be yours, if _you_

-proved the true, noble character which I believed you to be. That was

-one reason why I was so keenly disappointed to find you gone when I went

-to bid you farewell on the steamer; but I meant to search for you all

-the same. And so I pretended to be the poor old man whom you remember

-coming to Ellen Richards’ that night. You know the result. No one was

-true to me or kind to me but my Star. Yet I had become so suspicious of

-everybody, that I resolved to study even you thoroughly before I

-committed myself; and so I concluded to wait until you had completed

-your education before telling you of my actual position in life. It was

-very hard, though, when you were in such trouble that last night in

-Yonkers, when you told me your secret about writing your book, and

-offered to share your little all with me ‘because I was not happy

-there,’ and I was sorely tempted to tell you all, surround you at once

-with everything to make life beautiful, and place you in a position far

-above the daughter of the woman who had treated you so shamefully. On

-second thought, however, I deemed it best to wait until your education

-should be completed, for then you would be more free to enjoy the good

-things of life.”

-

-“Then you have not been poor at all?” faltered Star, as he paused for a

-moment.

-

-“No; I have had abundance. I own this house, and have for years. I own a

-block on Broadway, and—well, little one, there is enough to enable you

-and me to do pretty much as we like for the remainder of our lives,” he

-answered, with a fond smile.

-

-“Then I cannot take care of you. I thought I was going to make _you_ so

-comfortable, and that, with teaching and the income from my book, we

-could have such nice times together,” Star said, wistfully, and hardly

-able, even yet, to comprehend the change in her circumstances.

-

-Mr. Rosevelt patted her softly on the shoulder, though a tear sprang to

-his eyes at her words.

-

-“No, dear,” he returned; “you cannot take care of me in that way. I am

-going to take care of you; but you can still make me so comfortable. We

-can still have nice times together, and I shall be very proud to

-introduce the young authoress of ‘Chatsworth’s Pride’ as my _ward and

-future heiress_.

-

-“Bless you, child!” he continued, his fine face glowing with happiness;

-“don’t you suppose it is going to be a comfort to me to try to make you

-happy and give you everything you wish, after all your constancy,

-patience, and self-denial for me? Don’t you suppose I enjoyed fitting up

-this house for you after my tenant gave it up, some six months ago? And

-don’t you believe, too, that Mrs. Blunt was glad to come and be

-housekeeper for us?” and he turned kindly to the woman, who had been

-standing in the background during these explanations.

-

-“You may be sure I’m much mistaken if I wasn’t,” she returned, eagerly,

-her eyes gleaming with delight, and her gratitude for the position

-shining through her homely but good-natured face.

-

-“And I am very glad, too. It is the nicest arrangement in the world,”

-Star said, heartily; “and just to think,” glancing around the elegant

-apartment with a sigh of supreme content, “that I am to be surrounded

-with all this beauty! It is like a fairy tale, or a dream of

-enchantment.”

-

-“I _told_ you I had the best mistress in the world,” Mrs. Blunt said,

-chuckling; “but we didn’t imagine anything like this, Miss Star, that

-Sunday when we were stoning raisins and stemming currants.”

-

-“No, indeed,” Star answered, laughing. “But you don’t mean to tell me

-that you consider _me_ your mistress.”

-

-“I never’d ask for a better,” the woman said, earnestly; then, turning

-to Mr. Rosevelt, she resumed:

-

-“And now, sir, won’t you please eat your lunch and tell the rest of the

-story afterward, for everything will be spoiled waiting.”

-

-“Yes, indeed—yes, indeed; to be sure we will. There, Miss Gladstone, sit

-down by your tea-urn, and make me the best cup of tea that was ever

-brewed, while I serve you to some of that tempting salad.”

-

-He forced her gently into her chair, and going around to the opposite

-side of the table, began to wait upon her in the most chivalrous manner.

-

-“Ah! this is what I call comfort, dear,” he said, in a satisfied tone,

-after Mrs. Blunt had withdrawn to see that the strawberries and cream

-were properly served; “this is what I have been dreaming about for a

-whole year; and now, after we have appeased our hunger—and, by the way,

-I believe I am half-famished, or else Mrs. Blunt’s efforts in the

-culinary line are wonderfully successful—we will go over the house, and

-see if everything suits you. What are you looking at the clock for? Your

-school days are over, Miss Gladstone.”

-

-Star laughed somewhat nervously, and flushed.

-

-“I was looking to see how many hours would elapse before the clock would

-strike twelve, and wondering if it would dissolve the spell that is on

-me.”

-

-“No fear of that, Starling. The hours, days, and months, and years, I

-trust, will roll by and bring you only joy and pleasure, with no rude

-awaking. You are to have everything that you want—and mind, by that I do

-not mean just what you _need_, and have you stop to count the cost on

-those pretty fingers of yours, as I have seen you do so often. You shall

-have music and painting to your heart’s content. You shall have a pair

-of ponies and a phaeton of the most approved style; and, in fact, little

-girl, it will take you a good while to find the bottom of my purse. But

-how do you like your tea-service? I chose it myself, and had it marked

-expressly for you.”

-

-“It is perfectly lovely,” Star replied, as her eyes roved admiringly

-over the beautiful and costly equipage, upon each piece of which there

-gleamed a star in delicate frost-work.

-

-“I’m glad you like it. And now, my dear, suppose you open that small box

-by your plate.”

-

-Star gave him a wondering look—indeed, all her looks had been wondering

-ones during the last hour—and opened a little white box, which had until

-now lain unnoticed beside her plate.

-

-She found inside a morocco case, and springing back the lid of this, an

-elegant little watch and chatelaine were exposed to her delighted eyes.

-

-“Uncle Jacob! I cannot tell whether I am awake or dreaming,” she cried,

-a rosy flush spreading over her whole face. “It is the dearest little

-watch in the world. And is this star on the case made of diamonds?”

-

-“Yes; diamonds are none too good for _my_ star.”

-

-“And you had this waiting for me, even when we were talking about my

-having a watch while we were driving?”

-

-“Yes; I was only sounding you a little to see if you would like a watch

-best or something else. Now, if you are through, put it in your belt and

-come with me,” he said, rising from the table.

-

-She followed his example, and together they passed from the beautiful

-dining-room out into the hall, and thence to another room on the front

-of the house, which was fitted up as half library, half music-room.

-

-In it there stood a new Steinway piano, with a richly carved case and

-pearl keys. The handsome bookcases, each surmounted by books of popular

-authors, were filled with choice volumes, while the other furniture,

-upholstered in olive and crimson, was most luxurious.

-

-From here they went up stairs, and over the drawing-room found a most

-charming suite of rooms, furnished throughout in blue and white.

-

-The dainty bed, in its pretty chamber, was draped with antique lace,

-over blue silken curtains, with a spread to match; draperies of the same

-kind hung at the windows, and all the toilet articles were of costly

-china, most beautifully decorated. The boudoir, or sitting-room, was

-fitted up with every convenience, and all those pretty trifles which

-young girls so much admire, carpeted with wreaths of forget-me-nots and

-golden-hearted daisies. The furniture was covered with richest brocade

-of the same design, while the full-length mirror, in its massive blue

-and gold frame, revealed, as Star went up to it, a beautiful maiden,

-with shining hair, gleaming eyes, smiling coral lips, and glowing

-cheeks—a fitting tenant for this lovely bower.

-

-“Allow me to introduce you to the heiress of Jacob Rosevelt, the

-millionaire,” said the old gentleman, taking her hand and bowing before

-the fair apparition in the glass. “How do you like her?”

-

-“I can’t tell just yet, she is such a new creature; but,” with a roguish

-look up into his eyes, “I’m very fond of the millionaire.”

-

-“Thank you, Miss Gladstone; your favor is most highly appreciated,” he

-returned, laughing. “But come, you must see my bachelor den;” and he led

-her across the hall to a room over the dining-room, and here she found

-every comfort, if something less of elegance.

-

-Opposite her sitting-room there was a great chamber, furnished in

-crimson and gold, while up another flight were the servants’ rooms. Mrs.

-Blunt’s room was on the lower floor, where she could conveniently

-overlook her assistants at all hours.

-

-“It is like a story,” Star said, when they had been the rounds and came

-back to the library; “and now what are we to do next, Uncle Jacob?”

-

-Her plans had all been for work, and now that she found there was to be

-no more toil or care for her—nothing but pleasure and what her own sweet

-will dictated, she hardly knew where or how to take up the thread of her

-life again; therefore the query:

-

-“What are we to do next, Uncle Jacob?”

-

-

-

-

-                              CHAPTER XXV.

-                            STAR’S DELIGHT.

-

-

-“What are we going to do next?” Mr. Rosevelt repeated. “Why, enjoy it

-all, to be sure. I have waited a good while for this good time, and now

-I am going to make the most of it. First, Miss Gladstone must attend to

-that very important item, Miss Gladstone’s wardrobe, which must be

-suitable for her position; and Star, I shall be quite particular upon

-that point; let it be both rich and elegant. Then, as the hot weather

-comes on, there will be a trip to Newport and the White Mountains, or

-some other place equally pleasant, and after that—well, something else,

-I suppose,” he concluded, with a smile.

-

-Star heaved a sigh of delight.

-

-It was nice, after all, to be surrounded by all this beauty and

-elegance, and to have everything heart could wish.

-

-She had applied for a position as a teacher, and had hoped also to do

-something toward writing another book during the coming year; but now,

-of course, she could not teach, and there was no actual need that she

-should use her pen, although the enticing finger of fame seemed

-beckoning to her, urging her to try for even greater literary honors.

-

-Her wardrobe!

-

-Of what should it consist, to be suitable for her position as the

-heiress of a millionaire?

-

-It was rather a difficult question to decide, when, during the last two

-years, her means had been too limited to allow of her gratifying her

-naturally exquisite taste, and all she had possessed in the way of

-dresses had been scarce half a dozen, and those of the commonest

-material.

-

-The next fortnight was a busy one with dressmakers, milliners, and

-seamstresses; for Mr. Rosevelt said he wished to go to Newport by the

-middle or last of July, if possible.

-

-Mrs. Blunt was jubilant over the change in “Miss Star’s fortunes.”

-

-“Just to think of it!” she would exclaim every little while. “Who would

-have dreamed of it two years ago, when you were at Madam Richards’, and

-she trying to make a drudge of you. Don’t I wish I might be on hand when

-you and Miss Josephine meet, if you ever do, and she hears that Mr.

-Rosevelt was only playing poverty all the time, just to try his proud

-relations! I tell you there’ll be music by the full band.”

-

-The young girl flushed.

-

-Josephine had, indeed, been very unkind to her, and it had been hard not

-to resent the theft of her beautiful little cameo but she was not one to

-treasure ill-will. Her little heart was full of “Christian charity,” and

-full of gratitude for the blessings which were surrounding her, and she

-was ready to forgive all past injuries.

-

-“I should at least try to remember,” she returned, quietly, in reply to

-the housekeeper’s somewhat vindictive speech, “that _I_ wish to be a

-_lady_ in the truest sense of the term, and treat her accordingly. But,”

-she continued, wishing to change the subject, “you have never told me

-yet how you happened to come to keep house for us. I think it was one of

-the nicest arrangements that was ever made.”

-

-“Thank you, Miss Star,” the woman answered, with a beaming face; “and

-you’d better believe it was a chance that I jumped at. I suppose I

-should have been slaving it for that ungrateful set now if I hadn’t come

-over to New York one day about three months ago, and met Mr. Rosevelt on

-Broadway, all by chance. He seemed glad to see me, and asked how I was

-getting on; and I was that discouraged with the way things were being

-managed, the cross words, complaints, and everything, that I told him I

-was sick and tired of it all, and meant to find another place just as

-soon as ever I could, though goodness knows I hadn’t an idea where that

-would be. Upon that he looked thoughtful, and, after a moment, said ‘he

-didn’t believe in hiring people away from their employers, but if I

-really meant to go away, he thought he knew of some one who would like

-just such a person for a housekeeper.’ I tell you I jumped at the

-chance, for ever since that young lord took himself off so quick, the

-madam has been so irritable that nothing would please her; and Mr.

-Rosevelt said when I had worked out my notice to come to him, and I’d

-find him any day at home at ten o’clock. I suppose he set that hour

-because he didn’t want you to know what was going on. I gave my notice

-the next day, worked out my two weeks, and came over to New York lighter

-of heart than I’d been for years.

-

-“When Mr. Rosevelt told me about what he’d been doing, and what he was

-going to do, and said he wanted me for his own housekeeper, my eyes

-stuck out so that I thought they’d never feel natural again; but if ever

-an old woman was happy, I was, to think I was going to serve you; and

-here I’ve been ever since, helping him fix up for you.

-

-“It’s like a beautiful story, Miss Star,” continued Mrs. Blunt, waxing

-sentimental, “to see you here among all these elegant things, for which

-you were just made, or I’m much mistaken; and when I see you coming out

-in all of these lovely clothes, nobody’ll be prouder than I.”

-

-“You are very good, Mrs. Blunt, to be so interested for me,” Star said,

-with a smile; “and if what you want is to see me ‘come out in these fine

-things,’ you will have your wish, for we shall have to take you to

-Newport with us, as I must have some one to attend me, and I cannot

-consent to take a stranger.”

-

-“That will be almost as good as to come out myself,” the woman said,

-with a chuckle of delight.

-

-Star’s wardrobe and pretty things were all ready at last, and Mr.

-Rosevelt, who had taken a strange interest in it, for a bachelor, was

-perfectly satisfied.

-

-He had made her elegant presents in the way of jewelry and laces, until

-she felt almost overwhelmed.

-

-“Diamonds!” she had exclaimed, her face flushing all over with delight,

-when, the day before they were to leave, he came into her sitting-room

-and laid a case in her lap, telling her to open it. He had already

-purchased her several other sets, but this was the crowning gift of all.

-

-She had thought when he had given her some beautiful point-laces, that

-if she only had some diamonds to go with them she should like it; they

-were the two things for which she had an especial passion—rich laces and

-those pellucid stones, like drops of dew which send back the light in

-gorgeous tints. She would have been content with just a pair of

-ear-pendants and a solitaire ring—she was content, indeed, without them,

-but she thought how nicely they would go with her laces; but there,

-dazzling her eyes upon their velvet bed, were ear-pendants, a cross

-attached to a beautiful chain, a solitaire ring, and a star for her

-hair.

-

-“Oh, Uncle Jacob,” she faltered, “I am afraid you are spending too much

-money for me.”

-

-“Don’t you like them?” he questioned, although her glowing face should

-have told him all he wished to know.

-

-“Like them? They are perfectly lovely; and I _do_ particularly love

-diamonds.”

-

-“Then don’t trouble your pretty head about the money. You know I have

-been denied all my life the pleasure of spending it for either wife or

-child, and now that I have found some one who appreciates and is worthy

-of it, let me get all the comfort I can in this way. You forget,” he

-continued, with a smile, “that there are two years’ income to be

-disposed of in some way, and I am only making up lost time. I like to go

-about the world, and I like to go in style, as I told you once before,

-and so my heiress must help me keep up appearances.”

-

-“Are you sure you are doing just right, Uncle Jacob, in giving me _all_

-your money?” Star asked, hesitatingly, after a few minutes of thoughtful

-silence, while she watched the sunlight play among her new treasures.

-

-“To whom should I give it, I should like to know?” he questioned,

-bluntly.

-

-“But I have no _legal_ claim upon you, and you have relatives. I’m

-afraid it will make trouble——”

-

-“No, it won’t; I’ve taken care of that, I can assure you,” he

-interrupted. “My will is made, signed, and sealed, and in the hands of

-one of the best lawyers in the city. _You_ are to have the whole of my

-fortune, excepting what the law demands for blood. I’ve given a dollar

-to each of them, just to clear myself and keep them from breaking my

-will; and they’ll never get another red cent,” he concluded, with more

-asperity than she had ever seen him betray before.

-

-“I’m afraid you are piling a mountain upon my small shoulders,” Star

-said, with a little laugh.

-

-“It is a mountain which I shall take care won’t crush you; and, besides,

-I hope to help you bear it for a good many years to come, if my health

-keeps on improving as it has done during the last few months; and then,

-I reckon, it will not be _very_ difficult to find some one else who

-would be willing to take a share of the burden,” Mr. Rosevelt concluded,

-slyly.

-

-Star flushed, and then her face grew sad.

-

-She knew that he meant she would find suitors for her hand; but she

-could not forget her first love, and she knew that she should never meet

-another who would win the place in her heart which she had given to

-Archibald Sherbrooke, unworthy as she believed him to be of it.

-

-That evening Miss Meredith and her brother called.

-

-“How fortunate that you came to-night,” Star said to the young lady

-during their conversation. “You would have missed us if you had waited

-longer, for to-morrow we go to Newport for a few weeks.”

-

-“Do you? That is delightful, for we have our rooms engaged there also

-for next week, and intend to remain a month,” Miss Meredith returned,

-with evident pleasure, while Mr. Ralph Meredith, who was conversing with

-Mr. Rosevelt, but with one ear open toward the young ladies, felt a

-sudden heart-throb at the intelligence.

-

-“Newport is very gay this summer, I am told,” Miss Meredith continued.

-“‘Everybody,’ so to speak, is there, and it is one of the most charming

-places in the world to visit. Have you ever been there, Miss Gladstone?”

-

-“No,” Star answered. “I have been so busy with my studies ever since I

-came to this country, that I have not been anywhere.”

-

-“Since you came to this country!” Grace Meredith repeated. “Are you not

-an American?”

-

-“No; I am an English girl, and it will be two years in November since I

-left merrie England.”

-

-“Are you some lady of high degree, come here to get your education? I am

-almost inclined to think so,” laughed her friend, bending an admiring

-glance upon Star’s beautiful face.

-

-“No, indeed. Don’t go to weaving any romances about me,” she answered,

-flushing slightly, “for I am only plain Star Gladstone.”

-

-“But ‘plain Star Gladstone’ belongs to a very good family,

-nevertheless,” interrupted Mr. Rosevelt, who had overheard the latter

-part of their conversation, and would not allow Star to depreciate

-herself; whereupon Miss Meredith did feel at liberty to “romance” a

-little on her own account.

-

-Star was asked for some music, and delighted her listeners with her

-exquisite playing. Miss Meredith and her brother sang a charming duet,

-and after an hour spent in the most social manner, they took their

-departure, having formed numerous plans to be carried into execution

-when they should meet a week later at Newport.

-

-“Miss Gladstone is the loveliest girl I have ever met, and you wouldn’t

-let me get a word in edgewise with her, Grace,” Ralph Meredith said, in

-a grieved tone, after they left the house.

-

-“Are you ‘star’-struck so soon, brother mine? You’ll have opportunities

-enough to ‘get your words in’ widthways during the next few weeks, and

-you can comfort yourself for your disappointment to-night with the

-thought that I was paving the way to glory for you,” laughed his sister.

-

-“Were you not surprised to learn that she is English?” she asked,

-thoughtfully.

-

-“Yes, rather; for I have been told that English girls are not very

-pretty; but she is wonderfully beautiful.”

-

-“What will you wager that she does not turn out to be some lady of high

-degree?”

-

-“Pshaw! Grace, you are always imagining some unlikely story or other.

-You should not read so many novels. Don’t put her entirely beyond our

-reach, if you please. It is quite enough for the present to know that

-she is Mr. Rosevelt’s heiress and the author of that charming little

-book, without being some princess in disguise,” returned the young man,

-somewhat impatiently.

-

-“I think I shall like Miss Meredith,” Star said, musingly, to Mr.

-Rosevelt, when their visitors were gone.

-

-“She appears to be a very agreeable young lady. I should like you to

-form some pleasant friendship,” the old gentleman returned; then, with a

-keen glance, he asked: “How are you pleased with her brother?”

-

-“He is quite entertaining.”

-

-“Very fine-looking young man; don’t you think so?”

-

-“Is he?—yes—rather,” was the absent reply; for speaking of England had

-sent Star’s thoughts across the ocean again, where she saw in

-imagination a noble, patrician face, with dark, fathomless eyes, and

-curling chestnut hair; for Archibald Sherbrooke—she could never think of

-him in any other character—was her ideal of all that was manly and

-grand.

-

-

-

-

-                             CHAPTER XXVI.

-                         “WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?”

-

-

-Newport was teeming with all that was gay, beautiful, and attractive

-during this particular season of which we write.

-

-Never had so much wealth and luxury been represented there, or so many

-elegant equipages seen driving through the streets or along the smooth,

-sweeping beach.

-

-Not the least attractive among these equipages was the light and airy,

-though costly phaeton of “Mr. Rosevelt’s ward,” with its embroidered

-lap-robes, its luxurious velvet-cushioned seats, its plump, sleek, and

-spirited gray ponies in their gold-mounted harnesses.

-

-Star had created quite a sensation when she arrived at the hotel where

-they had taken rooms; and the tall, distinguished old gentleman, with

-such silvery hair and beard, and who appeared so devoted to her, was

-scarcely less a target for all eyes. But when it began to be whispered

-that Miss Gladstone was not only the heiress of Jacob Rosevelt, the

-millionaire, but also the authoress of that bright little book which for

-a year had created such a sensation in New York circles, the excitement

-increased, and everybody was on the _qui vive_ to obtain an

-introduction.

-

-When, on the second evening after her arrival, she came into the great

-parlors of the hotel—for there was to be a grand hop or assembly there

-that night—leaning on Mr. Rosevelt’s arm, and looking “so divinely fair”

-in her shimmering robe of cream-colored silk and mist-like tulle,

-garnished with velvet-leaved, golden-hearted pansies, her shining hair

-coiled like a crown about her small head, with a little cluster of

-pansies nestling lovingly among its glossy plaits, every eye was

-attracted by her loveliness, and everybody—of the masculine gender, at

-least—was ready to “rave over” her, “swear by” her, and “fight for” her

-if need be.

-

-It is needless to say that she was not allowed to become a wall-flower,

-and it was amusing to observe the maneuvers of the battalion of gallant

-young knights who swarmed about her, like bees around their queen, eager

-to secure an introduction.

-

-And now the excitement for Star began.

-

-She was whisked away to the ball-room, and the evening sped like a

-vision of delight.

-

-She had been taught to dance at home, notwithstanding the fact that her

-father was a clergyman, for in all English homes dancing is considered a

-necessary accomplishment, because it imparts ease and grace to the

-manners of the young.

-

-Mr. Rosevelt followed, for he enjoyed looking upon the merry dancers,

-and taking up his station near a window, and by a stand of flowers where

-he was partially shielded from observation, he watched his pet with a

-fond smile upon his lips, proud of her beauty, proud of her intelligence

-and of the admiration she was attracting.

-

-While standing here, a group of half a dozen ladies and gentlemen

-gathered near him, and he overheard a conversation which amused him, and

-caused at the same time something of a feeling of triumph to pervade his

-heart.

-

-“Have you seen the new arrivals?” asked a gentleman of one of his

-companions.

-

-“No; what new arrivals do you refer to? There are many every day.”

-

-“An old codger from New York—rich as a king, they say—and his ward, who

-bids fair to be _the_ beauty of the season.”

-

-“_In_deed!” returned the lady, assuming a piqued tone. “How dare you

-make such an assertion, and in the presence of three acknowledged

-beauties, too?”

-

-“I beg pardon if I have offended,” the gentleman roguishly replied;

-“but—I have had _Washingtonian_ instructions regarding the principle of

-_truth_.”

-

-The young lady tapped him playfully upon the arm with her fan, while she

-remarked, significantly:

-

-“How glad I am that you have _told_ me of it!” whereupon the whole party

-joined in a laugh at the “truthful” gentleman’s expense.

-

-“But about this fair charmer,” the lady pursued; “who is she, and what

-is the name of this ‘old codger’ who is ‘rich as a king’?”

-

-“The lady’s name is Miss Gladstone, and she is not only beautiful,

-charming, and rich, but is also the author of ‘Chatsworth’s Pride,’

-which you have doubtless read.”

-

-“Oh! a blue-stocking!” cried the gay girl, with well-affected horror;

-and just here another voice chimed in—a voice which made Mr. Rosevelt

-start and listen more intently:

-

-“Miss Gladstone! How strange I never heard the author’s name before!

-There was only a simple star upon the title page where the author’s name

-should have been. Mamma!” in a startled tone, as if a strange idea had

-suddenly come into the speaker’s mind, “it cannot possibly be _Stella

-Gladstone_, can it?”

-

-“Certainly not,” returned Mrs. Richards—for both she and Josephine were

-among the group referred to, having come from a neighboring hotel to

-attend the hop. “Such a thing cannot be possible; _she_ could not write

-a book.”

-

-The woman spoke contemptuously, and yet the utterance of that name

-produced an uneasy sensation in her mind.

-

-“What is the gentleman’s name? Whose ward did you say she is?” she

-asked, a moment later, thinking that would throw some light on the

-subject.

-

-“I declare I have forgotten,” the gentleman returned; “it’s a

-high-sounding name, though, and he is an aristocratic-looking old

-fellow, too. By the way, Miss Richards,” he continued, turning to the

-young lady, “I am willing to wager a handsome fan against a new pair of

-gloves that Miss Gladstone’s phaeton and pair of ponies will be the envy

-of every lady in Newport, for a more trappy turn-out I’ve never seen in

-my life.”

-

-“Then she drives her own ponies, does she? Well, I must say you have

-aroused my curiosity to the highest notch, and I’d like to see this

-paragon of perfection, Mr. Pendleton,” Josephine said, a feeling of

-jealousy springing up in her heart at hearing another’s praises sounded

-so profusely.

-

-“You can be gratified, for there she stands now—that slight, graceful

-girl in the cream-colored silk trimmed with pansies,” replied Mr.

-Pendleton, drawing her attention to the spot where Star stood surrounded

-by an admiring crowd.

-

-Her back was turned toward them, and they could not judge of her beauty;

-but they saw a tall, willowy figure in trailing robes of exceeding

-richness, a stately head crowned with golden hair, and there was a

-familiar something about the fair stranger which made both mother and

-daughter look more closely, while their eyes were filled with anxious

-foreboding.

-

-“She is elegantly dressed, I must confess,” Josephine said, putting up

-her glass to get a better view of the “belle of the evening;” “and,

-mamma,” she added, in a lower tone, “is it my imagination, or is there

-something really familiar in that figure? _Can it be Stella?_”

-

-“Impossible! What could have put such a foolish notion into your head?

-Where under heavens could _she_ get money enough to flourish in such

-style?” Mrs. Richards retorted, impatiently.

-

-“But if she is really the author of the book—it has been very popular,

-you know——”

-

-“Nonsense!” interrupted her mother. “I tell you such a thing could not

-be possible.”

-

-Nevertheless, Mrs. Richards was closely watching the object of their

-conversation, and her heart was beating with a painful throb, for the

-young girl did strangely resemble that poor orphan whom she had so

-despised and ill-treated, and who had fled from her tyranny.

-

-But her uneasiness increased, for just now she observed a tall,

-white-haired gentleman moving toward the girl, and upon reaching her

-side, he bent down and spoke a few words in her ear.

-

-His back also was toward them, but the matron’s face was dark with

-trouble; she grew white with the sudden fear which possessed her, and

-she moved forward to get a better view of the couple.

-

-At that instant Star turned and lifted her bright face to reply to Mr.

-Rosevelt, who had left his position by the stand of flowers when she

-ceased dancing and approached her, her eyes shining, her cheeks glowing,

-and her coral lips wreathed with bright smiles, and both Josephine and

-Mrs. Richards recognized her instantly.

-

-A low cry of surprise and dismay broke from Josephine Richards’ lips.

-

-“It is—it surely is Stella Gladstone,” she said; “and that man talking

-to her is certainly Uncle Jacob Rosevelt! What can it all mean?”

-

-“Rosevelt! Yes, that is the name,” said Mr. Pendleton, who had caught

-it, and who had first called their attention to Star. “‘Jacob Rosevelt,

-the millionaire,’ I heard him called this afternoon, but I forget names

-so easily.”

-

-“Jacob Rosevelt, the millionaire!” repeated Mrs. Richards, with white

-lips and astonished eyes, while a tumult of emotions raged within her

-heart.

-

-“Yes; he must be very rich, for they have every appearance of it, and

-Miss Gladstone’s turn-out, which was sent on before them, is a marvel of

-luxury and elegance. But—do _you know_ them?” Mr. Pendleton asked,

-regarding her curiously.

-

-Mrs. Richards’ thoughts worked very rapidly.

-

-If this was really Jacob Rosevelt, and she could not doubt the evidence

-of her own eyes, he must by some stroke of luck have recovered a

-portion, if not the whole, of his fortune since leaving her house; and

-in this case he became at once an entirely different person from the

-feeble, poverty-stricken individual who had come to her a little more

-than a year ago to sue for food and shelter.

-

-He had been a person of no account then—one to be ignored and neglected,

-for there was nothing to be gained by treating him otherwise.

-

-But “Jacob Rosevelt, the millionaire,” if such he had become again, must

-be propitiated, flattered, and cajoled.

-

-Therefore she had a new role to play, and she would begin at once by

-claiming him as a relative before these friends of hers.

-

-“It would be very strange if I did _not_ know him, for he is my father’s

-brother,” she said, calling to her lips her blandest smiles; “but I am

-sure I had no idea that he was here in Newport. Come, Josephine, we must

-go and speak to him;” and she drew the astonished girl away before they

-could question them any further, and she wished to collect her own

-scattered senses a little before encountering those two whom she had so

-deeply injured.

-

-“What can it mean, mamma?” Josephine repeated, with a blank look, for

-she had no longer any doubt about the identity of the strangers.

-

-“I don’t know, but I am going to find out,” she answered resolutely.

-

-“Then you are convinced that it is Stella?”

-

-“Yes, it is _that girl_ fast enough; there can be no mistake about it;

-and what a sensation she is making! She seems to checkmate us at every

-move.”

-

-“Where can they have been hiding all this time?” Josephine asked.

-

-“How do you suppose I know?” retorted her mother, sharply. “I am more

-interested to know where all the money comes from to enable them to cut

-such a swell. Why, the dress she has on must have cost a cool three

-hundred, to say nothing about her other expensive fixings; and then you

-heard what Pendleton said about her carriage and ponies.”

-

-“Well, he said she was the author of ‘Chatsworth’s Pride,’ and if that

-is so, it must have brought her a good deal.”

-

-“Pooh! you don’t suppose one book is going to enable her to live and

-dress like a young empress, do you?” returned Mrs. Richards, scornfully.

-“No; Uncle Jacob has recovered his fortune, or else——”

-

-“Or else what?”

-

-“He has played it upon us.”

-

-“Played what upon us?”

-

-“Why, poverty, you goose!”

-

-“Mamma! that would be too dreadful. I never thought of such a thing,”

-Josephine said, feeling almost faint.

-

-“Nor I, until this moment; but I can account for their appearance here

-to-night in no other way. If he has done this thing, and that girl gets

-all his money, it will be a bitter pill to swallow, I can tell you.”

-

-“But she could inherit nothing; she is no blood relation.”

-

-“But he could make a will.”

-

-“And we could break it.”

-

-“Not a bit of it; your Uncle Jacob is keen enough to look out for that,

-I assure you. But come this way; they are passing out into the hall, and

-I am going to sift this matter at once.”

-

-She drew her daughter from the upper door of the parlor, just as Star

-and Mr. Rosevelt passed out at the lower one, intending to waylay them

-and demand an explanation of their presence.

-

-They turned and came toward those waiting women, walking slowly and

-chatting pleasantly, and wholly unconscious of the exciting interview in

-store for them.

-

-

-

-

-                             CHAPTER XXVII.

-                               DEFEATED.

-

-

-When they were within a few feet of the upper door, Mrs. Richards

-stepped toward them and stood directly in their path.

-

-The hall was nearly empty, almost everybody being in the parlors or the

-dancing-hall, so there was no one by just at that moment to witness what

-transpired.

-

-“What does this mean?” Mrs. Richards demanded, in a low but

-authoritative tone. “Stella Gladstone, how is it that I find you here?

-Uncle Jacob, where have you been all this time, and what strange freak

-of fortune brings you here in this unaccountable fashion?”

-

-Mr. Rosevelt started slightly on beholding his niece standing in that

-excited attitude directly in his path; while Star grew pale at first,

-for she had always stood somewhat in fear of the arrogant woman while

-she was an inmate of her house. But remembering that everything was

-entirely different now, she quickly recovered herself.

-

-But for all that, she clung a little more closely to Mr. Rosevelt’s arm,

-as if she was glad that he was there, though in no other way did she

-betray how disagreeable this encounter was to her, or appear as if she

-had ever met them before.

-

-“Tell me what this means?” Mrs. Richards repeated, looking from one to

-the other, noting Star’s delicate beauty with a pang of bitter jealousy,

-her self-possession and grace; Mr. Rosevelt’s improved appearance, his

-rich apparel, and more than all, the air of pride and fondness which

-pervaded every look and attention which he bestowed upon his companion.

-

-“Well, niece Ellen,” Mr. Rosevelt returned, in a quiet tone, while he

-met her eye with a cold, steady glance that made her very uncomfortable,

-“it appears that you are considerably excited over this unexpected

-meeting. Suppose we retire to yonder anteroom, where we can converse

-unobserved.”

-

-He turned and led the way, with Star still upon his arm, to a small room

-upon the opposite side of the hall; they entered, and he shut the door,

-for he did not care that any one should overhear what passed between

-them, nor did he intend that Ellen Richards should do or say anything

-which should make them objects of remark.

-

-“Now, Ellen, what is it that I am to account to you for?” he asked, in

-the same quiet tone which he had before used.

-

-She colored angrily, but she was determined to get at the bottom of the

-matter.

-

-“I have heard strange rumors to-night,” she remarked. “I am told that

-Stella has become an authoress—that she is very popular, as well as her

-book, and I want to know what it means. A year ago you were both

-dependents upon my bounty; now I find you sailing about, like a couple

-of meteors, among the other shining lights of society. I want an

-explanation of the cause of this change.”

-

-“Certainly, Ellen; since you desire it, I will explain with pleasure. We

-left your house last October, as you doubtless will remember, and took

-up our abode in New York city. Star entered the Normal College at once,

-and by assiduous application to her studies, succeeded in completing the

-course, and graduated in June, since when we have been trying to get all

-the enjoyment out of life that we could. You have heard rightly, Ellen;

-she did write that popular little book, ‘Chatsworth’s Pride,’ and it is

-a source of pride to me that I have the honor of introducing in society

-its popular author as my ward and heiress——”

-

-“Your _heiress_!” Mrs. Richards cried, growing pale.

-

-“Yes; Miss Gladstone is named as such in my will, which is now in the

-hands of my lawyer,” the old gentleman replied, quietly.

-

-His niece looked from one to the other in blank dismay. She had feared

-she should hear something of the kind, but it was none the less a shock

-to her when it came.

-

-“Your heiress—heiress to _what_?” she demanded, sharply.

-

-“To the whole of my fortune, madam.”

-

-“Your fortune!” she sneered, but her voice was hoarse from passion and

-baffled hopes. “A year ago it was—_beggary_!”

-

-Mr. Rosevelt smiled serenely.

-

-“_Apparently_, yes,” he answered. “But I was _then_, what I am _now_—a

-millionaire. The mistake of your life-time was made then, Ellen; for if

-you had cordially received the feeble old man who came to your house in

-such a forlorn condition; if you had given him kindness and sympathy,

-such as you were wont to do when he was rich and prosperous; if you had

-shown him something of love and tenderness, instead of coldness and

-contempt, making him feel that he was a burden and an intruder, _you_

-would have had the bulk of my fortune, for your brother had already

-forfeited his share. I thought that my final return to this country

-would give me a good opportunity to test your and Henry’s sincerity, and

-I resolved to do so. I went to him as a poor man; I was received coldly,

-and made as uncomfortable as it was possible for any one to be made.

-Then I said to myself, ‘Ellen’s womanly heart will prompt her to be kind

-to me, if not for my own sake, for her father’s,’ and so I came to you

-also in the guise of poverty.”

-

-“It was mean—it was dishonorable to take advantage of me in that way,”

-Mrs. Richards said, with white, quivering lips.

-

-“Not at all. I wanted to _know_ you as you were, not what you pretended

-to be. I do not need to tell you the result of my plan; we all know it

-but too well. No one gave me a word of sympathy or kindness save this

-dear girl”—he laid his hand tenderly on Star’s shoulder—“who did her

-utmost to make the old man forget as far as was possible his bitter

-disappointment, and who had already earned his love and gratitude by

-saving his life, almost at the sacrifice of her own, during that

-terrible voyage across the Atlantic. She has been like a sunbeam to me

-from the first; and when I saw how unkind you all were to her also—how

-you were betraying your trust and breaking your promise to her dying

-father—I resolved that she should become my especial care for the

-future.

-

-“I do not need to recall to your memory the last night that we spent in

-your house in Yonkers. It must be as fresh to you as it is to me. You

-taunted us both with our poverty and dependence. You drove _her_ to

-desperation by your unjust accusations and your heartless language. She

-could not endure that kind of a life any longer, and she knew that I

-also was anything but happy; so she came to me, told me the secret of

-her success as an author, and of the income which her book bade fair to

-bring her, and begged of me to go with her to share her substance,

-asking in return only the comfort of congenial companionship and the

-protection which my presence would give her. I was sorely tempted, as I

-have told her, to confess the part I had been playing, and proclaim her

-my heiress on the spot. But I thought, considering all things, it would

-be better to wait until she was through with school, while I wanted to

-study her a little more closely before committing my all to her. She has

-stood the test most nobly. She has been the light of our home. She has

-labored early and late to minister to my comfort and happiness, and

-_now_ she is going to reap her reward. Everything that I _can_ do for

-her to make her life bright, I _shall_ do while I live, and when I am

-gone, she will have the fortune which, under different circumstances,

-would have been mostly yours.”

-

-Mrs. Richards was pallid with anger, mortification, and bitter

-disappointment when Mr. Rosevelt concluded.

-

-It was a terrible blow to her to lose this great fortune, and remorse

-for her heartless treatment of her uncle was gnawing keenly at her

-heart-strings.

-

-Mr. Richards had met with heavy losses in his business of late, and it

-was only by straining every nerve, calculating, and contriving, that she

-and Josephine had been able to come to Newport at all that season, and

-it was simply maddening to think that Star, whom she had so disliked

-from the first, should have won, by little acts of kindness, what she

-would have spared no pains to secure had she once suspected the truth.

-

-“Well, miss, you have played your cards very cleverly, haven’t you?” she

-finally found breath to ejaculate, and turning with blazing eyes upon

-the fair girl who, all unwittingly, had usurped her place in her uncle’s

-affection and will.

-

-Mr. Rosevelt’s face grew stern.

-

-“She certainly has, Ellen,” he said, before Star could speak, even had

-she wished to do so, “especially as she could not, by any means, have

-known that there was anything worth winning by her acts of devotion and

-self-denial. And now let me tell you, that true kindness and sympathy

-will _always_ win, where arrogance and pride will only gain contempt,

-and lead to disappointment and regret.”

-

-“Uncle Jacob, you cannot mean what you have said. Surely you will not

-discard those of your own blood, your kin, for the offspring of a

-stranger!” Mrs. Richards said, appealingly.

-

-Mr. Rosevelt looked down at Star with a tender, tremulous smile.

-

-“The offspring of a stranger!” he repeated, softly; then added: “Ellen,

-there is a stronger bond uniting this dear child to me than _ever_ bound

-me to either of my brother’s children.”

-

-“What do you mean?” cried his niece, in a startled tone.

-

-“Surely, at _your_ age, you do not contemplate——”

-

-Mr. Rosevelt stopped her with a motion of his hand before she could

-complete her sentence.

-

-“No; you are wide of the mark; although I am not surprised that a

-designing woman like yourself should jump at such an absurd conclusion.

-But, lest you should wound her by your foolish insinuations, I will tell

-you that Star is the granddaughter of the only woman whom I ever loved;

-and, therefore, you perceive that I had additional cause to be

-displeased with you on account of your unkindness to her.”

-

-“Really, Mr. Rosevelt, you have more of sentiment in your composition

-than I gave you credit for. There _was_ a love passage, then, in the old

-bachelor’s life!” sneered Mrs. Richards while an angry flush mounted to

-her brow.

-

-Then, with more bitterness than she had yet betrayed, she continued,

-with a look at Star:

-

-“I can congratulate Miss Gladstone upon being more successful in

-wheedling you out of your fortune than she was in her maneuvers to

-become Lady Carrol.”

-

-This was a cruel thrust, and wholly unexpected on the part of either Mr.

-Rosevelt or Star.

-

-A shiver of agony ran through every nerve of her body at this rough

-probing of the still unhealed wound, and a painful crimson shot over her

-beautiful face.

-

-But it quickly subsided, leaving only the bright spots on her cheeks.

-

-She arose from the chair where Mr. Rosevelt had placed her, drew herself

-up proudly, her eyes gleaming as bright as the diamonds in her ears,

-and, entirely ignoring the coarse woman’s malicious thrust, she looked

-up at her companion, and said, in her clearest, sweetest tones:

-

-“Uncle Jacob, I believe we were going out to see the illumination.”

-

-“True, child, true,” he said, taking her white-gloved hand and laying it

-upon his arm, while he cast a dark look upon his niece for her cowardly

-attack. “Come, we will go at once;” and with a formal inclination to

-Mrs. Richards and her daughter, but with an angry gleam in his eyes, he

-led Star from the room, shutting the door, with no gentle sound, after

-them.

-

-“Did you ever hear anything like it!” Mrs. Richards said, hopelessly,

-after they had gone.

-

-“No, indeed; and it is just as you suspected—he was _playing_ poverty

-all the time,” Josephine answered.

-

-“Oh, if I could only have known it!” groaned her mother, to whom the

-calamity appeared to grow more appalling every moment.

-

-“He makes a perfect fool of himself over that girl,” snapped Josephine,

-ill-naturedly. “Just think of the amount of money it must have cost to

-deck her out to-night.”

-

-“I am going back to our hotel,” Mrs. Richards said, rising, with a

-desperate air. “I am not going to stay here to see her play the fine

-lady and crow over us.”

-

-“I’m ready to go. I’ve had enough of this thing, and I never did like

-the —— House very well, anyway,” replied her daughter, in no amiable

-tones.

-

-

-

-

-                            CHAPTER XXVIII.

-                     RESCUED FROM A HORRIBLE FATE.

-

-

-If Mrs. Richards had conducted herself according to her own inclination,

-she would have left Newport at once. But she was unwilling that Mr.

-Rosevelt or Star should think that she had run away from them, or that

-she was heart-broken over the disclosures which her uncle had made to

-her.

-

-Besides, Newport was full of wealthy and fashionable people, and among

-them several eligible young gentlemen, whose acquaintance, for

-Josephine’s sake, she was desirous of cultivating; and surely she was

-not going to sacrifice all these advantages, and leave the field clear

-for Star to win even greater victories.

-

-No; she would stay, and she resolved she would make things just as

-uncomfortable for the young girl as possible, while Josephine should be

-made to shine with all the splendor of which their means, and Mr.

-Richards’ credit, were capable.

-

-But all the proud woman’s efforts were of no avail, for our fair heroine

-had created a sensation which threatened to turn the heads and lead

-captive the hearts of every unmarried man, at least, in Newport.

-

-A week passed quickly by, and then Grace Meredith and her brother

-arrived at the watering-place, and immediately attached themselves to

-Mr. Rosevelt and Star by mutual consent; and many envious looks were

-bestowed upon the dark, handsome stranger, who appeared to assume the

-right of acting as escort to the two beautiful girls upon every

-occasion.

-

-But Star, whenever she appeared in company, laughed, chatted, and danced

-with all that was possible of her admirers, dispensing her smiles and

-favors with an impartiality that was exasperating not only to her

-victims—if such they could be called who were each anxious to win the

-prize—but also to the many forlorn damsels who were all sighing for the

-attentions she was receiving and the honors she was usurping.

-

-One day, about a week after the arrival of the Merediths, an excursion

-was arranged to visit a point on Narragansett Bay, and it was to be a

-picnic after the good old-fashioned style of carrying each his own

-basket and sharing with his neighbor.

-

-A boat had been chartered to take the party down the bay in the morning

-and return at night by moonlight.

-

-Ralph Meredith and two or three of his friends were the originators of

-the affair, and the invitations were very select, and limited to one

-hundred.

-

-As it happened, Mrs. Richards and Josephine, with quite a number of

-others from their hotel, were included in this party.

-

-The morning was delightful, and the spirits of the whole company at

-their highest point, while the jaunty, white-winged boat, with its

-inspiriting band of music and its gayly dressed picnickers, seemed like

-a little floating world devoted entirely to pleasure, as indeed it was.

-

-Josephine Richards had arrayed herself in a very elaborate costume for

-the occasion, determined that Star, who she knew was to be one of the

-company, should not outshine her.

-

-It fitted her like a glove, and was vastly becoming; she never had

-looked more brilliant in her life, but she was too fussy for a picnic,

-and looked as if she was decked out for a fashionable reception rather

-than for a day in the woods.

-

-In direct contrast to all this “fuss and feathers,” was Star, in a

-simple suit of white lawn, a belt of blue, of her eyes’ own hue,

-girdling her slender waist; a dainty, broad-brimmed hat, set in a jaunty

-way upon her golden head, and a little cluster of blue-fringed gentians

-nestling beneath her beautifully rounded chin.

-

-The very simplicity of her attire made her conspicuous, and fashionable

-maidens, who had groaned in spirit over what they should wear and how

-they should wear it, glared at her with envious eyes.

-

-Ralph Meredith had arranged a cozy little nook on the boat for Star and

-his sister, by taking some camp-chairs along and cushioning them with

-handsome rugs, with a couple of hassocks for their feet, while a sail

-had been adjusted as an awning to screen them from the hot sun.

-

-But when, after they were well on their way, he conducted them thither,

-he found to his chagrin that this snug corner, upon which he had spent

-so much care, had been appropriated by Mrs. Richards and her brilliant

-daughter, who were holding a little court by themselves.

-

-“Never mind,” Star whispered; “I do not care to sit just now, and I

-particularly wish not to disturb them.”

-

-“But _I_ particularly wished you and Grace to have a comfortable place

-where you could enjoy your sail,” he returned, indignantly.

-

-“I know, and you were very kind and thoughtful; but I shall feel better

-to leave them to get what enjoyment they can from occupying seats which

-they must know were intended for others. What do you say, Grace?” Star

-asked, appealing to Miss Meredith.

-

-“I do not see but what we shall be obliged to submit, since I do not

-wish to be rude to any of our party. But I must say I think they are

-very cool.”

-

-They moved away to another portion of the boat, but when, an hour later,

-they saw the interlopers promenading the deck, they quietly slipped into

-the vacated seats, and settled themselves for the remainder of the sail.

-

-Here they were soon chatting in the most sociable manner, and were right

-in the midst of a most interesting discussion regarding their toilet for

-an approaching reception, when a cold voice broke out upon them, saying:

-

-“Miss Gladstone, may I trouble you to vacate our chairs?”

-

-Star started and flushed. Too well she knew those incisive tones.

-

-But she quickly recovered herself, however, and looking up at Mrs.

-Richards, for it was she who had spoken, said:

-

-“_Your_ chairs? Are they yours?”

-

-“Certainly; you have already seen us occupying them, I believe,” the

-woman responded, haughtily.

-

-Star’s face began to dimple with amusement, for she knew well enough

-that this demand was only made to annoy her and make her unpleasantly

-conspicuous, and she was determined to turn the tables to their own

-mortification; for they could not fail to learn when they landed to whom

-the chairs and other comforts belonged.

-

-She made a motion to Grace, who, she saw, was bristling with

-indignation, to keep silent; then she arose, bowing with graceful

-politeness to Mrs. Richards and her daughter, though her eyes were

-gleaming with suppressed laughter.

-

-“I beg pardon if I have been occupying what does not rightfully belong

-to me, and I cheerfully resign _my_ chair to your _prior claim_.”

-

-Josephine flushed, for she saw that it was all Star could do to restrain

-her merriment, though what should have caused it she could not

-understand; while she looked so pretty and was so lady-like, it made her

-angry.

-

-“I’m sure,” she began, hotly, and raising her voice so that others could

-hear her, “I don’t see what you’re so amused over, Stella Gladstone; and

-it seems to me that you’re putting on altogether too many airs for a

-girl who used to perform the services of a chambermaid in our house.”

-

-For a moment Star stood as if dumfounded; then she lifted her bright

-head a trifle, as if in conscious superiority, gave Miss Richards a cool

-stare of surprise, and turned away without a word.

-

-Not so Miss Meredith, however.

-

-She kept her seat with the utmost composure, watching this little scene

-with both interest and amusement until Josephine so tauntingly insulted

-her friend.

-

-Then she, too, arose, drawing her tall form to its fullest height.

-

-“I cannot understand,” she said, in a voice of scorn, “why you should so

-maliciously insult Miss Gladstone; but allow me to say for your

-enlightenment, that these chairs, rugs, and so forth, belong to my

-brother, Mr. Ralph Meredith, and he arranged them here especially for

-Miss Gladstone’s and my comfort. However, I will emulate her example,

-and resign my right to ladies who have proved themselves so superior in

-point of _refinement_ and _politeness_.”

-

-Having uttered this cutting sarcasm, Miss Meredith bowed mockingly and

-walked away to rejoin her friend, leaving those haughty and overbearing

-women about as chagrined and crestfallen as it is possible for two

-people to feel.

-

-The gay company reached their destination after a delightful sail of two

-hours.

-

-It was a lovely grove upon the shore of the bay, which people were in

-the habit of frequenting for picnics of this sort, and the party

-wandered about in groups for another two hours, exploring the beauties

-and attractions around them.

-

-At two o’clock everybody gathered to dine in a place which had been

-prepared for that purpose; the tables were spread with the contents of

-the numerous baskets, which contained every delicacy which the season

-afforded, and the gay company, making the woods resonant with laughter

-and merriment, sat down to their rural meal.

-

-It was four in the afternoon before this important part in the day’s

-programme was concluded, and then the company scattered, some to lounge

-about and rest, others to stroll into the deep, inviting shadows of the

-woods.

-

-Mr. Rosevelt and Star, Miss Meredith and her brother, with two or three

-others, wandered away by themselves, and finally sat down beneath a

-wide-spreading tree for a quiet chat.

-

-While they sat there, Star got up quietly and slipped out of sight, some

-spirit of restlessness possessing her to get away for a ramble still

-farther into the far-reaching woods.

-

-She had walked some distance, when she heard voices, and soon saw a

-gentleman and a lad, both with guns over their shoulders, approaching

-her, and looking heated and anxious.

-

-They saluted her courteously, and then the gentleman said, abruptly:

-

-“Have you seen anything of a small, white Spitz dog, miss? It is a

-pretty little creature, wearing a silver collar around his neck, and

-tiny blue bows tied in his ears.”

-

-“No,” Star answered; “I have seen no dog to-day.”

-

-“We are in search of it because we are afraid it has run mad,” the

-stranger continued, peering about with a troubled countenance. “It has

-not been well for several days, and this morning showed unmistakable

-signs of hydrophobia. It escaped confinement from the cottage, a mile or

-so from here, and ran toward these woods about an hour ago.”

-

-They passed on, and Star thought it would be best for her to go back to

-her friends, and therefore turned to retrace her steps.

-

-She had only accomplished about half of the distance, when she heard a

-clear, musical laugh ring out from among the shrubbery on the right of

-the path.

-

-Thinking it must be some of her party, she stepped forward to warn them

-of their danger. She parted the branches with her hands and looked

-through.

-

-What was her horror to see Josephine Richards sitting at the foot of a

-tree, her hat tossed upon the ground beside her, and _holding in her lap

-the little mad dog_ against which she had just been warned.

-

-It was a beautiful little creature, and had evidently been made a pet

-and plaything. It had lovely brown eyes, looking out from beneath its

-shaggy brows; its coat was as white as snow, while around its neck there

-glistened the silver collar, and in its pretty ears were the tiny blue

-bows of which she had been told.

-

-Miss Richards evidently had just coaxed the little pet into her lap, and

-was playing with it without a suspicion of the terrible danger that she

-was in, while just for that moment it showed no signs of the madness

-which possessed it.

-

-Star’s face was as white as her spotless dress as she took in the

-dreadful situation; then she stepped quickly forward and said, in clear

-but authoritative tones:

-

-“Miss Richards, put that dog down as quietly as you can, and come away

-with me instantly, for I have just been told that it is mad.”

-

-Scarcely were the words uttered, when the little creature snapped at the

-hand raised to caress it, and, with a scream of fright, Josephine sprang

-to her feet and turned to fly.

-

-But the act aroused all the fury of the maddened animal, and he seized

-hold of her skirts, biting and tearing them in the most furious manner,

-foaming at the mouth, and howling frightfully in its sudden paroxysm of

-frenzy.

-

-“Save me! save me!” Josephine screamed, and flying toward Star for

-protection.

-

-There was not a thought of personal danger in the fair young girl’s

-heart—not a thought of enmity, or of malice or evil; all her mind was

-concentrated upon one thing—how best to save her companion from this

-terrible danger and from a horrible death.

-

-“Stand still!” she commanded, in steady, almost stern tones. “Let him

-bite at your clothes all he chooses, but do not allow him to get at your

-feet; if you run, he will seize them and bite right through your boot.

-Have you courage to stand where you are for a moment? I will go behind

-him and slip the end of my parasol through his collar and pin him to the

-ground; then you can go and call help for me.”

-

-She spoke calmly but rapidly, and Josephine saw at once how much wisdom

-there was in her plan.

-

-“Yes, yes; I will do anything,” she said, hysterically; “but be quick,

-for I cannot bear this much longer; I shall faint dead away.”

-

-“If you faint,” Star returned, in an awful voice, “you are lost! There!

-he has entangled himself in that ruffle which he has torn from your

-dress. Be still just a moment longer, and I will save you if I can.”

-

-Watching her opportunity, she stole softly behind the struggling animal,

-and, by a dextrous movement, slipped the end of her parasol, which was

-quite a stout one, into his collar, and then, with all her strength,

-drove it into the ground and held it there, though the creature

-struggled furiously to release himself.

-

-Her face had not an atom of color in it, but her lips did not falter as

-she said to the horror-stricken girl watching her:

-

-“Go now quickly and call help for me, for, small as he is, I cannot hold

-him long.”

-

-Josephine did not need a second bidding, but went shrieking back to the

-company in a way to arouse the dead almost.

-

-She had not been gone two minutes—though those two minutes seemed like

-an age to Star, who found an almost superhuman strength in that

-writhing, twisting thing at her feet—when the bushes behind her parted

-again, and the same gentleman who had met and warned her of this danger

-sprang toward her, with his gun cocked and aimed at the dog.

-

-His face was almost as colorless as her own.

-

-“Can you hold him just an instant longer?—will you _dare_ hold him while

-I shoot him? I will not harm you in the least,” he questioned, in rapid

-tones.

-

-“Yes, I _will_ hold him,” she said, resolutely. “If I let him loose now,

-he will surely bite somebody.”

-

-Although she spoke so steadily and with so much fortitude, she _looked_

-like some beautiful spirit from another world, and the gentleman knew he

-must do what he had to do quickly, or it would be too late.

-

-There was an instant of silence, then a quick, sharp report rang through

-the woods, and the little danger-fiend lay bleeding and dead at her

-feet.

-

-All peril was past.

-

-Star had saved an enemy from a horrible fate—she had done a heroic deed;

-but the tension on her own nerves gave way when it was over. She swayed,

-tottered, and would have fallen to the ground, but another figure sprang

-through the bushes to her side, and her fainting form was received into

-the strong arms of Ralph Meredith.

-

-

-

-

-                             CHAPTER XXIX.

-                        JOSEPHINE’S INGRATITUDE.

-

-

-Confusion reigned during the next half hour among the company who had

-hitherto been so gay. Josephine Richards had rushed into their midst,

-startling everybody out of their senses by shrieking out:

-

-“Go to Miss Gladstone! A mad dog! a mad dog!”

-

-It was all that she could say, for she immediately after sank down

-helpless in a violent fit of hysterics, while the women, with white

-faces, huddled together in fear and trembling, and the men, with

-horrified eyes and quaking hearts, ran hither and thither in search of

-Star.

-

-Then there had come that quick, sharp report, directing them to the

-spot, and telling them that all danger to them was past. But the

-terrible question arose:

-

-“Was Miss Gladstone safe?”

-

-Ralph Meredith, his feet winged with love and fear, was, as we have

-seen, first upon the scene of the tragedy, and caught her frantically to

-his heart just as she was falling to the ground.

-

-“Is she bitten?” he cried, in a voice of agony, and with ashen lips, to

-the stranger, who stood, gun in hand, over the dead dog.

-

-“No; she has not even a scratch; she has merely fainted from fright,” he

-answered; and throwing down his gun, he took a long pocket-flask filled

-with brandy from his hunting-pouch, and approached the unconscious girl.

-

-He knelt upon the ground beside her and poured a few drops between her

-lips, though his hands trembled violently from the terrible excitement

-and anxiety under which he had been laboring.

-

-“Go for some water,” he said to his son, who, having heard the report of

-his father’s fowling-piece, now appeared upon the scene.

-

-He darted away like a fawn, and was back in less than three minutes with

-a pitcherful, which he had seized from the camp, while a frightened

-crowd followed at his heels.

-

-But it was a long time before Star revived. The shock to her nervous

-system had been a terrible one, and nature seemed loth to resume her

-sway after it. But at the end of half an hour her chest began to heave,

-and a slight tinge of color returned to her lips.

-

-Ralph Meredith, who hung over her in an agony of suspense and fear,

-would let no one touch her or come near her, save his sister and Mr.

-Rosevelt; and he found that it required all the strength of his will to

-keep him from betraying to the gaping crowd the passionate love he

-entertained for the senseless girl.

-

-Finally, to everybody’s relief, those white lids were unclosed, those

-beautiful eyes looked up, and a long, shuddering sigh shook her whole

-frame.

-

-“What has happened?” she questioned, with a vacant look.

-

-“You are faint, dear. Drink this and you will be better,” Grace Meredith

-said, gently, while she held a silver cup to her lips.

-

-She swallowed the stimulus mechanically, and then began to shiver, as if

-from the cold.

-

-“I remember,” she murmured, all the color fading from her face again,

-and they feared another season of unconsciousness would follow.

-

-“Is he dead?” she asked, a moment after, beginning to rally once more.

-

-“Yes; he was killed instantly,” Ralph Meredith returned.

-

-“And Josephine—Miss Richards—is she safe?”

-

-Everybody looked surprised at this query, for no one had had any idea

-that that young lady had been in any danger until now.

-

-“Yes; Miss Richards is safe,” Mr. Rosevelt answered; but a frown

-contracted his brow as he began to understand that Star had sacrificed

-her own safety and endangered her own life to save that of an ungrateful

-girl.

-

-No one had been able to gather from Josephine’s excited and incoherent

-account anything save that a mad dog had attacked Miss Gladstone in the

-woods. She said not a word of how the noble girl had come to her rescue,

-warned her of her danger, and then put into execution a hazardous plan

-to secure her safety.

-

-There was not an atom of gratitude in her heart toward Star for having

-done this heroic deed—no softening, no sense of sorrow or repentance for

-her own unkindness in the past, or for the insult which she had only

-that day offered her; there was only a sense of triumph that she herself

-was safe, no matter how or at whose risk.

-

-When they came, bringing Star back—for she was still too weak to walk—to

-the spot where they had all gathered so gay and thoughtless that

-morning, there was a look of sadness and sympathy in every countenance

-save those of Mrs. Richards and her daughter, who stole away by

-themselves, jealous of the interest and concern manifested by the whole

-company for the object of their hatred.

-

-When Star found that Josephine had kept the facts of the encounter with

-the mad dog to herself, simply stating that Miss Gladstone had been

-attacked by it, she also appeared very reluctant to converse about it,

-and as the subject seemed to excite her, no one felt disposed to press

-her with questions.

-

-The gentleman who owned the dog sent to his home for his carriage to

-have her conveyed to the steamer, although she had smilingly affirmed

-that she should be “able to walk with the help of Uncle Jacob’s arm.”

-

-Upon reaching the boat they improvised a couch for her on deck, as she

-objected going into the saloon, and by resting quietly during the two

-hours’ sail, she seemed almost like herself, save her unusual pallor,

-when the vessel touched the pier at Newport.

-

-A carriage was here procured, and she was driven, with Mr. Rosevelt,

-Miss Meredith, and her brother, to her hotel.

-

-Grace insisted upon remaining through the night with her.

-

-“You are not fit to be left alone, and—I _want_ to stay,” she pleaded,

-as Star hesitated about accepting her offer.

-

-So the two young girls passed the night together, and Star, growing

-confidential, and feeling that some explanation regarding Josephine’s

-insulting remarks that morning was due her friend, told her much

-concerning her life, and how it had happened that she was at one time an

-inmate of Mrs. Richards’ family; also relating the events that had

-transpired since she and Mr. Rosevelt left them, and how she had rescued

-Josephine from the mad dog.

-

-Star was really ill from nervous prostration the next day, and obliged

-to keep her room; but Miss Meredith regaled curious ears with the whole

-story of Josephine Richards’ danger and Star’s courageous defense of

-her, and all Newport did indeed “ring” even as she had hoped.

-

-Enough could not be said in admiration of the brave girl, while scorn

-and contempt were freely expressed for the recipients of so much heroism

-for refusing to acknowledge their indebtedness, and awarding her the

-commendation she deserved.

-

-Mr. Rosevelt was even more unnerved, when he learned the truth, than he

-had been the previous day.

-

-He came to her room, wan and haggard, after talking with Miss Meredith,

-and sank, weak and trembling, into a chair at her side.

-

-“My child,” he said, brokenly, as he took both her hands and looked them

-carefully over with tear-laden eyes, “are you _sure_ you did not get a

-scratch anywhere?”

-

-“Quite sure, Uncle Jacob,” Star replied, reassuringly; “the dog did not

-touch me anywhere, and if he had, I had a pair of stout undressed kid

-gloves on, and they would have protected me.”

-

-“But you were in terrible danger. Suppose you had not succeeded in

-pinning him down, and he had turned upon you?” he said, with a shudder.

-

-“I did not think of that,” Star answered; “but if I had _known_ that he

-would turn upon me, I believe I should have tried to save Josephine just

-the same. _Somebody_ was in danger of being bitten even if she escaped

-unharmed, and I felt that I must strain every nerve and not allow him to

-get among the company. The dog was a tiny little thing,” she went on,

-flushing and becoming excited as she seemed to live over again that

-dreadful experience; “but, oh, Uncle Jacob, he was terribly strong. I

-thought once that I should have to let him go; I could not have held him

-one minute longer;” and she covered her face with her hands, weeping

-from nervousness.

-

-“We must not talk about it any more; it excites you,” Mr. Rosevelt said,

-soothingly; “but the world would have been very dark for me if anything

-had happened to you; and—I am bitter enough to feel that Josephine

-Richards’ safety is dearly bought, even at the sacrifice of nothing more

-than your nerves and strength,” he concluded, in a stern tone.

-

-Star reached out one white hand and laid it gently upon his, saying,

-with grave sweetness, while she wiped away her tears:

-

-“Uncle Jacob, let us not judge too harshly nor be unforgiving.

-‘Charity,’ you know, ‘suffereth long and is kind, and never faileth.’

-Surely you would not have had me run away like a coward, and leave her

-sitting there playing with that mad creature, _knowing_ that she was in

-such fearful danger?”

-

-“N-o,” he admitted, reluctantly.

-

-“Just think,” Star went on; “she had him in her lap, and I did not speak

-one instant too soon, for hardly had I told her that he was mad, when he

-snapped at her. No; I am glad that I did what was right, and Josephine

-Richards’ life was every bit as precious to me yesterday as that of any

-one else, and I should have done just the same had she been an enemy a

-hundred-fold more than she is. She has endeavored to injure me, I know,

-in every possible way, and, in all the ordinary walks of life, I should

-let her alone. Her spite and ill-will, however bitter, cannot do me any

-real harm, although they may annoy me exceedingly, and doubtless will,

-in the end, rebound upon herself; but I am glad that I did not falter

-yesterday. I did what I could with the kindest of motives; and if _she_

-does not feel that she owes me anything, it cannot alter the fact that I

-did _my_ duty.”

-

-Mr. Rosevelt regarded her with an almost worshipful look.

-

-“That good book, which you love so well, says that ‘a little child shall

-lead them;’ and truly, Star, you in your youth shame me in my maturer

-years by your Christian spirit,” he said, in an humble tone.

-

-Star did not reply, but she looked very happy.

-

-“Surely Uncle Jacob must have been reading some in ‘that good book,’ to

-quote thus from it,” she thought, while his remark about a Christian

-spirit told that he was thinking upon the more serious questions of

-life—all of which was very encouraging to her who had so often been

-wounded by his bitterness and skepticism.

-

-

-

-

-                              CHAPTER XXX.

-                          “I LOVE HIM STILL.”

-

-

-The first of the week following the events just related, Mrs. Richards

-and her daughter were suddenly “recalled to Brooklyn.”

-

-Newport had become, as Miss Meredith had prophesied, “too hot for them.”

-

-They were gone almost before any one knew that they contemplated going;

-and, it must be confessed, that it was a great relief to both Star and

-Mr. Rosevelt when they learned of their flitting, and knew they would be

-obliged to meet them no more.

-

-Star had recovered her usual health and strength, but she had suffered

-such a shock that she could not meet or see a dog without a feeling of

-fear and an almost overpowering weakness, and she never entirely outgrew

-this feeling during her life.

-

-She had seemed unusually thoughtful, too, since the event. Most people,

-noticing it, thought it but natural, considering the fearful danger she

-had been in, but Star had a very different reason for it.

-

-The moment she had returned to consciousness and found herself in Ralph

-Meredith’s arms, seen his agonized looks, heard his tones of fear,

-realized the passionate, though trembling clasp in which she was held,

-the terrible throbbings of his heart as she lay against it, and noted

-the quiver of his pale lips as he hung over her and begged her to assure

-him that she was unharmed, she knew that he was no longer what she had

-hitherto regarded him—merely a kind and congenial friend.

-

-Those signs she had interpreted in a way to make her feel very grave and

-deeply troubled.

-

-She felt that he regarded her with feelings which she knew it would be

-impossible for her ever to return, and she feared he was cherishing

-hopes which, if not “nipped in the bud,” might ruin his whole life.

-

-His every look and act since that day had told her as plainly as words

-could have done that he loved her, and she was constantly trying to

-think of some way to make him discover how hopeless his passion was

-without bringing matters to a crisis.

-

-But this was not to be.

-

-One evening they all went for a walk in the park, where they spent an

-hour listening to the music and strolling about.

-

-As they were returning, Ralph succeeded in securing Star as a companion;

-perchance his sister knew his design in so doing, and aided him by

-asking Mr. Rosevelt for his arm and making herself as agreeable as she

-could to him.

-

-“Come this way,” Ralph whispered, leading the fair girl down a path at

-right angles to the one they had been traversing; “we shall all meet at

-the gate;” and Star could find no reasonable excuse to offer, although

-her heart beat ominously at the request.

-

-The evening was delightfully cool and pleasant, the air fragrant with

-the perfume of many flowers, while the music in the distance lent its

-own enchantment to the place and hour.

-

-It was just the time for Cupid to be busy with his arrows, and Ralph

-Meredith felt that it was an opportunity not to be lost, and governed

-himself accordingly.

-

-“Miss Gladstone,” he said, abruptly, after a rather awkward silence, “I

-am obliged to return to New York to-morrow.”

-

-“Are you?” Star asked, in surprise. “Is it not a sudden departure?”

-

-“Rather. I had hoped to remain a week longer.”

-

-“Surely your sister does not accompany you? I should miss her sorely; I

-should regret to lose her more than I can tell you.”

-

-The young man’s face fell. _He_ had not been included in her regret. But

-he rallied, and said, lightly:

-

-“My sister is highly favored, Miss Gladstone; but I had flattered myself

-that I also should be missed.”

-

-“Pardon me, if my words conveyed to you the idea that you would not,”

-Star said, quickly. “You have been most kind, Mr. Meredith, and I shall

-most certainly miss your companionship and your friendly attentions.”

-

-_Friendly_ attentions!

-

-Mr. Meredith had received another stab.

-

-“But,” she added, “will Grace go with you? You have not yet told me, and

-I have not heard her say anything about leaving.”

-

-She hoped thus to ward off what she feared was coming, and turn the

-conversation in another channel.

-

-“No; Grace will remain for another week. But, Miss Gladstone—Star,” he

-began, desperately, “I could not leave without seeking this private

-interview with you to learn my fate. You have called my attentions

-‘friendly.’ Have you not realized that they have been vastly more than

-that? Have you not seen that I have grown to love you madly,

-idolatrously? You are modest as a violet, my bright Star; and although I

-have tried to win some sign of answering affection from you, yet you

-have not given me one. You have evaded my every look, my every word of

-love. But, my beautiful darling, it seems as if my true heart _must_

-find in yours a fond return. You will tell me to-night, will you not,

-dear, that you will give yourself to me? Star, how shall I tell you of

-the depth of my love?—how you have become so necessary to me, that if

-you should send me away without hope, the future would hold nothing to

-tempt me, nothing to make life worth the living. When I held you in my

-arms last Wednesday, and believed that your life had been

-endangered—when you lay unconscious upon my breast, close to my heart,

-so white and still, so exactly as if you _were_ dead, I said to myself

-that I could not, I cared not to live, if you were taken from me. My

-love, look up into my eyes, lay your hand in mine, and tell me you will

-give yourself to me.”

-

-He stopped in the path and waited for her answer—waited for her to lay

-her hand in his, as he had asked her to do, and bid him to hope and be

-the happiest man in the universe.

-

-But her beautiful golden head was bent, as if weighted with some heavy

-care or sorrow. The star-like face was pale and downcast, and the lovely

-eyes, into which he longed to read an answering tale of love, were

-hidden by their white lids and curling lashes.

-

-“Star,” he breathed, a note of keen pain in his tone, “do not tell me

-that I must give up my bright dream of joy.”

-

-“Mr. Meredith,” she answered, looking up at him with sudden resolution,

-“forget for a little while what you have just said to me, and listen,

-while I read you a page out of my own heart.”

-

-A look of suffering came into his eyes, his lips trembled, and he

-breathed heavily, but he answered:

-

-“I cannot ‘_forget_,’ but I will ‘listen,’ as you wish.”

-

-“Nearly two years ago,” Star began, “I came to America in the ——, a

-vessel that sailed from Liverpool to New York. Perhaps you remember that

-it was lost at sea. I was one of the few who were saved, and afterward

-picked up by the ——, another homeward bound vessel. As I was lifted from

-the life-boat to the deck of the noble craft, I fainted from exhaustion,

-and fell into the arms of a stranger, who bore me to a state-room and

-gave me into the care of a stewardess. I met him a day or two afterward

-on the deck. He was a noble, manly looking gentleman, some four years my

-senior. We were thrown much into each other’s society during the

-remainder of the voyage, and there came into my heart during that time a

-feeling for him which will prevent me from ever loving another while I

-live. When we landed we parted as friends, though we exchanged

-souvenirs, and he expressed the hope that we should meet again. A few

-months later we did meet, our friendship was renewed, and soon ripened

-into something deeper—in fact, he won my heart entirely. We were

-betrothed, and for a few days earth became a paradise to me. I firmly

-believed him to be all that he appeared. I could have staked my life

-upon his truth and honor, and I would have defended him with my latest

-breath had any one assailed his fair fame or doubted his allegiance to

-me. But I could not doubt the evidence of my own senses, and he proved

-himself a traitor in my very presence. He played me false before the

-vows which he had uttered to me had scarcely grown cold upon his lips. I

-spurned him with scorn; I denounced him as the traitor and coward which

-I knew him to be; but, oh, Mr. Meredith, strange as it may seem to you,

-I—I love him still. Perhaps it is unmaidenly in me to tell you this,

-perhaps it betrays weakness and a lack of proper dignity on my part; but

-I feel that I owe it to you, to make you understand how impossible it is

-for me to reciprocate your affection. He won my girlish heart, he bound

-me irrevocably to him by the power of his will and the charm of his oily

-tongue, and I can _never_ love another. You will say that he is unworthy

-of such constancy, or even of a regret. I know he is, and yet while I

-own it, my soul is reaching after him with all the strength of a

-deathless love. I began to fear, a week ago, that you were entertaining

-feelings for me which would bring sorrow upon us both. You say that I

-have evaded you. I _have_ done so; I have tried to show you that the

-hopes which I feared you were entertaining could never be realized, and

-I wish that you had never spoken the words which you have to-night; for

-I know—_you_ know, that you could never be satisfied to take any one to

-your heart who was always turning from you to another, who, although she

-knew she was loving unworthily, would not yet have the power to keep her

-affections from straying from you, and who could not keep her vows of

-allegiance to you, for such vows, if spoken, would be but mockery. Mr.

-Meredith, you could never be satisfied with such a wife as that,” she

-concluded, in a voice which shook with emotion.

-

-“No, Miss Gladstone,” he answered, sorrowfully. “I love you too fondly,

-too devotedly, to be content with anything save an affection as strong

-and true as my own. But,” with a note of earnest appeal in his tone,

-“could I not win you by and by? Could I not teach you to love me by

-proving to you that I am worthy of your love?”

-

-Star shook her head sadly.

-

-“I _know_ that you are worthy at this moment,” she said. “I have the

-deepest respect for you, and value you as a friend; but nothing—no one

-can ever win the love which I must always bear for Archibald Sherbrooke.

-He has broken my heart and ruined my life; for I can never be the wife

-of any worthy man, since I will not live a lie. I can never have a home

-of my own; I can never have those sweet domestic ties and duties which

-other women have; I can only try to do my duty by the dear old man who

-is so fond of me while he lives, and, after that, live out my lonely

-life with what patience and courage I can,” she concluded, with such a

-pathos that the young man for the moment forgot his own sorrow and

-disappointment in pity for her.

-

-“Where is he—where is this coward who has so imposed upon you, ruined

-your life, and proved faithless to his troth? Tell me, that I may go and

-brand him the knave and villain that he is!” Ralph Meredith cried, in

-hot indignation.

-

-“I do not know where he is,” Star answered. “I have never seen him since

-that night when I told him that I had discovered his treachery. That was

-nearly a year ago. I never expect to meet him again—I never _wish_ to

-meet him again. I desire to ignore him—at least, to all outward

-appearances; and if he possesses such an attribute as a conscience, his

-punishment must come sometime. But,” she went on, in a voice of pain, “I

-hope no one else will ever learn to love me, for I cannot endure the

-thought that I shall spoil other lives as mine has been spoilt. Oh, Mr.

-Meredith, I am sorry if I have unconsciously done you a wrong. Pray,

-forget me if you can, and——”

-

-“That I can never do,” he interrupted, gently, for he saw that she was

-deeply moved; “but I will try and be content if you will allow me still

-to be your friend.”

-

-“Thank you,” she returned, while she wiped the tears which were falling

-fast; “it will be a great comfort to me if you will permit me to regard

-you as such. I feared I should incur your contempt by the confession I

-have made to-night; but I could better endure that than that your future

-should be ruined by hoping against hope.”

-

-“Contempt!” he repeated, earnestly; “such a feeling I could never

-entertain for you; you have, instead, my deepest sympathy and respect.

-But if I ever meet and know the wretch who has played you false, let him

-beware; for I will surely make him repent most bitterly his treachery

-and baseness toward you,” he concluded, fiercely.

-

-A faint smile of scorn curled Star’s lips.

-

-Time would bring its own punishment to her faithless lover, she

-believed, and she had no desire that any one should act as her champion

-in this matter.

-

-She had called him “Archibald Sherbrooke” purposely, for she felt

-assured that if, by any chance, Ralph Meredith should yet meet him, he

-would not recognize in Lord Carrol the man of whom she had told him.

-

-

-

-

-                             CHAPTER XXXI.

-                          A NOBLE RESOLUTION.

-

-

-“You will remember that you have promised that I am still to be your

-friend; you will not avoid me and deny me the pleasure of your society

-because of what I have told you to-night?” Ralph pleaded, as he and Star

-drew near the entrance of the park, and knew that they would soon be

-rejoined by his sister and Mr. Rosevelt.

-

-Star looked up at him with a grave face.

-

-“You shall still be my friend. I will not avoid you if you will promise

-me that you will build no false hopes upon our friendship,” she said.

-

-“How can I, when you tell me that there is no hope?” he asked, yet his

-voice trembled and was full of pain.

-

-“May I continue to visit you when you return to New York?” he resumed,

-after a moment.

-

-“Certainly, as one friend would visit another. You have made my stay

-here very pleasant, and I should be very sorry not to see you

-occasionally, while Grace has become almost like a sister to me.”

-

-The young man thanked her with glistening eyes, and with a pang at his

-heart, as he thought how fondly he had hoped to make the two girls

-sisters, and how rudely his bright dream had been broken.

-

-Then they passed out at the gate, where they found Mr. Rosevelt and

-Grace awaiting them.

-

-Both saw at a glance that the interview had been a sorrowful one, and

-Miss Meredith was bitterly disappointed, for she had trusted that Ralph

-would be able to win the bright, beautiful girl for his wife.

-

-Mr. Rosevelt surmised the cause of Star’s rejection of his suit, and

-sighed heavily, for the young man had been a favorite with him, and he

-would have been glad to give her to him.

-

-But he would never try to influence her upon matters of such a delicate

-nature. She should always do exactly as she liked, and he knew that

-whoever her choice might be, it would never be an unworthy one.

-

-They parted at the door of the hotel, Ralph bidding them good-by there,

-as he was to leave early in the morning, and Star knew by the way he

-wrung her hand that he was bidding farewell to hope as well.

-

-When they reached their private parlor, she went directly to Mr.

-Rosevelt’s side and laid her hand upon his arm. Her face was flushed and

-sad, and he saw at once that she was very unhappy.

-

-“What is it, my starling?” he asked, taking her hand in both of his, and

-speaking very tenderly.

-

-“Uncle Jacob, I want to go home,” she said, wearily.

-

-“Bless you, child! you shall go wherever you like,” he said, in

-surprise, and regarding her anxiously.

-

-“I want to go where you and I can be by ourselves, and where I cannot do

-any mischief,” she said, with a sob of pain, and he knew beyond a doubt

-that Ralph Meredith had proposed and been rejected.

-

-“Mischief! tut, tut, little one! What has made you so unhappy? Have you

-sent our young friend away in sorrow?”

-

-Star nodded her head in reply; she could not find voice to answer him.

-

-“He is a fine young man—he is a _worthy_ young man,” Mr. Rosevelt said,

-gently.

-

-“Oh, I _know_ it, Uncle Jacob; but—_my heart is dead_, and it can never

-live again. Don’t blame me, please—_you_ know all about it, and you know

-that I could not help it and be true to him and myself,” she returned,

-in deep distress.

-

-“You have done everything to make me happy,” she went on, a little more

-calmly, “and I thought I was beginning to be content and to enjoy life

-once more; but I cannot endure many scenes like what transpired

-to-night. Let us go home, where I can go to work again, and in my duties

-there forget, if possible, the misery of the past, which I have been

-made to live over again to-night.”

-

-“We will leave Newport to-morrow, if you wish,” Mr. Rosevelt said, after

-a little thought; “but we will not go back to New York just yet—we will

-spend two or three weeks in sightseeing first. We will go to the White

-Mountains, from there to Montreal, then down the St. Lawrence and the

-lake to Niagara, and then home. That will give us a change and a nice

-little trip, besides a knowledge of something of the country. It is a

-long time since I went over that ground, and I think I should enjoy the

-journey, if the idea pleases you.”

-

-He was not going to let her go back to New York and bury herself at

-home, where she would brood over her trouble and grow pale, thin, and

-hollow-eyed again; so he put it in the form of a favor to himself.

-

-Star assented, thinking if the trip would give him pleasure she would

-not say “nay.” She only longed to get away from Newport; it would be a

-change, and a spirit of unrest had suddenly possessed her.

-

-So it was arranged that they should leave the gay resort the next day

-but one.

-

-“And, Uncle Jacob,” Star pleaded, as they were about to retire for the

-night, “let us not say much about it until to-morrow; let us get away as

-quietly as possible.”

-

-“Very well; we will leave the announcement of our departure as long as

-we can, without appearing to _run_ away,” he answered, understanding her

-motive.

-

-The next morning Star sought Miss Meredith, and confessed, with many

-tears, her rejection of her brother.

-

-“I knew he would tell you,” she said, “but I cannot bear that you should

-blame me, Grace. I have not meant to wrong your brother, and I would

-give much to make him as happy and free from pain as he was before he

-knew me. Do not take your friendship from me on account of it, for I

-need it more than I ever did before.”

-

-And Grace Meredith, not knowing all, kissed her tenderly, while she

-thought in her heart, “Perhaps I can help to win her for Ralph even yet,

-if I am patient.”

-

-“Do not grieve,” she said, gently. “I know you have intended no wrong.

-You cannot help being beautiful and attractive; you cannot help it if

-people _will_ love you. I do not blame you, dear, in the least, and I am

-sure I should not think of breaking our friendship, which has been so

-exceedingly pleasant. Ralph did tell me something of this last night,

-and of course I am sorry for him, for he is a very dear brother, and a

-noble fellow, too; but these affairs of the heart, you know,” she

-concluded, smiling and flushing, for she knew something about it

-herself, “are entirely beyond our control.”

-

-“Thank you, Grace,” Star said, gratefully, although the trouble did not

-fade out of her azure eyes; “you have lightened my burden considerably.

-It would have been more than I could bear to make an enemy of you.”

-

-“An enemy, you dear little goose!” Grace cried. “Do you suppose I would

-be so foolish as to wish to drive you to marry my brother if you could

-not love him? I love you both too well for that; and now don’t let me

-hear anything more about broken friendships, unless I do something to

-forfeit your respect, for it would cause me great sorrow to have

-anything mar our intimacy.”

-

-Star drew a long breath of relief.

-

-“You are very good to me,” she returned; “and now I have a little

-message to you from Uncle Jacob.”

-

-“A message from Mr. Rosevelt! Do let me have it, then, for it must be

-something good,” Miss Meredith said, gayly. She longed to drive the

-clouds from her friend’s face.

-

-“We are going to leave Newport.”

-

-“Going to leave Newport! When?”

-

-“To-morrow.”

-

-“If that is your message, it is anything but a welcome one,” Miss

-Meredith said, looking very much disturbed.

-

-“Oh, but it isn’t,” Star replied; “I was to tell you of our plans. We

-are going from here to the White Mountains, from there to Montreal, down

-the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario to Niagara, and then home; and

-Uncle Jacob commissioned me to ask you to be our guest during the trip.

-Will you go, Grace?”

-

-Miss Meredith looked thoughtful.

-

-It would be a sudden start, but the trip offered great attraction, to

-say nothing of the pleasure she would experience in Star’s and Mr.

-Rosevelt’s society.

-

-Ralph was gone, and if these friends should go also, she would be very

-lonely, notwithstanding she had many acquaintances here.

-

-“I _want_ you, Grace; _please_ do not refuse,” Star pleaded, as she

-hesitated, and she assented without further demur.

-

-Accordingly, the next day they all left Newport, and many blank faces

-and wistful eyes watched their departure, for they had formed a nucleus

-around which a brilliant circle had collected, and they would be sadly

-missed.

-

-The trip occupied three weeks, and proved a most delightful one also.

-

-Star was a first-rate traveler, Miss Meredith a most pleasant companion,

-and they all regained much of their accustomed spirits before it was

-over, and Mr. Rosevelt congratulated himself that he had planned most

-wisely.

-

-“I think it is charming to travel in this way,” Star said, one day while

-they were at Niagara; “just a few of us who enjoy each other, stopping

-when we choose, going on when we like, and having everything our own

-way. I think there is nothing so pleasant as traveling.”

-

-“How would you like to go to California and the Yosemite Valley?” Mr.

-Rosevelt asked.

-

-“I _think_ I should like it,” she answered, enthusiastically.

-

-“Will you go this fall?”

-

-“Oh, Uncle Jacob, aren’t you tired? Do you not need to go home and rest

-after so much dissipation?” the young girl asked, but her eyes sparkled

-and her cheeks flushed with anticipation.

-

-“Do you call it dissipation to travel?” he asked, smiling at her

-eagerness. “I enjoy it almost more than anything else.”

-

-“‘_Almost_ more,’” Star repeated, quickly. “What _would_ you enjoy

-more?”

-

-“To see _you_ perfectly happy,” he replied, tenderly; “and,” he added,

-“I believe that traveling does you fully as much good as anything else.

-We will go home and rest a week, then we will start for the far West.

-What do you say to my plan?”

-

-Miss Meredith’s face lighted.

-

-“Say ‘yes’ to it, by all means, Star,” she said, “and—I will go with

-you, if you will have me.”

-

-“_If_ we will have you,” Star returned, with dancing eyes. “Why, I think

-it would be the very nicest thing in all the world—we three, with Mrs.

-Blunt to look after us, do have such delightful, cozy times.”

-

-“I have been wishing for just such an opportunity for a long time,”

-Grace said, “and if you will take me along with you, I should esteem it

-a great favor.”

-

-“I think with Star, that it would be the best arrangement in the world;

-and, Miss Meredith, we shall consider you a member of our party,” Mr.

-Rosevelt said, with a bow and a smile to that young lady.

-

-Star looked up into the old gentleman’s face.

-

-“Uncle Jacob, how _good_ you are to me!” she said; and her red lips

-trembled over the words, for she knew that he had planned all this

-expressly for her sake, to keep her thoughts pleasantly employed and

-from brooding over the past.

-

-“My dear, do I not owe my life and all that I am at present enjoying to

-you?” he asked, gravely. “Remember,” he added, “that when you are happy

-I am happy also, and _vice versa_; whatever cloud darkens your sky is

-sure to bring sorrow to me also; so let us make the most of our lives

-while we have them.”

-

-Star looked up brightly after Mr. Rosevelt’s last remark, and glancing

-archly from him to Miss Meredith, said:

-

-“Well, if so much depends upon my decision—if I hold the fate of two

-such important people in my hands, I shall be obliged to say, we will go

-to California and be happy. But,” she added, laughing, “I warn you both

-beforehand that I shall not be easily satiated; I shall want to go

-everywhere and see everything. Yes; we will go home and rest a week,

-then turn our faces toward the ‘golden gate,’ and—‘westward, ho!’”

-

-

-

-

-                             CHAPTER XXXII.

-                              “I PROMISE.”

-

-

-On returning to New York, Star learned that Ralph Meredith had sailed

-for Europe a couple of days before their arrival.

-

-The week that they had promised themselves for rest at home proved to be

-a busy one instead, for considerable preparation was necessary for the

-long journey they were contemplating, as it was to occupy three or four

-months.

-

-Star was glad to be at home again, and went flitting about the house,

-full of business and life.

-

-One day they were out making a few necessary purchases, when suddenly,

-in one of the stores, they came upon Mr. Richards.

-

-He looked aged and care-worn, neglected and unhappy. His face lighted

-with momentary pleasure, however, when he caught sight of Mr. Rosevelt

-and Star, and he came forward to greet them with extended hand.

-

-“I cannot tell you how glad I am to see you once more,” he said,

-heartily. “I am not going to reproach you either for running away from

-us, for, unpleasant as it is for me to say it, I could not blame you

-under the circumstances. But it is only within a week or two that I have

-learned of the change in your life; and, Uncle Jacob, I am sincerely

-glad that you did not lose your fortune, as we supposed.”

-

-“Thank you. Then you do not feel aggrieved over the ruse I played upon

-you?” replied Mr. Rosevelt, regarding him searchingly.

-

-“Not at all; it was no more than right that you should wish to know who

-was worthy to be your heir,” but he sighed heavily as he spoke, as he

-remembered how unworthy his wife had proved herself to be.

-

-“How goes the world with you?” Mr. Rosevelt asked, and noticing the

-return of the care-worn look to Mr. Richards’ face.

-

-“Rather discouragingly just now. I have met with some pretty heavy

-losses lately; don’t know whether I shall be able to pull through all

-right or not. A couple of weeks will tell the story, however.”

-

-He spoke in a desperate tone, and there was a look in his eyes that made

-Star shudder and involuntarily draw closer to Mr. Rosevelt.

-

-“You don’t mean that you are in danger of going under?” he said, in

-surprise, and remembering how his wife and daughter had flourished at

-Newport.

-

-“Just that,” Mr. Richards returned, nervously; “but if it was not for

-the horror I have of debt, and the thought that others must suffer

-through me, I would gladly lay down my arms and give up the battle; I am

-tired to death of this endless struggle to keep up appearances. But,” he

-added, trying to speak more cheerfully, “I won’t bore you with my

-troubles. How well you are both looking; and Star—they tell me _you_ are

-the author of ‘Chatsworth’s Pride.’ I declare I was never prouder of

-anything in my life when I heard it. I always knew you’d make your mark

-in the world.”

-

-Star colored. She was a trifle sensitive regarding compliments of this

-kind, and never talked about her book if she could help it, except with

-those whom she was sure were her true friends.

-

-But she thanked him gracefully, and then turned the conversation to some

-other topic, while all the time she was wondering if there was not

-something that she could do to help or comfort him in his trouble.

-

-“Now that I have found you,” he said, later, “tell me where you live and

-I will come to see you. I will not invite you to Brooklyn,” he

-continued, with a frown, “for I know you could not come there with any

-comfort, though I should be glad enough to see you there.”

-

-While he was speaking, Star had drawn a little back, so that Mr.

-Rosevelt was between her and Mr. Richards, and he could not see her face

-at all.

-

-“Uncle Jacob,” she whispered, close to his ear, “cannot we do something

-to help him out of his trouble? He looks so wild and desperate that he

-frightens me. He was always kind to me, and I’ll willingly give up

-California or anything else you please.”

-

-Jacob Rosevelt’s face flushed hotly at these words, and a strange gleam

-came into his fine eyes. He appeared to take no notice of her plea, but

-after giving Mr. Richards their street and number, continued:

-

-“If you have no other engagement, George, come up and dine with us

-to-night, and see how cozy we are. We have dinner at six, and as we

-leave for California on Wednesday night, I am afraid we shall not see

-you again.”

-

-George Richards caught his breath with a sudden gasp at this

-intelligence, and Star noticed again that frenzied gleam in his eyes

-which had made her heart throb painfully.

-

-“California, do you?” he said, trying to speak steadily. “Well, I will

-come, of course, then; for life is uncertain, you know, and I may never

-see you again,” he added, with a harsh, grating laugh. “Thank you for

-the invitation, and as I have no engagement, I will be on hand in season

-for dinner. But I must be off now, for I have agreed to meet a couple of

-gentlemen at twelve, and it only wants fifteen minutes of that now.”

-

-He lifted his hat and bowed to them, then turned away; but the

-white-haired gentleman and the beautiful girl who stood looking after

-him saw the aged, dejected look return almost instantly to his face, and

-heard the heavy sigh that escaped his lips, telling of some fearful

-burden of care that was wearing his life away.

-

-“So you want me to help George Richards out of his trouble, do you,

-Star?” Mr. Rosevelt said, on their way home, and his eyes rested fondly

-on the graceful figure sitting by his side, driving her pretty gray

-ponies.

-

-“Perhaps it was presuming in me to ask you to do so, Uncle Jacob,” Star

-answered, gravely, and flushing a vivid crimson; “but I feel very sorry

-for him. He was kind to me in many ways while I was living with his

-family, and but for him I should have been made a common servant.”

-

-When George Richards was ushered into Jacob Rosevelt’s luxurious and

-cozy dining-room that evening, where the table was laid with exquisite

-taste for three, his eyes lighted, and the look of care vanished as if

-by magic from his face.

-

-Three times after dessert Star made Mr. Richards let her fill his tiny

-cup with the delicious coffee; then she playfully told him that she

-should not give him any more, but if he would come into the library, she

-would try and see what she could do toward intoxicating him in some

-other way.

-

-“I have not forgotten how fond you are of music,” she added, smiling,

-“and I want you to tell me if you do not think I have improved some

-since you last heard me play.”

-

-She slipped her hand through his arm and led him into the library, while

-Mr. Rosevelt watched her with humorous eyes as she performed this labor

-of love.

-

-Seated at the piano, she whiled away another hour, making George

-Richards forget everything disagreeable, and appear the pleasant, genial

-gentleman whom she used to know.

-

-“‘Richard is almost himself again,’ I think,” she thought, with a happy

-little smile, as once, after a comic song which she sang to him, he

-leaned back in his chair and laughed long and heartily.

-

-But this could not go on forever, and finally Mr. Rosevelt gradually led

-him to talk business, and asked him to tell him just what his trouble

-was.

-

-This changed everything, and he became at once the anxious, care-worn

-man again.

-

-“I do not like to trouble you, Uncle Jacob,” he said, uneasily. “You

-have had your day of business, with all its cares and perplexities,

-without bothering your brain with those of other people. I’m in a

-terrible muddle, it is true; but—I guess there will be _some way_ out of

-it;” and there came into his eyes that same wild, desperate look which

-Star had noticed in the morning, and which made her shudder with a

-terrible fear.

-

-But Mr. Rosevelt insisted, and finally drew from him a true statement of

-facts.

-

-“I am sorry you are having such a hard time of it, George,” he said,

-thoughtfully, when he had concluded. “How much would it take to relieve

-you of your embarrassment?”

-

-Mr. Richards cast a startled look at the old gentleman at this question;

-then, while a deep flush mounted to his brow, he said:

-

-“I can raise enough to meet all my present liabilities with ten thousand

-dollars. I have tried to borrow it everywhere, but everybody seems to

-have become suddenly shy of me for some reason, and I might as well be

-without a dollar in the world as without the whole amount. If I _could_

-raise it, it would set me on my legs again, for my credit would be good,

-and, with care and patience, I believe I could retrieve my position.”

-

-Star almost held her breath while she waited for Mr. Rosevelt’s reply to

-this.

-

-To her infinite surprise, he turned to her.

-

-“My dear,” he said, gently, “you shall return some of the kindness of

-which you told me this morning. I think you understand what I want you

-to do.”

-

-He glanced as he concluded toward the private drawer in his desk, where

-he always kept his check-book, and she knew that he wanted her to go and

-fill out a check for the amount that Mr. Richards had named.

-

-She arose, went to the desk, unlocked the drawer with trembling fingers,

-and drew forth the book.

-

-Opening it, she filled out a check, as she had often done for him during

-the last few months, then tearing it out, carried it to him, with a pen

-filled with ink.

-

-He turned it over and wrote his name on the back without a word, and

-then returned it to her to sign.

-

-She took it mechanically, but stood irresolute for a moment, looking at

-him, while her cheeks grew crimson.

-

-“Give it to him, dear; it is to be your gift,” Mr. Rosevelt said,

-glancing at Mr. Richards, who sat staring at them both in blank

-amazement.

-

-A brilliant smile parted Star’s red lips; she shot a grateful look at

-Uncle Jacob, and advancing to their visitor’s side, laid the check down

-before him.

-

-One glance at the figures, and the overburdened man bowed his head upon

-the table with a groan.

-

-“I cannot take it! I cannot take it—and from _you_, of all persons!” he

-said, brokenly.

-

-“Why not from her?” Mr. Rosevelt asked, huskily. “All that I have

-belongs to this dear girl, and, as I have told her many times, I live

-only to make her happy. _She_ asked me to do this to-day after we had

-met you, because, she said, you had been kind to her in the past, and

-she longed to help you out of your trouble. So take it as her gift, my

-boy; make the best use of it that you can, and welcome.”

-

-George Richards groaned again, while he reached forth and grasped the

-old man’s hand, wringing it in silent gratitude, yet overwhelmed with

-shame and remorse as he remembered all that he and the fair-haired,

-gentle girl standing beside him had suffered while they were members of

-his family.

-

-He had no words of thanks to offer for this generous help in time of

-need, but if ever a world-weary heart was relieved of a burden too heavy

-to be borne, his was, when at length he folded that precious bit of

-paper and put it away for future use.

-

-When he arose to take his leave, he took both of Star’s hands in his and

-drew her aside, where he could speak to her alone.

-

-“But for you,” he said, in unsteady tones, “I should have been a ruined

-man a week hence. To tell you that I am _ashamed_ to receive this gift

-from you does not express half what I feel, when I look back and

-remember your position in my family. But you have bestowed it so kindly

-and delicately that it would be churlish in me to refuse it; and you

-have taught me a lesson which, God helping me, I will never forget—a

-lesson of forgiveness and charity; and _no one_ in my house shall ever

-be treated unkindly again, no matter what their position may be,” he

-concluded, with stern resolution.

-

-“Please forget all the past, Mr. Richards,” Star returned, sweetly, but

-with evident embarrassment. “I never entertained any feeling save that

-of gratitude and good-will toward you, for you proved yourself

-interested in my welfare in more instances than one while I was with

-you. But,” she added, solemnly, while she clung tightly to his hands,

-and looked into his eyes with an expression which made them droop

-guiltily before her, “will you not promise me that, no matter how dark

-the future may be to you, no matter what trials or disappointments may

-come to you, you will never again meditate _doing yourself an

-irreparable wrong_?”

-

-A streak of dusky red shot across the man’s forehead, while his veins

-filled out hard and full.

-

-“Star,” he stammered, “what do you mean?—what do you know?”

-

-“_You_ know what I mean. I read it in your eyes, I heard it in the tones

-of your voice this morning. But, oh! my friend,” and her voice was full

-of tears, “remember that you are ‘bought with a price’—you are _not your

-own_. Promise me.”

-

-He raised her hands and kissed them reverently, and two hot tears rolled

-over his cheeks and dropped upon them in the act.

-

-“I promise,” he whispered, hoarsely. “My child, I should indeed have

-been ruined, body and soul, but for you. God bless you!”

-

-Star and Mr. Rosevelt followed him to the door as he went out, both

-trying to cheer him with kind wishes for the future.

-

-“Good-night and good-by,” the young girl said, in tones that sounded to

-him like an angel’s voice, as she stood in the door-way and watched him

-go down the steps. “Be sure to come and see us again when we return; the

-latch-string is always out, as they say at the West, for our friends.”

-

-A mighty sob burst from the overcharged heart of George Richards as he

-reached the street, and the tears—tears of mingled remorse, gratitude,

-and relief—rolled thick and fast over his face.

-

-“Thank God,” he murmured, fervently, “for the light of that ‘star’ in

-the midst of what was worse than Stygian darkness. But for its friendly

-beams and cheering influence, I should have been lost indeed.”

-

-He had proceeded some distance, when he stopped short and seemed about

-to retrace his steps.

-

-“How thoughtless of me!” he muttered, impatiently. “I meant to tell her

-all about Lord Carrol. He deserves to be set right with her, and she

-deserves—well, _nothing_ can be too good for her; but they knocked

-everything out of my head by their unexampled generosity. I will not go

-back to-night,” he added, after thinking a moment; “I will write her

-to-morrow the whole story.”

-

-But the morrow brought its busy cares and perplexities, and his

-resolution was forgotten. After that it was too late, for he did not

-know where to address her during her absence; and so Star still believed

-her lover to be false, and still mourned her shattered idol.

-

-

-

-

-                            CHAPTER XXXIII.

-                         “YOU ARE THE TRAITOR.”

-

-

-Mr. Rosevelt, Star, and Grace Meredith, with good-natured Mrs. Blunt to

-attend to matters of comfort, started on the day appointed for their

-Western trip, full of bright anticipations of the pleasures in store for

-them; and while they are gone, we will follow Ralph Meredith on his

-voyage across the Atlantic to the old world.

-

-Arriving in London, he transacted what business he had to do there, and

-then turned his attention, with what interest he could muster while his

-heart was still so sore from his recent disappointment, to the

-attractions which the great city afforded.

-

-He visited the House of Parliament, the Tower, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the

-National Gallery of Art, and many other points of interest, reserving

-Westminster Abbey until the last, as he wished to give plenty of time to

-this wonderful and magnificent structure and its countless curiosities.

-

-Upon his second visit thither, and while he was in the chapel of Henry

-the Seventh, with his guide, who was pointing out for his admiration the

-beauties of its architecture, the vaulted roof, with its magnificent

-carvings, and many precious relics gathered there, a clear, sweet voice

-suddenly broke the solemn stillness of the place by calling out just

-behind him:

-

-“Why, Archie Sherbrooke, do you know what time it is? Quarter past

-eleven, and we promised Lady Dunham that we would be back in season to

-attend the rehearsal at the Albert Memorial Hall with her.”

-

-Ralph had thought that he was the only visitor there that morning, and

-that silvery voice speaking that name, which he remembered but too well,

-gave him a shock which sent the blood coursing like fire through his

-veins.

-

-“It is later than I thought, Vivien; we must go at once, if we keep that

-appointment,” a rich, manly voice said in reply; and turning quickly to

-look at the speaker, Ralph saw a tall, handsome young man of perhaps two

-or three-and-twenty, with the head of an Apollo, the form of an Adonis,

-and having a keen, intellectual face, with frank, truthful eyes, and a

-pleasant, winning smile.

-

-The lady who accompanied, and who addressed him, was a year or two

-younger evidently, and _almost_ as lovely as Star, Ralph thought,

-although her beauty was of a different style.

-

-Archie Sherbrooke! There surely could not be two young men of the same

-age, handsome as one of the gods, and bearing the same name.

-

-His heart had bounded into his throat as he heard it spoken, his face

-had flushed a painful crimson, while his hands instinctively clinched

-themselves in hot indignation, and he longed to confront the handsome

-traitor and denounce him for the villainous part he had played.

-

-This, then, must be the man who had broken Star Gladstone’s heart and

-ruined her life; there was not a doubt of it in his own mind.

-

-Yes, he was sure this was the Archibald Sherbrooke of whom Star had told

-him.

-

-Who, then, was the woman who had been with him? Was it his wife?

-

-He did not think she was his sister, for, except in the color of her

-hair, she did not resemble him in the least.

-

-Were they Americans, and traveling, like himself, in the kingdom?

-

-Perhaps, if they were married, they were thus spending the honeymoon;

-but they had spoken of “Lady Dunham” in a way to make him doubt that

-they were his countrymen.

-

-Such thoughts as these tortured him, and he became possessed to seek out

-the young man and discover if he were indeed Star’s recreant lover.

-

-The young lady had spoken of a rehearsal at the Albert Hall. He knew

-there was to be a concert there that evening, and possibly it might be

-an outgrowth of the rehearsal. He would go and see.

-

-Accordingly, at the hour designated upon the bills, he went, armed with

-a powerful opera-glass, and procuring a conspicuous seat, he swept tier

-after tier of faces, searching for those which he had seen in the

-morning.

-

-But disappointment was the result of his efforts; for that fair, girlish

-face was nowhere to be seen, nor could he find him who had been the

-young lady’s attendant.

-

-Suddenly, however, a strangely sweet, bird-like voice, rising clear and

-full on the air, drew his attention to the stage, and there, with a

-thrill which tingled through every nerve, he saw the lovely girl for

-whom he was looking.

-

-Ralph Meredith sought for her name upon his programme, which stated that

-the concert was given, under the auspices of some of the nobility, for

-some charitable object, and that the talent was all amateur.

-

-“Miss Vivien Sherbrooke,” he read, and he again experienced that sudden

-heart-throb.

-

-She was not, then, Archibald Sherbrooke’s wife, but, in all probability,

-his sister.

-

-He listened intently throughout her song; and then, as the sweet voice

-died away, and she turned to leave the stage, he leaned breathlessly

-forward to watch her, while thunders of applause went rolling up into

-the heights bove him.

-

-She came back again after a moment, slightly flushed at the _encore_,

-but in a graceful, modest way, and sang a simple ballad.

-

-She was as sweet and charming as she could be, and when at length she

-ceased and went away again, Ralph Meredith heard a long-drawn breath, as

-of relief, directly behind him, while a voice said:

-

-“I believe Vivien _never_ sang so well before; but I am glad that part

-of the programme is over.”

-

-“Yes,” replied deeper, but more familiar tones; “I was a trifle anxious

-myself, although I know she never fails in what she undertakes. Vivien

-is a jewel!”

-

-“You are right, Archie. So is my son; and I am surprised that, at your

-age, some one has not won you both away from me,” returned the lady, in

-suppressed, but fond and playful tones.

-

-“You are not anxious to get rid of either of us, I hope, mother?”

-

-“No, indeed; and yet it would be expected in the natural course of

-events; and with so many fair maidens and gallant young gentlemen

-playing the agreeable to me, I cannot but feel some curiosity as to who

-will eventually get my treasures.”

-

-There was no reply to this speech, but Ralph was sure he heard a sigh.

-

-After a few moments he turned and ran his eye with seeming carelessness

-over the sea of faces behind him, glancing at those two to whose

-conversation he had just been listening.

-

-It was even as he had surmised when he heard that manly voice.

-

-Archibald Sherbrooke sat directly behind him, and beside him a noble,

-matronly looking woman whom he closely resembled; but there was an

-unmistakable look of pain upon the young man’s face, and a wistful,

-anxious look in his handsome eyes.

-

-“Not married, after all this time, and with that sorrowful face and

-bitter sigh. I begin to think there may have been a misunderstanding of

-some kind, instead of a willful wrong,” he said to himself. “He does not

-look like a man to prove treacherous to a woman,” he added; “there is

-something noble and prepossessing about him; and yet Star said she

-denounced him to his face.”

-

-When the concert was over, and while he was slowly passing out with the

-crowd, some one at his side suddenly exclaimed:

-

-“Halloa, Meredith! where on earth did you come from?” and a friendly

-hand grasped and shook his with a vigorous cordiality.

-

-“Alden! is it you?” he cried, in return. “I might ask the same question

-of you, since I had not a thought of seeing you here; but since it is

-evident that we are both Americans, it is safe to assume that we came

-from ‘over the seas and far away.’”

-

-“When did you arrive? Where are you stopping, and how long do you stay

-in London?” demanded Alden, his tongue going like a race-horse.

-

-“Well,” Ralph returned, laughing, “you mean to know all about me, I see.

-I arrived a week ago yesterday; I am stopping at the Midland Grand, and

-my stay is—indefinite.”

-

-“Good! but now I have found you, I mean to keep an eye upon you. I tell

-you it sets a fellow up wonderfully to see a home-face. Have you any

-other engagement for this evening?”

-

-“No.”

-

-“Then come with me. I have an invitation to Lady Stamfield’s

-reception—and, by the by, she does entertain charmingly—with permission

-to bring as many friends as I choose. Come; my lady is a delightful

-hostess, besides having two of the loveliest daughters in the world.”

-

-“Such an inducement as the latter I am unable to resist,” Ralph

-responded, with a smile. “I will come with pleasure.”

-

-“You’re a sensible fellow,” replied young Alden, as, linking his arm

-familiarly in that of his friend, he led him away.

-

-Ralph found Stamfield House a delightful place. Lady Stamfield all, and

-more, than Herbert Alden had promised him in the way of a hostess, and

-the Misses Stamfield, young ladies of eighteen and twenty, pretty and

-talented, and entertaining enough to make an hour or two pass very

-agreeably.

-

-He was very cordially received upon being presented by his friend, and

-introduced to a number of pleasant people, and he began to think that he

-had not seen the best side of London after all, since he had not

-heretofore been favorably impressed with its citizens.

-

-After he had danced two or three times, young Alden sought him again,

-and took him away to the billiard-room, which, for that evening, had

-been set apart for a smoking-room.

-

-“I want to introduce you to some fine fellows,” he said, on the way

-thither, “‘bang up’ boys, we should say in America, who will give you a

-good time while you stay here.”

-

-He found a dozen or twenty young men gathered in the billiard-room, and

-was introduced to several of them by his friend.

-

-He spent half an hour very pleasantly there, and then began to think

-that it was time that he was getting back to his hotel, for it was a

-long distance from that portion of the city.

-

-He stood by the billiard-table alone for a moment, waiting to bid young

-Alden good-night, when suddenly he heard his voice at his elbow,

-introducing him to “Lord Carrol, of Carrolton.”

-

-He half put out his hand, glanced up at the stranger, started, withdrew

-it, and bowed stiffly to his lordship. He had recognized Archibald

-Sherbrooke!

-

-The fine, genial face of the young peer clouded at the act and his cool

-greeting; but, with his natural good-breeding, he appeared not to heed

-it, and expressed his pleasure at the meeting; while Alden, the

-introduction over, turned away, leaving them together.

-

-“I beg your pardon,” Ralph said, the hot blood mounting to his brow, for

-his loyal heart could not forget Star and her wrongs, “I have heard you

-addressed twice to-day by another name—Archibald Sherbrooke. Has my

-friend made a mistake in introducing you to me as Lord Carrol?”

-

-His lordship laughed, and his face cleared instantly.

-

-“No,” he said; “I am both Archibald Sherbrooke and Lord Carrol. I am

-troubled with a plurality of names, which frequently cause mistakes,

-some of which are ludicrous, and some—painful.”

-

-This last statement was supplemented with a heavy sigh.

-

-“But,” he added, more lightly, “I will shake hands with you over

-either,” and he extended his hand again.

-

-But Ralph would not take it.

-

-He drew back a step, and bent a perplexed look upon his companion’s

-face.

-

-“Pardon me again,” he said; “but before I take your hand, allow me to

-ask you a single question.”

-

-“Certainly; a dozen if you like,” Lord Carrol answered, haughtily, for

-Ralph’s refusal to take his hand had hurt him keenly.

-

-“You have been in America?”

-

-“Yes.”

-

-“You met there a young lady by the name of Miss Stella Gladstone?”

-

-Lord Carrol started as from a sudden shock, and grew pale to his lips.

-

-“Stella Gladstone! What can you tell me of Star Gladstone?” he demanded,

-hoarse from emotion.

-

-“That her heart is broken—her life ruined,” Ralph Meredith answered,

-sternly, for he knew now that he had found his man, and he meant to show

-him no mercy.

-

-He trembled with excitement, and his fingers ached to strangle the

-villain and coward who had so basely betrayed the trust of the loveliest

-woman on earth.

-

-“Her life ruined! _Don’t_ tell me that,” Lord Carrol whispered, with

-white lips, while the look of agony which leaped to his eyes would have

-moved the hardest heart, had it been less sore than Ralph Meredith’s.

-

-“Yes, and _you_ are the traitor who is accountable for it,” he answered,

-hotly.

-

-The young man flushed, and he drew himself up with sudden dignity,

-struggling to regain his self-possession, which had been sadly disturbed

-at the mention of that dearly loved name.

-

-“You forget yourself, sir,” he said, haughtily. “What right have you to

-address me thus? Why do _you_ speak to me in this way of Miss Gladstone,

-and arraign me for what you assert?”

-

-“Why should I _not_?” Ralph Meredith demanded, in low, fierce tones.

-“Did she not tell me with her own lips of your baseness and treachery?

-And do you think that I can take the hand of the man, were he twice a

-lord, who has ruined the life of”—“the only woman whom I ever loved,” he

-was about to add, but something restrained him and made him

-substitute—“an angel?”

-

-Archibald Sherbrooke was very pale now. He was a proud, brave young man,

-and all the hot blood in his composition had been aroused by this sudden

-and unexpected attack from the stranger to whom he had been introduced

-by a mutual friend.

-

-He had uttered words which, under any other circumstances, would have

-made him fell him to the ground and chastise him for his insolence.

-

-But he controlled himself, for he saw that Ralph was a noble fellow,

-although he had constituted himself the champion of the woman whom he

-still loved with a deathless love, and meant to avenge her wrongs if he

-was assured that he had found the right man.

-

-He reasoned, too, that he must be laboring under the same mistake of

-which Star had been the victim, and that the only way to deal with him

-would be to explain just how matters stood.

-

-Besides, a wild hope was springing up in his heart that through him he

-might be able to find her whom he had lost, and whom he never ceased for

-one moment to love.

-

-He laid his hand on Ralph’s arm, and the young man felt it tremble with

-the emotion which thrilled him.

-

-“Come with me,” he said, in a low, earnest voice, “where we can be by

-ourselves, and I will talk this matter over with you. There has been a

-terrible mistake, and my two names have been the cause of it all. I

-loved Star Gladstone devotedly; I love her to-day. I have done her no

-wrong, as I will explain to you, and nothing would have kept me from her

-side if she had not hid herself from me. Come.”

-

-He linked his arm familiarly within Ralph’s, and drew him from the room

-to a small antechamber leading from the hall, and shut the door, while

-the young man was dumb with astonishment at what he heard, and began to

-feel as if he had got himself into a very unpleasant predicament by his

-rashness.

-

-

-

-

-                             CHAPTER XXXIV.

-                          MUTUAL EXPLANATIONS.

-

-

-“Have _I_ made a mistake? Have I wronged you?” Ralph Meredith asked,

-when the door was shut, while he gazed blankly at his companion, and

-feeling convinced in his heart that no man could show the emotion which

-Lord Carrol manifested at the mention of Star, and willfully betray her.

-

-“If I were not confident that you _had_ made a mistake,” his lordship

-returned, drawing himself up with dignity, though he was still very pale

-and deeply agitated—“if I did not believe that you share in the

-misunderstanding which has been the cause of all Miss Gladstone’s

-trouble and my own exceeding sorrow, I could not pass lightly over the

-disparaging imputation which you have cast upon me to-night. I am no

-traitor, Mr. Meredith. I have never willingly wronged Miss Gladstone,

-for I have loved her, and I _do_ love her to-day, with a deathless love.

-My plurality of names, as I told you before,” he went on, with a wan

-smile, “has been the cause of it all; and if Star has unconsciously been

-made a victim on account of it, I also have suffered in no small degree.

-Sit down, Mr. Meredith, and let me tell you all about it;” and he

-motioned him to a chair.

-

-“Not until I have apologized for my rash words to you, my lord,” Ralph

-said, in a manly, straightforward way, and advancing to him, convinced

-now of his honor, and that he had never intended Star even a thought of

-harm. “Miss Gladstone,” he continued, “confided the story of her grief

-to me only a short time before I sailed for Europe, although she did not

-enter into particulars very minutely. I think she had not the slightest

-idea that I should ever meet you, but I made up my mind at the time that

-if I ever did come in contact with ‘Archibald Sherbrooke,’ which was the

-only name by which she designated you, that I should make him answer for

-the wrong which I believed he had done her. I saw you to-day with a lady

-in the chapel of Henry the Seventh, at Westminster Abbey. I heard her

-call you by the name that I remembered only too well, and was convinced

-I had found Miss Gladstone’s recreant knight. I resolved at once to

-remain in London beyond the time I had originally intended, look you up,

-and call you to account for what you had done. You were at the concert

-in the Albert Hall this evening, but I had no thought of meeting you

-when I came hither, at the invitation of my friend Alden. You can

-imagine, perhaps, something of the shock which I experienced when he

-introduced you as Lord Carrol. This will explain why I refused your

-hand, and why I addressed you in the way I did.”

-

-“I cannot blame you in the least, under the circumstances,” Lord Carrol

-returned, smiling.

-

-“Your words, however,” Ralph went on, “regarding the young lady in

-question, convince me that you are entirely guiltless, and have been as

-great a sufferer from an unfortunate misunderstanding as herself. I

-trust you will accept my explanation, and also my hand with it,” he

-concluded, extending his hand to the young peer.

-

-Lord Carrol grasped and shook it warmly.

-

-“I have no right to harbor any ill-will toward you for espousing so

-gallantly the cause of one who is very dear to me,” he said, cordially;

-“and perhaps, after all, this meeting, which at first promised to end in

-a stormy manner, may be the means of restoring happiness to two very

-unhappy people.”

-

-“I feel assured that such will be the case,” Ralph answered, but there

-was a keen pain in his heart, notwithstanding.

-

-Lord Carrol now wheeled a chair forward and made him sit down; then,

-taking another near him, he related in substance what he had already

-told Mr. Richards regarding his relations with Star, the erroneous

-conclusions she had jumped at upon learning of his title, her refusal to

-allow him to explain his position to her, and her flight on the morning

-after her painful discovery.

-

-Ralph Meredith found it hard to conceal the bitterness which he

-experienced, as he realized how gladly Star would give herself to her

-manly lover when she learned of his fidelity. His heart was still sore

-over his recent disappointment, but his nature was too noble, he was too

-generous in his love for her, to wish to place a single obstacle in the

-way of her happiness, or of the man whom he now deemed worthy of her in

-every respect.

-

-He gave Lord Carrol a history of Star’s life during the last year,

-telling him of her success as a young authoress, and of the happy change

-in her worldly circumstances as the acknowledged ward and heiress of

-Jacob Rosevelt, the millionaire. He spoke also of the admiration which

-her grace and beauty had excited during the past season at Newport.

-

-“I am glad,” Archibald Sherbrooke said, earnestly, and his lip trembled

-as he spoke, “that her life has been made so much brighter during the

-past year, and I shall always be grateful to Mr. Rosevelt for his

-kindness; and yet I am almost selfish enough to wish that _I_ could have

-been the one to raise her to a more congenial sphere. I shall go to the

-United States at once. I must seek her and set myself right with her as

-soon as possible. Will you be so good as to give me Mr. Rosevelt’s

-address?”

-

-“With pleasure,” Ralph responded; “but you will not find them in New

-York just at present, for they, with my sister—who is a very intimate

-friend of Miss Gladstone’s—are traveling in the far West, and will not

-return under three or four months.”

-

-Lord Carrol looked thoughtful and disappointed at this intelligence.

-

-“I must wait, then,” he said, with a sigh, “until their return. The time

-will seem very long, although I am greatly needed here just now, and it

-would be much to my own disadvantage were I to leave before my affairs

-are in a more settled state; but I should let no pecuniary consideration

-deter me from going to Star if I was sure I should find her. However, I

-must submit to the inevitable; and now, Mr. Meredith,” he concluded,

-with a genial smile, “what can I do to make your stay in our city

-pleasant? I am at your disposal for any length of time.”

-

-“Thank you, my lord. My business will not permit my tarrying much longer

-just now; but I intend to return to London in the course of three or

-four months, and shall hope to meet you again then,” Ralph answered.

-

-“I shall most certainly see to it that we _do_ meet again,” Lord Carrol

-returned; “and now, if you have no engagement for to-morrow, will you do

-me the honor to dine with me?”

-

-“It will give me great pleasure to do so. I have no other engagement,”

-Mr. Meredith returned.

-

-He was growing to admire Star Gladstone’s handsome lover exceedingly,

-notwithstanding the fact that he was his own rival.

-

-“Thanks. Now come with me and let me introduce you to my mother and

-sister, who are both here at Stamfield House; and, Mr. Meredith,” the

-young lord added, grasping his hand again, and speaking with emotion, “I

-cannot be sufficiently grateful to you, for you have put new life and

-hope into my heart to-night.”

-

-Ralph tried to feel generously glad for this, but it was not in human

-nature not to experience a pang over the happiness which he knew was in

-store for him, especially when he knew, too, that it would be at the

-expense of his own.

-

-“I am very glad if I have been able to atone in any way for my rudeness

-upon first meeting you,” he said, smiling faintly.

-

-“Do not mention it; you were espousing a good cause, and through your

-championship I shall regain what is far dearer to me than life; so we

-will forget the unpleasantness of a moment, and I trust I may call you

-my friend in the future.”

-

-Lord Carrol then led the way back to Lady Stamfield’s drawing-room,

-where, seeking his mother and sister, he presented his new friend to

-them.

-

-Mrs. Sherbrooke Ralph found to be a handsome, genial matron, with a

-large heart and plenty of Christian charity, although it was plainly to

-be seen that her two children, in her estimation, were perfect in every

-respect.

-

-No one ever before possessed a more noble and devoted son; no one had so

-charming a daughter.

-

-Miss Vivien Sherbrooke was truly that; she was even more beautiful than

-she had appeared to be when he saw her on the stage in the character of

-a songstress.

-

-She was vivacious and witty, and exerted herself to the utmost to be

-entertaining to her brother’s new acquaintance, and Ralph actually

-forgot himself and the haunting pain which had hitherto pursued him

-during all his wanderings, while talking with her and listening to her

-bright conversation, and watching her quick, graceful motions.

-

-“Archie tells me that you are coming to dine with us to-morrow, Mr.

-Meredith,” she said, as her mother came to tell her that it was time for

-them to go.

-

-“Yes, I believe I am to have that pleasure,” he returned, with a glance

-of admiration into her sparkling eyes.

-

-“I am glad, for I have a hundred questions to ask you about America

-which only a true American can answer. You will be sure to come?”

-

-“I certainly shall,” he replied, thinking that those clear gray eyes,

-looking so frankly and smilingly into his, were about as beautiful as

-any he had ever seen.

-

-

-

-

-                             CHAPTER XXXV.

-                   MRS. RICHARDS’ GREAT EXPECTATIONS.

-

-

-The following day Mr. Meredith, according to his promise, went to dine

-with Lord Carrol at his mother’s elegant mansion near Belgrave Square.

-

-After the meal was over, and the other guests comfortably disposed of,

-Archie took his friend up into the “sanctum,” as he called it, for a

-smoke and a quiet talk.

-

-If Lord Carrol suspected anything of the feeling which Ralph had

-entertained for Star, he gave no sign, but confided to him, as they sat

-there together, more of his hopes and plans for the future, and spoke

-with much more of freedom regarding Star than he had done the day

-before.

-

-When they had finished their cigars, Lord Carrol arose and said:

-

-“Come inside, Mr. Meredith, and I will show you one of my treasures.”

-

-He went back into his “sanctum,” followed by Ralph, and passing by all

-the beautiful paintings, drawings, and engravings which hung upon the

-walls, he walked to an easel which stood in a corner, and removing a

-cloth that covered it, stepped back for his friend to look.

-

-Ralph Meredith gave one look, and then exclaimed, in unfeigned surprise:

-

-“Star!”

-

-“Yes, it is Star,” Lord Carrol said, with a tender smile, as he looked

-upon the portrait. “I am glad you recognize her, for I should be sorry

-if she had changed so much that you could not. This is a picture which I

-love, and which I keep for myself alone. It is very seldom that I show

-it to any one, and I have never told its history to any living being

-until I told it to you last night. As she stood there that morning in

-her modest beauty, severing that tress at my request, I began to love

-her with a love that will never die while I live. I have that little

-lock of gold here now, Mr. Meredith,” he said, touching the

-diamond-studded locket which hung from his watch-chain, “and untold

-wealth could not purchase it from me. Here is the cameo also which I

-gave her in exchange, and of which I told you, too, last night,” and he

-held up his left hand, on the little finger of which gleamed the ring

-that Josephine Richards had made of it. “Ah,” he added, with a sigh, “it

-is hard to think that she could believe me so false—so treacherous and

-cowardly, as to win her love and then cast it aside as of no value.”

-

-“Yet it was very natural for her to think so under the circumstances,”

-Ralph returned, thoughtfully. “You must realize that yourself, for you

-say that on Saturday you declared your affection for her under the name

-of Archibald Sherbrooke, and won an expression of her own for you in

-return; while on the Monday following you appeared in Mr. Richards’

-family as Lord Carrol, who, she had been told, was a suitor for his

-daughter’s hand. It does not seem strange to me that she should think

-the very worst of you. You certainly were in a false position before

-her, and it must have been a severe blow to her pride as well as to her

-affection; for, as we have seen, Miss Gladstone is not lacking either in

-self-respect or spirit.”

-

-“No, I suppose it is not strange; but, oh! if she would but have given

-me one minute, I could have convinced her of her mistake, and all the

-sorrow that has followed might have been avoided,” sighed the young

-lord, as, with another fond glance at the picture, he covered it again

-and turned away.

-

-“You will be more successful when you go to her again,” Ralph said,

-cheerfully.

-

-“Yes,” Archie returned, with firmly compressed lips; “Miss Gladstone

-_will_ listen to me when I go to her again. It is but right that she

-should hear my justification, whether she receives it favorably or

-otherwise.”

-

-“I have no fear of the result,” his guest returned, smiling; “for Miss

-Gladstone acknowledged to me that, in spite of her belief in your

-unworthiness, her affection for you remained the same.”

-

-A flush of joy shot over Lord Carrol’s face at this.

-

-“Did she tell you that?” he asked, eagerly. “Then I will doubt no more;

-and I have _you_ to thank for bestowing such happiness upon me as I

-never expected to know again.”

-

-They spent a half hour longer looking at other pictures, but sweet

-sounds coming up again from the drawing-room distracted Ralph’s

-attention and tempted him below.

-

-“Do I not hear the fair songstress of last night again?” he asked.

-

-“Yes, that is Vivien singing,” replied her brother.

-

-“I am very fond of music; shall we rejoin the company?”

-

-They went down, and, seeking the fair Vivien’s side, Ralph Meredith

-spent a most delightful evening, the memory of which clung to him for

-many a week afterward.

-

-The next morning he left London for a three-months’ tour through

-Scotland, Ireland, and the Continent.

-

-                  *       *       *       *       *

-

-Mrs. Richards sat in her handsome boudoir one morning a few weeks later,

-reading a newspaper.

-

-Something had evidently gone wrong with her, for her face was overcast,

-an angry red glowed in her cheeks, and her eyes gleamed with a sullen

-fire.

-

-The reason for this was the flat refusal, on the part of Mr. Richards,

-to accede to her immoderate demand for five hundred dollars, to purchase

-for herself and Josephine new dresses for the coming winter, and she had

-just returned to her room after the stormy interview.

-

-“I cannot let you have a dollar,” he had said, with a gravity almost

-amounting to sternness, “for I haven’t it to spare.”

-

-“Not a _dollar_, George!” she retorted, with a scornful laugh. “Who ever

-heard of anything so absurd?”

-

-“It is true, nevertheless,” he answered, gloomily. “Two months ago I

-expected that to-day would find us all beggars.”

-

-“What _do_ you mean?” his wife gasped.

-

-“Just what I say; and but for the appearance of a friendly hand just

-when and where I least expected it, I should have been obliged to fail,

-overwhelmed with debt and disgrace, and everything we have—house,

-furniture, horses, and carriages—would all have had to come under the

-hammer of the auctioneer.”

-

-“I cannot believe it,” Mrs. Richards said, growing pale.

-

-“That does not alter the fact, however,” her husband replied,

-laconically.

-

-“Why did you not tell me?”

-

-“I _did_ tell you. I kept writing to you when you were at Newport,

-Ellen, that I could not long endure such a drain upon my purse as you

-were subjecting it to, and that you must curtail your expenses; but you

-paid no heed to me, launching instead into greater extravagances.”

-

-“But I never dreamed that things were so serious as you represented,”

-she said, a guilty flush mounting to her forehead, as she remembered

-that all her lavishness had been to outshine Star. “I never thought you

-were really embarrassed, or I would not have asked for so much.”

-

-“Well, then,” he answered, in a gentler tone, “show your consideration

-for me now, for you and Josephine will have to wear your old clothes

-this winter. My trouble has been tided over for the present through the

-kindness of a friend, but it will require great care and calculation on

-my part to keep my head above board even now. I shall have to begin

-cautiously, or I shall be back again in the slough of despond.”

-

-“But I do not see how we can get along without _some_ new things,” began

-Mrs. Richards, selfishly.

-

-“You must; that is all there is about it,” returned her husband,

-positively. “If you can’t go into society and wear what you have, then

-you must stay at home this winter; and I do not think it would do you

-any harm for once, either.”

-

-Mrs. Richards flushed angrily. When she saw her husband in this mood,

-she knew there was no turning him, and she would be obliged to submit to

-his edict.

-

-“I’m sure I do not see what can have happened to make you so penurious

-all of a sudden,” she said, sullenly.

-

-“Penurious! Oh, Ellen!”

-

-He looked at her yearningly for a moment.

-

-She was a handsome, distinguished-looking woman, and had been a very

-fond and tender wife during the first years of their married life; but

-unlimited indulgence, and constantly mingling in the fashionable world,

-had made her selfish and unfeeling.

-

-“My dear,” he went on, after a moment, “why cannot you comfort me a

-little—give me a little sympathy in my trouble? My burden has been very

-hard to bear alone, and the worst of it has been that I was obliged to

-refuse your requests. You _know_ that I am not penurious—that I never

-denied you anything that I could possibly grant you. Ellen, I wish you

-could be a little more kind to me than you have been of late.”

-

-“I do not know anything about business matters; I could give you very

-little advice or comfort in that way,” she replied, coldly; and then she

-left him feeling very miserable, and in anything but a comfortable frame

-of mind herself, and not a little startled to know that they had been so

-near the brink of ruin as he had represented.

-

-She returned to her own room, picking up the morning paper, which lay

-upon the hall table, on her way. Sitting down, she ran her eye

-carelessly over its columns, while her mind was busy planning some way

-to get along without her accustomed full purse, and “keep up

-appearances.”

-

-Suddenly her glance was transfixed by a paragraph which sent sharp,

-prickling pains throughout her body, and every nerve quivered with

-excitement as she read:

-

-  “The heirs, or nearest of kin to Sir Charles Thornton, late of

-  Halowell Park, Devonshire, England, will find it to their

-  advantage to communicate at once with Compton & Bailey, No. 54

-  Lincoln’s-inn-fields, London.”

-

-Just below this advertisement was a notice of the sudden death of the

-young baronet from diphtheria.

-

-Mrs. Richards sat like one overcome by some violent shock for a few

-moments after reading this account. Then springing to her feet, and

-taking the paper with her, she went back in hot haste to her husband,

-her cheeks crimson, her eyes glowing with agitation.

-

-“If what I suspect should prove to be true, the dream of my life will be

-realized. Sir George and Lady Richards would sound very well, indeed,”

-she murmured as she went.

-

-Her husband looked up as she entered, and she was startled as she

-noticed how pale and care-worn his face had become; but she was too

-eager to communicate her news to pay much heed to it.

-

-“George,” she said, eagerly, “read this!”

-

-She laid the paper before him as she spoke, and pointed to the paragraph

-which had excited her so.

-

-“Well, I have read it, but I do not understand it; I do not know

-anything about Sir Charles Thornton,” he returned, indifferently.

-

-“What are you thinking of, George Richards!” cried his wife,

-impatiently. “_My mother_ was half-sister to Sir Charles Thornton’s

-mother. Sir Charles had no family; there are no other relatives to be

-found on either side, it seems, or his lawyers would not have advertised

-thus, and I believe that _I_ am ‘the nearest of kin.’”

-

-“Nonsense, Ellen! Don’t get such a wild idea as that into your head, for

-you will surely be disappointed,” Mr. Richards answered, skeptically.

-

-“I don’t know about that. But one thing I have long known, and that is

-that the Thornton branch of the family is nearly, if not quite, extinct.

-It is evident that no heirs are to be found in England, or Compton &

-Bailey would not have advertised in the United States papers,” she

-returned, feeling more and more sure in her own mind that her first

-impressions had not been at fault.

-

-“That is a good argument, truly,” Mr. Richards said, with sudden

-interest, and then began to question his wife, and to examine more

-closely into the matter.

-

-The result was that the next steamer bore a long letter to Compton &

-Bailey, No. 54 Lincoln’s-inn-fields, stating Mrs. Richards’ relationship

-to Sir Charles Thornton, of Halowell Park, Devonshire, together with

-proofs of what they asserted.

-

-A month passed, and they had begun to think they had been nourishing a

-chimera, when, one day, there came an answer from Compton & Bailey,

-saying that they had faithfully studied the chronological tables of both

-sides of the Thornton family, and had arrived at the conclusion that

-Mrs. Richards was undoubtedly the nearest of kin to the late Sir

-Charles.

-

-They stated that they had been advertising for a long time in English

-papers, and no one had presented any claim. They had then concluded to

-publish a similar notice in the American papers, and as it had met with

-no other response, they would undoubtedly decide the matter in favor of

-her.

-

-However, they suggested that she come to London at once, as they could

-conclude better what to do after a personal interview.

-

-“If it should prove a ‘wild-goose chase,’ as I fear it will, I can ill

-afford the expense of the trip,” Mr. Richards said, when considering the

-question.

-

-But his wife was all enthusiasm, as well as very sanguine regarding the

-result, and it was at length decided that they should sail as soon as

-practicable, and preparations were at once begun for the voyage.

-

-Mrs. Richards merely remarked to her friends, when informing them of

-their plans, that Mr. Richards was not well; they all wanted a change,

-and had resolved to try what a trip across the Atlantic would do for

-them. Not one word was breathed regarding her expectations, however.

-

-“If I am successful, there will be time enough then to make it public;

-if I am _not_, no one shall ever be able to crow over my

-disappointment,” she said, cautiously, to her husband; although in her

-own mind she had not a doubt as to the issue of the matter, while

-already visions of a title and a life among the nobility of England,

-presentation at court, and a marriage in high life for Josephine, were

-taking shape in her head.

-

-

-

-

-                             CHAPTER XXXVI.

-                         JOSEPHINE’S AMBITION.

-

-

-Mrs. Richards’ vision of magnificence bade fair to be realized; for,

-upon arriving in London in November, she and her family were most

-courteously received by the firm of Compton & Bailey, who assured her

-that her credentials and proofs of her relationship to Sir Charles were

-incontestable.

-

-“I do not see, madam, anything to prevent you from taking possession of

-the property,” Mr. Compton said, in his most affable tones. “Your

-identity is proved beyond a question as the cousin or half-cousin of Sir

-Charles, and, as far as we have been able to learn, you are the only

-living relative. Lord William Thornton—Sir Charles’ father—had a younger

-brother, but he left his home years ago to go as a missionary to the

-heathen, and has never been heard of since; so it is reasonable to

-suppose that he also is dead, and, as he was unmarried, of course left

-no issue. It will take a month or so to get things in order for you, and

-if at the end of that time everything remains as it is now, you can then

-take possession of your estate, and I am very happy to offer my

-congratulations upon your good fortune.”

-

-Mrs. Richards’ face glowed with pride and happiness; Josephine was

-jubilant, while Mr. Richards was too astonished to be able to really

-appreciate this sudden turning of fortune’s wheel in their favor.

-

-The rent-roll of Halowell Park was fifty thousand pounds or more per

-annum; then there was a fine residence in London, and a sea-side resort

-at Cowes.

-

-It was, indeed, a fortune, coming just at that time of need, calculated

-to turn one’s head, so to speak.

-

-“It is too good to be true,” Mr. Richards said, with a doubtful shake of

-the head. “Ellen, we don’t _deserve_ any such good fortune,” he added,

-remorsefully, as his mind went back to their treatment of Mr. Rosevelt

-and Star.

-

-“Nonsense, George!” she retorted, scornfully. “We deserve whatever we

-can get, and I mean to enjoy this windfall to the utmost. I reckon that

-jade will find it hard work to outshine us after this, and Uncle Jacob’s

-grand airs won’t trouble me in the least in the future. I shall go down

-to Halowell Park this week, see for myself what kind of a place it is,

-and what repairs and improvements are needed on the estate,” she

-concluded, ready to spend money with her accustomed energy and

-lavishness.

-

-Accordingly, in a few days they repaired thither, and were charmed with

-the grand old place.

-

-On their return to London they visited the late Sir Charles’ town house,

-and found that in keeping with the estate in Devonshire, and surely

-their prospects appeared to be as bright as they or any one could wish.

-

-One evening Mr. Compton, the lawyer, who was one of the first among his

-profession in the city, invited them to his mansion to meet some of his

-friends, and they were introduced to a number of people who frequented

-the highest circles in the great city.

-

-Among others, they met Lady Sherbrooke and her charming daughter,

-Vivien, and who, they were not long in discovering, greatly to their

-joy, were the mother and sister of Lord Carrol.

-

-Mrs. Richards was exultant over this piece of good luck, as she deemed

-it, and tried to make herself very agreeable to her ladyship, while

-Josephine sought to ingratiate herself with the younger lady.

-

-“I had the pleasure of meeting your son, Lord Carrol, when he was in

-America,” Mrs. Richards remarked, during her conversation with the young

-lord’s mother.

-

-“Indeed!” she said, looking interested at once, for her children were an

-all-absorbing topic at any time with her.

-

-“Yes; we first met him at Long Branch, a fashionable watering-place, and

-he afterward favored us with a visit of a few days at our country-seat,

-in Yonkers.”

-

-Mrs. Richards was determined to make the most out of the advantages she

-had enjoyed.

-

-“Ah, yes, I believe he has told me something about it,” the lady

-responded, while she thought that if such was the case she must arrange

-in some way to return the compliment thus paid to her idolized son.

-

-If they were successors to Sir Charles Thornton, they would occupy no

-mean position in the social world, she reasoned, and it would be no more

-than right to cultivate their acquaintance, while she could but

-acknowledge that Mrs. Richards was quite a superior appearing woman, and

-Josephine possessed beauty of a very brilliant type.

-

-The half hour that she spent conversing with Mrs. Richards only served

-to strengthen the good opinion she had at first formed, and before they

-left Mr. Compton’s she had arranged with them to spend a portion of the

-following week at their estate in Cheshire.

-

-This was more than Mrs. Richards had expected, but she plumed herself

-upon her tact in managing things so cleverly, and looked forward to the

-visit with no small amount of interest.

-

-The next day, through Lady Sherbrooke’s influence, she received cards

-for a grand reception at Lady Tukesbury’s, who resided in a palatial

-mansion in Piccadilly, and she felt assured that they were now fully

-launched upon a brilliant career.

-

-Of course they accepted the invitation, she appearing in black velvet,

-point lace, and diamonds, while Josephine was resplendent in rich white

-silk and scarlet verbenas, and created quite a sensation in

-“Japonica-dom,” greatly to her mother’s delight and her own

-satisfaction.

-

-“Who is she? Where did she come from?” was whispered on all sides.

-

-“An American? Ah! that accounts for her brilliant style of beauty, then.

-Inherit Sir Charles Thornton estates, do they? In that case they will be

-quite an acquisition to society,” were the opinions expressed and the

-conclusions arrived at by people who were careful in such matters; and

-then seekers for introductions—and seekers for fortunes—pressed forward

-for an introduction to the beautiful young heiress.

-

-But notwithstanding Josephine enjoyed herself, and felt no small degree

-of pride at receiving these attentions from lords and baronets, she

-found herself looking everywhere for one familiar form, one dark,

-handsome face, which she had never forgotten, and which she knew she

-should recognize anywhere and under any circumstances.

-

-“Mamma, I wonder if Lord Carrol is here?” she whispered, when once

-during the evening they happened to be together.

-

-“I don’t know; I will ask Lady Sherbrooke if I have an opportunity,” she

-replied.

-

-She managed to get near her ladyship soon after, and asked:

-

-“Is your son out of town, Lady Sherbrooke?”

-

-“No; he is not out of town. He had another engagement to-night, but he

-said he would drop in in season to take us home,” Lord Carrol’s mother

-returned. “Ah! there he is now,” she added, as she saw him approaching,

-and her face lighted with both pride and pleasure.

-

-He appeared to be greatly surprised to find Mrs. Richards there, but

-greeted her politely, although she felt the restraint in his manner

-which he could not quite conceal.

-

-She beckoned to Josephine, who was not far distant, and presented her,

-with a feeling of pride in her brilliant beauty that she did not try to

-hide.

-

-He shook hands with her, though his face flushed as he remembered the

-awkward position in which she had placed him at Yonkers by

-misrepresenting the motive of his visit there.

-

-“You did not come to see us again before leaving America, after all,”

-she said, in tones of playful reproach, when they had exchanged

-greetings.

-

-“No; my time was so fully occupied that I found it impossible to make

-any calls,” he returned, a shade of sadness coming into his fine eyes as

-he thought of _how_ his time had been employed and the unhappiness it

-had caused him.

-

-“You received my little package, I perceive,” Josephine said, glancing

-at the cameo upon his hand, and with a flush rising to her cheeks.

-

-“Yes; did you not receive my acknowledgment of it?” he asked, in

-surprise.

-

-“No; I have never heard anything from you,” she answered, with downcast

-eyes.

-

-“But I wrote, thanking you. You must have thought me lacking in

-courtesy,” Lord Carrol said, regretfully.

-

-“No—but—Lord Carrol, there has been a misunderstanding about that jewel

-from the first. I really do not know what you believe regarding it, for

-your note was somewhat ambiguous, and I trust you will allow me to

-explain more fully to you sometime how I happened to have it,” Josephine

-replied, with an appealing glance at him from her brilliant dark eyes.

-

-He bowed somewhat coldly in return. He could not forget that his darling

-had said that she _stole_ it from her—that one little treasure which she

-had prized more than anything else in the world, and there could be no

-excuse for, no explanation of, an act so cowardly and cruel, he thought.

-

-“I presume you have heard that we have come to reside in England,” the

-artful girl continued, desiring to change the topic of conversation, yet

-determined to keep him by her side.

-

-“So I have been told. How do you like England and English people so

-far?” he asked.

-

-“Very much. We have been down to Halowell Park, where we expect to

-reside most of the year, and it is delightful there. I hope now that we

-shall sometime see your home, of which you have told us so much. We

-intend to become familiar with all of England.”

-

-“I little thought that day at Long Branch, when Mrs. Richards was

-telling me that you were relatives of Sir Charles Thornton, that you

-would eventually become his heirs,” Lord Carrol said, ignoring her

-evident desire that he should invite her to visit his home, and little

-dreaming that such an invitation had already been given by his mother.

-

-“Mamma thought of it, however, although she did not really expect

-anything of the kind. Do you remember her asking you if Sir Charles had

-any family?”

-

-“Yes.”

-

-“Well, she knew that there were very few relatives, and she did wonder

-then who would inherit the estates if he should die childless. But it

-seems like some romantic tale to me. I can scarcely realize it even

-yet.”

-

-“How does English society compare with American, in your opinion?” Lord

-Carrol asked, glancing over the brilliant throng around them.

-

-“I am sure, my lord, I should not presume to judge upon so short an

-experience,” Josephine answered, modestly, yet her glance told him that

-she admired one Englishman excessively.

-

-“_I_ should judge,” he said, smiling, “if I could form any opinion from

-the court which I saw you holding as I entered, that you would be

-considered quite an acquisition in London circles.”

-

-He did not say that _he_ should consider her such, and a thrill of pain

-shot through her heart at his indifference; but she appeared to take it

-as a personal compliment from him, and answered, with a shy look:

-

-“Thank you; I find it very pleasant to be here, at all events.”

-

-Her tone, her glance, and the emphasis which she threw into that last

-sentence, would have turned half the heads in that room, but they did

-not move him in the least.

-

-He was constantly thinking of a fair, sweet face, framed in gold; of

-azure eyes, with white lids and long, curling lashes, and smiling coral

-lips, with the gleam of small white teeth between; of his bright,

-beautiful Star—the light of his life.

-

-He was thinking of that day when they drove on the beach at Coney

-Island, when he had told her of his love, and won her promise to be his

-wife; how she had called him “Archie” in those sweet, low tones, which

-had made his heart thrill with an ecstasy it had never known before;

-while this proud, brilliant girl had no power to stir even a feeling of

-friendship in his breast.

-

-She kept him at her side for half an hour or more, and then she was

-obliged to release him, and fulfill an engagement to dance.

-

-But her heart was full of a passionate longing to win his love; he had

-never appeared so grand and manly to her before; and as she stood before

-her glass that night, after her return from Lady Tukesbury’s reception,

-and removed the flowers from her hair and bosom, she said, while she set

-her small white teeth resolutely together:

-

-“I will move heaven and earth to win him; I will bend all my energies to

-become Lady Carrol. A whole year has passed and he has not married;

-there was not even any one present to-night to whom he paid particular

-attention, and it cannot be possible that he is still grieving for that

-milk-and-water beauty, Star Gladstone. No; I have the field clear to

-myself, and I swear I will yet be Countess of Carrol.”

-

-“But suppose he is not to be won—suppose you fail in what you have sworn

-to accomplish by fair means or foul?” whispered something within, with

-such startling distinctness that it almost seemed like a human voice.

-

-“If I fail!” she repeated, growing white to her very lips. “If I

-_cannot_ win the man whom I love with my whole soul, then”—and there was

-a look of wretchedness, almost of despair, in her midnight eyes at the

-thought—“then I will marry some poor fool who shall lose his head over

-my pretty face, and be lady somebody else.”

-

-

-

-

-                            CHAPTER XXXVII.

-                           THE MOCK MARRIAGE.

-

-

-When Lady Sherbrooke informed her son that she had invited Mr. Richards

-and his family to spend the following week with them at their country

-residence, and to help them make merry with a number of their friends,

-his face had clouded instantly, and she saw that he was not pleased with

-the arrangement.

-

-“Have I done anything wrong, Archie?” she asked, much disturbed. “I

-thought you would be pleased. They spoke of your spending several days

-with them when you were in America, and I supposed you would be glad to

-return the civility.”

-

-His lips had curled slightly when she had mentioned that they had told

-of his visit to Yonkers. He thought they should have preferred to keep

-it to themselves, rather than boast of it in order to get a return,

-under the circumstances.

-

-But he said nothing of this, and answered, as brightly as he could:

-

-“No, mother dear; you have done nothing wrong, and I will try and make

-myself as agreeable as possible to your guests. But I must confess that

-neither Mrs. nor Miss Richards is agreeable to me.”

-

-“Why, Archie?”

-

-“I would prefer to say nothing more just now, since they are coming to

-visit us. Perhaps sometime I can tell you why,” he answered,

-thoughtfully.

-

-“I am sorry,” Lady Sherbrooke returned, regretfully, while she studied

-her son’s face wistfully. “I wish I had known of this in season to have

-avoided anything so extremely unpleasant. But they were so profuse in

-their praises of you that I supposed of course that you reciprocated

-their friendliness.”

-

-“Never mind,” he said, lightly; “a week will not be very long. No doubt

-Miss Richards—who, I admit, is a very brilliant girl—will be a great

-addition to your party, and I would not have any little whim of mine mar

-it for the world.”

-

-“Archie, did you ever—” began his mother, with a startled, rueful glance

-at him, as it suddenly came to her that there might be a more serious

-reason for this than she had dreamed.

-

-But he interrupted her, with a laugh.

-

-“No, mother; I never did,” he said, with an amused gleam in his eyes.

-“And now ask me nothing more at present, please; but when your guests

-are all gone, I have a little story for your ear, and shall want a share

-of sympathy and counsel from your wise head and great heart.”

-

-Cheshire House, situated about a dozen miles out from London, and so

-called because it overlooked a little village which, at that time, bore

-that name, was filled to overflowing during the following week, and

-everybody appeared to anticipate a season of intense enjoyment.

-

-We cannot follow the gay company in all their enjoyments, but it was an

-eventful time, during which the hospitable hostess and her lovely

-daughter, assisted by Lord Carrol, spared no effort to make it a

-memorable one; and when, right in the midst of it all, Ralph Meredith

-came by special invitation, one, at least, of that merry number felt

-that everything was complete, and nothing more to be wished for.

-

-The last night of their stay there had been set apart for a great time.

-

-Invitations had been sent in every direction through the county, bidding

-all the young people to gather there and make merry in their own way.

-

-The evening was to be spent in games, private theatricals, and

-masquerade until twelve o’clock, after which hour they were to “trip the

-light fantastic toe” as long as they liked.

-

-It was a merry, merry time indeed, and everybody seemed to vie with his

-neighbor to see who could contribute most to the enjoyment of the

-occasion.

-

-Vivien Sherbrooke and Josephine Richards were declared by each and all

-to be the belles of the evening, notwithstanding they were entirely

-different in the style of their beauty.

-

-The former wore a dress of rose-colored silk, with overdress of tulle

-looped with roses. Ropes of pearls were wound around her fair neck and

-arms and twined in her shining brown hair. Her clear gray eyes gleamed

-with a brighter luster than usual, a deeper flush was on her cheeks, and

-her lips wreathed with happier smiles.

-

-Josephine was in simple white, with not an atom of color to relieve it.

-A peculiarly dainty dress of some soft clinging stuff fell in matchless

-folds of grace around her lithe form, with rare, costly lace for

-garniture, and great poppies, in which diamonds glistened like drops of

-dew, fastened on her breast and in her hair.

-

-This spotless toilet was wonderfully becoming to her clear, dark

-complexion, and her mother’s heart swelled with pride as she looked upon

-her and knew that she was the most distinguished-looking girl among all

-that company of aristocrats.

-

-“She cannot fail to win a high position in the world,” she said to

-herself, as she saw several titled men hovering about her and hanging

-upon her smiles. “If she fail to win Lord Carrol—if he remains blind to

-her charms—there are plenty of others, thank Heaven, who _will_

-appreciate her. There is his grace, the Duke of Anerby, who admires her

-very much, and it would be very nice to be able to say ‘my daughter, the

-Duchess of Anerby;’ but I’m afraid she loves Lord Carrol altogether too

-well,” she concluded, with a sigh.

-

-There could not be much doubt regarding Josephine’s sentiments toward

-his lordship, for, as they stood for a few moments together beneath an

-arch of evergreen which had been erected at one end of the hall, her

-face was raised to his, as she listened to what he was saying, with a

-tender, almost rapt expression, and her eyes were humid with the love

-which filled her heart for him.

-

-He thought that she had never appeared to so much advantage as now.

-During all her stay at Cheshire House she had been more kind and gentle,

-more womanly than he had ever seen her before; and now he lingered by

-her side, realizing how very beautiful she was, and feeling almost as if

-he had wronged her in the past by judging her so harshly, and his manner

-involuntarily became more gracious and friendly toward her.

-

-She saw it, and it made her heart bound with a wild hope, and she became

-so radiant, so fascinating and bewildering, that he wondered if he had

-indeed been nourishing an unjust prejudice against her.

-

-Lady Sherbrooke saw them standing there, apparently oblivious of

-everything and everybody else, and an anxious look shot into her face,

-for she had studied Miss Richards during her unguarded moments the past

-week, reading her character like an open book with her womanly

-intuition, and she knew that she would never make a good man happy; she

-would never yield that wifely self-sacrifice which was necessary to

-domestic enjoyment; and seeing how passing fair she was to-night, she

-dreaded her influence over her idolized son, notwithstanding what he had

-already told her.

-

-Suddenly one merry sprite appeared to be possessed by a novel idea of

-some kind, and went flitting about the room, whispering, laughing, and

-making signs at the pair under the evergreen arch.

-

-The company, who were mostly young people, appeared to join in with her

-proposals, whatever they were, and at length she danced gayly up to Lord

-Carrol and Josephine, saying, eagerly:

-

-“Archie”—she had known him all her life, and being intimate in the

-family, felt privileged to address him thus—“Archie, we have been

-arranging such capital fun, and we want you to agree to help us in it.”

-

-“Certainly I will assist you. You know you are to do exactly as you like

-to-night, and get all the enjoyment you can out of this occasion.”

-

-“Oh, you are perfectly delightful! Isn’t he, Miss Richards?” returned

-the merry girl, with a glance at Josephine, and the look which that

-young lady shot at him, half startled but wholly admiring, together with

-the flush which leaped into her cheeks, answered the question better

-than any words could have done.

-

-“Well, granted that I am all that,” Lord Carrol said, laughing, “what

-next?”

-

-“We are going to have a mock marriage; everybody has agreed that it will

-be something new under the sun, and we’re just in the mood for a wedding

-or any event equally exciting. It is almost on the stroke of twelve, and

-it will be just the thing to wind up with before we begin our dancing.”

-

-“Don’t you think it will seem like trifling with a serious subject?”

-Lord Carrol asked, rather gravely.

-

-“Oh, no. Of course we do not mean anything wrong; it is only for a

-little fun, and we do so want a bride to lead off in the dance,” replied

-the thoughtless girl.

-

-“Well,” the young man returned, lightly, “anything you like, only do not

-let the ceremony be too tedious, for I am ready for my dance, and I

-believe I shall ask you to be my first partner, Minnie. But who are you

-going to have for victims?” he concluded, unsuspicious of the trap he

-was walking into.

-

-“Oh, you’re to be groom, and Miss Richards the bride. She is the only

-one in the room who is dressed all in white, as a bride should be, and

-this green arch is just the place for the ceremony to be performed.”

-

-Lord Carrol felt anything but comfortable over this arrangement. He

-glanced at Josephine to see how she would take it. But she stood with

-downcast eyes, looking the picture of lovely confusion, a beautiful

-color in her face, while he noticed that the hand which held her fan

-trembled visibly.

-

-“Lord Henderson said he would play parson and pronounce the banns,” the

-merry child rattled on, “and he is so portly he will make a first-rate

-one. Now, Archie, you and Miss Richards go into the anteroom yonder, so

-as to come in like a real bridal party. Wait, there is that lovely lace

-shawl of Lady Orton’s; she will lend it, I know, for a vail, and it will

-be just the thing. Now don’t stand there like a pair of bashful lovers,

-for it is only play, you know,” she added, saucily, “but do as I tell

-you, and I will arrange everything, then bring the vail;” and giving her

-two victims a gentle push, the excited girl whisked away to another part

-of the hall.

-

-“Well, Miss Richards, Miss Shelton intends to have everything her own

-way, and I do not see but what we shall be obliged to help her carry out

-her plans.” Lord Carrol said, trying to speak lightly, and to make the

-best of a very—to him—disagreeable situation.

-

-“You certainly do resemble a bride in your dress,” he added, “more than

-any one else in the room, and, if agreeable to you, we will assist in

-the little piece of folly just to please the child.”

-

-Little piece of folly!

-

-If he could but have known of the tumult that was raging within her at

-the mere thought of such a ceremony in connection with him, he would not

-have called it that—it would have been sacrilege!

-

-She was trembling like a leaf, and she knew that that marriage service,

-though but the meaningless freak of a wild girl, would seem as solemn to

-her as if he were really to make her his wife.

-

-That was “folly” without doubt, but she loved him so that she could not

-help the feeling.

-

-He offered her his arm, and they retired to the anteroom together, and

-Lord Carrol could not help perceiving the strange thrill which pervaded

-the girl’s whole frame as her hand came in contact with his arm.

-

-But they were not left long alone, for Minnie Shelton soon came tripping

-in with an exquisite point lace shawl hanging over her arm.

-

-“Everybody is on the _qui vive_,” she said, breathlessly, “and we must

-not keep them waiting. Sit down, Miss Richards, on this divan, and let

-me pin this shawl on your head; it will make a lovely bridal vail.

-There, Lord Carrol, isn’t she charming?” she asked, after she had

-dextrously arranged it in graceful folds. “Doesn’t she look like a

-_real_ bride?”

-

-“I think your efforts have been eminently successful to make her appear

-like one,” he answered, smiling; and certainly Josephine was as lovely

-as it was possible for any one to be.

-

-“I only hope, my lord, that when you _do_ get married you’ll find

-somebody half as beautiful,” retorted the saucy elf. “There, you’ll do;

-now go, for they are all waiting, and the parson is ready to pronounce

-the banns.”

-

-Lord Carrol felt very uneasy, but he offered his arm to Josephine again,

-and her hand fell upon it, white and soft as a snow-flake.

-

-They passed out into the great ball-room and paused under the green

-arch, while murmurs of surprise and admiration greeted them from every

-side, for the addition of the lace shawl to Josephine’s already charming

-toilet had greatly enhanced her appearance.

-

-Two or three young girls, led by Minnie Shelton, advanced and took their

-station by her side to act as bride-maids, and then Lord Henderson, clad

-in a long white robe improvised for the occasion, came forward and read

-the marriage service.

-

-When the ring was called for, the gay girl who had planned all this

-reached behind the bride and tucked one into Lord Carrol’s hand.

-

-He was strangely impressed, a feeling of awe, a chill, creeping over him

-as he felt it and thought of its significance. But he took it and put it

-on the finger of the mock bride, repeating, “with this ring I wed thee,

-and all my goods endow thee,” feeling as if he were going through a

-mockery almost too horrible to endure.

-

-Josephine, too, trembled visibly, while the hand that he held was as

-cold as ice.

-

-She would have given the world to have been able to control herself, for

-she feared that the company would suspect something of the tumult in her

-heart, but she could not.

-

-However, when the ceremony was over, the gay crowd came forward,

-brimming with mirth, and in the jollity that followed, these impressions

-in a measure passed away.

-

-There were laughter and compliment on every lip, shaking of hands and

-congratulation on every side, until at length Minnie Shelton put a stop

-to it by coming forward and saying:

-

-“The musicians are all ready, Lord Carrol; you’ll have to dance the

-first quadrille with your bride; I’ll claim you for the second. Hasn’t

-it been a lovely wedding, though?—just as if it had been real, you

-know—and we’ve had all the fun without any flurry. My!” perking her

-restless head on one side and eying Josephine out of her bright eyes

-like some pretty bird, “don’t I hope I may make as charming a bride when

-somebody comes to marry me!”

-

-There was a general laugh at this sally, for Miss Minnie was a favorite

-with everybody.

-

-“Now come, please; and, Lord Henderson, if you have no objection, I’d

-like you for a partner, and we will be the happy couple’s _vis a vis_.”

-

-Without waiting for his consent, she slipped her little hand within his

-arm and led him along after Lord Carrol and Josephine, who could do

-nothing but obey her commands.

-

-

-

-

-                            CHAPTER XXXVIII.

-                           “I HAVE BEEN MAD.”

-

-

-When that first dance was over, Lord Carrol led Josephine to a seat,

-and, bowing before her, said, in as light a tone as he could command:

-

-“Thank you, Miss Richards. I suppose our part in this little farce

-closes now. Allow me to congratulate you upon having assisted in

-carrying it off in the most perfect manner. I must confess,” he added, a

-slight shade falling over his face, “that it does not strike me as just

-the thing to make a mockery of sacred subjects; but since Minnie

-Shelton, who is a veritable witch, and our guests have enjoyed it,

-perhaps I should not preach about it.”

-

-Josephine looked up at him with a strange glitter in her eyes, while her

-face was crimson.

-

-Oh, if he would but utter one fond, tender word to her—if he would but

-give her a sign even, to show that his heart had been thrilled like her

-own while they were standing there side by side!

-

-He noticed her heightened color, and thought she looked at him queerly,

-but he never mistrusted the storm that was tearing her heart asunder.

-

-“I fear you are very warm,” he said, kindly. “Shall I get you an ice?”

-

-“Thanks, no. I shall do very well,” she answered, constrainedly.

-

-And then, with another bow, he excused himself and left her.

-

-A convulsive sob broke from the girl’s lips as she watched him pass down

-the long room and out at a lower door; then she, too, arose and glided

-through the window near which she had been sitting.

-

-She sped along the wide piazza until she came to the end, where a flight

-of steps led down to a little arbor, or cluster of small trees which

-inclosed a great piece of statuary.

-

-She fled within it, and sinking down upon the granite base which

-supported the marble group, she gave vent to her misery in a burst of

-passionate tears.

-

-Lord Carrol, too, as he passed out of the ball-room, was more deeply

-moved than he would have liked to betray, and not very well pleased

-either with the part he had been compelled to play so much against his

-inclination.

-

-Had his companion been any other than Josephine, perhaps he would have

-felt differently; but he could not forget that he had once been

-represented as her lover, and something in her manner to-night warned

-him that she would not have regretted it had that farce been a _bona

-fide_ marriage service instead, and he was exceedingly annoyed over the

-affair.

-

-He met his mother as he was going through a hall, and she detained him

-by gently laying her hand upon his arm.

-

-“Has anything disturbed you?” she asked, looking up into his clouded

-face.

-

-“No, mother; nothing but that farce which has just been enacted. I do

-not like such things; they seem too much like sacrilege,” he returned.

-

-“Neither do I like them, Archie,” she said, gravely. “We have no right

-to make light of any subject so serious as marriage; but Minnie is a

-wild, thoughtless girl, intent only on the excitement of the moment, and

-did not stop to consider. I must say, though, that Miss Richards helped

-to carry it off splendidly, and appeared the blushing, modest bride to

-perfection. She is a fine-looking girl.”

-

-She said this to sound him, regarding him searchingly all the time that

-she was speaking.

-

-“Yes; she appears to attract considerable admiration,” he replied,

-indifferently, and then passed on.

-

-He went out at the great hall-door upon the veranda, which Josephine had

-just a moment or two ago traversed, and followed almost in her

-footsteps, until he came to that little circle of shrubbery, when,

-instead of going within it, he went around it.

-

-He could not shake off the unpleasant sensations that were upon him;

-everything in his nature had suddenly seemed to become out of tune, and

-he wished to get away from even the sounds of the gay revelers within

-the house, while his thoughts turned wistfully toward the new world and

-Star.

-

-He was getting very impatient to go to her, and he had intended to be on

-his way thither before this, but circumstances had recently transpired

-by which he would be detained another month, and the time seemed very

-long to him.

-

-He paced back and forth in the moonlight for some time, his footsteps

-making no sound on the velvety turf; but all at once, as he passed that

-evergreen circle, within which Josephine still sat, a sob fell upon his

-ear and startled him. He stopped to listen, and heard the sound

-repeated. With his usual energy and decision, he passed around to the

-entrance and approached the group of statuary to ascertain who was

-there.

-

-At first he could see no one, for just then the moon was hidden by a

-cloud, and Josephine’s dress being white, her form blended with the

-marble and could not be distinguished, while she was so absorbed by her

-own emotions that she was not aware of Lord Carrol’s presence until he

-touched her on the shoulder and said:

-

-“Pardon me, you are grieving; is your trouble anything that I can help?”

-

-She sprang to her feet instantly and confronted him, her cheeks blazing

-hotly, her whole form trembling from the touch of his hand.

-

-“Miss Richards!” he exclaimed, in surprise, as he recognized her, while

-involuntarily he recoiled from her, so unexpected and disagreeable—in

-his present frame of mind—was this meeting.

-

-“I thought,” he added, “that you were in the ball-room enjoying yourself

-with the other merrymakers.”

-

-She noticed the coldness of his tone, as well as his unconscious

-shrinking from her, and it cut her to the heart, while at the same time

-it aroused her anger.

-

-“Enjoying myself!” she repeated, passionately and unguardedly; “the

-evening is spoiled for me; everything is spoiled—the world and my life.

-That mockery through which we have just passed has made me _miserable_.”

-

-It was strange, he thought, that they should both feel thus.

-

-“I regret that anything should have occurred to make you so unhappy,” he

-returned. “I hoped while you were the guest of my mother that nothing

-would transpire to mar the pleasure of any one. But,” he added, more

-cheerfully, “you must not allow that farce to oppress you thus. I do

-not, as I have said before, approve of making light of such serious

-things, and marriage, to me, seems like a sacred ordinance. But no harm

-was done, I trust; our friends were amused for a half hour; and really,

-Miss Richards,” he concluded, smilingly, “if, when you come to be

-married in earnest, you make as charming a bride as you did to-night,

-the happy man will be one to be envied.”

-

-“_Don’t_, Lord Carrol,” Josephine cried out, in a sharp tone of pain,

-and laying her hand appealingly on his arm; “_don’t_ say such things to

-me!”

-

-She was trembling like a leaf, and he saw that she was terribly excited,

-while the piteous tone in which she had just spoken went directly to his

-kind heart. He took her hand and drew it under his arm.

-

-“You are nervous,” he said, kindly. “Come and walk with me a few moments

-until you are calmer—the night is almost like summer—then I will take

-you back to the company.”

-

-His tone was so sympathizing, his touch on her arm so gentle, while it

-thrilled every fiber of her body, that it was more than she could bear.

-

-She was going to-morrow, and this man whom she loved with a passion

-almost amounting to idolatry, would be beyond her reach. She would not

-meet him again for months, perhaps never, and this thought, added to her

-other pain, broke her down completely.

-

-She grasped his arm with both her white hands, her heart was beating

-like a frightened bird’s, there was a choking sensation in her throat,

-and bowing her graceful head upon her clasped and trembling hands, she

-burst into a fresh fit of weeping, which was like a tempest.

-

-The young lord found himself in a very awkward position. Those shaking

-hands, that bowed head lying so near his heart, that lithe, quivering

-form, those tears and sobs, told him but too plainly what caused this

-deep emotion.

-

-“Miss Richards—Josephine,” he said, unwittingly using her first name in

-his embarrassment, “let me take you in. You will make yourself ill. What

-can I do for you?”

-

-But she could not control herself. She had abandoned herself too

-entirely now to her passion to conquer it readily, and she sobbed on,

-conscious only of how she loved him, and that she was near him.

-

-Oh! if he could but have returned her love, she would gladly have given

-the best years of her life. There was no sacrifice too great, she

-thought at that moment, for her to make in exchange for the prize she

-wished to win.

-

-“What can I do for you, my friend?” he asked again.

-

-“_Love me!_” burst most unconsciously from her trembling lips.

-

-He started violently. He had not imagined that she would dare to give

-utterance to such words as these; while she knew, the instant that they

-were spoken, that instead of gaining his affection, she had forfeited

-even his respect.

-

-There was a moment of awkward silence. Then Lord Carrol said very

-gravely, but still very gently:

-

-“Miss Richards, you have become so excited over what has transpired,

-that I think you are hardly conscious of, or responsible for what you

-have said. Shall we go in now?”

-

-“No!” she answered, lifting her head proudly, and stifling her sobs,

-although she still clung tightly to his arm, as if she could not let him

-go. “No; I will not go in yet. Having said so much, I must say more. You

-are right. I am not responsible for the words which I have spoken. I did

-not mean to speak them—they escaped me unawares; but since I have spoken

-them, I cannot recall them, and my secret is mine no longer. Oh!” she

-continued, with a heart-breaking sob, “pity me, have compassion on me,

-_forgive_ me!”

-

-“I have nothing to forgive,” he said, kindly; “and, believe me, I am

-very sorry that your nerves should have been so overtaxed to-night;

-but,” and his face flushed, “perhaps it will be better for both of us if

-I tell you that, however much I may esteem you, my heart could never

-respond to the wish you have expressed; it has long been given to

-another. I thought you knew this; I thought your knew that—I loved your

-cousin, Miss Gladstone.”

-

-Her hands dropped from his arm as if they had been burned, while keen,

-quivering pains shot all over her body at this avowal.

-

-Her head came up with a haughty gesture, her eyes blazed with sudden

-anger, her red lips curled with bitter scorn. She had humiliated

-herself—she had bowed her proud spirit to the dust to win him, and now

-he dared to tell her this—dared to tell her that he loved the girl whom

-she hated, whom she had triple cause to hate in that she was far her

-superior in every way—she had won the heart of the only man whom she had

-ever loved, and had laid her under an obligation which she could never

-repay.

-

-“I believe I have been _mad_!” she whispered, fiercely, through her

-tightly shut teeth, which shone like lovely pearls in the moonlight.

-“Yes, I must have been mad,” she went on; “some spirit of evil must have

-possessed me to make me tell you what I have; for—hear me, Lord Carrol—I

-do _not_ love you; I _hate_ you! If I ever had any love for you, it has

-turned to hate now, and I detest the girl whom you profess to love, and

-for whom you have dared to confess your affection, knowing how I hate

-her.”

-

-She pressed her hands wildly to her temples, with a low moan. It was not

-so easy as she thought to hate where she had loved so passionately.

-

-“Do you think it is a light thing,” she asked, hotly, “for a girl to

-reveal the secrets of her heart, as I have revealed mine to-night? Do

-you think there has been no sacrifice of pride or modesty on my part to

-tell you what I have told you? My heart has been burning to ashes while

-standing here by your side, and you have pitilessly tortured me still

-further by telling me that you love Star Gladstone—that girl who has

-only crossed my path to mar my every prospect in life. I thought half an

-hour ago, when I stood beside you during that mock ceremony and spoke

-those sacred words, that if they could only have been real—if I could

-indeed have been made your lawful wife, it would have been like the

-happiness of heaven for me. If you could have but called me by that fond

-name only once—if you had looked tenderly into my eyes and owned me

-yours, I could have asked no greater bliss in life. But, heavens! when I

-break every barrier down, when I forget my womanhood and modesty and

-tell you how I idolize you, you coolly inform me that _you_ love the

-girl _I_ hate. Beware! you have made me an eternal enemy to you both,

-and I will ruin _both_ your lives, as you have ruined mine, if I can.”

-

-She would have dashed wildly by him after uttering those last fierce,

-revengeful words, but he placed himself directly in her path and would

-not let her pass.

-

-He saw now that all his sympathy and kindly feeling had been worse than

-wasted. He had read her character aright from the first; she was totally

-selfish, and her love—if an unreasoning passion like hers could be

-called love—would have made any true man miserable, for her ambition

-would never be satisfied.

-

-He did not wonder now that he had not had more faith in her, and his

-sympathy and sorrow for her were at once turned into contempt.

-

-“Miss Richards,” he began, in a stern, cold voice, and looking down into

-her angry, blazing eyes with a glance which cowed her in spite of her

-passion, “what respect I may have entertained for you heretofore, what

-pity or compassion I may have experienced for your apparent suffering

-to-night, and the only emotion which ever made you appear really womanly

-or gentle in my eyes, has wholly vanished during those last vindictive

-words of yours. I had begun to hope that you had learned lessons of

-charity and kindness during the past year—that you had come to realize

-there was something _more_ required in life than a continual seeking

-after pleasure and the gratification of pride and ambitious desires; but

-I perceive that I was mistaken, and I am sorry, for you will be the

-greatest sufferer. Your declaration of hatred, and your threat that you

-will ruin Miss Gladstone’s and my life, are but idle words; for our love

-is something that malice can never touch, and a month hence I shall be

-on my way to America to make her my wife.”

-

-Josephine uttered a cry of mingled pain and anger at this, and made

-another effort to leave him, but he would not let her go even yet.

-

-“I have not quite finished what I wish to say, Miss Richards,” he

-continued, “and we may as well come to a full understanding at once. I

-have been told of the change in Miss Gladstone’s fortunes. I have,

-indeed, learned much regarding her life while she was with you that has

-both pained and surprised me. I know, too, of some things which occurred

-this year, when you were both visitors at the same fashionable resort.

-You are, it appears, to remain a resident of England, and we may meet

-occasionally in society; but let me tell you I shall never allow any

-such indignity to be heaped upon the future Lady Carrol as that of which

-you were guilty this summer at Newport.”

-

-He saw her start as he said this.

-

-“What do you mean?” she demanded, haughtily.

-

-“I do not think you are so ignorant of my meaning as you appear,” he

-returned, his handsome lips curling with scorn; “but if you wish to be

-reminded of the fact that you publicly twitted Miss Gladstone last

-summer of having once performed the duties of a chambermaid in your

-family, I can do so. But do not let it ever happen again, or I shall

-feel it my duty to make _all_ the facts of the case public.”

-

-“Who has told you all this?” she demanded, angrily.

-

-“That does not matter,” he replied, coldly; “it is sufficient that I

-know it.”

-

-“Ralph Meredith has told you!” she cried.

-

-“Mr. Meredith is my friend—but that is a point we need not discuss, I

-think,” he answered, quietly.

-

-She beat the air frantically with her hands. She felt how little, how

-contemptible she must appear in his sight.

-

-“Perhaps you do not know that he played the role of devoted lover to

-Miss Gladstone this summer,” she sneered, hoping to make him jealous.

-

-Lord Carrol flushed.

-

-He had mistrusted something of this from what Ralph had told him. He did

-not believe that Star would have confessed what she had to him, except

-to convince him that she could never entertain feelings of affection

-toward any one save the man who, as she supposed, had wronged her.

-

-“Miss Gladstone is my affianced wife,” he replied, proudly feeling that

-he had a perfect right to regard and speak of her as such, knowing that

-she still loved him, and that his explanations to her would re-establish

-their former relations. “But,” he added, as he stepped aside now to

-allow her to pass, “it is useless to prolong this interview; only let me

-caution you, Miss Richards, to remember that while you show proper

-respect for me and _mine_, I shall also tender _you_ the respect

-belonging to a lady.”

-

-She was as white as her spotless dress now. He could see by the

-moonlight that she had grown perfectly ghastly, but there was a wild,

-fearful light in her eyes.

-

-“My hate will follow you both,” she said, hoarsely, “and I tell you I

-will ruin your lives if I can.”

-

-She dashed by him with the speed of a fawn and disappeared from his

-sight, leaving him standing there wonder-stricken that a creature so

-beautiful to look upon could possess so depraved a nature.

-

-

-

-

-                             CHAPTER XXXIX.

-                            A CRUSHING BLOW.

-

-

-The next morning when the company met at breakfast, Josephine

-experienced a feeling of intense relief upon learning that Lord Carrol

-had been called away to London at an early hour on “important business.”

-

-This was the day of their departure also, and she was not sorry to leave

-the house which had been the scene of her humiliation and despair over

-her unrequited love.

-

-The meal was not a very social one, for every one was tired out with

-last night’s dissipation, and it required more of an effort than they

-felt capable of making to be very merry.

-

-After it was over, and as Josephine was passing through the hall on her

-way to her own room, she espied the morning papers lying on the table.

-

-Mechanically she took up one, glancing carelessly over the columns, when

-almost the first thing she saw was a notice of the arrival of a steamer

-from New York two days previous, with a list of the passengers below.

-

-A lurid light shot into her eyes and an angry exclamation burst from her

-lips as she read; for, among the other names in that list, she read

-those of Jacob Rosevelt, Miss Star Gladstone and maid, from New York.

-

-“What on earth can have possessed them to come aboard just at this

-time?” she muttered, with lowering brow. “If they had only waited a

-month they would have missed him, but now they will be sure to meet.”

-

-She took the paper and went up stairs to her mother’s room, and showed

-the notice to her.

-

-She was very angry also.

-

-“It seems as if that girl was bound to be the ruination of us. They are

-continually crossing our path, and I declare it is more than human

-nature can patiently bear. I wonder what has brought them to England?”

-

-“I suppose Uncle Jacob thinks he must give his charming _protegee_ every

-advantage possible,” Josephine sneered, bitterly.

-

-“Well, I’m sure we do not need to mind them now,” Mrs. Richards said,

-with a sigh of satisfaction. “Even if she gets every penny of his money,

-your position will henceforth be far superior to hers.”

-

-“I don’t know about that,” the girl retorted, with a painful flush. “If

-Lord Carrol meets her, and they make up their quarrel, I shall still be

-rather in the background, I imagine.”

-

-“True; I had not thought of that,” her mother replied with a blank look.

-“I wish you could have managed to entrap him, Jo.”

-

-“Jo” bit her lips until the blood spurted from them, as she remembered

-how her “trap” had sprung and wounded only herself.

-

-“Lord Carrol is a _fool_!” she said, passionately.

-

-Her mother looked up at her searchingly, mistrusting that her daughter

-had more reason for her pale face and heavy eyes than she knew of.

-

-“If only that marriage last night could have been a real one, I should

-have been the happiest woman in England this morning,” she said,

-wistfully.

-

-“With one exception,” Josephine thought, with a bitter sigh and a hard

-glitter in her eyes; but she said nothing.

-

-They did not leave Sherbrooke House that day, however. A sudden storm

-came on during the afternoon, too violent to admit of the departure of

-any one, and Lady Sherbrooke would not allow any of her guests to

-mention such a thing. And so the long, dreary day was spent in rest and

-quiet.

-

-But the next day broke bright and pleasant, and just as the company were

-sitting down to the morning meal, Minnie Shelton came dancing into the

-breakfast-room, her cheeks glowing, her eyes sparkling, and her lips

-parted in the brightest of smiles, while a paper fluttered in her small

-hands.

-

-“Such fun!” she exclaimed, merrily. “Here is a description of your ball,

-Lady Sherbrooke, in the Cheshire _Gazette_—the mock marriage and all;

-and the best of the whole thing is, they have written up that event so

-that at a first glance any one would naturally suppose that a real

-wedding had occurred. Listen.”

-

-She held up the paper and read:

-

-  “MARRIED.—At the country residence of Lady Sherbrooke, on the 10th

-  instant, Sir Archibald Sherbrooke and Lord Carrol, of Carrolton, to

-  Miss Josephine Richards, formerly of New York, U. S. A., but recently

-  reported to be the heiress presumptive to the Thornton estates in

-  Devonshire. The fair bride was lovely in her bridal robes, not the

-  least noticeable of which was the exquisite point lace vail, which was

-  also of great value.”

-

-“There—isn’t that too rich for anything?” the gay girl cried; “and do

-look at the mock bride’s blushes!” pointing at Josephine, whose face was

-crimson from varied emotions; “what a pity it is that our handsome groom

-is not here to see them; and one would almost imagine she was a real

-bride by her confusion.”

-

-“Then there follows a long account of the ball, which explains

-everything,” she added, laying down the paper; “but I’m so out of breath

-that I can’t read any more, and you’ll have to peruse it for

-yourselves.”

-

-There was an awkward silence for a moment after she had ceased speaking;

-then Lady Sherbrooke said, in tones of grave reproof:

-

-“Minnie, my dear, what a wild child you are; but you must learn to be

-more thoughtful of the feelings of others.”

-

-“Why, what have I done?” she asked, with great, round, innocent eyes,

-yet a guilty flush rose to her cheeks.

-

-“I am very glad if you enjoyed the ball,” her ladyship continued, still

-gravely; “but I regret that you should have proposed turning so serious

-a subject as marriage into mockery, and I am very sorry—yes, deeply

-displeased, that any one, in writing an account of our gathering here,

-should have given that farce such an appearance of reality, for it might

-make it very awkward, not only for my son, but also for some of our

-guests,” she concluded, with glance at Josephine’s downcast face.

-

-Little Miss Shelton was very uneasy during this reproof, but she

-rallied, and said, lightly:

-

-“But, dear Lady Sherbrooke, it was all done so nicely; and everything

-was so lovely that it almost seemed like a real wedding. I wish we

-_could_ have a real wedding. Won’t somebody get married, please, and

-give me an invitation? I haven’t been to one since I was a little girl

-in short clothes.”

-

-And the elf looked around her so roguishly, and with such an expression

-of mock distress on her pretty face, that the company broke into an

-indulgent laugh, and then the subject was for the time dropped.

-

-But Josephine, watching her opportunity when some of the guests were

-leaving, and people generally were occupied saying farewell, sought and

-found that paper, and slipped it unobserved into her pocket.

-

-                  *       *       *       *       *

-

-In one of the rooms of a beautiful suite of apartments looking out upon

-St. James square, a young girl sat by a window, looking out upon the

-passers-by in the street below.

-

-She was tall, and slender, and graceful as a young elm, her small head

-crowned with masses of golden hair, her eyes—“heaven’s own blue”—looking

-out from under a broad forehead, which was partially concealed by the

-shining mist which lay lightly upon it, her red lips parted with an

-expression of eager interest as she gazed upon the hurrying throng

-below. She was as fair as the day—a perfect picture, upon which the eye

-would love to linger.

-

-It is our Star, fresh and beautiful as ever, but with something more of

-maturity and dignity in her bearing than when we last saw her.

-

-She has been in London just one week, and is enjoying every day, despite

-the proverbial rain and fog, for she has returned to her native land

-once more, and every inch of ground is replete with interest for her.

-

-The past few months have been full of enjoyment, for she has “been

-everywhere and seen everything” in the far West of the New World—at

-least as far as that was practicable, and as she had warned Mr. Rosevelt

-she should wish to do—and with such congenial companions as he and Miss

-Meredith always were the time could not fail to pass pleasantly.

-

-But she had turned her face with even keener anticipations toward

-England’s shores, while not even the memory of her previous terrible

-experience at sea had power to make her shrink from the long voyage, or

-mar the delight of this glad return.

-

-As she sits there in her handsome parlor, looking out upon the street, a

-door opens, and Jacob Rosevelt enters.

-

-He looks younger and in better health than we have ever seen him before,

-while his face is animated and genial, as if life was at its brightest

-with him.

-

-Star looked around as he entered.

-

-“How quickly you have returned, Uncle Jacob,” she said, rising, and

-going to meet him, and taking his hat.

-

-“Yes; I knew you would be impatient for your letters, and, as there is

-quite a budget to be gone through with, I thought it best not to keep

-you in suspense.”

-

-As he spoke he drew from his capacious pocket a half-dozen letters, and

-as many papers, which he had just received from the American Legation,

-and half of which he gave into Star’s own hands.

-

-“This is from Grace, this from Mr. Appleton, and—this must be from

-Nattie Browning, to whom I gave up my position as a teacher,” she said,

-running the letters through her white fingers.

-

-She laid the papers, which, of course, were of minor importance, upon

-the table, and, sitting down in a low chair, carefully cut the ends of

-the envelopes, and was soon deep in the contents of her news from beyond

-the sea.

-

-It took her nearly an hour to read them all.

-

-Miss Meredith’s was full of chat and innocent gossip, just like that

-charming young lady’s own self, and contained a number of commissions

-and charges, not the least important of which was that Star must be sure

-to hunt up her brother Ralph, who wrote that he should spend nearly the

-whole of the month of December in or near London.

-

-Mr. Appleton’s letter was mostly on business, and regarding the book she

-had written, as well as another which he wanted her to write. It

-contained also a check, and Star always felt very proud whenever these

-bits of paper came made out to her. They gave her a feeling of

-independence and pleasure which no other money did.

-

-The third letter was an entertaining one from a classmate—a poor girl to

-whom she had, as she said, resigned a position as teacher upon finding

-herself the heiress to a million.

-

-After reading these she took up her papers in a listless way; she did

-not feel much in the mood for looking them over; they seemed tame and

-uninteresting after the letters.

-

-But all at once she noticed that one was not a home paper; it bore the

-London postmark, and was addressed in a hand she did not recognize.

-

-“It cannot be from Ralph Meredith,” she said to herself, “for he does

-not know that I am here. Besides, it is not his handwriting. I wonder

-who could have sent it?”

-

-She opened it with considerable curiosity, and yet with a feeling of

-foreboding at her heart.

-

-The Cheshire _Gazette_, she read, as she espied the heading, and then

-her eye glanced down over the columns underneath.

-

-Suddenly she started.

-

-There is a paragraph marked.

-

-Her eyes dilate—a look of horror comes into them; her lips grow pale,

-and she feels as if she is suffocating as she reads:

-

-  “MARRIED.—At the country residence of Lady Sherbrooke, on the 10th

-  instant, Sir Archibald Sherbrooke and Lord Carrol, of Carrolton, to

-  Miss Josephine Richards, of New York, U. S. A., and heiress

-  presumptive to the Thornton estates in Devonshire, etc.”

-

-Could it be true? The paper dropped from her nerveless hands. Was the

-deed really done at last, and Archibald Sherbrooke lost to her forever?

-

-She had not realized until that moment how much of hope had lived in her

-heart during all this time.

-

-But these dreadful words had suddenly cut it down, as the sharp sickle

-cuts down the tender grass.

-

-Had she really read them, or had her imagination played her some

-terrible trick?

-

-Feeling as if she were turning to stone, she picked up the paper and

-compelled herself to go over the horrible sentence again.

-

-Yes, it was all true—it was as plain as print could make it. But what

-was this?

-

-A new terror seized her—something that she had not thought of until now,

-she had been so stunned by the bare fact that her lover was married.

-

-“Sir Archibald Sherbrooke _and_ Lord Carrol, of Carrolton!”

-

-A mist comes over her eyes; her heart drops like a thing of lead in her

-bosom.

-

-In an instant a suspicion of the truth flashed upon her.

-

-Had she done her lover an irreparable wrong? she asked herself, with a

-feeling of despair. Had she driven him from her, taunting him with

-treachery and cowardice, and refusing to listen to his defense, when

-perhaps he had the best in the world to offer her?

-

-Oh! if she had but heeded Mr. Rosevelt when he begged her to let him see

-him and learn the reason of his mysterious conduct. Oh! if she had only

-answered that advertisement and allowed him to come to her as he had

-entreated.

-

-She had been cruel, unjust, wicked; and now it was too late to atone for

-it.

-

-She felt as if bands of ice were being bound about her heart—as if coals

-of fire were heaped upon her brain, and branded upon it, in letters

-which would haunt her till her dying hour, those two names, Sir

-Archibald Sherbrooke and Lord Carrol, of Carrolton.

-

-Familiar as she was with English customs, she could understand readily

-enough how he had become possessed of them, and it was so strange that

-she had never thought of it before.

-

-In all her suffering upon learning, as she had supposed, that she had

-been betrayed, she had never endured pain like this; and, with her sight

-failing, her senses reeling, without sound or warning, she slipped from

-her chair to the floor, where she lay white and still in a lifeless heap

-at Jacob Rosevelt’s feet.

-

-

-

-

-                              CHAPTER XL.

-                         STELLA’S MENTAL AGONY.

-

-

-“Bless my soul! what does this mean?” Jacob Rosevelt cried, as, looking

-up from his own letters, in which he had been deeply absorbed, he saw

-the beautiful girl lying so white and still at his feet.

-

-He rushed to the bell and rang it violently, then back again to Star,

-whom he lifted tenderly in his arms and laid her upon a sofa, where he

-began chafing her cold hands vigorously.

-

-Mrs. Blunt soon made her appearance in answer to her master’s summons,

-and looked as alarmed as himself to find the girl she loved so devotedly

-in such a critical state.

-

-But Star’s insensibility did not last long.

-

-All too soon she awoke to a consciousness of this new misery.

-

-“What is the matter?” she asked, as, opening her eyes, she found her

-fond friends bending anxiously over her.

-

-“You had a fainting turn, dear; but you are better now,” Mrs. Blunt

-returned, holding a glass of wine to her lips.

-

-Star passed her hand across her forehead and sighed heavily, as she

-began slowly to gather up the broken threads of memory again.

-

-“What was it, Starling?” Mr. Rosevelt questioned, with a troubled look

-at her white face; “did you have bad news in your letters?”

-

-“No, there were no ill-tidings in my letters,” she answered, avoiding

-his eye, and wishing to conceal, if possible, the cause of her swoon

-from him. “I read them through,” she added, “and was opening my papers,

-when I began to feel queerly. I believe I never fainted but once before

-in my life.”

-

-But she shuddered as she remembered how Josephine Richards had been the

-cause of that ill-turn also.

-

-She sat up and tried to collect herself.

-

-She still felt as if those icy bands were encircling her heart, and as

-if her brain was on fire; but she was anxious to get hold of that paper

-once more, and go away by herself.

-

-She did not mean that Jacob Rosevelt should ever know that she had seen

-the notice of her lover’s marriage; she meant to keep her secret locked

-close within her own breast, and not even let him suspect that she was

-still grieving for the man whose name had not been mentioned between

-them for over a year.

-

-“I am afraid you are going to be ill,” he said, noticing the great blue

-circles under her eyes with alarm.

-

-“No; do not be anxious about me, Uncle Jacob,” she returned, trying to

-smile. “I shall be all right again in a few minutes.”

-

-And she was, apparently.

-

-She called all her will to her aid; she drank a full glass of wine, and

-soon felt much stronger, but oh! still so wretched and heart-sick.

-

-She arose after awhile and began to move about the room, although both

-Mr. Rosevelt and Mrs. Blunt insisted that she was not able—that she

-ought to be still and rest all day.

-

-But that paper was still lying upon the floor, with that marked

-paragraph staring her in the face.

-

-She must get it and hide it, or they would learn all her trouble, and

-know how weak and foolish she was—how lacking in pride and self-respect

-to grieve thus after another woman’s husband; and her lips curled with

-scorn at her own folly, while all the time the pain at her heart was

-growing more bitter.

-

-Very quietly she gathered up her letters and papers, which had slipped

-to the floor when she fell.

-

-With trembling fingers she folded that fatal sheet into the smallest

-compass, and tucked it slyly into her pocket; then laying the others on

-the table beside Mr. Rosevelt, she said:

-

-“I do not think I will read any more now, Uncle Jacob; but perhaps you

-would like to look over these home papers. I will go and lie down for a

-little while, and try to sleep off my weakness.”

-

-He took her white face between his hands and looked anxiously into her

-eyes.

-

-“My dear, my dear,” he said, earnestly, “I hope you are not going to be

-sick; what should I do without you? You must take care of yourself for

-my sake, as well as for your own, my Star.”

-

-She smiled, and, taking one of the hands that held her face, touched her

-lips to it.

-

-She knew that no daughter was ever more tenderly beloved than she was by

-this grand old man, whose deathless affection had been given to her

-grandmother.

-

-“No, I shall not be sick, Uncle Jacob; do not worry,” she returned,

-trying to speak lightly. “Many people frequently faint, and get entirely

-over it in an hour. I shall be as well as ever in a little while, and

-all right for the reception at the American Legation this evening.”

-

-“I do not believe you will be able to go,” he said, doubtfully. “You

-must not expose yourself.”

-

-“Oh, I would not miss it on any account,” Star answered, quickly. “Let

-me run away now for a nap, and I will show you how fresh I shall be when

-the hour arrives.”

-

-She was anxious to get away from his questioning eyes, and, gently

-releasing herself from him, she sought her own room and locked herself

-in.

-

-All day long she battled there with her tortured heart; all day long she

-fought with the love which she still bore Archie Sherbrooke, for it rose

-up stronger by a hundred-fold now that she had discovered that he was

-innocent of any wrong toward her, and realized her own cruel injustice

-to him.

-

-If she had but opened and read more of that paper, she would have

-learned her error; but the moment she found herself alone, she took it

-from her pocket and threw it upon the glowing coals in the grate, and

-watched it while it burned to ashes. She was determined that Mr.

-Rosevelt should never see it.

-

-All day long she lay upon her bed, and thought bitterly of Josephine as

-the proud and happy wife of Lord Carrol—as the mistress of his elegant

-home, the sharer of his position and title.

-

-Oh! it was too cruel, when she had loved him so; when she knew that she

-could have made him so happy, while Josephine had only sought to win him

-from selfish and ambitious motives.

-

-She knew now that she had never despised him—never scorned him, as she

-told him that night at Mr. Richards’.

-

-She knew that never for a moment had she swerved in the least degree

-from her allegiance to him; that her heart had been true and loyal to

-him, even when she had thought most bitterly of him; and she knew,

-too—this was the worst of all to contemplate—that she should go on

-loving him as long as she lived.

-

-Five days they had been married.

-

-The wedding had occurred the tenth of December, and it was now the

-fifteenth.

-

-It almost seemed as if she would have given as many years of her life to

-have saved him from such a fate as she believed would be his with that

-vain and heartless girl for his life-long companion.

-

-Of course it would do no good to grieve over that now; but her own

-future looked like a weary journey, marked only by the mile-stones of

-duty, without a stage of happiness to cheer her along the way.

-

-She had known nothing of the Richardses coming abroad; that notice of

-Josephine’s marriage had been the first intimation that she had had of

-it.

-

-She wondered if she had not sent her that paper—if, having seen their

-names and address registered at the American Legation, she had not, from

-a spirit of cruel triumph, sent it to wound and humiliate her.

-

-Yes, she was sure it must be so.

-

-But she should never know how fully her vile purpose had been

-accomplished. She would hide her anguish deep within her own heart.

-Wherever she went she would appear with a bright face and smiling lips,

-and no one should dream that her heart lay like a withered thing in her

-bosom.

-

-Mr. Rosevelt came in to see her several times during the day, and she

-always smiled and told him she was resting so as to be fresh for the

-evening.

-

-Mrs. Blunt tried to make her give up the reception, but she would not,

-protesting that she was as well as ever, although she could not hide her

-misery quite so effectually from that good woman’s sharp eyes.

-

-“Something has happened to upset her and break her heart again, or I’m

-much mistaken,” she muttered, uneasily, while, according to Star’s

-direction, she laid out her elegant dress for the evening.

-

-She had learned to read that fair young face too plainly not to feel

-sure that something very unusual had occurred to prostrate her so.

-

-Nine o’clock came, and Star Gladstone, a vision of bewildering beauty,

-entered the drawing-room of the United States Minister’s elegant

-residence, leaning on the arm of her distinguished-looking attendant.

-

-There was a buzz of admiration as she crossed the threshold, as there

-always was wherever she appeared, for it was not often that even that

-place was graced by the presence of one so wondrously gifted with

-beauty.

-

-She wore a dress of pale ecru silk, rich and heavy, and made perfectly

-plain save for the deep flounce of costly lace which reached almost to

-her knees, and the delicate vine or fringe of drooping ferns that headed

-it.

-

-Her fair, beautifully formed arms and neck, which were concealed only by

-the same rare lace, were clasped by unique ornaments of dull gold, and

-these, together with the cluster of fine ferns upon her bosom, fastened

-there with a miniature, diamond-studded bouquet-holder, comprised her

-only ornaments.

-

-But her face, so pure and peerless, looking out beneath that golden

-crown of hair, though a little paler than usual from her recent pain,

-was the loveliest object in that vast room.

-

-“American ladies are noted for their beauty, I believe; but though I

-have met many, I have never yet seen a more exquisite face and form than

-that,” said one gentleman to another, who stood leaning against the

-frame of the door through which Star and Mr. Rosevelt had passed but a

-moment before.

-

-“You are right; but Gladstone, which is the young lady’s name, sounds

-more English than American,” returned the gentleman addressed.

-

-“They are registered as Americans, however, and she has the peculiar

-beauty of one,” said the first speaker. “They have a way of enhancing

-their charms, too, by their perfect taste in dress. Our English ladies,

-as a rule, do not understand the art of dressing well, though there are,

-of course, exceptions to the rule, as Miss Vivien Sherbrooke’s charming

-costume over there testifies. By the way,” he added, with more

-animation, “they say that that handsome young American—Meredith, they

-call him—is going to win our Cheshire beauty away from us.”

-

-He glanced, as he ceased speaking, across the room to where Miss

-Sherbrooke was sitting, while Ralph Meredith, in an attitude of

-devotion, was bending over her chair.

-

-He was talking to her in a low tone, a smile on his handsome lips, a new

-light in his fine eyes, while she listened with drooping lids and

-flushed cheeks.

-

-But chancing to glance up suddenly, Ralph started and uttered a low

-exclamation of surprise.

-

-“Excuse me a few moments; I see friends,” he said; and then leaving her

-hastily, he made his way quickly across the room.

-

-“Miss Gladstone!” he cried, approaching and holding out his hand to her,

-his face all aglow. “I never was so happily surprised in my life! And

-here is Mr. Rosevelt, too! How does it happen that you are here? It

-seems almost like home to see home faces.”

-

-Star and Mr. Rosevelt greeted him most cordially, while Vivien

-Sherbrooke sat and watched them with wondering eyes and sinking heart.

-

-Who could this beautiful young girl be who appeared so delighted to meet

-the man whom she had been learning to love of late?

-

-What was she to him that she had power to make his face light up like

-that, and cause him to forget for the time the existence of any one

-else?

-

-It must be confessed that the charming Miss Sherbrooke was for the

-moment jealously inclined to regard Star as her rival.

-

-“I am afraid that you are not quite so well as usual. Your Western trip

-was too much for you, was it not?” Ralph said, when their greetings were

-over, as he noted her paleness, and was quick to see the look of pain in

-her expressive eyes.

-

-“Oh, no; I am very well, and you are looking finely. I think English air

-must agree with you,” Star said, quickly turning attention from herself

-to him.

-

-“Yes, I am in excellent condition,” he confessed, with rising color, as

-he remembered how miserable he had been when he last saw her, and what

-had caused the change in his feelings and appearance. “How long have you

-been in London?” he queried.

-

-“Only a week,” Mr. Rosevelt answered.

-

-“Wasn’t it a sudden start?”

-

-“Rather. I am here just now on a matter of business, but we intend to

-see something of this side of the world before we go back,” the old

-gentleman explained, with a smile.

-

-“We hoped we should find you somewhere on our travels, for a familiar

-face makes the heart of the stranger glad, you know,” Star said. “I

-received a letter from Grace to-day, and she writes: ‘Be sure and hunt

-up Ralph, who is, without doubt, in London now.’ But who is that pretty

-young lady across the room with the blush-roses in her hair, and with

-whom I saw you talking as I came in?”

-

-Mr. Meredith flushed again at this; but his eyes kindled as he glanced

-over at Vivien, and replied:

-

-“Oh, that is an acquaintance that I have made since coming here. Come,

-and let me introduce you.”

-

-He purposely avoided mentioning her name, wishing to see how Star would

-receive the introduction.

-

-As he turned to lead the way to Vivien, she looked up at Mr. Rosevelt

-and smiled archly.

-

-He understood her, and gently patted the hand on his arm while he nodded

-his head, and said, dryly:

-

-“He’ll do, my young lady, never fear.”

-

-“Miss Sherbrooke, allow me to make you acquainted with Miss Gladstone, a

-friend from beyond the sea; also Mr. Rosevelt. Miss Gladstone, Mr.

-Rosevelt—Miss Sherbrooke.”

-

-Ralph Meredith watched Star closely while he introduced and she

-exchanged greetings with Archibald Sherbrooke’s sister; and although she

-might have appeared self-possessed enough to the casual observer, _he_

-noticed the quick catching of her breath as she heard the familiar name,

-and remarked the flush which leaped into her hitherto pale cheeks, and

-which, although pain had caused it, enhanced her loveliness tenfold.

-

-“It is Archie’s sister,” Star said to herself, as their two white-gloved

-hands met, and a thrill of keenest pain shot through every nerve.

-

-“How lovely she is!” she added. “Her eyes are like his in their

-expression, although not in color. Oh! I should have loved her, I know;

-and how rashly I have thrown all my happiness away!”

-

-It needed all the power of her will to sustain her as she stood there

-beside Miss Sherbrooke, apparently so calm, and chatted with her for the

-next fifteen minutes; and Vivien never mistrusted the wild emotions

-which were surging in the heart of her new acquaintance, with whom she

-was exceedingly pleased.

-

-“How perfectly charming she is!” she thought, as for a moment Star

-turned to speak to Ralph, and she studied her face more closely.

-

-Then she started violently.

-

-Surely she had seen that face somewhere before—those great, earnest blue

-eyes—that white forehead gleaming through a golden mist—that straight,

-delicate nose, and those beautiful red lips.

-

-Yes, surely it was the face that her brother had painted when he was in

-America; only there was a look of pain in those eyes now that there had

-not been then; there were tense lines about the small, sweet mouth, and

-a seriousness about the whole countenance which told that the passing

-years since then had not been full of unalloyed pleasure.

-

-It was the same, nevertheless, she felt convinced, and she resolved that

-she would find Archie, point Miss Gladstone out to him, and ascertain if

-she were right in her surmises.

-

-“Perhaps,” she thought, light suddenly breaking in upon her mind, “it

-was something connected with this lovely stranger which had caused his

-own sadness during the last year.”

-

-A gentleman approached her just then, and, turning to Star, she said,

-with a smile:

-

-“I must ask to be excused, as I have an engagement to dance now. I am

-sorry to leave you in the midst of our pleasant chat, but I will see you

-again before the evening is out.”

-

-Star, with an answering smile, said she “hoped they would meet again;”

-but, oh! how she longed to inquire about her brother. If she had but

-spoken just one word to tell her that he was well and happy.

-

-Happy! The thought nearly made her cry out with pain.

-

-He must be changed indeed if he could be that with Josephine Richards;

-and, loving him as she did, it was agony to contemplate it.

-

-What if he himself was there among that gay throng, with the bride he

-had so lately wedded?

-

-What if she were to meet them together?

-

-For a moment, as this contingency presented itself to her, her brain

-reeled, and she felt as if her senses were forsaking her again; the

-next, she called all her pride to her aid.

-

-This would never do; no one must ever mistrust her weakness and

-wretchedness, and Ralph Meredith surely would if she gave up to her

-feelings, for had she not told him of her false lover?

-

-It was strange, she thought, that she should have found him with

-Archie’s sister, and she wondered if they had met and Ralph had called

-him to account for his treatment of her, as he had said he should.

-

-Oh! why had she not been more reasonable? Why did she not let him

-explain his position to her when he had begged so earnestly to do so?

-

-She felt as if she could not bear to remain there—she longed to go away

-by herself until she could get a little more calm; and, seeing that Mr.

-Rosevelt and Ralph were deeply engaged in conversation, she slipped away

-unobserved to a small anteroom, which connected the drawing-room with

-the conservatory, and which she saw was at that moment empty.

-

-Here she sat down in a chair near a large urn filled with flowers, which

-stood on one side of the door leading into the conservatory, and fell to

-musing sadly upon her broken hopes.

-

-She had not been there long when she was aroused by hearing a gay laugh

-ring out close at hand. She started as if some viper had stung her.

-

-She knew that sound but too well, and, looking up, she saw Josephine

-Richards, or Lady Carrol, as she believed her to be, standing almost

-beside her.

-

-She was just upon the threshold and was looking back into the

-conservatory, from which she had come, and at a couple standing there

-among the flowers.

-

-She had been exchanging some jesting words with them, and her laugh was

-in reply to some playful remark from them.

-

-She was dressed all in white; she wore it almost constantly now, for she

-knew she looked lovelier in it than in anything else; everybody had told

-her that she had never been so beautiful as when she had stood beside

-Lord Carrol during that mock ceremony. There were great pearls in her

-hair and on her arms, and clusters of white lilacs on her bosom.

-

-Star held her breath as she looked at her, thinking that she was indeed

-wondrously fair, and that it was not strange that she should allure any

-one by her beauty; but she believed she was dressed thus because she was

-a bride.

-

-How bright and happy she looked, too, with the vivid color in her

-cheeks, her eyes sparkling from the excitement of the moment, and with

-that light laugh just leaving her red lips!

-

-Why should she not be happy, Star thought, bitterly, as the wife of one

-of the noblest men in England, and occupying one of the proudest

-positions in the land?

-

-A heavy sigh involuntarily escaped her, and, hearing it, Josephine

-turned quickly to see whence it came.

-

-“Stella Gladstone!” she exclaimed, and instantly all the color went out

-of her face, all the light from her eyes, the laughter from her lips,

-and she stood regarding the beautiful girl with lowering brow and angry

-eyes.

-

-

-

-

-                              CHAPTER XLI.

-                          REHEARSING THE PAST.

-

-

-Star arose as she addressed her thus, and with the act all her pride

-arose as well.

-

-“Yes,” she said, speaking with cold politeness. “I suppose you are

-surprised; you did not expect to meet me here, Miss—Lady Carrol.”

-

-Josephine’s face lighted at those last words, and a wicked gleam leaped

-into her black eyes.

-

-“No, I did not,” she returned, trying to call a happy smile to her false

-lips. “And—and—you have heard, then?” and, dropping her darkly fringed

-lids as if in confusion, she played with some flowers which she held in

-her hands, and looked the modest bride to perfection at being addressed

-by the title she had so lately assumed.

-

-“Yes, I have heard of—or at least I saw your marriage in a paper which

-was sent me recently,” Star answered, trying hard to steady her voice,

-and resolving that the girl who hated her so should not suspect the

-torture she was enduring.

-

-But Josephine did suspect it, and was determined not to let her go

-without wringing her heart with something of the agony which she had

-suffered.

-

-Lord Carrol had dared to tell her, in the midst of her humiliation, that

-he loved Star, and she was bound to be revenged in some way for it.

-

-She had sent her the Cheshire _Gazette_, even as Star had mistrusted,

-but she had not expected to get any such satisfaction as this out of it.

-

-She had been down to the American Legation and found out where Mr.

-Rosevelt was stopping, and then had marked that paragraph and mailed

-that paper to Star, just to arouse her jealousy and show her that she

-had been a guest in Lord Carrol’s home for a week.

-

-It had never entered her head that she would only read the notice of

-that mock marriage, and believe it real, not observing that it was

-connected with the remainder of the article describing Lady Sherbrooke’s

-ball.

-

-But she now saw that such was the case. Star believed that she was

-really Lady Carrol; and she knew something of what she must be suffering

-on account of it, and with a sense of cruel exultation she resolved to

-give the wheels of the rack that she was on another vigorous turn.

-

-She felt that the lovers would without doubt meet before long—perhaps

-that very evening, for she had seen his lordship there only a short time

-previous to this meeting, and she was assured he would waste no time in

-coming to an understanding with Star; but now, while she had her in her

-clutches, she would make the most of her opportunity.

-

-“I presume it is something of a disappointment to you to find me here,

-and—and situated just as—I am, when _you_ so confidently expected to win

-his lordship,” sneered Josephine. “You perceive that it is not always

-safe to be too trusting, and a young peer, even though he were traveling

-under an assumed name, and made love to a pretty, poverty-stricken girl,

-to while away an idle hour, could not be expected to marry her.”

-

-Star was very pale, but she was more than a match for the unfeeling girl

-in her proud beauty.

-

-She stood like a tall and stately lily before her, and to all outward

-appearance she was no more moved by her scathing words than the snows on

-the peaks of lofty mountains are stirred by the fierce winds in the

-valley far below them.

-

-“Lord Carrol did not travel under an assumed name. I have discovered

-that Sir Archibald Sherbrooke and Lord Carrol, of Carrolton, are one and

-the same,” Star replied, with cold dignity.

-

-Josephine started, then remembering, said:

-

-“Oh, of course; I forgot that both names were given in the notice of the

-marriage. But,” she went on, taking an intense delight in the torture

-she was sure she was inflicting, although her fair victim gave no sign,

-“you have no idea how lovely Cheshire House is—that is where the dowager

-Lady Sherbrooke lives; and Carrolton is even more delightful, I am told.

-We intend to go there before very long; but London is very gay just now,

-though it is out of season, and we are having such nice times that we

-prefer to remain here for the present.”

-

-She glanced at Star angrily.

-

-If she would but betray the least suffering, to show that she was

-wounded by this apparent triumph over her, she would have been content.

-

-But she stood there, her graceful form proudly erect, her shining head

-thrown slightly back, her eyes fixed upon her face with an indifferent

-glance that galled her almost beyond endurance, while her manner was

-that of indulgent politeness, as if she were but listening, in a

-well-bred sort of way, to the babblings of a spoiled child.

-

-“I presume you have heard,” she resumed, “that we came abroad to take

-possession of the estates of Sir Charles Thornton, whose death leaves

-mamma the nearest of kin, and therefore we shall all henceforth occupy a

-very high position in this country.”

-

-“Indeed?” Star responded, as if it were a matter of no moment to her. “I

-have heard of Sir Charles Thornton, but I did not know that you were

-‘nearest of kin’ to him.”

-

-“Well, you know it now,” Josephine retorted, sharply, beginning to lose

-her temper at Star’s immobility; “and fortunately we can do exceedingly

-well without Uncle Jacob’s money, which you so cunningly managed to

-wheedle him out of. We shall not return to America, for we can enjoy so

-much more here among the nobility, where, as I told you before, our

-position is so high, and mine _particularly_, you know, as—as Lady

-Carrol, is one to be rather envied.”

-

-This last, she thought, must be a dagger in the fair girl’s breast, but

-she was wholly unprepared to have it turned against her own.

-

-“May I take the liberty to ask Miss Richards what she means by the

-statements which she has made—to explain herself, if indeed that is

-_possible_,” said a deep, stern voice just behind her.

-

-Both girls started and turned instantly at the sound, and both uttered a

-cry—one of surprise, the other of dismay.

-

-Lord Carrol himself stood in the door-way of the conservatory from which

-Josephine had entered, and through which he had passed on his way from

-another portion of the building back to the drawing-room.

-

-He had seen Ralph Meredith and Mr. Rosevelt but a moment or two after

-Star slipped away. They told him that she was there, and he had

-instantly left them to seek her.

-

-He had seen her standing there in the anteroom through the glass as he

-approached, and he recognized her instantly, although the sight had

-nearly unmanned him.

-

-As he drew near, however, he heard Josephine’s voice, sharp and

-scoffing, and addressing the strangest words to her.

-

-He stood still and listened, perfectly aghast at what she was saying,

-until he comprehended the whole situation; and, when she made that last

-amazing assertion, he could endure no more, and entered to confront her.

-

-Star, with one look into his white set face, and a glance of

-astonishment from him to Josephine, whose countenance, for once in her

-life, expressed blankest dismay, sank back pale and shivering into the

-chair from which she had risen when Miss Richards addressed her.

-

-That young lady felt for the moment as if she would like the ground to

-open and swallow her forever from sight.

-

-But the situation was a desperate one—so desperate that she did not care

-for anything; so, quickly rallying, she tossed her dark head and

-retorted with a light laugh:

-

-“Miss Gladstone was just telling me, my lord, that she had heard of my

-marriage, and I was only carrying out the joke a little further.”

-

-“I _understand_ you,” he said, briefly, but in accents of intense scorn.

-

-Then, with a quick, eager step, he came between her and Star, who, with

-her white hands folded helplessly in her lap, her face like purest

-marble, felt as if earth was again slipping forever out of her reach,

-for her senses were reeling.

-

-With a stern, authoritative gesture he motioned Josephine away, and,

-reaching down, he took Star’s hands in his.

-

-“My darling,” he said, in low, thrilling tones, “has she been torturing

-you to death? There is not one word of truth in what she has told you.

-Come with me, and let me explain everything to you.”

-

-A mocking laugh, which, however, was full of misery, rang through the

-room.

-

-Lord Carrol looked back and saw Josephine, her face almost convulsed

-with pain and passion, passing out.

-

-“Don’t think that it is going to be all clear sailing even now, my

-proud, spirited lord, for I will spoil it all if I can.”

-

-“Come,” he murmured, gently turning again to Star, and paying no heed to

-those threatening words.

-

-He drew her unresisting hand within his arm, and led her through the

-conservatory out upon a covered porch at the rear.

-

-This porch was more like a room, for during the winter it was inclosed

-with glass windows, and, being heated with steam, formed a part of the

-hot-house.

-

-He placed the fair girl in a chair in a secluded corner, and then he

-knelt down before her.

-

-He took her hands again and drew them to his breast, where she could

-feel the great heart-throbs which made his strong frame quiver like a

-tree struck by the woodman’s ax.

-

-“My darling,” he said again, “I have seen Mr. Rosevelt, and he told me

-that you were here. I have been looking for you everywhere during the

-last fifteen minutes. Dearest, you will let me defend myself now, will

-you not? You will not turn away from me—you will not spoil both our

-lives by again driving me from you, believing me to be a ‘traitor and

-coward?’”

-

-Star shivered. Those words smote her with terrible pain; but her heart

-had been bounding with new hope since he had so sternly confronted

-Josephine Richards and proclaimed her assertion a lie.

-

-She could not comprehend it, for she had read the notice of their

-marriage with her own eyes. Yet she instinctively trusted him, and it

-was so sweet, after all the miserable past, to have him there, looking

-so fondly down into her eyes, and calling her his darling in those dear,

-familiar tones.

-

-“Archie—Archie!” she murmured, with a sob, “I know all about it—you were

-never a traitor or a coward. I know you never deceived me, and I alone

-am guilty of a great wrong to you.”

-

-With a low cry of joy he gathered her close in his arms, and laid her

-shining head upon his breast, calling her by every endearing name with

-which his heart was filled.

-

-“You know all about it, my love? Who has told you?” he asked, surprised.

-

-“Just one little sentence in a newspaper, which told me also that, when

-at the very moment I found you had been true, my life was to be a blank

-as long as I should live,” Star said, with unsteady voice and quivering

-lips. “I read,” she added “the notice of your marriage with Miss

-Richards in the Cheshire _Gazette_. These two names, Archibald

-Sherbrooke and Lord Carrol were printed there, and told me the whole

-story. I knew then _how_ I had been deceived. But I cannot understand.”

-

-She broke off suddenly, and drew herself away from him shivering and

-sick at heart again.

-

-Surely that notice would never have been printed if he was not married,

-and she had no right to be thus in the arms of another woman’s husband.

-

-She knew that he neither loved nor respected Josephine from the way he

-had addressed her; he called her Miss Richards, too, but it was a puzzle

-that she could not comprehend.

-

-Lord Carrol read her thoughts, and saw by her white face how she was

-suffering, and he said, with infinite tenderness:

-

-“My love, it was all a farce, a mock marriage planned by a wild and

-thoughtless girl, while I was chosen as one of the unfortunate victims

-and Miss Richards the other. Did you not read the description which

-followed that notice?”

-

-“No; I read nothing but those horrible words, which told me of my own

-injustice, and that you and I would be parted forever. They burned

-themselves into my brain as if they had been branded there with a hot

-iron, and I cared to read no more.”

-

-“If you had,” he returned, “you would have been undeceived; but I was

-very angry when I saw how the affair had been published, and if I could

-ascertain who wrote it up, I should be tempted to chastise the writer

-severely.”

-

-Star was weeping now; great, glad tears of joy chased each other over

-her cheeks, and she did not resist him when he drew her into his arms

-again, wiping with his own hands the glittering drops as they fell,

-while in low, tender tones he told her all about the strange events

-which had conspired to separate them for so long.

-

-“Will you forgive me, Archie? I was very hard upon you, but I was nearly

-mad with my misery that night when I refused to listen to you,” Star

-said, when the story was ended.

-

-“Forgive you, my own? This moment compensates for everything. How were

-you to know that a titled relative had died, making me his heir, and

-changing or adding to my name? I was indeed Archibald Sherbrooke, bound

-for America, to travel and study art there, when we went on that

-steamer. I merely dropped the ‘Sir’ lest you should be shy of me. I did

-indeed know of the change in my circumstances when I next saw you in the

-station in New York, but in my fear of losing you, I resolved not to

-tell you until I had won you, feeling afraid that you, in your modesty,

-would refuse to Lord Carrol the love you would perhaps give to Archibald

-Sherbrooke. I never suspected, when I accepted Mrs. Richards’ invitation

-to visit her, that I was going into the very house where my own love

-dwelt. I had paid Miss Josephine some attention at Long Branch, but her

-mother was always included, and it was only in a friendly way, as I was

-drawn toward them from having discovered that they were of English

-descent, and connected with people here whom I knew. I intended, as I

-told you that night, to seek you the very next day; and when I had won

-the consent of your friends to an engagement with you, in the character

-of Archibald Sherbrooke, I was going to tell you of my real position in

-life. Now, dear, you know that I have never swerved from my allegiance

-to you. I have been as true as truth itself,” he concluded, smiling

-fondly down upon her.

-

-“I have been very foolish, Archie,” Star whispered, “but, oh! I am very,

-very happy now. I was so utterly wretched this morning. I have been so

-wretched all day that it required all my courage to come here to-night;

-but I forced myself to do so because I did not wish Uncle Jacob to

-mistrust anything.”

-

-“And I hear that my modest little Star has become a great heiress; she

-is no longer the quiet, retiring little maid whom I was so proud and

-happy to have won that day when we went to Coney Island,” Lord Carrol

-said, half regretfully.

-

-Star lifted her head from his breast and looked at him inquiringly, and

-he thought rather more searchingly than the occasion required.

-

-“I mean,” he explained, “that Mr. Meredith has told me that Mr. Rosevelt

-has adopted you as his heiress.”

-

-She drew a long breath, but merely returned, in an absent way:

-

-“Yes.”

-

-“Mr. Meredith told me more, too, my darling,” her lover resumed; “he was

-the one who lifted the burden of sadness, caused by your sentence of

-banishment, from my heart. I imagined, also, although his confidence did

-not extend quite so far as this, that he had been my unsuccessful rival,

-and that was why you confessed what you did to him regarding your

-affection for me.”

-

-“Did Mr. Meredith tell you that—” Star began, blushing crimson as she

-remembered what her confession had been.

-

-“Yes, my beloved, and no hungry heart ever feasted upon sweeter words.

-They changed the whole future for me, and I was intending to start again

-for America in just three weeks, to search for the star of my life; the

-past has been very lonely and hopeless.”

-

-“Yes, indeed,” Star returned, with a long sigh; “and yet,” she added,

-looking up with a smile, “I am glad that I am not to come to you _quite_

-so empty-handed as you found me.”

-

-“You surely do not regret the promise that you made me then?” Lord

-Carrol questioned, reproachfully.

-

-“No; for it proves that you won me for myself alone; but now that I know

-you are a peer of England, it is a comfort to feel that no one can point

-the finger of scorn at me and say that you have chosen beneath you.”

-

-He stopped her with a tender caress.

-

-“No one should ever have said that to me with impunity, under any

-circumstances,” he rejoined, gravely.

-

-They talked a long time, and everything was explained—all the events of

-the past rehearsed, all Josephine’s duplicity and hatred made known.

-

-“She is a heartless woman—a most contemptible woman,” Lord Carrol said,

-with curling lips and stern brow; “and I deeply regret that she is to

-become a resident in England, as we shall doubtless be obliged to meet

-her in society. She has wronged you shamefully, my darling. However,” he

-added, with a luminous smile, “she considers that the ‘position of Lady

-Carrol will be an enviable one,’ and, since _you_ are to fill it, I

-think her punishment will not be a light one.”

-

-Her punishment _was_ to be no light one, but _he_ had no idea _how_

-humiliating it would be.

-

-Another blissful half hour slipped unheeded by, and then he said:

-

-“Come, dear; people will begin to wonder what has become of us, and

-besides, I want to introduce you to my mother and sister.”

-

-He arose as he spoke, and drew her toward the conservatory, through

-which they must pass in order to regain the drawing-room.

-

-“I have already seen your sister,” Star answered, with a bright smile,

-“and I began to love her immediately, and to mourn what I had lost in

-not having her for _my_ sister, too.”

-

-“She _is_ a dear girl, but I begin to think we shall not keep her with

-us very much longer,” Archie returned, with a regretful sigh.

-

-“I thought so, too, when Mr. Meredith introduced her to me to-night,”

-Star said, archly.

-

-“Ah! then _you_ read the signs of the times,” he answered, smiling. “But

-here comes my mother, and she is looking for me, I know, by the

-expression of her face.”

-

-They were just entering the drawing-room as he spoke, and Lady

-Sherbrooke was coming toward them, looking right and left for her son.

-

-Her handsome face lighted as she saw him, and she quickened her steps,

-while she wondered at that new light in his eyes, at the bright and

-youthful expression on his face.

-

-“Mother,” Archibald Sherbrooke said, and there was a proud ring in his

-tone, “I want to introduce to you Miss Gladstone, a friend whom I met

-while I was in America.”

-

-Lady Sherbrooke shot a keen glance into that lovely, blushing face, and

-there came a look of surprise into her own, while for once she lost

-something of the graceful self-possession that was habitual to her as

-she greeted Star.

-

-Her heart went forth to the young girl at once, and she experienced a

-shock akin to that which Vivien had felt when she met her.

-

-

-

-

-                             CHAPTER XLII.

-                          THE LAWYER’S REBUKE.

-

-

-There was something strangely familiar about that slight, graceful form

-and in those lustrous eyes—in that golden-crowned head, and the now

-happy, smiling lips.

-

-“Miss Gladstone, I am very glad to meet you,” she began, as she

-cordially put out her hand to her; then turning abruptly, and speaking

-with a slightly startled accent, she added:

-

-“Archie, surely I have met her before?”

-

-“Yes,” he answered, his face glowing; “I see that you have recognized

-her.”

-

-“Star,” and the tender inflection on that name told his mother

-everything, “she has seen the picture that I painted when I was in

-America, and she has now discovered who the original is.”

-

-“Yes, my dear,” Lady Sherbrooke added, while she studied the beautiful,

-flushed face; “I do recognize your countenance, and I am quite proud of

-my son’s achievements as an artist. You are an American, I believe. I am

-very happy to welcome you to England.”

-

-Star’s heart beat rapidly at this cordial, almost tender greeting, and

-wondered if she was indeed the same girl who, feeling so wretched and

-forlorn, had entered that room only two hours before.

-

-“No, mother; Miss Gladstone is not an American,” Archie explained. “She

-is an English lassie, and we met on shipboard while crossing the

-Atlantic; but more of that story anon,” he said, significantly. “Now,

-will you entertain her for a few moments while I go and find Vivien?”

-

-“With pleasure,” Lady Sherbrooke responded, her heart bounding to hear

-those clear, joyous tones ringing through her son’s voice—sounds which

-she had not heard before since his first return from America; while she

-said to herself:

-

-“This is the girl whom my son loves and will choose for his wife;” and

-her heart warmed toward Star as it never had done before toward another

-outside of her own family.

-

-After finding his sister and taking her back to Star and his mother,

-Lord Carrol sought Mr. Rosevelt and had a long talk with him, explaining

-to him, as he had to his dear one, the unfortunate circumstances which

-had conspired to separate them, and learning in return something of

-their life during the past fourteen or fifteen months.

-

-After this he rejoined the trio of ladies—those three beautiful women

-whom he loved above everything else in the world.

-

-“The ‘story’ that you were going to tell me, Archie, but did not, as you

-were called away to London, is told. I read it in your face to-night,

-and in that of the beautiful girl to whom you have introduced me. My

-boy, I think now that you will be your own dear self once more,” Lady

-Sherbrooke whispered, as he came and stood by her side, and his eyes, in

-reply, told her more than his lips could have done; but he asked, in a

-low, intense tone:

-

-“Is she not rightly named Star?”

-

-“She is charming; I have no fault to find with her personally. But her

-family?” she questioned, cautiously.

-

-“Is all right also, mother mine. I will tell you all about it

-to-morrow.”

-

-In a distant corner of the room Mrs. Richards and Josephine sat and

-viewed this meeting, bitterest envy rankling in their hearts.

-

-The angry girl had sought her mother upon leaving the anteroom, and told

-her of Star’s presence there.

-

-“I declare it is more than human nature can bear to be obliged to

-encounter her everywhere. And to think that such a miserable,

-insignificant little chit as she was when she came to us should win game

-after game from us. She is a proverbial checkmate, I believe,” Mrs.

-Richards said, complainingly. “But even if she does become Lady Carrol,”

-she added, “I shall take care that she does not outshine us. Thank

-fortune, we shall have a handsome income to flourish upon.”

-

-“I hate her—I hate them both! and I wish I were _dead_!” Josephine

-cried, passionately.

-

-When Mr. Rosevelt, Lord Carrol, and his party were about retiring, they

-encountered the Richardses in the great hall.

-

-Mr. Rosevelt took no notice of them, although he would have greeted Mr.

-Richards had he been with them, and they guiltily avoided him.

-

-The young lord bowed coldly, and would have passed on, but Josephine, in

-a sudden fit of desperation, laid her hand upon his arm, saying, in low,

-fierce tones:

-

-“I give you joy of your chambermaid bride! But beware! You will not feel

-quite so jovial when all London rings with the fact that the proud Lord

-Carrol has married a common house-servant!”

-

-“Miss Richards,” he returned, haughtily, “even such a statement of facts

-could not injure the fair, pure woman whom I have chosen for my wife;

-but allow me to say that if you are so ill-disposed as to publish

-anything of the kind, you will find, to your sorrow, that the shafts

-from your venomous tongue will only serve to poison still further your

-own life.”

-

-“We shall see!” she sneered.

-

-“You will find,” he went on, as if he had not heard her, “that Miss

-Gladstone is so far above you, both morally and _socially_, that it does

-not lie in your power to do her the slightest injury.”

-

-“We shall see, my lord!” the maddened girl repeated, vindictively; but,

-without giving her time to say more, his lordship passed on to Star’s

-side, and drawing her hand within his arm, led her away to her carriage.

-

-                  *       *       *       *       *

-

-The day came at last which was to decide Mrs. Richards’ claim to the

-Thornton estates, and, according to appointment, she repaired to the

-office of Compton & Bailey, in the highest of spirits, dressed in the

-most magnificent style, and accompanied by Josephine, clad with equal

-richness, and her husband.

-

-“Well, Mr. Compton, my probation is ended at last,” she said, gayly, to

-that gentleman, as she entered, and greeted him with her most gracious

-manner.

-

-“Ahem! I suppose we may say that it is,” he returned, in a strangely

-embarrassed way.

-

-“Well, then, I presume there is no need of further delay, and we can

-take possession of the late Sir Charles’ property as soon as we choose,”

-she remarked, too deeply engaged with thoughts regarding her own

-brilliant future to notice his manner.

-

-“Ahem!” the lawyer repeated, an uneasy expression on his face; “I _did_

-expect that I could tell you to-day everything was all right and you

-could go down to Halowell Park as soon as you liked; but——”

-

-“But what?” Mrs. Richards demanded, with some show of impatience. “It

-appears to me that you are somewhat mysterious this morning, when

-heretofore you have acknowledged my relationship to Sir Charles Thornton

-to be proved beyond a doubt.”

-

-“Yes, madam, you have clearly proved, it cannot be contested, that you

-were a relative of the late baronet’s; but—I am sorry—it will be a great

-disappointment to you, doubtless, to learn at this late day that another

-party has put in a claim for the estate, as being the nearest of kin.”

-

-The lawyer heaved a sigh of relief when he had stumbled through this

-piece of ill-news.

-

-“What?” almost screamed Mrs. Richards, reeling where she stood.

-

-She had never even thought of such a calamity.

-

-“There is no nearer relative living,” she continued, with pale lips.

-“You yourself said you were convinced of that.”

-

-“And so I was, a month ago, madam; but I have been obliged to change my

-opinion since then.”

-

-“What—what has changed it?” she asked, trembling with fear and

-excitement.

-

-It would be too dreadful now, when the prize was almost within her

-grasp, to lose it, and to be obliged to return poor and disappointed to

-America.

-

-“You remember, perhaps,” the lawyer said, avoiding meeting her eyes, for

-they were wild in their expression, “that I told you that Sir William

-Thornton—the late Sir Charles’ father—had a younger brother, Albert by

-name——”

-

-“Yes, but you said that he left home years ago to go as a missionary to

-some outlandish place, where he died,” interrupted the anxious woman.

-

-“Where it was _supposed_ he died,” said Mr. Compton, with significant

-emphasis.

-

-“Did he not die?—is he living?—has he returned?” his client gasped.

-

-“No; he died some years ago; but he left a child. That child is living,

-and has put in a claim for the estate.”

-

-“But you told me he left no issue——”

-

-“It was all supposition, madam, since we could learn nothing to the

-contrary; but we have recently learned our mistake.”

-

-“He shall not have the property; he may be an impostor. I shall contest

-the point,” Mrs. Richards said, with frantic vehemence.

-

-“Ellen, do be reasonable,” said her husband, sternly.

-

-“Unfortunately for your peace of mind, madam, it is a point that cannot

-be contested,” returned Mr. Compton; “and, if you will give me your

-attention for a few moments, I will explain it to you.”

-

-With a groan, Mrs. Richards sank into a chair, more wretched than she

-had ever been in her life.

-

-“Your mother,” began the lawyer, also seating himself, and motioning Mr.

-Richards and Josephine to do the same, “was half-sister to the late Sir

-Charles’ mother. That made her half-aunt and you half-cousin to him.

-That relationship, however, would have been near enough to give you the

-property had no nearer claimant appeared. Sir William Thornton, the late

-Sir Charles’ father, and Albert were own brothers; consequently, the

-child of Albert would be own cousin to the late Sir Charles, and being a

-descendent on his father’s side, by far the nearest of kin. Have I made

-it clear to you?”

-

-He glanced as he spoke at Mr. Richards, who nodded, while his wife

-covered her face and groaned aloud.

-

-“Now,” resumed Mr. Compton, “I will tell you, in as few words as I can,

-the story of this younger brother, Albert Thornton. He was quite a

-number of years Sir William’s junior, and at an early age dissented from

-the established church and religion of his ancestors, and insisted upon

-going as a missionary to Africa. This so enraged his father that he

-disowned him, charging him never to show his face inside his ancestral

-home again. Deeply wounded, but still adhering to his convictions of

-duty, he went to Africa, but was obliged to return to England again in

-the course of a couple of years, on account of failing health. He did

-not, however, present himself in the home from which he had been

-banished, for this neither his pride nor his wounded heart would allow

-him to do. He therefore settled in a distant county, where he had charge

-of a small parish at a merely nominal salary, during the remainder of

-his life. Not long after his return he married a gentle and lovely girl,

-and one child was born to them, who, recently seeing our advertisement

-for the nearest of kin to Sir Charles, has presented a claim for the

-estate.”

-

-“Who is this child?—where is it?—where did it come from at this late

-day?” questioned Mrs. Richards, who felt as if all the world was

-slipping away from her.

-

-“Wait one moment and I will introduce you,” the lawyer said, as, rising,

-he gently retired to his inner office.

-

-He returned almost immediately with a lady on his arm. Mrs. Richards

-started to her feet and uttered a piercing scream the moment her eyes

-fell upon her.

-

-The lady was Star Gladstone!

-

-“That girl again!” shrieked Mrs. Richards. “You don’t mean to tell me

-that _she_ is the heir to Sir Charles Thornton’s property?”

-

-“Yes, madam, this young lady and no other; but I was not aware that you

-had the honor of her acquaintance,” responded Mr. Compton, with some

-surprise, as he led Star to a seat.

-

-“But her name is Gladstone——”

-

-“Have a little patience and I will explain still further,” interrupted

-the lawyer, who was beginning to be disgusted with one who gave way so

-to passion.

-

-“Miss Gladstone tells me that she has been known by that name all her

-life; that until her eighteenth birthday she was not aware that she was

-entitled to any other. But her father left a package of papers at his

-death, containing a history of his life, with all the necessary proofs,

-but charged her not to open it until she was eighteen years of age. In

-this he related what I have already told you, and also the fact that

-when he was a child, his father, through the death of a relative,

-succeeded to the title and estates of the Thorntons of Devonshire, upon

-condition that he assumed the name. Such things happen often here in

-England, you know, as in the case of Lord Carrol, whom you are

-acquainted with. When the elder Mr. Gladstone, or Thornton, died, of

-course William, his eldest son, succeeded to the baronetcy. Albert, the

-second son, upon his return and settlement in a parish of Derbyshire,

-gave his name as Rev. Albert Gladstone, and under this name married a

-Miss Chudleigh, who was also discarded by her family for wedding a poor

-dissenting clergyman—one who was deemed far beneath her socially, as no

-one suspected his connections with the Thorntons. After her death, and

-when Mr. Gladstone found that he also had not long to live, he said he

-could not reconcile himself to the thought of giving his orphan daughter

-to the care of those to whom he had been a stranger so long, although

-his own blood flowed in their veins; so he arranged to send her to a

-distant relative of his mother’s in America, who agreed to take charge

-of her and her education for her sake. This last, however, Miss

-Gladstone has told me, and her residence in that country at the time of

-the death of the late Sir Charles, and her ignorance regarding her

-relationship to him, accounts for the fact that we have but just

-discovered her claim. Everything is as plain as black and white can make

-it. We have looked up the records, and find they correspond with the

-papers in her possession, and among which is a certificate of her

-parents’ marriage, and one of her own baptism, together with other

-important documents; and now, I think, you cannot fail to perceive that

-Miss Gladstone, being Sir Charles Thornton’s _own_ cousin, is the

-nearest of kin, and we shall therefore be obliged to give her claim the

-precedence. I regret, madam,” the lawyer concluded, in his blandest

-tones, “that we did not learn of this in season to save you the trouble

-and expense of such a long journey. However, I trust that you have

-reaped enjoyment sufficient from the trip to compensate you in a measure

-for your disappointment.”

-

-Mrs. Richards looked blankly from one to another of the occupants of

-that room, as if she could not, even yet, comprehend the magnitude of

-the calamity which had so unexpectedly overtaken her.

-

-“I do not believe one word of it. It is all a piece of fraud to cheat me

-out of my rights,” she cried at length, while her own blazing eyes

-threatened to annihilate the beautiful girl, her successful rival, who

-sat opposite with downcast eyes, and feeling really sorry, in spite of

-all that she had suffered at Mrs. Richards’ hands, for her distress over

-this terrible defeat.

-

-“Do not allow yourself to become unreasonable over the matter, madam, I

-pray. There has not been, I assure you, even the suspicion of a fraud,”

-Mr. Compton said, his own eyes beginning to take fire at this assertion.

-“The papers are all there on my table; everything has been written out

-in the plainest manner, and copies made of all the records which go to

-prove what I have told you. You can examine them, if you choose; but

-there cannot be the slightest doubt regarding Miss Gladstone’s claim.

-She alone inherits everything belonging to the late Sir Charles

-Thornton.”

-

-“Oh, she has been the bane of our lives; she has ruined and upset every

-plan that we have made since the day when she first set foot in our

-house—since she came to us like the beggar that she was,” sobbed the

-wretched woman, giving way utterly to her misery.

-

-“Ah! then _you_ are the woman to whom Albert Thornton confided his

-orphan daughter when he knew that he could not live?” said Mr. Compton,

-quickly, his keen mind at once grasping certain facts which Star, from a

-feeling of delicacy, had withheld from him, when, to her surprise, she

-learned that Mrs. Richards had also come to England to claim the

-Thornton estates.

-

-“That has nothing to do with the case. She has _ruined_ us, and that is

-enough to think about for one day, I should imagine,” she retorted,

-angrily, and flushing.

-

-“Ellen!” and Mr. Richards spoke very sternly; “you are as unreasonable

-as a child. Star has been kindly disposed from the first. It is _you_

-who have tried to ruin _her_—who have oppressed and sought to degrade

-her in a way that is a shame to you and your promises to her dead

-father. It is a bitter thing to be obliged to condemn my own wife thus

-publicly, but I cannot calmly listen to your calumniations of her, for,

-instead of being our ruin, she has been our salvation. Only this fall,

-when my business was tottering, and my reason with it—when I was upon

-the verge of bankruptcy—of self-destruction—I confess it with shame and

-sorrow now—_she_ came to me like a beam of light and saved me from

-becoming both a bankrupt and a suicide. She gave me, or caused to be

-given to me, a check for ten thousand dollars, which set me upon my feet

-again. She spoke, too, such solemn, gentle words to me as I shall never

-forget, and which kept me from the horrible pit into which I was

-stumbling, and we owe all that we are and have to her. To go still

-farther back, you owe your life to her mother. Josephine was saved from

-a dreadful death by Star’s bravery; and, instead of hating her because

-unforeseen circumstances have raised her to a high social position, we

-should rejoice that it is so. Star, my dear girl, you have at least one

-grateful heart in my family.”

-

-He went over to her side and put out his hand to her, though he was so

-deeply moved that it shook like a leaf, and she took it with streaming

-eyes, and wholly unable to utter a single word in reply.

-

-What a wreck that heartless woman had made of his life, she thought. He

-was naturally a kind and tender-hearted man, and deserving of a better

-fate than had been his.

-

-But his wife bridled angrily, losing all control over her tongue.

-

-“I wish I had never set eyes on her face; and I wish your hand had been

-palsied before it ever took that ten thousand dollars from her. She came

-into our family and stole your heart from me by her arts and sly

-speeches; she wheedled out of Jacob Rosevelt the fortune that should

-have been mine; she tricked Josephine out of the man who should have

-married her—who _would_ have done so but for her; and now she has come

-to steal the inheritance which ought to have been mine. I _hate_ her,

-and I _curse_ her from the bottom of my heart!”

-

-“Then you are a thoroughly bad woman, and I am thankful that Sir Charles

-Thornton’s estate is to pass into more worthy hands. Much as I

-sympathize with and respect your husband, madam, I cannot permit my

-young client to be insulted in my presence, and I have the honor to wish

-you a very good-morning.”

-

-Mr. Compton said this very spiritedly, his fine face flushing with

-indignation, his lips curling with contempt, while he walked to the door

-of his office and held it open, with such an air of stern determination

-that Mrs. Richards did not dare to disregard this very emphatic

-invitation to take her departure, and she walked wrathfully, but utterly

-crushed by her bitter disappointment, from the room.

-

-

-

-

-                             CHAPTER XLIII.

-                         “GOD BLESS OUR STAR.”

-

-

-Yes, beautiful Star Gladstone was the heiress to Halowell Park, and all

-other property belonging to the late Sir Charles Thornton.

-

-Upon reaching home after her trip to California, which had been one of

-great enjoyment as well as profit, she resolved to settle down to a

-cozy, quiet life for the remainder of the winter, and make Uncle Jacob

-as comfortable as she possibly could.

-

-She was sitting in her own pretty room one morning, something as Mrs.

-Richards had sat in hers only a few weeks previous when she had

-discovered herself to be the heir to Halowell Park, but looking happy

-and smiling, instead of angry and discontented.

-

-She had brought a pile of music up there to sort and arrange, it having

-been upset by the house-maid while dusting, and as she was looking it

-over, she came upon an old newspaper that had got mixed in with it.

-

-She took it up as one often does, and ran her eye carelessly over its

-columns.

-

-It happened to be the very paper which contained the notice of Sir

-Charles Thornton’s death, and the advertisement for the next of kin.

-

-Star started as her eye caught that name. Then she went over both

-paragraphs carefully.

-

-“I do not believe but that he was the one of whom papa wrote in that

-package,” she murmured, thoughtfully. “It must be the same, for _he_ was

-the owner of Halowell Park of Devonshire. He was papa’s own nephew;

-there are no heirs, and—I wonder if I might not in some way be

-interested in this advertisement.”

-

-With heightened color she arose, and going to a drawer in her

-dressing-case, drew forth that worn portfolio which we have seen before

-on several occasions.

-

-Opening it, she took out those papers which she had read on the evening

-of her eighteenth birthday, and which had caused her so much agitation.

-

-One of them contained a history of her father’s life, as we have already

-stated, telling how his religious views had changed as he drew near

-manhood, and how he had desired to go to preach to the heathen; how this

-had angered his father, who, when he found he could not turn him from

-his purpose, drove him from his home, telling him never to set foot in

-it again; how he had gone to Africa full of holy zeal, but failing in

-health, had been obliged to return and settle in a small parish of

-Derbyshire. Here he had met Miss Chudleigh, who at one time was visiting

-in the neighborhood, and she sympathizing with him in his views, they

-had soon grown to love each other, and felt that life would be nothing

-to them unless spent with each other. When, however, she had insisted

-upon marrying him in opposition to the wishes of her friends, she also

-had been discarded by them.

-

-“You once questioned me about your name, my child,” he wrote, “and I

-told you that your grandmother had given it to you. I have sometimes

-feared I was harsh with you when you asked me about my family, but you

-understand now why, and forgive me if I seemed so to you. I loved my

-mother as I never loved any one else save my lost Annie and you, and had

-she been living, I should never have been so cruelly banished from my

-home, for I was her favorite child. She was a grand and noble woman, but

-there was some sorrow connected with her early life which I could never

-wholly fathom. I once, upon coming suddenly into her room, found her

-weeping over a portrait, and when I asked her the cause of her grief,

-she put it hastily out of sight. ‘My boy, I am foolish and wrong to

-grieve over the past,’ she said; ‘but I once lost a very dear friend,

-and sometimes feelings arise which I cannot wholly control. I want you

-to do something for me sometime,’ she added, trying to smile, ‘and that

-is, if you should ever marry and have a little daughter, you will call

-her Stella Rosevelt Gladstone.’ ‘I will call her anything you like,’ I

-answered, earnestly, and then she kissed me with trembling lips and said

-I was her ‘dear boy.’ This is how you came by your name, my little Star.

-Stella was my dear mother’s name; ‘Rosevelt,’ I have grown to believe,

-was one that was sacred to her.”

-

-Then there was more about his family relations—about his father and

-brother. He said there were very few of his kin living; he knew of only

-one, now that his brother was gone, and that was his only child, Sir

-Charles Thornton, of Halowell Park, but he had no family; he probably

-believed that he—Albert Gladstone Thornton—was dead, as everybody else

-did, and so he had concluded it best to send her—Star—to America, to the

-care of Mrs. Richards, who had promised to care for her, and who, he

-felt, would be true to her trust for the sake of the debt which she owed

-her mother.

-

-Before he had died he charged her, when giving her the package, to guard

-it as a sacred treasure, and not to open it until the stated time, and

-she had promised to do as he wished.

-

-After Star had read this paper through, she took up the others and went

-carefully over them; and these were certificates and records, all of

-which went to prove the truth of what he had written.

-

-Evidently the thought had never occurred to him that Sir Charles would

-die unmarried and childless, and that _she_ would own and reign in the

-home from which he had been banished; for there was no mention of any

-such thing, and no desire expressed that she should ever seek to

-cultivate the acquaintance of her rich cousin.

-

-When she had been through them all, she gathered them up, together with

-the paper in which she had seen the advertisement, and carried them

-below to Mr. Rosevelt, told him something of her suspicions, and asked

-him to examine them and see if he thought she would be likely to inherit

-the Thornton property.

-

-He did look into them carefully, and felt convinced that Star stood next

-in line to Sir Charles.

-

-He was deeply touched upon reading her father’s account of his mother,

-and his own early love.

-

-Star had never shown it to him before. She had not liked to do so for

-several reasons, deeming it, for one, a sort of sacred trust from her

-father, and thinking also that it might sadden her kind friend.

-

-“I cannot understand why, when her husband had been so kind and patient

-with her, under what must have been such trying circumstances, he should

-have been so harsh and unloving toward his boy for a mere difference of

-opinion,” he murmured, thoughtfully, while thinking of poor Albert

-Thornton’s banishment from home.

-

-“Little girl,” he said to Star, “there is, I believe, a good deal in

-this for you, and we must sail for England immediately,” and Star felt

-her heart leap within her.

-

-England was Lord Carrol’s home.

-

-Then her lips had curled with scorn at her own folly, but she agreed at

-once to do whatever Mr. Rosevelt advised, and in a week they were again

-crossing the broad Atlantic.

-

-Upon seeking an interview with Compton & Bailey and laying their case

-before them, they were gratified to learn that, although other claims

-had been filed, Star was the nearest of kin who had yet appeared to

-them.

-

-The eminent lawyers at once set themselves to work to look up the case,

-found all the records to correspond with those in her possession, and

-finally pronounced her to be the heir to the Thornton property.

-

-Star felt greatly surprised and troubled upon learning that Mrs.

-Richards was one of the claimants, for she had no desire to contest any

-question with her, or to appear to triumph over her in any way. She

-simply wished to let her alone—to drop her entirely out of her life.

-

-When the day came round that was to decide the important question for

-the expectant woman, Mr. Compton insisted, much to Star’s annoyance,

-that it was necessary for her to meet her, and the rights of the true

-heir to be established in the presence of all parties.

-

-She felt a real pity for the wretched woman when the lawyer led her out

-to confront Mrs. Richards and her family, for she was unwilling to cause

-even an enemy pain, while it did indeed almost seem as if she was

-destined to checkmate every move in their life; but every one, even

-herself, who knew the circumstances of the past, could but acknowledge

-that their punishment was a just one.

-

-The days, since the meeting and happy reconciliation of Lord Carrol and

-Star, had been full of joy and contentment.

-

-She did not, however, tell him of her expectations regarding the

-Thornton property, but when the time appointed to meet Mrs. Richards

-arrived, she asked him to accompany Mr. Rosevelt and herself to Mr.

-Compton’s office upon a little matter of business.

-

-He, with them, remained in the inner office during the lawyer’s

-interview with his claimants, and the door being slightly ajar, they

-could hear all that passed in the other room.

-

-Lord Carrol was greatly astonished at what he heard, but he was even

-more so when Mr. Compton came in and led Star forth to present her as

-the heiress to that large estate.

-

-“I am almost afraid to approach you, my lady of Thornton. I begin to

-fear you may assume some new character at any moment, and soar so far

-beyond my reach that I shall lose you entirely,” he said, half in jest,

-half in earnest, when, that evening, he came to see her in her own room

-in St. James square.

-

-“You know I told you I was glad that you won me when I was a poor,

-obscure little maid,” Star answered, slipping her hand confidingly into

-his.

-

-“I feel perfectly sure of your love,” she added, “and yet I am not

-_sorry_ that I can come to you now as an equal. I shall not be sorry to

-have the _world_ say of you that you have chosen wisely,” she concluded,

-while her glowing eyes and smiling lips told that, for his sake, she

-exulted in her new position and wealth.

-

-“What the world might say of you, under any circumstances, would not

-trouble me,” he answered, gravely. “But I, too, am glad that I won your

-heart when you had nothing, if it secures to me your unbounded trust. I

-do not know either,” he continued, smiling, “as I should have had quite

-as much assurance in approaching Sir Charles Thornton’s wealthy heiress;

-and yet,” with a proud uplifting of his handsome head, “while conscious

-of my own honor and rectitude, I have no need to fear to approach any

-woman whom I might love.”

-

-Star was standing by his chair, and she bent and touched her lips to his

-forehead as he said this. She was very proud of this grand, true man,

-who had won her to be his wife simply because he loved her.

-

-But in the midst of her joy she could not help feeling something of

-sadness and pity for Josephine and her disappointed hopes.

-

-It was no light thing to have loved and lost such a man as this, and she

-would gladly have comforted her had it been in her power to do so.

-

-“Uncle Jacob,” she said, more timidly than she was in the habit of

-addressing him, the next time she was alone with him, “I shall have so

-much money, now that I am to be mistress of Halowell Park, and—and when

-Archie takes me,” she added, with a burning blush, “that I wish you

-would make another will, and give your fortune, or a part of it at

-least, to your ‘nearest of kin.’”

-

-“You are my nearest of kin,” he said, briefly.

-

-“I know what you mean,” she replied, affectionately; “our hearts _are_

-surely akin; but—I really am _very_ sorry for Mrs. Richards and

-Josephine, not to mention poor Mr. Richards, who has had such a hard

-time of it; and perhaps they would feel more kindly toward me if they

-thought I did not care for so much money, and truly I do not—I never can

-use it all.”

-

-Jacob Rosevelt looked at her with tears in his eyes.

-

-“My darling,” he said, with emotion, “I believe you have the heart of a

-saint, but I cannot alter my will—everything I have belongs to you; but

-I leave you free to do whatever you choose with it. If you ever find

-people in need and wish to help them, give them what you like; but I

-shall never break the seal of my will. Child,” he added, tremblingly,

-“you have been all the world to me; and more than this, you have helped

-me to find hope for the world to come. I know that you will have a great

-deal of money without mine, but it shall be yours nevertheless; I know

-that it will not be used selfishly, and I cannot leave it in better

-hands.”

-

-He bent down and touched her forehead with his lips, and then left her,

-but her heart was filled with a song of praise.

-

-“You have helped me to find hope for the world to come,” he had said;

-and there never had been a sweeter message sent in answer to prayer, she

-thought.

-

-For a long time, she had noticed, he had been more respectful whenever

-the name of the Deity had been uttered in his presence, while, when he

-had accompanied her to Sabbath services, he had listened attentively,

-even reverently to what was said.

-

-Looking back to that dark night on the angry waters, when she had first

-met him, and remembering his sneers at her trust in the “All Father,”

-and his bitter, skeptical retorts, she was surprised at the change that

-had gradually come over him; and now, to her amazement, he had confessed

-to a “hope” for eternity.

-

-It was the one drop too many in her cup of joy, and it instantly

-overflowed in happy, thankful tears, and in a low-voiced pean of

-gratitude.

-

-                  *       *       *       *       *

-

-A month, Lord Carrol said, was all the time that he could allow his fair

-bride-elect to prepare to become Lady Carrol.

-

-“But I have so much to do!” Star objected, with crimson cheeks.

-

-“Then you must increase your forces,” he answered, with a fond smile. “I

-know that it is ‘etiquette’ to let the lady name the day, but

-considering all things, I think I ought to have that privilege. Darling,

-we have been separated so long that I do not feel like living without

-you a day more than is actually necessary. My mother wants you to come

-to her in Belgrave Square, and remain as her guest, while she and Vivien

-will assist about the wonderful trousseau, which they consider

-indispensable for the occasion under discussion.”

-

-It was of no use for Star to make objections, for they were every one

-overruled, and it was at length decided that Lord Carrol should have his

-way, and she went to Belgrave Square for the intervening month.

-

-Mr. Meredith was cordially urged to remain in London until after the

-wedding, and as Grace had been sent for to act as bride-maid, and a pair

-of clear gray eyes had earnestly seconded the appeal, he could not

-refuse.

-

-He bore this “blighting” of all his previous “hopes” with wonderful

-equanimity, however, and ere the eventful day arrived that was to make

-Star a bride, he had won a promise from lovely Vivien Sherbrooke that at

-the end of another year she would become his wife.

-

-“Fickle!” did I hear some fair reader ejaculate in a tone of contempt?

-

-Well, perhaps he was; but then when he had been so heart-broken over

-Star’s rejection he did not know that there was a Vivien Sherbrooke in

-the world.

-

-We are always disappointed, often unreasonably so, when we cannot get

-what we want, and perhaps his passion for our heroine was not quite so

-intense as he had imagined it to be. However, be that as it may, Lord

-Carrol’s fair sister had convinced him that

-

-                  “Taking the year together, my dear,

-                  There isn’t more cloud than sun.”

-

-And he had concluded to spend the remainder of his life basking in the

-sunlight of her presence.

-

-Mrs. Richards, with her family, lost no time in returning to America

-after this crushing disappointment.

-

-They could not remain and face the people to whom they had proudly

-boasted of their future greatness, nor could they bear to look upon

-Star’s happiness and triumph over them; while, besides all this, they

-were greatly cramped in purse, after the extravagant outlay which Mrs.

-Richards insisted was necessary for people with their expectations.

-

-Mr. Richards was very much depressed, for, to say nothing of the money

-which they had spent, he feared the worst from his long absence and

-neglect of business.

-

-He went to see Star and Jacob Rosevelt before they sailed; he could not

-leave without bidding them farewell, and assuring them of his gratitude

-and good-will.

-

-They received him most kindly, and he spent a pleasant hour with them.

-

-As he took Star’s hand at parting, he bent down and kissed her fair,

-upturned face, while great, regretful tears rolled down his cheeks.

-

-“I am sorry to lose you, dear,” he said; “but I know you will be happy,

-as you certainly deserve to be, and may Heaven bless you in your new

-life. I shall never forget how much I owe you—how you saved me by your

-kindness, and I know you will think of us all more kindly than we

-deserve.”

-

-He did not give her time to reply, but turning, grasped Mr. Rosevelt’s

-hand, and then was gone.

-

-A year later she heard that he was dead—that he died suddenly, after

-struggling hard with business and business troubles and that his family

-had been left in very reduced circumstances.

-

-Through Ralph Meredith she caused a handsome sum to be invested, the

-income of which they were to enjoy while they should live, and she never

-saw or heard from them again.

-

-                  *       *       *       *       *

-

-St. George’s church, Hanover Square, was crowded upon Star Gladstone’s

-bridal morning, and “no bride so fair” had passed beneath its

-aristocratic arches for many a year, was the verdict which all Belgravia

-pronounced as it watched her leave the altar and move down the spacious

-aisle leaning upon the arm of her noble husband.

-

-Her dress was of Lyons satin, and one of Worth’s most elegant

-productions. The lace which adorned it was the finest and costliest

-which far-famed Brussels could produce, and the vail “a perfect marvel.”

-

-The bridal wreath was of delicate, feathery clematis, and was fastened

-to her head and vail with a set of five beautiful diamond stars, the

-gift of Jacob Rosevelt.

-

-Grace Meredith and her brother presented a pair of elegant ear-ornaments

-to match; Lady Sherbrooke a necklace and tiara of pearls, and—time would

-fail me were I to enumerate all the costly gifts which were showered

-upon this lovely bride. There were six bride-maids, and as many “best

-men.” Jacob Rosevelt gave Star away to the man whom he believed to be

-worthy of her in every respect, and felt as if he were indeed giving up

-his own and only child, although she had told him she could never

-consent to be separated from him.

-

-They were to spend a couple of months at Carrolton, Lord Carrol’s

-country seat, whither upholsterers and decorators had been sent, as soon

-as the wedding had been decided upon, to make everything fresh and

-attractive for them.

-

-Of course Mrs. Blunt, that much “mistaken” but honest and affectionate

-creature, was indispensable at this time, and she was made about as

-happy as it is possible for a mortal to be in this life by Star’s

-assurance that she should be a fixture in her household as long as she

-should live.

-

-After the two months at Carrolton they were to go to Halowell Park for a

-season, and take a look at the home of the Thorntons.

-

-There was to be no stereotyped tour. Star said she had traveled enough

-for the present, and would much prefer to settle down to quiet home

-life—perhaps by another year they might feel like making a trip to the

-Continent.

-

-Lady Sherbrooke had already grown to love her new daughter very dearly.

-

-“It is well that I do love her,” she said, tearfully, to Vivien, when

-the grand wedding was over, the guests all gone, and they were left by

-themselves, “if I must lose you, as I expect to, before very long; but

-if I had searched the world over I could not have found a fairer,

-sweeter wife for my son. Heaven bless our Star! She bids fair to prove a

-guiding light in Archie’s home.”

-

-

-

-

-                             CHAPTER XLIV.

-                            FAITH’S TRIUMPH.

-

-

-“Star!”

-

-“Yes, Uncle Jacob.”

-

-“The night has almost come.”

-

-“The _dawn_, you mean, dear; do not call it night, for truly I believe

-it is the break of day for you.”

-

-“You are right; I should not call it night. But always remember, dear,

-and let the thought comfort you when you come to miss me, that _your_

-hand has guided me through the darkness, pointing me ever toward the

-light of a better world.”

-

-The speaker paused, for he was very weak.

-

-Jacob Rosevelt lay upon a luxurious couch in an elegant apartment of

-Lady Star Carrol’s beautiful home, and looking his last upon earth.

-

-Everything that wealth, and love, and care could do had been done for

-the dear old man whom she loved so fondly; but now, after three years of

-such peace and content as once he had never thought to enjoy, he was

-dying.

-

-Star, who, in a spotless white wrapper, sits beside him, has grown a

-trifle matronly in her appearance, a little rounded and fuller in

-figure, and there is something more of dignity in her bearing; but she

-has the same star-like beauty—she is not one whit less lovely or less

-deserving of her name than when we last saw her on her bridal morn.

-

-A year of almost unalloyed happiness passed after that event, and then

-there was born a fine heir to the Carrol estate—a boy, of whom his

-father was very proud, and who at once became the pet and pride of the

-whole household.

-

-Uncle Jacob, with this little one folded within his arms, or sitting

-crowing upon his knee, with Star fondly attentive to his every want, and

-Lord Carrol to lean upon in his old age, felt as if he had attained as

-nearly to perfect happiness as any one could do in this world.

-

-But during the third year after their marriage he had gradually but

-surely failed, until, to the great grief of all, they were obliged to

-acknowledge that he had not long to live.

-

-This was the first great sorrow of Star’s wedded life; but she strove to

-bear it cheerfully, at least in Mr. Rosevelt’s presence, resolving that

-no mourning or repining should cloud the little time that remained to

-him to live—that there should be nothing but peace, and a looking

-forward to the great change as simply the sweeping aside of a misty vail

-and an entrance into something more blessed and beautiful than earth

-could give.

-

-Now the crisis had come, and the old man, his wan face turned toward the

-fading light of a glorious day, felt that his strength and senses were

-slipping away from him, and told the constant watcher by his side that

-the “night had come.”

-

-“No, I ought not to have said that,” he repeated, after a few moments of

-rest, while a smile parted his pale lips; “the night is past, and you,

-dear one, have been my guiding star in the midst of its deepest gloom. I

-did not have much faith in a better future until I knew you; you set me

-to thinking that night on the angry deep, when you told me you ‘had been

-taught to trust our Heavenly Father,’ and that ‘one could hardly have

-much faith in one’s self at such a time as that.’ Yes, your simple trust

-in your Father’s faith, your pure and gentle life, my Star, has led me

-to God, and without a fear I resign myself into His hands; before

-another day dawns I shall have entered into my rest, and the Sun of

-Righteousness will shine upon me.”

-

-“Oh, Uncle Jacob,” Star said, her voice full of unshed tears, but with a

-holy awe shining in her beautiful face, “you have never talked so

-plainly to me—you have never opened your heart like this to me, and I am

-so thankful to you for speaking such precious words to me before——”

-

-She stopped; her trembling lips could not frame the words to complete

-the sentence.

-

-“Before I leave you, never more to look upon your dear face in this

-life,” he said, with a tender smile on his lips, while the light of

-faith grew brighter in his eyes. “Yes, dear, it is so. We both know it,

-and why not speak of it calmly, as of a journey, during which we should

-be separated only for a little while. I shall go first, my darling, but

-the vail that will hide us from each other is dropping very softly and

-gently. You will not grieve for me, my child?”

-

-“No, no, Uncle Jacob; only for myself, who will be so very lonely

-without you.”

-

-But Star could not quite keep back the quiver from her voice as she said

-this. He noticed it, and put out his thin hand to clasp it.

-

-“Be comforted, my darling, with the thought of what you have made the

-last years of my life—a season of peace and content. Remember always

-that without _you_ I should have groped on in darkness until my soul

-would literally have gone out into the ‘night.’ But now, as I have said,

-I have no fear. No; a bright vision rises up before me; I seem to see

-just beyond the ‘great white throne’ of which you read only last

-Sabbath, and where sits the form of Him who has taken from me all the

-guilt of sin and unbelief. It is Jesus, the Lamb of God, and _you_, my

-beloved, by the gentle influence of your beautiful faith, have led me

-thither.”

-

-Star bent down and kissed the pale hand clasping hers, and which was

-growing cold even then, while the tears which she could not restrain

-fell hotly upon it.

-

-“I know that I am dying,” he went on, more weakly than before; “I know

-that this chill which I feel creeping over me, benumbing my senses and

-dimming my sight, is death. I know that soon my breath must cease, and

-that the King of Terrors will cut the cord which binds me to earth and

-all I love here. But there is no terror in the thought, for the faith

-which you have taught me points me to the ‘radiant vistas of a world

-divine,’ where perchance I may find among the ransomed throng a spirit

-who was once kindred to my own. Ah, my darling, dry your tears, and

-remember that, in spite of this dissolving frame, _I am whole!_ for the

-healing hand of Christ hath touched me, while your life, passing in its

-brief transit over mine, has been the instrument of it all.”

-

-Is this a sad scene with which to close my story?

-

-Is it _sad_ to see the fruits of a beautiful life, and to learn how one

-faithful soul led another home to heaven and God? Will any one call such

-a triumph as the passing away of Jacob Rosevelt _sad_?

-

-No. At least it did not appear so to those who witnessed it.

-

-It was a hallowed room where Star sat, a little later, and gazed upon

-her dead—upon that brow which had settled into such tranquillity—upon

-that restful, upturned face, which wore a smile “calm as a twilight

-lake,” and upon which “God’s full-orbed peace was shining,”

-transfiguring it with something of the radiance that had enraptured the

-fleeting soul.

-

-But she would not grieve for him; for, although she should never cease

-to yearn

-

-               “——for the touch of a vanished hand,

-               And the sound of a voice that was still,”

-

-she knew that, in that far-off world “where the weary are at rest,” it

-was “well with him.”

-

-And when they laid him away in the family vault at Halowell, where, too,

-lay the moldering form of her whom he had so loved in the days of his

-earlier manhood, she did not murmur, for she felt that he had left

-behind him a wealth of faith, and love, and trust that would glorify all

-her own after-life, and she found herself repeating, with one of our

-sweetest poets:

-

-               “Do men die thus? And is it this to die?”

-

-All through the years that came and went in her beautiful home, of which

-she was the chief charm, she carried the memory and influences of that

-last hour of Jacob Rosevelt’s life, and it seemed to be an added link in

-the golden chain that bound her soul to their common God.

-

-The thought of it was like a strain of heavenly music, making her life

-rich with melody. It was like a breath from the flowers of Paradise,

-perfuming all around her.

-

-Her husband worshiped her—reverently, as a gift from the Divine Hand;

-her children “sat at her feet and learned of her,” and, rising up,

-“called her blessed;” while all who knew her likened the influence of

-her lovely example, the luster and beauty of her life, to the “transit”

-of some bright “star.”

-

-

-                               [THE END.]

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+The Project Gutenberg eBook of Stella Rosevelt, by Georgie Sheldon
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and
+most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
+whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms
+of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at
+www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you
+will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before
+using this eBook.
+
+Title: Stella Rosevelt
+       A novel
+
+Author: Georgie Sheldon
+
+Release Date: May 4, 2023 [eBook #70696]
+
+Language: English
+
+Produced by: Richard Tonsing and the Online Distributed Proofreading
+             Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from
+             images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
+
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STELLA ROSEVELT ***
+
+
+
+
+
+                            STELLA ROSEVELT.
+                               =A Novel.=
+
+
+                                   BY
+                         MRS. GEORGIE SHELDON.
+
+                               AUTHOR OF
+
+   “BROWNIE’S TRIUMPH,” “THE FORSAKEN BRIDE,” “LOST—A PEARLE,” “EARLE
+                     WAYNE’S NOBILITY,” ETC., ETC.
+
+[Illustration: logo]
+
+                               NEW YORK:
+                  _G. W. Dillingham Co., Publishers_.
+
+
+
+
+                        Copyright, 1883 and 1890
+                           By STREET & SMITH
+
+                            Stella Rosevelt
+
+
+
+
+                               CONTENTS.
+
+
+            CHAPTER.                                   PAGE.
+                 I.— ON THE ATLANTIC                       9
+                II.— SAVED                                19
+               III.— THE YOUNG STRANGER                   30
+                IV.— MRS. RICHARDS                        38
+                 V.— BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT                47
+                VI.— STELLA’S APPEAL                      57
+               VII.— A CONSULTATION                       68
+              VIII.— RETRENCHMENT                         76
+                IX.— CHANGE OF FORTUNE                    89
+                 X.— THE UNWELCOME GUEST                  97
+                XI.— FILTHY LUCRE                        104
+               XII.— THE CAMEO RING                      114
+              XIII.— A GLAD MEETING                      124
+               XIV.— “LET ME DEPICT YOUR FUTURE.”        135
+                XV.— A FATAL MISTAKE                     146
+               XVI.— A GREAT SHOCK                       154
+              XVII.— “WHY HAS HE DONE THIS THING?”       162
+             XVIII.— EXPLANATIONS                        175
+               XIX.— MALICIOUS FALSEHOODS                188
+                XX.— STAR’S DETERMINATION                198
+               XXI.— FRUITLESS EFFORTS                   212
+              XXII.— THE GOAL REACHED                    222
+             XXIII.— AN INTERESTING STORY                234
+              XXIV.— WHAT NEXT?                          248
+               XXV.— STAR’S DELIGHT                      258
+              XXVI.— “WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?”              265
+             XXVII.— DEFEATED                            273
+            XXVIII.— RESCUED FROM A HORRIBLE FATE        279
+              XXIX.— JOSEPHINE’S INGRATITUDE             288
+               XXX.— “I LOVE HIM STILL.”                 294
+              XXXI.— A NOBLE RESOLUTION                  301
+             XXXII.— “I PROMISE.”                        308
+            XXXIII.— “YOU ARE THE TRAITOR.”              316
+             XXXIV.— MUTUAL EXPLANATIONS                 325
+              XXXV.— MRS. RICHARDS’ GREAT EXPECTATIONS   330
+             XXXVI.— JOSEPHINE’S AMBITION                337
+            XXXVII.— THE MOCK MARRIAGE                   345
+           XXXVIII.— “I HAVE BEEN MAD.”                  353
+             XXXIX.— A CRUSHING BLOW                     363
+                XL.— STELLA’S MENTAL AGONY               371
+               XLI.— REHEARSING THE PAST                 382
+              XLII.— THE LAWYER’S REBUKE                 393
+             XLIII.— “GOD BLESS OUR STAR.”               403
+              XLIV.— FAITH’S TRIUMPH                     414
+
+
+
+
+                            STELLA ROSEVELT.
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER I.
+                            ON THE ATLANTIC.
+
+                                       “A star
+             Which moves not ’mid the moving heavens alone,
+             A smile among dark frowns—a gentle tone
+             Among rude voices, a beloved light,
+             A solitude, a refuge, a delight.”—SHELLEY.
+
+
+A noble steamer was laboriously plowing the turbulent waters of the
+great Atlantic, heaving, and struggling, and creaking with every
+revolution of her gigantic screw, for the waves were rolling
+high—“mountain high”—in very truth. The huge dark masses of water would
+swell and rise up like a great black wall, reaching, it seemed, almost
+to the angry, leaden sky above, then sweeping down with mighty force,
+thunder upon the decks of that great vessel, making it shudder to its
+very center, sending it down, down into the yawning depths, as if eager,
+in venomous spite, to blot it out of existence.
+
+There were very few first cabin passengers on board the —— as she thus
+labored on her weary way between Liverpool and New York, for it was late
+in the year, and the rush of travel was over for that season.
+
+Fifteen were all they numbered, while there were about twice as many in
+the steerage; and well it was that there were no more to share the
+horrors of that dreadful voyage.
+
+It had been a very gloomy passage, a severe storm arising the second day
+out, which had increased in violence until now—the fifth day—it appeared
+as if all the elements had conspired to work destruction upon the stanch
+ship which was faithfully battling with the cruel waves and toiling to
+bear its precious freight of human souls safely into port.
+
+It was a forlorn little company that sat shivering and trembling in the
+close saloon—only five, all out of the fifteen who had not succumbed to
+the seasickness—and these five had the appearance, with their pale,
+pinched faces, their heavy eyes and disordered attire, of feeling
+anything but comfortable or well.
+
+An old man of perhaps sixty years, his hair and beard white as snow, his
+face sallow and wrinkled, his eyes anxious and sunken, sat upon the
+floor—indeed, it was impossible to sit anywhere else—braced against a
+stationary seat, and clinging to one of the iron posts which supported
+the roof of the saloon. He was wrapped in a heavy shawl and two elegant
+rugs; his soft hat was drawn down over his forehead, and he seemed
+entirely oblivious of everything about him.
+
+Two spinsters, companions and sisters, lay upon cushions flat upon the
+floor, and, also wrapped in their rugs, looked not unlike two huge bags
+of wool rolling from side to side with every motion of the boat.
+
+Another man had crept into a corner, where he tried to keep himself from
+pitching about by clinging to a rope which he had fastened to an
+immovable table.
+
+The only other occupant of the place was a little fair-haired maiden of
+perhaps fifteen or sixteen years.
+
+She was small and delicate, and was sitting, or trying to sit, upon the
+floor, not far from the old gentleman before mentioned.
+
+She was wrapped in a thick woolen shawl, and her head was covered with a
+crimson hood, so that not much could be seen of her, save the fair, pale
+face, with its sad, appealing blue eyes, which looked out from beneath
+masses of shining golden ringlets that had strayed from her hood and lay
+upon her white forehead. She had a sensitive mouth, a pretty, rounded
+chin, a small, straight nose, and altogether, had she possessed
+something of color and less of sadness in her face, would have been
+considered wondrously fair to look upon.
+
+This little waif, with her child-like countenance, her pathetic eyes,
+and her patient, uncomplaining spirit, was traveling alone.
+
+There was not a soul on board that vessel whom she had ever seen before
+the day of sailing.
+
+An orphan—her father, and the only relative on whom she could depend,
+had died just three months previous—she was going to the United States,
+to some distant connections who had consented to take her until she was
+of age and teach her to earn her own living.
+
+She had been put in the care of the captain by the people with whom she
+had been staying since her father’s death, and he was to deliver her to
+the strangers to whom she was going.
+
+Some strange magnetism had attracted her toward the old gentleman with
+the white hair and beard of whom we have spoken, and near to whom she
+was now sitting.
+
+She had hovered about him ever since the first day of the voyage, not in
+an obtrusive way, but as if she liked to be near him—as if there were
+something trustworthy and protective about him.
+
+Perhaps one reason for this was that her seat had been next his at
+table—while they had been able to sit at the table—and once or twice,
+when she could not attract the attention of the steward, he had handed
+her what she wanted, and helped her bountifully to fruit when otherwise
+she would have been neglected.
+
+When the storm came on with such violence that those not confined to
+their berths were obliged to take to the floor of the saloon for safety,
+she had crept as near to him as she dared, and though she had sat there
+all day long, he had never spoken to her once, or appeared to heed her
+presence, but remained, instead, wrapped in his own thoughts.
+
+Suddenly the ship rose upon a mighty wave—up, up she went, until every
+trembling passenger held his breath with awe; then she plunged headlong
+down into the raging deep, with a sinking, sickening sensation that
+chilled the blood and made the flesh creep with fear.
+
+The next moment another terrific wave struck her, with a noise like the
+roar of a hundred cannon, and with a force which made her quiver like a
+frightened creature from stem to stern; and in the dread pause which
+followed, and which was fraught with horrible suspense, the little maid
+clasped her small hands and cast an appealing glance at her gray-haired
+companion.
+
+He, seeing it, smiled grimly as he asked, in rather a gruff tone:
+
+“Afraid, sis?”
+
+Before she could answer him the vessel gave another tremendous lurch,
+and she was rudely precipitated almost into the arms of her questioner.
+
+He caught her just in time to save her from being dashed against the
+iron post by which he was sitting, and when she had recovered her breath
+a little, he put her gently down beside him, keeping one strong arm
+around her to save her from a second fall.
+
+“This is pretty rough weather. Are you afraid?” he asked again, and
+looking with something of pity down upon her white face.
+
+“It startles me to have the vessel pitch and tremble so, and those
+dreadful waves seem as if they want to swallow us; but I know that
+nothing can harm us, unless——”
+
+“Unless what?” the old man queried, as she hesitated and glanced shyly
+up at him, a tinge of color coming into her cheeks.
+
+“Unless it is God’s will,” she answered, reverently.
+
+A sneer curled her companion’s lip at this reply; but the sweet eyes
+looking up into his seemed to touch some tender memory, for it quickly
+died, and he repressed the skeptical words to which he was about to give
+utterance.
+
+But she _felt_ it, nevertheless, and, with a grave look and serious
+tone, she asked:
+
+“Don’t you believe that God rules the storm, and that He will take care
+of us?”
+
+“My experience all through life has been that I have had to take care of
+_myself_,” he returned, with some bitterness.
+
+“And I have been taught to trust ‘our Heavenly Father.’ I think one
+would hardly have much faith in _one’s self_ at such a time as this,”
+the little maiden said, with a look of awe and an involuntary shudder,
+as another wave broke over them.
+
+The man by her side felt the gentle rebuke, but he evaded it by saying:
+
+“I think no harm will come to us. I have crossed the Atlantic many
+times; I have sailed upon other oceans, and have been in storms equal
+to, if not worse, than this. I do not fear the elements much in one of
+these well-built boats. There is only one thing at sea that I _really_
+feel _afraid_ of.”
+
+“And what is that?”
+
+“Fire.”
+
+He felt the thrill of fear that went vibrating through her whole frame
+as he uttered the dread word, and appeared to regret having added to her
+apprehension, for he continued, reassuringly:
+
+“But an accident of that kind rarely happens nowadays, and where
+everything is so carefully conducted as on these large steamers. There,
+sit close beside me,” he went on, as still another thundering mass of
+water swept over them; “lean against me—so. I will keep my arm about
+you, and you will be safer than sitting by yourself. But how does it
+happen that you are traveling alone?”
+
+“My father and mother are dead,” she answered, with the same appealing
+look that had touched him before, while her lips quivered over the sad
+sentence. “I had no friends in England, and so I am going to live with a
+cousin of my mother’s in America.”
+
+“What is your name, little girl?”
+
+The “little girl” flushed rosily at this question—as what maiden of
+fifteen or sixteen would not at this slur upon her proudly attained
+“teens?”—while she thought he need not have asked if he had taken pains
+to look at the passenger list; but she replied:
+
+“Star Rosevelt Gladstone.”
+
+A startled, almost agonized gleam shot into the old man’s eyes, and his
+face seemed to shrivel, until he looked ninety instead of sixty, as the
+young girl, in her sweet, clear tone, uttered this name.
+
+“Star Rosevelt!” he repeated, with pale lips, while his voice sounded
+weak and far away.
+
+“Yes, sir,” she said, not noticing his emotion; “or rather my real name
+is Stella, but mamma called me Star always;” and her voice faltered as
+she spoke of her dead mother.
+
+Her companion did not answer, and the roar of the elements increasing,
+further conversation was out of the question, even had they been so
+disposed, which they appeared not to be.
+
+The old man’s head dropped upon his broad chest, and he seemed suddenly
+to have forgotten his companion, the angry waters, the rolling vessel,
+and everything else in his own sad thoughts.
+
+Darkness began to settle down upon them. The storm raged on; the
+spinsters moaned and rolled upon their comfortless couches; the man in
+the corner swore and raved as he was rudely jostled about, with no
+prospect of rest or sleep; while the gray-haired man and the fair-haired
+maid, encircled by his strong arm, sat side by side, silent, yet less
+forlorn than their comrades by reason of a feeling of companionship,
+until the young girl’s blue eyes closed, her golden head sank
+unconsciously upon the broad shoulder, and she slept sweetly and
+tranquilly the whole night through, a smile on her red lips, a sense of
+comfort and protection in her young heart.
+
+When morning broke and Star Gladstone awoke, she found herself lying
+upon a heap of rugs, a pillow underneath her head and a soft robe
+covering her.
+
+The sun was shining brightly into the saloon, where, only a few hours
+before, all had been so dark and dismal; the sky was beautifully clear
+and blue, without a vestige of the angry clouds which had so threatened
+ship and life a little while ago, and the good vessel was riding the
+gradually subsiding waves with strong and steady pulsations, which
+seemed to have almost a sense of victory in their throbbings, while the
+terrors of the night seemed only a troubled dream of the past.
+
+She arose from her soft couch with a murmured “How kind!” as she
+realized who had made her so comfortable, and went below to her
+state-room to make her toilet.
+
+After a refreshing bath she brushed out her long, abundant hair until it
+shone like strands of finest gold; then gathering it in her two hands,
+she plaited it into one massive braid, leaving the ends loose like a
+great golden tassel, and tying them with a broad blue ribbon.
+
+Then she substituted a charming little blue hood edged with white for
+the thick crimson one which she had worn all night, wrapped a soft gray
+shawl about her shoulders, and went up on deck looking as bright and
+sunny as the morn itself.
+
+She was very lovely. Short fluffy locks of her hair fell like a shining
+mist over her white forehead; her great azure eyes gleamed like
+bluebells after a shower; her cheeks were tinged with a delicate color,
+and a smile of joy at the return of fair weather parted her red lips,
+showing two rows of small white teeth between.
+
+As she stepped out upon the deck, she espied her companion of the night
+standing aft, looking out upon the silver-tipped, dancing waves.
+
+She glided to his side and saluted him with a sweetly spoken
+“good-morning,” which fell like music on his ear.
+
+He turned and looked at her, an involuntary smile parting his lips,
+which evidently were unaccustomed to such relaxation.
+
+“You are rightly named—you look like a star,” he said, abruptly, while
+his keen eyes were fixed intently on her bright face.
+
+She flushed, but answered archly:
+
+“Stars belong to the night; they are of no account in this glorious
+sunshine;” and she lifted her face up to the sun, as if in gratitude
+that its friendly beams were shining on her once more.
+
+“It _is_ a glorious morning,” said the old man, taking a long breath of
+the pure, keen air.
+
+“Sorrow may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning,” Star
+murmured, in a low tone, but with a thrill in her voice which told how
+she felt the words.
+
+Again a sneering smile distorted the lips of her companion.
+
+She saw it, and flushed a vivid crimson, and the tears sprang quickly to
+her eyes.
+
+“Mamma used to repeat those words so often when she lay sick and dying,”
+she said, sadly. “I know that _she_ looked forward to the ‘morning’ when
+she should be released from her suffering; but they never sounded so
+pleasantly to me as they do now on this beautiful morning after our
+night of terror.”
+
+“Anything which was a source of comfort to your mother you doubtless
+treasure very tenderly,” kindly replied the gentleman, who _was_ a
+gentleman, and felt sorry that his unbelief or skepticism should have
+brought a shadow upon that fair young face.
+
+“There is the breakfast-bell,” he added, in a light tone, as it rang out
+its keen notes. “Are you hungry?”
+
+“Indeed I am, sir,” Star answered, eagerly, adding, with a clear, sweet
+laugh that fell like music on his ear: “Eating has been an impossibility
+during the last few days, and I have considerable lost time to make up.
+That bell has a welcome sound.”
+
+“Then take my arm, little girl, and we will go down together; the boat
+is not quite steady even yet.”
+
+“Little girl!”
+
+She flushed again, and shrugged her graceful shoulders.
+
+Then she glanced up at him with a serio-comic air, and said, with a
+pretty pout:
+
+“I am sixteen years old, Mr.——”
+
+She could not finish, because she did not know his name.
+
+He laughed.
+
+“And maidens of sixteen don’t like to be called little girls, eh?” he
+said. “Well,” he continued, “I feel as if I am privileged to call you
+that, since I am nearly sixty, and _my_ name is Jacob Rosevelt.”
+
+Star stopped short and looked up at him in surprise.
+
+“How strange!” she exclaimed.
+
+“Rather,” Mr. Rosevelt returned; then asked: “How did you come by your
+middle name?”
+
+“My grandmother gave it to me.”
+
+“Was her name Rosevelt?”
+
+“No; her maiden name was Stella Winthrop.”
+
+Mr. Rosevelt started, then turned suddenly to look out over the sea, and
+to hide the pallor of his face. He asked no more questions, and all
+through breakfast he appeared absent-minded and taciturn. He scarcely
+spoke to Star during the meal—indeed, hardly noticed her at all—and she
+wondered if she could have offended him in any way.
+
+Before she was half through he left the table, and she saw no more of
+him until late in the afternoon.
+
+About three o’clock she left the saloon, where she had been trying to
+while away the time by reading, and went on deck.
+
+It was very cold, but the sky was cloudless, the sea calm and beautiful,
+and, save an occasional call and response from the sailors, the distant
+thud of the machinery, and the swash of the water as they plowed the
+sea, there was scarcely a sound on board the vessel.
+
+Star found a sheltered spot, and wrapping her shawl close about her, sat
+down for a little while to watch the white-capped waves and the speeding
+ship.
+
+She had scarcely settled herself, thinking with a feeling of gratitude
+how lovely it was after the dreadful storm, when there came the noise of
+a dreadful explosion from somewhere forward, followed by a fearful
+rocking of the vessel; then the most horrible shrieks and cries rent the
+air; a column of smoke, sparks, and cinders went pouring up from the
+region of the engine-room, and immediately passengers and sailors began
+running about in great confusion, and perfectly frantic from fright.
+
+Star was unhurt, but she sprang to her feet and stood as if paralyzed
+with fear, a look of horror on her young face, a feeling like death at
+her heart.
+
+“Something dreadful has happened,” she murmured, with white lips. “Have
+we escaped the storm only to encounter a worse fate?”
+
+Then, as she saw the sailors getting down the life-boats, a sudden
+thought seemed to inspire her. She darted from the deck down into her
+state-room, where, opening a tiny trunk, she seized a package of papers,
+which she pulled up from beneath her clothing, and thrust it into her
+bosom. She then took from a pretty box several articles of jewelry,
+which evidently had belonged to her mother, and fastened them about her
+clothing, putting some of them into a pocket of a skirt and pinning it
+securely together. This done, she darted out and up to the deck again.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER II.
+                                 SAVED.
+
+
+Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those of them who
+were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats, eager to spring into them
+the moment they were lowered, and gathered, from what she could hear in
+the confusion, that the boiler had burst, and the accident had caused
+such serious damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.
+
+As she went nearer the captain she saw Mr. Rosevelt. He looked gloomy
+and anxious, and very pale, while he was eagerly scanning the faces of
+the people about him, and holding a life-preserver in his hands. His
+face lighted as he turned and saw her, and he heaved a long breath of
+relief.
+
+“I was looking for you,” he said, in a hoarse voice, while he
+immediately proceeded to fasten the preserver about her person.
+
+He then drew her arm within his, led her to the side of the vessel, and
+stood quietly waiting until the boats were lowered and the captain
+should bid them enter.
+
+“Have you anything valuable that you wish to save—_if we_ _are saved_?”
+he asked, seeming suddenly to remember that she might have something.
+
+“Yes, I have a few important papers and my mother’s jewels. I went down
+to get them after the explosion. How did it happen?” she asked.
+
+“No one knows. It was one of those accidents which cannot be accounted
+for. The whole fore part of the ship is nearly blown to pieces,” he
+returned, gloomily.
+
+Star shuddered, and then turned to watch the men let down the boats.
+
+There were only three of them, the others having been destroyed or blown
+overboard. These were quickly filled by the frantic passengers and
+emigrants, who scrambled into them in spite of the orders of the captain
+to await his commands.
+
+They took everything into their own hands, and as soon as the seats were
+taken, began to push off, regardless of the appealing cries of those
+remaining on board, the anger of the captain, and the threats of the
+sailors.
+
+Mr. Rosevelt and Star were among those left, and the old man pleaded for
+a place for the young girl, calling them inhuman brutes to seek their
+own safety and leave a delicate girl to perish.
+
+“The boats will hold no more!” the frantic creatures cried. “Every one
+must look out for himself in such a time as this.”
+
+“Wretches! have you no feeling? Are there no fathers and mothers among
+you? Will you see this child go down before your very eyes? You _must_
+take her!” he cried, wildly, authoritatively.
+
+A feeling of shame seemed to come over them; there followed a moment of
+consultation, a counting of those in the different boats, then a
+reluctant consent was gained to take her into one of them.
+
+“Be quick!” they cried, as a rush of flame in the center of the steamer
+warned them that a new and terrible danger threatened; and Mr. Rosevelt
+led her toward the rope ladder swinging from the vessel’s side.
+
+Star was very pale, but her great blue eyes had a strange, determined
+gleam in them.
+
+“Are you afraid to go down the ladder?” Mr. Rosevelt asked, as he paused
+before it.
+
+“Not if _you_ will go _first_ and hold it for me,” she answered.
+
+“But I cannot; they will not take us both,” he said.
+
+She drew back from the edge of the vessel, and looking up into that aged
+face, said, tremulously:
+
+“Sir, you have dear friends who are waiting for you, and who would mourn
+your death. I have no one who loves me; I was going among strangers, and
+I should not be missed. You go; I am not afraid to die.”
+
+He looked at her in mingled awe and admiration, while those brave words,
+“I am not afraid to die,” smote him keenly.
+
+“Child,” he said, huskily, “it must not be. You are young and beautiful;
+there is a long life of happiness, I trust, before you. _My_ days are
+nearly spent, and I could not accept such a sacrifice. Come, they are
+clamoring impatiently at the delay. Give me one kiss, such as you would
+give to your own father were he living, and then I will help you down;
+or, if you are afraid, the sailors shall tie a rope about you and let
+you down.”
+
+He bent his head, his face filled with a yearning tenderness, to hers.
+
+“The captain and the sailors—must they remain and perish, too?” she
+asked, breathlessly, while she shuddered as a hot wave of smoke came
+pouring over them.
+
+“Yes; there is room for no one but you. Come; they will not wait longer.
+One kiss, little Star, and—God bless you!”
+
+She looked up at him in surprise; he was asking God to bless her, when
+only last night he had sneered at her trust in Him. But she kissed him,
+for his lips were almost touching hers as he spoke. Then she leaned over
+the vessel’s side, and said, in loud, clear tones:
+
+“I shall not go with you; there are enough in the boat already.”
+
+She turned her back resolutely upon what seemed her only hope of safety,
+and, clinging to Mr. Rosevelt, she said:
+
+“I will not leave you, the only one who has spoken kindly to me during
+all the voyage. They did not want me, for my extra weight would lessen
+their chances, and I will _try_ to be brave when—when the end comes.”
+
+She was ghastly even to her lips, but there was a clear and steady light
+in her eye.
+
+Mr. Rosevelt was horror-struck at what she had done.
+
+“Heavens, child! you shall not do this rash thing! Hold, there!” he
+yelled to those in the boat; “she _will_ go!” and he lifted her in his
+arms and bore her to the spot she had just left, while the captain
+roared to the men below to wait.
+
+But even as they were speaking the vessel gave a tremendous lurch and
+settled far down into the water. Smoke and flame were vomited up from
+below, and, horror of horrors! the boat into which they had just been
+urging—almost forcing Star—was swamped in the commotion of waters caused
+by that lurch, and its luckless freight were at the mercy of the hungry
+waves.
+
+It was a fearful moment.
+
+Cries and shrieks for help came up from the cruel depths, and white,
+upturned faces looked piteously toward the sinking hulk, as if imploring
+even the brief respite from a horrible death which it could afford.
+
+Boxes, spars, and anything that was at hand, were cast over to them, and
+several succeeded in reaching and clinging to them, while others went
+down to their watery grave before the eyes of that watching, agonized
+group on the burning vessel, who almost forgot their own impending fate
+in the sufferings of their comrades. Suddenly a shout rent the air.
+
+The captain hastened forward to see what it meant, and saw one of the
+sailors in the water on the other side of the vessel struggling with a
+boat.
+
+The noble man had espied it at some distance from the ship, and knew
+that it was one which had been blown overboard. It might be injured so
+that it would not be safe, but it appeared to ride the waters all right,
+and he resolved to swim to it and thus save if possible the captain and
+crew.
+
+He had nearly reached the steamer’s side with his trophy, when the other
+sailors discovered him and sent that triumphant shout.
+
+“Throw a rope!” shouted the captain, new hope springing in his heart.
+
+It was thrown with a will; the man caught it, and suspending his own
+labors, he and the boat were drawn safely to the ship’s side.
+
+Nimbly then the faithful crew sprang to obey their commander’s orders. A
+liberal supply of provision and water was put into the boat, with plenty
+of rugs and what clothing was at hand; the required number of oars were
+brought, and in a few minutes all that remained alive on that ill-fated
+ship were safely seated within it.
+
+Then they set to work to save those who were still struggling in the
+water. Ten were all that they could rescue, the rest went down; and now
+began the battle for life.
+
+They pulled rapidly away from the sinking steamer, lest they should
+share the fate of those who had just been swamped, and the wisdom of
+this was manifest in lest than half an hour, for, with another mighty
+lurch and plunge, which sent forth volumes of smoke and flame, the noble
+craft went down and the dark waters swept over it, obliterating it
+forever from the view of man; while the captain, with a groan of pain,
+covered his eyes and wept.
+
+It was as if he had looked his last upon the face of some dear friend.
+
+The day waned quickly; night shut down upon them cold and cheerless,
+hiding from their sight the other boats, and bringing with it such a
+sense of loneliness and misery as not one in that frail craft ever
+experienced before.
+
+Star, the only woman in that boat, clung to Mr. Rosevelt as if upon him
+depended all her hope, and all that long night through he held in his
+one small, fair hand, while he pillowed her bright head upon his knees,
+and kept her covered with blankets and rugs.
+
+Twice or thrice she awoke and started up, saying:
+
+“I weary you, sir; let me sit by myself.”
+
+But he only drew her more closely to him, as he said, tenderly:
+
+“No, no, little one; it does me good to have you near me. Lie still and
+get all the sleep you can, for we do not know what the morrow may bring
+to us.”
+
+When the morrow did come it dawned grandly beautiful. The sun came up
+from the east like a chariot of fire, turning the sea into waves of
+gold, and bringing cheer and courage once more to the hearts of the
+lonely little band who were struggling for life on the mighty deep.
+
+Nothing could be seen of the other boats, although they had been eagerly
+looking for them ever since the break of day; but they had no reason to
+think they were not as safe as themselves, and were therefore not unduly
+anxious.
+
+Star awoke much refreshed by her long sleep, and, as her lovely eyes
+took in all the beauty of the morning, a feeling of thankfulness for it
+and their safety thrilled her heart, and almost unconsciously she began
+chanting a hymn of praise.
+
+As she sang the first line, which was exactly like the beginning of the
+Lord’s Prayer—“Our Father who art in heaven”—every oar was suspended;
+the captain reverently removed his cap, an act which was imitated by the
+crew, and all listened with respectful mien as the sweet voice rose upon
+the still morning air, thanking God for His care through the dangers of
+the night, and invoking His protection during the day.
+
+“Thank you, Miss Gladstone,” the captain said, as her last tone died
+away; “it is well for us to begin the day thus. You have a fine voice,”
+he added; “will you sing something else and then we’ll pull westward
+with a will for awhile?”
+
+Star thought for a moment; then, with a delicate flush rising in her
+cheek, an almost holy light glowing in her eyes, and a thrill in her
+tones which touched every heart, she sang:
+
+                  “In the harbor safe at home
+                  Zion’s stately ship shall come,
+                  And her crew shall proudly tell
+                  Dangers she has braved so well;
+                  Never more to tempt the wave,
+                  Never more the storm to brave,
+                  Safe from rock and breaker’s crest,
+                  Anchored in eternal rest.
+
+                  “Courage, then, ye faithful few!
+                  Weary, weather-beaten crew.
+                  Let no hardship be compared
+                  With th’ exceeding great reward;
+                  Soon life’s tempest will be o’er—
+                  Lo! we near the promised shore,
+                  And o’er troubled waves afar
+                  Gleameth Bethlehem’s welcome star.”
+
+There were tears in the eyes of those rough, stern-visaged men when the
+song was ended, and more than one weather-bronzed hand was lifted to
+dash them aside. There was not a sailor there who would not have fought
+dearly for the life of this sweet-voiced girl, who had thus touched a
+chord in their hearts which had not vibrated before for many a year.
+
+A little while after the boatswain called aloud:
+
+“A sail! a sail!”
+
+All eyes were instantly turned in the direction toward which he pointed,
+and low on the horizon, very far away, there gleamed a white sail.
+
+The captain brought his glass to bear upon it, and reported a schooner.
+
+A signal of distress was hoisted immediately, and changing their course,
+they pulled vigorously for the vessel.
+
+But in less than half an hour it had disappeared entirely, and, with
+disappointed faces, they again turned their course westward.
+
+The demands of nature now began to assert themselves, and the captain
+served out a generous breakfast, treating all alike.
+
+Mr. Rosevelt regarded him anxiously as he did this.
+
+“How long will your stores hold out?” he asked, as the men began to eat
+hungrily.
+
+“Two or three days,” he returned; “but we are so nearly in the line of
+the steamers that we shall surely fall in with one before our provisions
+are gone.”
+
+The old man sighed, and bent a wistful look upon the young girl sitting
+beside him.
+
+Star had noted his anxious tone as he questioned the captain; she had
+also seen the look he cast upon her.
+
+“He fears that we shall be tossed about on the ocean until we starve,”
+she thought, a horrible chill creeping over her; and she quietly slipped
+all the bread that had been given her into her pocket, and only ate the
+more perishable food and delicacies which the captain had laid in her
+lap.
+
+That afternoon Mr. Rosevelt had a violent attack of vertigo, lying
+insensible for several hours; and now it was Star’s turn to pillow _his_
+head upon _her_ lap and minister to his comfort.
+
+She bathed his face and head almost constantly, and with her shawl
+shielded him from the sun, which during the day was very powerful, while
+from time to time she fed him with bits of biscuit moistened with port
+wine from a bottle which the captain had given her for him, striving in
+every way to keep up his strength.
+
+He appeared to revive toward evening, and said he was better; but Star
+saw that he was very weak, and that it was only by great effort that he
+kept up at all.
+
+Another night passed, another day came, and still there was no sail to
+gladden their strained and aching eyes.
+
+The third day the captain said, with a stern brow and pale, compressed
+lips:
+
+“Our provisions are nearly gone—they will last only one more day;” and
+he shortened every man’s ration, giving Star alone a generous portion.
+
+She cast a pitying glance at the brave men toiling so uncomplainingly at
+their oars, and her heart sank as she thought what might be their fate.
+
+Patiently she munched a single biscuit, while she slipped all the rest
+out of sight, hoarding it to fight the grim, gaunt monster which she
+feared was fast overtaking them.
+
+Mr. Rosevelt had not been so well the day before; he was even worse this
+morning, and she was very anxious about him, for he would eat nothing,
+waving all food away with an expression of disgust, and only sipping a
+little wine occasionally, while he had become so weak that he could not
+sit up at all.
+
+“He won’t live two days longer,” she heard one sailor whisper to
+another, when, a little later, he had another attack which utterly
+prostrated him. “He is failing rapidly, and eats nothing to keep up his
+strength.”
+
+“He _shall_ live!” Star said to herself, with an impulse born of
+despair; for he seemed her chief dependence, and she had grown to regard
+him with very tender feelings.
+
+All night she watched over him, every half hour moistening his lips with
+wine, and forcing bits of biscuit soaked in it between them.
+
+Every time she heard him swallow, her heart leaped for joy, for it told
+her there was hope even yet.
+
+She had several squares of sea-bread in her pocket, for she had saved
+something from every meal, and she was determined, as long as her own
+strength held out, that she would faithfully minister to him.
+
+Sometimes she was very faint herself from want of food, but she would
+take a little water in her mouth and swallow it gradually, and thus find
+a relief for a time.
+
+The fifth day there was no food to give out—and, oh, the hollow eyes,
+the blanched cheeks and despairing hearts of that ill-fated party!
+
+Mr. Rosevelt was conscious, to Star’s great joy, but too weak to move
+hand or foot.
+
+The sixth day the courage and strength of the crew began to fail
+visibly, and two of the passengers fainted from hunger and weakness.
+
+Star felt wretchedly guilty, with food in her pocket and those hungry
+eyes looking so piteously into hers; but she knew there was not enough
+for a crumb apiece, while the life of her friend depended upon it.
+
+Mr. Rosevelt relapsed into partial unconsciousness quite early in the
+morning, and she was as pale and wan as a spirit, but the look of
+determination never left her face. She worked over the sick man
+constantly, forcing food into his mouth as often as she dared, while all
+the day long not a morsel passed her own white lips.
+
+Just at sunset a little white cloud was visible on the eastern horizon,
+then it became a line of smoke; a few minutes later sails were
+distinguishable, and soon the broadside of a steamer became distinct. A
+shout went up from the throats of the faithful crew, and with renewed
+courage and strength they bent every nerve to their oars.
+
+It soon became evident that their signal of distress had been seen, for
+the steamer changed her course and came proudly plowing the waters
+toward the suffering band, and an hour later those starving, almost
+helpless ones were tenderly taken from their peril and every want kindly
+ministered to.
+
+“What is it—where am I?” Mr. Rosevelt asked, aroused by the sound of
+strange voices, a vigorous rubbing, and an extra quantity of wine.
+
+“A steamer homeward bound, and _we are saved_!” Star whispered in his
+ear, then bowed her white face upon her hands and wept for joy.
+
+She would not leave him until the ship’s surgeon told her that he would
+pull through all right with proper care, and commanded that she go below
+and receive the attention she herself needed.
+
+She staggered to her feet, a great burden rolling from her heart; but
+her waning strength deserted her entirely, and she fell fainting into
+the arms of a young, manly looking fellow, who was standing with pitying
+face just beside her.
+
+He carried her below and gave her into the care of a stewardess, and
+thought, as he did so, that he had never in his life looked upon a face
+so pure and delicately lovely.
+
+The captain and crew of the ill-fated steamer, with the other passengers
+who had been saved, were shown every kindness and attention which their
+critical condition demanded, and so ended that season of horror, and
+they were borne swiftly and safely toward America’s hospitable shore.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER III.
+                          THE YOUNG STRANGER.
+
+
+Mr. Rosevelt began to mend at once under the skillful treatment of the
+ship’s surgeon, and to regain his strength much more readily than the
+young girl who had been so faithful to him.
+
+He had been in a very dangerous condition, the physician said, and
+doubtless would have died but for the unremitting attention which Star
+gave him, in keeping his head cool and wet, and in forcing food upon him
+to keep up his strength.
+
+Mr. Rosevelt heard this with evident emotion, and during the remainder
+of the voyage evinced the greatest tenderness for her.
+
+They had not made much progress in their frail life-boat,
+notwithstanding the unrelaxing energies of the sailors, and found that
+they were still five days from New York when they were picked up by the
+other steamer; and although somewhat weakened by hunger and suffering
+and the intense cold, yet none appeared to be seriously affected by
+their experience, and a day or two served to make a great change for the
+better in them all.
+
+On the evening of the second day after their rescue, Star consented to
+be carried up on deck; the day was keen and cold, but the sun was bright
+and inviting.
+
+She was very wan and pale, but possessed a delicate beauty that
+attracted every one.
+
+They took her directly to Mr. Rosevelt, and she gave him her thin hand
+without a word. He, too, looked so thin and white that the tears sprang
+to her eyes, and she could not speak.
+
+“Dear child,” he said, tremulously, and taking it in both of his, “they
+tell me that but for your unwearied efforts I should have died. I have
+no words adequate to thank you for the gift of my life; but, little
+Star, I shall never forget it.”
+
+She could not talk much, she was still too weak, but she was glad to be
+near him, and gave him as bright a smile as she could summon to her
+lips; and then, chancing to glance another way, she found a pair of
+dark, handsome eyes fixed earnestly upon her face.
+
+They belonged to the young man in whose arms she had fainted upon
+finding that they were all safe once more.
+
+He lifted his hat respectfully as he caught her glance, and then
+advancing, said, courteously:
+
+“I trust the young lady is much better this morning.”
+
+Star bowed a somewhat cold assent, for she had been very carefully
+reared by her refined mother, and taught to be rather shy of strangers.
+
+Then, thinking that was but a poor return for his interest in her
+welfare, she said, with a rising flush, for there was no mistaking the
+look in those fine eyes:
+
+“Thanks; I am very comfortable this morning.”
+
+Mr. Rosevelt smiled. He had noticed Star’s reserve, and it pleased him.
+
+“She is a little lady,” he thought; then he said aloud, with a look at
+the young man, though he spoke to her: “I am very fortunate in finding
+friends, for since you have been confined to your state-room, this young
+gentleman—though I have not yet learned his name—has ministered to me in
+a manner most kind.”
+
+Star’s eyes glowed at this, and she vouchsafed the young stranger a
+smile that set his heart bounding.
+
+“I am afraid, though, that you are feeling far from well even yet,” she
+said, with an anxious glance into Mr. Rosevelt’s face.
+
+“Pretty well—pretty well, little one, for an old codger like myself, who
+has seen a good many rough times. I’m a trifle weak yet, but time will
+help that. We have had a narrow escape however, and you have proved
+yourself a heroine.”
+
+Star colored slightly at this compliment, and shot a shy look at the
+young stranger of the dark eyes. Then she leaned wearily back in her
+chair, tired with the exertion she had made.
+
+The young man turned abruptly and walked away, but he soon reappeared,
+bearing a beautiful reclining steamer-chair, cushioned with crimson
+velvet, a couple of elegant rugs, and a silken pillow.
+
+“Your chair is hard and uncomfortable, Miss Gladstone; pray allow me to
+substitute this one and wrap you more warmly. The air is cold, even if
+the sun is bright and genial,” he said, in a way that could not offend
+the greatest stickler for propriety, without even taking into
+consideration the license allowed on shipboard.
+
+Star could not refuse this act of courtesy, and the chair and soft, warm
+rugs, with the bright, silken pillow, did look inviting.
+
+She let him assist her into it, arrange the rugs about her, and smiled
+her thanks for his kindness, while she looked bewitchingly lovely with
+her fair cheek resting on the crimson pillow.
+
+“Your shawl is unfastened at the throat,” he said, seeing that it had
+fallen away, and fearing she would take cold.
+
+She put up her hands to fasten it, and found that she had lost the pin.
+
+Her young attendant noticed it, and drawing a scarf-pin from his
+neck-tie—a pin with a beautiful cameo head—he passed it to her.
+
+“Can you make this do for the present?” he asked.
+
+She took it, noticing the exquisitely carved stone as she did so, and
+pinned her shawl closely once more.
+
+When he saw that she was as comfortable as he could make her, he stepped
+back a pace or two, and drawing a card from a pocket, wrote something
+upon it, and then passed it to Mr. Rosevelt, saying, with a frank smile:
+
+“I presume you think it is high time that I introduced myself; pardon my
+neglect upon that point.”
+
+The old gentleman took the card and read the name:
+
+“Archibald Sherbrooke.”
+
+He bent a searching look upon the young man’s face for a moment, but the
+frank, honest eyes met his with such a genial expression that he could
+not harbor a doubt of him, and he said, cordially:
+
+“Thank you, Mr. Sherbrooke; I am glad to know your name. Mine is
+Rosevelt—Jacob Rosevelt—and this young lady allow me to introduce as
+Miss Star Gladstone,” he concluded, turning with a smile to Star.
+
+Mr. Sherbrooke bowed to Miss Gladstone and raised his cap in the most
+gallant manner; while Star, thinking what a nice-sounding name
+Sherbrooke was, and what a nice-looking man its owner was, acknowledged
+his salutation with a charming smile and blush.
+
+The trio soon fell into an easy chat, which lasted more than an hour,
+while the young girl grew more and more like herself. Several times she
+forgot that she was weak or had been ill, in listening to the gay things
+to which her new acquaintance gave utterance, and she indulged in a
+hearty, joyous laugh, her face dimpling and flashing, her eyes gleaming,
+her golden hair fluttering about her white forehead, until young
+Sherbrooke thought her the loveliest girl he had ever seen.
+
+He lingered long by her side, looking into her face with earnest,
+honest, admiring eyes, listening to her clear, sweet tones, and exerting
+himself to make himself agreeable to her; while Mr. Rosevelt sat and
+watched them with a sense of pleasure in their enjoyment, and never
+dreaming of the mischief brewing under his very eyes.
+
+Star told the young man all about the terrible explosion, their
+expectation of death when they found the vessel on fire, their
+subsequent sufferings and terror while drifting about in the life-boat;
+while her voice grew low and thrilling as she spoke of her feelings when
+she began to realize that their provisions were falling short, and she
+feared they would starve to death on the trackless ocean.
+
+“If the captain had not been so generous to begin with,” she said, “it
+would have been better for all of us. Mr. Rosevelt cautioned him, but he
+appeared to think that some vessel would surely overtake us in a day or
+two. But after that I saved my sea biscuit; I put away half of what was
+given me every time; and if I had not done so, he”—with a shy glance
+toward her friend, and dropping her voice—“would never have lived, for
+when the captain found he was too ill to eat he gave his share to the
+other men. He gave me a bottle of wine, though, for him, and I soaked
+the biscuit in it and crowded it into his mouth when he was too
+unconscious to feed himself.”
+
+“And did _you_ go without necessary food to do this?” Archibald
+Sherbrooke asked, with pitying eyes, and a feeling almost of reverence
+for the beautiful, self-denying girl.
+
+“I am young and strong; I knew it would not do me such serious harm to
+get weakened by hunger as it would him,” Star said, evasively; “and,
+besides——”
+
+“Besides what?”
+
+Star’s lips quivered, but she answered, in a hushed tone:
+
+“I knew it was right to do _all_ that I could to save his life, and it
+gave me something to think of besides myself; and I knew, too, if we all
+_must_ die, the—suffering would be _shorter_ if I did not eat.”
+
+“But you were dreadfully hungry, were you not?” persisted her
+questioner, feeling a sort of horrible fascination in the subject, yet
+shuddering over the dreadful story.
+
+“You will not tell _him_?” Star said, with a little motion of her hand
+over her shoulder to indicate Mr. Rosevelt.
+
+“No.”
+
+“Yes, I _was_ fearfully hungry,” she went on, with a shiver at the
+remembrance, and she grew very white. “Ever so many times, when I was
+soaking the biscuit for him, it smelled so good that I would raise it to
+my lips before I was aware of what I was doing; but the thought always
+came to me in time—‘he will die if I eat it.’ There was only a _very
+little_ left that last day, and I knew if he died I should always feel
+as if my selfishness killed him if I deprived him of it, and I was
+saved.”
+
+“I think you are the noblest girl that I ever heard of, Miss Star,”
+young Sherbrooke exclaimed, with reverent enthusiasm.
+
+“Amen!” said Mr. Rosevelt’s tremulous voice, close beside them.
+
+“Oh!” cried Star, starting and flushing, while the tears sprang into her
+eyes. “I did not mean that you should ever know——”
+
+“You didn’t, eh?” the old man interrupted. “I thought so; and when I saw
+you two talking so earnestly together, I imagined that you were giving
+our young friend a few facts which I wished to know myself, so I got up
+from my chair and came to listen. They told me,” he went on, with
+emotion, after a moment, “that you saved my life; but, oh! child, you
+should not have tried to do it by sacrificing your own; and you would
+have done it on the steamer also. I shall never forget it of you, little
+one, you may be sure.”
+
+He laid his hand gently on her head a moment, then turned and left them,
+to hide the tears that were welling to his own eyes.
+
+“He has friends who doubtless are waiting for him,” Star said, jumping
+to conclusions, and as if to excuse herself for sacrificing so much,
+“while _I_ have nobody since papa and mamma died.”
+
+“But you are so young and”—so beautiful, he came near adding, but
+something in her earnest, uplifted eyes restrained him from speaking so
+familiarly, and he added, solemnly—“and it must be so hard to die with
+all the world before you.”
+
+“Yes, if you have dear ones who love you,” Star returned, with a
+deep-drawn sigh.
+
+A wistful look shot into the young man’s eyes at this.
+
+“You have no parents, then?” he inquired, in tones of sympathy.
+
+“No. Mamma died more than a year ago, and papa has been gone three
+months. I have no brothers or sisters, no home, only some distant
+relatives in America whom I have never seen. They promised papa to give
+me a home until my education is completed, when I intend to teach.”
+
+“Was your home in England?”
+
+“Yes, in Derbyshire. Papa was a clergyman in Chesterfield.”
+
+“Was your home in Derbyshire?” Archibald Sherbrooke asked, with a slight
+start, while his face lighted.
+
+“Yes; were you ever there?”
+
+“Often.”
+
+“Isn’t it a lovely country?” Star asked, eagerly, so glad to meet one
+who knew where her home had been. “Can you imagine anything more
+delightful than a drive or a canter across the Derbyshire moors?”
+
+“No, indeed. I have often galloped over them,” he said, and then they
+fell to talking of other places that they knew; and when at last the
+dinner-bell rang, Star said, with sparkling eyes and cheeks in which the
+color was beginning to return:
+
+“I am hungry—really, naturally hungry, and I feel ever so much better.”
+
+Every day after that, during the remainder of the voyage, Archibald
+Sherbrooke sought the companionship of Mr. Rosevelt and his lovely young
+charge—for as such he regarded her.
+
+They became the best of friends, and the brilliant young Englishman
+seemed to arouse all that was brightest and liveliest in Star’s
+composition, so that as her sweet, clear laugh rang out, and she replied
+to his jests with merry wit and repartee equal to his own, many of the
+passengers paused in their conversation or lifted up their eyes from
+their books to smile at the cheerful sight and sound.
+
+The last day of the voyage came, and during the afternoon the two young
+people were pacing the upper deck, arm in arm, when Archibald Sherbrooke
+suddenly stopped, and pointing toward a distant city of spires and
+domes, said:
+
+“Ah! we are nearing New York. A few hours more and we shall be there. Do
+you know, Miss Star, I shall be sorry to bid you ‘good-by?’”
+
+The young girl’s bright face clouded at these words. A hot flush mounted
+for an instant to her brow, and her white lids drooped over her
+beautiful eyes.
+
+“You, of course, expect friends to meet you on your arrival,” her
+companion continued, after a moment of silence.
+
+“I do not know,” she answered, with a troubled look. “I did expect that
+some one would meet me upon the arrival of the other vessel, but now
+that we have had such trouble, I am afraid there will no one come for
+me, and I shall be obliged to go to Brooklyn alone.”
+
+“That will not be at all difficult, since Brooklyn is only just across
+the river from New York. If you know the street and number where your
+friends live, you can easily find them,” returned the young man,
+encouragingly.
+
+Star started and looked blank at his words.
+
+“The street and number were written in my diary. That was lost on the
+vessel. I did not think, in my haste, to get it,” she said, in dismay.
+
+“Whew! that makes matters rather complicated for you, then; but never
+mind, the captain will know what to do about it, and I feel sure that
+you will have no trouble. It is probable that the pilot-boat, when it
+returned, after leaving the pilot with us, took back the news that some
+of the passengers from the wrecked steamer were with us, and your
+friends may hope that you are among them, and come to ascertain.”
+
+Star was greatly cheered by this view of the matter, and made up her
+mind to wait patiently for whatever was to come.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER IV.
+                             MRS. RICHARDS.
+
+
+It was very late when the stately ship rolled slowly up to her pier, too
+late for the customs officers to visit her that night, and the impatient
+passengers were forced to wait until morning to appear before them and
+undergo that much dreaded ordeal of taking oath upon their possessions,
+dutiable or otherwise.
+
+But early the next morning the hurry and bustle began, and there was the
+usual rush to claim baggage and get away as soon as possible from the
+place where they had spent so many monotonous days.
+
+Star had no baggage to claim, and, not knowing what else to do, she sat
+still in the saloon and waited, watching the departing people with
+mingled feelings of curiosity and sadness.
+
+Mr. Rosevelt had told her not to be anxious about her own fate, for he
+should see that she was kindly cared for, and if her friends did not
+come for her, he would provide for her until they could advertise her
+arrival in the papers. It was unfortunate, he said, that she lost their
+address, since it would be liable to cause something of a delay in
+reaching her destination. So, while he went to arrange some little
+matter with the captain, she sat and watched the hurrying crowd.
+
+Archibald Sherbrooke came to seek her there, and found her alone.
+
+“I’m off!” he said, with animation. “I’ve got through with the customs,
+and have come to wish you good-by. Mr. Rosevelt says he is going to take
+care of you. I hope everything will come out right for you, Miss Star,
+and that you’ll find a pleasant home with your friends. I’m very sorry
+that you’ve lost their address, for I’d call and see you before I go
+back to England if I knew where to find you. I trust, however, that we
+shall meet again, sometime; and—will you please always consider me your
+friend?”
+
+He placed a card in her hand as he spoke, and she saw that his address
+was written upon it.
+
+“Thank you,” she said, with a rising flush. “I shall never forget you,
+for you have been very kind to me. But wait—I nearly forgot to give you
+your pin,” she concluded, suddenly remembering that she still had it,
+and she took the beautiful cameo head from her shawl and held it out to
+him.
+
+“Please keep it as a souvenir,” he said, gently, adding: “And I wish you
+had something to give me in exchange.”
+
+“I’ve lost everything, you know. I could give you naught but a ‘tress of
+my yellow hair,’” Star said, with a light laugh, and lifting the heavy
+braid which lay over her shoulder with a look of mock dismay.
+
+“Oh, _would_ you?” he asked, eagerly, and taking her literally at her
+word.
+
+“It would be but a poor return for this lovely cameo,” she answered,
+flushing beneath his eager glance.
+
+“No, indeed, it would not,” he returned, earnestly. “May I have just a
+lock of its shining gold, please, Miss Star?” and his fingers touched
+the massive braid almost tenderly.
+
+“I have nothing with which to cut it off, and—I’m afraid it would be
+very foolish,” she said, with drooping eyes, but a quickly beating
+heart.
+
+For answer, he drew a tiny pair of scissors from one of the pockets of
+his vest, and held them out to her with a smile.
+
+She took them hesitatingly, her delicate face crimsoning even to the
+light locks which lay upon her forehead; then, with a hand that was not
+quite steady, she clipped a silken tress from among the curling ends
+below the blue ribbon with which the braid was tied, and laid it, with
+the scissors, in his extended hand.
+
+“Thank you; I shall always keep it,” he said, with glowing eyes, as he
+put it carefully between the leaves of a small notebook which he took
+from another pocket.
+
+Then he took her hand in a warm, strong clasp, and, with a reluctantly
+spoken farewell, a lingering, wistful look into her lovely blue eyes, he
+went away.
+
+As he disappeared through one door-way of the saloon, the figure of a
+woman, clad in plain dark robes, entered by the other, and threw a
+quick, searching glance around the place.
+
+“I’m in search of a girl named Stella Gladstone,” she said, in sharp,
+incisive tones, as her eyes fell upon our lone Star.
+
+The young girl took a step forward, her earnest glance fastened upon
+that plain yet not unkind face.
+
+“I am Stella Gladstone,” she said, simply.
+
+The woman looked at her keenly for a moment, and her homely countenance
+softened into something like pity as she noticed her delicate beauty.
+Then she said, bluntly:
+
+“Well, miss, if I was ever thankful to set eyes on anybody, I am on you,
+or I’m much mistaken. I’ve lain awake o’ nights thinking of you, ever
+since we heard that the vessel in which you sailed was lost at sea. If I
+got asleep at all, I’d wake with a start from horrid dreams, where I
+seemed to see you drowning and heard your dreadful cries. Two days ago
+another vessel came in, bringing in some of those who had been wrecked.
+We got the news in the paper the night before they landed, and
+madam—Mrs. Richards, my mistress—sent me down posthaste next morning to
+see if you was among them. Of course you wasn’t, so I went home and
+dreamed all night again. Last night news came that more had been
+rescued, and would land at this pier this morning, so I was posted off
+again to find you if possible. Well,” she continued, heaving a deep sigh
+of relief, “I’ve got you at last, and I hope I sha’n’t dream about you
+to-night. Of course you ain’t overstocked with baggage?” she concluded,
+with a grim smile.
+
+“No, I have nothing; everything was lost,” Star replied, while her
+large, earnest eyes studied her companion’s face, and she wondered what
+relation she bore to her, and who “Mrs. Richards,” “madam,” and “my
+mistress” were.
+
+“More’s the pity for _you_, then, or I’m much mistaken,” the woman said,
+with a peculiar compression of her thin lips.
+
+Then she added, with more of animation than she had yet displayed:
+
+“But, bless me! I suppose you’d like to know who I am, and won’t be much
+surprised when I tell you my name is Blunt; my name is like my nature,
+and I’m madam’s—Mrs. Richards’ housekeeper. A pretty time of it I have,
+too, or I’m much mistaken; though one can put up with considerable where
+their bread and butter and ‘fixin’s’ are concerned. But come, it’s time
+we were off. Have you had your breakfast?” she concluded, seeing that
+Star had grown rather pale, and thinking she might be faint and hungry.
+
+“Yes’m,” she answered, while a wistful expression stole into her eyes,
+and she stepped back and looked over the railing into the dining-room
+below, hoping to see Mr. Rosevelt. She felt as if she _could not_ go
+away without saying farewell to her kind fellow-traveler.
+
+But he was nowhere to be seen, and she saw that Mrs. Blunt was
+impatient.
+
+“If you please,” she said, timidly, “might I just wait a few minutes to
+say good-by to a gentleman who has been very kind to me?”
+
+“Lor’, child! it’ll be no use; you’ll never find him, and almost
+everybody has gone already. Probably he’s in the hands of the customs,
+having his trunks overhauled, and won’t want to be bothered,” Mrs. Blunt
+returned, good-naturedly, but really very anxious to get back to her
+interrupted duties.
+
+“But he has no trunks; he was on the wreck with me, and he told me to
+wait here for him,” Star persisted, almost ready to weep at the thought
+of going without seeing him.
+
+“I’m sorry, miss, but madam will be having one of her tantrums if I am
+not back shortly, as there’s company to dinner to-day, and it’s nearly
+ten o’clock now,” Mrs. Blunt, returned, a trifle indifferently.
+
+She turned as she spoke and led the way from the place, and Star was
+forced to follow her, striving hard to repress the sobs that were
+struggling in her bosom over her disappointment; and when, half an hour
+later, Mr. Rosevelt came to seek her, he was as much disturbed to find
+her gone as she had been to go.
+
+He made inquiries regarding her, and was told that some one had come for
+her and taken her away, but no one knew whither she had gone.
+
+This relieved his mind somewhat as to her safety, but did not lessen his
+disappointment at thus losing sight of her and not knowing where to seek
+for her; but he was forced to go his way and bear it as he could.
+
+Mrs. Blunt and her sad-hearted charge walked quickly from the steamer,
+and having no baggage, she immediately called a carriage, and hurrying
+Star into it, gave her order to be driven to a Brooklyn ferry.
+
+Crossing the river, they took another carriage, and a half hour’s drive
+brought them to a stately dwelling in a fashionable portion of the city.
+
+“There, child!” Mrs. Blunt ejaculated, as the carriage stopped; “we’re
+home, and I’m glad of it, for you’ve caused me a heap of anxiety first
+and last, or I’m much mistaken; but you’re safe and sound, thank Heaven,
+though you’re rather delicate-looking for what I imagine is before you;”
+this “much mistaken” individual prepared to alight, casting a look of
+honest pity into the face of the fair girl as she did so.
+
+Star looked surprised at this somewhat ambiguous speech, and would have
+liked to ask what it meant, but the woman gave her no opportunity,
+paying for and dismissing the carriage in her quick, energetic way, and
+then led her around to a side door and entered the mansion.
+
+Beckoning Star to follow her, she passed through a lofty hall and up a
+wide, thickly carpeted staircase, where on every hand there were
+evidences of wealth and luxury.
+
+Rapping upon a door at the front end of the upper hall, a voice bade her
+enter, and the woman opened it and passed in, and Star following, saw a
+handsome woman of perhaps forty years, dressed with great elegance and
+taste, sitting in a low rocker by a window.
+
+She turned an inquiring glance upon Mrs. Blunt as she advanced. She
+could not see Star, as she was directly behind her and hidden by her
+tall figure.
+
+“Well, madam, I’ve found her at last, and here she is,” she said, in a
+satisfied tone, and stepped one side to present the young girl.
+
+Madam heaved a sigh—it might have been of relief, it might have been the
+reverse; no one could have told which from the expression of her face—as
+she bent a critical glance upon the young stranger who had come to find
+a home in her house.
+
+She arose, came forward, and studied the fair, downcast face; for Star,
+after the first glance, knew she would receive no tender welcome from
+that cold, proud woman, and her heart sank like a dead weight in her
+bosom.
+
+Something like a frown gathered on the woman’s brow as she marked her
+exceeding loveliness.
+
+“Well, Stella, you have had a hard voyage,” she began, in smooth, cool
+tones, which made Star shrink from her and shiver slightly, they were so
+distant and devoid of feeling. “I am glad, however,” she went on, “that
+you are safe, and I hope, now that you are here and I am to give you a
+home, you will do your best to please me. You look very much like your
+mother as I remember her, although I trust your face will not prove as
+great a misfortune to you as hers did to her.”
+
+This last statement was made with some severity. Evidently Mrs. Richards
+was not pleased to find the new arrival so beautiful in face and figure.
+
+“Mamma unfortunate! How?” Star asked, surprise loosening her tongue.
+
+“Is it possible that you do not know how she disgraced herself and
+family?” madam demanded, sternly, as if in some way Star was to blame
+for said disgrace. “Have you never been told how a poor clergyman once
+preached in the church where your mother attended worship, fell in love
+with her pretty face, and finally persuaded her to marry him, to the
+utter disregard of her whole family, who were highly respectable
+people.”
+
+Star’s cheeks glowed hotly beneath this tirade, and her blue eyes flamed
+at this slur upon her idolized parents.
+
+“I do not consider mamma’s marriage anything of a ‘misfortune’ or a
+‘disgrace,’” she answered, with something of hauteur, and speaking very
+distinctly. “She was very happy all her life, and papa was a splendid
+man—a superior man.”
+
+Mrs. Richards smiled in a lofty kind of way, as she returned: “It is
+very natural, I suppose, that you should be your father’s champion;
+nevertheless he was not, socially, your mother’s equal, and she degraded
+herself in the eyes of all her family by marrying a penniless preacher,
+and a dissenter, too.”
+
+Star’s lips parted again, as if about to utter an indignant protest to
+this statement; but, with a wave of her white hand, Mrs. Richards coolly
+dismissed the subject and turned again to Mrs. Blunt.
+
+“I suppose everything belonging to her was lost,” she said.
+
+“Yes, madam; the poor child has nothing in the world save what she has
+on,” that woman answered, with a compassionate glance at Star.
+
+“That is awkward; but you can take her to the sewing-room and tell Miss
+Baker to measure her for a couple of dresses; tell her to make them from
+that piece of print that I purchased yesterday. Can you sew, Stella?”
+she asked, turning again to the young girl, whom she had not even
+invited to be seated.
+
+“Yes’m; mamma taught me to sew when I was quite young, and I have
+attended to my own wardrobe, with the aid of a seamstress, ever since
+she died.”
+
+“That is well. You can then assist Miss Baker about your dresses, and
+when they are completed I will arrange about your other duties. You can
+go now. Mrs. Blunt will show you the way to your room, where you can lay
+aside your shawl and hat and then go to the sewing-room.”
+
+Star gave the woman a stare of blank astonishment.
+
+She had been most delicately and tenderly reared; her education had been
+carefully superintended by her father, and the constant companionship of
+her refined and intellectual mother had made her a little lady in every
+sense of the word. She had been taught to be kind and courteous to every
+one; to sympathize with people in trouble; to rejoice with them in
+prosperity; and now this woman—this cousin to her mother—this human
+being, whom she knew her mother once saved from a dreadful death—had
+received her, after her long and perilous voyage, her suffering and
+hardships, in this unfeeling, indifferent way.
+
+She had not even taken her hand at greeting; she had looked her over and
+inspected her with a critical stare, as if she were some beast of burden
+that she was buying to toil for her. She had not offered her the
+commonest hospitalities of her house, or given her one kind word or
+look.
+
+She had instead simply, and in the coolest manner possible, commented on
+her marvelous escape from death, and then _insulted_ her by speaking
+disparagingly of her parents; and now she had dismissed her from her
+presence as if she had been a menial, ordered _two print dresses_ made
+for her, without a thought apparently of other clothing so necessary to
+her after being so long without a change of any kind.
+
+She took a step forward, her slight form drawn proudly erect, the hot,
+indignant blood surging over neck, face, and brow, and was about to
+demand the meaning of this strange treatment, when Mrs. Richards, seeing
+her intentions, said, haughtily, and in a tone not to be mistaken:
+
+“I told you that you could go, Stella. Did you understand me?”
+
+With a heaving bosom and flashing eyes, Star bowed with a sort of
+stately grace, turned and followed Mrs. Blunt from the room with the
+step of a queen; but when the door was shut behind them, she stopped and
+confronted that good though eccentric woman with an aspect which, to say
+the least, astonished her.
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER V.
+                         BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT.
+
+
+“What does this mean?” she demanded, passionately. “Why am I received in
+this strange, this heartless manner, by my mother’s cousin? Why does she
+presume to cast aspersions upon my father and mother, and talk about
+print dresses, and assigning me duties as if I were a mere servant?”
+
+Mrs. Blunt’s breath was fairly taken away by these swift, indignant
+sentences and questions, and she could only gaze at the young girl in
+speechless surprise for a few moments.
+
+Star was wondrously beautiful then, in spite of her soiled and
+disordered attire, with her flashing eyes, her blazing cheeks, her
+delicate, dilating nostrils, her scornful, curling lips, and proudly
+poised head.
+
+“What does it mean, I say?” repeated Star, impatient at the woman’s
+silence.
+
+Mrs. Blunt found her tongue at last.
+
+“Mercy on us, child!” she ejaculated, her astonishment extending to her
+tones. “You’ve a temper of your own, or I’m much mistaken; and you’ll
+need it, too, if you’re going to live in this house.”
+
+Then she added, more thoughtfully:
+
+“I’m afraid, miss, you’ve come over here with a wrong impression—I
+really _am_.”
+
+“What do you mean?” Star asked. “How have I come with a wrong
+impression?”
+
+“What did you expect when you started to come to America to live with
+Mrs. Richards?” the housekeeper asked, evading her questions by putting
+another.
+
+“I expected that my mother’s cousin, who papa said, was very wealthy,
+and able to take care of me, and had promised him to do so, would give
+me a place in her home as a member of her family, and give me an
+opportunity to perfect my education, so that I might be able, by and by,
+to take care of myself. This was what my father understood her promise
+to me to mean—this was what I expected. But from the reception she has
+given me—cold and heartless—and as I would not have received the meanest
+beggar who came to my door—from disrespectful and insulting remarks
+about my parents, and what she said about my ‘duties’, I am afraid that
+my position here will not be a pleasant one.”
+
+Mrs. Blunt’s homely face was full of pity as she listened to what Star
+said.
+
+“Poor child,” she began, “you have expected entirely too much, and
+perhaps it would be a mercy to tell you at once how mistaken you are if
+you think you are going to find a pleasant home and a chance to get much
+of an education _here_. When madam got your father’s letter and knew
+that you were soon to be an orphan, she said at once that it was ‘just
+the thing,’ and you would do nicely to supply the place of Maggie Flynn,
+the chamber and errand girl, and who was not exactly trustworthy. She
+said the ‘English peasants always made good servants,’ and as you were
+young and would be wholly dependent on her, she could train you
+according to her own notions. And, to make a long story short, you are
+to make beds and do chamber-work generally, wait upon madam and run of
+errands.”
+
+And the housekeeper heaved a sigh of relief that the difficult
+explanation was over. And difficult it was, with those glittering
+sapphire eyes fixed so intently upon her, and that beautiful face
+gleaming with scorn and indignation.
+
+“In other words, she intends to make a servant—a slave of me,” she said,
+with quiet sarcasm, but uplifted head.
+
+“Ye-es—if you must put it so, miss,” Mrs. Blunt admitted, reluctantly.
+
+“What wages am I to expect?” and the clear young voice rang with intense
+scorn.
+
+“Wages?”
+
+“Yes, _wages_. What did she pay Maggie Flynn?” Star demanded, with a
+bitter smile.
+
+“Six dollars a month; but—but I don’t think madam has thought about
+wages for _you_. She is to give you a home for what you can do; and
+besides what I have told you, you are to wait upon Miss Josephine, who
+is not sparing of her commands, either.”
+
+“Who is Miss Josephine, pray?”
+
+“The young lady of the house—Mrs. Richards’ daughter.”
+
+“How old is she?”
+
+“Just turned eighteen.”
+
+“Two years my senior,” murmured Star, reflectively. “Well, Mrs. Blunt,”
+she added, after a moment or two, and looking up with a clearer face,
+“show me to my room, please, and let me have a good bath, for I need
+refreshing sadly. If only I might have some clean underclothing to put
+on,” she added, wistfully.
+
+“You shall,” the woman quickly returned. “I suppose madam never thought
+of it, and it is a shame. There, wait here,” she added, as she threw
+open the door of a small room on the front of the house in the third
+story, “and I will bring you a change of Miss Josephine’s. They will be
+a trifle too large, but never mind so that you’re comfortable.”
+
+She sped away, and as Star removed her hat and shawl she looked about
+her.
+
+The room was very scantily furnished, but it was clean, and as there was
+only a single bed in it, she knew she was to have it to herself—a point
+which she congratulated herself upon, as it would have been very
+obnoxious to her to room with one of the servants.
+
+Mrs. Blunt soon returned, bringing clean, fresh garments, and Star felt
+that she had never realized before how great a luxury cleanliness was.
+
+“You can go to the bath-room at the end of the hall,” she said, laying
+them over Star’s arm. “I have fixed the tub for you, lining it with a
+clean sheet, so that you need not feel shy about using it. I know you’ll
+feel a great deal better after it; then I’ll come to you again in a half
+or three-quarters of an hour, and take you to Miss Baker; and—I
+forgot—here’s a comb I’ve never used.”
+
+Star felt very grateful to the kind-hearted creature, and made the most
+of her opportunity.
+
+She had a refreshing bath, then combed out her luxuriant hair,
+re-arranging it as nicely and carefully as she had been taught to do in
+her own home, and when all was done she looked as bright and felt as
+fresh as a new creature.
+
+When Mrs. Blunt returned at the end of an hour, her plain face relaxed
+into a smile, though Star had thought that smiles were at a discount
+with her as a general thing.
+
+“Well, you _do_ look nice, or I’m much mistaken; and those
+hands!—they’re much too fine and nice, in my opinion, for drudgery;” and
+the woman glanced admiringly at those small members, of which, to be
+truthful, Star _was_ a little proud.
+
+“Well, I am ready to go to Miss Baker,” she said, with a little sigh.
+“It is evident that I shall not be in a condition to do any kind of
+work, or drudgery, as you call it, until I am properly clad.”
+
+“She’s true blue, and it’s an abomination to make a servant of her,”
+muttered the housekeeper, as she led the way to the sewing-room.
+
+Miss Baker was in the midst of fitting a party-dress for Miss
+Josephine—a rather fine-looking girl, with black eyes and hair, a
+brilliant color, and a full, graceful figure.
+
+Mrs. Blunt introduced Star, and then gave Mrs. Richards’ orders about
+the “two print dresses.”
+
+“Goodness gracious! are you Stella Gladstone?” ejaculated the pet and
+pride of the Richards mansion, with a stare of surprise.
+
+Star bowed a cold assent to this rude salutation, and then walked
+quietly across the room and seated herself by a window.
+
+Miss Baker, however, had nodded and smiled kindly at her, and she felt
+sure that she should like the weary-looking seamstress.
+
+“Well, I guess mamma will be glad you have come,” Josephine pursued;
+“she has been nearly plagued to death with that Maggie Flynn—you’re to
+take her place, you know, as chambermaid and errand girl.”
+
+Star did not reply, and Miss Baker shot an indignant glance at the rude
+girl.
+
+The young stranger’s heart was swelling within her until it was nearly
+ready to burst with insulted pride and bitter disappointment. She had
+longed, when she had found herself alone in her room, to relieve herself
+with a burst of passionate weeping, but she dare not give way to it lest
+it should unfit her for everything during the day; but now it seemed as
+if she could not endure much more.
+
+She had never dreamed that such a reception as this awaited her.
+
+She had pictured to herself, many times, being drawn into the arms of a
+pleasant, gentle-voiced woman, who had loved her mother, and who would
+love her for that mother’s sake, if not for her own. She had thought to
+twine her arms about her neck, and, laying her head upon a sympathizing
+bosom, tell her of her dear parents, what their hopes and plans had been
+for her, and what her own desires for the future were, and expected to
+receive only kind and encouraging words in return.
+
+How different it all was, and how cruel that all her hopes must be
+crushed in this unfeeling way!
+
+She had been ambitious to become a cultivated woman and scholar, and to
+follow out her father’s plans for her education, and come up to his
+standard, which was a high one.
+
+But instead she found she was to be degraded to the level of a common
+servant, all her prospects destroyed, all her hopes crushed, and she
+felt as if she could not bear it.
+
+“I _will_ not submit to it. I _will_ not give up my hopes. _I will not
+be a servant_,” she kept saying over and over to herself, while she sat
+there and waited for Miss Baker to attend to her needs, and felt rather
+than saw Josephine’s impertinent inspection of her personal appearance.
+
+“You’ve got a wonderful head of hair,” that young lady at length
+observed, as she approached her after being released from the
+seamstress’ hands. “I think I never saw such a heavy braid before; and I
+believe it will just match Nellie Colton’s; she is papa’s niece. I’ll
+tell mamma to have a barber come and cut it off. Of course you can’t
+afford the time now to take care of it, and it would make such a
+splendid band for Nell.”
+
+Star regarded her in blank astonishment. The effrontery of this young
+lady was simply overpowering.
+
+“Indeed!” she at last quietly replied. “If Miss Colton is in need of a
+band of hair, she will doubtless find it at almost any hair store in the
+city. I intend to keep mine.”
+
+Miss Richards colored angrily, for Star’s great blue eyes met hers
+fearlessly, and her tone betrayed an independence which did not promise
+well for any tyranny which she might expect to exercise over her in the
+future.
+
+“You will do exactly as mamma desires, miss,” she cried and then turned
+and left the room.
+
+Star’s face was also very red, and she swallowed an angry sob as she
+turned to Miss Baker.
+
+“I am ready to sew,” was all that she could say.
+
+She longed to get some work into her hands, hoping thus to distract her
+thoughts from self and her bitter disappointment.
+
+The seamstress cut off the breadths of a skirt and gave them to her,
+pitying the pretty, yet despised, stranger from the bottom of her heart.
+
+“May I use the machine?” the young girl asked, glancing at that
+labor-saving instrument.
+
+“Do you know how?”
+
+“Yes’m.”
+
+“Very well. This is a Florence, and I will show you how to thread it.”
+
+“I know how, thank you. Mamma had a Florence, and I have often used it.”
+
+She arose, and going to it Miss Baker saw at once that she was fully
+capable of using it.
+
+All day long she stitched and sewed, working quietly, yet rapidly, and
+by night one dress was nearly completed.
+
+“You sew very nicely,” Miss Baker said, as she examined her work late in
+the afternoon, “and this print will make you a very neat dress. I wish
+Mrs. Richards would allow me to trim it, but she told me to make it
+plain. She is in a hurry about the other work.”
+
+Star said nothing to this, but after the seamstress had gone home, she
+cut and pieced together some dainty ruffles from some scraps that had
+been thrown aside; and all the long evening, while the family were down
+stairs entertaining visitors and making merry, she was sewing and
+finishing off the print dress, that she might have something fresh and
+clean for the morning.
+
+But she was, oh! so sad and lonely, and she could not help thinking of
+the previous night, when she had sat in the gay saloon of the steamer
+and chatted so sociably with Archibald Sherbrooke, and felt a strange
+thrill of happiness in sitting beside him.
+
+She had not been allowed to eat with the family during the day. She had
+not seen Mrs. Richards, and did not even know of how many members the
+household consisted. It was evident that she was to be ignored, except
+as her services were required, that she was to be made a drudge, and her
+proud young spirit resented it with all the strength of her nature.
+
+“I will never live so; I am above it. I am capable of better things, and
+I _will not_ consent to become a nonentity,” her heart kept saying, over
+and over again.
+
+But she was wholly dependent upon these people; her father had consigned
+her to their care. She had no money, save a letter of credit for a
+hundred pounds, the sum total realized from the sale of all the dear
+objects which she had been accustomed to see in her home since her
+infancy, and this she had been advised, by the lawyer whom Mr. Gladstone
+had chosen to settle his affairs, to consign to the care of Mr.
+Richards. But she had concluded since morning to say nothing about it to
+any one.
+
+She had no other friends; if she had possessed them she would have flown
+to them at once. She was a forlorn stranger among strangers, and she
+could see no way at present out of the difficulties surrounding her.
+
+She had eaten with Mrs. Blunt, who was very kind to her, and tried to
+tempt her appetite with all the daintiest bits upon the table; but the
+poor child was so sick at heart that she could scarcely swallow a
+mouthful.
+
+When Miss Baker came the next morning, she looked the surprise she felt,
+as she opened the sewing-room door and saw Star seated within, busily
+sewing upon the dress she had been making for Josephine the day before.
+
+And truly the young girl was a goodly sight to behold.
+
+Her beautiful hair had been brushed until it shone like satin, and then
+gathered into a simple knot at the back of her head—she did not intend
+to have it cut off, and she had dressed it in this way so as not to
+attract attention to it—while the clustering locks which fell over her
+forehead, almost touching her eyebrows, gave a piquant expression to her
+face. Her eyes were bright, in spite of her “night of tears” and longing
+for the dear old home and familiar faces over the sea; her cheeks
+delicately flushed, and the fresh print dress, which fitted her slight,
+graceful figure perfectly, and which she had so tastefully trimmed,
+could not have been more becoming if it had been made of the richest
+materials.
+
+“Why, Miss Gladstone, however did you manage to finish your dress, and
+put so much extra work into it, after I left last night?” the dressmaker
+asked, with some misgivings about madam’s approval when she should see
+it.
+
+“I managed it because I needed it,” Star answered. “I did not like to
+put on the dress I wore on the steamer again, it was so soiled and
+disfigured; and I ruffled it because I like pretty things and have been
+accustomed to them.”
+
+“I am afraid Mrs. Richards will object to so much trimming, for she was
+particular to mention that it should be ‘plain,’” said Miss Baker,
+glancing dubiously at the ruffles up and down the front, and at the neck
+and wrists.
+
+Star made no reply to this, but her red lips settled themselves a trifle
+more firmly, and her small head was lifted with a quick, proud movement,
+which told that she intended to exercise her own taste as far as she was
+able in the matter of her own wardrobe.
+
+The second morning after her advent at the Richards’ mansion, as she was
+descending to her breakfast, she suddenly encountered a portly but
+good-natured looking gentleman on the stairs.
+
+She glanced up at him, and was about to pass on with a slight though
+graceful salutation, when he stopped short and regarded her with
+surprise.
+
+“Halloa! who are you?” he asked, brusquely, yet not unkindly.
+
+Star colored a lovely pink, as she replied, modestly:
+
+“I am Star—or, I should say, Stella Gladstone.”
+
+“Stella—_Star_ Gladstone!” he exclaimed, in surprise. Then he added,
+with an appreciative glance at her golden head with its dainty
+forelocks, her great, star-like eyes, and red lips:
+
+“That sounds well—very appropriate, too, I should say. When did you
+arrive? We have been very anxious on your account.”
+
+Star’s scarlet lips curled slightly.
+
+It appeared that he had not been notified of her arrival—Mrs. Richards
+had not considered it necessary to speak of the welfare of one whom she
+intended to make her servant.
+
+They had been anxious on her account!
+
+_He_ might have experienced some uneasiness concerning her; his kind
+eyes and pleasant face seemed to indicate a good heart; but the other
+members of his family, she judged, would not have grieved so very much
+if she had really gone to the bottom of the ocean, as they feared she
+had.
+
+“I arrived the day before yesterday—Tuesday,” she said, somewhat coldly,
+in reply to his question.
+
+“Ah! I was in Chicago that day—reached home last night. You’ve had a
+pretty hard time, little girl, haven’t you?”
+
+“Yes, sir,” Star returned, wondering if he had any idea _how_ hard,
+while the tears rushed unbidden to her eyes at his kind tone. “I never
+expected to see land again,” she added, trying hard to suppress a sob,
+as she thought she would almost rather have died than come among such
+cold-hearted people as her mother’s cousin’s family appeared to be.
+
+“Well, well, you are safe now, thank Heaven, and you must try to be as
+happy as possible with us,” Mr. Richards said, still more kindly as he
+remarked her agitation.
+
+Star lifted her great eyes to his with a look of surprise. Could it be
+possible that he did not know the position she was destined to occupy in
+his household?
+
+It certainly appeared so, for he was looking down upon her with
+admiration and even something of affection.
+
+“Thank you, sir; you are very kind,” she said, with a sigh, as she
+turned sadly away and left him.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER VI.
+                            STELLA’S APPEAL.
+
+
+Star went down to the housekeeper’s room after her encounter with Mr.
+Richards, and ate her breakfast in a very thoughtful mood.
+
+Mrs. Blunt watched her curiously, and with a troubled expression on her
+honest face.
+
+“Child, if you don’t eat more you’ll die, or I’m much mistaken,” and she
+deftly slipped a dainty slice of buttered toast on her plate as she
+spoke.
+
+“Thank you, Mrs. Blunt, but I believe I am not very hungry this
+morning,” she returned, with a smile.
+
+“I should think not, indeed, nor at any other time. You haven’t eaten a
+‘square meal’ since you came into this house,” the good woman said, with
+an injured air.
+
+Star was too deeply occupied to heed it, and finishing her coffee in
+silence, arose and proceeded slowly up stairs to the sewing-room,
+intending to finish her other dress that morning.
+
+There was a look of resolution on her young face; her eyes gleamed with
+a new purpose.
+
+“I will do it,” she murmured, as she stood thoughtfully outside the door
+a moment, one small hand resting upon the knob. “I may as well make a
+bold stroke for myself at once, or I shall sink into nothingness. I
+_must_ have an education; I cannot—I _will_ not grow up ignorant, and
+have poor papa’s kind care in the past all go for nothing.”
+
+She turned the handle of the door and passed into the room.
+
+She found Mrs. Richards standing in the middle of the floor, holding up
+the unfinished dress in both hands, and inspecting it with no pleasant
+expression of countenance.
+
+She glanced at the young girl as she entered, and as her keen eyes ran
+over her dainty figure in its new and tasteful garment, her face grew
+dark.
+
+Star bade her a courteous “good-morning,” but she did not even deign to
+notice the salutation.
+
+“Who trimmed these dresses?” she demanded, sharply.
+
+“I did,” Star answered.
+
+“Who told you to do it?”
+
+“No one, marm; but I like things made pretty, and as there were plenty
+of pieces which could not be used in any other way, I made them up into
+ruffles.”
+
+Star spoke very quietly, but a bright red spot burned on either cheek.
+
+“You like ‘things pretty,’ do you? And that is the way you calculate to
+spend your time in this house, I suppose?” Mrs. Richards retorted,
+sarcastically.
+
+She received no reply, and continued:
+
+“The pieces you have cut up into senseless ruffles I intended you should
+make into patch-work for the servants’ beds during your odd minutes.”
+
+Star glanced at the numerous “senseless ruffles” which encircled the
+indignant matron’s ample figure, and thought there might be such a thing
+as a distinction without a difference.
+
+“I’ve half a mind to make you sit right down and rip off every one,”
+Mrs. Richards proceeded, still chafing over the matter, and flushing as
+she noticed Star’s glance and half read her thought. “The idea of a
+chambermaid with ruffles and furbelows! And I do believe that seamstress
+has made your dress so tight that you cannot breathe,” she concluded,
+pouncing upon the poor girl to make an examination of the offensive
+robe, for the slight, graceful figure before her was not at all pleasing
+to her.
+
+“No, marm, my dress is not tight; it only fits me nicely;” and Star’s
+slender fingers laid over quite a plait, thus showing that there was
+plenty of room for inflating her lungs to their utmost capacity.
+
+“Then you are laced,” persisted madam.
+
+“Laced?” repeated Star, who did not quite understand the obnoxious term.
+
+“Yes; your corsets are too tight.”
+
+“Oh! I never wear corsets; mamma did not approve of them.”
+
+Mrs. Richards bit her lips and colored with vexation. She was not
+showing to advantage in this controversy. It was clear that Star’s
+perfect form was the work of nature’s own hand, and she would be obliged
+to put up with it, unless she tied her up in a sack to hide its comely
+outlines.
+
+“Well,” she said, throwing aside the dress she had been examining, “I
+want you to come with me now; I am going to assign you your regular
+work. For one thing, you are to make all the beds in the house, except
+those in the servants’ rooms; then you are to keep Josephine’s and mine
+in order, wait upon us generally, and sew when there is nothing else to
+be done.”
+
+Star stood looking down at the carpet in a thoughtful way while her
+would-be task mistress reeled off these instructions; then she raised
+her eyes, which looked almost black instead of their usual beautiful
+blue, and fixed them full upon the woman’s face.
+
+“Did you understand,” she began, “when papa wrote to you, asking you to
+assume the guardianship of his only child and superintend her future
+education, that he had any idea that I should come into your family as a
+servant? I am sixteen years old, and although I have been taught to do
+many things in my home, and to do them well, I have never done any
+_hard_ work. I have spent most of my time in study, and papa left
+written instructions with me regarding my future course in that
+direction. I am very fond of music; I can paint and draw quite well, I
+am told, for one of my age, and papa wished me to keep on with these
+accomplishments, so far as I was able to and attend faithfully to the
+other branches of my education. I tell you this that you may understand
+something of the disappointment I have experienced, since my arrival in
+this country, to find that I was expected to fill the place of a common
+servant. Do you think my father intended you to make me such?”
+
+Mrs. Richards regarded the girl in astonishment, while her face grew
+crimson with shame and anger. She knew very well that Albert Gladstone
+had never dreamed that she would degrade his child in any such way. But
+Albert Gladstone was dead, and could not interpose to prevent it. She
+was obliged to curtail just now in some way, and when she found she must
+have this girl in her family, she had decided to dispense with the
+expense of one servant and impose the duties on Star.
+
+But she had not once imagined that she would dare question her right to
+do with her whatever she saw fit, and she was amazed as well as angry at
+the quiet dignity and independence with which she made these statements,
+and called her to an account of her duty to her.
+
+“I don’t know _what_ your father _intended_, or what _you expect_,” she
+returned, in cold, precise tones. “I know that he wrote me you would
+soon be an orphan; that you had hardly a friend in the world, and he
+would leave you almost a pauper. He asked me to superintend your
+education, so that you would be able to earn your own living by and by.
+I intend to do so; and as you have nothing save your own hands to depend
+upon in the future, I am going to begin by making you useful at once.
+Did you suppose you were going to drop into the lap of luxury, and be
+reared in idleness?” she concluded, with biting sarcasm.
+
+“No, marm,” Star returned, respectfully, yet not one whit abashed by the
+way Mrs. Richards had perverted the letter which her father had written.
+“I am willing to be useful—I _wish_ to be useful—I should be unhappy to
+be idle; but I am _very unwilling_ to be made a common drudge, with no
+time nor opportunity to pursue my education. You say I have nothing save
+my hands with which to earn my living. You are mistaken; I have
+_brains_, and I intend they shall serve that purpose.”
+
+“It seems to me that you are making a saucy tongue serve its purpose
+pretty early in the day,” retorted Mrs. Richards, an angry red leaping
+into her face.
+
+“I do not mean the least disrespect in what I have said, Mrs. Richards;
+but I cannot give up all the hopes and aspirations which my father has
+fostered all my life without making an effort to accomplish them. I am
+frank to confess,” Star continued, coloring, while her lips quivered
+slightly, “that from your reply to my father’s letter, I inferred that I
+should be received into your family as an equal, and that you would give
+me a mother’s care and counsel during the next three or four years of my
+life. Papa, I know, also understood it so, and died content, feeling
+that I should be well and kindly provided for.”
+
+Mrs. Richards felt very uncomfortable, for she knew that every word Star
+uttered was truth. She knew, too, that she was doing a mean and cowardly
+thing in making the bright and talented girl a servant; but she _must_
+have a house-maid. If she must curtail, she must do it in this way
+rather than in her own or Josephine’s wardrobe.
+
+“You are very impertinent, miss, and have been reared with altogether
+too high notions for one in your position,” she said, angrily. “You
+ought to be thankful for a roof to cover your head, and anything to
+cover your nakedness, coming here, as you did, destitute of everything.
+An equal in my family, indeed! Music, painting, and drawing! What will
+Josephine say to that, I wonder? And who did you suppose was going to
+foot the bills? It won’t do you any harm to have some of this
+independence taken out of you, and I’ll have you understand, once for
+all, that you will fill Maggie Flynn’s position in this house, or none.”
+
+Star bowed her proud head coldly. She saw that she was helpless for the
+present, and must yield to the inevitable.
+
+“Very well,” she said, calmly. “I understand from Mrs. Blunt that Maggie
+Flynn was about my age; that she had six dollars a month besides her
+board, and two evenings out a week. I will consent to fill her place,
+_for the present_, upon the same conditions.”
+
+“Upon my word!” exclaimed Mrs. Richards, in a towering passion at this
+unexpected proposition. “I never heard anything like it in my life! You
+forget that you are indebted to me for the very clothes you have on at
+this moment.”
+
+Star could hardly repress a smile at this calculating outbreak.
+
+“You have given me the print for two dresses,” she answered, with ready
+tact, “the cost of which, with us in England, would be four pence a
+yard. I have nearly made them myself, but you can deduct whatever you
+see fit, and I will attend to my own wardrobe in the future. If I do
+Maggie Flynn’s work, I must have Maggie Flynn’s pay and privileges,” she
+concluded, decidedly.
+
+“You will have nothing of the kind”—Mrs. Richards was fairly hoarse with
+anger. “You forget that your father has consigned you to my guardianship
+for the next few years, and you will do exactly as I direct you. But we
+have wasted time enough in this kind of talk. You are to come with me
+now; I will set you to work, and see if we cannot take down some of this
+English impudence.”
+
+Star followed the woman as she was bidden, without a word, thinking it
+best to discuss the question no further just then; but there was,
+nevertheless, a determined gleam in her glorious eyes; her form was as
+erect and proud, her step as firm as if she felt herself in every
+respect the equal of the woman who appeared bound to oppress her.
+
+All day long she was kept steadily at work; not a moment was she allowed
+to rest, except while she was eating. She made beds, swept and dusted
+rooms, and ran upon errands, until every bone in her slight body ached
+with weariness and her small feet were nearly blistered.
+
+Her delicate hands had never performed such menial duties before, nor
+had her gentle heart ever throbbed with such revengeful, rebellious
+feelings.
+
+It was eight o’clock before her hard mistress released her from her
+labors, and told her to go directly to bed, so as to be up early in the
+morning and sweep off the front steps before people should begin to
+pass.
+
+She went to her room as directed, but instead of retiring, she took from
+a drawer of her bureau one of the packages of papers which she had
+rescued from her state-room on that burning vessel, and, weary as she
+was, she again descended two flights of stairs, and approaching the
+library door, tapped gently upon it.
+
+A deep, manly voice bade her come in, and she entered with a firm and
+decided tread.
+
+Mr. Richards was sitting at his desk, engaged in answering some business
+letters.
+
+Star had timed her visit to him, for she had watched and seen him go
+into the library after tea was over.
+
+He looked up as she closed the door behind her, and his face relaxed
+into a kind smile as he saw who it was.
+
+The girl had interested him in the morning by her beauty, grace, and
+intelligence, but he had been so busy during the day that he had
+scarcely thought of her since.
+
+He did inquire for her at dinner, but there was company present, and his
+wife made some evasive reply. If the truth could have been known, she
+was rather reluctant to inform him what her intentions were regarding
+the young stranger.
+
+“Do I interrupt you, sir?” Star asked, modestly, but without advancing
+beyond the threshold.
+
+“Not at all, Miss Star. Come here and sit down; I am just through,” he
+answered, heartily.
+
+She went and stood before him. She did not wish to sit down; she could
+say what she intended to tell him better standing, she thought.
+
+“You spoke so kindly to me this morning,” she began, “that I have
+ventured to come to you for a little advice this evening.”
+
+“Spoke kindly to you! Why on earth shouldn’t I speak kindly to you?” he
+asked, in surprise.
+
+Then noticing her pale, weary face, he continued:
+
+“What under the sun have you been doing to-day? You look tired to
+death.”
+
+Star tried to smile, but she felt more like dropping her face upon her
+hands and sobbing aloud.
+
+She controlled herself with an effort, however, and putting some of her
+papers upon the table beside him, said:
+
+“I have brought you some papers which papa gave me just before—just
+before he died”—a sob would come in spite of her then. “One is a copy of
+a letter which he wrote to Mrs. Richards,” she went on, “and there is
+also her reply. Will you kindly read them, and tell me just what you
+understand by them?”
+
+“Certainly, if you wish,” he replied, looking a trifle surprised at her
+request.
+
+He motioned her again to a seat, then opened the letters and read them
+both through.
+
+“I understand,” he said, when he had finished them, “from your father’s
+letter that, believing he was soon to die, he wished to provide a home
+for you. He states that he has no friends or relatives in England with
+whom he would be willing to trust you; that he has next to nothing to
+leave you, and begs my wife, as the nearest of kin, to assume the care
+of you and your education until you are able to do something for
+yourself, trusting to Providence to reward her for her kindness to the
+orphan. He mentions that he feels assured she will do this, since she
+once entertained such tender feelings for his wife for the signal
+service which she once rendered her.”
+
+“Do you know what that service was?” Star asked, in a low tone.
+
+“No; I asked Ellen when I read the letter which she received, but she
+seemed to have forgotten to what he referred. Perhaps _you_ know,
+though?” Mr. Richards concluded, inquiringly.
+
+Star colored vividly.
+
+“Yes, sir,” she returned, with compressed lips.
+
+“Well, what was it? I should like to know.”
+
+“My mother was a Miss Chudleigh before her marriage, as you doubtless
+know, and she lived near Halowell Park, in Devonshire, where Mrs.
+Richards was once visiting, and it was during that visit that she saved
+her from drowning.”
+
+“Whew! Your mother saved my wife from drowning, eh?” cried Mr. Richards,
+in astonishment, and coloring as he remembered his wife’s indifference
+upon the topic when he had questioned her about it.
+
+“Yes, sir. Now will you please read Mrs. Richards’ reply to my father’s
+letter, and tell me how you interpret it?”
+
+Star did not care to dwell upon the subject of her obligation, since
+Mrs. Richards had seen fit to pass it by so lightly.
+
+“I interpret it just as it reads,” he said, after glancing over it;
+“that she would be very happy to grant your father’s request, do her
+utmost to make a good and useful woman of you, and follow out his wishes
+regarding your future education as nearly as she could.”
+
+“Yes, sir, that is the way papa understood it; that is the way I
+understand it,” Star said, rising and standing erect before him with a
+gravity that made him wonder what was coming next.
+
+“My father,” she continued, “as you know, was a clergyman with a very
+limited income, and he conducted my education himself until he became
+too weak to do so, therefore I am pretty well advanced for one of my
+years. I have read seven books in Virgil, have read two years in French,
+and am nearly through trigonometry, and have read a good deal in
+history. I was studying harmony in music when papa died, besides doing a
+little in painting and drawing. I do not tell you this,” Star
+interposed, with a sad smile, “to boast of what I have done, but that
+you may understand what my feelings are when I tell you why I came here
+to-night. Papa wished me to keep on with my Latin, reading Horace and
+Tacitus, with French, music, and history—in fact, he left a written
+programme for me to follow out as nearly as I was able. I am ambitious
+myself—I am _hungry_ for knowledge. I want a _thorough education_, and
+as I must in the future earn my own living, I know of no way so
+congenial to my feelings as through literary pursuits. Perhaps I made a
+mistake in appealing to you just now, but I could think of no other way
+out of my difficulties, for of course I am wholly ignorant of the
+manners and customs of this country. I mentioned these things to Mrs.
+Richards this morning——”
+
+And now Star’s voice trembled, and the beating of her heart nearly
+choked her, for she did not know how this man would receive her appeal
+to him against his own wife.
+
+“Well, and what did she say?” he asked, feeling somewhat perplexed over
+the matter.
+
+“She told me that I could not go on with my education as papa wished;
+that—I was to take the place of a girl named Maggie Flynn in your
+family.”
+
+“What!” exclaimed the gentleman, in tones of the most emphatic
+astonishment.
+
+“Maggie Flynn, I understand,” Star went on, gathering courage as she
+noted his surprise, “was a sort of chamber and waiting-maid, and Mrs.
+Richards says that I am henceforth to perform her duties. I cannot tell
+you,” she continued, earnestly, “how repulsive such a life would be to
+me—to give up all my hopes, to forget, in the ceaseless routine of such
+an existence, all that I have already acquired; and I have come to
+appeal to you—to ask you if you will not try and persuade your wife to
+allow me to continue my studies? I am willing to work, and work hard,
+but I _must_ have some time to improve and develop my mind. There are
+plenty of girls who can be employed in my place”—Star did not know of
+the curtailing business—“and who do not care for an education. Papa
+authorized a friend of his to dispose of his library and our household
+goods, and give the proceeds to me, after paying all bills. I have a
+letter of credit to the amount of a hundred pounds. I do not know the
+expense of schooling in this country, but could I not be sent to some
+institution for a year or two, and take this money to pay for it? I
+should be fitted by the end of that time, I think, to teach, and could
+relieve Mrs. Richards of all responsibility regarding my support.”
+
+Mr. Richards’ face was very stern when the young girl concluded, and
+Star, looking into it, felt almost frightened at what she had done.
+
+But she reasoned that her situation could not be much worse than it
+already was, and it demanded desperate measures.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER VII.
+                            A CONSULTATION.
+
+
+“What have you been doing to-day?” Mr. Richards asked, in cold, stern
+tones, after what seemed an interminable pause.
+
+Stella began to feel almost faint. That hard face, in which displeasure
+was the chief expression, did not look very promising for her cause; but
+she replied:
+
+“I have done all the chamber-work, swept and dusted five rooms, and
+waited upon Mrs. Richards.”
+
+“You are not accustomed to such work,” he said, glancing at her delicate
+hands.
+
+“Not to any such extent, sir. Mamma used to require me to take care of
+the music-room, besides my own, at home, for we could keep only one
+servant, and I _know how_ to sweep, and dust, and make beds,” Star
+concluded, with a slight smile.
+
+“I should say that you know a good many things for so young a lady,” Mr.
+Richards said, kindly, for he saw that she was nervous over what she had
+been telling him. Then he added, more gravely: “I will consult with Mrs.
+Richards, and I think that we can arrange for you to pursue your
+education as you desire.”
+
+Star flushed.
+
+She knew well enough that a mere consultation with Mrs. Richards would
+not secure much for her, and that she would be very angry with her for
+having appealed to her husband, and she made up her mind on the spot to
+make a bold stroke for her freedom.
+
+So meeting his eyes in a frank, fearless way, yet speaking with the
+utmost respect, she said:
+
+“I feel confident from the conversation which I had with Mrs. Richards
+this morning, that she will be very unwilling to make any change in her
+arrangements, so I will be perfectly frank and say to you, that much as
+I should dislike to take any radical steps in opposition to her, or my
+father’s desire that I should remain with her, yet I _cannot_ consent to
+remain here as a common servant, with no privileges or time to myself. I
+presume Mrs. Richards will say that, as she has been appointed my
+guardian, I shall have to do just as she desires. But I have read
+somewhere that when an orphan in this country reaches a certain age, he
+has the privilege of choosing a guardian for himself. Rather than be
+subjected to the fate of becoming a second Maggie Flynn,” Star
+continued, her voice gathering firmness, “I shall exercise that
+privilege. Thank you for listening so kindly to my troubles, and I trust
+I have not wearied you. Good-night.”
+
+Without waiting for him to reply, she inclined her head in a graceful
+bow, and quietly glided from the room.
+
+“By George!” exploded Mr. Richards, staring blankly after her retreating
+form, “that is what I call spirit. Make a common servant of such a girl
+as that, indeed! My lady and I will talk this matter over, and
+see—_what_ we shall see.”
+
+Half an hour later he sought an interview with his wife, and there
+followed “a consultation” in earnest.
+
+Mrs. Richards was dumfounded upon being informed of the decided stand
+which her spirited little ward had taken, and her indignation in
+consequence knew no bounds.
+
+“The impudent little beggar!” she ejaculated, crimson with rage. “Does
+she expect to rule me, or balk me like this? She will find herself
+greatly mistaken. I will give her a dose in the morning—‘_such_ a dose,’
+as Mr. Flintwinch was wont to remark to his beloved Affery.”
+
+“Ellen, you will do no such thing,” her husband returned, firmly. “Have
+you forgotten Mr. Gladstone’s letter to you and your reply to him? When
+you wrote accepting the guardianship of his daughter, you did so in a
+way to lead him to believe that you would do your best for her.”
+
+“And so I am doing my best for her,” interrupted his wife. “You have
+talked of nothing but retrenchment for the last six months, and I have
+_tried_ to retrench. I knew the coming of this girl would make an extra
+mouth to feed, so I made up my mind to make her useful, and save
+something if I could.”
+
+“Well, the child says she is willing to be useful, but you are not
+fulfilling your agreement by making a drudge of her. Mr. Gladstone
+understood that you would give careful attention to her education, which
+he evidently has conducted upon the most thorough principles, and he
+expected that you would fill as far as possible his place toward her.”
+
+“How do you know what I wrote to him? You did not see my letter,”
+demanded Mrs. Richards, angrily.
+
+“I have seen it to-night. The girl has it, and showed it to me; and now
+I want you to live up to your promises,” replied her husband, gravely.
+
+“She ought to be thankful that she has a roof to shelter her. Do you
+suppose I am going to allow her to interfere with Josephine’s rights?”
+
+“Certainly not; but this girl is exceedingly bright and pretty; let them
+become mates and share alike, and I’ll wager that Star will never abuse
+your indulgence,” Mr. Richards said, generously.
+
+“And who may ‘Star’ be?” demanded his wife, scornfully.
+
+“Why, Stella, of course—Star was the name, I suppose, by which she was
+known at home. Now, I insist,” he continued, with decision, “that this
+child be given a fair chance.”
+
+“How about retrenchment if you have _two_ fine young ladies to support
+instead of one?” sneered Mrs. Richards.
+
+“Oh, bother! we’ll make it up in some other way. I’ll sell one of my
+horses; you can give up a new gown once in awhile.”
+
+“Not if I know myself, Mr. Richards. I do not intend that this girl
+shall interfere with my comfort in the least degree,” interrupted the
+lady, with a frown.
+
+“Well, we will manage in some way; but,” he added, beginning to get out
+of patience with her selfishness and heartlessness, “I swear, if you
+won’t promise to treat her considerately, and she repudiates you as her
+guardian, I will get her to choose me in your place, and I’ll treat her
+like a young princess—send her to Vassar, or any other first-class
+school she may choose, regardless of the cost.”
+
+“George Richards,” cried his wife, with flashing eyes, “if you take up
+weapons against me in this way, I never will forgive you.”
+
+“Can’t help it,” he retorted, coolly. “I’ll not have that girl made a
+common drudge of in this house while I am master here. How you could
+meditate such a thing for a moment is more than I can understand. Where
+is the gratitude for the life which her mother saved for you so many
+years ago?”
+
+Mrs. Richards started slightly. She had not intended that her husband
+should ever know of the debt which she owed Star’s mother.
+
+“I suppose she had to twit you of that in order to gain her point and
+make you her champion,” she said, sarcastically.
+
+“No, indeed. I asked her what her father meant by his allusion to the
+service rendered you, and to which he referred in his letter, and she
+told me of course, though in a very modest way, that her mother once
+saved you from drowning. Now, I want you to change your tactics. I want
+you to allow her to be one of the family.”
+
+“I _never_ will do that, Mr. Richards, and it is useless for you to
+suggest it,” Mrs. Richards interrupted, hotly. “I could never endure the
+sight of the girl at my table after this, and Josephine, I know, would
+not consent to it. Any one can see by the course she has pursued
+to-night with you that she is full of art and intrigue, and would not
+hesitate to interfere with Josie’s plans and prospects.”
+
+“Oh, ho! you’re afraid she will outshine Jo, are you?” laughed her
+husband, good-naturedly. “I should think one would set the other off,
+Star being so light and Jo so dark, and I should really enjoy seeing two
+pretty girls flitting about the house.”
+
+“I will never put Stella Gladstone on an equal footing with my daughter,
+so you can cease arguing upon that point,” reiterated Mrs. Richards,
+with a positiveness that was not to be mistaken.
+
+“If you insist,” she continued, after a minute’s thought, “upon her
+being allowed to pursue her education, since she makes such a parade of
+being a bookworm, let her; I will not interfere. But _I_ insist, on the
+other hand, that she make herself useful. She must work about the house
+before and after school, and do something in return for her support—more
+than this I will not concede;” and Mr. Richards, having gained this
+point, considered that he had won quite a victory for his wife’s pretty
+ward.
+
+“Very well,” he said; “I presume she will be satisfied with this
+arrangement. She said she was willing to work if she might only be
+allowed to study.”
+
+“Satisfied or not, it is all the concession that I shall make; and mark
+my words, George, I shall not _love_ her any better for this
+interference on your part,” his wife said, hotly.
+
+“Fie, Ellen! I thought you had a warmer heart; and it would not sound
+well outside if it should become known that you were making a servant of
+a relative. It would make quite a stir, let me tell you, if she should
+appeal to the courts to have a new guardian appointed,” Mr. Richards
+returned, in a conciliatory tone.
+
+Thus the matter was settled, to Star’s great joy. Mr. Richards made
+arrangements at once for her to enter a select school for young ladies,
+which was located quite near their residence, and she began her
+attendance there the following Monday, having passed a most “creditable
+examination,” the principal informed her.
+
+When she was advised of this pleasant change in her life, she thanked
+Mrs. Richards in a few well-chosen words for consenting to it; but the
+irate woman shut her up instantly by saying:
+
+“You owe me nothing, and I wish the subject never mentioned again in my
+presence. You will assist about the chamber-work in the morning before
+it is time for you to go to school, and help Mrs. Blunt with the mending
+on your return in the afternoon. Miss Baker will attend to the provision
+of suitable clothing for you, and you will work with her Saturdays. Now
+we will consider this matter disposed of until such time as you may deem
+your education finished;” and with this heartless speech, Star was
+summarily dismissed from the august matron’s presence.
+
+She was greatly rejoiced with even this ungracious permission to pursue
+her studies, and the hours spent in the school-room were a source of
+great delight to her; but her position at home was anything but
+agreeable.
+
+Mr. Richards treated her kindly whenever he chanced to meet her, but his
+wife and daughter ignored her presence when they could do so; when they
+could not, they took pains to make her feel her obligations and
+dependence in the most uncomfortable manner.
+
+With Mrs. Blunt she was comparatively happy, for the woman, though
+brusque and peculiar, was very kind-hearted, seeming to have conceived a
+great liking for the lonely orphan; and often she would sit up late at
+night to get the piles of mending out of the way, in order that Star—who
+was studying very hard to make up for having entered school in the
+middle of a term—might have more time to herself.
+
+Miss Baker, the seamstress, too, was very kind to her, and her Saturdays
+were often passed very pleasantly in sewing and chatting in the cozy
+sewing-room.
+
+She left home at a quarter to nine in the morning, and did not return
+until half-past four in the afternoon, taking a luncheon and spending
+the nooning in the school-room.
+
+This was not done on account of the distance, but because the dinner
+hour at the Richards’ mansion conflicted with the school hours.
+
+By staying at noon thus Star gained an hour’s practice on one of the
+pianos, with no one to interrupt her, and this was a season of unalloyed
+delight to her. Nothing had been said to her about continuing her
+music—Mrs. Richards had vetoed all accomplishments on account of the
+extra expense—but she could not give it up, so pursued a course of
+faithful practice by herself.
+
+Not a moment was wasted. She arose with the dawn, and every morning for
+an hour she might have been seen bending over her small table, busily
+engaged in writing or study.
+
+All her duties were faithfully performed; beds had never been so well
+made before, rooms were never so carefully swept and dusted, or so
+tastefully arranged; and yet one would scarcely have mistrusted her
+presence in the house, everything was done so quietly and unobtrusively.
+
+This general exercise, together with her brisk walk before and after her
+school, was very beneficial to her health. She grew tall, and round, and
+rosy, and in beauty every day.
+
+Saturdays Miss Baker’s weary face would brighten as Star sat and chatted
+in a merry, entertaining way, whiling away the long hours, her busy
+fingers often lightening her labors when there was no sewing to be done
+for herself, until she began to love the sweet young girl with a deep,
+warm affection, and to look forward to those weekly diversions almost as
+if they had been angels’ visits.
+
+Star was very tasteful also, and often suggested changes in trimming and
+the arrangement of drapery, thus making great improvements in her work,
+while, in spite of Mrs. Richards’ commands that “everything for Miss
+Gladstone be as plain as respectability would allow,” she took pains to
+fit the young girl’s figure with great nicety, and added many graceful
+touches to her otherwise simple dresses.
+
+All winter long Star pursued this busy life, improving every moment to
+the best advantage, making every hour count; and one morning, getting
+through her work earlier than usual, she might have been seen stealing
+forth from that elegant mansion a half hour before the regular time, her
+cheeks flushed with some inward excitement, her eyes gleaming, yet
+somewhat anxious, and carrying in her hands a goodly sized package
+neatly wrapped in brown paper.
+
+She took an opposite direction from the usual route to school, and
+walked hurriedly toward the business portion of the city.
+
+At the end of twenty minutes she stopped before the door of a large and
+handsome store, where for a moment she seemed to hesitate as if
+uncertain what to do next.
+
+At last, with fluctuating color and trembling hand, she turned the
+handle and entered.
+
+A little while passed, and then she came forth again, while now she
+appeared pale and agitated.
+
+As the door closed after her, she stood still for a moment upon the
+sidewalk, seeming lost in troubled thought; then a tremulous sigh, which
+was almost a sob, broke from her lips, and she turned and walked toward
+her school.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER VIII.
+                             RETRENCHMENT.
+
+
+Winter passed, spring came and went, and the commencement exercises of
+the seminary where Star was attending drew nigh.
+
+The faculty, as was their custom, sent forth cards of invitation to its
+patrons, requesting them to be present and see for themselves what their
+children had accomplished during the year.
+
+It chanced this time to fall upon Star’s birthday, although no one was
+aware of that fact save herself; but to her it was destined to prove an
+eventful occasion, and one long to be remembered.
+
+Mr. Richards received and opened his invitation with his other letters
+on that very morning, and after glancing over it, passed it to his wife.
+
+She merely looked at it, yawned, and then laid it indifferently one
+side.
+
+Mr. Richards compressed his lips at this. It did not please him that all
+the young girl’s interests should be thus slightingly ignored; but he
+said nothing, although his thoughts were busy during the remainder of
+the meal, and as soon as it was completed he repaired to his library and
+rang his bell.
+
+“Send Miss Gladstone to me,” he said to the servant who answered his
+summons.
+
+Star received the command, wondering what it meant, and went down, with
+some trepidation, to obey it.
+
+She was almost like an alien in that house, living so apart from the
+family, and so rarely encountering any of them; but she possessed a
+sunny, even disposition, and although she often grieved over the neglect
+she experienced, and yearned for love and sympathy, yet she would not
+allow herself to brood over it; thus she was always sweet and genial in
+her temperament.
+
+As she entered the library this morning, Mr. Richards looked up and
+smiled with pleasure.
+
+She was so fresh, and bright, and lovely that it was a delight to look
+upon her.
+
+“I have received a card for the closing exercises of your school
+to-day,” he said, pleasantly. “I think I should like to attend, if I can
+make it convenient. How have you been progressing?”
+
+“Professor Roberts has been kind enough to say that I have done very
+well. You know I did not enter until nearly the middle of the second
+term,” Star modestly replied, while her cheeks glowed and her eyes shone
+with pleasure that he should manifest this interest in her welfare.
+
+“Do you have any particular part in the exercises to-day?” he
+questioned.
+
+“Yes, sir. I have a programme here in my pocket; perhaps you would like
+to see it?” and she drew it forth, laying it upon the table before him.
+
+He glanced over it, and, third upon the list, he saw:
+
+“Music, instrumental, by Miss Stella Gladstone.”
+
+Further down he read:
+
+“Essay, by Miss Stella Gladstone. Subject: ‘Walls Must Get the
+Weather-stain Before They Grow the Ivy.’”
+
+He looked up at her with some surprise.
+
+“Did you choose the subject of your essay?” he asked.
+
+“Yes, sir.”
+
+“Why did you take such a topic?”
+
+“I do not know, sir,” Star answered, thoughtfully. “I read the line
+somewhere one day; it haunted me continually, until I wrote out some
+thoughts upon it, as I often do upon different subjects. Professor
+Roberts found them between the leaves of my Horace one day, and liked
+them so well that he asked me to elaborate and extend them, and read it
+as an essay to-day. He always has two or three essays from members of
+the junior class read upon commencement day.”
+
+Mr. Richards had been looking her over critically while she was
+speaking.
+
+She was clad in a gown of some light gray material, made very plainly,
+but fitting her graceful figure to perfection. Simple bands of linen
+were just visible at her throat and wrists, while a knot of pale blue
+ribbon fastened her collar.
+
+She looked lovely. She would have been so in anything; but he saw that
+her toilet was hardly befitting the ward of his wife.
+
+“Girls for commencement always have a new dress, don’t they?” he asked.
+“Have you made any arrangements of the kind?”
+
+“No, sir; I shall go just as I am. This is the best that I have,” she
+returned, glancing down at her dress and flushing slightly.
+
+“How much time have you before the exercises begin?” he inquired.
+
+“An hour or more,” she said, looking up at the clock on the mantel. “I
+am ready very early,” she added, smiling, “for I wished to look over my
+essay before reading it.”
+
+Mr. Richards looked grave. He remembered how Josephine had been all
+“fuss and feathers” at every commencement, and here this lovely girl was
+going to appear before a crowded hall in a dress which his daughter
+would not have worn in her own private room.
+
+“If you will step around to Hunt & Co.’s with me, you shall have one of
+those pretty summer silks that they are advertising so extensively. I
+should be gratified to have you as well dressed as your classmates, and
+I fear that your needs have been neglected in this respect,” he
+remarked, with a slight frown.
+
+Star flushed scarlet now.
+
+She had wished—oh, _so_ earnestly!—that morning that she could have
+something dainty to wear, and she had sighed regretfully as she thought
+of all her pretty clothes lying at the bottom of the ocean, for they had
+been prettily made, although they were of inexpensive material; and she
+had heard the girls talking of the new dresses which were being made for
+them. But when her toilet was completed and she looked in the glass, she
+felt that, notwithstanding the disadvantage of her apparel, there was at
+least a distinguished air about her which bespoke the true lady, and she
+was comforted.
+
+“Thank you,” she answered, quietly, while the color slowly receded from
+her brow and cheeks; “you are very kind to suggest it, but, if you
+please, I prefer to go as I am. I shall be gratified,” she added,
+dropping the proud ring out of her voice, “if you feel sufficiently
+interested to attend the exercises to-day, and I will endeavor to show
+you that I have tried to improve the advantages that you have given me.”
+
+“I should be willing to take your word for it,” Mr. Richards said,
+heartily, “but I will come and see for myself.”
+
+Star looked pleased at this assurance, and then, giving him a friendly
+little bow and smile, went away with a light heart.
+
+“By George! she’ll make a woman to be proud of, or—or ‘I’m much
+mistaken,’ as Mrs. Blunt would remark. She has spirit, too, and is bound
+to stand on her own merits. There are not many girls who would have
+refused the offer of a pretty new dress for such an occasion. I’ll go
+over to the seminary and see what she has been doing.”
+
+When Mr. Richards entered the hall of the seminary, he found it crowded
+to overflowing with spectators, anxious friends, and fond parents.
+
+He gradually worked his way forward toward the platform, for he was
+determined to hear Star’s essay, if possible, and finally took his stand
+beside a piece of statuary and near an open window, where he could have
+air and yet command a good view of all the exercises.
+
+Almost at the same moment a slight, willowy figure, clad in light gray,
+with a fair, delicate face, deep blue eyes, scarlet lips, and a wealth
+of golden hair, glided noiselessly to the piano on the platform, sat
+down, and after running her fingers nimbly over the keys for a moment or
+two, dashed off into a brilliant and difficult sonata.
+
+It was executed apparently without a mistake from beginning to end, and
+without notes, and when it was finished the fair performer retired from
+the instrument amid enthusiastic applause.
+
+Mr. Richards was astounded.
+
+He had expected some simple melody, passably performed. She had told
+him, in her modest way, that she had given some attention to music, but
+he had not imagined that she was as proficient as this, and he could not
+understand how she had kept up her practice, with no instruction, and no
+permission to use the piano at home.
+
+He did not know of that hour at noon, nor the odd minutes, when other
+girls were chattering away at recess time, that Star had diligently
+given to this science which she so dearly loved.
+
+He was no less astounded during the reading of her essay.
+
+When it was announced, she came quietly forward with graceful
+self-possession, and unfolding the roll of manuscript which she carried
+in her hand, read in sweet, yet clear tones, a production which held her
+listeners spell-bound from beginning to end.
+
+She must have woven something of her own heart history into it, he
+thought, for two or three times the tears welled unbidden to his eyes at
+the pathos which those smoothly rounded sentences contained.
+
+It seemed as if Star’s efforts were more highly appreciated than any
+other portion of the exercises. Even the valedictory, from a member of
+the senior class, although well written and to the point, was not
+listened to with such breathless attention.
+
+At the conclusion of the programme, the diplomas were awarded to the
+graduating class, and then the professor said he would read the names of
+those who had passed their examination and were to be promoted from the
+other classes. There were two young ladies, he said, who were entitled
+to a double promotion, having accomplished the work of a year in about
+six months, which was, to say the least, a very unusual and laudable
+circumstance.
+
+The names of those entitled to this were Miss Stella Gladstone and Miss
+Grace Turnbull, and they would, upon the beginning of the fall term,
+take their places in the senior class.
+
+As the people flocked by him out of the hall, Mr. Richards heard Star’s
+praises on every side, and inwardly vowed that the girl should have
+every chance in the future.
+
+He made his way toward the platform, intending to speak with and
+congratulate her upon her success; but just before he reached her
+another gentleman approached her, and after shaking hands in the most
+cordial manner with her, gave her a small package, and bending down,
+whispered a few words in her ear.
+
+He could not understand the expression of mingled surprise and joy which
+for a moment absolutely glorified her fair face as she received the
+package; then the tears sprang to her eyes, as, with tremulous lips, she
+appeared to be thanking the giver.
+
+The gentleman chatted a few moments longer with her, then put out his
+hand for the roll of manuscript which she still held, while he smilingly
+asked her for it.
+
+Star hesitated about giving it to him, while a lovely color suffused her
+face; then, with a shy movement, she laid it in his palm.
+
+He received it with a brilliant smile, bowed gracefully to her, and then
+left her.
+
+Mr. Richards now approached her, and taking her hand, said, almost
+affectionately:
+
+“Star, you have shone effulgently to-day, and I am proud of you.”
+
+It would not have been in human nature to have prevented the little
+gleam of triumph which flashed from her eyes at this tribute to her
+talents, but she said, gratefully:
+
+“Thank you, sir; but I owe my success all to you.”
+
+“Not a bit of it,” he returned, with some emotion; “you owe it to
+yourself alone; but I will take care that you do not thank me for
+nothing at the close of another year.”
+
+Star wondered what he meant, but she did not question him, and her heart
+was lighter than it had been before, since she crossed the ocean, as he
+led her from the building and walked home with her.
+
+But he noticed all the way that there was a nervous tremor about her,
+while she was unusually absent-minded and silent.
+
+“Who was that gentleman who came and spoke to you at the close of the
+exercises?” he asked, just before they reached home.
+
+Star glanced up with a start.
+
+“His name is Appleton,” she answered, and pretended not to notice that
+his eyes were resting curiously upon the package which he had given her.
+
+When they entered the house, Star ascended to her own room, while Mr.
+Richards sought his wife.
+
+He found her and Josephine together in the drawing-room, and, for a
+wonder, no callers with them.
+
+He informed them where he had been, and also of the brilliant appearance
+which Star had made before the public.
+
+Both mother and daughter sneered audibly at his account, and this
+aroused his indignation.
+
+His eyes began to blaze, and his wife sobered instantly; she always
+recognized and dreaded this dangerous symptom.
+
+“You are a couple of selfish, heartless women,” he began; “and now, let
+me tell you, you have got to turn over a new leaf, or there will be
+trouble in the camp. That girl, whom you have so despised and tried to
+degrade ever since she came into the house, has wonderful talent—talent
+of which any one might be proud. She is rightly named, for she certainly
+shone like a star of the first magnitude to-day. Her essay was superior
+to anything produced there, and her performance upon the piano something
+wonderful for one so young and possessing so few advantages.”
+
+“Oh, papa, you don’t mean to say that she can play the piano! I’m sure
+she has never touched this one since she came here, and no one can play
+well without constant practice,” asserted Miss Josephine, with a toss of
+her dark head, for she was accounted a good musician.
+
+“You don’t believe what I tell you, then,” her father said, frowning.
+
+“Well, I think you must have overestimated her talent in that
+direction,” the girl answered.
+
+Mr. Richards did not reply, but walked to the bell-rope and gave it a
+pull.
+
+“Go and say to Miss Gladstone that I would like to see her in the
+drawing-room,” he said to the servant who opened the door.
+
+“Really, Mr. Richards,” interrupted his wife, with severe dignity; but
+he stopped her short with a motion of his hand.
+
+“Go!” he repeated to the servant, who had hesitated as she spoke, and
+then he turned again to her.
+
+“I want you to understand,” he said, “something of the wrong which you
+have been doing this child, and now I am going to ask her to play to
+you. I desire that you treat her civilly, too, when she comes down. She
+should have been received here as one of us—I regret that I did not
+insist upon it in the beginning—she should have been on an equal footing
+with Josie, enjoying the same advantages, and receiving sympathy and
+encouragement instead of—well, it’s no use fretting over it now; but, by
+Jove! I’ll make it up to her in the future. Hark! she is coming, and now
+I’ll have no sneers or sour looks,” he concluded, as the door handle
+turned.
+
+Star entered at this moment, and seeing the whole family assembled,
+looked somewhat surprised; but Mr. Richards approached her, saying,
+quietly:
+
+“I have sent for you to ask if you will play again for us what you
+played at the hall to-day?”
+
+Star glanced at the two ladies, but their attitude was not encouraging.
+
+Mrs. Richards was the personification of dignified indifference, while
+Miss Josephine sat looking out of a window, and partially concealed by
+its drapery.
+
+She saw that she was wholly indebted to Mr. Richards for this
+opportunity of displaying her talent, and that they were evidently
+somewhat doubtful as to her ability to do what he claimed for her;
+therefore her fingers began to tingle to do their very best.
+
+“Certainly; I shall be pleased to play for you if you desire it,” she
+said, as she walked quietly and unassumingly to the piano and sat down.
+
+She had not struck a dozen notes before she had the undivided attention
+of every listener; and when she had concluded, two of the little company
+were quivering with jealous anger.
+
+Josephine had the name of being a good musician, but both she and her
+mother could plainly perceive that she had not a tithe of the talent
+that the fair, despised girl, of whom they had tried to make a common
+servant, possessed.
+
+“Play something else, please,” Mr. Richards said, when she had finished
+the sonata which she had played at school; and, without a word, her
+slender fingers went sweeping through one of Mendelssohn’s “_Romances
+sans Paroles_” in the most intoxicating manner imaginable, and her new
+admirer, with a look of pardonable triumph, thanked her most warmly when
+she concluded.
+
+She quietly left the room, although she felt assured that a storm was
+ready to burst as soon as she should be beyond hearing; the very
+atmosphere was heavy with it.
+
+She was right in her conjecture, for no sooner was the door closed
+behind her than Mrs. Richards’ tongue was loosed, and she broke forth in
+a torrent of wrath.
+
+“Well, George Richards, I suppose you imagine that you have done
+something wonderful in bringing that girl here and showing her off to
+us; but you will find that you have made a mistake. It is very
+praiseworthy, indeed, to seek to humiliate one’s own daughter, and I
+should suppose you would feel very proud of such an achievement. Where
+is your self-respect, that you bring a beggar in here and set her up as
+a reproach to your wife? I will not stand it, sir—I tell you I will not
+stand it! Things are come to a pretty pass, I should say, if our
+domestic peace is to be destroyed by that insignificant chit, and I was
+a fool ever to consent to her coming here.”
+
+This and much more of the same kind the angry woman poured forth in a
+perfect volley.
+
+Mr. Richards listened with quiet gravity to the tirade, and when she had
+concluded, he quietly remarked:
+
+“Well, Ellen, now that you are through, we’ll say that it’s my turn. You
+might just as well make up your mind to be reasonable first as last, for
+mine is settled upon one thing—_Star Gladstone has done the last day’s
+work in this house that she ever will do_! She is to have her time
+entirely to herself until she graduates, a year hence. I shall offer to
+allow her to pursue music, and painting if she desires, during the long
+vacation just at hand, giving her the best of masters which New York
+affords, and spare no reasonable expense to make her the accomplished
+woman that I think she is capable of becoming. _You promised_ all this
+to her father; he sent her to you with the belief that she would enjoy
+these advantages until she was fitted to become a teacher, _and she
+shall have them_. Now, one thing more—and you know that when I get
+aroused to this pitch I mean what I say—if I find that you or Jo are
+making her unhappy at any time, I’ll put her into the most genteel
+boarding-house in the city, out of your reach. As for ‘domestic peace,’
+about which you twit me, I believe I love my family better than the
+average of men, and am not in the habit of stirring up strife; so it
+will rest with _you_ to keep the peace.”
+
+Mr. Richards did not wait for any rejoinder to this plain speaking, but
+left the room, and finding Star out upon the balcony leading from the
+dining-room, he told her that he had decided to let her take up music
+and painting during the vacation if she wished.
+
+He felt amply repaid for his efforts on her behalf on seeing the look of
+joy which flashed over her face, while her voice thrilled with
+earnestness as she replied:
+
+“Oh, sir, I ought to be the happiest girl in Brooklyn to have so much of
+good come to me on this, my seventeenth birthday!”
+
+“Is this your birthday?” he asked, with a feeling of selfreproach that
+it should have come and nearly gone with no token of remembrance, while
+he glanced over her meager attire and marked the absence of all jewelry
+or trinkets such as young girls love, for she wore nothing of the kind
+save a dainty cameo head fastened to the knot of ribbon at her throat.
+
+“Yes, sir; and it is one which I shall always remember with great
+pleasure,” she said, with a tremulous smile that he did not then
+understand. “I thank you,” she added, “for allowing me to go on with my
+music, and I will be very faithful in improving my opportunity; but—I
+think, if you please, I will not mind about the painting at present. I
+am very fond of it, but—I——”
+
+“Very well; do as you choose,” he said, as he saw she was somewhat
+embarrassed. “You are to have all the advantages you desire during the
+next year, and you are to do no more work of any kind in this house——”
+
+“Oh, but I like to work about the house,” she began, eagerly; but he
+stopped her authoritatively.
+
+“No; I will not have it. You need all the time you can get for study and
+practice. Maggie Flynn, or some other Maggie, shall come back as chamber
+and waiting-maid, and you are to remember it is my command that you do
+nothing of the kind. If you have any spare time, use it in making the
+pretty things which young ladies of your age like so much. Here is
+something to begin upon, and I will allow you the same amount every
+month;” and he tucked a bill of no mean denomination into her hand as he
+concluded.
+
+He did not wait to hear her thanks, but turned abruptly away, feeling
+very tenderly toward this sweet young maiden, who had lived such an
+isolated, neglected life in the midst of that household of luxury.
+
+Star looked after him with a glorified face.
+
+“Oh, what a birthday!” she said, as she went up stairs and shut herself
+into her room.
+
+She folded that precious bill—more money than she had ever possessed
+before at one time—for “pretty things,” and laid it safely away in a
+drawer; then she took up a handsomely bound book that lay on her table.
+
+“A red letter day!” she murmured. “My success—my promotion—his kindness,
+and, above all, this beautiful book—it all seems to be too lovely to be
+real.”
+
+She raised the volume and softly touched her lips to it; then bowing her
+golden head, her heart overcharged with its unaccustomed weight of
+happiness, found relief in a shower of tears.
+
+“The book” was the package, devoid of its wrapper, which the strange
+gentleman had given her in the presence of Mr. Richards.
+
+                  *       *       *       *       *
+
+The next morning’s papers contained an interesting account of the
+commencement exercises of —— Seminary, together with a copy in full of
+Miss Stella Gladstone’s essay, and speaking in very flattering terms of
+its excellence as a literary production.
+
+Another important event occurred that morning.
+
+One of Mr. Richards’ driving horses was sold, and his wife, upon
+learning of the circumstance, lifted up her hands and scornfully
+exclaimed:
+
+“Retrenchment!”
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER IX.
+                           CHANGE OF FORTUNE.
+
+
+A few mornings after Star’s emancipation from her duties as a servant,
+she encountered, as she was coming down stairs to her breakfast,
+Josephine, who was also on her way to the dining-room.
+
+“Well, I suppose you feel mighty set up over the fine show you made of
+yourself the other day,” that young lady remarked, sneeringly.
+
+“I had no desire to make a ‘show,’ as you express it,” Star answered,
+courteously, and ignoring her companion’s rudeness. “But it is always
+pleasant to receive thanks when one has tried to do one’s best.”
+
+“Thanks!” was the scornful rejoinder. “You have been very sly about it
+all; and I should think you’d feel mean enough about wheedling papa into
+giving you music and painting lessons.”
+
+“I have never asked Mr. Richards for either, and—I am not going to take
+painting lessons at all,” Star said, with scarlet cheeks.
+
+“You needn’t try to make me think papa would ever have made such a row
+if you hadn’t been at him and pretended to be so abused and ill-treated.
+But—where did you get that lovely cameo that you wore in that knot at
+your throat?” Josephine asked, her eyes having been sharp enough to
+detect the pretty trinket.
+
+“It was given to me by a friend,” the young girl answered, with
+trembling lips, for she was cut to the heart by the unjust accusations
+heaped upon her.
+
+“Some one must have liked to fool away money pretty well, to give you an
+elegant trifle like that,” the rude girl said, for she had known that it
+was valuable at a glance. “It doesn’t correspond with the rest of your
+wardrobe,” she continued, jeeringly; “you’d better give it to me.”
+
+Star looked up into the bold, handsome face beside her with
+astonishment.
+
+“I cannot give it to you,” she said, with compressed lips.
+
+“Well, _lend_ it to me, then.”
+
+She was loaded with jewelry, early as it was in the day. She wore a
+heavy gold chain, from which was suspended a blue enameled locket set
+with pearls and diamonds; heavy jewels hung in her ears, broad bands of
+gold clasped her wrists, while her fingers gleamed with numerous costly
+gems; and here she was coveting the single ornament which she had seen
+Star wear.
+
+“I do not like to appear disobliging,” she returned, “but there are
+reasons why I do not even like to lend it.”
+
+“What reasons, pray, can you have for refusing so simple a request?”
+Josephine persisted.
+
+“I have told you—it is the gift of a friend. I do not like to part with
+it.”
+
+“I will give you this handsome emerald for it,” said the spoilt beauty,
+turning a valuable ring upon her finger.
+
+“Thank you. No; I could not make the exchange.”
+
+“Nonsense! You’re stuffy enough, I hope,” the refined young lady
+retorted; and, with lowering brow, she turned impatiently away, and went
+into the dining-room.
+
+An hour later, while Star was busily practicing, she stole slyly into
+her room and pounced greedily upon the coveted little treasure, which
+was stuck into a dainty pincushion made of bits of silk and covered with
+an embroidered lace tidy, all the work of the little maiden’s skillful
+fingers.
+
+“I was _bound_ to have it,” the unprincipled girl said, triumphantly, as
+she examined it closely.
+
+“It is lovely; the most delicately carved cameo that I ever saw, and,
+for a little thing, must have cost no mean sum. Ah! it is marked on the
+back of the setting,” she continued, turning it over. “A. S. and two
+tiny strawberry leaves underneath. I wonder who ‘A. S.’ is, or—was? What
+a lovely ring it would make.”
+
+She lifted the skirt to her basque and deliberately pinned it upon the
+lining, an evil look in her brilliant eyes.
+
+“I’ll capture it for awhile, just to torment her for her presumption in
+trying to outshine me before papa the other day. The little minx! she is
+altogether too high-headed and airy to suit me.”
+
+This important matter disposed of, she began to look about Star’s room
+with some curiosity.
+
+To begin with, it was exquisitely neat and clean, and the utmost had
+been made of the small and meagerly furnished apartment. A sheet had
+been ripped in halves, gathered across the one window, and then looped
+on either side with broad bands and bows of light blue cambric. A corner
+bracket, brought to light from among some rubbish in the store-room, had
+been covered with blue cambric, and over this hung a daintily ruffled
+curtain of dotted muslin, while upon the shelf were arranged Star’s few
+books and a small vase filled with flowers. This last-mentioned object
+had been a gift from Mrs. Blunt at Christmas—her only remembrance on
+that day.
+
+The small table was covered with a spotless towel having a blue
+border—more of Mrs. Blunt’s thoughtfulness—and there was a bright strip
+of carpeting before the bed, which was covered with a cheap but
+immaculate spread. Upon the bureau another towel was laid, and on this
+Star’s few toilet articles were arranged with the utmost care.
+
+Josephine opened and curiously peeped into the drawers.
+
+In one there was a very limited supply of clean, neatly folded clothing;
+in another two or three handkerchiefs, as many collars, a ribbon or two,
+a small wooden box which was locked, and a worn portfolio—another trophy
+from the store-room—which was also locked and no key visible.
+
+“I wonder what is in this?” Josephine said, taking up the box and
+shaking it, to ascertain, if possible, its contents.
+
+They appeared to be somewhat heavy, and to be wrapped about with cotton
+or a napkin, and she was forced to put it down, her curiosity
+ungratified. It was the same with the portfolio, and, with a frown of
+disappointment, she returned this also to its place.
+
+There was very little to attract any one in the little maiden’s bower,
+and yet it had a cozy, home-like air about it; but her scant wardrobe,
+as Josephine opened the closet door to look within, appeared very mean
+in the petted and indulged beauty’s eyes; and, indeed, it compared very
+unfavorably with the pretty outfit which had gone down on the ill-fated
+vessel on which Star had sailed.
+
+“It is a mystery to me how she manages always to look so nice with these
+few traps,” Miss Richards muttered, as she shut the door with a sign of
+disgust and turned to leave the room.
+
+“Ha! what have we here?” she cried, as she caught sight of a new,
+prettily bound book lying on the small table. “Oh, this is that new
+novel that I heard Charlie Carpenter raving about the other evening. I
+wonder where _she_ got it. I think I’ll appropriate it myself; it looks
+inviting,” she added, slipping the leaves through her fingers.
+
+“Chatsworth’s Pride,” she continued, turning to the title page. “I
+should like to know who wrote it; but the author’s name is not given.
+However, I’ll read it, and see if it is as wonderful as Charlie said.”
+
+It was not a large book, and dropping it into her pocket, this “Paul
+Pry” in petticoats stole from Star’s little bower and glided unobserved
+to her own room, having accomplished her object in securing the coveted
+cameo, and vented her spite upon the offending girl for having dared to
+outshine her in the presence of her father.
+
+Later, when Star went up to her little sanctum and found both pin and
+book gone, she surmised at once who had been there.
+
+The loss of the book she did not mind so much, although she was reading
+it and had been obliged to lay it aside in the midst of a most
+interesting chapter; while she knew that when Josephine had read it she
+would doubtless throw it one side, and she could easily get it again.
+But to lose the cameo—that precious gift of kind, handsome Archibald
+Sherbrooke—was more than she could bear with either patience or
+fortitude, and a passion of tears testified to her grief for her loss.
+
+She knew that it would be useless to appeal to Josephine for it; she
+could not _prove_ that she had taken it, and she would doubtless feign
+astonishment and innocence if questioned regarding it, and unless she
+could regain possession of it by strategy, it was, she feared, lost to
+her forever.
+
+A week subsequently the family repaired to their country residence at
+Yonkers, where they usually spent the hot months, excepting a few weeks’
+sojourn at some fashionable watering-place or mountain resort.
+
+Here Star, who had been told that she was to have the use of the
+music-room whenever she wished, began her work in earnest, and gave six
+hours a day to hard, faithful practice.
+
+Wednesdays and Saturdays, however, she went into New York to take her
+lesson, Mr. Richards having arranged with one of the first teachers for
+her instruction. In spite of Mr. Richards’ commands to the contrary, she
+persisted in doing many little things to assist Mrs. Blunt, although she
+was relieved from all regular duty. The housekeeper often demurred when
+Star offered her services.
+
+“You shall not spoil your hands, child,” she would say, with a fond
+glance at those delicate members; “I can get along as well alone now as
+I used to, or I’m much mistaken.”
+
+“Never mind my hands, Mrs. Blunt; I can’t practice all the time, and I
+must have some exercise. It is a pleasant change for me to help you once
+in awhile, and have a little cozy chat,” Star answered, heartily; and
+the woman, who, to say the least, did not have either an easy or
+pleasant time herself, was often beguiled into allowing her to have her
+own way, and was cheered in no small degree by her sunny face and gay
+chatter.
+
+“That girl’ll make her mark in the world, bless her heart! She’ll make a
+better and smarter woman than Miss Josephine, or I’m much mistaken,” she
+was wont to remark forty times a month to the cook, and she grew to love
+our gentle Star with an almost motherly affection.
+
+When not attending to her music, Star spent most of the time in her own
+room, and no one questioned as to how she occupied it; and although she
+continued to be ignored by the family when it was possible to do so, and
+snubbed and sneered at when it was not, she was comparatively happy,
+knowing that every day well spent was helping her on toward emancipation
+and independence.
+
+One day Mr. Richards came home with a very grave face and sought an
+audience with his wife.
+
+“I have a letter from your Uncle Jacob here,” he said, drawing one from
+his pocket as he spoke.
+
+Mrs. Richards’ face lighted instantly.
+
+“From Uncle Jacob? That is good news. Has he returned?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“How is the dear old man, and when is he coming to make us a visit?” she
+asked, with animation.
+
+“He is not at all well—has been having serious trouble with his head and
+eyes. He returned last fall, and since then has been visiting your
+brother in the West. Listen, and I will read you what he says:
+
+  “‘MY DEAR GEORGE:—You see by the heading of this that the wanderer has
+  returned—yes, and returned to wander no more. I cannot write much, for
+  I am not able to do so. I returned from abroad last fall, since when I
+  have been with Henry, and now propose to go East and visit or make my
+  future home with you, as you have so often pressed me to do. I know
+  you will heartily sympathize with me when I tell you that the steamer
+  on which I sailed was wrecked, and all I had was lost. I regret to
+  come to you, as I shall, almost penniless, and in this broken state;
+  but you have so often told me that there would always be “a warm
+  corner in your home” for me, that I am going to take you at your word.
+  I shall not wait for a reply to this, but follow almost immediately,
+  for I know I shall meet with a hearty welcome.’”
+
+Then followed a few affectionate sentences for each member of the
+family, but Mrs. Richards scarce heeded them.
+
+“It can’t be possible that Uncle Jacob has lost all his property!” she
+cried, aghast. “Why, the last we heard he was worth a million!”
+
+“I know; but in these days it does not take long to lose a million,” her
+husband replied, gravely, adding: “It is a misfortune, indeed, for the
+old man; but we will do the best we can for him, allowing him to feel it
+as little as possible. He _will_ feel it, however, for he was, as I
+remember him, a very high-spirited, independent man.”
+
+Mrs. Richards’ face was crimson from mingled emotions.
+
+“It is a shame!” she cried, angrily. “Uncle Jacob always gave Henry and
+me to understand that we should be his heirs; and now we have to lose
+half a million apiece. How under the sun do you suppose he lost it?”
+
+“I have no idea—some speculation, doubtless.”
+
+“It appears that he expects to be taken care of in his old age just the
+same as if he were the Crœsus we have always supposed him to be,” Mrs.
+Richards said, wrathfully.
+
+“He has a right to expect it,” her husband replied, with some sternness;
+“you have always professed the deepest affection for him, and urged him
+to make his home with you. Who _should_ take care of him in his
+misfortune if not his only brother’s children?”
+
+“Henry is as well able to have him as I am, and I don’t see why he could
+not have staid there.”
+
+“Perhaps he was no more welcome there than it appears he will be here,”
+Mr. Richards remarked, sarcastically.
+
+“Well, I’m not going to have him here, and there’s an end of the matter.
+I shall post him right back to Henry. His wife does not have half the
+care that I do, socially. We might as well open a hospital for the lame,
+the blind, the halt, and beggars generally.”
+
+“I am astonished to hear you speak thus, Ellen, and of your own
+relatives, too, especially after all your flattering protestations. Of
+course we will receive your uncle kindly, and show him all proper
+attention.”
+
+“I will _not_,” his wife retorted, angrily. “I may as well set my foot
+down first as last; he shall not come here to be a burden upon us. You
+have had your way about Stella; now I’ll have mine in this matter. One
+beggar in the house is enough.”
+
+“Ellen, how you are changed! When I first knew you, you were
+sweet-tempered and kind. I believe your life of unlimited indulgence and
+luxury has soured and hardened you,” Mr. Richards said, with a regretful
+sigh for the early days of his married life, when his wife was loving
+and lovable.
+
+“Thank you; your _compliments_ are not of a particularly ‘sweet’
+nature,” she answered, scornfully.
+
+“Your uncle says he shall follow his letter immediately; he may arrive
+at any hour. What shall we do with him?” asked Mr. Richards, taking no
+notice of her sarcasm.
+
+“I don’t know—I don’t care. Tell him that the house is full of
+company—anything you please; only mind, _I_ will not be burdened with a
+half blind, decrepit old man;” and the excited woman flounced angrily
+from the room, leaving her husband sitting alone in sad and troubled
+thought.
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER X.
+                          THE UNWELCOME GUEST.
+
+
+On the very evening of the day of that spirited discussion between Mr.
+and Mrs. Richards regarding the coming of the latter’s uncle, a railway
+carriage stopped before the door of their mansion, and an old man
+alighted.
+
+He was dusty and travel-stained; his hair and beard were white as snow;
+his clothing—a common business suit—considerably the worse for the wear;
+while he wore a dark-green visor or shade over his eyes, and appeared
+both weary and feeble.
+
+He inquired of the servant who answered his ring for Mrs. Richards, and
+was told in an indifferent, almost impudent, manner that she was
+“engaged.”
+
+“Humph!” ejaculated the visitor, lifting the green shade and giving the
+man a keen look; “where is your master?”
+
+“In the library,” was the rather more respectful answer.
+
+“Show me the way there,” commanded the stranger, authoritatively; and
+the servant turned with a subdued air to obey him, recognizing at once
+his superior in spite of the travel-stained, shabby clothing.
+
+Mr. Richards received his wife’s relative with every appearance of
+cordiality, although there was a restraint in his manner which could be
+felt rather than explained.
+
+“Ah, Uncle Jacob!” he said, as he shook him by the hand and took his hat
+from him; “we hardly thought you could arrive quite so soon. I should
+have looked for you to-morrow, however. Sit down—sit down; and, John,”
+turning to the man who had shown him in, “tell Mrs. Blunt to fix up a
+nice little supper and send it in here on a tray.”
+
+“Don’t put yourself out, George; anything will do for to-night. I am
+more tired than hungry,” the old man said, sinking into a luxurious
+chair with a weary sigh, and removing the green shade entirely from his
+eyes.
+
+Mr. Richards fidgeted and looked uneasy.
+
+He knew that there was not a room in the house that his wife would give
+up; every one had been arranged for company who were expected or had
+already arrived, and he was at his wits’ end to know what to do with
+him.
+
+“Uncle Jacob” poor and ill was an entirely different character from
+“Uncle Jacob” rich and prosperous.
+
+But he sat chatting socially with him until Mrs. Blunt appeared with a
+tray and served a tempting little meal, which the old gentleman ate with
+evident relish.
+
+“I _was_ more hungry than I thought,” he said, when at length he had
+finished his second cup of tea, eaten the leg of a chicken and a couple
+of rolls. “Now, if you please, I should like to be shown to my room, for
+I have traveled a long distance to-day. But—where is Ellen? I should
+like to exchange greetings with her before I go.”
+
+“Ahem!” began Mr. Richards, feeling extremely uncomfortable. “Ellen has
+a house full of company to-night; if you could excuse her, and wait
+until to-morrow——”
+
+“Certainly—certainly,” the old man said, hastily, but in a disappointed
+tone; for his niece had always been the first to greet him and express
+her delight at his coming heretofore.
+
+“And,” continued his host, growing very red in the face, “I am very
+sorry, but—every room in the house is taken. Would you mind sleeping at
+the lodge until we can make a place for you?”
+
+The old gentleman bent a keen glance upon the speaker at this.
+
+He saw his embarrassment, marked his averted eye and shamefaced air, and
+mistrusted something of its cause.
+
+“Sleep at the lodge?” he repeated, in a peculiar tone. “Oh, no; I’ve
+just come from Henry’s, where I slept over the stable. _They_ had a
+‘house full of company,’ too. Is the lodge far from here? You know I’ve
+never been in this house before.”
+
+“About two minutes’ walk; I will go with you and see that you are made
+comfortable. It is too bad that things should happen so,” Mr. Richards
+said, with real regret as he saw how weary the traveler was, and he had
+half a mind to ring and command that he be shown into one of the guest
+chambers in spite of his wife’s objections.
+
+“Never mind, George; I shall sleep just as well there as here, no
+doubt,” and he arose as if anxious to get away.
+
+“Where is your baggage? I will attend to having what you need sent
+down,” Mr. Richards remarked, as he took up his hat to accompany him.
+
+“I have nothing but a small valise,” was the reply. “You know I wrote
+you that I had been very unfortunate. I was on board the —— that was
+lost last fall, and everything I had on board went down.”
+
+“On board the —— were you?” cried Mr. Richards, in surprise, and glad of
+any change in the subject of conversation. “Why, then you must have
+known Star, as she was also on that steamer.”
+
+“Star—Star Gladstone, do you mean?” eagerly inquired Mr. Rosevelt, for
+it was he, as doubtless the reader has surmised before this.
+
+“Yes, Star, or Stella Gladstone, is her name.”
+
+Mr. Rosevelt sat down again, his face full of interest and animation
+now, and forgetting his weariness for the time in his desire to learn
+something of the beautiful girl to whom he was so deeply indebted.
+
+“Where is she?” he asked. “What do you know—what can you tell me about
+her?”
+
+“She is here in this house,” Mr. Richards answered. “She is the child of
+one of my wife’s relatives who resided in England, and Ellen, upon
+learning that she was an orphan and homeless, consented to have her come
+here,” he concluded, trying to make the best of a very poor story.
+
+“I never expected to hear anything of her again, but I am very glad to
+know that she is here,” Mr. Rosevelt said, with evident emotion. “She
+saved my life during that awful time, almost at the sacrifice of her
+own. It would, perhaps, have been better had she not exerted herself in
+my behalf so much. It is not a pleasant feeling to know that one is
+regarded as an incumbrance and a burden,” he continued, with some
+bitterness; “but I shall never forget her heroism while I live. She
+nearly starved herself to death to keep life in me.”
+
+“I am astonished at what you tell me,” returned Mr. Richards, feeling a
+deeper interest in Star than ever before.
+
+“She disappeared very suddenly from the steamer which picked us up and
+brought us into port. I went down to my state-room for something, and
+then to the captain to thank him for his kindness and bid him farewell,
+and when I went to look for her she had gone; some one had come and
+taken her away.”
+
+“Yes; we heard of the arrival of a steamer with some of the wrecked on
+board, and Ellen immediately sent Mrs. Blunt down to see if Star was
+among them,” explained Mr. Richards.
+
+“She must be a pleasant addition to your family, George; she was a very
+attractive girl.”
+
+“Ahem!” that gentleman replied, avoiding the keen eye fixed upon him.
+“Yes; she is a smart and talented girl; she will make a fine woman,
+without doubt. Would you like to see her to-night?”
+
+“No; I believe I am too tired. I will go to the lodge now, if you
+please. I can see her to-morrow;” and the old man arose again.
+
+Mr. Richards led the way from the room, getting his baggage from the
+hall, and then took him through the dining-room to lead him out by a
+side door.
+
+As they passed through the hall, sounds of music and laughter came to
+them from the drawing-room; and had any one been watching Mr. Rosevelt
+closely, he might have seen his lips curl with something like scorn and
+his eyes gleam indignantly, in spite of his weariness.
+
+As Mr. Richards opened the outside door leading out upon the veranda, a
+slight figure sprang up from the step, and Star, with a startled glance,
+turned and confronted them.
+
+A look of surprise swept over her face as she saw Mr. Richards’
+companion; then, with a low cry of joy, she darted forward and seized
+Mr. Rosevelt by the hand.
+
+“Oh, sir,” she said, tremulously, “I was afraid I should never see you
+again! How glad I am to meet you once more!”
+
+Mr. Rosevelt recognized her at once, and recognized, too, the heartiness
+and sincerity of her welcome. There was nothing forced or constrained
+about either her words or manner.
+
+“Ah, Miss Star, I am as glad to see you as you can possibly be to see
+me,” he said, shaking her hand warmly. “I little thought,” he went on,
+“that when you and I were faring so poorly together that we were bound
+for the same place. I intended then to come here before this. Why did
+you not tell me that you were a relative of Mrs. Richards?”
+
+“I did not think much about it, sir, or that my destination could
+interest you,” she answered.
+
+“Tut, tut, child!” he said, gently; “_anything_ connected with you would
+have been of interest to me after your kindness to me. I was deeply
+disappointed to find you gone when I went to seek you; but they told me
+that some one had come and taken you away, so I was forced to go my way
+also. Well,” he concluded, smiling, “I have found you now, and I shall
+not lose sight of you again.”
+
+“But are you going away now, sir?” Star asked, glancing at the bag Mr.
+Richards was carrying, and which had the initials “J. R.” painted upon
+it.
+
+“No; only to the lodge for sleeping accommodations, as there is no room
+in the house for me.”
+
+“No room in the house for you?” Star repeated, in astonishment; but
+something in Mr. Richards’ face warned her that all was not as he would
+wish, and she added, flushing: “I wish you would take my room, then; for
+I can sleep very nicely on the lounge in the sewing-room.”
+
+Mr. Richards raved inwardly over his wife’s obstinacy and heartlessness,
+which compared so unfavorably with this gentle girl’s generosity and
+self-denial; but he could only hold his peace and let matters take their
+course, for if he interfered with his wife in her present state of
+bitterness and disappointment over the loss of her expected fortune, he
+knew that a domestic squall would be sure to follow, and one which it
+would be hard to settle.
+
+“No, thank you, Miss Star,” Mr. Rosevelt returned; “I will go to the
+lodge until there is room for me in the house. You are as kind and
+self-sacrificing as ever, I perceive, but I will not deprive you of your
+room. Good-night, my child; I shall see you to-morrow.”
+
+He laid his hand in a tender, caressing way on her head; then went out
+with Mr. Richards, whom he enlightened still further regarding that
+eventful voyage which he and Star had made together.
+
+She stood still in the door-way looking after them, a puzzled expression
+on her face, a gleam of indignation in her large blue eyes.
+
+She had overheard Mrs. Richards telling Josephine something about “Uncle
+Jacob,” that afternoon after leaving her husband.
+
+The name had made her think of Mr. Rosevelt, and he had been in her
+thoughts most of the time since; but she had not imagined that they were
+referring to him, or that he was a relative of the family. Now she saw
+that he was the “Uncle Jacob” to whom she referred, but she could not
+understand his being sent out of the house to sleep.
+
+“No room in the house! What can they mean?” she murmured, with tingling
+cheeks, for she knew of three unoccupied beds that he might have had as
+well as not.
+
+To be sure they had been made up for company that was expected, but the
+visitors would not arrive for a day or two, and it seemed such an
+inhospitable thing to send that old man away down to the lodge, with its
+close, small rooms, to sleep.
+
+“I hope I shall never be rich if it would make me hardhearted like
+that,” she said, with indignation. “I would prefer to struggle all my
+life with poverty, and have a kind and generous heart—one that can feel
+for others in trouble and sorrow. How tired and ill he looked, too,” she
+went on, recalling his pale face and drooping attitude, “and he is such
+a splendid man!”
+
+“It makes me think of those other words,” she said, the tears springing
+to her eyes: “‘And there was no room in the inn,’ and of One who, in
+consequence, had to lie in a manger. _That_ could not be helped, for
+there _was_ no room; but this is shameful, for there is plenty and to
+spare here. How can any one treat one’s father’s brother so?”
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XI.
+                             FILTHY LUCRE.
+
+
+The next morning word was brought from the lodge that Mr. Rosevelt was
+quite ill, and not able to come up to the mansion for his breakfast.
+
+“Breakfast, indeed!” muttered Mrs. Richards, with a toss of her proud
+head; “as if he supposed he was going to be invited to sit at the table
+with my fashionable guests in his shabby clothes.”
+
+She had received a full account of his arrival and appearance from her
+husband the night previous, after Mr. Rosevelt’s departure for the
+lodge.
+
+Mr. Richards went at once to see him, and to give orders to Mrs. Mellen,
+the wife of the gardener, to do everything for his comfort.
+
+Later, his wife, with much inward fretting and fuming, followed his
+example, not because she had any desire to see him or felt in any way
+anxious about him, but to save unpleasant remarks and comments.
+
+She met her uncle with anything but a cordial greeting, and which, even
+in the midst of his suffering, he could not fail to feel keenly.
+
+“I am very sorry, Uncle Jacob, that you are ill, especially as I am full
+of company just now, and cannot personally give you the attention that
+you ought to receive,” she said, trying to speak sympathetically, but
+failing utterly.
+
+“Never mind me, Ellen. Mrs. Mellen seems very kindly disposed, and will,
+no doubt, do all that is necessary for me. I am sorry to be a burden to
+you in my misfortune, but you have always been so kind to me, urging me
+so cordially to come to you at any time, that I thought you would be
+glad to see your old uncle under any circumstances,” the old man said,
+regarding her closely while he was speaking.
+
+“I hope you will soon be better,” Mrs. Richards returned, evasively.
+
+She did not think it necessary to tell him that he was no burden, or to
+say anything to make him feel comfortable and at ease in his trying
+situation.
+
+She was so deeply disappointed and chagrined on account of the loss of
+his fortune, and consequently of her share of his million, that it was
+impossible not to betray something of her feelings.
+
+“Thank you,” he returned, coldly. “Do not allow my condition to cause
+you any anxiety. I am very comfortable. It is very quiet here, and I
+shall doubtless do very well.”
+
+“Yes; you _will_ be more quiet here than up at the house, where there
+are so many people and so much going on,” she replied, eagerly seizing
+this pretext for keeping him where he was. “And,” she added, “if you
+need anything, Mrs. Mellen can attend to all your wants.”
+
+After a few more commonplace remarks, she took her departure, feeling
+quite relieved to have him so easily disposed of. She had nothing to
+gain now by fawning and flattery, and since his gold was gone, he was no
+more to her than any other feeble old man, and it would not pay even to
+pretend what she did not feel.
+
+As she went rustling out of the room and down stairs in her rich attire,
+her aged and dependent relative lay back in his chair, with a darkening
+brow and a pale, pained face.
+
+“Money! money! money!” he muttered. “No one is of much account in this
+world without plenty of the filthy lucre. If I had come here as I used
+to, with plethoric pockets instead of an empty purse and shabby attire,
+no one would have been sweeter or more delighted to see ‘dear Uncle
+Jacob’ than Ellen Richards. And it was just the same with Henry and his
+family. When I could make them costly presents and shower favors upon
+them—when I was ‘Jacob Rosevelt, the millionaire’—no trouble was too
+great, nothing too good for me. It is a cold-hearted, selfish world; _no
+one_ is to be trusted. But it is a little hard on an old man to find
+that he must go down to his grave and feel that he is regarded with
+affection by nobody. Talk of ‘Divine dispensations,’ of ‘tempering the
+wind to the shorn lamb’—there is no divinity about it, for the adverse
+winds of the world never blew so coldly on me as at this moment,” he
+concluded, bitterly; and bowing his head upon his hands, he seemed to
+lose himself in troubled thought.
+
+“May I come in?” asked a gentle voice behind him, after a few minutes;
+and turning, he saw two blue eyes gleaming at him from beneath soft
+curls of sunny hair, a pair of red lips smiling upon him, while a
+slight, graceful figure, daintily clad in a pretty blue lawn gown, stood
+in the door-way, waiting for his permission to enter.
+
+Jacob Rosevelt’s sad face involuntarily brightened at the sight of this
+attractive picture, and he said, hastily:
+
+“Well, well, child, I believe you are rightly named, for you come like a
+veritable star into the gloom of my life. Star Gladstone—it is but an
+index to your character, for you both brighten and cheer. Of course you
+may come in.”
+
+“Thank you,” Star said, laughing, and advancing to his side. “I did not
+expect to be so highly complimented when I came out. I have brought you
+this lovely spray of oleanders which the gardener gave me from the
+conservatory,” and she held up her little vase containing the bright,
+fragrant blossoms. “And here,” she continued, “is a dish of the most
+delicious raspberries you ever tasted, every one picked by my own
+fingers,” and she held up her right hand, showing her slender fingers
+stained by the rosy fruit.
+
+He watched her, his pale lips relaxing into a smile, which even extended
+to the eyes that had been so sad a little while before. She was
+irresistible in her bright beauty; she was as fresh and sweet as the
+morning itself, while with her heart filled with kindness and
+consideration for him, he began to think that all the world was not
+quite so bad as he had thought.
+
+“Mrs. Mellen told me, as I came in, that you did not eat much
+breakfast,” Star continued; “and as she is about to serve you a little
+lunch, I brought my berries right up to give them to you myself.”
+
+Mrs. Mellen entered at this moment, bearing a little tray with a
+tempting lunch spread upon it.
+
+Star wheeled a small table to the invalid’s side, spread a spotless
+towel which she found upon the rack upon it, and then deftly arranged
+the dishes in the most tempting way before him, putting the oleander
+blossoms in the center and the raspberries just under his nose, where he
+could not fail to get their delicious odor and long to eat them.
+
+“How pretty and inviting you make everything look, little one,” he said,
+affectionately, as he watched her graceful movements and their result.
+
+“What would the world be but for the beauty there is in it? and what are
+pretty things given us for, but to enjoy?” Star returned, with a fond
+glance at the flowers, as she moved them a trifle nearer to his plate.
+
+“There,” she went on, smiling, and tossing her hat upon a chair, “I
+believe I am hungry myself, and if you will allow me to pour your tea, I
+think I could eat a slice of Mrs. Mellen’s delicious bread and butter
+with you afterward. You don’t often see such bread as that, I can assure
+you, and I frequently run down here and beg her to give me some.”
+
+The young girl shot a smiling glance at the woman as she spoke, and the
+woman’s face beamed with pleasure at this tribute to her skill.
+
+“Bless you, child!” Mr. Rosevelt said, as he unfolded his napkin and
+drew nearer the table; “the sight of your bright face and the smell of
+your berries have given me an appetite already. Sit down, sit down; my
+tea will taste ten per cent. better to be poured by your fair hands, and
+while we eat you shall tell me how it has fared with you during the past
+year. I see it has not changed _you_ at heart; you are the same as when
+we parted, and you were as ready as ever last night to sacrifice your
+own comfort for a poor old man.”
+
+Star blushed. She felt almost as guilty, knowing that there had been
+room for him at the house, as if _she_ had been the one to turn him
+away.
+
+“I knew these rooms were low and close, while my room, although rather
+high up, was much more airy; besides, you looked too tired and ill to
+walk way down here,” Star explained, with some embarrassment.
+
+“Your own is rather high up, is it? How high?” he asked, giving her a
+keen glance.
+
+“It is in the third story,” she answered, flushing again.
+
+“Ah! one _would_ be apt to get good air in that latitude,” said Mr.
+Rosevelt, dryly. “Now tell me,” he added, “what you have been doing
+since I saw you.”
+
+Star gave him an account of her life at school, omitting for several
+reasons to speak of the fate which had been intended for her, and said
+just as little as she could in connection with Mrs. Richards and her
+haughty daughter, or their treatment of her. She told him of her music,
+of the books she had read, and what her plans for the future were when
+she should graduate at the end of another year.
+
+She spent more than an hour with him, and when at length she left him,
+he was apparently much cheered and a good deal better for her visit.
+
+She went every morning afterward while her vacation lasted, always
+taking him something in the way of fruit or flowers, and cheering him
+with her lively chatting, until he began to look for her coming as the
+chief event of the day.
+
+Sometimes they would wander together through the beautiful grounds of
+Mr. Richards’ place, or, finding a cozy nook, Star would take some
+interesting book and read to him; and as the week went by, he appeared
+to improve in health and to grow more contented with his lot.
+
+He continued to remain at the lodge, in spite of the fact that the
+company had all departed, and there was now plenty of room in the
+mansion.
+
+Mr. Richards had gone West on a prolonged business trip, and, of course,
+could not use his influence as to any change; while Mrs. Richards
+appeared to ignore his presence entirely, unless she came upon him
+unexpectedly, when she would treat him with indifferent politeness.
+
+Josephine’s attitude toward him was one of proud disdain, although once
+she professed great friendship for him; but now he was nothing more than
+an aged, decrepit man—a sort of “cumberer of the ground,” and simply
+tolerated because it would be considered inhuman to cast him out at that
+time of life.
+
+In September Mrs. Richards and her daughter went to Long Branch for a
+change, leaving the household in charge of Mrs. Blunt.
+
+Star began school again, going back and forth by rail, as the town house
+would not be opened again until October.
+
+This made it hard for her, because she was obliged to go so early and
+return so late; but as her comfort was not a matter which usually
+demanded much consideration, and she made no complaint, the fact
+remained unnoticed.
+
+During the absence of the family, Mr. Rosevelt frequented the house, for
+it was much more comfortable through those hot September days than his
+contracted room at the lodge, and he was glad to avail himself of the
+privilege of the well-stocked library to while away the long hours of
+Star’s absence.
+
+In the evening she would entertain him with her music, while on Saturday
+they both felt like children out of school; and thus day by day they
+grew to feel a deep affection for each other.
+
+“She at least does not love me for my money,” the old man would often
+mutter to himself, with a grim smile, after receiving some thoughtful
+attention from the young girl; “her affection is sincere and
+disinterested, and I pray that her gentle heart may never become seared
+and hardened by the cold world.”
+
+He had long ago learned just how Star was regarded by the family, and
+how they had attempted to degrade her to the level of a common servant,
+and this did not tend to make him entertain any deeper respect for them.
+
+His information on this point he had gathered chiefly from Mrs. Blunt.
+Star would not talk about it, always evading or changing the subject in
+a dextrous way that amused him in no small degree.
+
+Meanwhile Josephine and her mother were flourishing among the
+fashionable at Long Branch.
+
+The season proved to be a very gay one; every hotel was crowded, and
+many noted people from various countries were sojourning there.
+
+Among others, the Richardses heard upon their arrival, there was a young
+English lord of great reputed wealth, having, it was said, the largest
+rent-roll in Derbyshire, England.
+
+“They say he is the handsomest man in the place, as well as the
+richest,” Josephine said to her mother, the night after their arrival at
+the gay watering-place, having heard this piece of news, with much else,
+from an intimate friend. “All the girls are wild about him,” she
+pursued. “Annie Falkner was introduced to him yesterday, and says he is
+as charming in conversation as he is in appearance.”
+
+“How old is he?” asked Mrs. Richards, pricking up her maternal ears at
+once over this wonderful information.
+
+“About twenty-one or two, Annie thought he might be. He has been
+traveling in this country for a year, just to see a little of the world
+before settling upon his own estate. It is whispered,” the eager damsel
+went on, with flushing cheeks and sparkling eyes, “that he has heard of
+the beauty of American ladies, and is on the lookout for a handsome
+wife;” and Josephine tossed her head with a conscious smile, as her eyes
+wandered to the reflection of her own fine face and figure in an
+opposite mirror.
+
+“That is somewhat doubtful, I think, since the English nobility are very
+jealous regarding marriages outside the pale of their own rank. However,
+such things are happening every year now, and this young lord may be
+captivated by some of our American beauties, after all;” and Mrs.
+Richards bestowed a glance of pride upon her handsome daughter, and
+thought how delightful it would be to figure as mother-in-law to an
+English lord, and to be able to say, “my daughter, Lady So-and-So.”
+
+That evening Josephine Richards, the most brilliant girl in the
+ball-room of the Howard House—the hotel where they were stopping—was
+made supremely happy by receiving an introduction to Lord Carrol, of
+Carrolton, Derbyshire, England.
+
+One look into the frank, handsome eyes of the manly stranger, one touch
+of his hand, one tone of his rich, musical voice as it vibrated in her
+ears, and she knew that she had met the man whom she should love with
+the one great passion of her life.
+
+He was tall, with a well-developed form, straight, strong, and lithe; a
+splendidly shaped head, with masses of waving brown hair; clear,
+truthful, brown eyes, full of fire and intelligence; a full, rather low
+brow, a straight nose, and a smiling but decided mouth, with brilliant,
+even teeth.
+
+It was not much wonder that the “girls were wild” over such a man as
+this, and he a lord, with a rent-roll of sixty thousand a year.
+
+Josephine herself, at nineteen, was a magnificent-looking girl, at least
+when she was good-natured and animated.
+
+She was a clear, brilliant brunette, with eyes as black as night, a
+wealth of midnight hair, a fine form, and clearly cut, rather delicate
+features; and all this, added to a faultless taste in matters of dress,
+went far toward making her the chief attraction wherever she went.
+
+My Lord of Carrolton seemed no less pleased with her than she with him,
+and spent a goodly portion of the evening by her side after making her
+acquaintance, much to the chagrin and indignation of other anxious,
+blooming maidens and fond, managing mammas.
+
+“Have you ever visited Europe?” the young peer asked his companion, as
+he led her to a seat at the conclusion of a quadrille.
+
+“Never, my lord, but I think we shall persuade papa to take us upon a
+European trip by another year. Mamma has some distant relatives, I
+believe, somewhere in England,” Josephine replied.
+
+“I trust you will be as well pleased with my country and countrymen as I
+am with America and Americans,” Lord Carrol remarked, gallantly, with an
+inclination of his grand head, and bestowing a look of admiration upon
+his companion.
+
+Josephine flushed with pleasure. His glance, his gesture, his words, all
+plainly indicated that he did not consider her the least attraction in
+America or among Americans.
+
+“Thank you, in the name of my native land,” she said; “but I think you
+must be an exception to the proverbial Englishman, for I have been told
+that, as a rule, they do not like us any too well. They cannot forgive
+us our independence.”
+
+“One may be forced to admire in one way that which it might not be
+pleasant to contemplate in another,” his lordship returned. “But,” he
+added, “I trust that as we, as nations, become better acquainted with
+each other by the frequent interchange of courtesies, we shall also
+become better friends.”
+
+“Have you been long in America?”
+
+“Nearly a year. I have visited a large portion of the country, and I
+must confess that I am greatly pleased and interested in what I have
+seen, and particularly so with your free institutions and schools. Your
+people, too, are generous, free-hearted, and intelligent, while the
+beauty of American ladies, you know, is proverbial,” he concluded,
+smiling.
+
+Josephine’s dark eyes drooped shyly beneath his glance, while the blood
+went rippling to her heart with a thrill such as she had never before
+experienced.
+
+“I shall remain two or three months longer,” he continued; “and I think
+when I do return, notwithstanding I love old England very dearly, I
+shall go with something of regret.”
+
+He would remain two or three months longer.
+
+Josephine’s heart leaped exultingly; she would meet him often, perhaps,
+this noble young peer; and what might not happen in two or three months?
+
+“Do you remain long at Long Branch?” she asked.
+
+“Three or four weeks, perhaps. I find it very pleasant here,” he said;
+and again that thrill leaped through her veins. “I shall then go to New
+York,” he added, “where I shall make my headquarters until I return to
+England.”
+
+“Perhaps we can help to make your stay in New York pleasant,” Josephine
+said, with her most brilliant smile. “Mamma and I are to remain here
+until the first of October, when we shall go home, and can, perhaps,
+help to show you more of our great city than you would otherwise see.”
+
+“Thanks; I shall be very happy to avail myself of your kindness. But
+there is the signal for supper; may I take you in?”
+
+It is needless to say that the fascinated girl accepted his invitation,
+and spent the hour feasting more upon the young lord’s handsome looks
+and charming conversation than upon the choice viands which he placed
+before her.
+
+It was evident that he also experienced pleasure in her society, for,
+when he took her to Mrs. Richards—as she made a signal that she wished
+to retire from the company—and was introduced to her, and then
+accompanied them both to the foot of the staircase leading to their
+apartments, he asked and obtained permission to call upon them on the
+morrow.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XII.
+                            THE CAMEO RING.
+
+
+A fortnight passed, and the Brooklyn beauty, as Miss Richards was
+designated, together with the attention she was receiving from the
+handsome English lord, formed the principal theme of conversation at the
+fashionable watering-place.
+
+Mrs. Richards was in her element, and conducted herself remarkably well.
+
+His lordship considered her a woman of very fine appearance and of
+wonderful tact; and it was noticeable that when he was in her presence
+he paid her full as much homage as he did her daughter; but people of
+course said this was all for a particular purpose.
+
+“By the way,” she said to him, one day, when they were comparing the
+merits of their respective countries, “I am more than half English
+myself. The late Lady Thornton, of Hallowell Park, Devonshire, was an
+aunt of mine—at least, my mother was her half-sister—and I have other
+distant relatives living in the same county.”
+
+“Indeed!” said Lord Carrol, his face lighting at this intelligence. “I
+had no idea that you had any English blood in your veins; I thought you
+were purely American. I have often heard my father speak of Sir William
+Thornton, of Devonshire, and his son, Sir Charles, was at Oxford with
+me. I was only slightly acquainted with him, however, as he took his
+degree a year before I took mine. I am very happy to learn of this
+fact,” and, as if by some fascination, the young nobleman’s glance
+sought Josephine as he spoke.
+
+“I once visited at Hallowell Park when I was a young girl,” Mrs.
+Richards continued, although a flush arose to her cheek as she
+remembered all that had transpired during that visit, for it was then
+that Star’s mother had saved her from drowning. “It is a lovely place,
+and a very large estate, I believe.”
+
+“So I have been told. Sir William was quite an active statesman before
+his death, which occurred only a year after his wife’s. They had only
+one child, Sir Charles, I believe.”
+
+“Has _he_ a family?” Mrs. Richards asked, quickly.
+
+“I think not—at least, I have never heard of his marriage. If he should
+die without issue, I suppose the estate would pass into other hands.”
+
+Mrs. Richards started, and gave the young man a quick glance at this.
+
+“Whose, I wonder?” she said, reflectively, and suddenly seemed to lose
+all interest in the conversation, and the young lord turned his
+attention to the more appreciative Josephine.
+
+The month which the Richardses spent at Long Branch was an eventful one;
+it was the most brilliant season that Josephine had ever known.
+
+She had several offers of marriage, but refused them all, for her heart
+was set on becoming Lady Carrol, and going to shine among the nobility
+of England.
+
+When the time drew near for their departure, her heart beat high with
+hope; for Lord Carrol had lingered beyond the time he had intended to
+spend there, and she flattered herself that she was the cause of it.
+
+He certainly had shown her considerable attention, and it was rumored
+that there would be an engagement.
+
+He appeared to enjoy the society of both ladies, and although he had not
+committed himself in any way, he had accepted an invitation to visit
+them at their country-seat the second week in October, and both
+Josephine and her mother were hoping much from that event.
+
+The last evening of their sojourn at Long Branch, Miss Richards
+descended to the veranda of the hotel, dressed with the utmost care and
+taste.
+
+Her robe was of creamy white silk, with an overdress of filmy black
+lace, looped with crimson fuchsias. There were diamonds in her ears, her
+hair, and clasped about her neck and arms; but they were not brighter
+than her midnight eyes, which glowed with hope and love, while her
+smiling lips vied with the flowers which she wore.
+
+She was brilliantly, dazzlingly beautiful.
+
+The men watched her every movement with admiring glances; the women
+could but acknowledge her superior charms, yet with something of a
+feeling of envy on account of the prize they believed she was about to
+bear away with her.
+
+Lord Carrol seemed drawn to her as the needle to the pole. He had been
+sitting at one end of the veranda when she came down, but he almost
+immediately arose and went to her side, while he would not have been
+human not to have betrayed his appreciation of the exquisite toilet,
+which seemed to enhance her beauty more than ever.
+
+She was conscious of looking her best, and this made her appear to
+better advantage—for who does not feel more at ease and self-possessed
+when conscious of looking well?—while there was an unusual gentleness,
+almost sadness, in her manner, as if something foreshadowed that
+something was slipping out of her life to-night—something which would
+change and darken her whole future, unless the man whom she had grown to
+worship should lay at her feet homage equal to that which she had given
+to him.
+
+“What will the devotees at beauty’s shrine do to-morrow, Miss Richards?”
+the young lord asked, with a smile and a glance which told her what she
+knew already—that she was particularly attractive to-night.
+
+“The Howland House possesses a galaxy of beauties, and I do not think
+there will be any occasion for the ‘devotees,’ as you call them, to
+neglect their duty to-morrow,” she answered, smiling too, but with
+heightened color.
+
+“Ah! but it is plainly to be seen where they have bent the knee most
+devoutly,” he replied, with a gesture which called her attention to the
+many admiring eyes fixed upon her.
+
+She shrugged her graceful shoulders with an air of impatience, as if
+annoyed to find herself so conspicuous, while her darkly fringed lids
+drooped over her glorious eyes, hiding the wistful look which had
+suddenly crept into them.
+
+“The night is lovely, and the band is playing delightfully; let us go
+out and wander about the grounds for a little while,” Lord Carrol said,
+after a moment of silence, during which sweet, enticing strains came
+floating toward them on the evening air.
+
+She took the arm he offered her, her heart throbbing so wildly that she
+feared he would detect it, and they passed down the steps and away from
+the crowd on the veranda, some of whom smiled to hide their envy, others
+indulgently, as if upon a pair of lovers.
+
+“I suppose this will be our last night in this charming place,” the
+young man said, as they slowly wended their way along a sheltered
+avenue.
+
+She looked up with a slight start at the word “our.” He noticed it, and
+smiled.
+
+“I said ‘our,’ because I, too, shall leave on the afternoon express
+to-morrow. I have business in New York which will occupy me for a week
+or more.”
+
+Josephine flushed with pleasure at this, for she felt sure that the
+“business” was only a pretext. Her vanity led her to believe that Long
+Branch would be nothing to him without her companionship, and that he
+would go to New York merely to pass the interval of time which would
+elapse before he would go to Yonkers to spend the promised week with
+them.
+
+“Oh!” she thought, “if he would but speak a single word to commit
+himself that night, she could go away in the morning with a light and
+happy heart.”
+
+But he had never hinted of love for her; he had accompanied her and her
+mother almost everywhere they had been, often showing Mrs. Richards more
+attention than herself. He had danced with her, rode with her, walked
+with her, and no word beyond the most commonplace expressions of
+friendship had ever fallen from his lips.
+
+Sometimes she had thought that he was drawn to them more than to any one
+else simply because he had discovered them to be of English extraction,
+and felt more freedom and more in sympathy with them on that account.
+
+But she knew, too, that he admired her for her beauty, and she certainly
+had exerted herself more than she had ever done in her life before to be
+not only entertaining, but gentle, and winning, and womanly, and she
+kept hoping that a crisis would come before they left for home.
+
+They wandered on and on, the moonlight streaming upon them through the
+overarching branches of the trees, and making lace-like patterns upon
+the smoothly graveled walk at their feet, and he talked only of
+yesterday’s boating, yesterday’s racing—of anything save what her heart
+was craving to hear.
+
+The band played its softest, sweetest strains; the leaves rustled
+whisperingly above their heads, suggestive of lovers’ vows; they were
+almost alone in the beautiful, moonlighted avenue, and everything was
+conducive to love-making, if his lordship had only been so inclined.
+
+Soon they came out by a fountain where the lights were shining
+brilliantly, and he led her to a rustic seat, placed her in it, and sat
+down beside her.
+
+“I shall be very sorry to go,” Josephine said, with a pensive sigh, as
+she looked around on the lovely scene; “it has been very pleasant here
+this summer.”
+
+“It has, indeed, and I shall carry the memory of it with me for a long
+while,” her companion replied. “You have some very beautiful places of
+resort in your country, Miss Richards. You and your mother have made my
+sojourn at Long Branch more than pleasant. Since learning that you have
+English blood in your veins, I have grown to regard you almost as my own
+people; and sometimes,” he added, smiling, “I have felt as if I might be
+intruding myself too much upon you; but I trust I shall be able to
+return some of your kindness when you come to England.”
+
+Josephine’s heart sank like lead in her bosom.
+
+These were surely very commonplace words to speak to her on the eve of
+her departure, if he entertained anything of affection for her.
+
+“It would be a great delight to me to visit England,” she returned; “and
+you have told me so much about your beautiful home—your mother and
+sister—that I have a great desire to see both it and them.”
+
+“You must come to Cheshire Park—my mother’s and sister’s home. Next year
+I shall hope to show it to you,” he said, earnestly.
+
+Did he mean that he hoped she would go there with him, or was it merely
+a wish that she would visit England, that he might be able to return
+some of the courtesies which she and her mother had shown him?
+
+She could not tell, but hope seemed deserting her; her heart beat
+heavily, she grew pale and sad, and a slight shiver shook her.
+
+He noticed it.
+
+“You are taking cold, I fear; we ought not to sit here in this evening
+air.”
+
+“No, I am not taking cold; I will tie my handkerchief around my throat,
+however,” she answered.
+
+It was so pleasant sitting there beside him, so pleasant to listen to
+his rich, deep voice and look into his clear brown eyes, that she could
+not bear to think of going back to the hotel just yet.
+
+She tied her handkerchief about her white throat, and as she did so, the
+light struck full upon a ring which he had not seen her wear before.
+
+It was a lovely cameo, very delicately cut. It was Star’s little
+treasure, the gift of Archibald Sherbrooke.
+
+“Pardon me,” Lord Carrol said, with a slight start as he observed it,
+“but you have a ring on your hand that I have never seen you wear
+before. It is very lovely. May I examine it more closely?”
+
+Josephine unhesitatingly laid her hand on his palm, her whole body
+thrilling as his fingers closed over it, and he bent his proud head to
+examine the ring.
+
+She had had poor Star’s pin made into this ring, which she had worn a
+few times, and then tiring of it, had thrown it into her jewel-box,
+where it had lain unheeded until to-night, when a sudden whim had caused
+her to put it on.
+
+“It is a very finely carved cameo,” he said, after a few moments, during
+which he had regarded it intently. “I once saw one so nearly like it
+that I do not think I could distinguish it from this. It belonged to—to
+a friend of mine, although that was in the form of a pin.”
+
+“Was your friend a lady or gentleman?” Josephine asked, quickly, and not
+giving herself time to realize that she was betraying undue curiosity.
+
+“A gentleman,” he returned, briefly.
+
+“It is a pretty trifle which was given to me by a relative,” Josephine
+said, without even wincing at the _lie_, yet feeling guilty and
+uncomfortable to have the stone recognized.
+
+“It is evidently quite a valuable cameo,” Lord Carrol returned,
+thoughtfully, “and the person of whom I spoke prized the one he had very
+highly, for he is something of an artist, and had it carved in Italy
+after a design which he made himself.”
+
+“Indeed! Is your artist an Englishman?” Miss Richards asked, with
+downcast eyes, and more interested in this matter than she cared to
+appear.
+
+“Yes; and his name is Sherbrooke—Archibald Sherbrooke,” Lord Carrol
+replied, while he regarded her intently.
+
+Josephine started, and the color flamed into her face.
+
+Archibald Sherbrooke!
+
+The name smote her unpleasantly, for she remembered those two initials,
+“A. S.,” which were marked on the back of the setting of the cameo, and
+having two tiny strawberry leaves engraved underneath.
+
+Could it be possible that Star—the despised girl at Yonkers—knew
+Archibald Sherbrooke, the _friend_ of Lord Carrol, and that he had given
+this elegant cameo to her?
+
+She remembered how, when she had asked her to give it to her, Star’s
+lips had trembled as she said “it was the gift of a friend and she did
+not like to part with it;” but she never imagined that the associate of
+a peer would take interest enough in a girl occupying the position she
+occupied to give her so costly an ornament as this.
+
+The thought was not a pleasant one, or it told her that if such was the
+case, and there could be no doubt of it, that Star was known and
+appreciated by one whom this English lord held in high esteem.
+
+She would have liked to question him more about this “friend” of his,
+but did not wish to betray too much curiosity lest he should mistrust
+that she had the identical stone which he referred to, and should in
+turn ask unpleasant questions of her.
+
+She therefore changed the subject as quickly as possible, hoping to win
+him to a mood more congenial with her own feelings and desires.
+
+But her efforts proved unavailing, for his lordship had suddenly become
+thoughtful and taciturn; and Miss Richards at last, berating herself
+soundly for having worn that unlucky ring that evening, signified her
+desire to return to the hotel.
+
+Mrs. Richards had watched them saunter from the veranda in a flutter of
+anticipation, hoping that the all-important moment had at last arrived.
+
+But one glance at her daughter’s face when they came back told her that
+the much wished for crisis had _not_ arrived, and she felt deeply
+disappointed.
+
+“Good-night and good-by!” Josephine said, holding out her white hand to
+her companion as they entered the hotel. She could not trust herself
+longer in his society, lest she should betray something of her
+disappointment and ill-nature. “I must say my farewell now, I suppose,
+since we are to leave by the early train to-morrow.”
+
+“It is always hard to say farewell to our friends,” Lord Carrol
+answered, smiling as he took her extended hand. “However, I can say it
+with a better grace now than if it was to be a final one. But are you
+going to leave us so soon? There is a gay company in the dancing-hall,
+and I fear many will be disappointed if you flit so early.”
+
+“Yes, I am going up to my room,” she answered, wearily; and he noticed
+that she had grown very pale and was shivering.
+
+“I am really afraid you have taken cold; you look ill, and I fear I kept
+you out too long,” he said, anxiously.
+
+“No,” she returned, brightening a trifle as she saw how troubled he was
+on her account. “I have not taken cold, but I do not feel like dancing
+to-night, so I will retire. Good-by for a week.”
+
+“Yes, for one week; then I shall see you in your own home at Yonkers,”
+Lord Carrol said; and just then Mrs. Richards approached them.
+
+“How is it that you two young people are not in the ball-room?” she
+said, brightly.
+
+“I am taking leave of Miss Richards, who thinks of retiring, as she says
+you leave on the early train,” explained his lordship.
+
+“What is the trouble, Josie—are you not well?” the elder lady asked,
+with maternal solicitude.
+
+“Yes; but I do not wish to dance to-night, so I am going up stairs.”
+
+“Then I’ll go with you, for I have not quite finished packing. Well, my
+lord,” she added, turning cheerily to him and giving him her hand, “I
+trust you will spend the coming week pleasantly, and then we shall
+expect to see you again.”
+
+“Thanks. Shall I have the pleasure of meeting Mr. Richards then? Will he
+have returned by that time?” the young man asked.
+
+“Yes; he returns next week,” Mrs. Richards answered, a new idea striking
+her.
+
+Probably he wished to consult formally with her husband before proposing
+to Josephine; the English, she knew, were very punctilious regarding
+such matters.
+
+Yes, she was confident, now she thought of it, that was why he had not
+come to the point to-night.
+
+So, after a few more cordially spoken regrets, good wishes, and so
+forth, they left him and sought their rooms.
+
+Lord Carrol turned and went out into the grounds again, his face grown
+very grave and thoughtful.
+
+“I never would have believed it. I do not understand it at all,” he
+muttered to himself.
+
+But what he did not understand or could not believe, the future must
+develop.
+
+The next morning Mrs. Richards and her daughter left for Yonkers, and
+the same afternoon Lord Carrol was _en route_ for New York city.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XIII.
+                            A GLAD MEETING.
+
+
+Back and forth every day from Yonkers, patiently and uncomplainingly,
+went Star Gladstone to her school, glad to pursue her studies and music
+at any cost or sacrifice.
+
+This occupied nine long hours of five days in the week, and, weary as
+she was upon her return, she always devoted what time she could to the
+white-haired old gentleman who watched her depart with a sigh, waited
+eagerly for her return, and who brightened so visibly when she appeared.
+
+One day, after school, Star had an errand at a music store, and was
+detained so long by the slow movement of the clerk who waited upon her,
+that she was obliged to hurry with all her strength to catch her train.
+
+She entered the station breathless, just as the last bell rang and the
+cars began to move.
+
+Hoping to overtake it even then, she ran for it, her small feet barely
+touching the ground as she sped over it. She reached the last car, put
+forth her hand to lay hold upon the railing and spring upon the steps,
+when a firm grasp upon her arms from behind rendered her efforts
+fruitless, and a deep, rich voice said:
+
+“Young lady, pardon me the liberty I take, but that is a very dangerous
+experiment.”
+
+The train was gone. Mr. Rosevelt would look for her in vain when it came
+in, but Star could not regret it, although she had exerted every nerve
+to catch it, for she would know _that voice_ no matter where she heard
+it; and, with a vivid flush leaping to her cheeks, her pulses thrilling
+with excitement and delight, she turned quickly to find herself face to
+face with her whilom _compagnon de voyage_—Archibald Sherbrooke!
+
+His face lighted brilliantly in an instant as he recognized her, for
+although she had changed somewhat during the past year, growing lovelier
+than ever, he had never forgotten those star-like eyes, those waves of
+soft, golden hair shading her forehead, nor that sweetly smiling,
+scarlet mouth.
+
+“Miss Gladstone!” he cried, putting out his hand to her. “I had no idea
+whom I was saving from committing such an act of imprudence when I saw
+you about to leap upon that moving train; but I am doubly glad now that
+my presumption prevented you from doing anything so rash, and gave me
+this unexpected pleasure.”
+
+“I am glad, too, for I am delighted to see you again, Mr. Sherbrooke,”
+Star said, heartily and frankly, as she gave him her neatly gloved hand,
+and looking straight up into his handsome eyes in a way that testified
+to the sincerity of her words.
+
+“I know it was imprudent to try to leap upon a moving train,” she
+continued; “but there is some one at home who is always disappointed if
+I do not return at a certain hour, and so I was anxious to catch it.
+However, another leaves in a half hour; and, indeed, I am very glad to
+have met you.”
+
+How lady-like she was! With what perfect self-possession and grace she
+greeted him, notwithstanding her sparkling eyes and the flush which had
+leaped to her cheek told of inward excitement.
+
+She was the same, and yet not the same; she had developed wonderfully
+since that morning when he had parted from her on the steamer.
+
+Her hair was still of the same beautiful golden hue as the lock which
+she had severed for him, and which he still treasured; her eyes were the
+same heavenly blue, her smile as bright and sweet, but there was an
+added, indescribable charm about her that made her tenfold more lovely
+in his sight.
+
+“Thank you,” he said, in reply to her hearty greeting; “and now, if you
+have only half an hour before another train goes, let us make the most
+of it, and find a seat in the waiting-room where we can compare notes on
+the last ten months.”
+
+He led the way to the ladies’ room, found a comfortable chair in a
+corner for her where they could talk undisturbed, and the half hour
+slipped by before they had any idea that it was time for Star to go.
+
+“There is my train,” she said, suddenly starting up as the first bell
+rang; “I must not miss this one, or Mr. Rosevelt will surely think
+something dreadful has happened to me.”
+
+“Mr. Rosevelt!” repeated young Sherbrooke, in surprise.
+
+“Yes; is it not singular? We met as strangers on board the steamer, and,
+after all, we were coming to be inmates of the same house and did not
+know it.”
+
+“Yes, it is strange. He was a fine-appearing old gentleman. I trust that
+he has recovered from the effects of his exposure at sea.”
+
+“Not entirely, and I fear he never will,” Star answered, with a sigh.
+“His health is not very good, and his eyes trouble him exceedingly at
+times. They were injured by the reflection of the glaring sun in the
+water while we were in that open boat. We are excellent friends, and he
+watches anxiously for my return every day.”
+
+“Do you come to New York every day?” her companion questioned.
+
+“Yes; I am attending a seminary in Brooklyn, and for the present go back
+and forth every day. But see,” she added, pointing to the clock; “there
+is only one minute more, and I must find a seat.”
+
+He assisted her to enter and conducted her to a seat; then, extending
+his hand, he said, smiling:
+
+“If you come to the city every day, I shall hope to see you again.”
+
+The ever ready color leaped to her cheeks again, more at the look he
+gave her than at his words.
+
+She was upon the point of giving him her address and asking him to come
+out to Yonkers to see her and Mr. Rosevelt, but the train started, and
+she was obliged to leave her invitation unspoken.
+
+He had only time to lift his hat, dart away and leap upon the platform,
+before the train was under way.
+
+Archibald Sherbrooke not only _hoped_ to see her again, he _did_ see her
+many times after that, for he contrived to be at the station on some
+pretext or other, or overtake her on the way thither, every day for
+nearly a week, and he was always greeted with a glad look and smile.
+Every day she grew more beautiful in his sight; every day his eyes told
+her so, and these chance (?) meetings grew very sweet to them both.
+
+“You must come out to Yonkers, some day, and see Mr. Rosevelt,” Star
+said, upon one of these occasions.
+
+“There, I declare, we have found so much else to talk about, that I have
+not even told you where I live,” she said, laughing.
+
+“And I am invited out to see _Mr. Rosevelt_, am I?” he asked, with a
+twinkle of mischief in his fine eyes.
+
+“Yes,” Star returned, demurely. “I know he will be very much pleased to
+see you—indeed, he said so when I told him of our meeting. He remembers
+how good to him you were after his rescue.”
+
+“Thanks. Then I shall certainly avail myself of your invitation, and go
+out to see Mr. Rosevelt some day very soon,” he said, with a grave bow;
+but his eyes told her that she would be the star to attract him thither.
+
+“You say _he_ remembers what transpired on the steamer. Do _you_
+remember, too, Miss Star, how you told me at parting that I should
+always be your friend—that you would never forget me?”
+
+Star’s glorious eyes drooped, and the quick color rushing upward,
+stained all her fair face to those soft yellow curls on her forehead.
+
+“I have not forgotten,” she murmured, softly.
+
+“Neither have I, as perhaps this will prove to you,” said the young man,
+lifting a tiny locket which hung from his watch-chain, and, touching a
+spring, held it up before her.
+
+It contained nothing save a tress of shining hair, and Star knew in an
+instant to whom it had once belonged.
+
+Like a flash she remembered the cameo that he had given her as a
+souvenir, and a choking sensation came into her throat.
+
+She knew by the way he was looking at her—by the way he had asked her if
+she “remembered”—that he was wondering if she had kept his gift as he
+had treasured that lock of silken hair.
+
+There was not a piece of jewelry about her person, and he had remarked
+that fact the first time he met her there at the station.
+
+Every article of her toilet was as dainty as it was possible to make it
+with her limited resources, and she looked every inch a lady; but it was
+not usual in those days to see a young girl of her age without the
+glitter of gold or tinsel somewhere about her.
+
+“You have kept it all this time,” she said, scarce knowing what to say
+from embarrassment, while she wondered what she ought to tell him about
+the cameo.
+
+“Certainly I have kept it all this time. I urged you to give it to me,
+and you do not suppose I was going to cast it lightly aside, do you?”
+
+“Perhaps not,” she answered, with downcast eyes; “but I hardly thought
+you would keep it in—in such a way; and—oh I Mr. Sherbrooke, I have lost
+that lovely little cameo that you gave to me.”
+
+She looked up at him now, and he noted the troubled, even pained
+expression that was in her eyes.
+
+“Lost it!” he repeated; and although he did not intend it, his face
+clouded, whether from disappointment or some other feeling she could not
+tell.
+
+She could not bear that he should know _how_ she had lost it, and she
+felt that she was guilty of no untruth when she explained its absence
+thus.
+
+“Yes,” she returned. “Please do not think that I did not prize it, for I
+did more than I can tell you, and I hope even yet to be able to recover
+it.”
+
+He did not reply, but his face had grown grave, almost severe, and she
+imagined there was something of constraint in his manner at parting with
+her.
+
+She felt that he was hurt by her seeming carelessness or indifference
+for his costly little gift, and bitter tears kept welling to her eyes
+all the way home.
+
+“I _will_ have it again. I will go to Josephine and demand it. She has
+no right to it, for it is mine; and if she will not give it to me, I
+will appeal to Mr. Richards,” she said, indignantly, to herself.
+
+“I could not bear to tell him how I lost it,” she thought, with rising
+color. “I do not wish him to know how I have been treated by my mother’s
+relatives, or how bitterly I have been disappointed in my hopes since
+coming to this country. But,” she added, with firmly compressed lips,
+“it will not be so much longer. In a little while I shall be independent
+of them all.”
+
+She little imagined how soon she would be independent of them, or how it
+would be achieved.
+
+This was Thursday—she had first met young Sherbrooke the previous
+Friday, and there had not been the slightest cloud to mar their
+intercourse until now, though they had met almost every day—and Star
+went home feeling somewhat sad and depressed.
+
+But the next morning her sadness disappeared when Mr. Rosevelt told her
+that he was feeling so strong and well that he would like a change, and
+he proposed to go to New York and call upon their young friend.
+
+He had given Star his address, and when she left for school on Friday
+morning, it was arranged that Mr. Rosevelt should go to town that
+afternoon and she would meet him at Mr. Sherbrooke’s studio after school
+and they would return together.
+
+It seemed, however, as if everything went wrong for our young friend
+that day. Her mind, usually so keen and active, refused to work with its
+accustomed vigor, and she was listless and almost inattentive, much to
+the surprise of Professor Roberts and her other teachers.
+
+Her thoughts were playing truant, and half the time were far away in
+that artist studio where Mr. Rosevelt was visiting.
+
+When the hour came for her to join them, all her listlessness departed,
+and she was her own bright self once more; and when, in answer to her
+gentle knock upon his door, Archibald Sherbrooke opened it to admit her,
+he thought she had never seemed so lovely before.
+
+He had begun to realize that the feelings with which he regarded her
+were something deeper and stronger than mere friendship called for—in
+fact, he knew that he loved her more dearly than any other object on
+earth, and that his heart had not really been his own, if the truth were
+known, since that day when they had parted on the steamer; and he had
+that morning come to the conclusion that the time should not be far
+distant when he should tell her in words of the emotions she had
+awakened in his heart.
+
+“This is a pleasure that I had not anticipated until about an hour ago,”
+he said, with a brilliant smile, as he took her by the hand and led her
+into the room, where she found Mr. Rosevelt reclining comfortably in a
+luxurious chair.
+
+“And this,” Star said, looking around her with a long-drawn breath of
+delight as she noted the many beautiful paintings hanging on the walls,
+“is a pleasure which I had not anticipated.”
+
+“Ah! then it is my _work_ which shall give you pleasure, rather than my
+_society_, as I had presumed to flatter myself,” the young man said,
+ruefully, and making a comical grimace, although his eyes were looking
+down into hers with an expression which made her tremble.
+
+She laughed, while a lovely color leaped to her face. But she tried to
+hide her embarrassment by retorting, archly:
+
+“I suppose I must be polite, and affirm that I expect to enjoy both; but
+really, Mr. Sherbrooke, although I knew you were an artist, I had no
+idea that you painted such delightful things.”
+
+“You give me more credit than belongs to me,” he answered, smiling; “but
+wait until you are rested, and then I have something in particular to
+show you.”
+
+“Oh, I am not weary. Let me look now, if you please; we have only an
+hour, you know;” and she began to move about the room, examining with no
+uncritical eye the works upon the walls.
+
+The young artist kept by her side, telling her the subjects of the
+paintings, and relating many instances connected with them.
+
+At length they came to a corner where there stood an easel, upon which
+there was a picture covered with a green cloth.
+
+Mr. Sherbrooke removed the covering, simply saying:
+
+“This is the picture that I particularly wished to show you.”
+
+It was quite a large painting, and represented a young man and maiden
+standing on board a steamer, while silver-tipped waves and a deep blue
+sky formed a charming background for their youthful figures.
+
+The former stood in an eager attitude, with one hand extended, a smile
+on his handsome lips, a gleam of wistful admiration in his honest brown
+eyes, while his companion seemed to be clipping a tress from a massive
+braid of shining golden hair that hung over her shoulders.
+
+The fair young girl was a faithful representation of Star as she had
+appeared on that day, which they both remembered so vividly, and in the
+act of severing that lock at his request. She stood with drooping eyes,
+a flush on her cheek, a half-smile on her beautiful scarlet lips, a shy
+and modest grace in her posture, while her slender fingers daintily held
+braid and scissors.
+
+Archibald Sherbrooke watched her as she gazed upon his picture, his
+heart in his earnest glance; while Star, although her eyes were riveted
+as if fascinated upon the familiar scene, could not say one word
+regarding it.
+
+He had made her very, very lovely, with that sheen upon her hair, those
+soft, bright curls lying low upon her forehead, which gleamed beneath
+them like purest ivory; with those half-averted eyes, in which the iris
+was just discernible, so richly blue,
+
+                   * * “As if the sky let fall
+                   A flower from its cerulean wall;”
+
+with her delicate hands in their pretty act showing to such advantage,
+and her slight, willowy figure so gracefully posed—so lovely that she
+could not help the conscious blush which mounted to her temples, nor the
+quick heart-throbs which stirred the lace upon her bosom; for something
+whispered to her that his hand had lingered fondly upon that picture, as
+if over a work that he had loved.
+
+“What do you think of my work, Miss Gladstone?” he asked, gravely, and
+breaking the silence which was becoming oppressive to him.
+
+“It—it is very—correct, I think,” she faltered, with averted eyes and
+deepening color.
+
+An anxious gleam shot into his eyes at her reply.
+
+“Have I displeased you by putting it on canvas?” he asked, earnestly.
+
+“N-o,” she returned, somewhat hesitatingly.
+
+“I fear I have,” he said, still more gravely than before. “Do not
+hesitate to tell me if you are offended, and I will obliterate it with
+one sweep of my brush.”
+
+His eye was full of pain, a deep flush burned on his cheek, while there
+was a thrill in his low, earnest tone that set her pulses bounding
+afresh.
+
+She glanced up at him, smiling slightly.
+
+“No, I am not offended,” she said; “but I’m afraid I appeared very
+foolish that day to offer you a tress of my yellow hair.”
+
+“Have I made the picture appear so?” he asked, quickly.
+
+“No; you have made it altogether too beautiful,” she answered,
+earnestly, and then was covered with confusion at having admitted so
+much.
+
+“Thank you,” he said, brightly, his face clearing. “I could not do that,
+if I had spent twice the time I did upon it, and”—bending nearer to her,
+and speaking in a tender tone—“it is a picture that I painted for myself
+alone; no one has ever seen it before, and I shall always keep it.”
+
+He covered it carefully with the cloth again as he ceased speaking.
+
+“These are not nearly all my work,” he said, as she turned to look at
+some others; “they are the united work of an old artist, ‘our master,’
+we call him, and of three of my friends—companion artists. We have been
+traveling together during the last ten months, and these pictures are
+some of the results of our pilgrimage. We are to return now in a couple
+of months, having spent our year in America both pleasantly and
+profitably, I trust. We had to make our headquarters somewhere, so we
+took this room as a sort of studio, and thus putting our work all
+together, we manage to make quite a respectable display.”
+
+“I am glad to have seen these pictures,” Star said, “and to know they
+are all the work of my countrymen. I wish, however, that _I_ was going
+back to England in a month or two,” she concluded, with a sigh, and a
+tear springing to her eye.
+
+“Do you?” her companion asked, eagerly. “Then you have not become weaned
+from your native land?”
+
+“No, indeed,” she said, earnestly. “I love it as dearly as ever, and if
+I live I shall go back some day to my home.”
+
+The young man bent toward her, an eager light in his eye; his lips
+parted as if he were about to speak, but Mr. Rosevelt, from the opposite
+side of the room, suddenly addressed some remark to him, and he was
+obliged to turn his attention to him.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XIV.
+                      “LET ME DEPICT YOUR FUTURE.”
+
+
+Before Mr. Rosevelt and Star left him, Mr. Sherbrooke arranged a little
+pleasure trip to Coney Island for the following day.
+
+“I suppose, to-morrow being Saturday, you will have no school, Miss
+Gladstone,” he said, with an appealing look at her.
+
+“No; but I have a music lesson at nine,” she answered, doubtfully.
+
+“Could you not arrange to postpone it for once?”
+
+“I think not; the hour is engaged for me, and if I am not there I lose
+it. I should hardly like to do that, for I must make the most of my time
+this year.”
+
+Star said this last more to herself than in reply to him. She wanted to
+go—oh, so much!—and yet felt that she ought not to lose her lesson.
+
+“Well, an hour will not make much difference; you will be through by
+ten. It will not be too late for our excursion then, and that will give
+us the best part of the day. The sail will be delightful, and we will
+come home by moonlight. I speak for to-morrow, as I am to leave New York
+next week for awhile. I think you will go, Miss Star?” Mr. Sherbrooke
+concluded, questioningly.
+
+“I think I should enjoy the trip very much,” Mr. Rosevelt here
+interposed. “We’ll say ‘go,’ little girl, for we have had no holiday
+this summer. Yes, yes, Sherbrooke, thank you, we will accept your
+invitation, and Star will, I think, be willing to shorten her lesson a
+trifle, so that we shall be able to leave the city by half-past ten.”
+
+Yes, Star said she would do that; and the matter once decided, her face
+brightened and her eyes glowed with anticipation.
+
+She had not had a holiday that summer, as Mr. Rosevelt said; indeed, no
+one had planned a day’s pleasure for her before since she came to
+America, and the thought of this little excursion was very gratifying to
+her. A whole day spent in the company of Archibald Sherbrooke would be a
+“red letter day” to her; and so, with thrilling pulses and bounding
+heart, she took leave of him and went away with Mr. Rosevelt, to talk
+about it, to dream about it, and, girl-like, to plan how to make herself
+as charming as possible for the occasion.
+
+As for Archibald Sherbrooke himself, he sat down after his guests had
+departed, and allowed his thoughts to have their own way.
+
+“She is as lovely as a dream,” he murmured, watching her from the window
+as she tripped lightly along by Mr. Rosevelt’s side. “I did not think
+when I started for America that I was coming to meet my fate; but so it
+proves. Unless I can win Star Gladstone’s love, the remainder of my life
+will not contain much that will be worth living for. She is as pure as a
+lily, beautiful as a veritable star; and yet there is something that I
+cannot quite understand about her; there is a reserve, an occasional
+sadness, that seems strange in one so young, while once in awhile she
+lets fall a word which makes me fear her life is not as bright as it
+should be. There is something of a mystery, too, about Mr. Rosevelt. How
+sort of ‘seedy’ and neglected he looked to-day, and I judged, when I met
+him before, that he was a man of abundant means, and without a care,
+pecuniarily.
+
+“How startled my fair one looked when I showed her my picture,” he went
+on, with a luminous smile; “and I really believe that she realized
+something of the tenderness that I have put into it.”
+
+He arose and went over to the easel, and removing the cloth, stood
+looking at the lovely girl with a world of affection in his handsome
+eyes.
+
+“My glory-crowned Star,” he murmured, “I began to love you the moment
+that you fell exhausted into my arms when you were rescued from the
+hungry jaws of death, and I will spend my life in winning you if need
+be. I have seen no other woman your equal during all my sojourn in
+America—at least, no one who has so moved my heart—and I know of no one
+in all England whom I should care to win for my bride.
+
+“Star Gladstone! It is a name symbolical of her nature,” he said,
+unconsciously repeating what Mr. Rosevelt had once told her, “or I am no
+adept in reading character. She will crown my life with light, and bring
+gladness and beauty into my home, if I can win her; and I think I am not
+mistaken in believing that I read the sequel to my own love-story to-day
+in her blushing face and shy, drooping eyes.”
+
+Saturday came, and at an early hour Star awoke and arose to see what the
+morning promised, and to prepare for the anticipated pleasure of the
+day.
+
+The sun rolled up from the east without a cloud, its light, a dusky red,
+tinging all the earth with a rosy hue—a sure harbinger of a hot, dry
+day, and just what Star of all things most desired.
+
+“Why?” does curiosity question.
+
+Because her one best dress for summer had been a simple white lawn,
+which her own fair hands had fashioned in the most dainty manner, and
+she had nothing else really pretty to wear.
+
+“If I cannot have embroideries and laces, I can at least have ruffles
+and tucks, for they cost nothing but time and patience,” she had said to
+Miss Baker, when the question “how it should be trimmed” came up for
+discussion; and ruffled and tucked it was in the most artistic manner.
+
+She ran down stairs to practice for an hour, after which she went to her
+breakfast, and confided to Mrs. Blunt the fact that “she and Uncle
+Jacob” were going to have a holiday—her throbbing pulses warned her not
+to mention the third member of the party, lest she should betray more
+than she cared to—and that good woman remarked, with characteristic
+emphasis, that “if she wasn’t glad of it, she was much mistaken, and
+hoped she’d have the best time in the world; she’d certainly had
+_precious few_ good times since she came there.”
+
+This duty over—for she did not feel right to be gone the whole day
+without telling some member of the family of her intention—she returned
+to her room to give her attention to that, for once with her, very
+important subject for consideration—her toilet.
+
+She arranged her shining hair with great care. It was her glory, and
+Archibald Sherbrooke had made it appear such in that picture which he
+had shown her yesterday, and which she now remembered with crimson
+cheeks and glowing eyes, as she brushed those shining strands until they
+gleamed like burnished gold. She then wove it into one massive braid, as
+she had worn it that day which neither of them would ever forget, and
+tied it a little way from the end with a fresh, delicate blue ribbon.
+
+This done, she donned the spotless white dress, with a broad belt of
+blue and its great bow on one side, and fastened a simple knot of the
+same at her throat, but heaving a regretful sigh as she thought of her
+precious cameo, and wished she could have had it to wear to-day. Then
+she tied a pretty chip hat, with its mull trimmings and bunch of
+forget-me-nots, over her golden head, and blushed rosy red at the vision
+of loveliness that looked out at her from her small mirror.
+
+Taking her roll of music, and throwing a fleecy shawl over her arm, she
+ran down stairs with a light, springing step, intending to go to the
+lodge for a word with Mr. Rosevelt before she went to the station.
+
+“Where are you going, miss, rigged out in that style?” was the rude
+query that saluted her ears as she came out upon the veranda and stopped
+a moment to fasten her gloves.
+
+Looking up, she saw Josephine sitting at one end of the porch, and half
+hidden by the luxuriant growth of vines climbing the trellis.
+
+Her radiant face clouded; it seemed almost like an omen of evil to have
+her anticipations of pleasure broken in upon thus.
+
+“I am going to New York to take my music lesson,” she answered, touching
+the roll underneath her arm.
+
+“Do you always dress yourself out like that to take your music lesson?
+Perhaps you are trying to strike up a flirtation with Professor
+What’s-his-name,” sneered the haughty beauty.
+
+Poor Star glanced down at her offending dress, an indignant flush rising
+to her cheek.
+
+The entire cost of it had been less than what Josephine was accustomed
+to pay for even a pair of shoes; and yet she knew, without being told,
+that the gay belle, with all her expensive trappings, had never looked
+half so fresh and lovely as she did at that moment.
+
+Josephine realized it also, and her heart was filled with bitter envy
+and malice.
+
+“Go back up stairs and change your gown,” she continued, angrily,
+without giving Star an opportunity to reply to her taunting remarks.
+“You have no business to go to the city, dressed as if you were going to
+a party.”
+
+Star’s small head came up like a flash of light; her eyes darkened and
+glowed with a sense of wounded pride and injustice.
+
+She stood still a moment, her scarlet lips compressed until only a
+narrow line of red was visible; then, in a calm, clear, but very decided
+tone, she said:
+
+“You have no right to lay such commands upon me, Miss Richards, and I
+shall not obey you.”
+
+“You insolent beggar! what do you mean by answering me in this way?”
+began the astonished girl; but Star had glided down the steps, and was
+walking with a proud, elastic step down the avenue; consequently her
+rage was expended upon the empty air.
+
+But she was fairly startled by the exquisite loveliness of the young
+girl. She had never seen her dressed with so much care before, and had
+not dreamed of having such a rival in her own dwelling.
+
+Mr. Rosevelt was standing on the porch of the lodge when Star came
+along, and he, too, marveled at her exceeding beauty, saying to himself
+that he had never seen her so brilliant and spirited before.
+
+And, indeed, he had not, for she never had been so thoroughly aroused
+before during all her residence in Mrs. Richards’ family.
+
+“Good-morning, Uncle Jacob,” she said, brightly, as she saw him standing
+there, and her indignation immediately began to subside.
+
+What was Josephine Richards that she should allow her to mar all the
+pleasure of her own holiday?—that she should drive the happiness from
+her heart, the sunlight from her face, when she was going to spend long
+hours of delight in Archibald Sherbrooke’s presence?
+
+Nothing, save a coarse, rude girl, devoid of feeling or refinement; and
+with a resolute effort she drove her from her thoughts, the smile
+returned to her red lips, the light to her eye, as she ran lightly up
+the steps and stood beside Mr. Rosevelt.
+
+“How well you are looking,” she said, gayly. “I just ran down to see if
+you were all right, and to jog your memory about our little celebration
+to-day.”
+
+“You did not need to do that, Starling. I am as eager as a schoolboy for
+my day of pleasure,” he returned, with a fond smile, adding: “But how
+dainty you are this morning. I shouldn’t wonder if our artist friend
+would be wanting to paint the picture of a ‘star’ one of these days,
+eh?”
+
+Star blushed and laughed lightly.
+
+She could have told him, had she chosen, that it was already painted.
+
+But she only charged him playfully to make himself look as young and
+charming as possible if he intended to be her escort to Coney Island;
+then waving him a farewell, she tripped away with a smile on her lips, a
+song in her heart.
+
+He stood and watched her out of sight, murmuring, with something like
+regretful fondness:
+
+“My bright Star, somebody will want something more substantial than a
+painting if you are onehalf as attractive in his eyes as you are in
+mine.”
+
+The little German professor of whom Star took music lessons rubbed his
+small fat hands with delight, his face dimpling all over with smiles,
+when she came like a ray of light into his room.
+
+“Ach! but der fraulein should have been called Miss Gladheart,” he said,
+regarding her admiringly. “She is as bright as der day, as fair as der
+morn; she is like a flower dot is newly bloomed.”
+
+Star laughed merrily.
+
+It seemed ludicrous enough to her to hear this fat little man, with his
+bald pate, his red face, dumpy legs, and his broken English—who scarce
+ever was known to express a thought that was not connected with music
+before—bubble over thus unexpectedly with sentiment.
+
+“Oh, Professor Schwab, you overwhelm me!” she cried, gayly; “and I’m
+almost certain that your compliments will degenerate into a veritable
+scolding before I have been here fifteen minutes, for I fear I am not in
+very good order to-day, my head is full of pleasure.”
+
+“Pleasure is good now and then; it is made for youth,” the professor
+remarked, with a sigh, and a glance at Star’s bright face and dainty
+costume, as if he regretted that he was no longer young.
+
+“I want you to let me go in just half an hour, for this is to be a
+holiday,” Star said, as she removed her hat and gloves.
+
+“Der fraulein shall do shust vat she pleases—I can refuse her notting
+to-day; but,” he added, assuming a business-like air, “let her mind dot
+she keep her fingers right and der time goot.”
+
+Star settled down at once to her work with such earnestness of purpose
+that she really outshone herself, executing her brilliant and difficult
+exercises in a way that would have done credit to the composer himself.
+
+“Verra goot—excellent goot! Der heart is glad, her hopes are bright, and
+der work is well done. Miss Gladstone, in six months I teach you notting
+more; you go to Germany—to Italy, to study,” he said, his face beaming
+with satisfaction at her proficiency.
+
+Star thanked him with her brightest smile for his praise, and then left
+him with a light heart; and when she reached the place appointed as the
+rendezvous by Mr. Rosevelt and Mr. Sherbrooke, this latter gentleman
+also thought her the fairest object he had ever seen, and knew that, as
+he clasped her small hand, his eyes were betraying that old, old story
+of which his heart was so full.
+
+The sail down the river was even more charming than they had
+anticipated. The day was perfect, the air being just cool enough to be
+exhilarating, while our trio of friends were in a mood to enjoy
+everything in the way of pleasure that might present itself.
+
+They reached the island about noon, when Mr. Sherbrooke, ordering a
+carriage, they drove directly to Manhattan Beach Hotel, where they
+partook of a sumptuous dinner, and thus fortified, sallied forth to
+enjoy the beauties and attractions all about them.
+
+A couple of hours were spent in visiting the different objects of
+interest, and then Mr. Rosevelt said that he should be obliged to give
+up and take a rest.
+
+So Mr. Sherbrooke ordered a room for him at the hotel, and he went to
+“take a nap,” while the young man, with a feeling of exultation that now
+he should have Star all to himself, took a carriage for a long drive
+upon the beach.
+
+For miles and miles they drove over the smooth, hard road, both in their
+happiest mood, and giving themselves up to the enjoyment of the hour.
+
+Every moment spent in Star’s society only served to entangle our young
+English friend more securely in the meshes of love’s net; while she
+began to realize that the world would never be quite the same again to
+her when he should be gone and no prospect of their meeting again.
+
+“He is going away next week,” she kept saying again and again to
+herself, while a chill pain gnawed at her heart. “How can I bear to have
+him go, and feel that I may never see him again? Oh, England, my home!
+my home! would that I also could go back to you!”
+
+So intense was her longing for her home, so keenly did she regret this
+parting, which she felt was inevitable, that the tears sprang into her
+eyes, and a deep sigh came welling up from her burdened heart.
+
+“Miss Star, why that doleful sigh?” exclaimed Archibald Sherbrooke, in
+surprise.
+
+Star started, and looking up, found her companion’s eyes fixed upon her
+with grave questioning.
+
+She colored vividly, fearing he had read something of her thoughts.
+
+“Did I sigh?” she asked, evasively.
+
+“Yes; and I did not like the sound of it, either. Are you tired of
+driving? Shall we go back and try something else?” he asked, only
+anxious to give her pleasure.
+
+“Oh, no; this is delightful,” she answered, quietly. “I fear I have been
+guilty of rudeness if I have given you the impression that I am not
+enjoying every moment of this lovely day. Do you know, Mr. Sherbrooke,”
+she asked, with a smile that had a tinge of sadness in it, “that I am
+indebted to you for the only real holiday that I have had since I came
+to America?”
+
+He regarded her with surprise.
+
+“Is it possible?” he asked. “I fear, then, that you have not had a very
+happy life during the last year, or else you are working too hard over
+your books.”
+
+She feared she had betrayed more than she ought. She did not want him to
+know how hard life had been made for her. She was too proud to complain
+of the ill-treatment, the coldness, and even dislike which had been her
+lot, where she had expected to find only kindness, love, and sympathy.
+
+“I _have_ been working pretty busily,” she answered, as if that were
+all. “I am anxious to graduate this year, and I have to apply myself
+rather closely with my music and other duties.”
+
+“Why are you so anxious to graduate this year? Why not take more time,
+rather than run the risk of injuring your health?” he questioned,
+gravely.
+
+“I am going back to England some time,” she said, her eyes kindling,
+“and the sooner I can complete my education, the earlier I can go. I
+have my own future to carve out, Mr. Sherbrooke, and my aim is to
+prepare myself for a teacher.”
+
+“Your own future to carve out!” he cried, greatly surprised. “I thought
+you had friends here who were to care for you always.”
+
+She colored, but answered, gravely:
+
+“I should not be content to pass my life here. I shall stay only long
+enough to complete my education; then I shall go back to my own country
+to teach.”
+
+He understood her; he saw, even though she would not confess it, that
+her life since coming to America had not been a happy one.
+
+He saw now, as he looked down into her face, so fair and beautiful, what
+he had not noticed before, she had always been so bright and animated
+when with him.
+
+There was a wistful look in her eyes, lines of sadness about her
+sensitive mouth, that told him of a heart yearning for love and finding
+only husks to feed upon.
+
+She was going to be a teacher, she said; she was bending all her
+energies in that direction, and was working, he felt assured, far beyond
+her strength.
+
+She did not look fit to fight the battle of life alone; she was slender
+and delicate, although he felt that, in spite of her fragile appearance,
+there was an element of strength in her character which would overcome
+every obstacle which it was possible for a human being in her position
+to overcome.
+
+She had “her future to carve out,” she had told him. What did she intend
+that future to be?—what were her hopes, her aims, her plans? Surely not
+to teach _always_.
+
+Ah, if she would but learn to love him—if he could win her, it would be
+very different from the wearying, dragging life of a teacher.
+
+Before he was hardly aware of his intention, his heart had overleaped
+every barrier, he bent toward her and said, in a low, earnest tone:
+
+“Star, I love you. Let _me_ depict your future for you.”
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XV.
+                            A FATAL MISTAKE.
+
+
+The beautiful maiden cast one startled glance up at her handsome lover,
+and then grew colorless as the dress she wore.
+
+But when he softly laid his hand upon hers, saying, gently, “Darling, I
+have frightened you with my abruptness,” her whole being thrilled
+beneath his touch, and the rich crimson swept swiftly up over neck,
+face, and brow, until it lost itself in the fluffy masses of sunny hair
+which lay upon her forehead.
+
+“I could not help it,” he went on, a glad light leaping to his eyes as
+he saw her blushes; “and I have known that I love you, my beautiful one,
+for a long time. Do you remember that it was I who received you into my
+arms when you were lifted to the deck of our steamer from that frail
+boat in which you so nearly perished? Do you know that your fair face
+lay upon my breast, and as I looked down upon you, _I_ knew that no
+other had ever moved me so strangely and so deeply, despite its pallor
+and the tale of suffering that I read there? Its power grew upon me
+during the few days which followed and while we were so much together,
+and when at last we were obliged to part, and I begged a tress of this
+sunshine”—touching the massive braid which lay over her shoulder almost
+reverently—“the picture that you made, with your shy grace and modest
+beauty as you unhesitatingly clipped it for me, stamped itself indelibly
+upon my heart, where I have carried it ever since, growing to love it
+more and more, until I determined to make it always mine by putting it
+on canvas. I did not know as I should ever see you again, and yet I have
+been haunted by a feeling that some magnetic influence or strange power
+of attraction would eventually draw us together again; and so it has
+proved. Star, I know that I love you as deeply and truly as it is
+possible for one human being to love another. You say you love England;
+you wish to go back and make your home there. Tell me that, some day,
+_I_ may take you there—that _my_ home shall become your home, and you
+will be my cherished wife. My darling, you have made yourself very fair
+to-day—so like the picture I have painted, and which I showed you
+yesterday, that something has whispered to me that a thought of _me_
+prompted it; that there was something of tenderness in your heart which
+made you put those shining locks, which you have been wearing in another
+fashion of late, into this massive braid again, and tie it with this
+lovely blue, so like your eyes. Raise them, dear, and let me look into
+them, to see if I can read anything of the story I wish to know. Tell
+me, Star, that when I come to America again, I may come to claim this
+hand and call its owner my wife.”
+
+His hand had rested lightly upon hers all the time he had been speaking.
+She had not attempted to withdraw it, and now his fingers closed over it
+in a firm, loving clasp.
+
+It still lay trembling but unresistingly there; and when, as he bent to
+look into those drooping eyes, she lifted them to his with one shy
+glance of answering tenderness, he knew that he had not sued in vain.
+
+“My own darling!” he whispered, passionately, his face flushing with
+happiness; “you _do_ love me; I read it in your eyes, and the world was
+never so bright to me as at this moment; but tell me, shall I have what
+I want—will you give me your promise that, next year, when you have
+completed your education, instead of going back to England as a teacher,
+you will go with me as my wife?”
+
+She grew suddenly grave, and lifting an earnest look to his face, said:
+
+“I have told you that I am only a poor girl, with my own fortune to
+carve out. You have no idea _how_ poor I am, how dependent, how
+friendless. You, perhaps, have proud relatives; you may occupy a place
+far above me socially, and your friends might object to your claiming
+one in my position as your wife.”
+
+“I care nothing for your poverty or dependence, dear,” he returned,
+tenderly; “it cannot alter the fact that you are the only woman whom I
+shall ever love well enough to make my wife. But,” he added, with a
+thoughtful look, “I forget that I am almost a stranger to you—that you
+know nothing of me, that I have told you nothing——”
+
+“I have not given it a thought,” Star interrupted, earnestly. “I can
+_trust_ you; I _know_ you are true.”
+
+His face grew radiant.
+
+“You will never regret your trust, my darling,” he said. “I—am an
+artist, Star, but I believe I can take care of you, and promise you that
+you shall never know the meaning of the words poor and dependent again.
+Of course I have friends, and—but I will tell you all about them some
+other time. I want my promise now—you will give yourself to me, dear?”
+
+“Yes,” she breathed, her scarlet lips parting slightly with a tremulous
+smile, “by and by, when I am better fitted to be your—wife.”
+
+He longed to take her in his arms and draw her to his heart, and kiss
+the lips that had promised him the greatest joy he had ever known; but
+there were other carriages near, and curious eyes all about them; so he
+could only clasp that small hand more fondly, and murmur low and tender
+words to tell of the deep, true love of which his heart was full.
+
+“You shall indeed go back to England now, my darling,” he said, “but
+never to _teach_. You shall remain here until you have completed your
+course of study if you wish; then I shall come, before this time next
+year, and take you to my—our home. I shall return with a happy heart
+now, for I shall have an object to work for and something to look
+forward to. Ah, my dear, my dear, do _you_ realize what is in store for
+us?—a long life of joy and love together, with brightest hopes and
+congenial tastes. Star, my beloved—my _star_, indeed!”
+
+Who can wonder that she gave herself up to the bliss of loving and being
+loved, when wooed in this tender manner?
+
+Who could chide this heart-hungry maiden, who had been starving for
+affection and sympathy, for feeling that she had never known happiness
+before?
+
+And she loved him with all her soul. He had won all the passion of her
+young heart, and she gave herself up to him wholly, unreservedly,
+trusting him without a suspicion or thought that he could be anything
+save truth and honor itself.
+
+Twilight was beginning to gather when they returned to the hotel where
+they had left Mr. Rosevelt, but it was not yet so dark but that that
+gentleman remarked the glorified expression of the young man’s face, and
+the brilliant light which gleamed in Star’s radiant eyes.
+
+“May I tell our dear old friend, Star?” Archibald Sherbrooke whispered,
+as he assisted her to alight from the carriage.
+
+She started, and grew crimson.
+
+“Oh, Mr. Sherbrooke, not to-night, please.”
+
+“To whom are you speaking, my Star?” he interrupted, with assumed
+sternness and reproach.
+
+She glanced up questioningly, yet with burning cheeks, for she knew what
+he meant, but was not quite sure yet what he wished her to call him.
+
+“My mother calls me Archie,” he said, with a meaning smile.
+
+“Must _I_ call you that?” she asked, her heart thrilling at the name,
+yet instinctively shrinking from addressing him quite so familiarly just
+yet.
+
+“There is no ‘_must_’ about it, nor about anything else that you do not
+like, my darling,” he said, very gently, but looking a trifle grave, she
+thought.
+
+“Then please let me go—Archie, for I know Uncle Jacob is wondering why
+it takes me so long to get out of the carriage, and—and ever so many
+people are looking at us,” Star said, wishing she could hide her hot
+cheeks, and realizing, if he did not, that he was holding her hands a
+great deal longer than there was any need of doing.
+
+A brilliant smile parted his lips as he released her, and she darted
+away just as a servant came forward to take the horse, he following more
+leisurely to give her time to recover herself a little.
+
+“You have enjoyed your drive, little one?” Mr. Rosevelt asserted,
+questioningly, as she came and stood beside his chair, while he regarded
+her with a keen glance.
+
+“Very much, Uncle Jacob; and you—are you rested?” Star asked, eager to
+turn his attention from herself.
+
+“Entirely, and am as hungry as an old bear, too. These sea breezes have
+sharpened my appetite to a painful degree,” he replied, as if his hunger
+was the only subject which occupied his thoughts, while all the time he
+was watching her closely, and telling himself that there must be some
+cause more potent than “sea breezes” for her brilliant color and that
+tender light in her eyes.
+
+“I am delighted to hear it,” young Sherbrooke said, now joining them,
+“for our tea is waiting for us, I am told, and we shall have just about
+time enough to dispatch it comfortably before the boat is due.”
+
+They went in to an inviting meal, spread in a private room for them. The
+young man had given an order to this effect before going to ride, as he
+had noticed that Star was annoyed at dinner by the attention which her
+lovely face had attracted.
+
+But it was noticeable that Mr. Rosevelt did most of the eating, for our
+lovers were in altogether too exalted a state for such commonplace
+realities as bread and butter, or even for anything so tempting as
+peaches and cream.
+
+When Mr. Rosevelt’s hunger was appeased, he asked Star to play something
+before they left.
+
+There was a piano in the room, and he was extremely fond of music.
+
+“I want our friend here to know what a talented little musician we
+have,” he said, with a fond glance at his favorite.
+
+Star was only too willing to comply with his request, glad of anything
+to relieve the awkward consciousness which had pervaded her all through
+tea, and sitting down to the instrument, she played several pieces.
+
+Archibald Sherbrooke was astonished at the proficiency which she
+displayed, and the appreciative silence which prevailed upon the veranda
+outside the open windows, told that her power had swayed a larger
+audience than she had thought of having.
+
+“She is mine; I have won her, this talented, beautiful, pure-hearted
+girl,” Archibald Sherbrooke said, exultantly, to himself, as he closed
+the piano for her, and pressed the hand that hung invitingly near him.
+
+They repaired to the boat-landing soon after, for it was nearly time for
+their departure.
+
+When the steamer arrived, Archibald found a sheltered seat for Mr.
+Rosevelt, and then drawing Star a little apart, wrapped her shawl
+carefully about her and sat down beside her, her hand clasped in his
+under cover of its soft folds.
+
+“He will not mind, and I want you to myself,” he whispered. “I cannot
+see you to-morrow, love, for it will be Sunday, but Monday or Tuesday I
+shall come to you. I cannot wait longer.”
+
+Star glanced at him somewhat anxiously.
+
+She knew what that coming would entail upon her—sneers and taunts, and
+perhaps more unkindness than she had ever yet received from Mrs.
+Richards or Josephine.
+
+Mr. Richards, she felt assured, would be more considerate of her
+feelings; yet, under any circumstances, this visit of her lover would be
+a very trying one.
+
+Ah! _how_ trying, Heaven only knew.
+
+She thought perhaps she ought to tell him something of her life during
+the last year, that he might not be wholly unprepared when he should
+present his suit for what she feared would be a very disagreeable
+interview.
+
+But she was so supremely happy sitting there by his side in the glorious
+moonlight, and knowing that she was so tenderly beloved, that she could
+not bear to mar it by so much as a word or thought of what she had
+suffered in the past, or might have to endure in the future, until he
+should come for her to claim her as his wife. No, she would not tell
+him; she would wait until after he had been presented to her guardians.
+There would be time enough then, and it would be just as well.
+
+But it was a fatal mistake.
+
+Had she told him then, all the pain and anguish, all the misery and
+hopelessness which she afterward experienced would have been spared her;
+but how could she know?
+
+So they sailed on up the river, side by side, hand clasped in hand, and
+thought only of the supreme happiness of the moment.
+
+It was one of those beautiful fall evenings, calm and still, and bright
+with an almost intoxicating brilliancy; the heavens, the river, with its
+gliding banks on either side, all lighted with a radiance that was
+absolutely dazzling; and Star wondered if ever in all her life before
+she had seen the world so wondrously beautiful.
+
+“Monday or Tuesday you are coming to Yonkers?” Star murmured, in reply
+to this remark of her lover’s. “I thought you were to be away from New
+York next week?”
+
+“And so I am; I am coming to Yonkers to see you,” he answered, smiling.
+“My darling, do you not know that all the world is changed for me now?”
+
+It certainly was for her, she thought, with a tender little smile, and
+then she said:
+
+“Have you a card and a pencil? I must tell you where to find me, you
+know.”
+
+“True. How stupid of me not to have thought of it,” he returned, as he
+searched his pockets to find what she wanted.
+
+“I thought it better to write it than to tell you,” she said, archly,
+“fearing you might forget.”
+
+“I own that I am not in a condition to remember anything to-night, save
+that you love me and that I have won you,” he whispered, putting pencil
+and card into her hand.
+
+She wrote the street and number of the house where she lived, and gave
+it back to him, and he put it away without even looking at it.
+
+And thus the moments sped swiftly on until they landed, and that
+delightful homeward sail was over and had become one of those events to
+be remembered and treasured when, in the dark future, they should look
+back upon it and wonder if as bright a gleam of happiness had ever
+really existed in their lives.
+
+Mr. Sherbrooke accompanied Mr. Rosevelt and Star to the station where
+they had to take the train for Yonkers, and found comfortable seats for
+them.
+
+“I shall see you again very soon,” he said to the old gentleman, as he
+took his hand at parting.
+
+“I trust so. We shall be glad to see you at any time; and many thanks
+for this day’s pleasure,” Mr. Rosevelt replied, heartily.
+
+“The obligation is all on my side,” Archie said, with a meaning glance
+at Star, which made the color come again and her heart to bound like a
+roe in her bosom.
+
+The bell warned him that he must go, and with a lingering, loving
+pressure of her hand, he reluctantly bade them a final good-night and
+went away.
+
+The young girl had no idea of the lapse of time after that, until she
+heard Mr. Rosevelt heave a long-drawn sigh.
+
+She started, realizing then that they were almost home, and that she had
+not spoken one word since her lover left them.
+
+“Uncle Jacob, are you very tired?” she asked, anxiously, and with a
+feeling of selfreproach.
+
+“No, dear; only thinking how beautiful the world is under some
+conditions, how dreary under others,” he returned, watching her
+intently.
+
+The young girl’s cheeks glowed hotly, but she had not a word to say in
+reply to those sentiments. But she knew that the events of that day had
+glorified the whole world for her, and all the way home she had been
+weaving golden plans for the future, when Archie—it came easier every
+time now—should take her to his simple home over the water—for of course
+it must be simple, since he was only an artist—and which she would make
+just as bright and beautiful as love and taste could make it.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XVI.
+                             A GREAT SHOCK.
+
+
+The next morning, on descending to her breakfast, Star found the whole
+house in a state of great excitement.
+
+On asking Mrs. Blunt the meaning of it, that good but evidently much
+disturbed woman informed her that a “real live English lord was expected
+to arrive the following day, and Mrs. Richards had given orders that
+everything be done up in the grandest style possible.”
+
+“A lord?” Star said, smiling—she had seen many a lord, and had not been
+very crushingly impressed with a sense of her own inferiority and
+insignificance in consequence—“a lord, Mrs. Blunt?” she repeated,
+laughing. “You will find him simply a man, very much like the rest of
+mankind. He will eat, and sleep, and talk, and walk exactly like anybody
+else. But what may his lordship’s name be, and what brings him here?”
+she concluded, with some curiosity.
+
+“Lor’, Miss Star, you take it pretty coolly, or I’m much mistaken,” Mrs.
+Blunt remarked, with an admiring glance at the girl’s bright face; “but
+I suppose it’s because you’re accustomed to seeing ’em, being English
+yourself. But a lord is considered some pumpkins on this side of the
+water—at least, madam appears to think so, since he was courting Miss
+Josephine all the time down at Long Branch, and she hopes to have him
+for a son-in-law one of these fine days.”
+
+Star looked surprised at this bit of information. Mrs. Richards and
+Josephine had been home a week, and she had heard nothing of this
+before, although the subject had been pretty thoroughly discussed among
+the servants of the household. But she had been so intent upon her
+studies and music, going from home so early and returning so late, and
+keeping her own room so much, that it was nothing strange.
+
+“Is Miss Josephine engaged to him?” she asked.
+
+“Couldn’t say positive, Miss Star, as to that; but if she ain’t, she’s
+expecting to be, and doing her prettiest to catch him, or I’m much
+mistaken. She’s talked of nothing else since she got home; and the
+beautiful dresses she’s bought, and the grand things she’s been planning
+to do when he comes, would fill a book if rightly writ up. It’s a
+mystery to me how anybody so grand and mighty can walk on two legs like
+the rest of us common mortals,” she concluded, with grim humor.
+
+Star laughed merrily.
+
+Evidently Mrs. Blunt, as a loyal subject of a democratic country, did
+not look forward to the advent of this young sprig of nobility with very
+much relish.
+
+“You have not told me his name yet,” Star said.
+
+“Carrol—my Lord Carrol, of Carrolton, Derbyshire, England, and goodness
+knows what else,” Mrs. Blunt replied, spitefully, but with a toss of her
+head so exactly in imitation of Josephine when that young lady went
+soaring among the clouds, that Star was infinitely amused.
+
+“Lord Carrol, of Carrolton,” she repeated, reflectively. “I have never
+heard of any one by that name, and we lived in Derbyshire, too; but of
+course there are a great many people there of whom I know nothing.”
+
+“That’s true, no doubt; but his being a lord don’t make him any the
+better worth your knowing, according to my way of thinking. But,
+gracious me! I mustn’t stand here talking, when there are such heaps of
+work to be done;” and the excited woman began to bustle about the room
+with decidedly more of energy than grace.
+
+“Now, Mrs. Blunt,” Star said, picking up an apron and tying it around
+her slim waist, “since you have such ‘heaps’ to do, let me do something
+to help you.”
+
+“Bless you, child! you sha’n’t touch a thing. You ain’t going to spoil
+those pretty fingers for the piano, lord or no lord. I was baking and
+preserving all day yesterday, and had no time to make the black cake
+that madam gave orders for, so I suppose I’ve got it to do to-day, if
+’tis Sunday.”
+
+“And you’ve got all those raisins to seed, those currants to clean, and
+that citron to slice. It is too bad, Mrs. Blunt, and on this holy
+Sabbath, too,” Star said, gravely, while she heaved a regretful sigh as
+she glanced from the window and saw the bright sunshine tinting
+everything with a golden light.
+
+“Can’t help it; it’s got to be done,” the housekeeper responded, grimly.
+“I expect,” she went on, her thin lips curling with a curious expression
+of scorn, “if madam don’t work herself on Sunday she thinks she’s
+keeping the Sabbath in a proper manner and according to law and gospel,
+no matter how much her servants may have to do. I’ve a notion that
+perhaps _her_ Bible don’t read like _mine_; that part where it says
+‘thou, nor thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant,’ must have been left
+out of those velvet covers of hers. But you go away, Miss Star. If I’ve
+got to break one of the ‘thou shalt nots,’ you ain’t going to be a
+partner in my sin,” she concluded, as the young girl sat down to the
+table and began to open a large package of raisins which lay there.
+
+“No, indeed, Mrs. Blunt, I am not going away; I am going to help you;
+and if we work nimbly together, perhaps we can get through in season to
+go over to the chapel for evening service;” and she pulled out a great
+bunch of the fruit and began to pick it from the stems.
+
+“Miss Star, I couldn’t consent to it no way; I couldn’t have it on my
+conscience that you should do it,” the woman returned, real distress
+pictured on her honest face.
+
+“Now, be reasonable, Mrs. B., do,” Star said, coaxingly. “If you had so
+much to do yesterday that you _couldn’t_ do this work, and it _must_ be
+done to-day, _I_ shall not feel that I am doing anything wrong to help
+you, and _I’m going to_.”
+
+“Well,” the housekeeper said, with a sigh of resignation, “that cake has
+got to be baked to-day, and it would take me six mortal hours to clean
+that fruit alone, let alone the making and baking. I’m sure it’s real
+good of you to offer to help me, but—there are your fingers, Miss
+Star——”
+
+“I know it, and nimble ones you’ll find them, too,” interrupted the
+young girl, smiling. “Now, don’t raise any more objections, there’s a
+good soul, for I _may_ have to do this kind of work for myself
+sometime,” she went on, with a slight flush, and drooping her white lids
+to hide the happiness in her eyes, “and I should really like you to
+teach me how, although I must confess Sunday would not be the day that I
+should _choose_ on which to learn to cook;” and, without more ado, she
+bent over her self-imposed task, while Mrs. Blunt turned aside to heave
+a sigh of relief and wipe a tear from her eyes; “for,” as she told the
+house-maid afterward, “it was no fool of a job to get nine pounds of
+fruit ready for cake, and the day had looked longer than the first
+twelve chapters of Chronicles, with their sons and son’s sons, which her
+father had made her learn when, as a child, she had played truant from
+her Sunday-school.”
+
+Hour after hour Star patiently worked with the tired woman, helping to
+stone the raisins, stem the currants, and slice the citron; and when at
+last the fragrant fruit was all mixed and floured ready for the cake
+that was to test the digestive organs of the notable lord, she beat the
+eggs, browned the flour, and waited upon the housekeeper until the
+savory mess was finished and put in the pans.
+
+“Two mortal hours it will take me to bake it, and then it will be ready
+for the confectioner to ice,” she said, as she slipped it into the oven
+and shut the door upon it with a sigh of relief.
+
+“Blessings on you, child,” she added, gratefully, “for your kind heart
+and willing fingers, and when you’re married, if I’m living, I’ll make
+your wedding-cake for you.”
+
+“Thank you, Mrs. Blunt; I shall not forget your promise, you may be
+sure,” laughed the happy girl, as, flushed and tired, but with a light
+heart after the performance of a kind act, she sought her own room to
+rest and think of the manly lover who was to come in a day or two, and
+to wonder if Mrs. Blunt would really make her wedding-cake.
+
+She could not feel that she had been guilty of any wrong in lending her
+aid to the weary and overworked woman below, even though she had spent
+long hours of that Sabbath in labor; and when, as the evening bells
+called to prayer, and the glorious harvest moon came sailing up from the
+east, flooding all the earth with beauty, they wended their way together
+to the chapel of which Star had spoken in the morning, and where she
+loved to go because everything was so quiet and unostentatious, a
+peculiar peace seemed to pervade her heart, and a voice, as of some
+angel, to whisper the benison “well done.”
+
+Monday all day the greatest excitement prevailed, as on the preceding
+day, in the Richards’ mansion, for its ambitious mistress had determined
+to make a favorable impression upon the young lord whom she was anxious
+to secure as a son-in-law, and accordingly spared neither pains nor
+expense to make her house and hospitality as imposing as possible.
+
+Star was away, as usual, all day at school, and therefore was not mixed
+up in the confusion; but, upon her return, she could imagine something
+of what had been done, for the house was a perfect bower of beauty, and
+order, and cleanliness from top to bottom.
+
+Flowers of the choicest description were everywhere; fresh draperies had
+been put up wherever they were needed, and most tastefully arranged; the
+servants were all arrayed in immaculate suits, and went tiptoeing around
+with that air of importance and expectancy which betrayed the interest
+they felt in the arrival of an English peer; while Mrs. Richards and
+Josephine were perfectly gorgeous in new dresses of latest fashion and
+most artistic design.
+
+The coach, with its burnished trimmings and its span of spirited bays in
+their gold-mounted harness, was standing before the door, ready to go to
+the station to meet the expected guest; and with all these evidences of
+preparation around her, Star would have been less than human not to have
+experienced some curiosity regarding my “Lord Carrol, of Carrolton.”
+
+“Well, it may be one of the ‘good times that I can’t be in,’ as poor
+Glory McGuirk would say; but then I had _my_ good time yesterday, and I
+don’t know as I care very much,” she thought, with a smile half sad,
+half tender, as she watched the carriage containing Josephine and her
+father whirl away in grand style to the station.
+
+However, thinking it might be expected of her to make a good appearance
+in case she should happen to meet the distinguished stranger, she
+changed her school dress for a fresh, blue lawn, trimmed with a dainty
+white edging, spanned her small waist with a broad belt, and fastened a
+bunch of waxen snow-drops at her throat.
+
+She had no jewels, no elaborate _lingerie_ like Josephine with which to
+make herself attractive; but she had a way of giving herself such a
+touch of elegance with these little accessories, despite her simple
+attire, that no one could pass her by unnoticed; and now, with that
+new-born smile of happiness on her ripe lips, that light of love and
+hope in her eyes, and the coming and going color in her cheeks, she was
+fairest of the fair.
+
+When her toilet was completed she sat down by her window—which, although
+in the third story, was upon the front of the house, where she could
+look directly down upon the porch, and also commanded a view of the
+winding avenue which led down to the road—to watch for the return of the
+coach and the coming of the illustrious guest.
+
+Sitting there, she fell to musing—to thinking of the time when she
+should go back to dear old England, the land of her birth, the home of
+her love.
+
+Only a few months more and her course of study would be finished; a
+little more of faithful application to her books, a little season of
+patience and forbearance, then a life of brightness and happiness.
+
+Some one would come for her then, and she would go away forever from the
+slights, and sneers, and malice which had made her life so cheerless and
+forlorn, so hard to endure during the past year.
+
+So absorbed did she become thinking of this, that she did not hear the
+carriage when it turned in at the gate and came smoothly rolling up over
+the hard, graveled drive-way, and it had almost reached the door before
+she was aware that at last the noted, titled stranger had arrived.
+
+She leaned out to look as the spirited horses were reined in before the
+porch, and the sound of laughter and gay voices came floating up to her
+ears.
+
+A tall, darkly clad figure sprang out and held forth a hand to assist
+Josephine to alight; but a massive post was in the way, and she could
+not see his face. Mr. Richards followed the young people, and they all
+passed up the steps together.
+
+It was a pretty picture that she looked down upon, for now she could see
+all that transpired. Mrs. Richards, handsome as any queen in her elegant
+black silk dress and duchesse laces, her diamonds gleaming like drops of
+dew in a moonlit night; Josephine, bright and sparkling in an elaborate
+street dress, with her jaunty hat and bright plumes, standing proudly
+beside the finely formed young man as he exchanged greetings with her
+mother; and Mr. Richards, stout and comely, a perfect pattern of the
+hospitable host, with his good-natured face, which was expressive of a
+most cordial welcome.
+
+But Star had grown suddenly pale as snow, and caught her breath
+convulsively, as a clear, manly laugh rang out on the air at some jest
+of Josephine’s, and then the stranger turned, hat in hand, having made
+his bow to his hostess, to speak to Mr. Richards, and thus she could
+look directly into his face.
+
+There was a look of horror in her eyes as they were fastened upon that
+handsome face, her lips were drawn and pinched, and the pain that was
+clutching at her heart betrayed itself in a low, sobbing moan.
+
+There was no mistake—although she could scarcely credit her own
+senses—she knew that dark, chestnut-crowned head, that handsome, smiling
+face, that straight, stalwart form but too well, even though a cruel
+mist was creeping up before her eyes to hide him from her sight. She
+knew that clear, ringing voice, even though the roaring sound in her
+ears seemed striving to drown it. Josephine’s guest—her accepted lover
+she had tried to make it appear—the titled stranger, Lord Carrol, of
+Carrolton, was no other than _her betrothed, Archibald Sherbrooke_!
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XVII.
+                     “WHY HAS HE DONE THIS THING?”
+
+
+What could this strange thing mean? What was Archibald Sherbrooke—the
+man who, two days before, had told her that he loved her and no
+other—doing there in that character of Lord Carrol? Why was he there,
+laughing, chatting, and exchanging greetings in that familiar way with
+Mrs. Richards and her family?
+
+Star’s heart nearly ceased its beating; she grew faint, giddy, and
+absolutely soul-sick. Her face paled until it was as white as those
+cold, waxen berries at her throat; her very life-blood seemed to be
+congealing.
+
+What could it mean?
+
+Looking down upon the little group, she saw that Josephine’s eyes were
+fastened upon him—_her_ lover—with an expression that there was no
+mistaking. It was full of pride and wistful affection. Her voice was low
+and sweet when she spoke to him, her laugh silvery clear as it rang out
+upon the still evening air at some light jest of his; and Star knew that
+she loved him deeply, passionately; that she would stop at nothing to
+win him, if, indeed, he was not already won. Oh, what—what could it all
+mean?
+
+It was cruel, cruel as death, to have her short, bright dream shattered
+thus; to have given all the wealth of her warm young heart to the
+handsome young stranger who had called himself Archibald Sherbrooke, and
+now to discover him to be a myth—that there was no such person, that she
+had been made the plaything of an idle hour. And yet it had all appeared
+so real; he had _seemed_ so true and loyal, and to have loved her so
+fondly.
+
+But stay—might she not be jumping to conclusions, after all?
+
+A different solution to the mystery flashed into her mind. She started
+eagerly up, the color coming back to her face, a joyful light flashing
+into her eyes.
+
+Archie had told her that he should “come to her Monday or Tuesday—that
+he could not wait longer;” but she had not thought he would come
+to-night. She _did_ expect him to-morrow, and perhaps he had arrived.
+
+On the other hand, Lord Carrol had, perchance, disappointed his friends.
+They had gone to meet him, and had not found him as they expected.
+
+Archie, very likely, had taken the same train from New York that his
+lordship had intended to take, and on arriving had inquired of some one
+for the street and number that she had written on the card for him; the
+individual whom he asked might have known it was Mr. Richards’
+residence—for he was well known there—directed him, and he, on learning
+the man’s errand, had probably, with his usual good nature, invited him
+to take a seat in his carriage, and had driven him home.
+
+Thus she reasoned with her aching, fear-burdened heart, clutching at
+this little ray of hope as a drowning man clutches at a straw.
+
+But he did not appear like a stranger to any of them; neither did
+Josephine seem like the disappointed girl she probably would have been
+if her expected lover had not arrived. She was chatting and laughing
+with him in the most friendly way; her face was glowing with happiness;
+her tones and her laughter were musical from very joy.
+
+With these doubts mingling with her sudden hope, Star leaned forward,
+eagerly listening for him to inquire for her; but the words which came
+floating up to her smote her heart with a deadly pain, drove the color
+back again from her face, and made the love-light in her eyes change to
+a look of mortal agony and despair.
+
+“My lord,” Mrs. Richards said, graciously, “we will not keep you
+standing here; the drawing-room, where we have other friends waiting to
+meet you, is more inviting, and our dinner will soon be served.”
+
+And my lord, with his most charming smile and bow, replied:
+
+“Mrs. Richards, you have given me a most hospitable welcome to your
+delightful home, and I shall be happy to meet your friends;” and giving
+his arm to Josephine, he followed his hostess within, to be presented to
+the other guests who had been invited to meet him.
+
+All hope was gone now—they had called him Lord Carrol and he had
+replied, and, stricken with despair, Star slipped from her chair like
+one from which all life had been suddenly smitten, and fell prone upon
+the floor, where she lay in a semiconscious state for more than an hour.
+
+But when at length thought and feeling began to return to her, she
+wondered if she were herself or some one else who had lived through a
+century of misery—youth and happiness, joy and hope seemed to be
+attributes of an age so long gone by.
+
+“Why has he done this thing?” she moaned, sitting up and clasping her
+icy hands across her burning brow. “Why has he deceived me thus, making
+a fool and a plaything of me merely to pass an idle hour? Why did he
+call himself Archibald Sherbrooke, when he is Lord Carrol, of Carrolton.
+Why could he not have left me alone when I was content with my music, my
+studies, and my simple life? Oh! why need my whole future be blighted
+thus? I could have gone on my way—I could have carried out my plans and
+gratified my ambition to become a teacher and be independent, and
+believed myself happy, if he had left me to myself. But now—if I could
+only die—if I could even go mad—_anything_ to make me forget how I have
+allowed myself to love him, and built all my future hopes on his love
+for me!”
+
+The sound of gay voices and laughter came floating up to her from below
+as she sat there mourning her blighted life; it smote her like the stab
+of a knife, and she shivered from head to foot, every nerve cringing
+with keenest pain.
+
+In imagination she could see how Josephine was assuming her most
+bewitching airs to win the treacherous man who had blotted out every
+hope of joy from her existence, and who, perhaps, was bending over her,
+speaking soft and tender words, even as he had done to her only two days
+ago.
+
+Yesterday and the day before she had lived upon the mountain-tops—“upon
+the heights”—where life had seemed opening out before her like a
+paradise; to-night, in a single moment, she had been hurled into the
+very depths of misery.
+
+She got up from the floor, tottered to the window and shut it, to keep
+out those hateful sounds from below which nearly drove her into a
+frenzy; then, too weak to sit up, she crept into her bed, where she lay
+shaking as with an ague and moaning with pain all the long night
+through.
+
+Morning found her burning with fever, with an aching head and a crushed
+and breaking heart.
+
+She could not rise, and, although faint, the very thought of food filled
+her with loathing, and yet her throat and mouth were dry and hot with a
+terrible thirst.
+
+Thus good Mrs. Blunt found her about ten o’clock. She had missed her
+from breakfast—something very unusual, for Star was as prompt as the day
+itself generally—but she had not had time to inquire into the cause of
+her absence until now, for there had been lively doings down in her
+department that morning.
+
+“Merciful sakes alive! whatever in the world has happened to you, Miss
+Star?” she cried, when, on thrusting her heated face in at the door, she
+saw the young girl in her wretched condition lying on the bed.
+
+“I believe I do not feel very well this morning,” Star said, wearily.
+
+“I should think not, indeed! You’ve got a high fever, and yet you’re
+shaking with the cold. Goodness gracious, child! and you all dressed out
+like this, too! What has happened?” Mrs. Blunt cried, aghast, as she
+pulled back the coverlid and saw at a glance that she had been lying all
+night in her clothing.
+
+Star was too miserable to explain, as the good woman saw, and she did
+not press her with questions; but with nimble yet tender hands she
+removed her clothing, replacing it with her _robe de nuit_, and then
+wrapping her in a heavy blanket, she tucked her snugly into bed once
+more.
+
+She then went down below, where she prepared a steaming drink of some
+kind, with which she hastened back to her patient, and insisted that she
+should drink it—“every drop.”
+
+The poor child obeyed, feeling too wretched to offer any objections; and
+then saturating a napkin with camphor and water, Mrs. Blunt bound it
+about her aching head, and darkening the room, bade her go to sleep
+again as quickly as possible, for of course school was not to be thought
+of that day; and indeed Star had forgotten the existence of such an
+institution.
+
+The hot drink warmed and soothed her, while the kind attention of the
+woman comforted her; and exhausted nature asserting itself, she soon
+dropped into a profound slumber.
+
+It was late in the afternoon when she awoke again, and realized that she
+was much refreshed physically, although her burden of misery was still
+crushing down upon her heart.
+
+Mrs. Blunt found her as white and wan as she had been flushed and
+feverish, when she looked in upon her again just before dinner, and she
+could not understand the look of hopeless despair that lay in her
+usually bright and joyous eyes.
+
+“Whatever in the world is the matter with you, Miss Star?” she asked,
+anxiously. “It’ll be bad luck for me if you’re going to be sick, for
+since you came into the house, with your bright face and cheery ways,
+the days and months have grown shorter by half. Come, come, chicken,
+don’t look so downcast; it breaks my heart to see you so white and
+drooping.”
+
+“I shall be all right by to-morrow, Mrs. Blunt. I am better already,
+thanks to your kind care,” Star returned, sitting up in bed and trying
+to bring her shattered nerves into better order. “If you will please
+hand me my school dress,” she added, “I think I will get up and take a
+run down to the lodge. I have not seen Uncle Jacob since yesterday
+morning, and he will wonder what has become of me.”
+
+“Indeed, child, you mustn’t go out to-night, and as for Mr. Rosevelt, he
+knows all about you already. I sent word to him before noon that you
+wasn’t able to go to school, and he’s been up to the house twice since
+to inquire for you. He sets a store by you, Miss Star, and I believe it
+would break his heart if anything was to happen to you.”
+
+A wan little smile flitted over Star’s face.
+
+It was about the only ray of light or comfort that she had in her great
+darkness—this knowledge that there was one who did really love her, and
+to whom she also was almost a necessity.
+
+She could rely on “Uncle Jacob,” if upon no one else, and she longed to
+go to him and lean upon him now in her trouble. Of course she could not
+tell him how she had let handsome, fascinating Archibald Sherbrooke win
+her heart from her, and then found all too late how cruelly she had been
+deceived. She was so thankful now that she had not allowed him to tell
+Mr. Rosevelt as he had wished, though, perhaps, that had only been
+another ruse of his, and he had not intended to tell him, after all; but
+it would be a comfort to go down to the lodge and see him, and listen to
+the kindly tones of his voice.
+
+Mrs. Blunt helped her to dress, for she saw that she was glad to sit
+down by the window—though she shuddered as she remembered that she had
+sat just there last night when her heart had been broken—and rest, while
+she began to fear that she should not be able to get down stairs, after
+all, that night to go to see Mr. Rosevelt.
+
+Mrs. Blunt watched her closely with those small, keen eyes of hers, and
+saw that her trouble was more of the mind than of the body, though what
+could have caused it was a puzzle to her.
+
+She did not trouble her with conversation, but after making her room
+tidy, she went quietly out and left her alone. She returned after a
+little while, however, bringing her a bowl of hot soup and a plate of
+nice little biscuits.
+
+“You are very good to me, Mrs. Blunt,” Star said, gratefully; and she
+ate the soup with a relish, for she was very faint and hungry, while the
+housekeeper looked on with a satisfied air as she saw a tinge of color
+coming back to her pale face.
+
+“Somebody else was good to a poor old woman yesterday, or I’m much
+mistaken, and I reckon it’ll take a good while for you and me to be
+quits on that day’s work,” the kind-hearted creature returned, a tear
+starting to her eyes as she remembered how bright and happy the fair
+girl had been during those long hours while she had worked so busily and
+patiently with her.
+
+But she could not stay with her, much as she wished to do so, and try to
+bring back her truant smiles, for her many duties called her below, and
+she went away, cautioning Star to be very careful and not take more
+cold.
+
+Left alone, the unhappy girl felt that she must get out and away from
+that close room where she had suffered so much; she must _do_ something
+to make her forget, or her brain would be turned.
+
+So, wrapping a shawl about her, she stole down a back way, out by a side
+door into the grounds, and taking a circuitous path, made her way as
+rapidly as her strength would permit toward the lodge.
+
+She had accomplished about half the distance when her limbs began to
+fail her, and she became so weak and faint from the exertion she had
+made that she was obliged to stop and lean against the trunk of a large
+tree to rest awhile.
+
+It was nearly dark, for the sun had gone down and the heavy foliage of
+the surrounding trees made deep shadows all about her; the air was chill
+with the breath of the frost spirit—so different from the mild
+loveliness which had prevailed only forty-eight hours before—and the
+rustling leaves above her seemed mourning over the fate awaiting them,
+when its cold hand should sway their frail stems and lay them low.
+
+A feeling of unutterable woe overcame her—such a sense of loneliness and
+desolation that she could not bear it; and covering her face with her
+hands, she gave way to the flood of tears which would not be restrained.
+
+She had no idea how long she wept—time, place, everything was lost in
+the utter abandonment of her grief—until she was aroused, and a thrill
+of terror went tingling through all her nerves, as a hand fell suddenly
+yet lightly upon her shoulder.
+
+With a start, her hands dropped from her tear-stained face and she
+looked up, to find the grave, questioning eyes of her faithless lover
+looking down into her own.
+
+A low cry of surprise and dismay escaped him as he recognized her.
+
+“Star! My darling, what does this mean?” he asked, in astonishment. “How
+came you _here_, and why do I find you grieving thus? You look more like
+some stricken white dove than like my bright, beautiful star. I was
+coming to you to-morrow—I wanted to come to-day, but I could not. Tell
+me, dear, how is it I find you here in the grounds of Mr. Richards,
+where I am visiting?” and he would have gathered her into his arms, but
+by a quick movement she evaded him, and stepping back a few paces, she
+confronted him with a haughty uplifting of her small head, her face and
+eyes glowing with scorn and indignation.
+
+“To-morrow you would have come to me,” she repeated, with curling lips.
+“Pray, where would you have sought me?”
+
+“Here in Yonkers, at No. 56 —— street. I think that was the address you
+wrote on the card,” he said, apparently bewildered by her strange
+conduct, and regarding her with a troubled look. “I wanted to go there
+to-day, but there has been no opportunity,” he said again. “And
+to-morrow I was intending to ask Mr. Richards to direct me to the
+address which you gave me.”
+
+“Do you know the street and number of _this_ residence?” Star asked,
+sternly.
+
+“No. When it was arranged that I should come here to make a short visit,
+Mrs. Richards was so kind as to say that her carriage should meet me at
+the station, so that I do not even know the name of the street on which
+they live.”
+
+“Then to-morrow, when you should ask to be directed to the address which
+I gave you—if, indeed, you intended to ask for it—you would have been
+told that you would find me here in this place—this house. Mr. Richards’
+residence is No. 56 —— street,” Star said, proudly and coldly.
+
+She had no faith in him; she believed he was acting a part.
+
+“Impossible!” he cried. “I never dreamed of such a thing. Why, then,
+have I not seen you? Why were you not with the family when I arrived
+last night? Why have I not seen you to-day?” he asked, as if more and
+more astonished.
+
+“Because,” she answered, her voice rising, with a scornful, bitter ring,
+“I am a dependent upon the bounty of the rich; because I am a burden and
+expense in a house of luxury, and only tolerated on account of a promise
+made to my dying father and to cancel a debt due to my mother. You have
+not seen me, because I am not allowed to breathe the same air, eat and
+drink, and sit at the same table with those who think they are of finer
+mold than I. But it is just as well, my lord——”
+
+“My lord!” he repeated, in a startled tone, interrupting her. “Star,
+that from _you_!”
+
+She laughed bitterly, lifting her head with a haughty gesture, though
+her face gleamed like a piece of marble in the waning light.
+
+“Yes, that from me!” she said. “Fortunately, I was at a window above the
+entrance when you arrived last evening, and witnessed the honors that
+were heaped upon my _Lord Carrol, of Carrolton_, and the revelation of
+your _true character_, although a sudden and bitter one to me, was,
+perhaps, after all, a providential one; for, if it showed me how I had
+been duped and betrayed, how I had been made the plaything of an idle
+hour, it also gave me time to collect my scattered senses a trifle
+before meeting you and telling you how I _scorn_ you for——”
+
+“Duped! betrayed! plaything! Star, listen to me,” pleaded the young man,
+his breath almost taken away by these startling accusations and by her
+wild words, so full of derision and pain.
+
+“I will _not_ listen to you!” she cried, passionately; “I have listened
+to you too much already. Oh! why did you do this wicked thing? Why could
+you not have left me alone? Had you not enough already, with your
+riches, your title, and your life of pleasure, without coming in cruel
+sport to spoil a poor young girl’s life? Was it not enough that you
+could woo and win the heiress, the belle and beauty of Long Branch,
+without the amusement of trying to win and break my poor heart?”
+
+“Star! Star!” he cried, drawing nearer the excited girl. “What wild,
+wild words! Every one is like a dagger plunged into _my_ heart. You do
+not know what you are saying, dear. I try to win and break your heart!
+My poor darling, you have been misled by having learned of my title. I
+should have told you before, but——”
+
+“Then you _are_ Lord Carrol? You own it—you acknowledge it?” Star
+interrupted, with a ring of wild despair in her tones.
+
+When she had looked up into his face, into his kind and loving eyes;
+when she had heard his voice, so low and eager, yet tender; when he had
+called her “his poor darling,” and said her words were like a dagger
+plunged into his heart, her own had begun to thrill anew, and she almost
+hoped against hope that there was after all some mistake, in spite of
+what she had seen and heard.
+
+But now he owned it. He was not Archibald Sherbrooke at all; he was the
+titled peer, and he had sought to win her love under false colors; and
+all the pain, and bitterness, and scorn returned, even while she waited
+breathlessly for his answer.
+
+“Yes, I am Lord Carrol, of Carrolton; but, Star——”
+
+“That is enough; I want to hear no more,” she said, stopping him with an
+authoritative gesture of her white hand. “I will not listen to another
+word from your traitorous lips!”
+
+She turned proudly from him and would have left him, but he sprang
+forward and seized her hands.
+
+They were cold as ice and shaking as with palsy, and he was shocked by
+the hopelessness visible in her face as he looked down upon it.
+
+“Star, my darling,” he began, in a voice that was almost stern from
+emotion; “you _shall_ listen to me. It is my right to be heard, and I
+can explain everything to you if you will but give me the opportunity.”
+
+But she would not. Pain, despair, outraged pride and affection made her
+unreasonable and almost insane.
+
+She flashed a haughty glance up at him.
+
+“Lord Carrol,” she said, in her iciest tones, “release my hands, if you
+please.”
+
+He dropped them as if they had been coals of fire, and drew back a pace
+or two from her, deeply wounded, while his own face was nearly as white
+and pained as hers.
+
+“Star, you are wronging me more than you dream. Surely you will listen
+to my defense,” he said, and his voice trembled with suppressed feeling.
+
+Oh, how she longed to yield and allow him to win her back; how she
+longed to let him take her into his strong arms, and hear him murmur
+again those tender words such as he had spoken to her so recently; but,
+remembering his attentions to Josephine last night, her looks of
+affection and pride, her bright face and happy laugh—remembering what
+she had heard regarding his devotion to her at Long Branch, and the
+reason that had been given for his coming there to her home, she could
+not.
+
+He had played the role of rich lover to the proud heiress; he had acted
+that of a poor sweetheart with her; for had he not told her he was an
+artist, but _hoped_ to be able to take care of her, so that she need
+never know the meaning of the words poor and dependent again; and now,
+with all this evidence before her, how could she help believing him
+false to the core—to have simply amused himself at her expense?
+
+“You can have no defense to offer me, and I will hear nothing,” she
+returned, coldly. “You have deceived me most cruelly; you came to me as
+Archibald Sherbrooke; you used all your powers of fascination to make me
+love you as a poor artist, while you had already played the part of a
+rich lover in a different character at a fashionable watering-place. I
+congratulate you upon your marvelous success as an actor, my lord,” she
+concluded, with scathing sarcasm.
+
+A deep sigh broke from him; her words hurt him keenly, for he was very
+proud.
+
+But he saw how she was suffering, and he tried to be patient with her,
+feeling sure that if he could only make her listen to him all would be
+well.
+
+“My dear,” he said, gently, “you do not understand. Pray, let me tell
+you all about it. I swear that I am both——”
+
+“You need not swear; I know enough already. Go back to my more fortunate
+cousin, Miss Richards, whom the whole household expects you intend to
+make Lady Carrol. She, I own, is better fitted to be the bride of a peer
+of England than the poor alien who is a burden upon her bounty. She will
+grace your proud home and name with her beauty; she will add to your
+riches with her wealth. But let me tell you”—and Star had no idea how
+superbly beautiful she was as she stood so proudly before him and
+uttered this prophetic sentence—“that the girl whom she has despised and
+insulted, whom you have deceived, and whose life you have blighted by
+your treachery, will yet rise to a position that shall shame and
+humiliate you both. Go back to her, I say, and—ask her for the cameo
+which you gave me. I told you that I had lost it. I put it that way
+because I did not like to tell you how badly I had been used by those
+who should have given me only sympathy and love; but she—the girl whom
+you have come to win for your wife—_stole_ it from me, my one little
+treasure, the only ornament I had which I could wear in my humble
+position, and which I prized more than anything else in the world. But
+let her keep it; I relinquish it freely, now that I have discovered the
+baseness of the giver. My Lord Carrol, of Carrolton, alias Archibald
+Sherbrooke, the artist, I despise you, and I bid you farewell!”
+
+She was gone before he could hardly realize that she had ceased
+speaking; she had sped down the avenue with the lightness and swiftness
+of a fawn, leaving him dazed, bewildered, almost paralyzed from the wild
+words, the terrible denunciation which she had uttered.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XVIII.
+                             EXPLANATIONS.
+
+
+“Star! Star! my dear love, come back and let me undeceive you,” he
+called aloud, as soon as he could recover his senses sufficiently to
+speak.
+
+But there was no answering sound, save the sad sighing of the rustling
+leaves which had so unnerved the unhappy girl a few minutes before.
+
+He followed the direction she had taken. He wandered about the grounds
+for full half an hour, but could discover no trace of her; and at last,
+feeling greatly disturbed, he was obliged to retrace his steps, and
+returned to the mansion.
+
+He had strolled forth at the close of dinner to smoke, and to get away
+for a little quiet musing, for he had intended, as he said, to seek out
+his beautiful love on the morrow, and put upon one of her white fingers
+the seal to their plighted troth, and, this done, to tell her that he
+was both an _artist and a peer of Victoria’s realm_.
+
+During his stroll, and while thinking fondly of the bright girl, he had
+unconsciously strayed into the very avenue where Star had stopped to
+rest.
+
+Wrapped in her heavy shawl, and with head bowed upon her hands, he had
+not recognized her, but thought it might be one of the servants,
+perhaps, who had got into some trouble.
+
+Always ready to relieve suffering of whatever nature, he stepped up to
+the sobbing girl and gently laid his hand upon her shoulder to attract
+her attention, and when the tear-stained, suffering face of his own love
+was lifted to his, his astonishment rendered him speechless for the
+moment.
+
+But it was a fact, nevertheless, that he had appeared in different
+places in different characters—he was at once Archibald Sherbrooke and
+Lord Carrol, of Carrolton; how, we must let his own words explain.
+
+“Poor child! it is very awkward, and I never dreamed of any such
+denouement; but I cannot blame her. If she would but have given me one
+moment in which to tell her how it is; but she was wild with pain,” he
+said, with a troubled face, as he slowly went back to the house.
+
+It is doubtless now made plain to the reader how he had happened to
+recognize the cameo ring upon Josephine’s hand at Long Branch, and knew
+at once that it was the very stone which he had given Star at parting on
+shipboard.
+
+He did not like to question Miss Richards about it, but he was deeply
+hurt when she told him that it had been given her by a relative, for he
+felt sure that he could not be mistaken in the stone—there _could_ not
+be another like it, for he had designed the figure upon it himself.
+
+Yet, to be quite positive about it, he had told her that it had belonged
+to a gentleman named Archibald Sherbrooke; and then when he saw her
+start, and the color flame into her face, he knew that Star had parted
+with it for some reason or other. It had caused him a pang to know that
+she should have prized it so lightly as to give it away, while he had
+treasured that lock of gold as one of the most precious things in his
+possession, and had learned to love the face which he had painted as he
+never expected to love any object on earth.
+
+Then he had met Star, and she had told him—not that she had given his
+gift away, but that she had “lost” it.
+
+The two stories did not agree, but looking into her glorious, truthful
+eyes, he had believed her, and felt that some time she would make the
+mystery plain.
+
+He had told her, on parting from her Saturday evening, that he should
+come to her Monday or Tuesday, and he had really intended doing so, and
+was deeply disappointed at not being able to keep his promise.
+
+But all day Tuesday he had seen no time that he could escape from the
+company of which he seemed to be the center. He had about made up his
+mind to ask Mr. Richards to direct him to No. 56 —— street after dinner,
+and go away to spend a quiet evening with Star; but Mrs. Richards upset
+this plan by laying out a programme in which he would be obliged to
+figure largely, and he was forced to bear it with what patience he
+could, hoping that the morrow would bring him the opportunity he
+desired.
+
+He had never imagined that he could be a guest in the very house which
+he was so anxious to visit, and which was the home of his beloved; and
+now the knowledge was not pleasing to him, for Star’s bitter words, and
+the fact that she had not mingled with the family, told him but too
+plainly how she was undervalued there.
+
+How she must have suffered, sitting at her window, as she said she had
+done, and been a witness to the reception which had been tendered him by
+her proud, cold-hearted relatives; and to have been led, too, by them to
+believe that he had come there as a suitor for Josephine’s hand.
+
+This had been rather a startling and unpleasant revelation to him, for
+he had never once imagined that any such construction would be put upon
+his visit there.
+
+He had been drawn toward Mrs. Richards upon first meeting her, for she
+was really a fascinating woman, and upon learning that she was of
+English extraction, and that he knew something of her relatives, he at
+once felt almost like an old acquaintance, and in this way had been led
+to attach himself to her party.
+
+Josephine was a brilliant and attractive girl, and had made herself very
+agreeable to him, and he liked her as a friend and acquaintance; but no
+thought of love for her had ever entered his mind. That fair face, with
+its crown of gold, its starry eyes and coral lips, which had lain upon
+his breast at sea, had made too deep an impression upon his heart to be
+easily forgotten.
+
+But now, just as he thought he had won her—when he was on the verge of
+claiming her, he found himself in deep waters, from which he feared it
+might be somewhat difficult to extricate himself.
+
+Star had a right to denounce him, believing what she did. He had parted
+from her on Saturday evening as Archibald Sherbrooke and her accepted
+lover, while on Monday she had seen him driven in great style to the
+Richards’ mansion, and greeted as Lord Carrol, and a suitor for the
+brilliant Josephine’s hand. Surely circumstances were against him.
+
+“I must get out of this muddle as soon as possible,” he said, as he
+ascended the steps and paused a moment on the porch to consider what he
+ought to do.
+
+Entering the house, he avoided the drawing-room, where a gay company was
+assembled, and passed on to a music-room which led into the library.
+
+Mr. Richards was in the latter room, seated at his desk, and the door
+between the two was open. As he saw his lordship, he arose and came
+forward to meet him.
+
+“Can I have a few moments’ conversation with you?” the young man asked,
+gravely.
+
+“Certainly; as many as you wish. Shall we retire to the privacy of the
+library?” returned Mr. Richards, who at once jumped to the conclusion
+that he was about to receive a formal proposal for the hand of his
+daughter.
+
+So also thought another listener, who happened to be standing on the
+veranda just outside the open window of the music-room, and who had
+caught the above sentences.
+
+“No,” Lord Carrol returned. “What I have to say can just as well be said
+here as anywhere. I find myself unexpectedly in a very unpleasant
+situation, and I have come at once to you, because I consider a
+straightforward course the wisest always to pursue. I wish to tell you a
+little story, and then ask your assistance in correcting an awkward
+mistake.”
+
+“Anything that I can do for you, my lord, I shall be most happy to do,”
+blandly affirmed Mr. Richards, little realizing what he was promising,
+while he followed the young man’s example and sat down to listen to his
+narrative.
+
+“I came over from England, nearly a year ago, on the steamer ——,” he
+began, “and on board that vessel I met a young girl of great personal
+beauty and intelligence, in whom I became intensely interested. She
+could not have been more than sixteen years of age, but her mind was far
+in advance of both her appearance and her years, while it was evident
+that she had been reared with great care, for every word and act
+betrayed her to be a perfect little lady, and every day spent in her
+society only served to make her more attractive in my sight. At parting,
+I gave her a trifle as a souvenir of our pleasant acquaintance, and
+asked in return for something to keep in memory of her. I did not know
+that I should ever meet her again, and had I not done so, the
+remembrance of what I had enjoyed in her society would eventually have
+become, it is probable, but a pleasant episode of the past, although I
+must confess that her face haunted me continually.
+
+“But I did meet her again, and only a very short time ago. She had
+changed—developed into even greater beauty, and had become more mature,
+and I began to realize at once that I had even a deeper interest in her
+than I had imagined possible. Subsequent interviews—for I took pains to
+see her often—and the study of her character, convinced me that I had
+found the woman whom I could love with all my heart, and whom I should
+win for my wife if I could.”
+
+A rustling of the drapery at the open window just then made the young
+lord pause; but hearing nothing more, he thought the wind had simply
+stirred the curtains, and continued:
+
+“Within a very few days I have brought things to a crisis—have, in fact,
+asked and secured a promise from her to become my wife as soon as she
+shall have completed her education, and I had intended to-morrow to seek
+an interview with her friends and make formal proposals for her hand.
+
+“This may sound rather strange to you, knowing my position, and
+realizing something of the prejudice of the English against marrying
+outside the pale of their own rank. But I was convinced from the first
+that this young girl was of good blood and parentage, and upon a more
+intimate acquaintance with her, I have learned that her mother was an
+English lady from an excellent family.
+
+“Now, what I have to tell you,” Lord Carrol continued, with a smile,
+“has a slight touch of romance connected with it. When I left England, I
+came away known as Sir Archibald Sherbrooke, baronet. Two months after
+my arrival here, I was notified of the death of my mother’s only
+brother—Lord Carrol, of Carrolton—and who, being a widower and
+childless, willed his estates and all that he possessed to me, with the
+provision that I was to assume his name, and consequently his title.
+
+“It would have suited me better to travel and remain plain Archibald
+Sherbrooke, as I always called myself, until my return; but I was with a
+company of friends—all artists, who were traveling and studying with an
+old painter—who knew all the circumstances, and they would not hear a
+word to my remaining incognito, and insisted upon introducing me
+everywhere by my newly acquired title.
+
+“As plain Archibald Sherbrooke, I met, wooed, and won the young lady of
+whom I have told you, but I intended, when I formally asked for her
+hand, to reveal the circumstances which have made me Lord Carrol. I have
+not for a moment thought of deceiving her, for I abhor double-dealing of
+any kind; but, notwithstanding, I find myself in a very awkward
+situation.
+
+“You will, perhaps, be surprised to learn that to-night, since going out
+after dinner, I met my betrothed by accident, and very much to my
+astonishment. She had discovered that I have been sailing ‘under two
+flags,’ or, as she supposed, under false colors. She had heard of my
+meeting your daughter at Long Branch as Lord Carrol, and the report
+seems to have preceded me, much to my surprise”—here the young man
+colored from embarrassment—“that I intended something more than a
+friendly visit here, and she has passionately denounced me for my
+duplicity—as it appears to her—and refused even to allow me to explain
+my position.
+
+“This is the mistake that I wish you to help me rectify by securing an
+interview for me with her, so that I can exonerate myself from all blame
+in her sight.”
+
+Mr. Richards was greatly astonished at what he had heard, and in no
+small degree disappointed, for he liked the young man, and his wife had
+affirmed that Josephine was the magnet that had drawn his lordship
+thither, and she had also confidently asserted that he would propose for
+her hand before he left.
+
+But, of course, he could not betray anything of this feeling, after
+having been made the confidant of another love affair; therefore he
+said, with as much self-possession as he could command:
+
+“The situation is somewhat unpleasant for you, I admit, my young friend,
+but I think it may be easily made right. I must confess I am much
+surprised by what you have told me; the story is certainly romantic in
+every respect. And you met the young lady by accident to-night? She is,
+then, a resident of Yonkers. Who may she be? Perhaps she is no one whom
+I know.”
+
+“She is Miss Gladstone, and your wife’s ward, I believe,” Lord Carrol
+replied, and bending a grave look upon his host.
+
+Mr. Richards nearly bounded from the piano stool upon which he had been
+sitting at this startling intelligence, while outside that open window
+there was a sound as of some one weakly sinking into a chair. But both
+gentlemen were so deeply engaged in the subject under consideration that
+they did not appear to hear it.
+
+“Star!” ejaculated Mr. Richards, when he could recover his breath.
+
+“Yes, sir; Miss Star Gladstone is the lady of whom I have told you,”
+Lord Carrol replied, somewhat coldly, for he could not understand why
+any one so lovely and accomplished in every way as Star was should have
+been so slighted and ill-treated in his family.
+
+“But I do not understand—I cannot see—I—I beg pardon; but, to tell the
+truth, I am completely taken aback by what you have told me,” Mr.
+Richards stammered, for it was to him a most astounding revelation.
+
+“I expected that my communication would surprise you; but you cannot be
+more so than I was upon learning to-night that Miss Gladstone is a
+member of your family,” returned his lordship.
+
+“But you tell me that you were intending to call upon her friends
+to-morrow, and here you have been in the same house a day and a night
+already.”
+
+“True; but I was not aware of the fact until within the last hour. Miss
+Gladstone gave me her address last Saturday evening. Here it is; you can
+read it. It was late when I asked for it, and she wrote it hastily upon
+this card.”
+
+The young man passed it to his companion as he spoke, and Mr. Richards
+read the street and number of his own residence.
+
+“You will remember,” Lord Carrol continued, “that I am an entire
+stranger in this place, and that I do not even know the name of the
+street upon which you reside, as Mrs. Richards was kind enough to say
+that some one should meet me at the station upon my arrival. I wished
+very much to go to Star to-day, but courtesy demanded that I should not
+disarrange Mrs. Richards’ plans. I fully intended, however, to ask you
+to direct me to the place designated on that card to-morrow, never once
+suspecting that I was already in the house where the lady of my choice
+resides.”
+
+“And has Star never mentioned our name to you?” Mr. Richards asked.
+
+“No; she has been very reticent regarding everything connected with
+herself save her studies and her music, and I have not thought to
+question her on that point.”
+
+Mr. Richards’ face clouded.
+
+Star had good cause for being reticent, he knew, and the subject was
+becoming an awkward one for him.
+
+“You say you met her to-night?” he said.
+
+“Yes; I went out for a stroll and a smoke after dinner, and came upon
+her suddenly in the grounds. She appeared to be greatly distressed, and
+I, never suspecting the cause, pressed her to tell me. She turned upon
+me like an outraged queen, and denounced me in a manner that fairly took
+my breath away. She believed me to be simply Archibald Sherbrooke, an
+artist, until last night, when she saw me driven to your door and
+received as Lord Carrol; and, having heard exaggerated reports of my
+attentions to Miss Richards while at Long Branch, it is not strange that
+she should resent the seeming deception, for appearances are certainly
+against me. But a few words will set everything right, if you will
+explain something of this to her and secure an interview for me.”
+
+“Then it is our Star whom you want to marry, my lord,” Mr. Richards
+said, reflectively, and as if he could hardly comprehend it even yet,
+while he wondered if they could ever live through the tempest which his
+wife would surely raise when she should discover that Star had won the
+lover whom she was bending all her energies to secure for Josephine.
+
+“Yes, hoping for your sanction, of course,” Lord Carrol answered, with a
+rising flush, for he could read something of what was passing in his
+host’s mind. “But, pardon me,” he added, fixing a look of grave
+questioning upon his face, “now that I find she is the ward of your
+wife, I cannot understand why I have not met her with the other members
+of your family.”
+
+“Ahem! Well,” began Mr. Richards, with evident embarrassment, “she has
+been very deeply engaged with her studies ever since she came to us—is
+ambitious, you know, and also spends a great deal of her time practicing
+music, and my wife thought it would be best for her not to—to mingle in
+company much until she had—um!—completed her education;” and Mrs.
+Richards, sitting just outside that open window, where she had heard
+every word of the above conversation, thanked the fates that for once
+her husband had smoothed awkward things over for her quite comfortably.
+
+Lord Carrol simply bowed in reply to this statement. It would not become
+him to question the truthfulness of what he had heard, but since his
+interview with Star, his opinion of the family had changed very
+materially.
+
+“Well, I _am_ nonplussed, and I reckon that this state of affairs will
+create quite a commotion when it becomes known,” Mr. Richards resumed,
+after a few minutes of thought, during which his surprise seemed to
+increase. “I never dreamed that our Star would ever step into such a
+chair of state, although she is of good blood, I believe.”
+
+“Of the best,” Lord Carrol returned, decidedly. “She told me upon one
+occasion that her mother was a Miss Anna Chudleigh, of Chudleigh Manor,
+Devonshire. I know something of them, and they were a fine family,
+although I have been told that they were very much displeased at the
+marriage of their only daughter with a clergyman of limited means.
+But—have I your sanction to prosecute my suit with Miss Gladstone, and
+will you arrange an interview for me?”
+
+“Certainly; I shall do what you wish, and I must say that I am glad that
+things are turning out so well for Star. _I_ have been very fond of her,
+for she is a bright and winsome little body about the house. She is
+talented, too, to say nothing of her beauty, and she will make you a
+good wife. I congratulate you both, and there is my hand on it, my
+lord,” Mr. Richards concluded, heartily, and extending his hand to the
+young peer, which he took and cordially shook.
+
+But Mrs. Richards, her heart filled with bitterest rage, felt as if she
+could have strangled her husband with a good relish for taking such an
+interest in Star’s prospects, while the gorgeous air-castle which his
+own daughter had built was tumbling to the ground about his ears.
+
+Mr. Richards then rose.
+
+“I suppose you are anxious to see Star at once?” he said.
+
+“Yes, if you please. I desire to make my peace with her as soon as
+possible, for I know that she is deeply wounded, and I cannot rest until
+she knows the truth.”
+
+“Very well; I will go to her, and send her to the library. You will be
+free from intrusion there,” Mr. Richards said, and immediately left the
+room in search of Star.
+
+He came back very soon, however, saying that she had not returned to her
+room, and no one had seen her that day save Mrs. Blunt, who told him
+that she had been very ill, and not able to attend school.
+
+Lord Carrol’s face fell at this information, and he realized more
+forcibly than ever what Star must have suffered from this unfortunate
+misunderstanding.
+
+“Perhaps it will be best for me to wait until to-morrow morning,” he
+said, after a moment of thought. “She appeared so greatly excited when I
+met her this evening, and has been so ill all day, it may be well for
+her to get rest before exciting her any further. Yes, I will wait,” he
+concluded, with a sigh, for he was deeply disappointed and anxious.
+
+“Is Mr. Rosevelt a member of your family also?” he asked, after a
+moment, and suddenly remembering that Star had told him they were
+inmates of the same house.
+
+“Yes; well, not exactly a member of my family,” Mr. Richards returned,
+flushing over this, another awkward question. “He is my wife’s uncle,
+and one of us; but his health is so poor, and noise affects him so
+unpleasantly, that he prefers to have a room at the lodge rather than
+here where there is so much gayety and confusion.”
+
+Mrs. Richards, still an eavesdropper, heaved another comfortable sigh
+over this rough place made smooth.
+
+“You must have met Mr. Rosevelt also,” he added, as it came to him that
+Star and his wife’s uncle had shared that dreadful experience at sea.
+
+“Yes; and I think him a fine old gentleman. I must see him also
+to-morrow,” his lordship returned; and then he went on to explain more
+fully how he had made the acquaintance of these two unfortunates, and
+described their sufferings and hardships so graphically that his
+listener, who did not know onehalf, was deeply moved.
+
+“Miss Gladstone was considered quite a heroine on board our steamer
+after her rescue,” the young man said, “when the passengers learned with
+how much fortitude she had conducted herself during the disaster and the
+dreadful events following. The captain told me, with tears running down
+his cheeks, how she had denied herself both food and drink in order that
+the life of Mr. Rosevelt, who, she declared, had less vitality than
+herself on account of his age, might be sustained. She did not even take
+the rest which she needed, but watched and worked over him
+unceasingly—in fact, she _saved his life_.”
+
+“She is a noble girl—she is a splendid girl!” Mr. Richards returned,
+tears in his own eyes, and his heart full of remorse over the life Star
+had led since she came into his house. “She will make you the best
+little wife in the world. God bless you both!”
+
+Lord Carrol saw that he was sincere, and began to suspect where all the
+trouble lay regarding Star. He was inclined to think, and rightly, that
+jealousy or ill-will on the part of the petted Josephine and her proud
+mother was the cause of her unpleasant position in the family; but he
+inwardly resolved that it should be entirely different in the future, or
+she should not remain there.
+
+But he had been absent a long time from the gay company in the
+drawing-room, and, feeling assured that he could not see his darling
+that night, he returned to it, trying to wait with patience for what the
+morrow would bring him.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XIX.
+                         MALICIOUS FALSEHOODS.
+
+
+As soon as Mr. Richards and his distinguished guest left the music-room,
+a white hand parted the curtains from the window, and a blanched,
+distorted face appeared in the aperture.
+
+It belonged to Mrs. Richards, who had, as before mentioned, been a
+listener to all that had transpired. Seeing that no one was in sight,
+she stepped softly inside, for the window was a long one, reaching to
+the floor, and sank back into a chair, the picture of a woman whom a
+fierce passion had exhausted.
+
+She had chanced to be out upon the veranda when Lord Carrol had entered
+the music-room and requested a “few moments’ conversation” with her
+husband, and feeling, with a thrill of delight, that the most important
+moment of Josephine’s life had come, she drew near to listen, as she
+supposed, to his lordship’s proposal for her hand.
+
+Her emotions can better be imagined than described when instead she
+heard the story which the young man told her husband, and learned that
+Star, the despised and neglected waif, had secured the prize which she
+had so coveted for her brilliant daughter.
+
+A perfect tornado of wrath, jealousy, and hate raged within her heart as
+she heard his praises of her, and his manly confession of love for her,
+with the intention of making her his wife.
+
+Star, the beggar maid, as she had always regarded her, the burden
+reproach of her life, the wife of a peer of England!
+
+It could not be; she would not have it so, when she had plotted and
+schemed to win this proud, handsome young aristocrat for her daughter;
+when she had spent hundreds to snare him; and when, she knew but too
+well, Josephine had learned to love him with all the fire of her proud,
+passionate nature.
+
+If it had been a girl in a position equal to that which Josephine
+occupied whom he had chosen, the disappointment would not have been less
+severe, but the mortification would not have been so galling.
+
+This was what had made Star’s face so radiant, then, during the past
+week, making her seem to bloom into new beauty, and glorifying her with
+exceeding happiness. She had noticed, but could not understand it.
+
+This was the meaning of the unusual attention which she had bestowed
+upon her toilet last Saturday—for Josephine had told her of that little
+scene upon the veranda—and also of her protracted absence that day.
+
+For half an hour she sat there, white as alabaster with passion, her
+eyes glowing with hate for the innocent cause of all her disappointment.
+
+“Not in her room, eh?” she muttered at length, vindictively. “I’ll find
+the little vixen, and if it is possible to _widen_ this breach, it won’t
+be my fault if it is not done.”
+
+With a cruel expression on her still white face, she arose and swept
+noiselessly from the room by the same way that she had entered, and
+passed down the steps of the veranda out into the grounds.
+
+With a quick, swinging pace she walked down the avenue, casting keen
+glances among the trees and shrubbery as she went.
+
+But Star was nowhere to be seen.
+
+Mrs. Richards, however, was determined to have an interview with her
+before either her husband or Lord Carrol could do so. She did not think
+she had returned to the house, and had an idea that she might be at the
+lodge with Mr. Rosevelt, so she persevered in her search.
+
+She kept on her way until she came out by the lodge, where she saw John
+Mellen, who was both gardener and porter, sitting upon the porch.
+
+He looked greatly surprised as the light from the lantern at the gate
+fell upon her face.
+
+“Is anything the matter, marm?” he asked, touching his hat respectfully,
+but wondering to see her there at that hour, with no wrap, while he
+noticed that she was very pale.
+
+“No, John; but have you seen anything of Miss Gladstone?” she asked.
+
+“Yes, marm; she came running down here about half an hour ago, looking
+like a wraith, and bounded up stairs like a fawn, to the old gentleman’s
+room,” he answered.
+
+“Is she there now?” Mrs. Richards demanded, quickly, her lips settling
+down into a hard, straight line.
+
+“Yes’m—leastways, I’ve not seen her come down yet.”
+
+The woman bent her head in thought a moment, then briefly remarked:
+
+“I think I’ll go up.”
+
+Gathering her rustling skirts in her hand, she passed inside the lodge,
+mounted the stairs with a noiseless tread, and paused before Mr.
+Rosevelt’s door.
+
+Bending close to the keyhole, she heard sounds of sobbing, mingled with
+low, soothing words spoken by her uncle.
+
+She softly opened the door, and standing upon the threshold, her face
+grew dark and wrathful at the picture which she saw within the room.
+
+Mr. Rosevelt sat in his arm-chair by the table which stood between the
+two windows of his room, while Star knelt upon the floor at his side,
+her golden head bowed upon the arm of his chair, sobbing as if her heart
+was breaking.
+
+The old gentleman had laid one hand upon her bright head, and was
+soothing it gently as he tried to quiet her with low, fond words.
+
+“Dear child,” he said, tenderly, “don’t grieve so; you have been very
+brave so far; bear it a little longer, and all will be well. I know you
+have tried to hide it from me and every one else, but I’ve seen and
+known what you have had to contend with ever since I came here. You’ve
+had no love, no sympathy, and your poor, starved heart was well-nigh
+broken under it. But cheer up, my dear; you have been a blessing to me.
+I have been very lonely and forlorn many times, but I should have had a
+sorrowful time of it, indeed, if my bright little Star had not shed her
+genial rays upon my pathway.”
+
+“_In_deed!” interrupted a voice from behind them, in its most sarcastic
+tones, causing Star to spring to her feet with a low cry of surprise, as
+she turned her flushed, tear-stained face toward the intruder, while Mr.
+Rosevelt looked up at his niece with a grave, displeased countenance.
+
+“_Indeed!_” Mrs. Richards repeated, her anger waxing hotter and fiercer
+as she imagined that Star had been pouring the story of her love and
+trial into her uncle’s ears. “You have both been sadly abused and
+heart-starved, haven’t you? For a couple of dependents you fare very
+badly, don’t you? And this is the gratitude and appreciation that you
+show. Stella Gladstone, go back to your room and remain there until I
+come to you; I wish to have a private conversation with you. As for you,
+Uncle Jacob, I am surprised that you should take sides with a
+sentimental schoolgirl against those who are providing most bountifully
+for her.”
+
+Mr. Rosevelt reached out his hand and took one of Star’s.
+
+“Remain where you are,” he said, with a quiet authority which amazed
+while it enraged his niece.
+
+Then turning to her, he continued, in the same quiet tone, but with a
+deliberation which made every word tell:
+
+“Ellen Richards, you are a heartless, arrogant woman. You need not speak
+yet, for I am going to relieve my mind, once for all. I am your father’s
+only brother, and when you were a child I helped him provide the very
+bread that appeased your hunger. When, later on, I became a rich man,
+and you were married and settled, you fawned upon and flattered me,
+protesting that there was nothing in the world that you would not do for
+‘dear Uncle Jacob.’ Every time I returned from abroad, bringing you rich
+and elegant gifts, you urged me to quit my roving and come to live with
+you—your ‘home and heart would always be open’ to me, you said. It was
+the same with your brother Henry; words cost nothing, and his
+protestations were as fluent as your own. But when misfortune overtook
+me, and I returned to remain and to take him at his word, everything was
+changed. He received me coldly, giving me the poorest accommodations his
+house afforded, when before the best were none too good for me. Finally,
+he and his family, by their coldness, neglect, and disagreeable hints,
+drove me to desperation, and I left them. I came hither, hoping that
+your woman’s heart would prompt you to receive a sick and failing old
+man with the kindness and sympathy which he so much needed and craved.
+But I met with even a worse reception; the very atmosphere of your house
+when I entered it told me at once that I was an unwelcome guest. You
+have ignored me when you could, and when you could not, you have taken
+pains to make me feel like an intruder and a dependent, although your
+husband evidently would be glad to be kind to me, if he could do so and
+keep the peace. This child alone,” the old man continued, looking
+tenderly up into Star’s sad face, “has given me love and sympathy. Her
+kindness and little attentions have been like a bright spot in the
+darkness and loneliness of my life since coming to you; while your
+treatment of her has been _culpable_——”
+
+“Has she dared to complain of me to you?” cried Mrs. Richards, crimson
+with anger; for every word that he had uttered had been a reproach to
+her, and while she did not quite dare to vent her wrath upon him, she
+was glad of this allusion to Star, for upon her defenseless head she
+felt free to relieve herself.
+
+“No; she has never complained—she has even tried to conceal your
+treatment of her—but I have eyes and can see for myself, and it has been
+patent to me how her young heart has been starved, how every bright and
+enjoyable thing has been crushed out of her life. I know how she has had
+to do battle for even her education, and that you would have made a
+drudge and a slave of her, had you dared and your husband allowed you to
+do it. It is disgraceful, Ellen, for you to treat your cousin’s child in
+such a manner, when you owe so much to her mother——”
+
+“How do you know? Who has been telling you all this? I am out of all
+patience!” Mrs. Richards interrupted, passionately. “Everybody is
+continually throwing at me the fact that Anna Chudleigh once saved my
+life. Hundreds of people have saved the lives of others and considered
+it their duty to have done so. If I was drowning and Anna saw me, it was
+natural for her—it _belonged_ to her to save me if she could, as I
+should have done, no doubt, had the circumstances been reversed.”
+
+“True; but this view of the case does not lessen your obligation, nor
+license you to abuse the trust that has been committed to you,” Mr.
+Rosevelt answered, sternly. “You bound yourself to this child’s dying
+father to ‘do the best you could for her,’ to give her a home, and see
+that her education was properly attended to, and you owed it to him and
+to her to keep your promise.”
+
+“I owed her nothing,” cried the enraged woman, losing all control of
+herself; “and you, Uncle Jacob, are overstepping all bounds by
+interfering with what is none of your business.”
+
+“The girl saved my life almost at the sacrifice of her own, and I shall
+_make_ it my business to do what I can for her while I live,” Mr.
+Rosevelt answered, with dignity.
+
+“Well, you will find, I reckon, that you have not helped her cause very
+much by taking up weapons against me for her,” snapped his niece,
+vindictively, and with a glance of dislike at Star. “Saved your life!”
+she continued, sarcastically. “Well, perhaps, she did; but, in my
+opinion, that is all sentimental gush, for she is an artful jade, and
+has doubtless palavered and cooed over you until she has pulled the wool
+over your eyes in fine shape.”
+
+“What could have been her object, Ellen?” asked the old gentleman,
+dryly. “Certainly not the expectation of getting any portion of my
+fortune, since appearances must have indicated to her as well as to you
+that I had nothing to give her. If she had known me, and done all this
+_when I was considered rich_, there might possibly be some reason in
+your accusations.”
+
+This shaft told keenly, for his niece colored guiltily to the roots of
+her hair.
+
+“Your irony is ill-timed, it appears to me, Uncle Jacob,” she said,
+sullenly, “especially as you are indebted to me for the bare necessaries
+of life, not to speak of its comforts.”
+
+“Indebted to you, am I, Ellen? I do not believe in recriminations, but
+allow me to ask, do you know the cost of those diamonds which you have
+on, and have you forgotten where you got them?”
+
+Mrs. Richards’ brilliant color forsook her in an instant, and she became
+as white as the mass of snowy lace which rose and fell with the angry
+pulsation of her heart.
+
+Her passionate temper prompted her to tear those flashing stones from
+her person and cast them in the face of her accuser; but her pride and
+avarice were the strongest attributes of her nature, and knowing that
+she would not be likely to have them replaced, she refrained from so
+rash an act.
+
+“I do not begrudge you your jewels, Ellen,” Mr. Rosevelt continued, more
+gently, perceiving how keenly she felt his reproof, “but when you twit
+me of being indebted to you for the simple necessaries of life, it is
+rather more than I can tamely submit to. I was fond of making presents
+in the days that are gone, and I felt repaid for my diamonds by the joy
+that lighted up your face when I gave them to you; but I confess it is a
+little hard to be considered a burden by you now, while I am deeply
+grieved to have Star’s young life made so unhappy.”
+
+“I tell you you do not know the girl; she is as artful as she can be,
+and I can prove it to you,” Mrs. Richards exclaimed, glad to have the
+subject changed, for she was considerably conscience smitten over the
+diamonds.
+
+“I do not think you can prove anything of the kind, Ellen,” Mr. Rosevelt
+returned, quietly.
+
+“Listen, then,” she retorted, eagerly, “and I will tell you how to-night
+I have discovered her to be guilty of the most shameless conduct.”
+
+Star started and flushed at the accusation. She had not a suspicion that
+her secret had been discovered.
+
+“It seems,” continued Mrs. Richards, “that while going back and forth,
+to and from school this fall, she has been flirting in the most
+desperate manner with a young man—a perfect stranger to her, and one so
+far above her socially that it was rankest presumption in her to do as
+she has done. She has even entrapped him into—or rather, I should say,
+she has misconstrued his conversation with her to mean a declaration of
+love for her, and now that he has found her out and turns with disgust
+from her artful designing, she has shamelessly taxed him with
+unfaithfulness and treachery.”
+
+Star turned and regarded her accuser in perfect amazement. She could
+scarcely credit her sense of hearing.
+
+How did Mrs. Richards know anything about her meetings with Lord Carrol,
+alias Archibald Sherbrooke, or of her interest in him? And who had
+represented it in this disgraceful light?
+
+“This young man,” the cunning woman went on, “is no other than Lord
+Carrol, who, for the month that we were at Long Branch, paid the most
+devoted attention to Josephine, and accepted our invitation here with
+the intention, as we supposed, of formally declaring himself to her and
+securing her father’s consent to their marriage.”
+
+A convulsive tremor ran through every fiber of the young girl’s being as
+she stood there and listened to this artful tale, and Mr. Rosevelt, who
+still held her hand, was sensible of it, and wondered what it could all
+mean.
+
+He had not a suspicion that Lord Carrol and the handsome young artist
+whom he so admired were one and the same, but he knew that something
+must be very wrong to move Star so and make her look so deathly white.
+
+“You look astonished,” Mrs. Richards said, “and well you may, and your
+surprise will increase when I have told you all.”
+
+“I am sure,” he answered, glancing from one to the other, “that there
+must be some mistake.”
+
+“There is no mistake,” replied his niece, coldly, and fixing a merciless
+glance upon Star, “for Lord Carrol has just had an interview with my
+husband, during which he told him the whole story. He says his first
+meeting with Stella was caused by an accident, and that she appeared so
+bright and intelligent that whenever he met her afterward he spoke with
+her and treated her kindly. He did not even have the least idea where
+she lived until to-night, after dinner. He went out for a quiet smoke,
+when she presented herself before him, accused him of coming here as
+Josephine’s lover, and denounced him as a traitor in the strongest terms
+and most unmaidenly manner, and telling him, greatly to his surprise,
+that she was an inmate of the house where he was a visitor. Of course,
+after such a denouement, he could do no other way than to seek Mr.
+Richards and explain everything, lest this rash girl should, out of a
+spirit of revenge and disappointment, destroy all his prospects with
+Josephine.”
+
+It was a cunningly distorted story, and Star, as she listened to it,
+bowed her head and covered her face with her hands, while a low cry of
+despair broke from her lips.
+
+She had not _dreamed_ that the man whom she had learned to love, who,
+with his open, handsome face, his frank, manly ways, had won her deepest
+respect, her strongest affections, could be guilty of so cowardly an act
+as to betray her thus.
+
+And yet he must have done so, else how could Mrs. Richards have known
+anything about the matter?
+
+Yes, without doubt, he had feared that she would openly denounce him
+before the family where he had so unexpectedly found her, and so had
+given this version of the great wrong that he had done her in order to
+shield himself.
+
+His own prospects of winning the rich heiress must not be interfered
+with, so he adopted this _coup d’etat_ of going to Mrs. Richards and,
+with apparent frankness, confessing that his trifling attention to a
+silly girl had resulted in leading her to believe she had won a wealthy
+and titled husband.
+
+This was just what Mrs. Richards had wished to make Star believe, and
+she succeeded only too well, for the young girl was well-nigh crushed to
+the earth with a sense of shame, and humiliation, and wounded love.
+
+And yet, even while she felt that Archibald Sherbrooke—she could not
+think of him in any other character—had been guilty of a most cowardly
+and treacherous act, had steeped his soul in sin by winning her heart to
+break it, and thus ruining her whole life, _she loved him still_.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XX.
+                         STAR’S DETERMINATION.
+
+
+“Star, my dear child, what does this mean?” Mr. Rosevelt ejaculated, in
+a tone of wonder, as his niece concluded.
+
+“It is unnecessary to ask her whether I have spoken the truth or not;
+her very looks and manner betray that she is guilty of what I have told
+you,” Mrs. Richards said, scornfully. “I did not suppose, however, with
+her innocent face and apparently quiet, modest manner, that she could be
+quite so shameless. But it is always so; such cat-like natures always
+work in the dark.”
+
+Star’s proud little head came up with a haughty air at this taunting
+speech, while her blue eyes grew dark and ominous.
+
+“You are accusing me ignorantly and most unjustly,” she said, in a hard
+tone, but with pained and quivering lips.
+
+“How so? Do you presume to deny that you met Lord Carrol in the grounds
+to-night?” demanded Mrs. Richards, severely.
+
+“No.”
+
+“You _did_ meet him?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“And denounced him as a traitor?”
+
+“Yes. I believe him to be a traitor to truth and honor, and—_a coward_!”
+
+They were hard, cruel words to be said of Archibald Sherbrooke, whom she
+had loved so dearly and believed to be so noble and true, and her heart
+thrilled with keenest pain as she uttered them, but she believed he had
+basely deceived her.
+
+“Explain yourself,” commanded Mrs. Richards, bridling.
+
+“I shall explain nothing,” Star answered, coldly, yet firmly. “What I
+said to Lord Carrol to-night was intended for him alone. If he has
+chosen to betray me, the responsibility rests upon himself, and you can
+go to him for explanations if you choose.”
+
+“Where did you meet him first—how did you make his acquaintance?” asked
+Mrs. Richards, longing to get Star’s version of the story.
+
+“I decline to answer any questions upon the subject,” she returned,
+quietly.
+
+“I command you to tell me.”
+
+“And I still decline,” Star said, with an air that surprised both of her
+listeners.
+
+She was as colorless now as a block of marble, but so beautiful in her
+proud sorrow, her agonized scorn, that they could but regard her with
+wonder.
+
+“You have no right to refuse what I ask of you. I am your guardian, and
+I demand a truthful confession of this whole scandalous affair,” Mrs.
+Richards reiterated, sharply.
+
+“You have already had it, you say, from Lord Carrol’s own lips; it will
+therefore be unnecessary for me to repeat or enlarge upon it,” the young
+girl returned, with calm scorn, while her delicate nostrils dilated, and
+her sweet lips curled with supreme contempt.
+
+“I cannot understand—there _must_ be some mistake in all this,”
+ejaculated Mr. Rosevelt, his face a perfect blank. “I thought, Saturday,
+Star, that you——”
+
+A slight motion from her checked him in what he was going to say.
+
+“No, there is no mistake; and this much I _will_ explain to _you_. I did
+meet Lord Carrol to-night, as Mrs. Richards has told you,” she said. “I
+did believe myself his betrothed wife, and him to be a man of honor,
+until he came here last night as Miss Richards’ acknowledged suitor, and
+when I saw him this evening I did denounce him as a traitor. It seems
+that he has volunteered explanations to suit himself to Mr. and Mrs.
+Richards, and I decline to go further into particulars with them. I have
+no desire to blight Miss Josephine’s prospects in life, and I wish her
+all joy with her high-born and honorable lover.”
+
+Pen cannot portray the scorn which pervaded those last words, ringing
+out so clearly, so scathingly that Mrs. Richards’ cheeks burned and her
+ears tingled; for this was the man—if he really had been the traitor
+which she wished to make him appear—whom she was using all her arts to
+secure for Josephine’s husband.
+
+“I am amazed—I cannot understand!” Mr. Rosevelt repeated, with a
+troubled face.
+
+He believed Star to be as pure-minded and as innocent of wrong as a
+little child.
+
+He had been convinced from what had transpired on the previous Saturday
+that she loved Archibald Sherbrooke, and not knowing that he was also
+Lord Carrol, he, of course, was completely puzzled over the mystery.
+
+“I do not see how you dare look any respectable person in the face, and
+confess what you just have, without seeking to clear yourself,” retorted
+Mrs. Richards, sternly. “You are compromising your character in the most
+wretched manner. What can I believe of you—what can any one believe of
+you, if you own to having been upon such intimate terms with a man of
+such standing as Lord Carrol, while he is here as the acknowledged
+suitor of my daughter?”
+
+“The very worst that you can believe, madam,” Star returned, calmly, and
+meeting the woman’s eye fearlessly, but with a look which made her quail
+in spite of herself, “can only serve to compromise the man, whose favor
+and title you appear so anxious to secure, more than it possibly can me.
+Notwithstanding whatever claim I may have supposed myself to have
+heretofore possessed upon him, I now _most cheerfully_ resign it in
+favor of Miss Richards.”
+
+Were ever words so cutting? Was there ever so barbed a sentence so
+calmly uttered before?
+
+Mrs. Richards ground her teeth with rage over the feet that the man whom
+poor, despised Star Gladstone thus spurned, believing him to be the very
+soul of dishonor, she knew Josephine was using all her arts to win,
+while of course she could not undeceive her because it would spoil her
+plot.
+
+“You are an insolent, overbearing girl,” she said, in a low, hissing
+tone, “and I wonder how I have tolerated you in my house as long as I
+have. I wonder how you dare face me, and use such insulting language to
+me after your shameless conduct.”
+
+“I am neither insolent nor overbearing, Mrs. Richards. Ever since I came
+into your house I have striven to do as nearly right as I knew how, and
+to make as little trouble as possible. It is _you_ who have been
+overbearing, who have wounded me by insulting the memory of my parents,
+and have tried to crush and trample upon me. In no way have I rebelled
+against your authority, except in the determination not to become a
+common servant and to pursue my education. This I did in justice to
+myself, and because I had promised my father I would do it. If you have
+‘tolerated me in your house,’ believe me, there has been as much
+toleration exercised upon my part, for in no sense of the word has it
+been a _home_ to me; instead, it has been merely a place of shelter, a
+spot to exist in until I could complete my education. I can bear it no
+longer. I shall consider your house no longer my home,” Star concluded,
+with a decision which rather startled Mrs. Richards.
+
+But she retorted, derisively:
+
+“Your independent spirit ill becomes you. Where could you go? Who would
+take you, a penniless beggar, and give you the advantages which you have
+been enjoying during the past year? But it is folly for me to give heed
+to your idle words. I command you to return directly to your room, and
+hold no intercourse with any one, and to-morrow I will decide what
+course to pursue with reference to your future.”
+
+She had been planning to pack her off to Brooklyn with one of the
+servants until Lord Carrol’s visit should be ended, and thus avoid all
+possibility of an interview and its attendant explanations.
+
+But Star did not move. She remained standing quietly by Mr. Rosevelt’s
+chair, as if she had not heard her command.
+
+“Did you hear what I said?” she demanded, sharply.
+
+“Yes, madam.”
+
+“Well, do you intend to obey me?”
+
+“No, madam.”
+
+“What!”
+
+“I refuse to recognize your authority over me from this moment. I refuse
+to obey any longer one who, from the first, has been governed only by
+feelings of personal spite in all her dealings with me,” Star returned,
+firmly.
+
+Mrs. Richards could scarcely credit her ears.
+
+She had not imagined that the usually quiet girl possessed a tithe of
+this spirit.
+
+“Well, Uncle Jacob, what do you think of your little pattern of
+excellence now?” demanded the astonished woman, turning with an injured
+air to her uncle, who was nearly as much amazed himself.
+
+“I think the child has been severely tried,” he returned, quietly,
+whereupon Mrs. Richards flew into another rage.
+
+“I must say, Uncle Jacob, that I consider it very bad taste in you to
+take sides with her against me; and let me warn you, that you have both
+got yourselves into trouble by the doings of this night.”
+
+The arrogant dame did not wait for any reply, but turned abruptly and
+left the room, retiring, however, with a sense of defeat which it was
+not pleasant to contemplate.
+
+The moment that the door closed after her, Star dropped again upon the
+floor by Mr. Rosevelt’s side, heart-broken. He saw that she was utterly
+unnerved by what had just transpired, and for awhile he left her to
+herself. At length, when she became more calm, he said, sorrowfully, yet
+gently:
+
+“My child, tell me what Ellen means. What cause has she for coming here
+to accuse you of such dreadful things? Who is this Lord Carrol, and what
+has he been to you?”
+
+Star lifted her white, pained face to him.
+
+“You do not believe what she has told you—you do not believe I would be
+guilty of anything so shameless as she would try to make me appear?” she
+questioned, brokenly.
+
+“No, no; I think there is some terrible misunderstanding. I do not
+believe you would do anything which you knew to be wrong; and yet your
+own words have mystified me. I cannot comprehend them.”
+
+“I will tell you all about it. I would not explain anything to her—I
+could not after she had told me what _he_ said,” Star answered, but her
+face flushed with shame at the thought of confessing a tale of love and
+devotion on her part, of deception and treachery on the part of the man
+whom she had so trusted.
+
+It seemed to her like a lack of dignity and of strength of character
+that she should have been so easily duped.
+
+Then she told him all the story of her love for Archibald Sherbrooke,
+beginning with that day when they had exchanged souvenirs on the
+steamer, and which, she felt, had been the commencement of their love.
+She told him how he had prevented her from leaping on the cars when they
+were in motion, and how every day after that he had contrived to meet
+her, luring her heart from her day by day, until the previous Saturday
+he had declared his love for her, and won her promise to be his wife as
+soon as she should have graduated.
+
+“Oh, Uncle Jacob,” Star concluded, hiding her face on the arm of his
+chair again, “I believed him so true, so honorable, so _worthy_ of my
+love, and now to find him so unprincipled and treacherous, it crushes
+me!”
+
+Mr. Rosevelt looked very grave, almost stern.
+
+“This is just as I supposed—as I was led to believe from your appearance
+last Saturday. I knew well enough, when we returned home from Coney
+Island, that you had promised to be Sherbrooke’s wife. But I don’t
+understand his treachery, as you call it, nor what connection all this
+has with the young lord who has come to ask for Josephine’s hand,” he
+said, coldly.
+
+Star looked up again, at the unfamiliar tone.
+
+“Oh!” she said, wearily; “I am so miserable that I have not made it
+plain to you—I have not told you; but Lord Carrol is only another name
+for the man who called himself Archibald Sherbrooke. Under the latter he
+cheated me into loving him, and he has ruined my life; under the former,
+which is his real name, I suppose, he has been trying to win the
+heiress.”
+
+Mr. Rosevelt was speechless from amazement at this revelation, and for a
+full minute could only look down into those piteous, uplifted eyes in
+mute dismay.
+
+“Impossible!” he cried, at length. “I cannot believe it; I cannot think
+that young Sherbrooke would be guilty of anything so dastardly. There
+must be some mistake.”
+
+“There is _no_ mistake,” Star returned, with despair in her tones. “I
+was sitting at the window of my room when he arrived, and, of course, I
+recognized him at once. His form, his bearing, his handsome face, the
+tones of his voice—everything was identical with the Archie Sherbrooke
+from whom we parted last Saturday evening. At first I was crushed by the
+blow; then I thought perhaps Lord Carrol had disappointed them, and
+Archie had come to me as he had promised to do Monday or Tuesday; but
+this hope fled when I heard them address him as Lord Carrol, and he
+replied at once to the name. It has broken my heart, Uncle Jacob,” Star
+wailed, pouring out all her sorrow to him. “I do not know how I ever
+lived last night through; I do not believe I was conscious half the
+time; while to-day I have been too weak, and ill, and wretched to care
+what became of me.”
+
+“Poor child! poor child!” he murmured, softly.
+
+“To-night,” she went on, “I felt as if I must get out into the air. I
+must see a friendly face and hear a kindly voice, so I came to you,
+although I did not mean to tell you anything of my trouble. I meant to
+bear it alone, and never let any one know how cruelly I had been
+deceived, or how readily I had given my foolish heart away.”
+
+The old gentleman laid his hand on her shining head, smoothing her hair
+with a tender touch. He was nearly weeping himself to see this beautiful
+young girl so crushed.
+
+“On my way down here,” she pursued, “I felt faint; my strength all left
+me, and I stopped and leaned against a tree to recover myself, and while
+I stood there _he_ stole up behind me, laid his hand on my shoulder, and
+asked me in surprise how I came to be there. I gave him the street and
+number where we lived last Saturday, but I suppose when Mr. Richards and
+Josephine went to meet him at the station and brought him here, he did
+not once think it was the same place, for I have never told him their
+names. He believed me to be a poor girl, and never would have thought of
+finding me in a place like this; that was why he was so overcome with
+surprise when he saw me to-night. But when I charged him with
+personating two characters—having two names—he could not deny it; he
+owned that he was Lord Carrol, but tried to make me let him explain. I
+would not; there could be nothing to explain. He had deceived me, and it
+was enough; I could never trust him after that. I called him a traitor
+and a coward, and then I ran away and came to you, who are the only
+friend I have in this wide, weary world.”
+
+“You did right, dear, to come to me; but were you not a trifle hasty and
+rash? I think you should have listened to young Sherbrooke’s—or whoever
+he may be—defense,” Mr. Rosevelt said, gently.
+
+“What possible defense could he have had to offer?” Star cried, in a
+voice of scorn. “He has pretended to be Archibald Sherbrooke, a simple
+artist, to me, while everybody else knows him as Lord Carrol, of
+Carrolton.”
+
+“But he may have been traveling incognito under the former name,”
+suggested Mr. Rosevelt.
+
+“Then why did he not keep it to the end? Why did he go to a fashionable
+watering-place and flourish as a titled Englishman, and devote himself
+to Josephine? Why did he _resume_ the former name upon meeting me again,
+and lead me to love him, believing him to be a poor artist? No; there
+can be nothing said in defense of such double-dealing as this. He has
+cheated and fooled me. I have found him out, and compelled him to own
+it. It is enough to make me scorn him; but it has been a bitter lesson,
+and has taught me never to trust a man again,” Star concluded, with
+vehement bitterness.
+
+“Never, Star? Surely that acrimonious resolve does not include me,” said
+Mr. Rosevelt, with gentle reproach.
+
+“No; I know that you are kind and true, and you are the only one in the
+world who cares for me,” the suffering girl said, in husky tones.
+
+“Indeed, my child, you have become very dear to me, and my life would be
+very forlorn without you.”
+
+Star bent down and touched his hand with her lips. In her wretchedness
+it comforted her greatly to know that she had contributed to his
+happiness.
+
+“But I cannot get over what you have told me. I never was so deceived in
+my life before; and if this young sprig of English nobility is the
+villain you represent him, he is not fit to live,” Mr. Rosevelt said,
+sternly, after a few moments of thoughtful silence.
+
+Star shivered with pain. Much as she believed she scorned him, she could
+not endure that another should speak disparagingly of him.
+
+“Never mind him, Uncle Jacob,” she said. “I have put him out of my life
+forever; and now I want to talk to you about something else. You say
+that I have made your life happier since you came here, and that you
+would be very lonely without me. I am going to tell you a little secret,
+and then I want you to promise to go away from here with me. I am not
+going to remain here another day,” she concluded decidedly.
+
+“Is that your secret, Star?”
+
+“Part of it,” she answered, with a sad smile. “I have a little money, as
+you know—a hundred pounds—which, at Mr. Richards’ suggestion, I put at
+interest last year. Now, I want to take this money and make a cozy
+little home for you and me somewhere, until I get through school—there
+will be enough to last till then, I think—and after that I shall be able
+to take care of us both in fine style, by teaching and giving music
+lessons.”
+
+He smiled skeptically as she planned so hopefully what her poor hundred
+pounds would do, while a tear started to his eye at her thought for him.
+
+She saw that he did not think she could do all that she told him, and
+flushed.
+
+“You do not believe that I shall be able to take care of us both,” she
+said, eagerly, “but I know that I can, for I have not yet told you all.
+Listen.”
+
+She bent nearer to him, and putting her lips close to his ear, told him
+something which even you and I must not know just yet, my patient
+reader.
+
+He was nearly as much surprised as he had been to learn of Archibald
+Sherbrooke’s treachery.
+
+“My dear,” he said, while his face lighted with pride and joy, “you
+shall have your way, and I will do just as you wish, and I——”
+
+He checked himself suddenly, dropped his head in thought for a moment,
+then resumed:
+
+“I am not happy here any more than yourself, and have been thinking for
+some time that I must go away; but I could not bear the thought of
+parting from you. Now we will go together, as you wish, unless——”
+
+“Unless what, Uncle Jacob?” Star asked, anxiously.
+
+“Unless you will let me see this young scamp of a lord, and take him to
+task for his faithlessness to you.”
+
+“Never!” Star replied, proudly. “What good would it do to——”
+
+“There _may_ be some mistake; he might be able to explain everything
+satisfactorily,” interrupted Mr. Rosevelt.
+
+Star’s beautiful lips curled.
+
+“What would his explanations amount to? He is here as a suitor for
+Josephine’s hand—they all confess it; and did you ever listen to a more
+monstrous story than Mrs. Richards repeated here to-night? To think that
+he could say anything so basely false of me is almost enough to drive me
+wild,” Star cried, excitedly. “No, Uncle Jacob; although he has been
+guilty of the most cruel treachery, I will not contend with him. If he
+is such a craven that he would try to win a young girl’s heart for the
+amusement of breaking it, and then seek to blight her fair fame by
+charging her with what he has imputed to me to-night, he is too far
+beneath me to be worthy of anything save my supreme contempt, and I
+never wish to meet him again. I only want to get away from them _all_,
+and never see their faces more.”
+
+Her voice broke with such a wail of despair in it that the old man could
+not find it in his heart to refuse her anything.
+
+“Very well; we will go away to-morrow,” he said, sorrowfully.
+
+“Oh, thank you, Uncle Jacob!” the unhappy girl said, eagerly; “and will
+you go without letting them know? They would never consent, and I do not
+wish them even to know where I go.”
+
+“Yes; we will go without saying anything to any one. We can leave a note
+telling them why we go, and it shall be the object of the little time
+that remains to me to care for you and try to make your young life a
+little brighter than it has been,” he returned, thoughtfully.
+
+“How early can you be ready?” he asked, after a moment.
+
+“By daylight; the earlier the better,” she returned, earnestly. “Every
+moment here is full of pain for me.”
+
+“Very well; there is a six o’clock train—the workingmen’s train—into New
+York; we will take it, and find a home for ourselves somewhere in the
+city. But how about your school, Star? They will seek for you there.”
+
+“I will go to Professor Roberts and tell him that circumstances compel
+me to leave, and ask him for a recommendation to some other institute.
+There are others in the city where they would never dream of looking for
+me, and where I can graduate next year, as I have planned to do.”
+
+“It shall be just as you wish, my dear; I feel that I am doing you no
+wrong in gratifying you. You shall be like a young daughter to me, and
+I—I promise I will be no burden to you, notwithstanding that I am old
+and feeble,” Mr. Rosevelt answered, with a sad smile.
+
+“A burden!” Star repeated, with quivering lips. “Oh, please do not
+imagine such a thing! It is _you_ who are to take care of me and shield
+me until I graduate, for without you to help me bear the responsibility,
+I should not dare to take such a step.”
+
+Mr. Rosevelt smiled again.
+
+“You try to make the obligation appear all your own; but I share it,
+nevertheless; and I think you and I will be far happier away from the
+unpleasant influences which have surrounded us during the past year. I
+am quite anticipating the change, I assure you. Now you must go to rest.
+You look more like a ghost than a star just now; and my heart has been
+deeply pained to-night for the suffering that you have had to endure;
+but I believe it will yet be made up to you in some way,” he concluded,
+with grave thoughtfulness.
+
+He sat regarding her earnestly for a few moments. Then he said, while
+his eyes were fixed questioningly on her face:
+
+“This is a different kind of a storm, child, from the one which you and
+I passed through at sea. Your faith was strong then; you were not afraid
+to die; how is it now? Do you believe your God rules this kind of a
+storm also?”
+
+There was a skeptical smile on the old man’s lips, and a bitterness in
+his tone as he asked this, which filled the young girl’s heart with
+remorse.
+
+She looked up at him with a startled glance, while her pained face
+almost instantly relaxed into an expression of trustfulness and peace.
+
+“Uncle Jacob,” she said, with a solemn sweetness which impressed him
+deeply, “you could not have said anything for which I should thank you
+more—you have recalled me to myself. I should not have forgotten for a
+moment that God rules everywhere and over everything. Yes, I _believe_
+He knows best, even though I cannot _understand_ why I must suffer this
+bitter trial.”
+
+The old man sighed deeply, and his face was very grave.
+
+“Good-night!” he said, abruptly, and rising, led her to the door.
+
+When he reached it, he bent suddenly down and touched her forehead with
+his lips; and Star, with a low-spoken “good-night,” went away with a
+sorely aching heart, indeed, but greatly comforted by his sympathy,
+while a spirit of submission had succeeded to the bitterness and
+rebellion of the previous hour.
+
+Jacob Rosevelt locked the door after her, and went back to the table
+where he had been sitting when she came to him.
+
+Opening the drawer, he took out a package of papers and letters, which
+he carefully looked over.
+
+When he had read them all, he selected a portion, tore them into atoms,
+and throwing them into the grate where there was a slow fire, watched
+them until they had burned to ashes, with a white, stern face. Then he
+sat down again, and wrote far into the night.
+
+The next morning when Mrs. Blunt went up to see how Star was feeling,
+and if she had any appetite for her breakfast, she found her room empty.
+
+“Goodness gracious! the child has got up and gone to school, and without
+a mouthful to stay her stomach, or I’m much mistaken,” she said, in a
+voice of dismay.
+
+Then, as her eye fell upon the open drawers of the bureau and the empty
+closet, a sudden fear oppressed her.
+
+A little note lying upon the bed now attracted her attention, and she
+eagerly pounced upon it.
+
+It was directed to her, and with trembling fingers she opened it, and
+read:
+
+  “DEAR MRS. BLUNT:—Something has occurred which makes it impossible for
+  me to remain here any longer, and I am going away to take care of
+  myself. You have always been very kind to me, and I thank you very
+  much for it, and shall never forget it. Sometime I hope to see you
+  again, and I trust you will always think kindly of
+
+                                                     “STELLA GLADSTONE.”
+
+The good woman sat down and wept bitter tears over this brief note, for
+she had learned to love the bright, kind-hearted girl who always had a
+cheery word for her. She knew the house would never seem the same again
+without her.
+
+Then she went down to tell the news to her master. She met John Mellen
+in the hall, who had come with the intelligence that Mr. Rosevelt left
+the lodge early that morning, taking all that belonged to him—“which was
+not much, yer honor,” he volunteered, and he handed Mr. Richards a note
+which the old gentleman had left for him.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XXI.
+                           FRUITLESS EFFORTS.
+
+
+Mr. Richards and his family were thrown into considerable confusion by
+the double surprise which this morning revealed to them.
+
+He was really a kind man at heart, and had been very much troubled by
+the way that his wife had conducted herself toward her aged uncle, and
+also by her unfeeling usage of Star.
+
+Mrs. Richards, however, found it difficult to conceal her satisfaction
+at the turn events had taken. She kept her own counsel regarding her
+knowledge of what had transpired during the interview between her
+husband and the young lord; neither did she consider it necessary to
+mention the stormy scene which had occurred at the lodge the previous
+evening, in which she was so prominent an actor.
+
+“Josephine shall have everything her own way now,” she thought,
+exultantly; “at all events, _that girl_ shall never triumph over my
+daughter by becoming Lady Carrol.”
+
+Mr. Richards declared that he should go immediately in search of the
+fugitives. He could not endure the thought that the delicate young girl
+and feeble old man should go out into the world to earn their own
+living, for this he supposed they would be obliged to do, since what
+little money he knew Star to be possessed of could not support them both
+a great while.
+
+But Mrs. Richards indignantly objected to this proceeding.
+
+“Let them alone,” she said, angrily; “they will not thank you for your
+trouble, and doubtless would refuse to return if you should succeed in
+finding them. I am sure they have shown precious little gratitude for
+what we have already done for them. Uncle Jacob says in his note that it
+has been very unpleasant for him here, and if such is the case, let him
+go where he will fare better if he can find such a place. As for that
+proud-spirited, independent girl, I never want to see her again; I am
+glad to be rid of her.”
+
+Mr. Richards did not reply to this tirade, but he felt very sorrowful,
+for every day only seemed to reveal some new trait of selfishness and
+heartlessness in his wife, which served to detract from his respect for
+her.
+
+Nothing of all this, however, was mentioned before their guests, and
+when after breakfast Lord Carrol sought his host in the library to make
+further arrangements for an interview with Star, he was astonished and
+dismayed by the intelligence which he received regarding her secret
+departure with Mr. Rosevelt.
+
+“Have you any idea where they can have gone?” he asked, with a very
+pale, anxious face.
+
+“Not the slightest,” Mr. Richards answered, “and I am deeply concerned
+about the affair. You will believe me, I am sure, when I tell you that I
+admire Miss Gladstone exceedingly, although I am obliged to confess with
+shame that her sojourn with us has not been made as pleasant as it might
+have been.”
+
+Mr. Richards made this confession with a lowering brow and in a stern
+tone.
+
+“I judged that she was not happy here from something that she dropped
+last night,” Lord Carrol said, gravely. “And,” he added, with evident
+embarrassment, “it is a delicate topic to touch upon, but I believe
+plain dealing is best—she also stated that it is generally believed in
+your household that I am here as a suitor for Miss Richards’ hand. I
+trust, however, that there has been no such misunderstanding as this. I
+enjoyed a very pleasant month at Long Branch with both your wife and
+daughter. Perhaps I sought their society more than might have been
+deemed proper unless I had serious intentions; but this was owing to the
+fact that I discovered Mrs. Richards to be of English birth, and knowing
+something of her friends abroad, it seemed to become a bond between us,
+out of which a friendship naturally sprung. Mrs. Richards very kindly
+invited me to make one of a party here, and I accepted her invitation—I
+give you my word of honor upon it—with _only_ thoughts of friendship and
+the pleasure of meeting congenial company, and with the intention, if
+she ever came abroad, of returning her hospitality in the same spirit. I
+hope—I trust, my dear sir, that my coming here thus has not been
+misconstrued, or placed Miss Richards in an awkward position.”
+
+The young man’s face shone with a look of real concern as he concluded,
+and Mr. Richards was convinced that, notwithstanding his wife had
+asserted that he would propose to Josephine, he had never entertained
+any serious intentions regarding her.
+
+“It is all right, my young friend,” he responded, heartily, and feeling
+great respect for him for his straightforwardness. “I am satisfied that
+you have been perfectly honorable, although I must confess that I was
+greatly astonished last night to learn that Star was the object of your
+affection. I regret sincerely the misunderstanding that has arisen
+between you, but we will do what we can to find the missing girl, and I
+trust that then it will not take long to effect a reconciliation.”
+
+“Thank you,” the young lord said, but he looked very grave, for he did
+not feel as if it would be a very easy matter to find Star. He knew that
+underneath her usual gentleness and sweetness there lay a strength of
+purpose and determination which would lead her to do thoroughly whatever
+she undertook, and if she had gone away to hide from him it would take
+both patience and sagacity to find her.
+
+However, he resolved to devote all his time before the day set for his
+return should arrive in searching for her; and acting at once upon this
+decision, he sought Mrs. Richards and Josephine, telling them that, much
+as he regretted doing so, he should be obliged to cut his visit short,
+as business of importance called him unexpectedly away.
+
+Josephine was bitterly disappointed and chagrined, for she was as yet in
+total ignorance as to the cause of his departure, and Mrs. Richards for
+the moment was rendered speechless from indignation. She had not once
+thought that he would go away before the expiration of his week.
+
+“We shall see you again, I trust, before you leave America,” Josephine
+said, with her sweetest smile, as he took her hand at parting.
+
+“Perhaps so; I cannot tell,” he answered, absently.
+
+“We return to Brooklyn next week,” Mrs. Richards now managed to say. “If
+you are in New York, you surely will find time to run over and call upon
+us now and then.”
+
+“Thank you. I may be able to do so,” he replied, courteously; and then,
+with a somewhat formal bow, he went away to seek for his lost love.
+
+“What under the sun is the matter with Lord Carrol this morning, mamma?
+He does not appear like himself at all; and what has possessed him to go
+away so soon?” Josephine cried, nearly ready to weep as the door closed
+upon the man she loved, and she was left alone with her mother.
+
+Mrs. Richards then related what she had overheard the previous evening,
+and told her also of her subsequent interview with Star and Mr.
+Rosevelt, and the news that had come to them that morning of their
+flight.
+
+Josephine listened to her in dumb amazement, hardly able to comprehend
+the romantic story.
+
+“That girl has done nothing but set everybody by the ears ever since she
+entered this house,” she burst forth, at length, quivering in every
+nerve with anger. “Lord Carrol in love with _her_! I cannot comprehend
+it, and I think it is scandalous for him to confess it, after the marked
+attention that he paid me at Long Branch.”
+
+“I think so, too,” Mrs. Richards echoed, but rather faintly, for she
+knew how Josephine had almost been thrown at him, so to speak.
+
+“Well, I am glad she is gone,” the excited girl continued. “I hope now
+that we shall be able to take some comfort. She bewitched papa with her
+pretty face, her music, and pretended love of study. She was an artful
+thing, making herself so conspicuous at school that even the newspapers
+took it up, and was so puffed up on account of it that her airs were
+insufferable. It is a mercy that Uncle Jacob lost his fortune before he
+came to us, or she would have been likely to wheedle him out of it.”
+
+“She has been as sly as a fox,” commented Mrs. Richards, wrathfully, her
+ire against poor, unoffending Star waxing hotter and hotter, for she was
+as bitterly disappointed to lose his lordship as a son-in-law as
+Josephine was to lose him as a husband.
+
+“I never heard anything like it. To think of his being engaged to her,
+and we never suspecting such a thing! I’ll bet,” the refined young lady
+continued, as a bright idea struck her, “that she went away to meet him
+last Saturday, and that was why she was rigged out so. That must be the
+secret of her insolence to me. She knew she was soon to become Lady
+Carrol, and she was trying how it would seem to lord it over me.”
+
+“You forget, Josephine,” interposed her mother, “that she did not know
+anything about his title, and so you are all wrong in your surmises.”
+
+“True,” she replied, somewhat crestfallen; “but when do you suppose he
+engaged himself to her?”
+
+“I am sure I do not know—very recently, he said. I tried to make her
+tell me about it last night, but I couldn’t get a word out of her. One
+would have thought, by the way that she faced me, that she was already
+my lady somebody. But I reckon I fixed it so that she will not be at
+present. I made her think that his lordship had told the story in a way
+to make her appear as ridiculous as possible, and she has gone away,
+believing him to be as faithless as it is in the power of man to be;”
+and the hardhearted woman threw herself back in her chair with a sigh of
+satisfaction at the thought.
+
+“It is a shame, anyhow. Everything has gone wrong, and I—I really was
+fond of him,” Josephine confessed, with a passion of tears.
+
+Mrs. Richards’ face darkened. She never could tolerate anything which
+interfered with the desires and whims of her only child.
+
+“Well, we will not give up hope, even yet,” she said, trying to speak
+comfortingly. “We shall go back to Brooklyn next week, and we will try
+to see him as often as we can. We will visit his studio, and look at his
+pictures and those of his friends, and if he is unsuccessful in his
+search for that girl, he may turn to you again for comfort.”
+
+“I cannot get over it that _she_, with her great eyes and yellow hair,
+should have attracted him and won him, when we have strained every nerve
+and spent hundreds for him,” Josephine said, angrily.
+
+At this moment a servant entered the room and handed her a note.
+
+She opened it eagerly and read it.
+
+Her face flushed a deep crimson, and, with a passionate gesture, she
+instantly tore it in two.
+
+“What is it?” questioned her mother.
+
+“It is too dreadful!” the spoilt beauty cried, stamping her foot; “and I
+believe that girl will be the death of me yet.”
+
+“Tell me what it is,” persisted Mrs. Richards, growing pale.
+
+“It is a note from Lord Carrol himself,” Josephine answered, her cheeks
+still hot from mortification and anger. “When we were at Long Branch, he
+noticed this cameo ring that I wear—I happened to put it on the last
+night that we were there, unfortunately—and said that it was very much
+like one which belonged to a friend of his. He appeared rather strangely
+when he said it, and told me that his friend’s name was Archibald
+Sherbrooke. Of course I can understand now why he would not say that it
+had belonged to him. I told him that it was given to me by a relative,
+and he did not appear like himself after that.”
+
+“But how came you by it—who gave it to you?” interrupted her mother, who
+had never noticed the ring until now, for Josephine had so many trinkets
+that she could not keep track of them all.
+
+The girl flushed again, guiltily.
+
+“To tell the truth, it belonged to Stella,” she confessed, reluctantly,
+“and it was such an exquisite little thing that I took a notion to have
+it. I offered to buy it of her, but she wouldn’t hear a word of it,
+saying she ‘prized it too highly as the gift of a friend.’ But I was
+bound to have it, and went to her room one day and took it, and had it
+made into a ring, for it was in the shape of a pin. Of course I intended
+to return it sometime, but I meant her to understand that a girl in her
+dependent position had no business to refuse so simple a request. The
+initials A. S., with two strawberry leaves, their stems crossed, are
+engraved on it, and I knew, when he described it to me, that it was ‘his
+friend’—or rather himself, as it appears now—who had given it to her. I
+heartily wish now that I had let it alone. But just listen to this.”
+
+Miss Richards took the pieces of the note, which she had held crumpled
+in her hand, and putting them together, read the following:
+
+                                                       “Oct. 10th, 188—.
+
+  “MISS RICHARDS:—Doubtless before you receive this you will have
+  learned that Archibald Sherbrooke—whom I represented to you as my
+  friend, for reasons which you cannot now fail to understand—and Lord
+  Carrol are one and the same person. Under the former name, which was
+  the only one which belonged to me at that time, I became acquainted
+  with Miss Gladstone on shipboard, and was so pleased with her that, at
+  parting, I exchanged souvenirs with her, giving her a little cameo
+  which I prized very highly. It is the same one which you have had made
+  into a ring. When I met Miss Gladstone a short time since she remarked
+  that she had ‘lost’ my gift; last night she told me _how_ she had
+  ‘lost’ it, and I would respectfully ask you to send it to the inclosed
+  address, that I may return it to the owner, should I be so happy as to
+  find her.
+
+                       “Very respectfully,
+                                       “ARCHIBALD SHERBROOKE, Bart., and
+                                           Lord CARROL, of Carrolton.”
+
+“Why on earth can’t you let other folks’ things alone, Josephine?” cried
+Mrs. Richards, when her daughter had finished reading this formal note,
+and feeling almost faint from mortification upon learning of this
+disgraceful episode in her life. “I’m sure,” she added, reproachfully,
+“you have trinkets enough without taking the only thing a poor girl
+had.”
+
+“Isn’t your commiseration somewhat ill-timed, mamma, for the ‘poor
+girl,’ now that she is not here to reap the benefit of it?” sneered the
+dutiful young lady. “I don’t care; it is an elegant trifle, anyhow, and
+I’ve half a mind to keep it, in spite of his lordship’s demand,” she
+added, defiantly, as she held up her hand, on which the ring gleamed,
+and regarded it covetously.
+
+But she did return it, nevertheless; she did not quite dare to retain
+it, particularly as she could not relinquish all hope of winning the
+young lord even yet.
+
+Mr. Richards, accompanied by Lord Carrol, proceeded with all possible
+dispatch to New York, and thence to Brooklyn, where they went directly
+to the seminary which Star attended, and inquired for her.
+
+It was only half-past ten when they arrived there, but early as it was,
+Professor Roberts told them that she had come at the usual hour and
+severed her connection with the school, and very much to his regret, he
+added, as he considered her one of the most promising members of the
+senior class.
+
+Both gentlemen looked blank at this information; they did not suppose
+Star would be so energetic to cover all traces of her flight.
+
+She had asked, the professor said, for a recommendation, that she might
+more easily enter some other, as she hoped to be able to complete her
+course, although she did not tell him where she was going.
+
+“And I did,” he continued; “I gave her the very best one that could be
+put into words, for she deserved it. But what is this you tell me—that
+she has left her home without the knowledge of her friends?” and he
+appeared deeply troubled.
+
+“Yes; but it is only on account of a slight misunderstanding, and one
+which would have been very easily explained if she had not been quite so
+hasty; and I hope we shall be able to find her and make it right very
+soon.”
+
+“I trust so; I am very sorry to part with her,” said the professor,
+gravely, while he measured the young lord with his keen eyes,
+mistrusting that he was somehow concerned in the mystery. “I had
+anticipated taking her through the course and presenting her with her
+diploma. I tell you, sir, Miss Gladstone bids fair to become a most
+brilliant woman. Why, the essay which she read at our last commencement
+would have been a credit to the most profound literary talent in the
+country.”
+
+Lord Carrol’s eyes glowed at these praises of his darling; but Mr.
+Richards winced under them, for his conscience was smiting him keenly
+for ever having allowed Star to occupy so questionable a position in his
+family.
+
+“You will oblige me if you will account for her absence in some casual
+way, if you are questioned about it,” he said. “I should be sorry to
+have anything unpleasant said of her.”
+
+“Certainly; you may rely upon my being very discreet, for _her_ sake,”
+Professor Roberts returned, somewhat stiffly.
+
+He bowed his visitors out, and then returned to his duties; but all day
+long, and for many days, he missed the bright, earnest face of his “most
+promising scholar,” her brilliant recitations, and the respectful
+attention which she had always given him.
+
+As for Mr. Richards and Lord Carrol, their way seemed suddenly hedged
+up; they did not know which way to turn next. They knew it would be very
+difficult to find any one in the great city of New York, and it was
+possible that the fugitives had left the metropolis, although Mr.
+Richards, knowing how ambitious Star was to complete her education, was
+inclined to think she would remain there until she had accomplished this
+end.
+
+Still Lord Carrol was determined not to relinquish his search for her,
+and he neglected painting and everything else, riding from one end of
+the city to another day after day, unweariedly visiting schools on week
+days, and haunting churches on Sunday, until the day of his departure
+arrived; but all his efforts were unavailing and fruitless.
+
+An advertisement was inserted in all the daily papers.
+
+“Star, let me justify myself!” That was all; and Star, in her
+hiding-place, read it many times with curling lips and scornful eyes.
+
+“There can be no justification,” she said; “one man bearing two names
+and deceiving two girls, can never be justified.”
+
+But her heart ached none the less, for, with shame she owned it, she
+loved him still. The days seemed endless, her duties arduous and
+monotonous; she grew thin, her step lost its elasticity, and she was as
+miserable as even Josephine, in her most malicious mood, could have
+wished.
+
+November came, and with it the day of Archibald Sherbrooke’s sailing for
+England.
+
+No one ever returned to his native land with a sadder heart and deeper
+regret than the young Lord of Carrolton, and he would not have gone even
+then, but that some urgent business connected with his uncle’s estate,
+and his duties as his heir, imperatively demanded it. He would have much
+preferred to remain and search for the fair girl whom he loved so
+devotedly.
+
+But he resolved to return to America at the earliest possible date and
+resume his efforts to find her.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XXII.
+                           THE GOAL REACHED.
+
+
+The winter passed, the summer came again, and on a sunny day in June the
+great chapel of the Normal College of New York city was packed with
+human beings to its utmost capacity.
+
+Upon the broad platform were seated the professors, the tutors, and
+guests, while the body of the vast hall was filled with its fifteen
+hundred students, attentive and vigilant like so many soldiers at their
+posts.
+
+These were girls all the way from fourteen to twenty years of age; girls
+of every shade of complexion and degree of beauty, or the reverse;
+bright maidens with latent mischief twinkling in their eyes, of every
+variety of color and shade; lasses of mercurial temperament, such as
+keep a household in a state of excitement and tumult, brimming with
+animal spirits and kittenish pranks. Others there were, however, with
+quiet serenity and dignity of manner, having sweet, clear-cut faces, and
+gentle ways shining through their countenances; and those, too—let us
+whisper it—with a suspicion of the vixen and virago; prudes and tomboys,
+angels and shrews—all mixed indiscriminately in that immense place,
+gathered for the final act of the school year—the graduating exercises,
+the distributing of the diplomas, and the departure of the senior class
+from the halls of learning out into the great world, there to take up
+their duties as teachers.
+
+Among the large number of this class who occupy, on this occasion, the
+front seats in the chapel, there is one quiet figure, having a pale,
+delicate face, large, deep blue eyes, and a fair, gleaming brow, shaded
+by hair of brightest gold, which more than one of the numerous visitors
+have singled out from her sister graduates, on account of her peculiar
+loveliness and an indefinite something which seems to appeal to them
+from the depths of her lovely but rather sorrowful eyes.
+
+Slight of form, unassuming in manner, but with a dainty, star-like
+beauty that was almost magnetic in its influence, she sat quietly in her
+seat until one of the professors announced the “Address in French,” as
+per programme, when she arose, and Miss Star Gladstone at once stepped
+upon the platform, saluting first the officers, teachers, and guests,
+then her fellow-students, with a charming little bow and a graceful
+inclination of her body.
+
+In clear, bell-like tones she began her address, without the slightest
+appearance of self-consciousness or embarrassment, rolling out sentence
+after sentence in the smoothest and purest of French, until those who
+were well versed in the language wondered at such proficiency in one so
+young, while those who could not understand it were spell-bound by her
+exquisite voice and graceful gestures.
+
+Star had been well taught in French before coming to this country, until
+it had become almost like her native tongue; therefore, after a year of
+arduous study under the best of teachers at the Normal College, it is
+not strange that she should have been chosen, on account of her purity
+of accent, to deliver the French oration.
+
+“Who is she?” questioned one of the visitors of a teacher.
+
+“Miss Gladstone,” she answered, pointing to the name on the programme.
+
+“How lovely she is, in that simple lace bunting, trimmed with its knots
+of blue ribbon, and those blush-roses in her belt!”
+
+“So I think,” the teacher replied, with an affectionate glance at Star.
+“She has only been with us a year, however. She was hardly up to the
+mark when she entered the class, although she came highly recommended by
+Professor Roberts, of Brooklyn. Our standard, you know, is very high.
+But she was anxious to enter the senior class, and assured us that she
+would not drag, and said she was particularly anxious to graduate this
+year.”
+
+“And she has done well, I am sure,” the visitor said, bending another
+admiring glance upon the fair graduate.
+
+“She has been one of the most brilliant scholars of the class. Her
+recitations have been wonderful. I do not think she has made a single
+failure during the entire year. If she had been with us throughout the
+course, she must have taken the valedictory; but she has acquitted
+herself grandly in the French essay, which she composed and translated
+herself.”
+
+“She has, indeed. I never heard purer French spoken, even in Paris. Does
+she live in the city?”
+
+“I believe so, although I do not know where. She comes and goes very
+quietly, and her clothing indicates that her friends, whoever they may
+be, are in limited circumstances. She appears to have no intimates, and
+yet she is a favorite with all. There must be some sorrowful story
+connected with her life, I think, for there is a haunting sadness in her
+eyes whenever they meet yours, except when she smiles or becomes
+animated in conversation; then she is charming.”
+
+“I should like to know her,” said the first speaker, musingly; but
+President Hunter here arose to distribute the diplomas, and she gave her
+attention to his remarks, although her glance frequently sought the
+lovely face which had so attracted her attention.
+
+The subject of the above conversation, although unconscious of it, was
+none the less worthy of it.
+
+After leaving Jacob Rosevelt on the night of her exciting interview with
+Mrs. Richards, she sped swiftly back to her room, where she gathered
+together a few articles of clothing and packed them into a small valise;
+her school-books also, with her portfolio and the small box which had so
+aroused Josephine’s curiosity that day when she went to steal Star’s
+lovely cameo.
+
+These preparations ended, she retired to rest.
+
+She awoke long before daylight, and dressing herself in a dark street
+dress, she sat down by the window to wait for the dawn.
+
+She penned that little note to Mrs. Blunt the last thing before leaving
+the house. The woman had been so kind to her that she could not find it
+in her heart to go away without a single word of farewell; to the others
+she gave not a thought.
+
+As soon as it was light enough, she stole softly down stairs and out at
+the front door, as it was nearer, and, besides, some of the servants
+might be up if she went out the back way, and turned her back forever
+upon the house in which she had only been “tolerated.”
+
+When she reached the lodge, she found Mr. Rosevelt waiting for her on
+the vine-covered porch.
+
+He smiled a silent good-morning, motioning her not to speak, with a
+gesture which told her that John Mellen’s wife was not far off; and
+together they went out from the grounds by a side gate and proceeded
+toward the station.
+
+They were in time for the early morning train, and reached New York long
+before the household which they had left behind were aware of their
+flight.
+
+“We will go to some quiet street and board for a few days,” Mr. Rosevelt
+said, as they sat down in the waiting-room of the station to consult
+upon what was best to be done. “You must not lose a day of school if you
+can help it. I know just the place for us, I think, where there is a
+good, motherly soul of a landlady. Perhaps she will know of some rooms
+which we can obtain at a reasonable price until you graduate, and then,
+perhaps, you may not care to remain in New York.”
+
+Star assented to this plan, and they repaired to the boarding-place
+which Mr. Rosevelt had mentioned, and found the “good, motherly soul”
+very willing to take them in.
+
+After partaking of a simple but wholesome breakfast, Star went at once
+to Brooklyn, and had an interview with Professor Roberts, as we already
+know.
+
+She told him just as little as was possible, but said that circumstances
+obliged her to make a change, although she had not yet decided where she
+should pursue her education.
+
+She was surprised at the recommendation which he gave her, for it was
+indeed the very best that he could put into words, and she felt very sad
+when he shook her cordially by the hand and expressed his regret at
+being obliged to part with her.
+
+On her way back to New York she decided, if she could pass the
+examination, she would enter the Normal College, believing that among
+the multitude who attended there she would escape observation more
+easily than in a smaller school.
+
+She went immediately to the corner of Sixty-ninth street and Fourth
+avenue, had an interview with the president, who consented to give her a
+private examination; but the curriculum was a little different from that
+of Professor Roberts’ seminary, and she was not quite up to the standard
+in some of its branches, and being unwilling to go back into another
+grade, she was admitted to the senior class, “upon conditions.”
+
+She was not long in showing him, however, that such a stipulation was
+wholly unnecessary.
+
+She gave up all thoughts of music for the present, and bent all her
+energies to her studies, and soon not one of the forty who were to
+graduate gave promise of a more brilliant ending to her career as a
+scholar than she who had been admitted “upon conditions.”
+
+Meantime Mr. Rosevelt had found three furnished rooms in a cheap but
+respectable locality, where they took up their abode, the woman, who
+owned and lived in the house, agreeing to furnish their meals and act as
+sort of housekeeper general for a reasonable amount.
+
+Mr. Rosevelt would not hear a word to any other arrangement, although
+Star declared she could do a portion of the work herself.
+
+“No; you shall do nothing of the kind. You will have all you can attend
+to to keep up with your classes,” he said.
+
+“But it will cost so much, Uncle Jacob,” Star answered, ruefully, for
+she found that her poor hundred pounds was melting rapidly away—at
+least, it would do so if they paid for having all their work done. Mr.
+Rosevelt smiled.
+
+“My dear,” he said, though somewhat sadly, she thought, “you did not
+suppose I was going to allow you to assume the burden of my whole
+support, did you? I never should have consented to come away with you in
+that case. I am not quite penniless, and what I can afford to pay toward
+our support will at least relieve you of all necessity of laboring as a
+household drudge.”
+
+They were as cozy as they could well be with their simple yet home-like
+little parlor, and two bedrooms leading out of it, and with their meals
+served to them there, it was very much like a home of their own.
+
+“It is just as nice as can be, and I am happy as a queen,” Star
+declared, over and over again; but he often looked troubled when he saw
+how thin her cheeks were growing, noticed her oft-repeated but quickly
+suppressed sighs, and that “haunting sadness” in her eyes.
+
+They lived in a very quiet way, never going out except for a quiet walk
+or to the little church near by on Sunday, and never met or heard
+anything of Mr. Richards or his family.
+
+Star had read that advertisement relating to herself, and it had caused
+her bitter pain, for it brought all her suffering so freshly to her
+mind; but she had not the least faith that Lord Carrol could say
+anything which could justify himself in her mind. She felt that he only
+desired to cheat her still further with honeyed words, and so paid no
+heed to it.
+
+Mr. Rosevelt also saw it, and wondered if she had read it; but she gave
+no sign, and he never mentioned that name to her; it was a topic which
+they avoided by tacit consent.
+
+Once during the year, when speaking of what she should do as soon as she
+graduated, she said that she had decided to apply for a situation as
+teacher in the city; she had concluded to remain in America instead of
+returning to England, as she had at first planned to do.
+
+He did not ask her why; he understood what she meant—she wished the sea
+to roll between her and the man who had so ruined her life; and perhaps,
+he thought, with a very tender feeling in his heart, she wanted to stay
+with him.
+
+Thus the year sped round, and brought with its revolution another
+commencement day for Star.
+
+“Uncle Jacob, you are coming to-day to see me graduate, are you not?”
+she asked that morning, as she poured his coffee for him, and looking up
+into his face with more eagerness than he had seen her manifest since
+her trouble.
+
+“Of course I shall; I would not miss it for anything. Then you have
+really passed your final examination, and are going to receive your
+diploma?” he said, bending a look of pride on her.
+
+“Indeed I have. You did not suppose I should _fail_, did you, if I
+really set about it?” she asked, with a little accent of scorn on the
+disagreeable word.
+
+“I did not know, dear. I was confident that you would do your best; but
+you told me you were only received upon conditions, and I sometimes
+feared the work might be too hard for you.”
+
+“I should not have begged to be allowed to enter the senior class if I
+had not felt confident that I could do justice to myself,” Star
+answered, quietly, as she buttered her roll. “I considered the matter
+thoroughly before I applied. I had already read almost as far in Latin
+as the whole course demanded, and my French, thanks to papa’s care, was
+nearly equal in pronunciation to monsieur’s own. The review of some of
+the studies of the junior class, with which I was not familiar, and the
+training for teaching, were all that was very hard for me.”
+
+She spoke lightly, but he well knew that she had labored unremittingly
+upon those reviews, and that she had spent many extra hours with one of
+the “critic” teachers, who had kindly offered to assist her, in order
+that she might be up to the mark in the practice of “model
+school-teaching.”
+
+Thus she had persevered and overcome every obstacle until the goal was
+reached, and to-day she would receive her diploma.
+
+And so Uncle Jacob had gone to the great chapel with other interested
+friends, and watched the dear girl with glistening eyes while she so
+creditably performed the part assigned to her, feeling that she was an
+honor to her class, and in his eyes, at least, the gem of them all.
+
+That evening there was to be a grand reunion in a commodious hall near
+by, where graduates of previous years were to meet the senior class of
+to-day, to offer their congratulations on their success and their good
+wishes for their future career.
+
+Star had no fine clothes in which to make a show of herself, and was
+obliged to go clad in the same simple lace bunting that she had worn
+during the day; but she gave herself an air of elegance by substituting
+some bright flowers for the knots of blue ribbon, and excitement lending
+a rich color to her cheeks and light to her eyes, no one thought of
+criticising her garments.
+
+Jacob Rosevelt, too, dressed in a full new suit of handsome broadcloth,
+with a satin neck-tie and light kid gloves, did not look much like the
+bent, shabby old man who had arrived, dusty and travel-stained, at Mr.
+Richards’ mansion a little less than a year ago.
+
+“Where _did_ you get it, Uncle Jacob?” Star exclaimed, as he came forth
+from his chamber and asked her if she thought he’d do.
+
+He smiled mysteriously, then said:
+
+“I told you that I was not quite a beggar, dear, when I left my niece
+Ellen’s inhospitable roof, and so I’ve been saving up for this occasion,
+in order that I might do honor to you.”
+
+“You are just as fine as you can be,” Star said, delightedly, as she
+went round and round him to examine the material and fashion of his new
+garments, “and I do not believe any one will be more proud of her escort
+to-night than I shall be; and yet,” she thought, “Uncle Jacob must have
+been _very saving_ indeed to have been able to buy such an expensive
+suit.”
+
+His eyes glowed with pleasure at her words; but when they entered the
+brilliantly lighted hall, and he saw the elegant toilets of some of the
+young ladies, he could not help regarding her with something of regret,
+although very many admiring eyes were fixed upon the arm of the stately,
+gray-haired gentleman, as they went forward to pay their respects to
+President Hunter and his corps of assistants.
+
+“Miss Gladstone, I have a friend who desires to be presented to you,”
+said one of Star’s teachers, seeking her out later in the evening.
+
+She led her toward a lady who was standing a little apart from them, and
+who appeared to be three or four years Star’s senior, and introduced her
+as Miss Meredith.
+
+It was the visitor who had inquired so particularly regarding our
+heroine during the graduating exercises.
+
+She was drawn toward her at once, and they were soon chatting as
+sociably as if they had been acquaintances of long standing.
+
+While thus engaged, a gentleman approached them, greeting both young
+ladies in the most cordial manner.
+
+“I was hoping that you two would meet to-night,” he said, bestowing a
+smiling face upon them both. “Miss Meredith is a graduate of two years
+ago, Miss Gladstone, and I am sure you will find her a congenial
+spirit.”
+
+“Thank you, Mr. Appleton,” Miss Meredith responded, brightly; “but you
+should have put it the other way, for I have been very impatient to meet
+Miss Gladstone. I singled her out from her class to-day, and felt sure
+that we should be _en rapport_, as the spiritualists say, if we could
+only become acquainted.”
+
+“Well, I think it does not matter much which way you put it, now that
+you know each other,” the gentleman returned, smiling; then turning to
+Star, he added:
+
+“So, my young friend, you have really ‘run the race, and finished the
+course;’ and now do you remember the promise which you made me several
+months ago?”
+
+Star flushed vividly at this question.
+
+“Did I make you a promise, Mr. Appleton?” she asked, evasively, adding,
+with an arch glance: “I thought it was _you_ who made _me_ a promise.”
+
+He laughed and shook his finger at her.
+
+“You said that on your eighteenth birthday I might reveal a secret.”
+
+“And you _promised_ you would _not_ reveal it until I was eighteen,” she
+retorted, brightly, although the color deepened in her cheeks as she
+continued: “I am not eighteen yet, Mr. Appleton.”
+
+“No, but you will be to-morrow. You see I have not forgotten the date.
+Now, let me take time by the forelock a little, and whisper to Miss
+Meredith _who_ the author of ‘Chatsworth’s Pride’ is. She has been on
+the _qui vive_ to know ever since the book was published,” Mr. Appleton
+said, bending a roguish look upon Star, who now stood with drooping eyes
+and appearing somewhat confused.
+
+“Oh, do you know? Is it some friend of yours, Miss Gladstone?” Miss
+Meredith said, eagerly, to her. “I think it is so tantalizing not to
+know the name of the author of a book,” she went on, “particularly if it
+is one you happen to like very much; and here this provoking man who
+published this one only put a great star where he should have printed
+the author’s name. Do tell me, please, Miss Gladstone; I am, indeed, all
+curiosity.”
+
+Then remarking Star’s embarrassment, she looked from her to Mr.
+Appleton, questioningly.
+
+“Is it?” she went on, excitedly, as he smiled and glanced at the fair
+girl. “Can it be possible that it is Miss Gladstone herself? I believe
+it is,” she said, with sparkling eyes, as she seized Star’s hands; “and
+oh! what can I say to you? It is a charming little book, and I have
+enjoyed it more than I can tell you. There! let me shake the hand that
+wrote it, and if I had a laurel wreath here I would put it on this
+golden head and make you wear it the remainder of the evening.”
+
+And she squeezed and shook that small, white, gloved hand until Star
+laughingly begged for mercy.
+
+“See what you have subjected me to,” she said, with a half-reproachful
+look at Mr. Appleton.
+
+“You might just as well make the best of it, my modest little friend,”
+that gentleman replied, laughing. “I have kept silence for a year under
+the most trying circumstances, for I have been unmercifully besieged to
+tell who the author of ‘Chatsworth’s Pride’ is, and I could not stand
+the fire any longer. My time is too valuable to be spent in any such
+way; and I came here to-night not only to congratulate you upon your
+graduation, but also to introduce my fair young author to my friends.
+Yes, Miss Meredith, Miss Stella Gladstone is the author of ‘Chatsworth’s
+Pride.’”
+
+“Miss _Stella_ Gladstone?” Miss Meredith repeated.
+
+“Yes; and, you perceive, I was not far from giving the name after all. I
+was obliged to ‘make her mark,’ since I could not write her name,”
+returned Mr. Appleton, jocosely.
+
+“Ah, yes, I see. Stella means a star; and certainly,” Miss Meredith
+said, turning to her new acquaintance again, “you bid fair to shine like
+one.”
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XXIII.
+                         AN INTERESTING STORY.
+
+
+Jacob Rosevelt stood not far away during the conversation between Mr.
+Appleton, Miss Meredith, and Star, and a proud light beamed in his eyes
+as he listened to their praises of the girl whom he had learned to love
+so well.
+
+But it was nothing new to him that Star was an authoress; he had known
+it for nearly a year.
+
+That was the secret that she had whispered in his ear when, after Mrs.
+Richards’ terrible accusations, they had been left alone and she had
+begged him to go away with her to make a little home of their own,
+telling him that what she should receive for her book, together with her
+hundred pounds, would be ample for their support until she could
+graduate and obtain a position as a teacher.
+
+She had written it that first winter; for after Mr. Richards had vetoed
+his wife’s plan of making her a servant, and insisted that she should be
+sent to school, there had been many lonely hours which would have been
+very irksome to her if she had not spent them in this way.
+
+Her studies that winter were not hard; she had no associates to help her
+pass the time pleasantly, and so her heart had overflowed in this way,
+and she had penned the charming little romance which had at once set
+everybody to wondering who the author might be.
+
+This was the package with which she had stolen forth so early one
+morning, taking it with fear and trembling, yet with something of hope,
+to the great publisher.
+
+When she was shown into his office and made known her errand there, he
+looked at her in wonder, astonished at the temerity of one so young and
+simple as she appeared to be in bringing her manuscript to him and
+asking him to publish it.
+
+But the deferential yet winning way in which she made her appeal, and
+the influence of her loveliness, won a reluctant promise on his part “to
+look it over.”
+
+He did so, opening the neatly folded package with an amused smile, and
+expecting after a casual glance at its contents to be nauseated with
+some sickly sentimental love-story.
+
+But he became strangely interested in it at once, and read on and on,
+now with smiles, then melting into tears, until it was finished, and
+pronounced a “little gem;” while he was convinced that a sensitive,
+refined, and talented girl had thrown her heart, and perhaps something
+of her own life, into those touching pages.
+
+He sent a note to her at once, asking her to come and see him again, and
+when she obeyed the summons, he questioned her about herself, how she
+had come to write her book, and what incidents had suggested it.
+
+She told him that the scene of her little romance was laid in
+Derbyshire, England, and that many of the incidents were connected with
+her childhood; and the tears sprang to his eyes as she related to him
+something of the misfortune which overtook her in the death of her
+mother, the subsequent loss of her father, and how she was obliged to
+come, a stranger, to this country; of the tempestuous voyage across the
+ocean, with its thrilling events, and that as soon as she could complete
+her education she intended to become a teacher.
+
+He was greatly interested in her, and told her that he should publish
+her book, and if the first edition sold well, she should have a thousand
+dollars, and a certain per cent. on all other editions.
+
+It seemed like a fortune to Star, who had not thought of receiving
+anything like such a sum, and she went back to her duties with a joyful
+heart to await the issue of her book.
+
+Mr. Appleton was so pleased with her that he saw her often after that,
+and having received a card from her for the commencement exercises of
+Professor Roberts’ seminary, he decided he would go; and the little
+package which he had given her in the presence of Mr. Richards was a
+copy of her book, which had just come to him from the hands of the
+binders; and it was he, too, who, admiring her fine essay, begged it of
+her and sent it, with those few flattering remarks which had so annoyed
+Josephine, to the next morning’s papers.
+
+Star had put no name to her work, telling Mr. Appleton that she did not
+care to be known as its author; and he, too, thought it best, since it
+was her first experience in literary matters; so, when she had told him
+that her name was Stella, he had put a simple Star in place of it.
+
+But the book had sold beyond even the publisher’s most sanguine
+expectations, and when it became evident very soon that a second edition
+must be published, he asked her to allow him to put her name to it, as
+everybody was besieging him to know who wrote it.
+
+But she was firm, and insisted upon having his promise that he would not
+betray her until after her graduation and her eighteenth birthday.
+
+When he wrote her a check for the promised thousand dollars, she had
+taken it directly to Mr. Rosevelt.
+
+“Now we need have no fears for the future,” she said, with a proud
+smile, as she put it into his hand. “You must have every comfort, Uncle
+Jacob—fruits, and wines, and everything nice, to make you strong and
+well. There will be more coming, you know, as the other editions are
+sold, and when I begin to teach I shall have my salary besides.”
+
+The old gentleman was deeply touched by her thoughtfulness for him; he
+could not speak for the choking sensation in his throat, but drew her
+gently to him and kissed her fair forehead, feeling that she was the
+only gleam of sunshine which his life contained.
+
+Now, as he stood by and heard her praises sung, and knew that she would
+have the fame that belonged to her, he exulted over it; and when, a
+little later, she came to him and slipped an envelope into his hand,
+saying: “It is another check, Uncle Jacob, which Mr. Appleton has just
+given to me. Please take care of it, for you are my banker, you know;
+and,” a tear starting to her glorious eyes, “I believe I never expected
+to be so happy again as I am to-night,” he thought his own cup of joy
+was nearly as full as hers.
+
+She was, indeed, a star after that all through the evening, and held a
+right royal little court, receiving and making the acquaintance of the
+admirers of “Chatsworth’s Pride,” until she became so weary that she
+longed to get home to quiet and rest.
+
+As soon as she could find an opportunity to do so, she drew Mr. Rosevelt
+to President Hunter and made her adieu.
+
+Just as she was turning away, some one touched her on the arm.
+
+“Miss Gladstone, allow me to present my brother, Mr. Ralph Meredith.”
+
+It was Miss Meredith—Grace Meredith she had told Star she was called—who
+spoke, and looking up, she found a pair of brilliant dark eyes looking
+into hers, a handsome face smiling down upon her, while a musical voice
+acknowledged the introduction with evident pleasure.
+
+“I expect you are _the ‘star’_ whom I have been wishing to know for a
+long time,” he said, significantly, as he took the hand she held out to
+him, and thought he had never seen a lovelier face in his life.
+
+Star thanked him with a charming smile for his interest in her, and
+introduced him to Mr. Rosevelt; then turned to Miss Meredith to escape
+from the praises which she saw he was longing to pour into her ears.
+
+The young man was somewhat chagrined at being thus summarily disposed
+of, but he was too polite and good-natured to betray it, and did his
+best to make himself agreeable to the old gentleman and win his
+good-will.
+
+Gradually, however, he managed to attract the attention of the young
+ladies, and then the conversation became general, and they chatted
+pleasantly for several minutes, until, at a look from Star, Mr. Rosevelt
+declared they must go, “for he was not used to late hours, and Star, he
+knew, was nearly worn out with the excitement of the day.”
+
+Mr. Meredith regretted that they must leave, but begged, with his most
+captivating smile:
+
+“May I have the pleasure, Miss Gladstone, of coming with my sister to
+call upon you?”
+
+“Certainly,” Star answered, graciously, for she was pleased with both
+brother and sister. “I shall be very happy to have you do so. We live——”
+
+“Wait a minute, Star, and I will write our address down for them. It is
+so difficult to remember numbers, I am afraid they will forget;” and
+taking a leaf from a small notebook that was in his pocket, Mr. Rosevelt
+wrote both street and number and passed it to young Meredith.
+
+Star thought he looked surprised as he read it. Was it because of the
+humble locality? she wondered.
+
+They then exchanged good-nights and parted. When they reached the
+street, Mr. Rosevelt said:
+
+“I am going to call a carriage, dear, for I know you are just ready to
+drop from weariness;” and Star did not object, for she was indeed
+exceedingly tired.
+
+When they reached home she insisted upon making a cup of tea for Uncle
+Jacob, saying that he was not accustomed to such late hours and
+dissipation; “and besides,” she added, with a smile, “she felt like
+having a drop herself.”
+
+But the old gentleman was so absent-minded over his tea, that she felt
+almost guilty for having kept him up so late, and feared he would be ill
+to-morrow.
+
+She put away the tea things when they were through, and was about to
+light her lamp to retire, when he stopped her, saying:
+
+“Star, my dear, come and sit down upon this ottoman by me; I have
+something I wish to say to you.”
+
+She obeyed, wondering what had happened to make him look and speak so
+gravely.
+
+“Are you _really happy_ to-night, my child?” he asked, tenderly.
+
+A startled look came into the girl’s eyes at this question, and her
+heart leaped with sudden pain as her thoughts went bounding over the sea
+to one to whom she had given the first grand passion of her soul.
+
+“Uncle Jacob,” she answered, gravely, though he could see the quiver
+about her lips, which she tried in vain to repress, “I am happier than I
+ever expected to be again. It is useless to regret or mourn over the
+past. I have tried to be sensible over it, but sometimes, I am afraid, I
+have not succeeded very well,” she said, with a smile that was a trifle
+bitter. “If,” she added, more brightly, a moment after, “that _one
+episode_ could have been left out of my life, I believe there would be
+nothing to mar it now.”
+
+“I would that it could have been so,” Mr. Rosevelt sighed. “But I want
+you to listen to me for a little while. I know it is late, and you ought
+to go to rest, but I particularly wish to tell you a short story of my
+life to-night. It is a page which has been turned from sight for many
+years, and no one has ever read it save myself. You are about entering
+upon a new era in _your_ life. I have learned to love you very tenderly,
+my child, and I want to bind you yet closer to me.”
+
+“Why, Uncle Jacob, you do not think I have any idea of going away from
+you, I hope,” Star said, in surprise.
+
+“No, for I have grown to feel that you belong to me. I want you to think
+so, too, and I am going to tell you why. Fate—or Providence, I suppose,
+_you_ would say—has thrown us together in a strange way, considering all
+things. Do you remember telling me, on board that ill-fated steamer,
+that your name was Star Rosevelt Gladstone, and how surprised you were
+when you learned that my last name was the same as your middle one?”
+
+“Yes, sir; and I still think it a strange coincidence,” Star answered.
+
+“Perhaps you will be more surprised when I tell you that you were named
+_for_ me.”
+
+Star looked up astonished at him.
+
+“How can that be possible?” she asked.
+
+“In this way,” Mr. Rosevelt returned, a shade of pain crossing his face.
+“When your grandmother, Stella Winthrop—that was her name before her
+marriage, was it not?”
+
+“Yes; and that is all I know about her, Uncle Jacob,” Star answered,
+with a troubled look. “Papa never said much about his friends. Indeed,
+he did not appear to have any relatives, and never would allow me to
+question him about them. Once I said something to him about my name, and
+he remarked: ‘Your grandmother once told me that if ever I had a little
+girl of my own, she would like me to call her Stella Rosevelt, and that
+is how you came by it.’
+
+“‘Where is my grandmother, papa?’ I asked.
+
+“‘She is dead,’ he said, and immediately left the room, looking so pale
+and miserable that I never dared ask him anything more about her.”
+
+“It seems strange that _I_ should be the one to tell you about her,” Mr.
+Rosevelt said, thoughtfully, “and I am puzzled to know why he should
+have been so reticent. Did your father ever have any trouble with his
+family?”
+
+“Not that I know of; and yet,” Star said, flushing, “there _was_ some
+trouble about his marriage with mamma, though that seems to have been on
+the part of her family rather than his. Mrs. Richards once twitted me
+about mamma—who was a sort of cousin to her—having married beneath her.”
+
+“I do not see how that could have been, for the Mr. Gladstone who
+married Stella Winthrop was a very wealthy and important man in the
+county of Devonshire—at least, I was told so—and if your father was his
+son, he might have married almost any one he chose, and have conferred
+an honor in so doing. But this is not telling you my story.
+
+“When Stella Winthrop was of your age, and I three or four years older,
+we met at a large reception in London. That meeting was fatal to us
+both, for we loved from that hour as true lovers ever love. For six
+months the world was like Paradise to us, and then I was called away to
+the far East on business for the firm with which I was connected. I am
+an American, but most of my life has been spent abroad.
+
+“If I was successful in my business undertaking, it was agreed that I
+might claim my bride when I returned at the end of two years. The vessel
+on which I sailed was wrecked—I have had more than one such experience
+you see, my dear—and it was reported that every passenger on board was
+lost, while only a very few of the crew lived to tell the story of the
+disaster. But I was fortunate enough to secure a large cask, and with
+this I managed to keep afloat for two days, when I was picked up by a
+sailing-vessel bound for the Philippine Islands.
+
+“My first work upon reaching land was to write to Stella and tell her of
+my safety; but my letter never reached her. I also notified the firm
+that I was all right, and should proceed directly about the business
+upon which I had been sent, but they knew nothing of my connection with
+Miss Winthrop, and accordingly did not communicate with her. I kept
+writing at intervals to my beloved, but never heard anything in return.
+At last, in despair, I wrote to the firm, telling them of my engagement,
+and asking them to notify her of my safety and give her my address in
+case she should have happened to lose the one I had given her. In reply,
+they said that the Winthrop family had gone abroad for an indefinite
+stay. Of course this was a great trial to me, and I was exceedingly
+impatient; but my two years were over at last, and I turned my face
+toward England once more. I had succeeded in my business beyond my most
+sanguine expectations, and I looked forward to the immediate fulfillment
+of my hopes when I should return.
+
+“My first duty on reaching London was to acquaint my employers with the
+result of my transactions, and my next thought was for Stella—my bright
+Star. Never for an instant had I doubted her fidelity; I believed she
+would be as true to me as I was to her, and my heart beat high with hope
+as I bounded up the familiar steps leading to her home and rang the
+bell. I asked for Miss Winthrop of the maid who answered my summons, and
+she stared at me as if she thought me demented.
+
+“‘Miss Winthrop?’ she repeated. ‘There is no Miss Winthrop, sir; she was
+married and went away nearly a year ago.’
+
+“‘Married!’ The word was like a thunderbolt to me, and in an instant all
+the light went out of my life—my heart was paralyzed. I staggered from
+the place, and hid myself from every one for a week. Then I gained
+something of calmness and courage to go out among my friends and try to
+learn how it happened that Stella Winthrop had married. As I told you
+before, it was reported that every passenger on the vessel in which I
+sailed was lost. Those of the crew who were saved affirmed that such was
+the case, and my betrothed had believed that I was dead.
+
+“She grieved herself almost to death over my loss, and her parents,
+fearing they would lose her also, took her abroad and traveled for many
+months. It was during this absence that the firm received my letter
+relating to her, but were unable to learn her address, as she was moving
+from point to point, and so could not communicate with her.
+
+“Six months after learning my fate, she met Mr. Gladstone in Paris. He
+fell in love with her, and offered himself to her. He was a gentleman in
+every sense of the word, was kind and sympathetic, and she liked him as
+a friend. She told him the story of her grief, and that she could never
+marry. He did not sneer at her ‘girlish folly,’ as many would have done,
+but comforted her, speaking so kindly and regretfully of me that he won
+even a warmer place in her heart. He was patient with her, and when at
+length a second time he asked her to marry him, she told him that she
+could never love him as she had loved me, but if he could be content to
+take her with what respect she could give him, and the duty she would
+strive to yield him, she would become his wife. He told her he would be
+content, and they were married—a year and three months after I sailed on
+the fatal voyage.
+
+“They traveled several months longer, and when at length on their return
+to London, only three or four months before I arrived there, she learned
+that I had not perished, but was soon expected back, the shock nearly
+killed her a second time. Her husband was all kindness and attention,
+took her immediately away again, and showered everything that wealth
+could buy upon her; and after a time children were born to her, and
+those new ties aroused her to her sense of duty as a mother. I never saw
+her, for I had not courage to look upon her dear face, knowing that she
+was the wife of another; for I never ceased to love her, with an
+affection that amounted to idolatry. They told me that she had two
+children—two noble boys, one of them resembling her, the other his
+father—that she was a tender, faithful mother, and very much beloved by
+every one who knew her.
+
+“That was forty years ago, Star, and for thirty I have not heard one
+word concerning either her or her family; but I have lived my life out
+alone; I could never take any one to my broken heart; and perhaps, if
+your belief is true, my child, and I can ever be made clearly to see it,
+I may find my lost love somewhere in the great future; but I do not need
+to tell you that my past has been one long season of longing and regret,
+of sadness and loneliness.”
+
+His voice broke, his lips quivered painfully, and it seemed for a moment
+as if he must break down utterly.
+
+Star softly slipped one of her small hands into his, and the sympathetic
+little act comforted him greatly. His closed over it in a strong, yet
+tender clasp.
+
+“You pity the old man’s weakness, don’t you, dear?” he said, with a sad
+smile; “but it is not easy to open the secret chambers of one’s heart
+when they have been closed for forty years.
+
+“When I first saw you,” he continued, after a moment, “there was
+something in your face that touched me—a light in your eye, a sheen on
+your hair, that somehow smote a familiar chord in my heart. I watched
+you, although you were not aware of it, and felt sorry for you during
+that dreadful storm at sea; for your white face and great, startled eyes
+appealed to me as nothing had done for many a year. But I would not
+yield to it. I had shut my heart to every one; I had vowed that I would
+never love any one again, and I mistrusted every one who sought to win
+me to a better mood. But when that lurch of the boat threw you directly
+into my arms, and you clung to me in such a helpless way, I could not
+resist you, and some good angel prompted me to gather you close to me
+and make you rest upon me. When you told me your name, the shock nearly
+unmanned me—‘Star Rosevelt Gladstone,’ you said—and I knew as well as if
+I had been told, that you were in some way connected with _my_ lost
+Star, and I watched over you all the night through, feeling almost as if
+some sweet spirit had been sent from her to me, to give me a little ray
+of comfort at the end of my long, loveless life.
+
+“When, the next morning, you told me that your grandmother had named
+you, and that her name was Stella Winthrop, I had not a doubt; I felt
+convinced that you must be the child of one of her sons. You thought it
+merely a strange coincidence, but I knew better, and all my boasted
+coldness and hardness melted away, and I began to love you then and
+there. When that dreadful explosion occurred, and you urged me to save
+myself, as ‘doubtless I had dear friends’ and ‘you had no one to love
+you’—when you refused to leave me, and took up your station by my side
+to die with me, as we both believed, I felt as if something of the
+spirit of my lost love was shining through you. Then your tenderness
+toward, and your care of me—your heroic self-denial and efforts to save
+my life while we were helplessly afloat on the mighty ocean—your sweet
+voice singing those hymns of faith and cheer, completed the conquest of
+my hardened nature. I can never make you understand how disappointed I
+was, on arriving in New York, to find you gone. I meant to tell you
+something of myself, and learn your own destination, so that I might see
+you once in awhile.
+
+“But I never forgot you; and when I visited my nephew in the West, and
+met only coldness and neglect, simply because of my misfortunes, I could
+not help contrasting it with your kind attention to an entire stranger.
+
+“I left those heartless people and came to my niece, and met with the
+same reception, when before they had always fawned at my feet, flattered
+and humored me as if I had been something more than common clay.
+
+“I felt forsaken; no one loved me, no one wanted me; I was a burden and
+incumbrance. But just then you appeared to me, and your heavenly
+kindness made my poor old heart glow again. Still, I was so embittered
+by finding my only brother’s children so heartless and selfish, that I
+was not quite sure of you. It made me mistrust everybody, and I feared
+you might grow to be like them. But for that I should not have remained
+a day beneath Ellen Richards’ roof; I should have gone my own way again
+as soon as I became rested and recruited. Do you remember how you came
+to me the next morning after my arrival, and cheered me with your merry
+chat and your thoughtful little gift? I said, ‘Surely this child must be
+artless—she must be true;’ but I resolved to stay awhile and test and
+study you, and you have been a blessing to me from the first. My dear, I
+began to love you for my lost Star’s sake; now I love you for your own.
+There, you have all my story now, and you must go to rest, for to-morrow
+will be your birthday, and we must celebrate a little in honor of it,”
+Mr. Rosevelt concluded, patting her softly on the shoulder.
+
+Star lifted a flushed and tearful face to his.
+
+“Uncle Jacob!” she cried, tenderly; “it seems as if you are _really_
+that to me now; and I am so glad that you have told me how you have
+loved my grandmother, and I shall try more than ever after this to make
+your life as bright as possible. I do not see how any one could ever
+have treated you unkindly or disrespectfully.”
+
+Uncle Jacob smiled fondly at her.
+
+“I know there is one at least who treats me kindly for my own sake, and
+who would share all her laurels with me. My child, I was very proud of
+you to-night.”
+
+“And I of you,” Star added, quickly. “I never saw you look so nice—so
+like an _aristocratic_ old gentleman.”
+
+He laughed, such a bright, hearty laugh that she wondered to see him so
+pleased over her little compliment.
+
+“Now, good-night,” he said, rising; “I want you to be as fresh as
+possible to-morrow.”
+
+He led her to the door of her room, and then, with a softly breathed
+“God bless you!” sought his own.
+
+God bless you! Those words rang in Star’s ears. Was he beginning to
+believe in her God, after all? She hoped so—she _prayed_ so.
+
+But she did not go directly to bed, as he bade her; his story had
+strangely stirred her heart, and she could not rest until she had
+decided some questions that were troubling her.
+
+She opened a drawer of her dressing-case, and taking that worn portfolio
+to which we have before referred from it, unlocked it, and drew forth a
+sealed package.
+
+“Papa told me to wait until I was eighteen before I opened and read it,”
+she said, musingly; “but a few hours can make no difference, and I feel
+now as if I must know if he was _her_ son, and why he never would tell
+me anything about his family.”
+
+With reverent fingers she broke the seals, a sob rising to her lips as
+she thought whose hand had fastened them there, and how tenderly it used
+to stroke her hair and call her “My bright little Star.”
+
+The package contained several papers, and it took her more than an hour
+to examine them; but when she had read them through, there was a look of
+wonder in her large blue eyes and an almost blank expression on her
+white face.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XXIV.
+                               WHAT NEXT?
+
+
+Star Gladstone’s eighteenth birthday dawned as bright and charming as it
+was possible for a morning to be. At eight o’clock she and Mr. Rosevelt
+sat down to their breakfast, and a merry meal they made of it, for both
+appeared in the best of spirits, in spite of the sad and exciting events
+of the previous evening upon which they had conversed.
+
+About nine a handsome carriage drove to their humble abode, and the
+driver rang and asked for the “gentleman and lady who were going for a
+drive in the park.”
+
+Star looked surprised as she peered from the window and saw a pair of
+sleek, coal-black horses, with their silver-mounted harnesses, and the
+shining, velvet-lined coach.
+
+“Uncle Jacob, did you order that carriage to come for us?” she asked.
+
+“Yes, my dear,” he said, with an expression of satisfaction, as he, too,
+looked out and saw the team. “It is not often that I ride, as you well
+know, but when I do, I like to go in style. One ride a year in
+‘ship-shape’ would satisfy me, where a half-dozen in some broken-down
+hack wouldn’t give me a bit of pleasure. Now, put on your hat, and tuck
+some roses in your belt, as you did yesterday, for this is to be a gala
+day, and I want you as fine as possible.”
+
+Star laughed and tripped away to obey, coming back after a few moments
+with such a bright and happy face that Mr. Rosevelt thought she had
+never looked so lovely before.
+
+All the morning they drove, four long, delightful hours-hours that were
+always a pleasant memory afterward to both of them; and many who saw the
+nicely dressed old gentleman, with the fair, bright, golden-haired girl
+beside him in their elegant carriage, thought what a green old age must
+be his, with so much to make life pleasant.
+
+About one o’clock they turned toward the city once more, and Star said,
+with a sigh of pleasure:
+
+“Uncle Jacob, I believe there never was such a perfect day before, and
+I’m sure I never enjoyed a birthday more. You were very kind to plan
+this pleasure for me.”
+
+The old gentleman’s eyes twinkled. Her delight, her bright, animated
+face were such a joy to him.
+
+“If I had only been rich as I used to be, I should so like to have made
+you some nice present to-day—a watch, for instance,” he said.
+
+“You gave me something last night which I value far better—your
+confidence,” Star said, softly. “I should like a watch,” she added,
+after a moment, “and I mean to have one some time. When I have earned
+it, you shall go and select it for me, if you will. But what have you
+done with your own, Uncle Jacob? You had a very nice one when I first
+met you, and I remember seeing it on you after the wreck.”
+
+“Watches and I have not had much in common during the last two years,”
+he answered, evasively; and she thought perhaps he had been obliged to
+sell it since he became poor.
+
+All at once the carriage stopped in a quiet street up town, which, Star
+noticed, was lined on both sides with elegant brown-stone dwellings.
+
+“What are we stopping here for?” she asked.
+
+“A good woman whom I used to know lives here, and I thought, as we were
+in gala attire to-day, I would like to stop and make a call,
+and—introduce my Star to her,” Mr. Rosevelt said, preparing to alight.
+
+He helped Star out, and together they went up the marble steps.
+
+Mr. Rosevelt rang the bell, and then took a card from one of his
+pockets, and, with an arch smile, said:
+
+“It almost seems as if we were really fine people, doesn’t it, dressed
+in our best, riding about in our carriage, and sending our cards in at a
+brown-stone house?”
+
+“Yes, indeed; and it would be such fun if we could keep it up for
+awhile,” Star said, gayly. “But,” with a regretful little sigh, “like
+Cinderella of old, I suppose we shall soon be aroused to the fact that
+our coach and horses are gone, and find the stern realities of life
+staring us in the face again.”
+
+Mr. Rosevelt laughed.
+
+“Would you like to be a fine lady, Star?” he asked.
+
+“I don’t know,” she answered, thoughtfully. “I believe I should like to
+_try_ it for a little while, just to see how it would seem.”
+
+There was not time for any more conversation, for the door was at this
+moment opened by a neat-looking servant.
+
+She appeared to recognize Mr. Rosevelt, for she greeted him with a
+smile, and then her eyes wandered inquiringly to Star’s lovely face.
+
+She invited them to enter, and conducted them into a handsome
+drawing-room on the right of the hall, when, taking Mr. Rosevelt’s card,
+she retired, leaving them alone.
+
+“What a lovely room!” Star breathed, as her eyes roved about the
+apartment, over the beautiful pictures, the bright, rich carpet, the
+carved ebony furniture, upholstered in warm-hued satins, choice
+bric-a-brac, and all those fine things which add so much to a place like
+that. “Your friend must be a ‘fine lady,’ with plenty of money,” she
+added.
+
+Mr. Rosevelt merely nodded his head in reply, while he watched the door
+with evident impatience.
+
+It was soon slowly opened, and a familiar face appeared in the
+aperture—a face all beaming with smiles of pleasure and good nature.
+
+“Mrs. Blunt!” cried Star, in astonishment; and springing toward the
+woman, she grasped both her hands warmly.
+
+“Yes, Miss Star,” the woman returned, half laughing, half crying; “I
+_am_ Mrs. Blunt, or I’m much mistaken, as I sometimes imagine I may be
+when I get to thinking about everything, and how strange it has all
+turned out. How well you’re looking, miss, and it does my old eyes a
+wonderful sight of good to see your bright face again.”
+
+Star thought her language somewhat ambiguous; but everything seemed
+rather ambiguous just then.
+
+“Do you live here?” she questioned.
+
+“Yes, I live here; or——”
+
+“Have you been in New York long? and why haven’t we seen you before? and
+what are you laughing at?”
+
+The young girl’s astonishment seemed to increase, for the woman appeared
+strangely, and was shaking with suppressed laughter.
+
+“I’m laughing because I’m so glad to see you. I’ve been in New York a
+month, and haven’t been to see you because the last time I saw Mr.
+Rosevelt he told me he was going to bring you to see me soon; so I’ve
+been content to wait,” Mrs. Blunt explained.
+
+Star wondered if the present occupant of that elegant place allowed her
+housekeeper to entertain her friends in the drawing-room; if so, it was
+surely a new departure, and not exactly in accordance with Mrs.
+Richards’ ideas of the treatment of servants.
+
+“Take off your hat, dearie,” Mrs. Blunt continued, “for I have a nice
+little lunch waiting for you.”
+
+“A lunch?” repeated Star, in amazement, and with a puzzled look at Mr.
+Rosevelt, who was regarding her attentively.
+
+“Yes; I had orders to get up the nicest lunch I could for my old
+friends, and I’m much mistaken if I haven’t done it,” the woman replied,
+with an air of satisfaction.
+
+“You must have a very kind mistress,” the fair girl said, as she drew
+off her gloves and removed her hat.
+
+“I have, the best in the world,” the queer creature returned, with a
+chuckle. “But come, I’ll show you the way to the dining-room.”
+
+Mr. Rosevelt arose, and drawing Star’s hand within his arm, followed her
+to a room on the opposite side of, and farther down the hall.
+
+As she opened the door, Star saw a charming dining-room, furnished in
+costly woods of different colors, its floor inlaid in an intricate and
+lovely pattern.
+
+In the center stood a table, covered with a heavy white damask cloth,
+and spread with a glittering array of silver and cut glass, and where
+also a most tempting repast was awaiting them.
+
+Mr. Rosevelt led his wondering companion to one side of the table, and,
+looking down upon her with the fondest look in the world, said, in a
+voice which was not quite steady:
+
+“Star, my dear, my pure-hearted, faithful little friend, I here formally
+install you as _mistress of your own table and of your own home_. This
+is to be your seat henceforth—mine opposite; and, my darling—for such
+you have become to me—I trust you will be as happy as an old man’s love,
+gratitude, and wealth can make you.”
+
+Star had grown suddenly pale while he spoke, and regarded him with a
+puzzled expression.
+
+“I do not understand,” she said, clasping both her small hands around
+his arm and leaning heavily upon him.
+
+“I will tell you,” he answered, tenderly. “When you met me on board that
+ill-fated steamer I was a very rich man. When it was wrecked, and I had
+discovered that you were the grandchild of the only woman whom I ever
+loved, and also what a kind, tender little heart you had, I formed a
+sudden resolution. I had always, as I told you last night, been
+flattered and cajoled by my relatives, who knew I was rich, and I
+resolved that I would test their sincerity. If they stood it, I would
+divide my fortune into three portions, one of which should be yours, the
+others theirs. If they did not, it should _all_ be yours, if _you_
+proved the true, noble character which I believed you to be. That was
+one reason why I was so keenly disappointed to find you gone when I went
+to bid you farewell on the steamer; but I meant to search for you all
+the same. And so I pretended to be the poor old man whom you remember
+coming to Ellen Richards’ that night. You know the result. No one was
+true to me or kind to me but my Star. Yet I had become so suspicious of
+everybody, that I resolved to study even you thoroughly before I
+committed myself; and so I concluded to wait until you had completed
+your education before telling you of my actual position in life. It was
+very hard, though, when you were in such trouble that last night in
+Yonkers, when you told me your secret about writing your book, and
+offered to share your little all with me ‘because I was not happy
+there,’ and I was sorely tempted to tell you all, surround you at once
+with everything to make life beautiful, and place you in a position far
+above the daughter of the woman who had treated you so shamefully. On
+second thought, however, I deemed it best to wait until your education
+should be completed, for then you would be more free to enjoy the good
+things of life.”
+
+“Then you have not been poor at all?” faltered Star, as he paused for a
+moment.
+
+“No; I have had abundance. I own this house, and have for years. I own a
+block on Broadway, and—well, little one, there is enough to enable you
+and me to do pretty much as we like for the remainder of our lives,” he
+answered, with a fond smile.
+
+“Then I cannot take care of you. I thought I was going to make _you_ so
+comfortable, and that, with teaching and the income from my book, we
+could have such nice times together,” Star said, wistfully, and hardly
+able, even yet, to comprehend the change in her circumstances.
+
+Mr. Rosevelt patted her softly on the shoulder, though a tear sprang to
+his eyes at her words.
+
+“No, dear,” he returned; “you cannot take care of me in that way. I am
+going to take care of you; but you can still make me so comfortable. We
+can still have nice times together, and I shall be very proud to
+introduce the young authoress of ‘Chatsworth’s Pride’ as my _ward and
+future heiress_.
+
+“Bless you, child!” he continued, his fine face glowing with happiness;
+“don’t you suppose it is going to be a comfort to me to try to make you
+happy and give you everything you wish, after all your constancy,
+patience, and self-denial for me? Don’t you suppose I enjoyed fitting up
+this house for you after my tenant gave it up, some six months ago? And
+don’t you believe, too, that Mrs. Blunt was glad to come and be
+housekeeper for us?” and he turned kindly to the woman, who had been
+standing in the background during these explanations.
+
+“You may be sure I’m much mistaken if I wasn’t,” she returned, eagerly,
+her eyes gleaming with delight, and her gratitude for the position
+shining through her homely but good-natured face.
+
+“And I am very glad, too. It is the nicest arrangement in the world,”
+Star said, heartily; “and just to think,” glancing around the elegant
+apartment with a sigh of supreme content, “that I am to be surrounded
+with all this beauty! It is like a fairy tale, or a dream of
+enchantment.”
+
+“I _told_ you I had the best mistress in the world,” Mrs. Blunt said,
+chuckling; “but we didn’t imagine anything like this, Miss Star, that
+Sunday when we were stoning raisins and stemming currants.”
+
+“No, indeed,” Star answered, laughing. “But you don’t mean to tell me
+that you consider _me_ your mistress.”
+
+“I never’d ask for a better,” the woman said, earnestly; then, turning
+to Mr. Rosevelt, she resumed:
+
+“And now, sir, won’t you please eat your lunch and tell the rest of the
+story afterward, for everything will be spoiled waiting.”
+
+“Yes, indeed—yes, indeed; to be sure we will. There, Miss Gladstone, sit
+down by your tea-urn, and make me the best cup of tea that was ever
+brewed, while I serve you to some of that tempting salad.”
+
+He forced her gently into her chair, and going around to the opposite
+side of the table, began to wait upon her in the most chivalrous manner.
+
+“Ah! this is what I call comfort, dear,” he said, in a satisfied tone,
+after Mrs. Blunt had withdrawn to see that the strawberries and cream
+were properly served; “this is what I have been dreaming about for a
+whole year; and now, after we have appeased our hunger—and, by the way,
+I believe I am half-famished, or else Mrs. Blunt’s efforts in the
+culinary line are wonderfully successful—we will go over the house, and
+see if everything suits you. What are you looking at the clock for? Your
+school days are over, Miss Gladstone.”
+
+Star laughed somewhat nervously, and flushed.
+
+“I was looking to see how many hours would elapse before the clock would
+strike twelve, and wondering if it would dissolve the spell that is on
+me.”
+
+“No fear of that, Starling. The hours, days, and months, and years, I
+trust, will roll by and bring you only joy and pleasure, with no rude
+awaking. You are to have everything that you want—and mind, by that I do
+not mean just what you _need_, and have you stop to count the cost on
+those pretty fingers of yours, as I have seen you do so often. You shall
+have music and painting to your heart’s content. You shall have a pair
+of ponies and a phaeton of the most approved style; and, in fact, little
+girl, it will take you a good while to find the bottom of my purse. But
+how do you like your tea-service? I chose it myself, and had it marked
+expressly for you.”
+
+“It is perfectly lovely,” Star replied, as her eyes roved admiringly
+over the beautiful and costly equipage, upon each piece of which there
+gleamed a star in delicate frost-work.
+
+“I’m glad you like it. And now, my dear, suppose you open that small box
+by your plate.”
+
+Star gave him a wondering look—indeed, all her looks had been wondering
+ones during the last hour—and opened a little white box, which had until
+now lain unnoticed beside her plate.
+
+She found inside a morocco case, and springing back the lid of this, an
+elegant little watch and chatelaine were exposed to her delighted eyes.
+
+“Uncle Jacob! I cannot tell whether I am awake or dreaming,” she cried,
+a rosy flush spreading over her whole face. “It is the dearest little
+watch in the world. And is this star on the case made of diamonds?”
+
+“Yes; diamonds are none too good for _my_ star.”
+
+“And you had this waiting for me, even when we were talking about my
+having a watch while we were driving?”
+
+“Yes; I was only sounding you a little to see if you would like a watch
+best or something else. Now, if you are through, put it in your belt and
+come with me,” he said, rising from the table.
+
+She followed his example, and together they passed from the beautiful
+dining-room out into the hall, and thence to another room on the front
+of the house, which was fitted up as half library, half music-room.
+
+In it there stood a new Steinway piano, with a richly carved case and
+pearl keys. The handsome bookcases, each surmounted by books of popular
+authors, were filled with choice volumes, while the other furniture,
+upholstered in olive and crimson, was most luxurious.
+
+From here they went up stairs, and over the drawing-room found a most
+charming suite of rooms, furnished throughout in blue and white.
+
+The dainty bed, in its pretty chamber, was draped with antique lace,
+over blue silken curtains, with a spread to match; draperies of the same
+kind hung at the windows, and all the toilet articles were of costly
+china, most beautifully decorated. The boudoir, or sitting-room, was
+fitted up with every convenience, and all those pretty trifles which
+young girls so much admire, carpeted with wreaths of forget-me-nots and
+golden-hearted daisies. The furniture was covered with richest brocade
+of the same design, while the full-length mirror, in its massive blue
+and gold frame, revealed, as Star went up to it, a beautiful maiden,
+with shining hair, gleaming eyes, smiling coral lips, and glowing
+cheeks—a fitting tenant for this lovely bower.
+
+“Allow me to introduce you to the heiress of Jacob Rosevelt, the
+millionaire,” said the old gentleman, taking her hand and bowing before
+the fair apparition in the glass. “How do you like her?”
+
+“I can’t tell just yet, she is such a new creature; but,” with a roguish
+look up into his eyes, “I’m very fond of the millionaire.”
+
+“Thank you, Miss Gladstone; your favor is most highly appreciated,” he
+returned, laughing. “But come, you must see my bachelor den;” and he led
+her across the hall to a room over the dining-room, and here she found
+every comfort, if something less of elegance.
+
+Opposite her sitting-room there was a great chamber, furnished in
+crimson and gold, while up another flight were the servants’ rooms. Mrs.
+Blunt’s room was on the lower floor, where she could conveniently
+overlook her assistants at all hours.
+
+“It is like a story,” Star said, when they had been the rounds and came
+back to the library; “and now what are we to do next, Uncle Jacob?”
+
+Her plans had all been for work, and now that she found there was to be
+no more toil or care for her—nothing but pleasure and what her own sweet
+will dictated, she hardly knew where or how to take up the thread of her
+life again; therefore the query:
+
+“What are we to do next, Uncle Jacob?”
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XXV.
+                            STAR’S DELIGHT.
+
+
+“What are we going to do next?” Mr. Rosevelt repeated. “Why, enjoy it
+all, to be sure. I have waited a good while for this good time, and now
+I am going to make the most of it. First, Miss Gladstone must attend to
+that very important item, Miss Gladstone’s wardrobe, which must be
+suitable for her position; and Star, I shall be quite particular upon
+that point; let it be both rich and elegant. Then, as the hot weather
+comes on, there will be a trip to Newport and the White Mountains, or
+some other place equally pleasant, and after that—well, something else,
+I suppose,” he concluded, with a smile.
+
+Star heaved a sigh of delight.
+
+It was nice, after all, to be surrounded by all this beauty and
+elegance, and to have everything heart could wish.
+
+She had applied for a position as a teacher, and had hoped also to do
+something toward writing another book during the coming year; but now,
+of course, she could not teach, and there was no actual need that she
+should use her pen, although the enticing finger of fame seemed
+beckoning to her, urging her to try for even greater literary honors.
+
+Her wardrobe!
+
+Of what should it consist, to be suitable for her position as the
+heiress of a millionaire?
+
+It was rather a difficult question to decide, when, during the last two
+years, her means had been too limited to allow of her gratifying her
+naturally exquisite taste, and all she had possessed in the way of
+dresses had been scarce half a dozen, and those of the commonest
+material.
+
+The next fortnight was a busy one with dressmakers, milliners, and
+seamstresses; for Mr. Rosevelt said he wished to go to Newport by the
+middle or last of July, if possible.
+
+Mrs. Blunt was jubilant over the change in “Miss Star’s fortunes.”
+
+“Just to think of it!” she would exclaim every little while. “Who would
+have dreamed of it two years ago, when you were at Madam Richards’, and
+she trying to make a drudge of you. Don’t I wish I might be on hand when
+you and Miss Josephine meet, if you ever do, and she hears that Mr.
+Rosevelt was only playing poverty all the time, just to try his proud
+relations! I tell you there’ll be music by the full band.”
+
+The young girl flushed.
+
+Josephine had, indeed, been very unkind to her, and it had been hard not
+to resent the theft of her beautiful little cameo but she was not one to
+treasure ill-will. Her little heart was full of “Christian charity,” and
+full of gratitude for the blessings which were surrounding her, and she
+was ready to forgive all past injuries.
+
+“I should at least try to remember,” she returned, quietly, in reply to
+the housekeeper’s somewhat vindictive speech, “that _I_ wish to be a
+_lady_ in the truest sense of the term, and treat her accordingly. But,”
+she continued, wishing to change the subject, “you have never told me
+yet how you happened to come to keep house for us. I think it was one of
+the nicest arrangements that was ever made.”
+
+“Thank you, Miss Star,” the woman answered, with a beaming face; “and
+you’d better believe it was a chance that I jumped at. I suppose I
+should have been slaving it for that ungrateful set now if I hadn’t come
+over to New York one day about three months ago, and met Mr. Rosevelt on
+Broadway, all by chance. He seemed glad to see me, and asked how I was
+getting on; and I was that discouraged with the way things were being
+managed, the cross words, complaints, and everything, that I told him I
+was sick and tired of it all, and meant to find another place just as
+soon as ever I could, though goodness knows I hadn’t an idea where that
+would be. Upon that he looked thoughtful, and, after a moment, said ‘he
+didn’t believe in hiring people away from their employers, but if I
+really meant to go away, he thought he knew of some one who would like
+just such a person for a housekeeper.’ I tell you I jumped at the
+chance, for ever since that young lord took himself off so quick, the
+madam has been so irritable that nothing would please her; and Mr.
+Rosevelt said when I had worked out my notice to come to him, and I’d
+find him any day at home at ten o’clock. I suppose he set that hour
+because he didn’t want you to know what was going on. I gave my notice
+the next day, worked out my two weeks, and came over to New York lighter
+of heart than I’d been for years.
+
+“When Mr. Rosevelt told me about what he’d been doing, and what he was
+going to do, and said he wanted me for his own housekeeper, my eyes
+stuck out so that I thought they’d never feel natural again; but if ever
+an old woman was happy, I was, to think I was going to serve you; and
+here I’ve been ever since, helping him fix up for you.
+
+“It’s like a beautiful story, Miss Star,” continued Mrs. Blunt, waxing
+sentimental, “to see you here among all these elegant things, for which
+you were just made, or I’m much mistaken; and when I see you coming out
+in all of these lovely clothes, nobody’ll be prouder than I.”
+
+“You are very good, Mrs. Blunt, to be so interested for me,” Star said,
+with a smile; “and if what you want is to see me ‘come out in these fine
+things,’ you will have your wish, for we shall have to take you to
+Newport with us, as I must have some one to attend me, and I cannot
+consent to take a stranger.”
+
+“That will be almost as good as to come out myself,” the woman said,
+with a chuckle of delight.
+
+Star’s wardrobe and pretty things were all ready at last, and Mr.
+Rosevelt, who had taken a strange interest in it, for a bachelor, was
+perfectly satisfied.
+
+He had made her elegant presents in the way of jewelry and laces, until
+she felt almost overwhelmed.
+
+“Diamonds!” she had exclaimed, her face flushing all over with delight,
+when, the day before they were to leave, he came into her sitting-room
+and laid a case in her lap, telling her to open it. He had already
+purchased her several other sets, but this was the crowning gift of all.
+
+She had thought when he had given her some beautiful point-laces, that
+if she only had some diamonds to go with them she should like it; they
+were the two things for which she had an especial passion—rich laces and
+those pellucid stones, like drops of dew which send back the light in
+gorgeous tints. She would have been content with just a pair of
+ear-pendants and a solitaire ring—she was content, indeed, without them,
+but she thought how nicely they would go with her laces; but there,
+dazzling her eyes upon their velvet bed, were ear-pendants, a cross
+attached to a beautiful chain, a solitaire ring, and a star for her
+hair.
+
+“Oh, Uncle Jacob,” she faltered, “I am afraid you are spending too much
+money for me.”
+
+“Don’t you like them?” he questioned, although her glowing face should
+have told him all he wished to know.
+
+“Like them? They are perfectly lovely; and I _do_ particularly love
+diamonds.”
+
+“Then don’t trouble your pretty head about the money. You know I have
+been denied all my life the pleasure of spending it for either wife or
+child, and now that I have found some one who appreciates and is worthy
+of it, let me get all the comfort I can in this way. You forget,” he
+continued, with a smile, “that there are two years’ income to be
+disposed of in some way, and I am only making up lost time. I like to go
+about the world, and I like to go in style, as I told you once before,
+and so my heiress must help me keep up appearances.”
+
+“Are you sure you are doing just right, Uncle Jacob, in giving me _all_
+your money?” Star asked, hesitatingly, after a few minutes of thoughtful
+silence, while she watched the sunlight play among her new treasures.
+
+“To whom should I give it, I should like to know?” he questioned,
+bluntly.
+
+“But I have no _legal_ claim upon you, and you have relatives. I’m
+afraid it will make trouble——”
+
+“No, it won’t; I’ve taken care of that, I can assure you,” he
+interrupted. “My will is made, signed, and sealed, and in the hands of
+one of the best lawyers in the city. _You_ are to have the whole of my
+fortune, excepting what the law demands for blood. I’ve given a dollar
+to each of them, just to clear myself and keep them from breaking my
+will; and they’ll never get another red cent,” he concluded, with more
+asperity than she had ever seen him betray before.
+
+“I’m afraid you are piling a mountain upon my small shoulders,” Star
+said, with a little laugh.
+
+“It is a mountain which I shall take care won’t crush you; and, besides,
+I hope to help you bear it for a good many years to come, if my health
+keeps on improving as it has done during the last few months; and then,
+I reckon, it will not be _very_ difficult to find some one else who
+would be willing to take a share of the burden,” Mr. Rosevelt concluded,
+slyly.
+
+Star flushed, and then her face grew sad.
+
+She knew that he meant she would find suitors for her hand; but she
+could not forget her first love, and she knew that she should never meet
+another who would win the place in her heart which she had given to
+Archibald Sherbrooke, unworthy as she believed him to be of it.
+
+That evening Miss Meredith and her brother called.
+
+“How fortunate that you came to-night,” Star said to the young lady
+during their conversation. “You would have missed us if you had waited
+longer, for to-morrow we go to Newport for a few weeks.”
+
+“Do you? That is delightful, for we have our rooms engaged there also
+for next week, and intend to remain a month,” Miss Meredith returned,
+with evident pleasure, while Mr. Ralph Meredith, who was conversing with
+Mr. Rosevelt, but with one ear open toward the young ladies, felt a
+sudden heart-throb at the intelligence.
+
+“Newport is very gay this summer, I am told,” Miss Meredith continued.
+“‘Everybody,’ so to speak, is there, and it is one of the most charming
+places in the world to visit. Have you ever been there, Miss Gladstone?”
+
+“No,” Star answered. “I have been so busy with my studies ever since I
+came to this country, that I have not been anywhere.”
+
+“Since you came to this country!” Grace Meredith repeated. “Are you not
+an American?”
+
+“No; I am an English girl, and it will be two years in November since I
+left merrie England.”
+
+“Are you some lady of high degree, come here to get your education? I am
+almost inclined to think so,” laughed her friend, bending an admiring
+glance upon Star’s beautiful face.
+
+“No, indeed. Don’t go to weaving any romances about me,” she answered,
+flushing slightly, “for I am only plain Star Gladstone.”
+
+“But ‘plain Star Gladstone’ belongs to a very good family,
+nevertheless,” interrupted Mr. Rosevelt, who had overheard the latter
+part of their conversation, and would not allow Star to depreciate
+herself; whereupon Miss Meredith did feel at liberty to “romance” a
+little on her own account.
+
+Star was asked for some music, and delighted her listeners with her
+exquisite playing. Miss Meredith and her brother sang a charming duet,
+and after an hour spent in the most social manner, they took their
+departure, having formed numerous plans to be carried into execution
+when they should meet a week later at Newport.
+
+“Miss Gladstone is the loveliest girl I have ever met, and you wouldn’t
+let me get a word in edgewise with her, Grace,” Ralph Meredith said, in
+a grieved tone, after they left the house.
+
+“Are you ‘star’-struck so soon, brother mine? You’ll have opportunities
+enough to ‘get your words in’ widthways during the next few weeks, and
+you can comfort yourself for your disappointment to-night with the
+thought that I was paving the way to glory for you,” laughed his sister.
+
+“Were you not surprised to learn that she is English?” she asked,
+thoughtfully.
+
+“Yes, rather; for I have been told that English girls are not very
+pretty; but she is wonderfully beautiful.”
+
+“What will you wager that she does not turn out to be some lady of high
+degree?”
+
+“Pshaw! Grace, you are always imagining some unlikely story or other.
+You should not read so many novels. Don’t put her entirely beyond our
+reach, if you please. It is quite enough for the present to know that
+she is Mr. Rosevelt’s heiress and the author of that charming little
+book, without being some princess in disguise,” returned the young man,
+somewhat impatiently.
+
+“I think I shall like Miss Meredith,” Star said, musingly, to Mr.
+Rosevelt, when their visitors were gone.
+
+“She appears to be a very agreeable young lady. I should like you to
+form some pleasant friendship,” the old gentleman returned; then, with a
+keen glance, he asked: “How are you pleased with her brother?”
+
+“He is quite entertaining.”
+
+“Very fine-looking young man; don’t you think so?”
+
+“Is he?—yes—rather,” was the absent reply; for speaking of England had
+sent Star’s thoughts across the ocean again, where she saw in
+imagination a noble, patrician face, with dark, fathomless eyes, and
+curling chestnut hair; for Archibald Sherbrooke—she could never think of
+him in any other character—was her ideal of all that was manly and
+grand.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XXVI.
+                         “WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?”
+
+
+Newport was teeming with all that was gay, beautiful, and attractive
+during this particular season of which we write.
+
+Never had so much wealth and luxury been represented there, or so many
+elegant equipages seen driving through the streets or along the smooth,
+sweeping beach.
+
+Not the least attractive among these equipages was the light and airy,
+though costly phaeton of “Mr. Rosevelt’s ward,” with its embroidered
+lap-robes, its luxurious velvet-cushioned seats, its plump, sleek, and
+spirited gray ponies in their gold-mounted harnesses.
+
+Star had created quite a sensation when she arrived at the hotel where
+they had taken rooms; and the tall, distinguished old gentleman, with
+such silvery hair and beard, and who appeared so devoted to her, was
+scarcely less a target for all eyes. But when it began to be whispered
+that Miss Gladstone was not only the heiress of Jacob Rosevelt, the
+millionaire, but also the authoress of that bright little book which for
+a year had created such a sensation in New York circles, the excitement
+increased, and everybody was on the _qui vive_ to obtain an
+introduction.
+
+When, on the second evening after her arrival, she came into the great
+parlors of the hotel—for there was to be a grand hop or assembly there
+that night—leaning on Mr. Rosevelt’s arm, and looking “so divinely fair”
+in her shimmering robe of cream-colored silk and mist-like tulle,
+garnished with velvet-leaved, golden-hearted pansies, her shining hair
+coiled like a crown about her small head, with a little cluster of
+pansies nestling lovingly among its glossy plaits, every eye was
+attracted by her loveliness, and everybody—of the masculine gender, at
+least—was ready to “rave over” her, “swear by” her, and “fight for” her
+if need be.
+
+It is needless to say that she was not allowed to become a wall-flower,
+and it was amusing to observe the maneuvers of the battalion of gallant
+young knights who swarmed about her, like bees around their queen, eager
+to secure an introduction.
+
+And now the excitement for Star began.
+
+She was whisked away to the ball-room, and the evening sped like a
+vision of delight.
+
+She had been taught to dance at home, notwithstanding the fact that her
+father was a clergyman, for in all English homes dancing is considered a
+necessary accomplishment, because it imparts ease and grace to the
+manners of the young.
+
+Mr. Rosevelt followed, for he enjoyed looking upon the merry dancers,
+and taking up his station near a window, and by a stand of flowers where
+he was partially shielded from observation, he watched his pet with a
+fond smile upon his lips, proud of her beauty, proud of her intelligence
+and of the admiration she was attracting.
+
+While standing here, a group of half a dozen ladies and gentlemen
+gathered near him, and he overheard a conversation which amused him, and
+caused at the same time something of a feeling of triumph to pervade his
+heart.
+
+“Have you seen the new arrivals?” asked a gentleman of one of his
+companions.
+
+“No; what new arrivals do you refer to? There are many every day.”
+
+“An old codger from New York—rich as a king, they say—and his ward, who
+bids fair to be _the_ beauty of the season.”
+
+“_In_deed!” returned the lady, assuming a piqued tone. “How dare you
+make such an assertion, and in the presence of three acknowledged
+beauties, too?”
+
+“I beg pardon if I have offended,” the gentleman roguishly replied;
+“but—I have had _Washingtonian_ instructions regarding the principle of
+_truth_.”
+
+The young lady tapped him playfully upon the arm with her fan, while she
+remarked, significantly:
+
+“How glad I am that you have _told_ me of it!” whereupon the whole party
+joined in a laugh at the “truthful” gentleman’s expense.
+
+“But about this fair charmer,” the lady pursued; “who is she, and what
+is the name of this ‘old codger’ who is ‘rich as a king’?”
+
+“The lady’s name is Miss Gladstone, and she is not only beautiful,
+charming, and rich, but is also the author of ‘Chatsworth’s Pride,’
+which you have doubtless read.”
+
+“Oh! a blue-stocking!” cried the gay girl, with well-affected horror;
+and just here another voice chimed in—a voice which made Mr. Rosevelt
+start and listen more intently:
+
+“Miss Gladstone! How strange I never heard the author’s name before!
+There was only a simple star upon the title page where the author’s name
+should have been. Mamma!” in a startled tone, as if a strange idea had
+suddenly come into the speaker’s mind, “it cannot possibly be _Stella
+Gladstone_, can it?”
+
+“Certainly not,” returned Mrs. Richards—for both she and Josephine were
+among the group referred to, having come from a neighboring hotel to
+attend the hop. “Such a thing cannot be possible; _she_ could not write
+a book.”
+
+The woman spoke contemptuously, and yet the utterance of that name
+produced an uneasy sensation in her mind.
+
+“What is the gentleman’s name? Whose ward did you say she is?” she
+asked, a moment later, thinking that would throw some light on the
+subject.
+
+“I declare I have forgotten,” the gentleman returned; “it’s a
+high-sounding name, though, and he is an aristocratic-looking old
+fellow, too. By the way, Miss Richards,” he continued, turning to the
+young lady, “I am willing to wager a handsome fan against a new pair of
+gloves that Miss Gladstone’s phaeton and pair of ponies will be the envy
+of every lady in Newport, for a more trappy turn-out I’ve never seen in
+my life.”
+
+“Then she drives her own ponies, does she? Well, I must say you have
+aroused my curiosity to the highest notch, and I’d like to see this
+paragon of perfection, Mr. Pendleton,” Josephine said, a feeling of
+jealousy springing up in her heart at hearing another’s praises sounded
+so profusely.
+
+“You can be gratified, for there she stands now—that slight, graceful
+girl in the cream-colored silk trimmed with pansies,” replied Mr.
+Pendleton, drawing her attention to the spot where Star stood surrounded
+by an admiring crowd.
+
+Her back was turned toward them, and they could not judge of her beauty;
+but they saw a tall, willowy figure in trailing robes of exceeding
+richness, a stately head crowned with golden hair, and there was a
+familiar something about the fair stranger which made both mother and
+daughter look more closely, while their eyes were filled with anxious
+foreboding.
+
+“She is elegantly dressed, I must confess,” Josephine said, putting up
+her glass to get a better view of the “belle of the evening;” “and,
+mamma,” she added, in a lower tone, “is it my imagination, or is there
+something really familiar in that figure? _Can it be Stella?_”
+
+“Impossible! What could have put such a foolish notion into your head?
+Where under heavens could _she_ get money enough to flourish in such
+style?” Mrs. Richards retorted, impatiently.
+
+“But if she is really the author of the book—it has been very popular,
+you know——”
+
+“Nonsense!” interrupted her mother. “I tell you such a thing could not
+be possible.”
+
+Nevertheless, Mrs. Richards was closely watching the object of their
+conversation, and her heart was beating with a painful throb, for the
+young girl did strangely resemble that poor orphan whom she had so
+despised and ill-treated, and who had fled from her tyranny.
+
+But her uneasiness increased, for just now she observed a tall,
+white-haired gentleman moving toward the girl, and upon reaching her
+side, he bent down and spoke a few words in her ear.
+
+His back also was toward them, but the matron’s face was dark with
+trouble; she grew white with the sudden fear which possessed her, and
+she moved forward to get a better view of the couple.
+
+At that instant Star turned and lifted her bright face to reply to Mr.
+Rosevelt, who had left his position by the stand of flowers when she
+ceased dancing and approached her, her eyes shining, her cheeks glowing,
+and her coral lips wreathed with bright smiles, and both Josephine and
+Mrs. Richards recognized her instantly.
+
+A low cry of surprise and dismay broke from Josephine Richards’ lips.
+
+“It is—it surely is Stella Gladstone,” she said; “and that man talking
+to her is certainly Uncle Jacob Rosevelt! What can it all mean?”
+
+“Rosevelt! Yes, that is the name,” said Mr. Pendleton, who had caught
+it, and who had first called their attention to Star. “‘Jacob Rosevelt,
+the millionaire,’ I heard him called this afternoon, but I forget names
+so easily.”
+
+“Jacob Rosevelt, the millionaire!” repeated Mrs. Richards, with white
+lips and astonished eyes, while a tumult of emotions raged within her
+heart.
+
+“Yes; he must be very rich, for they have every appearance of it, and
+Miss Gladstone’s turn-out, which was sent on before them, is a marvel of
+luxury and elegance. But—do _you know_ them?” Mr. Pendleton asked,
+regarding her curiously.
+
+Mrs. Richards’ thoughts worked very rapidly.
+
+If this was really Jacob Rosevelt, and she could not doubt the evidence
+of her own eyes, he must by some stroke of luck have recovered a
+portion, if not the whole, of his fortune since leaving her house; and
+in this case he became at once an entirely different person from the
+feeble, poverty-stricken individual who had come to her a little more
+than a year ago to sue for food and shelter.
+
+He had been a person of no account then—one to be ignored and neglected,
+for there was nothing to be gained by treating him otherwise.
+
+But “Jacob Rosevelt, the millionaire,” if such he had become again, must
+be propitiated, flattered, and cajoled.
+
+Therefore she had a new role to play, and she would begin at once by
+claiming him as a relative before these friends of hers.
+
+“It would be very strange if I did _not_ know him, for he is my father’s
+brother,” she said, calling to her lips her blandest smiles; “but I am
+sure I had no idea that he was here in Newport. Come, Josephine, we must
+go and speak to him;” and she drew the astonished girl away before they
+could question them any further, and she wished to collect her own
+scattered senses a little before encountering those two whom she had so
+deeply injured.
+
+“What can it mean, mamma?” Josephine repeated, with a blank look, for
+she had no longer any doubt about the identity of the strangers.
+
+“I don’t know, but I am going to find out,” she answered resolutely.
+
+“Then you are convinced that it is Stella?”
+
+“Yes, it is _that girl_ fast enough; there can be no mistake about it;
+and what a sensation she is making! She seems to checkmate us at every
+move.”
+
+“Where can they have been hiding all this time?” Josephine asked.
+
+“How do you suppose I know?” retorted her mother, sharply. “I am more
+interested to know where all the money comes from to enable them to cut
+such a swell. Why, the dress she has on must have cost a cool three
+hundred, to say nothing about her other expensive fixings; and then you
+heard what Pendleton said about her carriage and ponies.”
+
+“Well, he said she was the author of ‘Chatsworth’s Pride,’ and if that
+is so, it must have brought her a good deal.”
+
+“Pooh! you don’t suppose one book is going to enable her to live and
+dress like a young empress, do you?” returned Mrs. Richards, scornfully.
+“No; Uncle Jacob has recovered his fortune, or else——”
+
+“Or else what?”
+
+“He has played it upon us.”
+
+“Played what upon us?”
+
+“Why, poverty, you goose!”
+
+“Mamma! that would be too dreadful. I never thought of such a thing,”
+Josephine said, feeling almost faint.
+
+“Nor I, until this moment; but I can account for their appearance here
+to-night in no other way. If he has done this thing, and that girl gets
+all his money, it will be a bitter pill to swallow, I can tell you.”
+
+“But she could inherit nothing; she is no blood relation.”
+
+“But he could make a will.”
+
+“And we could break it.”
+
+“Not a bit of it; your Uncle Jacob is keen enough to look out for that,
+I assure you. But come this way; they are passing out into the hall, and
+I am going to sift this matter at once.”
+
+She drew her daughter from the upper door of the parlor, just as Star
+and Mr. Rosevelt passed out at the lower one, intending to waylay them
+and demand an explanation of their presence.
+
+They turned and came toward those waiting women, walking slowly and
+chatting pleasantly, and wholly unconscious of the exciting interview in
+store for them.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XXVII.
+                               DEFEATED.
+
+
+When they were within a few feet of the upper door, Mrs. Richards
+stepped toward them and stood directly in their path.
+
+The hall was nearly empty, almost everybody being in the parlors or the
+dancing-hall, so there was no one by just at that moment to witness what
+transpired.
+
+“What does this mean?” Mrs. Richards demanded, in a low but
+authoritative tone. “Stella Gladstone, how is it that I find you here?
+Uncle Jacob, where have you been all this time, and what strange freak
+of fortune brings you here in this unaccountable fashion?”
+
+Mr. Rosevelt started slightly on beholding his niece standing in that
+excited attitude directly in his path; while Star grew pale at first,
+for she had always stood somewhat in fear of the arrogant woman while
+she was an inmate of her house. But remembering that everything was
+entirely different now, she quickly recovered herself.
+
+But for all that, she clung a little more closely to Mr. Rosevelt’s arm,
+as if she was glad that he was there, though in no other way did she
+betray how disagreeable this encounter was to her, or appear as if she
+had ever met them before.
+
+“Tell me what this means?” Mrs. Richards repeated, looking from one to
+the other, noting Star’s delicate beauty with a pang of bitter jealousy,
+her self-possession and grace; Mr. Rosevelt’s improved appearance, his
+rich apparel, and more than all, the air of pride and fondness which
+pervaded every look and attention which he bestowed upon his companion.
+
+“Well, niece Ellen,” Mr. Rosevelt returned, in a quiet tone, while he
+met her eye with a cold, steady glance that made her very uncomfortable,
+“it appears that you are considerably excited over this unexpected
+meeting. Suppose we retire to yonder anteroom, where we can converse
+unobserved.”
+
+He turned and led the way, with Star still upon his arm, to a small room
+upon the opposite side of the hall; they entered, and he shut the door,
+for he did not care that any one should overhear what passed between
+them, nor did he intend that Ellen Richards should do or say anything
+which should make them objects of remark.
+
+“Now, Ellen, what is it that I am to account to you for?” he asked, in
+the same quiet tone which he had before used.
+
+She colored angrily, but she was determined to get at the bottom of the
+matter.
+
+“I have heard strange rumors to-night,” she remarked. “I am told that
+Stella has become an authoress—that she is very popular, as well as her
+book, and I want to know what it means. A year ago you were both
+dependents upon my bounty; now I find you sailing about, like a couple
+of meteors, among the other shining lights of society. I want an
+explanation of the cause of this change.”
+
+“Certainly, Ellen; since you desire it, I will explain with pleasure. We
+left your house last October, as you doubtless will remember, and took
+up our abode in New York city. Star entered the Normal College at once,
+and by assiduous application to her studies, succeeded in completing the
+course, and graduated in June, since when we have been trying to get all
+the enjoyment out of life that we could. You have heard rightly, Ellen;
+she did write that popular little book, ‘Chatsworth’s Pride,’ and it is
+a source of pride to me that I have the honor of introducing in society
+its popular author as my ward and heiress——”
+
+“Your _heiress_!” Mrs. Richards cried, growing pale.
+
+“Yes; Miss Gladstone is named as such in my will, which is now in the
+hands of my lawyer,” the old gentleman replied, quietly.
+
+His niece looked from one to the other in blank dismay. She had feared
+she should hear something of the kind, but it was none the less a shock
+to her when it came.
+
+“Your heiress—heiress to _what_?” she demanded, sharply.
+
+“To the whole of my fortune, madam.”
+
+“Your fortune!” she sneered, but her voice was hoarse from passion and
+baffled hopes. “A year ago it was—_beggary_!”
+
+Mr. Rosevelt smiled serenely.
+
+“_Apparently_, yes,” he answered. “But I was _then_, what I am _now_—a
+millionaire. The mistake of your life-time was made then, Ellen; for if
+you had cordially received the feeble old man who came to your house in
+such a forlorn condition; if you had given him kindness and sympathy,
+such as you were wont to do when he was rich and prosperous; if you had
+shown him something of love and tenderness, instead of coldness and
+contempt, making him feel that he was a burden and an intruder, _you_
+would have had the bulk of my fortune, for your brother had already
+forfeited his share. I thought that my final return to this country
+would give me a good opportunity to test your and Henry’s sincerity, and
+I resolved to do so. I went to him as a poor man; I was received coldly,
+and made as uncomfortable as it was possible for any one to be made.
+Then I said to myself, ‘Ellen’s womanly heart will prompt her to be kind
+to me, if not for my own sake, for her father’s,’ and so I came to you
+also in the guise of poverty.”
+
+“It was mean—it was dishonorable to take advantage of me in that way,”
+Mrs. Richards said, with white, quivering lips.
+
+“Not at all. I wanted to _know_ you as you were, not what you pretended
+to be. I do not need to tell you the result of my plan; we all know it
+but too well. No one gave me a word of sympathy or kindness save this
+dear girl”—he laid his hand tenderly on Star’s shoulder—“who did her
+utmost to make the old man forget as far as was possible his bitter
+disappointment, and who had already earned his love and gratitude by
+saving his life, almost at the sacrifice of her own, during that
+terrible voyage across the Atlantic. She has been like a sunbeam to me
+from the first; and when I saw how unkind you all were to her also—how
+you were betraying your trust and breaking your promise to her dying
+father—I resolved that she should become my especial care for the
+future.
+
+“I do not need to recall to your memory the last night that we spent in
+your house in Yonkers. It must be as fresh to you as it is to me. You
+taunted us both with our poverty and dependence. You drove _her_ to
+desperation by your unjust accusations and your heartless language. She
+could not endure that kind of a life any longer, and she knew that I
+also was anything but happy; so she came to me, told me the secret of
+her success as an author, and of the income which her book bade fair to
+bring her, and begged of me to go with her to share her substance,
+asking in return only the comfort of congenial companionship and the
+protection which my presence would give her. I was sorely tempted, as I
+have told her, to confess the part I had been playing, and proclaim her
+my heiress on the spot. But I thought, considering all things, it would
+be better to wait until she was through with school, while I wanted to
+study her a little more closely before committing my all to her. She has
+stood the test most nobly. She has been the light of our home. She has
+labored early and late to minister to my comfort and happiness, and
+_now_ she is going to reap her reward. Everything that I _can_ do for
+her to make her life bright, I _shall_ do while I live, and when I am
+gone, she will have the fortune which, under different circumstances,
+would have been mostly yours.”
+
+Mrs. Richards was pallid with anger, mortification, and bitter
+disappointment when Mr. Rosevelt concluded.
+
+It was a terrible blow to her to lose this great fortune, and remorse
+for her heartless treatment of her uncle was gnawing keenly at her
+heart-strings.
+
+Mr. Richards had met with heavy losses in his business of late, and it
+was only by straining every nerve, calculating, and contriving, that she
+and Josephine had been able to come to Newport at all that season, and
+it was simply maddening to think that Star, whom she had so disliked
+from the first, should have won, by little acts of kindness, what she
+would have spared no pains to secure had she once suspected the truth.
+
+“Well, miss, you have played your cards very cleverly, haven’t you?” she
+finally found breath to ejaculate, and turning with blazing eyes upon
+the fair girl who, all unwittingly, had usurped her place in her uncle’s
+affection and will.
+
+Mr. Rosevelt’s face grew stern.
+
+“She certainly has, Ellen,” he said, before Star could speak, even had
+she wished to do so, “especially as she could not, by any means, have
+known that there was anything worth winning by her acts of devotion and
+self-denial. And now let me tell you, that true kindness and sympathy
+will _always_ win, where arrogance and pride will only gain contempt,
+and lead to disappointment and regret.”
+
+“Uncle Jacob, you cannot mean what you have said. Surely you will not
+discard those of your own blood, your kin, for the offspring of a
+stranger!” Mrs. Richards said, appealingly.
+
+Mr. Rosevelt looked down at Star with a tender, tremulous smile.
+
+“The offspring of a stranger!” he repeated, softly; then added: “Ellen,
+there is a stronger bond uniting this dear child to me than _ever_ bound
+me to either of my brother’s children.”
+
+“What do you mean?” cried his niece, in a startled tone.
+
+“Surely, at _your_ age, you do not contemplate——”
+
+Mr. Rosevelt stopped her with a motion of his hand before she could
+complete her sentence.
+
+“No; you are wide of the mark; although I am not surprised that a
+designing woman like yourself should jump at such an absurd conclusion.
+But, lest you should wound her by your foolish insinuations, I will tell
+you that Star is the granddaughter of the only woman whom I ever loved;
+and, therefore, you perceive that I had additional cause to be
+displeased with you on account of your unkindness to her.”
+
+“Really, Mr. Rosevelt, you have more of sentiment in your composition
+than I gave you credit for. There _was_ a love passage, then, in the old
+bachelor’s life!” sneered Mrs. Richards while an angry flush mounted to
+her brow.
+
+Then, with more bitterness than she had yet betrayed, she continued,
+with a look at Star:
+
+“I can congratulate Miss Gladstone upon being more successful in
+wheedling you out of your fortune than she was in her maneuvers to
+become Lady Carrol.”
+
+This was a cruel thrust, and wholly unexpected on the part of either Mr.
+Rosevelt or Star.
+
+A shiver of agony ran through every nerve of her body at this rough
+probing of the still unhealed wound, and a painful crimson shot over her
+beautiful face.
+
+But it quickly subsided, leaving only the bright spots on her cheeks.
+
+She arose from the chair where Mr. Rosevelt had placed her, drew herself
+up proudly, her eyes gleaming as bright as the diamonds in her ears,
+and, entirely ignoring the coarse woman’s malicious thrust, she looked
+up at her companion, and said, in her clearest, sweetest tones:
+
+“Uncle Jacob, I believe we were going out to see the illumination.”
+
+“True, child, true,” he said, taking her white-gloved hand and laying it
+upon his arm, while he cast a dark look upon his niece for her cowardly
+attack. “Come, we will go at once;” and with a formal inclination to
+Mrs. Richards and her daughter, but with an angry gleam in his eyes, he
+led Star from the room, shutting the door, with no gentle sound, after
+them.
+
+“Did you ever hear anything like it!” Mrs. Richards said, hopelessly,
+after they had gone.
+
+“No, indeed; and it is just as you suspected—he was _playing_ poverty
+all the time,” Josephine answered.
+
+“Oh, if I could only have known it!” groaned her mother, to whom the
+calamity appeared to grow more appalling every moment.
+
+“He makes a perfect fool of himself over that girl,” snapped Josephine,
+ill-naturedly. “Just think of the amount of money it must have cost to
+deck her out to-night.”
+
+“I am going back to our hotel,” Mrs. Richards said, rising, with a
+desperate air. “I am not going to stay here to see her play the fine
+lady and crow over us.”
+
+“I’m ready to go. I’ve had enough of this thing, and I never did like
+the —— House very well, anyway,” replied her daughter, in no amiable
+tones.
+
+
+
+
+                            CHAPTER XXVIII.
+                     RESCUED FROM A HORRIBLE FATE.
+
+
+If Mrs. Richards had conducted herself according to her own inclination,
+she would have left Newport at once. But she was unwilling that Mr.
+Rosevelt or Star should think that she had run away from them, or that
+she was heart-broken over the disclosures which her uncle had made to
+her.
+
+Besides, Newport was full of wealthy and fashionable people, and among
+them several eligible young gentlemen, whose acquaintance, for
+Josephine’s sake, she was desirous of cultivating; and surely she was
+not going to sacrifice all these advantages, and leave the field clear
+for Star to win even greater victories.
+
+No; she would stay, and she resolved she would make things just as
+uncomfortable for the young girl as possible, while Josephine should be
+made to shine with all the splendor of which their means, and Mr.
+Richards’ credit, were capable.
+
+But all the proud woman’s efforts were of no avail, for our fair heroine
+had created a sensation which threatened to turn the heads and lead
+captive the hearts of every unmarried man, at least, in Newport.
+
+A week passed quickly by, and then Grace Meredith and her brother
+arrived at the watering-place, and immediately attached themselves to
+Mr. Rosevelt and Star by mutual consent; and many envious looks were
+bestowed upon the dark, handsome stranger, who appeared to assume the
+right of acting as escort to the two beautiful girls upon every
+occasion.
+
+But Star, whenever she appeared in company, laughed, chatted, and danced
+with all that was possible of her admirers, dispensing her smiles and
+favors with an impartiality that was exasperating not only to her
+victims—if such they could be called who were each anxious to win the
+prize—but also to the many forlorn damsels who were all sighing for the
+attentions she was receiving and the honors she was usurping.
+
+One day, about a week after the arrival of the Merediths, an excursion
+was arranged to visit a point on Narragansett Bay, and it was to be a
+picnic after the good old-fashioned style of carrying each his own
+basket and sharing with his neighbor.
+
+A boat had been chartered to take the party down the bay in the morning
+and return at night by moonlight.
+
+Ralph Meredith and two or three of his friends were the originators of
+the affair, and the invitations were very select, and limited to one
+hundred.
+
+As it happened, Mrs. Richards and Josephine, with quite a number of
+others from their hotel, were included in this party.
+
+The morning was delightful, and the spirits of the whole company at
+their highest point, while the jaunty, white-winged boat, with its
+inspiriting band of music and its gayly dressed picnickers, seemed like
+a little floating world devoted entirely to pleasure, as indeed it was.
+
+Josephine Richards had arrayed herself in a very elaborate costume for
+the occasion, determined that Star, who she knew was to be one of the
+company, should not outshine her.
+
+It fitted her like a glove, and was vastly becoming; she never had
+looked more brilliant in her life, but she was too fussy for a picnic,
+and looked as if she was decked out for a fashionable reception rather
+than for a day in the woods.
+
+In direct contrast to all this “fuss and feathers,” was Star, in a
+simple suit of white lawn, a belt of blue, of her eyes’ own hue,
+girdling her slender waist; a dainty, broad-brimmed hat, set in a jaunty
+way upon her golden head, and a little cluster of blue-fringed gentians
+nestling beneath her beautifully rounded chin.
+
+The very simplicity of her attire made her conspicuous, and fashionable
+maidens, who had groaned in spirit over what they should wear and how
+they should wear it, glared at her with envious eyes.
+
+Ralph Meredith had arranged a cozy little nook on the boat for Star and
+his sister, by taking some camp-chairs along and cushioning them with
+handsome rugs, with a couple of hassocks for their feet, while a sail
+had been adjusted as an awning to screen them from the hot sun.
+
+But when, after they were well on their way, he conducted them thither,
+he found to his chagrin that this snug corner, upon which he had spent
+so much care, had been appropriated by Mrs. Richards and her brilliant
+daughter, who were holding a little court by themselves.
+
+“Never mind,” Star whispered; “I do not care to sit just now, and I
+particularly wish not to disturb them.”
+
+“But _I_ particularly wished you and Grace to have a comfortable place
+where you could enjoy your sail,” he returned, indignantly.
+
+“I know, and you were very kind and thoughtful; but I shall feel better
+to leave them to get what enjoyment they can from occupying seats which
+they must know were intended for others. What do you say, Grace?” Star
+asked, appealing to Miss Meredith.
+
+“I do not see but what we shall be obliged to submit, since I do not
+wish to be rude to any of our party. But I must say I think they are
+very cool.”
+
+They moved away to another portion of the boat, but when, an hour later,
+they saw the interlopers promenading the deck, they quietly slipped into
+the vacated seats, and settled themselves for the remainder of the sail.
+
+Here they were soon chatting in the most sociable manner, and were right
+in the midst of a most interesting discussion regarding their toilet for
+an approaching reception, when a cold voice broke out upon them, saying:
+
+“Miss Gladstone, may I trouble you to vacate our chairs?”
+
+Star started and flushed. Too well she knew those incisive tones.
+
+But she quickly recovered herself, however, and looking up at Mrs.
+Richards, for it was she who had spoken, said:
+
+“_Your_ chairs? Are they yours?”
+
+“Certainly; you have already seen us occupying them, I believe,” the
+woman responded, haughtily.
+
+Star’s face began to dimple with amusement, for she knew well enough
+that this demand was only made to annoy her and make her unpleasantly
+conspicuous, and she was determined to turn the tables to their own
+mortification; for they could not fail to learn when they landed to whom
+the chairs and other comforts belonged.
+
+She made a motion to Grace, who, she saw, was bristling with
+indignation, to keep silent; then she arose, bowing with graceful
+politeness to Mrs. Richards and her daughter, though her eyes were
+gleaming with suppressed laughter.
+
+“I beg pardon if I have been occupying what does not rightfully belong
+to me, and I cheerfully resign _my_ chair to your _prior claim_.”
+
+Josephine flushed, for she saw that it was all Star could do to restrain
+her merriment, though what should have caused it she could not
+understand; while she looked so pretty and was so lady-like, it made her
+angry.
+
+“I’m sure,” she began, hotly, and raising her voice so that others could
+hear her, “I don’t see what you’re so amused over, Stella Gladstone; and
+it seems to me that you’re putting on altogether too many airs for a
+girl who used to perform the services of a chambermaid in our house.”
+
+For a moment Star stood as if dumfounded; then she lifted her bright
+head a trifle, as if in conscious superiority, gave Miss Richards a cool
+stare of surprise, and turned away without a word.
+
+Not so Miss Meredith, however.
+
+She kept her seat with the utmost composure, watching this little scene
+with both interest and amusement until Josephine so tauntingly insulted
+her friend.
+
+Then she, too, arose, drawing her tall form to its fullest height.
+
+“I cannot understand,” she said, in a voice of scorn, “why you should so
+maliciously insult Miss Gladstone; but allow me to say for your
+enlightenment, that these chairs, rugs, and so forth, belong to my
+brother, Mr. Ralph Meredith, and he arranged them here especially for
+Miss Gladstone’s and my comfort. However, I will emulate her example,
+and resign my right to ladies who have proved themselves so superior in
+point of _refinement_ and _politeness_.”
+
+Having uttered this cutting sarcasm, Miss Meredith bowed mockingly and
+walked away to rejoin her friend, leaving those haughty and overbearing
+women about as chagrined and crestfallen as it is possible for two
+people to feel.
+
+The gay company reached their destination after a delightful sail of two
+hours.
+
+It was a lovely grove upon the shore of the bay, which people were in
+the habit of frequenting for picnics of this sort, and the party
+wandered about in groups for another two hours, exploring the beauties
+and attractions around them.
+
+At two o’clock everybody gathered to dine in a place which had been
+prepared for that purpose; the tables were spread with the contents of
+the numerous baskets, which contained every delicacy which the season
+afforded, and the gay company, making the woods resonant with laughter
+and merriment, sat down to their rural meal.
+
+It was four in the afternoon before this important part in the day’s
+programme was concluded, and then the company scattered, some to lounge
+about and rest, others to stroll into the deep, inviting shadows of the
+woods.
+
+Mr. Rosevelt and Star, Miss Meredith and her brother, with two or three
+others, wandered away by themselves, and finally sat down beneath a
+wide-spreading tree for a quiet chat.
+
+While they sat there, Star got up quietly and slipped out of sight, some
+spirit of restlessness possessing her to get away for a ramble still
+farther into the far-reaching woods.
+
+She had walked some distance, when she heard voices, and soon saw a
+gentleman and a lad, both with guns over their shoulders, approaching
+her, and looking heated and anxious.
+
+They saluted her courteously, and then the gentleman said, abruptly:
+
+“Have you seen anything of a small, white Spitz dog, miss? It is a
+pretty little creature, wearing a silver collar around his neck, and
+tiny blue bows tied in his ears.”
+
+“No,” Star answered; “I have seen no dog to-day.”
+
+“We are in search of it because we are afraid it has run mad,” the
+stranger continued, peering about with a troubled countenance. “It has
+not been well for several days, and this morning showed unmistakable
+signs of hydrophobia. It escaped confinement from the cottage, a mile or
+so from here, and ran toward these woods about an hour ago.”
+
+They passed on, and Star thought it would be best for her to go back to
+her friends, and therefore turned to retrace her steps.
+
+She had only accomplished about half of the distance, when she heard a
+clear, musical laugh ring out from among the shrubbery on the right of
+the path.
+
+Thinking it must be some of her party, she stepped forward to warn them
+of their danger. She parted the branches with her hands and looked
+through.
+
+What was her horror to see Josephine Richards sitting at the foot of a
+tree, her hat tossed upon the ground beside her, and _holding in her lap
+the little mad dog_ against which she had just been warned.
+
+It was a beautiful little creature, and had evidently been made a pet
+and plaything. It had lovely brown eyes, looking out from beneath its
+shaggy brows; its coat was as white as snow, while around its neck there
+glistened the silver collar, and in its pretty ears were the tiny blue
+bows of which she had been told.
+
+Miss Richards evidently had just coaxed the little pet into her lap, and
+was playing with it without a suspicion of the terrible danger that she
+was in, while just for that moment it showed no signs of the madness
+which possessed it.
+
+Star’s face was as white as her spotless dress as she took in the
+dreadful situation; then she stepped quickly forward and said, in clear
+but authoritative tones:
+
+“Miss Richards, put that dog down as quietly as you can, and come away
+with me instantly, for I have just been told that it is mad.”
+
+Scarcely were the words uttered, when the little creature snapped at the
+hand raised to caress it, and, with a scream of fright, Josephine sprang
+to her feet and turned to fly.
+
+But the act aroused all the fury of the maddened animal, and he seized
+hold of her skirts, biting and tearing them in the most furious manner,
+foaming at the mouth, and howling frightfully in its sudden paroxysm of
+frenzy.
+
+“Save me! save me!” Josephine screamed, and flying toward Star for
+protection.
+
+There was not a thought of personal danger in the fair young girl’s
+heart—not a thought of enmity, or of malice or evil; all her mind was
+concentrated upon one thing—how best to save her companion from this
+terrible danger and from a horrible death.
+
+“Stand still!” she commanded, in steady, almost stern tones. “Let him
+bite at your clothes all he chooses, but do not allow him to get at your
+feet; if you run, he will seize them and bite right through your boot.
+Have you courage to stand where you are for a moment? I will go behind
+him and slip the end of my parasol through his collar and pin him to the
+ground; then you can go and call help for me.”
+
+She spoke calmly but rapidly, and Josephine saw at once how much wisdom
+there was in her plan.
+
+“Yes, yes; I will do anything,” she said, hysterically; “but be quick,
+for I cannot bear this much longer; I shall faint dead away.”
+
+“If you faint,” Star returned, in an awful voice, “you are lost! There!
+he has entangled himself in that ruffle which he has torn from your
+dress. Be still just a moment longer, and I will save you if I can.”
+
+Watching her opportunity, she stole softly behind the struggling animal,
+and, by a dextrous movement, slipped the end of her parasol, which was
+quite a stout one, into his collar, and then, with all her strength,
+drove it into the ground and held it there, though the creature
+struggled furiously to release himself.
+
+Her face had not an atom of color in it, but her lips did not falter as
+she said to the horror-stricken girl watching her:
+
+“Go now quickly and call help for me, for, small as he is, I cannot hold
+him long.”
+
+Josephine did not need a second bidding, but went shrieking back to the
+company in a way to arouse the dead almost.
+
+She had not been gone two minutes—though those two minutes seemed like
+an age to Star, who found an almost superhuman strength in that
+writhing, twisting thing at her feet—when the bushes behind her parted
+again, and the same gentleman who had met and warned her of this danger
+sprang toward her, with his gun cocked and aimed at the dog.
+
+His face was almost as colorless as her own.
+
+“Can you hold him just an instant longer?—will you _dare_ hold him while
+I shoot him? I will not harm you in the least,” he questioned, in rapid
+tones.
+
+“Yes, I _will_ hold him,” she said, resolutely. “If I let him loose now,
+he will surely bite somebody.”
+
+Although she spoke so steadily and with so much fortitude, she _looked_
+like some beautiful spirit from another world, and the gentleman knew he
+must do what he had to do quickly, or it would be too late.
+
+There was an instant of silence, then a quick, sharp report rang through
+the woods, and the little danger-fiend lay bleeding and dead at her
+feet.
+
+All peril was past.
+
+Star had saved an enemy from a horrible fate—she had done a heroic deed;
+but the tension on her own nerves gave way when it was over. She swayed,
+tottered, and would have fallen to the ground, but another figure sprang
+through the bushes to her side, and her fainting form was received into
+the strong arms of Ralph Meredith.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XXIX.
+                        JOSEPHINE’S INGRATITUDE.
+
+
+Confusion reigned during the next half hour among the company who had
+hitherto been so gay. Josephine Richards had rushed into their midst,
+startling everybody out of their senses by shrieking out:
+
+“Go to Miss Gladstone! A mad dog! a mad dog!”
+
+It was all that she could say, for she immediately after sank down
+helpless in a violent fit of hysterics, while the women, with white
+faces, huddled together in fear and trembling, and the men, with
+horrified eyes and quaking hearts, ran hither and thither in search of
+Star.
+
+Then there had come that quick, sharp report, directing them to the
+spot, and telling them that all danger to them was past. But the
+terrible question arose:
+
+“Was Miss Gladstone safe?”
+
+Ralph Meredith, his feet winged with love and fear, was, as we have
+seen, first upon the scene of the tragedy, and caught her frantically to
+his heart just as she was falling to the ground.
+
+“Is she bitten?” he cried, in a voice of agony, and with ashen lips, to
+the stranger, who stood, gun in hand, over the dead dog.
+
+“No; she has not even a scratch; she has merely fainted from fright,” he
+answered; and throwing down his gun, he took a long pocket-flask filled
+with brandy from his hunting-pouch, and approached the unconscious girl.
+
+He knelt upon the ground beside her and poured a few drops between her
+lips, though his hands trembled violently from the terrible excitement
+and anxiety under which he had been laboring.
+
+“Go for some water,” he said to his son, who, having heard the report of
+his father’s fowling-piece, now appeared upon the scene.
+
+He darted away like a fawn, and was back in less than three minutes with
+a pitcherful, which he had seized from the camp, while a frightened
+crowd followed at his heels.
+
+But it was a long time before Star revived. The shock to her nervous
+system had been a terrible one, and nature seemed loth to resume her
+sway after it. But at the end of half an hour her chest began to heave,
+and a slight tinge of color returned to her lips.
+
+Ralph Meredith, who hung over her in an agony of suspense and fear,
+would let no one touch her or come near her, save his sister and Mr.
+Rosevelt; and he found that it required all the strength of his will to
+keep him from betraying to the gaping crowd the passionate love he
+entertained for the senseless girl.
+
+Finally, to everybody’s relief, those white lids were unclosed, those
+beautiful eyes looked up, and a long, shuddering sigh shook her whole
+frame.
+
+“What has happened?” she questioned, with a vacant look.
+
+“You are faint, dear. Drink this and you will be better,” Grace Meredith
+said, gently, while she held a silver cup to her lips.
+
+She swallowed the stimulus mechanically, and then began to shiver, as if
+from the cold.
+
+“I remember,” she murmured, all the color fading from her face again,
+and they feared another season of unconsciousness would follow.
+
+“Is he dead?” she asked, a moment after, beginning to rally once more.
+
+“Yes; he was killed instantly,” Ralph Meredith returned.
+
+“And Josephine—Miss Richards—is she safe?”
+
+Everybody looked surprised at this query, for no one had had any idea
+that that young lady had been in any danger until now.
+
+“Yes; Miss Richards is safe,” Mr. Rosevelt answered; but a frown
+contracted his brow as he began to understand that Star had sacrificed
+her own safety and endangered her own life to save that of an ungrateful
+girl.
+
+No one had been able to gather from Josephine’s excited and incoherent
+account anything save that a mad dog had attacked Miss Gladstone in the
+woods. She said not a word of how the noble girl had come to her rescue,
+warned her of her danger, and then put into execution a hazardous plan
+to secure her safety.
+
+There was not an atom of gratitude in her heart toward Star for having
+done this heroic deed—no softening, no sense of sorrow or repentance for
+her own unkindness in the past, or for the insult which she had only
+that day offered her; there was only a sense of triumph that she herself
+was safe, no matter how or at whose risk.
+
+When they came, bringing Star back—for she was still too weak to walk—to
+the spot where they had all gathered so gay and thoughtless that
+morning, there was a look of sadness and sympathy in every countenance
+save those of Mrs. Richards and her daughter, who stole away by
+themselves, jealous of the interest and concern manifested by the whole
+company for the object of their hatred.
+
+When Star found that Josephine had kept the facts of the encounter with
+the mad dog to herself, simply stating that Miss Gladstone had been
+attacked by it, she also appeared very reluctant to converse about it,
+and as the subject seemed to excite her, no one felt disposed to press
+her with questions.
+
+The gentleman who owned the dog sent to his home for his carriage to
+have her conveyed to the steamer, although she had smilingly affirmed
+that she should be “able to walk with the help of Uncle Jacob’s arm.”
+
+Upon reaching the boat they improvised a couch for her on deck, as she
+objected going into the saloon, and by resting quietly during the two
+hours’ sail, she seemed almost like herself, save her unusual pallor,
+when the vessel touched the pier at Newport.
+
+A carriage was here procured, and she was driven, with Mr. Rosevelt,
+Miss Meredith, and her brother, to her hotel.
+
+Grace insisted upon remaining through the night with her.
+
+“You are not fit to be left alone, and—I _want_ to stay,” she pleaded,
+as Star hesitated about accepting her offer.
+
+So the two young girls passed the night together, and Star, growing
+confidential, and feeling that some explanation regarding Josephine’s
+insulting remarks that morning was due her friend, told her much
+concerning her life, and how it had happened that she was at one time an
+inmate of Mrs. Richards’ family; also relating the events that had
+transpired since she and Mr. Rosevelt left them, and how she had rescued
+Josephine from the mad dog.
+
+Star was really ill from nervous prostration the next day, and obliged
+to keep her room; but Miss Meredith regaled curious ears with the whole
+story of Josephine Richards’ danger and Star’s courageous defense of
+her, and all Newport did indeed “ring” even as she had hoped.
+
+Enough could not be said in admiration of the brave girl, while scorn
+and contempt were freely expressed for the recipients of so much heroism
+for refusing to acknowledge their indebtedness, and awarding her the
+commendation she deserved.
+
+Mr. Rosevelt was even more unnerved, when he learned the truth, than he
+had been the previous day.
+
+He came to her room, wan and haggard, after talking with Miss Meredith,
+and sank, weak and trembling, into a chair at her side.
+
+“My child,” he said, brokenly, as he took both her hands and looked them
+carefully over with tear-laden eyes, “are you _sure_ you did not get a
+scratch anywhere?”
+
+“Quite sure, Uncle Jacob,” Star replied, reassuringly; “the dog did not
+touch me anywhere, and if he had, I had a pair of stout undressed kid
+gloves on, and they would have protected me.”
+
+“But you were in terrible danger. Suppose you had not succeeded in
+pinning him down, and he had turned upon you?” he said, with a shudder.
+
+“I did not think of that,” Star answered; “but if I had _known_ that he
+would turn upon me, I believe I should have tried to save Josephine just
+the same. _Somebody_ was in danger of being bitten even if she escaped
+unharmed, and I felt that I must strain every nerve and not allow him to
+get among the company. The dog was a tiny little thing,” she went on,
+flushing and becoming excited as she seemed to live over again that
+dreadful experience; “but, oh, Uncle Jacob, he was terribly strong. I
+thought once that I should have to let him go; I could not have held him
+one minute longer;” and she covered her face with her hands, weeping
+from nervousness.
+
+“We must not talk about it any more; it excites you,” Mr. Rosevelt said,
+soothingly; “but the world would have been very dark for me if anything
+had happened to you; and—I am bitter enough to feel that Josephine
+Richards’ safety is dearly bought, even at the sacrifice of nothing more
+than your nerves and strength,” he concluded, in a stern tone.
+
+Star reached out one white hand and laid it gently upon his, saying,
+with grave sweetness, while she wiped away her tears:
+
+“Uncle Jacob, let us not judge too harshly nor be unforgiving.
+‘Charity,’ you know, ‘suffereth long and is kind, and never faileth.’
+Surely you would not have had me run away like a coward, and leave her
+sitting there playing with that mad creature, _knowing_ that she was in
+such fearful danger?”
+
+“N-o,” he admitted, reluctantly.
+
+“Just think,” Star went on; “she had him in her lap, and I did not speak
+one instant too soon, for hardly had I told her that he was mad, when he
+snapped at her. No; I am glad that I did what was right, and Josephine
+Richards’ life was every bit as precious to me yesterday as that of any
+one else, and I should have done just the same had she been an enemy a
+hundred-fold more than she is. She has endeavored to injure me, I know,
+in every possible way, and, in all the ordinary walks of life, I should
+let her alone. Her spite and ill-will, however bitter, cannot do me any
+real harm, although they may annoy me exceedingly, and doubtless will,
+in the end, rebound upon herself; but I am glad that I did not falter
+yesterday. I did what I could with the kindest of motives; and if _she_
+does not feel that she owes me anything, it cannot alter the fact that I
+did _my_ duty.”
+
+Mr. Rosevelt regarded her with an almost worshipful look.
+
+“That good book, which you love so well, says that ‘a little child shall
+lead them;’ and truly, Star, you in your youth shame me in my maturer
+years by your Christian spirit,” he said, in an humble tone.
+
+Star did not reply, but she looked very happy.
+
+“Surely Uncle Jacob must have been reading some in ‘that good book,’ to
+quote thus from it,” she thought, while his remark about a Christian
+spirit told that he was thinking upon the more serious questions of
+life—all of which was very encouraging to her who had so often been
+wounded by his bitterness and skepticism.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XXX.
+                          “I LOVE HIM STILL.”
+
+
+The first of the week following the events just related, Mrs. Richards
+and her daughter were suddenly “recalled to Brooklyn.”
+
+Newport had become, as Miss Meredith had prophesied, “too hot for them.”
+
+They were gone almost before any one knew that they contemplated going;
+and, it must be confessed, that it was a great relief to both Star and
+Mr. Rosevelt when they learned of their flitting, and knew they would be
+obliged to meet them no more.
+
+Star had recovered her usual health and strength, but she had suffered
+such a shock that she could not meet or see a dog without a feeling of
+fear and an almost overpowering weakness, and she never entirely outgrew
+this feeling during her life.
+
+She had seemed unusually thoughtful, too, since the event. Most people,
+noticing it, thought it but natural, considering the fearful danger she
+had been in, but Star had a very different reason for it.
+
+The moment she had returned to consciousness and found herself in Ralph
+Meredith’s arms, seen his agonized looks, heard his tones of fear,
+realized the passionate, though trembling clasp in which she was held,
+the terrible throbbings of his heart as she lay against it, and noted
+the quiver of his pale lips as he hung over her and begged her to assure
+him that she was unharmed, she knew that he was no longer what she had
+hitherto regarded him—merely a kind and congenial friend.
+
+Those signs she had interpreted in a way to make her feel very grave and
+deeply troubled.
+
+She felt that he regarded her with feelings which she knew it would be
+impossible for her ever to return, and she feared he was cherishing
+hopes which, if not “nipped in the bud,” might ruin his whole life.
+
+His every look and act since that day had told her as plainly as words
+could have done that he loved her, and she was constantly trying to
+think of some way to make him discover how hopeless his passion was
+without bringing matters to a crisis.
+
+But this was not to be.
+
+One evening they all went for a walk in the park, where they spent an
+hour listening to the music and strolling about.
+
+As they were returning, Ralph succeeded in securing Star as a companion;
+perchance his sister knew his design in so doing, and aided him by
+asking Mr. Rosevelt for his arm and making herself as agreeable as she
+could to him.
+
+“Come this way,” Ralph whispered, leading the fair girl down a path at
+right angles to the one they had been traversing; “we shall all meet at
+the gate;” and Star could find no reasonable excuse to offer, although
+her heart beat ominously at the request.
+
+The evening was delightfully cool and pleasant, the air fragrant with
+the perfume of many flowers, while the music in the distance lent its
+own enchantment to the place and hour.
+
+It was just the time for Cupid to be busy with his arrows, and Ralph
+Meredith felt that it was an opportunity not to be lost, and governed
+himself accordingly.
+
+“Miss Gladstone,” he said, abruptly, after a rather awkward silence, “I
+am obliged to return to New York to-morrow.”
+
+“Are you?” Star asked, in surprise. “Is it not a sudden departure?”
+
+“Rather. I had hoped to remain a week longer.”
+
+“Surely your sister does not accompany you? I should miss her sorely; I
+should regret to lose her more than I can tell you.”
+
+The young man’s face fell. _He_ had not been included in her regret. But
+he rallied, and said, lightly:
+
+“My sister is highly favored, Miss Gladstone; but I had flattered myself
+that I also should be missed.”
+
+“Pardon me, if my words conveyed to you the idea that you would not,”
+Star said, quickly. “You have been most kind, Mr. Meredith, and I shall
+most certainly miss your companionship and your friendly attentions.”
+
+_Friendly_ attentions!
+
+Mr. Meredith had received another stab.
+
+“But,” she added, “will Grace go with you? You have not yet told me, and
+I have not heard her say anything about leaving.”
+
+She hoped thus to ward off what she feared was coming, and turn the
+conversation in another channel.
+
+“No; Grace will remain for another week. But, Miss Gladstone—Star,” he
+began, desperately, “I could not leave without seeking this private
+interview with you to learn my fate. You have called my attentions
+‘friendly.’ Have you not realized that they have been vastly more than
+that? Have you not seen that I have grown to love you madly,
+idolatrously? You are modest as a violet, my bright Star; and although I
+have tried to win some sign of answering affection from you, yet you
+have not given me one. You have evaded my every look, my every word of
+love. But, my beautiful darling, it seems as if my true heart _must_
+find in yours a fond return. You will tell me to-night, will you not,
+dear, that you will give yourself to me? Star, how shall I tell you of
+the depth of my love?—how you have become so necessary to me, that if
+you should send me away without hope, the future would hold nothing to
+tempt me, nothing to make life worth the living. When I held you in my
+arms last Wednesday, and believed that your life had been
+endangered—when you lay unconscious upon my breast, close to my heart,
+so white and still, so exactly as if you _were_ dead, I said to myself
+that I could not, I cared not to live, if you were taken from me. My
+love, look up into my eyes, lay your hand in mine, and tell me you will
+give yourself to me.”
+
+He stopped in the path and waited for her answer—waited for her to lay
+her hand in his, as he had asked her to do, and bid him to hope and be
+the happiest man in the universe.
+
+But her beautiful golden head was bent, as if weighted with some heavy
+care or sorrow. The star-like face was pale and downcast, and the lovely
+eyes, into which he longed to read an answering tale of love, were
+hidden by their white lids and curling lashes.
+
+“Star,” he breathed, a note of keen pain in his tone, “do not tell me
+that I must give up my bright dream of joy.”
+
+“Mr. Meredith,” she answered, looking up at him with sudden resolution,
+“forget for a little while what you have just said to me, and listen,
+while I read you a page out of my own heart.”
+
+A look of suffering came into his eyes, his lips trembled, and he
+breathed heavily, but he answered:
+
+“I cannot ‘_forget_,’ but I will ‘listen,’ as you wish.”
+
+“Nearly two years ago,” Star began, “I came to America in the ——, a
+vessel that sailed from Liverpool to New York. Perhaps you remember that
+it was lost at sea. I was one of the few who were saved, and afterward
+picked up by the ——, another homeward bound vessel. As I was lifted from
+the life-boat to the deck of the noble craft, I fainted from exhaustion,
+and fell into the arms of a stranger, who bore me to a state-room and
+gave me into the care of a stewardess. I met him a day or two afterward
+on the deck. He was a noble, manly looking gentleman, some four years my
+senior. We were thrown much into each other’s society during the
+remainder of the voyage, and there came into my heart during that time a
+feeling for him which will prevent me from ever loving another while I
+live. When we landed we parted as friends, though we exchanged
+souvenirs, and he expressed the hope that we should meet again. A few
+months later we did meet, our friendship was renewed, and soon ripened
+into something deeper—in fact, he won my heart entirely. We were
+betrothed, and for a few days earth became a paradise to me. I firmly
+believed him to be all that he appeared. I could have staked my life
+upon his truth and honor, and I would have defended him with my latest
+breath had any one assailed his fair fame or doubted his allegiance to
+me. But I could not doubt the evidence of my own senses, and he proved
+himself a traitor in my very presence. He played me false before the
+vows which he had uttered to me had scarcely grown cold upon his lips. I
+spurned him with scorn; I denounced him as the traitor and coward which
+I knew him to be; but, oh, Mr. Meredith, strange as it may seem to you,
+I—I love him still. Perhaps it is unmaidenly in me to tell you this,
+perhaps it betrays weakness and a lack of proper dignity on my part; but
+I feel that I owe it to you, to make you understand how impossible it is
+for me to reciprocate your affection. He won my girlish heart, he bound
+me irrevocably to him by the power of his will and the charm of his oily
+tongue, and I can _never_ love another. You will say that he is unworthy
+of such constancy, or even of a regret. I know he is, and yet while I
+own it, my soul is reaching after him with all the strength of a
+deathless love. I began to fear, a week ago, that you were entertaining
+feelings for me which would bring sorrow upon us both. You say that I
+have evaded you. I _have_ done so; I have tried to show you that the
+hopes which I feared you were entertaining could never be realized, and
+I wish that you had never spoken the words which you have to-night; for
+I know—_you_ know, that you could never be satisfied to take any one to
+your heart who was always turning from you to another, who, although she
+knew she was loving unworthily, would not yet have the power to keep her
+affections from straying from you, and who could not keep her vows of
+allegiance to you, for such vows, if spoken, would be but mockery. Mr.
+Meredith, you could never be satisfied with such a wife as that,” she
+concluded, in a voice which shook with emotion.
+
+“No, Miss Gladstone,” he answered, sorrowfully. “I love you too fondly,
+too devotedly, to be content with anything save an affection as strong
+and true as my own. But,” with a note of earnest appeal in his tone,
+“could I not win you by and by? Could I not teach you to love me by
+proving to you that I am worthy of your love?”
+
+Star shook her head sadly.
+
+“I _know_ that you are worthy at this moment,” she said. “I have the
+deepest respect for you, and value you as a friend; but nothing—no one
+can ever win the love which I must always bear for Archibald Sherbrooke.
+He has broken my heart and ruined my life; for I can never be the wife
+of any worthy man, since I will not live a lie. I can never have a home
+of my own; I can never have those sweet domestic ties and duties which
+other women have; I can only try to do my duty by the dear old man who
+is so fond of me while he lives, and, after that, live out my lonely
+life with what patience and courage I can,” she concluded, with such a
+pathos that the young man for the moment forgot his own sorrow and
+disappointment in pity for her.
+
+“Where is he—where is this coward who has so imposed upon you, ruined
+your life, and proved faithless to his troth? Tell me, that I may go and
+brand him the knave and villain that he is!” Ralph Meredith cried, in
+hot indignation.
+
+“I do not know where he is,” Star answered. “I have never seen him since
+that night when I told him that I had discovered his treachery. That was
+nearly a year ago. I never expect to meet him again—I never _wish_ to
+meet him again. I desire to ignore him—at least, to all outward
+appearances; and if he possesses such an attribute as a conscience, his
+punishment must come sometime. But,” she went on, in a voice of pain, “I
+hope no one else will ever learn to love me, for I cannot endure the
+thought that I shall spoil other lives as mine has been spoilt. Oh, Mr.
+Meredith, I am sorry if I have unconsciously done you a wrong. Pray,
+forget me if you can, and——”
+
+“That I can never do,” he interrupted, gently, for he saw that she was
+deeply moved; “but I will try and be content if you will allow me still
+to be your friend.”
+
+“Thank you,” she returned, while she wiped the tears which were falling
+fast; “it will be a great comfort to me if you will permit me to regard
+you as such. I feared I should incur your contempt by the confession I
+have made to-night; but I could better endure that than that your future
+should be ruined by hoping against hope.”
+
+“Contempt!” he repeated, earnestly; “such a feeling I could never
+entertain for you; you have, instead, my deepest sympathy and respect.
+But if I ever meet and know the wretch who has played you false, let him
+beware; for I will surely make him repent most bitterly his treachery
+and baseness toward you,” he concluded, fiercely.
+
+A faint smile of scorn curled Star’s lips.
+
+Time would bring its own punishment to her faithless lover, she
+believed, and she had no desire that any one should act as her champion
+in this matter.
+
+She had called him “Archibald Sherbrooke” purposely, for she felt
+assured that if, by any chance, Ralph Meredith should yet meet him, he
+would not recognize in Lord Carrol the man of whom she had told him.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XXXI.
+                          A NOBLE RESOLUTION.
+
+
+“You will remember that you have promised that I am still to be your
+friend; you will not avoid me and deny me the pleasure of your society
+because of what I have told you to-night?” Ralph pleaded, as he and Star
+drew near the entrance of the park, and knew that they would soon be
+rejoined by his sister and Mr. Rosevelt.
+
+Star looked up at him with a grave face.
+
+“You shall still be my friend. I will not avoid you if you will promise
+me that you will build no false hopes upon our friendship,” she said.
+
+“How can I, when you tell me that there is no hope?” he asked, yet his
+voice trembled and was full of pain.
+
+“May I continue to visit you when you return to New York?” he resumed,
+after a moment.
+
+“Certainly, as one friend would visit another. You have made my stay
+here very pleasant, and I should be very sorry not to see you
+occasionally, while Grace has become almost like a sister to me.”
+
+The young man thanked her with glistening eyes, and with a pang at his
+heart, as he thought how fondly he had hoped to make the two girls
+sisters, and how rudely his bright dream had been broken.
+
+Then they passed out at the gate, where they found Mr. Rosevelt and
+Grace awaiting them.
+
+Both saw at a glance that the interview had been a sorrowful one, and
+Miss Meredith was bitterly disappointed, for she had trusted that Ralph
+would be able to win the bright, beautiful girl for his wife.
+
+Mr. Rosevelt surmised the cause of Star’s rejection of his suit, and
+sighed heavily, for the young man had been a favorite with him, and he
+would have been glad to give her to him.
+
+But he would never try to influence her upon matters of such a delicate
+nature. She should always do exactly as she liked, and he knew that
+whoever her choice might be, it would never be an unworthy one.
+
+They parted at the door of the hotel, Ralph bidding them good-by there,
+as he was to leave early in the morning, and Star knew by the way he
+wrung her hand that he was bidding farewell to hope as well.
+
+When they reached their private parlor, she went directly to Mr.
+Rosevelt’s side and laid her hand upon his arm. Her face was flushed and
+sad, and he saw at once that she was very unhappy.
+
+“What is it, my starling?” he asked, taking her hand in both of his, and
+speaking very tenderly.
+
+“Uncle Jacob, I want to go home,” she said, wearily.
+
+“Bless you, child! you shall go wherever you like,” he said, in
+surprise, and regarding her anxiously.
+
+“I want to go where you and I can be by ourselves, and where I cannot do
+any mischief,” she said, with a sob of pain, and he knew beyond a doubt
+that Ralph Meredith had proposed and been rejected.
+
+“Mischief! tut, tut, little one! What has made you so unhappy? Have you
+sent our young friend away in sorrow?”
+
+Star nodded her head in reply; she could not find voice to answer him.
+
+“He is a fine young man—he is a _worthy_ young man,” Mr. Rosevelt said,
+gently.
+
+“Oh, I _know_ it, Uncle Jacob; but—_my heart is dead_, and it can never
+live again. Don’t blame me, please—_you_ know all about it, and you know
+that I could not help it and be true to him and myself,” she returned,
+in deep distress.
+
+“You have done everything to make me happy,” she went on, a little more
+calmly, “and I thought I was beginning to be content and to enjoy life
+once more; but I cannot endure many scenes like what transpired
+to-night. Let us go home, where I can go to work again, and in my duties
+there forget, if possible, the misery of the past, which I have been
+made to live over again to-night.”
+
+“We will leave Newport to-morrow, if you wish,” Mr. Rosevelt said, after
+a little thought; “but we will not go back to New York just yet—we will
+spend two or three weeks in sightseeing first. We will go to the White
+Mountains, from there to Montreal, then down the St. Lawrence and the
+lake to Niagara, and then home. That will give us a change and a nice
+little trip, besides a knowledge of something of the country. It is a
+long time since I went over that ground, and I think I should enjoy the
+journey, if the idea pleases you.”
+
+He was not going to let her go back to New York and bury herself at
+home, where she would brood over her trouble and grow pale, thin, and
+hollow-eyed again; so he put it in the form of a favor to himself.
+
+Star assented, thinking if the trip would give him pleasure she would
+not say “nay.” She only longed to get away from Newport; it would be a
+change, and a spirit of unrest had suddenly possessed her.
+
+So it was arranged that they should leave the gay resort the next day
+but one.
+
+“And, Uncle Jacob,” Star pleaded, as they were about to retire for the
+night, “let us not say much about it until to-morrow; let us get away as
+quietly as possible.”
+
+“Very well; we will leave the announcement of our departure as long as
+we can, without appearing to _run_ away,” he answered, understanding her
+motive.
+
+The next morning Star sought Miss Meredith, and confessed, with many
+tears, her rejection of her brother.
+
+“I knew he would tell you,” she said, “but I cannot bear that you should
+blame me, Grace. I have not meant to wrong your brother, and I would
+give much to make him as happy and free from pain as he was before he
+knew me. Do not take your friendship from me on account of it, for I
+need it more than I ever did before.”
+
+And Grace Meredith, not knowing all, kissed her tenderly, while she
+thought in her heart, “Perhaps I can help to win her for Ralph even yet,
+if I am patient.”
+
+“Do not grieve,” she said, gently. “I know you have intended no wrong.
+You cannot help being beautiful and attractive; you cannot help it if
+people _will_ love you. I do not blame you, dear, in the least, and I am
+sure I should not think of breaking our friendship, which has been so
+exceedingly pleasant. Ralph did tell me something of this last night,
+and of course I am sorry for him, for he is a very dear brother, and a
+noble fellow, too; but these affairs of the heart, you know,” she
+concluded, smiling and flushing, for she knew something about it
+herself, “are entirely beyond our control.”
+
+“Thank you, Grace,” Star said, gratefully, although the trouble did not
+fade out of her azure eyes; “you have lightened my burden considerably.
+It would have been more than I could bear to make an enemy of you.”
+
+“An enemy, you dear little goose!” Grace cried. “Do you suppose I would
+be so foolish as to wish to drive you to marry my brother if you could
+not love him? I love you both too well for that; and now don’t let me
+hear anything more about broken friendships, unless I do something to
+forfeit your respect, for it would cause me great sorrow to have
+anything mar our intimacy.”
+
+Star drew a long breath of relief.
+
+“You are very good to me,” she returned; “and now I have a little
+message to you from Uncle Jacob.”
+
+“A message from Mr. Rosevelt! Do let me have it, then, for it must be
+something good,” Miss Meredith said, gayly. She longed to drive the
+clouds from her friend’s face.
+
+“We are going to leave Newport.”
+
+“Going to leave Newport! When?”
+
+“To-morrow.”
+
+“If that is your message, it is anything but a welcome one,” Miss
+Meredith said, looking very much disturbed.
+
+“Oh, but it isn’t,” Star replied; “I was to tell you of our plans. We
+are going from here to the White Mountains, from there to Montreal, down
+the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario to Niagara, and then home; and
+Uncle Jacob commissioned me to ask you to be our guest during the trip.
+Will you go, Grace?”
+
+Miss Meredith looked thoughtful.
+
+It would be a sudden start, but the trip offered great attraction, to
+say nothing of the pleasure she would experience in Star’s and Mr.
+Rosevelt’s society.
+
+Ralph was gone, and if these friends should go also, she would be very
+lonely, notwithstanding she had many acquaintances here.
+
+“I _want_ you, Grace; _please_ do not refuse,” Star pleaded, as she
+hesitated, and she assented without further demur.
+
+Accordingly, the next day they all left Newport, and many blank faces
+and wistful eyes watched their departure, for they had formed a nucleus
+around which a brilliant circle had collected, and they would be sadly
+missed.
+
+The trip occupied three weeks, and proved a most delightful one also.
+
+Star was a first-rate traveler, Miss Meredith a most pleasant companion,
+and they all regained much of their accustomed spirits before it was
+over, and Mr. Rosevelt congratulated himself that he had planned most
+wisely.
+
+“I think it is charming to travel in this way,” Star said, one day while
+they were at Niagara; “just a few of us who enjoy each other, stopping
+when we choose, going on when we like, and having everything our own
+way. I think there is nothing so pleasant as traveling.”
+
+“How would you like to go to California and the Yosemite Valley?” Mr.
+Rosevelt asked.
+
+“I _think_ I should like it,” she answered, enthusiastically.
+
+“Will you go this fall?”
+
+“Oh, Uncle Jacob, aren’t you tired? Do you not need to go home and rest
+after so much dissipation?” the young girl asked, but her eyes sparkled
+and her cheeks flushed with anticipation.
+
+“Do you call it dissipation to travel?” he asked, smiling at her
+eagerness. “I enjoy it almost more than anything else.”
+
+“‘_Almost_ more,’” Star repeated, quickly. “What _would_ you enjoy
+more?”
+
+“To see _you_ perfectly happy,” he replied, tenderly; “and,” he added,
+“I believe that traveling does you fully as much good as anything else.
+We will go home and rest a week, then we will start for the far West.
+What do you say to my plan?”
+
+Miss Meredith’s face lighted.
+
+“Say ‘yes’ to it, by all means, Star,” she said, “and—I will go with
+you, if you will have me.”
+
+“_If_ we will have you,” Star returned, with dancing eyes. “Why, I think
+it would be the very nicest thing in all the world—we three, with Mrs.
+Blunt to look after us, do have such delightful, cozy times.”
+
+“I have been wishing for just such an opportunity for a long time,”
+Grace said, “and if you will take me along with you, I should esteem it
+a great favor.”
+
+“I think with Star, that it would be the best arrangement in the world;
+and, Miss Meredith, we shall consider you a member of our party,” Mr.
+Rosevelt said, with a bow and a smile to that young lady.
+
+Star looked up into the old gentleman’s face.
+
+“Uncle Jacob, how _good_ you are to me!” she said; and her red lips
+trembled over the words, for she knew that he had planned all this
+expressly for her sake, to keep her thoughts pleasantly employed and
+from brooding over the past.
+
+“My dear, do I not owe my life and all that I am at present enjoying to
+you?” he asked, gravely. “Remember,” he added, “that when you are happy
+I am happy also, and _vice versa_; whatever cloud darkens your sky is
+sure to bring sorrow to me also; so let us make the most of our lives
+while we have them.”
+
+Star looked up brightly after Mr. Rosevelt’s last remark, and glancing
+archly from him to Miss Meredith, said:
+
+“Well, if so much depends upon my decision—if I hold the fate of two
+such important people in my hands, I shall be obliged to say, we will go
+to California and be happy. But,” she added, laughing, “I warn you both
+beforehand that I shall not be easily satiated; I shall want to go
+everywhere and see everything. Yes; we will go home and rest a week,
+then turn our faces toward the ‘golden gate,’ and—‘westward, ho!’”
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XXXII.
+                              “I PROMISE.”
+
+
+On returning to New York, Star learned that Ralph Meredith had sailed
+for Europe a couple of days before their arrival.
+
+The week that they had promised themselves for rest at home proved to be
+a busy one instead, for considerable preparation was necessary for the
+long journey they were contemplating, as it was to occupy three or four
+months.
+
+Star was glad to be at home again, and went flitting about the house,
+full of business and life.
+
+One day they were out making a few necessary purchases, when suddenly,
+in one of the stores, they came upon Mr. Richards.
+
+He looked aged and care-worn, neglected and unhappy. His face lighted
+with momentary pleasure, however, when he caught sight of Mr. Rosevelt
+and Star, and he came forward to greet them with extended hand.
+
+“I cannot tell you how glad I am to see you once more,” he said,
+heartily. “I am not going to reproach you either for running away from
+us, for, unpleasant as it is for me to say it, I could not blame you
+under the circumstances. But it is only within a week or two that I have
+learned of the change in your life; and, Uncle Jacob, I am sincerely
+glad that you did not lose your fortune, as we supposed.”
+
+“Thank you. Then you do not feel aggrieved over the ruse I played upon
+you?” replied Mr. Rosevelt, regarding him searchingly.
+
+“Not at all; it was no more than right that you should wish to know who
+was worthy to be your heir,” but he sighed heavily as he spoke, as he
+remembered how unworthy his wife had proved herself to be.
+
+“How goes the world with you?” Mr. Rosevelt asked, and noticing the
+return of the care-worn look to Mr. Richards’ face.
+
+“Rather discouragingly just now. I have met with some pretty heavy
+losses lately; don’t know whether I shall be able to pull through all
+right or not. A couple of weeks will tell the story, however.”
+
+He spoke in a desperate tone, and there was a look in his eyes that made
+Star shudder and involuntarily draw closer to Mr. Rosevelt.
+
+“You don’t mean that you are in danger of going under?” he said, in
+surprise, and remembering how his wife and daughter had flourished at
+Newport.
+
+“Just that,” Mr. Richards returned, nervously; “but if it was not for
+the horror I have of debt, and the thought that others must suffer
+through me, I would gladly lay down my arms and give up the battle; I am
+tired to death of this endless struggle to keep up appearances. But,” he
+added, trying to speak more cheerfully, “I won’t bore you with my
+troubles. How well you are both looking; and Star—they tell me _you_ are
+the author of ‘Chatsworth’s Pride.’ I declare I was never prouder of
+anything in my life when I heard it. I always knew you’d make your mark
+in the world.”
+
+Star colored. She was a trifle sensitive regarding compliments of this
+kind, and never talked about her book if she could help it, except with
+those whom she was sure were her true friends.
+
+But she thanked him gracefully, and then turned the conversation to some
+other topic, while all the time she was wondering if there was not
+something that she could do to help or comfort him in his trouble.
+
+“Now that I have found you,” he said, later, “tell me where you live and
+I will come to see you. I will not invite you to Brooklyn,” he
+continued, with a frown, “for I know you could not come there with any
+comfort, though I should be glad enough to see you there.”
+
+While he was speaking, Star had drawn a little back, so that Mr.
+Rosevelt was between her and Mr. Richards, and he could not see her face
+at all.
+
+“Uncle Jacob,” she whispered, close to his ear, “cannot we do something
+to help him out of his trouble? He looks so wild and desperate that he
+frightens me. He was always kind to me, and I’ll willingly give up
+California or anything else you please.”
+
+Jacob Rosevelt’s face flushed hotly at these words, and a strange gleam
+came into his fine eyes. He appeared to take no notice of her plea, but
+after giving Mr. Richards their street and number, continued:
+
+“If you have no other engagement, George, come up and dine with us
+to-night, and see how cozy we are. We have dinner at six, and as we
+leave for California on Wednesday night, I am afraid we shall not see
+you again.”
+
+George Richards caught his breath with a sudden gasp at this
+intelligence, and Star noticed again that frenzied gleam in his eyes
+which had made her heart throb painfully.
+
+“California, do you?” he said, trying to speak steadily. “Well, I will
+come, of course, then; for life is uncertain, you know, and I may never
+see you again,” he added, with a harsh, grating laugh. “Thank you for
+the invitation, and as I have no engagement, I will be on hand in season
+for dinner. But I must be off now, for I have agreed to meet a couple of
+gentlemen at twelve, and it only wants fifteen minutes of that now.”
+
+He lifted his hat and bowed to them, then turned away; but the
+white-haired gentleman and the beautiful girl who stood looking after
+him saw the aged, dejected look return almost instantly to his face, and
+heard the heavy sigh that escaped his lips, telling of some fearful
+burden of care that was wearing his life away.
+
+“So you want me to help George Richards out of his trouble, do you,
+Star?” Mr. Rosevelt said, on their way home, and his eyes rested fondly
+on the graceful figure sitting by his side, driving her pretty gray
+ponies.
+
+“Perhaps it was presuming in me to ask you to do so, Uncle Jacob,” Star
+answered, gravely, and flushing a vivid crimson; “but I feel very sorry
+for him. He was kind to me in many ways while I was living with his
+family, and but for him I should have been made a common servant.”
+
+When George Richards was ushered into Jacob Rosevelt’s luxurious and
+cozy dining-room that evening, where the table was laid with exquisite
+taste for three, his eyes lighted, and the look of care vanished as if
+by magic from his face.
+
+Three times after dessert Star made Mr. Richards let her fill his tiny
+cup with the delicious coffee; then she playfully told him that she
+should not give him any more, but if he would come into the library, she
+would try and see what she could do toward intoxicating him in some
+other way.
+
+“I have not forgotten how fond you are of music,” she added, smiling,
+“and I want you to tell me if you do not think I have improved some
+since you last heard me play.”
+
+She slipped her hand through his arm and led him into the library, while
+Mr. Rosevelt watched her with humorous eyes as she performed this labor
+of love.
+
+Seated at the piano, she whiled away another hour, making George
+Richards forget everything disagreeable, and appear the pleasant, genial
+gentleman whom she used to know.
+
+“‘Richard is almost himself again,’ I think,” she thought, with a happy
+little smile, as once, after a comic song which she sang to him, he
+leaned back in his chair and laughed long and heartily.
+
+But this could not go on forever, and finally Mr. Rosevelt gradually led
+him to talk business, and asked him to tell him just what his trouble
+was.
+
+This changed everything, and he became at once the anxious, care-worn
+man again.
+
+“I do not like to trouble you, Uncle Jacob,” he said, uneasily. “You
+have had your day of business, with all its cares and perplexities,
+without bothering your brain with those of other people. I’m in a
+terrible muddle, it is true; but—I guess there will be _some way_ out of
+it;” and there came into his eyes that same wild, desperate look which
+Star had noticed in the morning, and which made her shudder with a
+terrible fear.
+
+But Mr. Rosevelt insisted, and finally drew from him a true statement of
+facts.
+
+“I am sorry you are having such a hard time of it, George,” he said,
+thoughtfully, when he had concluded. “How much would it take to relieve
+you of your embarrassment?”
+
+Mr. Richards cast a startled look at the old gentleman at this question;
+then, while a deep flush mounted to his brow, he said:
+
+“I can raise enough to meet all my present liabilities with ten thousand
+dollars. I have tried to borrow it everywhere, but everybody seems to
+have become suddenly shy of me for some reason, and I might as well be
+without a dollar in the world as without the whole amount. If I _could_
+raise it, it would set me on my legs again, for my credit would be good,
+and, with care and patience, I believe I could retrieve my position.”
+
+Star almost held her breath while she waited for Mr. Rosevelt’s reply to
+this.
+
+To her infinite surprise, he turned to her.
+
+“My dear,” he said, gently, “you shall return some of the kindness of
+which you told me this morning. I think you understand what I want you
+to do.”
+
+He glanced as he concluded toward the private drawer in his desk, where
+he always kept his check-book, and she knew that he wanted her to go and
+fill out a check for the amount that Mr. Richards had named.
+
+She arose, went to the desk, unlocked the drawer with trembling fingers,
+and drew forth the book.
+
+Opening it, she filled out a check, as she had often done for him during
+the last few months, then tearing it out, carried it to him, with a pen
+filled with ink.
+
+He turned it over and wrote his name on the back without a word, and
+then returned it to her to sign.
+
+She took it mechanically, but stood irresolute for a moment, looking at
+him, while her cheeks grew crimson.
+
+“Give it to him, dear; it is to be your gift,” Mr. Rosevelt said,
+glancing at Mr. Richards, who sat staring at them both in blank
+amazement.
+
+A brilliant smile parted Star’s red lips; she shot a grateful look at
+Uncle Jacob, and advancing to their visitor’s side, laid the check down
+before him.
+
+One glance at the figures, and the overburdened man bowed his head upon
+the table with a groan.
+
+“I cannot take it! I cannot take it—and from _you_, of all persons!” he
+said, brokenly.
+
+“Why not from her?” Mr. Rosevelt asked, huskily. “All that I have
+belongs to this dear girl, and, as I have told her many times, I live
+only to make her happy. _She_ asked me to do this to-day after we had
+met you, because, she said, you had been kind to her in the past, and
+she longed to help you out of your trouble. So take it as her gift, my
+boy; make the best use of it that you can, and welcome.”
+
+George Richards groaned again, while he reached forth and grasped the
+old man’s hand, wringing it in silent gratitude, yet overwhelmed with
+shame and remorse as he remembered all that he and the fair-haired,
+gentle girl standing beside him had suffered while they were members of
+his family.
+
+He had no words of thanks to offer for this generous help in time of
+need, but if ever a world-weary heart was relieved of a burden too heavy
+to be borne, his was, when at length he folded that precious bit of
+paper and put it away for future use.
+
+When he arose to take his leave, he took both of Star’s hands in his and
+drew her aside, where he could speak to her alone.
+
+“But for you,” he said, in unsteady tones, “I should have been a ruined
+man a week hence. To tell you that I am _ashamed_ to receive this gift
+from you does not express half what I feel, when I look back and
+remember your position in my family. But you have bestowed it so kindly
+and delicately that it would be churlish in me to refuse it; and you
+have taught me a lesson which, God helping me, I will never forget—a
+lesson of forgiveness and charity; and _no one_ in my house shall ever
+be treated unkindly again, no matter what their position may be,” he
+concluded, with stern resolution.
+
+“Please forget all the past, Mr. Richards,” Star returned, sweetly, but
+with evident embarrassment. “I never entertained any feeling save that
+of gratitude and good-will toward you, for you proved yourself
+interested in my welfare in more instances than one while I was with
+you. But,” she added, solemnly, while she clung tightly to his hands,
+and looked into his eyes with an expression which made them droop
+guiltily before her, “will you not promise me that, no matter how dark
+the future may be to you, no matter what trials or disappointments may
+come to you, you will never again meditate _doing yourself an
+irreparable wrong_?”
+
+A streak of dusky red shot across the man’s forehead, while his veins
+filled out hard and full.
+
+“Star,” he stammered, “what do you mean?—what do you know?”
+
+“_You_ know what I mean. I read it in your eyes, I heard it in the tones
+of your voice this morning. But, oh! my friend,” and her voice was full
+of tears, “remember that you are ‘bought with a price’—you are _not your
+own_. Promise me.”
+
+He raised her hands and kissed them reverently, and two hot tears rolled
+over his cheeks and dropped upon them in the act.
+
+“I promise,” he whispered, hoarsely. “My child, I should indeed have
+been ruined, body and soul, but for you. God bless you!”
+
+Star and Mr. Rosevelt followed him to the door as he went out, both
+trying to cheer him with kind wishes for the future.
+
+“Good-night and good-by,” the young girl said, in tones that sounded to
+him like an angel’s voice, as she stood in the door-way and watched him
+go down the steps. “Be sure to come and see us again when we return; the
+latch-string is always out, as they say at the West, for our friends.”
+
+A mighty sob burst from the overcharged heart of George Richards as he
+reached the street, and the tears—tears of mingled remorse, gratitude,
+and relief—rolled thick and fast over his face.
+
+“Thank God,” he murmured, fervently, “for the light of that ‘star’ in
+the midst of what was worse than Stygian darkness. But for its friendly
+beams and cheering influence, I should have been lost indeed.”
+
+He had proceeded some distance, when he stopped short and seemed about
+to retrace his steps.
+
+“How thoughtless of me!” he muttered, impatiently. “I meant to tell her
+all about Lord Carrol. He deserves to be set right with her, and she
+deserves—well, _nothing_ can be too good for her; but they knocked
+everything out of my head by their unexampled generosity. I will not go
+back to-night,” he added, after thinking a moment; “I will write her
+to-morrow the whole story.”
+
+But the morrow brought its busy cares and perplexities, and his
+resolution was forgotten. After that it was too late, for he did not
+know where to address her during her absence; and so Star still believed
+her lover to be false, and still mourned her shattered idol.
+
+
+
+
+                            CHAPTER XXXIII.
+                         “YOU ARE THE TRAITOR.”
+
+
+Mr. Rosevelt, Star, and Grace Meredith, with good-natured Mrs. Blunt to
+attend to matters of comfort, started on the day appointed for their
+Western trip, full of bright anticipations of the pleasures in store for
+them; and while they are gone, we will follow Ralph Meredith on his
+voyage across the Atlantic to the old world.
+
+Arriving in London, he transacted what business he had to do there, and
+then turned his attention, with what interest he could muster while his
+heart was still so sore from his recent disappointment, to the
+attractions which the great city afforded.
+
+He visited the House of Parliament, the Tower, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the
+National Gallery of Art, and many other points of interest, reserving
+Westminster Abbey until the last, as he wished to give plenty of time to
+this wonderful and magnificent structure and its countless curiosities.
+
+Upon his second visit thither, and while he was in the chapel of Henry
+the Seventh, with his guide, who was pointing out for his admiration the
+beauties of its architecture, the vaulted roof, with its magnificent
+carvings, and many precious relics gathered there, a clear, sweet voice
+suddenly broke the solemn stillness of the place by calling out just
+behind him:
+
+“Why, Archie Sherbrooke, do you know what time it is? Quarter past
+eleven, and we promised Lady Dunham that we would be back in season to
+attend the rehearsal at the Albert Memorial Hall with her.”
+
+Ralph had thought that he was the only visitor there that morning, and
+that silvery voice speaking that name, which he remembered but too well,
+gave him a shock which sent the blood coursing like fire through his
+veins.
+
+“It is later than I thought, Vivien; we must go at once, if we keep that
+appointment,” a rich, manly voice said in reply; and turning quickly to
+look at the speaker, Ralph saw a tall, handsome young man of perhaps two
+or three-and-twenty, with the head of an Apollo, the form of an Adonis,
+and having a keen, intellectual face, with frank, truthful eyes, and a
+pleasant, winning smile.
+
+The lady who accompanied, and who addressed him, was a year or two
+younger evidently, and _almost_ as lovely as Star, Ralph thought,
+although her beauty was of a different style.
+
+Archie Sherbrooke! There surely could not be two young men of the same
+age, handsome as one of the gods, and bearing the same name.
+
+His heart had bounded into his throat as he heard it spoken, his face
+had flushed a painful crimson, while his hands instinctively clinched
+themselves in hot indignation, and he longed to confront the handsome
+traitor and denounce him for the villainous part he had played.
+
+This, then, must be the man who had broken Star Gladstone’s heart and
+ruined her life; there was not a doubt of it in his own mind.
+
+Yes, he was sure this was the Archibald Sherbrooke of whom Star had told
+him.
+
+Who, then, was the woman who had been with him? Was it his wife?
+
+He did not think she was his sister, for, except in the color of her
+hair, she did not resemble him in the least.
+
+Were they Americans, and traveling, like himself, in the kingdom?
+
+Perhaps, if they were married, they were thus spending the honeymoon;
+but they had spoken of “Lady Dunham” in a way to make him doubt that
+they were his countrymen.
+
+Such thoughts as these tortured him, and he became possessed to seek out
+the young man and discover if he were indeed Star’s recreant lover.
+
+The young lady had spoken of a rehearsal at the Albert Hall. He knew
+there was to be a concert there that evening, and possibly it might be
+an outgrowth of the rehearsal. He would go and see.
+
+Accordingly, at the hour designated upon the bills, he went, armed with
+a powerful opera-glass, and procuring a conspicuous seat, he swept tier
+after tier of faces, searching for those which he had seen in the
+morning.
+
+But disappointment was the result of his efforts; for that fair, girlish
+face was nowhere to be seen, nor could he find him who had been the
+young lady’s attendant.
+
+Suddenly, however, a strangely sweet, bird-like voice, rising clear and
+full on the air, drew his attention to the stage, and there, with a
+thrill which tingled through every nerve, he saw the lovely girl for
+whom he was looking.
+
+Ralph Meredith sought for her name upon his programme, which stated that
+the concert was given, under the auspices of some of the nobility, for
+some charitable object, and that the talent was all amateur.
+
+“Miss Vivien Sherbrooke,” he read, and he again experienced that sudden
+heart-throb.
+
+She was not, then, Archibald Sherbrooke’s wife, but, in all probability,
+his sister.
+
+He listened intently throughout her song; and then, as the sweet voice
+died away, and she turned to leave the stage, he leaned breathlessly
+forward to watch her, while thunders of applause went rolling up into
+the heights bove him.
+
+She came back again after a moment, slightly flushed at the _encore_,
+but in a graceful, modest way, and sang a simple ballad.
+
+She was as sweet and charming as she could be, and when at length she
+ceased and went away again, Ralph Meredith heard a long-drawn breath, as
+of relief, directly behind him, while a voice said:
+
+“I believe Vivien _never_ sang so well before; but I am glad that part
+of the programme is over.”
+
+“Yes,” replied deeper, but more familiar tones; “I was a trifle anxious
+myself, although I know she never fails in what she undertakes. Vivien
+is a jewel!”
+
+“You are right, Archie. So is my son; and I am surprised that, at your
+age, some one has not won you both away from me,” returned the lady, in
+suppressed, but fond and playful tones.
+
+“You are not anxious to get rid of either of us, I hope, mother?”
+
+“No, indeed; and yet it would be expected in the natural course of
+events; and with so many fair maidens and gallant young gentlemen
+playing the agreeable to me, I cannot but feel some curiosity as to who
+will eventually get my treasures.”
+
+There was no reply to this speech, but Ralph was sure he heard a sigh.
+
+After a few moments he turned and ran his eye with seeming carelessness
+over the sea of faces behind him, glancing at those two to whose
+conversation he had just been listening.
+
+It was even as he had surmised when he heard that manly voice.
+
+Archibald Sherbrooke sat directly behind him, and beside him a noble,
+matronly looking woman whom he closely resembled; but there was an
+unmistakable look of pain upon the young man’s face, and a wistful,
+anxious look in his handsome eyes.
+
+“Not married, after all this time, and with that sorrowful face and
+bitter sigh. I begin to think there may have been a misunderstanding of
+some kind, instead of a willful wrong,” he said to himself. “He does not
+look like a man to prove treacherous to a woman,” he added; “there is
+something noble and prepossessing about him; and yet Star said she
+denounced him to his face.”
+
+When the concert was over, and while he was slowly passing out with the
+crowd, some one at his side suddenly exclaimed:
+
+“Halloa, Meredith! where on earth did you come from?” and a friendly
+hand grasped and shook his with a vigorous cordiality.
+
+“Alden! is it you?” he cried, in return. “I might ask the same question
+of you, since I had not a thought of seeing you here; but since it is
+evident that we are both Americans, it is safe to assume that we came
+from ‘over the seas and far away.’”
+
+“When did you arrive? Where are you stopping, and how long do you stay
+in London?” demanded Alden, his tongue going like a race-horse.
+
+“Well,” Ralph returned, laughing, “you mean to know all about me, I see.
+I arrived a week ago yesterday; I am stopping at the Midland Grand, and
+my stay is—indefinite.”
+
+“Good! but now I have found you, I mean to keep an eye upon you. I tell
+you it sets a fellow up wonderfully to see a home-face. Have you any
+other engagement for this evening?”
+
+“No.”
+
+“Then come with me. I have an invitation to Lady Stamfield’s
+reception—and, by the by, she does entertain charmingly—with permission
+to bring as many friends as I choose. Come; my lady is a delightful
+hostess, besides having two of the loveliest daughters in the world.”
+
+“Such an inducement as the latter I am unable to resist,” Ralph
+responded, with a smile. “I will come with pleasure.”
+
+“You’re a sensible fellow,” replied young Alden, as, linking his arm
+familiarly in that of his friend, he led him away.
+
+Ralph found Stamfield House a delightful place. Lady Stamfield all, and
+more, than Herbert Alden had promised him in the way of a hostess, and
+the Misses Stamfield, young ladies of eighteen and twenty, pretty and
+talented, and entertaining enough to make an hour or two pass very
+agreeably.
+
+He was very cordially received upon being presented by his friend, and
+introduced to a number of pleasant people, and he began to think that he
+had not seen the best side of London after all, since he had not
+heretofore been favorably impressed with its citizens.
+
+After he had danced two or three times, young Alden sought him again,
+and took him away to the billiard-room, which, for that evening, had
+been set apart for a smoking-room.
+
+“I want to introduce you to some fine fellows,” he said, on the way
+thither, “‘bang up’ boys, we should say in America, who will give you a
+good time while you stay here.”
+
+He found a dozen or twenty young men gathered in the billiard-room, and
+was introduced to several of them by his friend.
+
+He spent half an hour very pleasantly there, and then began to think
+that it was time that he was getting back to his hotel, for it was a
+long distance from that portion of the city.
+
+He stood by the billiard-table alone for a moment, waiting to bid young
+Alden good-night, when suddenly he heard his voice at his elbow,
+introducing him to “Lord Carrol, of Carrolton.”
+
+He half put out his hand, glanced up at the stranger, started, withdrew
+it, and bowed stiffly to his lordship. He had recognized Archibald
+Sherbrooke!
+
+The fine, genial face of the young peer clouded at the act and his cool
+greeting; but, with his natural good-breeding, he appeared not to heed
+it, and expressed his pleasure at the meeting; while Alden, the
+introduction over, turned away, leaving them together.
+
+“I beg your pardon,” Ralph said, the hot blood mounting to his brow, for
+his loyal heart could not forget Star and her wrongs, “I have heard you
+addressed twice to-day by another name—Archibald Sherbrooke. Has my
+friend made a mistake in introducing you to me as Lord Carrol?”
+
+His lordship laughed, and his face cleared instantly.
+
+“No,” he said; “I am both Archibald Sherbrooke and Lord Carrol. I am
+troubled with a plurality of names, which frequently cause mistakes,
+some of which are ludicrous, and some—painful.”
+
+This last statement was supplemented with a heavy sigh.
+
+“But,” he added, more lightly, “I will shake hands with you over
+either,” and he extended his hand again.
+
+But Ralph would not take it.
+
+He drew back a step, and bent a perplexed look upon his companion’s
+face.
+
+“Pardon me again,” he said; “but before I take your hand, allow me to
+ask you a single question.”
+
+“Certainly; a dozen if you like,” Lord Carrol answered, haughtily, for
+Ralph’s refusal to take his hand had hurt him keenly.
+
+“You have been in America?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“You met there a young lady by the name of Miss Stella Gladstone?”
+
+Lord Carrol started as from a sudden shock, and grew pale to his lips.
+
+“Stella Gladstone! What can you tell me of Star Gladstone?” he demanded,
+hoarse from emotion.
+
+“That her heart is broken—her life ruined,” Ralph Meredith answered,
+sternly, for he knew now that he had found his man, and he meant to show
+him no mercy.
+
+He trembled with excitement, and his fingers ached to strangle the
+villain and coward who had so basely betrayed the trust of the loveliest
+woman on earth.
+
+“Her life ruined! _Don’t_ tell me that,” Lord Carrol whispered, with
+white lips, while the look of agony which leaped to his eyes would have
+moved the hardest heart, had it been less sore than Ralph Meredith’s.
+
+“Yes, and _you_ are the traitor who is accountable for it,” he answered,
+hotly.
+
+The young man flushed, and he drew himself up with sudden dignity,
+struggling to regain his self-possession, which had been sadly disturbed
+at the mention of that dearly loved name.
+
+“You forget yourself, sir,” he said, haughtily. “What right have you to
+address me thus? Why do _you_ speak to me in this way of Miss Gladstone,
+and arraign me for what you assert?”
+
+“Why should I _not_?” Ralph Meredith demanded, in low, fierce tones.
+“Did she not tell me with her own lips of your baseness and treachery?
+And do you think that I can take the hand of the man, were he twice a
+lord, who has ruined the life of”—“the only woman whom I ever loved,” he
+was about to add, but something restrained him and made him
+substitute—“an angel?”
+
+Archibald Sherbrooke was very pale now. He was a proud, brave young man,
+and all the hot blood in his composition had been aroused by this sudden
+and unexpected attack from the stranger to whom he had been introduced
+by a mutual friend.
+
+He had uttered words which, under any other circumstances, would have
+made him fell him to the ground and chastise him for his insolence.
+
+But he controlled himself, for he saw that Ralph was a noble fellow,
+although he had constituted himself the champion of the woman whom he
+still loved with a deathless love, and meant to avenge her wrongs if he
+was assured that he had found the right man.
+
+He reasoned, too, that he must be laboring under the same mistake of
+which Star had been the victim, and that the only way to deal with him
+would be to explain just how matters stood.
+
+Besides, a wild hope was springing up in his heart that through him he
+might be able to find her whom he had lost, and whom he never ceased for
+one moment to love.
+
+He laid his hand on Ralph’s arm, and the young man felt it tremble with
+the emotion which thrilled him.
+
+“Come with me,” he said, in a low, earnest voice, “where we can be by
+ourselves, and I will talk this matter over with you. There has been a
+terrible mistake, and my two names have been the cause of it all. I
+loved Star Gladstone devotedly; I love her to-day. I have done her no
+wrong, as I will explain to you, and nothing would have kept me from her
+side if she had not hid herself from me. Come.”
+
+He linked his arm familiarly within Ralph’s, and drew him from the room
+to a small antechamber leading from the hall, and shut the door, while
+the young man was dumb with astonishment at what he heard, and began to
+feel as if he had got himself into a very unpleasant predicament by his
+rashness.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XXXIV.
+                          MUTUAL EXPLANATIONS.
+
+
+“Have _I_ made a mistake? Have I wronged you?” Ralph Meredith asked,
+when the door was shut, while he gazed blankly at his companion, and
+feeling convinced in his heart that no man could show the emotion which
+Lord Carrol manifested at the mention of Star, and willfully betray her.
+
+“If I were not confident that you _had_ made a mistake,” his lordship
+returned, drawing himself up with dignity, though he was still very pale
+and deeply agitated—“if I did not believe that you share in the
+misunderstanding which has been the cause of all Miss Gladstone’s
+trouble and my own exceeding sorrow, I could not pass lightly over the
+disparaging imputation which you have cast upon me to-night. I am no
+traitor, Mr. Meredith. I have never willingly wronged Miss Gladstone,
+for I have loved her, and I _do_ love her to-day, with a deathless love.
+My plurality of names, as I told you before,” he went on, with a wan
+smile, “has been the cause of it all; and if Star has unconsciously been
+made a victim on account of it, I also have suffered in no small degree.
+Sit down, Mr. Meredith, and let me tell you all about it;” and he
+motioned him to a chair.
+
+“Not until I have apologized for my rash words to you, my lord,” Ralph
+said, in a manly, straightforward way, and advancing to him, convinced
+now of his honor, and that he had never intended Star even a thought of
+harm. “Miss Gladstone,” he continued, “confided the story of her grief
+to me only a short time before I sailed for Europe, although she did not
+enter into particulars very minutely. I think she had not the slightest
+idea that I should ever meet you, but I made up my mind at the time that
+if I ever did come in contact with ‘Archibald Sherbrooke,’ which was the
+only name by which she designated you, that I should make him answer for
+the wrong which I believed he had done her. I saw you to-day with a lady
+in the chapel of Henry the Seventh, at Westminster Abbey. I heard her
+call you by the name that I remembered only too well, and was convinced
+I had found Miss Gladstone’s recreant knight. I resolved at once to
+remain in London beyond the time I had originally intended, look you up,
+and call you to account for what you had done. You were at the concert
+in the Albert Hall this evening, but I had no thought of meeting you
+when I came hither, at the invitation of my friend Alden. You can
+imagine, perhaps, something of the shock which I experienced when he
+introduced you as Lord Carrol. This will explain why I refused your
+hand, and why I addressed you in the way I did.”
+
+“I cannot blame you in the least, under the circumstances,” Lord Carrol
+returned, smiling.
+
+“Your words, however,” Ralph went on, “regarding the young lady in
+question, convince me that you are entirely guiltless, and have been as
+great a sufferer from an unfortunate misunderstanding as herself. I
+trust you will accept my explanation, and also my hand with it,” he
+concluded, extending his hand to the young peer.
+
+Lord Carrol grasped and shook it warmly.
+
+“I have no right to harbor any ill-will toward you for espousing so
+gallantly the cause of one who is very dear to me,” he said, cordially;
+“and perhaps, after all, this meeting, which at first promised to end in
+a stormy manner, may be the means of restoring happiness to two very
+unhappy people.”
+
+“I feel assured that such will be the case,” Ralph answered, but there
+was a keen pain in his heart, notwithstanding.
+
+Lord Carrol now wheeled a chair forward and made him sit down; then,
+taking another near him, he related in substance what he had already
+told Mr. Richards regarding his relations with Star, the erroneous
+conclusions she had jumped at upon learning of his title, her refusal to
+allow him to explain his position to her, and her flight on the morning
+after her painful discovery.
+
+Ralph Meredith found it hard to conceal the bitterness which he
+experienced, as he realized how gladly Star would give herself to her
+manly lover when she learned of his fidelity. His heart was still sore
+over his recent disappointment, but his nature was too noble, he was too
+generous in his love for her, to wish to place a single obstacle in the
+way of her happiness, or of the man whom he now deemed worthy of her in
+every respect.
+
+He gave Lord Carrol a history of Star’s life during the last year,
+telling him of her success as a young authoress, and of the happy change
+in her worldly circumstances as the acknowledged ward and heiress of
+Jacob Rosevelt, the millionaire. He spoke also of the admiration which
+her grace and beauty had excited during the past season at Newport.
+
+“I am glad,” Archibald Sherbrooke said, earnestly, and his lip trembled
+as he spoke, “that her life has been made so much brighter during the
+past year, and I shall always be grateful to Mr. Rosevelt for his
+kindness; and yet I am almost selfish enough to wish that _I_ could have
+been the one to raise her to a more congenial sphere. I shall go to the
+United States at once. I must seek her and set myself right with her as
+soon as possible. Will you be so good as to give me Mr. Rosevelt’s
+address?”
+
+“With pleasure,” Ralph responded; “but you will not find them in New
+York just at present, for they, with my sister—who is a very intimate
+friend of Miss Gladstone’s—are traveling in the far West, and will not
+return under three or four months.”
+
+Lord Carrol looked thoughtful and disappointed at this intelligence.
+
+“I must wait, then,” he said, with a sigh, “until their return. The time
+will seem very long, although I am greatly needed here just now, and it
+would be much to my own disadvantage were I to leave before my affairs
+are in a more settled state; but I should let no pecuniary consideration
+deter me from going to Star if I was sure I should find her. However, I
+must submit to the inevitable; and now, Mr. Meredith,” he concluded,
+with a genial smile, “what can I do to make your stay in our city
+pleasant? I am at your disposal for any length of time.”
+
+“Thank you, my lord. My business will not permit my tarrying much longer
+just now; but I intend to return to London in the course of three or
+four months, and shall hope to meet you again then,” Ralph answered.
+
+“I shall most certainly see to it that we _do_ meet again,” Lord Carrol
+returned; “and now, if you have no engagement for to-morrow, will you do
+me the honor to dine with me?”
+
+“It will give me great pleasure to do so. I have no other engagement,”
+Mr. Meredith returned.
+
+He was growing to admire Star Gladstone’s handsome lover exceedingly,
+notwithstanding the fact that he was his own rival.
+
+“Thanks. Now come with me and let me introduce you to my mother and
+sister, who are both here at Stamfield House; and, Mr. Meredith,” the
+young lord added, grasping his hand again, and speaking with emotion, “I
+cannot be sufficiently grateful to you, for you have put new life and
+hope into my heart to-night.”
+
+Ralph tried to feel generously glad for this, but it was not in human
+nature not to experience a pang over the happiness which he knew was in
+store for him, especially when he knew, too, that it would be at the
+expense of his own.
+
+“I am very glad if I have been able to atone in any way for my rudeness
+upon first meeting you,” he said, smiling faintly.
+
+“Do not mention it; you were espousing a good cause, and through your
+championship I shall regain what is far dearer to me than life; so we
+will forget the unpleasantness of a moment, and I trust I may call you
+my friend in the future.”
+
+Lord Carrol then led the way back to Lady Stamfield’s drawing-room,
+where, seeking his mother and sister, he presented his new friend to
+them.
+
+Mrs. Sherbrooke Ralph found to be a handsome, genial matron, with a
+large heart and plenty of Christian charity, although it was plainly to
+be seen that her two children, in her estimation, were perfect in every
+respect.
+
+No one ever before possessed a more noble and devoted son; no one had so
+charming a daughter.
+
+Miss Vivien Sherbrooke was truly that; she was even more beautiful than
+she had appeared to be when he saw her on the stage in the character of
+a songstress.
+
+She was vivacious and witty, and exerted herself to the utmost to be
+entertaining to her brother’s new acquaintance, and Ralph actually
+forgot himself and the haunting pain which had hitherto pursued him
+during all his wanderings, while talking with her and listening to her
+bright conversation, and watching her quick, graceful motions.
+
+“Archie tells me that you are coming to dine with us to-morrow, Mr.
+Meredith,” she said, as her mother came to tell her that it was time for
+them to go.
+
+“Yes, I believe I am to have that pleasure,” he returned, with a glance
+of admiration into her sparkling eyes.
+
+“I am glad, for I have a hundred questions to ask you about America
+which only a true American can answer. You will be sure to come?”
+
+“I certainly shall,” he replied, thinking that those clear gray eyes,
+looking so frankly and smilingly into his, were about as beautiful as
+any he had ever seen.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XXXV.
+                   MRS. RICHARDS’ GREAT EXPECTATIONS.
+
+
+The following day Mr. Meredith, according to his promise, went to dine
+with Lord Carrol at his mother’s elegant mansion near Belgrave Square.
+
+After the meal was over, and the other guests comfortably disposed of,
+Archie took his friend up into the “sanctum,” as he called it, for a
+smoke and a quiet talk.
+
+If Lord Carrol suspected anything of the feeling which Ralph had
+entertained for Star, he gave no sign, but confided to him, as they sat
+there together, more of his hopes and plans for the future, and spoke
+with much more of freedom regarding Star than he had done the day
+before.
+
+When they had finished their cigars, Lord Carrol arose and said:
+
+“Come inside, Mr. Meredith, and I will show you one of my treasures.”
+
+He went back into his “sanctum,” followed by Ralph, and passing by all
+the beautiful paintings, drawings, and engravings which hung upon the
+walls, he walked to an easel which stood in a corner, and removing a
+cloth that covered it, stepped back for his friend to look.
+
+Ralph Meredith gave one look, and then exclaimed, in unfeigned surprise:
+
+“Star!”
+
+“Yes, it is Star,” Lord Carrol said, with a tender smile, as he looked
+upon the portrait. “I am glad you recognize her, for I should be sorry
+if she had changed so much that you could not. This is a picture which I
+love, and which I keep for myself alone. It is very seldom that I show
+it to any one, and I have never told its history to any living being
+until I told it to you last night. As she stood there that morning in
+her modest beauty, severing that tress at my request, I began to love
+her with a love that will never die while I live. I have that little
+lock of gold here now, Mr. Meredith,” he said, touching the
+diamond-studded locket which hung from his watch-chain, “and untold
+wealth could not purchase it from me. Here is the cameo also which I
+gave her in exchange, and of which I told you, too, last night,” and he
+held up his left hand, on the little finger of which gleamed the ring
+that Josephine Richards had made of it. “Ah,” he added, with a sigh, “it
+is hard to think that she could believe me so false—so treacherous and
+cowardly, as to win her love and then cast it aside as of no value.”
+
+“Yet it was very natural for her to think so under the circumstances,”
+Ralph returned, thoughtfully. “You must realize that yourself, for you
+say that on Saturday you declared your affection for her under the name
+of Archibald Sherbrooke, and won an expression of her own for you in
+return; while on the Monday following you appeared in Mr. Richards’
+family as Lord Carrol, who, she had been told, was a suitor for his
+daughter’s hand. It does not seem strange to me that she should think
+the very worst of you. You certainly were in a false position before
+her, and it must have been a severe blow to her pride as well as to her
+affection; for, as we have seen, Miss Gladstone is not lacking either in
+self-respect or spirit.”
+
+“No, I suppose it is not strange; but, oh! if she would but have given
+me one minute, I could have convinced her of her mistake, and all the
+sorrow that has followed might have been avoided,” sighed the young
+lord, as, with another fond glance at the picture, he covered it again
+and turned away.
+
+“You will be more successful when you go to her again,” Ralph said,
+cheerfully.
+
+“Yes,” Archie returned, with firmly compressed lips; “Miss Gladstone
+_will_ listen to me when I go to her again. It is but right that she
+should hear my justification, whether she receives it favorably or
+otherwise.”
+
+“I have no fear of the result,” his guest returned, smiling; “for Miss
+Gladstone acknowledged to me that, in spite of her belief in your
+unworthiness, her affection for you remained the same.”
+
+A flush of joy shot over Lord Carrol’s face at this.
+
+“Did she tell you that?” he asked, eagerly. “Then I will doubt no more;
+and I have _you_ to thank for bestowing such happiness upon me as I
+never expected to know again.”
+
+They spent a half hour longer looking at other pictures, but sweet
+sounds coming up again from the drawing-room distracted Ralph’s
+attention and tempted him below.
+
+“Do I not hear the fair songstress of last night again?” he asked.
+
+“Yes, that is Vivien singing,” replied her brother.
+
+“I am very fond of music; shall we rejoin the company?”
+
+They went down, and, seeking the fair Vivien’s side, Ralph Meredith
+spent a most delightful evening, the memory of which clung to him for
+many a week afterward.
+
+The next morning he left London for a three-months’ tour through
+Scotland, Ireland, and the Continent.
+
+                  *       *       *       *       *
+
+Mrs. Richards sat in her handsome boudoir one morning a few weeks later,
+reading a newspaper.
+
+Something had evidently gone wrong with her, for her face was overcast,
+an angry red glowed in her cheeks, and her eyes gleamed with a sullen
+fire.
+
+The reason for this was the flat refusal, on the part of Mr. Richards,
+to accede to her immoderate demand for five hundred dollars, to purchase
+for herself and Josephine new dresses for the coming winter, and she had
+just returned to her room after the stormy interview.
+
+“I cannot let you have a dollar,” he had said, with a gravity almost
+amounting to sternness, “for I haven’t it to spare.”
+
+“Not a _dollar_, George!” she retorted, with a scornful laugh. “Who ever
+heard of anything so absurd?”
+
+“It is true, nevertheless,” he answered, gloomily. “Two months ago I
+expected that to-day would find us all beggars.”
+
+“What _do_ you mean?” his wife gasped.
+
+“Just what I say; and but for the appearance of a friendly hand just
+when and where I least expected it, I should have been obliged to fail,
+overwhelmed with debt and disgrace, and everything we have—house,
+furniture, horses, and carriages—would all have had to come under the
+hammer of the auctioneer.”
+
+“I cannot believe it,” Mrs. Richards said, growing pale.
+
+“That does not alter the fact, however,” her husband replied,
+laconically.
+
+“Why did you not tell me?”
+
+“I _did_ tell you. I kept writing to you when you were at Newport,
+Ellen, that I could not long endure such a drain upon my purse as you
+were subjecting it to, and that you must curtail your expenses; but you
+paid no heed to me, launching instead into greater extravagances.”
+
+“But I never dreamed that things were so serious as you represented,”
+she said, a guilty flush mounting to her forehead, as she remembered
+that all her lavishness had been to outshine Star. “I never thought you
+were really embarrassed, or I would not have asked for so much.”
+
+“Well, then,” he answered, in a gentler tone, “show your consideration
+for me now, for you and Josephine will have to wear your old clothes
+this winter. My trouble has been tided over for the present through the
+kindness of a friend, but it will require great care and calculation on
+my part to keep my head above board even now. I shall have to begin
+cautiously, or I shall be back again in the slough of despond.”
+
+“But I do not see how we can get along without _some_ new things,” began
+Mrs. Richards, selfishly.
+
+“You must; that is all there is about it,” returned her husband,
+positively. “If you can’t go into society and wear what you have, then
+you must stay at home this winter; and I do not think it would do you
+any harm for once, either.”
+
+Mrs. Richards flushed angrily. When she saw her husband in this mood,
+she knew there was no turning him, and she would be obliged to submit to
+his edict.
+
+“I’m sure I do not see what can have happened to make you so penurious
+all of a sudden,” she said, sullenly.
+
+“Penurious! Oh, Ellen!”
+
+He looked at her yearningly for a moment.
+
+She was a handsome, distinguished-looking woman, and had been a very
+fond and tender wife during the first years of their married life; but
+unlimited indulgence, and constantly mingling in the fashionable world,
+had made her selfish and unfeeling.
+
+“My dear,” he went on, after a moment, “why cannot you comfort me a
+little—give me a little sympathy in my trouble? My burden has been very
+hard to bear alone, and the worst of it has been that I was obliged to
+refuse your requests. You _know_ that I am not penurious—that I never
+denied you anything that I could possibly grant you. Ellen, I wish you
+could be a little more kind to me than you have been of late.”
+
+“I do not know anything about business matters; I could give you very
+little advice or comfort in that way,” she replied, coldly; and then she
+left him feeling very miserable, and in anything but a comfortable frame
+of mind herself, and not a little startled to know that they had been so
+near the brink of ruin as he had represented.
+
+She returned to her own room, picking up the morning paper, which lay
+upon the hall table, on her way. Sitting down, she ran her eye
+carelessly over its columns, while her mind was busy planning some way
+to get along without her accustomed full purse, and “keep up
+appearances.”
+
+Suddenly her glance was transfixed by a paragraph which sent sharp,
+prickling pains throughout her body, and every nerve quivered with
+excitement as she read:
+
+  “The heirs, or nearest of kin to Sir Charles Thornton, late of
+  Halowell Park, Devonshire, England, will find it to their
+  advantage to communicate at once with Compton & Bailey, No. 54
+  Lincoln’s-inn-fields, London.”
+
+Just below this advertisement was a notice of the sudden death of the
+young baronet from diphtheria.
+
+Mrs. Richards sat like one overcome by some violent shock for a few
+moments after reading this account. Then springing to her feet, and
+taking the paper with her, she went back in hot haste to her husband,
+her cheeks crimson, her eyes glowing with agitation.
+
+“If what I suspect should prove to be true, the dream of my life will be
+realized. Sir George and Lady Richards would sound very well, indeed,”
+she murmured as she went.
+
+Her husband looked up as she entered, and she was startled as she
+noticed how pale and care-worn his face had become; but she was too
+eager to communicate her news to pay much heed to it.
+
+“George,” she said, eagerly, “read this!”
+
+She laid the paper before him as she spoke, and pointed to the paragraph
+which had excited her so.
+
+“Well, I have read it, but I do not understand it; I do not know
+anything about Sir Charles Thornton,” he returned, indifferently.
+
+“What are you thinking of, George Richards!” cried his wife,
+impatiently. “_My mother_ was half-sister to Sir Charles Thornton’s
+mother. Sir Charles had no family; there are no other relatives to be
+found on either side, it seems, or his lawyers would not have advertised
+thus, and I believe that _I_ am ‘the nearest of kin.’”
+
+“Nonsense, Ellen! Don’t get such a wild idea as that into your head, for
+you will surely be disappointed,” Mr. Richards answered, skeptically.
+
+“I don’t know about that. But one thing I have long known, and that is
+that the Thornton branch of the family is nearly, if not quite, extinct.
+It is evident that no heirs are to be found in England, or Compton &
+Bailey would not have advertised in the United States papers,” she
+returned, feeling more and more sure in her own mind that her first
+impressions had not been at fault.
+
+“That is a good argument, truly,” Mr. Richards said, with sudden
+interest, and then began to question his wife, and to examine more
+closely into the matter.
+
+The result was that the next steamer bore a long letter to Compton &
+Bailey, No. 54 Lincoln’s-inn-fields, stating Mrs. Richards’ relationship
+to Sir Charles Thornton, of Halowell Park, Devonshire, together with
+proofs of what they asserted.
+
+A month passed, and they had begun to think they had been nourishing a
+chimera, when, one day, there came an answer from Compton & Bailey,
+saying that they had faithfully studied the chronological tables of both
+sides of the Thornton family, and had arrived at the conclusion that
+Mrs. Richards was undoubtedly the nearest of kin to the late Sir
+Charles.
+
+They stated that they had been advertising for a long time in English
+papers, and no one had presented any claim. They had then concluded to
+publish a similar notice in the American papers, and as it had met with
+no other response, they would undoubtedly decide the matter in favor of
+her.
+
+However, they suggested that she come to London at once, as they could
+conclude better what to do after a personal interview.
+
+“If it should prove a ‘wild-goose chase,’ as I fear it will, I can ill
+afford the expense of the trip,” Mr. Richards said, when considering the
+question.
+
+But his wife was all enthusiasm, as well as very sanguine regarding the
+result, and it was at length decided that they should sail as soon as
+practicable, and preparations were at once begun for the voyage.
+
+Mrs. Richards merely remarked to her friends, when informing them of
+their plans, that Mr. Richards was not well; they all wanted a change,
+and had resolved to try what a trip across the Atlantic would do for
+them. Not one word was breathed regarding her expectations, however.
+
+“If I am successful, there will be time enough then to make it public;
+if I am _not_, no one shall ever be able to crow over my
+disappointment,” she said, cautiously, to her husband; although in her
+own mind she had not a doubt as to the issue of the matter, while
+already visions of a title and a life among the nobility of England,
+presentation at court, and a marriage in high life for Josephine, were
+taking shape in her head.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XXXVI.
+                         JOSEPHINE’S AMBITION.
+
+
+Mrs. Richards’ vision of magnificence bade fair to be realized; for,
+upon arriving in London in November, she and her family were most
+courteously received by the firm of Compton & Bailey, who assured her
+that her credentials and proofs of her relationship to Sir Charles were
+incontestable.
+
+“I do not see, madam, anything to prevent you from taking possession of
+the property,” Mr. Compton said, in his most affable tones. “Your
+identity is proved beyond a question as the cousin or half-cousin of Sir
+Charles, and, as far as we have been able to learn, you are the only
+living relative. Lord William Thornton—Sir Charles’ father—had a younger
+brother, but he left his home years ago to go as a missionary to the
+heathen, and has never been heard of since; so it is reasonable to
+suppose that he also is dead, and, as he was unmarried, of course left
+no issue. It will take a month or so to get things in order for you, and
+if at the end of that time everything remains as it is now, you can then
+take possession of your estate, and I am very happy to offer my
+congratulations upon your good fortune.”
+
+Mrs. Richards’ face glowed with pride and happiness; Josephine was
+jubilant, while Mr. Richards was too astonished to be able to really
+appreciate this sudden turning of fortune’s wheel in their favor.
+
+The rent-roll of Halowell Park was fifty thousand pounds or more per
+annum; then there was a fine residence in London, and a sea-side resort
+at Cowes.
+
+It was, indeed, a fortune, coming just at that time of need, calculated
+to turn one’s head, so to speak.
+
+“It is too good to be true,” Mr. Richards said, with a doubtful shake of
+the head. “Ellen, we don’t _deserve_ any such good fortune,” he added,
+remorsefully, as his mind went back to their treatment of Mr. Rosevelt
+and Star.
+
+“Nonsense, George!” she retorted, scornfully. “We deserve whatever we
+can get, and I mean to enjoy this windfall to the utmost. I reckon that
+jade will find it hard work to outshine us after this, and Uncle Jacob’s
+grand airs won’t trouble me in the least in the future. I shall go down
+to Halowell Park this week, see for myself what kind of a place it is,
+and what repairs and improvements are needed on the estate,” she
+concluded, ready to spend money with her accustomed energy and
+lavishness.
+
+Accordingly, in a few days they repaired thither, and were charmed with
+the grand old place.
+
+On their return to London they visited the late Sir Charles’ town house,
+and found that in keeping with the estate in Devonshire, and surely
+their prospects appeared to be as bright as they or any one could wish.
+
+One evening Mr. Compton, the lawyer, who was one of the first among his
+profession in the city, invited them to his mansion to meet some of his
+friends, and they were introduced to a number of people who frequented
+the highest circles in the great city.
+
+Among others, they met Lady Sherbrooke and her charming daughter,
+Vivien, and who, they were not long in discovering, greatly to their
+joy, were the mother and sister of Lord Carrol.
+
+Mrs. Richards was exultant over this piece of good luck, as she deemed
+it, and tried to make herself very agreeable to her ladyship, while
+Josephine sought to ingratiate herself with the younger lady.
+
+“I had the pleasure of meeting your son, Lord Carrol, when he was in
+America,” Mrs. Richards remarked, during her conversation with the young
+lord’s mother.
+
+“Indeed!” she said, looking interested at once, for her children were an
+all-absorbing topic at any time with her.
+
+“Yes; we first met him at Long Branch, a fashionable watering-place, and
+he afterward favored us with a visit of a few days at our country-seat,
+in Yonkers.”
+
+Mrs. Richards was determined to make the most out of the advantages she
+had enjoyed.
+
+“Ah, yes, I believe he has told me something about it,” the lady
+responded, while she thought that if such was the case she must arrange
+in some way to return the compliment thus paid to her idolized son.
+
+If they were successors to Sir Charles Thornton, they would occupy no
+mean position in the social world, she reasoned, and it would be no more
+than right to cultivate their acquaintance, while she could but
+acknowledge that Mrs. Richards was quite a superior appearing woman, and
+Josephine possessed beauty of a very brilliant type.
+
+The half hour that she spent conversing with Mrs. Richards only served
+to strengthen the good opinion she had at first formed, and before they
+left Mr. Compton’s she had arranged with them to spend a portion of the
+following week at their estate in Cheshire.
+
+This was more than Mrs. Richards had expected, but she plumed herself
+upon her tact in managing things so cleverly, and looked forward to the
+visit with no small amount of interest.
+
+The next day, through Lady Sherbrooke’s influence, she received cards
+for a grand reception at Lady Tukesbury’s, who resided in a palatial
+mansion in Piccadilly, and she felt assured that they were now fully
+launched upon a brilliant career.
+
+Of course they accepted the invitation, she appearing in black velvet,
+point lace, and diamonds, while Josephine was resplendent in rich white
+silk and scarlet verbenas, and created quite a sensation in
+“Japonica-dom,” greatly to her mother’s delight and her own
+satisfaction.
+
+“Who is she? Where did she come from?” was whispered on all sides.
+
+“An American? Ah! that accounts for her brilliant style of beauty, then.
+Inherit Sir Charles Thornton estates, do they? In that case they will be
+quite an acquisition to society,” were the opinions expressed and the
+conclusions arrived at by people who were careful in such matters; and
+then seekers for introductions—and seekers for fortunes—pressed forward
+for an introduction to the beautiful young heiress.
+
+But notwithstanding Josephine enjoyed herself, and felt no small degree
+of pride at receiving these attentions from lords and baronets, she
+found herself looking everywhere for one familiar form, one dark,
+handsome face, which she had never forgotten, and which she knew she
+should recognize anywhere and under any circumstances.
+
+“Mamma, I wonder if Lord Carrol is here?” she whispered, when once
+during the evening they happened to be together.
+
+“I don’t know; I will ask Lady Sherbrooke if I have an opportunity,” she
+replied.
+
+She managed to get near her ladyship soon after, and asked:
+
+“Is your son out of town, Lady Sherbrooke?”
+
+“No; he is not out of town. He had another engagement to-night, but he
+said he would drop in in season to take us home,” Lord Carrol’s mother
+returned. “Ah! there he is now,” she added, as she saw him approaching,
+and her face lighted with both pride and pleasure.
+
+He appeared to be greatly surprised to find Mrs. Richards there, but
+greeted her politely, although she felt the restraint in his manner
+which he could not quite conceal.
+
+She beckoned to Josephine, who was not far distant, and presented her,
+with a feeling of pride in her brilliant beauty that she did not try to
+hide.
+
+He shook hands with her, though his face flushed as he remembered the
+awkward position in which she had placed him at Yonkers by
+misrepresenting the motive of his visit there.
+
+“You did not come to see us again before leaving America, after all,”
+she said, in tones of playful reproach, when they had exchanged
+greetings.
+
+“No; my time was so fully occupied that I found it impossible to make
+any calls,” he returned, a shade of sadness coming into his fine eyes as
+he thought of _how_ his time had been employed and the unhappiness it
+had caused him.
+
+“You received my little package, I perceive,” Josephine said, glancing
+at the cameo upon his hand, and with a flush rising to her cheeks.
+
+“Yes; did you not receive my acknowledgment of it?” he asked, in
+surprise.
+
+“No; I have never heard anything from you,” she answered, with downcast
+eyes.
+
+“But I wrote, thanking you. You must have thought me lacking in
+courtesy,” Lord Carrol said, regretfully.
+
+“No—but—Lord Carrol, there has been a misunderstanding about that jewel
+from the first. I really do not know what you believe regarding it, for
+your note was somewhat ambiguous, and I trust you will allow me to
+explain more fully to you sometime how I happened to have it,” Josephine
+replied, with an appealing glance at him from her brilliant dark eyes.
+
+He bowed somewhat coldly in return. He could not forget that his darling
+had said that she _stole_ it from her—that one little treasure which she
+had prized more than anything else in the world, and there could be no
+excuse for, no explanation of, an act so cowardly and cruel, he thought.
+
+“I presume you have heard that we have come to reside in England,” the
+artful girl continued, desiring to change the topic of conversation, yet
+determined to keep him by her side.
+
+“So I have been told. How do you like England and English people so
+far?” he asked.
+
+“Very much. We have been down to Halowell Park, where we expect to
+reside most of the year, and it is delightful there. I hope now that we
+shall sometime see your home, of which you have told us so much. We
+intend to become familiar with all of England.”
+
+“I little thought that day at Long Branch, when Mrs. Richards was
+telling me that you were relatives of Sir Charles Thornton, that you
+would eventually become his heirs,” Lord Carrol said, ignoring her
+evident desire that he should invite her to visit his home, and little
+dreaming that such an invitation had already been given by his mother.
+
+“Mamma thought of it, however, although she did not really expect
+anything of the kind. Do you remember her asking you if Sir Charles had
+any family?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“Well, she knew that there were very few relatives, and she did wonder
+then who would inherit the estates if he should die childless. But it
+seems like some romantic tale to me. I can scarcely realize it even
+yet.”
+
+“How does English society compare with American, in your opinion?” Lord
+Carrol asked, glancing over the brilliant throng around them.
+
+“I am sure, my lord, I should not presume to judge upon so short an
+experience,” Josephine answered, modestly, yet her glance told him that
+she admired one Englishman excessively.
+
+“_I_ should judge,” he said, smiling, “if I could form any opinion from
+the court which I saw you holding as I entered, that you would be
+considered quite an acquisition in London circles.”
+
+He did not say that _he_ should consider her such, and a thrill of pain
+shot through her heart at his indifference; but she appeared to take it
+as a personal compliment from him, and answered, with a shy look:
+
+“Thank you; I find it very pleasant to be here, at all events.”
+
+Her tone, her glance, and the emphasis which she threw into that last
+sentence, would have turned half the heads in that room, but they did
+not move him in the least.
+
+He was constantly thinking of a fair, sweet face, framed in gold; of
+azure eyes, with white lids and long, curling lashes, and smiling coral
+lips, with the gleam of small white teeth between; of his bright,
+beautiful Star—the light of his life.
+
+He was thinking of that day when they drove on the beach at Coney
+Island, when he had told her of his love, and won her promise to be his
+wife; how she had called him “Archie” in those sweet, low tones, which
+had made his heart thrill with an ecstasy it had never known before;
+while this proud, brilliant girl had no power to stir even a feeling of
+friendship in his breast.
+
+She kept him at her side for half an hour or more, and then she was
+obliged to release him, and fulfill an engagement to dance.
+
+But her heart was full of a passionate longing to win his love; he had
+never appeared so grand and manly to her before; and as she stood before
+her glass that night, after her return from Lady Tukesbury’s reception,
+and removed the flowers from her hair and bosom, she said, while she set
+her small white teeth resolutely together:
+
+“I will move heaven and earth to win him; I will bend all my energies to
+become Lady Carrol. A whole year has passed and he has not married;
+there was not even any one present to-night to whom he paid particular
+attention, and it cannot be possible that he is still grieving for that
+milk-and-water beauty, Star Gladstone. No; I have the field clear to
+myself, and I swear I will yet be Countess of Carrol.”
+
+“But suppose he is not to be won—suppose you fail in what you have sworn
+to accomplish by fair means or foul?” whispered something within, with
+such startling distinctness that it almost seemed like a human voice.
+
+“If I fail!” she repeated, growing white to her very lips. “If I
+_cannot_ win the man whom I love with my whole soul, then”—and there was
+a look of wretchedness, almost of despair, in her midnight eyes at the
+thought—“then I will marry some poor fool who shall lose his head over
+my pretty face, and be lady somebody else.”
+
+
+
+
+                            CHAPTER XXXVII.
+                           THE MOCK MARRIAGE.
+
+
+When Lady Sherbrooke informed her son that she had invited Mr. Richards
+and his family to spend the following week with them at their country
+residence, and to help them make merry with a number of their friends,
+his face had clouded instantly, and she saw that he was not pleased with
+the arrangement.
+
+“Have I done anything wrong, Archie?” she asked, much disturbed. “I
+thought you would be pleased. They spoke of your spending several days
+with them when you were in America, and I supposed you would be glad to
+return the civility.”
+
+His lips had curled slightly when she had mentioned that they had told
+of his visit to Yonkers. He thought they should have preferred to keep
+it to themselves, rather than boast of it in order to get a return,
+under the circumstances.
+
+But he said nothing of this, and answered, as brightly as he could:
+
+“No, mother dear; you have done nothing wrong, and I will try and make
+myself as agreeable as possible to your guests. But I must confess that
+neither Mrs. nor Miss Richards is agreeable to me.”
+
+“Why, Archie?”
+
+“I would prefer to say nothing more just now, since they are coming to
+visit us. Perhaps sometime I can tell you why,” he answered,
+thoughtfully.
+
+“I am sorry,” Lady Sherbrooke returned, regretfully, while she studied
+her son’s face wistfully. “I wish I had known of this in season to have
+avoided anything so extremely unpleasant. But they were so profuse in
+their praises of you that I supposed of course that you reciprocated
+their friendliness.”
+
+“Never mind,” he said, lightly; “a week will not be very long. No doubt
+Miss Richards—who, I admit, is a very brilliant girl—will be a great
+addition to your party, and I would not have any little whim of mine mar
+it for the world.”
+
+“Archie, did you ever—” began his mother, with a startled, rueful glance
+at him, as it suddenly came to her that there might be a more serious
+reason for this than she had dreamed.
+
+But he interrupted her, with a laugh.
+
+“No, mother; I never did,” he said, with an amused gleam in his eyes.
+“And now ask me nothing more at present, please; but when your guests
+are all gone, I have a little story for your ear, and shall want a share
+of sympathy and counsel from your wise head and great heart.”
+
+Cheshire House, situated about a dozen miles out from London, and so
+called because it overlooked a little village which, at that time, bore
+that name, was filled to overflowing during the following week, and
+everybody appeared to anticipate a season of intense enjoyment.
+
+We cannot follow the gay company in all their enjoyments, but it was an
+eventful time, during which the hospitable hostess and her lovely
+daughter, assisted by Lord Carrol, spared no effort to make it a
+memorable one; and when, right in the midst of it all, Ralph Meredith
+came by special invitation, one, at least, of that merry number felt
+that everything was complete, and nothing more to be wished for.
+
+The last night of their stay there had been set apart for a great time.
+
+Invitations had been sent in every direction through the county, bidding
+all the young people to gather there and make merry in their own way.
+
+The evening was to be spent in games, private theatricals, and
+masquerade until twelve o’clock, after which hour they were to “trip the
+light fantastic toe” as long as they liked.
+
+It was a merry, merry time indeed, and everybody seemed to vie with his
+neighbor to see who could contribute most to the enjoyment of the
+occasion.
+
+Vivien Sherbrooke and Josephine Richards were declared by each and all
+to be the belles of the evening, notwithstanding they were entirely
+different in the style of their beauty.
+
+The former wore a dress of rose-colored silk, with overdress of tulle
+looped with roses. Ropes of pearls were wound around her fair neck and
+arms and twined in her shining brown hair. Her clear gray eyes gleamed
+with a brighter luster than usual, a deeper flush was on her cheeks, and
+her lips wreathed with happier smiles.
+
+Josephine was in simple white, with not an atom of color to relieve it.
+A peculiarly dainty dress of some soft clinging stuff fell in matchless
+folds of grace around her lithe form, with rare, costly lace for
+garniture, and great poppies, in which diamonds glistened like drops of
+dew, fastened on her breast and in her hair.
+
+This spotless toilet was wonderfully becoming to her clear, dark
+complexion, and her mother’s heart swelled with pride as she looked upon
+her and knew that she was the most distinguished-looking girl among all
+that company of aristocrats.
+
+“She cannot fail to win a high position in the world,” she said to
+herself, as she saw several titled men hovering about her and hanging
+upon her smiles. “If she fail to win Lord Carrol—if he remains blind to
+her charms—there are plenty of others, thank Heaven, who _will_
+appreciate her. There is his grace, the Duke of Anerby, who admires her
+very much, and it would be very nice to be able to say ‘my daughter, the
+Duchess of Anerby;’ but I’m afraid she loves Lord Carrol altogether too
+well,” she concluded, with a sigh.
+
+There could not be much doubt regarding Josephine’s sentiments toward
+his lordship, for, as they stood for a few moments together beneath an
+arch of evergreen which had been erected at one end of the hall, her
+face was raised to his, as she listened to what he was saying, with a
+tender, almost rapt expression, and her eyes were humid with the love
+which filled her heart for him.
+
+He thought that she had never appeared to so much advantage as now.
+During all her stay at Cheshire House she had been more kind and gentle,
+more womanly than he had ever seen her before; and now he lingered by
+her side, realizing how very beautiful she was, and feeling almost as if
+he had wronged her in the past by judging her so harshly, and his manner
+involuntarily became more gracious and friendly toward her.
+
+She saw it, and it made her heart bound with a wild hope, and she became
+so radiant, so fascinating and bewildering, that he wondered if he had
+indeed been nourishing an unjust prejudice against her.
+
+Lady Sherbrooke saw them standing there, apparently oblivious of
+everything and everybody else, and an anxious look shot into her face,
+for she had studied Miss Richards during her unguarded moments the past
+week, reading her character like an open book with her womanly
+intuition, and she knew that she would never make a good man happy; she
+would never yield that wifely self-sacrifice which was necessary to
+domestic enjoyment; and seeing how passing fair she was to-night, she
+dreaded her influence over her idolized son, notwithstanding what he had
+already told her.
+
+Suddenly one merry sprite appeared to be possessed by a novel idea of
+some kind, and went flitting about the room, whispering, laughing, and
+making signs at the pair under the evergreen arch.
+
+The company, who were mostly young people, appeared to join in with her
+proposals, whatever they were, and at length she danced gayly up to Lord
+Carrol and Josephine, saying, eagerly:
+
+“Archie”—she had known him all her life, and being intimate in the
+family, felt privileged to address him thus—“Archie, we have been
+arranging such capital fun, and we want you to agree to help us in it.”
+
+“Certainly I will assist you. You know you are to do exactly as you like
+to-night, and get all the enjoyment you can out of this occasion.”
+
+“Oh, you are perfectly delightful! Isn’t he, Miss Richards?” returned
+the merry girl, with a glance at Josephine, and the look which that
+young lady shot at him, half startled but wholly admiring, together with
+the flush which leaped into her cheeks, answered the question better
+than any words could have done.
+
+“Well, granted that I am all that,” Lord Carrol said, laughing, “what
+next?”
+
+“We are going to have a mock marriage; everybody has agreed that it will
+be something new under the sun, and we’re just in the mood for a wedding
+or any event equally exciting. It is almost on the stroke of twelve, and
+it will be just the thing to wind up with before we begin our dancing.”
+
+“Don’t you think it will seem like trifling with a serious subject?”
+Lord Carrol asked, rather gravely.
+
+“Oh, no. Of course we do not mean anything wrong; it is only for a
+little fun, and we do so want a bride to lead off in the dance,” replied
+the thoughtless girl.
+
+“Well,” the young man returned, lightly, “anything you like, only do not
+let the ceremony be too tedious, for I am ready for my dance, and I
+believe I shall ask you to be my first partner, Minnie. But who are you
+going to have for victims?” he concluded, unsuspicious of the trap he
+was walking into.
+
+“Oh, you’re to be groom, and Miss Richards the bride. She is the only
+one in the room who is dressed all in white, as a bride should be, and
+this green arch is just the place for the ceremony to be performed.”
+
+Lord Carrol felt anything but comfortable over this arrangement. He
+glanced at Josephine to see how she would take it. But she stood with
+downcast eyes, looking the picture of lovely confusion, a beautiful
+color in her face, while he noticed that the hand which held her fan
+trembled visibly.
+
+“Lord Henderson said he would play parson and pronounce the banns,” the
+merry child rattled on, “and he is so portly he will make a first-rate
+one. Now, Archie, you and Miss Richards go into the anteroom yonder, so
+as to come in like a real bridal party. Wait, there is that lovely lace
+shawl of Lady Orton’s; she will lend it, I know, for a vail, and it will
+be just the thing. Now don’t stand there like a pair of bashful lovers,
+for it is only play, you know,” she added, saucily, “but do as I tell
+you, and I will arrange everything, then bring the vail;” and giving her
+two victims a gentle push, the excited girl whisked away to another part
+of the hall.
+
+“Well, Miss Richards, Miss Shelton intends to have everything her own
+way, and I do not see but what we shall be obliged to help her carry out
+her plans.” Lord Carrol said, trying to speak lightly, and to make the
+best of a very—to him—disagreeable situation.
+
+“You certainly do resemble a bride in your dress,” he added, “more than
+any one else in the room, and, if agreeable to you, we will assist in
+the little piece of folly just to please the child.”
+
+Little piece of folly!
+
+If he could but have known of the tumult that was raging within her at
+the mere thought of such a ceremony in connection with him, he would not
+have called it that—it would have been sacrilege!
+
+She was trembling like a leaf, and she knew that that marriage service,
+though but the meaningless freak of a wild girl, would seem as solemn to
+her as if he were really to make her his wife.
+
+That was “folly” without doubt, but she loved him so that she could not
+help the feeling.
+
+He offered her his arm, and they retired to the anteroom together, and
+Lord Carrol could not help perceiving the strange thrill which pervaded
+the girl’s whole frame as her hand came in contact with his arm.
+
+But they were not left long alone, for Minnie Shelton soon came tripping
+in with an exquisite point lace shawl hanging over her arm.
+
+“Everybody is on the _qui vive_,” she said, breathlessly, “and we must
+not keep them waiting. Sit down, Miss Richards, on this divan, and let
+me pin this shawl on your head; it will make a lovely bridal vail.
+There, Lord Carrol, isn’t she charming?” she asked, after she had
+dextrously arranged it in graceful folds. “Doesn’t she look like a
+_real_ bride?”
+
+“I think your efforts have been eminently successful to make her appear
+like one,” he answered, smiling; and certainly Josephine was as lovely
+as it was possible for any one to be.
+
+“I only hope, my lord, that when you _do_ get married you’ll find
+somebody half as beautiful,” retorted the saucy elf. “There, you’ll do;
+now go, for they are all waiting, and the parson is ready to pronounce
+the banns.”
+
+Lord Carrol felt very uneasy, but he offered his arm to Josephine again,
+and her hand fell upon it, white and soft as a snow-flake.
+
+They passed out into the great ball-room and paused under the green
+arch, while murmurs of surprise and admiration greeted them from every
+side, for the addition of the lace shawl to Josephine’s already charming
+toilet had greatly enhanced her appearance.
+
+Two or three young girls, led by Minnie Shelton, advanced and took their
+station by her side to act as bride-maids, and then Lord Henderson, clad
+in a long white robe improvised for the occasion, came forward and read
+the marriage service.
+
+When the ring was called for, the gay girl who had planned all this
+reached behind the bride and tucked one into Lord Carrol’s hand.
+
+He was strangely impressed, a feeling of awe, a chill, creeping over him
+as he felt it and thought of its significance. But he took it and put it
+on the finger of the mock bride, repeating, “with this ring I wed thee,
+and all my goods endow thee,” feeling as if he were going through a
+mockery almost too horrible to endure.
+
+Josephine, too, trembled visibly, while the hand that he held was as
+cold as ice.
+
+She would have given the world to have been able to control herself, for
+she feared that the company would suspect something of the tumult in her
+heart, but she could not.
+
+However, when the ceremony was over, the gay crowd came forward,
+brimming with mirth, and in the jollity that followed, these impressions
+in a measure passed away.
+
+There were laughter and compliment on every lip, shaking of hands and
+congratulation on every side, until at length Minnie Shelton put a stop
+to it by coming forward and saying:
+
+“The musicians are all ready, Lord Carrol; you’ll have to dance the
+first quadrille with your bride; I’ll claim you for the second. Hasn’t
+it been a lovely wedding, though?—just as if it had been real, you
+know—and we’ve had all the fun without any flurry. My!” perking her
+restless head on one side and eying Josephine out of her bright eyes
+like some pretty bird, “don’t I hope I may make as charming a bride when
+somebody comes to marry me!”
+
+There was a general laugh at this sally, for Miss Minnie was a favorite
+with everybody.
+
+“Now come, please; and, Lord Henderson, if you have no objection, I’d
+like you for a partner, and we will be the happy couple’s _vis a vis_.”
+
+Without waiting for his consent, she slipped her little hand within his
+arm and led him along after Lord Carrol and Josephine, who could do
+nothing but obey her commands.
+
+
+
+
+                            CHAPTER XXXVIII.
+                           “I HAVE BEEN MAD.”
+
+
+When that first dance was over, Lord Carrol led Josephine to a seat,
+and, bowing before her, said, in as light a tone as he could command:
+
+“Thank you, Miss Richards. I suppose our part in this little farce
+closes now. Allow me to congratulate you upon having assisted in
+carrying it off in the most perfect manner. I must confess,” he added, a
+slight shade falling over his face, “that it does not strike me as just
+the thing to make a mockery of sacred subjects; but since Minnie
+Shelton, who is a veritable witch, and our guests have enjoyed it,
+perhaps I should not preach about it.”
+
+Josephine looked up at him with a strange glitter in her eyes, while her
+face was crimson.
+
+Oh, if he would but utter one fond, tender word to her—if he would but
+give her a sign even, to show that his heart had been thrilled like her
+own while they were standing there side by side!
+
+He noticed her heightened color, and thought she looked at him queerly,
+but he never mistrusted the storm that was tearing her heart asunder.
+
+“I fear you are very warm,” he said, kindly. “Shall I get you an ice?”
+
+“Thanks, no. I shall do very well,” she answered, constrainedly.
+
+And then, with another bow, he excused himself and left her.
+
+A convulsive sob broke from the girl’s lips as she watched him pass down
+the long room and out at a lower door; then she, too, arose and glided
+through the window near which she had been sitting.
+
+She sped along the wide piazza until she came to the end, where a flight
+of steps led down to a little arbor, or cluster of small trees which
+inclosed a great piece of statuary.
+
+She fled within it, and sinking down upon the granite base which
+supported the marble group, she gave vent to her misery in a burst of
+passionate tears.
+
+Lord Carrol, too, as he passed out of the ball-room, was more deeply
+moved than he would have liked to betray, and not very well pleased
+either with the part he had been compelled to play so much against his
+inclination.
+
+Had his companion been any other than Josephine, perhaps he would have
+felt differently; but he could not forget that he had once been
+represented as her lover, and something in her manner to-night warned
+him that she would not have regretted it had that farce been a _bona
+fide_ marriage service instead, and he was exceedingly annoyed over the
+affair.
+
+He met his mother as he was going through a hall, and she detained him
+by gently laying her hand upon his arm.
+
+“Has anything disturbed you?” she asked, looking up into his clouded
+face.
+
+“No, mother; nothing but that farce which has just been enacted. I do
+not like such things; they seem too much like sacrilege,” he returned.
+
+“Neither do I like them, Archie,” she said, gravely. “We have no right
+to make light of any subject so serious as marriage; but Minnie is a
+wild, thoughtless girl, intent only on the excitement of the moment, and
+did not stop to consider. I must say, though, that Miss Richards helped
+to carry it off splendidly, and appeared the blushing, modest bride to
+perfection. She is a fine-looking girl.”
+
+She said this to sound him, regarding him searchingly all the time that
+she was speaking.
+
+“Yes; she appears to attract considerable admiration,” he replied,
+indifferently, and then passed on.
+
+He went out at the great hall-door upon the veranda, which Josephine had
+just a moment or two ago traversed, and followed almost in her
+footsteps, until he came to that little circle of shrubbery, when,
+instead of going within it, he went around it.
+
+He could not shake off the unpleasant sensations that were upon him;
+everything in his nature had suddenly seemed to become out of tune, and
+he wished to get away from even the sounds of the gay revelers within
+the house, while his thoughts turned wistfully toward the new world and
+Star.
+
+He was getting very impatient to go to her, and he had intended to be on
+his way thither before this, but circumstances had recently transpired
+by which he would be detained another month, and the time seemed very
+long to him.
+
+He paced back and forth in the moonlight for some time, his footsteps
+making no sound on the velvety turf; but all at once, as he passed that
+evergreen circle, within which Josephine still sat, a sob fell upon his
+ear and startled him. He stopped to listen, and heard the sound
+repeated. With his usual energy and decision, he passed around to the
+entrance and approached the group of statuary to ascertain who was
+there.
+
+At first he could see no one, for just then the moon was hidden by a
+cloud, and Josephine’s dress being white, her form blended with the
+marble and could not be distinguished, while she was so absorbed by her
+own emotions that she was not aware of Lord Carrol’s presence until he
+touched her on the shoulder and said:
+
+“Pardon me, you are grieving; is your trouble anything that I can help?”
+
+She sprang to her feet instantly and confronted him, her cheeks blazing
+hotly, her whole form trembling from the touch of his hand.
+
+“Miss Richards!” he exclaimed, in surprise, as he recognized her, while
+involuntarily he recoiled from her, so unexpected and disagreeable—in
+his present frame of mind—was this meeting.
+
+“I thought,” he added, “that you were in the ball-room enjoying yourself
+with the other merrymakers.”
+
+She noticed the coldness of his tone, as well as his unconscious
+shrinking from her, and it cut her to the heart, while at the same time
+it aroused her anger.
+
+“Enjoying myself!” she repeated, passionately and unguardedly; “the
+evening is spoiled for me; everything is spoiled—the world and my life.
+That mockery through which we have just passed has made me _miserable_.”
+
+It was strange, he thought, that they should both feel thus.
+
+“I regret that anything should have occurred to make you so unhappy,” he
+returned. “I hoped while you were the guest of my mother that nothing
+would transpire to mar the pleasure of any one. But,” he added, more
+cheerfully, “you must not allow that farce to oppress you thus. I do
+not, as I have said before, approve of making light of such serious
+things, and marriage, to me, seems like a sacred ordinance. But no harm
+was done, I trust; our friends were amused for a half hour; and really,
+Miss Richards,” he concluded, smilingly, “if, when you come to be
+married in earnest, you make as charming a bride as you did to-night,
+the happy man will be one to be envied.”
+
+“_Don’t_, Lord Carrol,” Josephine cried out, in a sharp tone of pain,
+and laying her hand appealingly on his arm; “_don’t_ say such things to
+me!”
+
+She was trembling like a leaf, and he saw that she was terribly excited,
+while the piteous tone in which she had just spoken went directly to his
+kind heart. He took her hand and drew it under his arm.
+
+“You are nervous,” he said, kindly. “Come and walk with me a few moments
+until you are calmer—the night is almost like summer—then I will take
+you back to the company.”
+
+His tone was so sympathizing, his touch on her arm so gentle, while it
+thrilled every fiber of her body, that it was more than she could bear.
+
+She was going to-morrow, and this man whom she loved with a passion
+almost amounting to idolatry, would be beyond her reach. She would not
+meet him again for months, perhaps never, and this thought, added to her
+other pain, broke her down completely.
+
+She grasped his arm with both her white hands, her heart was beating
+like a frightened bird’s, there was a choking sensation in her throat,
+and bowing her graceful head upon her clasped and trembling hands, she
+burst into a fresh fit of weeping, which was like a tempest.
+
+The young lord found himself in a very awkward position. Those shaking
+hands, that bowed head lying so near his heart, that lithe, quivering
+form, those tears and sobs, told him but too plainly what caused this
+deep emotion.
+
+“Miss Richards—Josephine,” he said, unwittingly using her first name in
+his embarrassment, “let me take you in. You will make yourself ill. What
+can I do for you?”
+
+But she could not control herself. She had abandoned herself too
+entirely now to her passion to conquer it readily, and she sobbed on,
+conscious only of how she loved him, and that she was near him.
+
+Oh! if he could but have returned her love, she would gladly have given
+the best years of her life. There was no sacrifice too great, she
+thought at that moment, for her to make in exchange for the prize she
+wished to win.
+
+“What can I do for you, my friend?” he asked again.
+
+“_Love me!_” burst most unconsciously from her trembling lips.
+
+He started violently. He had not imagined that she would dare to give
+utterance to such words as these; while she knew, the instant that they
+were spoken, that instead of gaining his affection, she had forfeited
+even his respect.
+
+There was a moment of awkward silence. Then Lord Carrol said very
+gravely, but still very gently:
+
+“Miss Richards, you have become so excited over what has transpired,
+that I think you are hardly conscious of, or responsible for what you
+have said. Shall we go in now?”
+
+“No!” she answered, lifting her head proudly, and stifling her sobs,
+although she still clung tightly to his arm, as if she could not let him
+go. “No; I will not go in yet. Having said so much, I must say more. You
+are right. I am not responsible for the words which I have spoken. I did
+not mean to speak them—they escaped me unawares; but since I have spoken
+them, I cannot recall them, and my secret is mine no longer. Oh!” she
+continued, with a heart-breaking sob, “pity me, have compassion on me,
+_forgive_ me!”
+
+“I have nothing to forgive,” he said, kindly; “and, believe me, I am
+very sorry that your nerves should have been so overtaxed to-night;
+but,” and his face flushed, “perhaps it will be better for both of us if
+I tell you that, however much I may esteem you, my heart could never
+respond to the wish you have expressed; it has long been given to
+another. I thought you knew this; I thought your knew that—I loved your
+cousin, Miss Gladstone.”
+
+Her hands dropped from his arm as if they had been burned, while keen,
+quivering pains shot all over her body at this avowal.
+
+Her head came up with a haughty gesture, her eyes blazed with sudden
+anger, her red lips curled with bitter scorn. She had humiliated
+herself—she had bowed her proud spirit to the dust to win him, and now
+he dared to tell her this—dared to tell her that he loved the girl whom
+she hated, whom she had triple cause to hate in that she was far her
+superior in every way—she had won the heart of the only man whom she had
+ever loved, and had laid her under an obligation which she could never
+repay.
+
+“I believe I have been _mad_!” she whispered, fiercely, through her
+tightly shut teeth, which shone like lovely pearls in the moonlight.
+“Yes, I must have been mad,” she went on; “some spirit of evil must have
+possessed me to make me tell you what I have; for—hear me, Lord Carrol—I
+do _not_ love you; I _hate_ you! If I ever had any love for you, it has
+turned to hate now, and I detest the girl whom you profess to love, and
+for whom you have dared to confess your affection, knowing how I hate
+her.”
+
+She pressed her hands wildly to her temples, with a low moan. It was not
+so easy as she thought to hate where she had loved so passionately.
+
+“Do you think it is a light thing,” she asked, hotly, “for a girl to
+reveal the secrets of her heart, as I have revealed mine to-night? Do
+you think there has been no sacrifice of pride or modesty on my part to
+tell you what I have told you? My heart has been burning to ashes while
+standing here by your side, and you have pitilessly tortured me still
+further by telling me that you love Star Gladstone—that girl who has
+only crossed my path to mar my every prospect in life. I thought half an
+hour ago, when I stood beside you during that mock ceremony and spoke
+those sacred words, that if they could only have been real—if I could
+indeed have been made your lawful wife, it would have been like the
+happiness of heaven for me. If you could have but called me by that fond
+name only once—if you had looked tenderly into my eyes and owned me
+yours, I could have asked no greater bliss in life. But, heavens! when I
+break every barrier down, when I forget my womanhood and modesty and
+tell you how I idolize you, you coolly inform me that _you_ love the
+girl _I_ hate. Beware! you have made me an eternal enemy to you both,
+and I will ruin _both_ your lives, as you have ruined mine, if I can.”
+
+She would have dashed wildly by him after uttering those last fierce,
+revengeful words, but he placed himself directly in her path and would
+not let her pass.
+
+He saw now that all his sympathy and kindly feeling had been worse than
+wasted. He had read her character aright from the first; she was totally
+selfish, and her love—if an unreasoning passion like hers could be
+called love—would have made any true man miserable, for her ambition
+would never be satisfied.
+
+He did not wonder now that he had not had more faith in her, and his
+sympathy and sorrow for her were at once turned into contempt.
+
+“Miss Richards,” he began, in a stern, cold voice, and looking down into
+her angry, blazing eyes with a glance which cowed her in spite of her
+passion, “what respect I may have entertained for you heretofore, what
+pity or compassion I may have experienced for your apparent suffering
+to-night, and the only emotion which ever made you appear really womanly
+or gentle in my eyes, has wholly vanished during those last vindictive
+words of yours. I had begun to hope that you had learned lessons of
+charity and kindness during the past year—that you had come to realize
+there was something _more_ required in life than a continual seeking
+after pleasure and the gratification of pride and ambitious desires; but
+I perceive that I was mistaken, and I am sorry, for you will be the
+greatest sufferer. Your declaration of hatred, and your threat that you
+will ruin Miss Gladstone’s and my life, are but idle words; for our love
+is something that malice can never touch, and a month hence I shall be
+on my way to America to make her my wife.”
+
+Josephine uttered a cry of mingled pain and anger at this, and made
+another effort to leave him, but he would not let her go even yet.
+
+“I have not quite finished what I wish to say, Miss Richards,” he
+continued, “and we may as well come to a full understanding at once. I
+have been told of the change in Miss Gladstone’s fortunes. I have,
+indeed, learned much regarding her life while she was with you that has
+both pained and surprised me. I know, too, of some things which occurred
+this year, when you were both visitors at the same fashionable resort.
+You are, it appears, to remain a resident of England, and we may meet
+occasionally in society; but let me tell you I shall never allow any
+such indignity to be heaped upon the future Lady Carrol as that of which
+you were guilty this summer at Newport.”
+
+He saw her start as he said this.
+
+“What do you mean?” she demanded, haughtily.
+
+“I do not think you are so ignorant of my meaning as you appear,” he
+returned, his handsome lips curling with scorn; “but if you wish to be
+reminded of the fact that you publicly twitted Miss Gladstone last
+summer of having once performed the duties of a chambermaid in your
+family, I can do so. But do not let it ever happen again, or I shall
+feel it my duty to make _all_ the facts of the case public.”
+
+“Who has told you all this?” she demanded, angrily.
+
+“That does not matter,” he replied, coldly; “it is sufficient that I
+know it.”
+
+“Ralph Meredith has told you!” she cried.
+
+“Mr. Meredith is my friend—but that is a point we need not discuss, I
+think,” he answered, quietly.
+
+She beat the air frantically with her hands. She felt how little, how
+contemptible she must appear in his sight.
+
+“Perhaps you do not know that he played the role of devoted lover to
+Miss Gladstone this summer,” she sneered, hoping to make him jealous.
+
+Lord Carrol flushed.
+
+He had mistrusted something of this from what Ralph had told him. He did
+not believe that Star would have confessed what she had to him, except
+to convince him that she could never entertain feelings of affection
+toward any one save the man who, as she supposed, had wronged her.
+
+“Miss Gladstone is my affianced wife,” he replied, proudly feeling that
+he had a perfect right to regard and speak of her as such, knowing that
+she still loved him, and that his explanations to her would re-establish
+their former relations. “But,” he added, as he stepped aside now to
+allow her to pass, “it is useless to prolong this interview; only let me
+caution you, Miss Richards, to remember that while you show proper
+respect for me and _mine_, I shall also tender _you_ the respect
+belonging to a lady.”
+
+She was as white as her spotless dress now. He could see by the
+moonlight that she had grown perfectly ghastly, but there was a wild,
+fearful light in her eyes.
+
+“My hate will follow you both,” she said, hoarsely, “and I tell you I
+will ruin your lives if I can.”
+
+She dashed by him with the speed of a fawn and disappeared from his
+sight, leaving him standing there wonder-stricken that a creature so
+beautiful to look upon could possess so depraved a nature.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XXXIX.
+                            A CRUSHING BLOW.
+
+
+The next morning when the company met at breakfast, Josephine
+experienced a feeling of intense relief upon learning that Lord Carrol
+had been called away to London at an early hour on “important business.”
+
+This was the day of their departure also, and she was not sorry to leave
+the house which had been the scene of her humiliation and despair over
+her unrequited love.
+
+The meal was not a very social one, for every one was tired out with
+last night’s dissipation, and it required more of an effort than they
+felt capable of making to be very merry.
+
+After it was over, and as Josephine was passing through the hall on her
+way to her own room, she espied the morning papers lying on the table.
+
+Mechanically she took up one, glancing carelessly over the columns, when
+almost the first thing she saw was a notice of the arrival of a steamer
+from New York two days previous, with a list of the passengers below.
+
+A lurid light shot into her eyes and an angry exclamation burst from her
+lips as she read; for, among the other names in that list, she read
+those of Jacob Rosevelt, Miss Star Gladstone and maid, from New York.
+
+“What on earth can have possessed them to come aboard just at this
+time?” she muttered, with lowering brow. “If they had only waited a
+month they would have missed him, but now they will be sure to meet.”
+
+She took the paper and went up stairs to her mother’s room, and showed
+the notice to her.
+
+She was very angry also.
+
+“It seems as if that girl was bound to be the ruination of us. They are
+continually crossing our path, and I declare it is more than human
+nature can patiently bear. I wonder what has brought them to England?”
+
+“I suppose Uncle Jacob thinks he must give his charming _protegee_ every
+advantage possible,” Josephine sneered, bitterly.
+
+“Well, I’m sure we do not need to mind them now,” Mrs. Richards said,
+with a sigh of satisfaction. “Even if she gets every penny of his money,
+your position will henceforth be far superior to hers.”
+
+“I don’t know about that,” the girl retorted, with a painful flush. “If
+Lord Carrol meets her, and they make up their quarrel, I shall still be
+rather in the background, I imagine.”
+
+“True; I had not thought of that,” her mother replied with a blank look.
+“I wish you could have managed to entrap him, Jo.”
+
+“Jo” bit her lips until the blood spurted from them, as she remembered
+how her “trap” had sprung and wounded only herself.
+
+“Lord Carrol is a _fool_!” she said, passionately.
+
+Her mother looked up at her searchingly, mistrusting that her daughter
+had more reason for her pale face and heavy eyes than she knew of.
+
+“If only that marriage last night could have been a real one, I should
+have been the happiest woman in England this morning,” she said,
+wistfully.
+
+“With one exception,” Josephine thought, with a bitter sigh and a hard
+glitter in her eyes; but she said nothing.
+
+They did not leave Sherbrooke House that day, however. A sudden storm
+came on during the afternoon, too violent to admit of the departure of
+any one, and Lady Sherbrooke would not allow any of her guests to
+mention such a thing. And so the long, dreary day was spent in rest and
+quiet.
+
+But the next day broke bright and pleasant, and just as the company were
+sitting down to the morning meal, Minnie Shelton came dancing into the
+breakfast-room, her cheeks glowing, her eyes sparkling, and her lips
+parted in the brightest of smiles, while a paper fluttered in her small
+hands.
+
+“Such fun!” she exclaimed, merrily. “Here is a description of your ball,
+Lady Sherbrooke, in the Cheshire _Gazette_—the mock marriage and all;
+and the best of the whole thing is, they have written up that event so
+that at a first glance any one would naturally suppose that a real
+wedding had occurred. Listen.”
+
+She held up the paper and read:
+
+  “MARRIED.—At the country residence of Lady Sherbrooke, on the 10th
+  instant, Sir Archibald Sherbrooke and Lord Carrol, of Carrolton, to
+  Miss Josephine Richards, formerly of New York, U. S. A., but recently
+  reported to be the heiress presumptive to the Thornton estates in
+  Devonshire. The fair bride was lovely in her bridal robes, not the
+  least noticeable of which was the exquisite point lace vail, which was
+  also of great value.”
+
+“There—isn’t that too rich for anything?” the gay girl cried; “and do
+look at the mock bride’s blushes!” pointing at Josephine, whose face was
+crimson from varied emotions; “what a pity it is that our handsome groom
+is not here to see them; and one would almost imagine she was a real
+bride by her confusion.”
+
+“Then there follows a long account of the ball, which explains
+everything,” she added, laying down the paper; “but I’m so out of breath
+that I can’t read any more, and you’ll have to peruse it for
+yourselves.”
+
+There was an awkward silence for a moment after she had ceased speaking;
+then Lady Sherbrooke said, in tones of grave reproof:
+
+“Minnie, my dear, what a wild child you are; but you must learn to be
+more thoughtful of the feelings of others.”
+
+“Why, what have I done?” she asked, with great, round, innocent eyes,
+yet a guilty flush rose to her cheeks.
+
+“I am very glad if you enjoyed the ball,” her ladyship continued, still
+gravely; “but I regret that you should have proposed turning so serious
+a subject as marriage into mockery, and I am very sorry—yes, deeply
+displeased, that any one, in writing an account of our gathering here,
+should have given that farce such an appearance of reality, for it might
+make it very awkward, not only for my son, but also for some of our
+guests,” she concluded, with glance at Josephine’s downcast face.
+
+Little Miss Shelton was very uneasy during this reproof, but she
+rallied, and said, lightly:
+
+“But, dear Lady Sherbrooke, it was all done so nicely; and everything
+was so lovely that it almost seemed like a real wedding. I wish we
+_could_ have a real wedding. Won’t somebody get married, please, and
+give me an invitation? I haven’t been to one since I was a little girl
+in short clothes.”
+
+And the elf looked around her so roguishly, and with such an expression
+of mock distress on her pretty face, that the company broke into an
+indulgent laugh, and then the subject was for the time dropped.
+
+But Josephine, watching her opportunity when some of the guests were
+leaving, and people generally were occupied saying farewell, sought and
+found that paper, and slipped it unobserved into her pocket.
+
+                  *       *       *       *       *
+
+In one of the rooms of a beautiful suite of apartments looking out upon
+St. James square, a young girl sat by a window, looking out upon the
+passers-by in the street below.
+
+She was tall, and slender, and graceful as a young elm, her small head
+crowned with masses of golden hair, her eyes—“heaven’s own blue”—looking
+out from under a broad forehead, which was partially concealed by the
+shining mist which lay lightly upon it, her red lips parted with an
+expression of eager interest as she gazed upon the hurrying throng
+below. She was as fair as the day—a perfect picture, upon which the eye
+would love to linger.
+
+It is our Star, fresh and beautiful as ever, but with something more of
+maturity and dignity in her bearing than when we last saw her.
+
+She has been in London just one week, and is enjoying every day, despite
+the proverbial rain and fog, for she has returned to her native land
+once more, and every inch of ground is replete with interest for her.
+
+The past few months have been full of enjoyment, for she has “been
+everywhere and seen everything” in the far West of the New World—at
+least as far as that was practicable, and as she had warned Mr. Rosevelt
+she should wish to do—and with such congenial companions as he and Miss
+Meredith always were the time could not fail to pass pleasantly.
+
+But she had turned her face with even keener anticipations toward
+England’s shores, while not even the memory of her previous terrible
+experience at sea had power to make her shrink from the long voyage, or
+mar the delight of this glad return.
+
+As she sits there in her handsome parlor, looking out upon the street, a
+door opens, and Jacob Rosevelt enters.
+
+He looks younger and in better health than we have ever seen him before,
+while his face is animated and genial, as if life was at its brightest
+with him.
+
+Star looked around as he entered.
+
+“How quickly you have returned, Uncle Jacob,” she said, rising, and
+going to meet him, and taking his hat.
+
+“Yes; I knew you would be impatient for your letters, and, as there is
+quite a budget to be gone through with, I thought it best not to keep
+you in suspense.”
+
+As he spoke he drew from his capacious pocket a half-dozen letters, and
+as many papers, which he had just received from the American Legation,
+and half of which he gave into Star’s own hands.
+
+“This is from Grace, this from Mr. Appleton, and—this must be from
+Nattie Browning, to whom I gave up my position as a teacher,” she said,
+running the letters through her white fingers.
+
+She laid the papers, which, of course, were of minor importance, upon
+the table, and, sitting down in a low chair, carefully cut the ends of
+the envelopes, and was soon deep in the contents of her news from beyond
+the sea.
+
+It took her nearly an hour to read them all.
+
+Miss Meredith’s was full of chat and innocent gossip, just like that
+charming young lady’s own self, and contained a number of commissions
+and charges, not the least important of which was that Star must be sure
+to hunt up her brother Ralph, who wrote that he should spend nearly the
+whole of the month of December in or near London.
+
+Mr. Appleton’s letter was mostly on business, and regarding the book she
+had written, as well as another which he wanted her to write. It
+contained also a check, and Star always felt very proud whenever these
+bits of paper came made out to her. They gave her a feeling of
+independence and pleasure which no other money did.
+
+The third letter was an entertaining one from a classmate—a poor girl to
+whom she had, as she said, resigned a position as teacher upon finding
+herself the heiress to a million.
+
+After reading these she took up her papers in a listless way; she did
+not feel much in the mood for looking them over; they seemed tame and
+uninteresting after the letters.
+
+But all at once she noticed that one was not a home paper; it bore the
+London postmark, and was addressed in a hand she did not recognize.
+
+“It cannot be from Ralph Meredith,” she said to herself, “for he does
+not know that I am here. Besides, it is not his handwriting. I wonder
+who could have sent it?”
+
+She opened it with considerable curiosity, and yet with a feeling of
+foreboding at her heart.
+
+The Cheshire _Gazette_, she read, as she espied the heading, and then
+her eye glanced down over the columns underneath.
+
+Suddenly she started.
+
+There is a paragraph marked.
+
+Her eyes dilate—a look of horror comes into them; her lips grow pale,
+and she feels as if she is suffocating as she reads:
+
+  “MARRIED.—At the country residence of Lady Sherbrooke, on the 10th
+  instant, Sir Archibald Sherbrooke and Lord Carrol, of Carrolton, to
+  Miss Josephine Richards, of New York, U. S. A., and heiress
+  presumptive to the Thornton estates in Devonshire, etc.”
+
+Could it be true? The paper dropped from her nerveless hands. Was the
+deed really done at last, and Archibald Sherbrooke lost to her forever?
+
+She had not realized until that moment how much of hope had lived in her
+heart during all this time.
+
+But these dreadful words had suddenly cut it down, as the sharp sickle
+cuts down the tender grass.
+
+Had she really read them, or had her imagination played her some
+terrible trick?
+
+Feeling as if she were turning to stone, she picked up the paper and
+compelled herself to go over the horrible sentence again.
+
+Yes, it was all true—it was as plain as print could make it. But what
+was this?
+
+A new terror seized her—something that she had not thought of until now,
+she had been so stunned by the bare fact that her lover was married.
+
+“Sir Archibald Sherbrooke _and_ Lord Carrol, of Carrolton!”
+
+A mist comes over her eyes; her heart drops like a thing of lead in her
+bosom.
+
+In an instant a suspicion of the truth flashed upon her.
+
+Had she done her lover an irreparable wrong? she asked herself, with a
+feeling of despair. Had she driven him from her, taunting him with
+treachery and cowardice, and refusing to listen to his defense, when
+perhaps he had the best in the world to offer her?
+
+Oh! if she had but heeded Mr. Rosevelt when he begged her to let him see
+him and learn the reason of his mysterious conduct. Oh! if she had only
+answered that advertisement and allowed him to come to her as he had
+entreated.
+
+She had been cruel, unjust, wicked; and now it was too late to atone for
+it.
+
+She felt as if bands of ice were being bound about her heart—as if coals
+of fire were heaped upon her brain, and branded upon it, in letters
+which would haunt her till her dying hour, those two names, Sir
+Archibald Sherbrooke and Lord Carrol, of Carrolton.
+
+Familiar as she was with English customs, she could understand readily
+enough how he had become possessed of them, and it was so strange that
+she had never thought of it before.
+
+In all her suffering upon learning, as she had supposed, that she had
+been betrayed, she had never endured pain like this; and, with her sight
+failing, her senses reeling, without sound or warning, she slipped from
+her chair to the floor, where she lay white and still in a lifeless heap
+at Jacob Rosevelt’s feet.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XL.
+                         STELLA’S MENTAL AGONY.
+
+
+“Bless my soul! what does this mean?” Jacob Rosevelt cried, as, looking
+up from his own letters, in which he had been deeply absorbed, he saw
+the beautiful girl lying so white and still at his feet.
+
+He rushed to the bell and rang it violently, then back again to Star,
+whom he lifted tenderly in his arms and laid her upon a sofa, where he
+began chafing her cold hands vigorously.
+
+Mrs. Blunt soon made her appearance in answer to her master’s summons,
+and looked as alarmed as himself to find the girl she loved so devotedly
+in such a critical state.
+
+But Star’s insensibility did not last long.
+
+All too soon she awoke to a consciousness of this new misery.
+
+“What is the matter?” she asked, as, opening her eyes, she found her
+fond friends bending anxiously over her.
+
+“You had a fainting turn, dear; but you are better now,” Mrs. Blunt
+returned, holding a glass of wine to her lips.
+
+Star passed her hand across her forehead and sighed heavily, as she
+began slowly to gather up the broken threads of memory again.
+
+“What was it, Starling?” Mr. Rosevelt questioned, with a troubled look
+at her white face; “did you have bad news in your letters?”
+
+“No, there were no ill-tidings in my letters,” she answered, avoiding
+his eye, and wishing to conceal, if possible, the cause of her swoon
+from him. “I read them through,” she added, “and was opening my papers,
+when I began to feel queerly. I believe I never fainted but once before
+in my life.”
+
+But she shuddered as she remembered how Josephine Richards had been the
+cause of that ill-turn also.
+
+She sat up and tried to collect herself.
+
+She still felt as if those icy bands were encircling her heart, and as
+if her brain was on fire; but she was anxious to get hold of that paper
+once more, and go away by herself.
+
+She did not mean that Jacob Rosevelt should ever know that she had seen
+the notice of her lover’s marriage; she meant to keep her secret locked
+close within her own breast, and not even let him suspect that she was
+still grieving for the man whose name had not been mentioned between
+them for over a year.
+
+“I am afraid you are going to be ill,” he said, noticing the great blue
+circles under her eyes with alarm.
+
+“No; do not be anxious about me, Uncle Jacob,” she returned, trying to
+smile. “I shall be all right again in a few minutes.”
+
+And she was, apparently.
+
+She called all her will to her aid; she drank a full glass of wine, and
+soon felt much stronger, but oh! still so wretched and heart-sick.
+
+She arose after awhile and began to move about the room, although both
+Mr. Rosevelt and Mrs. Blunt insisted that she was not able—that she
+ought to be still and rest all day.
+
+But that paper was still lying upon the floor, with that marked
+paragraph staring her in the face.
+
+She must get it and hide it, or they would learn all her trouble, and
+know how weak and foolish she was—how lacking in pride and self-respect
+to grieve thus after another woman’s husband; and her lips curled with
+scorn at her own folly, while all the time the pain at her heart was
+growing more bitter.
+
+Very quietly she gathered up her letters and papers, which had slipped
+to the floor when she fell.
+
+With trembling fingers she folded that fatal sheet into the smallest
+compass, and tucked it slyly into her pocket; then laying the others on
+the table beside Mr. Rosevelt, she said:
+
+“I do not think I will read any more now, Uncle Jacob; but perhaps you
+would like to look over these home papers. I will go and lie down for a
+little while, and try to sleep off my weakness.”
+
+He took her white face between his hands and looked anxiously into her
+eyes.
+
+“My dear, my dear,” he said, earnestly, “I hope you are not going to be
+sick; what should I do without you? You must take care of yourself for
+my sake, as well as for your own, my Star.”
+
+She smiled, and, taking one of the hands that held her face, touched her
+lips to it.
+
+She knew that no daughter was ever more tenderly beloved than she was by
+this grand old man, whose deathless affection had been given to her
+grandmother.
+
+“No, I shall not be sick, Uncle Jacob; do not worry,” she returned,
+trying to speak lightly. “Many people frequently faint, and get entirely
+over it in an hour. I shall be as well as ever in a little while, and
+all right for the reception at the American Legation this evening.”
+
+“I do not believe you will be able to go,” he said, doubtfully. “You
+must not expose yourself.”
+
+“Oh, I would not miss it on any account,” Star answered, quickly. “Let
+me run away now for a nap, and I will show you how fresh I shall be when
+the hour arrives.”
+
+She was anxious to get away from his questioning eyes, and, gently
+releasing herself from him, she sought her own room and locked herself
+in.
+
+All day long she battled there with her tortured heart; all day long she
+fought with the love which she still bore Archie Sherbrooke, for it rose
+up stronger by a hundred-fold now that she had discovered that he was
+innocent of any wrong toward her, and realized her own cruel injustice
+to him.
+
+If she had but opened and read more of that paper, she would have
+learned her error; but the moment she found herself alone, she took it
+from her pocket and threw it upon the glowing coals in the grate, and
+watched it while it burned to ashes. She was determined that Mr.
+Rosevelt should never see it.
+
+All day long she lay upon her bed, and thought bitterly of Josephine as
+the proud and happy wife of Lord Carrol—as the mistress of his elegant
+home, the sharer of his position and title.
+
+Oh! it was too cruel, when she had loved him so; when she knew that she
+could have made him so happy, while Josephine had only sought to win him
+from selfish and ambitious motives.
+
+She knew now that she had never despised him—never scorned him, as she
+told him that night at Mr. Richards’.
+
+She knew that never for a moment had she swerved in the least degree
+from her allegiance to him; that her heart had been true and loyal to
+him, even when she had thought most bitterly of him; and she knew,
+too—this was the worst of all to contemplate—that she should go on
+loving him as long as she lived.
+
+Five days they had been married.
+
+The wedding had occurred the tenth of December, and it was now the
+fifteenth.
+
+It almost seemed as if she would have given as many years of her life to
+have saved him from such a fate as she believed would be his with that
+vain and heartless girl for his life-long companion.
+
+Of course it would do no good to grieve over that now; but her own
+future looked like a weary journey, marked only by the mile-stones of
+duty, without a stage of happiness to cheer her along the way.
+
+She had known nothing of the Richardses coming abroad; that notice of
+Josephine’s marriage had been the first intimation that she had had of
+it.
+
+She wondered if she had not sent her that paper—if, having seen their
+names and address registered at the American Legation, she had not, from
+a spirit of cruel triumph, sent it to wound and humiliate her.
+
+Yes, she was sure it must be so.
+
+But she should never know how fully her vile purpose had been
+accomplished. She would hide her anguish deep within her own heart.
+Wherever she went she would appear with a bright face and smiling lips,
+and no one should dream that her heart lay like a withered thing in her
+bosom.
+
+Mr. Rosevelt came in to see her several times during the day, and she
+always smiled and told him she was resting so as to be fresh for the
+evening.
+
+Mrs. Blunt tried to make her give up the reception, but she would not,
+protesting that she was as well as ever, although she could not hide her
+misery quite so effectually from that good woman’s sharp eyes.
+
+“Something has happened to upset her and break her heart again, or I’m
+much mistaken,” she muttered, uneasily, while, according to Star’s
+direction, she laid out her elegant dress for the evening.
+
+She had learned to read that fair young face too plainly not to feel
+sure that something very unusual had occurred to prostrate her so.
+
+Nine o’clock came, and Star Gladstone, a vision of bewildering beauty,
+entered the drawing-room of the United States Minister’s elegant
+residence, leaning on the arm of her distinguished-looking attendant.
+
+There was a buzz of admiration as she crossed the threshold, as there
+always was wherever she appeared, for it was not often that even that
+place was graced by the presence of one so wondrously gifted with
+beauty.
+
+She wore a dress of pale ecru silk, rich and heavy, and made perfectly
+plain save for the deep flounce of costly lace which reached almost to
+her knees, and the delicate vine or fringe of drooping ferns that headed
+it.
+
+Her fair, beautifully formed arms and neck, which were concealed only by
+the same rare lace, were clasped by unique ornaments of dull gold, and
+these, together with the cluster of fine ferns upon her bosom, fastened
+there with a miniature, diamond-studded bouquet-holder, comprised her
+only ornaments.
+
+But her face, so pure and peerless, looking out beneath that golden
+crown of hair, though a little paler than usual from her recent pain,
+was the loveliest object in that vast room.
+
+“American ladies are noted for their beauty, I believe; but though I
+have met many, I have never yet seen a more exquisite face and form than
+that,” said one gentleman to another, who stood leaning against the
+frame of the door through which Star and Mr. Rosevelt had passed but a
+moment before.
+
+“You are right; but Gladstone, which is the young lady’s name, sounds
+more English than American,” returned the gentleman addressed.
+
+“They are registered as Americans, however, and she has the peculiar
+beauty of one,” said the first speaker. “They have a way of enhancing
+their charms, too, by their perfect taste in dress. Our English ladies,
+as a rule, do not understand the art of dressing well, though there are,
+of course, exceptions to the rule, as Miss Vivien Sherbrooke’s charming
+costume over there testifies. By the way,” he added, with more
+animation, “they say that that handsome young American—Meredith, they
+call him—is going to win our Cheshire beauty away from us.”
+
+He glanced, as he ceased speaking, across the room to where Miss
+Sherbrooke was sitting, while Ralph Meredith, in an attitude of
+devotion, was bending over her chair.
+
+He was talking to her in a low tone, a smile on his handsome lips, a new
+light in his fine eyes, while she listened with drooping lids and
+flushed cheeks.
+
+But chancing to glance up suddenly, Ralph started and uttered a low
+exclamation of surprise.
+
+“Excuse me a few moments; I see friends,” he said; and then leaving her
+hastily, he made his way quickly across the room.
+
+“Miss Gladstone!” he cried, approaching and holding out his hand to her,
+his face all aglow. “I never was so happily surprised in my life! And
+here is Mr. Rosevelt, too! How does it happen that you are here? It
+seems almost like home to see home faces.”
+
+Star and Mr. Rosevelt greeted him most cordially, while Vivien
+Sherbrooke sat and watched them with wondering eyes and sinking heart.
+
+Who could this beautiful young girl be who appeared so delighted to meet
+the man whom she had been learning to love of late?
+
+What was she to him that she had power to make his face light up like
+that, and cause him to forget for the time the existence of any one
+else?
+
+It must be confessed that the charming Miss Sherbrooke was for the
+moment jealously inclined to regard Star as her rival.
+
+“I am afraid that you are not quite so well as usual. Your Western trip
+was too much for you, was it not?” Ralph said, when their greetings were
+over, as he noted her paleness, and was quick to see the look of pain in
+her expressive eyes.
+
+“Oh, no; I am very well, and you are looking finely. I think English air
+must agree with you,” Star said, quickly turning attention from herself
+to him.
+
+“Yes, I am in excellent condition,” he confessed, with rising color, as
+he remembered how miserable he had been when he last saw her, and what
+had caused the change in his feelings and appearance. “How long have you
+been in London?” he queried.
+
+“Only a week,” Mr. Rosevelt answered.
+
+“Wasn’t it a sudden start?”
+
+“Rather. I am here just now on a matter of business, but we intend to
+see something of this side of the world before we go back,” the old
+gentleman explained, with a smile.
+
+“We hoped we should find you somewhere on our travels, for a familiar
+face makes the heart of the stranger glad, you know,” Star said. “I
+received a letter from Grace to-day, and she writes: ‘Be sure and hunt
+up Ralph, who is, without doubt, in London now.’ But who is that pretty
+young lady across the room with the blush-roses in her hair, and with
+whom I saw you talking as I came in?”
+
+Mr. Meredith flushed again at this; but his eyes kindled as he glanced
+over at Vivien, and replied:
+
+“Oh, that is an acquaintance that I have made since coming here. Come,
+and let me introduce you.”
+
+He purposely avoided mentioning her name, wishing to see how Star would
+receive the introduction.
+
+As he turned to lead the way to Vivien, she looked up at Mr. Rosevelt
+and smiled archly.
+
+He understood her, and gently patted the hand on his arm while he nodded
+his head, and said, dryly:
+
+“He’ll do, my young lady, never fear.”
+
+“Miss Sherbrooke, allow me to make you acquainted with Miss Gladstone, a
+friend from beyond the sea; also Mr. Rosevelt. Miss Gladstone, Mr.
+Rosevelt—Miss Sherbrooke.”
+
+Ralph Meredith watched Star closely while he introduced and she
+exchanged greetings with Archibald Sherbrooke’s sister; and although she
+might have appeared self-possessed enough to the casual observer, _he_
+noticed the quick catching of her breath as she heard the familiar name,
+and remarked the flush which leaped into her hitherto pale cheeks, and
+which, although pain had caused it, enhanced her loveliness tenfold.
+
+“It is Archie’s sister,” Star said to herself, as their two white-gloved
+hands met, and a thrill of keenest pain shot through every nerve.
+
+“How lovely she is!” she added. “Her eyes are like his in their
+expression, although not in color. Oh! I should have loved her, I know;
+and how rashly I have thrown all my happiness away!”
+
+It needed all the power of her will to sustain her as she stood there
+beside Miss Sherbrooke, apparently so calm, and chatted with her for the
+next fifteen minutes; and Vivien never mistrusted the wild emotions
+which were surging in the heart of her new acquaintance, with whom she
+was exceedingly pleased.
+
+“How perfectly charming she is!” she thought, as for a moment Star
+turned to speak to Ralph, and she studied her face more closely.
+
+Then she started violently.
+
+Surely she had seen that face somewhere before—those great, earnest blue
+eyes—that white forehead gleaming through a golden mist—that straight,
+delicate nose, and those beautiful red lips.
+
+Yes, surely it was the face that her brother had painted when he was in
+America; only there was a look of pain in those eyes now that there had
+not been then; there were tense lines about the small, sweet mouth, and
+a seriousness about the whole countenance which told that the passing
+years since then had not been full of unalloyed pleasure.
+
+It was the same, nevertheless, she felt convinced, and she resolved that
+she would find Archie, point Miss Gladstone out to him, and ascertain if
+she were right in her surmises.
+
+“Perhaps,” she thought, light suddenly breaking in upon her mind, “it
+was something connected with this lovely stranger which had caused his
+own sadness during the last year.”
+
+A gentleman approached her just then, and, turning to Star, she said,
+with a smile:
+
+“I must ask to be excused, as I have an engagement to dance now. I am
+sorry to leave you in the midst of our pleasant chat, but I will see you
+again before the evening is out.”
+
+Star, with an answering smile, said she “hoped they would meet again;”
+but, oh! how she longed to inquire about her brother. If she had but
+spoken just one word to tell her that he was well and happy.
+
+Happy! The thought nearly made her cry out with pain.
+
+He must be changed indeed if he could be that with Josephine Richards;
+and, loving him as she did, it was agony to contemplate it.
+
+What if he himself was there among that gay throng, with the bride he
+had so lately wedded?
+
+What if she were to meet them together?
+
+For a moment, as this contingency presented itself to her, her brain
+reeled, and she felt as if her senses were forsaking her again; the
+next, she called all her pride to her aid.
+
+This would never do; no one must ever mistrust her weakness and
+wretchedness, and Ralph Meredith surely would if she gave up to her
+feelings, for had she not told him of her false lover?
+
+It was strange, she thought, that she should have found him with
+Archie’s sister, and she wondered if they had met and Ralph had called
+him to account for his treatment of her, as he had said he should.
+
+Oh! why had she not been more reasonable? Why did she not let him
+explain his position to her when he had begged so earnestly to do so?
+
+She felt as if she could not bear to remain there—she longed to go away
+by herself until she could get a little more calm; and, seeing that Mr.
+Rosevelt and Ralph were deeply engaged in conversation, she slipped away
+unobserved to a small anteroom, which connected the drawing-room with
+the conservatory, and which she saw was at that moment empty.
+
+Here she sat down in a chair near a large urn filled with flowers, which
+stood on one side of the door leading into the conservatory, and fell to
+musing sadly upon her broken hopes.
+
+She had not been there long when she was aroused by hearing a gay laugh
+ring out close at hand. She started as if some viper had stung her.
+
+She knew that sound but too well, and, looking up, she saw Josephine
+Richards, or Lady Carrol, as she believed her to be, standing almost
+beside her.
+
+She was just upon the threshold and was looking back into the
+conservatory, from which she had come, and at a couple standing there
+among the flowers.
+
+She had been exchanging some jesting words with them, and her laugh was
+in reply to some playful remark from them.
+
+She was dressed all in white; she wore it almost constantly now, for she
+knew she looked lovelier in it than in anything else; everybody had told
+her that she had never been so beautiful as when she had stood beside
+Lord Carrol during that mock ceremony. There were great pearls in her
+hair and on her arms, and clusters of white lilacs on her bosom.
+
+Star held her breath as she looked at her, thinking that she was indeed
+wondrously fair, and that it was not strange that she should allure any
+one by her beauty; but she believed she was dressed thus because she was
+a bride.
+
+How bright and happy she looked, too, with the vivid color in her
+cheeks, her eyes sparkling from the excitement of the moment, and with
+that light laugh just leaving her red lips!
+
+Why should she not be happy, Star thought, bitterly, as the wife of one
+of the noblest men in England, and occupying one of the proudest
+positions in the land?
+
+A heavy sigh involuntarily escaped her, and, hearing it, Josephine
+turned quickly to see whence it came.
+
+“Stella Gladstone!” she exclaimed, and instantly all the color went out
+of her face, all the light from her eyes, the laughter from her lips,
+and she stood regarding the beautiful girl with lowering brow and angry
+eyes.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XLI.
+                          REHEARSING THE PAST.
+
+
+Star arose as she addressed her thus, and with the act all her pride
+arose as well.
+
+“Yes,” she said, speaking with cold politeness. “I suppose you are
+surprised; you did not expect to meet me here, Miss—Lady Carrol.”
+
+Josephine’s face lighted at those last words, and a wicked gleam leaped
+into her black eyes.
+
+“No, I did not,” she returned, trying to call a happy smile to her false
+lips. “And—and—you have heard, then?” and, dropping her darkly fringed
+lids as if in confusion, she played with some flowers which she held in
+her hands, and looked the modest bride to perfection at being addressed
+by the title she had so lately assumed.
+
+“Yes, I have heard of—or at least I saw your marriage in a paper which
+was sent me recently,” Star answered, trying hard to steady her voice,
+and resolving that the girl who hated her so should not suspect the
+torture she was enduring.
+
+But Josephine did suspect it, and was determined not to let her go
+without wringing her heart with something of the agony which she had
+suffered.
+
+Lord Carrol had dared to tell her, in the midst of her humiliation, that
+he loved Star, and she was bound to be revenged in some way for it.
+
+She had sent her the Cheshire _Gazette_, even as Star had mistrusted,
+but she had not expected to get any such satisfaction as this out of it.
+
+She had been down to the American Legation and found out where Mr.
+Rosevelt was stopping, and then had marked that paragraph and mailed
+that paper to Star, just to arouse her jealousy and show her that she
+had been a guest in Lord Carrol’s home for a week.
+
+It had never entered her head that she would only read the notice of
+that mock marriage, and believe it real, not observing that it was
+connected with the remainder of the article describing Lady Sherbrooke’s
+ball.
+
+But she now saw that such was the case. Star believed that she was
+really Lady Carrol; and she knew something of what she must be suffering
+on account of it, and with a sense of cruel exultation she resolved to
+give the wheels of the rack that she was on another vigorous turn.
+
+She felt that the lovers would without doubt meet before long—perhaps
+that very evening, for she had seen his lordship there only a short time
+previous to this meeting, and she was assured he would waste no time in
+coming to an understanding with Star; but now, while she had her in her
+clutches, she would make the most of her opportunity.
+
+“I presume it is something of a disappointment to you to find me here,
+and—and situated just as—I am, when _you_ so confidently expected to win
+his lordship,” sneered Josephine. “You perceive that it is not always
+safe to be too trusting, and a young peer, even though he were traveling
+under an assumed name, and made love to a pretty, poverty-stricken girl,
+to while away an idle hour, could not be expected to marry her.”
+
+Star was very pale, but she was more than a match for the unfeeling girl
+in her proud beauty.
+
+She stood like a tall and stately lily before her, and to all outward
+appearance she was no more moved by her scathing words than the snows on
+the peaks of lofty mountains are stirred by the fierce winds in the
+valley far below them.
+
+“Lord Carrol did not travel under an assumed name. I have discovered
+that Sir Archibald Sherbrooke and Lord Carrol, of Carrolton, are one and
+the same,” Star replied, with cold dignity.
+
+Josephine started, then remembering, said:
+
+“Oh, of course; I forgot that both names were given in the notice of the
+marriage. But,” she went on, taking an intense delight in the torture
+she was sure she was inflicting, although her fair victim gave no sign,
+“you have no idea how lovely Cheshire House is—that is where the dowager
+Lady Sherbrooke lives; and Carrolton is even more delightful, I am told.
+We intend to go there before very long; but London is very gay just now,
+though it is out of season, and we are having such nice times that we
+prefer to remain here for the present.”
+
+She glanced at Star angrily.
+
+If she would but betray the least suffering, to show that she was
+wounded by this apparent triumph over her, she would have been content.
+
+But she stood there, her graceful form proudly erect, her shining head
+thrown slightly back, her eyes fixed upon her face with an indifferent
+glance that galled her almost beyond endurance, while her manner was
+that of indulgent politeness, as if she were but listening, in a
+well-bred sort of way, to the babblings of a spoiled child.
+
+“I presume you have heard,” she resumed, “that we came abroad to take
+possession of the estates of Sir Charles Thornton, whose death leaves
+mamma the nearest of kin, and therefore we shall all henceforth occupy a
+very high position in this country.”
+
+“Indeed?” Star responded, as if it were a matter of no moment to her. “I
+have heard of Sir Charles Thornton, but I did not know that you were
+‘nearest of kin’ to him.”
+
+“Well, you know it now,” Josephine retorted, sharply, beginning to lose
+her temper at Star’s immobility; “and fortunately we can do exceedingly
+well without Uncle Jacob’s money, which you so cunningly managed to
+wheedle him out of. We shall not return to America, for we can enjoy so
+much more here among the nobility, where, as I told you before, our
+position is so high, and mine _particularly_, you know, as—as Lady
+Carrol, is one to be rather envied.”
+
+This last, she thought, must be a dagger in the fair girl’s breast, but
+she was wholly unprepared to have it turned against her own.
+
+“May I take the liberty to ask Miss Richards what she means by the
+statements which she has made—to explain herself, if indeed that is
+_possible_,” said a deep, stern voice just behind her.
+
+Both girls started and turned instantly at the sound, and both uttered a
+cry—one of surprise, the other of dismay.
+
+Lord Carrol himself stood in the door-way of the conservatory from which
+Josephine had entered, and through which he had passed on his way from
+another portion of the building back to the drawing-room.
+
+He had seen Ralph Meredith and Mr. Rosevelt but a moment or two after
+Star slipped away. They told him that she was there, and he had
+instantly left them to seek her.
+
+He had seen her standing there in the anteroom through the glass as he
+approached, and he recognized her instantly, although the sight had
+nearly unmanned him.
+
+As he drew near, however, he heard Josephine’s voice, sharp and
+scoffing, and addressing the strangest words to her.
+
+He stood still and listened, perfectly aghast at what she was saying,
+until he comprehended the whole situation; and, when she made that last
+amazing assertion, he could endure no more, and entered to confront her.
+
+Star, with one look into his white set face, and a glance of
+astonishment from him to Josephine, whose countenance, for once in her
+life, expressed blankest dismay, sank back pale and shivering into the
+chair from which she had risen when Miss Richards addressed her.
+
+That young lady felt for the moment as if she would like the ground to
+open and swallow her forever from sight.
+
+But the situation was a desperate one—so desperate that she did not care
+for anything; so, quickly rallying, she tossed her dark head and
+retorted with a light laugh:
+
+“Miss Gladstone was just telling me, my lord, that she had heard of my
+marriage, and I was only carrying out the joke a little further.”
+
+“I _understand_ you,” he said, briefly, but in accents of intense scorn.
+
+Then, with a quick, eager step, he came between her and Star, who, with
+her white hands folded helplessly in her lap, her face like purest
+marble, felt as if earth was again slipping forever out of her reach,
+for her senses were reeling.
+
+With a stern, authoritative gesture he motioned Josephine away, and,
+reaching down, he took Star’s hands in his.
+
+“My darling,” he said, in low, thrilling tones, “has she been torturing
+you to death? There is not one word of truth in what she has told you.
+Come with me, and let me explain everything to you.”
+
+A mocking laugh, which, however, was full of misery, rang through the
+room.
+
+Lord Carrol looked back and saw Josephine, her face almost convulsed
+with pain and passion, passing out.
+
+“Don’t think that it is going to be all clear sailing even now, my
+proud, spirited lord, for I will spoil it all if I can.”
+
+“Come,” he murmured, gently turning again to Star, and paying no heed to
+those threatening words.
+
+He drew her unresisting hand within his arm, and led her through the
+conservatory out upon a covered porch at the rear.
+
+This porch was more like a room, for during the winter it was inclosed
+with glass windows, and, being heated with steam, formed a part of the
+hot-house.
+
+He placed the fair girl in a chair in a secluded corner, and then he
+knelt down before her.
+
+He took her hands again and drew them to his breast, where she could
+feel the great heart-throbs which made his strong frame quiver like a
+tree struck by the woodman’s ax.
+
+“My darling,” he said again, “I have seen Mr. Rosevelt, and he told me
+that you were here. I have been looking for you everywhere during the
+last fifteen minutes. Dearest, you will let me defend myself now, will
+you not? You will not turn away from me—you will not spoil both our
+lives by again driving me from you, believing me to be a ‘traitor and
+coward?’”
+
+Star shivered. Those words smote her with terrible pain; but her heart
+had been bounding with new hope since he had so sternly confronted
+Josephine Richards and proclaimed her assertion a lie.
+
+She could not comprehend it, for she had read the notice of their
+marriage with her own eyes. Yet she instinctively trusted him, and it
+was so sweet, after all the miserable past, to have him there, looking
+so fondly down into her eyes, and calling her his darling in those dear,
+familiar tones.
+
+“Archie—Archie!” she murmured, with a sob, “I know all about it—you were
+never a traitor or a coward. I know you never deceived me, and I alone
+am guilty of a great wrong to you.”
+
+With a low cry of joy he gathered her close in his arms, and laid her
+shining head upon his breast, calling her by every endearing name with
+which his heart was filled.
+
+“You know all about it, my love? Who has told you?” he asked, surprised.
+
+“Just one little sentence in a newspaper, which told me also that, when
+at the very moment I found you had been true, my life was to be a blank
+as long as I should live,” Star said, with unsteady voice and quivering
+lips. “I read,” she added “the notice of your marriage with Miss
+Richards in the Cheshire _Gazette_. These two names, Archibald
+Sherbrooke and Lord Carrol were printed there, and told me the whole
+story. I knew then _how_ I had been deceived. But I cannot understand.”
+
+She broke off suddenly, and drew herself away from him shivering and
+sick at heart again.
+
+Surely that notice would never have been printed if he was not married,
+and she had no right to be thus in the arms of another woman’s husband.
+
+She knew that he neither loved nor respected Josephine from the way he
+had addressed her; he called her Miss Richards, too, but it was a puzzle
+that she could not comprehend.
+
+Lord Carrol read her thoughts, and saw by her white face how she was
+suffering, and he said, with infinite tenderness:
+
+“My love, it was all a farce, a mock marriage planned by a wild and
+thoughtless girl, while I was chosen as one of the unfortunate victims
+and Miss Richards the other. Did you not read the description which
+followed that notice?”
+
+“No; I read nothing but those horrible words, which told me of my own
+injustice, and that you and I would be parted forever. They burned
+themselves into my brain as if they had been branded there with a hot
+iron, and I cared to read no more.”
+
+“If you had,” he returned, “you would have been undeceived; but I was
+very angry when I saw how the affair had been published, and if I could
+ascertain who wrote it up, I should be tempted to chastise the writer
+severely.”
+
+Star was weeping now; great, glad tears of joy chased each other over
+her cheeks, and she did not resist him when he drew her into his arms
+again, wiping with his own hands the glittering drops as they fell,
+while in low, tender tones he told her all about the strange events
+which had conspired to separate them for so long.
+
+“Will you forgive me, Archie? I was very hard upon you, but I was nearly
+mad with my misery that night when I refused to listen to you,” Star
+said, when the story was ended.
+
+“Forgive you, my own? This moment compensates for everything. How were
+you to know that a titled relative had died, making me his heir, and
+changing or adding to my name? I was indeed Archibald Sherbrooke, bound
+for America, to travel and study art there, when we went on that
+steamer. I merely dropped the ‘Sir’ lest you should be shy of me. I did
+indeed know of the change in my circumstances when I next saw you in the
+station in New York, but in my fear of losing you, I resolved not to
+tell you until I had won you, feeling afraid that you, in your modesty,
+would refuse to Lord Carrol the love you would perhaps give to Archibald
+Sherbrooke. I never suspected, when I accepted Mrs. Richards’ invitation
+to visit her, that I was going into the very house where my own love
+dwelt. I had paid Miss Josephine some attention at Long Branch, but her
+mother was always included, and it was only in a friendly way, as I was
+drawn toward them from having discovered that they were of English
+descent, and connected with people here whom I knew. I intended, as I
+told you that night, to seek you the very next day; and when I had won
+the consent of your friends to an engagement with you, in the character
+of Archibald Sherbrooke, I was going to tell you of my real position in
+life. Now, dear, you know that I have never swerved from my allegiance
+to you. I have been as true as truth itself,” he concluded, smiling
+fondly down upon her.
+
+“I have been very foolish, Archie,” Star whispered, “but, oh! I am very,
+very happy now. I was so utterly wretched this morning. I have been so
+wretched all day that it required all my courage to come here to-night;
+but I forced myself to do so because I did not wish Uncle Jacob to
+mistrust anything.”
+
+“And I hear that my modest little Star has become a great heiress; she
+is no longer the quiet, retiring little maid whom I was so proud and
+happy to have won that day when we went to Coney Island,” Lord Carrol
+said, half regretfully.
+
+Star lifted her head from his breast and looked at him inquiringly, and
+he thought rather more searchingly than the occasion required.
+
+“I mean,” he explained, “that Mr. Meredith has told me that Mr. Rosevelt
+has adopted you as his heiress.”
+
+She drew a long breath, but merely returned, in an absent way:
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“Mr. Meredith told me more, too, my darling,” her lover resumed; “he was
+the one who lifted the burden of sadness, caused by your sentence of
+banishment, from my heart. I imagined, also, although his confidence did
+not extend quite so far as this, that he had been my unsuccessful rival,
+and that was why you confessed what you did to him regarding your
+affection for me.”
+
+“Did Mr. Meredith tell you that—” Star began, blushing crimson as she
+remembered what her confession had been.
+
+“Yes, my beloved, and no hungry heart ever feasted upon sweeter words.
+They changed the whole future for me, and I was intending to start again
+for America in just three weeks, to search for the star of my life; the
+past has been very lonely and hopeless.”
+
+“Yes, indeed,” Star returned, with a long sigh; “and yet,” she added,
+looking up with a smile, “I am glad that I am not to come to you _quite_
+so empty-handed as you found me.”
+
+“You surely do not regret the promise that you made me then?” Lord
+Carrol questioned, reproachfully.
+
+“No; for it proves that you won me for myself alone; but now that I know
+you are a peer of England, it is a comfort to feel that no one can point
+the finger of scorn at me and say that you have chosen beneath you.”
+
+He stopped her with a tender caress.
+
+“No one should ever have said that to me with impunity, under any
+circumstances,” he rejoined, gravely.
+
+They talked a long time, and everything was explained—all the events of
+the past rehearsed, all Josephine’s duplicity and hatred made known.
+
+“She is a heartless woman—a most contemptible woman,” Lord Carrol said,
+with curling lips and stern brow; “and I deeply regret that she is to
+become a resident in England, as we shall doubtless be obliged to meet
+her in society. She has wronged you shamefully, my darling. However,” he
+added, with a luminous smile, “she considers that the ‘position of Lady
+Carrol will be an enviable one,’ and, since _you_ are to fill it, I
+think her punishment will not be a light one.”
+
+Her punishment _was_ to be no light one, but _he_ had no idea _how_
+humiliating it would be.
+
+Another blissful half hour slipped unheeded by, and then he said:
+
+“Come, dear; people will begin to wonder what has become of us, and
+besides, I want to introduce you to my mother and sister.”
+
+He arose as he spoke, and drew her toward the conservatory, through
+which they must pass in order to regain the drawing-room.
+
+“I have already seen your sister,” Star answered, with a bright smile,
+“and I began to love her immediately, and to mourn what I had lost in
+not having her for _my_ sister, too.”
+
+“She _is_ a dear girl, but I begin to think we shall not keep her with
+us very much longer,” Archie returned, with a regretful sigh.
+
+“I thought so, too, when Mr. Meredith introduced her to me to-night,”
+Star said, archly.
+
+“Ah! then _you_ read the signs of the times,” he answered, smiling. “But
+here comes my mother, and she is looking for me, I know, by the
+expression of her face.”
+
+They were just entering the drawing-room as he spoke, and Lady
+Sherbrooke was coming toward them, looking right and left for her son.
+
+Her handsome face lighted as she saw him, and she quickened her steps,
+while she wondered at that new light in his eyes, at the bright and
+youthful expression on his face.
+
+“Mother,” Archibald Sherbrooke said, and there was a proud ring in his
+tone, “I want to introduce to you Miss Gladstone, a friend whom I met
+while I was in America.”
+
+Lady Sherbrooke shot a keen glance into that lovely, blushing face, and
+there came a look of surprise into her own, while for once she lost
+something of the graceful self-possession that was habitual to her as
+she greeted Star.
+
+Her heart went forth to the young girl at once, and she experienced a
+shock akin to that which Vivien had felt when she met her.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XLII.
+                          THE LAWYER’S REBUKE.
+
+
+There was something strangely familiar about that slight, graceful form
+and in those lustrous eyes—in that golden-crowned head, and the now
+happy, smiling lips.
+
+“Miss Gladstone, I am very glad to meet you,” she began, as she
+cordially put out her hand to her; then turning abruptly, and speaking
+with a slightly startled accent, she added:
+
+“Archie, surely I have met her before?”
+
+“Yes,” he answered, his face glowing; “I see that you have recognized
+her.”
+
+“Star,” and the tender inflection on that name told his mother
+everything, “she has seen the picture that I painted when I was in
+America, and she has now discovered who the original is.”
+
+“Yes, my dear,” Lady Sherbrooke added, while she studied the beautiful,
+flushed face; “I do recognize your countenance, and I am quite proud of
+my son’s achievements as an artist. You are an American, I believe. I am
+very happy to welcome you to England.”
+
+Star’s heart beat rapidly at this cordial, almost tender greeting, and
+wondered if she was indeed the same girl who, feeling so wretched and
+forlorn, had entered that room only two hours before.
+
+“No, mother; Miss Gladstone is not an American,” Archie explained. “She
+is an English lassie, and we met on shipboard while crossing the
+Atlantic; but more of that story anon,” he said, significantly. “Now,
+will you entertain her for a few moments while I go and find Vivien?”
+
+“With pleasure,” Lady Sherbrooke responded, her heart bounding to hear
+those clear, joyous tones ringing through her son’s voice—sounds which
+she had not heard before since his first return from America; while she
+said to herself:
+
+“This is the girl whom my son loves and will choose for his wife;” and
+her heart warmed toward Star as it never had done before toward another
+outside of her own family.
+
+After finding his sister and taking her back to Star and his mother,
+Lord Carrol sought Mr. Rosevelt and had a long talk with him, explaining
+to him, as he had to his dear one, the unfortunate circumstances which
+had conspired to separate them, and learning in return something of
+their life during the past fourteen or fifteen months.
+
+After this he rejoined the trio of ladies—those three beautiful women
+whom he loved above everything else in the world.
+
+“The ‘story’ that you were going to tell me, Archie, but did not, as you
+were called away to London, is told. I read it in your face to-night,
+and in that of the beautiful girl to whom you have introduced me. My
+boy, I think now that you will be your own dear self once more,” Lady
+Sherbrooke whispered, as he came and stood by her side, and his eyes, in
+reply, told her more than his lips could have done; but he asked, in a
+low, intense tone:
+
+“Is she not rightly named Star?”
+
+“She is charming; I have no fault to find with her personally. But her
+family?” she questioned, cautiously.
+
+“Is all right also, mother mine. I will tell you all about it
+to-morrow.”
+
+In a distant corner of the room Mrs. Richards and Josephine sat and
+viewed this meeting, bitterest envy rankling in their hearts.
+
+The angry girl had sought her mother upon leaving the anteroom, and told
+her of Star’s presence there.
+
+“I declare it is more than human nature can bear to be obliged to
+encounter her everywhere. And to think that such a miserable,
+insignificant little chit as she was when she came to us should win game
+after game from us. She is a proverbial checkmate, I believe,” Mrs.
+Richards said, complainingly. “But even if she does become Lady Carrol,”
+she added, “I shall take care that she does not outshine us. Thank
+fortune, we shall have a handsome income to flourish upon.”
+
+“I hate her—I hate them both! and I wish I were _dead_!” Josephine
+cried, passionately.
+
+When Mr. Rosevelt, Lord Carrol, and his party were about retiring, they
+encountered the Richardses in the great hall.
+
+Mr. Rosevelt took no notice of them, although he would have greeted Mr.
+Richards had he been with them, and they guiltily avoided him.
+
+The young lord bowed coldly, and would have passed on, but Josephine, in
+a sudden fit of desperation, laid her hand upon his arm, saying, in low,
+fierce tones:
+
+“I give you joy of your chambermaid bride! But beware! You will not feel
+quite so jovial when all London rings with the fact that the proud Lord
+Carrol has married a common house-servant!”
+
+“Miss Richards,” he returned, haughtily, “even such a statement of facts
+could not injure the fair, pure woman whom I have chosen for my wife;
+but allow me to say that if you are so ill-disposed as to publish
+anything of the kind, you will find, to your sorrow, that the shafts
+from your venomous tongue will only serve to poison still further your
+own life.”
+
+“We shall see!” she sneered.
+
+“You will find,” he went on, as if he had not heard her, “that Miss
+Gladstone is so far above you, both morally and _socially_, that it does
+not lie in your power to do her the slightest injury.”
+
+“We shall see, my lord!” the maddened girl repeated, vindictively; but,
+without giving her time to say more, his lordship passed on to Star’s
+side, and drawing her hand within his arm, led her away to her carriage.
+
+                  *       *       *       *       *
+
+The day came at last which was to decide Mrs. Richards’ claim to the
+Thornton estates, and, according to appointment, she repaired to the
+office of Compton & Bailey, in the highest of spirits, dressed in the
+most magnificent style, and accompanied by Josephine, clad with equal
+richness, and her husband.
+
+“Well, Mr. Compton, my probation is ended at last,” she said, gayly, to
+that gentleman, as she entered, and greeted him with her most gracious
+manner.
+
+“Ahem! I suppose we may say that it is,” he returned, in a strangely
+embarrassed way.
+
+“Well, then, I presume there is no need of further delay, and we can
+take possession of the late Sir Charles’ property as soon as we choose,”
+she remarked, too deeply engaged with thoughts regarding her own
+brilliant future to notice his manner.
+
+“Ahem!” the lawyer repeated, an uneasy expression on his face; “I _did_
+expect that I could tell you to-day everything was all right and you
+could go down to Halowell Park as soon as you liked; but——”
+
+“But what?” Mrs. Richards demanded, with some show of impatience. “It
+appears to me that you are somewhat mysterious this morning, when
+heretofore you have acknowledged my relationship to Sir Charles Thornton
+to be proved beyond a doubt.”
+
+“Yes, madam, you have clearly proved, it cannot be contested, that you
+were a relative of the late baronet’s; but—I am sorry—it will be a great
+disappointment to you, doubtless, to learn at this late day that another
+party has put in a claim for the estate, as being the nearest of kin.”
+
+The lawyer heaved a sigh of relief when he had stumbled through this
+piece of ill-news.
+
+“What?” almost screamed Mrs. Richards, reeling where she stood.
+
+She had never even thought of such a calamity.
+
+“There is no nearer relative living,” she continued, with pale lips.
+“You yourself said you were convinced of that.”
+
+“And so I was, a month ago, madam; but I have been obliged to change my
+opinion since then.”
+
+“What—what has changed it?” she asked, trembling with fear and
+excitement.
+
+It would be too dreadful now, when the prize was almost within her
+grasp, to lose it, and to be obliged to return poor and disappointed to
+America.
+
+“You remember, perhaps,” the lawyer said, avoiding meeting her eyes, for
+they were wild in their expression, “that I told you that Sir William
+Thornton—the late Sir Charles’ father—had a younger brother, Albert by
+name——”
+
+“Yes, but you said that he left home years ago to go as a missionary to
+some outlandish place, where he died,” interrupted the anxious woman.
+
+“Where it was _supposed_ he died,” said Mr. Compton, with significant
+emphasis.
+
+“Did he not die?—is he living?—has he returned?” his client gasped.
+
+“No; he died some years ago; but he left a child. That child is living,
+and has put in a claim for the estate.”
+
+“But you told me he left no issue——”
+
+“It was all supposition, madam, since we could learn nothing to the
+contrary; but we have recently learned our mistake.”
+
+“He shall not have the property; he may be an impostor. I shall contest
+the point,” Mrs. Richards said, with frantic vehemence.
+
+“Ellen, do be reasonable,” said her husband, sternly.
+
+“Unfortunately for your peace of mind, madam, it is a point that cannot
+be contested,” returned Mr. Compton; “and, if you will give me your
+attention for a few moments, I will explain it to you.”
+
+With a groan, Mrs. Richards sank into a chair, more wretched than she
+had ever been in her life.
+
+“Your mother,” began the lawyer, also seating himself, and motioning Mr.
+Richards and Josephine to do the same, “was half-sister to the late Sir
+Charles’ mother. That made her half-aunt and you half-cousin to him.
+That relationship, however, would have been near enough to give you the
+property had no nearer claimant appeared. Sir William Thornton, the late
+Sir Charles’ father, and Albert were own brothers; consequently, the
+child of Albert would be own cousin to the late Sir Charles, and being a
+descendent on his father’s side, by far the nearest of kin. Have I made
+it clear to you?”
+
+He glanced as he spoke at Mr. Richards, who nodded, while his wife
+covered her face and groaned aloud.
+
+“Now,” resumed Mr. Compton, “I will tell you, in as few words as I can,
+the story of this younger brother, Albert Thornton. He was quite a
+number of years Sir William’s junior, and at an early age dissented from
+the established church and religion of his ancestors, and insisted upon
+going as a missionary to Africa. This so enraged his father that he
+disowned him, charging him never to show his face inside his ancestral
+home again. Deeply wounded, but still adhering to his convictions of
+duty, he went to Africa, but was obliged to return to England again in
+the course of a couple of years, on account of failing health. He did
+not, however, present himself in the home from which he had been
+banished, for this neither his pride nor his wounded heart would allow
+him to do. He therefore settled in a distant county, where he had charge
+of a small parish at a merely nominal salary, during the remainder of
+his life. Not long after his return he married a gentle and lovely girl,
+and one child was born to them, who, recently seeing our advertisement
+for the nearest of kin to Sir Charles, has presented a claim for the
+estate.”
+
+“Who is this child?—where is it?—where did it come from at this late
+day?” questioned Mrs. Richards, who felt as if all the world was
+slipping away from her.
+
+“Wait one moment and I will introduce you,” the lawyer said, as, rising,
+he gently retired to his inner office.
+
+He returned almost immediately with a lady on his arm. Mrs. Richards
+started to her feet and uttered a piercing scream the moment her eyes
+fell upon her.
+
+The lady was Star Gladstone!
+
+“That girl again!” shrieked Mrs. Richards. “You don’t mean to tell me
+that _she_ is the heir to Sir Charles Thornton’s property?”
+
+“Yes, madam, this young lady and no other; but I was not aware that you
+had the honor of her acquaintance,” responded Mr. Compton, with some
+surprise, as he led Star to a seat.
+
+“But her name is Gladstone——”
+
+“Have a little patience and I will explain still further,” interrupted
+the lawyer, who was beginning to be disgusted with one who gave way so
+to passion.
+
+“Miss Gladstone tells me that she has been known by that name all her
+life; that until her eighteenth birthday she was not aware that she was
+entitled to any other. But her father left a package of papers at his
+death, containing a history of his life, with all the necessary proofs,
+but charged her not to open it until she was eighteen years of age. In
+this he related what I have already told you, and also the fact that
+when he was a child, his father, through the death of a relative,
+succeeded to the title and estates of the Thorntons of Devonshire, upon
+condition that he assumed the name. Such things happen often here in
+England, you know, as in the case of Lord Carrol, whom you are
+acquainted with. When the elder Mr. Gladstone, or Thornton, died, of
+course William, his eldest son, succeeded to the baronetcy. Albert, the
+second son, upon his return and settlement in a parish of Derbyshire,
+gave his name as Rev. Albert Gladstone, and under this name married a
+Miss Chudleigh, who was also discarded by her family for wedding a poor
+dissenting clergyman—one who was deemed far beneath her socially, as no
+one suspected his connections with the Thorntons. After her death, and
+when Mr. Gladstone found that he also had not long to live, he said he
+could not reconcile himself to the thought of giving his orphan daughter
+to the care of those to whom he had been a stranger so long, although
+his own blood flowed in their veins; so he arranged to send her to a
+distant relative of his mother’s in America, who agreed to take charge
+of her and her education for her sake. This last, however, Miss
+Gladstone has told me, and her residence in that country at the time of
+the death of the late Sir Charles, and her ignorance regarding her
+relationship to him, accounts for the fact that we have but just
+discovered her claim. Everything is as plain as black and white can make
+it. We have looked up the records, and find they correspond with the
+papers in her possession, and among which is a certificate of her
+parents’ marriage, and one of her own baptism, together with other
+important documents; and now, I think, you cannot fail to perceive that
+Miss Gladstone, being Sir Charles Thornton’s _own_ cousin, is the
+nearest of kin, and we shall therefore be obliged to give her claim the
+precedence. I regret, madam,” the lawyer concluded, in his blandest
+tones, “that we did not learn of this in season to save you the trouble
+and expense of such a long journey. However, I trust that you have
+reaped enjoyment sufficient from the trip to compensate you in a measure
+for your disappointment.”
+
+Mrs. Richards looked blankly from one to another of the occupants of
+that room, as if she could not, even yet, comprehend the magnitude of
+the calamity which had so unexpectedly overtaken her.
+
+“I do not believe one word of it. It is all a piece of fraud to cheat me
+out of my rights,” she cried at length, while her own blazing eyes
+threatened to annihilate the beautiful girl, her successful rival, who
+sat opposite with downcast eyes, and feeling really sorry, in spite of
+all that she had suffered at Mrs. Richards’ hands, for her distress over
+this terrible defeat.
+
+“Do not allow yourself to become unreasonable over the matter, madam, I
+pray. There has not been, I assure you, even the suspicion of a fraud,”
+Mr. Compton said, his own eyes beginning to take fire at this assertion.
+“The papers are all there on my table; everything has been written out
+in the plainest manner, and copies made of all the records which go to
+prove what I have told you. You can examine them, if you choose; but
+there cannot be the slightest doubt regarding Miss Gladstone’s claim.
+She alone inherits everything belonging to the late Sir Charles
+Thornton.”
+
+“Oh, she has been the bane of our lives; she has ruined and upset every
+plan that we have made since the day when she first set foot in our
+house—since she came to us like the beggar that she was,” sobbed the
+wretched woman, giving way utterly to her misery.
+
+“Ah! then _you_ are the woman to whom Albert Thornton confided his
+orphan daughter when he knew that he could not live?” said Mr. Compton,
+quickly, his keen mind at once grasping certain facts which Star, from a
+feeling of delicacy, had withheld from him, when, to her surprise, she
+learned that Mrs. Richards had also come to England to claim the
+Thornton estates.
+
+“That has nothing to do with the case. She has _ruined_ us, and that is
+enough to think about for one day, I should imagine,” she retorted,
+angrily, and flushing.
+
+“Ellen!” and Mr. Richards spoke very sternly; “you are as unreasonable
+as a child. Star has been kindly disposed from the first. It is _you_
+who have tried to ruin _her_—who have oppressed and sought to degrade
+her in a way that is a shame to you and your promises to her dead
+father. It is a bitter thing to be obliged to condemn my own wife thus
+publicly, but I cannot calmly listen to your calumniations of her, for,
+instead of being our ruin, she has been our salvation. Only this fall,
+when my business was tottering, and my reason with it—when I was upon
+the verge of bankruptcy—of self-destruction—I confess it with shame and
+sorrow now—_she_ came to me like a beam of light and saved me from
+becoming both a bankrupt and a suicide. She gave me, or caused to be
+given to me, a check for ten thousand dollars, which set me upon my feet
+again. She spoke, too, such solemn, gentle words to me as I shall never
+forget, and which kept me from the horrible pit into which I was
+stumbling, and we owe all that we are and have to her. To go still
+farther back, you owe your life to her mother. Josephine was saved from
+a dreadful death by Star’s bravery; and, instead of hating her because
+unforeseen circumstances have raised her to a high social position, we
+should rejoice that it is so. Star, my dear girl, you have at least one
+grateful heart in my family.”
+
+He went over to her side and put out his hand to her, though he was so
+deeply moved that it shook like a leaf, and she took it with streaming
+eyes, and wholly unable to utter a single word in reply.
+
+What a wreck that heartless woman had made of his life, she thought. He
+was naturally a kind and tender-hearted man, and deserving of a better
+fate than had been his.
+
+But his wife bridled angrily, losing all control over her tongue.
+
+“I wish I had never set eyes on her face; and I wish your hand had been
+palsied before it ever took that ten thousand dollars from her. She came
+into our family and stole your heart from me by her arts and sly
+speeches; she wheedled out of Jacob Rosevelt the fortune that should
+have been mine; she tricked Josephine out of the man who should have
+married her—who _would_ have done so but for her; and now she has come
+to steal the inheritance which ought to have been mine. I _hate_ her,
+and I _curse_ her from the bottom of my heart!”
+
+“Then you are a thoroughly bad woman, and I am thankful that Sir Charles
+Thornton’s estate is to pass into more worthy hands. Much as I
+sympathize with and respect your husband, madam, I cannot permit my
+young client to be insulted in my presence, and I have the honor to wish
+you a very good-morning.”
+
+Mr. Compton said this very spiritedly, his fine face flushing with
+indignation, his lips curling with contempt, while he walked to the door
+of his office and held it open, with such an air of stern determination
+that Mrs. Richards did not dare to disregard this very emphatic
+invitation to take her departure, and she walked wrathfully, but utterly
+crushed by her bitter disappointment, from the room.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XLIII.
+                         “GOD BLESS OUR STAR.”
+
+
+Yes, beautiful Star Gladstone was the heiress to Halowell Park, and all
+other property belonging to the late Sir Charles Thornton.
+
+Upon reaching home after her trip to California, which had been one of
+great enjoyment as well as profit, she resolved to settle down to a
+cozy, quiet life for the remainder of the winter, and make Uncle Jacob
+as comfortable as she possibly could.
+
+She was sitting in her own pretty room one morning, something as Mrs.
+Richards had sat in hers only a few weeks previous when she had
+discovered herself to be the heir to Halowell Park, but looking happy
+and smiling, instead of angry and discontented.
+
+She had brought a pile of music up there to sort and arrange, it having
+been upset by the house-maid while dusting, and as she was looking it
+over, she came upon an old newspaper that had got mixed in with it.
+
+She took it up as one often does, and ran her eye carelessly over its
+columns.
+
+It happened to be the very paper which contained the notice of Sir
+Charles Thornton’s death, and the advertisement for the next of kin.
+
+Star started as her eye caught that name. Then she went over both
+paragraphs carefully.
+
+“I do not believe but that he was the one of whom papa wrote in that
+package,” she murmured, thoughtfully. “It must be the same, for _he_ was
+the owner of Halowell Park of Devonshire. He was papa’s own nephew;
+there are no heirs, and—I wonder if I might not in some way be
+interested in this advertisement.”
+
+With heightened color she arose, and going to a drawer in her
+dressing-case, drew forth that worn portfolio which we have seen before
+on several occasions.
+
+Opening it, she took out those papers which she had read on the evening
+of her eighteenth birthday, and which had caused her so much agitation.
+
+One of them contained a history of her father’s life, as we have already
+stated, telling how his religious views had changed as he drew near
+manhood, and how he had desired to go to preach to the heathen; how this
+had angered his father, who, when he found he could not turn him from
+his purpose, drove him from his home, telling him never to set foot in
+it again; how he had gone to Africa full of holy zeal, but failing in
+health, had been obliged to return and settle in a small parish of
+Derbyshire. Here he had met Miss Chudleigh, who at one time was visiting
+in the neighborhood, and she sympathizing with him in his views, they
+had soon grown to love each other, and felt that life would be nothing
+to them unless spent with each other. When, however, she had insisted
+upon marrying him in opposition to the wishes of her friends, she also
+had been discarded by them.
+
+“You once questioned me about your name, my child,” he wrote, “and I
+told you that your grandmother had given it to you. I have sometimes
+feared I was harsh with you when you asked me about my family, but you
+understand now why, and forgive me if I seemed so to you. I loved my
+mother as I never loved any one else save my lost Annie and you, and had
+she been living, I should never have been so cruelly banished from my
+home, for I was her favorite child. She was a grand and noble woman, but
+there was some sorrow connected with her early life which I could never
+wholly fathom. I once, upon coming suddenly into her room, found her
+weeping over a portrait, and when I asked her the cause of her grief,
+she put it hastily out of sight. ‘My boy, I am foolish and wrong to
+grieve over the past,’ she said; ‘but I once lost a very dear friend,
+and sometimes feelings arise which I cannot wholly control. I want you
+to do something for me sometime,’ she added, trying to smile, ‘and that
+is, if you should ever marry and have a little daughter, you will call
+her Stella Rosevelt Gladstone.’ ‘I will call her anything you like,’ I
+answered, earnestly, and then she kissed me with trembling lips and said
+I was her ‘dear boy.’ This is how you came by your name, my little Star.
+Stella was my dear mother’s name; ‘Rosevelt,’ I have grown to believe,
+was one that was sacred to her.”
+
+Then there was more about his family relations—about his father and
+brother. He said there were very few of his kin living; he knew of only
+one, now that his brother was gone, and that was his only child, Sir
+Charles Thornton, of Halowell Park, but he had no family; he probably
+believed that he—Albert Gladstone Thornton—was dead, as everybody else
+did, and so he had concluded it best to send her—Star—to America, to the
+care of Mrs. Richards, who had promised to care for her, and who, he
+felt, would be true to her trust for the sake of the debt which she owed
+her mother.
+
+Before he had died he charged her, when giving her the package, to guard
+it as a sacred treasure, and not to open it until the stated time, and
+she had promised to do as he wished.
+
+After Star had read this paper through, she took up the others and went
+carefully over them; and these were certificates and records, all of
+which went to prove the truth of what he had written.
+
+Evidently the thought had never occurred to him that Sir Charles would
+die unmarried and childless, and that _she_ would own and reign in the
+home from which he had been banished; for there was no mention of any
+such thing, and no desire expressed that she should ever seek to
+cultivate the acquaintance of her rich cousin.
+
+When she had been through them all, she gathered them up, together with
+the paper in which she had seen the advertisement, and carried them
+below to Mr. Rosevelt, told him something of her suspicions, and asked
+him to examine them and see if he thought she would be likely to inherit
+the Thornton property.
+
+He did look into them carefully, and felt convinced that Star stood next
+in line to Sir Charles.
+
+He was deeply touched upon reading her father’s account of his mother,
+and his own early love.
+
+Star had never shown it to him before. She had not liked to do so for
+several reasons, deeming it, for one, a sort of sacred trust from her
+father, and thinking also that it might sadden her kind friend.
+
+“I cannot understand why, when her husband had been so kind and patient
+with her, under what must have been such trying circumstances, he should
+have been so harsh and unloving toward his boy for a mere difference of
+opinion,” he murmured, thoughtfully, while thinking of poor Albert
+Thornton’s banishment from home.
+
+“Little girl,” he said to Star, “there is, I believe, a good deal in
+this for you, and we must sail for England immediately,” and Star felt
+her heart leap within her.
+
+England was Lord Carrol’s home.
+
+Then her lips had curled with scorn at her own folly, but she agreed at
+once to do whatever Mr. Rosevelt advised, and in a week they were again
+crossing the broad Atlantic.
+
+Upon seeking an interview with Compton & Bailey and laying their case
+before them, they were gratified to learn that, although other claims
+had been filed, Star was the nearest of kin who had yet appeared to
+them.
+
+The eminent lawyers at once set themselves to work to look up the case,
+found all the records to correspond with those in her possession, and
+finally pronounced her to be the heir to the Thornton property.
+
+Star felt greatly surprised and troubled upon learning that Mrs.
+Richards was one of the claimants, for she had no desire to contest any
+question with her, or to appear to triumph over her in any way. She
+simply wished to let her alone—to drop her entirely out of her life.
+
+When the day came round that was to decide the important question for
+the expectant woman, Mr. Compton insisted, much to Star’s annoyance,
+that it was necessary for her to meet her, and the rights of the true
+heir to be established in the presence of all parties.
+
+She felt a real pity for the wretched woman when the lawyer led her out
+to confront Mrs. Richards and her family, for she was unwilling to cause
+even an enemy pain, while it did indeed almost seem as if she was
+destined to checkmate every move in their life; but every one, even
+herself, who knew the circumstances of the past, could but acknowledge
+that their punishment was a just one.
+
+The days, since the meeting and happy reconciliation of Lord Carrol and
+Star, had been full of joy and contentment.
+
+She did not, however, tell him of her expectations regarding the
+Thornton property, but when the time appointed to meet Mrs. Richards
+arrived, she asked him to accompany Mr. Rosevelt and herself to Mr.
+Compton’s office upon a little matter of business.
+
+He, with them, remained in the inner office during the lawyer’s
+interview with his claimants, and the door being slightly ajar, they
+could hear all that passed in the other room.
+
+Lord Carrol was greatly astonished at what he heard, but he was even
+more so when Mr. Compton came in and led Star forth to present her as
+the heiress to that large estate.
+
+“I am almost afraid to approach you, my lady of Thornton. I begin to
+fear you may assume some new character at any moment, and soar so far
+beyond my reach that I shall lose you entirely,” he said, half in jest,
+half in earnest, when, that evening, he came to see her in her own room
+in St. James square.
+
+“You know I told you I was glad that you won me when I was a poor,
+obscure little maid,” Star answered, slipping her hand confidingly into
+his.
+
+“I feel perfectly sure of your love,” she added, “and yet I am not
+_sorry_ that I can come to you now as an equal. I shall not be sorry to
+have the _world_ say of you that you have chosen wisely,” she concluded,
+while her glowing eyes and smiling lips told that, for his sake, she
+exulted in her new position and wealth.
+
+“What the world might say of you, under any circumstances, would not
+trouble me,” he answered, gravely. “But I, too, am glad that I won your
+heart when you had nothing, if it secures to me your unbounded trust. I
+do not know either,” he continued, smiling, “as I should have had quite
+as much assurance in approaching Sir Charles Thornton’s wealthy heiress;
+and yet,” with a proud uplifting of his handsome head, “while conscious
+of my own honor and rectitude, I have no need to fear to approach any
+woman whom I might love.”
+
+Star was standing by his chair, and she bent and touched her lips to his
+forehead as he said this. She was very proud of this grand, true man,
+who had won her to be his wife simply because he loved her.
+
+But in the midst of her joy she could not help feeling something of
+sadness and pity for Josephine and her disappointed hopes.
+
+It was no light thing to have loved and lost such a man as this, and she
+would gladly have comforted her had it been in her power to do so.
+
+“Uncle Jacob,” she said, more timidly than she was in the habit of
+addressing him, the next time she was alone with him, “I shall have so
+much money, now that I am to be mistress of Halowell Park, and—and when
+Archie takes me,” she added, with a burning blush, “that I wish you
+would make another will, and give your fortune, or a part of it at
+least, to your ‘nearest of kin.’”
+
+“You are my nearest of kin,” he said, briefly.
+
+“I know what you mean,” she replied, affectionately; “our hearts _are_
+surely akin; but—I really am _very_ sorry for Mrs. Richards and
+Josephine, not to mention poor Mr. Richards, who has had such a hard
+time of it; and perhaps they would feel more kindly toward me if they
+thought I did not care for so much money, and truly I do not—I never can
+use it all.”
+
+Jacob Rosevelt looked at her with tears in his eyes.
+
+“My darling,” he said, with emotion, “I believe you have the heart of a
+saint, but I cannot alter my will—everything I have belongs to you; but
+I leave you free to do whatever you choose with it. If you ever find
+people in need and wish to help them, give them what you like; but I
+shall never break the seal of my will. Child,” he added, tremblingly,
+“you have been all the world to me; and more than this, you have helped
+me to find hope for the world to come. I know that you will have a great
+deal of money without mine, but it shall be yours nevertheless; I know
+that it will not be used selfishly, and I cannot leave it in better
+hands.”
+
+He bent down and touched her forehead with his lips, and then left her,
+but her heart was filled with a song of praise.
+
+“You have helped me to find hope for the world to come,” he had said;
+and there never had been a sweeter message sent in answer to prayer, she
+thought.
+
+For a long time, she had noticed, he had been more respectful whenever
+the name of the Deity had been uttered in his presence, while, when he
+had accompanied her to Sabbath services, he had listened attentively,
+even reverently to what was said.
+
+Looking back to that dark night on the angry waters, when she had first
+met him, and remembering his sneers at her trust in the “All Father,”
+and his bitter, skeptical retorts, she was surprised at the change that
+had gradually come over him; and now, to her amazement, he had confessed
+to a “hope” for eternity.
+
+It was the one drop too many in her cup of joy, and it instantly
+overflowed in happy, thankful tears, and in a low-voiced pean of
+gratitude.
+
+                  *       *       *       *       *
+
+A month, Lord Carrol said, was all the time that he could allow his fair
+bride-elect to prepare to become Lady Carrol.
+
+“But I have so much to do!” Star objected, with crimson cheeks.
+
+“Then you must increase your forces,” he answered, with a fond smile. “I
+know that it is ‘etiquette’ to let the lady name the day, but
+considering all things, I think I ought to have that privilege. Darling,
+we have been separated so long that I do not feel like living without
+you a day more than is actually necessary. My mother wants you to come
+to her in Belgrave Square, and remain as her guest, while she and Vivien
+will assist about the wonderful trousseau, which they consider
+indispensable for the occasion under discussion.”
+
+It was of no use for Star to make objections, for they were every one
+overruled, and it was at length decided that Lord Carrol should have his
+way, and she went to Belgrave Square for the intervening month.
+
+Mr. Meredith was cordially urged to remain in London until after the
+wedding, and as Grace had been sent for to act as bride-maid, and a pair
+of clear gray eyes had earnestly seconded the appeal, he could not
+refuse.
+
+He bore this “blighting” of all his previous “hopes” with wonderful
+equanimity, however, and ere the eventful day arrived that was to make
+Star a bride, he had won a promise from lovely Vivien Sherbrooke that at
+the end of another year she would become his wife.
+
+“Fickle!” did I hear some fair reader ejaculate in a tone of contempt?
+
+Well, perhaps he was; but then when he had been so heart-broken over
+Star’s rejection he did not know that there was a Vivien Sherbrooke in
+the world.
+
+We are always disappointed, often unreasonably so, when we cannot get
+what we want, and perhaps his passion for our heroine was not quite so
+intense as he had imagined it to be. However, be that as it may, Lord
+Carrol’s fair sister had convinced him that
+
+                  “Taking the year together, my dear,
+                  There isn’t more cloud than sun.”
+
+And he had concluded to spend the remainder of his life basking in the
+sunlight of her presence.
+
+Mrs. Richards, with her family, lost no time in returning to America
+after this crushing disappointment.
+
+They could not remain and face the people to whom they had proudly
+boasted of their future greatness, nor could they bear to look upon
+Star’s happiness and triumph over them; while, besides all this, they
+were greatly cramped in purse, after the extravagant outlay which Mrs.
+Richards insisted was necessary for people with their expectations.
+
+Mr. Richards was very much depressed, for, to say nothing of the money
+which they had spent, he feared the worst from his long absence and
+neglect of business.
+
+He went to see Star and Jacob Rosevelt before they sailed; he could not
+leave without bidding them farewell, and assuring them of his gratitude
+and good-will.
+
+They received him most kindly, and he spent a pleasant hour with them.
+
+As he took Star’s hand at parting, he bent down and kissed her fair,
+upturned face, while great, regretful tears rolled down his cheeks.
+
+“I am sorry to lose you, dear,” he said; “but I know you will be happy,
+as you certainly deserve to be, and may Heaven bless you in your new
+life. I shall never forget how much I owe you—how you saved me by your
+kindness, and I know you will think of us all more kindly than we
+deserve.”
+
+He did not give her time to reply, but turning, grasped Mr. Rosevelt’s
+hand, and then was gone.
+
+A year later she heard that he was dead—that he died suddenly, after
+struggling hard with business and business troubles and that his family
+had been left in very reduced circumstances.
+
+Through Ralph Meredith she caused a handsome sum to be invested, the
+income of which they were to enjoy while they should live, and she never
+saw or heard from them again.
+
+                  *       *       *       *       *
+
+St. George’s church, Hanover Square, was crowded upon Star Gladstone’s
+bridal morning, and “no bride so fair” had passed beneath its
+aristocratic arches for many a year, was the verdict which all Belgravia
+pronounced as it watched her leave the altar and move down the spacious
+aisle leaning upon the arm of her noble husband.
+
+Her dress was of Lyons satin, and one of Worth’s most elegant
+productions. The lace which adorned it was the finest and costliest
+which far-famed Brussels could produce, and the vail “a perfect marvel.”
+
+The bridal wreath was of delicate, feathery clematis, and was fastened
+to her head and vail with a set of five beautiful diamond stars, the
+gift of Jacob Rosevelt.
+
+Grace Meredith and her brother presented a pair of elegant ear-ornaments
+to match; Lady Sherbrooke a necklace and tiara of pearls, and—time would
+fail me were I to enumerate all the costly gifts which were showered
+upon this lovely bride. There were six bride-maids, and as many “best
+men.” Jacob Rosevelt gave Star away to the man whom he believed to be
+worthy of her in every respect, and felt as if he were indeed giving up
+his own and only child, although she had told him she could never
+consent to be separated from him.
+
+They were to spend a couple of months at Carrolton, Lord Carrol’s
+country seat, whither upholsterers and decorators had been sent, as soon
+as the wedding had been decided upon, to make everything fresh and
+attractive for them.
+
+Of course Mrs. Blunt, that much “mistaken” but honest and affectionate
+creature, was indispensable at this time, and she was made about as
+happy as it is possible for a mortal to be in this life by Star’s
+assurance that she should be a fixture in her household as long as she
+should live.
+
+After the two months at Carrolton they were to go to Halowell Park for a
+season, and take a look at the home of the Thorntons.
+
+There was to be no stereotyped tour. Star said she had traveled enough
+for the present, and would much prefer to settle down to quiet home
+life—perhaps by another year they might feel like making a trip to the
+Continent.
+
+Lady Sherbrooke had already grown to love her new daughter very dearly.
+
+“It is well that I do love her,” she said, tearfully, to Vivien, when
+the grand wedding was over, the guests all gone, and they were left by
+themselves, “if I must lose you, as I expect to, before very long; but
+if I had searched the world over I could not have found a fairer,
+sweeter wife for my son. Heaven bless our Star! She bids fair to prove a
+guiding light in Archie’s home.”
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XLIV.
+                            FAITH’S TRIUMPH.
+
+
+“Star!”
+
+“Yes, Uncle Jacob.”
+
+“The night has almost come.”
+
+“The _dawn_, you mean, dear; do not call it night, for truly I believe
+it is the break of day for you.”
+
+“You are right; I should not call it night. But always remember, dear,
+and let the thought comfort you when you come to miss me, that _your_
+hand has guided me through the darkness, pointing me ever toward the
+light of a better world.”
+
+The speaker paused, for he was very weak.
+
+Jacob Rosevelt lay upon a luxurious couch in an elegant apartment of
+Lady Star Carrol’s beautiful home, and looking his last upon earth.
+
+Everything that wealth, and love, and care could do had been done for
+the dear old man whom she loved so fondly; but now, after three years of
+such peace and content as once he had never thought to enjoy, he was
+dying.
+
+Star, who, in a spotless white wrapper, sits beside him, has grown a
+trifle matronly in her appearance, a little rounded and fuller in
+figure, and there is something more of dignity in her bearing; but she
+has the same star-like beauty—she is not one whit less lovely or less
+deserving of her name than when we last saw her on her bridal morn.
+
+A year of almost unalloyed happiness passed after that event, and then
+there was born a fine heir to the Carrol estate—a boy, of whom his
+father was very proud, and who at once became the pet and pride of the
+whole household.
+
+Uncle Jacob, with this little one folded within his arms, or sitting
+crowing upon his knee, with Star fondly attentive to his every want, and
+Lord Carrol to lean upon in his old age, felt as if he had attained as
+nearly to perfect happiness as any one could do in this world.
+
+But during the third year after their marriage he had gradually but
+surely failed, until, to the great grief of all, they were obliged to
+acknowledge that he had not long to live.
+
+This was the first great sorrow of Star’s wedded life; but she strove to
+bear it cheerfully, at least in Mr. Rosevelt’s presence, resolving that
+no mourning or repining should cloud the little time that remained to
+him to live—that there should be nothing but peace, and a looking
+forward to the great change as simply the sweeping aside of a misty vail
+and an entrance into something more blessed and beautiful than earth
+could give.
+
+Now the crisis had come, and the old man, his wan face turned toward the
+fading light of a glorious day, felt that his strength and senses were
+slipping away from him, and told the constant watcher by his side that
+the “night had come.”
+
+“No, I ought not to have said that,” he repeated, after a few moments of
+rest, while a smile parted his pale lips; “the night is past, and you,
+dear one, have been my guiding star in the midst of its deepest gloom. I
+did not have much faith in a better future until I knew you; you set me
+to thinking that night on the angry deep, when you told me you ‘had been
+taught to trust our Heavenly Father,’ and that ‘one could hardly have
+much faith in one’s self at such a time as that.’ Yes, your simple trust
+in your Father’s faith, your pure and gentle life, my Star, has led me
+to God, and without a fear I resign myself into His hands; before
+another day dawns I shall have entered into my rest, and the Sun of
+Righteousness will shine upon me.”
+
+“Oh, Uncle Jacob,” Star said, her voice full of unshed tears, but with a
+holy awe shining in her beautiful face, “you have never talked so
+plainly to me—you have never opened your heart like this to me, and I am
+so thankful to you for speaking such precious words to me before——”
+
+She stopped; her trembling lips could not frame the words to complete
+the sentence.
+
+“Before I leave you, never more to look upon your dear face in this
+life,” he said, with a tender smile on his lips, while the light of
+faith grew brighter in his eyes. “Yes, dear, it is so. We both know it,
+and why not speak of it calmly, as of a journey, during which we should
+be separated only for a little while. I shall go first, my darling, but
+the vail that will hide us from each other is dropping very softly and
+gently. You will not grieve for me, my child?”
+
+“No, no, Uncle Jacob; only for myself, who will be so very lonely
+without you.”
+
+But Star could not quite keep back the quiver from her voice as she said
+this. He noticed it, and put out his thin hand to clasp it.
+
+“Be comforted, my darling, with the thought of what you have made the
+last years of my life—a season of peace and content. Remember always
+that without _you_ I should have groped on in darkness until my soul
+would literally have gone out into the ‘night.’ But now, as I have said,
+I have no fear. No; a bright vision rises up before me; I seem to see
+just beyond the ‘great white throne’ of which you read only last
+Sabbath, and where sits the form of Him who has taken from me all the
+guilt of sin and unbelief. It is Jesus, the Lamb of God, and _you_, my
+beloved, by the gentle influence of your beautiful faith, have led me
+thither.”
+
+Star bent down and kissed the pale hand clasping hers, and which was
+growing cold even then, while the tears which she could not restrain
+fell hotly upon it.
+
+“I know that I am dying,” he went on, more weakly than before; “I know
+that this chill which I feel creeping over me, benumbing my senses and
+dimming my sight, is death. I know that soon my breath must cease, and
+that the King of Terrors will cut the cord which binds me to earth and
+all I love here. But there is no terror in the thought, for the faith
+which you have taught me points me to the ‘radiant vistas of a world
+divine,’ where perchance I may find among the ransomed throng a spirit
+who was once kindred to my own. Ah, my darling, dry your tears, and
+remember that, in spite of this dissolving frame, _I am whole!_ for the
+healing hand of Christ hath touched me, while your life, passing in its
+brief transit over mine, has been the instrument of it all.”
+
+Is this a sad scene with which to close my story?
+
+Is it _sad_ to see the fruits of a beautiful life, and to learn how one
+faithful soul led another home to heaven and God? Will any one call such
+a triumph as the passing away of Jacob Rosevelt _sad_?
+
+No. At least it did not appear so to those who witnessed it.
+
+It was a hallowed room where Star sat, a little later, and gazed upon
+her dead—upon that brow which had settled into such tranquillity—upon
+that restful, upturned face, which wore a smile “calm as a twilight
+lake,” and upon which “God’s full-orbed peace was shining,”
+transfiguring it with something of the radiance that had enraptured the
+fleeting soul.
+
+But she would not grieve for him; for, although she should never cease
+to yearn
+
+               “——for the touch of a vanished hand,
+               And the sound of a voice that was still,”
+
+she knew that, in that far-off world “where the weary are at rest,” it
+was “well with him.”
+
+And when they laid him away in the family vault at Halowell, where, too,
+lay the moldering form of her whom he had so loved in the days of his
+earlier manhood, she did not murmur, for she felt that he had left
+behind him a wealth of faith, and love, and trust that would glorify all
+her own after-life, and she found herself repeating, with one of our
+sweetest poets:
+
+               “Do men die thus? And is it this to die?”
+
+All through the years that came and went in her beautiful home, of which
+she was the chief charm, she carried the memory and influences of that
+last hour of Jacob Rosevelt’s life, and it seemed to be an added link in
+the golden chain that bound her soul to their common God.
+
+The thought of it was like a strain of heavenly music, making her life
+rich with melody. It was like a breath from the flowers of Paradise,
+perfuming all around her.
+
+Her husband worshiped her—reverently, as a gift from the Divine Hand;
+her children “sat at her feet and learned of her,” and, rising up,
+“called her blessed;” while all who knew her likened the influence of
+her lovely example, the luster and beauty of her life, to the “transit”
+of some bright “star.”
+
+
+                               [THE END.]
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
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+------------------------------------------------------------------------
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-<p style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Stella Rosevelt, by Georgie Sheldon</p>

-<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>

-This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and

-most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions

-whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms

-of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online

-at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you

-are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the

-country where you are located before using this eBook.

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-

-<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Stella Rosevelt</p>

-<p style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:0; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:1em;'>A novel</p>

-<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Georgie Sheldon</p>

-<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: May 4, 2023 [eBook #70696]</p>

-<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p>

-  <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: Richard Tonsing and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)</p>

-<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STELLA ROSEVELT ***</div>

-

-<div class='tnotes covernote'>

-

-<p class='c000'><strong>Transcriber’s Note:</strong></p>

-

-<p class='c000'>The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.</p>

-

-</div>

-

-<div class='titlepage'>

-

-<div>

-  <h1 class='c001'>STELLA ROSEVELT.<br> <span class='large'><span class='blackletter'>A Novel.</span></span></h1>

-</div>

-

-<div class='nf-center-c0'>

-<div class='nf-center c002'>

-    <div>BY</div>

-    <div><span class='xlarge'>MRS. GEORGIE SHELDON.</span></div>

-    <div class='c003'>AUTHOR OF</div>

-    <div class='c003'>“<span class='sc'>Brownie’s Triumph</span>,” “<span class='sc'>The Forsaken Bride</span>,” “<span class='sc'>Lost—A Pearle</span>,” “<span class='sc'>Earle Wayne’s Nobility</span>,” <span class='sc'>Etc.</span>, <span class='sc'>Etc.</span></div>

-  </div>

-</div>

-

-<div  class='figcenter id001'>

-<img src='images/i_title.jpg' alt='logo' class='ig001'>

-</div>

-

-<div class='nf-center-c0'>

-  <div class='nf-center'>

-    <div>NEW YORK:</div>

-    <div><i>G. W. Dillingham Co., Publishers</i>.</div>

-  </div>

-</div>

-

-</div>

-

-<div class='nf-center-c0'>

-<div class='nf-center c004'>

-    <div><span class='small'>Copyright, 1883 and 1890</span></div>

-    <div><span class='small'>By STREET &#38; SMITH</span></div>

-    <div class='c003'><span class='small'>Stella Rosevelt</span></div>

-  </div>

-</div>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CONTENTS.</h2>

-</div>

-

-<table class='table0'>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'><span class='small'>CHAPTER.</span></td>

-    <td class='c007'>&#160;</td>

-    <td class='c008'><span class='small'>PAGE.</span></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>I.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>On the Atlantic</span></td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_9'>9</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>II.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Saved</span></td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_19'>19</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>III.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>The Young Stranger</span></td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_30'>30</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>IV.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Mrs. Richards</span></td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_38'>38</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>V.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Bitter Disappointment</span></td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_47'>47</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>VI.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Stella’s Appeal</span></td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_57'>57</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>VII.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>A Consultation</span></td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_68'>68</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>VIII.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Retrenchment</span></td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_76'>76</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>IX.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Change of Fortune</span></td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_89'>89</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>X.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>The Unwelcome Guest</span></td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_97'>97</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>XI.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Filthy Lucre</span></td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_104'>104</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>XII.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>The Cameo Ring</span></td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_114'>114</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>XIII.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>A Glad Meeting</span></td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_124'>124</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>XIV.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'>“<span class='sc'>Let Me Depict Your Future.</span>”</td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_135'>135</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>XV.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>A Fatal Mistake</span></td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_146'>146</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>XVI.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>A Great Shock</span></td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_154'>154</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>XVII.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'>“<span class='sc'>Why Has He Done This Thing?</span>”</td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_162'>162</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>XVIII.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Explanations</span></td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_175'>175</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>XIX.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Malicious Falsehoods</span></td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_188'>188</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>XX.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Star’s Determination</span></td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_198'>198</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>XXI.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Fruitless Efforts</span></td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_212'>212</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>XXII.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>The Goal Reached</span></td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_222'>222</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>XXIII.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>An Interesting Story</span></td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_234'>234</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>XXIV.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>What Next?</span></td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_248'>248</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>XXV.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Star’s Delight</span></td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_258'>258</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>XXVI.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'>“<span class='sc'>What Does This Mean?</span>”</td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_265'>265</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>XXVII.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Defeated</span></td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_273'>273</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>XXVIII.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Rescued from a Horrible Fate</span></td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_279'>279</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>XXIX.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Josephine’s Ingratitude</span></td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_288'>288</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>XXX.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'>“<span class='sc'>I Love Him Still.</span>”</td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_294'>294</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>XXXI.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>A Noble Resolution</span></td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_301'>301</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>XXXII.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'>“<span class='sc'>I Promise.</span>”</td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_308'>308</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>XXXIII.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'>“<span class='sc'>You Are the Traitor.</span>”</td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_316'>316</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>XXXIV.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Mutual Explanations</span></td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_325'>325</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>XXXV.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Mrs. Richards’ Great Expectations</span></td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_330'>330</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>XXXVI.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Josephine’s Ambition</span></td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_337'>337</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>XXXVII.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>The Mock Marriage</span></td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_345'>345</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>XXXVIII.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'>“<span class='sc'>I Have Been Mad.</span>”</td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_353'>353</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>XXXIX.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>A Crushing Blow</span></td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_363'>363</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>XL.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Stella’s Mental Agony</span></td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_371'>371</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>XLI.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Rehearsing the Past</span></td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_382'>382</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>XLII.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>The Lawyer’s Rebuke</span></td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_393'>393</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>XLIII.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'>“<span class='sc'>God Bless Our Star.</span>”</td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_403'>403</a></td>

-  </tr>

-  <tr>

-    <td class='c006'>XLIV.—</td>

-    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Faith’s Triumph</span></td>

-    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_414'>414</a></td>

-  </tr>

-</table>

-

-<div class='chapter ph1'>

-

-<div class='nf-center-c0'>

-<div class='nf-center c004'>

-    <div>STELLA ROSEVELT.</div>

-  </div>

-</div>

-

-</div>

-

-<div>

-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_9'>9</span>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER I.<br> <span class='large'>ON THE ATLANTIC.</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<div class='lg-container-b c009'>

-  <div class='linegroup'>

-    <div class='group'>

-      <div class='line in26'>“A star</div>

-      <div class='line'>Which moves not ’mid the moving heavens alone,</div>

-      <div class='line'>A smile among dark frowns—a gentle tone</div>

-      <div class='line'>Among rude voices, a beloved light,</div>

-      <div class='line'>A solitude, a refuge, a delight.”—<span class='sc'>Shelley.</span></div>

-    </div>

-  </div>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>A noble steamer was laboriously plowing the turbulent waters

-of the great Atlantic, heaving, and struggling, and creaking

-with every revolution of her gigantic screw, for the waves were

-rolling high—“mountain high”—in very truth. The huge dark

-masses of water would swell and rise up like a great black wall,

-reaching, it seemed, almost to the angry, leaden sky above,

-then sweeping down with mighty force, thunder upon the decks

-of that great vessel, making it shudder to its very center, sending

-it down, down into the yawning depths, as if eager, in

-venomous spite, to blot it out of existence.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>There were very few first cabin passengers on board the ——

-as she thus labored on her weary way between Liverpool and

-New York, for it was late in the year, and the rush of travel

-was over for that season.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Fifteen were all they numbered, while there were about twice

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_10'>10</span>as many in the steerage; and well it was that there were no

-more to share the horrors of that dreadful voyage.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It had been a very gloomy passage, a severe storm arising the

-second day out, which had increased in violence until now—the

-fifth day—it appeared as if all the elements had conspired to

-work destruction upon the stanch ship which was faithfully

-battling with the cruel waves and toiling to bear its precious

-freight of human souls safely into port.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was a forlorn little company that sat shivering and trembling

-in the close saloon—only five, all out of the fifteen who

-had not succumbed to the seasickness—and these five had the

-appearance, with their pale, pinched faces, their heavy eyes and

-disordered attire, of feeling anything but comfortable or well.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>An old man of perhaps sixty years, his hair and beard white

-as snow, his face sallow and wrinkled, his eyes anxious and

-sunken, sat upon the floor—indeed, it was impossible to sit

-anywhere else—braced against a stationary seat, and clinging to

-one of the iron posts which supported the roof of the saloon.

-He was wrapped in a heavy shawl and two elegant rugs; his

-soft hat was drawn down over his forehead, and he seemed

-entirely oblivious of everything about him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Two spinsters, companions and sisters, lay upon cushions

-flat upon the floor, and, also wrapped in their rugs, looked not

-unlike two huge bags of wool rolling from side to side with

-every motion of the boat.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Another man had crept into a corner, where he tried to keep

-himself from pitching about by clinging to a rope which he had

-fastened to an immovable table.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The only other occupant of the place was a little fair-haired

-maiden of perhaps fifteen or sixteen years.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She was small and delicate, and was sitting, or trying to sit,

-upon the floor, not far from the old gentleman before mentioned.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She was wrapped in a thick woolen shawl, and her head was

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_11'>11</span>covered with a crimson hood, so that not much could be seen

-of her, save the fair, pale face, with its sad, appealing blue

-eyes, which looked out from beneath masses of shining golden

-ringlets that had strayed from her hood and lay upon her white

-forehead. She had a sensitive mouth, a pretty, rounded chin,

-a small, straight nose, and altogether, had she possessed something

-of color and less of sadness in her face, would have been

-considered wondrously fair to look upon.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>This little waif, with her child-like countenance, her pathetic

-eyes, and her patient, uncomplaining spirit, was traveling alone.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>There was not a soul on board that vessel whom she had ever

-seen before the day of sailing.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>An orphan—her father, and the only relative on whom she

-could depend, had died just three months previous—she was

-going to the United States, to some distant connections who

-had consented to take her until she was of age and teach her

-to earn her own living.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had been put in the care of the captain by the people

-with whom she had been staying since her father’s death, and he

-was to deliver her to the strangers to whom she was going.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Some strange magnetism had attracted her toward the old

-gentleman with the white hair and beard of whom we have

-spoken, and near to whom she was now sitting.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had hovered about him ever since the first day of the

-voyage, not in an obtrusive way, but as if she liked to be near

-him—as if there were something trustworthy and protective

-about him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Perhaps one reason for this was that her seat had been next

-his at table—while they had been able to sit at the table—and

-once or twice, when she could not attract the attention of the

-steward, he had handed her what she wanted, and helped her

-bountifully to fruit when otherwise she would have been

-neglected.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>When the storm came on with such violence that those not

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_12'>12</span>confined to their berths were obliged to take to the floor of the

-saloon for safety, she had crept as near to him as she dared,

-and though she had sat there all day long, he had never spoken

-to her once, or appeared to heed her presence, but remained,

-instead, wrapped in his own thoughts.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Suddenly the ship rose upon a mighty wave—up, up she

-went, until every trembling passenger held his breath with awe;

-then she plunged headlong down into the raging deep, with a

-sinking, sickening sensation that chilled the blood and made

-the flesh creep with fear.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The next moment another terrific wave struck her, with a

-noise like the roar of a hundred cannon, and with a force

-which made her quiver like a frightened creature from stem to

-stern; and in the dread pause which followed, and which was

-fraught with horrible suspense, the little maid clasped her

-small hands and cast an appealing glance at her gray-haired

-companion.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He, seeing it, smiled grimly as he asked, in rather a gruff

-tone:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Afraid, sis?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Before she could answer him the vessel gave another tremendous

-lurch, and she was rudely precipitated almost into the

-arms of her questioner.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He caught her just in time to save her from being dashed

-against the iron post by which he was sitting, and when she

-had recovered her breath a little, he put her gently down beside

-him, keeping one strong arm around her to save her from a

-second fall.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“This is pretty rough weather. Are you afraid?” he asked

-again, and looking with something of pity down upon her

-white face.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It startles me to have the vessel pitch and tremble so, and

-those dreadful waves seem as if they want to swallow us; but I

-know that nothing can harm us, unless——”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_13'>13</span>“Unless what?” the old man queried, as she hesitated and

-glanced shyly up at him, a tinge of color coming into her

-cheeks.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Unless it is God’s will,” she answered, reverently.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A sneer curled her companion’s lip at this reply; but the

-sweet eyes looking up into his seemed to touch some tender

-memory, for it quickly died, and he repressed the skeptical

-words to which he was about to give utterance.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But she <i>felt</i> it, nevertheless, and, with a grave look and

-serious tone, she asked:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Don’t you believe that God rules the storm, and that He

-will take care of us?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“My experience all through life has been that I have had to

-take care of <i>myself</i>,” he returned, with some bitterness.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“And I have been taught to trust ‘our Heavenly Father.’ I

-think one would hardly have much faith in <i>one’s self</i> at such a

-time as this,” the little maiden said, with a look of awe and an

-involuntary shudder, as another wave broke over them.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The man by her side felt the gentle rebuke, but he evaded it

-by saying:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I think no harm will come to us. I have crossed the

-Atlantic many times; I have sailed upon other oceans, and

-have been in storms equal to, if not worse, than this. I do

-not fear the elements much in one of these well-built boats.

-There is only one thing at sea that I <i>really</i> feel <i>afraid</i> of.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“And what is that?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Fire.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He felt the thrill of fear that went vibrating through her

-whole frame as he uttered the dread word, and appeared to

-regret having added to her apprehension, for he continued, reassuringly:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“But an accident of that kind rarely happens nowadays, and

-where everything is so carefully conducted as on these large

-steamers. There, sit close beside me,” he went on, as still

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_14'>14</span>another thundering mass of water swept over them; “lean

-against me—so. I will keep my arm about you, and you will

-be safer than sitting by yourself. But how does it happen that

-you are traveling alone?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“My father and mother are dead,” she answered, with the

-same appealing look that had touched him before, while her

-lips quivered over the sad sentence. “I had no friends in

-England, and so I am going to live with a cousin of my

-mother’s in America.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“What is your name, little girl?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The “little girl” flushed rosily at this question—as what

-maiden of fifteen or sixteen would not at this slur upon her

-proudly attained “teens?”—while she thought he need not

-have asked if he had taken pains to look at the passenger list;

-but she replied:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Star Rosevelt Gladstone.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A startled, almost agonized gleam shot into the old man’s

-eyes, and his face seemed to shrivel, until he looked ninety

-instead of sixty, as the young girl, in her sweet, clear tone,

-uttered this name.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Star Rosevelt!” he repeated, with pale lips, while his voice

-sounded weak and far away.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, sir,” she said, not noticing his emotion; “or rather

-my real name is Stella, but mamma called me Star always;”

-and her voice faltered as she spoke of her dead mother.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Her companion did not answer, and the roar of the elements

-increasing, further conversation was out of the question, even

-had they been so disposed, which they appeared not to be.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The old man’s head dropped upon his broad chest, and he

-seemed suddenly to have forgotten his companion, the angry

-waters, the rolling vessel, and everything else in his own sad

-thoughts.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Darkness began to settle down upon them. The storm raged

-on; the spinsters moaned and rolled upon their comfortless

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_15'>15</span>couches; the man in the corner swore and raved as he was

-rudely jostled about, with no prospect of rest or sleep; while

-the gray-haired man and the fair-haired maid, encircled by his

-strong arm, sat side by side, silent, yet less forlorn than their

-comrades by reason of a feeling of companionship, until the

-young girl’s blue eyes closed, her golden head sank unconsciously

-upon the broad shoulder, and she slept sweetly and

-tranquilly the whole night through, a smile on her red lips, a

-sense of comfort and protection in her young heart.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>When morning broke and Star Gladstone awoke, she found

-herself lying upon a heap of rugs, a pillow underneath her

-head and a soft robe covering her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The sun was shining brightly into the saloon, where, only a

-few hours before, all had been so dark and dismal; the sky was

-beautifully clear and blue, without a vestige of the angry clouds

-which had so threatened ship and life a little while ago, and the

-good vessel was riding the gradually subsiding waves with strong

-and steady pulsations, which seemed to have almost a sense of

-victory in their throbbings, while the terrors of the night seemed

-only a troubled dream of the past.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She arose from her soft couch with a murmured “How

-kind!” as she realized who had made her so comfortable, and

-went below to her state-room to make her toilet.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>After a refreshing bath she brushed out her long, abundant

-hair until it shone like strands of finest gold; then gathering it

-in her two hands, she plaited it into one massive braid, leaving

-the ends loose like a great golden tassel, and tying them with a

-broad blue ribbon.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Then she substituted a charming little blue hood edged with

-white for the thick crimson one which she had worn all night,

-wrapped a soft gray shawl about her shoulders, and went up on

-deck looking as bright and sunny as the morn itself.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She was very lovely. Short fluffy locks of her hair fell like

-a shining mist over her white forehead; her great azure eyes

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_16'>16</span>gleamed like bluebells after a shower; her cheeks were tinged

-with a delicate color, and a smile of joy at the return of fair

-weather parted her red lips, showing two rows of small white

-teeth between.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>As she stepped out upon the deck, she espied her companion

-of the night standing aft, looking out upon the silver-tipped,

-dancing waves.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She glided to his side and saluted him with a sweetly spoken

-“good-morning,” which fell like music on his ear.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He turned and looked at her, an involuntary smile parting

-his lips, which evidently were unaccustomed to such relaxation.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You are rightly named—you look like a star,” he said,

-abruptly, while his keen eyes were fixed intently on her bright

-face.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She flushed, but answered archly:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Stars belong to the night; they are of no account in this

-glorious sunshine;” and she lifted her face up to the sun, as

-if in gratitude that its friendly beams were shining on her once

-more.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It <i>is</i> a glorious morning,” said the old man, taking a long

-breath of the pure, keen air.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Sorrow may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the

-morning,” Star murmured, in a low tone, but with a thrill in

-her voice which told how she felt the words.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Again a sneering smile distorted the lips of her companion.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She saw it, and flushed a vivid crimson, and the tears sprang

-quickly to her eyes.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Mamma used to repeat those words so often when she lay

-sick and dying,” she said, sadly. “I know that <i>she</i> looked

-forward to the ‘morning’ when she should be released from

-her suffering; but they never sounded so pleasantly to me as

-they do now on this beautiful morning after our night of

-terror.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Anything which was a source of comfort to your mother

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_17'>17</span>you doubtless treasure very tenderly,” kindly replied the gentleman,

-who <i>was</i> a gentleman, and felt sorry that his unbelief or

-skepticism should have brought a shadow upon that fair young

-face.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“There is the breakfast-bell,” he added, in a light tone, as

-it rang out its keen notes. “Are you hungry?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Indeed I am, sir,” Star answered, eagerly, adding, with a

-clear, sweet laugh that fell like music on his ear: “Eating has

-been an impossibility during the last few days, and I have

-considerable lost time to make up. That bell has a welcome

-sound.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Then take my arm, little girl, and we will go down together;

-the boat is not quite steady even yet.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Little girl!”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She flushed again, and shrugged her graceful shoulders.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Then she glanced up at him with a serio-comic air, and said,

-with a pretty pout:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I am sixteen years old, Mr.——”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She could not finish, because she did not know his name.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He laughed.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“And maidens of sixteen don’t like to be called little girls,

-eh?” he said. “Well,” he continued, “I feel as if I am

-privileged to call you that, since I am nearly sixty, and <i>my</i>

-name is Jacob Rosevelt.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star stopped short and looked up at him in surprise.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“How strange!” she exclaimed.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Rather,” Mr. Rosevelt returned; then asked: “How did

-you come by your middle name?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“My grandmother gave it to me.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Was her name Rosevelt?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No; her maiden name was Stella Winthrop.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt started, then turned suddenly to look out over

-the sea, and to hide the pallor of his face. He asked no more

-questions, and all through breakfast he appeared absent-minded

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_18'>18</span>and taciturn. He scarcely spoke to Star during the meal—indeed,

-hardly noticed her at all—and she wondered if she

-could have offended him in any way.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Before she was half through he left the table, and she saw

-no more of him until late in the afternoon.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>About three o’clock she left the saloon, where she had been

-trying to while away the time by reading, and went on deck.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was very cold, but the sky was cloudless, the sea calm and

-beautiful, and, save an occasional call and response from the

-sailors, the distant thud of the machinery, and the swash of

-the water as they plowed the sea, there was scarcely a sound on

-board the vessel.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star found a sheltered spot, and wrapping her shawl close

-about her, sat down for a little while to watch the white-capped

-waves and the speeding ship.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had scarcely settled herself, thinking with a feeling of

-gratitude how lovely it was after the dreadful storm, when there

-came the noise of a dreadful explosion from somewhere forward,

-followed by a fearful rocking of the vessel; then the

-most horrible shrieks and cries rent the air; a column of

-smoke, sparks, and cinders went pouring up from the region

-of the engine-room, and immediately passengers and sailors

-began running about in great confusion, and perfectly frantic

-from fright.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star was unhurt, but she sprang to her feet and stood as if

-paralyzed with fear, a look of horror on her young face, a

-feeling like death at her heart.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Something dreadful has happened,” she murmured, with

-white lips. “Have we escaped the storm only to encounter a

-worse fate?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Then, as she saw the sailors getting down the life-boats, a

-sudden thought seemed to inspire her. She darted from the

-deck down into her state-room, where, opening a tiny trunk,

-she seized a package of papers, which she pulled up from

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_19'>19</span>beneath her clothing, and thrust it into her bosom. She then

-took from a pretty box several articles of jewelry, which evidently

-had belonged to her mother, and fastened them about

-her clothing, putting some of them into a pocket of a skirt and

-pinning it securely together. This done, she darted out and

-up to the deck again.</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER II.<br> <span class='large'>SAVED.</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those

-of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats,

-eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and

-gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the

-boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious

-damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>As she went nearer the captain she saw Mr. Rosevelt. He

-looked gloomy and anxious, and very pale, while he was eagerly

-scanning the faces of the people about him, and holding a life-preserver

-in his hands. His face lighted as he turned and saw

-her, and he heaved a long breath of relief.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I was looking for you,” he said, in a hoarse voice, while

-he immediately proceeded to fasten the preserver about her

-person.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He then drew her arm within his, led her to the side of the

-vessel, and stood quietly waiting until the boats were lowered

-and the captain should bid them enter.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Have you anything valuable that you wish to save—<i>if we</i>

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_20'>20</span><i>are saved</i>?” he asked, seeming suddenly to remember that she

-might have something.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, I have a few important papers and my mother’s jewels.

-I went down to get them after the explosion. How did it

-happen?” she asked.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No one knows. It was one of those accidents which cannot

-be accounted for. The whole fore part of the ship is nearly

-blown to pieces,” he returned, gloomily.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star shuddered, and then turned to watch the men let down

-the boats.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>There were only three of them, the others having been destroyed

-or blown overboard. These were quickly filled by the

-frantic passengers and emigrants, who scrambled into them in

-spite of the orders of the captain to await his commands.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>They took everything into their own hands, and as soon as

-the seats were taken, began to push off, regardless of the appealing

-cries of those remaining on board, the anger of the

-captain, and the threats of the sailors.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt and Star were among those left, and the old

-man pleaded for a place for the young girl, calling them inhuman

-brutes to seek their own safety and leave a delicate girl

-to perish.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“The boats will hold no more!” the frantic creatures cried.

-“Every one must look out for himself in such a time as this.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Wretches! have you no feeling? Are there no fathers

-and mothers among you? Will you see this child go down

-before your very eyes? You <i>must</i> take her!” he cried, wildly,

-authoritatively.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A feeling of shame seemed to come over them; there followed

-a moment of consultation, a counting of those in the

-different boats, then a reluctant consent was gained to take her

-into one of them.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Be quick!” they cried, as a rush of flame in the center of

-the steamer warned them that a new and terrible danger threatened;

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_21'>21</span>and Mr. Rosevelt led her toward the rope ladder swinging

-from the vessel’s side.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star was very pale, but her great blue eyes had a strange,

-determined gleam in them.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Are you afraid to go down the ladder?” Mr. Rosevelt asked,

-as he paused before it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Not if <i>you</i> will go <i>first</i> and hold it for me,” she answered.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“But I cannot; they will not take us both,” he said.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She drew back from the edge of the vessel, and looking up

-into that aged face, said, tremulously:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Sir, you have dear friends who are waiting for you, and

-who would mourn your death. I have no one who loves me;

-I was going among strangers, and I should not be missed.

-You go; I am not afraid to die.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He looked at her in mingled awe and admiration, while

-those brave words, “I am not afraid to die,” smote him keenly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Child,” he said, huskily, “it must not be. You are young

-and beautiful; there is a long life of happiness, I trust, before

-you. <i>My</i> days are nearly spent, and I could not accept such a

-sacrifice. Come, they are clamoring impatiently at the delay.

-Give me one kiss, such as you would give to your own father

-were he living, and then I will help you down; or, if you are

-afraid, the sailors shall tie a rope about you and let you down.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He bent his head, his face filled with a yearning tenderness,

-to hers.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“The captain and the sailors—must they remain and perish,

-too?” she asked, breathlessly, while she shuddered as a hot

-wave of smoke came pouring over them.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes; there is room for no one but you. Come; they will

-not wait longer. One kiss, little Star, and—God bless you!”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She looked up at him in surprise; he was asking God to

-bless her, when only last night he had sneered at her trust in

-Him. But she kissed him, for his lips were almost touching

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_22'>22</span>hers as he spoke. Then she leaned over the vessel’s side, and

-said, in loud, clear tones:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I shall not go with you; there are enough in the boat

-already.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She turned her back resolutely upon what seemed her only

-hope of safety, and, clinging to Mr. Rosevelt, she said:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I will not leave you, the only one who has spoken kindly

-to me during all the voyage. They did not want me, for my

-extra weight would lessen their chances, and I will <i>try</i> to be

-brave when—when the end comes.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She was ghastly even to her lips, but there was a clear and

-steady light in her eye.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt was horror-struck at what she had done.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Heavens, child! you shall not do this rash thing! Hold,

-there!” he yelled to those in the boat; “she <i>will</i> go!” and he

-lifted her in his arms and bore her to the spot she had just left,

-while the captain roared to the men below to wait.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But even as they were speaking the vessel gave a tremendous

-lurch and settled far down into the water. Smoke and flame

-were vomited up from below, and, horror of horrors! the boat

-into which they had just been urging—almost forcing Star—was

-swamped in the commotion of waters caused by that lurch,

-and its luckless freight were at the mercy of the hungry waves.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was a fearful moment.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Cries and shrieks for help came up from the cruel depths,

-and white, upturned faces looked piteously toward the sinking

-hulk, as if imploring even the brief respite from a horrible

-death which it could afford.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Boxes, spars, and anything that was at hand, were cast over

-to them, and several succeeded in reaching and clinging to

-them, while others went down to their watery grave before the

-eyes of that watching, agonized group on the burning vessel,

-who almost forgot their own impending fate in the sufferings of

-their comrades. Suddenly a shout rent the air.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_23'>23</span>The captain hastened forward to see what it meant, and saw

-one of the sailors in the water on the other side of the vessel

-struggling with a boat.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The noble man had espied it at some distance from the ship,

-and knew that it was one which had been blown overboard. It

-might be injured so that it would not be safe, but it appeared

-to ride the waters all right, and he resolved to swim to it and

-thus save if possible the captain and crew.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He had nearly reached the steamer’s side with his trophy,

-when the other sailors discovered him and sent that triumphant

-shout.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Throw a rope!” shouted the captain, new hope springing

-in his heart.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was thrown with a will; the man caught it, and suspending

-his own labors, he and the boat were drawn safely to the

-ship’s side.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Nimbly then the faithful crew sprang to obey their commander’s

-orders. A liberal supply of provision and water was

-put into the boat, with plenty of rugs and what clothing was

-at hand; the required number of oars were brought, and in a

-few minutes all that remained alive on that ill-fated ship were

-safely seated within it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Then they set to work to save those who were still struggling

-in the water. Ten were all that they could rescue, the rest

-went down; and now began the battle for life.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>They pulled rapidly away from the sinking steamer, lest they

-should share the fate of those who had just been swamped,

-and the wisdom of this was manifest in lest than half an hour,

-for, with another mighty lurch and plunge, which sent forth

-volumes of smoke and flame, the noble craft went down and

-the dark waters swept over it, obliterating it forever from the

-view of man; while the captain, with a groan of pain, covered

-his eyes and wept.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_24'>24</span>It was as if he had looked his last upon the face of some

-dear friend.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The day waned quickly; night shut down upon them cold

-and cheerless, hiding from their sight the other boats, and

-bringing with it such a sense of loneliness and misery as not

-one in that frail craft ever experienced before.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star, the only woman in that boat, clung to Mr. Rosevelt as

-if upon him depended all her hope, and all that long night

-through he held in his one small, fair hand, while he pillowed

-her bright head upon his knees, and kept her covered with

-blankets and rugs.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Twice or thrice she awoke and started up, saying:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I weary you, sir; let me sit by myself.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But he only drew her more closely to him, as he said,

-tenderly:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No, no, little one; it does me good to have you near me.

-Lie still and get all the sleep you can, for we do not know

-what the morrow may bring to us.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>When the morrow did come it dawned grandly beautiful.

-The sun came up from the east like a chariot of fire, turning

-the sea into waves of gold, and bringing cheer and courage

-once more to the hearts of the lonely little band who were

-struggling for life on the mighty deep.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Nothing could be seen of the other boats, although they had

-been eagerly looking for them ever since the break of day; but

-they had no reason to think they were not as safe as themselves,

-and were therefore not unduly anxious.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star awoke much refreshed by her long sleep, and, as her

-lovely eyes took in all the beauty of the morning, a feeling of

-thankfulness for it and their safety thrilled her heart, and almost

-unconsciously she began chanting a hymn of praise.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>As she sang the first line, which was exactly like the beginning

-of the Lord’s Prayer—“Our Father who art in heaven”—every

-oar was suspended; the captain reverently removed his

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_25'>25</span>cap, an act which was imitated by the crew, and all listened

-with respectful mien as the sweet voice rose upon the still

-morning air, thanking God for His care through the dangers of

-the night, and invoking His protection during the day.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Thank you, Miss Gladstone,” the captain said, as her last

-tone died away; “it is well for us to begin the day thus. You

-have a fine voice,” he added; “will you sing something else

-and then we’ll pull westward with a will for awhile?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star thought for a moment; then, with a delicate flush rising

-in her cheek, an almost holy light glowing in her eyes, and a

-thrill in her tones which touched every heart, she sang:</p>

-

-<div class='lg-container-b c012'>

-  <div class='linegroup'>

-    <div class='group'>

-      <div class='line'>“In the harbor safe at home</div>

-      <div class='line'>Zion’s stately ship shall come,</div>

-      <div class='line'>And her crew shall proudly tell</div>

-      <div class='line'>Dangers she has braved so well;</div>

-      <div class='line'>Never more to tempt the wave,</div>

-      <div class='line'>Never more the storm to brave,</div>

-      <div class='line'>Safe from rock and breaker’s crest,</div>

-      <div class='line'>Anchored in eternal rest.</div>

-    </div>

-    <div class='group'>

-      <div class='line'>“Courage, then, ye faithful few!</div>

-      <div class='line'>Weary, weather-beaten crew.</div>

-      <div class='line'>Let no hardship be compared</div>

-      <div class='line'>With th’ exceeding great reward;</div>

-      <div class='line'>Soon life’s tempest will be o’er—</div>

-      <div class='line'>Lo! we near the promised shore,</div>

-      <div class='line'>And o’er troubled waves afar</div>

-      <div class='line'>Gleameth Bethlehem’s welcome star.”</div>

-    </div>

-  </div>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c011'>There were tears in the eyes of those rough, stern-visaged

-men when the song was ended, and more than one weather-bronzed

-hand was lifted to dash them aside. There was not a

-sailor there who would not have fought dearly for the life of

-this sweet-voiced girl, who had thus touched a chord in their

-hearts which had not vibrated before for many a year.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A little while after the boatswain called aloud:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“A sail! a sail!”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_26'>26</span>All eyes were instantly turned in the direction toward which

-he pointed, and low on the horizon, very far away, there

-gleamed a white sail.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The captain brought his glass to bear upon it, and reported

-a schooner.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A signal of distress was hoisted immediately, and changing

-their course, they pulled vigorously for the vessel.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But in less than half an hour it had disappeared entirely,

-and, with disappointed faces, they again turned their course

-westward.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The demands of nature now began to assert themselves, and

-the captain served out a generous breakfast, treating all alike.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt regarded him anxiously as he did this.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“How long will your stores hold out?” he asked, as the men

-began to eat hungrily.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Two or three days,” he returned; “but we are so nearly

-in the line of the steamers that we shall surely fall in with one

-before our provisions are gone.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The old man sighed, and bent a wistful look upon the young

-girl sitting beside him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star had noted his anxious tone as he questioned the captain;

-she had also seen the look he cast upon her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“He fears that we shall be tossed about on the ocean until

-we starve,” she thought, a horrible chill creeping over her; and

-she quietly slipped all the bread that had been given her into

-her pocket, and only ate the more perishable food and delicacies

-which the captain had laid in her lap.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>That afternoon Mr. Rosevelt had a violent attack of vertigo,

-lying insensible for several hours; and now it was Star’s turn to

-pillow <i>his</i> head upon <i>her</i> lap and minister to his comfort.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She bathed his face and head almost constantly, and with

-her shawl shielded him from the sun, which during the day

-was very powerful, while from time to time she fed him with

-bits of biscuit moistened with port wine from a bottle which

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_27'>27</span>the captain had given her for him, striving in every way to keep

-up his strength.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He appeared to revive toward evening, and said he was

-better; but Star saw that he was very weak, and that it was

-only by great effort that he kept up at all.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Another night passed, another day came, and still there was

-no sail to gladden their strained and aching eyes.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The third day the captain said, with a stern brow and pale,

-compressed lips:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Our provisions are nearly gone—they will last only one

-more day;” and he shortened every man’s ration, giving Star

-alone a generous portion.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She cast a pitying glance at the brave men toiling so uncomplainingly

-at their oars, and her heart sank as she thought what

-might be their fate.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Patiently she munched a single biscuit, while she slipped all

-the rest out of sight, hoarding it to fight the grim, gaunt monster

-which she feared was fast overtaking them.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt had not been so well the day before; he was

-even worse this morning, and she was very anxious about him,

-for he would eat nothing, waving all food away with an expression

-of disgust, and only sipping a little wine occasionally,

-while he had become so weak that he could not sit up at all.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“He won’t live two days longer,” she heard one sailor

-whisper to another, when, a little later, he had another attack

-which utterly prostrated him. “He is failing rapidly, and eats

-nothing to keep up his strength.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“He <i>shall</i> live!” Star said to herself, with an impulse born

-of despair; for he seemed her chief dependence, and she had

-grown to regard him with very tender feelings.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>All night she watched over him, every half hour moistening

-his lips with wine, and forcing bits of biscuit soaked in it

-between them.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_28'>28</span>Every time she heard him swallow, her heart leaped for joy,

-for it told her there was hope even yet.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had several squares of sea-bread in her pocket, for she

-had saved something from every meal, and she was determined,

-as long as her own strength held out, that she would faithfully

-minister to him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Sometimes she was very faint herself from want of food, but

-she would take a little water in her mouth and swallow it

-gradually, and thus find a relief for a time.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The fifth day there was no food to give out—and, oh, the

-hollow eyes, the blanched cheeks and despairing hearts of that

-ill-fated party!</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt was conscious, to Star’s great joy, but too weak

-to move hand or foot.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The sixth day the courage and strength of the crew began to

-fail visibly, and two of the passengers fainted from hunger and

-weakness.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star felt wretchedly guilty, with food in her pocket and those

-hungry eyes looking so piteously into hers; but she knew there

-was not enough for a crumb apiece, while the life of her friend

-depended upon it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt relapsed into partial unconsciousness quite early

-in the morning, and she was as pale and wan as a spirit, but

-the look of determination never left her face. She worked

-over the sick man constantly, forcing food into his mouth as

-often as she dared, while all the day long not a morsel passed

-her own white lips.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Just at sunset a little white cloud was visible on the eastern

-horizon, then it became a line of smoke; a few minutes later

-sails were distinguishable, and soon the broadside of a steamer

-became distinct. A shout went up from the throats of the

-faithful crew, and with renewed courage and strength they bent

-every nerve to their oars.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It soon became evident that their signal of distress had been

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_29'>29</span>seen, for the steamer changed her course and came proudly

-plowing the waters toward the suffering band, and an hour

-later those starving, almost helpless ones were tenderly taken

-from their peril and every want kindly ministered to.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“What is it—where am I?” Mr. Rosevelt asked, aroused by

-the sound of strange voices, a vigorous rubbing, and an extra

-quantity of wine.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“A steamer homeward bound, and <i>we are saved</i>!” Star whispered

-in his ear, then bowed her white face upon her hands

-and wept for joy.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She would not leave him until the ship’s surgeon told her

-that he would pull through all right with proper care, and

-commanded that she go below and receive the attention she

-herself needed.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She staggered to her feet, a great burden rolling from her

-heart; but her waning strength deserted her entirely, and she

-fell fainting into the arms of a young, manly looking fellow,

-who was standing with pitying face just beside her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He carried her below and gave her into the care of a stewardess,

-and thought, as he did so, that he had never in his life

-looked upon a face so pure and delicately lovely.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The captain and crew of the ill-fated steamer, with the other

-passengers who had been saved, were shown every kindness and

-attention which their critical condition demanded, and so ended

-that season of horror, and they were borne swiftly and safely

-toward America’s hospitable shore.</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_30'>30</span>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER III.<br> <span class='large'>THE YOUNG STRANGER.</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>Mr. Rosevelt began to mend at once under the skillful treatment

-of the ship’s surgeon, and to regain his strength much

-more readily than the young girl who had been so faithful

-to him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He had been in a very dangerous condition, the physician

-said, and doubtless would have died but for the unremitting

-attention which Star gave him, in keeping his head cool and

-wet, and in forcing food upon him to keep up his strength.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt heard this with evident emotion, and during

-the remainder of the voyage evinced the greatest tenderness

-for her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>They had not made much progress in their frail life-boat,

-notwithstanding the unrelaxing energies of the sailors, and

-found that they were still five days from New York when they

-were picked up by the other steamer; and although somewhat

-weakened by hunger and suffering and the intense cold, yet

-none appeared to be seriously affected by their experience, and

-a day or two served to make a great change for the better in

-them all.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>On the evening of the second day after their rescue, Star consented

-to be carried up on deck; the day was keen and cold,

-but the sun was bright and inviting.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She was very wan and pale, but possessed a delicate beauty

-that attracted every one.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>They took her directly to Mr. Rosevelt, and she gave him

-her thin hand without a word. He, too, looked so thin and

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_31'>31</span>white that the tears sprang to her eyes, and she could not

-speak.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Dear child,” he said, tremulously, and taking it in both of

-his, “they tell me that but for your unwearied efforts I should

-have died. I have no words adequate to thank you for the gift

-of my life; but, little Star, I shall never forget it.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She could not talk much, she was still too weak, but she was

-glad to be near him, and gave him as bright a smile as she could

-summon to her lips; and then, chancing to glance another

-way, she found a pair of dark, handsome eyes fixed earnestly

-upon her face.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>They belonged to the young man in whose arms she had

-fainted upon finding that they were all safe once more.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He lifted his hat respectfully as he caught her glance, and

-then advancing, said, courteously:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I trust the young lady is much better this morning.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star bowed a somewhat cold assent, for she had been very

-carefully reared by her refined mother, and taught to be rather

-shy of strangers.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Then, thinking that was but a poor return for his interest in

-her welfare, she said, with a rising flush, for there was no mistaking

-the look in those fine eyes:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Thanks; I am very comfortable this morning.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt smiled. He had noticed Star’s reserve, and it

-pleased him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“She is a little lady,” he thought; then he said aloud, with

-a look at the young man, though he spoke to her: “I am very

-fortunate in finding friends, for since you have been confined

-to your state-room, this young gentleman—though I have not

-yet learned his name—has ministered to me in a manner most

-kind.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star’s eyes glowed at this, and she vouchsafed the young

-stranger a smile that set his heart bounding.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I am afraid, though, that you are feeling far from well

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_32'>32</span>even yet,” she said, with an anxious glance into Mr. Rosevelt’s

-face.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Pretty well—pretty well, little one, for an old codger like

-myself, who has seen a good many rough times. I’m a trifle

-weak yet, but time will help that. We have had a narrow

-escape however, and you have proved yourself a heroine.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star colored slightly at this compliment, and shot a shy look

-at the young stranger of the dark eyes. Then she leaned

-wearily back in her chair, tired with the exertion she had made.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The young man turned abruptly and walked away, but he

-soon reappeared, bearing a beautiful reclining steamer-chair,

-cushioned with crimson velvet, a couple of elegant rugs, and a

-silken pillow.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Your chair is hard and uncomfortable, Miss Gladstone;

-pray allow me to substitute this one and wrap you more

-warmly. The air is cold, even if the sun is bright and genial,”

-he said, in a way that could not offend the greatest stickler for

-propriety, without even taking into consideration the license

-allowed on shipboard.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star could not refuse this act of courtesy, and the chair and

-soft, warm rugs, with the bright, silken pillow, did look inviting.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She let him assist her into it, arrange the rugs about her,

-and smiled her thanks for his kindness, while she looked

-bewitchingly lovely with her fair cheek resting on the crimson

-pillow.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Your shawl is unfastened at the throat,” he said, seeing

-that it had fallen away, and fearing she would take cold.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She put up her hands to fasten it, and found that she had

-lost the pin.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Her young attendant noticed it, and drawing a scarf-pin

-from his neck-tie—a pin with a beautiful cameo head—he

-passed it to her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Can you make this do for the present?” he asked.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_33'>33</span>She took it, noticing the exquisitely carved stone as she did

-so, and pinned her shawl closely once more.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>When he saw that she was as comfortable as he could make

-her, he stepped back a pace or two, and drawing a card from a

-pocket, wrote something upon it, and then passed it to Mr.

-Rosevelt, saying, with a frank smile:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I presume you think it is high time that I introduced myself;

-pardon my neglect upon that point.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The old gentleman took the card and read the name:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Archibald Sherbrooke.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He bent a searching look upon the young man’s face for a

-moment, but the frank, honest eyes met his with such a genial

-expression that he could not harbor a doubt of him, and he

-said, cordially:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Thank you, Mr. Sherbrooke; I am glad to know your

-name. Mine is Rosevelt—Jacob Rosevelt—and this young lady

-allow me to introduce as Miss Star Gladstone,” he concluded,

-turning with a smile to Star.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Sherbrooke bowed to Miss Gladstone and raised his cap

-in the most gallant manner; while Star, thinking what a nice-sounding

-name Sherbrooke was, and what a nice-looking man

-its owner was, acknowledged his salutation with a charming

-smile and blush.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The trio soon fell into an easy chat, which lasted more than

-an hour, while the young girl grew more and more like herself.

-Several times she forgot that she was weak or had been ill, in

-listening to the gay things to which her new acquaintance gave

-utterance, and she indulged in a hearty, joyous laugh, her

-face dimpling and flashing, her eyes gleaming, her golden hair

-fluttering about her white forehead, until young Sherbrooke

-thought her the loveliest girl he had ever seen.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He lingered long by her side, looking into her face with

-earnest, honest, admiring eyes, listening to her clear, sweet

-tones, and exerting himself to make himself agreeable to her;

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_34'>34</span>while Mr. Rosevelt sat and watched them with a sense of

-pleasure in their enjoyment, and never dreaming of the mischief

-brewing under his very eyes.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star told the young man all about the terrible explosion,

-their expectation of death when they found the vessel on fire,

-their subsequent sufferings and terror while drifting about in

-the life-boat; while her voice grew low and thrilling as she

-spoke of her feelings when she began to realize that their provisions

-were falling short, and she feared they would starve to

-death on the trackless ocean.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“If the captain had not been so generous to begin with,”

-she said, “it would have been better for all of us. Mr. Rosevelt

-cautioned him, but he appeared to think that some vessel

-would surely overtake us in a day or two. But after that I

-saved my sea biscuit; I put away half of what was given me

-every time; and if I had not done so, he”—with a shy glance

-toward her friend, and dropping her voice—“would never have

-lived, for when the captain found he was too ill to eat he gave

-his share to the other men. He gave me a bottle of wine,

-though, for him, and I soaked the biscuit in it and crowded it

-into his mouth when he was too unconscious to feed himself.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“And did <i>you</i> go without necessary food to do this?” Archibald

-Sherbrooke asked, with pitying eyes, and a feeling almost

-of reverence for the beautiful, self-denying girl.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I am young and strong; I knew it would not do me such

-serious harm to get weakened by hunger as it would him,” Star

-said, evasively; “and, besides——”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Besides what?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star’s lips quivered, but she answered, in a hushed tone:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I knew it was right to do <i>all</i> that I could to save his life,

-and it gave me something to think of besides myself; and I

-knew, too, if we all <i>must</i> die, the—suffering would be <i>shorter</i>

-if I did not eat.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“But you were dreadfully hungry, were you not?” persisted

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_35'>35</span>her questioner, feeling a sort of horrible fascination in the subject,

-yet shuddering over the dreadful story.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You will not tell <i>him</i>?” Star said, with a little motion of

-her hand over her shoulder to indicate Mr. Rosevelt.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, I <i>was</i> fearfully hungry,” she went on, with a shiver at

-the remembrance, and she grew very white. “Ever so many

-times, when I was soaking the biscuit for him, it smelled so

-good that I would raise it to my lips before I was aware of

-what I was doing; but the thought always came to me in

-time—‘he will die if I eat it.’ There was only a <i>very little</i>

-left that last day, and I knew if he died I should always feel as

-if my selfishness killed him if I deprived him of it, and I was

-saved.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I think you are the noblest girl that I ever heard of, Miss

-Star,” young Sherbrooke exclaimed, with reverent enthusiasm.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Amen!” said Mr. Rosevelt’s tremulous voice, close beside

-them.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Oh!” cried Star, starting and flushing, while the tears

-sprang into her eyes. “I did not mean that you should ever

-know——”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You didn’t, eh?” the old man interrupted. “I thought

-so; and when I saw you two talking so earnestly together, I

-imagined that you were giving our young friend a few facts

-which I wished to know myself, so I got up from my chair and

-came to listen. They told me,” he went on, with emotion,

-after a moment, “that you saved my life; but, oh! child, you

-should not have tried to do it by sacrificing your own; and you

-would have done it on the steamer also. I shall never forget it

-of you, little one, you may be sure.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He laid his hand gently on her head a moment, then turned

-and left them, to hide the tears that were welling to his own

-eyes.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“He has friends who doubtless are waiting for him,” Star

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_36'>36</span>said, jumping to conclusions, and as if to excuse herself for

-sacrificing so much, “while <i>I</i> have nobody since papa and

-mamma died.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“But you are so young and”—so beautiful, he came near

-adding, but something in her earnest, uplifted eyes restrained

-him from speaking so familiarly, and he added, solemnly—“and

-it must be so hard to die with all the world before you.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, if you have dear ones who love you,” Star returned,

-with a deep-drawn sigh.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A wistful look shot into the young man’s eyes at this.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You have no parents, then?” he inquired, in tones of

-sympathy.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No. Mamma died more than a year ago, and papa has

-been gone three months. I have no brothers or sisters, no

-home, only some distant relatives in America whom I have

-never seen. They promised papa to give me a home until my

-education is completed, when I intend to teach.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Was your home in England?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, in Derbyshire. Papa was a clergyman in Chesterfield.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Was your home in Derbyshire?” Archibald Sherbrooke

-asked, with a slight start, while his face lighted.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes; were you ever there?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Often.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Isn’t it a lovely country?” Star asked, eagerly, so glad to

-meet one who knew where her home had been. “Can you

-imagine anything more delightful than a drive or a canter

-across the Derbyshire moors?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No, indeed. I have often galloped over them,” he said,

-and then they fell to talking of other places that they knew;

-and when at last the dinner-bell rang, Star said, with sparkling

-eyes and cheeks in which the color was beginning to return:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I am hungry—really, naturally hungry, and I feel ever so

-much better.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_37'>37</span>Every day after that, during the remainder of the voyage,

-Archibald Sherbrooke sought the companionship of Mr. Rosevelt

-and his lovely young charge—for as such he regarded her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>They became the best of friends, and the brilliant young

-Englishman seemed to arouse all that was brightest and liveliest

-in Star’s composition, so that as her sweet, clear laugh

-rang out, and she replied to his jests with merry wit and

-repartee equal to his own, many of the passengers paused in

-their conversation or lifted up their eyes from their books to

-smile at the cheerful sight and sound.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The last day of the voyage came, and during the afternoon

-the two young people were pacing the upper deck, arm in arm,

-when Archibald Sherbrooke suddenly stopped, and pointing

-toward a distant city of spires and domes, said:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Ah! we are nearing New York. A few hours more and

-we shall be there. Do you know, Miss Star, I shall be sorry

-to bid you ‘good-by?’”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The young girl’s bright face clouded at these words. A hot

-flush mounted for an instant to her brow, and her white lids

-drooped over her beautiful eyes.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You, of course, expect friends to meet you on your arrival,”

-her companion continued, after a moment of silence.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I do not know,” she answered, with a troubled look. “I

-did expect that some one would meet me upon the arrival of

-the other vessel, but now that we have had such trouble, I am

-afraid there will no one come for me, and I shall be obliged to

-go to Brooklyn alone.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“That will not be at all difficult, since Brooklyn is only just

-across the river from New York. If you know the street and

-number where your friends live, you can easily find them,”

-returned the young man, encouragingly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star started and looked blank at his words.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“The street and number were written in my diary. That

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_38'>38</span>was lost on the vessel. I did not think, in my haste, to get it,”

-she said, in dismay.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Whew! that makes matters rather complicated for you,

-then; but never mind, the captain will know what to do about

-it, and I feel sure that you will have no trouble. It is probable

-that the pilot-boat, when it returned, after leaving the pilot with

-us, took back the news that some of the passengers from the

-wrecked steamer were with us, and your friends may hope that

-you are among them, and come to ascertain.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star was greatly cheered by this view of the matter, and made

-up her mind to wait patiently for whatever was to come.</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER IV.<br> <span class='large'>MRS. RICHARDS.</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>It was very late when the stately ship rolled slowly up to her

-pier, too late for the customs officers to visit her that night, and

-the impatient passengers were forced to wait until morning to

-appear before them and undergo that much dreaded ordeal of

-taking oath upon their possessions, dutiable or otherwise.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But early the next morning the hurry and bustle began, and

-there was the usual rush to claim baggage and get away as

-soon as possible from the place where they had spent so many

-monotonous days.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star had no baggage to claim, and, not knowing what else

-to do, she sat still in the saloon and waited, watching the

-departing people with mingled feelings of curiosity and sadness.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt had told her not to be anxious about her own

-fate, for he should see that she was kindly cared for, and if her

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_39'>39</span>friends did not come for her, he would provide for her until

-they could advertise her arrival in the papers. It was unfortunate,

-he said, that she lost their address, since it would be

-liable to cause something of a delay in reaching her destination.

-So, while he went to arrange some little matter with the

-captain, she sat and watched the hurrying crowd.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Archibald Sherbrooke came to seek her there, and found her

-alone.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I’m off!” he said, with animation. “I’ve got through with

-the customs, and have come to wish you good-by. Mr. Rosevelt

-says he is going to take care of you. I hope everything

-will come out right for you, Miss Star, and that you’ll find a

-pleasant home with your friends. I’m very sorry that you’ve

-lost their address, for I’d call and see you before I go back to

-England if I knew where to find you. I trust, however, that

-we shall meet again, sometime; and—will you please always

-consider me your friend?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He placed a card in her hand as he spoke, and she saw that

-his address was written upon it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Thank you,” she said, with a rising flush. “I shall never

-forget you, for you have been very kind to me. But wait—I

-nearly forgot to give you your pin,” she concluded, suddenly

-remembering that she still had it, and she took the beautiful

-cameo head from her shawl and held it out to him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Please keep it as a souvenir,” he said, gently, adding:

-“And I wish you had something to give me in exchange.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I’ve lost everything, you know. I could give you naught

-but a ‘tress of my yellow hair,’” Star said, with a light laugh,

-and lifting the heavy braid which lay over her shoulder with a

-look of mock dismay.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Oh, <i>would</i> you?” he asked, eagerly, and taking her literally

-at her word.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It would be but a poor return for this lovely cameo,” she

-answered, flushing beneath his eager glance.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_40'>40</span>“No, indeed, it would not,” he returned, earnestly. “May

-I have just a lock of its shining gold, please, Miss Star?” and

-his fingers touched the massive braid almost tenderly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I have nothing with which to cut it off, and—I’m afraid it

-would be very foolish,” she said, with drooping eyes, but a

-quickly beating heart.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>For answer, he drew a tiny pair of scissors from one of the

-pockets of his vest, and held them out to her with a smile.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She took them hesitatingly, her delicate face crimsoning even

-to the light locks which lay upon her forehead; then, with a

-hand that was not quite steady, she clipped a silken tress from

-among the curling ends below the blue ribbon with which the

-braid was tied, and laid it, with the scissors, in his extended

-hand.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Thank you; I shall always keep it,” he said, with glowing

-eyes, as he put it carefully between the leaves of a small notebook

-which he took from another pocket.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Then he took her hand in a warm, strong clasp, and, with a

-reluctantly spoken farewell, a lingering, wistful look into her

-lovely blue eyes, he went away.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>As he disappeared through one door-way of the saloon, the

-figure of a woman, clad in plain dark robes, entered by the

-other, and threw a quick, searching glance around the place.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I’m in search of a girl named Stella Gladstone,” she said,

-in sharp, incisive tones, as her eyes fell upon our lone Star.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The young girl took a step forward, her earnest glance fastened

-upon that plain yet not unkind face.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I am Stella Gladstone,” she said, simply.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The woman looked at her keenly for a moment, and her

-homely countenance softened into something like pity as she

-noticed her delicate beauty. Then she said, bluntly:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well, miss, if I was ever thankful to set eyes on anybody,

-I am on you, or I’m much mistaken. I’ve lain awake o’ nights

-thinking of you, ever since we heard that the vessel in which

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_41'>41</span>you sailed was lost at sea. If I got asleep at all, I’d wake with

-a start from horrid dreams, where I seemed to see you drowning

-and heard your dreadful cries. Two days ago another vessel

-came in, bringing in some of those who had been wrecked.

-We got the news in the paper the night before they landed,

-and madam—Mrs. Richards, my mistress—sent me down posthaste

-next morning to see if you was among them. Of course

-you wasn’t, so I went home and dreamed all night again. Last

-night news came that more had been rescued, and would land

-at this pier this morning, so I was posted off again to find you

-if possible. Well,” she continued, heaving a deep sigh of relief,

-“I’ve got you at last, and I hope I sha’n’t dream about you to-night.

-Of course you ain’t overstocked with baggage?” she

-concluded, with a grim smile.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No, I have nothing; everything was lost,” Star replied,

-while her large, earnest eyes studied her companion’s face, and

-she wondered what relation she bore to her, and who “Mrs.

-Richards,” “madam,” and “my mistress” were.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“More’s the pity for <i>you</i>, then, or I’m much mistaken,” the

-woman said, with a peculiar compression of her thin lips.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Then she added, with more of animation than she had yet

-displayed:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“But, bless me! I suppose you’d like to know who I am,

-and won’t be much surprised when I tell you my name is

-Blunt; my name is like my nature, and I’m madam’s—Mrs.

-Richards’ housekeeper. A pretty time of it I have, too, or I’m

-much mistaken; though one can put up with considerable

-where their bread and butter and ‘fixin’s’ are concerned. But

-come, it’s time we were off. Have you had your breakfast?”

-she concluded, seeing that Star had grown rather pale, and

-thinking she might be faint and hungry.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes’m,” she answered, while a wistful expression stole into

-her eyes, and she stepped back and looked over the railing into

-the dining-room below, hoping to see Mr. Rosevelt. She felt

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_42'>42</span>as if she <i>could not</i> go away without saying farewell to her kind

-fellow-traveler.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But he was nowhere to be seen, and she saw that Mrs. Blunt

-was impatient.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“If you please,” she said, timidly, “might I just wait a few

-minutes to say good-by to a gentleman who has been very kind

-to me?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Lor’, child! it’ll be no use; you’ll never find him, and

-almost everybody has gone already. Probably he’s in the hands

-of the customs, having his trunks overhauled, and won’t want

-to be bothered,” Mrs. Blunt returned, good-naturedly, but really

-very anxious to get back to her interrupted duties.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“But he has no trunks; he was on the wreck with me, and

-he told me to wait here for him,” Star persisted, almost ready

-to weep at the thought of going without seeing him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I’m sorry, miss, but madam will be having one of her tantrums

-if I am not back shortly, as there’s company to dinner

-to-day, and it’s nearly ten o’clock now,” Mrs. Blunt, returned,

-a trifle indifferently.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She turned as she spoke and led the way from the place, and

-Star was forced to follow her, striving hard to repress the sobs

-that were struggling in her bosom over her disappointment;

-and when, half an hour later, Mr. Rosevelt came to seek her,

-he was as much disturbed to find her gone as she had been

-to go.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He made inquiries regarding her, and was told that some

-one had come for her and taken her away, but no one knew

-whither she had gone.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>This relieved his mind somewhat as to her safety, but did

-not lessen his disappointment at thus losing sight of her and

-not knowing where to seek for her; but he was forced to go his

-way and bear it as he could.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Blunt and her sad-hearted charge walked quickly from

-the steamer, and having no baggage, she immediately called a

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_43'>43</span>carriage, and hurrying Star into it, gave her order to be driven

-to a Brooklyn ferry.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Crossing the river, they took another carriage, and a half

-hour’s drive brought them to a stately dwelling in a fashionable

-portion of the city.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“There, child!” Mrs. Blunt ejaculated, as the carriage

-stopped; “we’re home, and I’m glad of it, for you’ve caused

-me a heap of anxiety first and last, or I’m much mistaken;

-but you’re safe and sound, thank Heaven, though you’re rather

-delicate-looking for what I imagine is before you;” this

-“much mistaken” individual prepared to alight, casting a look

-of honest pity into the face of the fair girl as she did so.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star looked surprised at this somewhat ambiguous speech,

-and would have liked to ask what it meant, but the woman

-gave her no opportunity, paying for and dismissing the carriage

-in her quick, energetic way, and then led her around to a side

-door and entered the mansion.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Beckoning Star to follow her, she passed through a lofty hall

-and up a wide, thickly carpeted staircase, where on every hand

-there were evidences of wealth and luxury.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Rapping upon a door at the front end of the upper hall, a

-voice bade her enter, and the woman opened it and passed in,

-and Star following, saw a handsome woman of perhaps forty

-years, dressed with great elegance and taste, sitting in a low

-rocker by a window.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She turned an inquiring glance upon Mrs. Blunt as she advanced.

-She could not see Star, as she was directly behind her

-and hidden by her tall figure.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well, madam, I’ve found her at last, and here she is,” she

-said, in a satisfied tone, and stepped one side to present the

-young girl.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Madam heaved a sigh—it might have been of relief, it might

-have been the reverse; no one could have told which from the

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_44'>44</span>expression of her face—as she bent a critical glance upon the

-young stranger who had come to find a home in her house.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She arose, came forward, and studied the fair, downcast face;

-for Star, after the first glance, knew she would receive no tender

-welcome from that cold, proud woman, and her heart sank like

-a dead weight in her bosom.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Something like a frown gathered on the woman’s brow as she

-marked her exceeding loveliness.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well, Stella, you have had a hard voyage,” she began, in

-smooth, cool tones, which made Star shrink from her and

-shiver slightly, they were so distant and devoid of feeling. “I

-am glad, however,” she went on, “that you are safe, and I

-hope, now that you are here and I am to give you a home, you

-will do your best to please me. You look very much like your

-mother as I remember her, although I trust your face will not

-prove as great a misfortune to you as hers did to her.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>This last statement was made with some severity. Evidently

-Mrs. Richards was not pleased to find the new arrival so beautiful

-in face and figure.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Mamma unfortunate! How?” Star asked, surprise loosening

-her tongue.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Is it possible that you do not know how she disgraced herself

-and family?” madam demanded, sternly, as if in some way

-Star was to blame for said disgrace. “Have you never been

-told how a poor clergyman once preached in the church where

-your mother attended worship, fell in love with her pretty face,

-and finally persuaded her to marry him, to the utter disregard

-of her whole family, who were highly respectable people.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star’s cheeks glowed hotly beneath this tirade, and her blue

-eyes flamed at this slur upon her idolized parents.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I do not consider mamma’s marriage anything of a ‘misfortune’

-or a ‘disgrace,’” she answered, with something of

-hauteur, and speaking very distinctly. “She was very happy

-all her life, and papa was a splendid man—a superior man.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_45'>45</span>Mrs. Richards smiled in a lofty kind of way, as she returned:

-“It is very natural, I suppose, that you should be your

-father’s champion; nevertheless he was not, socially, your

-mother’s equal, and she degraded herself in the eyes of all her

-family by marrying a penniless preacher, and a dissenter, too.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star’s lips parted again, as if about to utter an indignant

-protest to this statement; but, with a wave of her white hand,

-Mrs. Richards coolly dismissed the subject and turned again to

-Mrs. Blunt.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I suppose everything belonging to her was lost,” she said.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, madam; the poor child has nothing in the world save

-what she has on,” that woman answered, with a compassionate

-glance at Star.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“That is awkward; but you can take her to the sewing-room

-and tell Miss Baker to measure her for a couple of

-dresses; tell her to make them from that piece of print that I

-purchased yesterday. Can you sew, Stella?” she asked, turning

-again to the young girl, whom she had not even invited to be

-seated.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes’m; mamma taught me to sew when I was quite young,

-and I have attended to my own wardrobe, with the aid of a

-seamstress, ever since she died.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“That is well. You can then assist Miss Baker about your

-dresses, and when they are completed I will arrange about your

-other duties. You can go now. Mrs. Blunt will show you the

-way to your room, where you can lay aside your shawl and hat

-and then go to the sewing-room.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star gave the woman a stare of blank astonishment.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had been most delicately and tenderly reared; her education

-had been carefully superintended by her father, and the

-constant companionship of her refined and intellectual mother

-had made her a little lady in every sense of the word. She had

-been taught to be kind and courteous to every one; to sympathize

-with people in trouble; to rejoice with them in prosperity;

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_46'>46</span>and now this woman—this cousin to her mother—this

-human being, whom she knew her mother once saved from a

-dreadful death—had received her, after her long and perilous

-voyage, her suffering and hardships, in this unfeeling, indifferent

-way.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had not even taken her hand at greeting; she had looked

-her over and inspected her with a critical stare, as if she were

-some beast of burden that she was buying to toil for her. She

-had not offered her the commonest hospitalities of her house,

-or given her one kind word or look.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had instead simply, and in the coolest manner possible,

-commented on her marvelous escape from death, and then <i>insulted</i>

-her by speaking disparagingly of her parents; and now

-she had dismissed her from her presence as if she had been

-a menial, ordered <i>two print dresses</i> made for her, without a

-thought apparently of other clothing so necessary to her after

-being so long without a change of any kind.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She took a step forward, her slight form drawn proudly erect,

-the hot, indignant blood surging over neck, face, and brow, and

-was about to demand the meaning of this strange treatment,

-when Mrs. Richards, seeing her intentions, said, haughtily, and

-in a tone not to be mistaken:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I told you that you could go, Stella. Did you understand

-me?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>With a heaving bosom and flashing eyes, Star bowed with a

-sort of stately grace, turned and followed Mrs. Blunt from the

-room with the step of a queen; but when the door was shut

-behind them, she stopped and confronted that good though

-eccentric woman with an aspect which, to say the least, astonished

-her.</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_47'>47</span>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER V.<br> <span class='large'>BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT.</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>“What does this mean?” she demanded, passionately. “Why

-am I received in this strange, this heartless manner, by my

-mother’s cousin? Why does she presume to cast aspersions

-upon my father and mother, and talk about print dresses, and

-assigning me duties as if I were a mere servant?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Blunt’s breath was fairly taken away by these swift, indignant

-sentences and questions, and she could only gaze at

-the young girl in speechless surprise for a few moments.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star was wondrously beautiful then, in spite of her soiled and

-disordered attire, with her flashing eyes, her blazing cheeks, her

-delicate, dilating nostrils, her scornful, curling lips, and proudly

-poised head.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“What does it mean, I say?” repeated Star, impatient at the

-woman’s silence.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Blunt found her tongue at last.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Mercy on us, child!” she ejaculated, her astonishment extending

-to her tones. “You’ve a temper of your own, or I’m

-much mistaken; and you’ll need it, too, if you’re going to live

-in this house.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Then she added, more thoughtfully:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I’m afraid, miss, you’ve come over here with a wrong impression—I

-really <i>am</i>.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“What do you mean?” Star asked. “How have I come

-with a wrong impression?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“What did you expect when you started to come to America

-to live with Mrs. Richards?” the housekeeper asked, evading

-her questions by putting another.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_48'>48</span>“I expected that my mother’s cousin, who papa said, was

-very wealthy, and able to take care of me, and had promised

-him to do so, would give me a place in her home as a member

-of her family, and give me an opportunity to perfect my education,

-so that I might be able, by and by, to take care of myself.

-This was what my father understood her promise to me

-to mean—this was what I expected. But from the reception

-she has given me—cold and heartless—and as I would not

-have received the meanest beggar who came to my door—from

-disrespectful and insulting remarks about my parents, and what

-she said about my ‘duties’, I am afraid that my position here

-will not be a pleasant one.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Blunt’s homely face was full of pity as she listened to

-what Star said.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Poor child,” she began, “you have expected entirely too

-much, and perhaps it would be a mercy to tell you at once how

-mistaken you are if you think you are going to find a pleasant

-home and a chance to get much of an education <i>here</i>. When

-madam got your father’s letter and knew that you were soon to

-be an orphan, she said at once that it was ‘just the thing,’ and

-you would do nicely to supply the place of Maggie Flynn, the

-chamber and errand girl, and who was not exactly trustworthy.

-She said the ‘English peasants always made good servants,’ and

-as you were young and would be wholly dependent on her, she

-could train you according to her own notions. And, to make

-a long story short, you are to make beds and do chamber-work

-generally, wait upon madam and run of errands.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>And the housekeeper heaved a sigh of relief that the difficult

-explanation was over. And difficult it was, with those glittering

-sapphire eyes fixed so intently upon her, and that beautiful face

-gleaming with scorn and indignation.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“In other words, she intends to make a servant—a slave of

-me,” she said, with quiet sarcasm, but uplifted head.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_49'>49</span>“Ye-es—if you must put it so, miss,” Mrs. Blunt admitted,

-reluctantly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“What wages am I to expect?” and the clear young voice

-rang with intense scorn.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Wages?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, <i>wages</i>. What did she pay Maggie Flynn?” Star demanded,

-with a bitter smile.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Six dollars a month; but—but I don’t think madam has

-thought about wages for <i>you</i>. She is to give you a home for

-what you can do; and besides what I have told you, you are to

-wait upon Miss Josephine, who is not sparing of her commands,

-either.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Who is Miss Josephine, pray?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“The young lady of the house—Mrs. Richards’ daughter.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“How old is she?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Just turned eighteen.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Two years my senior,” murmured Star, reflectively. “Well,

-Mrs. Blunt,” she added, after a moment or two, and looking

-up with a clearer face, “show me to my room, please, and let

-me have a good bath, for I need refreshing sadly. If only I

-might have some clean underclothing to put on,” she added,

-wistfully.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You shall,” the woman quickly returned. “I suppose

-madam never thought of it, and it is a shame. There, wait

-here,” she added, as she threw open the door of a small room

-on the front of the house in the third story, “and I will bring

-you a change of Miss Josephine’s. They will be a trifle too

-large, but never mind so that you’re comfortable.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She sped away, and as Star removed her hat and shawl she

-looked about her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The room was very scantily furnished, but it was clean, and

-as there was only a single bed in it, she knew she was to have

-it to herself—a point which she congratulated herself upon, as

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_50'>50</span>it would have been very obnoxious to her to room with one of

-the servants.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Blunt soon returned, bringing clean, fresh garments,

-and Star felt that she had never realized before how great a

-luxury cleanliness was.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You can go to the bath-room at the end of the hall,” she

-said, laying them over Star’s arm. “I have fixed the tub for

-you, lining it with a clean sheet, so that you need not feel shy

-about using it. I know you’ll feel a great deal better after it;

-then I’ll come to you again in a half or three-quarters of an

-hour, and take you to Miss Baker; and—I forgot—here’s a

-comb I’ve never used.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star felt very grateful to the kind-hearted creature, and made

-the most of her opportunity.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had a refreshing bath, then combed out her luxuriant

-hair, re-arranging it as nicely and carefully as she had been

-taught to do in her own home, and when all was done she

-looked as bright and felt as fresh as a new creature.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>When Mrs. Blunt returned at the end of an hour, her plain

-face relaxed into a smile, though Star had thought that smiles

-were at a discount with her as a general thing.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well, you <i>do</i> look nice, or I’m much mistaken; and those

-hands!—they’re much too fine and nice, in my opinion, for

-drudgery;” and the woman glanced admiringly at those small

-members, of which, to be truthful, Star <i>was</i> a little proud.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well, I am ready to go to Miss Baker,” she said, with a

-little sigh. “It is evident that I shall not be in a condition

-to do any kind of work, or drudgery, as you call it, until I am

-properly clad.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“She’s true blue, and it’s an abomination to make a servant

-of her,” muttered the housekeeper, as she led the way to the

-sewing-room.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Miss Baker was in the midst of fitting a party-dress for Miss

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_51'>51</span>Josephine—a rather fine-looking girl, with black eyes and hair,

-a brilliant color, and a full, graceful figure.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Blunt introduced Star, and then gave Mrs. Richards’

-orders about the “two print dresses.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Goodness gracious! are you Stella Gladstone?” ejaculated

-the pet and pride of the Richards mansion, with a stare of

-surprise.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star bowed a cold assent to this rude salutation, and then

-walked quietly across the room and seated herself by a window.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Miss Baker, however, had nodded and smiled kindly at her,

-and she felt sure that she should like the weary-looking seamstress.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well, I guess mamma will be glad you have come,” Josephine

-pursued; “she has been nearly plagued to death with

-that Maggie Flynn—you’re to take her place, you know, as

-chambermaid and errand girl.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star did not reply, and Miss Baker shot an indignant glance

-at the rude girl.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The young stranger’s heart was swelling within her until it

-was nearly ready to burst with insulted pride and bitter disappointment.

-She had longed, when she had found herself

-alone in her room, to relieve herself with a burst of passionate

-weeping, but she dare not give way to it lest it should unfit her

-for everything during the day; but now it seemed as if she

-could not endure much more.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had never dreamed that such a reception as this awaited

-her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had pictured to herself, many times, being drawn into

-the arms of a pleasant, gentle-voiced woman, who had loved

-her mother, and who would love her for that mother’s sake, if

-not for her own. She had thought to twine her arms about

-her neck, and, laying her head upon a sympathizing bosom,

-tell her of her dear parents, what their hopes and plans had

-been for her, and what her own desires for the future were,

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_52'>52</span>and expected to receive only kind and encouraging words in

-return.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>How different it all was, and how cruel that all her hopes

-must be crushed in this unfeeling way!</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had been ambitious to become a cultivated woman and

-scholar, and to follow out her father’s plans for her education,

-and come up to his standard, which was a high one.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But instead she found she was to be degraded to the level of

-a common servant, all her prospects destroyed, all her hopes

-crushed, and she felt as if she could not bear it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I <i>will</i> not submit to it. I <i>will</i> not give up my hopes. <i>I

-will not be a servant</i>,” she kept saying over and over to herself,

-while she sat there and waited for Miss Baker to attend to her

-needs, and felt rather than saw Josephine’s impertinent inspection

-of her personal appearance.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You’ve got a wonderful head of hair,” that young lady at

-length observed, as she approached her after being released

-from the seamstress’ hands. “I think I never saw such a heavy

-braid before; and I believe it will just match Nellie Colton’s;

-she is papa’s niece. I’ll tell mamma to have a barber come

-and cut it off. Of course you can’t afford the time now to

-take care of it, and it would make such a splendid band for

-Nell.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star regarded her in blank astonishment. The effrontery of

-this young lady was simply overpowering.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Indeed!” she at last quietly replied. “If Miss Colton is in

-need of a band of hair, she will doubtless find it at almost any

-hair store in the city. I intend to keep mine.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Miss Richards colored angrily, for Star’s great blue eyes met

-hers fearlessly, and her tone betrayed an independence which

-did not promise well for any tyranny which she might expect to

-exercise over her in the future.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You will do exactly as mamma desires, miss,” she cried

-and then turned and left the room.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_53'>53</span>Star’s face was also very red, and she swallowed an angry sob

-as she turned to Miss Baker.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I am ready to sew,” was all that she could say.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She longed to get some work into her hands, hoping thus to

-distract her thoughts from self and her bitter disappointment.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The seamstress cut off the breadths of a skirt and gave them

-to her, pitying the pretty, yet despised, stranger from the bottom

-of her heart.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“May I use the machine?” the young girl asked, glancing

-at that labor-saving instrument.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Do you know how?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes’m.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Very well. This is a Florence, and I will show you how

-to thread it.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I know how, thank you. Mamma had a Florence, and I

-have often used it.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She arose, and going to it Miss Baker saw at once that she

-was fully capable of using it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>All day long she stitched and sewed, working quietly, yet

-rapidly, and by night one dress was nearly completed.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You sew very nicely,” Miss Baker said, as she examined

-her work late in the afternoon, “and this print will make you

-a very neat dress. I wish Mrs. Richards would allow me to

-trim it, but she told me to make it plain. She is in a hurry

-about the other work.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star said nothing to this, but after the seamstress had gone

-home, she cut and pieced together some dainty ruffles from

-some scraps that had been thrown aside; and all the long

-evening, while the family were down stairs entertaining visitors

-and making merry, she was sewing and finishing off the print

-dress, that she might have something fresh and clean for the

-morning.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But she was, oh! so sad and lonely, and she could not help

-thinking of the previous night, when she had sat in the gay

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_54'>54</span>saloon of the steamer and chatted so sociably with Archibald

-Sherbrooke, and felt a strange thrill of happiness in sitting

-beside him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had not been allowed to eat with the family during the

-day. She had not seen Mrs. Richards, and did not even know

-of how many members the household consisted. It was evident

-that she was to be ignored, except as her services were required,

-that she was to be made a drudge, and her proud young spirit

-resented it with all the strength of her nature.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I will never live so; I am above it. I am capable of better

-things, and I <i>will not</i> consent to become a nonentity,” her heart

-kept saying, over and over again.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But she was wholly dependent upon these people; her father

-had consigned her to their care. She had no money, save a

-letter of credit for a hundred pounds, the sum total realized

-from the sale of all the dear objects which she had been accustomed

-to see in her home since her infancy, and this she had

-been advised, by the lawyer whom Mr. Gladstone had chosen

-to settle his affairs, to consign to the care of Mr. Richards.

-But she had concluded since morning to say nothing about it

-to any one.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had no other friends; if she had possessed them she

-would have flown to them at once. She was a forlorn stranger

-among strangers, and she could see no way at present out of

-the difficulties surrounding her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had eaten with Mrs. Blunt, who was very kind to her,

-and tried to tempt her appetite with all the daintiest bits upon

-the table; but the poor child was so sick at heart that she

-could scarcely swallow a mouthful.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>When Miss Baker came the next morning, she looked the

-surprise she felt, as she opened the sewing-room door and saw

-Star seated within, busily sewing upon the dress she had been

-making for Josephine the day before.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>And truly the young girl was a goodly sight to behold.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_55'>55</span>Her beautiful hair had been brushed until it shone like satin,

-and then gathered into a simple knot at the back of her head—she

-did not intend to have it cut off, and she had dressed it in

-this way so as not to attract attention to it—while the clustering

-locks which fell over her forehead, almost touching her eyebrows,

-gave a piquant expression to her face. Her eyes were

-bright, in spite of her “night of tears” and longing for the

-dear old home and familiar faces over the sea; her cheeks

-delicately flushed, and the fresh print dress, which fitted her

-slight, graceful figure perfectly, and which she had so tastefully

-trimmed, could not have been more becoming if it had been

-made of the richest materials.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Why, Miss Gladstone, however did you manage to finish

-your dress, and put so much extra work into it, after I left last

-night?” the dressmaker asked, with some misgivings about

-madam’s approval when she should see it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I managed it because I needed it,” Star answered. “I did

-not like to put on the dress I wore on the steamer again, it was

-so soiled and disfigured; and I ruffled it because I like pretty

-things and have been accustomed to them.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I am afraid Mrs. Richards will object to so much trimming,

-for she was particular to mention that it should be

-‘plain,’” said Miss Baker, glancing dubiously at the ruffles up

-and down the front, and at the neck and wrists.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star made no reply to this, but her red lips settled themselves

-a trifle more firmly, and her small head was lifted with a

-quick, proud movement, which told that she intended to exercise

-her own taste as far as she was able in the matter of her

-own wardrobe.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The second morning after her advent at the Richards’ mansion,

-as she was descending to her breakfast, she suddenly encountered

-a portly but good-natured looking gentleman on the

-stairs.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She glanced up at him, and was about to pass on with a

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_56'>56</span>slight though graceful salutation, when he stopped short and

-regarded her with surprise.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Halloa! who are you?” he asked, brusquely, yet not unkindly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star colored a lovely pink, as she replied, modestly:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I am Star—or, I should say, Stella Gladstone.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Stella—<i>Star</i> Gladstone!” he exclaimed, in surprise. Then

-he added, with an appreciative glance at her golden head with

-its dainty forelocks, her great, star-like eyes, and red lips:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“That sounds well—very appropriate, too, I should say.

-When did you arrive? We have been very anxious on your

-account.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star’s scarlet lips curled slightly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It appeared that he had not been notified of her arrival—Mrs.

-Richards had not considered it necessary to speak of the

-welfare of one whom she intended to make her servant.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>They had been anxious on her account!</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><i>He</i> might have experienced some uneasiness concerning her;

-his kind eyes and pleasant face seemed to indicate a good heart;

-but the other members of his family, she judged, would not

-have grieved so very much if she had really gone to the bottom

-of the ocean, as they feared she had.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I arrived the day before yesterday—Tuesday,” she said,

-somewhat coldly, in reply to his question.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Ah! I was in Chicago that day—reached home last night.

-You’ve had a pretty hard time, little girl, haven’t you?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, sir,” Star returned, wondering if he had any idea <i>how</i>

-hard, while the tears rushed unbidden to her eyes at his kind

-tone. “I never expected to see land again,” she added, trying

-hard to suppress a sob, as she thought she would almost rather

-have died than come among such cold-hearted people as her

-mother’s cousin’s family appeared to be.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well, well, you are safe now, thank Heaven, and you must

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_57'>57</span>try to be as happy as possible with us,” Mr. Richards said, still

-more kindly as he remarked her agitation.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star lifted her great eyes to his with a look of surprise. Could

-it be possible that he did not know the position she was destined

-to occupy in his household?</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It certainly appeared so, for he was looking down upon her

-with admiration and even something of affection.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Thank you, sir; you are very kind,” she said, with a sigh,

-as she turned sadly away and left him.</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER VI.<br> <span class='large'>STELLA’S APPEAL.</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>Star went down to the housekeeper’s room after her encounter

-with Mr. Richards, and ate her breakfast in a very

-thoughtful mood.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Blunt watched her curiously, and with a troubled expression

-on her honest face.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Child, if you don’t eat more you’ll die, or I’m much mistaken,”

-and she deftly slipped a dainty slice of buttered toast

-on her plate as she spoke.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Thank you, Mrs. Blunt, but I believe I am not very hungry

-this morning,” she returned, with a smile.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I should think not, indeed, nor at any other time. You

-haven’t eaten a ‘square meal’ since you came into this house,”

-the good woman said, with an injured air.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star was too deeply occupied to heed it, and finishing her

-coffee in silence, arose and proceeded slowly up stairs to the

-sewing-room, intending to finish her other dress that morning.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_58'>58</span>There was a look of resolution on her young face; her eyes

-gleamed with a new purpose.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I will do it,” she murmured, as she stood thoughtfully

-outside the door a moment, one small hand resting upon the

-knob. “I may as well make a bold stroke for myself at once,

-or I shall sink into nothingness. I <i>must</i> have an education; I

-cannot—I <i>will</i> not grow up ignorant, and have poor papa’s

-kind care in the past all go for nothing.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She turned the handle of the door and passed into the room.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She found Mrs. Richards standing in the middle of the floor,

-holding up the unfinished dress in both hands, and inspecting

-it with no pleasant expression of countenance.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She glanced at the young girl as she entered, and as her

-keen eyes ran over her dainty figure in its new and tasteful

-garment, her face grew dark.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star bade her a courteous “good-morning,” but she did not

-even deign to notice the salutation.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Who trimmed these dresses?” she demanded, sharply.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I did,” Star answered.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Who told you to do it?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No one, marm; but I like things made pretty, and as there

-were plenty of pieces which could not be used in any other

-way, I made them up into ruffles.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star spoke very quietly, but a bright red spot burned on

-either cheek.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You like ‘things pretty,’ do you? And that is the way you

-calculate to spend your time in this house, I suppose?” Mrs.

-Richards retorted, sarcastically.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She received no reply, and continued:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“The pieces you have cut up into senseless ruffles I intended

-you should make into patch-work for the servants’ beds during

-your odd minutes.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star glanced at the numerous “senseless ruffles” which encircled

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_59'>59</span>the indignant matron’s ample figure, and thought there

-might be such a thing as a distinction without a difference.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I’ve half a mind to make you sit right down and rip off

-every one,” Mrs. Richards proceeded, still chafing over the

-matter, and flushing as she noticed Star’s glance and half read

-her thought. “The idea of a chambermaid with ruffles and

-furbelows! And I do believe that seamstress has made your

-dress so tight that you cannot breathe,” she concluded, pouncing

-upon the poor girl to make an examination of the offensive

-robe, for the slight, graceful figure before her was not at all

-pleasing to her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No, marm, my dress is not tight; it only fits me nicely;”

-and Star’s slender fingers laid over quite a plait, thus showing

-that there was plenty of room for inflating her lungs to their

-utmost capacity.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Then you are laced,” persisted madam.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Laced?” repeated Star, who did not quite understand the

-obnoxious term.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes; your corsets are too tight.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Oh! I never wear corsets; mamma did not approve of

-them.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards bit her lips and colored with vexation. She

-was not showing to advantage in this controversy. It was clear

-that Star’s perfect form was the work of nature’s own hand, and

-she would be obliged to put up with it, unless she tied her up

-in a sack to hide its comely outlines.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well,” she said, throwing aside the dress she had been

-examining, “I want you to come with me now; I am going

-to assign you your regular work. For one thing, you are to

-make all the beds in the house, except those in the servants’

-rooms; then you are to keep Josephine’s and mine in order,

-wait upon us generally, and sew when there is nothing else to

-be done.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star stood looking down at the carpet in a thoughtful way

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_60'>60</span>while her would-be task mistress reeled off these instructions;

-then she raised her eyes, which looked almost black instead

-of their usual beautiful blue, and fixed them full upon the

-woman’s face.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Did you understand,” she began, “when papa wrote to

-you, asking you to assume the guardianship of his only child

-and superintend her future education, that he had any idea that

-I should come into your family as a servant? I am sixteen

-years old, and although I have been taught to do many things

-in my home, and to do them well, I have never done any <i>hard</i>

-work. I have spent most of my time in study, and papa left

-written instructions with me regarding my future course in that

-direction. I am very fond of music; I can paint and draw

-quite well, I am told, for one of my age, and papa wished me

-to keep on with these accomplishments, so far as I was able to

-and attend faithfully to the other branches of my education. I

-tell you this that you may understand something of the disappointment

-I have experienced, since my arrival in this

-country, to find that I was expected to fill the place of a common

-servant. Do you think my father intended you to make

-me such?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards regarded the girl in astonishment, while her

-face grew crimson with shame and anger. She knew very well

-that Albert Gladstone had never dreamed that she would degrade

-his child in any such way. But Albert Gladstone was

-dead, and could not interpose to prevent it. She was obliged

-to curtail just now in some way, and when she found she must

-have this girl in her family, she had decided to dispense with

-the expense of one servant and impose the duties on Star.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But she had not once imagined that she would dare question

-her right to do with her whatever she saw fit, and she was

-amazed as well as angry at the quiet dignity and independence

-with which she made these statements, and called her to an

-account of her duty to her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_61'>61</span>“I don’t know <i>what</i> your father <i>intended</i>, or what <i>you expect</i>,”

-she returned, in cold, precise tones. “I know that he wrote

-me you would soon be an orphan; that you had hardly a friend

-in the world, and he would leave you almost a pauper. He

-asked me to superintend your education, so that you would be

-able to earn your own living by and by. I intend to do so;

-and as you have nothing save your own hands to depend upon

-in the future, I am going to begin by making you useful at

-once. Did you suppose you were going to drop into the lap

-of luxury, and be reared in idleness?” she concluded, with

-biting sarcasm.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No, marm,” Star returned, respectfully, yet not one whit

-abashed by the way Mrs. Richards had perverted the letter

-which her father had written. “I am willing to be useful—I

-<i>wish</i> to be useful—I should be unhappy to be idle; but I am

-<i>very unwilling</i> to be made a common drudge, with no time

-nor opportunity to pursue my education. You say I have

-nothing save my hands with which to earn my living. You are

-mistaken; I have <i>brains</i>, and I intend they shall serve that

-purpose.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It seems to me that you are making a saucy tongue serve

-its purpose pretty early in the day,” retorted Mrs. Richards, an

-angry red leaping into her face.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I do not mean the least disrespect in what I have said,

-Mrs. Richards; but I cannot give up all the hopes and aspirations

-which my father has fostered all my life without making

-an effort to accomplish them. I am frank to confess,” Star

-continued, coloring, while her lips quivered slightly, “that

-from your reply to my father’s letter, I inferred that I should

-be received into your family as an equal, and that you would

-give me a mother’s care and counsel during the next three or

-four years of my life. Papa, I know, also understood it so,

-and died content, feeling that I should be well and kindly provided

-for.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_62'>62</span>Mrs. Richards felt very uncomfortable, for she knew that

-every word Star uttered was truth. She knew, too, that she was

-doing a mean and cowardly thing in making the bright and

-talented girl a servant; but she <i>must</i> have a house-maid. If she

-must curtail, she must do it in this way rather than in her own

-or Josephine’s wardrobe.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You are very impertinent, miss, and have been reared with

-altogether too high notions for one in your position,” she said,

-angrily. “You ought to be thankful for a roof to cover your

-head, and anything to cover your nakedness, coming here, as

-you did, destitute of everything. An equal in my family, indeed!

-Music, painting, and drawing! What will Josephine

-say to that, I wonder? And who did you suppose was going

-to foot the bills? It won’t do you any harm to have some of

-this independence taken out of you, and I’ll have you understand,

-once for all, that you will fill Maggie Flynn’s position in

-this house, or none.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star bowed her proud head coldly. She saw that she was

-helpless for the present, and must yield to the inevitable.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Very well,” she said, calmly. “I understand from Mrs.

-Blunt that Maggie Flynn was about my age; that she had six

-dollars a month besides her board, and two evenings out a

-week. I will consent to fill her place, <i>for the present</i>, upon the

-same conditions.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Upon my word!” exclaimed Mrs. Richards, in a towering

-passion at this unexpected proposition. “I never heard anything

-like it in my life! You forget that you are indebted to

-me for the very clothes you have on at this moment.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star could hardly repress a smile at this calculating outbreak.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You have given me the print for two dresses,” she answered,

-with ready tact, “the cost of which, with us in England,

-would be four pence a yard. I have nearly made them

-myself, but you can deduct whatever you see fit, and I will

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_63'>63</span>attend to my own wardrobe in the future. If I do Maggie

-Flynn’s work, I must have Maggie Flynn’s pay and privileges,”

-she concluded, decidedly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You will have nothing of the kind”—Mrs. Richards was

-fairly hoarse with anger. “You forget that your father has

-consigned you to my guardianship for the next few years, and

-you will do exactly as I direct you. But we have wasted time

-enough in this kind of talk. You are to come with me now;

-I will set you to work, and see if we cannot take down some

-of this English impudence.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star followed the woman as she was bidden, without a word,

-thinking it best to discuss the question no further just then;

-but there was, nevertheless, a determined gleam in her glorious

-eyes; her form was as erect and proud, her step as firm as if

-she felt herself in every respect the equal of the woman who

-appeared bound to oppress her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>All day long she was kept steadily at work; not a moment

-was she allowed to rest, except while she was eating. She made

-beds, swept and dusted rooms, and ran upon errands, until

-every bone in her slight body ached with weariness and her

-small feet were nearly blistered.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Her delicate hands had never performed such menial duties

-before, nor had her gentle heart ever throbbed with such

-revengeful, rebellious feelings.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was eight o’clock before her hard mistress released her

-from her labors, and told her to go directly to bed, so as to be

-up early in the morning and sweep off the front steps before

-people should begin to pass.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She went to her room as directed, but instead of retiring,

-she took from a drawer of her bureau one of the packages of

-papers which she had rescued from her state-room on that

-burning vessel, and, weary as she was, she again descended

-two flights of stairs, and approaching the library door, tapped

-gently upon it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_64'>64</span>A deep, manly voice bade her come in, and she entered with

-a firm and decided tread.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards was sitting at his desk, engaged in answering

-some business letters.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star had timed her visit to him, for she had watched and

-seen him go into the library after tea was over.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He looked up as she closed the door behind her, and his face

-relaxed into a kind smile as he saw who it was.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The girl had interested him in the morning by her beauty,

-grace, and intelligence, but he had been so busy during the day

-that he had scarcely thought of her since.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He did inquire for her at dinner, but there was company

-present, and his wife made some evasive reply. If the truth

-could have been known, she was rather reluctant to inform him

-what her intentions were regarding the young stranger.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Do I interrupt you, sir?” Star asked, modestly, but without

-advancing beyond the threshold.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Not at all, Miss Star. Come here and sit down; I am just

-through,” he answered, heartily.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She went and stood before him. She did not wish to sit

-down; she could say what she intended to tell him better

-standing, she thought.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You spoke so kindly to me this morning,” she began,

-“that I have ventured to come to you for a little advice this

-evening.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Spoke kindly to you! Why on earth shouldn’t I speak

-kindly to you?” he asked, in surprise.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Then noticing her pale, weary face, he continued:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“What under the sun have you been doing to-day? You

-look tired to death.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star tried to smile, but she felt more like dropping her face

-upon her hands and sobbing aloud.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She controlled herself with an effort, however, and putting

-some of her papers upon the table beside him, said:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_65'>65</span>“I have brought you some papers which papa gave me just

-before—just before he died”—a sob would come in spite of her

-then. “One is a copy of a letter which he wrote to Mrs.

-Richards,” she went on, “and there is also her reply. Will

-you kindly read them, and tell me just what you understand

-by them?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Certainly, if you wish,” he replied, looking a trifle surprised

-at her request.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He motioned her again to a seat, then opened the letters

-and read them both through.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I understand,” he said, when he had finished them, “from

-your father’s letter that, believing he was soon to die, he wished

-to provide a home for you. He states that he has no friends

-or relatives in England with whom he would be willing to trust

-you; that he has next to nothing to leave you, and begs my

-wife, as the nearest of kin, to assume the care of you and your

-education until you are able to do something for yourself, trusting

-to Providence to reward her for her kindness to the orphan.

-He mentions that he feels assured she will do this, since she

-once entertained such tender feelings for his wife for the signal

-service which she once rendered her.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Do you know what that service was?” Star asked, in a low

-tone.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No; I asked Ellen when I read the letter which she received,

-but she seemed to have forgotten to what he referred.

-Perhaps <i>you</i> know, though?” Mr. Richards concluded, inquiringly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star colored vividly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, sir,” she returned, with compressed lips.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well, what was it? I should like to know.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“My mother was a Miss Chudleigh before her marriage, as

-you doubtless know, and she lived near Halowell Park, in

-Devonshire, where Mrs. Richards was once visiting, and it was

-during that visit that she saved her from drowning.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_66'>66</span>“Whew! Your mother saved my wife from drowning, eh?”

-cried Mr. Richards, in astonishment, and coloring as he remembered

-his wife’s indifference upon the topic when he had questioned

-her about it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, sir. Now will you please read Mrs. Richards’ reply

-to my father’s letter, and tell me how you interpret it?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star did not care to dwell upon the subject of her obligation,

-since Mrs. Richards had seen fit to pass it by so lightly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I interpret it just as it reads,” he said, after glancing over

-it; “that she would be very happy to grant your father’s request,

-do her utmost to make a good and useful woman of

-you, and follow out his wishes regarding your future education

-as nearly as she could.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, sir, that is the way papa understood it; that is the

-way I understand it,” Star said, rising and standing erect before

-him with a gravity that made him wonder what was coming

-next.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“My father,” she continued, “as you know, was a clergyman

-with a very limited income, and he conducted my education

-himself until he became too weak to do so, therefore I am

-pretty well advanced for one of my years. I have read seven

-books in Virgil, have read two years in French, and am nearly

-through trigonometry, and have read a good deal in history. I

-was studying harmony in music when papa died, besides doing

-a little in painting and drawing. I do not tell you this,” Star

-interposed, with a sad smile, “to boast of what I have done,

-but that you may understand what my feelings are when I tell

-you why I came here to-night. Papa wished me to keep on

-with my Latin, reading Horace and Tacitus, with French,

-music, and history—in fact, he left a written programme for me

-to follow out as nearly as I was able. I am ambitious myself—I

-am <i>hungry</i> for knowledge. I want a <i>thorough education</i>, and

-as I must in the future earn my own living, I know of no way

-so congenial to my feelings as through literary pursuits. Perhaps

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_67'>67</span>I made a mistake in appealing to you just now, but I

-could think of no other way out of my difficulties, for of

-course I am wholly ignorant of the manners and customs of

-this country. I mentioned these things to Mrs. Richards this

-morning——”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>And now Star’s voice trembled, and the beating of her heart

-nearly choked her, for she did not know how this man would

-receive her appeal to him against his own wife.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well, and what did she say?” he asked, feeling somewhat

-perplexed over the matter.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“She told me that I could not go on with my education as

-papa wished; that—I was to take the place of a girl named

-Maggie Flynn in your family.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“What!” exclaimed the gentleman, in tones of the most

-emphatic astonishment.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Maggie Flynn, I understand,” Star went on, gathering

-courage as she noted his surprise, “was a sort of chamber and

-waiting-maid, and Mrs. Richards says that I am henceforth

-to perform her duties. I cannot tell you,” she continued,

-earnestly, “how repulsive such a life would be to me—to give

-up all my hopes, to forget, in the ceaseless routine of such an

-existence, all that I have already acquired; and I have come to

-appeal to you—to ask you if you will not try and persuade

-your wife to allow me to continue my studies? I am willing to

-work, and work hard, but I <i>must</i> have some time to improve

-and develop my mind. There are plenty of girls who can be

-employed in my place”—Star did not know of the curtailing

-business—“and who do not care for an education. Papa

-authorized a friend of his to dispose of his library and our

-household goods, and give the proceeds to me, after paying all

-bills. I have a letter of credit to the amount of a hundred

-pounds. I do not know the expense of schooling in this

-country, but could I not be sent to some institution for a year

-or two, and take this money to pay for it? I should be fitted

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_68'>68</span>by the end of that time, I think, to teach, and could relieve

-Mrs. Richards of all responsibility regarding my support.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards’ face was very stern when the young girl concluded,

-and Star, looking into it, felt almost frightened at what

-she had done.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But she reasoned that her situation could not be much worse

-than it already was, and it demanded desperate measures.</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER VII.<br> <span class='large'>A CONSULTATION.</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>“What have you been doing to-day?” Mr. Richards asked,

-in cold, stern tones, after what seemed an interminable pause.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Stella began to feel almost faint. That hard face, in which

-displeasure was the chief expression, did not look very promising

-for her cause; but she replied:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I have done all the chamber-work, swept and dusted five

-rooms, and waited upon Mrs. Richards.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You are not accustomed to such work,” he said, glancing

-at her delicate hands.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Not to any such extent, sir. Mamma used to require me

-to take care of the music-room, besides my own, at home, for

-we could keep only one servant, and I <i>know how</i> to sweep, and

-dust, and make beds,” Star concluded, with a slight smile.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I should say that you know a good many things for so

-young a lady,” Mr. Richards said, kindly, for he saw that she

-was nervous over what she had been telling him. Then he

-added, more gravely: “I will consult with Mrs. Richards, and

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_69'>69</span>I think that we can arrange for you to pursue your education

-as you desire.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star flushed.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She knew well enough that a mere consultation with

-Mrs. Richards would not secure much for her, and that she

-would be very angry with her for having appealed to her

-husband, and she made up her mind on the spot to make

-a bold stroke for her freedom.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>So meeting his eyes in a frank, fearless way, yet speaking

-with the utmost respect, she said:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I feel confident from the conversation which I had with

-Mrs. Richards this morning, that she will be very unwilling

-to make any change in her arrangements, so I will

-be perfectly frank and say to you, that much as I should

-dislike to take any radical steps in opposition to her, or

-my father’s desire that I should remain with her, yet I

-<i>cannot</i> consent to remain here as a common servant, with

-no privileges or time to myself. I presume Mrs. Richards

-will say that, as she has been appointed my guardian, I

-shall have to do just as she desires. But I have read

-somewhere that when an orphan in this country reaches

-a certain age, he has the privilege of choosing a guardian

-for himself. Rather than be subjected to the fate of becoming

-a second Maggie Flynn,” Star continued, her

-voice gathering firmness, “I shall exercise that privilege.

-Thank you for listening so kindly to my troubles, and I

-trust I have not wearied you. Good-night.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Without waiting for him to reply, she inclined her head

-in a graceful bow, and quietly glided from the room.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“By George!” exploded Mr. Richards, staring blankly

-after her retreating form, “that is what I call spirit. Make

-a common servant of such a girl as that, indeed! My lady

-and I will talk this matter over, and see—<i>what</i> we shall

-see.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Half an hour later he sought an interview with his wife,

-and there followed “a consultation” in earnest.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_70'>70</span>Mrs. Richards was dumfounded upon being informed of the

-decided stand which her spirited little ward had taken, and her

-indignation in consequence knew no bounds.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“The impudent little beggar!” she ejaculated, crimson with

-rage. “Does she expect to rule me, or balk me like this? She

-will find herself greatly mistaken. I will give her a dose in the

-morning—‘<i>such</i> a dose,’ as Mr. Flintwinch was wont to remark

-to his beloved Affery.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Ellen, you will do no such thing,” her husband returned,

-firmly. “Have you forgotten Mr. Gladstone’s letter to you and

-your reply to him? When you wrote accepting the guardianship

-of his daughter, you did so in a way to lead him to believe

-that you would do your best for her.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“And so I am doing my best for her,” interrupted his wife.

-“You have talked of nothing but retrenchment for the last six

-months, and I have <i>tried</i> to retrench. I knew the coming of

-this girl would make an extra mouth to feed, so I made up my

-mind to make her useful, and save something if I could.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well, the child says she is willing to be useful, but you are

-not fulfilling your agreement by making a drudge of her. Mr.

-Gladstone understood that you would give careful attention to

-her education, which he evidently has conducted upon the most

-thorough principles, and he expected that you would fill as far

-as possible his place toward her.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“How do you know what I wrote to him? You did not see

-my letter,” demanded Mrs. Richards, angrily.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I have seen it to-night. The girl has it, and showed it to

-me; and now I want you to live up to your promises,” replied

-her husband, gravely.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“She ought to be thankful that she has a roof to shelter

-her. Do you suppose I am going to allow her to interfere with

-Josephine’s rights?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Certainly not; but this girl is exceedingly bright and

-pretty; let them become mates and share alike, and I’ll wager

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_71'>71</span>that Star will never abuse your indulgence,” Mr. Richards said,

-generously.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“And who may ‘Star’ be?” demanded his wife, scornfully.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Why, Stella, of course—Star was the name, I suppose, by

-which she was known at home. Now, I insist,” he continued,

-with decision, “that this child be given a fair chance.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“How about retrenchment if you have <i>two</i> fine young ladies

-to support instead of one?” sneered Mrs. Richards.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Oh, bother! we’ll make it up in some other way. I’ll

-sell one of my horses; you can give up a new gown once in

-awhile.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Not if I know myself, Mr. Richards. I do not intend that

-this girl shall interfere with my comfort in the least degree,”

-interrupted the lady, with a frown.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well, we will manage in some way; but,” he added, beginning

-to get out of patience with her selfishness and heartlessness,

-“I swear, if you won’t promise to treat her considerately,

-and she repudiates you as her guardian, I will get her to choose

-me in your place, and I’ll treat her like a young princess—send

-her to Vassar, or any other first-class school she may choose,

-regardless of the cost.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“George Richards,” cried his wife, with flashing eyes, “if

-you take up weapons against me in this way, I never will forgive

-you.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Can’t help it,” he retorted, coolly. “I’ll not have that girl

-made a common drudge of in this house while I am master

-here. How you could meditate such a thing for a moment is

-more than I can understand. Where is the gratitude for the

-life which her mother saved for you so many years ago?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards started slightly. She had not intended that

-her husband should ever know of the debt which she owed

-Star’s mother.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I suppose she had to twit you of that in order to gain her

-point and make you her champion,” she said, sarcastically.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_72'>72</span>“No, indeed. I asked her what her father meant by his

-allusion to the service rendered you, and to which he referred

-in his letter, and she told me of course, though in a

-very modest way, that her mother once saved you from

-drowning. Now, I want you to change your tactics. I

-want you to allow her to be one of the family.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I <i>never</i> will do that, Mr. Richards, and it is useless for

-you to suggest it,” Mrs. Richards interrupted, hotly. “I

-could never endure the sight of the girl at my table after

-this, and Josephine, I know, would not consent to it. Any

-one can see by the course she has pursued to-night with

-you that she is full of art and intrigue, and would not

-hesitate to interfere with Josie’s plans and prospects.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Oh, ho! you’re afraid she will outshine Jo, are you?”

-laughed her husband, good-naturedly. “I should think

-one would set the other off, Star being so light and Jo so

-dark, and I should really enjoy seeing two pretty girls

-flitting about the house.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I will never put Stella Gladstone on an equal footing

-with my daughter, so you can cease arguing upon that

-point,” reiterated Mrs. Richards, with a positiveness that

-was not to be mistaken.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“If you insist,” she continued, after a minute’s thought,

-“upon her being allowed to pursue her education, since

-she makes such a parade of being a bookworm, let her; I

-will not interfere. But <i>I</i> insist, on the other hand, that she

-make herself useful. She must work about the house before

-and after school, and do something in return for her

-support—more than this I will not concede;” and Mr.

-Richards, having gained this point, considered that he had

-won quite a victory for his wife’s pretty ward.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Very well,” he said; “I presume she will be satisfied

-with this arrangement. She said she was willing to work

-if she might only be allowed to study.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_73'>73</span>“Satisfied or not, it is all the concession that I shall make;

-and mark my words, George, I shall not <i>love</i> her any better for

-this interference on your part,” his wife said, hotly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Fie, Ellen! I thought you had a warmer heart; and it

-would not sound well outside if it should become known that

-you were making a servant of a relative. It would make quite

-a stir, let me tell you, if she should appeal to the courts to

-have a new guardian appointed,” Mr. Richards returned, in a

-conciliatory tone.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Thus the matter was settled, to Star’s great joy. Mr. Richards

-made arrangements at once for her to enter a select school for

-young ladies, which was located quite near their residence,

-and she began her attendance there the following Monday,

-having passed a most “creditable examination,” the principal

-informed her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>When she was advised of this pleasant change in her life,

-she thanked Mrs. Richards in a few well-chosen words for consenting

-to it; but the irate woman shut her up instantly by

-saying:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You owe me nothing, and I wish the subject never mentioned

-again in my presence. You will assist about the chamber-work

-in the morning before it is time for you to go to

-school, and help Mrs. Blunt with the mending on your return

-in the afternoon. Miss Baker will attend to the provision of

-suitable clothing for you, and you will work with her Saturdays.

-Now we will consider this matter disposed of until such time as

-you may deem your education finished;” and with this heartless

-speech, Star was summarily dismissed from the august

-matron’s presence.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She was greatly rejoiced with even this ungracious permission

-to pursue her studies, and the hours spent in the school-room

-were a source of great delight to her; but her position at home

-was anything but agreeable.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards treated her kindly whenever he chanced to

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_74'>74</span>meet her, but his wife and daughter ignored her presence when

-they could do so; when they could not, they took pains to

-make her feel her obligations and dependence in the most uncomfortable

-manner.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>With Mrs. Blunt she was comparatively happy, for the woman,

-though brusque and peculiar, was very kind-hearted, seeming

-to have conceived a great liking for the lonely orphan; and

-often she would sit up late at night to get the piles of mending

-out of the way, in order that Star—who was studying very hard

-to make up for having entered school in the middle of a term—might

-have more time to herself.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Miss Baker, the seamstress, too, was very kind to her, and

-her Saturdays were often passed very pleasantly in sewing and

-chatting in the cozy sewing-room.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She left home at a quarter to nine in the morning, and did

-not return until half-past four in the afternoon, taking a luncheon

-and spending the nooning in the school-room.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>This was not done on account of the distance, but because

-the dinner hour at the Richards’ mansion conflicted with the

-school hours.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>By staying at noon thus Star gained an hour’s practice on

-one of the pianos, with no one to interrupt her, and this was a

-season of unalloyed delight to her. Nothing had been said to

-her about continuing her music—Mrs. Richards had vetoed all

-accomplishments on account of the extra expense—but she

-could not give it up, so pursued a course of faithful practice

-by herself.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Not a moment was wasted. She arose with the dawn, and

-every morning for an hour she might have been seen bending

-over her small table, busily engaged in writing or study.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>All her duties were faithfully performed; beds had never

-been so well made before, rooms were never so carefully swept

-and dusted, or so tastefully arranged; and yet one would

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_75'>75</span>scarcely have mistrusted her presence in the house, everything

-was done so quietly and unobtrusively.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>This general exercise, together with her brisk walk before

-and after her school, was very beneficial to her health. She

-grew tall, and round, and rosy, and in beauty every day.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Saturdays Miss Baker’s weary face would brighten as Star sat

-and chatted in a merry, entertaining way, whiling away the long

-hours, her busy fingers often lightening her labors when there

-was no sewing to be done for herself, until she began to love

-the sweet young girl with a deep, warm affection, and to look

-forward to those weekly diversions almost as if they had been

-angels’ visits.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star was very tasteful also, and often suggested changes in

-trimming and the arrangement of drapery, thus making great

-improvements in her work, while, in spite of Mrs. Richards’

-commands that “everything for Miss Gladstone be as plain as

-respectability would allow,” she took pains to fit the young girl’s

-figure with great nicety, and added many graceful touches to

-her otherwise simple dresses.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>All winter long Star pursued this busy life, improving every

-moment to the best advantage, making every hour count; and

-one morning, getting through her work earlier than usual, she

-might have been seen stealing forth from that elegant mansion

-a half hour before the regular time, her cheeks flushed with

-some inward excitement, her eyes gleaming, yet somewhat

-anxious, and carrying in her hands a goodly sized package

-neatly wrapped in brown paper.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She took an opposite direction from the usual route to

-school, and walked hurriedly toward the business portion of

-the city.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>At the end of twenty minutes she stopped before the door of

-a large and handsome store, where for a moment she seemed to

-hesitate as if uncertain what to do next.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_76'>76</span>At last, with fluctuating color and trembling hand, she turned

-the handle and entered.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A little while passed, and then she came forth again, while

-now she appeared pale and agitated.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>As the door closed after her, she stood still for a moment

-upon the sidewalk, seeming lost in troubled thought; then a

-tremulous sigh, which was almost a sob, broke from her lips,

-and she turned and walked toward her school.</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER VIII.<br> <span class='large'>RETRENCHMENT.</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>Winter passed, spring came and went, and the commencement

-exercises of the seminary where Star was attending drew

-nigh.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The faculty, as was their custom, sent forth cards of invitation

-to its patrons, requesting them to be present and see for

-themselves what their children had accomplished during the

-year.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It chanced this time to fall upon Star’s birthday, although

-no one was aware of that fact save herself; but to her it was

-destined to prove an eventful occasion, and one long to be

-remembered.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards received and opened his invitation with his

-other letters on that very morning, and after glancing over it,

-passed it to his wife.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She merely looked at it, yawned, and then laid it indifferently

-one side.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards compressed his lips at this. It did not please

-him that all the young girl’s interests should be thus slightingly

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_77'>77</span>ignored; but he said nothing, although his thoughts were busy

-during the remainder of the meal, and as soon as it was completed

-he repaired to his library and rang his bell.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Send Miss Gladstone to me,” he said to the servant who

-answered his summons.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star received the command, wondering what it meant, and

-went down, with some trepidation, to obey it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She was almost like an alien in that house, living so apart

-from the family, and so rarely encountering any of them; but

-she possessed a sunny, even disposition, and although she often

-grieved over the neglect she experienced, and yearned for love

-and sympathy, yet she would not allow herself to brood over it;

-thus she was always sweet and genial in her temperament.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>As she entered the library this morning, Mr. Richards looked

-up and smiled with pleasure.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She was so fresh, and bright, and lovely that it was a delight

-to look upon her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I have received a card for the closing exercises of your

-school to-day,” he said, pleasantly. “I think I should like to

-attend, if I can make it convenient. How have you been progressing?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Professor Roberts has been kind enough to say that I have

-done very well. You know I did not enter until nearly the

-middle of the second term,” Star modestly replied, while her

-cheeks glowed and her eyes shone with pleasure that he should

-manifest this interest in her welfare.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Do you have any particular part in the exercises to-day?”

-he questioned.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, sir. I have a programme here in my pocket; perhaps

-you would like to see it?” and she drew it forth, laying it

-upon the table before him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He glanced over it, and, third upon the list, he saw:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Music, instrumental, by Miss Stella Gladstone.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Further down he read:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_78'>78</span>“Essay, by Miss Stella Gladstone. Subject: ‘Walls Must

-Get the Weather-stain Before They Grow the Ivy.’”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He looked up at her with some surprise.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Did you choose the subject of your essay?” he asked.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, sir.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Why did you take such a topic?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I do not know, sir,” Star answered, thoughtfully. “I read

-the line somewhere one day; it haunted me continually, until

-I wrote out some thoughts upon it, as I often do upon different

-subjects. Professor Roberts found them between the leaves of

-my Horace one day, and liked them so well that he asked me

-to elaborate and extend them, and read it as an essay to-day.

-He always has two or three essays from members of the junior

-class read upon commencement day.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards had been looking her over critically while she

-was speaking.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She was clad in a gown of some light gray material, made

-very plainly, but fitting her graceful figure to perfection. Simple

-bands of linen were just visible at her throat and wrists, while a

-knot of pale blue ribbon fastened her collar.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She looked lovely. She would have been so in anything;

-but he saw that her toilet was hardly befitting the ward of his

-wife.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Girls for commencement always have a new dress, don’t

-they?” he asked. “Have you made any arrangements of the

-kind?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No, sir; I shall go just as I am. This is the best that

-I have,” she returned, glancing down at her dress and flushing

-slightly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“How much time have you before the exercises begin?” he

-inquired.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“An hour or more,” she said, looking up at the clock on

-the mantel. “I am ready very early,” she added, smiling, “for

-I wished to look over my essay before reading it.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_79'>79</span>Mr. Richards looked grave. He remembered how Josephine

-had been all “fuss and feathers” at every commencement, and

-here this lovely girl was going to appear before a crowded hall

-in a dress which his daughter would not have worn in her own

-private room.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“If you will step around to Hunt &#38; Co.’s with me, you

-shall have one of those pretty summer silks that they are advertising

-so extensively. I should be gratified to have you as well

-dressed as your classmates, and I fear that your needs have been

-neglected in this respect,” he remarked, with a slight frown.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star flushed scarlet now.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had wished—oh, <i>so</i> earnestly!—that morning that she

-could have something dainty to wear, and she had sighed regretfully

-as she thought of all her pretty clothes lying at the bottom

-of the ocean, for they had been prettily made, although they

-were of inexpensive material; and she had heard the girls talking

-of the new dresses which were being made for them. But

-when her toilet was completed and she looked in the glass, she

-felt that, notwithstanding the disadvantage of her apparel, there

-was at least a distinguished air about her which bespoke the

-true lady, and she was comforted.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Thank you,” she answered, quietly, while the color slowly

-receded from her brow and cheeks; “you are very kind to

-suggest it, but, if you please, I prefer to go as I am. I shall

-be gratified,” she added, dropping the proud ring out of her

-voice, “if you feel sufficiently interested to attend the exercises

-to-day, and I will endeavor to show you that I have tried to

-improve the advantages that you have given me.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I should be willing to take your word for it,” Mr. Richards

-said, heartily, “but I will come and see for myself.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star looked pleased at this assurance, and then, giving him a

-friendly little bow and smile, went away with a light heart.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“By George! she’ll make a woman to be proud of, or—or

-‘I’m much mistaken,’ as Mrs. Blunt would remark. She has

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_80'>80</span>spirit, too, and is bound to stand on her own merits. There

-are not many girls who would have refused the offer of a pretty

-new dress for such an occasion. I’ll go over to the seminary

-and see what she has been doing.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>When Mr. Richards entered the hall of the seminary, he

-found it crowded to overflowing with spectators, anxious friends,

-and fond parents.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He gradually worked his way forward toward the platform,

-for he was determined to hear Star’s essay, if possible, and

-finally took his stand beside a piece of statuary and near an

-open window, where he could have air and yet command a

-good view of all the exercises.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Almost at the same moment a slight, willowy figure, clad in

-light gray, with a fair, delicate face, deep blue eyes, scarlet lips,

-and a wealth of golden hair, glided noiselessly to the piano on

-the platform, sat down, and after running her fingers nimbly

-over the keys for a moment or two, dashed off into a brilliant

-and difficult sonata.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was executed apparently without a mistake from beginning

-to end, and without notes, and when it was finished the

-fair performer retired from the instrument amid enthusiastic

-applause.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards was astounded.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He had expected some simple melody, passably performed.

-She had told him, in her modest way, that she had given some

-attention to music, but he had not imagined that she was as

-proficient as this, and he could not understand how she had

-kept up her practice, with no instruction, and no permission to

-use the piano at home.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He did not know of that hour at noon, nor the odd minutes,

-when other girls were chattering away at recess time, that Star

-had diligently given to this science which she so dearly loved.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He was no less astounded during the reading of her essay.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>When it was announced, she came quietly forward with

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_81'>81</span>graceful self-possession, and unfolding the roll of manuscript

-which she carried in her hand, read in sweet, yet clear tones,

-a production which held her listeners spell-bound from beginning

-to end.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She must have woven something of her own heart history

-into it, he thought, for two or three times the tears welled unbidden

-to his eyes at the pathos which those smoothly rounded

-sentences contained.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It seemed as if Star’s efforts were more highly appreciated

-than any other portion of the exercises. Even the valedictory,

-from a member of the senior class, although well written and

-to the point, was not listened to with such breathless attention.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>At the conclusion of the programme, the diplomas were

-awarded to the graduating class, and then the professor said he

-would read the names of those who had passed their examination

-and were to be promoted from the other classes. There

-were two young ladies, he said, who were entitled to a double

-promotion, having accomplished the work of a year in about

-six months, which was, to say the least, a very unusual and

-laudable circumstance.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The names of those entitled to this were Miss Stella Gladstone

-and Miss Grace Turnbull, and they would, upon the beginning

-of the fall term, take their places in the senior class.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>As the people flocked by him out of the hall, Mr. Richards

-heard Star’s praises on every side, and inwardly vowed that the

-girl should have every chance in the future.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He made his way toward the platform, intending to speak

-with and congratulate her upon her success; but just before

-he reached her another gentleman approached her, and after

-shaking hands in the most cordial manner with her, gave her

-a small package, and bending down, whispered a few words in

-her ear.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He could not understand the expression of mingled surprise

-and joy which for a moment absolutely glorified her fair face as

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_82'>82</span>she received the package; then the tears sprang to her eyes, as,

-with tremulous lips, she appeared to be thanking the giver.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The gentleman chatted a few moments longer with her, then

-put out his hand for the roll of manuscript which she still held,

-while he smilingly asked her for it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star hesitated about giving it to him, while a lovely color

-suffused her face; then, with a shy movement, she laid it in

-his palm.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He received it with a brilliant smile, bowed gracefully to her,

-and then left her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards now approached her, and taking her hand,

-said, almost affectionately:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Star, you have shone effulgently to-day, and I am proud

-of you.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It would not have been in human nature to have prevented

-the little gleam of triumph which flashed from her eyes at this

-tribute to her talents, but she said, gratefully:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Thank you, sir; but I owe my success all to you.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Not a bit of it,” he returned, with some emotion; “you

-owe it to yourself alone; but I will take care that you do not

-thank me for nothing at the close of another year.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star wondered what he meant, but she did not question him,

-and her heart was lighter than it had been before, since she

-crossed the ocean, as he led her from the building and walked

-home with her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But he noticed all the way that there was a nervous tremor

-about her, while she was unusually absent-minded and silent.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Who was that gentleman who came and spoke to you at

-the close of the exercises?” he asked, just before they reached

-home.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star glanced up with a start.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“His name is Appleton,” she answered, and pretended not

-to notice that his eyes were resting curiously upon the package

-which he had given her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_83'>83</span>When they entered the house, Star ascended to her own

-room, while Mr. Richards sought his wife.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He found her and Josephine together in the drawing-room,

-and, for a wonder, no callers with them.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He informed them where he had been, and also of the brilliant

-appearance which Star had made before the public.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Both mother and daughter sneered audibly at his account,

-and this aroused his indignation.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>His eyes began to blaze, and his wife sobered instantly; she

-always recognized and dreaded this dangerous symptom.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You are a couple of selfish, heartless women,” he began;

-“and now, let me tell you, you have got to turn over a new

-leaf, or there will be trouble in the camp. That girl, whom

-you have so despised and tried to degrade ever since she came

-into the house, has wonderful talent—talent of which any one

-might be proud. She is rightly named, for she certainly shone

-like a star of the first magnitude to-day. Her essay was superior

-to anything produced there, and her performance upon the

-piano something wonderful for one so young and possessing so

-few advantages.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Oh, papa, you don’t mean to say that she can play the

-piano! I’m sure she has never touched this one since she

-came here, and no one can play well without constant practice,”

-asserted Miss Josephine, with a toss of her dark head, for she

-was accounted a good musician.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You don’t believe what I tell you, then,” her father said,

-frowning.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well, I think you must have overestimated her talent in

-that direction,” the girl answered.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards did not reply, but walked to the bell-rope and

-gave it a pull.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Go and say to Miss Gladstone that I would like to see

-her in the drawing-room,” he said to the servant who opened

-the door.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_84'>84</span>“Really, Mr. Richards,” interrupted his wife, with severe

-dignity; but he stopped her short with a motion of his hand.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Go!” he repeated to the servant, who had hesitated as she

-spoke, and then he turned again to her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I want you to understand,” he said, “something of the

-wrong which you have been doing this child, and now I am

-going to ask her to play to you. I desire that you treat her

-civilly, too, when she comes down. She should have been

-received here as one of us—I regret that I did not insist upon

-it in the beginning—she should have been on an equal footing

-with Josie, enjoying the same advantages, and receiving sympathy

-and encouragement instead of—well, it’s no use fretting

-over it now; but, by Jove! I’ll make it up to her in the future.

-Hark! she is coming, and now I’ll have no sneers or sour

-looks,” he concluded, as the door handle turned.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star entered at this moment, and seeing the whole family

-assembled, looked somewhat surprised; but Mr. Richards approached

-her, saying, quietly:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I have sent for you to ask if you will play again for us

-what you played at the hall to-day?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star glanced at the two ladies, but their attitude was not

-encouraging.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards was the personification of dignified indifference,

-while Miss Josephine sat looking out of a window, and

-partially concealed by its drapery.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She saw that she was wholly indebted to Mr. Richards for

-this opportunity of displaying her talent, and that they were

-evidently somewhat doubtful as to her ability to do what he

-claimed for her; therefore her fingers began to tingle to do

-their very best.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Certainly; I shall be pleased to play for you if you desire

-it,” she said, as she walked quietly and unassumingly to the

-piano and sat down.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had not struck a dozen notes before she had the undivided

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_85'>85</span>attention of every listener; and when she had concluded,

-two of the little company were quivering with jealous

-anger.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Josephine had the name of being a good musician, but both

-she and her mother could plainly perceive that she had not a

-tithe of the talent that the fair, despised girl, of whom they had

-tried to make a common servant, possessed.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Play something else, please,” Mr. Richards said, when she

-had finished the sonata which she had played at school; and,

-without a word, her slender fingers went sweeping through one

-of Mendelssohn’s “<cite><span lang="fr">Romances sans Paroles</span></cite>” in the most intoxicating

-manner imaginable, and her new admirer, with a look

-of pardonable triumph, thanked her most warmly when she

-concluded.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She quietly left the room, although she felt assured that a

-storm was ready to burst as soon as she should be beyond hearing;

-the very atmosphere was heavy with it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She was right in her conjecture, for no sooner was the door

-closed behind her than Mrs. Richards’ tongue was loosed, and

-she broke forth in a torrent of wrath.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well, George Richards, I suppose you imagine that you

-have done something wonderful in bringing that girl here and

-showing her off to us; but you will find that you have made a

-mistake. It is very praiseworthy, indeed, to seek to humiliate

-one’s own daughter, and I should suppose you would feel very

-proud of such an achievement. Where is your self-respect, that

-you bring a beggar in here and set her up as a reproach to your

-wife? I will not stand it, sir—I tell you I will not stand it!

-Things are come to a pretty pass, I should say, if our domestic

-peace is to be destroyed by that insignificant chit, and I was a

-fool ever to consent to her coming here.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>This and much more of the same kind the angry woman

-poured forth in a perfect volley.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_86'>86</span>Mr. Richards listened with quiet gravity to the tirade, and

-when she had concluded, he quietly remarked:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well, Ellen, now that you are through, we’ll say that it’s

-my turn. You might just as well make up your mind to be

-reasonable first as last, for mine is settled upon one thing—<i>Star

-Gladstone has done the last day’s work in this house that she

-ever will do</i>! She is to have her time entirely to herself until

-she graduates, a year hence. I shall offer to allow her to pursue

-music, and painting if she desires, during the long vacation

-just at hand, giving her the best of masters which New

-York affords, and spare no reasonable expense to make her the

-accomplished woman that I think she is capable of becoming.

-<i>You promised</i> all this to her father; he sent her to you with the

-belief that she would enjoy these advantages until she was

-fitted to become a teacher, <i>and she shall have them</i>. Now, one

-thing more—and you know that when I get aroused to this

-pitch I mean what I say—if I find that you or Jo are making

-her unhappy at any time, I’ll put her into the most genteel

-boarding-house in the city, out of your reach. As for ‘domestic

-peace,’ about which you twit me, I believe I love my family

-better than the average of men, and am not in the habit of

-stirring up strife; so it will rest with <i>you</i> to keep the peace.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards did not wait for any rejoinder to this plain

-speaking, but left the room, and finding Star out upon the balcony

-leading from the dining-room, he told her that he had

-decided to let her take up music and painting during the vacation

-if she wished.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He felt amply repaid for his efforts on her behalf on seeing

-the look of joy which flashed over her face, while her voice

-thrilled with earnestness as she replied:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Oh, sir, I ought to be the happiest girl in Brooklyn to

-have so much of good come to me on this, my seventeenth

-birthday!”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Is this your birthday?” he asked, with a feeling of selfreproach

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_87'>87</span>that it should have come and nearly gone with no

-token of remembrance, while he glanced over her meager attire

-and marked the absence of all jewelry or trinkets such as young

-girls love, for she wore nothing of the kind save a dainty cameo

-head fastened to the knot of ribbon at her throat.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, sir; and it is one which I shall always remember with

-great pleasure,” she said, with a tremulous smile that he did

-not then understand. “I thank you,” she added, “for allowing

-me to go on with my music, and I will be very faithful in

-improving my opportunity; but—I think, if you please, I will

-not mind about the painting at present. I am very fond of it,

-but—I——”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Very well; do as you choose,” he said, as he saw she was

-somewhat embarrassed. “You are to have all the advantages

-you desire during the next year, and you are to do no more

-work of any kind in this house——”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Oh, but I like to work about the house,” she began,

-eagerly; but he stopped her authoritatively.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No; I will not have it. You need all the time you can

-get for study and practice. Maggie Flynn, or some other

-Maggie, shall come back as chamber and waiting-maid, and

-you are to remember it is my command that you do nothing

-of the kind. If you have any spare time, use it in making the

-pretty things which young ladies of your age like so much.

-Here is something to begin upon, and I will allow you the

-same amount every month;” and he tucked a bill of no mean

-denomination into her hand as he concluded.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He did not wait to hear her thanks, but turned abruptly

-away, feeling very tenderly toward this sweet young maiden,

-who had lived such an isolated, neglected life in the midst of

-that household of luxury.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star looked after him with a glorified face.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Oh, what a birthday!” she said, as she went up stairs and

-shut herself into her room.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_88'>88</span>She folded that precious bill—more money than she had ever

-possessed before at one time—for “pretty things,” and laid it

-safely away in a drawer; then she took up a handsomely bound

-book that lay on her table.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“A red letter day!” she murmured. “My success—my promotion—his

-kindness, and, above all, this beautiful book—it

-all seems to be too lovely to be real.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She raised the volume and softly touched her lips to it;

-then bowing her golden head, her heart overcharged with its

-unaccustomed weight of happiness, found relief in a shower

-of tears.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“The book” was the package, devoid of its wrapper, which

-the strange gentleman had given her in the presence of Mr.

-Richards.</p>

-

-<hr class='c013'>

-

-<p class='c011'>The next morning’s papers contained an interesting account

-of the commencement exercises of —— Seminary, together

-with a copy in full of Miss Stella Gladstone’s essay, and speaking

-in very flattering terms of its excellence as a literary production.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Another important event occurred that morning.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>One of Mr. Richards’ driving horses was sold, and his wife,

-upon learning of the circumstance, lifted up her hands and

-scornfully exclaimed:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Retrenchment!”</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_89'>89</span>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER IX.<br> <span class='large'>CHANGE OF FORTUNE.</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>A few mornings after Star’s emancipation from her duties as

-a servant, she encountered, as she was coming down stairs to

-her breakfast, Josephine, who was also on her way to the

-dining-room.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well, I suppose you feel mighty set up over the fine show

-you made of yourself the other day,” that young lady remarked,

-sneeringly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I had no desire to make a ‘show,’ as you express it,” Star

-answered, courteously, and ignoring her companion’s rudeness.

-“But it is always pleasant to receive thanks when one has tried

-to do one’s best.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Thanks!” was the scornful rejoinder. “You have been

-very sly about it all; and I should think you’d feel mean

-enough about wheedling papa into giving you music and painting

-lessons.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I have never asked Mr. Richards for either, and—I am not

-going to take painting lessons at all,” Star said, with scarlet

-cheeks.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You needn’t try to make me think papa would ever have

-made such a row if you hadn’t been at him and pretended to

-be so abused and ill-treated. But—where did you get that

-lovely cameo that you wore in that knot at your throat?” Josephine

-asked, her eyes having been sharp enough to detect the

-pretty trinket.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It was given to me by a friend,” the young girl answered,

-with trembling lips, for she was cut to the heart by the unjust

-accusations heaped upon her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_90'>90</span>“Some one must have liked to fool away money pretty well,

-to give you an elegant trifle like that,” the rude girl said, for

-she had known that it was valuable at a glance. “It doesn’t

-correspond with the rest of your wardrobe,” she continued,

-jeeringly; “you’d better give it to me.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star looked up into the bold, handsome face beside her with

-astonishment.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I cannot give it to you,” she said, with compressed lips.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well, <i>lend</i> it to me, then.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She was loaded with jewelry, early as it was in the day. She

-wore a heavy gold chain, from which was suspended a blue

-enameled locket set with pearls and diamonds; heavy jewels

-hung in her ears, broad bands of gold clasped her wrists,

-while her fingers gleamed with numerous costly gems; and

-here she was coveting the single ornament which she had seen

-Star wear.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I do not like to appear disobliging,” she returned, “but

-there are reasons why I do not even like to lend it.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“What reasons, pray, can you have for refusing so simple a

-request?” Josephine persisted.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I have told you—it is the gift of a friend. I do not like

-to part with it.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I will give you this handsome emerald for it,” said the

-spoilt beauty, turning a valuable ring upon her finger.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Thank you. No; I could not make the exchange.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Nonsense! You’re stuffy enough, I hope,” the refined

-young lady retorted; and, with lowering brow, she turned impatiently

-away, and went into the dining-room.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>An hour later, while Star was busily practicing, she stole

-slyly into her room and pounced greedily upon the coveted

-little treasure, which was stuck into a dainty pincushion made

-of bits of silk and covered with an embroidered lace tidy, all

-the work of the little maiden’s skillful fingers.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_91'>91</span>“I was <i>bound</i> to have it,” the unprincipled girl said, triumphantly,

-as she examined it closely.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It is lovely; the most delicately carved cameo that I ever

-saw, and, for a little thing, must have cost no mean sum. Ah!

-it is marked on the back of the setting,” she continued, turning

-it over. “A. S. and two tiny strawberry leaves underneath.

-I wonder who ‘A. S.’ is, or—was? What a lovely ring it would

-make.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She lifted the skirt to her basque and deliberately pinned it

-upon the lining, an evil look in her brilliant eyes.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I’ll capture it for awhile, just to torment her for her presumption

-in trying to outshine me before papa the other day.

-The little minx! she is altogether too high-headed and airy to

-suit me.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>This important matter disposed of, she began to look about

-Star’s room with some curiosity.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>To begin with, it was exquisitely neat and clean, and the

-utmost had been made of the small and meagerly furnished

-apartment. A sheet had been ripped in halves, gathered across

-the one window, and then looped on either side with broad

-bands and bows of light blue cambric. A corner bracket,

-brought to light from among some rubbish in the store-room,

-had been covered with blue cambric, and over this hung a

-daintily ruffled curtain of dotted muslin, while upon the shelf

-were arranged Star’s few books and a small vase filled with

-flowers. This last-mentioned object had been a gift from Mrs.

-Blunt at Christmas—her only remembrance on that day.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The small table was covered with a spotless towel having a

-blue border—more of Mrs. Blunt’s thoughtfulness—and there

-was a bright strip of carpeting before the bed, which was covered

-with a cheap but immaculate spread. Upon the bureau

-another towel was laid, and on this Star’s few toilet articles were

-arranged with the utmost care.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Josephine opened and curiously peeped into the drawers.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_92'>92</span>In one there was a very limited supply of clean, neatly folded

-clothing; in another two or three handkerchiefs, as many collars,

-a ribbon or two, a small wooden box which was locked,

-and a worn portfolio—another trophy from the store-room—which

-was also locked and no key visible.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I wonder what is in this?” Josephine said, taking up the

-box and shaking it, to ascertain, if possible, its contents.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>They appeared to be somewhat heavy, and to be wrapped

-about with cotton or a napkin, and she was forced to put it

-down, her curiosity ungratified. It was the same with the portfolio,

-and, with a frown of disappointment, she returned this

-also to its place.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>There was very little to attract any one in the little maiden’s

-bower, and yet it had a cozy, home-like air about it; but her

-scant wardrobe, as Josephine opened the closet door to look

-within, appeared very mean in the petted and indulged beauty’s

-eyes; and, indeed, it compared very unfavorably with the pretty

-outfit which had gone down on the ill-fated vessel on which

-Star had sailed.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It is a mystery to me how she manages always to look so

-nice with these few traps,” Miss Richards muttered, as she

-shut the door with a sign of disgust and turned to leave the

-room.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Ha! what have we here?” she cried, as she caught sight of

-a new, prettily bound book lying on the small table. “Oh,

-this is that new novel that I heard Charlie Carpenter raving

-about the other evening. I wonder where <i>she</i> got it. I think

-I’ll appropriate it myself; it looks inviting,” she added, slipping

-the leaves through her fingers.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Chatsworth’s Pride,” she continued, turning to the title

-page. “I should like to know who wrote it; but the author’s

-name is not given. However, I’ll read it, and see if it is as

-wonderful as Charlie said.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was not a large book, and dropping it into her pocket, this

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_93'>93</span>“Paul Pry” in petticoats stole from Star’s little bower and

-glided unobserved to her own room, having accomplished her

-object in securing the coveted cameo, and vented her spite

-upon the offending girl for having dared to outshine her in the

-presence of her father.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Later, when Star went up to her little sanctum and found

-both pin and book gone, she surmised at once who had been

-there.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The loss of the book she did not mind so much, although

-she was reading it and had been obliged to lay it aside in the

-midst of a most interesting chapter; while she knew that when

-Josephine had read it she would doubtless throw it one side,

-and she could easily get it again. But to lose the cameo—that

-precious gift of kind, handsome Archibald Sherbrooke—was

-more than she could bear with either patience or fortitude, and

-a passion of tears testified to her grief for her loss.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She knew that it would be useless to appeal to Josephine for

-it; she could not <i>prove</i> that she had taken it, and she would

-doubtless feign astonishment and innocence if questioned regarding

-it, and unless she could regain possession of it by

-strategy, it was, she feared, lost to her forever.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A week subsequently the family repaired to their country

-residence at Yonkers, where they usually spent the hot months,

-excepting a few weeks’ sojourn at some fashionable watering-place or mountain resort.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Here Star, who had been told that she was to have the use

-of the music-room whenever she wished, began her work in

-earnest, and gave six hours a day to hard, faithful practice.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Wednesdays and Saturdays, however, she went into New York

-to take her lesson, Mr. Richards having arranged with one of

-the first teachers for her instruction. In spite of Mr. Richards’

-commands to the contrary, she persisted in doing many little

-things to assist Mrs. Blunt, although she was relieved from all

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_94'>94</span>regular duty. The housekeeper often demurred when Star

-offered her services.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You shall not spoil your hands, child,” she would say, with

-a fond glance at those delicate members; “I can get along as

-well alone now as I used to, or I’m much mistaken.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Never mind my hands, Mrs. Blunt; I can’t practice all

-the time, and I must have some exercise. It is a pleasant

-change for me to help you once in awhile, and have a little

-cozy chat,” Star answered, heartily; and the woman, who, to

-say the least, did not have either an easy or pleasant time herself,

-was often beguiled into allowing her to have her own way,

-and was cheered in no small degree by her sunny face and gay

-chatter.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“That girl’ll make her mark in the world, bless her heart!

-She’ll make a better and smarter woman than Miss Josephine,

-or I’m much mistaken,” she was wont to remark forty times a

-month to the cook, and she grew to love our gentle Star with

-an almost motherly affection.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>When not attending to her music, Star spent most of the

-time in her own room, and no one questioned as to how she

-occupied it; and although she continued to be ignored by the

-family when it was possible to do so, and snubbed and sneered

-at when it was not, she was comparatively happy, knowing that

-every day well spent was helping her on toward emancipation

-and independence.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>One day Mr. Richards came home with a very grave face

-and sought an audience with his wife.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I have a letter from your Uncle Jacob here,” he said, drawing

-one from his pocket as he spoke.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards’ face lighted instantly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“From Uncle Jacob? That is good news. Has he returned?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_95'>95</span>“How is the dear old man, and when is he coming to make

-us a visit?” she asked, with animation.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“He is not at all well—has been having serious trouble with

-his head and eyes. He returned last fall, and since then has

-been visiting your brother in the West. Listen, and I will

-read you what he says:</p>

-

-<p class='c014'>“‘<span class='sc'>My Dear George</span>:—You see by the heading of this that the wanderer

-has returned—yes, and returned to wander no more. I cannot write

-much, for I am not able to do so. I returned from abroad last fall, since

-when I have been with Henry, and now propose to go East and visit or

-make my future home with you, as you have so often pressed me to do. I

-know you will heartily sympathize with me when I tell you that the

-steamer on which I sailed was wrecked, and all I had was lost. I regret

-to come to you, as I shall, almost penniless, and in this broken state; but

-you have so often told me that there would always be “a warm corner in

-your home” for me, that I am going to take you at your word. I shall

-not wait for a reply to this, but follow almost immediately, for I know I

-shall meet with a hearty welcome.’”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Then followed a few affectionate sentences for each member

-of the family, but Mrs. Richards scarce heeded them.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It can’t be possible that Uncle Jacob has lost all his

-property!” she cried, aghast. “Why, the last we heard he was

-worth a million!”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I know; but in these days it does not take long to lose a

-million,” her husband replied, gravely, adding: “It is a misfortune,

-indeed, for the old man; but we will do the best we

-can for him, allowing him to feel it as little as possible. He

-<i>will</i> feel it, however, for he was, as I remember him, a very

-high-spirited, independent man.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards’ face was crimson from mingled emotions.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It is a shame!” she cried, angrily. “Uncle Jacob always

-gave Henry and me to understand that we should be his heirs;

-and now we have to lose half a million apiece. How under the

-sun do you suppose he lost it?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I have no idea—some speculation, doubtless.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_96'>96</span>“It appears that he expects to be taken care of in his old

-age just the same as if he were the Crœsus we have always supposed

-him to be,” Mrs. Richards said, wrathfully.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“He has a right to expect it,” her husband replied, with

-some sternness; “you have always professed the deepest affection

-for him, and urged him to make his home with you.

-Who <i>should</i> take care of him in his misfortune if not his only

-brother’s children?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Henry is as well able to have him as I am, and I don’t see

-why he could not have staid there.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Perhaps he was no more welcome there than it appears he

-will be here,” Mr. Richards remarked, sarcastically.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well, I’m not going to have him here, and there’s an end

-of the matter. I shall post him right back to Henry. His wife

-does not have half the care that I do, socially. We might as

-well open a hospital for the lame, the blind, the halt, and beggars

-generally.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I am astonished to hear you speak thus, Ellen, and of your

-own relatives, too, especially after all your flattering protestations.

-Of course we will receive your uncle kindly, and show

-him all proper attention.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I will <i>not</i>,” his wife retorted, angrily. “I may as well set

-my foot down first as last; he shall not come here to be a

-burden upon us. You have had your way about Stella; now

-I’ll have mine in this matter. One beggar in the house is

-enough.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Ellen, how you are changed! When I first knew you, you

-were sweet-tempered and kind. I believe your life of unlimited

-indulgence and luxury has soured and hardened you,” Mr.

-Richards said, with a regretful sigh for the early days of his

-married life, when his wife was loving and lovable.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Thank you; your <i>compliments</i> are not of a particularly

-‘sweet’ nature,” she answered, scornfully.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Your uncle says he shall follow his letter immediately; he

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_97'>97</span>may arrive at any hour. What shall we do with him?” asked

-Mr. Richards, taking no notice of her sarcasm.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I don’t know—I don’t care. Tell him that the house is

-full of company—anything you please; only mind, <i>I</i> will not

-be burdened with a half blind, decrepit old man;” and the excited

-woman flounced angrily from the room, leaving her husband

-sitting alone in sad and troubled thought.</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER X.<br> <span class='large'>THE UNWELCOME GUEST.</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>On the very evening of the day of that spirited discussion

-between Mr. and Mrs. Richards regarding the coming of the

-latter’s uncle, a railway carriage stopped before the door of their

-mansion, and an old man alighted.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He was dusty and travel-stained; his hair and beard were

-white as snow; his clothing—a common business suit—considerably

-the worse for the wear; while he wore a dark-green

-visor or shade over his eyes, and appeared both weary and

-feeble.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He inquired of the servant who answered his ring for Mrs.

-Richards, and was told in an indifferent, almost impudent,

-manner that she was “engaged.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Humph!” ejaculated the visitor, lifting the green shade and

-giving the man a keen look; “where is your master?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“In the library,” was the rather more respectful answer.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Show me the way there,” commanded the stranger, authoritatively;

-and the servant turned with a subdued air to obey

-him, recognizing at once his superior in spite of the travel-stained,

-shabby clothing.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_98'>98</span>Mr. Richards received his wife’s relative with every appearance

-of cordiality, although there was a restraint in his manner

-which could be felt rather than explained.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Ah, Uncle Jacob!” he said, as he shook him by the hand

-and took his hat from him; “we hardly thought you could

-arrive quite so soon. I should have looked for you to-morrow,

-however. Sit down—sit down; and, John,” turning to the man

-who had shown him in, “tell Mrs. Blunt to fix up a nice little

-supper and send it in here on a tray.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Don’t put yourself out, George; anything will do for to-night.

-I am more tired than hungry,” the old man said, sinking

-into a luxurious chair with a weary sigh, and removing the

-green shade entirely from his eyes.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards fidgeted and looked uneasy.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He knew that there was not a room in the house that his

-wife would give up; every one had been arranged for company

-who were expected or had already arrived, and he was at his

-wits’ end to know what to do with him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Uncle Jacob” poor and ill was an entirely different character

-from “Uncle Jacob” rich and prosperous.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But he sat chatting socially with him until Mrs. Blunt appeared

-with a tray and served a tempting little meal, which the

-old gentleman ate with evident relish.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I <i>was</i> more hungry than I thought,” he said, when at

-length he had finished his second cup of tea, eaten the leg of a

-chicken and a couple of rolls. “Now, if you please, I should

-like to be shown to my room, for I have traveled a long distance

-to-day. But—where is Ellen? I should like to exchange

-greetings with her before I go.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Ahem!” began Mr. Richards, feeling extremely uncomfortable.

-“Ellen has a house full of company to-night; if you

-could excuse her, and wait until to-morrow——”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Certainly—certainly,” the old man said, hastily, but in a

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_99'>99</span>disappointed tone; for his niece had always been the first to

-greet him and express her delight at his coming heretofore.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“And,” continued his host, growing very red in the face,

-“I am very sorry, but—every room in the house is taken.

-Would you mind sleeping at the lodge until we can make a

-place for you?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The old gentleman bent a keen glance upon the speaker

-at this.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He saw his embarrassment, marked his averted eye and

-shamefaced air, and mistrusted something of its cause.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Sleep at the lodge?” he repeated, in a peculiar tone. “Oh,

-no; I’ve just come from Henry’s, where I slept over the stable.

-<i>They</i> had a ‘house full of company,’ too. Is the lodge far from

-here? You know I’ve never been in this house before.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“About two minutes’ walk; I will go with you and see that

-you are made comfortable. It is too bad that things should

-happen so,” Mr. Richards said, with real regret as he saw how

-weary the traveler was, and he had half a mind to ring and

-command that he be shown into one of the guest chambers in

-spite of his wife’s objections.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Never mind, George; I shall sleep just as well there as

-here, no doubt,” and he arose as if anxious to get away.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Where is your baggage? I will attend to having what you

-need sent down,” Mr. Richards remarked, as he took up his

-hat to accompany him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I have nothing but a small valise,” was the reply. “You

-know I wrote you that I had been very unfortunate. I was on

-board the —— that was lost last fall, and everything I had on

-board went down.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“On board the —— were you?” cried Mr. Richards, in surprise,

-and glad of any change in the subject of conversation.

-“Why, then you must have known Star, as she was also on

-that steamer.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Star—Star Gladstone, do you mean?” eagerly inquired Mr.

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_100'>100</span>Rosevelt, for it was he, as doubtless the reader has surmised

-before this.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, Star, or Stella Gladstone, is her name.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt sat down again, his face full of interest and

-animation now, and forgetting his weariness for the time in his

-desire to learn something of the beautiful girl to whom he was

-so deeply indebted.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Where is she?” he asked. “What do you know—what

-can you tell me about her?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“She is here in this house,” Mr. Richards answered. “She

-is the child of one of my wife’s relatives who resided in England,

-and Ellen, upon learning that she was an orphan and

-homeless, consented to have her come here,” he concluded,

-trying to make the best of a very poor story.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I never expected to hear anything of her again, but I am

-very glad to know that she is here,” Mr. Rosevelt said, with

-evident emotion. “She saved my life during that awful time,

-almost at the sacrifice of her own. It would, perhaps, have

-been better had she not exerted herself in my behalf so much.

-It is not a pleasant feeling to know that one is regarded as an

-incumbrance and a burden,” he continued, with some bitterness;

-“but I shall never forget her heroism while I live. She

-nearly starved herself to death to keep life in me.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I am astonished at what you tell me,” returned Mr. Richards,

-feeling a deeper interest in Star than ever before.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“She disappeared very suddenly from the steamer which

-picked us up and brought us into port. I went down to my

-state-room for something, and then to the captain to thank

-him for his kindness and bid him farewell, and when I went to

-look for her she had gone; some one had come and taken her

-away.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes; we heard of the arrival of a steamer with some of the

-wrecked on board, and Ellen immediately sent Mrs. Blunt down

-to see if Star was among them,” explained Mr. Richards.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_101'>101</span>“She must be a pleasant addition to your family, George;

-she was a very attractive girl.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Ahem!” that gentleman replied, avoiding the keen eye

-fixed upon him. “Yes; she is a smart and talented girl; she

-will make a fine woman, without doubt. Would you like to

-see her to-night?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No; I believe I am too tired. I will go to the lodge now,

-if you please. I can see her to-morrow;” and the old man

-arose again.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards led the way from the room, getting his baggage

-from the hall, and then took him through the dining-room to

-lead him out by a side door.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>As they passed through the hall, sounds of music and laughter

-came to them from the drawing-room; and had any one been

-watching Mr. Rosevelt closely, he might have seen his lips curl

-with something like scorn and his eyes gleam indignantly, in

-spite of his weariness.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>As Mr. Richards opened the outside door leading out upon

-the veranda, a slight figure sprang up from the step, and Star,

-with a startled glance, turned and confronted them.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A look of surprise swept over her face as she saw Mr.

-Richards’ companion; then, with a low cry of joy, she darted

-forward and seized Mr. Rosevelt by the hand.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Oh, sir,” she said, tremulously, “I was afraid I should

-never see you again! How glad I am to meet you once

-more!”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt recognized her at once, and recognized, too, the

-heartiness and sincerity of her welcome. There was nothing

-forced or constrained about either her words or manner.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Ah, Miss Star, I am as glad to see you as you can possibly

-be to see me,” he said, shaking her hand warmly. “I little

-thought,” he went on, “that when you and I were faring so

-poorly together that we were bound for the same place. I intended

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_102'>102</span>then to come here before this. Why did you not tell

-me that you were a relative of Mrs. Richards?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I did not think much about it, sir, or that my destination

-could interest you,” she answered.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Tut, tut, child!” he said, gently; “<i>anything</i> connected

-with you would have been of interest to me after your kindness

-to me. I was deeply disappointed to find you gone when

-I went to seek you; but they told me that some one had come

-and taken you away, so I was forced to go my way also. Well,”

-he concluded, smiling, “I have found you now, and I shall

-not lose sight of you again.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“But are you going away now, sir?” Star asked, glancing at

-the bag Mr. Richards was carrying, and which had the initials

-“J. R.” painted upon it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No; only to the lodge for sleeping accommodations, as

-there is no room in the house for me.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No room in the house for you?” Star repeated, in astonishment;

-but something in Mr. Richards’ face warned her that all

-was not as he would wish, and she added, flushing: “I wish

-you would take my room, then; for I can sleep very nicely on

-the lounge in the sewing-room.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards raved inwardly over his wife’s obstinacy and

-heartlessness, which compared so unfavorably with this gentle

-girl’s generosity and self-denial; but he could only hold his

-peace and let matters take their course, for if he interfered with

-his wife in her present state of bitterness and disappointment

-over the loss of her expected fortune, he knew that a domestic

-squall would be sure to follow, and one which it would be hard

-to settle.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No, thank you, Miss Star,” Mr. Rosevelt returned; “I

-will go to the lodge until there is room for me in the house.

-You are as kind and self-sacrificing as ever, I perceive, but I

-will not deprive you of your room. Good-night, my child; I

-shall see you to-morrow.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_103'>103</span>He laid his hand in a tender, caressing way on her head;

-then went out with Mr. Richards, whom he enlightened still

-further regarding that eventful voyage which he and Star had

-made together.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She stood still in the door-way looking after them, a puzzled

-expression on her face, a gleam of indignation in her large

-blue eyes.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had overheard Mrs. Richards telling Josephine something

-about “Uncle Jacob,” that afternoon after leaving her

-husband.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The name had made her think of Mr. Rosevelt, and he had

-been in her thoughts most of the time since; but she had not

-imagined that they were referring to him, or that he was a

-relative of the family. Now she saw that he was the “Uncle

-Jacob” to whom she referred, but she could not understand his

-being sent out of the house to sleep.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No room in the house! What can they mean?” she murmured,

-with tingling cheeks, for she knew of three unoccupied

-beds that he might have had as well as not.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>To be sure they had been made up for company that was

-expected, but the visitors would not arrive for a day or two,

-and it seemed such an inhospitable thing to send that old man

-away down to the lodge, with its close, small rooms, to sleep.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I hope I shall never be rich if it would make me hardhearted

-like that,” she said, with indignation. “I would prefer

-to struggle all my life with poverty, and have a kind and

-generous heart—one that can feel for others in trouble and

-sorrow. How tired and ill he looked, too,” she went on, recalling

-his pale face and drooping attitude, “and he is such a

-splendid man!”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It makes me think of those other words,” she said, the

-tears springing to her eyes: “‘And there was no room in the

-inn,’ and of One who, in consequence, had to lie in a manger.

-<i>That</i> could not be helped, for there <i>was</i> no room; but this is

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_104'>104</span>shameful, for there is plenty and to spare here. How can any

-one treat one’s father’s brother so?”</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XI.<br> <span class='large'>FILTHY LUCRE.</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>The next morning word was brought from the lodge that

-Mr. Rosevelt was quite ill, and not able to come up to the

-mansion for his breakfast.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Breakfast, indeed!” muttered Mrs. Richards, with a toss

-of her proud head; “as if he supposed he was going to be

-invited to sit at the table with my fashionable guests in his

-shabby clothes.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had received a full account of his arrival and appearance

-from her husband the night previous, after Mr. Rosevelt’s departure

-for the lodge.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards went at once to see him, and to give orders to

-Mrs. Mellen, the wife of the gardener, to do everything for his

-comfort.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Later, his wife, with much inward fretting and fuming, followed

-his example, not because she had any desire to see him

-or felt in any way anxious about him, but to save unpleasant

-remarks and comments.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She met her uncle with anything but a cordial greeting, and

-which, even in the midst of his suffering, he could not fail to

-feel keenly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I am very sorry, Uncle Jacob, that you are ill, especially

-as I am full of company just now, and cannot personally give

-you the attention that you ought to receive,” she said, trying to

-speak sympathetically, but failing utterly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_105'>105</span>“Never mind me, Ellen. Mrs. Mellen seems very kindly

-disposed, and will, no doubt, do all that is necessary for me. I

-am sorry to be a burden to you in my misfortune, but you have

-always been so kind to me, urging me so cordially to come to

-you at any time, that I thought you would be glad to see your

-old uncle under any circumstances,” the old man said, regarding

-her closely while he was speaking.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I hope you will soon be better,” Mrs. Richards returned,

-evasively.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She did not think it necessary to tell him that he was no

-burden, or to say anything to make him feel comfortable and

-at ease in his trying situation.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She was so deeply disappointed and chagrined on account

-of the loss of his fortune, and consequently of her share of

-his million, that it was impossible not to betray something of

-her feelings.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Thank you,” he returned, coldly. “Do not allow my condition

-to cause you any anxiety. I am very comfortable. It is

-very quiet here, and I shall doubtless do very well.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes; you <i>will</i> be more quiet here than up at the house,

-where there are so many people and so much going on,” she

-replied, eagerly seizing this pretext for keeping him where he

-was. “And,” she added, “if you need anything, Mrs. Mellen

-can attend to all your wants.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>After a few more commonplace remarks, she took her departure,

-feeling quite relieved to have him so easily disposed of.

-She had nothing to gain now by fawning and flattery, and

-since his gold was gone, he was no more to her than any other

-feeble old man, and it would not pay even to pretend what she

-did not feel.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>As she went rustling out of the room and down stairs in her

-rich attire, her aged and dependent relative lay back in his

-chair, with a darkening brow and a pale, pained face.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Money! money! money!” he muttered. “No one is of

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_106'>106</span>much account in this world without plenty of the filthy lucre.

-If I had come here as I used to, with plethoric pockets instead

-of an empty purse and shabby attire, no one would have been

-sweeter or more delighted to see ‘dear Uncle Jacob’ than Ellen

-Richards. And it was just the same with Henry and his family.

-When I could make them costly presents and shower favors

-upon them—when I was ‘Jacob Rosevelt, the millionaire’—no

-trouble was too great, nothing too good for me. It is a cold-hearted,

-selfish world; <i>no one</i> is to be trusted. But it is a little

-hard on an old man to find that he must go down to his grave

-and feel that he is regarded with affection by nobody. Talk of

-‘Divine dispensations,’ of ‘tempering the wind to the shorn

-lamb’—there is no divinity about it, for the adverse winds of

-the world never blew so coldly on me as at this moment,” he

-concluded, bitterly; and bowing his head upon his hands, he

-seemed to lose himself in troubled thought.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“May I come in?” asked a gentle voice behind him, after a

-few minutes; and turning, he saw two blue eyes gleaming at

-him from beneath soft curls of sunny hair, a pair of red lips

-smiling upon him, while a slight, graceful figure, daintily clad

-in a pretty blue lawn gown, stood in the door-way, waiting for

-his permission to enter.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Jacob Rosevelt’s sad face involuntarily brightened at the sight

-of this attractive picture, and he said, hastily:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well, well, child, I believe you are rightly named, for you

-come like a veritable star into the gloom of my life. Star

-Gladstone—it is but an index to your character, for you both

-brighten and cheer. Of course you may come in.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Thank you,” Star said, laughing, and advancing to his side.

-“I did not expect to be so highly complimented when I came

-out. I have brought you this lovely spray of oleanders which

-the gardener gave me from the conservatory,” and she held up

-her little vase containing the bright, fragrant blossoms. “And

-here,” she continued, “is a dish of the most delicious raspberries

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_107'>107</span>you ever tasted, every one picked by my own fingers,”

-and she held up her right hand, showing her slender fingers

-stained by the rosy fruit.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He watched her, his pale lips relaxing into a smile, which

-even extended to the eyes that had been so sad a little while

-before. She was irresistible in her bright beauty; she was as

-fresh and sweet as the morning itself, while with her heart filled

-with kindness and consideration for him, he began to think that

-all the world was not quite so bad as he had thought.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Mrs. Mellen told me, as I came in, that you did not eat

-much breakfast,” Star continued; “and as she is about to serve

-you a little lunch, I brought my berries right up to give them

-to you myself.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Mellen entered at this moment, bearing a little tray

-with a tempting lunch spread upon it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star wheeled a small table to the invalid’s side, spread a spotless

-towel which she found upon the rack upon it, and then

-deftly arranged the dishes in the most tempting way before him,

-putting the oleander blossoms in the center and the raspberries

-just under his nose, where he could not fail to get their delicious

-odor and long to eat them.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“How pretty and inviting you make everything look, little

-one,” he said, affectionately, as he watched her graceful movements

-and their result.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“What would the world be but for the beauty there is in it?

-and what are pretty things given us for, but to enjoy?” Star

-returned, with a fond glance at the flowers, as she moved them

-a trifle nearer to his plate.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“There,” she went on, smiling, and tossing her hat upon a

-chair, “I believe I am hungry myself, and if you will allow me

-to pour your tea, I think I could eat a slice of Mrs. Mellen’s

-delicious bread and butter with you afterward. You don’t often

-see such bread as that, I can assure you, and I frequently run

-down here and beg her to give me some.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_108'>108</span>The young girl shot a smiling glance at the woman as she

-spoke, and the woman’s face beamed with pleasure at this

-tribute to her skill.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Bless you, child!” Mr. Rosevelt said, as he unfolded his

-napkin and drew nearer the table; “the sight of your bright

-face and the smell of your berries have given me an appetite

-already. Sit down, sit down; my tea will taste ten per cent.

-better to be poured by your fair hands, and while we eat you

-shall tell me how it has fared with you during the past year. I

-see it has not changed <i>you</i> at heart; you are the same as when

-we parted, and you were as ready as ever last night to sacrifice

-your own comfort for a poor old man.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star blushed. She felt almost as guilty, knowing that there

-had been room for him at the house, as if <i>she</i> had been the one

-to turn him away.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I knew these rooms were low and close, while my room,

-although rather high up, was much more airy; besides, you

-looked too tired and ill to walk way down here,” Star explained,

-with some embarrassment.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Your own is rather high up, is it? How high?” he asked,

-giving her a keen glance.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It is in the third story,” she answered, flushing again.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Ah! one <i>would</i> be apt to get good air in that latitude,” said

-Mr. Rosevelt, dryly. “Now tell me,” he added, “what you

-have been doing since I saw you.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star gave him an account of her life at school, omitting for

-several reasons to speak of the fate which had been intended

-for her, and said just as little as she could in connection with

-Mrs. Richards and her haughty daughter, or their treatment of

-her. She told him of her music, of the books she had read,

-and what her plans for the future were when she should graduate

-at the end of another year.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She spent more than an hour with him, and when at length

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_109'>109</span>she left him, he was apparently much cheered and a good deal

-better for her visit.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She went every morning afterward while her vacation lasted,

-always taking him something in the way of fruit or flowers, and

-cheering him with her lively chatting, until he began to look

-for her coming as the chief event of the day.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Sometimes they would wander together through the beautiful

-grounds of Mr. Richards’ place, or, finding a cozy nook, Star

-would take some interesting book and read to him; and as the

-week went by, he appeared to improve in health and to grow

-more contented with his lot.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He continued to remain at the lodge, in spite of the fact that

-the company had all departed, and there was now plenty of

-room in the mansion.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards had gone West on a prolonged business trip,

-and, of course, could not use his influence as to any change;

-while Mrs. Richards appeared to ignore his presence entirely,

-unless she came upon him unexpectedly, when she would treat

-him with indifferent politeness.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Josephine’s attitude toward him was one of proud disdain,

-although once she professed great friendship for him; but now

-he was nothing more than an aged, decrepit man—a sort of

-“cumberer of the ground,” and simply tolerated because it

-would be considered inhuman to cast him out at that time

-of life.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>In September Mrs. Richards and her daughter went to Long

-Branch for a change, leaving the household in charge of Mrs.

-Blunt.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star began school again, going back and forth by rail, as the

-town house would not be opened again until October.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>This made it hard for her, because she was obliged to go so

-early and return so late; but as her comfort was not a matter

-which usually demanded much consideration, and she made no

-complaint, the fact remained unnoticed.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_110'>110</span>During the absence of the family, Mr. Rosevelt frequented

-the house, for it was much more comfortable through those

-hot September days than his contracted room at the lodge, and

-he was glad to avail himself of the privilege of the well-stocked

-library to while away the long hours of Star’s absence.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>In the evening she would entertain him with her music,

-while on Saturday they both felt like children out of school;

-and thus day by day they grew to feel a deep affection for each

-other.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“She at least does not love me for my money,” the old

-man would often mutter to himself, with a grim smile, after

-receiving some thoughtful attention from the young girl; “her

-affection is sincere and disinterested, and I pray that her gentle

-heart may never become seared and hardened by the cold

-world.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He had long ago learned just how Star was regarded by the

-family, and how they had attempted to degrade her to the level

-of a common servant, and this did not tend to make him entertain

-any deeper respect for them.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>His information on this point he had gathered chiefly from

-Mrs. Blunt. Star would not talk about it, always evading or

-changing the subject in a dextrous way that amused him in no

-small degree.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Meanwhile Josephine and her mother were flourishing among

-the fashionable at Long Branch.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The season proved to be a very gay one; every hotel was

-crowded, and many noted people from various countries were

-sojourning there.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Among others, the Richardses heard upon their arrival, there

-was a young English lord of great reputed wealth, having, it

-was said, the largest rent-roll in Derbyshire, England.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“They say he is the handsomest man in the place, as well

-as the richest,” Josephine said to her mother, the night after

-their arrival at the gay watering-place, having heard this piece

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_111'>111</span>of news, with much else, from an intimate friend. “All the

-girls are wild about him,” she pursued. “Annie Falkner was

-introduced to him yesterday, and says he is as charming in

-conversation as he is in appearance.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“How old is he?” asked Mrs. Richards, pricking up her

-maternal ears at once over this wonderful information.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“About twenty-one or two, Annie thought he might be.

-He has been traveling in this country for a year, just to see a

-little of the world before settling upon his own estate. It is

-whispered,” the eager damsel went on, with flushing cheeks

-and sparkling eyes, “that he has heard of the beauty of

-American ladies, and is on the lookout for a handsome wife;”

-and Josephine tossed her head with a conscious smile, as her

-eyes wandered to the reflection of her own fine face and figure

-in an opposite mirror.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“That is somewhat doubtful, I think, since the English

-nobility are very jealous regarding marriages outside the pale

-of their own rank. However, such things are happening every

-year now, and this young lord may be captivated by some of

-our American beauties, after all;” and Mrs. Richards bestowed

-a glance of pride upon her handsome daughter, and thought

-how delightful it would be to figure as mother-in-law to an

-English lord, and to be able to say, “my daughter, Lady So-and-So.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>That evening Josephine Richards, the most brilliant girl in

-the ball-room of the Howard House—the hotel where they

-were stopping—was made supremely happy by receiving an introduction

-to Lord Carrol, of Carrolton, Derbyshire, England.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>One look into the frank, handsome eyes of the manly

-stranger, one touch of his hand, one tone of his rich, musical

-voice as it vibrated in her ears, and she knew that she had

-met the man whom she should love with the one great passion

-of her life.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He was tall, with a well-developed form, straight, strong, and

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_112'>112</span>lithe; a splendidly shaped head, with masses of waving brown

-hair; clear, truthful, brown eyes, full of fire and intelligence;

-a full, rather low brow, a straight nose, and a smiling but decided

-mouth, with brilliant, even teeth.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was not much wonder that the “girls were wild” over

-such a man as this, and he a lord, with a rent-roll of sixty

-thousand a year.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Josephine herself, at nineteen, was a magnificent-looking girl,

-at least when she was good-natured and animated.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She was a clear, brilliant brunette, with eyes as black as

-night, a wealth of midnight hair, a fine form, and clearly cut,

-rather delicate features; and all this, added to a faultless taste

-in matters of dress, went far toward making her the chief attraction

-wherever she went.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>My Lord of Carrolton seemed no less pleased with her than

-she with him, and spent a goodly portion of the evening by her

-side after making her acquaintance, much to the chagrin and

-indignation of other anxious, blooming maidens and fond,

-managing mammas.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Have you ever visited Europe?” the young peer asked his

-companion, as he led her to a seat at the conclusion of a

-quadrille.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Never, my lord, but I think we shall persuade papa to

-take us upon a European trip by another year. Mamma has

-some distant relatives, I believe, somewhere in England,”

-Josephine replied.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I trust you will be as well pleased with my country and

-countrymen as I am with America and Americans,” Lord Carrol

-remarked, gallantly, with an inclination of his grand head, and

-bestowing a look of admiration upon his companion.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Josephine flushed with pleasure. His glance, his gesture, his

-words, all plainly indicated that he did not consider her the

-least attraction in America or among Americans.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Thank you, in the name of my native land,” she said;

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_113'>113</span>“but I think you must be an exception to the proverbial

-Englishman, for I have been told that, as a rule, they do not

-like us any too well. They cannot forgive us our independence.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“One may be forced to admire in one way that which it

-might not be pleasant to contemplate in another,” his lordship

-returned. “But,” he added, “I trust that as we, as nations,

-become better acquainted with each other by the frequent interchange

-of courtesies, we shall also become better friends.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Have you been long in America?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Nearly a year. I have visited a large portion of the country,

-and I must confess that I am greatly pleased and interested in

-what I have seen, and particularly so with your free institutions

-and schools. Your people, too, are generous, free-hearted, and

-intelligent, while the beauty of American ladies, you know, is

-proverbial,” he concluded, smiling.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Josephine’s dark eyes drooped shyly beneath his glance, while

-the blood went rippling to her heart with a thrill such as she

-had never before experienced.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I shall remain two or three months longer,” he continued;

-“and I think when I do return, notwithstanding I love old

-England very dearly, I shall go with something of regret.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He would remain two or three months longer.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Josephine’s heart leaped exultingly; she would meet him

-often, perhaps, this noble young peer; and what might not

-happen in two or three months?</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Do you remain long at Long Branch?” she asked.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Three or four weeks, perhaps. I find it very pleasant here,”

-he said; and again that thrill leaped through her veins. “I

-shall then go to New York,” he added, “where I shall make

-my headquarters until I return to England.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Perhaps we can help to make your stay in New York pleasant,”

-Josephine said, with her most brilliant smile. “Mamma

-and I are to remain here until the first of October, when we

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_114'>114</span>shall go home, and can, perhaps, help to show you more of

-our great city than you would otherwise see.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Thanks; I shall be very happy to avail myself of your

-kindness. But there is the signal for supper; may I take

-you in?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It is needless to say that the fascinated girl accepted his invitation,

-and spent the hour feasting more upon the young

-lord’s handsome looks and charming conversation than upon

-the choice viands which he placed before her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was evident that he also experienced pleasure in her

-society, for, when he took her to Mrs. Richards—as she made

-a signal that she wished to retire from the company—and was

-introduced to her, and then accompanied them both to the foot

-of the staircase leading to their apartments, he asked and obtained

-permission to call upon them on the morrow.</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XII.<br> <span class='large'>THE CAMEO RING.</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>A fortnight passed, and the Brooklyn beauty, as Miss Richards

-was designated, together with the attention she was receiving

-from the handsome English lord, formed the principal theme

-of conversation at the fashionable watering-place.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards was in her element, and conducted herself

-remarkably well.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>His lordship considered her a woman of very fine appearance

-and of wonderful tact; and it was noticeable that when

-he was in her presence he paid her full as much homage as he

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_115'>115</span>did her daughter; but people of course said this was all for a

-particular purpose.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“By the way,” she said to him, one day, when they were

-comparing the merits of their respective countries, “I am more

-than half English myself. The late Lady Thornton, of Hallowell

-Park, Devonshire, was an aunt of mine—at least, my

-mother was her half-sister—and I have other distant relatives

-living in the same county.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Indeed!” said Lord Carrol, his face lighting at this intelligence.

-“I had no idea that you had any English blood in

-your veins; I thought you were purely American. I have often

-heard my father speak of Sir William Thornton, of Devonshire,

-and his son, Sir Charles, was at Oxford with me. I was only

-slightly acquainted with him, however, as he took his degree a

-year before I took mine. I am very happy to learn of this

-fact,” and, as if by some fascination, the young nobleman’s

-glance sought Josephine as he spoke.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I once visited at Hallowell Park when I was a young girl,”

-Mrs. Richards continued, although a flush arose to her cheek

-as she remembered all that had transpired during that visit, for

-it was then that Star’s mother had saved her from drowning.

-“It is a lovely place, and a very large estate, I believe.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“So I have been told. Sir William was quite an active statesman

-before his death, which occurred only a year after his wife’s.

-They had only one child, Sir Charles, I believe.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Has <i>he</i> a family?” Mrs. Richards asked, quickly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I think not—at least, I have never heard of his marriage.

-If he should die without issue, I suppose the estate would pass

-into other hands.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards started, and gave the young man a quick

-glance at this.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Whose, I wonder?” she said, reflectively, and suddenly

-seemed to lose all interest in the conversation, and the young

-lord turned his attention to the more appreciative Josephine.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_116'>116</span>The month which the Richardses spent at Long Branch was

-an eventful one; it was the most brilliant season that Josephine

-had ever known.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had several offers of marriage, but refused them all, for

-her heart was set on becoming Lady Carrol, and going to shine

-among the nobility of England.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>When the time drew near for their departure, her heart beat

-high with hope; for Lord Carrol had lingered beyond the time

-he had intended to spend there, and she flattered herself that

-she was the cause of it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He certainly had shown her considerable attention, and it

-was rumored that there would be an engagement.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He appeared to enjoy the society of both ladies, and although

-he had not committed himself in any way, he had accepted an

-invitation to visit them at their country-seat the second week in

-October, and both Josephine and her mother were hoping much

-from that event.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The last evening of their sojourn at Long Branch, Miss

-Richards descended to the veranda of the hotel, dressed with

-the utmost care and taste.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Her robe was of creamy white silk, with an overdress of filmy

-black lace, looped with crimson fuchsias. There were diamonds

-in her ears, her hair, and clasped about her neck and arms;

-but they were not brighter than her midnight eyes, which

-glowed with hope and love, while her smiling lips vied with the

-flowers which she wore.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She was brilliantly, dazzlingly beautiful.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The men watched her every movement with admiring glances;

-the women could but acknowledge her superior charms, yet

-with something of a feeling of envy on account of the prize

-they believed she was about to bear away with her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Lord Carrol seemed drawn to her as the needle to the pole.

-He had been sitting at one end of the veranda when she came

-down, but he almost immediately arose and went to her side,

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_117'>117</span>while he would not have been human not to have betrayed his

-appreciation of the exquisite toilet, which seemed to enhance

-her beauty more than ever.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She was conscious of looking her best, and this made her

-appear to better advantage—for who does not feel more at ease

-and self-possessed when conscious of looking well?—while there

-was an unusual gentleness, almost sadness, in her manner, as

-if something foreshadowed that something was slipping out of

-her life to-night—something which would change and darken

-her whole future, unless the man whom she had grown to

-worship should lay at her feet homage equal to that which she

-had given to him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“What will the devotees at beauty’s shrine do to-morrow,

-Miss Richards?” the young lord asked, with a smile and a

-glance which told her what she knew already—that she was

-particularly attractive to-night.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“The Howland House possesses a galaxy of beauties, and I

-do not think there will be any occasion for the ‘devotees,’ as

-you call them, to neglect their duty to-morrow,” she answered,

-smiling too, but with heightened color.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Ah! but it is plainly to be seen where they have bent the

-knee most devoutly,” he replied, with a gesture which called

-her attention to the many admiring eyes fixed upon her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She shrugged her graceful shoulders with an air of impatience,

-as if annoyed to find herself so conspicuous, while her darkly

-fringed lids drooped over her glorious eyes, hiding the wistful

-look which had suddenly crept into them.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“The night is lovely, and the band is playing delightfully;

-let us go out and wander about the grounds for a little while,”

-Lord Carrol said, after a moment of silence, during which

-sweet, enticing strains came floating toward them on the evening

-air.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She took the arm he offered her, her heart throbbing so

-wildly that she feared he would detect it, and they passed down

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_118'>118</span>the steps and away from the crowd on the veranda, some of

-whom smiled to hide their envy, others indulgently, as if upon

-a pair of lovers.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I suppose this will be our last night in this charming place,”

-the young man said, as they slowly wended their way along a

-sheltered avenue.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She looked up with a slight start at the word “our.” He

-noticed it, and smiled.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I said ‘our,’ because I, too, shall leave on the afternoon

-express to-morrow. I have business in New York which will

-occupy me for a week or more.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Josephine flushed with pleasure at this, for she felt sure that

-the “business” was only a pretext. Her vanity led her to believe

-that Long Branch would be nothing to him without her

-companionship, and that he would go to New York merely to

-pass the interval of time which would elapse before he would

-go to Yonkers to spend the promised week with them.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Oh!” she thought, “if he would but speak a single word

-to commit himself that night, she could go away in the morning

-with a light and happy heart.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But he had never hinted of love for her; he had accompanied

-her and her mother almost everywhere they had been,

-often showing Mrs. Richards more attention than herself. He

-had danced with her, rode with her, walked with her, and no

-word beyond the most commonplace expressions of friendship

-had ever fallen from his lips.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Sometimes she had thought that he was drawn to them more

-than to any one else simply because he had discovered them to

-be of English extraction, and felt more freedom and more in

-sympathy with them on that account.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But she knew, too, that he admired her for her beauty, and

-she certainly had exerted herself more than she had ever done

-in her life before to be not only entertaining, but gentle, and

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_119'>119</span>winning, and womanly, and she kept hoping that a crisis would

-come before they left for home.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>They wandered on and on, the moonlight streaming upon

-them through the overarching branches of the trees, and making

-lace-like patterns upon the smoothly graveled walk at their feet,

-and he talked only of yesterday’s boating, yesterday’s racing—of

-anything save what her heart was craving to hear.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The band played its softest, sweetest strains; the leaves rustled

-whisperingly above their heads, suggestive of lovers’ vows; they

-were almost alone in the beautiful, moonlighted avenue, and

-everything was conducive to love-making, if his lordship had

-only been so inclined.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Soon they came out by a fountain where the lights were

-shining brilliantly, and he led her to a rustic seat, placed her

-in it, and sat down beside her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I shall be very sorry to go,” Josephine said, with a pensive

-sigh, as she looked around on the lovely scene; “it has been

-very pleasant here this summer.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It has, indeed, and I shall carry the memory of it with me

-for a long while,” her companion replied. “You have some

-very beautiful places of resort in your country, Miss Richards.

-You and your mother have made my sojourn at Long Branch

-more than pleasant. Since learning that you have English

-blood in your veins, I have grown to regard you almost as my

-own people; and sometimes,” he added, smiling, “I have felt

-as if I might be intruding myself too much upon you; but I

-trust I shall be able to return some of your kindness when you

-come to England.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Josephine’s heart sank like lead in her bosom.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>These were surely very commonplace words to speak to her

-on the eve of her departure, if he entertained anything of affection

-for her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It would be a great delight to me to visit England,” she

-returned; “and you have told me so much about your beautiful

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_120'>120</span>home—your mother and sister—that I have a great desire to

-see both it and them.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You must come to Cheshire Park—my mother’s and sister’s

-home. Next year I shall hope to show it to you,” he said,

-earnestly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Did he mean that he hoped she would go there with him, or

-was it merely a wish that she would visit England, that he might

-be able to return some of the courtesies which she and her

-mother had shown him?</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She could not tell, but hope seemed deserting her; her

-heart beat heavily, she grew pale and sad, and a slight shiver

-shook her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He noticed it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You are taking cold, I fear; we ought not to sit here in

-this evening air.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No, I am not taking cold; I will tie my handkerchief

-around my throat, however,” she answered.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was so pleasant sitting there beside him, so pleasant to

-listen to his rich, deep voice and look into his clear brown

-eyes, that she could not bear to think of going back to the

-hotel just yet.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She tied her handkerchief about her white throat, and as she

-did so, the light struck full upon a ring which he had not seen

-her wear before.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was a lovely cameo, very delicately cut. It was Star’s little

-treasure, the gift of Archibald Sherbrooke.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Pardon me,” Lord Carrol said, with a slight start as he

-observed it, “but you have a ring on your hand that I have

-never seen you wear before. It is very lovely. May I examine

-it more closely?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Josephine unhesitatingly laid her hand on his palm, her whole

-body thrilling as his fingers closed over it, and he bent his

-proud head to examine the ring.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had had poor Star’s pin made into this ring, which she

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_121'>121</span>had worn a few times, and then tiring of it, had thrown it into

-her jewel-box, where it had lain unheeded until to-night, when

-a sudden whim had caused her to put it on.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It is a very finely carved cameo,” he said, after a few moments,

-during which he had regarded it intently. “I once saw

-one so nearly like it that I do not think I could distinguish it

-from this. It belonged to—to a friend of mine, although that

-was in the form of a pin.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Was your friend a lady or gentleman?” Josephine asked,

-quickly, and not giving herself time to realize that she was

-betraying undue curiosity.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“A gentleman,” he returned, briefly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It is a pretty trifle which was given to me by a relative,”

-Josephine said, without even wincing at the <i>lie</i>, yet feeling guilty

-and uncomfortable to have the stone recognized.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It is evidently quite a valuable cameo,” Lord Carrol returned,

-thoughtfully, “and the person of whom I spoke prized

-the one he had very highly, for he is something of an artist,

-and had it carved in Italy after a design which he made

-himself.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Indeed! Is your artist an Englishman?” Miss Richards

-asked, with downcast eyes, and more interested in this matter

-than she cared to appear.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes; and his name is Sherbrooke—Archibald Sherbrooke,”

-Lord Carrol replied, while he regarded her intently.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Josephine started, and the color flamed into her face.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Archibald Sherbrooke!</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The name smote her unpleasantly, for she remembered those

-two initials, “A. S.,” which were marked on the back of the

-setting of the cameo, and having two tiny strawberry leaves

-engraved underneath.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Could it be possible that Star—the despised girl at Yonkers—knew

-Archibald Sherbrooke, the <i>friend</i> of Lord Carrol, and that

-he had given this elegant cameo to her?</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_122'>122</span>She remembered how, when she had asked her to give it to

-her, Star’s lips had trembled as she said “it was the gift of a

-friend and she did not like to part with it;” but she never

-imagined that the associate of a peer would take interest enough

-in a girl occupying the position she occupied to give her so

-costly an ornament as this.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The thought was not a pleasant one, or it told her that if

-such was the case, and there could be no doubt of it, that Star

-was known and appreciated by one whom this English lord

-held in high esteem.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She would have liked to question him more about this

-“friend” of his, but did not wish to betray too much curiosity

-lest he should mistrust that she had the identical stone which

-he referred to, and should in turn ask unpleasant questions

-of her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She therefore changed the subject as quickly as possible,

-hoping to win him to a mood more congenial with her own

-feelings and desires.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But her efforts proved unavailing, for his lordship had suddenly

-become thoughtful and taciturn; and Miss Richards at

-last, berating herself soundly for having worn that unlucky ring

-that evening, signified her desire to return to the hotel.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards had watched them saunter from the veranda

-in a flutter of anticipation, hoping that the all-important moment

-had at last arrived.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But one glance at her daughter’s face when they came back

-told her that the much wished for crisis had <i>not</i> arrived, and

-she felt deeply disappointed.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Good-night and good-by!” Josephine said, holding out her

-white hand to her companion as they entered the hotel. She

-could not trust herself longer in his society, lest she should

-betray something of her disappointment and ill-nature. “I

-must say my farewell now, I suppose, since we are to leave by

-the early train to-morrow.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_123'>123</span>“It is always hard to say farewell to our friends,” Lord Carrol

-answered, smiling as he took her extended hand. “However,

-I can say it with a better grace now than if it was to be a final

-one. But are you going to leave us so soon? There is a gay

-company in the dancing-hall, and I fear many will be disappointed

-if you flit so early.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, I am going up to my room,” she answered, wearily;

-and he noticed that she had grown very pale and was shivering.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I am really afraid you have taken cold; you look ill, and I

-fear I kept you out too long,” he said, anxiously.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No,” she returned, brightening a trifle as she saw how

-troubled he was on her account. “I have not taken cold, but

-I do not feel like dancing to-night, so I will retire. Good-by

-for a week.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, for one week; then I shall see you in your own home

-at Yonkers,” Lord Carrol said; and just then Mrs. Richards

-approached them.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“How is it that you two young people are not in the ball-room?”

-she said, brightly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I am taking leave of Miss Richards, who thinks of retiring,

-as she says you leave on the early train,” explained his lordship.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“What is the trouble, Josie—are you not well?” the elder

-lady asked, with maternal solicitude.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes; but I do not wish to dance to-night, so I am going

-up stairs.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Then I’ll go with you, for I have not quite finished packing.

-Well, my lord,” she added, turning cheerily to him and giving

-him her hand, “I trust you will spend the coming week pleasantly,

-and then we shall expect to see you again.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Thanks. Shall I have the pleasure of meeting Mr. Richards

-then? Will he have returned by that time?” the young man

-asked.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes; he returns next week,” Mrs. Richards answered, a

-new idea striking her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_124'>124</span>Probably he wished to consult formally with her husband

-before proposing to Josephine; the English, she knew, were

-very punctilious regarding such matters.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Yes, she was confident, now she thought of it, that was why

-he had not come to the point to-night.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>So, after a few more cordially spoken regrets, good wishes,

-and so forth, they left him and sought their rooms.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Lord Carrol turned and went out into the grounds again, his

-face grown very grave and thoughtful.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I never would have believed it. I do not understand it at

-all,” he muttered to himself.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But what he did not understand or could not believe, the

-future must develop.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The next morning Mrs. Richards and her daughter left for

-Yonkers, and the same afternoon Lord Carrol was <i><span lang="fr">en route</span></i> for

-New York city.</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XIII.<br> <span class='large'>A GLAD MEETING.</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>Back and forth every day from Yonkers, patiently and uncomplainingly,

-went Star Gladstone to her school, glad to pursue

-her studies and music at any cost or sacrifice.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>This occupied nine long hours of five days in the week, and,

-weary as she was upon her return, she always devoted what time

-she could to the white-haired old gentleman who watched her

-depart with a sigh, waited eagerly for her return, and who

-brightened so visibly when she appeared.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>One day, after school, Star had an errand at a music store,

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_125'>125</span>and was detained so long by the slow movement of the clerk

-who waited upon her, that she was obliged to hurry with all her

-strength to catch her train.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She entered the station breathless, just as the last bell rang

-and the cars began to move.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Hoping to overtake it even then, she ran for it, her small feet

-barely touching the ground as she sped over it. She reached

-the last car, put forth her hand to lay hold upon the railing

-and spring upon the steps, when a firm grasp upon her arms

-from behind rendered her efforts fruitless, and a deep, rich

-voice said:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Young lady, pardon me the liberty I take, but that is a

-very dangerous experiment.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The train was gone. Mr. Rosevelt would look for her in

-vain when it came in, but Star could not regret it, although she

-had exerted every nerve to catch it, for she would know <i>that

-voice</i> no matter where she heard it; and, with a vivid flush leaping

-to her cheeks, her pulses thrilling with excitement and

-delight, she turned quickly to find herself face to face with her

-whilom <i><span lang="fr">compagnon de voyage</span></i>—Archibald Sherbrooke!</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>His face lighted brilliantly in an instant as he recognized her,

-for although she had changed somewhat during the past year,

-growing lovelier than ever, he had never forgotten those star-like

-eyes, those waves of soft, golden hair shading her forehead,

-nor that sweetly smiling, scarlet mouth.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Miss Gladstone!” he cried, putting out his hand to her.

-“I had no idea whom I was saving from committing such an

-act of imprudence when I saw you about to leap upon that

-moving train; but I am doubly glad now that my presumption

-prevented you from doing anything so rash, and gave me this

-unexpected pleasure.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I am glad, too, for I am delighted to see you again, Mr.

-Sherbrooke,” Star said, heartily and frankly, as she gave him

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_126'>126</span>her neatly gloved hand, and looking straight up into his handsome

-eyes in a way that testified to the sincerity of her words.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I know it was imprudent to try to leap upon a moving

-train,” she continued; “but there is some one at home who is

-always disappointed if I do not return at a certain hour, and so

-I was anxious to catch it. However, another leaves in a half hour;

-and, indeed, I am very glad to have met you.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>How lady-like she was! With what perfect self-possession

-and grace she greeted him, notwithstanding her sparkling eyes

-and the flush which had leaped to her cheek told of inward

-excitement.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She was the same, and yet not the same; she had developed

-wonderfully since that morning when he had parted from her

-on the steamer.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Her hair was still of the same beautiful golden hue as the lock

-which she had severed for him, and which he still treasured;

-her eyes were the same heavenly blue, her smile as bright and

-sweet, but there was an added, indescribable charm about her

-that made her tenfold more lovely in his sight.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Thank you,” he said, in reply to her hearty greeting; “and

-now, if you have only half an hour before another train goes,

-let us make the most of it, and find a seat in the waiting-room

-where we can compare notes on the last ten months.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He led the way to the ladies’ room, found a comfortable chair

-in a corner for her where they could talk undisturbed, and the

-half hour slipped by before they had any idea that it was time

-for Star to go.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“There is my train,” she said, suddenly starting up as the

-first bell rang; “I must not miss this one, or Mr. Rosevelt will

-surely think something dreadful has happened to me.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Mr. Rosevelt!” repeated young Sherbrooke, in surprise.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes; is it not singular? We met as strangers on board the

-steamer, and, after all, we were coming to be inmates of the

-same house and did not know it.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_127'>127</span>“Yes, it is strange. He was a fine-appearing old gentleman.

-I trust that he has recovered from the effects of his exposure

-at sea.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Not entirely, and I fear he never will,” Star answered, with

-a sigh. “His health is not very good, and his eyes trouble him

-exceedingly at times. They were injured by the reflection of

-the glaring sun in the water while we were in that open boat.

-We are excellent friends, and he watches anxiously for my

-return every day.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Do you come to New York every day?” her companion

-questioned.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes; I am attending a seminary in Brooklyn, and for the

-present go back and forth every day. But see,” she added,

-pointing to the clock; “there is only one minute more, and I

-must find a seat.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He assisted her to enter and conducted her to a seat; then,

-extending his hand, he said, smiling:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“If you come to the city every day, I shall hope to see you

-again.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The ever ready color leaped to her cheeks again, more at the

-look he gave her than at his words.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She was upon the point of giving him her address and asking

-him to come out to Yonkers to see her and Mr. Rosevelt,

-but the train started, and she was obliged to leave her invitation

-unspoken.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He had only time to lift his hat, dart away and leap upon

-the platform, before the train was under way.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Archibald Sherbrooke not only <i>hoped</i> to see her again, he <i>did</i>

-see her many times after that, for he contrived to be at the

-station on some pretext or other, or overtake her on the way

-thither, every day for nearly a week, and he was always greeted

-with a glad look and smile. Every day she grew more beautiful

-in his sight; every day his eyes told her so, and these chance (?)

-meetings grew very sweet to them both.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_128'>128</span>“You must come out to Yonkers, some day, and see Mr.

-Rosevelt,” Star said, upon one of these occasions.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“There, I declare, we have found so much else to talk

-about, that I have not even told you where I live,” she said,

-laughing.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“And I am invited out to see <i>Mr. Rosevelt</i>, am I?” he asked,

-with a twinkle of mischief in his fine eyes.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes,” Star returned, demurely. “I know he will be very

-much pleased to see you—indeed, he said so when I told him

-of our meeting. He remembers how good to him you were

-after his rescue.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Thanks. Then I shall certainly avail myself of your invitation,

-and go out to see Mr. Rosevelt some day very soon,”

-he said, with a grave bow; but his eyes told her that she would

-be the star to attract him thither.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You say <i>he</i> remembers what transpired on the steamer.

-Do <i>you</i> remember, too, Miss Star, how you told me at parting

-that I should always be your friend—that you would never

-forget me?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star’s glorious eyes drooped, and the quick color rushing

-upward, stained all her fair face to those soft yellow curls on

-her forehead.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I have not forgotten,” she murmured, softly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Neither have I, as perhaps this will prove to you,” said the

-young man, lifting a tiny locket which hung from his watch-chain,

-and, touching a spring, held it up before her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It contained nothing save a tress of shining hair, and Star

-knew in an instant to whom it had once belonged.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Like a flash she remembered the cameo that he had given

-her as a souvenir, and a choking sensation came into her

-throat.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She knew by the way he was looking at her—by the way

-he had asked her if she “remembered”—that he was wondering

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_129'>129</span>if she had kept his gift as he had treasured that lock of

-silken hair.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>There was not a piece of jewelry about her person, and he

-had remarked that fact the first time he met her there at the

-station.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Every article of her toilet was as dainty as it was possible to

-make it with her limited resources, and she looked every inch

-a lady; but it was not usual in those days to see a young girl

-of her age without the glitter of gold or tinsel somewhere

-about her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You have kept it all this time,” she said, scarce knowing

-what to say from embarrassment, while she wondered what she

-ought to tell him about the cameo.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Certainly I have kept it all this time. I urged you to give

-it to me, and you do not suppose I was going to cast it lightly

-aside, do you?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Perhaps not,” she answered, with downcast eyes; “but I

-hardly thought you would keep it in—in such a way; and—oh I

-Mr. Sherbrooke, I have lost that lovely little cameo that you

-gave to me.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She looked up at him now, and he noted the troubled, even

-pained expression that was in her eyes.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Lost it!” he repeated; and although he did not intend it,

-his face clouded, whether from disappointment or some other

-feeling she could not tell.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She could not bear that he should know <i>how</i> she had lost it,

-and she felt that she was guilty of no untruth when she explained

-its absence thus.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes,” she returned. “Please do not think that I did not

-prize it, for I did more than I can tell you, and I hope even yet

-to be able to recover it.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He did not reply, but his face had grown grave, almost

-severe, and she imagined there was something of constraint in

-his manner at parting with her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_130'>130</span>She felt that he was hurt by her seeming carelessness or indifference

-for his costly little gift, and bitter tears kept welling

-to her eyes all the way home.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I <i>will</i> have it again. I will go to Josephine and demand

-it. She has no right to it, for it is mine; and if she will not

-give it to me, I will appeal to Mr. Richards,” she said, indignantly,

-to herself.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I could not bear to tell him how I lost it,” she thought,

-with rising color. “I do not wish him to know how I have

-been treated by my mother’s relatives, or how bitterly I have

-been disappointed in my hopes since coming to this country.

-But,” she added, with firmly compressed lips, “it will not be

-so much longer. In a little while I shall be independent of

-them all.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She little imagined how soon she would be independent of

-them, or how it would be achieved.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>This was Thursday—she had first met young Sherbrooke

-the previous Friday, and there had not been the slightest cloud

-to mar their intercourse until now, though they had met

-almost every day—and Star went home feeling somewhat sad

-and depressed.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But the next morning her sadness disappeared when Mr.

-Rosevelt told her that he was feeling so strong and well that he

-would like a change, and he proposed to go to New York and

-call upon their young friend.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He had given Star his address, and when she left for school

-on Friday morning, it was arranged that Mr. Rosevelt should

-go to town that afternoon and she would meet him at Mr. Sherbrooke’s

-studio after school and they would return together.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It seemed, however, as if everything went wrong for our

-young friend that day. Her mind, usually so keen and active,

-refused to work with its accustomed vigor, and she was listless

-and almost inattentive, much to the surprise of Professor Roberts

-and her other teachers.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_131'>131</span>Her thoughts were playing truant, and half the time were far

-away in that artist studio where Mr. Rosevelt was visiting.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>When the hour came for her to join them, all her listlessness

-departed, and she was her own bright self once more; and

-when, in answer to her gentle knock upon his door, Archibald

-Sherbrooke opened it to admit her, he thought she had never

-seemed so lovely before.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He had begun to realize that the feelings with which he

-regarded her were something deeper and stronger than mere

-friendship called for—in fact, he knew that he loved her more

-dearly than any other object on earth, and that his heart had

-not really been his own, if the truth were known, since that day

-when they had parted on the steamer; and he had that morning

-come to the conclusion that the time should not be far

-distant when he should tell her in words of the emotions she

-had awakened in his heart.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“This is a pleasure that I had not anticipated until about an

-hour ago,” he said, with a brilliant smile, as he took her by the

-hand and led her into the room, where she found Mr. Rosevelt

-reclining comfortably in a luxurious chair.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“And this,” Star said, looking around her with a long-drawn

-breath of delight as she noted the many beautiful paintings

-hanging on the walls, “is a pleasure which I had not

-anticipated.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Ah! then it is my <i>work</i> which shall give you pleasure,

-rather than my <i>society</i>, as I had presumed to flatter myself,” the

-young man said, ruefully, and making a comical grimace, although

-his eyes were looking down into hers with an expression

-which made her tremble.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She laughed, while a lovely color leaped to her face. But

-she tried to hide her embarrassment by retorting, archly:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I suppose I must be polite, and affirm that I expect to

-enjoy both; but really, Mr. Sherbrooke, although I knew you

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_132'>132</span>were an artist, I had no idea that you painted such delightful

-things.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You give me more credit than belongs to me,” he answered,

-smiling; “but wait until you are rested, and then I have something

-in particular to show you.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Oh, I am not weary. Let me look now, if you please;

-we have only an hour, you know;” and she began to move

-about the room, examining with no uncritical eye the works

-upon the walls.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The young artist kept by her side, telling her the subjects

-of the paintings, and relating many instances connected with

-them.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>At length they came to a corner where there stood an easel,

-upon which there was a picture covered with a green cloth.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Sherbrooke removed the covering, simply saying:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“This is the picture that I particularly wished to show you.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was quite a large painting, and represented a young man

-and maiden standing on board a steamer, while silver-tipped

-waves and a deep blue sky formed a charming background for

-their youthful figures.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The former stood in an eager attitude, with one hand extended,

-a smile on his handsome lips, a gleam of wistful admiration

-in his honest brown eyes, while his companion seemed

-to be clipping a tress from a massive braid of shining golden

-hair that hung over her shoulders.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The fair young girl was a faithful representation of Star as

-she had appeared on that day, which they both remembered so

-vividly, and in the act of severing that lock at his request. She

-stood with drooping eyes, a flush on her cheek, a half-smile on

-her beautiful scarlet lips, a shy and modest grace in her posture,

-while her slender fingers daintily held braid and scissors.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Archibald Sherbrooke watched her as she gazed upon his

-picture, his heart in his earnest glance; while Star, although

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_133'>133</span>her eyes were riveted as if fascinated upon the familiar scene,

-could not say one word regarding it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He had made her very, very lovely, with that sheen upon her

-hair, those soft, bright curls lying low upon her forehead, which

-gleamed beneath them like purest ivory; with those half-averted

-eyes, in which the iris was just discernible, so richly blue,</p>

-

-<div class='lg-container-b c012'>

-  <div class='linegroup'>

-    <div class='group'>

-      <div class='line'>*&#160;*&#160;“As if the sky let fall</div>

-      <div class='line'>A flower from its cerulean wall;”</div>

-    </div>

-  </div>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c015'>with her delicate hands in their pretty act showing to such

-advantage, and her slight, willowy figure so gracefully posed—so

-lovely that she could not help the conscious blush which

-mounted to her temples, nor the quick heart-throbs which

-stirred the lace upon her bosom; for something whispered to

-her that his hand had lingered fondly upon that picture, as if

-over a work that he had loved.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“What do you think of my work, Miss Gladstone?” he

-asked, gravely, and breaking the silence which was becoming

-oppressive to him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It—it is very—correct, I think,” she faltered, with averted

-eyes and deepening color.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>An anxious gleam shot into his eyes at her reply.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Have I displeased you by putting it on canvas?” he asked,

-earnestly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“N-o,” she returned, somewhat hesitatingly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I fear I have,” he said, still more gravely than before. “Do

-not hesitate to tell me if you are offended, and I will obliterate

-it with one sweep of my brush.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>His eye was full of pain, a deep flush burned on his cheek,

-while there was a thrill in his low, earnest tone that set her

-pulses bounding afresh.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She glanced up at him, smiling slightly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No, I am not offended,” she said; “but I’m afraid I appeared

-very foolish that day to offer you a tress of my yellow

-hair.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_134'>134</span>“Have I made the picture appear so?” he asked, quickly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No; you have made it altogether too beautiful,” she answered,

-earnestly, and then was covered with confusion at having

-admitted so much.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Thank you,” he said, brightly, his face clearing. “I could

-not do that, if I had spent twice the time I did upon it, and”—bending

-nearer to her, and speaking in a tender tone—“it is a

-picture that I painted for myself alone; no one has ever seen

-it before, and I shall always keep it.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He covered it carefully with the cloth again as he ceased

-speaking.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“These are not nearly all my work,” he said, as she turned

-to look at some others; “they are the united work of an old

-artist, ‘our master,’ we call him, and of three of my friends—companion

-artists. We have been traveling together during

-the last ten months, and these pictures are some of the results

-of our pilgrimage. We are to return now in a couple of

-months, having spent our year in America both pleasantly and

-profitably, I trust. We had to make our headquarters somewhere,

-so we took this room as a sort of studio, and thus putting

-our work all together, we manage to make quite a respectable

-display.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I am glad to have seen these pictures,” Star said, “and to

-know they are all the work of my countrymen. I wish, however,

-that <i>I</i> was going back to England in a month or two,” she

-concluded, with a sigh, and a tear springing to her eye.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Do you?” her companion asked, eagerly. “Then you have

-not become weaned from your native land?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No, indeed,” she said, earnestly. “I love it as dearly as

-ever, and if I live I shall go back some day to my home.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The young man bent toward her, an eager light in his eye;

-his lips parted as if he were about to speak, but Mr. Rosevelt,

-from the opposite side of the room, suddenly addressed some

-remark to him, and he was obliged to turn his attention to him.</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_135'>135</span>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XIV.<br> <span class='large'>“LET ME DEPICT YOUR FUTURE.”</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>Before Mr. Rosevelt and Star left him, Mr. Sherbrooke

-arranged a little pleasure trip to Coney Island for the following

-day.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I suppose, to-morrow being Saturday, you will have no

-school, Miss Gladstone,” he said, with an appealing look at her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No; but I have a music lesson at nine,” she answered,

-doubtfully.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Could you not arrange to postpone it for once?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I think not; the hour is engaged for me, and if I am not

-there I lose it. I should hardly like to do that, for I must

-make the most of my time this year.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star said this last more to herself than in reply to him. She

-wanted to go—oh, so much!—and yet felt that she ought not

-to lose her lesson.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well, an hour will not make much difference; you will be

-through by ten. It will not be too late for our excursion then,

-and that will give us the best part of the day. The sail will be

-delightful, and we will come home by moonlight. I speak for

-to-morrow, as I am to leave New York next week for awhile.

-I think you will go, Miss Star?” Mr. Sherbrooke concluded,

-questioningly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I think I should enjoy the trip very much,” Mr. Rosevelt

-here interposed. “We’ll say ‘go,’ little girl, for we have had

-no holiday this summer. Yes, yes, Sherbrooke, thank you, we

-will accept your invitation, and Star will, I think, be willing to

-shorten her lesson a trifle, so that we shall be able to leave the

-city by half-past ten.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_136'>136</span>Yes, Star said she would do that; and the matter once

-decided, her face brightened and her eyes glowed with anticipation.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had not had a holiday that summer, as Mr. Rosevelt

-said; indeed, no one had planned a day’s pleasure for her

-before since she came to America, and the thought of this little

-excursion was very gratifying to her. A whole day spent in the

-company of Archibald Sherbrooke would be a “red letter day”

-to her; and so, with thrilling pulses and bounding heart, she

-took leave of him and went away with Mr. Rosevelt, to talk

-about it, to dream about it, and, girl-like, to plan how to make

-herself as charming as possible for the occasion.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>As for Archibald Sherbrooke himself, he sat down after his

-guests had departed, and allowed his thoughts to have their

-own way.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“She is as lovely as a dream,” he murmured, watching her

-from the window as she tripped lightly along by Mr. Rosevelt’s

-side. “I did not think when I started for America that I was

-coming to meet my fate; but so it proves. Unless I can win

-Star Gladstone’s love, the remainder of my life will not contain

-much that will be worth living for. She is as pure as a lily,

-beautiful as a veritable star; and yet there is something that I

-cannot quite understand about her; there is a reserve, an occasional

-sadness, that seems strange in one so young, while once

-in awhile she lets fall a word which makes me fear her life is

-not as bright as it should be. There is something of a mystery,

-too, about Mr. Rosevelt. How sort of ‘seedy’ and

-neglected he looked to-day, and I judged, when I met him

-before, that he was a man of abundant means, and without a

-care, pecuniarily.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“How startled my fair one looked when I showed her my

-picture,” he went on, with a luminous smile; “and I really

-believe that she realized something of the tenderness that I have

-put into it.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_137'>137</span>He arose and went over to the easel, and removing the cloth,

-stood looking at the lovely girl with a world of affection in his

-handsome eyes.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“My glory-crowned Star,” he murmured, “I began to love

-you the moment that you fell exhausted into my arms when

-you were rescued from the hungry jaws of death, and I will

-spend my life in winning you if need be. I have seen no other

-woman your equal during all my sojourn in America—at least,

-no one who has so moved my heart—and I know of no one in

-all England whom I should care to win for my bride.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Star Gladstone! It is a name symbolical of her nature,”

-he said, unconsciously repeating what Mr. Rosevelt had once

-told her, “or I am no adept in reading character. She will

-crown my life with light, and bring gladness and beauty into

-my home, if I can win her; and I think I am not mistaken in

-believing that I read the sequel to my own love-story to-day in

-her blushing face and shy, drooping eyes.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Saturday came, and at an early hour Star awoke and arose to

-see what the morning promised, and to prepare for the anticipated

-pleasure of the day.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The sun rolled up from the east without a cloud, its light,

-a dusky red, tinging all the earth with a rosy hue—a sure harbinger

-of a hot, dry day, and just what Star of all things most

-desired.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Why?” does curiosity question.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Because her one best dress for summer had been a simple

-white lawn, which her own fair hands had fashioned in the

-most dainty manner, and she had nothing else really pretty

-to wear.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“If I cannot have embroideries and laces, I can at least have

-ruffles and tucks, for they cost nothing but time and patience,”

-she had said to Miss Baker, when the question “how it should

-be trimmed” came up for discussion; and ruffled and tucked it

-was in the most artistic manner.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_138'>138</span>She ran down stairs to practice for an hour, after which she

-went to her breakfast, and confided to Mrs. Blunt the fact that

-“she and Uncle Jacob” were going to have a holiday—her

-throbbing pulses warned her not to mention the third member

-of the party, lest she should betray more than she cared to—and

-that good woman remarked, with characteristic emphasis,

-that “if she wasn’t glad of it, she was much mistaken, and

-hoped she’d have the best time in the world; she’d certainly

-had <i>precious few</i> good times since she came there.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>This duty over—for she did not feel right to be gone the

-whole day without telling some member of the family of her

-intention—she returned to her room to give her attention to

-that, for once with her, very important subject for consideration—her

-toilet.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She arranged her shining hair with great care. It was her

-glory, and Archibald Sherbrooke had made it appear such in

-that picture which he had shown her yesterday, and which she

-now remembered with crimson cheeks and glowing eyes, as she

-brushed those shining strands until they gleamed like burnished

-gold. She then wove it into one massive braid, as she

-had worn it that day which neither of them would ever forget,

-and tied it a little way from the end with a fresh, delicate blue

-ribbon.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>This done, she donned the spotless white dress, with a broad

-belt of blue and its great bow on one side, and fastened a

-simple knot of the same at her throat, but heaving a regretful

-sigh as she thought of her precious cameo, and wished she

-could have had it to wear to-day. Then she tied a pretty chip

-hat, with its mull trimmings and bunch of forget-me-nots, over

-her golden head, and blushed rosy red at the vision of loveliness

-that looked out at her from her small mirror.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Taking her roll of music, and throwing a fleecy shawl over

-her arm, she ran down stairs with a light, springing step, intending

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_139'>139</span>to go to the lodge for a word with Mr. Rosevelt before

-she went to the station.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Where are you going, miss, rigged out in that style?” was

-the rude query that saluted her ears as she came out upon the

-veranda and stopped a moment to fasten her gloves.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Looking up, she saw Josephine sitting at one end of the

-porch, and half hidden by the luxuriant growth of vines climbing

-the trellis.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Her radiant face clouded; it seemed almost like an omen of

-evil to have her anticipations of pleasure broken in upon thus.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I am going to New York to take my music lesson,” she

-answered, touching the roll underneath her arm.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Do you always dress yourself out like that to take your

-music lesson? Perhaps you are trying to strike up a flirtation

-with Professor What’s-his-name,” sneered the haughty beauty.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Poor Star glanced down at her offending dress, an indignant

-flush rising to her cheek.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The entire cost of it had been less than what Josephine was

-accustomed to pay for even a pair of shoes; and yet she knew,

-without being told, that the gay belle, with all her expensive

-trappings, had never looked half so fresh and lovely as she did

-at that moment.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Josephine realized it also, and her heart was filled with bitter

-envy and malice.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Go back up stairs and change your gown,” she continued,

-angrily, without giving Star an opportunity to reply to her

-taunting remarks. “You have no business to go to the city,

-dressed as if you were going to a party.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star’s small head came up like a flash of light; her eyes

-darkened and glowed with a sense of wounded pride and injustice.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She stood still a moment, her scarlet lips compressed until

-only a narrow line of red was visible; then, in a calm, clear,

-but very decided tone, she said:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_140'>140</span>“You have no right to lay such commands upon me, Miss

-Richards, and I shall not obey you.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You insolent beggar! what do you mean by answering me

-in this way?” began the astonished girl; but Star had glided

-down the steps, and was walking with a proud, elastic step

-down the avenue; consequently her rage was expended upon

-the empty air.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But she was fairly startled by the exquisite loveliness of the

-young girl. She had never seen her dressed with so much care

-before, and had not dreamed of having such a rival in her own

-dwelling.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt was standing on the porch of the lodge when

-Star came along, and he, too, marveled at her exceeding beauty,

-saying to himself that he had never seen her so brilliant and

-spirited before.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>And, indeed, he had not, for she never had been so thoroughly

-aroused before during all her residence in Mrs. Richards’

-family.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Good-morning, Uncle Jacob,” she said, brightly, as she

-saw him standing there, and her indignation immediately began

-to subside.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>What was Josephine Richards that she should allow her to

-mar all the pleasure of her own holiday?—that she should drive

-the happiness from her heart, the sunlight from her face, when

-she was going to spend long hours of delight in Archibald

-Sherbrooke’s presence?</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Nothing, save a coarse, rude girl, devoid of feeling or refinement;

-and with a resolute effort she drove her from her

-thoughts, the smile returned to her red lips, the light to her

-eye, as she ran lightly up the steps and stood beside Mr.

-Rosevelt.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“How well you are looking,” she said, gayly. “I just ran

-down to see if you were all right, and to jog your memory

-about our little celebration to-day.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_141'>141</span>“You did not need to do that, Starling. I am as eager as a

-schoolboy for my day of pleasure,” he returned, with a fond

-smile, adding: “But how dainty you are this morning. I

-shouldn’t wonder if our artist friend would be wanting to paint

-the picture of a ‘star’ one of these days, eh?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star blushed and laughed lightly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She could have told him, had she chosen, that it was already

-painted.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But she only charged him playfully to make himself look as

-young and charming as possible if he intended to be her escort

-to Coney Island; then waving him a farewell, she tripped away

-with a smile on her lips, a song in her heart.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He stood and watched her out of sight, murmuring, with

-something like regretful fondness:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“My bright Star, somebody will want something more substantial

-than a painting if you are onehalf as attractive in his

-eyes as you are in mine.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The little German professor of whom Star took music lessons

-rubbed his small fat hands with delight, his face dimpling all

-over with smiles, when she came like a ray of light into his

-room.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Ach! but der fraulein should have been called Miss Gladheart,”

-he said, regarding her admiringly. “She is as bright

-as der day, as fair as der morn; she is like a flower dot is

-newly bloomed.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star laughed merrily.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It seemed ludicrous enough to her to hear this fat little man,

-with his bald pate, his red face, dumpy legs, and his broken

-English—who scarce ever was known to express a thought that

-was not connected with music before—bubble over thus unexpectedly

-with sentiment.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Oh, Professor Schwab, you overwhelm me!” she cried,

-gayly; “and I’m almost certain that your compliments will

-degenerate into a veritable scolding before I have been here

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_142'>142</span>fifteen minutes, for I fear I am not in very good order to-day,

-my head is full of pleasure.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Pleasure is good now and then; it is made for youth,” the

-professor remarked, with a sigh, and a glance at Star’s bright

-face and dainty costume, as if he regretted that he was no

-longer young.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I want you to let me go in just half an hour, for this is to

-be a holiday,” Star said, as she removed her hat and gloves.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Der fraulein shall do shust vat she pleases—I can refuse

-her notting to-day; but,” he added, assuming a business-like

-air, “let her mind dot she keep her fingers right and der

-time goot.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star settled down at once to her work with such earnestness

-of purpose that she really outshone herself, executing her brilliant

-and difficult exercises in a way that would have done

-credit to the composer himself.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Verra goot—excellent goot! Der heart is glad, her hopes

-are bright, and der work is well done. Miss Gladstone, in six

-months I teach you notting more; you go to Germany—to

-Italy, to study,” he said, his face beaming with satisfaction at

-her proficiency.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star thanked him with her brightest smile for his praise, and

-then left him with a light heart; and when she reached the

-place appointed as the rendezvous by Mr. Rosevelt and Mr.

-Sherbrooke, this latter gentleman also thought her the fairest

-object he had ever seen, and knew that, as he clasped her small

-hand, his eyes were betraying that old, old story of which his

-heart was so full.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The sail down the river was even more charming than they

-had anticipated. The day was perfect, the air being just cool

-enough to be exhilarating, while our trio of friends were in a

-mood to enjoy everything in the way of pleasure that might

-present itself.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_143'>143</span>They reached the island about noon, when Mr. Sherbrooke,

-ordering a carriage, they drove directly to Manhattan Beach

-Hotel, where they partook of a sumptuous dinner, and thus

-fortified, sallied forth to enjoy the beauties and attractions all

-about them.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A couple of hours were spent in visiting the different objects

-of interest, and then Mr. Rosevelt said that he should be obliged

-to give up and take a rest.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>So Mr. Sherbrooke ordered a room for him at the hotel, and

-he went to “take a nap,” while the young man, with a feeling

-of exultation that now he should have Star all to himself, took

-a carriage for a long drive upon the beach.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>For miles and miles they drove over the smooth, hard road,

-both in their happiest mood, and giving themselves up to the

-enjoyment of the hour.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Every moment spent in Star’s society only served to entangle

-our young English friend more securely in the meshes of love’s

-net; while she began to realize that the world would never be

-quite the same again to her when he should be gone and no

-prospect of their meeting again.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“He is going away next week,” she kept saying again and

-again to herself, while a chill pain gnawed at her heart. “How

-can I bear to have him go, and feel that I may never see him

-again? Oh, England, my home! my home! would that I also

-could go back to you!”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>So intense was her longing for her home, so keenly did she

-regret this parting, which she felt was inevitable, that the tears

-sprang into her eyes, and a deep sigh came welling up from

-her burdened heart.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Miss Star, why that doleful sigh?” exclaimed Archibald

-Sherbrooke, in surprise.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star started, and looking up, found her companion’s eyes

-fixed upon her with grave questioning.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_144'>144</span>She colored vividly, fearing he had read something of her

-thoughts.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Did I sigh?” she asked, evasively.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes; and I did not like the sound of it, either. Are you

-tired of driving? Shall we go back and try something else?”

-he asked, only anxious to give her pleasure.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Oh, no; this is delightful,” she answered, quietly. “I fear

-I have been guilty of rudeness if I have given you the impression

-that I am not enjoying every moment of this lovely

-day. Do you know, Mr. Sherbrooke,” she asked, with a smile

-that had a tinge of sadness in it, “that I am indebted to you

-for the only real holiday that I have had since I came to

-America?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He regarded her with surprise.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Is it possible?” he asked. “I fear, then, that you have not

-had a very happy life during the last year, or else you are working

-too hard over your books.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She feared she had betrayed more than she ought. She did

-not want him to know how hard life had been made for her.

-She was too proud to complain of the ill-treatment, the coldness,

-and even dislike which had been her lot, where she had

-expected to find only kindness, love, and sympathy.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I <i>have</i> been working pretty busily,” she answered, as if

-that were all. “I am anxious to graduate this year, and I

-have to apply myself rather closely with my music and other

-duties.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Why are you so anxious to graduate this year? Why not

-take more time, rather than run the risk of injuring your

-health?” he questioned, gravely.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I am going back to England some time,” she said, her eyes

-kindling, “and the sooner I can complete my education, the

-earlier I can go. I have my own future to carve out, Mr. Sherbrooke,

-and my aim is to prepare myself for a teacher.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Your own future to carve out!” he cried, greatly surprised.

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_145'>145</span>“I thought you had friends here who were to care for you

-always.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She colored, but answered, gravely:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I should not be content to pass my life here. I shall stay

-only long enough to complete my education; then I shall go

-back to my own country to teach.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He understood her; he saw, even though she would not

-confess it, that her life since coming to America had not been

-a happy one.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He saw now, as he looked down into her face, so fair and

-beautiful, what he had not noticed before, she had always been

-so bright and animated when with him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>There was a wistful look in her eyes, lines of sadness about

-her sensitive mouth, that told him of a heart yearning for love

-and finding only husks to feed upon.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She was going to be a teacher, she said; she was bending all

-her energies in that direction, and was working, he felt assured,

-far beyond her strength.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She did not look fit to fight the battle of life alone; she was

-slender and delicate, although he felt that, in spite of her fragile

-appearance, there was an element of strength in her character

-which would overcome every obstacle which it was possible for

-a human being in her position to overcome.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had “her future to carve out,” she had told him. What

-did she intend that future to be?—what were her hopes, her

-aims, her plans? Surely not to teach <i>always</i>.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Ah, if she would but learn to love him—if he could win her,

-it would be very different from the wearying, dragging life of a

-teacher.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Before he was hardly aware of his intention, his heart had

-overleaped every barrier, he bent toward her and said, in a low,

-earnest tone:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Star, I love you. Let <i>me</i> depict your future for you.”</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_146'>146</span>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XV.<br> <span class='large'>A FATAL MISTAKE.</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>The beautiful maiden cast one startled glance up at her handsome

-lover, and then grew colorless as the dress she wore.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But when he softly laid his hand upon hers, saying, gently,

-“Darling, I have frightened you with my abruptness,” her

-whole being thrilled beneath his touch, and the rich crimson

-swept swiftly up over neck, face, and brow, until it lost itself in

-the fluffy masses of sunny hair which lay upon her forehead.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I could not help it,” he went on, a glad light leaping to

-his eyes as he saw her blushes; “and I have known that I love

-you, my beautiful one, for a long time. Do you remember

-that it was I who received you into my arms when you were

-lifted to the deck of our steamer from that frail boat in which

-you so nearly perished? Do you know that your fair face lay

-upon my breast, and as I looked down upon you, <i>I</i> knew that

-no other had ever moved me so strangely and so deeply, despite

-its pallor and the tale of suffering that I read there? Its power

-grew upon me during the few days which followed and while

-we were so much together, and when at last we were obliged

-to part, and I begged a tress of this sunshine”—touching the

-massive braid which lay over her shoulder almost reverently—“the

-picture that you made, with your shy grace and modest

-beauty as you unhesitatingly clipped it for me, stamped itself

-indelibly upon my heart, where I have carried it ever since,

-growing to love it more and more, until I determined to make

-it always mine by putting it on canvas. I did not know as I

-should ever see you again, and yet I have been haunted by a

-feeling that some magnetic influence or strange power of attraction

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_147'>147</span>would eventually draw us together again; and so it has

-proved. Star, I know that I love you as deeply and truly as it

-is possible for one human being to love another. You say you

-love England; you wish to go back and make your home

-there. Tell me that, some day, <i>I</i> may take you there—that <i>my</i>

-home shall become your home, and you will be my cherished

-wife. My darling, you have made yourself very fair to-day—so

-like the picture I have painted, and which I showed you

-yesterday, that something has whispered to me that a thought

-of <i>me</i> prompted it; that there was something of tenderness in

-your heart which made you put those shining locks, which you

-have been wearing in another fashion of late, into this massive

-braid again, and tie it with this lovely blue, so like your eyes.

-Raise them, dear, and let me look into them, to see if I can

-read anything of the story I wish to know. Tell me, Star, that

-when I come to America again, I may come to claim this hand

-and call its owner my wife.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>His hand had rested lightly upon hers all the time he had

-been speaking. She had not attempted to withdraw it, and now

-his fingers closed over it in a firm, loving clasp.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It still lay trembling but unresistingly there; and when, as

-he bent to look into those drooping eyes, she lifted them to his

-with one shy glance of answering tenderness, he knew that he

-had not sued in vain.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“My own darling!” he whispered, passionately, his face flushing

-with happiness; “you <i>do</i> love me; I read it in your eyes,

-and the world was never so bright to me as at this moment;

-but tell me, shall I have what I want—will you give me your

-promise that, next year, when you have completed your education,

-instead of going back to England as a teacher, you will

-go with me as my wife?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She grew suddenly grave, and lifting an earnest look to his

-face, said:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I have told you that I am only a poor girl, with my own

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_148'>148</span>fortune to carve out. You have no idea <i>how</i> poor I am, how

-dependent, how friendless. You, perhaps, have proud relatives;

-you may occupy a place far above me socially, and your

-friends might object to your claiming one in my position as

-your wife.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I care nothing for your poverty or dependence, dear,” he

-returned, tenderly; “it cannot alter the fact that you are the

-only woman whom I shall ever love well enough to make my

-wife. But,” he added, with a thoughtful look, “I forget that

-I am almost a stranger to you—that you know nothing of me,

-that I have told you nothing——”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I have not given it a thought,” Star interrupted, earnestly.

-“I can <i>trust</i> you; I <i>know</i> you are true.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>His face grew radiant.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You will never regret your trust, my darling,” he said.

-“I—am an artist, Star, but I believe I can take care of you,

-and promise you that you shall never know the meaning of the

-words poor and dependent again. Of course I have friends,

-and—but I will tell you all about them some other time. I

-want my promise now—you will give yourself to me, dear?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes,” she breathed, her scarlet lips parting slightly with a

-tremulous smile, “by and by, when I am better fitted to be

-your—wife.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He longed to take her in his arms and draw her to his heart,

-and kiss the lips that had promised him the greatest joy he had

-ever known; but there were other carriages near, and curious

-eyes all about them; so he could only clasp that small hand

-more fondly, and murmur low and tender words to tell of the

-deep, true love of which his heart was full.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You shall indeed go back to England now, my darling,”

-he said, “but never to <i>teach</i>. You shall remain here until you

-have completed your course of study if you wish; then I shall

-come, before this time next year, and take you to my—our

-home. I shall return with a happy heart now, for I shall have

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_149'>149</span>an object to work for and something to look forward to. Ah,

-my dear, my dear, do <i>you</i> realize what is in store for us?—a

-long life of joy and love together, with brightest hopes and congenial

-tastes. Star, my beloved—my <i>star</i>, indeed!”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Who can wonder that she gave herself up to the bliss of

-loving and being loved, when wooed in this tender manner?</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Who could chide this heart-hungry maiden, who had been

-starving for affection and sympathy, for feeling that she had

-never known happiness before?</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>And she loved him with all her soul. He had won all the

-passion of her young heart, and she gave herself up to him

-wholly, unreservedly, trusting him without a suspicion or

-thought that he could be anything save truth and honor itself.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Twilight was beginning to gather when they returned to the

-hotel where they had left Mr. Rosevelt, but it was not yet so

-dark but that that gentleman remarked the glorified expression

-of the young man’s face, and the brilliant light which gleamed

-in Star’s radiant eyes.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“May I tell our dear old friend, Star?” Archibald Sherbrooke

-whispered, as he assisted her to alight from the carriage.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She started, and grew crimson.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Oh, Mr. Sherbrooke, not to-night, please.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“To whom are you speaking, my Star?” he interrupted, with

-assumed sternness and reproach.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She glanced up questioningly, yet with burning cheeks, for

-she knew what he meant, but was not quite sure yet what he

-wished her to call him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“My mother calls me Archie,” he said, with a meaning

-smile.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Must <i>I</i> call you that?” she asked, her heart thrilling at the

-name, yet instinctively shrinking from addressing him quite so

-familiarly just yet.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“There is no ‘<i>must</i>’ about it, nor about anything else that

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_150'>150</span>you do not like, my darling,” he said, very gently, but looking

-a trifle grave, she thought.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Then please let me go—Archie, for I know Uncle Jacob

-is wondering why it takes me so long to get out of the carriage,

-and—and ever so many people are looking at us,” Star said,

-wishing she could hide her hot cheeks, and realizing, if he did

-not, that he was holding her hands a great deal longer than

-there was any need of doing.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A brilliant smile parted his lips as he released her, and she

-darted away just as a servant came forward to take the horse,

-he following more leisurely to give her time to recover herself

-a little.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You have enjoyed your drive, little one?” Mr. Rosevelt

-asserted, questioningly, as she came and stood beside his chair,

-while he regarded her with a keen glance.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Very much, Uncle Jacob; and you—are you rested?” Star

-asked, eager to turn his attention from herself.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Entirely, and am as hungry as an old bear, too. These

-sea breezes have sharpened my appetite to a painful degree,”

-he replied, as if his hunger was the only subject which occupied

-his thoughts, while all the time he was watching her closely,

-and telling himself that there must be some cause more potent

-than “sea breezes” for her brilliant color and that tender light

-in her eyes.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I am delighted to hear it,” young Sherbrooke said, now

-joining them, “for our tea is waiting for us, I am told, and we

-shall have just about time enough to dispatch it comfortably

-before the boat is due.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>They went in to an inviting meal, spread in a private room

-for them. The young man had given an order to this effect

-before going to ride, as he had noticed that Star was annoyed

-at dinner by the attention which her lovely face had attracted.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But it was noticeable that Mr. Rosevelt did most of the eating,

-for our lovers were in altogether too exalted a state for such

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_151'>151</span>commonplace realities as bread and butter, or even for anything

-so tempting as peaches and cream.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>When Mr. Rosevelt’s hunger was appeased, he asked Star to

-play something before they left.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>There was a piano in the room, and he was extremely fond

-of music.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I want our friend here to know what a talented little musician

-we have,” he said, with a fond glance at his favorite.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star was only too willing to comply with his request, glad of

-anything to relieve the awkward consciousness which had pervaded

-her all through tea, and sitting down to the instrument,

-she played several pieces.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Archibald Sherbrooke was astonished at the proficiency which

-she displayed, and the appreciative silence which prevailed

-upon the veranda outside the open windows, told that her

-power had swayed a larger audience than she had thought of

-having.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“She is mine; I have won her, this talented, beautiful, pure-hearted

-girl,” Archibald Sherbrooke said, exultantly, to himself,

-as he closed the piano for her, and pressed the hand that hung

-invitingly near him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>They repaired to the boat-landing soon after, for it was nearly

-time for their departure.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>When the steamer arrived, Archibald found a sheltered seat

-for Mr. Rosevelt, and then drawing Star a little apart, wrapped

-her shawl carefully about her and sat down beside her, her hand

-clasped in his under cover of its soft folds.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“He will not mind, and I want you to myself,” he whispered.

-“I cannot see you to-morrow, love, for it will be

-Sunday, but Monday or Tuesday I shall come to you. I cannot

-wait longer.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star glanced at him somewhat anxiously.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She knew what that coming would entail upon her—sneers

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_152'>152</span>and taunts, and perhaps more unkindness than she had ever

-yet received from Mrs. Richards or Josephine.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards, she felt assured, would be more considerate

-of her feelings; yet, under any circumstances, this visit of her

-lover would be a very trying one.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Ah! <i>how</i> trying, Heaven only knew.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She thought perhaps she ought to tell him something of her

-life during the last year, that he might not be wholly unprepared

-when he should present his suit for what she feared would

-be a very disagreeable interview.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But she was so supremely happy sitting there by his side in

-the glorious moonlight, and knowing that she was so tenderly

-beloved, that she could not bear to mar it by so much as a

-word or thought of what she had suffered in the past, or might

-have to endure in the future, until he should come for her to

-claim her as his wife. No, she would not tell him; she would

-wait until after he had been presented to her guardians. There

-would be time enough then, and it would be just as well.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But it was a fatal mistake.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Had she told him then, all the pain and anguish, all the

-misery and hopelessness which she afterward experienced would

-have been spared her; but how could she know?</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>So they sailed on up the river, side by side, hand clasped

-in hand, and thought only of the supreme happiness of the

-moment.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was one of those beautiful fall evenings, calm and still,

-and bright with an almost intoxicating brilliancy; the heavens,

-the river, with its gliding banks on either side, all lighted with

-a radiance that was absolutely dazzling; and Star wondered if

-ever in all her life before she had seen the world so wondrously

-beautiful.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Monday or Tuesday you are coming to Yonkers?” Star murmured,

-in reply to this remark of her lover’s. “I thought you

-were to be away from New York next week?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_153'>153</span>“And so I am; I am coming to Yonkers to see you,” he

-answered, smiling. “My darling, do you not know that all

-the world is changed for me now?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It certainly was for her, she thought, with a tender little

-smile, and then she said:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Have you a card and a pencil? I must tell you where to

-find me, you know.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“True. How stupid of me not to have thought of it,” he

-returned, as he searched his pockets to find what she wanted.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I thought it better to write it than to tell you,” she said,

-archly, “fearing you might forget.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I own that I am not in a condition to remember anything

-to-night, save that you love me and that I have won you,” he

-whispered, putting pencil and card into her hand.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She wrote the street and number of the house where she

-lived, and gave it back to him, and he put it away without even

-looking at it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>And thus the moments sped swiftly on until they landed,

-and that delightful homeward sail was over and had become

-one of those events to be remembered and treasured when, in

-the dark future, they should look back upon it and wonder

-if as bright a gleam of happiness had ever really existed in

-their lives.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Sherbrooke accompanied Mr. Rosevelt and Star to the

-station where they had to take the train for Yonkers, and found

-comfortable seats for them.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I shall see you again very soon,” he said to the old gentleman,

-as he took his hand at parting.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I trust so. We shall be glad to see you at any time; and

-many thanks for this day’s pleasure,” Mr. Rosevelt replied,

-heartily.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“The obligation is all on my side,” Archie said, with a

-meaning glance at Star, which made the color come again and

-her heart to bound like a roe in her bosom.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_154'>154</span>The bell warned him that he must go, and with a lingering,

-loving pressure of her hand, he reluctantly bade them a final

-good-night and went away.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The young girl had no idea of the lapse of time after that,

-until she heard Mr. Rosevelt heave a long-drawn sigh.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She started, realizing then that they were almost home, and

-that she had not spoken one word since her lover left them.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Uncle Jacob, are you very tired?” she asked, anxiously,

-and with a feeling of selfreproach.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No, dear; only thinking how beautiful the world is under

-some conditions, how dreary under others,” he returned, watching

-her intently.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The young girl’s cheeks glowed hotly, but she had not a

-word to say in reply to those sentiments. But she knew that

-the events of that day had glorified the whole world for her, and

-all the way home she had been weaving golden plans for the

-future, when Archie—it came easier every time now—should

-take her to his simple home over the water—for of course it

-must be simple, since he was only an artist—and which she

-would make just as bright and beautiful as love and taste could

-make it.</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XVI.<br> <span class='large'>A GREAT SHOCK.</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>The next morning, on descending to her breakfast, Star

-found the whole house in a state of great excitement.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>On asking Mrs. Blunt the meaning of it, that good but evidently

-much disturbed woman informed her that a “real live

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_155'>155</span>English lord was expected to arrive the following day,

-and Mrs. Richards had given orders that everything be

-done up in the grandest style possible.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“A lord?” Star said, smiling—she had seen many a lord,

-and had not been very crushingly impressed with a sense

-of her own inferiority and insignificance in consequence—“a

-lord, Mrs. Blunt?” she repeated, laughing. “You will

-find him simply a man, very much like the rest of mankind.

-He will eat, and sleep, and talk, and walk exactly like

-anybody else. But what may his lordship’s name be, and

-what brings him here?” she concluded, with some

-curiosity.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Lor’, Miss Star, you take it pretty coolly, or I’m much

-mistaken,” Mrs. Blunt remarked, with an admiring glance

-at the girl’s bright face; “but I suppose it’s because you’re

-accustomed to seeing ’em, being English yourself. But a

-lord is considered some pumpkins on this side of the water—at

-least, madam appears to think so, since he was courting

-Miss Josephine all the time down at Long Branch,

-and she hopes to have him for a son-in-law one of these

-fine days.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star looked surprised at this bit of information. Mrs.

-Richards and Josephine had been home a week, and she

-had heard nothing of this before, although the subject had

-been pretty thoroughly discussed among the servants of

-the household. But she had been so intent upon her

-studies and music, going from home so early and returning

-so late, and keeping her own room so much, that it was

-nothing strange.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Is Miss Josephine engaged to him?” she asked.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Couldn’t say positive, Miss Star, as to that; but if she

-ain’t, she’s expecting to be, and doing her prettiest to

-catch him, or I’m much mistaken. She’s talked of nothing

-else since she got home; and the beautiful

-dresses she’s bought, and the grand things she’s

-been planning to do when he comes, would fill

-a book if rightly writ up. It’s a mystery to me how

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_156'>156</span>anybody so grand and mighty can walk on two legs like the rest

-of us common mortals,” she concluded, with grim humor.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star laughed merrily.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Evidently Mrs. Blunt, as a loyal subject of a democratic

-country, did not look forward to the advent of this young sprig

-of nobility with very much relish.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You have not told me his name yet,” Star said.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Carrol—my Lord Carrol, of Carrolton, Derbyshire, England,

-and goodness knows what else,” Mrs. Blunt replied,

-spitefully, but with a toss of her head so exactly in imitation

-of Josephine when that young lady went soaring among the

-clouds, that Star was infinitely amused.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Lord Carrol, of Carrolton,” she repeated, reflectively. “I

-have never heard of any one by that name, and we lived in

-Derbyshire, too; but of course there are a great many people

-there of whom I know nothing.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“That’s true, no doubt; but his being a lord don’t make

-him any the better worth your knowing, according to my way

-of thinking. But, gracious me! I mustn’t stand here talking,

-when there are such heaps of work to be done;” and the excited

-woman began to bustle about the room with decidedly

-more of energy than grace.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Now, Mrs. Blunt,” Star said, picking up an apron and tying

-it around her slim waist, “since you have such ‘heaps’ to do,

-let me do something to help you.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Bless you, child! you sha’n’t touch a thing. You ain’t

-going to spoil those pretty fingers for the piano, lord or no lord.

-I was baking and preserving all day yesterday, and had no time

-to make the black cake that madam gave orders for, so I suppose

-I’ve got it to do to-day, if ’tis Sunday.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“And you’ve got all those raisins to seed, those currants to

-clean, and that citron to slice. It is too bad, Mrs. Blunt, and

-on this holy Sabbath, too,” Star said, gravely, while she heaved

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_157'>157</span>a regretful sigh as she glanced from the window and saw the

-bright sunshine tinting everything with a golden light.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Can’t help it; it’s got to be done,” the housekeeper responded,

-grimly. “I expect,” she went on, her thin lips curling

-with a curious expression of scorn, “if madam don’t work herself

-on Sunday she thinks she’s keeping the Sabbath in a proper

-manner and according to law and gospel, no matter how much

-her servants may have to do. I’ve a notion that perhaps <i>her</i>

-Bible don’t read like <i>mine</i>; that part where it says ‘thou, nor

-thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant,’ must have been left

-out of those velvet covers of hers. But you go away, Miss

-Star. If I’ve got to break one of the ‘thou shalt nots,’ you

-ain’t going to be a partner in my sin,” she concluded, as the

-young girl sat down to the table and began to open a large

-package of raisins which lay there.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No, indeed, Mrs. Blunt, I am not going away; I am going

-to help you; and if we work nimbly together, perhaps we can

-get through in season to go over to the chapel for evening

-service;” and she pulled out a great bunch of the fruit and

-began to pick it from the stems.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Miss Star, I couldn’t consent to it no way; I couldn’t have

-it on my conscience that you should do it,” the woman returned,

-real distress pictured on her honest face.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Now, be reasonable, Mrs. B., do,” Star said, coaxingly.

-“If you had so much to do yesterday that you <i>couldn’t</i> do this

-work, and it <i>must</i> be done to-day, <i>I</i> shall not feel that I am

-doing anything wrong to help you, and <i>I’m going to</i>.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well,” the housekeeper said, with a sigh of resignation,

-“that cake has got to be baked to-day, and it would take me

-six mortal hours to clean that fruit alone, let alone the making

-and baking. I’m sure it’s real good of you to offer to help me,

-but—there are your fingers, Miss Star——”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I know it, and nimble ones you’ll find them, too,” interrupted

-the young girl, smiling. “Now, don’t raise any more

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_158'>158</span>objections, there’s a good soul, for I <i>may</i> have to do this kind

-of work for myself sometime,” she went on, with a slight flush,

-and drooping her white lids to hide the happiness in her eyes,

-“and I should really like you to teach me how, although I

-must confess Sunday would not be the day that I should <i>choose</i>

-on which to learn to cook;” and, without more ado, she bent

-over her self-imposed task, while Mrs. Blunt turned aside to

-heave a sigh of relief and wipe a tear from her eyes; “for,” as

-she told the house-maid afterward, “it was no fool of a job to

-get nine pounds of fruit ready for cake, and the day had

-looked longer than the first twelve chapters of Chronicles, with

-their sons and son’s sons, which her father had made her learn

-when, as a child, she had played truant from her Sunday-school.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Hour after hour Star patiently worked with the tired woman,

-helping to stone the raisins, stem the currants, and slice the

-citron; and when at last the fragrant fruit was all mixed and

-floured ready for the cake that was to test the digestive organs

-of the notable lord, she beat the eggs, browned the flour, and

-waited upon the housekeeper until the savory mess was finished

-and put in the pans.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Two mortal hours it will take me to bake it, and then

-it will be ready for the confectioner to ice,” she said, as she

-slipped it into the oven and shut the door upon it with a sigh

-of relief.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Blessings on you, child,” she added, gratefully, “for your

-kind heart and willing fingers, and when you’re married, if I’m

-living, I’ll make your wedding-cake for you.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Thank you, Mrs. Blunt; I shall not forget your promise,

-you may be sure,” laughed the happy girl, as, flushed and tired,

-but with a light heart after the performance of a kind act, she

-sought her own room to rest and think of the manly lover who

-was to come in a day or two, and to wonder if Mrs. Blunt

-would really make her wedding-cake.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_159'>159</span>She could not feel that she had been guilty of any wrong in

-lending her aid to the weary and overworked woman below,

-even though she had spent long hours of that Sabbath in labor;

-and when, as the evening bells called to prayer, and the glorious

-harvest moon came sailing up from the east, flooding all the

-earth with beauty, they wended their way together to the chapel

-of which Star had spoken in the morning, and where she loved

-to go because everything was so quiet and unostentatious, a

-peculiar peace seemed to pervade her heart, and a voice, as of

-some angel, to whisper the benison “well done.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Monday all day the greatest excitement prevailed, as on the

-preceding day, in the Richards’ mansion, for its ambitious mistress

-had determined to make a favorable impression upon the

-young lord whom she was anxious to secure as a son-in-law,

-and accordingly spared neither pains nor expense to make her

-house and hospitality as imposing as possible.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star was away, as usual, all day at school, and therefore was

-not mixed up in the confusion; but, upon her return, she

-could imagine something of what had been done, for the house

-was a perfect bower of beauty, and order, and cleanliness from

-top to bottom.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Flowers of the choicest description were everywhere; fresh

-draperies had been put up wherever they were needed, and

-most tastefully arranged; the servants were all arrayed in immaculate

-suits, and went tiptoeing around with that air of

-importance and expectancy which betrayed the interest they felt

-in the arrival of an English peer; while Mrs. Richards and

-Josephine were perfectly gorgeous in new dresses of latest

-fashion and most artistic design.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The coach, with its burnished trimmings and its span of

-spirited bays in their gold-mounted harness, was standing before

-the door, ready to go to the station to meet the expected guest;

-and with all these evidences of preparation around her, Star

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_160'>160</span>would have been less than human not to have experienced

-some curiosity regarding my “Lord Carrol, of Carrolton.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well, it may be one of the ‘good times that I can’t be in,’

-as poor Glory McGuirk would say; but then I had <i>my</i> good

-time yesterday, and I don’t know as I care very much,” she

-thought, with a smile half sad, half tender, as she watched the

-carriage containing Josephine and her father whirl away in

-grand style to the station.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>However, thinking it might be expected of her to make a

-good appearance in case she should happen to meet the distinguished

-stranger, she changed her school dress for a fresh,

-blue lawn, trimmed with a dainty white edging, spanned her

-small waist with a broad belt, and fastened a bunch of waxen

-snow-drops at her throat.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had no jewels, no elaborate <i>lingerie</i> like Josephine with

-which to make herself attractive; but she had a way of giving

-herself such a touch of elegance with these little accessories,

-despite her simple attire, that no one could pass her by unnoticed;

-and now, with that new-born smile of happiness on

-her ripe lips, that light of love and hope in her eyes, and

-the coming and going color in her cheeks, she was fairest of

-the fair.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>When her toilet was completed she sat down by her window—which,

-although in the third story, was upon the front

-of the house, where she could look directly down upon the

-porch, and also commanded a view of the winding avenue

-which led down to the road—to watch for the return of the

-coach and the coming of the illustrious guest.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Sitting there, she fell to musing—to thinking of the time

-when she should go back to dear old England, the land of her

-birth, the home of her love.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Only a few months more and her course of study would be

-finished; a little more of faithful application to her books, a

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_161'>161</span>little season of patience and forbearance, then a life of brightness

-and happiness.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Some one would come for her then, and she would go away

-forever from the slights, and sneers, and malice which had made

-her life so cheerless and forlorn, so hard to endure during the

-past year.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>So absorbed did she become thinking of this, that she did

-not hear the carriage when it turned in at the gate and came

-smoothly rolling up over the hard, graveled drive-way, and it

-had almost reached the door before she was aware that at last

-the noted, titled stranger had arrived.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She leaned out to look as the spirited horses were reined in

-before the porch, and the sound of laughter and gay voices

-came floating up to her ears.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A tall, darkly clad figure sprang out and held forth a hand

-to assist Josephine to alight; but a massive post was in the way,

-and she could not see his face. Mr. Richards followed the

-young people, and they all passed up the steps together.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was a pretty picture that she looked down upon, for now

-she could see all that transpired. Mrs. Richards, handsome as

-any queen in her elegant black silk dress and duchesse laces,

-her diamonds gleaming like drops of dew in a moonlit night;

-Josephine, bright and sparkling in an elaborate street dress,

-with her jaunty hat and bright plumes, standing proudly beside

-the finely formed young man as he exchanged greetings with

-her mother; and Mr. Richards, stout and comely, a perfect

-pattern of the hospitable host, with his good-natured face, which

-was expressive of a most cordial welcome.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But Star had grown suddenly pale as snow, and caught her

-breath convulsively, as a clear, manly laugh rang out on the

-air at some jest of Josephine’s, and then the stranger turned,

-hat in hand, having made his bow to his hostess, to speak to

-Mr. Richards, and thus she could look directly into his face.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>There was a look of horror in her eyes as they were fastened

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_162'>162</span>upon that handsome face, her lips were drawn and pinched,

-and the pain that was clutching at her heart betrayed itself in a

-low, sobbing moan.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>There was no mistake—although she could scarcely credit

-her own senses—she knew that dark, chestnut-crowned head,

-that handsome, smiling face, that straight, stalwart form but too

-well, even though a cruel mist was creeping up before her eyes

-to hide him from her sight. She knew that clear, ringing

-voice, even though the roaring sound in her ears seemed

-striving to drown it. Josephine’s guest—her accepted lover

-she had tried to make it appear—the titled stranger, Lord

-Carrol, of Carrolton, was no other than <i>her betrothed, Archibald

-Sherbrooke</i>!</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XVII.<br> <span class='large'>“WHY HAS HE DONE THIS THING?”</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>What could this strange thing mean? What was Archibald

-Sherbrooke—the man who, two days before, had told her that

-he loved her and no other—doing there in that character of

-Lord Carrol? Why was he there, laughing, chatting, and exchanging

-greetings in that familiar way with Mrs. Richards and

-her family?</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star’s heart nearly ceased its beating; she grew faint, giddy,

-and absolutely soul-sick. Her face paled until it was as white

-as those cold, waxen berries at her throat; her very life-blood

-seemed to be congealing.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>What could it mean?</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Looking down upon the little group, she saw that Josephine’s

-eyes were fastened upon him—<i>her</i> lover—with an expression

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_163'>163</span>that there was no mistaking. It was full of pride and wistful

-affection. Her voice was low and sweet when she spoke to

-him, her laugh silvery clear as it rang out upon the still evening

-air at some light jest of his; and Star knew that she loved

-him deeply, passionately; that she would stop at nothing to

-win him, if, indeed, he was not already won. Oh, what—what

-could it all mean?</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was cruel, cruel as death, to have her short, bright dream

-shattered thus; to have given all the wealth of her warm young

-heart to the handsome young stranger who had called himself

-Archibald Sherbrooke, and now to discover him to be a myth—that

-there was no such person, that she had been made the

-plaything of an idle hour. And yet it had all appeared so

-real; he had <i>seemed</i> so true and loyal, and to have loved her

-so fondly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But stay—might she not be jumping to conclusions, after all?</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A different solution to the mystery flashed into her mind.

-She started eagerly up, the color coming back to her face, a

-joyful light flashing into her eyes.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Archie had told her that he should “come to her Monday or

-Tuesday—that he could not wait longer;” but she had not

-thought he would come to-night. She <i>did</i> expect him to-morrow,

-and perhaps he had arrived.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>On the other hand, Lord Carrol had, perchance, disappointed

-his friends. They had gone to meet him, and had not found

-him as they expected.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Archie, very likely, had taken the same train from New York

-that his lordship had intended to take, and on arriving had inquired

-of some one for the street and number that she had

-written on the card for him; the individual whom he asked

-might have known it was Mr. Richards’ residence—for he was

-well known there—directed him, and he, on learning the man’s

-errand, had probably, with his usual good nature, invited him

-to take a seat in his carriage, and had driven him home.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_164'>164</span>Thus she reasoned with her aching, fear-burdened heart,

-clutching at this little ray of hope as a drowning man clutches

-at a straw.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But he did not appear like a stranger to any of them; neither

-did Josephine seem like the disappointed girl she probably

-would have been if her expected lover had not arrived. She

-was chatting and laughing with him in the most friendly way;

-her face was glowing with happiness; her tones and her laughter

-were musical from very joy.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>With these doubts mingling with her sudden hope, Star

-leaned forward, eagerly listening for him to inquire for her;

-but the words which came floating up to her smote her heart

-with a deadly pain, drove the color back again from her face,

-and made the love-light in her eyes change to a look of mortal

-agony and despair.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“My lord,” Mrs. Richards said, graciously, “we will not

-keep you standing here; the drawing-room, where we have

-other friends waiting to meet you, is more inviting, and our

-dinner will soon be served.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>And my lord, with his most charming smile and bow,

-replied:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Mrs. Richards, you have given me a most hospitable welcome

-to your delightful home, and I shall be happy to meet

-your friends;” and giving his arm to Josephine, he followed his

-hostess within, to be presented to the other guests who had

-been invited to meet him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>All hope was gone now—they had called him Lord Carrol

-and he had replied, and, stricken with despair, Star slipped

-from her chair like one from which all life had been suddenly

-smitten, and fell prone upon the floor, where she lay in a semiconscious

-state for more than an hour.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But when at length thought and feeling began to return to

-her, she wondered if she were herself or some one else who

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_165'>165</span>had lived through a century of misery—youth and happiness,

-joy and hope seemed to be attributes of an age so long gone by.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Why has he done this thing?” she moaned, sitting up and

-clasping her icy hands across her burning brow. “Why has

-he deceived me thus, making a fool and a plaything of me

-merely to pass an idle hour? Why did he call himself Archibald

-Sherbrooke, when he is Lord Carrol, of Carrolton. Why

-could he not have left me alone when I was content with my

-music, my studies, and my simple life? Oh! why need my

-whole future be blighted thus? I could have gone on my way—I

-could have carried out my plans and gratified my ambition

-to become a teacher and be independent, and believed myself

-happy, if he had left me to myself. But now—if I could only

-die—if I could even go mad—<i>anything</i> to make me forget how

-I have allowed myself to love him, and built all my future

-hopes on his love for me!”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The sound of gay voices and laughter came floating up to

-her from below as she sat there mourning her blighted life; it

-smote her like the stab of a knife, and she shivered from head

-to foot, every nerve cringing with keenest pain.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>In imagination she could see how Josephine was assuming

-her most bewitching airs to win the treacherous man who had

-blotted out every hope of joy from her existence, and who, perhaps,

-was bending over her, speaking soft and tender words,

-even as he had done to her only two days ago.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Yesterday and the day before she had lived upon the mountain-tops—“upon

-the heights”—where life had seemed opening

-out before her like a paradise; to-night, in a single moment,

-she had been hurled into the very depths of misery.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She got up from the floor, tottered to the window and shut

-it, to keep out those hateful sounds from below which nearly

-drove her into a frenzy; then, too weak to sit up, she crept into

-her bed, where she lay shaking as with an ague and moaning

-with pain all the long night through.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_166'>166</span>Morning found her burning with fever, with an aching head

-and a crushed and breaking heart.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She could not rise, and, although faint, the very thought of

-food filled her with loathing, and yet her throat and mouth

-were dry and hot with a terrible thirst.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Thus good Mrs. Blunt found her about ten o’clock. She

-had missed her from breakfast—something very unusual, for

-Star was as prompt as the day itself generally—but she had

-not had time to inquire into the cause of her absence until

-now, for there had been lively doings down in her department

-that morning.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Merciful sakes alive! whatever in the world has happened

-to you, Miss Star?” she cried, when, on thrusting her heated

-face in at the door, she saw the young girl in her wretched condition

-lying on the bed.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I believe I do not feel very well this morning,” Star said,

-wearily.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I should think not, indeed! You’ve got a high fever, and

-yet you’re shaking with the cold. Goodness gracious, child!

-and you all dressed out like this, too! What has happened?”

-Mrs. Blunt cried, aghast, as she pulled back the coverlid and

-saw at a glance that she had been lying all night in her

-clothing.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star was too miserable to explain, as the good woman saw,

-and she did not press her with questions; but with nimble yet

-tender hands she removed her clothing, replacing it with her

-<i><span lang="fr">robe de nuit</span></i>, and then wrapping her in a heavy blanket, she

-tucked her snugly into bed once more.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She then went down below, where she prepared a steaming

-drink of some kind, with which she hastened back to her

-patient, and insisted that she should drink it—“every drop.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The poor child obeyed, feeling too wretched to offer any

-objections; and then saturating a napkin with camphor and

-water, Mrs. Blunt bound it about her aching head, and darkening

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_167'>167</span>the room, bade her go to sleep again as quickly as

-possible, for of course school was not to be thought of that

-day; and indeed Star had forgotten the existence of such an

-institution.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The hot drink warmed and soothed her, while the kind

-attention of the woman comforted her; and exhausted nature

-asserting itself, she soon dropped into a profound slumber.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was late in the afternoon when she awoke again, and

-realized that she was much refreshed physically, although her

-burden of misery was still crushing down upon her heart.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Blunt found her as white and wan as she had been

-flushed and feverish, when she looked in upon her again just

-before dinner, and she could not understand the look of hopeless

-despair that lay in her usually bright and joyous eyes.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Whatever in the world is the matter with you, Miss Star?”

-she asked, anxiously. “It’ll be bad luck for me if you’re going

-to be sick, for since you came into the house, with your bright

-face and cheery ways, the days and months have grown shorter

-by half. Come, come, chicken, don’t look so downcast; it

-breaks my heart to see you so white and drooping.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I shall be all right by to-morrow, Mrs. Blunt. I am better

-already, thanks to your kind care,” Star returned, sitting up in

-bed and trying to bring her shattered nerves into better order.

-“If you will please hand me my school dress,” she added, “I

-think I will get up and take a run down to the lodge. I have

-not seen Uncle Jacob since yesterday morning, and he will

-wonder what has become of me.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Indeed, child, you mustn’t go out to-night, and as for Mr.

-Rosevelt, he knows all about you already. I sent word to him

-before noon that you wasn’t able to go to school, and he’s been

-up to the house twice since to inquire for you. He sets a store

-by you, Miss Star, and I believe it would break his heart if

-anything was to happen to you.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A wan little smile flitted over Star’s face.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_168'>168</span>It was about the only ray of light or comfort that she had in

-her great darkness—this knowledge that there was one who did

-really love her, and to whom she also was almost a necessity.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She could rely on “Uncle Jacob,” if upon no one else, and

-she longed to go to him and lean upon him now in her trouble.

-Of course she could not tell him how she had let handsome,

-fascinating Archibald Sherbrooke win her heart from her, and

-then found all too late how cruelly she had been deceived.

-She was so thankful now that she had not allowed him to tell

-Mr. Rosevelt as he had wished, though, perhaps, that had only

-been another ruse of his, and he had not intended to tell him,

-after all; but it would be a comfort to go down to the lodge

-and see him, and listen to the kindly tones of his voice.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Blunt helped her to dress, for she saw that she was glad

-to sit down by the window—though she shuddered as she remembered

-that she had sat just there last night when her heart

-had been broken—and rest, while she began to fear that she

-should not be able to get down stairs, after all, that night to go

-to see Mr. Rosevelt.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Blunt watched her closely with those small, keen eyes

-of hers, and saw that her trouble was more of the mind than

-of the body, though what could have caused it was a puzzle

-to her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She did not trouble her with conversation, but after making

-her room tidy, she went quietly out and left her alone. She

-returned after a little while, however, bringing her a bowl of

-hot soup and a plate of nice little biscuits.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You are very good to me, Mrs. Blunt,” Star said, gratefully;

-and she ate the soup with a relish, for she was very

-faint and hungry, while the housekeeper looked on with a

-satisfied air as she saw a tinge of color coming back to her

-pale face.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Somebody else was good to a poor old woman yesterday,

-or I’m much mistaken, and I reckon it’ll take a good while for

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_169'>169</span>you and me to be quits on that day’s work,” the kind-hearted

-creature returned, a tear starting to her eyes as she remembered

-how bright and happy the fair girl had been during

-those long hours while she had worked so busily and patiently

-with her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But she could not stay with her, much as she wished to do

-so, and try to bring back her truant smiles, for her many duties

-called her below, and she went away, cautioning Star to be very

-careful and not take more cold.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Left alone, the unhappy girl felt that she must get out and

-away from that close room where she had suffered so much;

-she must <i>do</i> something to make her forget, or her brain would

-be turned.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>So, wrapping a shawl about her, she stole down a back way,

-out by a side door into the grounds, and taking a circuitous

-path, made her way as rapidly as her strength would permit

-toward the lodge.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had accomplished about half the distance when her

-limbs began to fail her, and she became so weak and faint from

-the exertion she had made that she was obliged to stop and

-lean against the trunk of a large tree to rest awhile.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was nearly dark, for the sun had gone down and the heavy

-foliage of the surrounding trees made deep shadows all about

-her; the air was chill with the breath of the frost spirit—so

-different from the mild loveliness which had prevailed only

-forty-eight hours before—and the rustling leaves above her

-seemed mourning over the fate awaiting them, when its cold

-hand should sway their frail stems and lay them low.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A feeling of unutterable woe overcame her—such a sense of

-loneliness and desolation that she could not bear it; and covering

-her face with her hands, she gave way to the flood of tears

-which would not be restrained.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had no idea how long she wept—time, place, everything

-was lost in the utter abandonment of her grief—until she was

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_170'>170</span>aroused, and a thrill of terror went tingling through all her

-nerves, as a hand fell suddenly yet lightly upon her shoulder.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>With a start, her hands dropped from her tear-stained face

-and she looked up, to find the grave, questioning eyes of her

-faithless lover looking down into her own.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A low cry of surprise and dismay escaped him as he recognized

-her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Star! My darling, what does this mean?” he asked, in

-astonishment. “How came you <i>here</i>, and why do I find you

-grieving thus? You look more like some stricken white dove

-than like my bright, beautiful star. I was coming to you to-morrow—I

-wanted to come to-day, but I could not. Tell me,

-dear, how is it I find you here in the grounds of Mr. Richards,

-where I am visiting?” and he would have gathered her into his

-arms, but by a quick movement she evaded him, and stepping

-back a few paces, she confronted him with a haughty uplifting

-of her small head, her face and eyes glowing with scorn and

-indignation.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“To-morrow you would have come to me,” she repeated,

-with curling lips. “Pray, where would you have sought me?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Here in Yonkers, at No. 56 —— street. I think that was

-the address you wrote on the card,” he said, apparently bewildered

-by her strange conduct, and regarding her with a

-troubled look. “I wanted to go there to-day, but there has

-been no opportunity,” he said again. “And to-morrow I was

-intending to ask Mr. Richards to direct me to the address

-which you gave me.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Do you know the street and number of <i>this</i> residence?”

-Star asked, sternly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No. When it was arranged that I should come here to

-make a short visit, Mrs. Richards was so kind as to say that her

-carriage should meet me at the station, so that I do not even

-know the name of the street on which they live.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Then to-morrow, when you should ask to be directed to

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_171'>171</span>the address which I gave you—if, indeed, you intended to ask

-for it—you would have been told that you would find me here

-in this place—this house. Mr. Richards’ residence is No. 56

-—— street,” Star said, proudly and coldly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had no faith in him; she believed he was acting a part.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Impossible!” he cried. “I never dreamed of such a thing.

-Why, then, have I not seen you? Why were you not with the

-family when I arrived last night? Why have I not seen you

-to-day?” he asked, as if more and more astonished.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Because,” she answered, her voice rising, with a scornful,

-bitter ring, “I am a dependent upon the bounty of the rich;

-because I am a burden and expense in a house of luxury, and

-only tolerated on account of a promise made to my dying

-father and to cancel a debt due to my mother. You have

-not seen me, because I am not allowed to breathe the same

-air, eat and drink, and sit at the same table with those who

-think they are of finer mold than I. But it is just as well,

-my lord——”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“My lord!” he repeated, in a startled tone, interrupting her.

-“Star, that from <i>you</i>!”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She laughed bitterly, lifting her head with a haughty gesture,

-though her face gleamed like a piece of marble in the waning

-light.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, that from me!” she said. “Fortunately, I was at a

-window above the entrance when you arrived last evening, and

-witnessed the honors that were heaped upon my <i>Lord Carrol,

-of Carrolton</i>, and the revelation of your <i>true character</i>, although

-a sudden and bitter one to me, was, perhaps, after all, a providential

-one; for, if it showed me how I had been duped and

-betrayed, how I had been made the plaything of an idle hour,

-it also gave me time to collect my scattered senses a trifle before

-meeting you and telling you how I <i>scorn</i> you for——”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Duped! betrayed! plaything! Star, listen to me,” pleaded

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_172'>172</span>the young man, his breath almost taken away by these startling

-accusations and by her wild words, so full of derision and pain.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I will <i>not</i> listen to you!” she cried, passionately; “I have

-listened to you too much already. Oh! why did you do this

-wicked thing? Why could you not have left me alone? Had

-you not enough already, with your riches, your title, and your

-life of pleasure, without coming in cruel sport to spoil a poor

-young girl’s life? Was it not enough that you could woo and

-win the heiress, the belle and beauty of Long Branch, without

-the amusement of trying to win and break my poor heart?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Star! Star!” he cried, drawing nearer the excited girl.

-“What wild, wild words! Every one is like a dagger plunged

-into <i>my</i> heart. You do not know what you are saying, dear.

-I try to win and break your heart! My poor darling, you have

-been misled by having learned of my title. I should have told

-you before, but——”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Then you <i>are</i> Lord Carrol? You own it—you acknowledge it?”

-Star interrupted, with a ring of wild despair in her

-tones.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>When she had looked up into his face, into his kind and

-loving eyes; when she had heard his voice, so low and eager,

-yet tender; when he had called her “his poor darling,” and

-said her words were like a dagger plunged into his heart, her

-own had begun to thrill anew, and she almost hoped against

-hope that there was after all some mistake, in spite of what she

-had seen and heard.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But now he owned it. He was not Archibald Sherbrooke

-at all; he was the titled peer, and he had sought to win her

-love under false colors; and all the pain, and bitterness, and

-scorn returned, even while she waited breathlessly for his

-answer.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, I am Lord Carrol, of Carrolton; but, Star——”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“That is enough; I want to hear no more,” she said, stopping

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_173'>173</span>him with an authoritative gesture of her white hand. “I

-will not listen to another word from your traitorous lips!”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She turned proudly from him and would have left him, but

-he sprang forward and seized her hands.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>They were cold as ice and shaking as with palsy, and he was

-shocked by the hopelessness visible in her face as he looked

-down upon it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Star, my darling,” he began, in a voice that was almost

-stern from emotion; “you <i>shall</i> listen to me. It is my right

-to be heard, and I can explain everything to you if you will but

-give me the opportunity.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But she would not. Pain, despair, outraged pride and affection

-made her unreasonable and almost insane.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She flashed a haughty glance up at him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Lord Carrol,” she said, in her iciest tones, “release my

-hands, if you please.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He dropped them as if they had been coals of fire, and drew

-back a pace or two from her, deeply wounded, while his own

-face was nearly as white and pained as hers.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Star, you are wronging me more than you dream. Surely

-you will listen to my defense,” he said, and his voice trembled

-with suppressed feeling.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Oh, how she longed to yield and allow him to win her back;

-how she longed to let him take her into his strong arms, and

-hear him murmur again those tender words such as he had

-spoken to her so recently; but, remembering his attentions to

-Josephine last night, her looks of affection and pride, her

-bright face and happy laugh—remembering what she had heard

-regarding his devotion to her at Long Branch, and the reason

-that had been given for his coming there to her home, she

-could not.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He had played the role of rich lover to the proud heiress;

-he had acted that of a poor sweetheart with her; for had he

-not told her he was an artist, but <i>hoped</i> to be able to take care

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_174'>174</span>of her, so that she need never know the meaning of the words

-poor and dependent again; and now, with all this evidence

-before her, how could she help believing him false to the core—to

-have simply amused himself at her expense?</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You can have no defense to offer me, and I will hear

-nothing,” she returned, coldly. “You have deceived me most

-cruelly; you came to me as Archibald Sherbrooke; you used

-all your powers of fascination to make me love you as a poor

-artist, while you had already played the part of a rich lover in a

-different character at a fashionable watering-place. I congratulate

-you upon your marvelous success as an actor, my lord,”

-she concluded, with scathing sarcasm.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A deep sigh broke from him; her words hurt him keenly,

-for he was very proud.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But he saw how she was suffering, and he tried to be patient

-with her, feeling sure that if he could only make her listen to

-him all would be well.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“My dear,” he said, gently, “you do not understand. Pray,

-let me tell you all about it. I swear that I am both——”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You need not swear; I know enough already. Go back

-to my more fortunate cousin, Miss Richards, whom the whole

-household expects you intend to make Lady Carrol. She, I

-own, is better fitted to be the bride of a peer of England than

-the poor alien who is a burden upon her bounty. She will

-grace your proud home and name with her beauty; she will

-add to your riches with her wealth. But let me tell you”—and

-Star had no idea how superbly beautiful she was as she

-stood so proudly before him and uttered this prophetic sentence—“that

-the girl whom she has despised and insulted,

-whom you have deceived, and whose life you have blighted by

-your treachery, will yet rise to a position that shall shame and

-humiliate you both. Go back to her, I say, and—ask her for

-the cameo which you gave me. I told you that I had lost it.

-I put it that way because I did not like to tell you how badly I

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_175'>175</span>had been used by those who should have given me only sympathy

-and love; but she—the girl whom you have come to win

-for your wife—<i>stole</i> it from me, my one little treasure, the only

-ornament I had which I could wear in my humble position,

-and which I prized more than anything else in the world. But

-let her keep it; I relinquish it freely, now that I have discovered

-the baseness of the giver. My Lord Carrol, of Carrolton,

-alias Archibald Sherbrooke, the artist, I despise you, and

-I bid you farewell!”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She was gone before he could hardly realize that she had

-ceased speaking; she had sped down the avenue with the lightness

-and swiftness of a fawn, leaving him dazed, bewildered,

-almost paralyzed from the wild words, the terrible denunciation

-which she had uttered.</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XVIII.<br> <span class='large'>EXPLANATIONS.</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>“Star! Star! my dear love, come back and let me undeceive

-you,” he called aloud, as soon as he could recover his senses

-sufficiently to speak.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But there was no answering sound, save the sad sighing of

-the rustling leaves which had so unnerved the unhappy girl a

-few minutes before.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He followed the direction she had taken. He wandered

-about the grounds for full half an hour, but could discover no

-trace of her; and at last, feeling greatly disturbed, he was obliged

-to retrace his steps, and returned to the mansion.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He had strolled forth at the close of dinner to smoke, and

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_176'>176</span>to get away for a little quiet musing, for he had intended, as he

-said, to seek out his beautiful love on the morrow, and put

-upon one of her white fingers the seal to their plighted troth,

-and, this done, to tell her that he was both an <i>artist and a peer

-of Victoria’s realm</i>.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>During his stroll, and while thinking fondly of the bright

-girl, he had unconsciously strayed into the very avenue where

-Star had stopped to rest.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Wrapped in her heavy shawl, and with head bowed upon her

-hands, he had not recognized her, but thought it might be one

-of the servants, perhaps, who had got into some trouble.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Always ready to relieve suffering of whatever nature, he

-stepped up to the sobbing girl and gently laid his hand upon

-her shoulder to attract her attention, and when the tear-stained,

-suffering face of his own love was lifted to his, his astonishment

-rendered him speechless for the moment.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But it was a fact, nevertheless, that he had appeared in different

-places in different characters—he was at once Archibald

-Sherbrooke and Lord Carrol, of Carrolton; how, we must let

-his own words explain.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Poor child! it is very awkward, and I never dreamed of

-any such denouement; but I cannot blame her. If she would

-but have given me one moment in which to tell her how it is;

-but she was wild with pain,” he said, with a troubled face, as

-he slowly went back to the house.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It is doubtless now made plain to the reader how he had

-happened to recognize the cameo ring upon Josephine’s hand

-at Long Branch, and knew at once that it was the very stone

-which he had given Star at parting on shipboard.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He did not like to question Miss Richards about it, but he

-was deeply hurt when she told him that it had been given her

-by a relative, for he felt sure that he could not be mistaken in

-the stone—there <i>could</i> not be another like it, for he had designed

-the figure upon it himself.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_177'>177</span>Yet, to be quite positive about it, he had told her that it had

-belonged to a gentleman named Archibald Sherbrooke; and

-then when he saw her start, and the color flame into her face,

-he knew that Star had parted with it for some reason or other.

-It had caused him a pang to know that she should have prized

-it so lightly as to give it away, while he had treasured that lock

-of gold as one of the most precious things in his possession,

-and had learned to love the face which he had painted as he

-never expected to love any object on earth.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Then he had met Star, and she had told him—not that she

-had given his gift away, but that she had “lost” it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The two stories did not agree, but looking into her glorious,

-truthful eyes, he had believed her, and felt that some time she

-would make the mystery plain.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He had told her, on parting from her Saturday evening, that

-he should come to her Monday or Tuesday, and he had really

-intended doing so, and was deeply disappointed at not being

-able to keep his promise.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But all day Tuesday he had seen no time that he could

-escape from the company of which he seemed to be the center.

-He had about made up his mind to ask Mr. Richards to direct

-him to No. 56 —— street after dinner, and go away to spend a

-quiet evening with Star; but Mrs. Richards upset this plan by

-laying out a programme in which he would be obliged to figure

-largely, and he was forced to bear it with what patience he

-could, hoping that the morrow would bring him the opportunity

-he desired.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He had never imagined that he could be a guest in the very

-house which he was so anxious to visit, and which was the

-home of his beloved; and now the knowledge was not pleasing

-to him, for Star’s bitter words, and the fact that she had not

-mingled with the family, told him but too plainly how she was

-undervalued there.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>How she must have suffered, sitting at her window, as she

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_178'>178</span>said she had done, and been a witness to the reception which

-had been tendered him by her proud, cold-hearted relatives;

-and to have been led, too, by them to believe that he had come

-there as a suitor for Josephine’s hand.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>This had been rather a startling and unpleasant revelation to

-him, for he had never once imagined that any such construction

-would be put upon his visit there.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He had been drawn toward Mrs. Richards upon first meeting

-her, for she was really a fascinating woman, and upon learning

-that she was of English extraction, and that he knew something

-of her relatives, he at once felt almost like an old acquaintance,

-and in this way had been led to attach himself to

-her party.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Josephine was a brilliant and attractive girl, and had made

-herself very agreeable to him, and he liked her as a friend and

-acquaintance; but no thought of love for her had ever entered

-his mind. That fair face, with its crown of gold, its starry

-eyes and coral lips, which had lain upon his breast at sea,

-had made too deep an impression upon his heart to be easily

-forgotten.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But now, just as he thought he had won her—when he was

-on the verge of claiming her, he found himself in deep waters,

-from which he feared it might be somewhat difficult to extricate

-himself.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star had a right to denounce him, believing what she did.

-He had parted from her on Saturday evening as Archibald

-Sherbrooke and her accepted lover, while on Monday she had

-seen him driven in great style to the Richards’ mansion, and

-greeted as Lord Carrol, and a suitor for the brilliant Josephine’s

-hand. Surely circumstances were against him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I must get out of this muddle as soon as possible,” he said,

-as he ascended the steps and paused a moment on the porch to

-consider what he ought to do.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Entering the house, he avoided the drawing-room, where a

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_179'>179</span>gay company was assembled, and passed on to a music-room

-which led into the library.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards was in the latter room, seated at his desk, and

-the door between the two was open. As he saw his lordship,

-he arose and came forward to meet him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Can I have a few moments’ conversation with you?” the

-young man asked, gravely.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Certainly; as many as you wish. Shall we retire to the

-privacy of the library?” returned Mr. Richards, who at once

-jumped to the conclusion that he was about to receive a formal

-proposal for the hand of his daughter.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>So also thought another listener, who happened to be standing

-on the veranda just outside the open window of the music-room,

-and who had caught the above sentences.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No,” Lord Carrol returned. “What I have to say can just

-as well be said here as anywhere. I find myself unexpectedly

-in a very unpleasant situation, and I have come at once to you,

-because I consider a straightforward course the wisest always to

-pursue. I wish to tell you a little story, and then ask your

-assistance in correcting an awkward mistake.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Anything that I can do for you, my lord, I shall be most

-happy to do,” blandly affirmed Mr. Richards, little realizing

-what he was promising, while he followed the young man’s

-example and sat down to listen to his narrative.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I came over from England, nearly a year ago, on the

-steamer ——,” he began, “and on board that vessel I met a

-young girl of great personal beauty and intelligence, in whom

-I became intensely interested. She could not have been more

-than sixteen years of age, but her mind was far in advance of

-both her appearance and her years, while it was evident that

-she had been reared with great care, for every word and act

-betrayed her to be a perfect little lady, and every day spent in

-her society only served to make her more attractive in my sight.

-At parting, I gave her a trifle as a souvenir of our pleasant

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_180'>180</span>acquaintance, and asked in return for something to keep in

-memory of her. I did not know that I should ever meet her

-again, and had I not done so, the remembrance of what I had

-enjoyed in her society would eventually have become, it is

-probable, but a pleasant episode of the past, although I must

-confess that her face haunted me continually.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“But I did meet her again, and only a very short time ago.

-She had changed—developed into even greater beauty, and had

-become more mature, and I began to realize at once that I had

-even a deeper interest in her than I had imagined possible.

-Subsequent interviews—for I took pains to see her often—and

-the study of her character, convinced me that I had found the

-woman whom I could love with all my heart, and whom I

-should win for my wife if I could.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A rustling of the drapery at the open window just then made

-the young lord pause; but hearing nothing more, he thought

-the wind had simply stirred the curtains, and continued:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Within a very few days I have brought things to a crisis—have,

-in fact, asked and secured a promise from her to become

-my wife as soon as she shall have completed her education, and

-I had intended to-morrow to seek an interview with her friends

-and make formal proposals for her hand.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“This may sound rather strange to you, knowing my position,

-and realizing something of the prejudice of the English

-against marrying outside the pale of their own rank. But I was

-convinced from the first that this young girl was of good blood

-and parentage, and upon a more intimate acquaintance with

-her, I have learned that her mother was an English lady from

-an excellent family.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Now, what I have to tell you,” Lord Carrol continued,

-with a smile, “has a slight touch of romance connected with

-it. When I left England, I came away known as Sir Archibald

-Sherbrooke, baronet. Two months after my arrival here, I was

-notified of the death of my mother’s only brother—Lord Carrol,

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_181'>181</span>of Carrolton—and who, being a widower and childless, willed

-his estates and all that he possessed to me, with the provision

-that I was to assume his name, and consequently his title.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It would have suited me better to travel and remain plain

-Archibald Sherbrooke, as I always called myself, until my return;

-but I was with a company of friends—all artists, who

-were traveling and studying with an old painter—who knew all

-the circumstances, and they would not hear a word to my

-remaining incognito, and insisted upon introducing me everywhere

-by my newly acquired title.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“As plain Archibald Sherbrooke, I met, wooed, and won

-the young lady of whom I have told you, but I intended, when

-I formally asked for her hand, to reveal the circumstances

-which have made me Lord Carrol. I have not for a moment

-thought of deceiving her, for I abhor double-dealing of any

-kind; but, notwithstanding, I find myself in a very awkward

-situation.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You will, perhaps, be surprised to learn that to-night, since

-going out after dinner, I met my betrothed by accident, and

-very much to my astonishment. She had discovered that I

-have been sailing ‘under two flags,’ or, as she supposed, under

-false colors. She had heard of my meeting your daughter at

-Long Branch as Lord Carrol, and the report seems to have preceded

-me, much to my surprise”—here the young man colored

-from embarrassment—“that I intended something more than

-a friendly visit here, and she has passionately denounced me for

-my duplicity—as it appears to her—and refused even to allow

-me to explain my position.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“This is the mistake that I wish you to help me rectify by

-securing an interview for me with her, so that I can exonerate

-myself from all blame in her sight.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards was greatly astonished at what he had heard,

-and in no small degree disappointed, for he liked the young

-man, and his wife had affirmed that Josephine was the magnet

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_182'>182</span>that had drawn his lordship thither, and she had also confidently

-asserted that he would propose for her hand before

-he left.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But, of course, he could not betray anything of this feeling,

-after having been made the confidant of another love affair;

-therefore he said, with as much self-possession as he could

-command:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“The situation is somewhat unpleasant for you, I admit,

-my young friend, but I think it may be easily made right. I

-must confess I am much surprised by what you have told me;

-the story is certainly romantic in every respect. And you met

-the young lady by accident to-night? She is, then, a resident

-of Yonkers. Who may she be? Perhaps she is no one whom

-I know.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“She is Miss Gladstone, and your wife’s ward, I believe,”

-Lord Carrol replied, and bending a grave look upon his host.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards nearly bounded from the piano stool upon

-which he had been sitting at this startling intelligence, while

-outside that open window there was a sound as of some one

-weakly sinking into a chair. But both gentlemen were so

-deeply engaged in the subject under consideration that they did

-not appear to hear it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Star!” ejaculated Mr. Richards, when he could recover his

-breath.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, sir; Miss Star Gladstone is the lady of whom I have

-told you,” Lord Carrol replied, somewhat coldly, for he could

-not understand why any one so lovely and accomplished in

-every way as Star was should have been so slighted and ill-treated

-in his family.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“But I do not understand—I cannot see—I—I beg pardon;

-but, to tell the truth, I am completely taken aback by what

-you have told me,” Mr. Richards stammered, for it was to him

-a most astounding revelation.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I expected that my communication would surprise you;

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_183'>183</span>but you cannot be more so than I was upon learning to-night

-that Miss Gladstone is a member of your family,” returned his

-lordship.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“But you tell me that you were intending to call upon her

-friends to-morrow, and here you have been in the same house

-a day and a night already.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“True; but I was not aware of the fact until within the last

-hour. Miss Gladstone gave me her address last Saturday evening.

-Here it is; you can read it. It was late when I asked

-for it, and she wrote it hastily upon this card.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The young man passed it to his companion as he spoke,

-and Mr. Richards read the street and number of his own

-residence.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You will remember,” Lord Carrol continued, “that I am

-an entire stranger in this place, and that I do not even know

-the name of the street upon which you reside, as Mrs. Richards

-was kind enough to say that some one should meet me at the

-station upon my arrival. I wished very much to go to Star

-to-day, but courtesy demanded that I should not disarrange

-Mrs. Richards’ plans. I fully intended, however, to ask you to

-direct me to the place designated on that card to-morrow, never

-once suspecting that I was already in the house where the lady

-of my choice resides.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“And has Star never mentioned our name to you?” Mr.

-Richards asked.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No; she has been very reticent regarding everything connected

-with herself save her studies and her music, and I have

-not thought to question her on that point.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards’ face clouded.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star had good cause for being reticent, he knew, and the

-subject was becoming an awkward one for him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You say you met her to-night?” he said.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes; I went out for a stroll and a smoke after dinner, and

-came upon her suddenly in the grounds. She appeared to be

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_184'>184</span>greatly distressed, and I, never suspecting the cause, pressed her

-to tell me. She turned upon me like an outraged queen, and

-denounced me in a manner that fairly took my breath away.

-She believed me to be simply Archibald Sherbrooke, an artist,

-until last night, when she saw me driven to your door and

-received as Lord Carrol; and, having heard exaggerated reports

-of my attentions to Miss Richards while at Long Branch, it is

-not strange that she should resent the seeming deception, for

-appearances are certainly against me. But a few words will

-set everything right, if you will explain something of this to

-her and secure an interview for me.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Then it is our Star whom you want to marry, my lord,”

-Mr. Richards said, reflectively, and as if he could hardly comprehend

-it even yet, while he wondered if they could ever live

-through the tempest which his wife would surely raise when she

-should discover that Star had won the lover whom she was

-bending all her energies to secure for Josephine.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, hoping for your sanction, of course,” Lord Carrol

-answered, with a rising flush, for he could read something of

-what was passing in his host’s mind. “But, pardon me,” he

-added, fixing a look of grave questioning upon his face, “now

-that I find she is the ward of your wife, I cannot understand

-why I have not met her with the other members of your

-family.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Ahem! Well,” began Mr. Richards, with evident embarrassment,

-“she has been very deeply engaged with her studies ever

-since she came to us—is ambitious, you know, and also spends

-a great deal of her time practicing music, and my wife thought

-it would be best for her not to—to mingle in company much

-until she had—um!—completed her education;” and Mrs.

-Richards, sitting just outside that open window, where she had

-heard every word of the above conversation, thanked the fates

-that for once her husband had smoothed awkward things over

-for her quite comfortably.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_185'>185</span>Lord Carrol simply bowed in reply to this statement. It

-would not become him to question the truthfulness of what he

-had heard, but since his interview with Star, his opinion of the

-family had changed very materially.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well, I <i>am</i> nonplussed, and I reckon that this state of

-affairs will create quite a commotion when it becomes known,”

-Mr. Richards resumed, after a few minutes of thought, during

-which his surprise seemed to increase. “I never dreamed that

-our Star would ever step into such a chair of state, although

-she is of good blood, I believe.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Of the best,” Lord Carrol returned, decidedly. “She told

-me upon one occasion that her mother was a Miss Anna Chudleigh,

-of Chudleigh Manor, Devonshire. I know something of

-them, and they were a fine family, although I have been told

-that they were very much displeased at the marriage of their

-only daughter with a clergyman of limited means. But—have

-I your sanction to prosecute my suit with Miss Gladstone, and

-will you arrange an interview for me?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Certainly; I shall do what you wish, and I must say that I

-am glad that things are turning out so well for Star. <i>I</i> have

-been very fond of her, for she is a bright and winsome little

-body about the house. She is talented, too, to say nothing of

-her beauty, and she will make you a good wife. I congratulate

-you both, and there is my hand on it, my lord,” Mr. Richards

-concluded, heartily, and extending his hand to the young peer,

-which he took and cordially shook.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But Mrs. Richards, her heart filled with bitterest rage, felt as

-if she could have strangled her husband with a good relish for

-taking such an interest in Star’s prospects, while the gorgeous

-air-castle which his own daughter had built was tumbling to

-the ground about his ears.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards then rose.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I suppose you are anxious to see Star at once?” he said.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, if you please. I desire to make my peace with her as

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_186'>186</span>soon as possible, for I know that she is deeply wounded, and I

-cannot rest until she knows the truth.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Very well; I will go to her, and send her to the library.

-You will be free from intrusion there,” Mr. Richards said, and

-immediately left the room in search of Star.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He came back very soon, however, saying that she had not

-returned to her room, and no one had seen her that day save

-Mrs. Blunt, who told him that she had been very ill, and not

-able to attend school.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Lord Carrol’s face fell at this information, and he realized

-more forcibly than ever what Star must have suffered from this

-unfortunate misunderstanding.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Perhaps it will be best for me to wait until to-morrow

-morning,” he said, after a moment of thought. “She appeared

-so greatly excited when I met her this evening, and has been so

-ill all day, it may be well for her to get rest before exciting her

-any further. Yes, I will wait,” he concluded, with a sigh, for

-he was deeply disappointed and anxious.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Is Mr. Rosevelt a member of your family also?” he asked,

-after a moment, and suddenly remembering that Star had told

-him they were inmates of the same house.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes; well, not exactly a member of my family,” Mr. Richards

-returned, flushing over this, another awkward question.

-“He is my wife’s uncle, and one of us; but his health is so

-poor, and noise affects him so unpleasantly, that he prefers to

-have a room at the lodge rather than here where there is so

-much gayety and confusion.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards, still an eavesdropper, heaved another comfortable

-sigh over this rough place made smooth.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You must have met Mr. Rosevelt also,” he added, as it

-came to him that Star and his wife’s uncle had shared that

-dreadful experience at sea.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes; and I think him a fine old gentleman. I must see

-him also to-morrow,” his lordship returned; and then he went

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_187'>187</span>on to explain more fully how he had made the acquaintance of

-these two unfortunates, and described their sufferings and hardships

-so graphically that his listener, who did not know onehalf,

-was deeply moved.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Miss Gladstone was considered quite a heroine on board

-our steamer after her rescue,” the young man said, “when the

-passengers learned with how much fortitude she had conducted

-herself during the disaster and the dreadful events following.

-The captain told me, with tears running down his cheeks, how

-she had denied herself both food and drink in order that the

-life of Mr. Rosevelt, who, she declared, had less vitality than

-herself on account of his age, might be sustained. She did not

-even take the rest which she needed, but watched and worked

-over him unceasingly—in fact, she <i>saved his life</i>.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“She is a noble girl—she is a splendid girl!” Mr. Richards

-returned, tears in his own eyes, and his heart full of remorse

-over the life Star had led since she came into his house. “She

-will make you the best little wife in the world. God bless

-you both!”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Lord Carrol saw that he was sincere, and began to suspect

-where all the trouble lay regarding Star. He was inclined to

-think, and rightly, that jealousy or ill-will on the part of the

-petted Josephine and her proud mother was the cause of her

-unpleasant position in the family; but he inwardly resolved

-that it should be entirely different in the future, or she should

-not remain there.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But he had been absent a long time from the gay company

-in the drawing-room, and, feeling assured that he could not see

-his darling that night, he returned to it, trying to wait with

-patience for what the morrow would bring him.</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_188'>188</span>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XIX.<br> <span class='large'>MALICIOUS FALSEHOODS.</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>As soon as Mr. Richards and his distinguished guest left the

-music-room, a white hand parted the curtains from the window,

-and a blanched, distorted face appeared in the aperture.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It belonged to Mrs. Richards, who had, as before mentioned,

-been a listener to all that had transpired. Seeing that no one

-was in sight, she stepped softly inside, for the window was a

-long one, reaching to the floor, and sank back into a chair, the

-picture of a woman whom a fierce passion had exhausted.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had chanced to be out upon the veranda when Lord

-Carrol had entered the music-room and requested a “few

-moments’ conversation” with her husband, and feeling, with a

-thrill of delight, that the most important moment of Josephine’s

-life had come, she drew near to listen, as she supposed, to his

-lordship’s proposal for her hand.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Her emotions can better be imagined than described when

-instead she heard the story which the young man told her

-husband, and learned that Star, the despised and neglected

-waif, had secured the prize which she had so coveted for her

-brilliant daughter.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A perfect tornado of wrath, jealousy, and hate raged within

-her heart as she heard his praises of her, and his manly confession

-of love for her, with the intention of making her his

-wife.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star, the beggar maid, as she had always regarded her, the

-burden reproach of her life, the wife of a peer of England!</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It could not be; she would not have it so, when she had

-plotted and schemed to win this proud, handsome young aristocrat

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_189'>189</span>for her daughter; when she had spent hundreds to snare

-him; and when, she knew but too well, Josephine had learned

-to love him with all the fire of her proud, passionate nature.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>If it had been a girl in a position equal to that which

-Josephine occupied whom he had chosen, the disappointment

-would not have been less severe, but the mortification would

-not have been so galling.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>This was what had made Star’s face so radiant, then, during

-the past week, making her seem to bloom into new beauty, and

-glorifying her with exceeding happiness. She had noticed, but

-could not understand it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>This was the meaning of the unusual attention which she

-had bestowed upon her toilet last Saturday—for Josephine had

-told her of that little scene upon the veranda—and also of her

-protracted absence that day.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>For half an hour she sat there, white as alabaster with passion,

-her eyes glowing with hate for the innocent cause of all

-her disappointment.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Not in her room, eh?” she muttered at length, vindictively.

-“I’ll find the little vixen, and if it is possible to <i>widen</i> this

-breach, it won’t be my fault if it is not done.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>With a cruel expression on her still white face, she arose and

-swept noiselessly from the room by the same way that she had

-entered, and passed down the steps of the veranda out into the

-grounds.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>With a quick, swinging pace she walked down the avenue,

-casting keen glances among the trees and shrubbery as she

-went.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But Star was nowhere to be seen.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards, however, was determined to have an interview

-with her before either her husband or Lord Carrol could

-do so. She did not think she had returned to the house, and

-had an idea that she might be at the lodge with Mr. Rosevelt,

-so she persevered in her search.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_190'>190</span>She kept on her way until she came out by the lodge, where

-she saw John Mellen, who was both gardener and porter, sitting

-upon the porch.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He looked greatly surprised as the light from the lantern at

-the gate fell upon her face.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Is anything the matter, marm?” he asked, touching his hat

-respectfully, but wondering to see her there at that hour, with

-no wrap, while he noticed that she was very pale.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No, John; but have you seen anything of Miss Gladstone?”

-she asked.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, marm; she came running down here about half an

-hour ago, looking like a wraith, and bounded up stairs like a

-fawn, to the old gentleman’s room,” he answered.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Is she there now?” Mrs. Richards demanded, quickly, her

-lips settling down into a hard, straight line.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes’m—leastways, I’ve not seen her come down yet.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The woman bent her head in thought a moment, then briefly

-remarked:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I think I’ll go up.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Gathering her rustling skirts in her hand, she passed inside

-the lodge, mounted the stairs with a noiseless tread, and paused

-before Mr. Rosevelt’s door.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Bending close to the keyhole, she heard sounds of sobbing,

-mingled with low, soothing words spoken by her uncle.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She softly opened the door, and standing upon the threshold,

-her face grew dark and wrathful at the picture which she saw

-within the room.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt sat in his arm-chair by the table which stood

-between the two windows of his room, while Star knelt upon

-the floor at his side, her golden head bowed upon the arm of

-his chair, sobbing as if her heart was breaking.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The old gentleman had laid one hand upon her bright head,

-and was soothing it gently as he tried to quiet her with low,

-fond words.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_191'>191</span>“Dear child,” he said, tenderly, “don’t grieve so; you have

-been very brave so far; bear it a little longer, and all will be

-well. I know you have tried to hide it from me and every one

-else, but I’ve seen and known what you have had to contend

-with ever since I came here. You’ve had no love, no sympathy,

-and your poor, starved heart was well-nigh broken under

-it. But cheer up, my dear; you have been a blessing to me.

-I have been very lonely and forlorn many times, but I should

-have had a sorrowful time of it, indeed, if my bright little Star

-had not shed her genial rays upon my pathway.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“<i>In</i>deed!” interrupted a voice from behind them, in its most

-sarcastic tones, causing Star to spring to her feet with a low cry

-of surprise, as she turned her flushed, tear-stained face toward

-the intruder, while Mr. Rosevelt looked up at his niece with a

-grave, displeased countenance.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“<i>Indeed!</i>” Mrs. Richards repeated, her anger waxing hotter

-and fiercer as she imagined that Star had been pouring the story

-of her love and trial into her uncle’s ears. “You have both

-been sadly abused and heart-starved, haven’t you? For a couple

-of dependents you fare very badly, don’t you? And this is the

-gratitude and appreciation that you show. Stella Gladstone, go

-back to your room and remain there until I come to you; I

-wish to have a private conversation with you. As for you, Uncle

-Jacob, I am surprised that you should take sides with a sentimental

-schoolgirl against those who are providing most bountifully

-for her.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt reached out his hand and took one of Star’s.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Remain where you are,” he said, with a quiet authority

-which amazed while it enraged his niece.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Then turning to her, he continued, in the same quiet tone,

-but with a deliberation which made every word tell:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Ellen Richards, you are a heartless, arrogant woman. You

-need not speak yet, for I am going to relieve my mind, once

-for all. I am your father’s only brother, and when you were a

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_192'>192</span>child I helped him provide the very bread that appeased your

-hunger. When, later on, I became a rich man, and you were

-married and settled, you fawned upon and flattered me, protesting

-that there was nothing in the world that you would not

-do for ‘dear Uncle Jacob.’ Every time I returned from abroad,

-bringing you rich and elegant gifts, you urged me to quit my

-roving and come to live with you—your ‘home and heart would

-always be open’ to me, you said. It was the same with your

-brother Henry; words cost nothing, and his protestations were

-as fluent as your own. But when misfortune overtook me, and

-I returned to remain and to take him at his word, everything

-was changed. He received me coldly, giving me the poorest

-accommodations his house afforded, when before the best were

-none too good for me. Finally, he and his family, by their

-coldness, neglect, and disagreeable hints, drove me to desperation,

-and I left them. I came hither, hoping that your woman’s

-heart would prompt you to receive a sick and failing old man

-with the kindness and sympathy which he so much needed

-and craved. But I met with even a worse reception; the very

-atmosphere of your house when I entered it told me at once

-that I was an unwelcome guest. You have ignored me when

-you could, and when you could not, you have taken pains to

-make me feel like an intruder and a dependent, although your

-husband evidently would be glad to be kind to me, if he could

-do so and keep the peace. This child alone,” the old man

-continued, looking tenderly up into Star’s sad face, “has given

-me love and sympathy. Her kindness and little attentions

-have been like a bright spot in the darkness and loneliness of

-my life since coming to you; while your treatment of her has

-been <i>culpable</i>——”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Has she dared to complain of me to you?” cried Mrs.

-Richards, crimson with anger; for every word that he had

-uttered had been a reproach to her, and while she did not

-quite dare to vent her wrath upon him, she was glad of this

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_193'>193</span>allusion to Star, for upon her defenseless head she felt free to

-relieve herself.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No; she has never complained—she has even tried to conceal

-your treatment of her—but I have eyes and can see for

-myself, and it has been patent to me how her young heart has

-been starved, how every bright and enjoyable thing has been

-crushed out of her life. I know how she has had to do battle

-for even her education, and that you would have made a drudge

-and a slave of her, had you dared and your husband allowed

-you to do it. It is disgraceful, Ellen, for you to treat your

-cousin’s child in such a manner, when you owe so much to

-her mother——”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“How do you know? Who has been telling you all this?

-I am out of all patience!” Mrs. Richards interrupted, passionately.

-“Everybody is continually throwing at me the fact that

-Anna Chudleigh once saved my life. Hundreds of people have

-saved the lives of others and considered it their duty to have

-done so. If I was drowning and Anna saw me, it was natural

-for her—it <i>belonged</i> to her to save me if she could, as I should

-have done, no doubt, had the circumstances been reversed.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“True; but this view of the case does not lessen your obligation,

-nor license you to abuse the trust that has been committed

-to you,” Mr. Rosevelt answered, sternly. “You bound

-yourself to this child’s dying father to ‘do the best you could

-for her,’ to give her a home, and see that her education was

-properly attended to, and you owed it to him and to her to

-keep your promise.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I owed her nothing,” cried the enraged woman, losing all

-control of herself; “and you, Uncle Jacob, are overstepping all

-bounds by interfering with what is none of your business.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“The girl saved my life almost at the sacrifice of her own,

-and I shall <i>make</i> it my business to do what I can for her while I

-live,” Mr. Rosevelt answered, with dignity.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well, you will find, I reckon, that you have not helped her

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_194'>194</span>cause very much by taking up weapons against me for her,”

-snapped his niece, vindictively, and with a glance of dislike at

-Star. “Saved your life!” she continued, sarcastically. “Well,

-perhaps, she did; but, in my opinion, that is all sentimental

-gush, for she is an artful jade, and has doubtless palavered and

-cooed over you until she has pulled the wool over your eyes in

-fine shape.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“What could have been her object, Ellen?” asked the old

-gentleman, dryly. “Certainly not the expectation of getting

-any portion of my fortune, since appearances must have indicated

-to her as well as to you that I had nothing to give her.

-If she had known me, and done all this <i>when I was considered

-rich</i>, there might possibly be some reason in your accusations.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>This shaft told keenly, for his niece colored guiltily to the

-roots of her hair.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Your irony is ill-timed, it appears to me, Uncle Jacob,” she

-said, sullenly, “especially as you are indebted to me for the

-bare necessaries of life, not to speak of its comforts.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Indebted to you, am I, Ellen? I do not believe in recriminations,

-but allow me to ask, do you know the cost of

-those diamonds which you have on, and have you forgotten

-where you got them?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards’ brilliant color forsook her in an instant, and

-she became as white as the mass of snowy lace which rose and

-fell with the angry pulsation of her heart.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Her passionate temper prompted her to tear those flashing

-stones from her person and cast them in the face of her accuser;

-but her pride and avarice were the strongest attributes of her

-nature, and knowing that she would not be likely to have them

-replaced, she refrained from so rash an act.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I do not begrudge you your jewels, Ellen,” Mr. Rosevelt

-continued, more gently, perceiving how keenly she felt his reproof,

-“but when you twit me of being indebted to you for the

-simple necessaries of life, it is rather more than I can tamely

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_195'>195</span>submit to. I was fond of making presents in the days that

-are gone, and I felt repaid for my diamonds by the joy that

-lighted up your face when I gave them to you; but I confess

-it is a little hard to be considered a burden by you now, while

-I am deeply grieved to have Star’s young life made so unhappy.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I tell you you do not know the girl; she is as artful as she

-can be, and I can prove it to you,” Mrs. Richards exclaimed,

-glad to have the subject changed, for she was considerably conscience

-smitten over the diamonds.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I do not think you can prove anything of the kind, Ellen,”

-Mr. Rosevelt returned, quietly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Listen, then,” she retorted, eagerly, “and I will tell you

-how to-night I have discovered her to be guilty of the most

-shameless conduct.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star started and flushed at the accusation. She had not a

-suspicion that her secret had been discovered.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It seems,” continued Mrs. Richards, “that while going

-back and forth, to and from school this fall, she has been flirting

-in the most desperate manner with a young man—a perfect

-stranger to her, and one so far above her socially that it was

-rankest presumption in her to do as she has done. She has

-even entrapped him into—or rather, I should say, she has misconstrued

-his conversation with her to mean a declaration of

-love for her, and now that he has found her out and turns with

-disgust from her artful designing, she has shamelessly taxed

-him with unfaithfulness and treachery.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star turned and regarded her accuser in perfect amazement.

-She could scarcely credit her sense of hearing.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>How did Mrs. Richards know anything about her meetings

-with Lord Carrol, alias Archibald Sherbrooke, or of her interest

-in him? And who had represented it in this disgraceful light?</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“This young man,” the cunning woman went on, “is no

-other than Lord Carrol, who, for the month that we were at

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_196'>196</span>Long Branch, paid the most devoted attention to Josephine,

-and accepted our invitation here with the intention, as we supposed,

-of formally declaring himself to her and securing her

-father’s consent to their marriage.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A convulsive tremor ran through every fiber of the young

-girl’s being as she stood there and listened to this artful tale,

-and Mr. Rosevelt, who still held her hand, was sensible of it,

-and wondered what it could all mean.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He had not a suspicion that Lord Carrol and the handsome

-young artist whom he so admired were one and the same, but

-he knew that something must be very wrong to move Star so

-and make her look so deathly white.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You look astonished,” Mrs. Richards said, “and well you

-may, and your surprise will increase when I have told you all.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I am sure,” he answered, glancing from one to the other,

-“that there must be some mistake.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“There is no mistake,” replied his niece, coldly, and fixing

-a merciless glance upon Star, “for Lord Carrol has just had an

-interview with my husband, during which he told him the whole

-story. He says his first meeting with Stella was caused by an

-accident, and that she appeared so bright and intelligent that

-whenever he met her afterward he spoke with her and treated

-her kindly. He did not even have the least idea where she

-lived until to-night, after dinner. He went out for a quiet

-smoke, when she presented herself before him, accused him of

-coming here as Josephine’s lover, and denounced him as a

-traitor in the strongest terms and most unmaidenly manner,

-and telling him, greatly to his surprise, that she was an inmate

-of the house where he was a visitor. Of course, after such a

-denouement, he could do no other way than to seek Mr. Richards

-and explain everything, lest this rash girl should, out of a

-spirit of revenge and disappointment, destroy all his prospects

-with Josephine.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was a cunningly distorted story, and Star, as she listened

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_197'>197</span>to it, bowed her head and covered her face with her hands,

-while a low cry of despair broke from her lips.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had not <i>dreamed</i> that the man whom she had learned to

-love, who, with his open, handsome face, his frank, manly ways,

-had won her deepest respect, her strongest affections, could be

-guilty of so cowardly an act as to betray her thus.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>And yet he must have done so, else how could Mrs. Richards

-have known anything about the matter?</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Yes, without doubt, he had feared that she would openly

-denounce him before the family where he had so unexpectedly

-found her, and so had given this version of the great wrong that

-he had done her in order to shield himself.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>His own prospects of winning the rich heiress must not be

-interfered with, so he adopted this <i>coup d’etat</i> of going to Mrs.

-Richards and, with apparent frankness, confessing that his

-trifling attention to a silly girl had resulted in leading her to

-believe she had won a wealthy and titled husband.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>This was just what Mrs. Richards had wished to make Star

-believe, and she succeeded only too well, for the young girl

-was well-nigh crushed to the earth with a sense of shame, and

-humiliation, and wounded love.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>And yet, even while she felt that Archibald Sherbrooke—she

-could not think of him in any other character—had been guilty

-of a most cowardly and treacherous act, had steeped his soul

-in sin by winning her heart to break it, and thus ruining her

-whole life, <i>she loved him still</i>.</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_198'>198</span>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XX.<br> <span class='large'>STAR’S DETERMINATION.</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>“Star, my dear child, what does this mean?” Mr. Rosevelt

-ejaculated, in a tone of wonder, as his niece concluded.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It is unnecessary to ask her whether I have spoken the

-truth or not; her very looks and manner betray that she is

-guilty of what I have told you,” Mrs. Richards said, scornfully.

-“I did not suppose, however, with her innocent face and apparently

-quiet, modest manner, that she could be quite so

-shameless. But it is always so; such cat-like natures always

-work in the dark.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star’s proud little head came up with a haughty air at this

-taunting speech, while her blue eyes grew dark and ominous.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You are accusing me ignorantly and most unjustly,” she

-said, in a hard tone, but with pained and quivering lips.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“How so? Do you presume to deny that you met Lord

-Carrol in the grounds to-night?” demanded Mrs. Richards,

-severely.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You <i>did</i> meet him?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“And denounced him as a traitor?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes. I believe him to be a traitor to truth and honor,

-and—<i>a coward</i>!”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>They were hard, cruel words to be said of Archibald Sherbrooke,

-whom she had loved so dearly and believed to be so

-noble and true, and her heart thrilled with keenest pain as she

-uttered them, but she believed he had basely deceived her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Explain yourself,” commanded Mrs. Richards, bridling.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_199'>199</span>“I shall explain nothing,” Star answered, coldly, yet firmly.

-“What I said to Lord Carrol to-night was intended for him

-alone. If he has chosen to betray me, the responsibility rests

-upon himself, and you can go to him for explanations if you

-choose.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Where did you meet him first—how did you make his

-acquaintance?” asked Mrs. Richards, longing to get Star’s version

-of the story.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I decline to answer any questions upon the subject,” she

-returned, quietly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I command you to tell me.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“And I still decline,” Star said, with an air that surprised

-both of her listeners.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She was as colorless now as a block of marble, but so beautiful

-in her proud sorrow, her agonized scorn, that they could

-but regard her with wonder.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You have no right to refuse what I ask of you. I am your

-guardian, and I demand a truthful confession of this whole

-scandalous affair,” Mrs. Richards reiterated, sharply.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You have already had it, you say, from Lord Carrol’s own

-lips; it will therefore be unnecessary for me to repeat or enlarge

-upon it,” the young girl returned, with calm scorn, while

-her delicate nostrils dilated, and her sweet lips curled with

-supreme contempt.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I cannot understand—there <i>must</i> be some mistake in all

-this,” ejaculated Mr. Rosevelt, his face a perfect blank. “I

-thought, Saturday, Star, that you——”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A slight motion from her checked him in what he was going

-to say.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No, there is no mistake; and this much I <i>will</i> explain to

-<i>you</i>. I did meet Lord Carrol to-night, as Mrs. Richards has

-told you,” she said. “I did believe myself his betrothed wife,

-and him to be a man of honor, until he came here last night

-as Miss Richards’ acknowledged suitor, and when I saw him

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_200'>200</span>this evening I did denounce him as a traitor. It seems that he

-has volunteered explanations to suit himself to Mr. and Mrs.

-Richards, and I decline to go further into particulars with

-them. I have no desire to blight Miss Josephine’s prospects

-in life, and I wish her all joy with her high-born and honorable

-lover.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Pen cannot portray the scorn which pervaded those last

-words, ringing out so clearly, so scathingly that Mrs. Richards’

-cheeks burned and her ears tingled; for this was the man—if

-he really had been the traitor which she wished to make him

-appear—whom she was using all her arts to secure for Josephine’s

-husband.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I am amazed—I cannot understand!” Mr. Rosevelt repeated,

-with a troubled face.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He believed Star to be as pure-minded and as innocent of

-wrong as a little child.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He had been convinced from what had transpired on the

-previous Saturday that she loved Archibald Sherbrooke, and

-not knowing that he was also Lord Carrol, he, of course, was

-completely puzzled over the mystery.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I do not see how you dare look any respectable person in

-the face, and confess what you just have, without seeking to

-clear yourself,” retorted Mrs. Richards, sternly. “You are compromising

-your character in the most wretched manner. What

-can I believe of you—what can any one believe of you, if you

-own to having been upon such intimate terms with a man of

-such standing as Lord Carrol, while he is here as the acknowledged

-suitor of my daughter?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“The very worst that you can believe, madam,” Star returned,

-calmly, and meeting the woman’s eye fearlessly, but

-with a look which made her quail in spite of herself, “can

-only serve to compromise the man, whose favor and title you

-appear so anxious to secure, more than it possibly can me.

-Notwithstanding whatever claim I may have supposed myself to

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_201'>201</span>have heretofore possessed upon him, I now <i>most cheerfully</i> resign

-it in favor of Miss Richards.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Were ever words so cutting? Was there ever so barbed a

-sentence so calmly uttered before?</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards ground her teeth with rage over the feet that

-the man whom poor, despised Star Gladstone thus spurned,

-believing him to be the very soul of dishonor, she knew Josephine

-was using all her arts to win, while of course she could

-not undeceive her because it would spoil her plot.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You are an insolent, overbearing girl,” she said, in a low,

-hissing tone, “and I wonder how I have tolerated you in my

-house as long as I have. I wonder how you dare face me,

-and use such insulting language to me after your shameless

-conduct.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I am neither insolent nor overbearing, Mrs. Richards.

-Ever since I came into your house I have striven to do as

-nearly right as I knew how, and to make as little trouble as

-possible. It is <i>you</i> who have been overbearing, who have

-wounded me by insulting the memory of my parents, and have

-tried to crush and trample upon me. In no way have I rebelled

-against your authority, except in the determination not

-to become a common servant and to pursue my education.

-This I did in justice to myself, and because I had promised my

-father I would do it. If you have ‘tolerated me in your house,’

-believe me, there has been as much toleration exercised upon

-my part, for in no sense of the word has it been a <i>home</i> to me;

-instead, it has been merely a place of shelter, a spot to exist in

-until I could complete my education. I can bear it no longer.

-I shall consider your house no longer my home,” Star concluded,

-with a decision which rather startled Mrs. Richards.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But she retorted, derisively:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Your independent spirit ill becomes you. Where could

-you go? Who would take you, a penniless beggar, and give

-you the advantages which you have been enjoying during the

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_202'>202</span>past year? But it is folly for me to give heed to your idle

-words. I command you to return directly to your room, and

-hold no intercourse with any one, and to-morrow I will decide

-what course to pursue with reference to your future.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had been planning to pack her off to Brooklyn with one

-of the servants until Lord Carrol’s visit should be ended, and

-thus avoid all possibility of an interview and its attendant explanations.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But Star did not move. She remained standing quietly by

-Mr. Rosevelt’s chair, as if she had not heard her command.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Did you hear what I said?” she demanded, sharply.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, madam.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well, do you intend to obey me?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No, madam.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“What!”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I refuse to recognize your authority over me from this

-moment. I refuse to obey any longer one who, from the first,

-has been governed only by feelings of personal spite in all her

-dealings with me,” Star returned, firmly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards could scarcely credit her ears.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had not imagined that the usually quiet girl possessed a

-tithe of this spirit.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well, Uncle Jacob, what do you think of your little pattern

-of excellence now?” demanded the astonished woman, turning

-with an injured air to her uncle, who was nearly as much

-amazed himself.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I think the child has been severely tried,” he returned,

-quietly, whereupon Mrs. Richards flew into another rage.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I must say, Uncle Jacob, that I consider it very bad taste

-in you to take sides with her against me; and let me warn you,

-that you have both got yourselves into trouble by the doings of

-this night.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The arrogant dame did not wait for any reply, but turned

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_203'>203</span>abruptly and left the room, retiring, however, with a sense of

-defeat which it was not pleasant to contemplate.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The moment that the door closed after her, Star dropped

-again upon the floor by Mr. Rosevelt’s side, heart-broken. He

-saw that she was utterly unnerved by what had just transpired,

-and for awhile he left her to herself. At length, when she became

-more calm, he said, sorrowfully, yet gently:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“My child, tell me what Ellen means. What cause has she

-for coming here to accuse you of such dreadful things? Who is

-this Lord Carrol, and what has he been to you?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star lifted her white, pained face to him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You do not believe what she has told you—you do not

-believe I would be guilty of anything so shameless as she would

-try to make me appear?” she questioned, brokenly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No, no; I think there is some terrible misunderstanding.

-I do not believe you would do anything which you knew to be

-wrong; and yet your own words have mystified me. I cannot

-comprehend them.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I will tell you all about it. I would not explain anything

-to her—I could not after she had told me what <i>he</i> said,” Star

-answered, but her face flushed with shame at the thought of

-confessing a tale of love and devotion on her part, of deception

-and treachery on the part of the man whom she had so

-trusted.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It seemed to her like a lack of dignity and of strength of

-character that she should have been so easily duped.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Then she told him all the story of her love for Archibald

-Sherbrooke, beginning with that day when they had exchanged

-souvenirs on the steamer, and which, she felt, had been the

-commencement of their love. She told him how he had prevented

-her from leaping on the cars when they were in motion,

-and how every day after that he had contrived to meet her,

-luring her heart from her day by day, until the previous Saturday

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_204'>204</span>he had declared his love for her, and won her promise to

-be his wife as soon as she should have graduated.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Oh, Uncle Jacob,” Star concluded, hiding her face on the

-arm of his chair again, “I believed him so true, so honorable,

-so <i>worthy</i> of my love, and now to find him so unprincipled and

-treacherous, it crushes me!”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt looked very grave, almost stern.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“This is just as I supposed—as I was led to believe from

-your appearance last Saturday. I knew well enough, when we

-returned home from Coney Island, that you had promised to

-be Sherbrooke’s wife. But I don’t understand his treachery,

-as you call it, nor what connection all this has with the young

-lord who has come to ask for Josephine’s hand,” he said,

-coldly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star looked up again, at the unfamiliar tone.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Oh!” she said, wearily; “I am so miserable that I have not

-made it plain to you—I have not told you; but Lord Carrol is

-only another name for the man who called himself Archibald

-Sherbrooke. Under the latter he cheated me into loving him,

-and he has ruined my life; under the former, which is his real

-name, I suppose, he has been trying to win the heiress.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt was speechless from amazement at this revelation,

-and for a full minute could only look down into those

-piteous, uplifted eyes in mute dismay.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Impossible!” he cried, at length. “I cannot believe it; I

-cannot think that young Sherbrooke would be guilty of anything

-so dastardly. There must be some mistake.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“There is <i>no</i> mistake,” Star returned, with despair in her

-tones. “I was sitting at the window of my room when he

-arrived, and, of course, I recognized him at once. His form,

-his bearing, his handsome face, the tones of his voice—everything

-was identical with the Archie Sherbrooke from whom we

-parted last Saturday evening. At first I was crushed by the

-blow; then I thought perhaps Lord Carrol had disappointed

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_205'>205</span>them, and Archie had come to me as he had promised to do

-Monday or Tuesday; but this hope fled when I heard them

-address him as Lord Carrol, and he replied at once to the

-name. It has broken my heart, Uncle Jacob,” Star wailed,

-pouring out all her sorrow to him. “I do not know how I

-ever lived last night through; I do not believe I was conscious

-half the time; while to-day I have been too weak, and ill, and

-wretched to care what became of me.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Poor child! poor child!” he murmured, softly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“To-night,” she went on, “I felt as if I must get out into

-the air. I must see a friendly face and hear a kindly voice, so

-I came to you, although I did not mean to tell you anything

-of my trouble. I meant to bear it alone, and never let any

-one know how cruelly I had been deceived, or how readily I

-had given my foolish heart away.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The old gentleman laid his hand on her shining head,

-smoothing her hair with a tender touch. He was nearly weeping

-himself to see this beautiful young girl so crushed.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“On my way down here,” she pursued, “I felt faint; my

-strength all left me, and I stopped and leaned against a tree to

-recover myself, and while I stood there <i>he</i> stole up behind me,

-laid his hand on my shoulder, and asked me in surprise how I

-came to be there. I gave him the street and number where

-we lived last Saturday, but I suppose when Mr. Richards and

-Josephine went to meet him at the station and brought him

-here, he did not once think it was the same place, for I have

-never told him their names. He believed me to be a poor girl,

-and never would have thought of finding me in a place like

-this; that was why he was so overcome with surprise when he

-saw me to-night. But when I charged him with personating

-two characters—having two names—he could not deny it; he

-owned that he was Lord Carrol, but tried to make me let him

-explain. I would not; there could be nothing to explain. He

-had deceived me, and it was enough; I could never trust him

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_206'>206</span>after that. I called him a traitor and a coward, and then I ran

-away and came to you, who are the only friend I have in this

-wide, weary world.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You did right, dear, to come to me; but were you not a

-trifle hasty and rash? I think you should have listened to

-young Sherbrooke’s—or whoever he may be—defense,” Mr.

-Rosevelt said, gently.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“What possible defense could he have had to offer?” Star

-cried, in a voice of scorn. “He has pretended to be Archibald

-Sherbrooke, a simple artist, to me, while everybody else knows

-him as Lord Carrol, of Carrolton.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“But he may have been traveling incognito under the former

-name,” suggested Mr. Rosevelt.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Then why did he not keep it to the end? Why did he go

-to a fashionable watering-place and flourish as a titled Englishman,

-and devote himself to Josephine? Why did he <i>resume</i>

-the former name upon meeting me again, and lead me to love

-him, believing him to be a poor artist? No; there can be

-nothing said in defense of such double-dealing as this. He

-has cheated and fooled me. I have found him out, and compelled

-him to own it. It is enough to make me scorn him;

-but it has been a bitter lesson, and has taught me never to trust

-a man again,” Star concluded, with vehement bitterness.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Never, Star? Surely that acrimonious resolve does not include

-me,” said Mr. Rosevelt, with gentle reproach.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No; I know that you are kind and true, and you are the

-only one in the world who cares for me,” the suffering girl said,

-in husky tones.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Indeed, my child, you have become very dear to me, and

-my life would be very forlorn without you.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star bent down and touched his hand with her lips. In her

-wretchedness it comforted her greatly to know that she had contributed

-to his happiness.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“But I cannot get over what you have told me. I never

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_207'>207</span>was so deceived in my life before; and if this young sprig of

-English nobility is the villain you represent him, he is not fit

-to live,” Mr. Rosevelt said, sternly, after a few moments of

-thoughtful silence.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star shivered with pain. Much as she believed she scorned

-him, she could not endure that another should speak disparagingly

-of him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Never mind him, Uncle Jacob,” she said. “I have put

-him out of my life forever; and now I want to talk to you

-about something else. You say that I have made your life

-happier since you came here, and that you would be very

-lonely without me. I am going to tell you a little secret, and

-then I want you to promise to go away from here with me.

-I am not going to remain here another day,” she concluded

-decidedly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Is that your secret, Star?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Part of it,” she answered, with a sad smile. “I have a

-little money, as you know—a hundred pounds—which, at Mr.

-Richards’ suggestion, I put at interest last year. Now, I want

-to take this money and make a cozy little home for you and

-me somewhere, until I get through school—there will be

-enough to last till then, I think—and after that I shall be able

-to take care of us both in fine style, by teaching and giving

-music lessons.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He smiled skeptically as she planned so hopefully what her

-poor hundred pounds would do, while a tear started to his eye

-at her thought for him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She saw that he did not think she could do all that she told

-him, and flushed.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You do not believe that I shall be able to take care of us

-both,” she said, eagerly, “but I know that I can, for I have

-not yet told you all. Listen.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She bent nearer to him, and putting her lips close to his ear,

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_208'>208</span>told him something which even you and I must not know just

-yet, my patient reader.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He was nearly as much surprised as he had been to learn of

-Archibald Sherbrooke’s treachery.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“My dear,” he said, while his face lighted with pride and

-joy, “you shall have your way, and I will do just as you wish,

-and I——”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He checked himself suddenly, dropped his head in thought

-for a moment, then resumed:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I am not happy here any more than yourself, and have

-been thinking for some time that I must go away; but I could

-not bear the thought of parting from you. Now we will go

-together, as you wish, unless——”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Unless what, Uncle Jacob?” Star asked, anxiously.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Unless you will let me see this young scamp of a lord, and

-take him to task for his faithlessness to you.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Never!” Star replied, proudly. “What good would it

-do to——”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“There <i>may</i> be some mistake; he might be able to explain

-everything satisfactorily,” interrupted Mr. Rosevelt.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star’s beautiful lips curled.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“What would his explanations amount to? He is here

-as a suitor for Josephine’s hand—they all confess it; and did

-you ever listen to a more monstrous story than Mrs. Richards

-repeated here to-night? To think that he could say anything

-so basely false of me is almost enough to drive me wild,” Star

-cried, excitedly. “No, Uncle Jacob; although he has been

-guilty of the most cruel treachery, I will not contend with him.

-If he is such a craven that he would try to win a young girl’s

-heart for the amusement of breaking it, and then seek to blight

-her fair fame by charging her with what he has imputed to me

-to-night, he is too far beneath me to be worthy of anything

-save my supreme contempt, and I never wish to meet him

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_209'>209</span>again. I only want to get away from them <i>all</i>, and never see

-their faces more.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Her voice broke with such a wail of despair in it that the old

-man could not find it in his heart to refuse her anything.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Very well; we will go away to-morrow,” he said, sorrowfully.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Oh, thank you, Uncle Jacob!” the unhappy girl said,

-eagerly; “and will you go without letting them know? They

-would never consent, and I do not wish them even to know

-where I go.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes; we will go without saying anything to any one. We

-can leave a note telling them why we go, and it shall be the

-object of the little time that remains to me to care for you and

-try to make your young life a little brighter than it has been,”

-he returned, thoughtfully.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“How early can you be ready?” he asked, after a moment.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“By daylight; the earlier the better,” she returned, earnestly.

-“Every moment here is full of pain for me.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Very well; there is a six o’clock train—the workingmen’s

-train—into New York; we will take it, and find a home for

-ourselves somewhere in the city. But how about your school,

-Star? They will seek for you there.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I will go to Professor Roberts and tell him that circumstances

-compel me to leave, and ask him for a recommendation

-to some other institute. There are others in the city where

-they would never dream of looking for me, and where I can

-graduate next year, as I have planned to do.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It shall be just as you wish, my dear; I feel that I am

-doing you no wrong in gratifying you. You shall be like a

-young daughter to me, and I—I promise I will be no burden

-to you, notwithstanding that I am old and feeble,” Mr. Rosevelt

-answered, with a sad smile.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“A burden!” Star repeated, with quivering lips. “Oh,

-please do not imagine such a thing! It is <i>you</i> who are to take

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_210'>210</span>care of me and shield me until I graduate, for without you to

-help me bear the responsibility, I should not dare to take such

-a step.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt smiled again.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You try to make the obligation appear all your own; but

-I share it, nevertheless; and I think you and I will be far happier

-away from the unpleasant influences which have surrounded

-us during the past year. I am quite anticipating the change, I

-assure you. Now you must go to rest. You look more like a

-ghost than a star just now; and my heart has been deeply

-pained to-night for the suffering that you have had to endure;

-but I believe it will yet be made up to you in some way,” he

-concluded, with grave thoughtfulness.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He sat regarding her earnestly for a few moments. Then he

-said, while his eyes were fixed questioningly on her face:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“This is a different kind of a storm, child, from the one

-which you and I passed through at sea. Your faith was strong

-then; you were not afraid to die; how is it now? Do you

-believe your God rules this kind of a storm also?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>There was a skeptical smile on the old man’s lips, and a

-bitterness in his tone as he asked this, which filled the young

-girl’s heart with remorse.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She looked up at him with a startled glance, while her pained

-face almost instantly relaxed into an expression of trustfulness

-and peace.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Uncle Jacob,” she said, with a solemn sweetness which

-impressed him deeply, “you could not have said anything for

-which I should thank you more—you have recalled me to

-myself. I should not have forgotten for a moment that God

-rules everywhere and over everything. Yes, I <i>believe</i> He knows

-best, even though I cannot <i>understand</i> why I must suffer this

-bitter trial.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The old man sighed deeply, and his face was very grave.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_211'>211</span>“Good-night!” he said, abruptly, and rising, led her to the

-door.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>When he reached it, he bent suddenly down and touched

-her forehead with his lips; and Star, with a low-spoken “good-night,”

-went away with a sorely aching heart, indeed, but

-greatly comforted by his sympathy, while a spirit of submission

-had succeeded to the bitterness and rebellion of the previous

-hour.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Jacob Rosevelt locked the door after her, and went back to

-the table where he had been sitting when she came to him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Opening the drawer, he took out a package of papers and

-letters, which he carefully looked over.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>When he had read them all, he selected a portion, tore them

-into atoms, and throwing them into the grate where there was

-a slow fire, watched them until they had burned to ashes, with

-a white, stern face. Then he sat down again, and wrote far

-into the night.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The next morning when Mrs. Blunt went up to see how Star

-was feeling, and if she had any appetite for her breakfast, she

-found her room empty.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Goodness gracious! the child has got up and gone to

-school, and without a mouthful to stay her stomach, or I’m

-much mistaken,” she said, in a voice of dismay.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Then, as her eye fell upon the open drawers of the bureau

-and the empty closet, a sudden fear oppressed her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A little note lying upon the bed now attracted her attention,

-and she eagerly pounced upon it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was directed to her, and with trembling fingers she opened

-it, and read:</p>

-

-<p class='c014'>“<span class='sc'>Dear Mrs. Blunt</span>:—Something has occurred which makes it impossible

-for me to remain here any longer, and I am going away to take

-care of myself. You have always been very kind to me, and I thank you

-very much for it, and shall never forget it. Sometime I hope to see you

-again, and I trust you will always think kindly of</p>

-

-<div class='lg-container-r c016'>

-  <div class='linegroup'>

-    <div class='group'>

-      <div class='line'>“<span class='sc'>Stella Gladstone</span>.”</div>

-    </div>

-  </div>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_212'>212</span>The good woman sat down and wept bitter tears over this

-brief note, for she had learned to love the bright, kind-hearted

-girl who always had a cheery word for her. She knew the

-house would never seem the same again without her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Then she went down to tell the news to her master. She

-met John Mellen in the hall, who had come with the intelligence

-that Mr. Rosevelt left the lodge early that morning,

-taking all that belonged to him—“which was not much, yer

-honor,” he volunteered, and he handed Mr. Richards a note

-which the old gentleman had left for him.</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXI.<br> <span class='large'>FRUITLESS EFFORTS.</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>Mr. Richards and his family were thrown into considerable

-confusion by the double surprise which this morning revealed

-to them.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He was really a kind man at heart, and had been very much

-troubled by the way that his wife had conducted herself toward

-her aged uncle, and also by her unfeeling usage of Star.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards, however, found it difficult to conceal her satisfaction

-at the turn events had taken. She kept her own counsel

-regarding her knowledge of what had transpired during the interview

-between her husband and the young lord; neither did

-she consider it necessary to mention the stormy scene which

-had occurred at the lodge the previous evening, in which she

-was so prominent an actor.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Josephine shall have everything her own way now,” she

-thought, exultantly; “at all events, <i>that girl</i> shall never triumph

-over my daughter by becoming Lady Carrol.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_213'>213</span>Mr. Richards declared that he should go immediately in

-search of the fugitives. He could not endure the thought that

-the delicate young girl and feeble old man should go out into

-the world to earn their own living, for this he supposed they

-would be obliged to do, since what little money he knew Star

-to be possessed of could not support them both a great while.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But Mrs. Richards indignantly objected to this proceeding.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Let them alone,” she said, angrily; “they will not thank

-you for your trouble, and doubtless would refuse to return if

-you should succeed in finding them. I am sure they have

-shown precious little gratitude for what we have already done

-for them. Uncle Jacob says in his note that it has been very

-unpleasant for him here, and if such is the case, let him go

-where he will fare better if he can find such a place. As for

-that proud-spirited, independent girl, I never want to see her

-again; I am glad to be rid of her.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards did not reply to this tirade, but he felt very

-sorrowful, for every day only seemed to reveal some new trait

-of selfishness and heartlessness in his wife, which served to

-detract from his respect for her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Nothing of all this, however, was mentioned before their

-guests, and when after breakfast Lord Carrol sought his host

-in the library to make further arrangements for an interview

-with Star, he was astonished and dismayed by the intelligence

-which he received regarding her secret departure with Mr.

-Rosevelt.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Have you any idea where they can have gone?” he asked,

-with a very pale, anxious face.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Not the slightest,” Mr. Richards answered, “and I am

-deeply concerned about the affair. You will believe me, I am

-sure, when I tell you that I admire Miss Gladstone exceedingly,

-although I am obliged to confess with shame that her

-sojourn with us has not been made as pleasant as it might

-have been.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_214'>214</span>Mr. Richards made this confession with a lowering brow and

-in a stern tone.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I judged that she was not happy here from something that

-she dropped last night,” Lord Carrol said, gravely. “And,” he

-added, with evident embarrassment, “it is a delicate topic to

-touch upon, but I believe plain dealing is best—she also stated

-that it is generally believed in your household that I am here

-as a suitor for Miss Richards’ hand. I trust, however, that there

-has been no such misunderstanding as this. I enjoyed a very

-pleasant month at Long Branch with both your wife and

-daughter. Perhaps I sought their society more than might

-have been deemed proper unless I had serious intentions; but

-this was owing to the fact that I discovered Mrs. Richards to

-be of English birth, and knowing something of her friends

-abroad, it seemed to become a bond between us, out of which

-a friendship naturally sprung. Mrs. Richards very kindly invited

-me to make one of a party here, and I accepted her invitation—I

-give you my word of honor upon it—with <i>only</i>

-thoughts of friendship and the pleasure of meeting congenial

-company, and with the intention, if she ever came abroad, of

-returning her hospitality in the same spirit. I hope—I trust,

-my dear sir, that my coming here thus has not been misconstrued,

-or placed Miss Richards in an awkward position.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The young man’s face shone with a look of real concern as

-he concluded, and Mr. Richards was convinced that, notwithstanding

-his wife had asserted that he would propose to Josephine,

-he had never entertained any serious intentions regarding

-her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It is all right, my young friend,” he responded, heartily,

-and feeling great respect for him for his straightforwardness.

-“I am satisfied that you have been perfectly honorable, although

-I must confess that I was greatly astonished last night to learn

-that Star was the object of your affection. I regret sincerely the

-misunderstanding that has arisen between you, but we will do

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_215'>215</span>what we can to find the missing girl, and I trust that then it

-will not take long to effect a reconciliation.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Thank you,” the young lord said, but he looked very grave,

-for he did not feel as if it would be a very easy matter to find

-Star. He knew that underneath her usual gentleness and sweetness

-there lay a strength of purpose and determination which

-would lead her to do thoroughly whatever she undertook, and

-if she had gone away to hide from him it would take both

-patience and sagacity to find her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>However, he resolved to devote all his time before the day

-set for his return should arrive in searching for her; and acting

-at once upon this decision, he sought Mrs. Richards and Josephine,

-telling them that, much as he regretted doing so, he

-should be obliged to cut his visit short, as business of importance

-called him unexpectedly away.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Josephine was bitterly disappointed and chagrined, for she

-was as yet in total ignorance as to the cause of his departure,

-and Mrs. Richards for the moment was rendered speechless

-from indignation. She had not once thought that he would go

-away before the expiration of his week.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“We shall see you again, I trust, before you leave America,”

-Josephine said, with her sweetest smile, as he took her hand at

-parting.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Perhaps so; I cannot tell,” he answered, absently.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“We return to Brooklyn next week,” Mrs. Richards now

-managed to say. “If you are in New York, you surely will find

-time to run over and call upon us now and then.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Thank you. I may be able to do so,” he replied, courteously;

-and then, with a somewhat formal bow, he went away

-to seek for his lost love.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“What under the sun is the matter with Lord Carrol this

-morning, mamma? He does not appear like himself at all;

-and what has possessed him to go away so soon?” Josephine

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_216'>216</span>cried, nearly ready to weep as the door closed upon the man

-she loved, and she was left alone with her mother.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards then related what she had overheard the previous

-evening, and told her also of her subsequent interview

-with Star and Mr. Rosevelt, and the news that had come to

-them that morning of their flight.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Josephine listened to her in dumb amazement, hardly able

-to comprehend the romantic story.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“That girl has done nothing but set everybody by the ears

-ever since she entered this house,” she burst forth, at length,

-quivering in every nerve with anger. “Lord Carrol in love with

-<i>her</i>! I cannot comprehend it, and I think it is scandalous for

-him to confess it, after the marked attention that he paid me at

-Long Branch.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I think so, too,” Mrs. Richards echoed, but rather faintly,

-for she knew how Josephine had almost been thrown at him,

-so to speak.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well, I am glad she is gone,” the excited girl continued.

-“I hope now that we shall be able to take some comfort. She

-bewitched papa with her pretty face, her music, and pretended

-love of study. She was an artful thing, making herself so conspicuous

-at school that even the newspapers took it up, and

-was so puffed up on account of it that her airs were insufferable.

-It is a mercy that Uncle Jacob lost his fortune before

-he came to us, or she would have been likely to wheedle him

-out of it.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“She has been as sly as a fox,” commented Mrs. Richards,

-wrathfully, her ire against poor, unoffending Star waxing hotter

-and hotter, for she was as bitterly disappointed to lose his

-lordship as a son-in-law as Josephine was to lose him as a

-husband.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I never heard anything like it. To think of his being

-engaged to her, and we never suspecting such a thing! I’ll

-bet,” the refined young lady continued, as a bright idea struck

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_217'>217</span>her, “that she went away to meet him last Saturday, and that

-was why she was rigged out so. That must be the secret of

-her insolence to me. She knew she was soon to become

-Lady Carrol, and she was trying how it would seem to lord it

-over me.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You forget, Josephine,” interposed her mother, “that she

-did not know anything about his title, and so you are all wrong

-in your surmises.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“True,” she replied, somewhat crestfallen; “but when do

-you suppose he engaged himself to her?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I am sure I do not know—very recently, he said. I tried

-to make her tell me about it last night, but I couldn’t get a

-word out of her. One would have thought, by the way that

-she faced me, that she was already my lady somebody. But I

-reckon I fixed it so that she will not be at present. I made her

-think that his lordship had told the story in a way to make her

-appear as ridiculous as possible, and she has gone away, believing

-him to be as faithless as it is in the power of man to

-be;” and the hardhearted woman threw herself back in her

-chair with a sigh of satisfaction at the thought.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It is a shame, anyhow. Everything has gone wrong, and

-I—I really was fond of him,” Josephine confessed, with a passion

-of tears.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards’ face darkened. She never could tolerate anything

-which interfered with the desires and whims of her only

-child.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well, we will not give up hope, even yet,” she said, trying

-to speak comfortingly. “We shall go back to Brooklyn next

-week, and we will try to see him as often as we can. We will

-visit his studio, and look at his pictures and those of his friends,

-and if he is unsuccessful in his search for that girl, he may turn

-to you again for comfort.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I cannot get over it that <i>she</i>, with her great eyes and yellow

-hair, should have attracted him and won him, when we have

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_218'>218</span>strained every nerve and spent hundreds for him,” Josephine

-said, angrily.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>At this moment a servant entered the room and handed her

-a note.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She opened it eagerly and read it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Her face flushed a deep crimson, and, with a passionate gesture,

-she instantly tore it in two.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“What is it?” questioned her mother.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It is too dreadful!” the spoilt beauty cried, stamping her

-foot; “and I believe that girl will be the death of me yet.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Tell me what it is,” persisted Mrs. Richards, growing pale.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It is a note from Lord Carrol himself,” Josephine answered,

-her cheeks still hot from mortification and anger. “When we

-were at Long Branch, he noticed this cameo ring that I wear—I

-happened to put it on the last night that we were there, unfortunately—and

-said that it was very much like one which

-belonged to a friend of his. He appeared rather strangely

-when he said it, and told me that his friend’s name was Archibald

-Sherbrooke. Of course I can understand now why he

-would not say that it had belonged to him. I told him that it

-was given to me by a relative, and he did not appear like himself

-after that.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“But how came you by it—who gave it to you?” interrupted

-her mother, who had never noticed the ring until now, for

-Josephine had so many trinkets that she could not keep track

-of them all.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The girl flushed again, guiltily.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“To tell the truth, it belonged to Stella,” she confessed,

-reluctantly, “and it was such an exquisite little thing that I

-took a notion to have it. I offered to buy it of her, but she

-wouldn’t hear a word of it, saying she ‘prized it too highly as

-the gift of a friend.’ But I was bound to have it, and went to

-her room one day and took it, and had it made into a ring, for

-it was in the shape of a pin. Of course I intended to return

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_219'>219</span>it sometime, but I meant her to understand that a girl in her

-dependent position had no business to refuse so simple a request.

-The initials A. S., with two strawberry leaves, their

-stems crossed, are engraved on it, and I knew, when he described

-it to me, that it was ‘his friend’—or rather himself, as

-it appears now—who had given it to her. I heartily wish now

-that I had let it alone. But just listen to this.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Miss Richards took the pieces of the note, which she had

-held crumpled in her hand, and putting them together, read

-the following:</p>

-

-<div class='lg-container-r c016'>

-  <div class='linegroup'>

-    <div class='group'>

-      <div class='line'>“Oct. 10th, 188—.</div>

-    </div>

-  </div>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c014'>“<span class='sc'>Miss Richards</span>:—Doubtless before you receive this you will have

-learned that Archibald Sherbrooke—whom I represented to you as my

-friend, for reasons which you cannot now fail to understand—and Lord

-Carrol are one and the same person. Under the former name, which was

-the only one which belonged to me at that time, I became acquainted with

-Miss Gladstone on shipboard, and was so pleased with her that, at parting,

-I exchanged souvenirs with her, giving her a little cameo which I prized

-very highly. It is the same one which you have had made into a ring.

-When I met Miss Gladstone a short time since she remarked that she had

-‘lost’ my gift; last night she told me <i>how</i> she had ‘lost’ it, and I would

-respectfully ask you to send it to the inclosed address, that I may return

-it to the owner, should I be so happy as to find her.</p>

-

-<div class='lg-container-r c016'>

-  <div class='linegroup'>

-    <div class='group'>

-      <div class='line'>“Very respectfully,</div>

-      <div class='line in16'>“<span class='sc'>Archibald Sherbrooke</span>, Bart., and</div>

-      <div class='line in20'>Lord <span class='sc'>Carrol</span>, of Carrolton.”</div>

-    </div>

-  </div>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Why on earth can’t you let other folks’ things alone, Josephine?”

-cried Mrs. Richards, when her daughter had finished

-reading this formal note, and feeling almost faint from mortification

-upon learning of this disgraceful episode in her life. “I’m

-sure,” she added, reproachfully, “you have trinkets enough

-without taking the only thing a poor girl had.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Isn’t your commiseration somewhat ill-timed, mamma, for

-the ‘poor girl,’ now that she is not here to reap the benefit of

-it?” sneered the dutiful young lady. “I don’t care; it is an

-elegant trifle, anyhow, and I’ve half a mind to keep it, in

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_220'>220</span>spite of his lordship’s demand,” she added, defiantly, as she

-held up her hand, on which the ring gleamed, and regarded it

-covetously.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But she did return it, nevertheless; she did not quite dare to

-retain it, particularly as she could not relinquish all hope of

-winning the young lord even yet.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards, accompanied by Lord Carrol, proceeded with

-all possible dispatch to New York, and thence to Brooklyn,

-where they went directly to the seminary which Star attended,

-and inquired for her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was only half-past ten when they arrived there, but early

-as it was, Professor Roberts told them that she had come at the

-usual hour and severed her connection with the school, and

-very much to his regret, he added, as he considered her one of

-the most promising members of the senior class.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Both gentlemen looked blank at this information; they did

-not suppose Star would be so energetic to cover all traces of

-her flight.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had asked, the professor said, for a recommendation,

-that she might more easily enter some other, as she hoped to

-be able to complete her course, although she did not tell him

-where she was going.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“And I did,” he continued; “I gave her the very best one

-that could be put into words, for she deserved it. But what is

-this you tell me—that she has left her home without the knowledge

-of her friends?” and he appeared deeply troubled.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes; but it is only on account of a slight misunderstanding,

-and one which would have been very easily explained if

-she had not been quite so hasty; and I hope we shall be able

-to find her and make it right very soon.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I trust so; I am very sorry to part with her,” said the professor,

-gravely, while he measured the young lord with his

-keen eyes, mistrusting that he was somehow concerned in the

-mystery. “I had anticipated taking her through the course

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_221'>221</span>and presenting her with her diploma. I tell you, sir, Miss

-Gladstone bids fair to become a most brilliant woman. Why,

-the essay which she read at our last commencement would

-have been a credit to the most profound literary talent in the

-country.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Lord Carrol’s eyes glowed at these praises of his darling; but

-Mr. Richards winced under them, for his conscience was smiting

-him keenly for ever having allowed Star to occupy so questionable

-a position in his family.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You will oblige me if you will account for her absence in

-some casual way, if you are questioned about it,” he said. “I

-should be sorry to have anything unpleasant said of her.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Certainly; you may rely upon my being very discreet, for

-<i>her</i> sake,” Professor Roberts returned, somewhat stiffly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He bowed his visitors out, and then returned to his duties;

-but all day long, and for many days, he missed the bright,

-earnest face of his “most promising scholar,” her brilliant

-recitations, and the respectful attention which she had always

-given him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>As for Mr. Richards and Lord Carrol, their way seemed suddenly

-hedged up; they did not know which way to turn next.

-They knew it would be very difficult to find any one in the

-great city of New York, and it was possible that the fugitives

-had left the metropolis, although Mr. Richards, knowing how

-ambitious Star was to complete her education, was inclined to

-think she would remain there until she had accomplished

-this end.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Still Lord Carrol was determined not to relinquish his search

-for her, and he neglected painting and everything else, riding

-from one end of the city to another day after day, unweariedly

-visiting schools on week days, and haunting churches on Sunday,

-until the day of his departure arrived; but all his efforts

-were unavailing and fruitless.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>An advertisement was inserted in all the daily papers.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_222'>222</span>“Star, let me justify myself!” That was all; and Star, in

-her hiding-place, read it many times with curling lips and

-scornful eyes.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“There can be no justification,” she said; “one man bearing

-two names and deceiving two girls, can never be justified.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But her heart ached none the less, for, with shame she owned

-it, she loved him still. The days seemed endless, her duties

-arduous and monotonous; she grew thin, her step lost its

-elasticity, and she was as miserable as even Josephine, in her

-most malicious mood, could have wished.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>November came, and with it the day of Archibald Sherbrooke’s

-sailing for England.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>No one ever returned to his native land with a sadder heart

-and deeper regret than the young Lord of Carrolton, and he

-would not have gone even then, but that some urgent business

-connected with his uncle’s estate, and his duties as his heir,

-imperatively demanded it. He would have much preferred to

-remain and search for the fair girl whom he loved so devotedly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But he resolved to return to America at the earliest possible

-date and resume his efforts to find her.</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXII.<br> <span class='large'>THE GOAL REACHED.</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>The winter passed, the summer came again, and on a sunny

-day in June the great chapel of the Normal College of New York

-city was packed with human beings to its utmost capacity.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Upon the broad platform were seated the professors, the

-tutors, and guests, while the body of the vast hall was filled

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_223'>223</span>with its fifteen hundred students, attentive and vigilant like so

-many soldiers at their posts.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>These were girls all the way from fourteen to twenty years of

-age; girls of every shade of complexion and degree of beauty,

-or the reverse; bright maidens with latent mischief twinkling

-in their eyes, of every variety of color and shade; lasses of

-mercurial temperament, such as keep a household in a state of

-excitement and tumult, brimming with animal spirits and kittenish

-pranks. Others there were, however, with quiet serenity

-and dignity of manner, having sweet, clear-cut faces, and gentle

-ways shining through their countenances; and those, too—let

-us whisper it—with a suspicion of the vixen and virago; prudes

-and tomboys, angels and shrews—all mixed indiscriminately

-in that immense place, gathered for the final act of the school

-year—the graduating exercises, the distributing of the diplomas,

-and the departure of the senior class from the halls of learning

-out into the great world, there to take up their duties as

-teachers.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Among the large number of this class who occupy, on this

-occasion, the front seats in the chapel, there is one quiet figure,

-having a pale, delicate face, large, deep blue eyes, and a fair,

-gleaming brow, shaded by hair of brightest gold, which more

-than one of the numerous visitors have singled out from her

-sister graduates, on account of her peculiar loveliness and an

-indefinite something which seems to appeal to them from the

-depths of her lovely but rather sorrowful eyes.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Slight of form, unassuming in manner, but with a dainty,

-star-like beauty that was almost magnetic in its influence, she

-sat quietly in her seat until one of the professors announced

-the “Address in French,” as per programme, when she arose,

-and Miss Star Gladstone at once stepped upon the platform,

-saluting first the officers, teachers, and guests, then her fellow-students,

-with a charming little bow and a graceful inclination

-of her body.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_224'>224</span>In clear, bell-like tones she began her address, without the

-slightest appearance of self-consciousness or embarrassment,

-rolling out sentence after sentence in the smoothest and purest

-of French, until those who were well versed in the language

-wondered at such proficiency in one so young, while those who

-could not understand it were spell-bound by her exquisite voice

-and graceful gestures.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star had been well taught in French before coming to this

-country, until it had become almost like her native tongue;

-therefore, after a year of arduous study under the best of teachers

-at the Normal College, it is not strange that she should have

-been chosen, on account of her purity of accent, to deliver the

-French oration.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Who is she?” questioned one of the visitors of a teacher.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Miss Gladstone,” she answered, pointing to the name on

-the programme.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“How lovely she is, in that simple lace bunting, trimmed

-with its knots of blue ribbon, and those blush-roses in her

-belt!”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“So I think,” the teacher replied, with an affectionate glance

-at Star. “She has only been with us a year, however. She

-was hardly up to the mark when she entered the class,

-although she came highly recommended by Professor Roberts,

-of Brooklyn. Our standard, you know, is very high. But she

-was anxious to enter the senior class, and assured us that she

-would not drag, and said she was particularly anxious to graduate

-this year.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“And she has done well, I am sure,” the visitor said, bending

-another admiring glance upon the fair graduate.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“She has been one of the most brilliant scholars of the class.

-Her recitations have been wonderful. I do not think she has

-made a single failure during the entire year. If she had been

-with us throughout the course, she must have taken the valedictory;

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_225'>225</span>but she has acquitted herself grandly in the French essay,

-which she composed and translated herself.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“She has, indeed. I never heard purer French spoken, even

-in Paris. Does she live in the city?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I believe so, although I do not know where. She comes

-and goes very quietly, and her clothing indicates that her

-friends, whoever they may be, are in limited circumstances.

-She appears to have no intimates, and yet she is a favorite with

-all. There must be some sorrowful story connected with her

-life, I think, for there is a haunting sadness in her eyes whenever

-they meet yours, except when she smiles or becomes animated

-in conversation; then she is charming.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I should like to know her,” said the first speaker, musingly;

-but President Hunter here arose to distribute the diplomas,

-and she gave her attention to his remarks, although her glance

-frequently sought the lovely face which had so attracted her

-attention.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The subject of the above conversation, although unconscious

-of it, was none the less worthy of it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>After leaving Jacob Rosevelt on the night of her exciting interview

-with Mrs. Richards, she sped swiftly back to her room,

-where she gathered together a few articles of clothing and

-packed them into a small valise; her school-books also, with

-her portfolio and the small box which had so aroused Josephine’s

-curiosity that day when she went to steal Star’s lovely

-cameo.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>These preparations ended, she retired to rest.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She awoke long before daylight, and dressing herself in a

-dark street dress, she sat down by the window to wait for the

-dawn.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She penned that little note to Mrs. Blunt the last thing before

-leaving the house. The woman had been so kind to her that

-she could not find it in her heart to go away without a single

-word of farewell; to the others she gave not a thought.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_226'>226</span>As soon as it was light enough, she stole softly down stairs

-and out at the front door, as it was nearer, and, besides, some

-of the servants might be up if she went out the back way, and

-turned her back forever upon the house in which she had only

-been “tolerated.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>When she reached the lodge, she found Mr. Rosevelt waiting

-for her on the vine-covered porch.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He smiled a silent good-morning, motioning her not to

-speak, with a gesture which told her that John Mellen’s wife

-was not far off; and together they went out from the grounds

-by a side gate and proceeded toward the station.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>They were in time for the early morning train, and reached

-New York long before the household which they had left behind

-were aware of their flight.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“We will go to some quiet street and board for a few days,”

-Mr. Rosevelt said, as they sat down in the waiting-room of the

-station to consult upon what was best to be done. “You must

-not lose a day of school if you can help it. I know just the

-place for us, I think, where there is a good, motherly soul of a

-landlady. Perhaps she will know of some rooms which we can

-obtain at a reasonable price until you graduate, and then, perhaps,

-you may not care to remain in New York.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star assented to this plan, and they repaired to the boarding-place

-which Mr. Rosevelt had mentioned, and found the “good,

-motherly soul” very willing to take them in.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>After partaking of a simple but wholesome breakfast, Star

-went at once to Brooklyn, and had an interview with Professor

-Roberts, as we already know.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She told him just as little as was possible, but said that circumstances

-obliged her to make a change, although she had

-not yet decided where she should pursue her education.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She was surprised at the recommendation which he gave her,

-for it was indeed the very best that he could put into words,

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_227'>227</span>and she felt very sad when he shook her cordially by the hand

-and expressed his regret at being obliged to part with her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>On her way back to New York she decided, if she could

-pass the examination, she would enter the Normal College,

-believing that among the multitude who attended there she

-would escape observation more easily than in a smaller school.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She went immediately to the corner of Sixty-ninth street and

-Fourth avenue, had an interview with the president, who consented

-to give her a private examination; but the curriculum

-was a little different from that of Professor Roberts’ seminary, and

-she was not quite up to the standard in some of its branches,

-and being unwilling to go back into another grade, she was

-admitted to the senior class, “upon conditions.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She was not long in showing him, however, that such a stipulation

-was wholly unnecessary.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She gave up all thoughts of music for the present, and bent

-all her energies to her studies, and soon not one of the forty

-who were to graduate gave promise of a more brilliant ending

-to her career as a scholar than she who had been admitted

-“upon conditions.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Meantime Mr. Rosevelt had found three furnished rooms in

-a cheap but respectable locality, where they took up their abode,

-the woman, who owned and lived in the house, agreeing to

-furnish their meals and act as sort of housekeeper general for a

-reasonable amount.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt would not hear a word to any other arrangement,

-although Star declared she could do a portion of the

-work herself.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No; you shall do nothing of the kind. You will have all

-you can attend to to keep up with your classes,” he said.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“But it will cost so much, Uncle Jacob,” Star answered,

-ruefully, for she found that her poor hundred pounds was melting

-rapidly away—at least, it would do so if they paid for having

-all their work done. Mr. Rosevelt smiled.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_228'>228</span>“My dear,” he said, though somewhat sadly, she thought,

-“you did not suppose I was going to allow you to assume the

-burden of my whole support, did you? I never should have

-consented to come away with you in that case. I am not quite

-penniless, and what I can afford to pay toward our support will

-at least relieve you of all necessity of laboring as a household

-drudge.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>They were as cozy as they could well be with their simple

-yet home-like little parlor, and two bedrooms leading out of

-it, and with their meals served to them there, it was very much

-like a home of their own.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It is just as nice as can be, and I am happy as a queen,”

-Star declared, over and over again; but he often looked troubled

-when he saw how thin her cheeks were growing, noticed her

-oft-repeated but quickly suppressed sighs, and that “haunting

-sadness” in her eyes.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>They lived in a very quiet way, never going out except for a

-quiet walk or to the little church near by on Sunday, and never

-met or heard anything of Mr. Richards or his family.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star had read that advertisement relating to herself, and it

-had caused her bitter pain, for it brought all her suffering so

-freshly to her mind; but she had not the least faith that Lord

-Carrol could say anything which could justify himself in her

-mind. She felt that he only desired to cheat her still further

-with honeyed words, and so paid no heed to it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt also saw it, and wondered if she had read it;

-but she gave no sign, and he never mentioned that name to her;

-it was a topic which they avoided by tacit consent.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Once during the year, when speaking of what she should do

-as soon as she graduated, she said that she had decided to apply

-for a situation as teacher in the city; she had concluded to

-remain in America instead of returning to England, as she had

-at first planned to do.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He did not ask her why; he understood what she meant—she

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_229'>229</span>wished the sea to roll between her and the man who had so

-ruined her life; and perhaps, he thought, with a very tender

-feeling in his heart, she wanted to stay with him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Thus the year sped round, and brought with its revolution

-another commencement day for Star.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Uncle Jacob, you are coming to-day to see me graduate,

-are you not?” she asked that morning, as she poured his coffee

-for him, and looking up into his face with more eagerness than

-he had seen her manifest since her trouble.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Of course I shall; I would not miss it for anything. Then

-you have really passed your final examination, and are going

-to receive your diploma?” he said, bending a look of pride

-on her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Indeed I have. You did not suppose I should <i>fail</i>, did

-you, if I really set about it?” she asked, with a little accent of

-scorn on the disagreeable word.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I did not know, dear. I was confident that you would

-do your best; but you told me you were only received upon

-conditions, and I sometimes feared the work might be too hard

-for you.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I should not have begged to be allowed to enter the

-senior class if I had not felt confident that I could do justice to

-myself,” Star answered, quietly, as she buttered her roll. “I

-considered the matter thoroughly before I applied. I had

-already read almost as far in Latin as the whole course demanded,

-and my French, thanks to papa’s care, was nearly

-equal in pronunciation to monsieur’s own. The review of

-some of the studies of the junior class, with which I was not

-familiar, and the training for teaching, were all that was very

-hard for me.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She spoke lightly, but he well knew that she had labored unremittingly

-upon those reviews, and that she had spent many

-extra hours with one of the “critic” teachers, who had kindly

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_230'>230</span>offered to assist her, in order that she might be up to the mark

-in the practice of “model school-teaching.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Thus she had persevered and overcome every obstacle until

-the goal was reached, and to-day she would receive her diploma.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>And so Uncle Jacob had gone to the great chapel with other

-interested friends, and watched the dear girl with glistening

-eyes while she so creditably performed the part assigned to her,

-feeling that she was an honor to her class, and in his eyes, at

-least, the gem of them all.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>That evening there was to be a grand reunion in a commodious

-hall near by, where graduates of previous years were

-to meet the senior class of to-day, to offer their congratulations

-on their success and their good wishes for their future career.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star had no fine clothes in which to make a show of herself,

-and was obliged to go clad in the same simple lace bunting

-that she had worn during the day; but she gave herself an air

-of elegance by substituting some bright flowers for the knots

-of blue ribbon, and excitement lending a rich color to her

-cheeks and light to her eyes, no one thought of criticising her

-garments.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Jacob Rosevelt, too, dressed in a full new suit of handsome

-broadcloth, with a satin neck-tie and light kid gloves, did not

-look much like the bent, shabby old man who had arrived,

-dusty and travel-stained, at Mr. Richards’ mansion a little less

-than a year ago.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Where <i>did</i> you get it, Uncle Jacob?” Star exclaimed, as he

-came forth from his chamber and asked her if she thought

-he’d do.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He smiled mysteriously, then said:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I told you that I was not quite a beggar, dear, when I left

-my niece Ellen’s inhospitable roof, and so I’ve been saving up

-for this occasion, in order that I might do honor to you.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You are just as fine as you can be,” Star said, delightedly,

-as she went round and round him to examine the material and

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_231'>231</span>fashion of his new garments, “and I do not believe any one

-will be more proud of her escort to-night than I shall be; and

-yet,” she thought, “Uncle Jacob must have been <i>very saving</i>

-indeed to have been able to buy such an expensive suit.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>His eyes glowed with pleasure at her words; but when they

-entered the brilliantly lighted hall, and he saw the elegant

-toilets of some of the young ladies, he could not help regarding

-her with something of regret, although very many admiring

-eyes were fixed upon the arm of the stately, gray-haired gentleman,

-as they went forward to pay their respects to President

-Hunter and his corps of assistants.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Miss Gladstone, I have a friend who desires to be presented

-to you,” said one of Star’s teachers, seeking her out later in the

-evening.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She led her toward a lady who was standing a little apart

-from them, and who appeared to be three or four years Star’s

-senior, and introduced her as Miss Meredith.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was the visitor who had inquired so particularly regarding

-our heroine during the graduating exercises.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She was drawn toward her at once, and they were soon

-chatting as sociably as if they had been acquaintances of long

-standing.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>While thus engaged, a gentleman approached them, greeting

-both young ladies in the most cordial manner.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I was hoping that you two would meet to-night,” he said,

-bestowing a smiling face upon them both. “Miss Meredith is

-a graduate of two years ago, Miss Gladstone, and I am sure

-you will find her a congenial spirit.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Thank you, Mr. Appleton,” Miss Meredith responded,

-brightly; “but you should have put it the other way, for I

-have been very impatient to meet Miss Gladstone. I singled

-her out from her class to-day, and felt sure that we should be

-<i><span lang="fr">en rapport</span></i>, as the spiritualists say, if we could only become

-acquainted.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_232'>232</span>“Well, I think it does not matter much which way you put

-it, now that you know each other,” the gentleman returned,

-smiling; then turning to Star, he added:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“So, my young friend, you have really ‘run the race, and

-finished the course;’ and now do you remember the promise

-which you made me several months ago?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star flushed vividly at this question.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Did I make you a promise, Mr. Appleton?” she asked,

-evasively, adding, with an arch glance: “I thought it was <i>you</i>

-who made <i>me</i> a promise.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He laughed and shook his finger at her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You said that on your eighteenth birthday I might reveal a

-secret.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“And you <i>promised</i> you would <i>not</i> reveal it until I was

-eighteen,” she retorted, brightly, although the color deepened

-in her cheeks as she continued: “I am not eighteen yet, Mr.

-Appleton.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No, but you will be to-morrow. You see I have not forgotten

-the date. Now, let me take time by the forelock a little,

-and whisper to Miss Meredith <i>who</i> the author of ‘Chatsworth’s

-Pride’ is. She has been on the <i><span lang="fr">qui vive</span></i> to know ever since the

-book was published,” Mr. Appleton said, bending a roguish

-look upon Star, who now stood with drooping eyes and appearing

-somewhat confused.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Oh, do you know? Is it some friend of yours, Miss Gladstone?”

-Miss Meredith said, eagerly, to her. “I think it is so

-tantalizing not to know the name of the author of a book,”

-she went on, “particularly if it is one you happen to like very

-much; and here this provoking man who published this one

-only put a great star where he should have printed the author’s

-name. Do tell me, please, Miss Gladstone; I am, indeed, all

-curiosity.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Then remarking Star’s embarrassment, she looked from her

-to Mr. Appleton, questioningly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_233'>233</span>“Is it?” she went on, excitedly, as he smiled and glanced at

-the fair girl. “Can it be possible that it is Miss Gladstone

-herself? I believe it is,” she said, with sparkling eyes, as she

-seized Star’s hands; “and oh! what can I say to you? It is a

-charming little book, and I have enjoyed it more than I can

-tell you. There! let me shake the hand that wrote it, and if I

-had a laurel wreath here I would put it on this golden head and

-make you wear it the remainder of the evening.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>And she squeezed and shook that small, white, gloved hand

-until Star laughingly begged for mercy.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“See what you have subjected me to,” she said, with a half-reproachful

-look at Mr. Appleton.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You might just as well make the best of it, my modest

-little friend,” that gentleman replied, laughing. “I have kept

-silence for a year under the most trying circumstances, for I

-have been unmercifully besieged to tell who the author of

-‘Chatsworth’s Pride’ is, and I could not stand the fire any

-longer. My time is too valuable to be spent in any such way;

-and I came here to-night not only to congratulate you upon

-your graduation, but also to introduce my fair young author to

-my friends. Yes, Miss Meredith, Miss Stella Gladstone is the

-author of ‘Chatsworth’s Pride.’”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Miss <i>Stella</i> Gladstone?” Miss Meredith repeated.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes; and, you perceive, I was not far from giving the name

-after all. I was obliged to ‘make her mark,’ since I could not

-write her name,” returned Mr. Appleton, jocosely.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Ah, yes, I see. Stella means a star; and certainly,” Miss

-Meredith said, turning to her new acquaintance again, “you

-bid fair to shine like one.”</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_234'>234</span>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXIII.<br> <span class='large'>AN INTERESTING STORY.</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>Jacob Rosevelt stood not far away during the conversation

-between Mr. Appleton, Miss Meredith, and Star, and a proud

-light beamed in his eyes as he listened to their praises of the

-girl whom he had learned to love so well.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But it was nothing new to him that Star was an authoress;

-he had known it for nearly a year.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>That was the secret that she had whispered in his ear when,

-after Mrs. Richards’ terrible accusations, they had been left

-alone and she had begged him to go away with her to make a

-little home of their own, telling him that what she should

-receive for her book, together with her hundred pounds, would

-be ample for their support until she could graduate and obtain

-a position as a teacher.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had written it that first winter; for after Mr. Richards

-had vetoed his wife’s plan of making her a servant, and insisted

-that she should be sent to school, there had been many lonely

-hours which would have been very irksome to her if she had

-not spent them in this way.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Her studies that winter were not hard; she had no associates

-to help her pass the time pleasantly, and so her heart had overflowed

-in this way, and she had penned the charming little

-romance which had at once set everybody to wondering who

-the author might be.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>This was the package with which she had stolen forth so early

-one morning, taking it with fear and trembling, yet with something

-of hope, to the great publisher.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_235'>235</span>When she was shown into his office and made known her

-errand there, he looked at her in wonder, astonished at the

-temerity of one so young and simple as she appeared to be in

-bringing her manuscript to him and asking him to publish it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But the deferential yet winning way in which she made her

-appeal, and the influence of her loveliness, won a reluctant

-promise on his part “to look it over.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He did so, opening the neatly folded package with an amused

-smile, and expecting after a casual glance at its contents to be

-nauseated with some sickly sentimental love-story.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But he became strangely interested in it at once, and read

-on and on, now with smiles, then melting into tears, until it

-was finished, and pronounced a “little gem;” while he was

-convinced that a sensitive, refined, and talented girl had thrown

-her heart, and perhaps something of her own life, into those

-touching pages.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He sent a note to her at once, asking her to come and see

-him again, and when she obeyed the summons, he questioned

-her about herself, how she had come to write her book, and

-what incidents had suggested it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She told him that the scene of her little romance was laid in

-Derbyshire, England, and that many of the incidents were connected

-with her childhood; and the tears sprang to his eyes as

-she related to him something of the misfortune which overtook

-her in the death of her mother, the subsequent loss of her

-father, and how she was obliged to come, a stranger, to this

-country; of the tempestuous voyage across the ocean, with its

-thrilling events, and that as soon as she could complete her

-education she intended to become a teacher.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He was greatly interested in her, and told her that he should

-publish her book, and if the first edition sold well, she should

-have a thousand dollars, and a certain per cent. on all other

-editions.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It seemed like a fortune to Star, who had not thought of

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_236'>236</span>receiving anything like such a sum, and she went back to her

-duties with a joyful heart to await the issue of her book.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Appleton was so pleased with her that he saw her often

-after that, and having received a card from her for the commencement

-exercises of Professor Roberts’ seminary, he decided

-he would go; and the little package which he had given her

-in the presence of Mr. Richards was a copy of her book, which

-had just come to him from the hands of the binders; and it

-was he, too, who, admiring her fine essay, begged it of her and

-sent it, with those few flattering remarks which had so annoyed

-Josephine, to the next morning’s papers.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star had put no name to her work, telling Mr. Appleton that

-she did not care to be known as its author; and he, too,

-thought it best, since it was her first experience in literary matters;

-so, when she had told him that her name was Stella, he

-had put a simple Star in place of it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But the book had sold beyond even the publisher’s most

-sanguine expectations, and when it became evident very soon

-that a second edition must be published, he asked her to allow

-him to put her name to it, as everybody was besieging him to

-know who wrote it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But she was firm, and insisted upon having his promise that

-he would not betray her until after her graduation and her

-eighteenth birthday.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>When he wrote her a check for the promised thousand dollars,

-she had taken it directly to Mr. Rosevelt.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Now we need have no fears for the future,” she said, with a

-proud smile, as she put it into his hand. “You must have

-every comfort, Uncle Jacob—fruits, and wines, and everything

-nice, to make you strong and well. There will be more coming,

-you know, as the other editions are sold, and when I begin to

-teach I shall have my salary besides.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The old gentleman was deeply touched by her thoughtfulness

-for him; he could not speak for the choking sensation in

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_237'>237</span>his throat, but drew her gently to him and kissed her fair forehead,

-feeling that she was the only gleam of sunshine which his

-life contained.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Now, as he stood by and heard her praises sung, and knew

-that she would have the fame that belonged to her, he exulted

-over it; and when, a little later, she came to him and slipped

-an envelope into his hand, saying: “It is another check, Uncle

-Jacob, which Mr. Appleton has just given to me. Please take

-care of it, for you are my banker, you know; and,” a tear starting

-to her glorious eyes, “I believe I never expected to be so

-happy again as I am to-night,” he thought his own cup of joy

-was nearly as full as hers.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She was, indeed, a star after that all through the evening,

-and held a right royal little court, receiving and making the

-acquaintance of the admirers of “Chatsworth’s Pride,” until

-she became so weary that she longed to get home to quiet

-and rest.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>As soon as she could find an opportunity to do so, she drew

-Mr. Rosevelt to President Hunter and made her adieu.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Just as she was turning away, some one touched her on

-the arm.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Miss Gladstone, allow me to present my brother, Mr. Ralph

-Meredith.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was Miss Meredith—Grace Meredith she had told Star she

-was called—who spoke, and looking up, she found a pair of

-brilliant dark eyes looking into hers, a handsome face smiling

-down upon her, while a musical voice acknowledged the introduction

-with evident pleasure.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I expect you are <i>the ‘star’</i> whom I have been wishing to

-know for a long time,” he said, significantly, as he took the

-hand she held out to him, and thought he had never seen a

-lovelier face in his life.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star thanked him with a charming smile for his interest in

-her, and introduced him to Mr. Rosevelt; then turned to Miss

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_238'>238</span>Meredith to escape from the praises which she saw he was

-longing to pour into her ears.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The young man was somewhat chagrined at being thus summarily

-disposed of, but he was too polite and good-natured to

-betray it, and did his best to make himself agreeable to the old

-gentleman and win his good-will.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Gradually, however, he managed to attract the attention of

-the young ladies, and then the conversation became general,

-and they chatted pleasantly for several minutes, until, at a look

-from Star, Mr. Rosevelt declared they must go, “for he was not

-used to late hours, and Star, he knew, was nearly worn out with

-the excitement of the day.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Meredith regretted that they must leave, but begged,

-with his most captivating smile:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“May I have the pleasure, Miss Gladstone, of coming with

-my sister to call upon you?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Certainly,” Star answered, graciously, for she was pleased

-with both brother and sister. “I shall be very happy to have

-you do so. We live——”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Wait a minute, Star, and I will write our address down for

-them. It is so difficult to remember numbers, I am afraid they

-will forget;” and taking a leaf from a small notebook that was

-in his pocket, Mr. Rosevelt wrote both street and number and

-passed it to young Meredith.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star thought he looked surprised as he read it. Was it because

-of the humble locality? she wondered.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>They then exchanged good-nights and parted. When they

-reached the street, Mr. Rosevelt said:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I am going to call a carriage, dear, for I know you are just

-ready to drop from weariness;” and Star did not object, for she

-was indeed exceedingly tired.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>When they reached home she insisted upon making a cup of

-tea for Uncle Jacob, saying that he was not accustomed to such

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_239'>239</span>late hours and dissipation; “and besides,” she added, with

-a smile, “she felt like having a drop herself.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But the old gentleman was so absent-minded over his

-tea, that she felt almost guilty for having kept him up so

-late, and feared he would be ill to-morrow.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She put away the tea things when they were through,

-and was about to light her lamp to retire, when he stopped

-her, saying:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Star, my dear, come and sit down upon this ottoman

-by me; I have something I wish to say to you.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She obeyed, wondering what had happened to make him

-look and speak so gravely.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Are you <i>really happy</i> to-night, my child?” he asked,

-tenderly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A startled look came into the girl’s eyes at this question,

-and her heart leaped with sudden pain as her thoughts

-went bounding over the sea to one to whom she had given

-the first grand passion of her soul.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Uncle Jacob,” she answered, gravely, though he could

-see the quiver about her lips, which she tried in vain to

-repress, “I am happier than I ever expected to be again.

-It is useless to regret or mourn over the past. I have

-tried to be sensible over it, but sometimes, I am afraid, I

-have not succeeded very well,” she said, with a smile that

-was a trifle bitter. “If,” she added, more brightly, a

-moment after, “that <i>one episode</i> could have been left out

-of my life, I believe there would be nothing to mar it

-now.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I would that it could have been so,” Mr. Rosevelt

-sighed. “But I want you to listen to me for a little while.

-I know it is late, and you ought to go to rest, but I particularly

-wish to tell you a short story of my life to-night.

-It is a page which has been turned from sight for many

-years, and no one has ever read it save myself. You are

-about entering upon a new era in <i>your</i> life. I have learned

-to love you very tenderly, my child, and I want to bind

-you yet closer to me.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_240'>240</span>“Why, Uncle Jacob, you do not think I have any idea of

-going away from you, I hope,” Star said, in surprise.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No, for I have grown to feel that you belong to me. I

-want you to think so, too, and I am going to tell you why.

-Fate—or Providence, I suppose, <i>you</i> would say—has thrown us

-together in a strange way, considering all things. Do you remember

-telling me, on board that ill-fated steamer, that your

-name was Star Rosevelt Gladstone, and how surprised you were

-when you learned that my last name was the same as your

-middle one?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, sir; and I still think it a strange coincidence,” Star

-answered.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Perhaps you will be more surprised when I tell you that

-you were named <i>for</i> me.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star looked up astonished at him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“How can that be possible?” she asked.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“In this way,” Mr. Rosevelt returned, a shade of pain crossing

-his face. “When your grandmother, Stella Winthrop—that

-was her name before her marriage, was it not?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes; and that is all I know about her, Uncle Jacob,” Star

-answered, with a troubled look. “Papa never said much about

-his friends. Indeed, he did not appear to have any relatives,

-and never would allow me to question him about them. Once

-I said something to him about my name, and he remarked:

-‘Your grandmother once told me that if ever I had a little girl

-of my own, she would like me to call her Stella Rosevelt, and

-that is how you came by it.’</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“‘Where is my grandmother, papa?’ I asked.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“‘She is dead,’ he said, and immediately left the room,

-looking so pale and miserable that I never dared ask him anything

-more about her.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It seems strange that <i>I</i> should be the one to tell you about

-her,” Mr. Rosevelt said, thoughtfully, “and I am puzzled to

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_241'>241</span>know why he should have been so reticent. Did your father

-ever have any trouble with his family?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Not that I know of; and yet,” Star said, flushing, “there

-<i>was</i> some trouble about his marriage with mamma, though that

-seems to have been on the part of her family rather than his.

-Mrs. Richards once twitted me about mamma—who was a sort

-of cousin to her—having married beneath her.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I do not see how that could have been, for the Mr. Gladstone

-who married Stella Winthrop was a very wealthy and important

-man in the county of Devonshire—at least, I was told

-so—and if your father was his son, he might have married

-almost any one he chose, and have conferred an honor in so

-doing. But this is not telling you my story.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“When Stella Winthrop was of your age, and I three or four

-years older, we met at a large reception in London. That

-meeting was fatal to us both, for we loved from that hour as

-true lovers ever love. For six months the world was like

-Paradise to us, and then I was called away to the far East on

-business for the firm with which I was connected. I am an

-American, but most of my life has been spent abroad.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“If I was successful in my business undertaking, it was

-agreed that I might claim my bride when I returned at the end

-of two years. The vessel on which I sailed was wrecked—I

-have had more than one such experience you see, my dear—and

-it was reported that every passenger on board was lost,

-while only a very few of the crew lived to tell the story of the

-disaster. But I was fortunate enough to secure a large cask,

-and with this I managed to keep afloat for two days, when I

-was picked up by a sailing-vessel bound for the Philippine

-Islands.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“My first work upon reaching land was to write to Stella

-and tell her of my safety; but my letter never reached her. I

-also notified the firm that I was all right, and should proceed

-directly about the business upon which I had been sent, but

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_242'>242</span>they knew nothing of my connection with Miss Winthrop, and

-accordingly did not communicate with her. I kept writing at

-intervals to my beloved, but never heard anything in return.

-At last, in despair, I wrote to the firm, telling them of my engagement,

-and asking them to notify her of my safety and give

-her my address in case she should have happened to lose the

-one I had given her. In reply, they said that the Winthrop

-family had gone abroad for an indefinite stay. Of course this

-was a great trial to me, and I was exceedingly impatient; but

-my two years were over at last, and I turned my face toward

-England once more. I had succeeded in my business beyond

-my most sanguine expectations, and I looked forward to the

-immediate fulfillment of my hopes when I should return.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“My first duty on reaching London was to acquaint my employers

-with the result of my transactions, and my next thought

-was for Stella—my bright Star. Never for an instant had I

-doubted her fidelity; I believed she would be as true to me as

-I was to her, and my heart beat high with hope as I bounded

-up the familiar steps leading to her home and rang the bell. I

-asked for Miss Winthrop of the maid who answered my summons,

-and she stared at me as if she thought me demented.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“‘Miss Winthrop?’ she repeated. ‘There is no Miss Winthrop,

-sir; she was married and went away nearly a year ago.’</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“‘Married!’ The word was like a thunderbolt to me, and

-in an instant all the light went out of my life—my heart was

-paralyzed. I staggered from the place, and hid myself from

-every one for a week. Then I gained something of calmness

-and courage to go out among my friends and try to learn how

-it happened that Stella Winthrop had married. As I told you

-before, it was reported that every passenger on the vessel in

-which I sailed was lost. Those of the crew who were saved

-affirmed that such was the case, and my betrothed had believed

-that I was dead.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“She grieved herself almost to death over my loss, and her

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_243'>243</span>parents, fearing they would lose her also, took her abroad and

-traveled for many months. It was during this absence that the

-firm received my letter relating to her, but were unable to learn

-her address, as she was moving from point to point, and so

-could not communicate with her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Six months after learning my fate, she met Mr. Gladstone

-in Paris. He fell in love with her, and offered himself to her.

-He was a gentleman in every sense of the word, was kind and

-sympathetic, and she liked him as a friend. She told him the

-story of her grief, and that she could never marry. He did

-not sneer at her ‘girlish folly,’ as many would have done, but

-comforted her, speaking so kindly and regretfully of me that

-he won even a warmer place in her heart. He was patient with

-her, and when at length a second time he asked her to marry

-him, she told him that she could never love him as she had

-loved me, but if he could be content to take her with what

-respect she could give him, and the duty she would strive to

-yield him, she would become his wife. He told her he would

-be content, and they were married—a year and three months

-after I sailed on the fatal voyage.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“They traveled several months longer, and when at length

-on their return to London, only three or four months before I

-arrived there, she learned that I had not perished, but was soon

-expected back, the shock nearly killed her a second time. Her

-husband was all kindness and attention, took her immediately

-away again, and showered everything that wealth could buy

-upon her; and after a time children were born to her, and

-those new ties aroused her to her sense of duty as a mother. I

-never saw her, for I had not courage to look upon her dear

-face, knowing that she was the wife of another; for I never

-ceased to love her, with an affection that amounted to idolatry.

-They told me that she had two children—two noble boys, one

-of them resembling her, the other his father—that she was a

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_244'>244</span>tender, faithful mother, and very much beloved by every one

-who knew her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“That was forty years ago, Star, and for thirty I have not

-heard one word concerning either her or her family; but I

-have lived my life out alone; I could never take any one to

-my broken heart; and perhaps, if your belief is true, my child,

-and I can ever be made clearly to see it, I may find my lost

-love somewhere in the great future; but I do not need to tell

-you that my past has been one long season of longing and

-regret, of sadness and loneliness.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>His voice broke, his lips quivered painfully, and it seemed

-for a moment as if he must break down utterly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star softly slipped one of her small hands into his, and the

-sympathetic little act comforted him greatly. His closed over

-it in a strong, yet tender clasp.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You pity the old man’s weakness, don’t you, dear?” he

-said, with a sad smile; “but it is not easy to open the secret

-chambers of one’s heart when they have been closed for forty

-years.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“When I first saw you,” he continued, after a moment,

-“there was something in your face that touched me—a light

-in your eye, a sheen on your hair, that somehow smote a

-familiar chord in my heart. I watched you, although you were

-not aware of it, and felt sorry for you during that dreadful

-storm at sea; for your white face and great, startled eyes appealed

-to me as nothing had done for many a year. But I

-would not yield to it. I had shut my heart to every one; I had

-vowed that I would never love any one again, and I mistrusted

-every one who sought to win me to a better mood. But when

-that lurch of the boat threw you directly into my arms, and

-you clung to me in such a helpless way, I could not resist you,

-and some good angel prompted me to gather you close to me

-and make you rest upon me. When you told me your name,

-the shock nearly unmanned me—‘Star Rosevelt Gladstone,’ you

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_245'>245</span>said—and I knew as well as if I had been told, that you were

-in some way connected with <i>my</i> lost Star, and I watched over

-you all the night through, feeling almost as if some sweet spirit

-had been sent from her to me, to give me a little ray of comfort

-at the end of my long, loveless life.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“When, the next morning, you told me that your grandmother

-had named you, and that her name was Stella Winthrop,

-I had not a doubt; I felt convinced that you must be

-the child of one of her sons. You thought it merely a strange

-coincidence, but I knew better, and all my boasted coldness

-and hardness melted away, and I began to love you then and

-there. When that dreadful explosion occurred, and you urged

-me to save myself, as ‘doubtless I had dear friends’ and ‘you

-had no one to love you’—when you refused to leave me, and

-took up your station by my side to die with me, as we both

-believed, I felt as if something of the spirit of my lost love was

-shining through you. Then your tenderness toward, and your

-care of me—your heroic self-denial and efforts to save my life

-while we were helplessly afloat on the mighty ocean—your

-sweet voice singing those hymns of faith and cheer, completed

-the conquest of my hardened nature. I can never make you

-understand how disappointed I was, on arriving in New York,

-to find you gone. I meant to tell you something of myself,

-and learn your own destination, so that I might see you once

-in awhile.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“But I never forgot you; and when I visited my nephew in

-the West, and met only coldness and neglect, simply because

-of my misfortunes, I could not help contrasting it with your

-kind attention to an entire stranger.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I left those heartless people and came to my niece, and

-met with the same reception, when before they had always

-fawned at my feet, flattered and humored me as if I had been

-something more than common clay.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I felt forsaken; no one loved me, no one wanted me; I

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_246'>246</span>was a burden and incumbrance. But just then you appeared

-to me, and your heavenly kindness made my poor old heart

-glow again. Still, I was so embittered by finding my only

-brother’s children so heartless and selfish, that I was not quite

-sure of you. It made me mistrust everybody, and I feared you

-might grow to be like them. But for that I should not have

-remained a day beneath Ellen Richards’ roof; I should have

-gone my own way again as soon as I became rested and recruited.

-Do you remember how you came to me the next

-morning after my arrival, and cheered me with your merry chat

-and your thoughtful little gift? I said, ‘Surely this child must

-be artless—she must be true;’ but I resolved to stay awhile and

-test and study you, and you have been a blessing to me from

-the first. My dear, I began to love you for my lost Star’s sake;

-now I love you for your own. There, you have all my story

-now, and you must go to rest, for to-morrow will be your birthday,

-and we must celebrate a little in honor of it,” Mr. Rosevelt

-concluded, patting her softly on the shoulder.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star lifted a flushed and tearful face to his.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Uncle Jacob!” she cried, tenderly; “it seems as if you are

-<i>really</i> that to me now; and I am so glad that you have told me

-how you have loved my grandmother, and I shall try more

-than ever after this to make your life as bright as possible. I

-do not see how any one could ever have treated you unkindly

-or disrespectfully.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Uncle Jacob smiled fondly at her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I know there is one at least who treats me kindly for my

-own sake, and who would share all her laurels with me. My

-child, I was very proud of you to-night.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“And I of you,” Star added, quickly. “I never saw you

-look so nice—so like an <i>aristocratic</i> old gentleman.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He laughed, such a bright, hearty laugh that she wondered

-to see him so pleased over her little compliment.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_247'>247</span>“Now, good-night,” he said, rising; “I want you to be as

-fresh as possible to-morrow.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He led her to the door of her room, and then, with a softly

-breathed “God bless you!” sought his own.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>God bless you! Those words rang in Star’s ears. Was he

-beginning to believe in her God, after all? She hoped so—she

-<i>prayed</i> so.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But she did not go directly to bed, as he bade her; his story

-had strangely stirred her heart, and she could not rest until she

-had decided some questions that were troubling her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She opened a drawer of her dressing-case, and taking that

-worn portfolio to which we have before referred from it, unlocked

-it, and drew forth a sealed package.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Papa told me to wait until I was eighteen before I opened

-and read it,” she said, musingly; “but a few hours can make

-no difference, and I feel now as if I must know if he was

-<i>her</i> son, and why he never would tell me anything about his

-family.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>With reverent fingers she broke the seals, a sob rising to her

-lips as she thought whose hand had fastened them there, and

-how tenderly it used to stroke her hair and call her “My bright

-little Star.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The package contained several papers, and it took her more

-than an hour to examine them; but when she had read them

-through, there was a look of wonder in her large blue eyes and

-an almost blank expression on her white face.</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_248'>248</span>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXIV.<br> <span class='large'>WHAT NEXT?</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>Star Gladstone’s eighteenth birthday dawned as bright and

-charming as it was possible for a morning to be. At eight

-o’clock she and Mr. Rosevelt sat down to their breakfast, and a

-merry meal they made of it, for both appeared in the best of

-spirits, in spite of the sad and exciting events of the previous

-evening upon which they had conversed.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>About nine a handsome carriage drove to their humble abode,

-and the driver rang and asked for the “gentleman and lady who

-were going for a drive in the park.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star looked surprised as she peered from the window and saw

-a pair of sleek, coal-black horses, with their silver-mounted

-harnesses, and the shining, velvet-lined coach.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Uncle Jacob, did you order that carriage to come for us?”

-she asked.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, my dear,” he said, with an expression of satisfaction,

-as he, too, looked out and saw the team. “It is not often that

-I ride, as you well know, but when I do, I like to go in style.

-One ride a year in ‘ship-shape’ would satisfy me, where a half-dozen

-in some broken-down hack wouldn’t give me a bit of

-pleasure. Now, put on your hat, and tuck some roses in your

-belt, as you did yesterday, for this is to be a gala day, and I

-want you as fine as possible.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star laughed and tripped away to obey, coming back after a

-few moments with such a bright and happy face that Mr. Rosevelt

-thought she had never looked so lovely before.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>All the morning they drove, four long, delightful hours-hours

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_249'>249</span>that were always a pleasant memory afterward to both of

-them; and many who saw the nicely dressed old gentleman,

-with the fair, bright, golden-haired girl beside him in their

-elegant carriage, thought what a green old age must be his,

-with so much to make life pleasant.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>About one o’clock they turned toward the city once more,

-and Star said, with a sigh of pleasure:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Uncle Jacob, I believe there never was such a perfect day

-before, and I’m sure I never enjoyed a birthday more. You

-were very kind to plan this pleasure for me.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The old gentleman’s eyes twinkled. Her delight, her bright,

-animated face were such a joy to him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“If I had only been rich as I used to be, I should so like

-to have made you some nice present to-day—a watch, for instance,”

-he said.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You gave me something last night which I value far better—your

-confidence,” Star said, softly. “I should like a watch,”

-she added, after a moment, “and I mean to have one some

-time. When I have earned it, you shall go and select it for me,

-if you will. But what have you done with your own, Uncle

-Jacob? You had a very nice one when I first met you, and I

-remember seeing it on you after the wreck.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Watches and I have not had much in common during the

-last two years,” he answered, evasively; and she thought perhaps

-he had been obliged to sell it since he became poor.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>All at once the carriage stopped in a quiet street up town,

-which, Star noticed, was lined on both sides with elegant brown-stone

-dwellings.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“What are we stopping here for?” she asked.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“A good woman whom I used to know lives here, and I

-thought, as we were in gala attire to-day, I would like to stop

-and make a call, and—introduce my Star to her,” Mr. Rosevelt

-said, preparing to alight.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_250'>250</span>He helped Star out, and together they went up the marble

-steps.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt rang the bell, and then took a card from one

-of his pockets, and, with an arch smile, said:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It almost seems as if we were really fine people, doesn’t it,

-dressed in our best, riding about in our carriage, and sending

-our cards in at a brown-stone house?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, indeed; and it would be such fun if we could keep

-it up for awhile,” Star said, gayly. “But,” with a regretful

-little sigh, “like Cinderella of old, I suppose we shall soon be

-aroused to the fact that our coach and horses are gone, and find

-the stern realities of life staring us in the face again.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt laughed.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Would you like to be a fine lady, Star?” he asked.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I don’t know,” she answered, thoughtfully. “I believe I

-should like to <i>try</i> it for a little while, just to see how it would

-seem.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>There was not time for any more conversation, for the door

-was at this moment opened by a neat-looking servant.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She appeared to recognize Mr. Rosevelt, for she greeted him

-with a smile, and then her eyes wandered inquiringly to Star’s

-lovely face.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She invited them to enter, and conducted them into a handsome

-drawing-room on the right of the hall, when, taking Mr.

-Rosevelt’s card, she retired, leaving them alone.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“What a lovely room!” Star breathed, as her eyes roved

-about the apartment, over the beautiful pictures, the bright,

-rich carpet, the carved ebony furniture, upholstered in warm-hued

-satins, choice bric-a-brac, and all those fine things which

-add so much to a place like that. “Your friend must be a

-‘fine lady,’ with plenty of money,” she added.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt merely nodded his head in reply, while he

-watched the door with evident impatience.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was soon slowly opened, and a familiar face appeared in

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_251'>251</span>the aperture—a face all beaming with smiles of pleasure and

-good nature.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Mrs. Blunt!” cried Star, in astonishment; and springing

-toward the woman, she grasped both her hands warmly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, Miss Star,” the woman returned, half laughing, half

-crying; “I <i>am</i> Mrs. Blunt, or I’m much mistaken, as I sometimes

-imagine I may be when I get to thinking about everything,

-and how strange it has all turned out. How well you’re

-looking, miss, and it does my old eyes a wonderful sight of

-good to see your bright face again.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star thought her language somewhat ambiguous; but everything

-seemed rather ambiguous just then.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Do you live here?” she questioned.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, I live here; or——”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Have you been in New York long? and why haven’t we

-seen you before? and what are you laughing at?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The young girl’s astonishment seemed to increase, for the

-woman appeared strangely, and was shaking with suppressed

-laughter.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I’m laughing because I’m so glad to see you. I’ve been

-in New York a month, and haven’t been to see you because

-the last time I saw Mr. Rosevelt he told me he was going to

-bring you to see me soon; so I’ve been content to wait,” Mrs.

-Blunt explained.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star wondered if the present occupant of that elegant place

-allowed her housekeeper to entertain her friends in the drawing-room;

-if so, it was surely a new departure, and not exactly

-in accordance with Mrs. Richards’ ideas of the treatment of

-servants.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Take off your hat, dearie,” Mrs. Blunt continued, “for I

-have a nice little lunch waiting for you.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“A lunch?” repeated Star, in amazement, and with a puzzled

-look at Mr. Rosevelt, who was regarding her attentively.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes; I had orders to get up the nicest lunch I could for

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_252'>252</span>my old friends, and I’m much mistaken if I haven’t done it,”

-the woman replied, with an air of satisfaction.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You must have a very kind mistress,” the fair girl said, as

-she drew off her gloves and removed her hat.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I have, the best in the world,” the queer creature returned,

-with a chuckle. “But come, I’ll show you the way to the

-dining-room.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt arose, and drawing Star’s hand within his arm,

-followed her to a room on the opposite side of, and farther

-down the hall.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>As she opened the door, Star saw a charming dining-room,

-furnished in costly woods of different colors, its floor inlaid in

-an intricate and lovely pattern.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>In the center stood a table, covered with a heavy white

-damask cloth, and spread with a glittering array of silver and

-cut glass, and where also a most tempting repast was awaiting

-them.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt led his wondering companion to one side of the

-table, and, looking down upon her with the fondest look in the

-world, said, in a voice which was not quite steady:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Star, my dear, my pure-hearted, faithful little friend, I here

-formally install you as <i>mistress of your own table and of your

-own home</i>. This is to be your seat henceforth—mine opposite;

-and, my darling—for such you have become to me—I trust you

-will be as happy as an old man’s love, gratitude, and wealth

-can make you.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star had grown suddenly pale while he spoke, and regarded

-him with a puzzled expression.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I do not understand,” she said, clasping both her small

-hands around his arm and leaning heavily upon him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I will tell you,” he answered, tenderly. “When you met

-me on board that ill-fated steamer I was a very rich man. When

-it was wrecked, and I had discovered that you were the grandchild

-of the only woman whom I ever loved, and also what a

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_253'>253</span>kind, tender little heart you had, I formed a sudden resolution.

-I had always, as I told you last night, been flattered and cajoled

-by my relatives, who knew I was rich, and I resolved that I

-would test their sincerity. If they stood it, I would divide my

-fortune into three portions, one of which should be yours, the

-others theirs. If they did not, it should <i>all</i> be yours, if <i>you</i>

-proved the true, noble character which I believed you to be.

-That was one reason why I was so keenly disappointed to find

-you gone when I went to bid you farewell on the steamer; but

-I meant to search for you all the same. And so I pretended to

-be the poor old man whom you remember coming to Ellen

-Richards’ that night. You know the result. No one was true

-to me or kind to me but my Star. Yet I had become so suspicious

-of everybody, that I resolved to study even you thoroughly

-before I committed myself; and so I concluded to wait

-until you had completed your education before telling you of

-my actual position in life. It was very hard, though, when you

-were in such trouble that last night in Yonkers, when you told

-me your secret about writing your book, and offered to share

-your little all with me ‘because I was not happy there,’ and I

-was sorely tempted to tell you all, surround you at once with

-everything to make life beautiful, and place you in a position

-far above the daughter of the woman who had treated you so

-shamefully. On second thought, however, I deemed it best to

-wait until your education should be completed, for then you

-would be more free to enjoy the good things of life.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Then you have not been poor at all?” faltered Star, as he

-paused for a moment.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No; I have had abundance. I own this house, and have

-for years. I own a block on Broadway, and—well, little one,

-there is enough to enable you and me to do pretty much as

-we like for the remainder of our lives,” he answered, with a

-fond smile.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Then I cannot take care of you. I thought I was going

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_254'>254</span>to make <i>you</i> so comfortable, and that, with teaching and the income

-from my book, we could have such nice times together,”

-Star said, wistfully, and hardly able, even yet, to comprehend

-the change in her circumstances.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt patted her softly on the shoulder, though a tear

-sprang to his eyes at her words.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No, dear,” he returned; “you cannot take care of me in

-that way. I am going to take care of you; but you can still

-make me so comfortable. We can still have nice times together,

-and I shall be very proud to introduce the young authoress of

-‘Chatsworth’s Pride’ as my <i>ward and future heiress</i>.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Bless you, child!” he continued, his fine face glowing with

-happiness; “don’t you suppose it is going to be a comfort to

-me to try to make you happy and give you everything you

-wish, after all your constancy, patience, and self-denial for me?

-Don’t you suppose I enjoyed fitting up this house for you after

-my tenant gave it up, some six months ago? And don’t you believe,

-too, that Mrs. Blunt was glad to come and be housekeeper

-for us?” and he turned kindly to the woman, who had been

-standing in the background during these explanations.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You may be sure I’m much mistaken if I wasn’t,” she

-returned, eagerly, her eyes gleaming with delight, and her

-gratitude for the position shining through her homely but good-natured

-face.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“And I am very glad, too. It is the nicest arrangement in

-the world,” Star said, heartily; “and just to think,” glancing

-around the elegant apartment with a sigh of supreme content,

-“that I am to be surrounded with all this beauty! It is like a

-fairy tale, or a dream of enchantment.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I <i>told</i> you I had the best mistress in the world,” Mrs. Blunt

-said, chuckling; “but we didn’t imagine anything like this,

-Miss Star, that Sunday when we were stoning raisins and stemming

-currants.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_255'>255</span>“No, indeed,” Star answered, laughing. “But you don’t

-mean to tell me that you consider <i>me</i> your mistress.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I never’d ask for a better,” the woman said, earnestly;

-then, turning to Mr. Rosevelt, she resumed:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“And now, sir, won’t you please eat your lunch and tell

-the rest of the story afterward, for everything will be spoiled

-waiting.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, indeed—yes, indeed; to be sure we will. There, Miss

-Gladstone, sit down by your tea-urn, and make me the best cup

-of tea that was ever brewed, while I serve you to some of that

-tempting salad.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He forced her gently into her chair, and going around to the

-opposite side of the table, began to wait upon her in the most

-chivalrous manner.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Ah! this is what I call comfort, dear,” he said, in a satisfied

-tone, after Mrs. Blunt had withdrawn to see that the strawberries

-and cream were properly served; “this is what I have

-been dreaming about for a whole year; and now, after we have

-appeased our hunger—and, by the way, I believe I am half-famished,

-or else Mrs. Blunt’s efforts in the culinary line are

-wonderfully successful—we will go over the house, and see if

-everything suits you. What are you looking at the clock for?

-Your school days are over, Miss Gladstone.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star laughed somewhat nervously, and flushed.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I was looking to see how many hours would elapse before

-the clock would strike twelve, and wondering if it would dissolve

-the spell that is on me.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No fear of that, Starling. The hours, days, and months,

-and years, I trust, will roll by and bring you only joy and

-pleasure, with no rude awaking. You are to have everything

-that you want—and mind, by that I do not mean just what you

-<i>need</i>, and have you stop to count the cost on those pretty

-fingers of yours, as I have seen you do so often. You shall

-have music and painting to your heart’s content. You shall

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_256'>256</span>have a pair of ponies and a phaeton of the most approved

-style; and, in fact, little girl, it will take you a good while to

-find the bottom of my purse. But how do you like your tea-service?

-I chose it myself, and had it marked expressly for

-you.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It is perfectly lovely,” Star replied, as her eyes roved admiringly

-over the beautiful and costly equipage, upon each

-piece of which there gleamed a star in delicate frost-work.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I’m glad you like it. And now, my dear, suppose you

-open that small box by your plate.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star gave him a wondering look—indeed, all her looks had

-been wondering ones during the last hour—and opened a little

-white box, which had until now lain unnoticed beside her

-plate.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She found inside a morocco case, and springing back the lid

-of this, an elegant little watch and chatelaine were exposed to

-her delighted eyes.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Uncle Jacob! I cannot tell whether I am awake or dreaming,”

-she cried, a rosy flush spreading over her whole face. “It

-is the dearest little watch in the world. And is this star on the

-case made of diamonds?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes; diamonds are none too good for <i>my</i> star.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“And you had this waiting for me, even when we were talking

-about my having a watch while we were driving?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes; I was only sounding you a little to see if you would

-like a watch best or something else. Now, if you are through,

-put it in your belt and come with me,” he said, rising from

-the table.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She followed his example, and together they passed from the

-beautiful dining-room out into the hall, and thence to another

-room on the front of the house, which was fitted up as half

-library, half music-room.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>In it there stood a new Steinway piano, with a richly carved

-case and pearl keys. The handsome bookcases, each surmounted

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_257'>257</span>by books of popular authors, were filled with choice

-volumes, while the other furniture, upholstered in olive and

-crimson, was most luxurious.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>From here they went up stairs, and over the drawing-room

-found a most charming suite of rooms, furnished throughout

-in blue and white.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The dainty bed, in its pretty chamber, was draped with antique

-lace, over blue silken curtains, with a spread to match;

-draperies of the same kind hung at the windows, and all the

-toilet articles were of costly china, most beautifully decorated.

-The boudoir, or sitting-room, was fitted up with every convenience,

-and all those pretty trifles which young girls so much

-admire, carpeted with wreaths of forget-me-nots and golden-hearted

-daisies. The furniture was covered with richest brocade

-of the same design, while the full-length mirror, in its massive

-blue and gold frame, revealed, as Star went up to it, a beautiful

-maiden, with shining hair, gleaming eyes, smiling coral lips,

-and glowing cheeks—a fitting tenant for this lovely bower.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Allow me to introduce you to the heiress of Jacob Rosevelt,

-the millionaire,” said the old gentleman, taking her hand

-and bowing before the fair apparition in the glass. “How do

-you like her?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I can’t tell just yet, she is such a new creature; but,”

-with a roguish look up into his eyes, “I’m very fond of the

-millionaire.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Thank you, Miss Gladstone; your favor is most highly appreciated,”

-he returned, laughing. “But come, you must see

-my bachelor den;” and he led her across the hall to a room

-over the dining-room, and here she found every comfort, if

-something less of elegance.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Opposite her sitting-room there was a great chamber, furnished

-in crimson and gold, while up another flight were the

-servants’ rooms. Mrs. Blunt’s room was on the lower floor,

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_258'>258</span>where she could conveniently overlook her assistants at all

-hours.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It is like a story,” Star said, when they had been the

-rounds and came back to the library; “and now what are we

-to do next, Uncle Jacob?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Her plans had all been for work, and now that she found

-there was to be no more toil or care for her—nothing but

-pleasure and what her own sweet will dictated, she hardly knew

-where or how to take up the thread of her life again; therefore

-the query:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“What are we to do next, Uncle Jacob?”</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXV.<br> <span class='large'>STAR’S DELIGHT.</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>“What are we going to do next?” Mr. Rosevelt repeated.

-“Why, enjoy it all, to be sure. I have waited a good while for

-this good time, and now I am going to make the most of it.

-First, Miss Gladstone must attend to that very important item,

-Miss Gladstone’s wardrobe, which must be suitable for her

-position; and Star, I shall be quite particular upon that point;

-let it be both rich and elegant. Then, as the hot weather

-comes on, there will be a trip to Newport and the White

-Mountains, or some other place equally pleasant, and after

-that—well, something else, I suppose,” he concluded, with a

-smile.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star heaved a sigh of delight.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was nice, after all, to be surrounded by all this beauty and

-elegance, and to have everything heart could wish.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had applied for a position as a teacher, and had hoped

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_259'>259</span>also to do something toward writing another book during the

-coming year; but now, of course, she could not teach, and

-there was no actual need that she should use her pen, although

-the enticing finger of fame seemed beckoning to her, urging

-her to try for even greater literary honors.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Her wardrobe!</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Of what should it consist, to be suitable for her position as

-the heiress of a millionaire?</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was rather a difficult question to decide, when, during the

-last two years, her means had been too limited to allow of her

-gratifying her naturally exquisite taste, and all she had possessed

-in the way of dresses had been scarce half a dozen, and those

-of the commonest material.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The next fortnight was a busy one with dressmakers, milliners,

-and seamstresses; for Mr. Rosevelt said he wished to go

-to Newport by the middle or last of July, if possible.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Blunt was jubilant over the change in “Miss Star’s

-fortunes.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Just to think of it!” she would exclaim every little while.

-“Who would have dreamed of it two years ago, when you were

-at Madam Richards’, and she trying to make a drudge of you.

-Don’t I wish I might be on hand when you and Miss Josephine

-meet, if you ever do, and she hears that Mr. Rosevelt was only

-playing poverty all the time, just to try his proud relations! I

-tell you there’ll be music by the full band.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The young girl flushed.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Josephine had, indeed, been very unkind to her, and it had

-been hard not to resent the theft of her beautiful little cameo

-but she was not one to treasure ill-will. Her little heart was

-full of “Christian charity,” and full of gratitude for the blessings

-which were surrounding her, and she was ready to forgive

-all past injuries.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I should at least try to remember,” she returned, quietly,

-in reply to the housekeeper’s somewhat vindictive speech, “that

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_260'>260</span><i>I</i> wish to be a <i>lady</i> in the truest sense of the term, and treat

-her accordingly. But,” she continued, wishing to change the

-subject, “you have never told me yet how you happened to

-come to keep house for us. I think it was one of the nicest

-arrangements that was ever made.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Thank you, Miss Star,” the woman answered, with a beaming

-face; “and you’d better believe it was a chance that I

-jumped at. I suppose I should have been slaving it for that

-ungrateful set now if I hadn’t come over to New York one day

-about three months ago, and met Mr. Rosevelt on Broadway,

-all by chance. He seemed glad to see me, and asked how I

-was getting on; and I was that discouraged with the way things

-were being managed, the cross words, complaints, and everything,

-that I told him I was sick and tired of it all, and meant

-to find another place just as soon as ever I could, though goodness

-knows I hadn’t an idea where that would be. Upon that

-he looked thoughtful, and, after a moment, said ‘he didn’t

-believe in hiring people away from their employers, but if I

-really meant to go away, he thought he knew of some one who

-would like just such a person for a housekeeper.’ I tell you I

-jumped at the chance, for ever since that young lord took himself

-off so quick, the madam has been so irritable that nothing

-would please her; and Mr. Rosevelt said when I had worked

-out my notice to come to him, and I’d find him any day at

-home at ten o’clock. I suppose he set that hour because he

-didn’t want you to know what was going on. I gave my notice

-the next day, worked out my two weeks, and came over to New

-York lighter of heart than I’d been for years.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“When Mr. Rosevelt told me about what he’d been doing,

-and what he was going to do, and said he wanted me for his

-own housekeeper, my eyes stuck out so that I thought they’d

-never feel natural again; but if ever an old woman was happy,

-I was, to think I was going to serve you; and here I’ve been

-ever since, helping him fix up for you.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_261'>261</span>“It’s like a beautiful story, Miss Star,” continued Mrs. Blunt,

-waxing sentimental, “to see you here among all these elegant

-things, for which you were just made, or I’m much mistaken;

-and when I see you coming out in all of these lovely clothes,

-nobody’ll be prouder than I.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You are very good, Mrs. Blunt, to be so interested for

-me,” Star said, with a smile; “and if what you want is to see

-me ‘come out in these fine things,’ you will have your wish,

-for we shall have to take you to Newport with us, as I must

-have some one to attend me, and I cannot consent to take a

-stranger.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“That will be almost as good as to come out myself,” the

-woman said, with a chuckle of delight.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star’s wardrobe and pretty things were all ready at last, and

-Mr. Rosevelt, who had taken a strange interest in it, for a

-bachelor, was perfectly satisfied.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He had made her elegant presents in the way of jewelry and

-laces, until she felt almost overwhelmed.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Diamonds!” she had exclaimed, her face flushing all over

-with delight, when, the day before they were to leave, he came

-into her sitting-room and laid a case in her lap, telling her to

-open it. He had already purchased her several other sets, but

-this was the crowning gift of all.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had thought when he had given her some beautiful point-laces,

-that if she only had some diamonds to go with them she

-should like it; they were the two things for which she had an

-especial passion—rich laces and those pellucid stones, like

-drops of dew which send back the light in gorgeous tints. She

-would have been content with just a pair of ear-pendants and a

-solitaire ring—she was content, indeed, without them, but she

-thought how nicely they would go with her laces; but there,

-dazzling her eyes upon their velvet bed, were ear-pendants, a

-cross attached to a beautiful chain, a solitaire ring, and a star

-for her hair.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_262'>262</span>“Oh, Uncle Jacob,” she faltered, “I am afraid you are

-spending too much money for me.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Don’t you like them?” he questioned, although her glowing

-face should have told him all he wished to know.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Like them? They are perfectly lovely; and I <i>do</i> particularly

-love diamonds.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Then don’t trouble your pretty head about the money.

-You know I have been denied all my life the pleasure of spending

-it for either wife or child, and now that I have found some

-one who appreciates and is worthy of it, let me get all the

-comfort I can in this way. You forget,” he continued, with a

-smile, “that there are two years’ income to be disposed of in

-some way, and I am only making up lost time. I like to go

-about the world, and I like to go in style, as I told you once

-before, and so my heiress must help me keep up appearances.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Are you sure you are doing just right, Uncle Jacob, in

-giving me <i>all</i> your money?” Star asked, hesitatingly, after a few

-minutes of thoughtful silence, while she watched the sunlight

-play among her new treasures.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“To whom should I give it, I should like to know?” he

-questioned, bluntly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“But I have no <i>legal</i> claim upon you, and you have relatives.

-I’m afraid it will make trouble——”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No, it won’t; I’ve taken care of that, I can assure you,”

-he interrupted. “My will is made, signed, and sealed, and in

-the hands of one of the best lawyers in the city. <i>You</i> are to

-have the whole of my fortune, excepting what the law demands

-for blood. I’ve given a dollar to each of them, just to clear

-myself and keep them from breaking my will; and they’ll never

-get another red cent,” he concluded, with more asperity than

-she had ever seen him betray before.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I’m afraid you are piling a mountain upon my small

-shoulders,” Star said, with a little laugh.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It is a mountain which I shall take care won’t crush you;

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_263'>263</span>and, besides, I hope to help you bear it for a good many years

-to come, if my health keeps on improving as it has done during

-the last few months; and then, I reckon, it will not be <i>very</i>

-difficult to find some one else who would be willing to take a

-share of the burden,” Mr. Rosevelt concluded, slyly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star flushed, and then her face grew sad.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She knew that he meant she would find suitors for her hand;

-but she could not forget her first love, and she knew that she

-should never meet another who would win the place in her

-heart which she had given to Archibald Sherbrooke, unworthy

-as she believed him to be of it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>That evening Miss Meredith and her brother called.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“How fortunate that you came to-night,” Star said to the

-young lady during their conversation. “You would have missed

-us if you had waited longer, for to-morrow we go to Newport

-for a few weeks.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Do you? That is delightful, for we have our rooms engaged

-there also for next week, and intend to remain a month,”

-Miss Meredith returned, with evident pleasure, while Mr. Ralph

-Meredith, who was conversing with Mr. Rosevelt, but with one

-ear open toward the young ladies, felt a sudden heart-throb at

-the intelligence.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Newport is very gay this summer, I am told,” Miss Meredith

-continued. “‘Everybody,’ so to speak, is there, and it is

-one of the most charming places in the world to visit. Have

-you ever been there, Miss Gladstone?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No,” Star answered. “I have been so busy with my

-studies ever since I came to this country, that I have not been

-anywhere.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Since you came to this country!” Grace Meredith repeated.

-“Are you not an American?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No; I am an English girl, and it will be two years in

-November since I left merrie England.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Are you some lady of high degree, come here to get your

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_264'>264</span>education? I am almost inclined to think so,” laughed her

-friend, bending an admiring glance upon Star’s beautiful face.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No, indeed. Don’t go to weaving any romances about

-me,” she answered, flushing slightly, “for I am only plain Star

-Gladstone.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“But ‘plain Star Gladstone’ belongs to a very good family,

-nevertheless,” interrupted Mr. Rosevelt, who had overheard the

-latter part of their conversation, and would not allow Star to

-depreciate herself; whereupon Miss Meredith did feel at liberty

-to “romance” a little on her own account.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star was asked for some music, and delighted her listeners

-with her exquisite playing. Miss Meredith and her brother

-sang a charming duet, and after an hour spent in the most

-social manner, they took their departure, having formed numerous

-plans to be carried into execution when they should meet a

-week later at Newport.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Miss Gladstone is the loveliest girl I have ever met, and

-you wouldn’t let me get a word in edgewise with her, Grace,”

-Ralph Meredith said, in a grieved tone, after they left the

-house.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Are you ‘star’-struck so soon, brother mine? You’ll have

-opportunities enough to ‘get your words in’ widthways during

-the next few weeks, and you can comfort yourself for your disappointment

-to-night with the thought that I was paving the

-way to glory for you,” laughed his sister.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Were you not surprised to learn that she is English?” she

-asked, thoughtfully.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, rather; for I have been told that English girls are not

-very pretty; but she is wonderfully beautiful.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“What will you wager that she does not turn out to be some

-lady of high degree?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Pshaw! Grace, you are always imagining some unlikely

-story or other. You should not read so many novels. Don’t

-put her entirely beyond our reach, if you please. It is quite

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_265'>265</span>enough for the present to know that she is Mr. Rosevelt’s

-heiress and the author of that charming little book, without

-being some princess in disguise,” returned the young man,

-somewhat impatiently.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I think I shall like Miss Meredith,” Star said, musingly, to

-Mr. Rosevelt, when their visitors were gone.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“She appears to be a very agreeable young lady. I should

-like you to form some pleasant friendship,” the old gentleman

-returned; then, with a keen glance, he asked: “How are you

-pleased with her brother?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“He is quite entertaining.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Very fine-looking young man; don’t you think so?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Is he?—yes—rather,” was the absent reply; for speaking

-of England had sent Star’s thoughts across the ocean again,

-where she saw in imagination a noble, patrician face, with dark,

-fathomless eyes, and curling chestnut hair; for Archibald Sherbrooke—she

-could never think of him in any other character—was

-her ideal of all that was manly and grand.</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXVI.<br> <span class='large'>“WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?”</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>Newport was teeming with all that was gay, beautiful, and

-attractive during this particular season of which we write.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Never had so much wealth and luxury been represented

-there, or so many elegant equipages seen driving through the

-streets or along the smooth, sweeping beach.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Not the least attractive among these equipages was the light

-and airy, though costly phaeton of “Mr. Rosevelt’s ward,” with

-its embroidered lap-robes, its luxurious velvet-cushioned seats,

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_266'>266</span>its plump, sleek, and spirited gray ponies in their gold-mounted

-harnesses.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star had created quite a sensation when she arrived at the

-hotel where they had taken rooms; and the tall, distinguished

-old gentleman, with such silvery hair and beard, and who appeared

-so devoted to her, was scarcely less a target for all eyes.

-But when it began to be whispered that Miss Gladstone was

-not only the heiress of Jacob Rosevelt, the millionaire, but

-also the authoress of that bright little book which for a year

-had created such a sensation in New York circles, the excitement

-increased, and everybody was on the <i>qui vive</i> to obtain an

-introduction.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>When, on the second evening after her arrival, she came into

-the great parlors of the hotel—for there was to be a grand hop

-or assembly there that night—leaning on Mr. Rosevelt’s arm,

-and looking “so divinely fair” in her shimmering robe of

-cream-colored silk and mist-like tulle, garnished with velvet-leaved,

-golden-hearted pansies, her shining hair coiled like a

-crown about her small head, with a little cluster of pansies

-nestling lovingly among its glossy plaits, every eye was attracted

-by her loveliness, and everybody—of the masculine gender, at

-least—was ready to “rave over” her, “swear by” her, and

-“fight for” her if need be.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It is needless to say that she was not allowed to become a

-wall-flower, and it was amusing to observe the maneuvers of

-the battalion of gallant young knights who swarmed about her,

-like bees around their queen, eager to secure an introduction.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>And now the excitement for Star began.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She was whisked away to the ball-room, and the evening

-sped like a vision of delight.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had been taught to dance at home, notwithstanding the

-fact that her father was a clergyman, for in all English homes

-dancing is considered a necessary accomplishment, because it

-imparts ease and grace to the manners of the young.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_267'>267</span>Mr. Rosevelt followed, for he enjoyed looking upon the

-merry dancers, and taking up his station near a window, and

-by a stand of flowers where he was partially shielded from observation,

-he watched his pet with a fond smile upon his lips,

-proud of her beauty, proud of her intelligence and of the admiration

-she was attracting.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>While standing here, a group of half a dozen ladies and

-gentlemen gathered near him, and he overheard a conversation

-which amused him, and caused at the same time something of

-a feeling of triumph to pervade his heart.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Have you seen the new arrivals?” asked a gentleman of

-one of his companions.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No; what new arrivals do you refer to? There are many

-every day.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“An old codger from New York—rich as a king, they say—and

-his ward, who bids fair to be <i>the</i> beauty of the season.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“<i>In</i>deed!” returned the lady, assuming a piqued tone.

-“How dare you make such an assertion, and in the presence

-of three acknowledged beauties, too?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I beg pardon if I have offended,” the gentleman roguishly

-replied; “but—I have had <i>Washingtonian</i> instructions regarding

-the principle of <i>truth</i>.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The young lady tapped him playfully upon the arm with her

-fan, while she remarked, significantly:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“How glad I am that you have <i>told</i> me of it!” whereupon

-the whole party joined in a laugh at the “truthful” gentleman’s

-expense.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“But about this fair charmer,” the lady pursued; “who is

-she, and what is the name of this ‘old codger’ who is ‘rich

-as a king’?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“The lady’s name is Miss Gladstone, and she is not only

-beautiful, charming, and rich, but is also the author of

-‘Chatsworth’s Pride,’ which you have doubtless read.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Oh! a blue-stocking!” cried the gay girl, with well-affected

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_268'>268</span>horror; and just here another voice chimed in—a voice which

-made Mr. Rosevelt start and listen more intently:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Miss Gladstone! How strange I never heard the author’s

-name before! There was only a simple star upon the title page

-where the author’s name should have been. Mamma!”

-in a startled tone, as if a strange idea had suddenly come into

-the speaker’s mind, “it cannot possibly be <i>Stella Gladstone</i>,

-can it?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Certainly not,” returned Mrs. Richards—for both she and

-Josephine were among the group referred to, having come from

-a neighboring hotel to attend the hop. “Such a thing cannot

-be possible; <i>she</i> could not write a book.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The woman spoke contemptuously, and yet the utterance of

-that name produced an uneasy sensation in her mind.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“What is the gentleman’s name? Whose ward did you say

-she is?” she asked, a moment later, thinking that would throw

-some light on the subject.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I declare I have forgotten,” the gentleman returned; “it’s

-a high-sounding name, though, and he is an aristocratic-looking

-old fellow, too. By the way, Miss Richards,” he continued,

-turning to the young lady, “I am willing to wager a handsome

-fan against a new pair of gloves that Miss Gladstone’s phaeton

-and pair of ponies will be the envy of every lady in Newport,

-for a more trappy turn-out I’ve never seen in my life.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Then she drives her own ponies, does she? Well, I must

-say you have aroused my curiosity to the highest notch, and I’d

-like to see this paragon of perfection, Mr. Pendleton,” Josephine

-said, a feeling of jealousy springing up in her heart at

-hearing another’s praises sounded so profusely.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You can be gratified, for there she stands now—that slight,

-graceful girl in the cream-colored silk trimmed with pansies,”

-replied Mr. Pendleton, drawing her attention to the spot where

-Star stood surrounded by an admiring crowd.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_269'>269</span>Her back was turned toward them, and they could not judge

-of her beauty; but they saw a tall, willowy figure in trailing

-robes of exceeding richness, a stately head crowned with golden

-hair, and there was a familiar something about the fair stranger

-which made both mother and daughter look more closely, while

-their eyes were filled with anxious foreboding.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“She is elegantly dressed, I must confess,” Josephine said,

-putting up her glass to get a better view of the “belle of the

-evening;” “and, mamma,” she added, in a lower tone, “is it

-my imagination, or is there something really familiar in that

-figure? <i>Can it be Stella?</i>”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Impossible! What could have put such a foolish notion

-into your head? Where under heavens could <i>she</i> get money

-enough to flourish in such style?” Mrs. Richards retorted, impatiently.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“But if she is really the author of the book—it has been

-very popular, you know——”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Nonsense!” interrupted her mother. “I tell you such a

-thing could not be possible.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Nevertheless, Mrs. Richards was closely watching the object

-of their conversation, and her heart was beating with a painful

-throb, for the young girl did strangely resemble that poor

-orphan whom she had so despised and ill-treated, and who had

-fled from her tyranny.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But her uneasiness increased, for just now she observed a

-tall, white-haired gentleman moving toward the girl, and upon

-reaching her side, he bent down and spoke a few words in

-her ear.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>His back also was toward them, but the matron’s face was

-dark with trouble; she grew white with the sudden fear which

-possessed her, and she moved forward to get a better view of

-the couple.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>At that instant Star turned and lifted her bright face to reply

-to Mr. Rosevelt, who had left his position by the stand of

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_270'>270</span>flowers when she ceased dancing and approached her, her eyes

-shining, her cheeks glowing, and her coral lips wreathed with

-bright smiles, and both Josephine and Mrs. Richards recognized

-her instantly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A low cry of surprise and dismay broke from Josephine

-Richards’ lips.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It is—it surely is Stella Gladstone,” she said; “and that

-man talking to her is certainly Uncle Jacob Rosevelt! What

-can it all mean?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Rosevelt! Yes, that is the name,” said Mr. Pendleton,

-who had caught it, and who had first called their attention to

-Star. “‘Jacob Rosevelt, the millionaire,’ I heard him called

-this afternoon, but I forget names so easily.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Jacob Rosevelt, the millionaire!” repeated Mrs. Richards,

-with white lips and astonished eyes, while a tumult of emotions

-raged within her heart.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes; he must be very rich, for they have every appearance

-of it, and Miss Gladstone’s turn-out, which was sent on before

-them, is a marvel of luxury and elegance. But—do <i>you know</i>

-them?” Mr. Pendleton asked, regarding her curiously.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards’ thoughts worked very rapidly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>If this was really Jacob Rosevelt, and she could not doubt

-the evidence of her own eyes, he must by some stroke of luck

-have recovered a portion, if not the whole, of his fortune since

-leaving her house; and in this case he became at once an

-entirely different person from the feeble, poverty-stricken individual

-who had come to her a little more than a year ago to

-sue for food and shelter.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He had been a person of no account then—one to be ignored

-and neglected, for there was nothing to be gained by treating

-him otherwise.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But “Jacob Rosevelt, the millionaire,” if such he had become

-again, must be propitiated, flattered, and cajoled.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_271'>271</span>Therefore she had a new role to play, and she would begin

-at once by claiming him as a relative before these friends

-of hers.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It would be very strange if I did <i>not</i> know him, for he is

-my father’s brother,” she said, calling to her lips her blandest

-smiles; “but I am sure I had no idea that he was here in

-Newport. Come, Josephine, we must go and speak to him;”

-and she drew the astonished girl away before they could question

-them any further, and she wished to collect her own scattered

-senses a little before encountering those two whom she

-had so deeply injured.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“What can it mean, mamma?” Josephine repeated, with a

-blank look, for she had no longer any doubt about the identity

-of the strangers.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I don’t know, but I am going to find out,” she answered

-resolutely.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Then you are convinced that it is Stella?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, it is <i>that girl</i> fast enough; there can be no mistake

-about it; and what a sensation she is making! She seems to

-checkmate us at every move.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Where can they have been hiding all this time?” Josephine

-asked.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“How do you suppose I know?” retorted her mother, sharply.

-“I am more interested to know where all the money comes

-from to enable them to cut such a swell. Why, the dress she

-has on must have cost a cool three hundred, to say nothing

-about her other expensive fixings; and then you heard what

-Pendleton said about her carriage and ponies.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well, he said she was the author of ‘Chatsworth’s Pride,’

-and if that is so, it must have brought her a good deal.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Pooh! you don’t suppose one book is going to enable her

-to live and dress like a young empress, do you?” returned Mrs.

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_272'>272</span>Richards, scornfully. “No; Uncle Jacob has recovered his

-fortune, or else——”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Or else what?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“He has played it upon us.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Played what upon us?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Why, poverty, you goose!”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Mamma! that would be too dreadful. I never thought

-of such a thing,” Josephine said, feeling almost faint.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Nor I, until this moment; but I can account for their

-appearance here to-night in no other way. If he has done

-this thing, and that girl gets all his money, it will be a

-bitter pill to swallow, I can tell you.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“But she could inherit nothing; she is no blood relation.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“But he could make a will.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“And we could break it.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Not a bit of it; your Uncle Jacob is keen enough to

-look out for that, I assure you. But come this way; they

-are passing out into the hall, and I am going to sift this

-matter at once.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She drew her daughter from the upper door of the

-parlor, just as Star and Mr. Rosevelt passed out at the

-lower one, intending to waylay them and demand an explanation

-of their presence.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>They turned and came toward those waiting women,

-walking slowly and chatting pleasantly, and wholly unconscious

-of the exciting interview in store for them.</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_273'>273</span>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXVII.<br> <span class='large'>DEFEATED.</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>When they were within a few feet of the upper door, Mrs.

-Richards stepped toward them and stood directly in their path.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The hall was nearly empty, almost everybody being in the

-parlors or the dancing-hall, so there was no one by just at that

-moment to witness what transpired.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“What does this mean?” Mrs. Richards demanded, in a low

-but authoritative tone. “Stella Gladstone, how is it that I find

-you here? Uncle Jacob, where have you been all this time,

-and what strange freak of fortune brings you here in this unaccountable

-fashion?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt started slightly on beholding his niece standing

-in that excited attitude directly in his path; while Star grew

-pale at first, for she had always stood somewhat in fear of the

-arrogant woman while she was an inmate of her house. But

-remembering that everything was entirely different now, she

-quickly recovered herself.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But for all that, she clung a little more closely to Mr. Rosevelt’s

-arm, as if she was glad that he was there, though in no

-other way did she betray how disagreeable this encounter was

-to her, or appear as if she had ever met them before.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Tell me what this means?” Mrs. Richards repeated, looking

-from one to the other, noting Star’s delicate beauty with a

-pang of bitter jealousy, her self-possession and grace; Mr. Rosevelt’s

-improved appearance, his rich apparel, and more than all,

-the air of pride and fondness which pervaded every look and

-attention which he bestowed upon his companion.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_274'>274</span>“Well, niece Ellen,” Mr. Rosevelt returned, in a quiet tone,

-while he met her eye with a cold, steady glance that made her

-very uncomfortable, “it appears that you are considerably excited

-over this unexpected meeting. Suppose we retire to

-yonder anteroom, where we can converse unobserved.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He turned and led the way, with Star still upon his arm, to

-a small room upon the opposite side of the hall; they entered,

-and he shut the door, for he did not care that any one should

-overhear what passed between them, nor did he intend that

-Ellen Richards should do or say anything which should make

-them objects of remark.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Now, Ellen, what is it that I am to account to you for?” he

-asked, in the same quiet tone which he had before used.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She colored angrily, but she was determined to get at the

-bottom of the matter.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I have heard strange rumors to-night,” she remarked. “I

-am told that Stella has become an authoress—that she is very

-popular, as well as her book, and I want to know what it

-means. A year ago you were both dependents upon my bounty;

-now I find you sailing about, like a couple of meteors, among

-the other shining lights of society. I want an explanation of

-the cause of this change.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Certainly, Ellen; since you desire it, I will explain with

-pleasure. We left your house last October, as you doubtless

-will remember, and took up our abode in New York city. Star

-entered the Normal College at once, and by assiduous application

-to her studies, succeeded in completing the course, and

-graduated in June, since when we have been trying to get all

-the enjoyment out of life that we could. You have heard

-rightly, Ellen; she did write that popular little book, ‘Chatsworth’s

-Pride,’ and it is a source of pride to me that I have the

-honor of introducing in society its popular author as my ward

-and heiress——”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Your <i>heiress</i>!” Mrs. Richards cried, growing pale.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_275'>275</span>“Yes; Miss Gladstone is named as such in my will, which

-is now in the hands of my lawyer,” the old gentleman replied,

-quietly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>His niece looked from one to the other in blank dismay.

-She had feared she should hear something of the kind, but it

-was none the less a shock to her when it came.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Your heiress—heiress to <i>what</i>?” she demanded, sharply.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“To the whole of my fortune, madam.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Your fortune!” she sneered, but her voice was hoarse from

-passion and baffled hopes. “A year ago it was—<i>beggary</i>!”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt smiled serenely.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“<i>Apparently</i>, yes,” he answered. “But I was <i>then</i>, what I

-am <i>now</i>—a millionaire. The mistake of your life-time was

-made then, Ellen; for if you had cordially received the feeble

-old man who came to your house in such a forlorn condition;

-if you had given him kindness and sympathy, such as you were

-wont to do when he was rich and prosperous; if you had shown

-him something of love and tenderness, instead of coldness and

-contempt, making him feel that he was a burden and an intruder,

-<i>you</i> would have had the bulk of my fortune, for your

-brother had already forfeited his share. I thought that my final

-return to this country would give me a good opportunity to test

-your and Henry’s sincerity, and I resolved to do so. I went to

-him as a poor man; I was received coldly, and made as uncomfortable

-as it was possible for any one to be made. Then I said

-to myself, ‘Ellen’s womanly heart will prompt her to be kind

-to me, if not for my own sake, for her father’s,’ and so I came

-to you also in the guise of poverty.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It was mean—it was dishonorable to take advantage of me

-in that way,” Mrs. Richards said, with white, quivering lips.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Not at all. I wanted to <i>know</i> you as you were, not what

-you pretended to be. I do not need to tell you the result of

-my plan; we all know it but too well. No one gave me a

-word of sympathy or kindness save this dear girl”—he laid his

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_276'>276</span>hand tenderly on Star’s shoulder—“who did her utmost to

-make the old man forget as far as was possible his bitter disappointment,

-and who had already earned his love and gratitude

-by saving his life, almost at the sacrifice of her own, during

-that terrible voyage across the Atlantic. She has been like a

-sunbeam to me from the first; and when I saw how unkind you

-all were to her also—how you were betraying your trust and

-breaking your promise to her dying father—I resolved that she

-should become my especial care for the future.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I do not need to recall to your memory the last night that

-we spent in your house in Yonkers. It must be as fresh to

-you as it is to me. You taunted us both with our poverty

-and dependence. You drove <i>her</i> to desperation by your unjust

-accusations and your heartless language. She could not endure

-that kind of a life any longer, and she knew that I also was

-anything but happy; so she came to me, told me the secret of

-her success as an author, and of the income which her book

-bade fair to bring her, and begged of me to go with her to

-share her substance, asking in return only the comfort of congenial

-companionship and the protection which my presence

-would give her. I was sorely tempted, as I have told her, to

-confess the part I had been playing, and proclaim her my

-heiress on the spot. But I thought, considering all things, it

-would be better to wait until she was through with school,

-while I wanted to study her a little more closely before committing

-my all to her. She has stood the test most nobly. She

-has been the light of our home. She has labored early and

-late to minister to my comfort and happiness, and <i>now</i> she is

-going to reap her reward. Everything that I <i>can</i> do for her to

-make her life bright, I <i>shall</i> do while I live, and when I am

-gone, she will have the fortune which, under different circumstances,

-would have been mostly yours.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards was pallid with anger, mortification, and bitter

-disappointment when Mr. Rosevelt concluded.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_277'>277</span>It was a terrible blow to her to lose this great fortune, and

-remorse for her heartless treatment of her uncle was gnawing

-keenly at her heart-strings.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards had met with heavy losses in his business of

-late, and it was only by straining every nerve, calculating, and

-contriving, that she and Josephine had been able to come to

-Newport at all that season, and it was simply maddening to

-think that Star, whom she had so disliked from the first, should

-have won, by little acts of kindness, what she would have spared

-no pains to secure had she once suspected the truth.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well, miss, you have played your cards very cleverly, haven’t

-you?” she finally found breath to ejaculate, and turning with

-blazing eyes upon the fair girl who, all unwittingly, had usurped

-her place in her uncle’s affection and will.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt’s face grew stern.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“She certainly has, Ellen,” he said, before Star could speak,

-even had she wished to do so, “especially as she could not, by

-any means, have known that there was anything worth winning

-by her acts of devotion and self-denial. And now let me tell

-you, that true kindness and sympathy will <i>always</i> win, where

-arrogance and pride will only gain contempt, and lead to disappointment

-and regret.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Uncle Jacob, you cannot mean what you have said. Surely

-you will not discard those of your own blood, your kin, for the

-offspring of a stranger!” Mrs. Richards said, appealingly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt looked down at Star with a tender, tremulous

-smile.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“The offspring of a stranger!” he repeated, softly; then

-added: “Ellen, there is a stronger bond uniting this dear child

-to me than <i>ever</i> bound me to either of my brother’s children.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“What do you mean?” cried his niece, in a startled tone.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Surely, at <i>your</i> age, you do not contemplate——”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt stopped her with a motion of his hand before

-she could complete her sentence.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_278'>278</span>“No; you are wide of the mark; although I am not surprised

-that a designing woman like yourself should jump at

-such an absurd conclusion. But, lest you should wound her by

-your foolish insinuations, I will tell you that Star is the granddaughter

-of the only woman whom I ever loved; and, therefore,

-you perceive that I had additional cause to be displeased

-with you on account of your unkindness to her.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Really, Mr. Rosevelt, you have more of sentiment in your

-composition than I gave you credit for. There <i>was</i> a love

-passage, then, in the old bachelor’s life!” sneered Mrs. Richards

-while an angry flush mounted to her brow.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Then, with more bitterness than she had yet betrayed, she

-continued, with a look at Star:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I can congratulate Miss Gladstone upon being more successful

-in wheedling you out of your fortune than she was in

-her maneuvers to become Lady Carrol.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>This was a cruel thrust, and wholly unexpected on the part

-of either Mr. Rosevelt or Star.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A shiver of agony ran through every nerve of her body at this

-rough probing of the still unhealed wound, and a painful crimson

-shot over her beautiful face.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But it quickly subsided, leaving only the bright spots on her

-cheeks.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She arose from the chair where Mr. Rosevelt had placed her,

-drew herself up proudly, her eyes gleaming as bright as the

-diamonds in her ears, and, entirely ignoring the coarse woman’s

-malicious thrust, she looked up at her companion, and said, in

-her clearest, sweetest tones:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Uncle Jacob, I believe we were going out to see the illumination.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“True, child, true,” he said, taking her white-gloved hand

-and laying it upon his arm, while he cast a dark look upon

-his niece for her cowardly attack. “Come, we will go at

-once;” and with a formal inclination to Mrs. Richards and her

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_279'>279</span>daughter, but with an angry gleam in his eyes, he led Star

-from the room, shutting the door, with no gentle sound, after

-them.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Did you ever hear anything like it!” Mrs. Richards said,

-hopelessly, after they had gone.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No, indeed; and it is just as you suspected—he was <i>playing</i>

-poverty all the time,” Josephine answered.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Oh, if I could only have known it!” groaned her mother,

-to whom the calamity appeared to grow more appalling every

-moment.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“He makes a perfect fool of himself over that girl,” snapped

-Josephine, ill-naturedly. “Just think of the amount of money

-it must have cost to deck her out to-night.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I am going back to our hotel,” Mrs. Richards said, rising,

-with a desperate air. “I am not going to stay here to see her

-play the fine lady and crow over us.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I’m ready to go. I’ve had enough of this thing, and I

-never did like the —— House very well, anyway,” replied her

-daughter, in no amiable tones.</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXVIII.<br> <span class='large'>RESCUED FROM A HORRIBLE FATE.</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>If Mrs. Richards had conducted herself according to her own

-inclination, she would have left Newport at once. But she was

-unwilling that Mr. Rosevelt or Star should think that she had

-run away from them, or that she was heart-broken over the disclosures

-which her uncle had made to her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Besides, Newport was full of wealthy and fashionable people,

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_280'>280</span>and among them several eligible young gentlemen, whose acquaintance,

-for Josephine’s sake, she was desirous of cultivating;

-and surely she was not going to sacrifice all these advantages,

-and leave the field clear for Star to win even greater victories.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>No; she would stay, and she resolved she would make things

-just as uncomfortable for the young girl as possible, while Josephine

-should be made to shine with all the splendor of which

-their means, and Mr. Richards’ credit, were capable.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But all the proud woman’s efforts were of no avail, for our

-fair heroine had created a sensation which threatened to turn

-the heads and lead captive the hearts of every unmarried man,

-at least, in Newport.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A week passed quickly by, and then Grace Meredith and her

-brother arrived at the watering-place, and immediately attached

-themselves to Mr. Rosevelt and Star by mutual consent; and

-many envious looks were bestowed upon the dark, handsome

-stranger, who appeared to assume the right of acting as escort

-to the two beautiful girls upon every occasion.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But Star, whenever she appeared in company, laughed,

-chatted, and danced with all that was possible of her admirers,

-dispensing her smiles and favors with an impartiality that was

-exasperating not only to her victims—if such they could be

-called who were each anxious to win the prize—but also to the

-many forlorn damsels who were all sighing for the attentions

-she was receiving and the honors she was usurping.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>One day, about a week after the arrival of the Merediths, an

-excursion was arranged to visit a point on Narragansett Bay,

-and it was to be a picnic after the good old-fashioned style of

-carrying each his own basket and sharing with his neighbor.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A boat had been chartered to take the party down the bay in

-the morning and return at night by moonlight.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Ralph Meredith and two or three of his friends were the

-originators of the affair, and the invitations were very select,

-and limited to one hundred.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_281'>281</span>As it happened, Mrs. Richards and Josephine, with quite a

-number of others from their hotel, were included in this party.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The morning was delightful, and the spirits of the whole

-company at their highest point, while the jaunty, white-winged

-boat, with its inspiriting band of music and its gayly dressed

-picnickers, seemed like a little floating world devoted entirely

-to pleasure, as indeed it was.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Josephine Richards had arrayed herself in a very elaborate

-costume for the occasion, determined that Star, who she knew

-was to be one of the company, should not outshine her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It fitted her like a glove, and was vastly becoming; she never

-had looked more brilliant in her life, but she was too fussy for

-a picnic, and looked as if she was decked out for a fashionable

-reception rather than for a day in the woods.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>In direct contrast to all this “fuss and feathers,” was Star, in

-a simple suit of white lawn, a belt of blue, of her eyes’ own

-hue, girdling her slender waist; a dainty, broad-brimmed hat,

-set in a jaunty way upon her golden head, and a little cluster of

-blue-fringed gentians nestling beneath her beautifully rounded

-chin.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The very simplicity of her attire made her conspicuous, and

-fashionable maidens, who had groaned in spirit over what they

-should wear and how they should wear it, glared at her with

-envious eyes.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Ralph Meredith had arranged a cozy little nook on the boat

-for Star and his sister, by taking some camp-chairs along and

-cushioning them with handsome rugs, with a couple of hassocks

-for their feet, while a sail had been adjusted as an awning

-to screen them from the hot sun.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But when, after they were well on their way, he conducted

-them thither, he found to his chagrin that this snug corner,

-upon which he had spent so much care, had been appropriated

-by Mrs. Richards and her brilliant daughter, who were holding

-a little court by themselves.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_282'>282</span>“Never mind,” Star whispered; “I do not care to sit just

-now, and I particularly wish not to disturb them.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“But <i>I</i> particularly wished you and Grace to have a comfortable

-place where you could enjoy your sail,” he returned,

-indignantly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I know, and you were very kind and thoughtful; but I

-shall feel better to leave them to get what enjoyment they can

-from occupying seats which they must know were intended for

-others. What do you say, Grace?” Star asked, appealing to

-Miss Meredith.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I do not see but what we shall be obliged to submit, since

-I do not wish to be rude to any of our party. But I must say

-I think they are very cool.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>They moved away to another portion of the boat, but when,

-an hour later, they saw the interlopers promenading the deck,

-they quietly slipped into the vacated seats, and settled themselves

-for the remainder of the sail.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Here they were soon chatting in the most sociable manner,

-and were right in the midst of a most interesting discussion

-regarding their toilet for an approaching reception, when a cold

-voice broke out upon them, saying:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Miss Gladstone, may I trouble you to vacate our chairs?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star started and flushed. Too well she knew those incisive

-tones.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But she quickly recovered herself, however, and looking up

-at Mrs. Richards, for it was she who had spoken, said:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“<i>Your</i> chairs? Are they yours?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Certainly; you have already seen us occupying them, I believe,”

-the woman responded, haughtily.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star’s face began to dimple with amusement, for she knew

-well enough that this demand was only made to annoy her and

-make her unpleasantly conspicuous, and she was determined to

-turn the tables to their own mortification; for they could not

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_283'>283</span>fail to learn when they landed to whom the chairs and other

-comforts belonged.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She made a motion to Grace, who, she saw, was bristling

-with indignation, to keep silent; then she arose, bowing with

-graceful politeness to Mrs. Richards and her daughter, though

-her eyes were gleaming with suppressed laughter.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I beg pardon if I have been occupying what does not rightfully

-belong to me, and I cheerfully resign <i>my</i> chair to your

-<i>prior claim</i>.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Josephine flushed, for she saw that it was all Star could do

-to restrain her merriment, though what should have caused it

-she could not understand; while she looked so pretty and was

-so lady-like, it made her angry.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I’m sure,” she began, hotly, and raising her voice so that

-others could hear her, “I don’t see what you’re so amused

-over, Stella Gladstone; and it seems to me that you’re putting

-on altogether too many airs for a girl who used to perform the

-services of a chambermaid in our house.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>For a moment Star stood as if dumfounded; then she lifted

-her bright head a trifle, as if in conscious superiority, gave

-Miss Richards a cool stare of surprise, and turned away without

-a word.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Not so Miss Meredith, however.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She kept her seat with the utmost composure, watching this

-little scene with both interest and amusement until Josephine

-so tauntingly insulted her friend.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Then she, too, arose, drawing her tall form to its fullest

-height.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I cannot understand,” she said, in a voice of scorn, “why

-you should so maliciously insult Miss Gladstone; but allow

-me to say for your enlightenment, that these chairs, rugs, and

-so forth, belong to my brother, Mr. Ralph Meredith, and he

-arranged them here especially for Miss Gladstone’s and my

-comfort. However, I will emulate her example, and resign

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_284'>284</span>my right to ladies who have proved themselves so superior

-in point of <i>refinement</i> and <i>politeness</i>.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Having uttered this cutting sarcasm, Miss Meredith

-bowed mockingly and walked away to rejoin her friend,

-leaving those haughty and overbearing women about as

-chagrined and crestfallen as it is possible for two people

-to feel.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The gay company reached their destination after a delightful

-sail of two hours.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was a lovely grove upon the shore of the bay, which

-people were in the habit of frequenting for picnics of this

-sort, and the party wandered about in groups for another

-two hours, exploring the beauties and attractions around

-them.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>At two o’clock everybody gathered to dine in a place

-which had been prepared for that purpose; the tables were

-spread with the contents of the numerous baskets, which

-contained every delicacy which the season afforded, and

-the gay company, making the woods resonant with laughter

-and merriment, sat down to their rural meal.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was four in the afternoon before this important part

-in the day’s programme was concluded, and then the company

-scattered, some to lounge about and rest, others to

-stroll into the deep, inviting shadows of the woods.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt and Star, Miss Meredith and her brother,

-with two or three others, wandered away by themselves,

-and finally sat down beneath a wide-spreading tree for a

-quiet chat.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>While they sat there, Star got up quietly and slipped

-out of sight, some spirit of restlessness possessing her to

-get away for a ramble still farther into the far-reaching

-woods.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had walked some distance, when she heard voices,

-and soon saw a gentleman and a lad, both with guns over

-their shoulders, approaching her, and looking heated and

-anxious.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>They saluted her courteously, and then the gentleman

-said, abruptly:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Have you seen anything of a small, white Spitz dog, miss?

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_285'>285</span>It is a pretty little creature, wearing a silver collar around his

-neck, and tiny blue bows tied in his ears.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No,” Star answered; “I have seen no dog to-day.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“We are in search of it because we are afraid it has run

-mad,” the stranger continued, peering about with a troubled

-countenance. “It has not been well for several days, and this

-morning showed unmistakable signs of hydrophobia. It escaped

-confinement from the cottage, a mile or so from here, and ran

-toward these woods about an hour ago.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>They passed on, and Star thought it would be best for her

-to go back to her friends, and therefore turned to retrace

-her steps.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had only accomplished about half of the distance, when

-she heard a clear, musical laugh ring out from among the

-shrubbery on the right of the path.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Thinking it must be some of her party, she stepped forward

-to warn them of their danger. She parted the branches with

-her hands and looked through.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>What was her horror to see Josephine Richards sitting at the

-foot of a tree, her hat tossed upon the ground beside her, and

-<i>holding in her lap the little mad dog</i> against which she had just

-been warned.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was a beautiful little creature, and had evidently been

-made a pet and plaything. It had lovely brown eyes, looking

-out from beneath its shaggy brows; its coat was as white as

-snow, while around its neck there glistened the silver collar,

-and in its pretty ears were the tiny blue bows of which she had

-been told.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Miss Richards evidently had just coaxed the little pet into

-her lap, and was playing with it without a suspicion of the terrible

-danger that she was in, while just for that moment it

-showed no signs of the madness which possessed it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star’s face was as white as her spotless dress as she took in

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_286'>286</span>the dreadful situation; then she stepped quickly forward and

-said, in clear but authoritative tones:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Miss Richards, put that dog down as quietly as you can,

-and come away with me instantly, for I have just been told that

-it is mad.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Scarcely were the words uttered, when the little creature

-snapped at the hand raised to caress it, and, with a scream of

-fright, Josephine sprang to her feet and turned to fly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But the act aroused all the fury of the maddened animal, and

-he seized hold of her skirts, biting and tearing them in the

-most furious manner, foaming at the mouth, and howling

-frightfully in its sudden paroxysm of frenzy.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Save me! save me!” Josephine screamed, and flying toward

-Star for protection.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>There was not a thought of personal danger in the fair young

-girl’s heart—not a thought of enmity, or of malice or evil; all

-her mind was concentrated upon one thing—how best to save

-her companion from this terrible danger and from a horrible

-death.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Stand still!” she commanded, in steady, almost stern tones.

-“Let him bite at your clothes all he chooses, but do not allow

-him to get at your feet; if you run, he will seize them and bite

-right through your boot. Have you courage to stand where

-you are for a moment? I will go behind him and slip the end

-of my parasol through his collar and pin him to the ground;

-then you can go and call help for me.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She spoke calmly but rapidly, and Josephine saw at once how

-much wisdom there was in her plan.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, yes; I will do anything,” she said, hysterically; “but

-be quick, for I cannot bear this much longer; I shall faint

-dead away.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“If you faint,” Star returned, in an awful voice, “you are

-lost! There! he has entangled himself in that ruffle which he

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_287'>287</span>has torn from your dress. Be still just a moment longer, and

-I will save you if I can.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Watching her opportunity, she stole softly behind the struggling

-animal, and, by a dextrous movement, slipped the end

-of her parasol, which was quite a stout one, into his collar,

-and then, with all her strength, drove it into the ground and

-held it there, though the creature struggled furiously to release

-himself.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Her face had not an atom of color in it, but her lips did not

-falter as she said to the horror-stricken girl watching her:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Go now quickly and call help for me, for, small as he is, I

-cannot hold him long.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Josephine did not need a second bidding, but went shrieking

-back to the company in a way to arouse the dead almost.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had not been gone two minutes—though those two

-minutes seemed like an age to Star, who found an almost

-superhuman strength in that writhing, twisting thing at her

-feet—when the bushes behind her parted again, and the same

-gentleman who had met and warned her of this danger sprang

-toward her, with his gun cocked and aimed at the dog.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>His face was almost as colorless as her own.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Can you hold him just an instant longer?—will you <i>dare</i>

-hold him while I shoot him? I will not harm you in the least,”

-he questioned, in rapid tones.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, I <i>will</i> hold him,” she said, resolutely. “If I let him

-loose now, he will surely bite somebody.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Although she spoke so steadily and with so much fortitude,

-she <i>looked</i> like some beautiful spirit from another world, and

-the gentleman knew he must do what he had to do quickly, or

-it would be too late.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>There was an instant of silence, then a quick, sharp report

-rang through the woods, and the little danger-fiend lay bleeding

-and dead at her feet.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>All peril was past.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_288'>288</span>Star had saved an enemy from a horrible fate—she had done

-a heroic deed; but the tension on her own nerves gave way

-when it was over. She swayed, tottered, and would have fallen

-to the ground, but another figure sprang through the bushes to

-her side, and her fainting form was received into the strong

-arms of Ralph Meredith.</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXIX.<br> <span class='large'>JOSEPHINE’S INGRATITUDE.</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>Confusion reigned during the next half hour among the

-company who had hitherto been so gay. Josephine Richards

-had rushed into their midst, startling everybody out of their

-senses by shrieking out:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Go to Miss Gladstone! A mad dog! a mad dog!”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was all that she could say, for she immediately after sank

-down helpless in a violent fit of hysterics, while the women,

-with white faces, huddled together in fear and trembling, and

-the men, with horrified eyes and quaking hearts, ran hither and

-thither in search of Star.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Then there had come that quick, sharp report, directing

-them to the spot, and telling them that all danger to them was

-past. But the terrible question arose:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Was Miss Gladstone safe?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Ralph Meredith, his feet winged with love and fear, was,

-as we have seen, first upon the scene of the tragedy, and

-caught her frantically to his heart just as she was falling to the

-ground.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Is she bitten?” he cried, in a voice of agony, and with

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_289'>289</span>ashen lips, to the stranger, who stood, gun in hand, over

-the dead dog.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No; she has not even a scratch; she has merely fainted

-from fright,” he answered; and throwing down his gun,

-he took a long pocket-flask filled with brandy from his

-hunting-pouch, and approached the unconscious girl.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He knelt upon the ground beside her and poured a few

-drops between her lips, though his hands trembled violently

-from the terrible excitement and anxiety under which he

-had been laboring.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Go for some water,” he said to his son, who, having

-heard the report of his father’s fowling-piece, now appeared

-upon the scene.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He darted away like a fawn, and was back in less than

-three minutes with a pitcherful, which he had seized from

-the camp, while a frightened crowd followed at his heels.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But it was a long time before Star revived. The shock

-to her nervous system had been a terrible one, and nature

-seemed loth to resume her sway after it. But at the end

-of half an hour her chest began to heave, and a slight tinge

-of color returned to her lips.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Ralph Meredith, who hung over her in an agony of suspense

-and fear, would let no one touch her or come near

-her, save his sister and Mr. Rosevelt; and he found that

-it required all the strength of his will to keep him from

-betraying to the gaping crowd the passionate love he entertained

-for the senseless girl.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Finally, to everybody’s relief, those white lids were unclosed,

-those beautiful eyes looked up, and a long, shuddering

-sigh shook her whole frame.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“What has happened?” she questioned, with a vacant

-look.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You are faint, dear. Drink this and you will be better,”

-Grace Meredith said, gently, while she held a silver

-cup to her lips.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_290'>290</span>She swallowed the stimulus mechanically, and then began to

-shiver, as if from the cold.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I remember,” she murmured, all the color fading from her

-face again, and they feared another season of unconsciousness

-would follow.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Is he dead?” she asked, a moment after, beginning to rally

-once more.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes; he was killed instantly,” Ralph Meredith returned.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“And Josephine—Miss Richards—is she safe?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Everybody looked surprised at this query, for no one had

-had any idea that that young lady had been in any danger

-until now.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes; Miss Richards is safe,” Mr. Rosevelt answered; but

-a frown contracted his brow as he began to understand that Star

-had sacrificed her own safety and endangered her own life to

-save that of an ungrateful girl.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>No one had been able to gather from Josephine’s excited and

-incoherent account anything save that a mad dog had attacked

-Miss Gladstone in the woods. She said not a word of how the

-noble girl had come to her rescue, warned her of her danger,

-and then put into execution a hazardous plan to secure her

-safety.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>There was not an atom of gratitude in her heart toward Star

-for having done this heroic deed—no softening, no sense of

-sorrow or repentance for her own unkindness in the past, or

-for the insult which she had only that day offered her; there

-was only a sense of triumph that she herself was safe, no matter

-how or at whose risk.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>When they came, bringing Star back—for she was still too

-weak to walk—to the spot where they had all gathered so gay

-and thoughtless that morning, there was a look of sadness and

-sympathy in every countenance save those of Mrs. Richards and

-her daughter, who stole away by themselves, jealous of the interest

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_291'>291</span>and concern manifested by the whole company for the

-object of their hatred.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>When Star found that Josephine had kept the facts of the

-encounter with the mad dog to herself, simply stating that Miss

-Gladstone had been attacked by it, she also appeared very reluctant

-to converse about it, and as the subject seemed to excite

-her, no one felt disposed to press her with questions.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The gentleman who owned the dog sent to his home for his

-carriage to have her conveyed to the steamer, although she had

-smilingly affirmed that she should be “able to walk with the

-help of Uncle Jacob’s arm.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Upon reaching the boat they improvised a couch for her on

-deck, as she objected going into the saloon, and by resting

-quietly during the two hours’ sail, she seemed almost like herself,

-save her unusual pallor, when the vessel touched the pier

-at Newport.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A carriage was here procured, and she was driven, with Mr.

-Rosevelt, Miss Meredith, and her brother, to her hotel.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Grace insisted upon remaining through the night with her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You are not fit to be left alone, and—I <i>want</i> to stay,” she

-pleaded, as Star hesitated about accepting her offer.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>So the two young girls passed the night together, and Star,

-growing confidential, and feeling that some explanation regarding

-Josephine’s insulting remarks that morning was due her

-friend, told her much concerning her life, and how it had happened

-that she was at one time an inmate of Mrs. Richards’

-family; also relating the events that had transpired since she

-and Mr. Rosevelt left them, and how she had rescued Josephine

-from the mad dog.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star was really ill from nervous prostration the next day, and

-obliged to keep her room; but Miss Meredith regaled curious

-ears with the whole story of Josephine Richards’ danger and

-Star’s courageous defense of her, and all Newport did indeed

-“ring” even as she had hoped.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_292'>292</span>Enough could not be said in admiration of the brave girl,

-while scorn and contempt were freely expressed for the recipients

-of so much heroism for refusing to acknowledge their

-indebtedness, and awarding her the commendation she deserved.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt was even more unnerved, when he learned the

-truth, than he had been the previous day.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He came to her room, wan and haggard, after talking with

-Miss Meredith, and sank, weak and trembling, into a chair at

-her side.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“My child,” he said, brokenly, as he took both her hands

-and looked them carefully over with tear-laden eyes, “are you

-<i>sure</i> you did not get a scratch anywhere?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Quite sure, Uncle Jacob,” Star replied, reassuringly; “the

-dog did not touch me anywhere, and if he had, I had a pair

-of stout undressed kid gloves on, and they would have protected

-me.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“But you were in terrible danger. Suppose you had not

-succeeded in pinning him down, and he had turned upon

-you?” he said, with a shudder.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I did not think of that,” Star answered; “but if I had

-<i>known</i> that he would turn upon me, I believe I should have

-tried to save Josephine just the same. <i>Somebody</i> was in danger

-of being bitten even if she escaped unharmed, and I felt that I

-must strain every nerve and not allow him to get among the

-company. The dog was a tiny little thing,” she went on, flushing

-and becoming excited as she seemed to live over again that

-dreadful experience; “but, oh, Uncle Jacob, he was terribly

-strong. I thought once that I should have to let him go; I

-could not have held him one minute longer;” and she covered

-her face with her hands, weeping from nervousness.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“We must not talk about it any more; it excites you,” Mr.

-Rosevelt said, soothingly; “but the world would have been

-very dark for me if anything had happened to you; and—I am

-bitter enough to feel that Josephine Richards’ safety is dearly

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_293'>293</span>bought, even at the sacrifice of nothing more than your nerves

-and strength,” he concluded, in a stern tone.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star reached out one white hand and laid it gently upon his,

-saying, with grave sweetness, while she wiped away her tears:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Uncle Jacob, let us not judge too harshly nor be unforgiving.

-‘Charity,’ you know, ‘suffereth long and is kind, and

-never faileth.’ Surely you would not have had me run away

-like a coward, and leave her sitting there playing with that mad

-creature, <i>knowing</i> that she was in such fearful danger?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“N-o,” he admitted, reluctantly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Just think,” Star went on; “she had him in her lap, and

-I did not speak one instant too soon, for hardly had I told her

-that he was mad, when he snapped at her. No; I am glad

-that I did what was right, and Josephine Richards’ life was

-every bit as precious to me yesterday as that of any one else,

-and I should have done just the same had she been an enemy

-a hundred-fold more than she is. She has endeavored to injure

-me, I know, in every possible way, and, in all the ordinary

-walks of life, I should let her alone. Her spite and ill-will,

-however bitter, cannot do me any real harm, although they may

-annoy me exceedingly, and doubtless will, in the end, rebound

-upon herself; but I am glad that I did not falter yesterday. I

-did what I could with the kindest of motives; and if <i>she</i> does

-not feel that she owes me anything, it cannot alter the fact that

-I did <i>my</i> duty.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt regarded her with an almost worshipful look.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“That good book, which you love so well, says that ‘a little

-child shall lead them;’ and truly, Star, you in your youth

-shame me in my maturer years by your Christian spirit,” he

-said, in an humble tone.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star did not reply, but she looked very happy.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Surely Uncle Jacob must have been reading some in ‘that

-good book,’ to quote thus from it,” she thought, while his

-remark about a Christian spirit told that he was thinking

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_294'>294</span>upon the more serious questions of life—all of which was very

-encouraging to her who had so often been wounded by his

-bitterness and skepticism.</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXX.<br> <span class='large'>“I LOVE HIM STILL.”</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>The first of the week following the events just related,

-Mrs. Richards and her daughter were suddenly “recalled to

-Brooklyn.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Newport had become, as Miss Meredith had prophesied,

-“too hot for them.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>They were gone almost before any one knew that they contemplated

-going; and, it must be confessed, that it was a great

-relief to both Star and Mr. Rosevelt when they learned of

-their flitting, and knew they would be obliged to meet them

-no more.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star had recovered her usual health and strength, but she

-had suffered such a shock that she could not meet or see a dog

-without a feeling of fear and an almost overpowering weakness,

-and she never entirely outgrew this feeling during her life.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had seemed unusually thoughtful, too, since the event.

-Most people, noticing it, thought it but natural, considering

-the fearful danger she had been in, but Star had a very different

-reason for it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The moment she had returned to consciousness and found

-herself in Ralph Meredith’s arms, seen his agonized looks,

-heard his tones of fear, realized the passionate, though trembling

-clasp in which she was held, the terrible throbbings of

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_295'>295</span>his heart as she lay against it, and noted the quiver of his pale

-lips as he hung over her and begged her to assure him that she

-was unharmed, she knew that he was no longer what she had

-hitherto regarded him—merely a kind and congenial friend.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Those signs she had interpreted in a way to make her feel

-very grave and deeply troubled.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She felt that he regarded her with feelings which she knew it

-would be impossible for her ever to return, and she feared he

-was cherishing hopes which, if not “nipped in the bud,” might

-ruin his whole life.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>His every look and act since that day had told her as plainly

-as words could have done that he loved her, and she was constantly

-trying to think of some way to make him discover how

-hopeless his passion was without bringing matters to a crisis.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But this was not to be.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>One evening they all went for a walk in the park, where they

-spent an hour listening to the music and strolling about.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>As they were returning, Ralph succeeded in securing Star as

-a companion; perchance his sister knew his design in so doing,

-and aided him by asking Mr. Rosevelt for his arm and making

-herself as agreeable as she could to him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Come this way,” Ralph whispered, leading the fair girl down

-a path at right angles to the one they had been traversing;

-“we shall all meet at the gate;” and Star could find no reasonable

-excuse to offer, although her heart beat ominously at the

-request.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The evening was delightfully cool and pleasant, the air fragrant

-with the perfume of many flowers, while the music in the

-distance lent its own enchantment to the place and hour.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was just the time for Cupid to be busy with his arrows,

-and Ralph Meredith felt that it was an opportunity not to be

-lost, and governed himself accordingly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Miss Gladstone,” he said, abruptly, after a rather awkward

-silence, “I am obliged to return to New York to-morrow.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_296'>296</span>“Are you?” Star asked, in surprise. “Is it not a sudden

-departure?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Rather. I had hoped to remain a week longer.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Surely your sister does not accompany you? I should

-miss her sorely; I should regret to lose her more than I can

-tell you.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The young man’s face fell. <i>He</i> had not been included in her

-regret. But he rallied, and said, lightly:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“My sister is highly favored, Miss Gladstone; but I had

-flattered myself that I also should be missed.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Pardon me, if my words conveyed to you the idea that you

-would not,” Star said, quickly. “You have been most kind,

-Mr. Meredith, and I shall most certainly miss your companionship

-and your friendly attentions.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><i>Friendly</i> attentions!</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Meredith had received another stab.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“But,” she added, “will Grace go with you? You have

-not yet told me, and I have not heard her say anything about

-leaving.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She hoped thus to ward off what she feared was coming, and

-turn the conversation in another channel.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No; Grace will remain for another week. But, Miss Gladstone—Star,”

-he began, desperately, “I could not leave without

-seeking this private interview with you to learn my fate.

-You have called my attentions ‘friendly.’ Have you not realized

-that they have been vastly more than that? Have you not

-seen that I have grown to love you madly, idolatrously? You

-are modest as a violet, my bright Star; and although I have

-tried to win some sign of answering affection from you, yet you

-have not given me one. You have evaded my every look, my

-every word of love. But, my beautiful darling, it seems as if

-my true heart <i>must</i> find in yours a fond return. You will tell

-me to-night, will you not, dear, that you will give yourself to

-me? Star, how shall I tell you of the depth of my love?—how

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_297'>297</span>you have become so necessary to me, that if you should send

-me away without hope, the future would hold nothing to tempt

-me, nothing to make life worth the living. When I held you

-in my arms last Wednesday, and believed that your life had

-been endangered—when you lay unconscious upon my breast,

-close to my heart, so white and still, so exactly as if you <i>were</i>

-dead, I said to myself that I could not, I cared not to live, if

-you were taken from me. My love, look up into my eyes, lay

-your hand in mine, and tell me you will give yourself to me.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He stopped in the path and waited for her answer—waited

-for her to lay her hand in his, as he had asked her to do, and

-bid him to hope and be the happiest man in the universe.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But her beautiful golden head was bent, as if weighted with

-some heavy care or sorrow. The star-like face was pale and

-downcast, and the lovely eyes, into which he longed to read an

-answering tale of love, were hidden by their white lids and

-curling lashes.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Star,” he breathed, a note of keen pain in his tone, “do

-not tell me that I must give up my bright dream of joy.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Mr. Meredith,” she answered, looking up at him with

-sudden resolution, “forget for a little while what you have

-just said to me, and listen, while I read you a page out of my

-own heart.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A look of suffering came into his eyes, his lips trembled,

-and he breathed heavily, but he answered:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I cannot ‘<i>forget</i>,’ but I will ‘listen,’ as you wish.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Nearly two years ago,” Star began, “I came to America in

-the ——, a vessel that sailed from Liverpool to New York.

-Perhaps you remember that it was lost at sea. I was one of

-the few who were saved, and afterward picked up by the ——,

-another homeward bound vessel. As I was lifted from the life-boat

-to the deck of the noble craft, I fainted from exhaustion,

-and fell into the arms of a stranger, who bore me to a state-room

-and gave me into the care of a stewardess. I met him a

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_298'>298</span>day or two afterward on the deck. He was a noble, manly looking

-gentleman, some four years my senior. We were thrown

-much into each other’s society during the remainder of the

-voyage, and there came into my heart during that time a feeling

-for him which will prevent me from ever loving another while

-I live. When we landed we parted as friends, though we exchanged

-souvenirs, and he expressed the hope that we should

-meet again. A few months later we did meet, our friendship

-was renewed, and soon ripened into something deeper—in fact,

-he won my heart entirely. We were betrothed, and for a few

-days earth became a paradise to me. I firmly believed him to

-be all that he appeared. I could have staked my life upon his

-truth and honor, and I would have defended him with my latest

-breath had any one assailed his fair fame or doubted his allegiance

-to me. But I could not doubt the evidence of my own

-senses, and he proved himself a traitor in my very presence.

-He played me false before the vows which he had uttered to

-me had scarcely grown cold upon his lips. I spurned him with

-scorn; I denounced him as the traitor and coward which I

-knew him to be; but, oh, Mr. Meredith, strange as it may

-seem to you, I—I love him still. Perhaps it is unmaidenly in

-me to tell you this, perhaps it betrays weakness and a lack of

-proper dignity on my part; but I feel that I owe it to you, to

-make you understand how impossible it is for me to reciprocate

-your affection. He won my girlish heart, he bound me irrevocably

-to him by the power of his will and the charm of his

-oily tongue, and I can <i>never</i> love another. You will say that

-he is unworthy of such constancy, or even of a regret. I know

-he is, and yet while I own it, my soul is reaching after him

-with all the strength of a deathless love. I began to fear, a

-week ago, that you were entertaining feelings for me which

-would bring sorrow upon us both. You say that I have evaded

-you. I <i>have</i> done so; I have tried to show you that the hopes

-which I feared you were entertaining could never be realized,

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_299'>299</span>and I wish that you had never spoken the words which you

-have to-night; for I know—<i>you</i> know, that you could never be

-satisfied to take any one to your heart who was always turning

-from you to another, who, although she knew she was loving

-unworthily, would not yet have the power to keep her affections

-from straying from you, and who could not keep her

-vows of allegiance to you, for such vows, if spoken, would be

-but mockery. Mr. Meredith, you could never be satisfied with

-such a wife as that,” she concluded, in a voice which shook

-with emotion.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No, Miss Gladstone,” he answered, sorrowfully. “I love

-you too fondly, too devotedly, to be content with anything save

-an affection as strong and true as my own. But,” with a note

-of earnest appeal in his tone, “could I not win you by and by?

-Could I not teach you to love me by proving to you that I am

-worthy of your love?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star shook her head sadly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I <i>know</i> that you are worthy at this moment,” she said. “I

-have the deepest respect for you, and value you as a friend; but

-nothing—no one can ever win the love which I must always

-bear for Archibald Sherbrooke. He has broken my heart and

-ruined my life; for I can never be the wife of any worthy man,

-since I will not live a lie. I can never have a home of my own;

-I can never have those sweet domestic ties and duties which

-other women have; I can only try to do my duty by the dear

-old man who is so fond of me while he lives, and, after that,

-live out my lonely life with what patience and courage I can,”

-she concluded, with such a pathos that the young man for the

-moment forgot his own sorrow and disappointment in pity

-for her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Where is he—where is this coward who has so imposed

-upon you, ruined your life, and proved faithless to his troth?

-Tell me, that I may go and brand him the knave and villain

-that he is!” Ralph Meredith cried, in hot indignation.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_300'>300</span>“I do not know where he is,” Star answered. “I have never

-seen him since that night when I told him that I had discovered

-his treachery. That was nearly a year ago. I never expect to

-meet him again—I never <i>wish</i> to meet him again. I desire to

-ignore him—at least, to all outward appearances; and if he

-possesses such an attribute as a conscience, his punishment

-must come sometime. But,” she went on, in a voice of pain,

-“I hope no one else will ever learn to love me, for I cannot

-endure the thought that I shall spoil other lives as mine has

-been spoilt. Oh, Mr. Meredith, I am sorry if I have unconsciously

-done you a wrong. Pray, forget me if you can,

-and——”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“That I can never do,” he interrupted, gently, for he saw

-that she was deeply moved; “but I will try and be content if

-you will allow me still to be your friend.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Thank you,” she returned, while she wiped the tears which

-were falling fast; “it will be a great comfort to me if you will

-permit me to regard you as such. I feared I should incur your

-contempt by the confession I have made to-night; but I could

-better endure that than that your future should be ruined by

-hoping against hope.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Contempt!” he repeated, earnestly; “such a feeling I could

-never entertain for you; you have, instead, my deepest sympathy

-and respect. But if I ever meet and know the wretch

-who has played you false, let him beware; for I will surely

-make him repent most bitterly his treachery and baseness

-toward you,” he concluded, fiercely.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A faint smile of scorn curled Star’s lips.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Time would bring its own punishment to her faithless lover,

-she believed, and she had no desire that any one should act as

-her champion in this matter.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had called him “Archibald Sherbrooke” purposely, for

-she felt assured that if, by any chance, Ralph Meredith should

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_301'>301</span>yet meet him, he would not recognize in Lord Carrol the man

-of whom she had told him.</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXXI.<br> <span class='large'>A NOBLE RESOLUTION.</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>“You will remember that you have promised that I am still

-to be your friend; you will not avoid me and deny me the

-pleasure of your society because of what I have told you to-night?”

-Ralph pleaded, as he and Star drew near the entrance

-of the park, and knew that they would soon be rejoined by his

-sister and Mr. Rosevelt.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star looked up at him with a grave face.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You shall still be my friend. I will not avoid you if you

-will promise me that you will build no false hopes upon our

-friendship,” she said.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“How can I, when you tell me that there is no hope?” he

-asked, yet his voice trembled and was full of pain.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“May I continue to visit you when you return to New York?”

-he resumed, after a moment.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Certainly, as one friend would visit another. You have

-made my stay here very pleasant, and I should be very sorry

-not to see you occasionally, while Grace has become almost

-like a sister to me.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The young man thanked her with glistening eyes, and with

-a pang at his heart, as he thought how fondly he had hoped to

-make the two girls sisters, and how rudely his bright dream had

-been broken.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Then they passed out at the gate, where they found Mr.

-Rosevelt and Grace awaiting them.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_302'>302</span>Both saw at a glance that the interview had been a sorrowful

-one, and Miss Meredith was bitterly disappointed, for she had

-trusted that Ralph would be able to win the bright, beautiful

-girl for his wife.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt surmised the cause of Star’s rejection of his

-suit, and sighed heavily, for the young man had been a favorite

-with him, and he would have been glad to give her to him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But he would never try to influence her upon matters of

-such a delicate nature. She should always do exactly as she

-liked, and he knew that whoever her choice might be, it would

-never be an unworthy one.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>They parted at the door of the hotel, Ralph bidding them

-good-by there, as he was to leave early in the morning, and

-Star knew by the way he wrung her hand that he was bidding

-farewell to hope as well.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>When they reached their private parlor, she went directly to

-Mr. Rosevelt’s side and laid her hand upon his arm. Her face

-was flushed and sad, and he saw at once that she was very

-unhappy.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“What is it, my starling?” he asked, taking her hand in both

-of his, and speaking very tenderly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Uncle Jacob, I want to go home,” she said, wearily.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Bless you, child! you shall go wherever you like,” he said,

-in surprise, and regarding her anxiously.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I want to go where you and I can be by ourselves, and

-where I cannot do any mischief,” she said, with a sob of pain,

-and he knew beyond a doubt that Ralph Meredith had proposed

-and been rejected.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Mischief! tut, tut, little one! What has made you so unhappy?

-Have you sent our young friend away in sorrow?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star nodded her head in reply; she could not find voice to

-answer him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“He is a fine young man—he is a <i>worthy</i> young man,” Mr.

-Rosevelt said, gently.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_303'>303</span>“Oh, I <i>know</i> it, Uncle Jacob; but—<i>my heart is dead</i>, and it

-can never live again. Don’t blame me, please—<i>you</i> know all

-about it, and you know that I could not help it and be true to

-him and myself,” she returned, in deep distress.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You have done everything to make me happy,” she went

-on, a little more calmly, “and I thought I was beginning to

-be content and to enjoy life once more; but I cannot endure

-many scenes like what transpired to-night. Let us go home,

-where I can go to work again, and in my duties there forget, if

-possible, the misery of the past, which I have been made to

-live over again to-night.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“We will leave Newport to-morrow, if you wish,” Mr. Rosevelt

-said, after a little thought; “but we will not go back to

-New York just yet—we will spend two or three weeks in sightseeing

-first. We will go to the White Mountains, from there to

-Montreal, then down the St. Lawrence and the lake to Niagara,

-and then home. That will give us a change and a nice little

-trip, besides a knowledge of something of the country. It is a

-long time since I went over that ground, and I think I should

-enjoy the journey, if the idea pleases you.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He was not going to let her go back to New York and bury

-herself at home, where she would brood over her trouble and

-grow pale, thin, and hollow-eyed again; so he put it in the

-form of a favor to himself.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star assented, thinking if the trip would give him pleasure

-she would not say “nay.” She only longed to get away from

-Newport; it would be a change, and a spirit of unrest had suddenly

-possessed her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>So it was arranged that they should leave the gay resort the

-next day but one.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“And, Uncle Jacob,” Star pleaded, as they were about to

-retire for the night, “let us not say much about it until to-morrow;

-let us get away as quietly as possible.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_304'>304</span>“Very well; we will leave the announcement of our departure

-as long as we can, without appearing to <i>run</i> away,” he

-answered, understanding her motive.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The next morning Star sought Miss Meredith, and confessed,

-with many tears, her rejection of her brother.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I knew he would tell you,” she said, “but I cannot bear

-that you should blame me, Grace. I have not meant to wrong

-your brother, and I would give much to make him as happy

-and free from pain as he was before he knew me. Do not take

-your friendship from me on account of it, for I need it more

-than I ever did before.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>And Grace Meredith, not knowing all, kissed her tenderly,

-while she thought in her heart, “Perhaps I can help to win her

-for Ralph even yet, if I am patient.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Do not grieve,” she said, gently. “I know you have intended

-no wrong. You cannot help being beautiful and attractive;

-you cannot help it if people <i>will</i> love you. I do not

-blame you, dear, in the least, and I am sure I should not think

-of breaking our friendship, which has been so exceedingly

-pleasant. Ralph did tell me something of this last night, and

-of course I am sorry for him, for he is a very dear brother, and

-a noble fellow, too; but these affairs of the heart, you know,”

-she concluded, smiling and flushing, for she knew something

-about it herself, “are entirely beyond our control.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Thank you, Grace,” Star said, gratefully, although the

-trouble did not fade out of her azure eyes; “you have lightened

-my burden considerably. It would have been more than

-I could bear to make an enemy of you.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“An enemy, you dear little goose!” Grace cried. “Do you

-suppose I would be so foolish as to wish to drive you to marry

-my brother if you could not love him? I love you both too

-well for that; and now don’t let me hear anything more about

-broken friendships, unless I do something to forfeit your respect,

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_305'>305</span>for it would cause me great sorrow to have anything mar

-our intimacy.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star drew a long breath of relief.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You are very good to me,” she returned; “and now I have

-a little message to you from Uncle Jacob.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“A message from Mr. Rosevelt! Do let me have it, then,

-for it must be something good,” Miss Meredith said, gayly. She

-longed to drive the clouds from her friend’s face.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“We are going to leave Newport.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Going to leave Newport! When?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“To-morrow.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“If that is your message, it is anything but a welcome one,”

-Miss Meredith said, looking very much disturbed.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Oh, but it isn’t,” Star replied; “I was to tell you of our

-plans. We are going from here to the White Mountains, from

-there to Montreal, down the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario

-to Niagara, and then home; and Uncle Jacob commissioned

-me to ask you to be our guest during the trip. Will

-you go, Grace?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Miss Meredith looked thoughtful.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It would be a sudden start, but the trip offered great attraction,

-to say nothing of the pleasure she would experience in

-Star’s and Mr. Rosevelt’s society.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Ralph was gone, and if these friends should go also, she

-would be very lonely, notwithstanding she had many acquaintances

-here.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I <i>want</i> you, Grace; <i>please</i> do not refuse,” Star pleaded, as

-she hesitated, and she assented without further demur.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Accordingly, the next day they all left Newport, and many

-blank faces and wistful eyes watched their departure, for they

-had formed a nucleus around which a brilliant circle had collected,

-and they would be sadly missed.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The trip occupied three weeks, and proved a most delightful

-one also.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_306'>306</span>Star was a first-rate traveler, Miss Meredith a most pleasant

-companion, and they all regained much of their accustomed

-spirits before it was over, and Mr. Rosevelt congratulated himself

-that he had planned most wisely.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I think it is charming to travel in this way,” Star said, one

-day while they were at Niagara; “just a few of us who enjoy

-each other, stopping when we choose, going on when we like,

-and having everything our own way. I think there is nothing

-so pleasant as traveling.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“How would you like to go to California and the Yosemite

-Valley?” Mr. Rosevelt asked.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I <i>think</i> I should like it,” she answered, enthusiastically.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Will you go this fall?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Oh, Uncle Jacob, aren’t you tired? Do you not need to

-go home and rest after so much dissipation?” the young girl

-asked, but her eyes sparkled and her cheeks flushed with anticipation.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Do you call it dissipation to travel?” he asked, smiling at

-her eagerness. “I enjoy it almost more than anything else.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“‘<i>Almost</i> more,’” Star repeated, quickly. “What <i>would</i> you

-enjoy more?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“To see <i>you</i> perfectly happy,” he replied, tenderly; “and,”

-he added, “I believe that traveling does you fully as much

-good as anything else. We will go home and rest a week, then

-we will start for the far West. What do you say to my plan?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Miss Meredith’s face lighted.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Say ‘yes’ to it, by all means, Star,” she said, “and—I will

-go with you, if you will have me.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“<i>If</i> we will have you,” Star returned, with dancing eyes.

-“Why, I think it would be the very nicest thing in all the

-world—we three, with Mrs. Blunt to look after us, do have

-such delightful, cozy times.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I have been wishing for just such an opportunity for a long

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_307'>307</span>time,” Grace said, “and if you will take me along with you, I

-should esteem it a great favor.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I think with Star, that it would be the best arrangement in

-the world; and, Miss Meredith, we shall consider you a member

-of our party,” Mr. Rosevelt said, with a bow and a smile

-to that young lady.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star looked up into the old gentleman’s face.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Uncle Jacob, how <i>good</i> you are to me!” she said; and her

-red lips trembled over the words, for she knew that he had

-planned all this expressly for her sake, to keep her thoughts

-pleasantly employed and from brooding over the past.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“My dear, do I not owe my life and all that I am at present

-enjoying to you?” he asked, gravely. “Remember,” he added,

-“that when you are happy I am happy also, and <i>vice versa</i>;

-whatever cloud darkens your sky is sure to bring sorrow to

-me also; so let us make the most of our lives while we have

-them.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star looked up brightly after Mr. Rosevelt’s last remark, and

-glancing archly from him to Miss Meredith, said:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well, if so much depends upon my decision—if I hold the

-fate of two such important people in my hands, I shall be

-obliged to say, we will go to California and be happy. But,”

-she added, laughing, “I warn you both beforehand that I shall

-not be easily satiated; I shall want to go everywhere and see

-everything. Yes; we will go home and rest a week, then turn

-our faces toward the ‘golden gate,’ and—‘westward, ho!’”</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_308'>308</span>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXXII.<br> <span class='large'>“I PROMISE.”</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>On returning to New York, Star learned that Ralph Meredith

-had sailed for Europe a couple of days before their arrival.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The week that they had promised themselves for rest at home

-proved to be a busy one instead, for considerable preparation

-was necessary for the long journey they were contemplating, as

-it was to occupy three or four months.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star was glad to be at home again, and went flitting about

-the house, full of business and life.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>One day they were out making a few necessary purchases,

-when suddenly, in one of the stores, they came upon Mr.

-Richards.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He looked aged and care-worn, neglected and unhappy. His

-face lighted with momentary pleasure, however, when he caught

-sight of Mr. Rosevelt and Star, and he came forward to greet

-them with extended hand.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I cannot tell you how glad I am to see you once more,”

-he said, heartily. “I am not going to reproach you either for

-running away from us, for, unpleasant as it is for me to say it,

-I could not blame you under the circumstances. But it is only

-within a week or two that I have learned of the change in your

-life; and, Uncle Jacob, I am sincerely glad that you did not

-lose your fortune, as we supposed.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Thank you. Then you do not feel aggrieved over the

-ruse I played upon you?” replied Mr. Rosevelt, regarding him

-searchingly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Not at all; it was no more than right that you should wish

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_309'>309</span>to know who was worthy to be your heir,” but he sighed heavily

-as he spoke, as he remembered how unworthy his wife had

-proved herself to be.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“How goes the world with you?” Mr. Rosevelt asked, and

-noticing the return of the care-worn look to Mr. Richards’ face.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Rather discouragingly just now. I have met with some

-pretty heavy losses lately; don’t know whether I shall be able

-to pull through all right or not. A couple of weeks will tell

-the story, however.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He spoke in a desperate tone, and there was a look in his

-eyes that made Star shudder and involuntarily draw closer to

-Mr. Rosevelt.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You don’t mean that you are in danger of going under?”

-he said, in surprise, and remembering how his wife and daughter

-had flourished at Newport.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Just that,” Mr. Richards returned, nervously; “but if it

-was not for the horror I have of debt, and the thought that

-others must suffer through me, I would gladly lay down my

-arms and give up the battle; I am tired to death of this endless

-struggle to keep up appearances. But,” he added, trying to

-speak more cheerfully, “I won’t bore you with my troubles.

-How well you are both looking; and Star—they tell me <i>you</i>

-are the author of ‘Chatsworth’s Pride.’ I declare I was never

-prouder of anything in my life when I heard it. I always knew

-you’d make your mark in the world.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star colored. She was a trifle sensitive regarding compliments

-of this kind, and never talked about her book if she

-could help it, except with those whom she was sure were her

-true friends.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But she thanked him gracefully, and then turned the conversation

-to some other topic, while all the time she was wondering

-if there was not something that she could do to help or

-comfort him in his trouble.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Now that I have found you,” he said, later, “tell me where

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_310'>310</span>you live and I will come to see you. I will not invite you to

-Brooklyn,” he continued, with a frown, “for I know you could

-not come there with any comfort, though I should be glad

-enough to see you there.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>While he was speaking, Star had drawn a little back, so that

-Mr. Rosevelt was between her and Mr. Richards, and he could

-not see her face at all.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Uncle Jacob,” she whispered, close to his ear, “cannot we

-do something to help him out of his trouble? He looks so

-wild and desperate that he frightens me. He was always kind

-to me, and I’ll willingly give up California or anything else you

-please.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Jacob Rosevelt’s face flushed hotly at these words, and a

-strange gleam came into his fine eyes. He appeared to take

-no notice of her plea, but after giving Mr. Richards their street

-and number, continued:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“If you have no other engagement, George, come up and

-dine with us to-night, and see how cozy we are. We have

-dinner at six, and as we leave for California on Wednesday night,

-I am afraid we shall not see you again.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>George Richards caught his breath with a sudden gasp at this

-intelligence, and Star noticed again that frenzied gleam in his

-eyes which had made her heart throb painfully.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“California, do you?” he said, trying to speak steadily.

-“Well, I will come, of course, then; for life is uncertain, you

-know, and I may never see you again,” he added, with a harsh,

-grating laugh. “Thank you for the invitation, and as I have

-no engagement, I will be on hand in season for dinner. But I

-must be off now, for I have agreed to meet a couple of gentlemen

-at twelve, and it only wants fifteen minutes of that now.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He lifted his hat and bowed to them, then turned away; but

-the white-haired gentleman and the beautiful girl who stood

-looking after him saw the aged, dejected look return almost

-instantly to his face, and heard the heavy sigh that escaped his

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_311'>311</span>lips, telling of some fearful burden of care that was wearing

-his life away.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“So you want me to help George Richards out of his trouble,

-do you, Star?” Mr. Rosevelt said, on their way home, and his

-eyes rested fondly on the graceful figure sitting by his side,

-driving her pretty gray ponies.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Perhaps it was presuming in me to ask you to do so, Uncle

-Jacob,” Star answered, gravely, and flushing a vivid crimson;

-“but I feel very sorry for him. He was kind to me in many

-ways while I was living with his family, and but for him I

-should have been made a common servant.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>When George Richards was ushered into Jacob Rosevelt’s

-luxurious and cozy dining-room that evening, where the table

-was laid with exquisite taste for three, his eyes lighted, and the

-look of care vanished as if by magic from his face.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Three times after dessert Star made Mr. Richards let her fill

-his tiny cup with the delicious coffee; then she playfully told

-him that she should not give him any more, but if he would

-come into the library, she would try and see what she could do

-toward intoxicating him in some other way.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I have not forgotten how fond you are of music,” she

-added, smiling, “and I want you to tell me if you do not think

-I have improved some since you last heard me play.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She slipped her hand through his arm and led him into the

-library, while Mr. Rosevelt watched her with humorous eyes as

-she performed this labor of love.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Seated at the piano, she whiled away another hour, making

-George Richards forget everything disagreeable, and appear the

-pleasant, genial gentleman whom she used to know.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“‘Richard is almost himself again,’ I think,” she thought,

-with a happy little smile, as once, after a comic song which she

-sang to him, he leaned back in his chair and laughed long and

-heartily.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But this could not go on forever, and finally Mr. Rosevelt

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_312'>312</span>gradually led him to talk business, and asked him to tell him

-just what his trouble was.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>This changed everything, and he became at once the anxious,

-care-worn man again.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I do not like to trouble you, Uncle Jacob,” he said, uneasily.

-“You have had your day of business, with all its cares

-and perplexities, without bothering your brain with those of

-other people. I’m in a terrible muddle, it is true; but—I

-guess there will be <i>some way</i> out of it;” and there came into

-his eyes that same wild, desperate look which Star had noticed

-in the morning, and which made her shudder with a terrible

-fear.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But Mr. Rosevelt insisted, and finally drew from him a true

-statement of facts.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I am sorry you are having such a hard time of it, George,”

-he said, thoughtfully, when he had concluded. “How much

-would it take to relieve you of your embarrassment?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards cast a startled look at the old gentleman at

-this question; then, while a deep flush mounted to his brow,

-he said:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I can raise enough to meet all my present liabilities with

-ten thousand dollars. I have tried to borrow it everywhere,

-but everybody seems to have become suddenly shy of me for

-some reason, and I might as well be without a dollar in the

-world as without the whole amount. If I <i>could</i> raise it, it

-would set me on my legs again, for my credit would be good,

-and, with care and patience, I believe I could retrieve my

-position.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star almost held her breath while she waited for Mr. Rosevelt’s

-reply to this.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>To her infinite surprise, he turned to her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“My dear,” he said, gently, “you shall return some of the

-kindness of which you told me this morning. I think you

-understand what I want you to do.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_313'>313</span>He glanced as he concluded toward the private drawer in his

-desk, where he always kept his check-book, and she knew that

-he wanted her to go and fill out a check for the amount that

-Mr. Richards had named.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She arose, went to the desk, unlocked the drawer with trembling

-fingers, and drew forth the book.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Opening it, she filled out a check, as she had often done for

-him during the last few months, then tearing it out, carried it

-to him, with a pen filled with ink.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He turned it over and wrote his name on the back without a

-word, and then returned it to her to sign.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She took it mechanically, but stood irresolute for a moment,

-looking at him, while her cheeks grew crimson.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Give it to him, dear; it is to be your gift,” Mr. Rosevelt

-said, glancing at Mr. Richards, who sat staring at them both in

-blank amazement.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A brilliant smile parted Star’s red lips; she shot a grateful

-look at Uncle Jacob, and advancing to their visitor’s side, laid

-the check down before him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>One glance at the figures, and the overburdened man bowed

-his head upon the table with a groan.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I cannot take it! I cannot take it—and from <i>you</i>, of all

-persons!” he said, brokenly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Why not from her?” Mr. Rosevelt asked, huskily. “All

-that I have belongs to this dear girl, and, as I have told her

-many times, I live only to make her happy. <i>She</i> asked me to

-do this to-day after we had met you, because, she said, you had

-been kind to her in the past, and she longed to help you out

-of your trouble. So take it as her gift, my boy; make the best

-use of it that you can, and welcome.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>George Richards groaned again, while he reached forth and

-grasped the old man’s hand, wringing it in silent gratitude, yet

-overwhelmed with shame and remorse as he remembered all

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_314'>314</span>that he and the fair-haired, gentle girl standing beside him had

-suffered while they were members of his family.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He had no words of thanks to offer for this generous help in

-time of need, but if ever a world-weary heart was relieved of a

-burden too heavy to be borne, his was, when at length he folded

-that precious bit of paper and put it away for future use.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>When he arose to take his leave, he took both of Star’s

-hands in his and drew her aside, where he could speak to

-her alone.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“But for you,” he said, in unsteady tones, “I should have

-been a ruined man a week hence. To tell you that I am

-<i>ashamed</i> to receive this gift from you does not express half what

-I feel, when I look back and remember your position in my

-family. But you have bestowed it so kindly and delicately that

-it would be churlish in me to refuse it; and you have taught

-me a lesson which, God helping me, I will never forget—a

-lesson of forgiveness and charity; and <i>no one</i> in my house shall

-ever be treated unkindly again, no matter what their position

-may be,” he concluded, with stern resolution.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Please forget all the past, Mr. Richards,” Star returned,

-sweetly, but with evident embarrassment. “I never entertained

-any feeling save that of gratitude and good-will toward you, for

-you proved yourself interested in my welfare in more instances

-than one while I was with you. But,” she added, solemnly,

-while she clung tightly to his hands, and looked into his eyes

-with an expression which made them droop guiltily before her,

-“will you not promise me that, no matter how dark the future

-may be to you, no matter what trials or disappointments may

-come to you, you will never again meditate <i>doing yourself an

-irreparable wrong</i>?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A streak of dusky red shot across the man’s forehead, while

-his veins filled out hard and full.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Star,” he stammered, “what do you mean?—what do you

-know?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_315'>315</span>“<i>You</i> know what I mean. I read it in your eyes, I heard it

-in the tones of your voice this morning. But, oh! my friend,”

-and her voice was full of tears, “remember that you are ‘bought

-with a price’—you are <i>not your own</i>. Promise me.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He raised her hands and kissed them reverently, and two

-hot tears rolled over his cheeks and dropped upon them in

-the act.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I promise,” he whispered, hoarsely. “My child, I should

-indeed have been ruined, body and soul, but for you. God

-bless you!”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star and Mr. Rosevelt followed him to the door as he went

-out, both trying to cheer him with kind wishes for the future.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Good-night and good-by,” the young girl said, in tones

-that sounded to him like an angel’s voice, as she stood in the

-door-way and watched him go down the steps. “Be sure to

-come and see us again when we return; the latch-string is

-always out, as they say at the West, for our friends.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A mighty sob burst from the overcharged heart of George

-Richards as he reached the street, and the tears—tears of

-mingled remorse, gratitude, and relief—rolled thick and fast

-over his face.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Thank God,” he murmured, fervently, “for the light of

-that ‘star’ in the midst of what was worse than Stygian darkness.

-But for its friendly beams and cheering influence, I

-should have been lost indeed.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He had proceeded some distance, when he stopped short and

-seemed about to retrace his steps.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“How thoughtless of me!” he muttered, impatiently. “I

-meant to tell her all about Lord Carrol. He deserves to be set

-right with her, and she deserves—well, <i>nothing</i> can be too good

-for her; but they knocked everything out of my head by their

-unexampled generosity. I will not go back to-night,” he added,

-after thinking a moment; “I will write her to-morrow the

-whole story.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_316'>316</span>But the morrow brought its busy cares and perplexities, and

-his resolution was forgotten. After that it was too late, for he

-did not know where to address her during her absence; and so

-Star still believed her lover to be false, and still mourned her

-shattered idol.</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXXIII.<br> <span class='large'>“YOU ARE THE TRAITOR.”</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>Mr. Rosevelt, Star, and Grace Meredith, with good-natured

-Mrs. Blunt to attend to matters of comfort, started on the day

-appointed for their Western trip, full of bright anticipations of

-the pleasures in store for them; and while they are gone, we

-will follow Ralph Meredith on his voyage across the Atlantic to

-the old world.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Arriving in London, he transacted what business he had to

-do there, and then turned his attention, with what interest he

-could muster while his heart was still so sore from his recent

-disappointment, to the attractions which the great city afforded.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He visited the House of Parliament, the Tower, St. Paul’s

-Cathedral, the National Gallery of Art, and many other points

-of interest, reserving Westminster Abbey until the last, as he

-wished to give plenty of time to this wonderful and magnificent

-structure and its countless curiosities.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Upon his second visit thither, and while he was in the chapel

-of Henry the Seventh, with his guide, who was pointing out for

-his admiration the beauties of its architecture, the vaulted roof,

-with its magnificent carvings, and many precious relics gathered

-there, a clear, sweet voice suddenly broke the solemn stillness

-of the place by calling out just behind him:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_317'>317</span>“Why, Archie Sherbrooke, do you know what time it is?

-Quarter past eleven, and we promised Lady Dunham that we

-would be back in season to attend the rehearsal at the Albert

-Memorial Hall with her.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Ralph had thought that he was the only visitor there that

-morning, and that silvery voice speaking that name, which he

-remembered but too well, gave him a shock which sent the

-blood coursing like fire through his veins.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It is later than I thought, Vivien; we must go at once, if

-we keep that appointment,” a rich, manly voice said in reply;

-and turning quickly to look at the speaker, Ralph saw a tall,

-handsome young man of perhaps two or three-and-twenty, with

-the head of an Apollo, the form of an Adonis, and having a

-keen, intellectual face, with frank, truthful eyes, and a pleasant,

-winning smile.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The lady who accompanied, and who addressed him, was a

-year or two younger evidently, and <i>almost</i> as lovely as Star,

-Ralph thought, although her beauty was of a different style.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Archie Sherbrooke! There surely could not be two young

-men of the same age, handsome as one of the gods, and bearing

-the same name.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>His heart had bounded into his throat as he heard it spoken,

-his face had flushed a painful crimson, while his hands instinctively

-clinched themselves in hot indignation, and he

-longed to confront the handsome traitor and denounce him for

-the villainous part he had played.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>This, then, must be the man who had broken Star Gladstone’s

-heart and ruined her life; there was not a doubt of it

-in his own mind.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Yes, he was sure this was the Archibald Sherbrooke of whom

-Star had told him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Who, then, was the woman who had been with him? Was

-it his wife?</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_318'>318</span>He did not think she was his sister, for, except in the color

-of her hair, she did not resemble him in the least.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Were they Americans, and traveling, like himself, in the

-kingdom?</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Perhaps, if they were married, they were thus spending the

-honeymoon; but they had spoken of “Lady Dunham” in a

-way to make him doubt that they were his countrymen.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Such thoughts as these tortured him, and he became possessed

-to seek out the young man and discover if he were indeed

-Star’s recreant lover.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The young lady had spoken of a rehearsal at the Albert

-Hall. He knew there was to be a concert there that evening,

-and possibly it might be an outgrowth of the rehearsal. He

-would go and see.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Accordingly, at the hour designated upon the bills, he went,

-armed with a powerful opera-glass, and procuring a conspicuous

-seat, he swept tier after tier of faces, searching for those which

-he had seen in the morning.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But disappointment was the result of his efforts; for that fair,

-girlish face was nowhere to be seen, nor could he find him who

-had been the young lady’s attendant.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Suddenly, however, a strangely sweet, bird-like voice, rising

-clear and full on the air, drew his attention to the stage, and

-there, with a thrill which tingled through every nerve, he saw

-the lovely girl for whom he was looking.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Ralph Meredith sought for her name upon his programme,

-which stated that the concert was given, under the auspices of

-some of the nobility, for some charitable object, and that the

-talent was all amateur.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Miss Vivien Sherbrooke,” he read, and he again experienced

-that sudden heart-throb.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She was not, then, Archibald Sherbrooke’s wife, but, in all

-probability, his sister.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He listened intently throughout her song; and then, as the

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_319'>319</span>sweet voice died away, and she turned to leave the stage, he

-leaned breathlessly forward to watch her, while thunders of

-applause went rolling up into the heights bove him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She came back again after a moment, slightly flushed at

-the <i>encore</i>, but in a graceful, modest way, and sang a simple

-ballad.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She was as sweet and charming as she could be, and when

-at length she ceased and went away again, Ralph Meredith

-heard a long-drawn breath, as of relief, directly behind him,

-while a voice said:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I believe Vivien <i>never</i> sang so well before; but I am glad

-that part of the programme is over.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes,” replied deeper, but more familiar tones; “I was a

-trifle anxious myself, although I know she never fails in what

-she undertakes. Vivien is a jewel!”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You are right, Archie. So is my son; and I am surprised

-that, at your age, some one has not won you both away from

-me,” returned the lady, in suppressed, but fond and playful

-tones.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You are not anxious to get rid of either of us, I hope,

-mother?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No, indeed; and yet it would be expected in the natural

-course of events; and with so many fair maidens and gallant

-young gentlemen playing the agreeable to me, I cannot but feel

-some curiosity as to who will eventually get my treasures.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>There was no reply to this speech, but Ralph was sure he

-heard a sigh.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>After a few moments he turned and ran his eye with seeming

-carelessness over the sea of faces behind him, glancing at those

-two to whose conversation he had just been listening.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was even as he had surmised when he heard that manly

-voice.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Archibald Sherbrooke sat directly behind him, and beside

-him a noble, matronly looking woman whom he closely resembled;

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_320'>320</span>but there was an unmistakable look of pain upon

-the young man’s face, and a wistful, anxious look in his handsome

-eyes.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Not married, after all this time, and with that sorrowful

-face and bitter sigh. I begin to think there may have been a

-misunderstanding of some kind, instead of a willful wrong,”

-he said to himself. “He does not look like a man to prove

-treacherous to a woman,” he added; “there is something noble

-and prepossessing about him; and yet Star said she denounced

-him to his face.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>When the concert was over, and while he was slowly passing

-out with the crowd, some one at his side suddenly exclaimed:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Halloa, Meredith! where on earth did you come from?”

-and a friendly hand grasped and shook his with a vigorous

-cordiality.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Alden! is it you?” he cried, in return. “I might ask the

-same question of you, since I had not a thought of seeing you

-here; but since it is evident that we are both Americans, it is

-safe to assume that we came from ‘over the seas and far

-away.’”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“When did you arrive? Where are you stopping, and how

-long do you stay in London?” demanded Alden, his tongue

-going like a race-horse.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well,” Ralph returned, laughing, “you mean to know all

-about me, I see. I arrived a week ago yesterday; I am stopping

-at the Midland Grand, and my stay is—indefinite.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Good! but now I have found you, I mean to keep an eye

-upon you. I tell you it sets a fellow up wonderfully to see a

-home-face. Have you any other engagement for this evening?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Then come with me. I have an invitation to Lady Stamfield’s

-reception—and, by the by, she does entertain charmingly—with

-permission to bring as many friends as I choose. Come;

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_321'>321</span>my lady is a delightful hostess, besides having two of the loveliest

-daughters in the world.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Such an inducement as the latter I am unable to resist,”

-Ralph responded, with a smile. “I will come with pleasure.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You’re a sensible fellow,” replied young Alden, as, linking

-his arm familiarly in that of his friend, he led him away.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Ralph found Stamfield House a delightful place. Lady Stamfield

-all, and more, than Herbert Alden had promised him in

-the way of a hostess, and the Misses Stamfield, young ladies of

-eighteen and twenty, pretty and talented, and entertaining

-enough to make an hour or two pass very agreeably.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He was very cordially received upon being presented by his

-friend, and introduced to a number of pleasant people, and he

-began to think that he had not seen the best side of London

-after all, since he had not heretofore been favorably impressed

-with its citizens.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>After he had danced two or three times, young Alden sought

-him again, and took him away to the billiard-room, which, for

-that evening, had been set apart for a smoking-room.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I want to introduce you to some fine fellows,” he said, on

-the way thither, “‘bang up’ boys, we should say in America,

-who will give you a good time while you stay here.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He found a dozen or twenty young men gathered in the

-billiard-room, and was introduced to several of them by his

-friend.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He spent half an hour very pleasantly there, and then began

-to think that it was time that he was getting back to his hotel,

-for it was a long distance from that portion of the city.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He stood by the billiard-table alone for a moment, waiting

-to bid young Alden good-night, when suddenly he heard his

-voice at his elbow, introducing him to “Lord Carrol, of

-Carrolton.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He half put out his hand, glanced up at the stranger, started,

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_322'>322</span>withdrew it, and bowed stiffly to his lordship. He had recognized

-Archibald Sherbrooke!</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The fine, genial face of the young peer clouded at the act

-and his cool greeting; but, with his natural good-breeding, he

-appeared not to heed it, and expressed his pleasure at the

-meeting; while Alden, the introduction over, turned away,

-leaving them together.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I beg your pardon,” Ralph said, the hot blood mounting

-to his brow, for his loyal heart could not forget Star and her

-wrongs, “I have heard you addressed twice to-day by another

-name—Archibald Sherbrooke. Has my friend made a mistake

-in introducing you to me as Lord Carrol?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>His lordship laughed, and his face cleared instantly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No,” he said; “I am both Archibald Sherbrooke and Lord

-Carrol. I am troubled with a plurality of names, which frequently

-cause mistakes, some of which are ludicrous, and

-some—painful.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>This last statement was supplemented with a heavy sigh.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“But,” he added, more lightly, “I will shake hands with

-you over either,” and he extended his hand again.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But Ralph would not take it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He drew back a step, and bent a perplexed look upon his

-companion’s face.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Pardon me again,” he said; “but before I take your hand,

-allow me to ask you a single question.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Certainly; a dozen if you like,” Lord Carrol answered,

-haughtily, for Ralph’s refusal to take his hand had hurt him

-keenly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You have been in America?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You met there a young lady by the name of Miss Stella

-Gladstone?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Lord Carrol started as from a sudden shock, and grew pale

-to his lips.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_323'>323</span>“Stella Gladstone! What can you tell me of Star Gladstone?”

-he demanded, hoarse from emotion.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“That her heart is broken—her life ruined,” Ralph Meredith

-answered, sternly, for he knew now that he had found his man,

-and he meant to show him no mercy.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He trembled with excitement, and his fingers ached to

-strangle the villain and coward who had so basely betrayed the

-trust of the loveliest woman on earth.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Her life ruined! <i>Don’t</i> tell me that,” Lord Carrol whispered,

-with white lips, while the look of agony which leaped to his

-eyes would have moved the hardest heart, had it been less sore

-than Ralph Meredith’s.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, and <i>you</i> are the traitor who is accountable for it,” he

-answered, hotly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The young man flushed, and he drew himself up with sudden

-dignity, struggling to regain his self-possession, which had

-been sadly disturbed at the mention of that dearly loved name.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You forget yourself, sir,” he said, haughtily. “What right

-have you to address me thus? Why do <i>you</i> speak to me in this

-way of Miss Gladstone, and arraign me for what you assert?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Why should I <i>not</i>?” Ralph Meredith demanded, in low,

-fierce tones. “Did she not tell me with her own lips of your

-baseness and treachery? And do you think that I can take the

-hand of the man, were he twice a lord, who has ruined the life

-of”—“the only woman whom I ever loved,” he was about to

-add, but something restrained him and made him substitute—“an

-angel?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Archibald Sherbrooke was very pale now. He was a proud,

-brave young man, and all the hot blood in his composition

-had been aroused by this sudden and unexpected attack from

-the stranger to whom he had been introduced by a mutual

-friend.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He had uttered words which, under any other circumstances,

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_324'>324</span>would have made him fell him to the ground and chastise him

-for his insolence.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But he controlled himself, for he saw that Ralph was a noble

-fellow, although he had constituted himself the champion of

-the woman whom he still loved with a deathless love, and

-meant to avenge her wrongs if he was assured that he had found

-the right man.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He reasoned, too, that he must be laboring under the same

-mistake of which Star had been the victim, and that the only

-way to deal with him would be to explain just how matters

-stood.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Besides, a wild hope was springing up in his heart that

-through him he might be able to find her whom he had lost,

-and whom he never ceased for one moment to love.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He laid his hand on Ralph’s arm, and the young man felt it

-tremble with the emotion which thrilled him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Come with me,” he said, in a low, earnest voice, “where

-we can be by ourselves, and I will talk this matter over with

-you. There has been a terrible mistake, and my two names

-have been the cause of it all. I loved Star Gladstone devotedly;

-I love her to-day. I have done her no wrong, as I will explain

-to you, and nothing would have kept me from her side if she

-had not hid herself from me. Come.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He linked his arm familiarly within Ralph’s, and drew him

-from the room to a small antechamber leading from the hall,

-and shut the door, while the young man was dumb with

-astonishment at what he heard, and began to feel as if he had

-got himself into a very unpleasant predicament by his rashness.</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_325'>325</span>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXXIV.<br> <span class='large'>MUTUAL EXPLANATIONS.</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>“Have <i>I</i> made a mistake? Have I wronged you?” Ralph

-Meredith asked, when the door was shut, while he gazed

-blankly at his companion, and feeling convinced in his heart

-that no man could show the emotion which Lord Carrol manifested

-at the mention of Star, and willfully betray her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“If I were not confident that you <i>had</i> made a mistake,” his

-lordship returned, drawing himself up with dignity, though he

-was still very pale and deeply agitated—“if I did not believe

-that you share in the misunderstanding which has been the

-cause of all Miss Gladstone’s trouble and my own exceeding

-sorrow, I could not pass lightly over the disparaging imputation

-which you have cast upon me to-night. I am no traitor, Mr.

-Meredith. I have never willingly wronged Miss Gladstone, for

-I have loved her, and I <i>do</i> love her to-day, with a deathless

-love. My plurality of names, as I told you before,” he went

-on, with a wan smile, “has been the cause of it all; and if

-Star has unconsciously been made a victim on account of it, I

-also have suffered in no small degree. Sit down, Mr. Meredith,

-and let me tell you all about it;” and he motioned him

-to a chair.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Not until I have apologized for my rash words to you, my

-lord,” Ralph said, in a manly, straightforward way, and advancing

-to him, convinced now of his honor, and that he had

-never intended Star even a thought of harm. “Miss Gladstone,”

-he continued, “confided the story of her grief to me only a

-short time before I sailed for Europe, although she did not

-enter into particulars very minutely. I think she had not the

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_326'>326</span>slightest idea that I should ever meet you, but I made up my

-mind at the time that if I ever did come in contact with

-‘Archibald Sherbrooke,’ which was the only name by which

-she designated you, that I should make him answer for the

-wrong which I believed he had done her. I saw you to-day

-with a lady in the chapel of Henry the Seventh, at Westminster

-Abbey. I heard her call you by the name that I remembered

-only too well, and was convinced I had found Miss Gladstone’s

-recreant knight. I resolved at once to remain in London

-beyond the time I had originally intended, look you up, and

-call you to account for what you had done. You were at the

-concert in the Albert Hall this evening, but I had no thought

-of meeting you when I came hither, at the invitation of my

-friend Alden. You can imagine, perhaps, something of the

-shock which I experienced when he introduced you as Lord

-Carrol. This will explain why I refused your hand, and why I

-addressed you in the way I did.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I cannot blame you in the least, under the circumstances,”

-Lord Carrol returned, smiling.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Your words, however,” Ralph went on, “regarding the

-young lady in question, convince me that you are entirely

-guiltless, and have been as great a sufferer from an unfortunate

-misunderstanding as herself. I trust you will accept my explanation,

-and also my hand with it,” he concluded, extending

-his hand to the young peer.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Lord Carrol grasped and shook it warmly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I have no right to harbor any ill-will toward you for

-espousing so gallantly the cause of one who is very dear to

-me,” he said, cordially; “and perhaps, after all, this meeting,

-which at first promised to end in a stormy manner, may be the

-means of restoring happiness to two very unhappy people.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I feel assured that such will be the case,” Ralph answered,

-but there was a keen pain in his heart, notwithstanding.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Lord Carrol now wheeled a chair forward and made him sit

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_327'>327</span>down; then, taking another near him, he related in substance

-what he had already told Mr. Richards regarding his relations

-with Star, the erroneous conclusions she had jumped at upon

-learning of his title, her refusal to allow him to explain his

-position to her, and her flight on the morning after her painful

-discovery.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Ralph Meredith found it hard to conceal the bitterness which

-he experienced, as he realized how gladly Star would give herself

-to her manly lover when she learned of his fidelity. His

-heart was still sore over his recent disappointment, but his

-nature was too noble, he was too generous in his love for her,

-to wish to place a single obstacle in the way of her happiness,

-or of the man whom he now deemed worthy of her in every

-respect.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He gave Lord Carrol a history of Star’s life during the last

-year, telling him of her success as a young authoress, and of

-the happy change in her worldly circumstances as the acknowledged

-ward and heiress of Jacob Rosevelt, the millionaire. He

-spoke also of the admiration which her grace and beauty had

-excited during the past season at Newport.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I am glad,” Archibald Sherbrooke said, earnestly, and his

-lip trembled as he spoke, “that her life has been made so

-much brighter during the past year, and I shall always be grateful

-to Mr. Rosevelt for his kindness; and yet I am almost

-selfish enough to wish that <i>I</i> could have been the one to raise

-her to a more congenial sphere. I shall go to the United

-States at once. I must seek her and set myself right with her

-as soon as possible. Will you be so good as to give me Mr.

-Rosevelt’s address?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“With pleasure,” Ralph responded; “but you will not find

-them in New York just at present, for they, with my sister—who

-is a very intimate friend of Miss Gladstone’s—are traveling

-in the far West, and will not return under three or four

-months.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_328'>328</span>Lord Carrol looked thoughtful and disappointed at this intelligence.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I must wait, then,” he said, with a sigh, “until their return.

-The time will seem very long, although I am greatly

-needed here just now, and it would be much to my own disadvantage

-were I to leave before my affairs are in a more settled

-state; but I should let no pecuniary consideration deter me

-from going to Star if I was sure I should find her. However,

-I must submit to the inevitable; and now, Mr. Meredith,” he

-concluded, with a genial smile, “what can I do to make your

-stay in our city pleasant? I am at your disposal for any length

-of time.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Thank you, my lord. My business will not permit my

-tarrying much longer just now; but I intend to return to London

-in the course of three or four months, and shall hope to

-meet you again then,” Ralph answered.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I shall most certainly see to it that we <i>do</i> meet again,”

-Lord Carrol returned; “and now, if you have no engagement

-for to-morrow, will you do me the honor to dine with me?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It will give me great pleasure to do so. I have no other

-engagement,” Mr. Meredith returned.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He was growing to admire Star Gladstone’s handsome lover

-exceedingly, notwithstanding the fact that he was his own rival.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Thanks. Now come with me and let me introduce you to

-my mother and sister, who are both here at Stamfield House;

-and, Mr. Meredith,” the young lord added, grasping his hand

-again, and speaking with emotion, “I cannot be sufficiently

-grateful to you, for you have put new life and hope into my

-heart to-night.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Ralph tried to feel generously glad for this, but it was not in

-human nature not to experience a pang over the happiness

-which he knew was in store for him, especially when he knew,

-too, that it would be at the expense of his own.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_329'>329</span>“I am very glad if I have been able to atone in any way for

-my rudeness upon first meeting you,” he said, smiling faintly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Do not mention it; you were espousing a good cause, and

-through your championship I shall regain what is far dearer to

-me than life; so we will forget the unpleasantness of a moment,

-and I trust I may call you my friend in the future.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Lord Carrol then led the way back to Lady Stamfield’s drawing-room,

-where, seeking his mother and sister, he presented

-his new friend to them.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Sherbrooke Ralph found to be a handsome, genial

-matron, with a large heart and plenty of Christian charity,

-although it was plainly to be seen that her two children, in her

-estimation, were perfect in every respect.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>No one ever before possessed a more noble and devoted son;

-no one had so charming a daughter.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Miss Vivien Sherbrooke was truly that; she was even more

-beautiful than she had appeared to be when he saw her on the

-stage in the character of a songstress.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She was vivacious and witty, and exerted herself to the utmost

-to be entertaining to her brother’s new acquaintance, and Ralph

-actually forgot himself and the haunting pain which had hitherto

-pursued him during all his wanderings, while talking with her

-and listening to her bright conversation, and watching her

-quick, graceful motions.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Archie tells me that you are coming to dine with us to-morrow,

-Mr. Meredith,” she said, as her mother came to tell

-her that it was time for them to go.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, I believe I am to have that pleasure,” he returned,

-with a glance of admiration into her sparkling eyes.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I am glad, for I have a hundred questions to ask you about

-America which only a true American can answer. You will be

-sure to come?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I certainly shall,” he replied, thinking that those clear gray

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_330'>330</span>eyes, looking so frankly and smilingly into his, were about as

-beautiful as any he had ever seen.</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXXV.<br> <span class='large'>MRS. RICHARDS’ GREAT EXPECTATIONS.</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>The following day Mr. Meredith, according to his promise,

-went to dine with Lord Carrol at his mother’s elegant mansion

-near Belgrave Square.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>After the meal was over, and the other guests comfortably

-disposed of, Archie took his friend up into the “sanctum,” as

-he called it, for a smoke and a quiet talk.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>If Lord Carrol suspected anything of the feeling which Ralph

-had entertained for Star, he gave no sign, but confided to him,

-as they sat there together, more of his hopes and plans for the

-future, and spoke with much more of freedom regarding Star

-than he had done the day before.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>When they had finished their cigars, Lord Carrol arose

-and said:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Come inside, Mr. Meredith, and I will show you one of

-my treasures.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He went back into his “sanctum,” followed by Ralph, and

-passing by all the beautiful paintings, drawings, and engravings

-which hung upon the walls, he walked to an easel which stood

-in a corner, and removing a cloth that covered it, stepped back

-for his friend to look.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Ralph Meredith gave one look, and then exclaimed, in unfeigned

-surprise:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Star!”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_331'>331</span>“Yes, it is Star,” Lord Carrol said, with a tender smile, as

-he looked upon the portrait. “I am glad you recognize her,

-for I should be sorry if she had changed so much that you

-could not. This is a picture which I love, and which I keep

-for myself alone. It is very seldom that I show it to any one,

-and I have never told its history to any living being until I told

-it to you last night. As she stood there that morning in her

-modest beauty, severing that tress at my request, I began to

-love her with a love that will never die while I live. I have that

-little lock of gold here now, Mr. Meredith,” he said, touching

-the diamond-studded locket which hung from his watch-chain,

-“and untold wealth could not purchase it from me. Here is

-the cameo also which I gave her in exchange, and of which I

-told you, too, last night,” and he held up his left hand, on the

-little finger of which gleamed the ring that Josephine Richards

-had made of it. “Ah,” he added, with a sigh, “it is hard to

-think that she could believe me so false—so treacherous and

-cowardly, as to win her love and then cast it aside as of no

-value.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yet it was very natural for her to think so under the circumstances,”

-Ralph returned, thoughtfully. “You must realize

-that yourself, for you say that on Saturday you declared your

-affection for her under the name of Archibald Sherbrooke, and

-won an expression of her own for you in return; while on the

-Monday following you appeared in Mr. Richards’ family as Lord

-Carrol, who, she had been told, was a suitor for his daughter’s

-hand. It does not seem strange to me that she should think

-the very worst of you. You certainly were in a false position

-before her, and it must have been a severe blow to her pride as

-well as to her affection; for, as we have seen, Miss Gladstone is

-not lacking either in self-respect or spirit.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No, I suppose it is not strange; but, oh! if she would but

-have given me one minute, I could have convinced her of her

-mistake, and all the sorrow that has followed might have been

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_332'>332</span>avoided,” sighed the young lord, as, with another fond glance

-at the picture, he covered it again and turned away.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You will be more successful when you go to her again,”

-Ralph said, cheerfully.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes,” Archie returned, with firmly compressed lips; “Miss

-Gladstone <i>will</i> listen to me when I go to her again. It is but

-right that she should hear my justification, whether she receives

-it favorably or otherwise.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I have no fear of the result,” his guest returned, smiling;

-“for Miss Gladstone acknowledged to me that, in spite of her

-belief in your unworthiness, her affection for you remained

-the same.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A flush of joy shot over Lord Carrol’s face at this.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Did she tell you that?” he asked, eagerly. “Then I will

-doubt no more; and I have <i>you</i> to thank for bestowing such

-happiness upon me as I never expected to know again.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>They spent a half hour longer looking at other pictures, but

-sweet sounds coming up again from the drawing-room distracted

-Ralph’s attention and tempted him below.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Do I not hear the fair songstress of last night again?” he

-asked.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, that is Vivien singing,” replied her brother.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I am very fond of music; shall we rejoin the company?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>They went down, and, seeking the fair Vivien’s side, Ralph

-Meredith spent a most delightful evening, the memory of which

-clung to him for many a week afterward.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The next morning he left London for a three-months’ tour

-through Scotland, Ireland, and the Continent.</p>

-

-<hr class='c013'>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards sat in her handsome boudoir one morning a

-few weeks later, reading a newspaper.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Something had evidently gone wrong with her, for her face

-was overcast, an angry red glowed in her cheeks, and her eyes

-gleamed with a sullen fire.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_333'>333</span>The reason for this was the flat refusal, on the part of Mr.

-Richards, to accede to her immoderate demand for five hundred

-dollars, to purchase for herself and Josephine new dresses for

-the coming winter, and she had just returned to her room after

-the stormy interview.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I cannot let you have a dollar,” he had said, with a gravity

-almost amounting to sternness, “for I haven’t it to spare.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Not a <i>dollar</i>, George!” she retorted, with a scornful laugh.

-“Who ever heard of anything so absurd?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It is true, nevertheless,” he answered, gloomily. “Two

-months ago I expected that to-day would find us all beggars.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“What <i>do</i> you mean?” his wife gasped.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Just what I say; and but for the appearance of a friendly

-hand just when and where I least expected it, I should have

-been obliged to fail, overwhelmed with debt and disgrace, and

-everything we have—house, furniture, horses, and carriages—would

-all have had to come under the hammer of the auctioneer.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I cannot believe it,” Mrs. Richards said, growing pale.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“That does not alter the fact, however,” her husband replied,

-laconically.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Why did you not tell me?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I <i>did</i> tell you. I kept writing to you when you were at

-Newport, Ellen, that I could not long endure such a drain upon

-my purse as you were subjecting it to, and that you must curtail

-your expenses; but you paid no heed to me, launching

-instead into greater extravagances.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“But I never dreamed that things were so serious as you

-represented,” she said, a guilty flush mounting to her forehead,

-as she remembered that all her lavishness had been to outshine

-Star. “I never thought you were really embarrassed, or I would

-not have asked for so much.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well, then,” he answered, in a gentler tone, “show your

-consideration for me now, for you and Josephine will have to

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_334'>334</span>wear your old clothes this winter. My trouble has been tided

-over for the present through the kindness of a friend, but it will

-require great care and calculation on my part to keep my head

-above board even now. I shall have to begin cautiously, or I

-shall be back again in the slough of despond.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“But I do not see how we can get along without <i>some</i> new

-things,” began Mrs. Richards, selfishly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You must; that is all there is about it,” returned her husband,

-positively. “If you can’t go into society and wear what

-you have, then you must stay at home this winter; and I do

-not think it would do you any harm for once, either.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards flushed angrily. When she saw her husband

-in this mood, she knew there was no turning him, and she

-would be obliged to submit to his edict.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I’m sure I do not see what can have happened to make

-you so penurious all of a sudden,” she said, sullenly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Penurious! Oh, Ellen!”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He looked at her yearningly for a moment.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She was a handsome, distinguished-looking woman, and had

-been a very fond and tender wife during the first years of

-their married life; but unlimited indulgence, and constantly

-mingling in the fashionable world, had made her selfish and

-unfeeling.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“My dear,” he went on, after a moment, “why cannot you

-comfort me a little—give me a little sympathy in my trouble?

-My burden has been very hard to bear alone, and the worst of

-it has been that I was obliged to refuse your requests. You

-<i>know</i> that I am not penurious—that I never denied you anything

-that I could possibly grant you. Ellen, I wish you could

-be a little more kind to me than you have been of late.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I do not know anything about business matters; I could

-give you very little advice or comfort in that way,” she replied,

-coldly; and then she left him feeling very miserable, and in

-anything but a comfortable frame of mind herself, and not a

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_335'>335</span>little startled to know that they had been so near the brink of

-ruin as he had represented.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She returned to her own room, picking up the morning

-paper, which lay upon the hall table, on her way. Sitting

-down, she ran her eye carelessly over its columns, while her

-mind was busy planning some way to get along without her

-accustomed full purse, and “keep up appearances.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Suddenly her glance was transfixed by a paragraph which sent

-sharp, prickling pains throughout her body, and every nerve

-quivered with excitement as she read:</p>

-

-<p class='c014'>“The heirs, or nearest of kin to Sir Charles Thornton, late of Halowell

-Park, Devonshire, England, will find it to their advantage to communicate

-at once with Compton &#38; Bailey, No. 54 Lincoln’s-inn-fields, London.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Just below this advertisement was a notice of the sudden

-death of the young baronet from diphtheria.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards sat like one overcome by some violent shock

-for a few moments after reading this account. Then springing

-to her feet, and taking the paper with her, she went back in

-hot haste to her husband, her cheeks crimson, her eyes glowing

-with agitation.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“If what I suspect should prove to be true, the dream of my

-life will be realized. Sir George and Lady Richards would

-sound very well, indeed,” she murmured as she went.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Her husband looked up as she entered, and she was startled

-as she noticed how pale and care-worn his face had become;

-but she was too eager to communicate her news to pay much

-heed to it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“George,” she said, eagerly, “read this!”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She laid the paper before him as she spoke, and pointed to

-the paragraph which had excited her so.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well, I have read it, but I do not understand it; I do not

-know anything about Sir Charles Thornton,” he returned, indifferently.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“What are you thinking of, George Richards!” cried his

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_336'>336</span>wife, impatiently. “<i>My mother</i> was half-sister to Sir Charles

-Thornton’s mother. Sir Charles had no family; there are no

-other relatives to be found on either side, it seems, or his

-lawyers would not have advertised thus, and I believe that <i>I</i> am

-‘the nearest of kin.’”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Nonsense, Ellen! Don’t get such a wild idea as that into

-your head, for you will surely be disappointed,” Mr. Richards

-answered, skeptically.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I don’t know about that. But one thing I have long

-known, and that is that the Thornton branch of the family is

-nearly, if not quite, extinct. It is evident that no heirs are to

-be found in England, or Compton &#38; Bailey would not have

-advertised in the United States papers,” she returned, feeling

-more and more sure in her own mind that her first impressions

-had not been at fault.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“That is a good argument, truly,” Mr. Richards said, with

-sudden interest, and then began to question his wife, and to

-examine more closely into the matter.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The result was that the next steamer bore a long letter to

-Compton &#38; Bailey, No. 54 Lincoln’s-inn-fields, stating Mrs.

-Richards’ relationship to Sir Charles Thornton, of Halowell

-Park, Devonshire, together with proofs of what they asserted.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A month passed, and they had begun to think they had been

-nourishing a chimera, when, one day, there came an answer

-from Compton &#38; Bailey, saying that they had faithfully studied

-the chronological tables of both sides of the Thornton family,

-and had arrived at the conclusion that Mrs. Richards was undoubtedly

-the nearest of kin to the late Sir Charles.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>They stated that they had been advertising for a long time in

-English papers, and no one had presented any claim. They

-had then concluded to publish a similar notice in the American

-papers, and as it had met with no other response, they would

-undoubtedly decide the matter in favor of her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>However, they suggested that she come to London at once,

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_337'>337</span>as they could conclude better what to do after a personal interview.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“If it should prove a ‘wild-goose chase,’ as I fear it will, I

-can ill afford the expense of the trip,” Mr. Richards said, when

-considering the question.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But his wife was all enthusiasm, as well as very sanguine

-regarding the result, and it was at length decided that they

-should sail as soon as practicable, and preparations were at once

-begun for the voyage.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards merely remarked to her friends, when informing

-them of their plans, that Mr. Richards was not well; they

-all wanted a change, and had resolved to try what a trip across

-the Atlantic would do for them. Not one word was breathed

-regarding her expectations, however.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“If I am successful, there will be time enough then to make

-it public; if I am <i>not</i>, no one shall ever be able to crow over

-my disappointment,” she said, cautiously, to her husband;

-although in her own mind she had not a doubt as to the issue

-of the matter, while already visions of a title and a life among

-the nobility of England, presentation at court, and a marriage

-in high life for Josephine, were taking shape in her head.</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXXVI.<br> <span class='large'>JOSEPHINE’S AMBITION.</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>Mrs. Richards’ vision of magnificence bade fair to be realized;

-for, upon arriving in London in November, she and her family

-were most courteously received by the firm of Compton &#38; Bailey,

-who assured her that her credentials and proofs of her relationship

-to Sir Charles were incontestable.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_338'>338</span>“I do not see, madam, anything to prevent you from taking

-possession of the property,” Mr. Compton said, in his most

-affable tones. “Your identity is proved beyond a question as

-the cousin or half-cousin of Sir Charles, and, as far as we have

-been able to learn, you are the only living relative. Lord

-William Thornton—Sir Charles’ father—had a younger brother,

-but he left his home years ago to go as a missionary to the

-heathen, and has never been heard of since; so it is reasonable

-to suppose that he also is dead, and, as he was unmarried, of

-course left no issue. It will take a month or so to get things

-in order for you, and if at the end of that time everything

-remains as it is now, you can then take possession of your

-estate, and I am very happy to offer my congratulations upon

-your good fortune.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards’ face glowed with pride and happiness; Josephine

-was jubilant, while Mr. Richards was too astonished to

-be able to really appreciate this sudden turning of fortune’s

-wheel in their favor.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The rent-roll of Halowell Park was fifty thousand pounds or

-more per annum; then there was a fine residence in London,

-and a sea-side resort at Cowes.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was, indeed, a fortune, coming just at that time of need,

-calculated to turn one’s head, so to speak.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It is too good to be true,” Mr. Richards said, with a doubtful

-shake of the head. “Ellen, we don’t <i>deserve</i> any such good

-fortune,” he added, remorsefully, as his mind went back to

-their treatment of Mr. Rosevelt and Star.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Nonsense, George!” she retorted, scornfully. “We deserve

-whatever we can get, and I mean to enjoy this windfall to the

-utmost. I reckon that jade will find it hard work to outshine

-us after this, and Uncle Jacob’s grand airs won’t trouble me

-in the least in the future. I shall go down to Halowell Park

-this week, see for myself what kind of a place it is, and what

-repairs and improvements are needed on the estate,” she concluded,

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_339'>339</span>ready to spend money with her accustomed energy and

-lavishness.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Accordingly, in a few days they repaired thither, and were

-charmed with the grand old place.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>On their return to London they visited the late Sir Charles’

-town house, and found that in keeping with the estate in Devonshire,

-and surely their prospects appeared to be as bright as they

-or any one could wish.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>One evening Mr. Compton, the lawyer, who was one of the

-first among his profession in the city, invited them to his

-mansion to meet some of his friends, and they were introduced

-to a number of people who frequented the highest circles in

-the great city.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Among others, they met Lady Sherbrooke and her charming

-daughter, Vivien, and who, they were not long in discovering,

-greatly to their joy, were the mother and sister of Lord Carrol.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards was exultant over this piece of good luck, as

-she deemed it, and tried to make herself very agreeable to her

-ladyship, while Josephine sought to ingratiate herself with the

-younger lady.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I had the pleasure of meeting your son, Lord Carrol, when

-he was in America,” Mrs. Richards remarked, during her conversation

-with the young lord’s mother.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Indeed!” she said, looking interested at once, for her children

-were an all-absorbing topic at any time with her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes; we first met him at Long Branch, a fashionable

-watering-place, and he afterward favored us with a visit of a few

-days at our country-seat, in Yonkers.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards was determined to make the most out of the

-advantages she had enjoyed.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Ah, yes, I believe he has told me something about it,” the

-lady responded, while she thought that if such was the case she

-must arrange in some way to return the compliment thus paid

-to her idolized son.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_340'>340</span>If they were successors to Sir Charles Thornton, they would

-occupy no mean position in the social world, she reasoned, and

-it would be no more than right to cultivate their acquaintance,

-while she could but acknowledge that Mrs. Richards was quite

-a superior appearing woman, and Josephine possessed beauty

-of a very brilliant type.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The half hour that she spent conversing with Mrs. Richards

-only served to strengthen the good opinion she had at first

-formed, and before they left Mr. Compton’s she had arranged

-with them to spend a portion of the following week at their

-estate in Cheshire.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>This was more than Mrs. Richards had expected, but she

-plumed herself upon her tact in managing things so cleverly,

-and looked forward to the visit with no small amount of

-interest.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The next day, through Lady Sherbrooke’s influence, she received

-cards for a grand reception at Lady Tukesbury’s, who

-resided in a palatial mansion in Piccadilly, and she felt assured

-that they were now fully launched upon a brilliant career.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Of course they accepted the invitation, she appearing in black

-velvet, point lace, and diamonds, while Josephine was resplendent

-in rich white silk and scarlet verbenas, and created quite a

-sensation in “Japonica-dom,” greatly to her mother’s delight

-and her own satisfaction.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Who is she? Where did she come from?” was whispered

-on all sides.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“An American? Ah! that accounts for her brilliant style

-of beauty, then. Inherit Sir Charles Thornton estates, do they?

-In that case they will be quite an acquisition to society,” were

-the opinions expressed and the conclusions arrived at by people

-who were careful in such matters; and then seekers for introductions—and

-seekers for fortunes—pressed forward for an introduction

-to the beautiful young heiress.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But notwithstanding Josephine enjoyed herself, and felt no

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_341'>341</span>small degree of pride at receiving these attentions from lords

-and baronets, she found herself looking everywhere for one

-familiar form, one dark, handsome face, which she had never

-forgotten, and which she knew she should recognize anywhere

-and under any circumstances.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Mamma, I wonder if Lord Carrol is here?” she whispered,

-when once during the evening they happened to be together.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I don’t know; I will ask Lady Sherbrooke if I have an

-opportunity,” she replied.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She managed to get near her ladyship soon after, and asked:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Is your son out of town, Lady Sherbrooke?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No; he is not out of town. He had another engagement

-to-night, but he said he would drop in in season to take us

-home,” Lord Carrol’s mother returned. “Ah! there he is now,”

-she added, as she saw him approaching, and her face lighted

-with both pride and pleasure.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He appeared to be greatly surprised to find Mrs. Richards

-there, but greeted her politely, although she felt the restraint in

-his manner which he could not quite conceal.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She beckoned to Josephine, who was not far distant, and

-presented her, with a feeling of pride in her brilliant beauty

-that she did not try to hide.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He shook hands with her, though his face flushed as he

-remembered the awkward position in which she had placed him

-at Yonkers by misrepresenting the motive of his visit there.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You did not come to see us again before leaving America,

-after all,” she said, in tones of playful reproach, when they had

-exchanged greetings.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No; my time was so fully occupied that I found it impossible

-to make any calls,” he returned, a shade of sadness

-coming into his fine eyes as he thought of <i>how</i> his time had

-been employed and the unhappiness it had caused him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You received my little package, I perceive,” Josephine

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_342'>342</span>said, glancing at the cameo upon his hand, and with a flush

-rising to her cheeks.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes; did you not receive my acknowledgment of it?” he

-asked, in surprise.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No; I have never heard anything from you,” she answered,

-with downcast eyes.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“But I wrote, thanking you. You must have thought me

-lacking in courtesy,” Lord Carrol said, regretfully.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No—but—Lord Carrol, there has been a misunderstanding

-about that jewel from the first. I really do not know what you

-believe regarding it, for your note was somewhat ambiguous,

-and I trust you will allow me to explain more fully to you

-sometime how I happened to have it,” Josephine replied, with

-an appealing glance at him from her brilliant dark eyes.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He bowed somewhat coldly in return. He could not forget

-that his darling had said that she <i>stole</i> it from her—that one

-little treasure which she had prized more than anything else in

-the world, and there could be no excuse for, no explanation of,

-an act so cowardly and cruel, he thought.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I presume you have heard that we have come to reside in

-England,” the artful girl continued, desiring to change the topic

-of conversation, yet determined to keep him by her side.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“So I have been told. How do you like England and

-English people so far?” he asked.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Very much. We have been down to Halowell Park, where

-we expect to reside most of the year, and it is delightful there.

-I hope now that we shall sometime see your home, of which

-you have told us so much. We intend to become familiar with

-all of England.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I little thought that day at Long Branch, when Mrs. Richards

-was telling me that you were relatives of Sir Charles

-Thornton, that you would eventually become his heirs,” Lord

-Carrol said, ignoring her evident desire that he should invite her

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_343'>343</span>to visit his home, and little dreaming that such an invitation

-had already been given by his mother.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Mamma thought of it, however, although she did not really

-expect anything of the kind. Do you remember her asking

-you if Sir Charles had any family?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well, she knew that there were very few relatives, and she

-did wonder then who would inherit the estates if he should die

-childless. But it seems like some romantic tale to me. I can

-scarcely realize it even yet.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“How does English society compare with American, in your

-opinion?” Lord Carrol asked, glancing over the brilliant throng

-around them.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I am sure, my lord, I should not presume to judge upon

-so short an experience,” Josephine answered, modestly, yet her

-glance told him that she admired one Englishman excessively.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“<i>I</i> should judge,” he said, smiling, “if I could form any

-opinion from the court which I saw you holding as I entered,

-that you would be considered quite an acquisition in London

-circles.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He did not say that <i>he</i> should consider her such, and a thrill

-of pain shot through her heart at his indifference; but she appeared

-to take it as a personal compliment from him, and

-answered, with a shy look:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Thank you; I find it very pleasant to be here, at all

-events.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Her tone, her glance, and the emphasis which she threw

-into that last sentence, would have turned half the heads in that

-room, but they did not move him in the least.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He was constantly thinking of a fair, sweet face, framed in

-gold; of azure eyes, with white lids and long, curling lashes,

-and smiling coral lips, with the gleam of small white teeth between;

-of his bright, beautiful Star—the light of his life.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He was thinking of that day when they drove on the beach

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_344'>344</span>at Coney Island, when he had told her of his love, and won

-her promise to be his wife; how she had called him “Archie”

-in those sweet, low tones, which had made his heart thrill with

-an ecstasy it had never known before; while this proud, brilliant

-girl had no power to stir even a feeling of friendship in

-his breast.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She kept him at her side for half an hour or more, and

-then she was obliged to release him, and fulfill an engagement

-to dance.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But her heart was full of a passionate longing to win his

-love; he had never appeared so grand and manly to her before;

-and as she stood before her glass that night, after her return

-from Lady Tukesbury’s reception, and removed the flowers from

-her hair and bosom, she said, while she set her small white

-teeth resolutely together:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I will move heaven and earth to win him; I will bend all

-my energies to become Lady Carrol. A whole year has passed

-and he has not married; there was not even any one present

-to-night to whom he paid particular attention, and it cannot be

-possible that he is still grieving for that milk-and-water beauty,

-Star Gladstone. No; I have the field clear to myself, and I

-swear I will yet be Countess of Carrol.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“But suppose he is not to be won—suppose you fail in what

-you have sworn to accomplish by fair means or foul?” whispered

-something within, with such startling distinctness that it almost

-seemed like a human voice.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“If I fail!” she repeated, growing white to her very lips.

-“If I <i>cannot</i> win the man whom I love with my whole soul,

-then”—and there was a look of wretchedness, almost of despair,

-in her midnight eyes at the thought—“then I will marry some

-poor fool who shall lose his head over my pretty face, and be

-lady somebody else.”</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_345'>345</span>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXXVII.<br> <span class='large'>THE MOCK MARRIAGE.</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>When Lady Sherbrooke informed her son that she had invited

-Mr. Richards and his family to spend the following week with

-them at their country residence, and to help them make merry

-with a number of their friends, his face had clouded instantly,

-and she saw that he was not pleased with the arrangement.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Have I done anything wrong, Archie?” she asked, much

-disturbed. “I thought you would be pleased. They spoke

-of your spending several days with them when you were in

-America, and I supposed you would be glad to return the

-civility.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>His lips had curled slightly when she had mentioned that

-they had told of his visit to Yonkers. He thought they should

-have preferred to keep it to themselves, rather than boast of it

-in order to get a return, under the circumstances.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But he said nothing of this, and answered, as brightly as

-he could:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No, mother dear; you have done nothing wrong, and I will

-try and make myself as agreeable as possible to your guests.

-But I must confess that neither Mrs. nor Miss Richards is

-agreeable to me.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Why, Archie?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I would prefer to say nothing more just now, since they

-are coming to visit us. Perhaps sometime I can tell you why,”

-he answered, thoughtfully.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I am sorry,” Lady Sherbrooke returned, regretfully, while

-she studied her son’s face wistfully. “I wish I had known of

-this in season to have avoided anything so extremely unpleasant.

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_346'>346</span>But they were so profuse in their praises of you that I supposed

-of course that you reciprocated their friendliness.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Never mind,” he said, lightly; “a week will not be very

-long. No doubt Miss Richards—who, I admit, is a very brilliant

-girl—will be a great addition to your party, and I would

-not have any little whim of mine mar it for the world.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Archie, did you ever—” began his mother, with a startled,

-rueful glance at him, as it suddenly came to her that there

-might be a more serious reason for this than she had dreamed.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But he interrupted her, with a laugh.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No, mother; I never did,” he said, with an amused gleam

-in his eyes. “And now ask me nothing more at present, please;

-but when your guests are all gone, I have a little story for your

-ear, and shall want a share of sympathy and counsel from your

-wise head and great heart.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Cheshire House, situated about a dozen miles out from London,

-and so called because it overlooked a little village which,

-at that time, bore that name, was filled to overflowing during

-the following week, and everybody appeared to anticipate a

-season of intense enjoyment.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>We cannot follow the gay company in all their enjoyments,

-but it was an eventful time, during which the hospitable hostess

-and her lovely daughter, assisted by Lord Carrol, spared no

-effort to make it a memorable one; and when, right in the

-midst of it all, Ralph Meredith came by special invitation, one,

-at least, of that merry number felt that everything was complete,

-and nothing more to be wished for.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The last night of their stay there had been set apart for a

-great time.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Invitations had been sent in every direction through the

-county, bidding all the young people to gather there and make

-merry in their own way.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The evening was to be spent in games, private theatricals,

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_347'>347</span>and masquerade until twelve o’clock, after which hour they

-were to “trip the light fantastic toe” as long as they liked.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was a merry, merry time indeed, and everybody seemed to

-vie with his neighbor to see who could contribute most to the

-enjoyment of the occasion.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Vivien Sherbrooke and Josephine Richards were declared by

-each and all to be the belles of the evening, notwithstanding

-they were entirely different in the style of their beauty.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The former wore a dress of rose-colored silk, with overdress

-of tulle looped with roses. Ropes of pearls were wound around

-her fair neck and arms and twined in her shining brown hair.

-Her clear gray eyes gleamed with a brighter luster than usual,

-a deeper flush was on her cheeks, and her lips wreathed with

-happier smiles.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Josephine was in simple white, with not an atom of color to

-relieve it. A peculiarly dainty dress of some soft clinging

-stuff fell in matchless folds of grace around her lithe form,

-with rare, costly lace for garniture, and great poppies, in which

-diamonds glistened like drops of dew, fastened on her breast

-and in her hair.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>This spotless toilet was wonderfully becoming to her clear,

-dark complexion, and her mother’s heart swelled with pride as

-she looked upon her and knew that she was the most distinguished-looking

-girl among all that company of aristocrats.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“She cannot fail to win a high position in the world,” she

-said to herself, as she saw several titled men hovering about her

-and hanging upon her smiles. “If she fail to win Lord Carrol—if

-he remains blind to her charms—there are plenty of others,

-thank Heaven, who <i>will</i> appreciate her. There is his grace, the

-Duke of Anerby, who admires her very much, and it would be

-very nice to be able to say ‘my daughter, the Duchess of

-Anerby;’ but I’m afraid she loves Lord Carrol altogether too

-well,” she concluded, with a sigh.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>There could not be much doubt regarding Josephine’s sentiments

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_348'>348</span>toward his lordship, for, as they stood for a few moments

-together beneath an arch of evergreen which had been erected

-at one end of the hall, her face was raised to his, as she

-listened to what he was saying, with a tender, almost rapt expression,

-and her eyes were humid with the love which filled

-her heart for him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He thought that she had never appeared to so much advantage

-as now. During all her stay at Cheshire House she

-had been more kind and gentle, more womanly than he had

-ever seen her before; and now he lingered by her side, realizing

-how very beautiful she was, and feeling almost as if he

-had wronged her in the past by judging her so harshly, and

-his manner involuntarily became more gracious and friendly

-toward her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She saw it, and it made her heart bound with a wild hope,

-and she became so radiant, so fascinating and bewildering, that

-he wondered if he had indeed been nourishing an unjust prejudice

-against her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Lady Sherbrooke saw them standing there, apparently oblivious

-of everything and everybody else, and an anxious look

-shot into her face, for she had studied Miss Richards during her

-unguarded moments the past week, reading her character like

-an open book with her womanly intuition, and she knew that

-she would never make a good man happy; she would never

-yield that wifely self-sacrifice which was necessary to domestic

-enjoyment; and seeing how passing fair she was to-night, she

-dreaded her influence over her idolized son, notwithstanding

-what he had already told her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Suddenly one merry sprite appeared to be possessed by a

-novel idea of some kind, and went flitting about the room,

-whispering, laughing, and making signs at the pair under the

-evergreen arch.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The company, who were mostly young people, appeared to

-join in with her proposals, whatever they were, and at length

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_349'>349</span>she danced gayly up to Lord Carrol and Josephine, saying,

-eagerly:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Archie”—she had known him all her life, and being intimate

-in the family, felt privileged to address him thus—“Archie,

-we have been arranging such capital fun, and we

-want you to agree to help us in it.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Certainly I will assist you. You know you are to do

-exactly as you like to-night, and get all the enjoyment you can

-out of this occasion.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Oh, you are perfectly delightful! Isn’t he, Miss Richards?”

-returned the merry girl, with a glance at Josephine, and the

-look which that young lady shot at him, half startled but

-wholly admiring, together with the flush which leaped into

-her cheeks, answered the question better than any words could

-have done.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well, granted that I am all that,” Lord Carrol said, laughing,

-“what next?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“We are going to have a mock marriage; everybody has

-agreed that it will be something new under the sun, and we’re

-just in the mood for a wedding or any event equally exciting.

-It is almost on the stroke of twelve, and it will be just the thing

-to wind up with before we begin our dancing.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Don’t you think it will seem like trifling with a serious

-subject?” Lord Carrol asked, rather gravely.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Oh, no. Of course we do not mean anything wrong; it is

-only for a little fun, and we do so want a bride to lead off in

-the dance,” replied the thoughtless girl.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well,” the young man returned, lightly, “anything you

-like, only do not let the ceremony be too tedious, for I am

-ready for my dance, and I believe I shall ask you to be my

-first partner, Minnie. But who are you going to have for

-victims?” he concluded, unsuspicious of the trap he was walking

-into.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Oh, you’re to be groom, and Miss Richards the bride. She

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_350'>350</span>is the only one in the room who is dressed all in white, as a

-bride should be, and this green arch is just the place for the

-ceremony to be performed.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Lord Carrol felt anything but comfortable over this arrangement.

-He glanced at Josephine to see how she would take it.

-But she stood with downcast eyes, looking the picture of lovely

-confusion, a beautiful color in her face, while he noticed that

-the hand which held her fan trembled visibly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Lord Henderson said he would play parson and pronounce

-the banns,” the merry child rattled on, “and he is so portly he

-will make a first-rate one. Now, Archie, you and Miss Richards

-go into the anteroom yonder, so as to come in like a real bridal

-party. Wait, there is that lovely lace shawl of Lady Orton’s;

-she will lend it, I know, for a vail, and it will be just the thing.

-Now don’t stand there like a pair of bashful lovers, for it is only

-play, you know,” she added, saucily, “but do as I tell you, and

-I will arrange everything, then bring the vail;” and giving her

-two victims a gentle push, the excited girl whisked away to

-another part of the hall.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well, Miss Richards, Miss Shelton intends to have everything

-her own way, and I do not see but what we shall be

-obliged to help her carry out her plans.” Lord Carrol said, trying

-to speak lightly, and to make the best of a very—to him—disagreeable

-situation.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You certainly do resemble a bride in your dress,” he

-added, “more than any one else in the room, and, if agreeable

-to you, we will assist in the little piece of folly just to

-please the child.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Little piece of folly!</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>If he could but have known of the tumult that was raging

-within her at the mere thought of such a ceremony in connection

-with him, he would not have called it that—it would

-have been sacrilege!</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She was trembling like a leaf, and she knew that that marriage

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_351'>351</span>service, though but the meaningless freak of a wild girl,

-would seem as solemn to her as if he were really to make her

-his wife.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>That was “folly” without doubt, but she loved him so that

-she could not help the feeling.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He offered her his arm, and they retired to the anteroom

-together, and Lord Carrol could not help perceiving the strange

-thrill which pervaded the girl’s whole frame as her hand came

-in contact with his arm.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But they were not left long alone, for Minnie Shelton soon

-came tripping in with an exquisite point lace shawl hanging

-over her arm.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Everybody is on the <i>qui vive</i>,” she said, breathlessly, “and

-we must not keep them waiting. Sit down, Miss Richards, on

-this divan, and let me pin this shawl on your head; it will

-make a lovely bridal vail. There, Lord Carrol, isn’t she charming?”

-she asked, after she had dextrously arranged it in graceful

-folds. “Doesn’t she look like a <i>real</i> bride?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I think your efforts have been eminently successful to make

-her appear like one,” he answered, smiling; and certainly Josephine

-was as lovely as it was possible for any one to be.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I only hope, my lord, that when you <i>do</i> get married you’ll

-find somebody half as beautiful,” retorted the saucy elf. “There,

-you’ll do; now go, for they are all waiting, and the parson is

-ready to pronounce the banns.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Lord Carrol felt very uneasy, but he offered his arm to Josephine

-again, and her hand fell upon it, white and soft as a

-snow-flake.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>They passed out into the great ball-room and paused under

-the green arch, while murmurs of surprise and admiration

-greeted them from every side, for the addition of the lace shawl

-to Josephine’s already charming toilet had greatly enhanced her

-appearance.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Two or three young girls, led by Minnie Shelton, advanced

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_352'>352</span>and took their station by her side to act as bride-maids, and

-then Lord Henderson, clad in a long white robe improvised for

-the occasion, came forward and read the marriage service.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>When the ring was called for, the gay girl who had planned

-all this reached behind the bride and tucked one into Lord

-Carrol’s hand.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He was strangely impressed, a feeling of awe, a chill, creeping

-over him as he felt it and thought of its significance. But

-he took it and put it on the finger of the mock bride, repeating,

-“with this ring I wed thee, and all my goods endow thee,”

-feeling as if he were going through a mockery almost too horrible

-to endure.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Josephine, too, trembled visibly, while the hand that he held

-was as cold as ice.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She would have given the world to have been able to control

-herself, for she feared that the company would suspect something

-of the tumult in her heart, but she could not.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>However, when the ceremony was over, the gay crowd came

-forward, brimming with mirth, and in the jollity that followed,

-these impressions in a measure passed away.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>There were laughter and compliment on every lip, shaking of

-hands and congratulation on every side, until at length Minnie

-Shelton put a stop to it by coming forward and saying:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“The musicians are all ready, Lord Carrol; you’ll have to

-dance the first quadrille with your bride; I’ll claim you for the

-second. Hasn’t it been a lovely wedding, though?—just as if

-it had been real, you know—and we’ve had all the fun without

-any flurry. My!” perking her restless head on one side and

-eying Josephine out of her bright eyes like some pretty bird,

-“don’t I hope I may make as charming a bride when somebody

-comes to marry me!”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>There was a general laugh at this sally, for Miss Minnie was

-a favorite with everybody.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Now come, please; and, Lord Henderson, if you have no

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_353'>353</span>objection, I’d like you for a partner, and we will be the happy

-couple’s <i><span lang="fr">vis a vis</span></i>.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Without waiting for his consent, she slipped her little hand

-within his arm and led him along after Lord Carrol and Josephine,

-who could do nothing but obey her commands.</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXXVIII.<br> <span class='large'>“I HAVE BEEN MAD.”</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>When that first dance was over, Lord Carrol led Josephine

-to a seat, and, bowing before her, said, in as light a tone as he

-could command:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Thank you, Miss Richards. I suppose our part in this

-little farce closes now. Allow me to congratulate you upon

-having assisted in carrying it off in the most perfect manner. I

-must confess,” he added, a slight shade falling over his face,

-“that it does not strike me as just the thing to make a mockery

-of sacred subjects; but since Minnie Shelton, who is a veritable

-witch, and our guests have enjoyed it, perhaps I should not

-preach about it.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Josephine looked up at him with a strange glitter in her eyes,

-while her face was crimson.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Oh, if he would but utter one fond, tender word to her—if

-he would but give her a sign even, to show that his heart had

-been thrilled like her own while they were standing there side

-by side!</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He noticed her heightened color, and thought she looked at

-him queerly, but he never mistrusted the storm that was tearing

-her heart asunder.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I fear you are very warm,” he said, kindly. “Shall I get

-you an ice?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_354'>354</span>“Thanks, no. I shall do very well,” she answered, constrainedly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>And then, with another bow, he excused himself and left her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A convulsive sob broke from the girl’s lips as she watched

-him pass down the long room and out at a lower door; then

-she, too, arose and glided through the window near which she

-had been sitting.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She sped along the wide piazza until she came to the end,

-where a flight of steps led down to a little arbor, or cluster of

-small trees which inclosed a great piece of statuary.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She fled within it, and sinking down upon the granite base

-which supported the marble group, she gave vent to her misery

-in a burst of passionate tears.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Lord Carrol, too, as he passed out of the ball-room, was

-more deeply moved than he would have liked to betray, and

-not very well pleased either with the part he had been compelled

-to play so much against his inclination.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Had his companion been any other than Josephine, perhaps

-he would have felt differently; but he could not forget that he

-had once been represented as her lover, and something in her

-manner to-night warned him that she would not have regretted

-it had that farce been a <i><span lang="fr">bona fide</span></i> marriage service instead, and

-he was exceedingly annoyed over the affair.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He met his mother as he was going through a hall, and she

-detained him by gently laying her hand upon his arm.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Has anything disturbed you?” she asked, looking up into

-his clouded face.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No, mother; nothing but that farce which has just been

-enacted. I do not like such things; they seem too much like

-sacrilege,” he returned.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Neither do I like them, Archie,” she said, gravely. “We

-have no right to make light of any subject so serious as marriage;

-but Minnie is a wild, thoughtless girl, intent only on the

-excitement of the moment, and did not stop to consider. I

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_355'>355</span>must say, though, that Miss Richards helped to carry it off

-splendidly, and appeared the blushing, modest bride to perfection.

-She is a fine-looking girl.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She said this to sound him, regarding him searchingly all the

-time that she was speaking.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes; she appears to attract considerable admiration,” he

-replied, indifferently, and then passed on.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He went out at the great hall-door upon the veranda, which

-Josephine had just a moment or two ago traversed, and followed

-almost in her footsteps, until he came to that little

-circle of shrubbery, when, instead of going within it, he went

-around it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He could not shake off the unpleasant sensations that were

-upon him; everything in his nature had suddenly seemed to

-become out of tune, and he wished to get away from even the

-sounds of the gay revelers within the house, while his thoughts

-turned wistfully toward the new world and Star.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He was getting very impatient to go to her, and he had intended

-to be on his way thither before this, but circumstances

-had recently transpired by which he would be detained another

-month, and the time seemed very long to him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He paced back and forth in the moonlight for some time, his

-footsteps making no sound on the velvety turf; but all at once,

-as he passed that evergreen circle, within which Josephine still

-sat, a sob fell upon his ear and startled him. He stopped to

-listen, and heard the sound repeated. With his usual energy

-and decision, he passed around to the entrance and approached

-the group of statuary to ascertain who was there.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>At first he could see no one, for just then the moon was

-hidden by a cloud, and Josephine’s dress being white, her form

-blended with the marble and could not be distinguished, while

-she was so absorbed by her own emotions that she was not

-aware of Lord Carrol’s presence until he touched her on the

-shoulder and said:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_356'>356</span>“Pardon me, you are grieving; is your trouble anything

-that I can help?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She sprang to her feet instantly and confronted him, her

-cheeks blazing hotly, her whole form trembling from the touch

-of his hand.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Miss Richards!” he exclaimed, in surprise, as he recognized

-her, while involuntarily he recoiled from her, so unexpected

-and disagreeable—in his present frame of mind—was

-this meeting.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I thought,” he added, “that you were in the ball-room

-enjoying yourself with the other merrymakers.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She noticed the coldness of his tone, as well as his unconscious

-shrinking from her, and it cut her to the heart, while at

-the same time it aroused her anger.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Enjoying myself!” she repeated, passionately and unguardedly;

-“the evening is spoiled for me; everything is spoiled—the

-world and my life. That mockery through which we have

-just passed has made me <i>miserable</i>.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was strange, he thought, that they should both feel thus.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I regret that anything should have occurred to make you

-so unhappy,” he returned. “I hoped while you were the guest

-of my mother that nothing would transpire to mar the pleasure

-of any one. But,” he added, more cheerfully, “you must not

-allow that farce to oppress you thus. I do not, as I have said

-before, approve of making light of such serious things, and

-marriage, to me, seems like a sacred ordinance. But no harm

-was done, I trust; our friends were amused for a half hour;

-and really, Miss Richards,” he concluded, smilingly, “if, when

-you come to be married in earnest, you make as charming a

-bride as you did to-night, the happy man will be one to be

-envied.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“<i>Don’t</i>, Lord Carrol,” Josephine cried out, in a sharp tone

-of pain, and laying her hand appealingly on his arm; “<i>don’t</i>

-say such things to me!”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_357'>357</span>She was trembling like a leaf, and he saw that she was terribly

-excited, while the piteous tone in which she had just

-spoken went directly to his kind heart. He took her hand and

-drew it under his arm.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You are nervous,” he said, kindly. “Come and walk with

-me a few moments until you are calmer—the night is almost

-like summer—then I will take you back to the company.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>His tone was so sympathizing, his touch on her arm so

-gentle, while it thrilled every fiber of her body, that it was more

-than she could bear.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She was going to-morrow, and this man whom she loved

-with a passion almost amounting to idolatry, would be beyond

-her reach. She would not meet him again for months, perhaps

-never, and this thought, added to her other pain, broke her

-down completely.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She grasped his arm with both her white hands, her heart

-was beating like a frightened bird’s, there was a choking sensation

-in her throat, and bowing her graceful head upon her

-clasped and trembling hands, she burst into a fresh fit of weeping,

-which was like a tempest.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The young lord found himself in a very awkward position.

-Those shaking hands, that bowed head lying so near his heart,

-that lithe, quivering form, those tears and sobs, told him but

-too plainly what caused this deep emotion.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Miss Richards—Josephine,” he said, unwittingly using her

-first name in his embarrassment, “let me take you in. You

-will make yourself ill. What can I do for you?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But she could not control herself. She had abandoned herself

-too entirely now to her passion to conquer it readily, and

-she sobbed on, conscious only of how she loved him, and that

-she was near him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Oh! if he could but have returned her love, she would

-gladly have given the best years of her life. There was no

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_358'>358</span>sacrifice too great, she thought at that moment, for her to make

-in exchange for the prize she wished to win.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“What can I do for you, my friend?” he asked again.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“<i>Love me!</i>” burst most unconsciously from her trembling

-lips.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He started violently. He had not imagined that she would

-dare to give utterance to such words as these; while she knew,

-the instant that they were spoken, that instead of gaining his

-affection, she had forfeited even his respect.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>There was a moment of awkward silence. Then Lord Carrol

-said very gravely, but still very gently:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Miss Richards, you have become so excited over what has

-transpired, that I think you are hardly conscious of, or responsible

-for what you have said. Shall we go in now?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No!” she answered, lifting her head proudly, and stifling

-her sobs, although she still clung tightly to his arm, as if she

-could not let him go. “No; I will not go in yet. Having

-said so much, I must say more. You are right. I am not

-responsible for the words which I have spoken. I did not mean

-to speak them—they escaped me unawares; but since I have

-spoken them, I cannot recall them, and my secret is mine no

-longer. Oh!” she continued, with a heart-breaking sob, “pity

-me, have compassion on me, <i>forgive</i> me!”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I have nothing to forgive,” he said, kindly; “and, believe

-me, I am very sorry that your nerves should have been so overtaxed

-to-night; but,” and his face flushed, “perhaps it will be

-better for both of us if I tell you that, however much I may

-esteem you, my heart could never respond to the wish you have

-expressed; it has long been given to another. I thought you

-knew this; I thought your knew that—I loved your cousin,

-Miss Gladstone.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Her hands dropped from his arm as if they had been burned,

-while keen, quivering pains shot all over her body at this

-avowal.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_359'>359</span>Her head came up with a haughty gesture, her eyes blazed

-with sudden anger, her red lips curled with bitter scorn. She

-had humiliated herself—she had bowed her proud spirit to the

-dust to win him, and now he dared to tell her this—dared to

-tell her that he loved the girl whom she hated, whom she had

-triple cause to hate in that she was far her superior in every

-way—she had won the heart of the only man whom she had

-ever loved, and had laid her under an obligation which she

-could never repay.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I believe I have been <i>mad</i>!” she whispered, fiercely, through

-her tightly shut teeth, which shone like lovely pearls in the

-moonlight. “Yes, I must have been mad,” she went on;

-“some spirit of evil must have possessed me to make me tell

-you what I have; for—hear me, Lord Carrol—I do <i>not</i> love

-you; I <i>hate</i> you! If I ever had any love for you, it has turned

-to hate now, and I detest the girl whom you profess to love,

-and for whom you have dared to confess your affection, knowing

-how I hate her.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She pressed her hands wildly to her temples, with a low

-moan. It was not so easy as she thought to hate where she

-had loved so passionately.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Do you think it is a light thing,” she asked, hotly, “for a

-girl to reveal the secrets of her heart, as I have revealed mine

-to-night? Do you think there has been no sacrifice of pride

-or modesty on my part to tell you what I have told you? My

-heart has been burning to ashes while standing here by your

-side, and you have pitilessly tortured me still further by telling

-me that you love Star Gladstone—that girl who has only crossed

-my path to mar my every prospect in life. I thought half an

-hour ago, when I stood beside you during that mock ceremony

-and spoke those sacred words, that if they could only have

-been real—if I could indeed have been made your lawful wife,

-it would have been like the happiness of heaven for me. If you

-could have but called me by that fond name only once—if you

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_360'>360</span>had looked tenderly into my eyes and owned me yours, I could

-have asked no greater bliss in life. But, heavens! when I break

-every barrier down, when I forget my womanhood and modesty

-and tell you how I idolize you, you coolly inform me that <i>you</i>

-love the girl <i>I</i> hate. Beware! you have made me an eternal

-enemy to you both, and I will ruin <i>both</i> your lives, as you have

-ruined mine, if I can.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She would have dashed wildly by him after uttering those last

-fierce, revengeful words, but he placed himself directly in her

-path and would not let her pass.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He saw now that all his sympathy and kindly feeling had

-been worse than wasted. He had read her character aright

-from the first; she was totally selfish, and her love—if an unreasoning

-passion like hers could be called love—would have

-made any true man miserable, for her ambition would never be

-satisfied.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He did not wonder now that he had not had more faith in

-her, and his sympathy and sorrow for her were at once turned

-into contempt.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Miss Richards,” he began, in a stern, cold voice, and looking

-down into her angry, blazing eyes with a glance which

-cowed her in spite of her passion, “what respect I may have

-entertained for you heretofore, what pity or compassion I may

-have experienced for your apparent suffering to-night, and the

-only emotion which ever made you appear really womanly or

-gentle in my eyes, has wholly vanished during those last vindictive

-words of yours. I had begun to hope that you had

-learned lessons of charity and kindness during the past year—that

-you had come to realize there was something <i>more</i> required

-in life than a continual seeking after pleasure and the gratification

-of pride and ambitious desires; but I perceive that I was

-mistaken, and I am sorry, for you will be the greatest sufferer.

-Your declaration of hatred, and your threat that you will ruin

-Miss Gladstone’s and my life, are but idle words; for our love

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_361'>361</span>is something that malice can never touch, and a month hence I

-shall be on my way to America to make her my wife.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Josephine uttered a cry of mingled pain and anger at this,

-and made another effort to leave him, but he would not let her

-go even yet.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I have not quite finished what I wish to say, Miss Richards,”

-he continued, “and we may as well come to a full understanding

-at once. I have been told of the change in Miss Gladstone’s

-fortunes. I have, indeed, learned much regarding her

-life while she was with you that has both pained and surprised

-me. I know, too, of some things which occurred this year,

-when you were both visitors at the same fashionable resort.

-You are, it appears, to remain a resident of England, and we

-may meet occasionally in society; but let me tell you I shall

-never allow any such indignity to be heaped upon the future

-Lady Carrol as that of which you were guilty this summer at

-Newport.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He saw her start as he said this.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“What do you mean?” she demanded, haughtily.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I do not think you are so ignorant of my meaning as you

-appear,” he returned, his handsome lips curling with scorn;

-“but if you wish to be reminded of the fact that you publicly

-twitted Miss Gladstone last summer of having once performed

-the duties of a chambermaid in your family, I can do so. But

-do not let it ever happen again, or I shall feel it my duty to

-make <i>all</i> the facts of the case public.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Who has told you all this?” she demanded, angrily.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“That does not matter,” he replied, coldly; “it is sufficient

-that I know it.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Ralph Meredith has told you!” she cried.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Mr. Meredith is my friend—but that is a point we need

-not discuss, I think,” he answered, quietly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She beat the air frantically with her hands. She felt how little,

-how contemptible she must appear in his sight.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_362'>362</span>“Perhaps you do not know that he played the role of devoted

-lover to Miss Gladstone this summer,” she sneered, hoping to

-make him jealous.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Lord Carrol flushed.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He had mistrusted something of this from what Ralph had

-told him. He did not believe that Star would have confessed

-what she had to him, except to convince him that she could

-never entertain feelings of affection toward any one save the

-man who, as she supposed, had wronged her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Miss Gladstone is my affianced wife,” he replied, proudly

-feeling that he had a perfect right to regard and speak of her as

-such, knowing that she still loved him, and that his explanations

-to her would re-establish their former relations. “But,”

-he added, as he stepped aside now to allow her to pass, “it is

-useless to prolong this interview; only let me caution you,

-Miss Richards, to remember that while you show proper respect

-for me and <i>mine</i>, I shall also tender <i>you</i> the respect belonging

-to a lady.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She was as white as her spotless dress now. He could see

-by the moonlight that she had grown perfectly ghastly, but

-there was a wild, fearful light in her eyes.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“My hate will follow you both,” she said, hoarsely, “and I

-tell you I will ruin your lives if I can.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She dashed by him with the speed of a fawn and disappeared

-from his sight, leaving him standing there wonder-stricken that

-a creature so beautiful to look upon could possess so depraved

-a nature.</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_363'>363</span>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXXIX.<br> <span class='large'>A CRUSHING BLOW.</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>The next morning when the company met at breakfast, Josephine

-experienced a feeling of intense relief upon learning

-that Lord Carrol had been called away to London at an early

-hour on “important business.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>This was the day of their departure also, and she was not

-sorry to leave the house which had been the scene of her

-humiliation and despair over her unrequited love.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The meal was not a very social one, for every one was tired

-out with last night’s dissipation, and it required more of an

-effort than they felt capable of making to be very merry.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>After it was over, and as Josephine was passing through the

-hall on her way to her own room, she espied the morning

-papers lying on the table.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mechanically she took up one, glancing carelessly over the

-columns, when almost the first thing she saw was a notice of

-the arrival of a steamer from New York two days previous, with

-a list of the passengers below.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A lurid light shot into her eyes and an angry exclamation

-burst from her lips as she read; for, among the other names in

-that list, she read those of Jacob Rosevelt, Miss Star Gladstone

-and maid, from New York.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“What on earth can have possessed them to come aboard just

-at this time?” she muttered, with lowering brow. “If they had

-only waited a month they would have missed him, but now

-they will be sure to meet.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She took the paper and went up stairs to her mother’s room,

-and showed the notice to her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She was very angry also.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_364'>364</span>“It seems as if that girl was bound to be the ruination of us.

-They are continually crossing our path, and I declare it is more

-than human nature can patiently bear. I wonder what has

-brought them to England?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I suppose Uncle Jacob thinks he must give his charming

-<i>protegee</i> every advantage possible,” Josephine sneered, bitterly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well, I’m sure we do not need to mind them now,” Mrs.

-Richards said, with a sigh of satisfaction. “Even if she gets

-every penny of his money, your position will henceforth be far

-superior to hers.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I don’t know about that,” the girl retorted, with a painful

-flush. “If Lord Carrol meets her, and they make up their

-quarrel, I shall still be rather in the background, I imagine.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“True; I had not thought of that,” her mother replied

-with a blank look. “I wish you could have managed to entrap

-him, Jo.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Jo” bit her lips until the blood spurted from them, as she

-remembered how her “trap” had sprung and wounded only

-herself.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Lord Carrol is a <i>fool</i>!” she said, passionately.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Her mother looked up at her searchingly, mistrusting that

-her daughter had more reason for her pale face and heavy eyes

-than she knew of.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“If only that marriage last night could have been a real one,

-I should have been the happiest woman in England this morning,”

-she said, wistfully.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“With one exception,” Josephine thought, with a bitter sigh

-and a hard glitter in her eyes; but she said nothing.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>They did not leave Sherbrooke House that day, however. A

-sudden storm came on during the afternoon, too violent to

-admit of the departure of any one, and Lady Sherbrooke would

-not allow any of her guests to mention such a thing. And so

-the long, dreary day was spent in rest and quiet.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But the next day broke bright and pleasant, and just as the

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_365'>365</span>company were sitting down to the morning meal, Minnie Shelton

-came dancing into the breakfast-room, her cheeks glowing,

-her eyes sparkling, and her lips parted in the brightest of

-smiles, while a paper fluttered in her small hands.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Such fun!” she exclaimed, merrily. “Here is a description

-of your ball, Lady Sherbrooke, in the Cheshire <cite>Gazette</cite>—the

-mock marriage and all; and the best of the whole thing is,

-they have written up that event so that at a first glance any one

-would naturally suppose that a real wedding had occurred.

-Listen.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She held up the paper and read:</p>

-

-<p class='c014'>“MARRIED.—At the country residence of Lady Sherbrooke, on the

-10th instant, Sir Archibald Sherbrooke and Lord Carrol, of Carrolton, to

-Miss Josephine Richards, formerly of New York, U. S. A., but recently

-reported to be the heiress presumptive to the Thornton estates in Devonshire.

-The fair bride was lovely in her bridal robes, not the least noticeable

-of which was the exquisite point lace vail, which was also of great

-value.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“There—isn’t that too rich for anything?” the gay girl cried;

-“and do look at the mock bride’s blushes!” pointing at Josephine,

-whose face was crimson from varied emotions; “what

-a pity it is that our handsome groom is not here to see them;

-and one would almost imagine she was a real bride by her

-confusion.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Then there follows a long account of the ball, which explains

-everything,” she added, laying down the paper; “but

-I’m so out of breath that I can’t read any more, and you’ll

-have to peruse it for yourselves.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>There was an awkward silence for a moment after she had

-ceased speaking; then Lady Sherbrooke said, in tones of grave

-reproof:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Minnie, my dear, what a wild child you are; but you

-must learn to be more thoughtful of the feelings of others.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Why, what have I done?” she asked, with great, round,

-innocent eyes, yet a guilty flush rose to her cheeks.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_366'>366</span>“I am very glad if you enjoyed the ball,” her ladyship continued,

-still gravely; “but I regret that you should have proposed

-turning so serious a subject as marriage into mockery,

-and I am very sorry—yes, deeply displeased, that any one, in

-writing an account of our gathering here, should have given

-that farce such an appearance of reality, for it might make it

-very awkward, not only for my son, but also for some of our

-guests,” she concluded, with glance at Josephine’s downcast

-face.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Little Miss Shelton was very uneasy during this reproof, but

-she rallied, and said, lightly:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“But, dear Lady Sherbrooke, it was all done so nicely; and

-everything was so lovely that it almost seemed like a real wedding.

-I wish we <i>could</i> have a real wedding. Won’t somebody

-get married, please, and give me an invitation? I haven’t been

-to one since I was a little girl in short clothes.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>And the elf looked around her so roguishly, and with such

-an expression of mock distress on her pretty face, that the company

-broke into an indulgent laugh, and then the subject was

-for the time dropped.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But Josephine, watching her opportunity when some of the

-guests were leaving, and people generally were occupied saying

-farewell, sought and found that paper, and slipped it unobserved

-into her pocket.</p>

-

-<hr class='c013'>

-

-<p class='c011'>In one of the rooms of a beautiful suite of apartments looking

-out upon St. James square, a young girl sat by a window,

-looking out upon the passers-by in the street below.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She was tall, and slender, and graceful as a young elm, her

-small head crowned with masses of golden hair, her eyes—“heaven’s

-own blue”—looking out from under a broad forehead,

-which was partially concealed by the shining mist which

-lay lightly upon it, her red lips parted with an expression of

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_367'>367</span>eager interest as she gazed upon the hurrying throng below.

-She was as fair as the day—a perfect picture, upon which the

-eye would love to linger.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It is our Star, fresh and beautiful as ever, but with something

-more of maturity and dignity in her bearing than when we last

-saw her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She has been in London just one week, and is enjoying every

-day, despite the proverbial rain and fog, for she has returned to

-her native land once more, and every inch of ground is replete

-with interest for her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The past few months have been full of enjoyment, for she

-has “been everywhere and seen everything” in the far West of

-the New World—at least as far as that was practicable, and as

-she had warned Mr. Rosevelt she should wish to do—and with

-such congenial companions as he and Miss Meredith always

-were the time could not fail to pass pleasantly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But she had turned her face with even keener anticipations

-toward England’s shores, while not even the memory of her

-previous terrible experience at sea had power to make her

-shrink from the long voyage, or mar the delight of this glad

-return.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>As she sits there in her handsome parlor, looking out upon

-the street, a door opens, and Jacob Rosevelt enters.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He looks younger and in better health than we have ever

-seen him before, while his face is animated and genial, as if life

-was at its brightest with him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star looked around as he entered.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“How quickly you have returned, Uncle Jacob,” she said,

-rising, and going to meet him, and taking his hat.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes; I knew you would be impatient for your letters, and,

-as there is quite a budget to be gone through with, I thought it

-best not to keep you in suspense.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>As he spoke he drew from his capacious pocket a half-dozen

-letters, and as many papers, which he had just received from

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_368'>368</span>the American Legation, and half of which he gave into Star’s

-own hands.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“This is from Grace, this from Mr. Appleton, and—this

-must be from Nattie Browning, to whom I gave up my position

-as a teacher,” she said, running the letters through her white

-fingers.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She laid the papers, which, of course, were of minor importance,

-upon the table, and, sitting down in a low chair, carefully

-cut the ends of the envelopes, and was soon deep in the

-contents of her news from beyond the sea.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It took her nearly an hour to read them all.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Miss Meredith’s was full of chat and innocent gossip, just

-like that charming young lady’s own self, and contained a number

-of commissions and charges, not the least important of

-which was that Star must be sure to hunt up her brother Ralph,

-who wrote that he should spend nearly the whole of the

-month of December in or near London.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Appleton’s letter was mostly on business, and regarding

-the book she had written, as well as another which he wanted

-her to write. It contained also a check, and Star always felt

-very proud whenever these bits of paper came made out to her.

-They gave her a feeling of independence and pleasure which

-no other money did.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The third letter was an entertaining one from a classmate—a

-poor girl to whom she had, as she said, resigned a position as

-teacher upon finding herself the heiress to a million.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>After reading these she took up her papers in a listless way;

-she did not feel much in the mood for looking them over; they

-seemed tame and uninteresting after the letters.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But all at once she noticed that one was not a home paper;

-it bore the London postmark, and was addressed in a hand she

-did not recognize.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It cannot be from Ralph Meredith,” she said to herself,

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_369'>369</span>“for he does not know that I am here. Besides, it is not his

-handwriting. I wonder who could have sent it?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She opened it with considerable curiosity, and yet with a

-feeling of foreboding at her heart.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The Cheshire <i>Gazette</i>, she read, as she espied the heading,

-and then her eye glanced down over the columns underneath.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Suddenly she started.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>There is a paragraph marked.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Her eyes dilate—a look of horror comes into them; her

-lips grow pale, and she feels as if she is suffocating as she

-reads:</p>

-

-<p class='c014'>“MARRIED.—At the country residence of Lady Sherbrooke, on the

-10th instant, Sir Archibald Sherbrooke and Lord Carrol, of Carrolton, to

-Miss Josephine Richards, of New York, U. S. A., and heiress presumptive

-to the Thornton estates in Devonshire, etc.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Could it be true? The paper dropped from her nerveless

-hands. Was the deed really done at last, and Archibald Sherbrooke

-lost to her forever?</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had not realized until that moment how much of hope

-had lived in her heart during all this time.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But these dreadful words had suddenly cut it down, as the

-sharp sickle cuts down the tender grass.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Had she really read them, or had her imagination played her

-some terrible trick?</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Feeling as if she were turning to stone, she picked up the

-paper and compelled herself to go over the horrible sentence

-again.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Yes, it was all true—it was as plain as print could make it.

-But what was this?</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A new terror seized her—something that she had not thought

-of until now, she had been so stunned by the bare fact that her

-lover was married.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Sir Archibald Sherbrooke <i>and</i> Lord Carrol, of Carrolton!”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_370'>370</span>A mist comes over her eyes; her heart drops like a thing of

-lead in her bosom.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>In an instant a suspicion of the truth flashed upon her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Had she done her lover an irreparable wrong? she asked

-herself, with a feeling of despair. Had she driven him from

-her, taunting him with treachery and cowardice, and refusing to

-listen to his defense, when perhaps he had the best in the world

-to offer her?</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Oh! if she had but heeded Mr. Rosevelt when he begged

-her to let him see him and learn the reason of his mysterious

-conduct. Oh! if she had only answered that advertisement

-and allowed him to come to her as he had entreated.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had been cruel, unjust, wicked; and now it was too late

-to atone for it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She felt as if bands of ice were being bound about her heart—as

-if coals of fire were heaped upon her brain, and branded

-upon it, in letters which would haunt her till her dying hour,

-those two names, Sir Archibald Sherbrooke and Lord Carrol,

-of Carrolton.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Familiar as she was with English customs, she could understand

-readily enough how he had become possessed of them,

-and it was so strange that she had never thought of it before.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>In all her suffering upon learning, as she had supposed, that

-she had been betrayed, she had never endured pain like this;

-and, with her sight failing, her senses reeling, without sound or

-warning, she slipped from her chair to the floor, where she lay

-white and still in a lifeless heap at Jacob Rosevelt’s feet.</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <span class='pageno' id='Page_371'>371</span>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XL.<br> <span class='large'>STELLA’S MENTAL AGONY.</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>“Bless my soul! what does this mean?” Jacob Rosevelt

-cried, as, looking up from his own letters, in which he had

-been deeply absorbed, he saw the beautiful girl lying so white

-and still at his feet.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He rushed to the bell and rang it violently, then back again

-to Star, whom he lifted tenderly in his arms and laid her upon

-a sofa, where he began chafing her cold hands vigorously.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Blunt soon made her appearance in answer to her master’s

-summons, and looked as alarmed as himself to find the

-girl she loved so devotedly in such a critical state.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But Star’s insensibility did not last long.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>All too soon she awoke to a consciousness of this new

-misery.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“What is the matter?” she asked, as, opening her eyes, she

-found her fond friends bending anxiously over her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You had a fainting turn, dear; but you are better now,”

-Mrs. Blunt returned, holding a glass of wine to her lips.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star passed her hand across her forehead and sighed heavily,

-as she began slowly to gather up the broken threads of memory

-again.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“What was it, Starling?” Mr. Rosevelt questioned, with a

-troubled look at her white face; “did you have bad news in

-your letters?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No, there were no ill-tidings in my letters,” she answered,

-avoiding his eye, and wishing to conceal, if possible, the cause

-of her swoon from him. “I read them through,” she added,

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_372'>372</span>“and was opening my papers, when I began to feel queerly. I

-believe I never fainted but once before in my life.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But she shuddered as she remembered how Josephine Richards

-had been the cause of that ill-turn also.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She sat up and tried to collect herself.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She still felt as if those icy bands were encircling her heart,

-and as if her brain was on fire; but she was anxious to get

-hold of that paper once more, and go away by herself.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She did not mean that Jacob Rosevelt should ever know that

-she had seen the notice of her lover’s marriage; she meant to

-keep her secret locked close within her own breast, and not

-even let him suspect that she was still grieving for the man

-whose name had not been mentioned between them for over a

-year.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I am afraid you are going to be ill,” he said, noticing the

-great blue circles under her eyes with alarm.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No; do not be anxious about me, Uncle Jacob,” she

-returned, trying to smile. “I shall be all right again in a few

-minutes.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>And she was, apparently.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She called all her will to her aid; she drank a full glass of

-wine, and soon felt much stronger, but oh! still so wretched

-and heart-sick.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She arose after awhile and began to move about the room,

-although both Mr. Rosevelt and Mrs. Blunt insisted that she

-was not able—that she ought to be still and rest all day.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But that paper was still lying upon the floor, with that

-marked paragraph staring her in the face.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She must get it and hide it, or they would learn all her

-trouble, and know how weak and foolish she was—how lacking

-in pride and self-respect to grieve thus after another woman’s

-husband; and her lips curled with scorn at her own

-folly, while all the time the pain at her heart was growing more

-bitter.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_373'>373</span>Very quietly she gathered up her letters and papers, which

-had slipped to the floor when she fell.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>With trembling fingers she folded that fatal sheet into the

-smallest compass, and tucked it slyly into her pocket; then

-laying the others on the table beside Mr. Rosevelt, she said:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I do not think I will read any more now, Uncle Jacob;

-but perhaps you would like to look over these home papers. I

-will go and lie down for a little while, and try to sleep off my

-weakness.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He took her white face between his hands and looked anxiously

-into her eyes.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“My dear, my dear,” he said, earnestly, “I hope you are

-not going to be sick; what should I do without you? You

-must take care of yourself for my sake, as well as for your own,

-my Star.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She smiled, and, taking one of the hands that held her face,

-touched her lips to it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She knew that no daughter was ever more tenderly beloved

-than she was by this grand old man, whose deathless affection

-had been given to her grandmother.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No, I shall not be sick, Uncle Jacob; do not worry,” she

-returned, trying to speak lightly. “Many people frequently

-faint, and get entirely over it in an hour. I shall be as well as

-ever in a little while, and all right for the reception at the

-American Legation this evening.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I do not believe you will be able to go,” he said, doubtfully.

-“You must not expose yourself.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Oh, I would not miss it on any account,” Star answered,

-quickly. “Let me run away now for a nap, and I will show

-you how fresh I shall be when the hour arrives.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She was anxious to get away from his questioning eyes, and,

-gently releasing herself from him, she sought her own room

-and locked herself in.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>All day long she battled there with her tortured heart; all

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_374'>374</span>day long she fought with the love which she still bore Archie

-Sherbrooke, for it rose up stronger by a hundred-fold now that

-she had discovered that he was innocent of any wrong toward

-her, and realized her own cruel injustice to him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>If she had but opened and read more of that paper, she

-would have learned her error; but the moment she found herself

-alone, she took it from her pocket and threw it upon the

-glowing coals in the grate, and watched it while it burned to

-ashes. She was determined that Mr. Rosevelt should never

-see it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>All day long she lay upon her bed, and thought bitterly of

-Josephine as the proud and happy wife of Lord Carrol—as the

-mistress of his elegant home, the sharer of his position and

-title.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Oh! it was too cruel, when she had loved him so; when she

-knew that she could have made him so happy, while Josephine

-had only sought to win him from selfish and ambitious

-motives.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She knew now that she had never despised him—never

-scorned him, as she told him that night at Mr. Richards’.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She knew that never for a moment had she swerved in the

-least degree from her allegiance to him; that her heart had

-been true and loyal to him, even when she had thought most

-bitterly of him; and she knew, too—this was the worst of all

-to contemplate—that she should go on loving him as long as

-she lived.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Five days they had been married.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The wedding had occurred the tenth of December, and it

-was now the fifteenth.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It almost seemed as if she would have given as many years

-of her life to have saved him from such a fate as she believed

-would be his with that vain and heartless girl for his life-long

-companion.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Of course it would do no good to grieve over that now; but

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_375'>375</span>her own future looked like a weary journey, marked only by

-the mile-stones of duty, without a stage of happiness to cheer

-her along the way.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had known nothing of the Richardses coming abroad;

-that notice of Josephine’s marriage had been the first intimation

-that she had had of it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She wondered if she had not sent her that paper—if, having

-seen their names and address registered at the American Legation,

-she had not, from a spirit of cruel triumph, sent it to

-wound and humiliate her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Yes, she was sure it must be so.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But she should never know how fully her vile purpose had

-been accomplished. She would hide her anguish deep within

-her own heart. Wherever she went she would appear with a

-bright face and smiling lips, and no one should dream that her

-heart lay like a withered thing in her bosom.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt came in to see her several times during the

-day, and she always smiled and told him she was resting so as

-to be fresh for the evening.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Blunt tried to make her give up the reception, but she

-would not, protesting that she was as well as ever, although she

-could not hide her misery quite so effectually from that good

-woman’s sharp eyes.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Something has happened to upset her and break her heart

-again, or I’m much mistaken,” she muttered, uneasily, while,

-according to Star’s direction, she laid out her elegant dress for

-the evening.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had learned to read that fair young face too plainly not

-to feel sure that something very unusual had occurred to prostrate

-her so.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Nine o’clock came, and Star Gladstone, a vision of bewildering

-beauty, entered the drawing-room of the United States

-Minister’s elegant residence, leaning on the arm of her distinguished-looking

-attendant.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_376'>376</span>There was a buzz of admiration as she crossed the threshold,

-as there always was wherever she appeared, for it was not often

-that even that place was graced by the presence of one so wondrously

-gifted with beauty.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She wore a dress of pale ecru silk, rich and heavy, and made

-perfectly plain save for the deep flounce of costly lace which

-reached almost to her knees, and the delicate vine or fringe of

-drooping ferns that headed it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Her fair, beautifully formed arms and neck, which were concealed

-only by the same rare lace, were clasped by unique ornaments

-of dull gold, and these, together with the cluster of fine

-ferns upon her bosom, fastened there with a miniature, diamond-studded

-bouquet-holder, comprised her only ornaments.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But her face, so pure and peerless, looking out beneath that

-golden crown of hair, though a little paler than usual from her

-recent pain, was the loveliest object in that vast room.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“American ladies are noted for their beauty, I believe; but

-though I have met many, I have never yet seen a more exquisite

-face and form than that,” said one gentleman to another,

-who stood leaning against the frame of the door through which

-Star and Mr. Rosevelt had passed but a moment before.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You are right; but Gladstone, which is the young lady’s

-name, sounds more English than American,” returned the gentleman

-addressed.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“They are registered as Americans, however, and she has the

-peculiar beauty of one,” said the first speaker. “They have a

-way of enhancing their charms, too, by their perfect taste in

-dress. Our English ladies, as a rule, do not understand the art

-of dressing well, though there are, of course, exceptions to the

-rule, as Miss Vivien Sherbrooke’s charming costume over there

-testifies. By the way,” he added, with more animation, “they

-say that that handsome young American—Meredith, they call

-him—is going to win our Cheshire beauty away from us.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He glanced, as he ceased speaking, across the room to where

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_377'>377</span>Miss Sherbrooke was sitting, while Ralph Meredith, in an attitude

-of devotion, was bending over her chair.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He was talking to her in a low tone, a smile on his handsome

-lips, a new light in his fine eyes, while she listened with

-drooping lids and flushed cheeks.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But chancing to glance up suddenly, Ralph started and

-uttered a low exclamation of surprise.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Excuse me a few moments; I see friends,” he said; and

-then leaving her hastily, he made his way quickly across the

-room.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Miss Gladstone!” he cried, approaching and holding out

-his hand to her, his face all aglow. “I never was so happily

-surprised in my life! And here is Mr. Rosevelt, too! How

-does it happen that you are here? It seems almost like home

-to see home faces.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star and Mr. Rosevelt greeted him most cordially, while

-Vivien Sherbrooke sat and watched them with wondering eyes

-and sinking heart.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Who could this beautiful young girl be who appeared so

-delighted to meet the man whom she had been learning to love

-of late?</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>What was she to him that she had power to make his face

-light up like that, and cause him to forget for the time the

-existence of any one else?</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It must be confessed that the charming Miss Sherbrooke

-was for the moment jealously inclined to regard Star as her

-rival.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I am afraid that you are not quite so well as usual. Your

-Western trip was too much for you, was it not?” Ralph said,

-when their greetings were over, as he noted her paleness, and

-was quick to see the look of pain in her expressive eyes.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Oh, no; I am very well, and you are looking finely. I

-think English air must agree with you,” Star said, quickly turning

-attention from herself to him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_378'>378</span>“Yes, I am in excellent condition,” he confessed, with rising

-color, as he remembered how miserable he had been when he

-last saw her, and what had caused the change in his feelings

-and appearance. “How long have you been in London?” he

-queried.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Only a week,” Mr. Rosevelt answered.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Wasn’t it a sudden start?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Rather. I am here just now on a matter of business, but

-we intend to see something of this side of the world before we

-go back,” the old gentleman explained, with a smile.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“We hoped we should find you somewhere on our travels,

-for a familiar face makes the heart of the stranger glad, you

-know,” Star said. “I received a letter from Grace to-day, and

-she writes: ‘Be sure and hunt up Ralph, who is, without

-doubt, in London now.’ But who is that pretty young lady

-across the room with the blush-roses in her hair, and with

-whom I saw you talking as I came in?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Meredith flushed again at this; but his eyes kindled as

-he glanced over at Vivien, and replied:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Oh, that is an acquaintance that I have made since coming

-here. Come, and let me introduce you.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He purposely avoided mentioning her name, wishing to see

-how Star would receive the introduction.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>As he turned to lead the way to Vivien, she looked up at

-Mr. Rosevelt and smiled archly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He understood her, and gently patted the hand on his arm

-while he nodded his head, and said, dryly:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“He’ll do, my young lady, never fear.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Miss Sherbrooke, allow me to make you acquainted with

-Miss Gladstone, a friend from beyond the sea; also Mr. Rosevelt.

-Miss Gladstone, Mr. Rosevelt—Miss Sherbrooke.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Ralph Meredith watched Star closely while he introduced

-and she exchanged greetings with Archibald Sherbrooke’s

-sister; and although she might have appeared self-possessed

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_379'>379</span>enough to the casual observer, <i>he</i> noticed the quick catching of

-her breath as she heard the familiar name, and remarked the

-flush which leaped into her hitherto pale cheeks, and which,

-although pain had caused it, enhanced her loveliness tenfold.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It is Archie’s sister,” Star said to herself, as their two white-gloved

-hands met, and a thrill of keenest pain shot through

-every nerve.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“How lovely she is!” she added. “Her eyes are like his

-in their expression, although not in color. Oh! I should have

-loved her, I know; and how rashly I have thrown all my happiness

-away!”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It needed all the power of her will to sustain her as she

-stood there beside Miss Sherbrooke, apparently so calm, and

-chatted with her for the next fifteen minutes; and Vivien never

-mistrusted the wild emotions which were surging in the heart

-of her new acquaintance, with whom she was exceedingly

-pleased.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“How perfectly charming she is!” she thought, as for a moment

-Star turned to speak to Ralph, and she studied her face

-more closely.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Then she started violently.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Surely she had seen that face somewhere before—those great,

-earnest blue eyes—that white forehead gleaming through a

-golden mist—that straight, delicate nose, and those beautiful

-red lips.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Yes, surely it was the face that her brother had painted when

-he was in America; only there was a look of pain in those eyes

-now that there had not been then; there were tense lines about

-the small, sweet mouth, and a seriousness about the whole

-countenance which told that the passing years since then had

-not been full of unalloyed pleasure.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was the same, nevertheless, she felt convinced, and she

-resolved that she would find Archie, point Miss Gladstone out

-to him, and ascertain if she were right in her surmises.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_380'>380</span>“Perhaps,” she thought, light suddenly breaking in upon

-her mind, “it was something connected with this lovely

-stranger which had caused his own sadness during the last

-year.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A gentleman approached her just then, and, turning to Star,

-she said, with a smile:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I must ask to be excused, as I have an engagement to

-dance now. I am sorry to leave you in the midst of our

-pleasant chat, but I will see you again before the evening is

-out.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star, with an answering smile, said she “hoped they would

-meet again;” but, oh! how she longed to inquire about her

-brother. If she had but spoken just one word to tell her that

-he was well and happy.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Happy! The thought nearly made her cry out with pain.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He must be changed indeed if he could be that with Josephine

-Richards; and, loving him as she did, it was agony to

-contemplate it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>What if he himself was there among that gay throng, with

-the bride he had so lately wedded?</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>What if she were to meet them together?</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>For a moment, as this contingency presented itself to her,

-her brain reeled, and she felt as if her senses were forsaking her

-again; the next, she called all her pride to her aid.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>This would never do; no one must ever mistrust her weakness

-and wretchedness, and Ralph Meredith surely would if

-she gave up to her feelings, for had she not told him of her

-false lover?</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was strange, she thought, that she should have found him

-with Archie’s sister, and she wondered if they had met and

-Ralph had called him to account for his treatment of her, as he

-had said he should.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Oh! why had she not been more reasonable? Why did she

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_381'>381</span>not let him explain his position to her when he had begged so

-earnestly to do so?</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She felt as if she could not bear to remain there—she longed

-to go away by herself until she could get a little more calm;

-and, seeing that Mr. Rosevelt and Ralph were deeply engaged

-in conversation, she slipped away unobserved to a small anteroom,

-which connected the drawing-room with the conservatory,

-and which she saw was at that moment empty.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Here she sat down in a chair near a large urn filled with

-flowers, which stood on one side of the door leading into

-the conservatory, and fell to musing sadly upon her broken

-hopes.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had not been there long when she was aroused by hearing

-a gay laugh ring out close at hand. She started as if some

-viper had stung her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She knew that sound but too well, and, looking up, she saw

-Josephine Richards, or Lady Carrol, as she believed her to be,

-standing almost beside her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She was just upon the threshold and was looking back into

-the conservatory, from which she had come, and at a couple

-standing there among the flowers.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had been exchanging some jesting words with them, and

-her laugh was in reply to some playful remark from them.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She was dressed all in white; she wore it almost constantly

-now, for she knew she looked lovelier in it than in anything

-else; everybody had told her that she had never been so beautiful

-as when she had stood beside Lord Carrol during that

-mock ceremony. There were great pearls in her hair and on

-her arms, and clusters of white lilacs on her bosom.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star held her breath as she looked at her, thinking that she

-was indeed wondrously fair, and that it was not strange that she

-should allure any one by her beauty; but she believed she was

-dressed thus because she was a bride.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>How bright and happy she looked, too, with the vivid

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_382'>382</span>color in her cheeks, her eyes sparkling from the excitement

-of the moment, and with that light laugh just leaving her

-red lips!</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Why should she not be happy, Star thought, bitterly, as the

-wife of one of the noblest men in England, and occupying one

-of the proudest positions in the land?</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A heavy sigh involuntarily escaped her, and, hearing it, Josephine

-turned quickly to see whence it came.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Stella Gladstone!” she exclaimed, and instantly all the

-color went out of her face, all the light from her eyes, the

-laughter from her lips, and she stood regarding the beautiful

-girl with lowering brow and angry eyes.</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XLI.<br> <span class='large'>REHEARSING THE PAST.</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>Star arose as she addressed her thus, and with the act all her

-pride arose as well.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes,” she said, speaking with cold politeness. “I suppose

-you are surprised; you did not expect to meet me here, Miss—Lady

-Carrol.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Josephine’s face lighted at those last words, and a wicked

-gleam leaped into her black eyes.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No, I did not,” she returned, trying to call a happy smile

-to her false lips. “And—and—you have heard, then?” and,

-dropping her darkly fringed lids as if in confusion, she played

-with some flowers which she held in her hands, and looked the

-modest bride to perfection at being addressed by the title she

-had so lately assumed.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, I have heard of—or at least I saw your marriage in a

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_383'>383</span>paper which was sent me recently,” Star answered, trying hard

-to steady her voice, and resolving that the girl who hated her so

-should not suspect the torture she was enduring.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But Josephine did suspect it, and was determined not to let

-her go without wringing her heart with something of the agony

-which she had suffered.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Lord Carrol had dared to tell her, in the midst of her humiliation,

-that he loved Star, and she was bound to be revenged in

-some way for it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had sent her the Cheshire <i>Gazette</i>, even as Star had mistrusted,

-but she had not expected to get any such satisfaction as

-this out of it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had been down to the American Legation and found

-out where Mr. Rosevelt was stopping, and then had marked

-that paragraph and mailed that paper to Star, just to arouse her

-jealousy and show her that she had been a guest in Lord

-Carrol’s home for a week.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It had never entered her head that she would only read the

-notice of that mock marriage, and believe it real, not observing

-that it was connected with the remainder of the article describing

-Lady Sherbrooke’s ball.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But she now saw that such was the case. Star believed that

-she was really Lady Carrol; and she knew something of what

-she must be suffering on account of it, and with a sense of

-cruel exultation she resolved to give the wheels of the rack that

-she was on another vigorous turn.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She felt that the lovers would without doubt meet before

-long—perhaps that very evening, for she had seen his lordship

-there only a short time previous to this meeting, and she was

-assured he would waste no time in coming to an understanding

-with Star; but now, while she had her in her clutches, she

-would make the most of her opportunity.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I presume it is something of a disappointment to you to

-find me here, and—and situated just as—I am, when <i>you</i> so

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_384'>384</span>confidently expected to win his lordship,” sneered Josephine.

-“You perceive that it is not always safe to be too trusting, and

-a young peer, even though he were traveling under an assumed

-name, and made love to a pretty, poverty-stricken girl, to while

-away an idle hour, could not be expected to marry her.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star was very pale, but she was more than a match for the

-unfeeling girl in her proud beauty.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She stood like a tall and stately lily before her, and to all

-outward appearance she was no more moved by her scathing

-words than the snows on the peaks of lofty mountains are

-stirred by the fierce winds in the valley far below them.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Lord Carrol did not travel under an assumed name. I

-have discovered that Sir Archibald Sherbrooke and Lord Carrol,

-of Carrolton, are one and the same,” Star replied, with cold

-dignity.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Josephine started, then remembering, said:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Oh, of course; I forgot that both names were given in the

-notice of the marriage. But,” she went on, taking an intense

-delight in the torture she was sure she was inflicting, although

-her fair victim gave no sign, “you have no idea how lovely

-Cheshire House is—that is where the dowager Lady Sherbrooke

-lives; and Carrolton is even more delightful, I am told. We

-intend to go there before very long; but London is very gay

-just now, though it is out of season, and we are having such

-nice times that we prefer to remain here for the present.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She glanced at Star angrily.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>If she would but betray the least suffering, to show that she

-was wounded by this apparent triumph over her, she would

-have been content.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But she stood there, her graceful form proudly erect, her

-shining head thrown slightly back, her eyes fixed upon her face

-with an indifferent glance that galled her almost beyond endurance,

-while her manner was that of indulgent politeness, as if

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_385'>385</span>she were but listening, in a well-bred sort of way, to the babblings

-of a spoiled child.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I presume you have heard,” she resumed, “that we came

-abroad to take possession of the estates of Sir Charles Thornton,

-whose death leaves mamma the nearest of kin, and therefore

-we shall all henceforth occupy a very high position in this

-country.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Indeed?” Star responded, as if it were a matter of no moment

-to her. “I have heard of Sir Charles Thornton, but I

-did not know that you were ‘nearest of kin’ to him.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well, you know it now,” Josephine retorted, sharply,

-beginning to lose her temper at Star’s immobility; “and fortunately

-we can do exceedingly well without Uncle Jacob’s

-money, which you so cunningly managed to wheedle him out

-of. We shall not return to America, for we can enjoy so much

-more here among the nobility, where, as I told you before, our

-position is so high, and mine <i>particularly</i>, you know, as—as

-Lady Carrol, is one to be rather envied.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>This last, she thought, must be a dagger in the fair girl’s

-breast, but she was wholly unprepared to have it turned against

-her own.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“May I take the liberty to ask Miss Richards what she

-means by the statements which she has made—to explain herself,

-if indeed that is <i>possible</i>,” said a deep, stern voice just

-behind her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Both girls started and turned instantly at the sound, and both

-uttered a cry—one of surprise, the other of dismay.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Lord Carrol himself stood in the door-way of the conservatory

-from which Josephine had entered, and through which he

-had passed on his way from another portion of the building

-back to the drawing-room.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He had seen Ralph Meredith and Mr. Rosevelt but a moment

-or two after Star slipped away. They told him that she

-was there, and he had instantly left them to seek her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_386'>386</span>He had seen her standing there in the anteroom through the

-glass as he approached, and he recognized her instantly,

-although the sight had nearly unmanned him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>As he drew near, however, he heard Josephine’s voice, sharp

-and scoffing, and addressing the strangest words to her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He stood still and listened, perfectly aghast at what she was

-saying, until he comprehended the whole situation; and, when

-she made that last amazing assertion, he could endure no

-more, and entered to confront her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star, with one look into his white set face, and a glance of

-astonishment from him to Josephine, whose countenance, for

-once in her life, expressed blankest dismay, sank back pale and

-shivering into the chair from which she had risen when Miss

-Richards addressed her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>That young lady felt for the moment as if she would like the

-ground to open and swallow her forever from sight.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But the situation was a desperate one—so desperate that she

-did not care for anything; so, quickly rallying, she tossed her

-dark head and retorted with a light laugh:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Miss Gladstone was just telling me, my lord, that she had

-heard of my marriage, and I was only carrying out the joke a

-little further.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I <i>understand</i> you,” he said, briefly, but in accents of

-intense scorn.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Then, with a quick, eager step, he came between her and

-Star, who, with her white hands folded helplessly in her lap, her

-face like purest marble, felt as if earth was again slipping forever

-out of her reach, for her senses were reeling.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>With a stern, authoritative gesture he motioned Josephine

-away, and, reaching down, he took Star’s hands in his.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“My darling,” he said, in low, thrilling tones, “has she

-been torturing you to death? There is not one word of truth

-in what she has told you. Come with me, and let me explain

-everything to you.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_387'>387</span>A mocking laugh, which, however, was full of misery, rang

-through the room.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Lord Carrol looked back and saw Josephine, her face almost

-convulsed with pain and passion, passing out.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Don’t think that it is going to be all clear sailing even now,

-my proud, spirited lord, for I will spoil it all if I can.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Come,” he murmured, gently turning again to Star, and

-paying no heed to those threatening words.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He drew her unresisting hand within his arm, and led her

-through the conservatory out upon a covered porch at the

-rear.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>This porch was more like a room, for during the winter it

-was inclosed with glass windows, and, being heated with steam,

-formed a part of the hot-house.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He placed the fair girl in a chair in a secluded corner, and

-then he knelt down before her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He took her hands again and drew them to his breast, where

-she could feel the great heart-throbs which made his strong

-frame quiver like a tree struck by the woodman’s ax.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“My darling,” he said again, “I have seen Mr. Rosevelt,

-and he told me that you were here. I have been looking for

-you everywhere during the last fifteen minutes. Dearest, you

-will let me defend myself now, will you not? You will not

-turn away from me—you will not spoil both our lives by again

-driving me from you, believing me to be a ‘traitor and

-coward?’”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star shivered. Those words smote her with terrible pain;

-but her heart had been bounding with new hope since he had

-so sternly confronted Josephine Richards and proclaimed her

-assertion a lie.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She could not comprehend it, for she had read the notice of

-their marriage with her own eyes. Yet she instinctively trusted

-him, and it was so sweet, after all the miserable past, to have

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_388'>388</span>him there, looking so fondly down into her eyes, and calling

-her his darling in those dear, familiar tones.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Archie—Archie!” she murmured, with a sob, “I know all

-about it—you were never a traitor or a coward. I know you

-never deceived me, and I alone am guilty of a great wrong to

-you.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>With a low cry of joy he gathered her close in his arms, and

-laid her shining head upon his breast, calling her by every

-endearing name with which his heart was filled.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You know all about it, my love? Who has told you?” he

-asked, surprised.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Just one little sentence in a newspaper, which told me also

-that, when at the very moment I found you had been true, my

-life was to be a blank as long as I should live,” Star said, with

-unsteady voice and quivering lips. “I read,” she added “the

-notice of your marriage with Miss Richards in the Cheshire

-<i>Gazette</i>. These two names, Archibald Sherbrooke and Lord

-Carrol were printed there, and told me the whole story. I

-knew then <i>how</i> I had been deceived. But I cannot understand.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She broke off suddenly, and drew herself away from him

-shivering and sick at heart again.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Surely that notice would never have been printed if he was

-not married, and she had no right to be thus in the arms of

-another woman’s husband.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She knew that he neither loved nor respected Josephine

-from the way he had addressed her; he called her Miss

-Richards, too, but it was a puzzle that she could not comprehend.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Lord Carrol read her thoughts, and saw by her white face

-how she was suffering, and he said, with infinite tenderness:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“My love, it was all a farce, a mock marriage planned by a

-wild and thoughtless girl, while I was chosen as one of the

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_389'>389</span>unfortunate victims and Miss Richards the other. Did you not

-read the description which followed that notice?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No; I read nothing but those horrible words, which told

-me of my own injustice, and that you and I would be parted

-forever. They burned themselves into my brain as if they

-had been branded there with a hot iron, and I cared to read

-no more.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“If you had,” he returned, “you would have been undeceived;

-but I was very angry when I saw how the affair had

-been published, and if I could ascertain who wrote it up, I

-should be tempted to chastise the writer severely.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star was weeping now; great, glad tears of joy chased each

-other over her cheeks, and she did not resist him when he drew

-her into his arms again, wiping with his own hands the glittering

-drops as they fell, while in low, tender tones he told her all

-about the strange events which had conspired to separate them

-for so long.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Will you forgive me, Archie? I was very hard upon you,

-but I was nearly mad with my misery that night when I refused

-to listen to you,” Star said, when the story was ended.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Forgive you, my own? This moment compensates for

-everything. How were you to know that a titled relative had

-died, making me his heir, and changing or adding to my

-name? I was indeed Archibald Sherbrooke, bound for America,

-to travel and study art there, when we went on that

-steamer. I merely dropped the ‘Sir’ lest you should be shy of

-me. I did indeed know of the change in my circumstances

-when I next saw you in the station in New York, but in my

-fear of losing you, I resolved not to tell you until I had won

-you, feeling afraid that you, in your modesty, would refuse to

-Lord Carrol the love you would perhaps give to Archibald

-Sherbrooke. I never suspected, when I accepted Mrs. Richards’

-invitation to visit her, that I was going into the very house

-where my own love dwelt. I had paid Miss Josephine some

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_390'>390</span>attention at Long Branch, but her mother was always included,

-and it was only in a friendly way, as I was drawn toward them

-from having discovered that they were of English descent, and

-connected with people here whom I knew. I intended, as I

-told you that night, to seek you the very next day; and when I

-had won the consent of your friends to an engagement with

-you, in the character of Archibald Sherbrooke, I was going to

-tell you of my real position in life. Now, dear, you know that

-I have never swerved from my allegiance to you. I have been

-as true as truth itself,” he concluded, smiling fondly down

-upon her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I have been very foolish, Archie,” Star whispered, “but,

-oh! I am very, very happy now. I was so utterly wretched

-this morning. I have been so wretched all day that it required

-all my courage to come here to-night; but I forced myself to

-do so because I did not wish Uncle Jacob to mistrust anything.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“And I hear that my modest little Star has become a great

-heiress; she is no longer the quiet, retiring little maid whom I

-was so proud and happy to have won that day when we went to

-Coney Island,” Lord Carrol said, half regretfully.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star lifted her head from his breast and looked at him

-inquiringly, and he thought rather more searchingly than the

-occasion required.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I mean,” he explained, “that Mr. Meredith has told me

-that Mr. Rosevelt has adopted you as his heiress.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She drew a long breath, but merely returned, in an absent

-way:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Mr. Meredith told me more, too, my darling,” her lover

-resumed; “he was the one who lifted the burden of sadness,

-caused by your sentence of banishment, from my heart. I

-imagined, also, although his confidence did not extend quite

-so far as this, that he had been my unsuccessful rival, and that

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_391'>391</span>was why you confessed what you did to him regarding your

-affection for me.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Did Mr. Meredith tell you that—” Star began, blushing

-crimson as she remembered what her confession had been.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, my beloved, and no hungry heart ever feasted upon

-sweeter words. They changed the whole future for me, and I

-was intending to start again for America in just three weeks, to

-search for the star of my life; the past has been very lonely and

-hopeless.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, indeed,” Star returned, with a long sigh; “and yet,”

-she added, looking up with a smile, “I am glad that I am not

-to come to you <i>quite</i> so empty-handed as you found me.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You surely do not regret the promise that you made me

-then?” Lord Carrol questioned, reproachfully.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No; for it proves that you won me for myself alone; but

-now that I know you are a peer of England, it is a comfort to

-feel that no one can point the finger of scorn at me and say

-that you have chosen beneath you.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He stopped her with a tender caress.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No one should ever have said that to me with impunity,

-under any circumstances,” he rejoined, gravely.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>They talked a long time, and everything was explained—all

-the events of the past rehearsed, all Josephine’s duplicity and

-hatred made known.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“She is a heartless woman—a most contemptible woman,”

-Lord Carrol said, with curling lips and stern brow; “and I

-deeply regret that she is to become a resident in England, as

-we shall doubtless be obliged to meet her in society. She has

-wronged you shamefully, my darling. However,” he added,

-with a luminous smile, “she considers that the ‘position of

-Lady Carrol will be an enviable one,’ and, since <i>you</i> are to fill

-it, I think her punishment will not be a light one.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Her punishment <i>was</i> to be no light one, but <i>he</i> had no idea

-<i>how</i> humiliating it would be.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_392'>392</span>Another blissful half hour slipped unheeded by, and then he

-said:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Come, dear; people will begin to wonder what has become

-of us, and besides, I want to introduce you to my mother and

-sister.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He arose as he spoke, and drew her toward the conservatory,

-through which they must pass in order to regain the drawing-room.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I have already seen your sister,” Star answered, with a

-bright smile, “and I began to love her immediately, and to

-mourn what I had lost in not having her for <i>my</i> sister, too.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“She <i>is</i> a dear girl, but I begin to think we shall not keep

-her with us very much longer,” Archie returned, with a regretful

-sigh.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I thought so, too, when Mr. Meredith introduced her to

-me to-night,” Star said, archly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Ah! then <i>you</i> read the signs of the times,” he answered,

-smiling. “But here comes my mother, and she is looking for

-me, I know, by the expression of her face.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>They were just entering the drawing-room as he spoke, and

-Lady Sherbrooke was coming toward them, looking right and

-left for her son.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Her handsome face lighted as she saw him, and she quickened

-her steps, while she wondered at that new light in his

-eyes, at the bright and youthful expression on his face.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Mother,” Archibald Sherbrooke said, and there was a

-proud ring in his tone, “I want to introduce to you Miss

-Gladstone, a friend whom I met while I was in America.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Lady Sherbrooke shot a keen glance into that lovely, blushing

-face, and there came a look of surprise into her own, while

-for once she lost something of the graceful self-possession that

-was habitual to her as she greeted Star.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Her heart went forth to the young girl at once, and she

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_393'>393</span>experienced a shock akin to that which Vivien had felt when

-she met her.</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XLII.<br> <span class='large'>THE LAWYER’S REBUKE.</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>There was something strangely familiar about that slight,

-graceful form and in those lustrous eyes—in that golden-crowned

-head, and the now happy, smiling lips.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Miss Gladstone, I am very glad to meet you,” she began,

-as she cordially put out her hand to her; then turning abruptly,

-and speaking with a slightly startled accent, she added:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Archie, surely I have met her before?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes,” he answered, his face glowing; “I see that you have

-recognized her.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Star,” and the tender inflection on that name told his

-mother everything, “she has seen the picture that I painted

-when I was in America, and she has now discovered who the

-original is.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, my dear,” Lady Sherbrooke added, while she studied

-the beautiful, flushed face; “I do recognize your countenance,

-and I am quite proud of my son’s achievements as an artist.

-You are an American, I believe. I am very happy to welcome

-you to England.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star’s heart beat rapidly at this cordial, almost tender greeting,

-and wondered if she was indeed the same girl who, feeling

-so wretched and forlorn, had entered that room only two hours

-before.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No, mother; Miss Gladstone is not an American,” Archie

-explained. “She is an English lassie, and we met on shipboard

-while crossing the Atlantic; but more of that story anon,” he

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_394'>394</span>said, significantly. “Now, will you entertain her for a few

-moments while I go and find Vivien?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“With pleasure,” Lady Sherbrooke responded, her heart

-bounding to hear those clear, joyous tones ringing through her

-son’s voice—sounds which she had not heard before since his

-first return from America; while she said to herself:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“This is the girl whom my son loves and will choose for his

-wife;” and her heart warmed toward Star as it never had done

-before toward another outside of her own family.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>After finding his sister and taking her back to Star and his

-mother, Lord Carrol sought Mr. Rosevelt and had a long talk

-with him, explaining to him, as he had to his dear one, the

-unfortunate circumstances which had conspired to separate

-them, and learning in return something of their life during the

-past fourteen or fifteen months.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>After this he rejoined the trio of ladies—those three beautiful

-women whom he loved above everything else in the world.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“The ‘story’ that you were going to tell me, Archie, but

-did not, as you were called away to London, is told. I read it

-in your face to-night, and in that of the beautiful girl to whom

-you have introduced me. My boy, I think now that you will

-be your own dear self once more,” Lady Sherbrooke whispered,

-as he came and stood by her side, and his eyes, in reply, told

-her more than his lips could have done; but he asked, in a

-low, intense tone:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Is she not rightly named Star?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“She is charming; I have no fault to find with her personally.

-But her family?” she questioned, cautiously.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Is all right also, mother mine. I will tell you all about it

-to-morrow.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>In a distant corner of the room Mrs. Richards and Josephine

-sat and viewed this meeting, bitterest envy rankling in their

-hearts.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_395'>395</span>The angry girl had sought her mother upon leaving the anteroom,

-and told her of Star’s presence there.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I declare it is more than human nature can bear to be

-obliged to encounter her everywhere. And to think that such

-a miserable, insignificant little chit as she was when she came

-to us should win game after game from us. She is a proverbial

-checkmate, I believe,” Mrs. Richards said, complainingly. “But

-even if she does become Lady Carrol,” she added, “I shall take

-care that she does not outshine us. Thank fortune, we shall

-have a handsome income to flourish upon.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I hate her—I hate them both! and I wish I were <i>dead</i>!”

-Josephine cried, passionately.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>When Mr. Rosevelt, Lord Carrol, and his party were about

-retiring, they encountered the Richardses in the great hall.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt took no notice of them, although he would

-have greeted Mr. Richards had he been with them, and they

-guiltily avoided him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The young lord bowed coldly, and would have passed on,

-but Josephine, in a sudden fit of desperation, laid her hand

-upon his arm, saying, in low, fierce tones:</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I give you joy of your chambermaid bride! But beware!

-You will not feel quite so jovial when all London rings with

-the fact that the proud Lord Carrol has married a common

-house-servant!”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Miss Richards,” he returned, haughtily, “even such a statement

-of facts could not injure the fair, pure woman whom I

-have chosen for my wife; but allow me to say that if you are so

-ill-disposed as to publish anything of the kind, you will find,

-to your sorrow, that the shafts from your venomous tongue will

-only serve to poison still further your own life.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“We shall see!” she sneered.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You will find,” he went on, as if he had not heard her,

-“that Miss Gladstone is so far above you, both morally and

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_396'>396</span><i>socially</i>, that it does not lie in your power to do her the slightest

-injury.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“We shall see, my lord!” the maddened girl repeated, vindictively;

-but, without giving her time to say more, his lordship

-passed on to Star’s side, and drawing her hand within his

-arm, led her away to her carriage.</p>

-

-<hr class='c013'>

-

-<p class='c011'>The day came at last which was to decide Mrs. Richards’

-claim to the Thornton estates, and, according to appointment,

-she repaired to the office of Compton &#38; Bailey, in the highest

-of spirits, dressed in the most magnificent style, and accompanied

-by Josephine, clad with equal richness, and her husband.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well, Mr. Compton, my probation is ended at last,” she

-said, gayly, to that gentleman, as she entered, and greeted him

-with her most gracious manner.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Ahem! I suppose we may say that it is,” he returned, in a

-strangely embarrassed way.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Well, then, I presume there is no need of further delay,

-and we can take possession of the late Sir Charles’ property as

-soon as we choose,” she remarked, too deeply engaged with

-thoughts regarding her own brilliant future to notice his

-manner.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Ahem!” the lawyer repeated, an uneasy expression on his

-face; “I <i>did</i> expect that I could tell you to-day everything was

-all right and you could go down to Halowell Park as soon as

-you liked; but——”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“But what?” Mrs. Richards demanded, with some show of

-impatience. “It appears to me that you are somewhat mysterious

-this morning, when heretofore you have acknowledged

-my relationship to Sir Charles Thornton to be proved beyond

-a doubt.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, madam, you have clearly proved, it cannot be contested,

-that you were a relative of the late baronet’s; but—I am

-sorry—it will be a great disappointment to you, doubtless, to

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_397'>397</span>learn at this late day that another party has put in a claim for

-the estate, as being the nearest of kin.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The lawyer heaved a sigh of relief when he had stumbled

-through this piece of ill-news.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“What?” almost screamed Mrs. Richards, reeling where she

-stood.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had never even thought of such a calamity.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“There is no nearer relative living,” she continued, with pale

-lips. “You yourself said you were convinced of that.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“And so I was, a month ago, madam; but I have been

-obliged to change my opinion since then.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“What—what has changed it?” she asked, trembling with

-fear and excitement.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It would be too dreadful now, when the prize was almost

-within her grasp, to lose it, and to be obliged to return poor

-and disappointed to America.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You remember, perhaps,” the lawyer said, avoiding meeting

-her eyes, for they were wild in their expression, “that I told

-you that Sir William Thornton—the late Sir Charles’ father—had

-a younger brother, Albert by name——”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, but you said that he left home years ago to go as a

-missionary to some outlandish place, where he died,” interrupted

-the anxious woman.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Where it was <i>supposed</i> he died,” said Mr. Compton, with

-significant emphasis.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Did he not die?—is he living?—has he returned?” his

-client gasped.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No; he died some years ago; but he left a child. That

-child is living, and has put in a claim for the estate.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“But you told me he left no issue——”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It was all supposition, madam, since we could learn

-nothing to the contrary; but we have recently learned our

-mistake.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“He shall not have the property; he may be an impostor.

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_398'>398</span>I shall contest the point,” Mrs. Richards said, with frantic

-vehemence.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Ellen, do be reasonable,” said her husband, sternly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Unfortunately for your peace of mind, madam, it is a point

-that cannot be contested,” returned Mr. Compton; “and, if

-you will give me your attention for a few moments, I will explain

-it to you.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>With a groan, Mrs. Richards sank into a chair, more wretched

-than she had ever been in her life.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Your mother,” began the lawyer, also seating himself, and

-motioning Mr. Richards and Josephine to do the same, “was

-half-sister to the late Sir Charles’ mother. That made her half-aunt

-and you half-cousin to him. That relationship, however,

-would have been near enough to give you the property had no

-nearer claimant appeared. Sir William Thornton, the late Sir

-Charles’ father, and Albert were own brothers; consequently,

-the child of Albert would be own cousin to the late Sir Charles,

-and being a descendent on his father’s side, by far the nearest

-of kin. Have I made it clear to you?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He glanced as he spoke at Mr. Richards, who nodded, while

-his wife covered her face and groaned aloud.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Now,” resumed Mr. Compton, “I will tell you, in as few

-words as I can, the story of this younger brother, Albert Thornton.

-He was quite a number of years Sir William’s junior, and

-at an early age dissented from the established church and religion

-of his ancestors, and insisted upon going as a missionary

-to Africa. This so enraged his father that he disowned him,

-charging him never to show his face inside his ancestral home

-again. Deeply wounded, but still adhering to his convictions

-of duty, he went to Africa, but was obliged to return to England

-again in the course of a couple of years, on account of

-failing health. He did not, however, present himself in the

-home from which he had been banished, for this neither his

-pride nor his wounded heart would allow him to do. He

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_399'>399</span>therefore settled in a distant county, where he had charge of a

-small parish at a merely nominal salary, during the remainder

-of his life. Not long after his return he married a gentle and

-lovely girl, and one child was born to them, who, recently seeing

-our advertisement for the nearest of kin to Sir Charles, has

-presented a claim for the estate.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Who is this child?—where is it?—where did it come from

-at this late day?” questioned Mrs. Richards, who felt as if all

-the world was slipping away from her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Wait one moment and I will introduce you,” the lawyer

-said, as, rising, he gently retired to his inner office.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He returned almost immediately with a lady on his arm.

-Mrs. Richards started to her feet and uttered a piercing scream

-the moment her eyes fell upon her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The lady was Star Gladstone!</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“That girl again!” shrieked Mrs. Richards. “You don’t

-mean to tell me that <i>she</i> is the heir to Sir Charles Thornton’s

-property?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, madam, this young lady and no other; but I was not

-aware that you had the honor of her acquaintance,” responded

-Mr. Compton, with some surprise, as he led Star to a seat.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“But her name is Gladstone——”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Have a little patience and I will explain still further,” interrupted

-the lawyer, who was beginning to be disgusted with

-one who gave way so to passion.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Miss Gladstone tells me that she has been known by that

-name all her life; that until her eighteenth birthday she was

-not aware that she was entitled to any other. But her father

-left a package of papers at his death, containing a history of

-his life, with all the necessary proofs, but charged her not to

-open it until she was eighteen years of age. In this he related

-what I have already told you, and also the fact that when he

-was a child, his father, through the death of a relative, succeeded

-to the title and estates of the Thorntons of Devonshire,

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_400'>400</span>upon condition that he assumed the name. Such things happen

-often here in England, you know, as in the case of Lord

-Carrol, whom you are acquainted with. When the elder Mr.

-Gladstone, or Thornton, died, of course William, his eldest son,

-succeeded to the baronetcy. Albert, the second son, upon his

-return and settlement in a parish of Derbyshire, gave his name

-as Rev. Albert Gladstone, and under this name married a Miss

-Chudleigh, who was also discarded by her family for wedding a

-poor dissenting clergyman—one who was deemed far beneath

-her socially, as no one suspected his connections with the

-Thorntons. After her death, and when Mr. Gladstone found

-that he also had not long to live, he said he could not reconcile

-himself to the thought of giving his orphan daughter to the

-care of those to whom he had been a stranger so long, although

-his own blood flowed in their veins; so he arranged to send

-her to a distant relative of his mother’s in America, who agreed

-to take charge of her and her education for her sake. This last,

-however, Miss Gladstone has told me, and her residence in that

-country at the time of the death of the late Sir Charles, and

-her ignorance regarding her relationship to him, accounts for

-the fact that we have but just discovered her claim. Everything

-is as plain as black and white can make it. We have looked

-up the records, and find they correspond with the papers in her

-possession, and among which is a certificate of her parents’ marriage,

-and one of her own baptism, together with other important

-documents; and now, I think, you cannot fail to perceive

-that Miss Gladstone, being Sir Charles Thornton’s <i>own</i> cousin,

-is the nearest of kin, and we shall therefore be obliged to give

-her claim the precedence. I regret, madam,” the lawyer concluded,

-in his blandest tones, “that we did not learn of this in

-season to save you the trouble and expense of such a long

-journey. However, I trust that you have reaped enjoyment

-sufficient from the trip to compensate you in a measure for your

-disappointment.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_401'>401</span>Mrs. Richards looked blankly from one to another of the

-occupants of that room, as if she could not, even yet, comprehend

-the magnitude of the calamity which had so unexpectedly

-overtaken her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I do not believe one word of it. It is all a piece of fraud

-to cheat me out of my rights,” she cried at length, while her

-own blazing eyes threatened to annihilate the beautiful girl, her

-successful rival, who sat opposite with downcast eyes, and feeling

-really sorry, in spite of all that she had suffered at Mrs.

-Richards’ hands, for her distress over this terrible defeat.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Do not allow yourself to become unreasonable over the

-matter, madam, I pray. There has not been, I assure you,

-even the suspicion of a fraud,” Mr. Compton said, his own eyes

-beginning to take fire at this assertion. “The papers are all

-there on my table; everything has been written out in the

-plainest manner, and copies made of all the records which go

-to prove what I have told you. You can examine them, if you

-choose; but there cannot be the slightest doubt regarding Miss

-Gladstone’s claim. She alone inherits everything belonging to

-the late Sir Charles Thornton.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Oh, she has been the bane of our lives; she has ruined

-and upset every plan that we have made since the day when she

-first set foot in our house—since she came to us like the beggar

-that she was,” sobbed the wretched woman, giving way utterly

-to her misery.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Ah! then <i>you</i> are the woman to whom Albert Thornton

-confided his orphan daughter when he knew that he could not

-live?” said Mr. Compton, quickly, his keen mind at once grasping

-certain facts which Star, from a feeling of delicacy, had

-withheld from him, when, to her surprise, she learned that

-Mrs. Richards had also come to England to claim the Thornton

-estates.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“That has nothing to do with the case. She has <i>ruined</i> us,

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_402'>402</span>and that is enough to think about for one day, I should imagine,”

-she retorted, angrily, and flushing.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Ellen!” and Mr. Richards spoke very sternly; “you are as

-unreasonable as a child. Star has been kindly disposed from

-the first. It is <i>you</i> who have tried to ruin <i>her</i>—who have oppressed

-and sought to degrade her in a way that is a shame to

-you and your promises to her dead father. It is a bitter thing

-to be obliged to condemn my own wife thus publicly, but I

-cannot calmly listen to your calumniations of her, for, instead

-of being our ruin, she has been our salvation. Only this fall,

-when my business was tottering, and my reason with it—when I

-was upon the verge of bankruptcy—of self-destruction—I confess

-it with shame and sorrow now—<i>she</i> came to me like a beam

-of light and saved me from becoming both a bankrupt and a

-suicide. She gave me, or caused to be given to me, a check

-for ten thousand dollars, which set me upon my feet again. She

-spoke, too, such solemn, gentle words to me as I shall never

-forget, and which kept me from the horrible pit into which I

-was stumbling, and we owe all that we are and have to her.

-To go still farther back, you owe your life to her mother.

-Josephine was saved from a dreadful death by Star’s bravery;

-and, instead of hating her because unforeseen circumstances

-have raised her to a high social position, we should rejoice that

-it is so. Star, my dear girl, you have at least one grateful heart

-in my family.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He went over to her side and put out his hand to her,

-though he was so deeply moved that it shook like a leaf, and

-she took it with streaming eyes, and wholly unable to utter a

-single word in reply.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>What a wreck that heartless woman had made of his life, she

-thought. He was naturally a kind and tender-hearted man, and

-deserving of a better fate than had been his.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But his wife bridled angrily, losing all control over her

-tongue.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_403'>403</span>“I wish I had never set eyes on her face; and I wish your

-hand had been palsied before it ever took that ten thousand

-dollars from her. She came into our family and stole your

-heart from me by her arts and sly speeches; she wheedled out

-of Jacob Rosevelt the fortune that should have been mine; she

-tricked Josephine out of the man who should have married

-her—who <i>would</i> have done so but for her; and now she has

-come to steal the inheritance which ought to have been mine.

-I <i>hate</i> her, and I <i>curse</i> her from the bottom of my heart!”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Then you are a thoroughly bad woman, and I am thankful

-that Sir Charles Thornton’s estate is to pass into more worthy

-hands. Much as I sympathize with and respect your husband,

-madam, I cannot permit my young client to be insulted in

-my presence, and I have the honor to wish you a very good-morning.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Compton said this very spiritedly, his fine face flushing

-with indignation, his lips curling with contempt, while he

-walked to the door of his office and held it open, with such an

-air of stern determination that Mrs. Richards did not dare to

-disregard this very emphatic invitation to take her departure,

-and she walked wrathfully, but utterly crushed by her bitter

-disappointment, from the room.</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XLIII.<br> <span class='large'>“GOD BLESS OUR STAR.”</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>Yes, beautiful Star Gladstone was the heiress to Halowell

-Park, and all other property belonging to the late Sir Charles

-Thornton.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Upon reaching home after her trip to California, which had

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_404'>404</span>been one of great enjoyment as well as profit, she resolved to

-settle down to a cozy, quiet life for the remainder of the winter,

-and make Uncle Jacob as comfortable as she possibly could.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She was sitting in her own pretty room one morning, something

-as Mrs. Richards had sat in hers only a few weeks previous

-when she had discovered herself to be the heir to Halowell

-Park, but looking happy and smiling, instead of angry and

-discontented.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She had brought a pile of music up there to sort and arrange,

-it having been upset by the house-maid while dusting, and as

-she was looking it over, she came upon an old newspaper that

-had got mixed in with it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She took it up as one often does, and ran her eye carelessly

-over its columns.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It happened to be the very paper which contained the notice

-of Sir Charles Thornton’s death, and the advertisement for the

-next of kin.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star started as her eye caught that name. Then she went

-over both paragraphs carefully.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I do not believe but that he was the one of whom papa

-wrote in that package,” she murmured, thoughtfully. “It must

-be the same, for <i>he</i> was the owner of Halowell Park of Devonshire.

-He was papa’s own nephew; there are no heirs, and—I

-wonder if I might not in some way be interested in this

-advertisement.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>With heightened color she arose, and going to a drawer in

-her dressing-case, drew forth that worn portfolio which we have

-seen before on several occasions.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Opening it, she took out those papers which she had read on

-the evening of her eighteenth birthday, and which had caused

-her so much agitation.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>One of them contained a history of her father’s life, as we

-have already stated, telling how his religious views had changed

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_405'>405</span>as he drew near manhood, and how he had desired to go to

-preach to the heathen; how this had angered his father, who,

-when he found he could not turn him from his purpose, drove

-him from his home, telling him never to set foot in it again;

-how he had gone to Africa full of holy zeal, but failing in

-health, had been obliged to return and settle in a small parish

-of Derbyshire. Here he had met Miss Chudleigh, who at one

-time was visiting in the neighborhood, and she sympathizing

-with him in his views, they had soon grown to love each other,

-and felt that life would be nothing to them unless spent with

-each other. When, however, she had insisted upon marrying

-him in opposition to the wishes of her friends, she also had

-been discarded by them.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You once questioned me about your name, my child,” he

-wrote, “and I told you that your grandmother had given it to

-you. I have sometimes feared I was harsh with you when you

-asked me about my family, but you understand now why, and

-forgive me if I seemed so to you. I loved my mother as I

-never loved any one else save my lost Annie and you, and had

-she been living, I should never have been so cruelly banished

-from my home, for I was her favorite child. She was a grand

-and noble woman, but there was some sorrow connected with

-her early life which I could never wholly fathom. I once, upon

-coming suddenly into her room, found her weeping over a portrait,

-and when I asked her the cause of her grief, she put it

-hastily out of sight. ‘My boy, I am foolish and wrong to

-grieve over the past,’ she said; ‘but I once lost a very dear

-friend, and sometimes feelings arise which I cannot wholly control.

-I want you to do something for me sometime,’ she added,

-trying to smile, ‘and that is, if you should ever marry and have

-a little daughter, you will call her Stella Rosevelt Gladstone.’

-‘I will call her anything you like,’ I answered, earnestly, and

-then she kissed me with trembling lips and said I was her

-‘dear boy.’ This is how you came by your name, my little Star.

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_406'>406</span>Stella was my dear mother’s name; ‘Rosevelt,’ I have grown to

-believe, was one that was sacred to her.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Then there was more about his family relations—about his

-father and brother. He said there were very few of his kin

-living; he knew of only one, now that his brother was gone,

-and that was his only child, Sir Charles Thornton, of Halowell

-Park, but he had no family; he probably believed that he—Albert

-Gladstone Thornton—was dead, as everybody else did,

-and so he had concluded it best to send her—Star—to America,

-to the care of Mrs. Richards, who had promised to care for her,

-and who, he felt, would be true to her trust for the sake of the

-debt which she owed her mother.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Before he had died he charged her, when giving her the

-package, to guard it as a sacred treasure, and not to open it

-until the stated time, and she had promised to do as he wished.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>After Star had read this paper through, she took up the

-others and went carefully over them; and these were certificates

-and records, all of which went to prove the truth of what he

-had written.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Evidently the thought had never occurred to him that Sir

-Charles would die unmarried and childless, and that <i>she</i> would

-own and reign in the home from which he had been banished;

-for there was no mention of any such thing, and no desire expressed

-that she should ever seek to cultivate the acquaintance

-of her rich cousin.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>When she had been through them all, she gathered them

-up, together with the paper in which she had seen the advertisement,

-and carried them below to Mr. Rosevelt, told him

-something of her suspicions, and asked him to examine them

-and see if he thought she would be likely to inherit the Thornton

-property.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He did look into them carefully, and felt convinced that Star

-stood next in line to Sir Charles.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_407'>407</span>He was deeply touched upon reading her father’s account of

-his mother, and his own early love.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star had never shown it to him before. She had not liked

-to do so for several reasons, deeming it, for one, a sort of sacred

-trust from her father, and thinking also that it might sadden

-her kind friend.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I cannot understand why, when her husband had been so

-kind and patient with her, under what must have been such

-trying circumstances, he should have been so harsh and unloving

-toward his boy for a mere difference of opinion,” he

-murmured, thoughtfully, while thinking of poor Albert Thornton’s

-banishment from home.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Little girl,” he said to Star, “there is, I believe, a good

-deal in this for you, and we must sail for England immediately,”

-and Star felt her heart leap within her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>England was Lord Carrol’s home.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Then her lips had curled with scorn at her own folly, but she

-agreed at once to do whatever Mr. Rosevelt advised, and in a

-week they were again crossing the broad Atlantic.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Upon seeking an interview with Compton &#38; Bailey and laying

-their case before them, they were gratified to learn that, although

-other claims had been filed, Star was the nearest of kin who

-had yet appeared to them.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The eminent lawyers at once set themselves to work to look

-up the case, found all the records to correspond with those in

-her possession, and finally pronounced her to be the heir to the

-Thornton property.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star felt greatly surprised and troubled upon learning that

-Mrs. Richards was one of the claimants, for she had no desire

-to contest any question with her, or to appear to triumph over

-her in any way. She simply wished to let her alone—to drop

-her entirely out of her life.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>When the day came round that was to decide the important

-question for the expectant woman, Mr. Compton insisted, much

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_408'>408</span>to Star’s annoyance, that it was necessary for her to meet her,

-and the rights of the true heir to be established in the presence

-of all parties.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She felt a real pity for the wretched woman when the lawyer

-led her out to confront Mrs. Richards and her family, for she

-was unwilling to cause even an enemy pain, while it did indeed

-almost seem as if she was destined to checkmate every move in

-their life; but every one, even herself, who knew the circumstances

-of the past, could but acknowledge that their punishment

-was a just one.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The days, since the meeting and happy reconciliation of Lord

-Carrol and Star, had been full of joy and contentment.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She did not, however, tell him of her expectations regarding

-the Thornton property, but when the time appointed to meet

-Mrs. Richards arrived, she asked him to accompany Mr. Rosevelt

-and herself to Mr. Compton’s office upon a little matter of

-business.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He, with them, remained in the inner office during the

-lawyer’s interview with his claimants, and the door being slightly

-ajar, they could hear all that passed in the other room.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Lord Carrol was greatly astonished at what he heard, but he

-was even more so when Mr. Compton came in and led Star

-forth to present her as the heiress to that large estate.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I am almost afraid to approach you, my lady of Thornton.

-I begin to fear you may assume some new character at any

-moment, and soar so far beyond my reach that I shall lose you

-entirely,” he said, half in jest, half in earnest, when, that evening,

-he came to see her in her own room in St. James square.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You know I told you I was glad that you won me when I

-was a poor, obscure little maid,” Star answered, slipping her

-hand confidingly into his.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I feel perfectly sure of your love,” she added, “and yet I

-am not <i>sorry</i> that I can come to you now as an equal. I shall

-not be sorry to have the <i>world</i> say of you that you have chosen

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_409'>409</span>wisely,” she concluded, while her glowing eyes and smiling lips

-told that, for his sake, she exulted in her new position and

-wealth.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“What the world might say of you, under any circumstances,

-would not trouble me,” he answered, gravely. “But

-I, too, am glad that I won your heart when you had nothing,

-if it secures to me your unbounded trust. I do not know

-either,” he continued, smiling, “as I should have had quite as

-much assurance in approaching Sir Charles Thornton’s wealthy

-heiress; and yet,” with a proud uplifting of his handsome

-head, “while conscious of my own honor and rectitude, I

-have no need to fear to approach any woman whom I might

-love.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star was standing by his chair, and she bent and touched her

-lips to his forehead as he said this. She was very proud of this

-grand, true man, who had won her to be his wife simply

-because he loved her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But in the midst of her joy she could not help feeling something

-of sadness and pity for Josephine and her disappointed

-hopes.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was no light thing to have loved and lost such a man as

-this, and she would gladly have comforted her had it been in

-her power to do so.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Uncle Jacob,” she said, more timidly than she was in the

-habit of addressing him, the next time she was alone with him,

-“I shall have so much money, now that I am to be mistress of

-Halowell Park, and—and when Archie takes me,” she added,

-with a burning blush, “that I wish you would make another

-will, and give your fortune, or a part of it at least, to your

-‘nearest of kin.’”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You are my nearest of kin,” he said, briefly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I know what you mean,” she replied, affectionately; “our

-hearts <i>are</i> surely akin; but—I really am <i>very</i> sorry for Mrs.

-Richards and Josephine, not to mention poor Mr. Richards,

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_410'>410</span>who has had such a hard time of it; and perhaps they would

-feel more kindly toward me if they thought I did not care

-for so much money, and truly I do not—I never can use

-it all.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Jacob Rosevelt looked at her with tears in his eyes.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“My darling,” he said, with emotion, “I believe you have

-the heart of a saint, but I cannot alter my will—everything I

-have belongs to you; but I leave you free to do whatever you

-choose with it. If you ever find people in need and wish to

-help them, give them what you like; but I shall never break

-the seal of my will. Child,” he added, tremblingly, “you

-have been all the world to me; and more than this, you have

-helped me to find hope for the world to come. I know that

-you will have a great deal of money without mine, but it shall

-be yours nevertheless; I know that it will not be used selfishly,

-and I cannot leave it in better hands.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He bent down and touched her forehead with his lips,

-and then left her, but her heart was filled with a song of

-praise.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You have helped me to find hope for the world to come,”

-he had said; and there never had been a sweeter message sent

-in answer to prayer, she thought.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>For a long time, she had noticed, he had been more respectful

-whenever the name of the Deity had been uttered in his

-presence, while, when he had accompanied her to Sabbath

-services, he had listened attentively, even reverently to what was

-said.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Looking back to that dark night on the angry waters, when

-she had first met him, and remembering his sneers at her trust

-in the “All Father,” and his bitter, skeptical retorts, she was

-surprised at the change that had gradually come over him; and

-now, to her amazement, he had confessed to a “hope” for

-eternity.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was the one drop too many in her cup of joy, and it

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_411'>411</span>instantly overflowed in happy, thankful tears, and in a low-voiced

-pean of gratitude.</p>

-

-<hr class='c013'>

-

-<p class='c011'>A month, Lord Carrol said, was all the time that he could

-allow his fair bride-elect to prepare to become Lady Carrol.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“But I have so much to do!” Star objected, with crimson

-cheeks.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Then you must increase your forces,” he answered, with a

-fond smile. “I know that it is ‘etiquette’ to let the lady

-name the day, but considering all things, I think I ought to

-have that privilege. Darling, we have been separated so long

-that I do not feel like living without you a day more than is

-actually necessary. My mother wants you to come to her in

-Belgrave Square, and remain as her guest, while she and Vivien

-will assist about the wonderful trousseau, which they consider

-indispensable for the occasion under discussion.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was of no use for Star to make objections, for they were

-every one overruled, and it was at length decided that Lord

-Carrol should have his way, and she went to Belgrave Square

-for the intervening month.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Meredith was cordially urged to remain in London until

-after the wedding, and as Grace had been sent for to act as

-bride-maid, and a pair of clear gray eyes had earnestly seconded

-the appeal, he could not refuse.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He bore this “blighting” of all his previous “hopes” with

-wonderful equanimity, however, and ere the eventful day

-arrived that was to make Star a bride, he had won a promise

-from lovely Vivien Sherbrooke that at the end of another year

-she would become his wife.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Fickle!” did I hear some fair reader ejaculate in a tone of

-contempt?</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Well, perhaps he was; but then when he had been so heart-broken

-over Star’s rejection he did not know that there was a

-Vivien Sherbrooke in the world.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_412'>412</span>We are always disappointed, often unreasonably so, when we

-cannot get what we want, and perhaps his passion for our

-heroine was not quite so intense as he had imagined it to be.

-However, be that as it may, Lord Carrol’s fair sister had convinced

-him that</p>

-

-<div class='lg-container-b c012'>

-  <div class='linegroup'>

-    <div class='group'>

-      <div class='line'>“Taking the year together, my dear,</div>

-      <div class='line'>There isn’t more cloud than sun.”</div>

-    </div>

-  </div>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c015'>And he had concluded to spend the remainder of his life basking

-in the sunlight of her presence.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards, with her family, lost no time in returning to

-America after this crushing disappointment.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>They could not remain and face the people to whom they

-had proudly boasted of their future greatness, nor could they

-bear to look upon Star’s happiness and triumph over them;

-while, besides all this, they were greatly cramped in purse, after

-the extravagant outlay which Mrs. Richards insisted was necessary

-for people with their expectations.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards was very much depressed, for, to say nothing

-of the money which they had spent, he feared the worst from

-his long absence and neglect of business.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>He went to see Star and Jacob Rosevelt before they sailed;

-he could not leave without bidding them farewell, and assuring

-them of his gratitude and good-will.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>They received him most kindly, and he spent a pleasant hour

-with them.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>As he took Star’s hand at parting, he bent down and kissed

-her fair, upturned face, while great, regretful tears rolled down

-his cheeks.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I am sorry to lose you, dear,” he said; “but I know you

-will be happy, as you certainly deserve to be, and may Heaven

-bless you in your new life. I shall never forget how much I

-owe you—how you saved me by your kindness, and I know

-you will think of us all more kindly than we deserve.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_413'>413</span>He did not give her time to reply, but turning, grasped Mr.

-Rosevelt’s hand, and then was gone.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A year later she heard that he was dead—that he died suddenly,

-after struggling hard with business and business troubles

-and that his family had been left in very reduced circumstances.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Through Ralph Meredith she caused a handsome sum to be

-invested, the income of which they were to enjoy while they

-should live, and she never saw or heard from them again.</p>

-

-<hr class='c013'>

-

-<p class='c011'>St. George’s church, Hanover Square, was crowded upon

-Star Gladstone’s bridal morning, and “no bride so fair” had

-passed beneath its aristocratic arches for many a year, was the

-verdict which all Belgravia pronounced as it watched her leave

-the altar and move down the spacious aisle leaning upon the

-arm of her noble husband.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Her dress was of Lyons satin, and one of Worth’s most elegant

-productions. The lace which adorned it was the finest

-and costliest which far-famed Brussels could produce, and the

-vail “a perfect marvel.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The bridal wreath was of delicate, feathery clematis, and was

-fastened to her head and vail with a set of five beautiful

-diamond stars, the gift of Jacob Rosevelt.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Grace Meredith and her brother presented a pair of elegant

-ear-ornaments to match; Lady Sherbrooke a necklace and tiara

-of pearls, and—time would fail me were I to enumerate all the

-costly gifts which were showered upon this lovely bride. There

-were six bride-maids, and as many “best men.” Jacob Rosevelt

-gave Star away to the man whom he believed to be worthy

-of her in every respect, and felt as if he were indeed giving up

-his own and only child, although she had told him she could

-never consent to be separated from him.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>They were to spend a couple of months at Carrolton, Lord

-Carrol’s country seat, whither upholsterers and decorators had

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_414'>414</span>been sent, as soon as the wedding had been decided upon, to

-make everything fresh and attractive for them.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Of course Mrs. Blunt, that much “mistaken” but honest and

-affectionate creature, was indispensable at this time, and she

-was made about as happy as it is possible for a mortal to be in

-this life by Star’s assurance that she should be a fixture in her

-household as long as she should live.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>After the two months at Carrolton they were to go to Halowell

-Park for a season, and take a look at the home of the

-Thorntons.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>There was to be no stereotyped tour. Star said she had

-traveled enough for the present, and would much prefer to

-settle down to quiet home life—perhaps by another year they

-might feel like making a trip to the Continent.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Lady Sherbrooke had already grown to love her new daughter

-very dearly.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“It is well that I do love her,” she said, tearfully, to Vivien,

-when the grand wedding was over, the guests all gone, and

-they were left by themselves, “if I must lose you, as I expect

-to, before very long; but if I had searched the world over I

-could not have found a fairer, sweeter wife for my son. Heaven

-bless our Star! She bids fair to prove a guiding light in

-Archie’s home.”</p>

-

-<div class='chapter'>

-  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XLIV.<br> <span class='large'>FAITH’S TRIUMPH.</span></h2>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'>“Star!”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Yes, Uncle Jacob.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“The night has almost come.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_415'>415</span>“The <i>dawn</i>, you mean, dear; do not call it night, for truly

-I believe it is the break of day for you.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“You are right; I should not call it night. But always

-remember, dear, and let the thought comfort you when you

-come to miss me, that <i>your</i> hand has guided me through

-the darkness, pointing me ever toward the light of a better

-world.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The speaker paused, for he was very weak.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Jacob Rosevelt lay upon a luxurious couch in an elegant

-apartment of Lady Star Carrol’s beautiful home, and looking

-his last upon earth.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Everything that wealth, and love, and care could do had

-been done for the dear old man whom she loved so fondly; but

-now, after three years of such peace and content as once he

-had never thought to enjoy, he was dying.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star, who, in a spotless white wrapper, sits beside him, has

-grown a trifle matronly in her appearance, a little rounded and

-fuller in figure, and there is something more of dignity in her

-bearing; but she has the same star-like beauty—she is not one

-whit less lovely or less deserving of her name than when we

-last saw her on her bridal morn.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>A year of almost unalloyed happiness passed after that event,

-and then there was born a fine heir to the Carrol estate—a boy,

-of whom his father was very proud, and who at once became

-the pet and pride of the whole household.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Uncle Jacob, with this little one folded within his arms, or

-sitting crowing upon his knee, with Star fondly attentive to his

-every want, and Lord Carrol to lean upon in his old age, felt as

-if he had attained as nearly to perfect happiness as any one

-could do in this world.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But during the third year after their marriage he had

-gradually but surely failed, until, to the great grief of all, they

-were obliged to acknowledge that he had not long to live.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>This was the first great sorrow of Star’s wedded life; but she

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_416'>416</span>strove to bear it cheerfully, at least in Mr. Rosevelt’s presence,

-resolving that no mourning or repining should cloud the little

-time that remained to him to live—that there should be nothing

-but peace, and a looking forward to the great change as

-simply the sweeping aside of a misty vail and an entrance into

-something more blessed and beautiful than earth could give.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Now the crisis had come, and the old man, his wan face

-turned toward the fading light of a glorious day, felt that his

-strength and senses were slipping away from him, and told the

-constant watcher by his side that the “night had come.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No, I ought not to have said that,” he repeated, after a few

-moments of rest, while a smile parted his pale lips; “the night

-is past, and you, dear one, have been my guiding star in the

-midst of its deepest gloom. I did not have much faith in a

-better future until I knew you; you set me to thinking that

-night on the angry deep, when you told me you ‘had been

-taught to trust our Heavenly Father,’ and that ‘one could

-hardly have much faith in one’s self at such a time as that.’

-Yes, your simple trust in your Father’s faith, your pure and

-gentle life, my Star, has led me to God, and without a fear I

-resign myself into His hands; before another day dawns I shall

-have entered into my rest, and the Sun of Righteousness will

-shine upon me.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Oh, Uncle Jacob,” Star said, her voice full of unshed tears,

-but with a holy awe shining in her beautiful face, “you have

-never talked so plainly to me—you have never opened your

-heart like this to me, and I am so thankful to you for speaking

-such precious words to me before——”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>She stopped; her trembling lips could not frame the words

-to complete the sentence.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Before I leave you, never more to look upon your dear

-face in this life,” he said, with a tender smile on his lips, while

-the light of faith grew brighter in his eyes. “Yes, dear, it is

-so. We both know it, and why not speak of it calmly, as of a

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_417'>417</span>journey, during which we should be separated only for a little

-while. I shall go first, my darling, but the vail that will hide

-us from each other is dropping very softly and gently. You

-will not grieve for me, my child?”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“No, no, Uncle Jacob; only for myself, who will be so very

-lonely without you.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But Star could not quite keep back the quiver from her

-voice as she said this. He noticed it, and put out his thin

-hand to clasp it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“Be comforted, my darling, with the thought of what you

-have made the last years of my life—a season of peace and

-content. Remember always that without <i>you</i> I should have

-groped on in darkness until my soul would literally have gone

-out into the ‘night.’ But now, as I have said, I have no fear.

-No; a bright vision rises up before me; I seem to see just

-beyond the ‘great white throne’ of which you read only last

-Sabbath, and where sits the form of Him who has taken from

-me all the guilt of sin and unbelief. It is Jesus, the Lamb of

-God, and <i>you</i>, my beloved, by the gentle influence of your

-beautiful faith, have led me thither.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Star bent down and kissed the pale hand clasping hers, and

-which was growing cold even then, while the tears which she

-could not restrain fell hotly upon it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>“I know that I am dying,” he went on, more weakly than

-before; “I know that this chill which I feel creeping over me,

-benumbing my senses and dimming my sight, is death. I

-know that soon my breath must cease, and that the King of

-Terrors will cut the cord which binds me to earth and all I

-love here. But there is no terror in the thought, for the faith

-which you have taught me points me to the ‘radiant vistas of a

-world divine,’ where perchance I may find among the ransomed

-throng a spirit who was once kindred to my own. Ah, my

-darling, dry your tears, and remember that, in spite of this dissolving

-frame, <i>I am whole!</i> for the healing hand of Christ hath

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_418'>418</span>touched me, while your life, passing in its brief transit over

-mine, has been the instrument of it all.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Is this a sad scene with which to close my story?</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Is it <i>sad</i> to see the fruits of a beautiful life, and to learn how

-one faithful soul led another home to heaven and God? Will

-any one call such a triumph as the passing away of Jacob

-Rosevelt <i>sad</i>?</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>No. At least it did not appear so to those who witnessed it.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>It was a hallowed room where Star sat, a little later, and

-gazed upon her dead—upon that brow which had settled into

-such tranquillity—upon that restful, upturned face, which wore

-a smile “calm as a twilight lake,” and upon which “God’s

-full-orbed peace was shining,” transfiguring it with something

-of the radiance that had enraptured the fleeting soul.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>But she would not grieve for him; for, although she should

-never cease to yearn</p>

-

-<div class='lg-container-b c012'>

-  <div class='linegroup'>

-    <div class='group'>

-      <div class='line'>“——for the touch of a vanished hand,</div>

-      <div class='line'>And the sound of a voice that was still,”</div>

-    </div>

-  </div>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c015'>she knew that, in that far-off world “where the weary are at

-rest,” it was “well with him.”</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>And when they laid him away in the family vault at Halowell,

-where, too, lay the moldering form of her whom he had

-so loved in the days of his earlier manhood, she did not murmur,

-for she felt that he had left behind him a wealth of faith,

-and love, and trust that would glorify all her own after-life, and

-she found herself repeating, with one of our sweetest poets:</p>

-

-<div class='lg-container-b c012'>

-  <div class='linegroup'>

-    <div class='group'>

-      <div class='line'>“Do men die thus? And is it this to die?”</div>

-    </div>

-  </div>

-</div>

-

-<p class='c011'>All through the years that came and went in her beautiful

-home, of which she was the chief charm, she carried the memory

-and influences of that last hour of Jacob Rosevelt’s life,

-and it seemed to be an added link in the golden chain that

-bound her soul to their common God.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>The thought of it was like a strain of heavenly music, making

-<span class='pageno' id='Page_419'>419</span>her life rich with melody. It was like a breath from the

-flowers of Paradise, perfuming all around her.</p>

-

-<p class='c011'>Her husband worshiped her—reverently, as a gift from the

-Divine Hand; her children “sat at her feet and learned of

-her,” and, rising up, “called her blessed;” while all who knew

-her likened the influence of her lovely example, the luster and

-beauty of her life, to the “transit” of some bright “star.”</p>

-

-<div class='nf-center-c0'>

-<div class='nf-center c002'>

-    <div>[THE END.]</div>

-  </div>

-</div>

-

-<div class='pbb'>

- <hr class='pb c003'>

-</div>

-

-<div class='chapter ph2'>

-

-<div class='nf-center-c0'>

-<div class='nf-center c004'>

-    <div>NEW AND SUCCESSFUL BOOKS.</div>

-  </div>

-</div>

-

-</div>

-

-<p class='c010'><span class='large'>SIR HENRY MORGAN—BUCCANEER</span></p>

-

-<p class='c017'>By <b>Cyrus Townsend Brady</b>. Author of “For Love of Country,”

-“For the Freedom of the Sea,” “The Southerners,” etc., etc.

-Morgan was the most remarkable of all buccaneers. The author

-shows his ferocity and cruelty, and depicts him without lightening

-the dark shadows of his character. Yet at the same time he

-brings out the man’s dauntless courage, his military ability, his

-absolute disregard of odds, his wonderful capacity as a sailor,

-his fertility and resourcefulness, which awaken our admiration

-in spite of ourselves. He is shown, <i>a real pirate</i>, just as he was—great

-and brave, small and mean, skillful and cruel, and the great

-lesson of the story is one of just retribution, in the awful punishment

-that is finally visited upon him, by those whom he so fearfully

-and terribly wronged. Profusely illustrated from drawings

-by <b>J. N. Marchand</b> and <b>Will Crawford</b>. 12mo. Cloth, $1.50.</p>

-

-<p class='c010'><span class='large'>BECAUSE OF POWER</span></p>

-

-<p class='c017'>By <b>Ella Stryker Mapes</b>. It is a novel attractively presenting the

-counterpoise of character and fate. Broad in conception and

-true in tone, the story is handled with distinct style. The spark

-of life glows on every page, the atmosphere is vital—electrified

-by the quickening currents of humanity.</p>

-

-<p class='c017'>Hamilton W. Mabie says of it: “There is a great deal of vitality

-in it, an amount of passion that gives it color, movement and go,

-quite unusual in stories from the pen of American women.” 12mo.

-Cloth bound. Illustrated by <b>Latimer J. Wilson</b>, $1.50.</p>

-

-<p class='c010'><span class='large'>THE ROOM WITH THE LITTLE DOOR</span></p>

-

-<p class='c017'>By <b>Roland B. Molineux</b>. First edition, 25,000 copies. A story

-that will be read with the deepest interest. Original, absorbing,

-and abounding in heart interest. Of good education and artistic

-temperament, no condemned man in America was ever better

-able to portray the remarkable delineations at Sing Sing, where,

-as he wrote, death itself was the shadow of his pencil, reminding

-us of “The Count of Monte Cristo” and of “The Man in the Iron

-Mask.” Size 5×7 inches, beautifully bound in cloth, $1.25.</p>

-

-<p class='c010'><span class='large'>THE VICE-ADMIRAL OF THE BLUE</span></p>

-

-<p class='c017'>By <b>Roland Burnham Molineux</b>. Author of “The Room with

-the Little Door.” An historical romance dealing in a new and

-absorbing manner with the famous love affairs of Lord Nelson

-and Lady Hamilton. The story opens in Naples, and gives a

-graphic picture of court life in the gayest of monarchies, in the

-days immediately following the Battle of the Nile. The story

-carries the reader to Sicily, to London, where glimpses are had of

-the beau monde and the old time tavern life, and later to the

-extended country homes of the England of that time. 12mo.

-cloth bound. Illustrated, $1.50.</p>

-

-<div class='pbb'>

- <hr class='pb c003'>

-</div>

-<div class='tnotes x-ebookmaker'>

-

-<div class='chapter ph2'>

-

-<div class='nf-center-c0'>

-<div class='nf-center c004'>

-    <div>TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES</div>

-  </div>

-</div>

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-

- <ol class='ol_1 c002'>

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-    </li>

-    <li>Retained archaic, non-standard, and uncertain spellings as printed.

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+  <body>
+<p style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Stella Rosevelt, by Georgie Sheldon</p>
+<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and
+most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions
+whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms
+of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online
+at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you
+are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the
+country where you are located before using this eBook.
+</div>
+
+<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Stella Rosevelt</p>
+<p style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:0; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:1em;'>A novel</p>
+<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Georgie Sheldon</p>
+<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: May 4, 2023 [eBook #70696]</p>
+<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p>
+  <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: Richard Tonsing and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)</p>
+<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STELLA ROSEVELT ***</div>
+
+<div class='tnotes covernote'>
+
+<p class='c000'><strong>Transcriber’s Note:</strong></p>
+
+<p class='c000'>The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.</p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div class='titlepage'>
+
+<div>
+  <h1 class='c001'>STELLA ROSEVELT.<br> <span class='large'><span class='blackletter'>A Novel.</span></span></h1>
+</div>
+
+<div class='nf-center-c0'>
+<div class='nf-center c002'>
+    <div>BY</div>
+    <div><span class='xlarge'>MRS. GEORGIE SHELDON.</span></div>
+    <div class='c003'>AUTHOR OF</div>
+    <div class='c003'>“<span class='sc'>Brownie’s Triumph</span>,” “<span class='sc'>The Forsaken Bride</span>,” “<span class='sc'>Lost—A Pearle</span>,” “<span class='sc'>Earle Wayne’s Nobility</span>,” <span class='sc'>Etc.</span>, <span class='sc'>Etc.</span></div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<div  class='figcenter id001'>
+<img src='images/i_title.jpg' alt='logo' class='ig001'>
+</div>
+
+<div class='nf-center-c0'>
+  <div class='nf-center'>
+    <div>NEW YORK:</div>
+    <div><i>G. W. Dillingham Co., Publishers</i>.</div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+</div>
+
+<div class='nf-center-c0'>
+<div class='nf-center c004'>
+    <div><span class='small'>Copyright, 1883 and 1890</span></div>
+    <div><span class='small'>By STREET &#38; SMITH</span></div>
+    <div class='c003'><span class='small'>Stella Rosevelt</span></div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CONTENTS.</h2>
+</div>
+
+<table class='table0'>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'><span class='small'>CHAPTER.</span></td>
+    <td class='c007'>&#160;</td>
+    <td class='c008'><span class='small'>PAGE.</span></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>I.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>On the Atlantic</span></td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_9'>9</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>II.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Saved</span></td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_19'>19</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>III.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>The Young Stranger</span></td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_30'>30</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>IV.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Mrs. Richards</span></td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_38'>38</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>V.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Bitter Disappointment</span></td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_47'>47</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>VI.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Stella’s Appeal</span></td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_57'>57</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>VII.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>A Consultation</span></td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_68'>68</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>VIII.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Retrenchment</span></td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_76'>76</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>IX.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Change of Fortune</span></td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_89'>89</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>X.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>The Unwelcome Guest</span></td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_97'>97</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>XI.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Filthy Lucre</span></td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_104'>104</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>XII.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>The Cameo Ring</span></td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_114'>114</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>XIII.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>A Glad Meeting</span></td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_124'>124</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>XIV.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'>“<span class='sc'>Let Me Depict Your Future.</span>”</td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_135'>135</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>XV.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>A Fatal Mistake</span></td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_146'>146</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>XVI.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>A Great Shock</span></td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_154'>154</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>XVII.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'>“<span class='sc'>Why Has He Done This Thing?</span>”</td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_162'>162</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>XVIII.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Explanations</span></td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_175'>175</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>XIX.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Malicious Falsehoods</span></td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_188'>188</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>XX.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Star’s Determination</span></td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_198'>198</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>XXI.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Fruitless Efforts</span></td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_212'>212</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>XXII.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>The Goal Reached</span></td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_222'>222</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>XXIII.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>An Interesting Story</span></td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_234'>234</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>XXIV.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>What Next?</span></td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_248'>248</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>XXV.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Star’s Delight</span></td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_258'>258</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>XXVI.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'>“<span class='sc'>What Does This Mean?</span>”</td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_265'>265</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>XXVII.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Defeated</span></td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_273'>273</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>XXVIII.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Rescued from a Horrible Fate</span></td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_279'>279</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>XXIX.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Josephine’s Ingratitude</span></td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_288'>288</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>XXX.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'>“<span class='sc'>I Love Him Still.</span>”</td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_294'>294</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>XXXI.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>A Noble Resolution</span></td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_301'>301</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>XXXII.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'>“<span class='sc'>I Promise.</span>”</td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_308'>308</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>XXXIII.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'>“<span class='sc'>You Are the Traitor.</span>”</td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_316'>316</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>XXXIV.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Mutual Explanations</span></td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_325'>325</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>XXXV.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Mrs. Richards’ Great Expectations</span></td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_330'>330</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>XXXVI.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Josephine’s Ambition</span></td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_337'>337</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>XXXVII.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>The Mock Marriage</span></td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_345'>345</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>XXXVIII.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'>“<span class='sc'>I Have Been Mad.</span>”</td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_353'>353</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>XXXIX.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>A Crushing Blow</span></td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_363'>363</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>XL.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Stella’s Mental Agony</span></td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_371'>371</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>XLI.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Rehearsing the Past</span></td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_382'>382</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>XLII.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>The Lawyer’s Rebuke</span></td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_393'>393</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>XLIII.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'>“<span class='sc'>God Bless Our Star.</span>”</td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_403'>403</a></td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class='c006'>XLIV.—</td>
+    <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Faith’s Triumph</span></td>
+    <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_414'>414</a></td>
+  </tr>
+</table>
+
+<div class='chapter ph1'>
+
+<div class='nf-center-c0'>
+<div class='nf-center c004'>
+    <div>STELLA ROSEVELT.</div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+</div>
+
+<div>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_9'>9</span>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER I.<br> <span class='large'>ON THE ATLANTIC.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c009'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line in26'>“A star</div>
+      <div class='line'>Which moves not ’mid the moving heavens alone,</div>
+      <div class='line'>A smile among dark frowns—a gentle tone</div>
+      <div class='line'>Among rude voices, a beloved light,</div>
+      <div class='line'>A solitude, a refuge, a delight.”—<span class='sc'>Shelley.</span></div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>A noble steamer was laboriously plowing the turbulent waters
+of the great Atlantic, heaving, and struggling, and creaking
+with every revolution of her gigantic screw, for the waves were
+rolling high—“mountain high”—in very truth. The huge dark
+masses of water would swell and rise up like a great black wall,
+reaching, it seemed, almost to the angry, leaden sky above,
+then sweeping down with mighty force, thunder upon the decks
+of that great vessel, making it shudder to its very center, sending
+it down, down into the yawning depths, as if eager, in
+venomous spite, to blot it out of existence.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>There were very few first cabin passengers on board the ——
+as she thus labored on her weary way between Liverpool and
+New York, for it was late in the year, and the rush of travel
+was over for that season.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Fifteen were all they numbered, while there were about twice
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_10'>10</span>as many in the steerage; and well it was that there were no
+more to share the horrors of that dreadful voyage.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It had been a very gloomy passage, a severe storm arising the
+second day out, which had increased in violence until now—the
+fifth day—it appeared as if all the elements had conspired to
+work destruction upon the stanch ship which was faithfully
+battling with the cruel waves and toiling to bear its precious
+freight of human souls safely into port.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was a forlorn little company that sat shivering and trembling
+in the close saloon—only five, all out of the fifteen who
+had not succumbed to the seasickness—and these five had the
+appearance, with their pale, pinched faces, their heavy eyes and
+disordered attire, of feeling anything but comfortable or well.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>An old man of perhaps sixty years, his hair and beard white
+as snow, his face sallow and wrinkled, his eyes anxious and
+sunken, sat upon the floor—indeed, it was impossible to sit
+anywhere else—braced against a stationary seat, and clinging to
+one of the iron posts which supported the roof of the saloon.
+He was wrapped in a heavy shawl and two elegant rugs; his
+soft hat was drawn down over his forehead, and he seemed
+entirely oblivious of everything about him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Two spinsters, companions and sisters, lay upon cushions
+flat upon the floor, and, also wrapped in their rugs, looked not
+unlike two huge bags of wool rolling from side to side with
+every motion of the boat.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Another man had crept into a corner, where he tried to keep
+himself from pitching about by clinging to a rope which he had
+fastened to an immovable table.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The only other occupant of the place was a little fair-haired
+maiden of perhaps fifteen or sixteen years.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She was small and delicate, and was sitting, or trying to sit,
+upon the floor, not far from the old gentleman before mentioned.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She was wrapped in a thick woolen shawl, and her head was
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_11'>11</span>covered with a crimson hood, so that not much could be seen
+of her, save the fair, pale face, with its sad, appealing blue
+eyes, which looked out from beneath masses of shining golden
+ringlets that had strayed from her hood and lay upon her white
+forehead. She had a sensitive mouth, a pretty, rounded chin,
+a small, straight nose, and altogether, had she possessed something
+of color and less of sadness in her face, would have been
+considered wondrously fair to look upon.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>This little waif, with her child-like countenance, her pathetic
+eyes, and her patient, uncomplaining spirit, was traveling alone.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>There was not a soul on board that vessel whom she had ever
+seen before the day of sailing.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>An orphan—her father, and the only relative on whom she
+could depend, had died just three months previous—she was
+going to the United States, to some distant connections who
+had consented to take her until she was of age and teach her
+to earn her own living.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had been put in the care of the captain by the people
+with whom she had been staying since her father’s death, and he
+was to deliver her to the strangers to whom she was going.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Some strange magnetism had attracted her toward the old
+gentleman with the white hair and beard of whom we have
+spoken, and near to whom she was now sitting.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had hovered about him ever since the first day of the
+voyage, not in an obtrusive way, but as if she liked to be near
+him—as if there were something trustworthy and protective
+about him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Perhaps one reason for this was that her seat had been next
+his at table—while they had been able to sit at the table—and
+once or twice, when she could not attract the attention of the
+steward, he had handed her what she wanted, and helped her
+bountifully to fruit when otherwise she would have been
+neglected.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>When the storm came on with such violence that those not
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_12'>12</span>confined to their berths were obliged to take to the floor of the
+saloon for safety, she had crept as near to him as she dared,
+and though she had sat there all day long, he had never spoken
+to her once, or appeared to heed her presence, but remained,
+instead, wrapped in his own thoughts.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Suddenly the ship rose upon a mighty wave—up, up she
+went, until every trembling passenger held his breath with awe;
+then she plunged headlong down into the raging deep, with a
+sinking, sickening sensation that chilled the blood and made
+the flesh creep with fear.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The next moment another terrific wave struck her, with a
+noise like the roar of a hundred cannon, and with a force
+which made her quiver like a frightened creature from stem to
+stern; and in the dread pause which followed, and which was
+fraught with horrible suspense, the little maid clasped her
+small hands and cast an appealing glance at her gray-haired
+companion.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He, seeing it, smiled grimly as he asked, in rather a gruff
+tone:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Afraid, sis?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Before she could answer him the vessel gave another tremendous
+lurch, and she was rudely precipitated almost into the
+arms of her questioner.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He caught her just in time to save her from being dashed
+against the iron post by which he was sitting, and when she
+had recovered her breath a little, he put her gently down beside
+him, keeping one strong arm around her to save her from a
+second fall.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“This is pretty rough weather. Are you afraid?” he asked
+again, and looking with something of pity down upon her
+white face.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It startles me to have the vessel pitch and tremble so, and
+those dreadful waves seem as if they want to swallow us; but I
+know that nothing can harm us, unless——”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_13'>13</span>“Unless what?” the old man queried, as she hesitated and
+glanced shyly up at him, a tinge of color coming into her
+cheeks.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Unless it is God’s will,” she answered, reverently.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A sneer curled her companion’s lip at this reply; but the
+sweet eyes looking up into his seemed to touch some tender
+memory, for it quickly died, and he repressed the skeptical
+words to which he was about to give utterance.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But she <i>felt</i> it, nevertheless, and, with a grave look and
+serious tone, she asked:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Don’t you believe that God rules the storm, and that He
+will take care of us?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“My experience all through life has been that I have had to
+take care of <i>myself</i>,” he returned, with some bitterness.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“And I have been taught to trust ‘our Heavenly Father.’ I
+think one would hardly have much faith in <i>one’s self</i> at such a
+time as this,” the little maiden said, with a look of awe and an
+involuntary shudder, as another wave broke over them.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The man by her side felt the gentle rebuke, but he evaded it
+by saying:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I think no harm will come to us. I have crossed the
+Atlantic many times; I have sailed upon other oceans, and
+have been in storms equal to, if not worse, than this. I do
+not fear the elements much in one of these well-built boats.
+There is only one thing at sea that I <i>really</i> feel <i>afraid</i> of.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“And what is that?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Fire.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He felt the thrill of fear that went vibrating through her
+whole frame as he uttered the dread word, and appeared to
+regret having added to her apprehension, for he continued, reassuringly:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“But an accident of that kind rarely happens nowadays, and
+where everything is so carefully conducted as on these large
+steamers. There, sit close beside me,” he went on, as still
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_14'>14</span>another thundering mass of water swept over them; “lean
+against me—so. I will keep my arm about you, and you will
+be safer than sitting by yourself. But how does it happen that
+you are traveling alone?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“My father and mother are dead,” she answered, with the
+same appealing look that had touched him before, while her
+lips quivered over the sad sentence. “I had no friends in
+England, and so I am going to live with a cousin of my
+mother’s in America.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“What is your name, little girl?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The “little girl” flushed rosily at this question—as what
+maiden of fifteen or sixteen would not at this slur upon her
+proudly attained “teens?”—while she thought he need not
+have asked if he had taken pains to look at the passenger list;
+but she replied:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Star Rosevelt Gladstone.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A startled, almost agonized gleam shot into the old man’s
+eyes, and his face seemed to shrivel, until he looked ninety
+instead of sixty, as the young girl, in her sweet, clear tone,
+uttered this name.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Star Rosevelt!” he repeated, with pale lips, while his voice
+sounded weak and far away.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, sir,” she said, not noticing his emotion; “or rather
+my real name is Stella, but mamma called me Star always;”
+and her voice faltered as she spoke of her dead mother.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Her companion did not answer, and the roar of the elements
+increasing, further conversation was out of the question, even
+had they been so disposed, which they appeared not to be.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The old man’s head dropped upon his broad chest, and he
+seemed suddenly to have forgotten his companion, the angry
+waters, the rolling vessel, and everything else in his own sad
+thoughts.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Darkness began to settle down upon them. The storm raged
+on; the spinsters moaned and rolled upon their comfortless
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_15'>15</span>couches; the man in the corner swore and raved as he was
+rudely jostled about, with no prospect of rest or sleep; while
+the gray-haired man and the fair-haired maid, encircled by his
+strong arm, sat side by side, silent, yet less forlorn than their
+comrades by reason of a feeling of companionship, until the
+young girl’s blue eyes closed, her golden head sank unconsciously
+upon the broad shoulder, and she slept sweetly and
+tranquilly the whole night through, a smile on her red lips, a
+sense of comfort and protection in her young heart.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>When morning broke and Star Gladstone awoke, she found
+herself lying upon a heap of rugs, a pillow underneath her
+head and a soft robe covering her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The sun was shining brightly into the saloon, where, only a
+few hours before, all had been so dark and dismal; the sky was
+beautifully clear and blue, without a vestige of the angry clouds
+which had so threatened ship and life a little while ago, and the
+good vessel was riding the gradually subsiding waves with strong
+and steady pulsations, which seemed to have almost a sense of
+victory in their throbbings, while the terrors of the night seemed
+only a troubled dream of the past.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She arose from her soft couch with a murmured “How
+kind!” as she realized who had made her so comfortable, and
+went below to her state-room to make her toilet.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>After a refreshing bath she brushed out her long, abundant
+hair until it shone like strands of finest gold; then gathering it
+in her two hands, she plaited it into one massive braid, leaving
+the ends loose like a great golden tassel, and tying them with a
+broad blue ribbon.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Then she substituted a charming little blue hood edged with
+white for the thick crimson one which she had worn all night,
+wrapped a soft gray shawl about her shoulders, and went up on
+deck looking as bright and sunny as the morn itself.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She was very lovely. Short fluffy locks of her hair fell like
+a shining mist over her white forehead; her great azure eyes
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_16'>16</span>gleamed like bluebells after a shower; her cheeks were tinged
+with a delicate color, and a smile of joy at the return of fair
+weather parted her red lips, showing two rows of small white
+teeth between.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>As she stepped out upon the deck, she espied her companion
+of the night standing aft, looking out upon the silver-tipped,
+dancing waves.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She glided to his side and saluted him with a sweetly spoken
+“good-morning,” which fell like music on his ear.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He turned and looked at her, an involuntary smile parting
+his lips, which evidently were unaccustomed to such relaxation.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You are rightly named—you look like a star,” he said,
+abruptly, while his keen eyes were fixed intently on her bright
+face.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She flushed, but answered archly:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Stars belong to the night; they are of no account in this
+glorious sunshine;” and she lifted her face up to the sun, as
+if in gratitude that its friendly beams were shining on her once
+more.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It <i>is</i> a glorious morning,” said the old man, taking a long
+breath of the pure, keen air.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Sorrow may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the
+morning,” Star murmured, in a low tone, but with a thrill in
+her voice which told how she felt the words.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Again a sneering smile distorted the lips of her companion.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She saw it, and flushed a vivid crimson, and the tears sprang
+quickly to her eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Mamma used to repeat those words so often when she lay
+sick and dying,” she said, sadly. “I know that <i>she</i> looked
+forward to the ‘morning’ when she should be released from
+her suffering; but they never sounded so pleasantly to me as
+they do now on this beautiful morning after our night of
+terror.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Anything which was a source of comfort to your mother
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_17'>17</span>you doubtless treasure very tenderly,” kindly replied the gentleman,
+who <i>was</i> a gentleman, and felt sorry that his unbelief or
+skepticism should have brought a shadow upon that fair young
+face.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“There is the breakfast-bell,” he added, in a light tone, as
+it rang out its keen notes. “Are you hungry?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Indeed I am, sir,” Star answered, eagerly, adding, with a
+clear, sweet laugh that fell like music on his ear: “Eating has
+been an impossibility during the last few days, and I have
+considerable lost time to make up. That bell has a welcome
+sound.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Then take my arm, little girl, and we will go down together;
+the boat is not quite steady even yet.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Little girl!”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She flushed again, and shrugged her graceful shoulders.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Then she glanced up at him with a serio-comic air, and said,
+with a pretty pout:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I am sixteen years old, Mr.——”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She could not finish, because she did not know his name.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He laughed.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“And maidens of sixteen don’t like to be called little girls,
+eh?” he said. “Well,” he continued, “I feel as if I am
+privileged to call you that, since I am nearly sixty, and <i>my</i>
+name is Jacob Rosevelt.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star stopped short and looked up at him in surprise.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“How strange!” she exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Rather,” Mr. Rosevelt returned; then asked: “How did
+you come by your middle name?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“My grandmother gave it to me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Was her name Rosevelt?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No; her maiden name was Stella Winthrop.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt started, then turned suddenly to look out over
+the sea, and to hide the pallor of his face. He asked no more
+questions, and all through breakfast he appeared absent-minded
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_18'>18</span>and taciturn. He scarcely spoke to Star during the meal—indeed,
+hardly noticed her at all—and she wondered if she
+could have offended him in any way.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Before she was half through he left the table, and she saw
+no more of him until late in the afternoon.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>About three o’clock she left the saloon, where she had been
+trying to while away the time by reading, and went on deck.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was very cold, but the sky was cloudless, the sea calm and
+beautiful, and, save an occasional call and response from the
+sailors, the distant thud of the machinery, and the swash of
+the water as they plowed the sea, there was scarcely a sound on
+board the vessel.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star found a sheltered spot, and wrapping her shawl close
+about her, sat down for a little while to watch the white-capped
+waves and the speeding ship.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had scarcely settled herself, thinking with a feeling of
+gratitude how lovely it was after the dreadful storm, when there
+came the noise of a dreadful explosion from somewhere forward,
+followed by a fearful rocking of the vessel; then the
+most horrible shrieks and cries rent the air; a column of
+smoke, sparks, and cinders went pouring up from the region
+of the engine-room, and immediately passengers and sailors
+began running about in great confusion, and perfectly frantic
+from fright.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star was unhurt, but she sprang to her feet and stood as if
+paralyzed with fear, a look of horror on her young face, a
+feeling like death at her heart.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Something dreadful has happened,” she murmured, with
+white lips. “Have we escaped the storm only to encounter a
+worse fate?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Then, as she saw the sailors getting down the life-boats, a
+sudden thought seemed to inspire her. She darted from the
+deck down into her state-room, where, opening a tiny trunk,
+she seized a package of papers, which she pulled up from
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_19'>19</span>beneath her clothing, and thrust it into her bosom. She then
+took from a pretty box several articles of jewelry, which evidently
+had belonged to her mother, and fastened them about
+her clothing, putting some of them into a pocket of a skirt and
+pinning it securely together. This done, she darted out and
+up to the deck again.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER II.<br> <span class='large'>SAVED.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>Here she found the captain, sailors, and passengers—those
+of them who were unharmed—hovering around the life-boats,
+eager to spring into them the moment they were lowered, and
+gathered, from what she could hear in the confusion, that the
+boiler had burst, and the accident had caused such serious
+damage to the vessel that she was fast sinking.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>As she went nearer the captain she saw Mr. Rosevelt. He
+looked gloomy and anxious, and very pale, while he was eagerly
+scanning the faces of the people about him, and holding a life-preserver
+in his hands. His face lighted as he turned and saw
+her, and he heaved a long breath of relief.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I was looking for you,” he said, in a hoarse voice, while
+he immediately proceeded to fasten the preserver about her
+person.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He then drew her arm within his, led her to the side of the
+vessel, and stood quietly waiting until the boats were lowered
+and the captain should bid them enter.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Have you anything valuable that you wish to save—<i>if we</i>
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_20'>20</span><i>are saved</i>?” he asked, seeming suddenly to remember that she
+might have something.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, I have a few important papers and my mother’s jewels.
+I went down to get them after the explosion. How did it
+happen?” she asked.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No one knows. It was one of those accidents which cannot
+be accounted for. The whole fore part of the ship is nearly
+blown to pieces,” he returned, gloomily.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star shuddered, and then turned to watch the men let down
+the boats.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>There were only three of them, the others having been destroyed
+or blown overboard. These were quickly filled by the
+frantic passengers and emigrants, who scrambled into them in
+spite of the orders of the captain to await his commands.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>They took everything into their own hands, and as soon as
+the seats were taken, began to push off, regardless of the appealing
+cries of those remaining on board, the anger of the
+captain, and the threats of the sailors.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt and Star were among those left, and the old
+man pleaded for a place for the young girl, calling them inhuman
+brutes to seek their own safety and leave a delicate girl
+to perish.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“The boats will hold no more!” the frantic creatures cried.
+“Every one must look out for himself in such a time as this.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Wretches! have you no feeling? Are there no fathers
+and mothers among you? Will you see this child go down
+before your very eyes? You <i>must</i> take her!” he cried, wildly,
+authoritatively.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A feeling of shame seemed to come over them; there followed
+a moment of consultation, a counting of those in the
+different boats, then a reluctant consent was gained to take her
+into one of them.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Be quick!” they cried, as a rush of flame in the center of
+the steamer warned them that a new and terrible danger threatened;
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_21'>21</span>and Mr. Rosevelt led her toward the rope ladder swinging
+from the vessel’s side.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star was very pale, but her great blue eyes had a strange,
+determined gleam in them.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Are you afraid to go down the ladder?” Mr. Rosevelt asked,
+as he paused before it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Not if <i>you</i> will go <i>first</i> and hold it for me,” she answered.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“But I cannot; they will not take us both,” he said.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She drew back from the edge of the vessel, and looking up
+into that aged face, said, tremulously:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Sir, you have dear friends who are waiting for you, and
+who would mourn your death. I have no one who loves me;
+I was going among strangers, and I should not be missed.
+You go; I am not afraid to die.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He looked at her in mingled awe and admiration, while
+those brave words, “I am not afraid to die,” smote him keenly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Child,” he said, huskily, “it must not be. You are young
+and beautiful; there is a long life of happiness, I trust, before
+you. <i>My</i> days are nearly spent, and I could not accept such a
+sacrifice. Come, they are clamoring impatiently at the delay.
+Give me one kiss, such as you would give to your own father
+were he living, and then I will help you down; or, if you are
+afraid, the sailors shall tie a rope about you and let you down.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He bent his head, his face filled with a yearning tenderness,
+to hers.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“The captain and the sailors—must they remain and perish,
+too?” she asked, breathlessly, while she shuddered as a hot
+wave of smoke came pouring over them.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes; there is room for no one but you. Come; they will
+not wait longer. One kiss, little Star, and—God bless you!”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She looked up at him in surprise; he was asking God to
+bless her, when only last night he had sneered at her trust in
+Him. But she kissed him, for his lips were almost touching
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_22'>22</span>hers as he spoke. Then she leaned over the vessel’s side, and
+said, in loud, clear tones:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I shall not go with you; there are enough in the boat
+already.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She turned her back resolutely upon what seemed her only
+hope of safety, and, clinging to Mr. Rosevelt, she said:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I will not leave you, the only one who has spoken kindly
+to me during all the voyage. They did not want me, for my
+extra weight would lessen their chances, and I will <i>try</i> to be
+brave when—when the end comes.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She was ghastly even to her lips, but there was a clear and
+steady light in her eye.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt was horror-struck at what she had done.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Heavens, child! you shall not do this rash thing! Hold,
+there!” he yelled to those in the boat; “she <i>will</i> go!” and he
+lifted her in his arms and bore her to the spot she had just left,
+while the captain roared to the men below to wait.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But even as they were speaking the vessel gave a tremendous
+lurch and settled far down into the water. Smoke and flame
+were vomited up from below, and, horror of horrors! the boat
+into which they had just been urging—almost forcing Star—was
+swamped in the commotion of waters caused by that lurch,
+and its luckless freight were at the mercy of the hungry waves.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was a fearful moment.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Cries and shrieks for help came up from the cruel depths,
+and white, upturned faces looked piteously toward the sinking
+hulk, as if imploring even the brief respite from a horrible
+death which it could afford.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Boxes, spars, and anything that was at hand, were cast over
+to them, and several succeeded in reaching and clinging to
+them, while others went down to their watery grave before the
+eyes of that watching, agonized group on the burning vessel,
+who almost forgot their own impending fate in the sufferings of
+their comrades. Suddenly a shout rent the air.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_23'>23</span>The captain hastened forward to see what it meant, and saw
+one of the sailors in the water on the other side of the vessel
+struggling with a boat.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The noble man had espied it at some distance from the ship,
+and knew that it was one which had been blown overboard. It
+might be injured so that it would not be safe, but it appeared
+to ride the waters all right, and he resolved to swim to it and
+thus save if possible the captain and crew.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He had nearly reached the steamer’s side with his trophy,
+when the other sailors discovered him and sent that triumphant
+shout.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Throw a rope!” shouted the captain, new hope springing
+in his heart.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was thrown with a will; the man caught it, and suspending
+his own labors, he and the boat were drawn safely to the
+ship’s side.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Nimbly then the faithful crew sprang to obey their commander’s
+orders. A liberal supply of provision and water was
+put into the boat, with plenty of rugs and what clothing was
+at hand; the required number of oars were brought, and in a
+few minutes all that remained alive on that ill-fated ship were
+safely seated within it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Then they set to work to save those who were still struggling
+in the water. Ten were all that they could rescue, the rest
+went down; and now began the battle for life.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>They pulled rapidly away from the sinking steamer, lest they
+should share the fate of those who had just been swamped,
+and the wisdom of this was manifest in lest than half an hour,
+for, with another mighty lurch and plunge, which sent forth
+volumes of smoke and flame, the noble craft went down and
+the dark waters swept over it, obliterating it forever from the
+view of man; while the captain, with a groan of pain, covered
+his eyes and wept.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_24'>24</span>It was as if he had looked his last upon the face of some
+dear friend.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The day waned quickly; night shut down upon them cold
+and cheerless, hiding from their sight the other boats, and
+bringing with it such a sense of loneliness and misery as not
+one in that frail craft ever experienced before.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star, the only woman in that boat, clung to Mr. Rosevelt as
+if upon him depended all her hope, and all that long night
+through he held in his one small, fair hand, while he pillowed
+her bright head upon his knees, and kept her covered with
+blankets and rugs.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Twice or thrice she awoke and started up, saying:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I weary you, sir; let me sit by myself.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But he only drew her more closely to him, as he said,
+tenderly:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No, no, little one; it does me good to have you near me.
+Lie still and get all the sleep you can, for we do not know
+what the morrow may bring to us.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>When the morrow did come it dawned grandly beautiful.
+The sun came up from the east like a chariot of fire, turning
+the sea into waves of gold, and bringing cheer and courage
+once more to the hearts of the lonely little band who were
+struggling for life on the mighty deep.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Nothing could be seen of the other boats, although they had
+been eagerly looking for them ever since the break of day; but
+they had no reason to think they were not as safe as themselves,
+and were therefore not unduly anxious.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star awoke much refreshed by her long sleep, and, as her
+lovely eyes took in all the beauty of the morning, a feeling of
+thankfulness for it and their safety thrilled her heart, and almost
+unconsciously she began chanting a hymn of praise.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>As she sang the first line, which was exactly like the beginning
+of the Lord’s Prayer—“Our Father who art in heaven”—every
+oar was suspended; the captain reverently removed his
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_25'>25</span>cap, an act which was imitated by the crew, and all listened
+with respectful mien as the sweet voice rose upon the still
+morning air, thanking God for His care through the dangers of
+the night, and invoking His protection during the day.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Thank you, Miss Gladstone,” the captain said, as her last
+tone died away; “it is well for us to begin the day thus. You
+have a fine voice,” he added; “will you sing something else
+and then we’ll pull westward with a will for awhile?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star thought for a moment; then, with a delicate flush rising
+in her cheek, an almost holy light glowing in her eyes, and a
+thrill in her tones which touched every heart, she sang:</p>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c012'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>“In the harbor safe at home</div>
+      <div class='line'>Zion’s stately ship shall come,</div>
+      <div class='line'>And her crew shall proudly tell</div>
+      <div class='line'>Dangers she has braved so well;</div>
+      <div class='line'>Never more to tempt the wave,</div>
+      <div class='line'>Never more the storm to brave,</div>
+      <div class='line'>Safe from rock and breaker’s crest,</div>
+      <div class='line'>Anchored in eternal rest.</div>
+    </div>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>“Courage, then, ye faithful few!</div>
+      <div class='line'>Weary, weather-beaten crew.</div>
+      <div class='line'>Let no hardship be compared</div>
+      <div class='line'>With th’ exceeding great reward;</div>
+      <div class='line'>Soon life’s tempest will be o’er—</div>
+      <div class='line'>Lo! we near the promised shore,</div>
+      <div class='line'>And o’er troubled waves afar</div>
+      <div class='line'>Gleameth Bethlehem’s welcome star.”</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c011'>There were tears in the eyes of those rough, stern-visaged
+men when the song was ended, and more than one weather-bronzed
+hand was lifted to dash them aside. There was not a
+sailor there who would not have fought dearly for the life of
+this sweet-voiced girl, who had thus touched a chord in their
+hearts which had not vibrated before for many a year.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A little while after the boatswain called aloud:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“A sail! a sail!”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_26'>26</span>All eyes were instantly turned in the direction toward which
+he pointed, and low on the horizon, very far away, there
+gleamed a white sail.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The captain brought his glass to bear upon it, and reported
+a schooner.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A signal of distress was hoisted immediately, and changing
+their course, they pulled vigorously for the vessel.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But in less than half an hour it had disappeared entirely,
+and, with disappointed faces, they again turned their course
+westward.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The demands of nature now began to assert themselves, and
+the captain served out a generous breakfast, treating all alike.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt regarded him anxiously as he did this.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“How long will your stores hold out?” he asked, as the men
+began to eat hungrily.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Two or three days,” he returned; “but we are so nearly
+in the line of the steamers that we shall surely fall in with one
+before our provisions are gone.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The old man sighed, and bent a wistful look upon the young
+girl sitting beside him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star had noted his anxious tone as he questioned the captain;
+she had also seen the look he cast upon her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“He fears that we shall be tossed about on the ocean until
+we starve,” she thought, a horrible chill creeping over her; and
+she quietly slipped all the bread that had been given her into
+her pocket, and only ate the more perishable food and delicacies
+which the captain had laid in her lap.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>That afternoon Mr. Rosevelt had a violent attack of vertigo,
+lying insensible for several hours; and now it was Star’s turn to
+pillow <i>his</i> head upon <i>her</i> lap and minister to his comfort.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She bathed his face and head almost constantly, and with
+her shawl shielded him from the sun, which during the day
+was very powerful, while from time to time she fed him with
+bits of biscuit moistened with port wine from a bottle which
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_27'>27</span>the captain had given her for him, striving in every way to keep
+up his strength.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He appeared to revive toward evening, and said he was
+better; but Star saw that he was very weak, and that it was
+only by great effort that he kept up at all.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Another night passed, another day came, and still there was
+no sail to gladden their strained and aching eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The third day the captain said, with a stern brow and pale,
+compressed lips:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Our provisions are nearly gone—they will last only one
+more day;” and he shortened every man’s ration, giving Star
+alone a generous portion.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She cast a pitying glance at the brave men toiling so uncomplainingly
+at their oars, and her heart sank as she thought what
+might be their fate.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Patiently she munched a single biscuit, while she slipped all
+the rest out of sight, hoarding it to fight the grim, gaunt monster
+which she feared was fast overtaking them.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt had not been so well the day before; he was
+even worse this morning, and she was very anxious about him,
+for he would eat nothing, waving all food away with an expression
+of disgust, and only sipping a little wine occasionally,
+while he had become so weak that he could not sit up at all.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“He won’t live two days longer,” she heard one sailor
+whisper to another, when, a little later, he had another attack
+which utterly prostrated him. “He is failing rapidly, and eats
+nothing to keep up his strength.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“He <i>shall</i> live!” Star said to herself, with an impulse born
+of despair; for he seemed her chief dependence, and she had
+grown to regard him with very tender feelings.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>All night she watched over him, every half hour moistening
+his lips with wine, and forcing bits of biscuit soaked in it
+between them.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_28'>28</span>Every time she heard him swallow, her heart leaped for joy,
+for it told her there was hope even yet.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had several squares of sea-bread in her pocket, for she
+had saved something from every meal, and she was determined,
+as long as her own strength held out, that she would faithfully
+minister to him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Sometimes she was very faint herself from want of food, but
+she would take a little water in her mouth and swallow it
+gradually, and thus find a relief for a time.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The fifth day there was no food to give out—and, oh, the
+hollow eyes, the blanched cheeks and despairing hearts of that
+ill-fated party!</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt was conscious, to Star’s great joy, but too weak
+to move hand or foot.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The sixth day the courage and strength of the crew began to
+fail visibly, and two of the passengers fainted from hunger and
+weakness.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star felt wretchedly guilty, with food in her pocket and those
+hungry eyes looking so piteously into hers; but she knew there
+was not enough for a crumb apiece, while the life of her friend
+depended upon it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt relapsed into partial unconsciousness quite early
+in the morning, and she was as pale and wan as a spirit, but
+the look of determination never left her face. She worked
+over the sick man constantly, forcing food into his mouth as
+often as she dared, while all the day long not a morsel passed
+her own white lips.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Just at sunset a little white cloud was visible on the eastern
+horizon, then it became a line of smoke; a few minutes later
+sails were distinguishable, and soon the broadside of a steamer
+became distinct. A shout went up from the throats of the
+faithful crew, and with renewed courage and strength they bent
+every nerve to their oars.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It soon became evident that their signal of distress had been
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_29'>29</span>seen, for the steamer changed her course and came proudly
+plowing the waters toward the suffering band, and an hour
+later those starving, almost helpless ones were tenderly taken
+from their peril and every want kindly ministered to.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“What is it—where am I?” Mr. Rosevelt asked, aroused by
+the sound of strange voices, a vigorous rubbing, and an extra
+quantity of wine.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“A steamer homeward bound, and <i>we are saved</i>!” Star whispered
+in his ear, then bowed her white face upon her hands
+and wept for joy.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She would not leave him until the ship’s surgeon told her
+that he would pull through all right with proper care, and
+commanded that she go below and receive the attention she
+herself needed.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She staggered to her feet, a great burden rolling from her
+heart; but her waning strength deserted her entirely, and she
+fell fainting into the arms of a young, manly looking fellow,
+who was standing with pitying face just beside her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He carried her below and gave her into the care of a stewardess,
+and thought, as he did so, that he had never in his life
+looked upon a face so pure and delicately lovely.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The captain and crew of the ill-fated steamer, with the other
+passengers who had been saved, were shown every kindness and
+attention which their critical condition demanded, and so ended
+that season of horror, and they were borne swiftly and safely
+toward America’s hospitable shore.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_30'>30</span>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER III.<br> <span class='large'>THE YOUNG STRANGER.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>Mr. Rosevelt began to mend at once under the skillful treatment
+of the ship’s surgeon, and to regain his strength much
+more readily than the young girl who had been so faithful
+to him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He had been in a very dangerous condition, the physician
+said, and doubtless would have died but for the unremitting
+attention which Star gave him, in keeping his head cool and
+wet, and in forcing food upon him to keep up his strength.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt heard this with evident emotion, and during
+the remainder of the voyage evinced the greatest tenderness
+for her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>They had not made much progress in their frail life-boat,
+notwithstanding the unrelaxing energies of the sailors, and
+found that they were still five days from New York when they
+were picked up by the other steamer; and although somewhat
+weakened by hunger and suffering and the intense cold, yet
+none appeared to be seriously affected by their experience, and
+a day or two served to make a great change for the better in
+them all.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>On the evening of the second day after their rescue, Star consented
+to be carried up on deck; the day was keen and cold,
+but the sun was bright and inviting.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She was very wan and pale, but possessed a delicate beauty
+that attracted every one.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>They took her directly to Mr. Rosevelt, and she gave him
+her thin hand without a word. He, too, looked so thin and
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_31'>31</span>white that the tears sprang to her eyes, and she could not
+speak.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Dear child,” he said, tremulously, and taking it in both of
+his, “they tell me that but for your unwearied efforts I should
+have died. I have no words adequate to thank you for the gift
+of my life; but, little Star, I shall never forget it.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She could not talk much, she was still too weak, but she was
+glad to be near him, and gave him as bright a smile as she could
+summon to her lips; and then, chancing to glance another
+way, she found a pair of dark, handsome eyes fixed earnestly
+upon her face.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>They belonged to the young man in whose arms she had
+fainted upon finding that they were all safe once more.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He lifted his hat respectfully as he caught her glance, and
+then advancing, said, courteously:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I trust the young lady is much better this morning.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star bowed a somewhat cold assent, for she had been very
+carefully reared by her refined mother, and taught to be rather
+shy of strangers.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Then, thinking that was but a poor return for his interest in
+her welfare, she said, with a rising flush, for there was no mistaking
+the look in those fine eyes:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Thanks; I am very comfortable this morning.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt smiled. He had noticed Star’s reserve, and it
+pleased him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“She is a little lady,” he thought; then he said aloud, with
+a look at the young man, though he spoke to her: “I am very
+fortunate in finding friends, for since you have been confined
+to your state-room, this young gentleman—though I have not
+yet learned his name—has ministered to me in a manner most
+kind.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star’s eyes glowed at this, and she vouchsafed the young
+stranger a smile that set his heart bounding.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I am afraid, though, that you are feeling far from well
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_32'>32</span>even yet,” she said, with an anxious glance into Mr. Rosevelt’s
+face.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Pretty well—pretty well, little one, for an old codger like
+myself, who has seen a good many rough times. I’m a trifle
+weak yet, but time will help that. We have had a narrow
+escape however, and you have proved yourself a heroine.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star colored slightly at this compliment, and shot a shy look
+at the young stranger of the dark eyes. Then she leaned
+wearily back in her chair, tired with the exertion she had made.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The young man turned abruptly and walked away, but he
+soon reappeared, bearing a beautiful reclining steamer-chair,
+cushioned with crimson velvet, a couple of elegant rugs, and a
+silken pillow.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Your chair is hard and uncomfortable, Miss Gladstone;
+pray allow me to substitute this one and wrap you more
+warmly. The air is cold, even if the sun is bright and genial,”
+he said, in a way that could not offend the greatest stickler for
+propriety, without even taking into consideration the license
+allowed on shipboard.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star could not refuse this act of courtesy, and the chair and
+soft, warm rugs, with the bright, silken pillow, did look inviting.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She let him assist her into it, arrange the rugs about her,
+and smiled her thanks for his kindness, while she looked
+bewitchingly lovely with her fair cheek resting on the crimson
+pillow.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Your shawl is unfastened at the throat,” he said, seeing
+that it had fallen away, and fearing she would take cold.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She put up her hands to fasten it, and found that she had
+lost the pin.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Her young attendant noticed it, and drawing a scarf-pin
+from his neck-tie—a pin with a beautiful cameo head—he
+passed it to her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Can you make this do for the present?” he asked.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_33'>33</span>She took it, noticing the exquisitely carved stone as she did
+so, and pinned her shawl closely once more.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>When he saw that she was as comfortable as he could make
+her, he stepped back a pace or two, and drawing a card from a
+pocket, wrote something upon it, and then passed it to Mr.
+Rosevelt, saying, with a frank smile:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I presume you think it is high time that I introduced myself;
+pardon my neglect upon that point.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The old gentleman took the card and read the name:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Archibald Sherbrooke.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He bent a searching look upon the young man’s face for a
+moment, but the frank, honest eyes met his with such a genial
+expression that he could not harbor a doubt of him, and he
+said, cordially:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Thank you, Mr. Sherbrooke; I am glad to know your
+name. Mine is Rosevelt—Jacob Rosevelt—and this young lady
+allow me to introduce as Miss Star Gladstone,” he concluded,
+turning with a smile to Star.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Sherbrooke bowed to Miss Gladstone and raised his cap
+in the most gallant manner; while Star, thinking what a nice-sounding
+name Sherbrooke was, and what a nice-looking man
+its owner was, acknowledged his salutation with a charming
+smile and blush.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The trio soon fell into an easy chat, which lasted more than
+an hour, while the young girl grew more and more like herself.
+Several times she forgot that she was weak or had been ill, in
+listening to the gay things to which her new acquaintance gave
+utterance, and she indulged in a hearty, joyous laugh, her
+face dimpling and flashing, her eyes gleaming, her golden hair
+fluttering about her white forehead, until young Sherbrooke
+thought her the loveliest girl he had ever seen.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He lingered long by her side, looking into her face with
+earnest, honest, admiring eyes, listening to her clear, sweet
+tones, and exerting himself to make himself agreeable to her;
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_34'>34</span>while Mr. Rosevelt sat and watched them with a sense of
+pleasure in their enjoyment, and never dreaming of the mischief
+brewing under his very eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star told the young man all about the terrible explosion,
+their expectation of death when they found the vessel on fire,
+their subsequent sufferings and terror while drifting about in
+the life-boat; while her voice grew low and thrilling as she
+spoke of her feelings when she began to realize that their provisions
+were falling short, and she feared they would starve to
+death on the trackless ocean.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“If the captain had not been so generous to begin with,”
+she said, “it would have been better for all of us. Mr. Rosevelt
+cautioned him, but he appeared to think that some vessel
+would surely overtake us in a day or two. But after that I
+saved my sea biscuit; I put away half of what was given me
+every time; and if I had not done so, he”—with a shy glance
+toward her friend, and dropping her voice—“would never have
+lived, for when the captain found he was too ill to eat he gave
+his share to the other men. He gave me a bottle of wine,
+though, for him, and I soaked the biscuit in it and crowded it
+into his mouth when he was too unconscious to feed himself.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“And did <i>you</i> go without necessary food to do this?” Archibald
+Sherbrooke asked, with pitying eyes, and a feeling almost
+of reverence for the beautiful, self-denying girl.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I am young and strong; I knew it would not do me such
+serious harm to get weakened by hunger as it would him,” Star
+said, evasively; “and, besides——”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Besides what?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star’s lips quivered, but she answered, in a hushed tone:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I knew it was right to do <i>all</i> that I could to save his life,
+and it gave me something to think of besides myself; and I
+knew, too, if we all <i>must</i> die, the—suffering would be <i>shorter</i>
+if I did not eat.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“But you were dreadfully hungry, were you not?” persisted
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_35'>35</span>her questioner, feeling a sort of horrible fascination in the subject,
+yet shuddering over the dreadful story.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You will not tell <i>him</i>?” Star said, with a little motion of
+her hand over her shoulder to indicate Mr. Rosevelt.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, I <i>was</i> fearfully hungry,” she went on, with a shiver at
+the remembrance, and she grew very white. “Ever so many
+times, when I was soaking the biscuit for him, it smelled so
+good that I would raise it to my lips before I was aware of
+what I was doing; but the thought always came to me in
+time—‘he will die if I eat it.’ There was only a <i>very little</i>
+left that last day, and I knew if he died I should always feel as
+if my selfishness killed him if I deprived him of it, and I was
+saved.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I think you are the noblest girl that I ever heard of, Miss
+Star,” young Sherbrooke exclaimed, with reverent enthusiasm.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Amen!” said Mr. Rosevelt’s tremulous voice, close beside
+them.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Oh!” cried Star, starting and flushing, while the tears
+sprang into her eyes. “I did not mean that you should ever
+know——”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You didn’t, eh?” the old man interrupted. “I thought
+so; and when I saw you two talking so earnestly together, I
+imagined that you were giving our young friend a few facts
+which I wished to know myself, so I got up from my chair and
+came to listen. They told me,” he went on, with emotion,
+after a moment, “that you saved my life; but, oh! child, you
+should not have tried to do it by sacrificing your own; and you
+would have done it on the steamer also. I shall never forget it
+of you, little one, you may be sure.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He laid his hand gently on her head a moment, then turned
+and left them, to hide the tears that were welling to his own
+eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“He has friends who doubtless are waiting for him,” Star
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_36'>36</span>said, jumping to conclusions, and as if to excuse herself for
+sacrificing so much, “while <i>I</i> have nobody since papa and
+mamma died.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“But you are so young and”—so beautiful, he came near
+adding, but something in her earnest, uplifted eyes restrained
+him from speaking so familiarly, and he added, solemnly—“and
+it must be so hard to die with all the world before you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, if you have dear ones who love you,” Star returned,
+with a deep-drawn sigh.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A wistful look shot into the young man’s eyes at this.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You have no parents, then?” he inquired, in tones of
+sympathy.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No. Mamma died more than a year ago, and papa has
+been gone three months. I have no brothers or sisters, no
+home, only some distant relatives in America whom I have
+never seen. They promised papa to give me a home until my
+education is completed, when I intend to teach.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Was your home in England?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, in Derbyshire. Papa was a clergyman in Chesterfield.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Was your home in Derbyshire?” Archibald Sherbrooke
+asked, with a slight start, while his face lighted.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes; were you ever there?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Often.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Isn’t it a lovely country?” Star asked, eagerly, so glad to
+meet one who knew where her home had been. “Can you
+imagine anything more delightful than a drive or a canter
+across the Derbyshire moors?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No, indeed. I have often galloped over them,” he said,
+and then they fell to talking of other places that they knew;
+and when at last the dinner-bell rang, Star said, with sparkling
+eyes and cheeks in which the color was beginning to return:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I am hungry—really, naturally hungry, and I feel ever so
+much better.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_37'>37</span>Every day after that, during the remainder of the voyage,
+Archibald Sherbrooke sought the companionship of Mr. Rosevelt
+and his lovely young charge—for as such he regarded her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>They became the best of friends, and the brilliant young
+Englishman seemed to arouse all that was brightest and liveliest
+in Star’s composition, so that as her sweet, clear laugh
+rang out, and she replied to his jests with merry wit and
+repartee equal to his own, many of the passengers paused in
+their conversation or lifted up their eyes from their books to
+smile at the cheerful sight and sound.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The last day of the voyage came, and during the afternoon
+the two young people were pacing the upper deck, arm in arm,
+when Archibald Sherbrooke suddenly stopped, and pointing
+toward a distant city of spires and domes, said:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Ah! we are nearing New York. A few hours more and
+we shall be there. Do you know, Miss Star, I shall be sorry
+to bid you ‘good-by?’”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The young girl’s bright face clouded at these words. A hot
+flush mounted for an instant to her brow, and her white lids
+drooped over her beautiful eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You, of course, expect friends to meet you on your arrival,”
+her companion continued, after a moment of silence.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I do not know,” she answered, with a troubled look. “I
+did expect that some one would meet me upon the arrival of
+the other vessel, but now that we have had such trouble, I am
+afraid there will no one come for me, and I shall be obliged to
+go to Brooklyn alone.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“That will not be at all difficult, since Brooklyn is only just
+across the river from New York. If you know the street and
+number where your friends live, you can easily find them,”
+returned the young man, encouragingly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star started and looked blank at his words.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“The street and number were written in my diary. That
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_38'>38</span>was lost on the vessel. I did not think, in my haste, to get it,”
+she said, in dismay.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Whew! that makes matters rather complicated for you,
+then; but never mind, the captain will know what to do about
+it, and I feel sure that you will have no trouble. It is probable
+that the pilot-boat, when it returned, after leaving the pilot with
+us, took back the news that some of the passengers from the
+wrecked steamer were with us, and your friends may hope that
+you are among them, and come to ascertain.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star was greatly cheered by this view of the matter, and made
+up her mind to wait patiently for whatever was to come.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER IV.<br> <span class='large'>MRS. RICHARDS.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>It was very late when the stately ship rolled slowly up to her
+pier, too late for the customs officers to visit her that night, and
+the impatient passengers were forced to wait until morning to
+appear before them and undergo that much dreaded ordeal of
+taking oath upon their possessions, dutiable or otherwise.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But early the next morning the hurry and bustle began, and
+there was the usual rush to claim baggage and get away as
+soon as possible from the place where they had spent so many
+monotonous days.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star had no baggage to claim, and, not knowing what else
+to do, she sat still in the saloon and waited, watching the
+departing people with mingled feelings of curiosity and sadness.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt had told her not to be anxious about her own
+fate, for he should see that she was kindly cared for, and if her
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_39'>39</span>friends did not come for her, he would provide for her until
+they could advertise her arrival in the papers. It was unfortunate,
+he said, that she lost their address, since it would be
+liable to cause something of a delay in reaching her destination.
+So, while he went to arrange some little matter with the
+captain, she sat and watched the hurrying crowd.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Archibald Sherbrooke came to seek her there, and found her
+alone.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I’m off!” he said, with animation. “I’ve got through with
+the customs, and have come to wish you good-by. Mr. Rosevelt
+says he is going to take care of you. I hope everything
+will come out right for you, Miss Star, and that you’ll find a
+pleasant home with your friends. I’m very sorry that you’ve
+lost their address, for I’d call and see you before I go back to
+England if I knew where to find you. I trust, however, that
+we shall meet again, sometime; and—will you please always
+consider me your friend?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He placed a card in her hand as he spoke, and she saw that
+his address was written upon it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Thank you,” she said, with a rising flush. “I shall never
+forget you, for you have been very kind to me. But wait—I
+nearly forgot to give you your pin,” she concluded, suddenly
+remembering that she still had it, and she took the beautiful
+cameo head from her shawl and held it out to him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Please keep it as a souvenir,” he said, gently, adding:
+“And I wish you had something to give me in exchange.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I’ve lost everything, you know. I could give you naught
+but a ‘tress of my yellow hair,’” Star said, with a light laugh,
+and lifting the heavy braid which lay over her shoulder with a
+look of mock dismay.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Oh, <i>would</i> you?” he asked, eagerly, and taking her literally
+at her word.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It would be but a poor return for this lovely cameo,” she
+answered, flushing beneath his eager glance.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_40'>40</span>“No, indeed, it would not,” he returned, earnestly. “May
+I have just a lock of its shining gold, please, Miss Star?” and
+his fingers touched the massive braid almost tenderly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I have nothing with which to cut it off, and—I’m afraid it
+would be very foolish,” she said, with drooping eyes, but a
+quickly beating heart.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>For answer, he drew a tiny pair of scissors from one of the
+pockets of his vest, and held them out to her with a smile.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She took them hesitatingly, her delicate face crimsoning even
+to the light locks which lay upon her forehead; then, with a
+hand that was not quite steady, she clipped a silken tress from
+among the curling ends below the blue ribbon with which the
+braid was tied, and laid it, with the scissors, in his extended
+hand.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Thank you; I shall always keep it,” he said, with glowing
+eyes, as he put it carefully between the leaves of a small notebook
+which he took from another pocket.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Then he took her hand in a warm, strong clasp, and, with a
+reluctantly spoken farewell, a lingering, wistful look into her
+lovely blue eyes, he went away.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>As he disappeared through one door-way of the saloon, the
+figure of a woman, clad in plain dark robes, entered by the
+other, and threw a quick, searching glance around the place.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I’m in search of a girl named Stella Gladstone,” she said,
+in sharp, incisive tones, as her eyes fell upon our lone Star.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The young girl took a step forward, her earnest glance fastened
+upon that plain yet not unkind face.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I am Stella Gladstone,” she said, simply.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The woman looked at her keenly for a moment, and her
+homely countenance softened into something like pity as she
+noticed her delicate beauty. Then she said, bluntly:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well, miss, if I was ever thankful to set eyes on anybody,
+I am on you, or I’m much mistaken. I’ve lain awake o’ nights
+thinking of you, ever since we heard that the vessel in which
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_41'>41</span>you sailed was lost at sea. If I got asleep at all, I’d wake with
+a start from horrid dreams, where I seemed to see you drowning
+and heard your dreadful cries. Two days ago another vessel
+came in, bringing in some of those who had been wrecked.
+We got the news in the paper the night before they landed,
+and madam—Mrs. Richards, my mistress—sent me down posthaste
+next morning to see if you was among them. Of course
+you wasn’t, so I went home and dreamed all night again. Last
+night news came that more had been rescued, and would land
+at this pier this morning, so I was posted off again to find you
+if possible. Well,” she continued, heaving a deep sigh of relief,
+“I’ve got you at last, and I hope I sha’n’t dream about you to-night.
+Of course you ain’t overstocked with baggage?” she
+concluded, with a grim smile.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No, I have nothing; everything was lost,” Star replied,
+while her large, earnest eyes studied her companion’s face, and
+she wondered what relation she bore to her, and who “Mrs.
+Richards,” “madam,” and “my mistress” were.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“More’s the pity for <i>you</i>, then, or I’m much mistaken,” the
+woman said, with a peculiar compression of her thin lips.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Then she added, with more of animation than she had yet
+displayed:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“But, bless me! I suppose you’d like to know who I am,
+and won’t be much surprised when I tell you my name is
+Blunt; my name is like my nature, and I’m madam’s—Mrs.
+Richards’ housekeeper. A pretty time of it I have, too, or I’m
+much mistaken; though one can put up with considerable
+where their bread and butter and ‘fixin’s’ are concerned. But
+come, it’s time we were off. Have you had your breakfast?”
+she concluded, seeing that Star had grown rather pale, and
+thinking she might be faint and hungry.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes’m,” she answered, while a wistful expression stole into
+her eyes, and she stepped back and looked over the railing into
+the dining-room below, hoping to see Mr. Rosevelt. She felt
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_42'>42</span>as if she <i>could not</i> go away without saying farewell to her kind
+fellow-traveler.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But he was nowhere to be seen, and she saw that Mrs. Blunt
+was impatient.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“If you please,” she said, timidly, “might I just wait a few
+minutes to say good-by to a gentleman who has been very kind
+to me?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Lor’, child! it’ll be no use; you’ll never find him, and
+almost everybody has gone already. Probably he’s in the hands
+of the customs, having his trunks overhauled, and won’t want
+to be bothered,” Mrs. Blunt returned, good-naturedly, but really
+very anxious to get back to her interrupted duties.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“But he has no trunks; he was on the wreck with me, and
+he told me to wait here for him,” Star persisted, almost ready
+to weep at the thought of going without seeing him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I’m sorry, miss, but madam will be having one of her tantrums
+if I am not back shortly, as there’s company to dinner
+to-day, and it’s nearly ten o’clock now,” Mrs. Blunt, returned,
+a trifle indifferently.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She turned as she spoke and led the way from the place, and
+Star was forced to follow her, striving hard to repress the sobs
+that were struggling in her bosom over her disappointment;
+and when, half an hour later, Mr. Rosevelt came to seek her,
+he was as much disturbed to find her gone as she had been
+to go.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He made inquiries regarding her, and was told that some
+one had come for her and taken her away, but no one knew
+whither she had gone.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>This relieved his mind somewhat as to her safety, but did
+not lessen his disappointment at thus losing sight of her and
+not knowing where to seek for her; but he was forced to go his
+way and bear it as he could.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Blunt and her sad-hearted charge walked quickly from
+the steamer, and having no baggage, she immediately called a
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_43'>43</span>carriage, and hurrying Star into it, gave her order to be driven
+to a Brooklyn ferry.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Crossing the river, they took another carriage, and a half
+hour’s drive brought them to a stately dwelling in a fashionable
+portion of the city.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“There, child!” Mrs. Blunt ejaculated, as the carriage
+stopped; “we’re home, and I’m glad of it, for you’ve caused
+me a heap of anxiety first and last, or I’m much mistaken;
+but you’re safe and sound, thank Heaven, though you’re rather
+delicate-looking for what I imagine is before you;” this
+“much mistaken” individual prepared to alight, casting a look
+of honest pity into the face of the fair girl as she did so.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star looked surprised at this somewhat ambiguous speech,
+and would have liked to ask what it meant, but the woman
+gave her no opportunity, paying for and dismissing the carriage
+in her quick, energetic way, and then led her around to a side
+door and entered the mansion.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Beckoning Star to follow her, she passed through a lofty hall
+and up a wide, thickly carpeted staircase, where on every hand
+there were evidences of wealth and luxury.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Rapping upon a door at the front end of the upper hall, a
+voice bade her enter, and the woman opened it and passed in,
+and Star following, saw a handsome woman of perhaps forty
+years, dressed with great elegance and taste, sitting in a low
+rocker by a window.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She turned an inquiring glance upon Mrs. Blunt as she advanced.
+She could not see Star, as she was directly behind her
+and hidden by her tall figure.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well, madam, I’ve found her at last, and here she is,” she
+said, in a satisfied tone, and stepped one side to present the
+young girl.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Madam heaved a sigh—it might have been of relief, it might
+have been the reverse; no one could have told which from the
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_44'>44</span>expression of her face—as she bent a critical glance upon the
+young stranger who had come to find a home in her house.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She arose, came forward, and studied the fair, downcast face;
+for Star, after the first glance, knew she would receive no tender
+welcome from that cold, proud woman, and her heart sank like
+a dead weight in her bosom.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Something like a frown gathered on the woman’s brow as she
+marked her exceeding loveliness.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well, Stella, you have had a hard voyage,” she began, in
+smooth, cool tones, which made Star shrink from her and
+shiver slightly, they were so distant and devoid of feeling. “I
+am glad, however,” she went on, “that you are safe, and I
+hope, now that you are here and I am to give you a home, you
+will do your best to please me. You look very much like your
+mother as I remember her, although I trust your face will not
+prove as great a misfortune to you as hers did to her.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>This last statement was made with some severity. Evidently
+Mrs. Richards was not pleased to find the new arrival so beautiful
+in face and figure.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Mamma unfortunate! How?” Star asked, surprise loosening
+her tongue.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Is it possible that you do not know how she disgraced herself
+and family?” madam demanded, sternly, as if in some way
+Star was to blame for said disgrace. “Have you never been
+told how a poor clergyman once preached in the church where
+your mother attended worship, fell in love with her pretty face,
+and finally persuaded her to marry him, to the utter disregard
+of her whole family, who were highly respectable people.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star’s cheeks glowed hotly beneath this tirade, and her blue
+eyes flamed at this slur upon her idolized parents.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I do not consider mamma’s marriage anything of a ‘misfortune’
+or a ‘disgrace,’” she answered, with something of
+hauteur, and speaking very distinctly. “She was very happy
+all her life, and papa was a splendid man—a superior man.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_45'>45</span>Mrs. Richards smiled in a lofty kind of way, as she returned:
+“It is very natural, I suppose, that you should be your
+father’s champion; nevertheless he was not, socially, your
+mother’s equal, and she degraded herself in the eyes of all her
+family by marrying a penniless preacher, and a dissenter, too.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star’s lips parted again, as if about to utter an indignant
+protest to this statement; but, with a wave of her white hand,
+Mrs. Richards coolly dismissed the subject and turned again to
+Mrs. Blunt.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I suppose everything belonging to her was lost,” she said.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, madam; the poor child has nothing in the world save
+what she has on,” that woman answered, with a compassionate
+glance at Star.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“That is awkward; but you can take her to the sewing-room
+and tell Miss Baker to measure her for a couple of
+dresses; tell her to make them from that piece of print that I
+purchased yesterday. Can you sew, Stella?” she asked, turning
+again to the young girl, whom she had not even invited to be
+seated.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes’m; mamma taught me to sew when I was quite young,
+and I have attended to my own wardrobe, with the aid of a
+seamstress, ever since she died.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“That is well. You can then assist Miss Baker about your
+dresses, and when they are completed I will arrange about your
+other duties. You can go now. Mrs. Blunt will show you the
+way to your room, where you can lay aside your shawl and hat
+and then go to the sewing-room.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star gave the woman a stare of blank astonishment.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had been most delicately and tenderly reared; her education
+had been carefully superintended by her father, and the
+constant companionship of her refined and intellectual mother
+had made her a little lady in every sense of the word. She had
+been taught to be kind and courteous to every one; to sympathize
+with people in trouble; to rejoice with them in prosperity;
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_46'>46</span>and now this woman—this cousin to her mother—this
+human being, whom she knew her mother once saved from a
+dreadful death—had received her, after her long and perilous
+voyage, her suffering and hardships, in this unfeeling, indifferent
+way.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had not even taken her hand at greeting; she had looked
+her over and inspected her with a critical stare, as if she were
+some beast of burden that she was buying to toil for her. She
+had not offered her the commonest hospitalities of her house,
+or given her one kind word or look.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had instead simply, and in the coolest manner possible,
+commented on her marvelous escape from death, and then <i>insulted</i>
+her by speaking disparagingly of her parents; and now
+she had dismissed her from her presence as if she had been
+a menial, ordered <i>two print dresses</i> made for her, without a
+thought apparently of other clothing so necessary to her after
+being so long without a change of any kind.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She took a step forward, her slight form drawn proudly erect,
+the hot, indignant blood surging over neck, face, and brow, and
+was about to demand the meaning of this strange treatment,
+when Mrs. Richards, seeing her intentions, said, haughtily, and
+in a tone not to be mistaken:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I told you that you could go, Stella. Did you understand
+me?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>With a heaving bosom and flashing eyes, Star bowed with a
+sort of stately grace, turned and followed Mrs. Blunt from the
+room with the step of a queen; but when the door was shut
+behind them, she stopped and confronted that good though
+eccentric woman with an aspect which, to say the least, astonished
+her.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_47'>47</span>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER V.<br> <span class='large'>BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>“What does this mean?” she demanded, passionately. “Why
+am I received in this strange, this heartless manner, by my
+mother’s cousin? Why does she presume to cast aspersions
+upon my father and mother, and talk about print dresses, and
+assigning me duties as if I were a mere servant?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Blunt’s breath was fairly taken away by these swift, indignant
+sentences and questions, and she could only gaze at
+the young girl in speechless surprise for a few moments.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star was wondrously beautiful then, in spite of her soiled and
+disordered attire, with her flashing eyes, her blazing cheeks, her
+delicate, dilating nostrils, her scornful, curling lips, and proudly
+poised head.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“What does it mean, I say?” repeated Star, impatient at the
+woman’s silence.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Blunt found her tongue at last.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Mercy on us, child!” she ejaculated, her astonishment extending
+to her tones. “You’ve a temper of your own, or I’m
+much mistaken; and you’ll need it, too, if you’re going to live
+in this house.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Then she added, more thoughtfully:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I’m afraid, miss, you’ve come over here with a wrong impression—I
+really <i>am</i>.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“What do you mean?” Star asked. “How have I come
+with a wrong impression?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“What did you expect when you started to come to America
+to live with Mrs. Richards?” the housekeeper asked, evading
+her questions by putting another.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_48'>48</span>“I expected that my mother’s cousin, who papa said, was
+very wealthy, and able to take care of me, and had promised
+him to do so, would give me a place in her home as a member
+of her family, and give me an opportunity to perfect my education,
+so that I might be able, by and by, to take care of myself.
+This was what my father understood her promise to me
+to mean—this was what I expected. But from the reception
+she has given me—cold and heartless—and as I would not
+have received the meanest beggar who came to my door—from
+disrespectful and insulting remarks about my parents, and what
+she said about my ‘duties’, I am afraid that my position here
+will not be a pleasant one.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Blunt’s homely face was full of pity as she listened to
+what Star said.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Poor child,” she began, “you have expected entirely too
+much, and perhaps it would be a mercy to tell you at once how
+mistaken you are if you think you are going to find a pleasant
+home and a chance to get much of an education <i>here</i>. When
+madam got your father’s letter and knew that you were soon to
+be an orphan, she said at once that it was ‘just the thing,’ and
+you would do nicely to supply the place of Maggie Flynn, the
+chamber and errand girl, and who was not exactly trustworthy.
+She said the ‘English peasants always made good servants,’ and
+as you were young and would be wholly dependent on her, she
+could train you according to her own notions. And, to make
+a long story short, you are to make beds and do chamber-work
+generally, wait upon madam and run of errands.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>And the housekeeper heaved a sigh of relief that the difficult
+explanation was over. And difficult it was, with those glittering
+sapphire eyes fixed so intently upon her, and that beautiful face
+gleaming with scorn and indignation.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“In other words, she intends to make a servant—a slave of
+me,” she said, with quiet sarcasm, but uplifted head.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_49'>49</span>“Ye-es—if you must put it so, miss,” Mrs. Blunt admitted,
+reluctantly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“What wages am I to expect?” and the clear young voice
+rang with intense scorn.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Wages?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, <i>wages</i>. What did she pay Maggie Flynn?” Star demanded,
+with a bitter smile.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Six dollars a month; but—but I don’t think madam has
+thought about wages for <i>you</i>. She is to give you a home for
+what you can do; and besides what I have told you, you are to
+wait upon Miss Josephine, who is not sparing of her commands,
+either.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Who is Miss Josephine, pray?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“The young lady of the house—Mrs. Richards’ daughter.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“How old is she?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Just turned eighteen.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Two years my senior,” murmured Star, reflectively. “Well,
+Mrs. Blunt,” she added, after a moment or two, and looking
+up with a clearer face, “show me to my room, please, and let
+me have a good bath, for I need refreshing sadly. If only I
+might have some clean underclothing to put on,” she added,
+wistfully.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You shall,” the woman quickly returned. “I suppose
+madam never thought of it, and it is a shame. There, wait
+here,” she added, as she threw open the door of a small room
+on the front of the house in the third story, “and I will bring
+you a change of Miss Josephine’s. They will be a trifle too
+large, but never mind so that you’re comfortable.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She sped away, and as Star removed her hat and shawl she
+looked about her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The room was very scantily furnished, but it was clean, and
+as there was only a single bed in it, she knew she was to have
+it to herself—a point which she congratulated herself upon, as
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_50'>50</span>it would have been very obnoxious to her to room with one of
+the servants.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Blunt soon returned, bringing clean, fresh garments,
+and Star felt that she had never realized before how great a
+luxury cleanliness was.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You can go to the bath-room at the end of the hall,” she
+said, laying them over Star’s arm. “I have fixed the tub for
+you, lining it with a clean sheet, so that you need not feel shy
+about using it. I know you’ll feel a great deal better after it;
+then I’ll come to you again in a half or three-quarters of an
+hour, and take you to Miss Baker; and—I forgot—here’s a
+comb I’ve never used.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star felt very grateful to the kind-hearted creature, and made
+the most of her opportunity.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had a refreshing bath, then combed out her luxuriant
+hair, re-arranging it as nicely and carefully as she had been
+taught to do in her own home, and when all was done she
+looked as bright and felt as fresh as a new creature.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>When Mrs. Blunt returned at the end of an hour, her plain
+face relaxed into a smile, though Star had thought that smiles
+were at a discount with her as a general thing.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well, you <i>do</i> look nice, or I’m much mistaken; and those
+hands!—they’re much too fine and nice, in my opinion, for
+drudgery;” and the woman glanced admiringly at those small
+members, of which, to be truthful, Star <i>was</i> a little proud.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well, I am ready to go to Miss Baker,” she said, with a
+little sigh. “It is evident that I shall not be in a condition
+to do any kind of work, or drudgery, as you call it, until I am
+properly clad.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“She’s true blue, and it’s an abomination to make a servant
+of her,” muttered the housekeeper, as she led the way to the
+sewing-room.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Miss Baker was in the midst of fitting a party-dress for Miss
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_51'>51</span>Josephine—a rather fine-looking girl, with black eyes and hair,
+a brilliant color, and a full, graceful figure.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Blunt introduced Star, and then gave Mrs. Richards’
+orders about the “two print dresses.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Goodness gracious! are you Stella Gladstone?” ejaculated
+the pet and pride of the Richards mansion, with a stare of
+surprise.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star bowed a cold assent to this rude salutation, and then
+walked quietly across the room and seated herself by a window.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Miss Baker, however, had nodded and smiled kindly at her,
+and she felt sure that she should like the weary-looking seamstress.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well, I guess mamma will be glad you have come,” Josephine
+pursued; “she has been nearly plagued to death with
+that Maggie Flynn—you’re to take her place, you know, as
+chambermaid and errand girl.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star did not reply, and Miss Baker shot an indignant glance
+at the rude girl.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The young stranger’s heart was swelling within her until it
+was nearly ready to burst with insulted pride and bitter disappointment.
+She had longed, when she had found herself
+alone in her room, to relieve herself with a burst of passionate
+weeping, but she dare not give way to it lest it should unfit her
+for everything during the day; but now it seemed as if she
+could not endure much more.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had never dreamed that such a reception as this awaited
+her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had pictured to herself, many times, being drawn into
+the arms of a pleasant, gentle-voiced woman, who had loved
+her mother, and who would love her for that mother’s sake, if
+not for her own. She had thought to twine her arms about
+her neck, and, laying her head upon a sympathizing bosom,
+tell her of her dear parents, what their hopes and plans had
+been for her, and what her own desires for the future were,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_52'>52</span>and expected to receive only kind and encouraging words in
+return.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>How different it all was, and how cruel that all her hopes
+must be crushed in this unfeeling way!</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had been ambitious to become a cultivated woman and
+scholar, and to follow out her father’s plans for her education,
+and come up to his standard, which was a high one.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But instead she found she was to be degraded to the level of
+a common servant, all her prospects destroyed, all her hopes
+crushed, and she felt as if she could not bear it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I <i>will</i> not submit to it. I <i>will</i> not give up my hopes. <i>I
+will not be a servant</i>,” she kept saying over and over to herself,
+while she sat there and waited for Miss Baker to attend to her
+needs, and felt rather than saw Josephine’s impertinent inspection
+of her personal appearance.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You’ve got a wonderful head of hair,” that young lady at
+length observed, as she approached her after being released
+from the seamstress’ hands. “I think I never saw such a heavy
+braid before; and I believe it will just match Nellie Colton’s;
+she is papa’s niece. I’ll tell mamma to have a barber come
+and cut it off. Of course you can’t afford the time now to
+take care of it, and it would make such a splendid band for
+Nell.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star regarded her in blank astonishment. The effrontery of
+this young lady was simply overpowering.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Indeed!” she at last quietly replied. “If Miss Colton is in
+need of a band of hair, she will doubtless find it at almost any
+hair store in the city. I intend to keep mine.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Miss Richards colored angrily, for Star’s great blue eyes met
+hers fearlessly, and her tone betrayed an independence which
+did not promise well for any tyranny which she might expect to
+exercise over her in the future.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You will do exactly as mamma desires, miss,” she cried
+and then turned and left the room.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_53'>53</span>Star’s face was also very red, and she swallowed an angry sob
+as she turned to Miss Baker.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I am ready to sew,” was all that she could say.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She longed to get some work into her hands, hoping thus to
+distract her thoughts from self and her bitter disappointment.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The seamstress cut off the breadths of a skirt and gave them
+to her, pitying the pretty, yet despised, stranger from the bottom
+of her heart.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“May I use the machine?” the young girl asked, glancing
+at that labor-saving instrument.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Do you know how?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes’m.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Very well. This is a Florence, and I will show you how
+to thread it.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I know how, thank you. Mamma had a Florence, and I
+have often used it.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She arose, and going to it Miss Baker saw at once that she
+was fully capable of using it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>All day long she stitched and sewed, working quietly, yet
+rapidly, and by night one dress was nearly completed.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You sew very nicely,” Miss Baker said, as she examined
+her work late in the afternoon, “and this print will make you
+a very neat dress. I wish Mrs. Richards would allow me to
+trim it, but she told me to make it plain. She is in a hurry
+about the other work.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star said nothing to this, but after the seamstress had gone
+home, she cut and pieced together some dainty ruffles from
+some scraps that had been thrown aside; and all the long
+evening, while the family were down stairs entertaining visitors
+and making merry, she was sewing and finishing off the print
+dress, that she might have something fresh and clean for the
+morning.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But she was, oh! so sad and lonely, and she could not help
+thinking of the previous night, when she had sat in the gay
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_54'>54</span>saloon of the steamer and chatted so sociably with Archibald
+Sherbrooke, and felt a strange thrill of happiness in sitting
+beside him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had not been allowed to eat with the family during the
+day. She had not seen Mrs. Richards, and did not even know
+of how many members the household consisted. It was evident
+that she was to be ignored, except as her services were required,
+that she was to be made a drudge, and her proud young spirit
+resented it with all the strength of her nature.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I will never live so; I am above it. I am capable of better
+things, and I <i>will not</i> consent to become a nonentity,” her heart
+kept saying, over and over again.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But she was wholly dependent upon these people; her father
+had consigned her to their care. She had no money, save a
+letter of credit for a hundred pounds, the sum total realized
+from the sale of all the dear objects which she had been accustomed
+to see in her home since her infancy, and this she had
+been advised, by the lawyer whom Mr. Gladstone had chosen
+to settle his affairs, to consign to the care of Mr. Richards.
+But she had concluded since morning to say nothing about it
+to any one.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had no other friends; if she had possessed them she
+would have flown to them at once. She was a forlorn stranger
+among strangers, and she could see no way at present out of
+the difficulties surrounding her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had eaten with Mrs. Blunt, who was very kind to her,
+and tried to tempt her appetite with all the daintiest bits upon
+the table; but the poor child was so sick at heart that she
+could scarcely swallow a mouthful.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>When Miss Baker came the next morning, she looked the
+surprise she felt, as she opened the sewing-room door and saw
+Star seated within, busily sewing upon the dress she had been
+making for Josephine the day before.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>And truly the young girl was a goodly sight to behold.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_55'>55</span>Her beautiful hair had been brushed until it shone like satin,
+and then gathered into a simple knot at the back of her head—she
+did not intend to have it cut off, and she had dressed it in
+this way so as not to attract attention to it—while the clustering
+locks which fell over her forehead, almost touching her eyebrows,
+gave a piquant expression to her face. Her eyes were
+bright, in spite of her “night of tears” and longing for the
+dear old home and familiar faces over the sea; her cheeks
+delicately flushed, and the fresh print dress, which fitted her
+slight, graceful figure perfectly, and which she had so tastefully
+trimmed, could not have been more becoming if it had been
+made of the richest materials.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Why, Miss Gladstone, however did you manage to finish
+your dress, and put so much extra work into it, after I left last
+night?” the dressmaker asked, with some misgivings about
+madam’s approval when she should see it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I managed it because I needed it,” Star answered. “I did
+not like to put on the dress I wore on the steamer again, it was
+so soiled and disfigured; and I ruffled it because I like pretty
+things and have been accustomed to them.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I am afraid Mrs. Richards will object to so much trimming,
+for she was particular to mention that it should be
+‘plain,’” said Miss Baker, glancing dubiously at the ruffles up
+and down the front, and at the neck and wrists.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star made no reply to this, but her red lips settled themselves
+a trifle more firmly, and her small head was lifted with a
+quick, proud movement, which told that she intended to exercise
+her own taste as far as she was able in the matter of her
+own wardrobe.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The second morning after her advent at the Richards’ mansion,
+as she was descending to her breakfast, she suddenly encountered
+a portly but good-natured looking gentleman on the
+stairs.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She glanced up at him, and was about to pass on with a
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_56'>56</span>slight though graceful salutation, when he stopped short and
+regarded her with surprise.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Halloa! who are you?” he asked, brusquely, yet not unkindly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star colored a lovely pink, as she replied, modestly:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I am Star—or, I should say, Stella Gladstone.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Stella—<i>Star</i> Gladstone!” he exclaimed, in surprise. Then
+he added, with an appreciative glance at her golden head with
+its dainty forelocks, her great, star-like eyes, and red lips:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“That sounds well—very appropriate, too, I should say.
+When did you arrive? We have been very anxious on your
+account.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star’s scarlet lips curled slightly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It appeared that he had not been notified of her arrival—Mrs.
+Richards had not considered it necessary to speak of the
+welfare of one whom she intended to make her servant.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>They had been anxious on her account!</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><i>He</i> might have experienced some uneasiness concerning her;
+his kind eyes and pleasant face seemed to indicate a good heart;
+but the other members of his family, she judged, would not
+have grieved so very much if she had really gone to the bottom
+of the ocean, as they feared she had.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I arrived the day before yesterday—Tuesday,” she said,
+somewhat coldly, in reply to his question.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Ah! I was in Chicago that day—reached home last night.
+You’ve had a pretty hard time, little girl, haven’t you?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, sir,” Star returned, wondering if he had any idea <i>how</i>
+hard, while the tears rushed unbidden to her eyes at his kind
+tone. “I never expected to see land again,” she added, trying
+hard to suppress a sob, as she thought she would almost rather
+have died than come among such cold-hearted people as her
+mother’s cousin’s family appeared to be.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well, well, you are safe now, thank Heaven, and you must
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_57'>57</span>try to be as happy as possible with us,” Mr. Richards said, still
+more kindly as he remarked her agitation.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star lifted her great eyes to his with a look of surprise. Could
+it be possible that he did not know the position she was destined
+to occupy in his household?</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It certainly appeared so, for he was looking down upon her
+with admiration and even something of affection.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Thank you, sir; you are very kind,” she said, with a sigh,
+as she turned sadly away and left him.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER VI.<br> <span class='large'>STELLA’S APPEAL.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>Star went down to the housekeeper’s room after her encounter
+with Mr. Richards, and ate her breakfast in a very
+thoughtful mood.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Blunt watched her curiously, and with a troubled expression
+on her honest face.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Child, if you don’t eat more you’ll die, or I’m much mistaken,”
+and she deftly slipped a dainty slice of buttered toast
+on her plate as she spoke.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Thank you, Mrs. Blunt, but I believe I am not very hungry
+this morning,” she returned, with a smile.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I should think not, indeed, nor at any other time. You
+haven’t eaten a ‘square meal’ since you came into this house,”
+the good woman said, with an injured air.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star was too deeply occupied to heed it, and finishing her
+coffee in silence, arose and proceeded slowly up stairs to the
+sewing-room, intending to finish her other dress that morning.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_58'>58</span>There was a look of resolution on her young face; her eyes
+gleamed with a new purpose.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I will do it,” she murmured, as she stood thoughtfully
+outside the door a moment, one small hand resting upon the
+knob. “I may as well make a bold stroke for myself at once,
+or I shall sink into nothingness. I <i>must</i> have an education; I
+cannot—I <i>will</i> not grow up ignorant, and have poor papa’s
+kind care in the past all go for nothing.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She turned the handle of the door and passed into the room.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She found Mrs. Richards standing in the middle of the floor,
+holding up the unfinished dress in both hands, and inspecting
+it with no pleasant expression of countenance.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She glanced at the young girl as she entered, and as her
+keen eyes ran over her dainty figure in its new and tasteful
+garment, her face grew dark.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star bade her a courteous “good-morning,” but she did not
+even deign to notice the salutation.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Who trimmed these dresses?” she demanded, sharply.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I did,” Star answered.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Who told you to do it?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No one, marm; but I like things made pretty, and as there
+were plenty of pieces which could not be used in any other
+way, I made them up into ruffles.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star spoke very quietly, but a bright red spot burned on
+either cheek.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You like ‘things pretty,’ do you? And that is the way you
+calculate to spend your time in this house, I suppose?” Mrs.
+Richards retorted, sarcastically.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She received no reply, and continued:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“The pieces you have cut up into senseless ruffles I intended
+you should make into patch-work for the servants’ beds during
+your odd minutes.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star glanced at the numerous “senseless ruffles” which encircled
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_59'>59</span>the indignant matron’s ample figure, and thought there
+might be such a thing as a distinction without a difference.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I’ve half a mind to make you sit right down and rip off
+every one,” Mrs. Richards proceeded, still chafing over the
+matter, and flushing as she noticed Star’s glance and half read
+her thought. “The idea of a chambermaid with ruffles and
+furbelows! And I do believe that seamstress has made your
+dress so tight that you cannot breathe,” she concluded, pouncing
+upon the poor girl to make an examination of the offensive
+robe, for the slight, graceful figure before her was not at all
+pleasing to her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No, marm, my dress is not tight; it only fits me nicely;”
+and Star’s slender fingers laid over quite a plait, thus showing
+that there was plenty of room for inflating her lungs to their
+utmost capacity.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Then you are laced,” persisted madam.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Laced?” repeated Star, who did not quite understand the
+obnoxious term.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes; your corsets are too tight.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Oh! I never wear corsets; mamma did not approve of
+them.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards bit her lips and colored with vexation. She
+was not showing to advantage in this controversy. It was clear
+that Star’s perfect form was the work of nature’s own hand, and
+she would be obliged to put up with it, unless she tied her up
+in a sack to hide its comely outlines.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well,” she said, throwing aside the dress she had been
+examining, “I want you to come with me now; I am going
+to assign you your regular work. For one thing, you are to
+make all the beds in the house, except those in the servants’
+rooms; then you are to keep Josephine’s and mine in order,
+wait upon us generally, and sew when there is nothing else to
+be done.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star stood looking down at the carpet in a thoughtful way
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_60'>60</span>while her would-be task mistress reeled off these instructions;
+then she raised her eyes, which looked almost black instead
+of their usual beautiful blue, and fixed them full upon the
+woman’s face.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Did you understand,” she began, “when papa wrote to
+you, asking you to assume the guardianship of his only child
+and superintend her future education, that he had any idea that
+I should come into your family as a servant? I am sixteen
+years old, and although I have been taught to do many things
+in my home, and to do them well, I have never done any <i>hard</i>
+work. I have spent most of my time in study, and papa left
+written instructions with me regarding my future course in that
+direction. I am very fond of music; I can paint and draw
+quite well, I am told, for one of my age, and papa wished me
+to keep on with these accomplishments, so far as I was able to
+and attend faithfully to the other branches of my education. I
+tell you this that you may understand something of the disappointment
+I have experienced, since my arrival in this
+country, to find that I was expected to fill the place of a common
+servant. Do you think my father intended you to make
+me such?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards regarded the girl in astonishment, while her
+face grew crimson with shame and anger. She knew very well
+that Albert Gladstone had never dreamed that she would degrade
+his child in any such way. But Albert Gladstone was
+dead, and could not interpose to prevent it. She was obliged
+to curtail just now in some way, and when she found she must
+have this girl in her family, she had decided to dispense with
+the expense of one servant and impose the duties on Star.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But she had not once imagined that she would dare question
+her right to do with her whatever she saw fit, and she was
+amazed as well as angry at the quiet dignity and independence
+with which she made these statements, and called her to an
+account of her duty to her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_61'>61</span>“I don’t know <i>what</i> your father <i>intended</i>, or what <i>you expect</i>,”
+she returned, in cold, precise tones. “I know that he wrote
+me you would soon be an orphan; that you had hardly a friend
+in the world, and he would leave you almost a pauper. He
+asked me to superintend your education, so that you would be
+able to earn your own living by and by. I intend to do so;
+and as you have nothing save your own hands to depend upon
+in the future, I am going to begin by making you useful at
+once. Did you suppose you were going to drop into the lap
+of luxury, and be reared in idleness?” she concluded, with
+biting sarcasm.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No, marm,” Star returned, respectfully, yet not one whit
+abashed by the way Mrs. Richards had perverted the letter
+which her father had written. “I am willing to be useful—I
+<i>wish</i> to be useful—I should be unhappy to be idle; but I am
+<i>very unwilling</i> to be made a common drudge, with no time
+nor opportunity to pursue my education. You say I have
+nothing save my hands with which to earn my living. You are
+mistaken; I have <i>brains</i>, and I intend they shall serve that
+purpose.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It seems to me that you are making a saucy tongue serve
+its purpose pretty early in the day,” retorted Mrs. Richards, an
+angry red leaping into her face.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I do not mean the least disrespect in what I have said,
+Mrs. Richards; but I cannot give up all the hopes and aspirations
+which my father has fostered all my life without making
+an effort to accomplish them. I am frank to confess,” Star
+continued, coloring, while her lips quivered slightly, “that
+from your reply to my father’s letter, I inferred that I should
+be received into your family as an equal, and that you would
+give me a mother’s care and counsel during the next three or
+four years of my life. Papa, I know, also understood it so,
+and died content, feeling that I should be well and kindly provided
+for.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_62'>62</span>Mrs. Richards felt very uncomfortable, for she knew that
+every word Star uttered was truth. She knew, too, that she was
+doing a mean and cowardly thing in making the bright and
+talented girl a servant; but she <i>must</i> have a house-maid. If she
+must curtail, she must do it in this way rather than in her own
+or Josephine’s wardrobe.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You are very impertinent, miss, and have been reared with
+altogether too high notions for one in your position,” she said,
+angrily. “You ought to be thankful for a roof to cover your
+head, and anything to cover your nakedness, coming here, as
+you did, destitute of everything. An equal in my family, indeed!
+Music, painting, and drawing! What will Josephine
+say to that, I wonder? And who did you suppose was going
+to foot the bills? It won’t do you any harm to have some of
+this independence taken out of you, and I’ll have you understand,
+once for all, that you will fill Maggie Flynn’s position in
+this house, or none.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star bowed her proud head coldly. She saw that she was
+helpless for the present, and must yield to the inevitable.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Very well,” she said, calmly. “I understand from Mrs.
+Blunt that Maggie Flynn was about my age; that she had six
+dollars a month besides her board, and two evenings out a
+week. I will consent to fill her place, <i>for the present</i>, upon the
+same conditions.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Upon my word!” exclaimed Mrs. Richards, in a towering
+passion at this unexpected proposition. “I never heard anything
+like it in my life! You forget that you are indebted to
+me for the very clothes you have on at this moment.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star could hardly repress a smile at this calculating outbreak.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You have given me the print for two dresses,” she answered,
+with ready tact, “the cost of which, with us in England,
+would be four pence a yard. I have nearly made them
+myself, but you can deduct whatever you see fit, and I will
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_63'>63</span>attend to my own wardrobe in the future. If I do Maggie
+Flynn’s work, I must have Maggie Flynn’s pay and privileges,”
+she concluded, decidedly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You will have nothing of the kind”—Mrs. Richards was
+fairly hoarse with anger. “You forget that your father has
+consigned you to my guardianship for the next few years, and
+you will do exactly as I direct you. But we have wasted time
+enough in this kind of talk. You are to come with me now;
+I will set you to work, and see if we cannot take down some
+of this English impudence.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star followed the woman as she was bidden, without a word,
+thinking it best to discuss the question no further just then;
+but there was, nevertheless, a determined gleam in her glorious
+eyes; her form was as erect and proud, her step as firm as if
+she felt herself in every respect the equal of the woman who
+appeared bound to oppress her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>All day long she was kept steadily at work; not a moment
+was she allowed to rest, except while she was eating. She made
+beds, swept and dusted rooms, and ran upon errands, until
+every bone in her slight body ached with weariness and her
+small feet were nearly blistered.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Her delicate hands had never performed such menial duties
+before, nor had her gentle heart ever throbbed with such
+revengeful, rebellious feelings.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was eight o’clock before her hard mistress released her
+from her labors, and told her to go directly to bed, so as to be
+up early in the morning and sweep off the front steps before
+people should begin to pass.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She went to her room as directed, but instead of retiring,
+she took from a drawer of her bureau one of the packages of
+papers which she had rescued from her state-room on that
+burning vessel, and, weary as she was, she again descended
+two flights of stairs, and approaching the library door, tapped
+gently upon it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_64'>64</span>A deep, manly voice bade her come in, and she entered with
+a firm and decided tread.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards was sitting at his desk, engaged in answering
+some business letters.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star had timed her visit to him, for she had watched and
+seen him go into the library after tea was over.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He looked up as she closed the door behind her, and his face
+relaxed into a kind smile as he saw who it was.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The girl had interested him in the morning by her beauty,
+grace, and intelligence, but he had been so busy during the day
+that he had scarcely thought of her since.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He did inquire for her at dinner, but there was company
+present, and his wife made some evasive reply. If the truth
+could have been known, she was rather reluctant to inform him
+what her intentions were regarding the young stranger.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Do I interrupt you, sir?” Star asked, modestly, but without
+advancing beyond the threshold.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Not at all, Miss Star. Come here and sit down; I am just
+through,” he answered, heartily.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She went and stood before him. She did not wish to sit
+down; she could say what she intended to tell him better
+standing, she thought.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You spoke so kindly to me this morning,” she began,
+“that I have ventured to come to you for a little advice this
+evening.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Spoke kindly to you! Why on earth shouldn’t I speak
+kindly to you?” he asked, in surprise.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Then noticing her pale, weary face, he continued:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“What under the sun have you been doing to-day? You
+look tired to death.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star tried to smile, but she felt more like dropping her face
+upon her hands and sobbing aloud.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She controlled herself with an effort, however, and putting
+some of her papers upon the table beside him, said:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_65'>65</span>“I have brought you some papers which papa gave me just
+before—just before he died”—a sob would come in spite of her
+then. “One is a copy of a letter which he wrote to Mrs.
+Richards,” she went on, “and there is also her reply. Will
+you kindly read them, and tell me just what you understand
+by them?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Certainly, if you wish,” he replied, looking a trifle surprised
+at her request.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He motioned her again to a seat, then opened the letters
+and read them both through.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I understand,” he said, when he had finished them, “from
+your father’s letter that, believing he was soon to die, he wished
+to provide a home for you. He states that he has no friends
+or relatives in England with whom he would be willing to trust
+you; that he has next to nothing to leave you, and begs my
+wife, as the nearest of kin, to assume the care of you and your
+education until you are able to do something for yourself, trusting
+to Providence to reward her for her kindness to the orphan.
+He mentions that he feels assured she will do this, since she
+once entertained such tender feelings for his wife for the signal
+service which she once rendered her.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Do you know what that service was?” Star asked, in a low
+tone.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No; I asked Ellen when I read the letter which she received,
+but she seemed to have forgotten to what he referred.
+Perhaps <i>you</i> know, though?” Mr. Richards concluded, inquiringly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star colored vividly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, sir,” she returned, with compressed lips.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well, what was it? I should like to know.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“My mother was a Miss Chudleigh before her marriage, as
+you doubtless know, and she lived near Halowell Park, in
+Devonshire, where Mrs. Richards was once visiting, and it was
+during that visit that she saved her from drowning.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_66'>66</span>“Whew! Your mother saved my wife from drowning, eh?”
+cried Mr. Richards, in astonishment, and coloring as he remembered
+his wife’s indifference upon the topic when he had questioned
+her about it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, sir. Now will you please read Mrs. Richards’ reply
+to my father’s letter, and tell me how you interpret it?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star did not care to dwell upon the subject of her obligation,
+since Mrs. Richards had seen fit to pass it by so lightly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I interpret it just as it reads,” he said, after glancing over
+it; “that she would be very happy to grant your father’s request,
+do her utmost to make a good and useful woman of
+you, and follow out his wishes regarding your future education
+as nearly as she could.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, sir, that is the way papa understood it; that is the
+way I understand it,” Star said, rising and standing erect before
+him with a gravity that made him wonder what was coming
+next.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“My father,” she continued, “as you know, was a clergyman
+with a very limited income, and he conducted my education
+himself until he became too weak to do so, therefore I am
+pretty well advanced for one of my years. I have read seven
+books in Virgil, have read two years in French, and am nearly
+through trigonometry, and have read a good deal in history. I
+was studying harmony in music when papa died, besides doing
+a little in painting and drawing. I do not tell you this,” Star
+interposed, with a sad smile, “to boast of what I have done,
+but that you may understand what my feelings are when I tell
+you why I came here to-night. Papa wished me to keep on
+with my Latin, reading Horace and Tacitus, with French,
+music, and history—in fact, he left a written programme for me
+to follow out as nearly as I was able. I am ambitious myself—I
+am <i>hungry</i> for knowledge. I want a <i>thorough education</i>, and
+as I must in the future earn my own living, I know of no way
+so congenial to my feelings as through literary pursuits. Perhaps
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_67'>67</span>I made a mistake in appealing to you just now, but I
+could think of no other way out of my difficulties, for of
+course I am wholly ignorant of the manners and customs of
+this country. I mentioned these things to Mrs. Richards this
+morning——”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>And now Star’s voice trembled, and the beating of her heart
+nearly choked her, for she did not know how this man would
+receive her appeal to him against his own wife.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well, and what did she say?” he asked, feeling somewhat
+perplexed over the matter.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“She told me that I could not go on with my education as
+papa wished; that—I was to take the place of a girl named
+Maggie Flynn in your family.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“What!” exclaimed the gentleman, in tones of the most
+emphatic astonishment.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Maggie Flynn, I understand,” Star went on, gathering
+courage as she noted his surprise, “was a sort of chamber and
+waiting-maid, and Mrs. Richards says that I am henceforth
+to perform her duties. I cannot tell you,” she continued,
+earnestly, “how repulsive such a life would be to me—to give
+up all my hopes, to forget, in the ceaseless routine of such an
+existence, all that I have already acquired; and I have come to
+appeal to you—to ask you if you will not try and persuade
+your wife to allow me to continue my studies? I am willing to
+work, and work hard, but I <i>must</i> have some time to improve
+and develop my mind. There are plenty of girls who can be
+employed in my place”—Star did not know of the curtailing
+business—“and who do not care for an education. Papa
+authorized a friend of his to dispose of his library and our
+household goods, and give the proceeds to me, after paying all
+bills. I have a letter of credit to the amount of a hundred
+pounds. I do not know the expense of schooling in this
+country, but could I not be sent to some institution for a year
+or two, and take this money to pay for it? I should be fitted
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_68'>68</span>by the end of that time, I think, to teach, and could relieve
+Mrs. Richards of all responsibility regarding my support.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards’ face was very stern when the young girl concluded,
+and Star, looking into it, felt almost frightened at what
+she had done.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But she reasoned that her situation could not be much worse
+than it already was, and it demanded desperate measures.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER VII.<br> <span class='large'>A CONSULTATION.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>“What have you been doing to-day?” Mr. Richards asked,
+in cold, stern tones, after what seemed an interminable pause.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Stella began to feel almost faint. That hard face, in which
+displeasure was the chief expression, did not look very promising
+for her cause; but she replied:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I have done all the chamber-work, swept and dusted five
+rooms, and waited upon Mrs. Richards.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You are not accustomed to such work,” he said, glancing
+at her delicate hands.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Not to any such extent, sir. Mamma used to require me
+to take care of the music-room, besides my own, at home, for
+we could keep only one servant, and I <i>know how</i> to sweep, and
+dust, and make beds,” Star concluded, with a slight smile.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I should say that you know a good many things for so
+young a lady,” Mr. Richards said, kindly, for he saw that she
+was nervous over what she had been telling him. Then he
+added, more gravely: “I will consult with Mrs. Richards, and
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_69'>69</span>I think that we can arrange for you to pursue your education
+as you desire.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star flushed.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She knew well enough that a mere consultation with
+Mrs. Richards would not secure much for her, and that she
+would be very angry with her for having appealed to her
+husband, and she made up her mind on the spot to make
+a bold stroke for her freedom.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>So meeting his eyes in a frank, fearless way, yet speaking
+with the utmost respect, she said:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I feel confident from the conversation which I had with
+Mrs. Richards this morning, that she will be very unwilling
+to make any change in her arrangements, so I will
+be perfectly frank and say to you, that much as I should
+dislike to take any radical steps in opposition to her, or
+my father’s desire that I should remain with her, yet I
+<i>cannot</i> consent to remain here as a common servant, with
+no privileges or time to myself. I presume Mrs. Richards
+will say that, as she has been appointed my guardian, I
+shall have to do just as she desires. But I have read
+somewhere that when an orphan in this country reaches
+a certain age, he has the privilege of choosing a guardian
+for himself. Rather than be subjected to the fate of becoming
+a second Maggie Flynn,” Star continued, her
+voice gathering firmness, “I shall exercise that privilege.
+Thank you for listening so kindly to my troubles, and I
+trust I have not wearied you. Good-night.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Without waiting for him to reply, she inclined her head
+in a graceful bow, and quietly glided from the room.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“By George!” exploded Mr. Richards, staring blankly
+after her retreating form, “that is what I call spirit. Make
+a common servant of such a girl as that, indeed! My lady
+and I will talk this matter over, and see—<i>what</i> we shall
+see.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Half an hour later he sought an interview with his wife,
+and there followed “a consultation” in earnest.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_70'>70</span>Mrs. Richards was dumfounded upon being informed of the
+decided stand which her spirited little ward had taken, and her
+indignation in consequence knew no bounds.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“The impudent little beggar!” she ejaculated, crimson with
+rage. “Does she expect to rule me, or balk me like this? She
+will find herself greatly mistaken. I will give her a dose in the
+morning—‘<i>such</i> a dose,’ as Mr. Flintwinch was wont to remark
+to his beloved Affery.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Ellen, you will do no such thing,” her husband returned,
+firmly. “Have you forgotten Mr. Gladstone’s letter to you and
+your reply to him? When you wrote accepting the guardianship
+of his daughter, you did so in a way to lead him to believe
+that you would do your best for her.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“And so I am doing my best for her,” interrupted his wife.
+“You have talked of nothing but retrenchment for the last six
+months, and I have <i>tried</i> to retrench. I knew the coming of
+this girl would make an extra mouth to feed, so I made up my
+mind to make her useful, and save something if I could.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well, the child says she is willing to be useful, but you are
+not fulfilling your agreement by making a drudge of her. Mr.
+Gladstone understood that you would give careful attention to
+her education, which he evidently has conducted upon the most
+thorough principles, and he expected that you would fill as far
+as possible his place toward her.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“How do you know what I wrote to him? You did not see
+my letter,” demanded Mrs. Richards, angrily.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I have seen it to-night. The girl has it, and showed it to
+me; and now I want you to live up to your promises,” replied
+her husband, gravely.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“She ought to be thankful that she has a roof to shelter
+her. Do you suppose I am going to allow her to interfere with
+Josephine’s rights?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Certainly not; but this girl is exceedingly bright and
+pretty; let them become mates and share alike, and I’ll wager
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_71'>71</span>that Star will never abuse your indulgence,” Mr. Richards said,
+generously.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“And who may ‘Star’ be?” demanded his wife, scornfully.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Why, Stella, of course—Star was the name, I suppose, by
+which she was known at home. Now, I insist,” he continued,
+with decision, “that this child be given a fair chance.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“How about retrenchment if you have <i>two</i> fine young ladies
+to support instead of one?” sneered Mrs. Richards.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Oh, bother! we’ll make it up in some other way. I’ll
+sell one of my horses; you can give up a new gown once in
+awhile.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Not if I know myself, Mr. Richards. I do not intend that
+this girl shall interfere with my comfort in the least degree,”
+interrupted the lady, with a frown.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well, we will manage in some way; but,” he added, beginning
+to get out of patience with her selfishness and heartlessness,
+“I swear, if you won’t promise to treat her considerately,
+and she repudiates you as her guardian, I will get her to choose
+me in your place, and I’ll treat her like a young princess—send
+her to Vassar, or any other first-class school she may choose,
+regardless of the cost.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“George Richards,” cried his wife, with flashing eyes, “if
+you take up weapons against me in this way, I never will forgive
+you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Can’t help it,” he retorted, coolly. “I’ll not have that girl
+made a common drudge of in this house while I am master
+here. How you could meditate such a thing for a moment is
+more than I can understand. Where is the gratitude for the
+life which her mother saved for you so many years ago?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards started slightly. She had not intended that
+her husband should ever know of the debt which she owed
+Star’s mother.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I suppose she had to twit you of that in order to gain her
+point and make you her champion,” she said, sarcastically.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_72'>72</span>“No, indeed. I asked her what her father meant by his
+allusion to the service rendered you, and to which he referred
+in his letter, and she told me of course, though in a
+very modest way, that her mother once saved you from
+drowning. Now, I want you to change your tactics. I
+want you to allow her to be one of the family.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I <i>never</i> will do that, Mr. Richards, and it is useless for
+you to suggest it,” Mrs. Richards interrupted, hotly. “I
+could never endure the sight of the girl at my table after
+this, and Josephine, I know, would not consent to it. Any
+one can see by the course she has pursued to-night with
+you that she is full of art and intrigue, and would not
+hesitate to interfere with Josie’s plans and prospects.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Oh, ho! you’re afraid she will outshine Jo, are you?”
+laughed her husband, good-naturedly. “I should think
+one would set the other off, Star being so light and Jo so
+dark, and I should really enjoy seeing two pretty girls
+flitting about the house.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I will never put Stella Gladstone on an equal footing
+with my daughter, so you can cease arguing upon that
+point,” reiterated Mrs. Richards, with a positiveness that
+was not to be mistaken.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“If you insist,” she continued, after a minute’s thought,
+“upon her being allowed to pursue her education, since
+she makes such a parade of being a bookworm, let her; I
+will not interfere. But <i>I</i> insist, on the other hand, that she
+make herself useful. She must work about the house before
+and after school, and do something in return for her
+support—more than this I will not concede;” and Mr.
+Richards, having gained this point, considered that he had
+won quite a victory for his wife’s pretty ward.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Very well,” he said; “I presume she will be satisfied
+with this arrangement. She said she was willing to work
+if she might only be allowed to study.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_73'>73</span>“Satisfied or not, it is all the concession that I shall make;
+and mark my words, George, I shall not <i>love</i> her any better for
+this interference on your part,” his wife said, hotly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Fie, Ellen! I thought you had a warmer heart; and it
+would not sound well outside if it should become known that
+you were making a servant of a relative. It would make quite
+a stir, let me tell you, if she should appeal to the courts to
+have a new guardian appointed,” Mr. Richards returned, in a
+conciliatory tone.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Thus the matter was settled, to Star’s great joy. Mr. Richards
+made arrangements at once for her to enter a select school for
+young ladies, which was located quite near their residence,
+and she began her attendance there the following Monday,
+having passed a most “creditable examination,” the principal
+informed her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>When she was advised of this pleasant change in her life,
+she thanked Mrs. Richards in a few well-chosen words for consenting
+to it; but the irate woman shut her up instantly by
+saying:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You owe me nothing, and I wish the subject never mentioned
+again in my presence. You will assist about the chamber-work
+in the morning before it is time for you to go to
+school, and help Mrs. Blunt with the mending on your return
+in the afternoon. Miss Baker will attend to the provision of
+suitable clothing for you, and you will work with her Saturdays.
+Now we will consider this matter disposed of until such time as
+you may deem your education finished;” and with this heartless
+speech, Star was summarily dismissed from the august
+matron’s presence.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She was greatly rejoiced with even this ungracious permission
+to pursue her studies, and the hours spent in the school-room
+were a source of great delight to her; but her position at home
+was anything but agreeable.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards treated her kindly whenever he chanced to
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_74'>74</span>meet her, but his wife and daughter ignored her presence when
+they could do so; when they could not, they took pains to
+make her feel her obligations and dependence in the most uncomfortable
+manner.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>With Mrs. Blunt she was comparatively happy, for the woman,
+though brusque and peculiar, was very kind-hearted, seeming
+to have conceived a great liking for the lonely orphan; and
+often she would sit up late at night to get the piles of mending
+out of the way, in order that Star—who was studying very hard
+to make up for having entered school in the middle of a term—might
+have more time to herself.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Miss Baker, the seamstress, too, was very kind to her, and
+her Saturdays were often passed very pleasantly in sewing and
+chatting in the cozy sewing-room.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She left home at a quarter to nine in the morning, and did
+not return until half-past four in the afternoon, taking a luncheon
+and spending the nooning in the school-room.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>This was not done on account of the distance, but because
+the dinner hour at the Richards’ mansion conflicted with the
+school hours.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>By staying at noon thus Star gained an hour’s practice on
+one of the pianos, with no one to interrupt her, and this was a
+season of unalloyed delight to her. Nothing had been said to
+her about continuing her music—Mrs. Richards had vetoed all
+accomplishments on account of the extra expense—but she
+could not give it up, so pursued a course of faithful practice
+by herself.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Not a moment was wasted. She arose with the dawn, and
+every morning for an hour she might have been seen bending
+over her small table, busily engaged in writing or study.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>All her duties were faithfully performed; beds had never
+been so well made before, rooms were never so carefully swept
+and dusted, or so tastefully arranged; and yet one would
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_75'>75</span>scarcely have mistrusted her presence in the house, everything
+was done so quietly and unobtrusively.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>This general exercise, together with her brisk walk before
+and after her school, was very beneficial to her health. She
+grew tall, and round, and rosy, and in beauty every day.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Saturdays Miss Baker’s weary face would brighten as Star sat
+and chatted in a merry, entertaining way, whiling away the long
+hours, her busy fingers often lightening her labors when there
+was no sewing to be done for herself, until she began to love
+the sweet young girl with a deep, warm affection, and to look
+forward to those weekly diversions almost as if they had been
+angels’ visits.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star was very tasteful also, and often suggested changes in
+trimming and the arrangement of drapery, thus making great
+improvements in her work, while, in spite of Mrs. Richards’
+commands that “everything for Miss Gladstone be as plain as
+respectability would allow,” she took pains to fit the young girl’s
+figure with great nicety, and added many graceful touches to
+her otherwise simple dresses.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>All winter long Star pursued this busy life, improving every
+moment to the best advantage, making every hour count; and
+one morning, getting through her work earlier than usual, she
+might have been seen stealing forth from that elegant mansion
+a half hour before the regular time, her cheeks flushed with
+some inward excitement, her eyes gleaming, yet somewhat
+anxious, and carrying in her hands a goodly sized package
+neatly wrapped in brown paper.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She took an opposite direction from the usual route to
+school, and walked hurriedly toward the business portion of
+the city.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>At the end of twenty minutes she stopped before the door of
+a large and handsome store, where for a moment she seemed to
+hesitate as if uncertain what to do next.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_76'>76</span>At last, with fluctuating color and trembling hand, she turned
+the handle and entered.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A little while passed, and then she came forth again, while
+now she appeared pale and agitated.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>As the door closed after her, she stood still for a moment
+upon the sidewalk, seeming lost in troubled thought; then a
+tremulous sigh, which was almost a sob, broke from her lips,
+and she turned and walked toward her school.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER VIII.<br> <span class='large'>RETRENCHMENT.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>Winter passed, spring came and went, and the commencement
+exercises of the seminary where Star was attending drew
+nigh.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The faculty, as was their custom, sent forth cards of invitation
+to its patrons, requesting them to be present and see for
+themselves what their children had accomplished during the
+year.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It chanced this time to fall upon Star’s birthday, although
+no one was aware of that fact save herself; but to her it was
+destined to prove an eventful occasion, and one long to be
+remembered.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards received and opened his invitation with his
+other letters on that very morning, and after glancing over it,
+passed it to his wife.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She merely looked at it, yawned, and then laid it indifferently
+one side.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards compressed his lips at this. It did not please
+him that all the young girl’s interests should be thus slightingly
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_77'>77</span>ignored; but he said nothing, although his thoughts were busy
+during the remainder of the meal, and as soon as it was completed
+he repaired to his library and rang his bell.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Send Miss Gladstone to me,” he said to the servant who
+answered his summons.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star received the command, wondering what it meant, and
+went down, with some trepidation, to obey it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She was almost like an alien in that house, living so apart
+from the family, and so rarely encountering any of them; but
+she possessed a sunny, even disposition, and although she often
+grieved over the neglect she experienced, and yearned for love
+and sympathy, yet she would not allow herself to brood over it;
+thus she was always sweet and genial in her temperament.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>As she entered the library this morning, Mr. Richards looked
+up and smiled with pleasure.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She was so fresh, and bright, and lovely that it was a delight
+to look upon her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I have received a card for the closing exercises of your
+school to-day,” he said, pleasantly. “I think I should like to
+attend, if I can make it convenient. How have you been progressing?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Professor Roberts has been kind enough to say that I have
+done very well. You know I did not enter until nearly the
+middle of the second term,” Star modestly replied, while her
+cheeks glowed and her eyes shone with pleasure that he should
+manifest this interest in her welfare.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Do you have any particular part in the exercises to-day?”
+he questioned.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, sir. I have a programme here in my pocket; perhaps
+you would like to see it?” and she drew it forth, laying it
+upon the table before him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He glanced over it, and, third upon the list, he saw:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Music, instrumental, by Miss Stella Gladstone.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Further down he read:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_78'>78</span>“Essay, by Miss Stella Gladstone. Subject: ‘Walls Must
+Get the Weather-stain Before They Grow the Ivy.’”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He looked up at her with some surprise.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Did you choose the subject of your essay?” he asked.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, sir.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Why did you take such a topic?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I do not know, sir,” Star answered, thoughtfully. “I read
+the line somewhere one day; it haunted me continually, until
+I wrote out some thoughts upon it, as I often do upon different
+subjects. Professor Roberts found them between the leaves of
+my Horace one day, and liked them so well that he asked me
+to elaborate and extend them, and read it as an essay to-day.
+He always has two or three essays from members of the junior
+class read upon commencement day.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards had been looking her over critically while she
+was speaking.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She was clad in a gown of some light gray material, made
+very plainly, but fitting her graceful figure to perfection. Simple
+bands of linen were just visible at her throat and wrists, while a
+knot of pale blue ribbon fastened her collar.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She looked lovely. She would have been so in anything;
+but he saw that her toilet was hardly befitting the ward of his
+wife.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Girls for commencement always have a new dress, don’t
+they?” he asked. “Have you made any arrangements of the
+kind?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No, sir; I shall go just as I am. This is the best that
+I have,” she returned, glancing down at her dress and flushing
+slightly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“How much time have you before the exercises begin?” he
+inquired.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“An hour or more,” she said, looking up at the clock on
+the mantel. “I am ready very early,” she added, smiling, “for
+I wished to look over my essay before reading it.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_79'>79</span>Mr. Richards looked grave. He remembered how Josephine
+had been all “fuss and feathers” at every commencement, and
+here this lovely girl was going to appear before a crowded hall
+in a dress which his daughter would not have worn in her own
+private room.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“If you will step around to Hunt &#38; Co.’s with me, you
+shall have one of those pretty summer silks that they are advertising
+so extensively. I should be gratified to have you as well
+dressed as your classmates, and I fear that your needs have been
+neglected in this respect,” he remarked, with a slight frown.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star flushed scarlet now.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had wished—oh, <i>so</i> earnestly!—that morning that she
+could have something dainty to wear, and she had sighed regretfully
+as she thought of all her pretty clothes lying at the bottom
+of the ocean, for they had been prettily made, although they
+were of inexpensive material; and she had heard the girls talking
+of the new dresses which were being made for them. But
+when her toilet was completed and she looked in the glass, she
+felt that, notwithstanding the disadvantage of her apparel, there
+was at least a distinguished air about her which bespoke the
+true lady, and she was comforted.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Thank you,” she answered, quietly, while the color slowly
+receded from her brow and cheeks; “you are very kind to
+suggest it, but, if you please, I prefer to go as I am. I shall
+be gratified,” she added, dropping the proud ring out of her
+voice, “if you feel sufficiently interested to attend the exercises
+to-day, and I will endeavor to show you that I have tried to
+improve the advantages that you have given me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I should be willing to take your word for it,” Mr. Richards
+said, heartily, “but I will come and see for myself.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star looked pleased at this assurance, and then, giving him a
+friendly little bow and smile, went away with a light heart.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“By George! she’ll make a woman to be proud of, or—or
+‘I’m much mistaken,’ as Mrs. Blunt would remark. She has
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_80'>80</span>spirit, too, and is bound to stand on her own merits. There
+are not many girls who would have refused the offer of a pretty
+new dress for such an occasion. I’ll go over to the seminary
+and see what she has been doing.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>When Mr. Richards entered the hall of the seminary, he
+found it crowded to overflowing with spectators, anxious friends,
+and fond parents.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He gradually worked his way forward toward the platform,
+for he was determined to hear Star’s essay, if possible, and
+finally took his stand beside a piece of statuary and near an
+open window, where he could have air and yet command a
+good view of all the exercises.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Almost at the same moment a slight, willowy figure, clad in
+light gray, with a fair, delicate face, deep blue eyes, scarlet lips,
+and a wealth of golden hair, glided noiselessly to the piano on
+the platform, sat down, and after running her fingers nimbly
+over the keys for a moment or two, dashed off into a brilliant
+and difficult sonata.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was executed apparently without a mistake from beginning
+to end, and without notes, and when it was finished the
+fair performer retired from the instrument amid enthusiastic
+applause.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards was astounded.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He had expected some simple melody, passably performed.
+She had told him, in her modest way, that she had given some
+attention to music, but he had not imagined that she was as
+proficient as this, and he could not understand how she had
+kept up her practice, with no instruction, and no permission to
+use the piano at home.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He did not know of that hour at noon, nor the odd minutes,
+when other girls were chattering away at recess time, that Star
+had diligently given to this science which she so dearly loved.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He was no less astounded during the reading of her essay.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>When it was announced, she came quietly forward with
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_81'>81</span>graceful self-possession, and unfolding the roll of manuscript
+which she carried in her hand, read in sweet, yet clear tones,
+a production which held her listeners spell-bound from beginning
+to end.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She must have woven something of her own heart history
+into it, he thought, for two or three times the tears welled unbidden
+to his eyes at the pathos which those smoothly rounded
+sentences contained.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It seemed as if Star’s efforts were more highly appreciated
+than any other portion of the exercises. Even the valedictory,
+from a member of the senior class, although well written and
+to the point, was not listened to with such breathless attention.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>At the conclusion of the programme, the diplomas were
+awarded to the graduating class, and then the professor said he
+would read the names of those who had passed their examination
+and were to be promoted from the other classes. There
+were two young ladies, he said, who were entitled to a double
+promotion, having accomplished the work of a year in about
+six months, which was, to say the least, a very unusual and
+laudable circumstance.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The names of those entitled to this were Miss Stella Gladstone
+and Miss Grace Turnbull, and they would, upon the beginning
+of the fall term, take their places in the senior class.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>As the people flocked by him out of the hall, Mr. Richards
+heard Star’s praises on every side, and inwardly vowed that the
+girl should have every chance in the future.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He made his way toward the platform, intending to speak
+with and congratulate her upon her success; but just before
+he reached her another gentleman approached her, and after
+shaking hands in the most cordial manner with her, gave her
+a small package, and bending down, whispered a few words in
+her ear.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He could not understand the expression of mingled surprise
+and joy which for a moment absolutely glorified her fair face as
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_82'>82</span>she received the package; then the tears sprang to her eyes, as,
+with tremulous lips, she appeared to be thanking the giver.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The gentleman chatted a few moments longer with her, then
+put out his hand for the roll of manuscript which she still held,
+while he smilingly asked her for it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star hesitated about giving it to him, while a lovely color
+suffused her face; then, with a shy movement, she laid it in
+his palm.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He received it with a brilliant smile, bowed gracefully to her,
+and then left her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards now approached her, and taking her hand,
+said, almost affectionately:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Star, you have shone effulgently to-day, and I am proud
+of you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It would not have been in human nature to have prevented
+the little gleam of triumph which flashed from her eyes at this
+tribute to her talents, but she said, gratefully:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Thank you, sir; but I owe my success all to you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Not a bit of it,” he returned, with some emotion; “you
+owe it to yourself alone; but I will take care that you do not
+thank me for nothing at the close of another year.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star wondered what he meant, but she did not question him,
+and her heart was lighter than it had been before, since she
+crossed the ocean, as he led her from the building and walked
+home with her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But he noticed all the way that there was a nervous tremor
+about her, while she was unusually absent-minded and silent.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Who was that gentleman who came and spoke to you at
+the close of the exercises?” he asked, just before they reached
+home.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star glanced up with a start.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“His name is Appleton,” she answered, and pretended not
+to notice that his eyes were resting curiously upon the package
+which he had given her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_83'>83</span>When they entered the house, Star ascended to her own
+room, while Mr. Richards sought his wife.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He found her and Josephine together in the drawing-room,
+and, for a wonder, no callers with them.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He informed them where he had been, and also of the brilliant
+appearance which Star had made before the public.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Both mother and daughter sneered audibly at his account,
+and this aroused his indignation.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>His eyes began to blaze, and his wife sobered instantly; she
+always recognized and dreaded this dangerous symptom.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You are a couple of selfish, heartless women,” he began;
+“and now, let me tell you, you have got to turn over a new
+leaf, or there will be trouble in the camp. That girl, whom
+you have so despised and tried to degrade ever since she came
+into the house, has wonderful talent—talent of which any one
+might be proud. She is rightly named, for she certainly shone
+like a star of the first magnitude to-day. Her essay was superior
+to anything produced there, and her performance upon the
+piano something wonderful for one so young and possessing so
+few advantages.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Oh, papa, you don’t mean to say that she can play the
+piano! I’m sure she has never touched this one since she
+came here, and no one can play well without constant practice,”
+asserted Miss Josephine, with a toss of her dark head, for she
+was accounted a good musician.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You don’t believe what I tell you, then,” her father said,
+frowning.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well, I think you must have overestimated her talent in
+that direction,” the girl answered.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards did not reply, but walked to the bell-rope and
+gave it a pull.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Go and say to Miss Gladstone that I would like to see
+her in the drawing-room,” he said to the servant who opened
+the door.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_84'>84</span>“Really, Mr. Richards,” interrupted his wife, with severe
+dignity; but he stopped her short with a motion of his hand.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Go!” he repeated to the servant, who had hesitated as she
+spoke, and then he turned again to her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I want you to understand,” he said, “something of the
+wrong which you have been doing this child, and now I am
+going to ask her to play to you. I desire that you treat her
+civilly, too, when she comes down. She should have been
+received here as one of us—I regret that I did not insist upon
+it in the beginning—she should have been on an equal footing
+with Josie, enjoying the same advantages, and receiving sympathy
+and encouragement instead of—well, it’s no use fretting
+over it now; but, by Jove! I’ll make it up to her in the future.
+Hark! she is coming, and now I’ll have no sneers or sour
+looks,” he concluded, as the door handle turned.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star entered at this moment, and seeing the whole family
+assembled, looked somewhat surprised; but Mr. Richards approached
+her, saying, quietly:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I have sent for you to ask if you will play again for us
+what you played at the hall to-day?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star glanced at the two ladies, but their attitude was not
+encouraging.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards was the personification of dignified indifference,
+while Miss Josephine sat looking out of a window, and
+partially concealed by its drapery.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She saw that she was wholly indebted to Mr. Richards for
+this opportunity of displaying her talent, and that they were
+evidently somewhat doubtful as to her ability to do what he
+claimed for her; therefore her fingers began to tingle to do
+their very best.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Certainly; I shall be pleased to play for you if you desire
+it,” she said, as she walked quietly and unassumingly to the
+piano and sat down.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had not struck a dozen notes before she had the undivided
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_85'>85</span>attention of every listener; and when she had concluded,
+two of the little company were quivering with jealous
+anger.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Josephine had the name of being a good musician, but both
+she and her mother could plainly perceive that she had not a
+tithe of the talent that the fair, despised girl, of whom they had
+tried to make a common servant, possessed.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Play something else, please,” Mr. Richards said, when she
+had finished the sonata which she had played at school; and,
+without a word, her slender fingers went sweeping through one
+of Mendelssohn’s “<cite><span lang="fr">Romances sans Paroles</span></cite>” in the most intoxicating
+manner imaginable, and her new admirer, with a look
+of pardonable triumph, thanked her most warmly when she
+concluded.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She quietly left the room, although she felt assured that a
+storm was ready to burst as soon as she should be beyond hearing;
+the very atmosphere was heavy with it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She was right in her conjecture, for no sooner was the door
+closed behind her than Mrs. Richards’ tongue was loosed, and
+she broke forth in a torrent of wrath.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well, George Richards, I suppose you imagine that you
+have done something wonderful in bringing that girl here and
+showing her off to us; but you will find that you have made a
+mistake. It is very praiseworthy, indeed, to seek to humiliate
+one’s own daughter, and I should suppose you would feel very
+proud of such an achievement. Where is your self-respect, that
+you bring a beggar in here and set her up as a reproach to your
+wife? I will not stand it, sir—I tell you I will not stand it!
+Things are come to a pretty pass, I should say, if our domestic
+peace is to be destroyed by that insignificant chit, and I was a
+fool ever to consent to her coming here.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>This and much more of the same kind the angry woman
+poured forth in a perfect volley.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_86'>86</span>Mr. Richards listened with quiet gravity to the tirade, and
+when she had concluded, he quietly remarked:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well, Ellen, now that you are through, we’ll say that it’s
+my turn. You might just as well make up your mind to be
+reasonable first as last, for mine is settled upon one thing—<i>Star
+Gladstone has done the last day’s work in this house that she
+ever will do</i>! She is to have her time entirely to herself until
+she graduates, a year hence. I shall offer to allow her to pursue
+music, and painting if she desires, during the long vacation
+just at hand, giving her the best of masters which New
+York affords, and spare no reasonable expense to make her the
+accomplished woman that I think she is capable of becoming.
+<i>You promised</i> all this to her father; he sent her to you with the
+belief that she would enjoy these advantages until she was
+fitted to become a teacher, <i>and she shall have them</i>. Now, one
+thing more—and you know that when I get aroused to this
+pitch I mean what I say—if I find that you or Jo are making
+her unhappy at any time, I’ll put her into the most genteel
+boarding-house in the city, out of your reach. As for ‘domestic
+peace,’ about which you twit me, I believe I love my family
+better than the average of men, and am not in the habit of
+stirring up strife; so it will rest with <i>you</i> to keep the peace.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards did not wait for any rejoinder to this plain
+speaking, but left the room, and finding Star out upon the balcony
+leading from the dining-room, he told her that he had
+decided to let her take up music and painting during the vacation
+if she wished.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He felt amply repaid for his efforts on her behalf on seeing
+the look of joy which flashed over her face, while her voice
+thrilled with earnestness as she replied:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Oh, sir, I ought to be the happiest girl in Brooklyn to
+have so much of good come to me on this, my seventeenth
+birthday!”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Is this your birthday?” he asked, with a feeling of selfreproach
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_87'>87</span>that it should have come and nearly gone with no
+token of remembrance, while he glanced over her meager attire
+and marked the absence of all jewelry or trinkets such as young
+girls love, for she wore nothing of the kind save a dainty cameo
+head fastened to the knot of ribbon at her throat.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, sir; and it is one which I shall always remember with
+great pleasure,” she said, with a tremulous smile that he did
+not then understand. “I thank you,” she added, “for allowing
+me to go on with my music, and I will be very faithful in
+improving my opportunity; but—I think, if you please, I will
+not mind about the painting at present. I am very fond of it,
+but—I——”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Very well; do as you choose,” he said, as he saw she was
+somewhat embarrassed. “You are to have all the advantages
+you desire during the next year, and you are to do no more
+work of any kind in this house——”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Oh, but I like to work about the house,” she began,
+eagerly; but he stopped her authoritatively.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No; I will not have it. You need all the time you can
+get for study and practice. Maggie Flynn, or some other
+Maggie, shall come back as chamber and waiting-maid, and
+you are to remember it is my command that you do nothing
+of the kind. If you have any spare time, use it in making the
+pretty things which young ladies of your age like so much.
+Here is something to begin upon, and I will allow you the
+same amount every month;” and he tucked a bill of no mean
+denomination into her hand as he concluded.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He did not wait to hear her thanks, but turned abruptly
+away, feeling very tenderly toward this sweet young maiden,
+who had lived such an isolated, neglected life in the midst of
+that household of luxury.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star looked after him with a glorified face.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Oh, what a birthday!” she said, as she went up stairs and
+shut herself into her room.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_88'>88</span>She folded that precious bill—more money than she had ever
+possessed before at one time—for “pretty things,” and laid it
+safely away in a drawer; then she took up a handsomely bound
+book that lay on her table.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“A red letter day!” she murmured. “My success—my promotion—his
+kindness, and, above all, this beautiful book—it
+all seems to be too lovely to be real.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She raised the volume and softly touched her lips to it;
+then bowing her golden head, her heart overcharged with its
+unaccustomed weight of happiness, found relief in a shower
+of tears.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“The book” was the package, devoid of its wrapper, which
+the strange gentleman had given her in the presence of Mr.
+Richards.</p>
+
+<hr class='c013'>
+
+<p class='c011'>The next morning’s papers contained an interesting account
+of the commencement exercises of —— Seminary, together
+with a copy in full of Miss Stella Gladstone’s essay, and speaking
+in very flattering terms of its excellence as a literary production.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Another important event occurred that morning.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>One of Mr. Richards’ driving horses was sold, and his wife,
+upon learning of the circumstance, lifted up her hands and
+scornfully exclaimed:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Retrenchment!”</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_89'>89</span>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER IX.<br> <span class='large'>CHANGE OF FORTUNE.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>A few mornings after Star’s emancipation from her duties as
+a servant, she encountered, as she was coming down stairs to
+her breakfast, Josephine, who was also on her way to the
+dining-room.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well, I suppose you feel mighty set up over the fine show
+you made of yourself the other day,” that young lady remarked,
+sneeringly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I had no desire to make a ‘show,’ as you express it,” Star
+answered, courteously, and ignoring her companion’s rudeness.
+“But it is always pleasant to receive thanks when one has tried
+to do one’s best.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Thanks!” was the scornful rejoinder. “You have been
+very sly about it all; and I should think you’d feel mean
+enough about wheedling papa into giving you music and painting
+lessons.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I have never asked Mr. Richards for either, and—I am not
+going to take painting lessons at all,” Star said, with scarlet
+cheeks.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You needn’t try to make me think papa would ever have
+made such a row if you hadn’t been at him and pretended to
+be so abused and ill-treated. But—where did you get that
+lovely cameo that you wore in that knot at your throat?” Josephine
+asked, her eyes having been sharp enough to detect the
+pretty trinket.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It was given to me by a friend,” the young girl answered,
+with trembling lips, for she was cut to the heart by the unjust
+accusations heaped upon her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_90'>90</span>“Some one must have liked to fool away money pretty well,
+to give you an elegant trifle like that,” the rude girl said, for
+she had known that it was valuable at a glance. “It doesn’t
+correspond with the rest of your wardrobe,” she continued,
+jeeringly; “you’d better give it to me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star looked up into the bold, handsome face beside her with
+astonishment.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I cannot give it to you,” she said, with compressed lips.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well, <i>lend</i> it to me, then.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She was loaded with jewelry, early as it was in the day. She
+wore a heavy gold chain, from which was suspended a blue
+enameled locket set with pearls and diamonds; heavy jewels
+hung in her ears, broad bands of gold clasped her wrists,
+while her fingers gleamed with numerous costly gems; and
+here she was coveting the single ornament which she had seen
+Star wear.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I do not like to appear disobliging,” she returned, “but
+there are reasons why I do not even like to lend it.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“What reasons, pray, can you have for refusing so simple a
+request?” Josephine persisted.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I have told you—it is the gift of a friend. I do not like
+to part with it.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I will give you this handsome emerald for it,” said the
+spoilt beauty, turning a valuable ring upon her finger.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Thank you. No; I could not make the exchange.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Nonsense! You’re stuffy enough, I hope,” the refined
+young lady retorted; and, with lowering brow, she turned impatiently
+away, and went into the dining-room.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>An hour later, while Star was busily practicing, she stole
+slyly into her room and pounced greedily upon the coveted
+little treasure, which was stuck into a dainty pincushion made
+of bits of silk and covered with an embroidered lace tidy, all
+the work of the little maiden’s skillful fingers.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_91'>91</span>“I was <i>bound</i> to have it,” the unprincipled girl said, triumphantly,
+as she examined it closely.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It is lovely; the most delicately carved cameo that I ever
+saw, and, for a little thing, must have cost no mean sum. Ah!
+it is marked on the back of the setting,” she continued, turning
+it over. “A. S. and two tiny strawberry leaves underneath.
+I wonder who ‘A. S.’ is, or—was? What a lovely ring it would
+make.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She lifted the skirt to her basque and deliberately pinned it
+upon the lining, an evil look in her brilliant eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I’ll capture it for awhile, just to torment her for her presumption
+in trying to outshine me before papa the other day.
+The little minx! she is altogether too high-headed and airy to
+suit me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>This important matter disposed of, she began to look about
+Star’s room with some curiosity.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>To begin with, it was exquisitely neat and clean, and the
+utmost had been made of the small and meagerly furnished
+apartment. A sheet had been ripped in halves, gathered across
+the one window, and then looped on either side with broad
+bands and bows of light blue cambric. A corner bracket,
+brought to light from among some rubbish in the store-room,
+had been covered with blue cambric, and over this hung a
+daintily ruffled curtain of dotted muslin, while upon the shelf
+were arranged Star’s few books and a small vase filled with
+flowers. This last-mentioned object had been a gift from Mrs.
+Blunt at Christmas—her only remembrance on that day.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The small table was covered with a spotless towel having a
+blue border—more of Mrs. Blunt’s thoughtfulness—and there
+was a bright strip of carpeting before the bed, which was covered
+with a cheap but immaculate spread. Upon the bureau
+another towel was laid, and on this Star’s few toilet articles were
+arranged with the utmost care.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Josephine opened and curiously peeped into the drawers.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_92'>92</span>In one there was a very limited supply of clean, neatly folded
+clothing; in another two or three handkerchiefs, as many collars,
+a ribbon or two, a small wooden box which was locked,
+and a worn portfolio—another trophy from the store-room—which
+was also locked and no key visible.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I wonder what is in this?” Josephine said, taking up the
+box and shaking it, to ascertain, if possible, its contents.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>They appeared to be somewhat heavy, and to be wrapped
+about with cotton or a napkin, and she was forced to put it
+down, her curiosity ungratified. It was the same with the portfolio,
+and, with a frown of disappointment, she returned this
+also to its place.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>There was very little to attract any one in the little maiden’s
+bower, and yet it had a cozy, home-like air about it; but her
+scant wardrobe, as Josephine opened the closet door to look
+within, appeared very mean in the petted and indulged beauty’s
+eyes; and, indeed, it compared very unfavorably with the pretty
+outfit which had gone down on the ill-fated vessel on which
+Star had sailed.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It is a mystery to me how she manages always to look so
+nice with these few traps,” Miss Richards muttered, as she
+shut the door with a sign of disgust and turned to leave the
+room.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Ha! what have we here?” she cried, as she caught sight of
+a new, prettily bound book lying on the small table. “Oh,
+this is that new novel that I heard Charlie Carpenter raving
+about the other evening. I wonder where <i>she</i> got it. I think
+I’ll appropriate it myself; it looks inviting,” she added, slipping
+the leaves through her fingers.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Chatsworth’s Pride,” she continued, turning to the title
+page. “I should like to know who wrote it; but the author’s
+name is not given. However, I’ll read it, and see if it is as
+wonderful as Charlie said.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was not a large book, and dropping it into her pocket, this
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_93'>93</span>“Paul Pry” in petticoats stole from Star’s little bower and
+glided unobserved to her own room, having accomplished her
+object in securing the coveted cameo, and vented her spite
+upon the offending girl for having dared to outshine her in the
+presence of her father.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Later, when Star went up to her little sanctum and found
+both pin and book gone, she surmised at once who had been
+there.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The loss of the book she did not mind so much, although
+she was reading it and had been obliged to lay it aside in the
+midst of a most interesting chapter; while she knew that when
+Josephine had read it she would doubtless throw it one side,
+and she could easily get it again. But to lose the cameo—that
+precious gift of kind, handsome Archibald Sherbrooke—was
+more than she could bear with either patience or fortitude, and
+a passion of tears testified to her grief for her loss.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She knew that it would be useless to appeal to Josephine for
+it; she could not <i>prove</i> that she had taken it, and she would
+doubtless feign astonishment and innocence if questioned regarding
+it, and unless she could regain possession of it by
+strategy, it was, she feared, lost to her forever.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A week subsequently the family repaired to their country
+residence at Yonkers, where they usually spent the hot months,
+excepting a few weeks’ sojourn at some fashionable watering-place or mountain resort.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Here Star, who had been told that she was to have the use
+of the music-room whenever she wished, began her work in
+earnest, and gave six hours a day to hard, faithful practice.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Wednesdays and Saturdays, however, she went into New York
+to take her lesson, Mr. Richards having arranged with one of
+the first teachers for her instruction. In spite of Mr. Richards’
+commands to the contrary, she persisted in doing many little
+things to assist Mrs. Blunt, although she was relieved from all
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_94'>94</span>regular duty. The housekeeper often demurred when Star
+offered her services.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You shall not spoil your hands, child,” she would say, with
+a fond glance at those delicate members; “I can get along as
+well alone now as I used to, or I’m much mistaken.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Never mind my hands, Mrs. Blunt; I can’t practice all
+the time, and I must have some exercise. It is a pleasant
+change for me to help you once in awhile, and have a little
+cozy chat,” Star answered, heartily; and the woman, who, to
+say the least, did not have either an easy or pleasant time herself,
+was often beguiled into allowing her to have her own way,
+and was cheered in no small degree by her sunny face and gay
+chatter.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“That girl’ll make her mark in the world, bless her heart!
+She’ll make a better and smarter woman than Miss Josephine,
+or I’m much mistaken,” she was wont to remark forty times a
+month to the cook, and she grew to love our gentle Star with
+an almost motherly affection.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>When not attending to her music, Star spent most of the
+time in her own room, and no one questioned as to how she
+occupied it; and although she continued to be ignored by the
+family when it was possible to do so, and snubbed and sneered
+at when it was not, she was comparatively happy, knowing that
+every day well spent was helping her on toward emancipation
+and independence.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>One day Mr. Richards came home with a very grave face
+and sought an audience with his wife.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I have a letter from your Uncle Jacob here,” he said, drawing
+one from his pocket as he spoke.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards’ face lighted instantly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“From Uncle Jacob? That is good news. Has he returned?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_95'>95</span>“How is the dear old man, and when is he coming to make
+us a visit?” she asked, with animation.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“He is not at all well—has been having serious trouble with
+his head and eyes. He returned last fall, and since then has
+been visiting your brother in the West. Listen, and I will
+read you what he says:</p>
+
+<p class='c014'>“‘<span class='sc'>My Dear George</span>:—You see by the heading of this that the wanderer
+has returned—yes, and returned to wander no more. I cannot write
+much, for I am not able to do so. I returned from abroad last fall, since
+when I have been with Henry, and now propose to go East and visit or
+make my future home with you, as you have so often pressed me to do. I
+know you will heartily sympathize with me when I tell you that the
+steamer on which I sailed was wrecked, and all I had was lost. I regret
+to come to you, as I shall, almost penniless, and in this broken state; but
+you have so often told me that there would always be “a warm corner in
+your home” for me, that I am going to take you at your word. I shall
+not wait for a reply to this, but follow almost immediately, for I know I
+shall meet with a hearty welcome.’”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Then followed a few affectionate sentences for each member
+of the family, but Mrs. Richards scarce heeded them.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It can’t be possible that Uncle Jacob has lost all his
+property!” she cried, aghast. “Why, the last we heard he was
+worth a million!”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I know; but in these days it does not take long to lose a
+million,” her husband replied, gravely, adding: “It is a misfortune,
+indeed, for the old man; but we will do the best we
+can for him, allowing him to feel it as little as possible. He
+<i>will</i> feel it, however, for he was, as I remember him, a very
+high-spirited, independent man.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards’ face was crimson from mingled emotions.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It is a shame!” she cried, angrily. “Uncle Jacob always
+gave Henry and me to understand that we should be his heirs;
+and now we have to lose half a million apiece. How under the
+sun do you suppose he lost it?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I have no idea—some speculation, doubtless.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_96'>96</span>“It appears that he expects to be taken care of in his old
+age just the same as if he were the Crœsus we have always supposed
+him to be,” Mrs. Richards said, wrathfully.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“He has a right to expect it,” her husband replied, with
+some sternness; “you have always professed the deepest affection
+for him, and urged him to make his home with you.
+Who <i>should</i> take care of him in his misfortune if not his only
+brother’s children?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Henry is as well able to have him as I am, and I don’t see
+why he could not have staid there.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Perhaps he was no more welcome there than it appears he
+will be here,” Mr. Richards remarked, sarcastically.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well, I’m not going to have him here, and there’s an end
+of the matter. I shall post him right back to Henry. His wife
+does not have half the care that I do, socially. We might as
+well open a hospital for the lame, the blind, the halt, and beggars
+generally.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I am astonished to hear you speak thus, Ellen, and of your
+own relatives, too, especially after all your flattering protestations.
+Of course we will receive your uncle kindly, and show
+him all proper attention.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I will <i>not</i>,” his wife retorted, angrily. “I may as well set
+my foot down first as last; he shall not come here to be a
+burden upon us. You have had your way about Stella; now
+I’ll have mine in this matter. One beggar in the house is
+enough.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Ellen, how you are changed! When I first knew you, you
+were sweet-tempered and kind. I believe your life of unlimited
+indulgence and luxury has soured and hardened you,” Mr.
+Richards said, with a regretful sigh for the early days of his
+married life, when his wife was loving and lovable.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Thank you; your <i>compliments</i> are not of a particularly
+‘sweet’ nature,” she answered, scornfully.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Your uncle says he shall follow his letter immediately; he
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_97'>97</span>may arrive at any hour. What shall we do with him?” asked
+Mr. Richards, taking no notice of her sarcasm.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I don’t know—I don’t care. Tell him that the house is
+full of company—anything you please; only mind, <i>I</i> will not
+be burdened with a half blind, decrepit old man;” and the excited
+woman flounced angrily from the room, leaving her husband
+sitting alone in sad and troubled thought.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER X.<br> <span class='large'>THE UNWELCOME GUEST.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>On the very evening of the day of that spirited discussion
+between Mr. and Mrs. Richards regarding the coming of the
+latter’s uncle, a railway carriage stopped before the door of their
+mansion, and an old man alighted.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He was dusty and travel-stained; his hair and beard were
+white as snow; his clothing—a common business suit—considerably
+the worse for the wear; while he wore a dark-green
+visor or shade over his eyes, and appeared both weary and
+feeble.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He inquired of the servant who answered his ring for Mrs.
+Richards, and was told in an indifferent, almost impudent,
+manner that she was “engaged.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Humph!” ejaculated the visitor, lifting the green shade and
+giving the man a keen look; “where is your master?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“In the library,” was the rather more respectful answer.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Show me the way there,” commanded the stranger, authoritatively;
+and the servant turned with a subdued air to obey
+him, recognizing at once his superior in spite of the travel-stained,
+shabby clothing.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_98'>98</span>Mr. Richards received his wife’s relative with every appearance
+of cordiality, although there was a restraint in his manner
+which could be felt rather than explained.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Ah, Uncle Jacob!” he said, as he shook him by the hand
+and took his hat from him; “we hardly thought you could
+arrive quite so soon. I should have looked for you to-morrow,
+however. Sit down—sit down; and, John,” turning to the man
+who had shown him in, “tell Mrs. Blunt to fix up a nice little
+supper and send it in here on a tray.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Don’t put yourself out, George; anything will do for to-night.
+I am more tired than hungry,” the old man said, sinking
+into a luxurious chair with a weary sigh, and removing the
+green shade entirely from his eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards fidgeted and looked uneasy.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He knew that there was not a room in the house that his
+wife would give up; every one had been arranged for company
+who were expected or had already arrived, and he was at his
+wits’ end to know what to do with him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Uncle Jacob” poor and ill was an entirely different character
+from “Uncle Jacob” rich and prosperous.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But he sat chatting socially with him until Mrs. Blunt appeared
+with a tray and served a tempting little meal, which the
+old gentleman ate with evident relish.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I <i>was</i> more hungry than I thought,” he said, when at
+length he had finished his second cup of tea, eaten the leg of a
+chicken and a couple of rolls. “Now, if you please, I should
+like to be shown to my room, for I have traveled a long distance
+to-day. But—where is Ellen? I should like to exchange
+greetings with her before I go.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Ahem!” began Mr. Richards, feeling extremely uncomfortable.
+“Ellen has a house full of company to-night; if you
+could excuse her, and wait until to-morrow——”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Certainly—certainly,” the old man said, hastily, but in a
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_99'>99</span>disappointed tone; for his niece had always been the first to
+greet him and express her delight at his coming heretofore.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“And,” continued his host, growing very red in the face,
+“I am very sorry, but—every room in the house is taken.
+Would you mind sleeping at the lodge until we can make a
+place for you?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The old gentleman bent a keen glance upon the speaker
+at this.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He saw his embarrassment, marked his averted eye and
+shamefaced air, and mistrusted something of its cause.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Sleep at the lodge?” he repeated, in a peculiar tone. “Oh,
+no; I’ve just come from Henry’s, where I slept over the stable.
+<i>They</i> had a ‘house full of company,’ too. Is the lodge far from
+here? You know I’ve never been in this house before.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“About two minutes’ walk; I will go with you and see that
+you are made comfortable. It is too bad that things should
+happen so,” Mr. Richards said, with real regret as he saw how
+weary the traveler was, and he had half a mind to ring and
+command that he be shown into one of the guest chambers in
+spite of his wife’s objections.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Never mind, George; I shall sleep just as well there as
+here, no doubt,” and he arose as if anxious to get away.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Where is your baggage? I will attend to having what you
+need sent down,” Mr. Richards remarked, as he took up his
+hat to accompany him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I have nothing but a small valise,” was the reply. “You
+know I wrote you that I had been very unfortunate. I was on
+board the —— that was lost last fall, and everything I had on
+board went down.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“On board the —— were you?” cried Mr. Richards, in surprise,
+and glad of any change in the subject of conversation.
+“Why, then you must have known Star, as she was also on
+that steamer.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Star—Star Gladstone, do you mean?” eagerly inquired Mr.
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_100'>100</span>Rosevelt, for it was he, as doubtless the reader has surmised
+before this.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, Star, or Stella Gladstone, is her name.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt sat down again, his face full of interest and
+animation now, and forgetting his weariness for the time in his
+desire to learn something of the beautiful girl to whom he was
+so deeply indebted.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Where is she?” he asked. “What do you know—what
+can you tell me about her?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“She is here in this house,” Mr. Richards answered. “She
+is the child of one of my wife’s relatives who resided in England,
+and Ellen, upon learning that she was an orphan and
+homeless, consented to have her come here,” he concluded,
+trying to make the best of a very poor story.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I never expected to hear anything of her again, but I am
+very glad to know that she is here,” Mr. Rosevelt said, with
+evident emotion. “She saved my life during that awful time,
+almost at the sacrifice of her own. It would, perhaps, have
+been better had she not exerted herself in my behalf so much.
+It is not a pleasant feeling to know that one is regarded as an
+incumbrance and a burden,” he continued, with some bitterness;
+“but I shall never forget her heroism while I live. She
+nearly starved herself to death to keep life in me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I am astonished at what you tell me,” returned Mr. Richards,
+feeling a deeper interest in Star than ever before.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“She disappeared very suddenly from the steamer which
+picked us up and brought us into port. I went down to my
+state-room for something, and then to the captain to thank
+him for his kindness and bid him farewell, and when I went to
+look for her she had gone; some one had come and taken her
+away.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes; we heard of the arrival of a steamer with some of the
+wrecked on board, and Ellen immediately sent Mrs. Blunt down
+to see if Star was among them,” explained Mr. Richards.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_101'>101</span>“She must be a pleasant addition to your family, George;
+she was a very attractive girl.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Ahem!” that gentleman replied, avoiding the keen eye
+fixed upon him. “Yes; she is a smart and talented girl; she
+will make a fine woman, without doubt. Would you like to
+see her to-night?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No; I believe I am too tired. I will go to the lodge now,
+if you please. I can see her to-morrow;” and the old man
+arose again.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards led the way from the room, getting his baggage
+from the hall, and then took him through the dining-room to
+lead him out by a side door.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>As they passed through the hall, sounds of music and laughter
+came to them from the drawing-room; and had any one been
+watching Mr. Rosevelt closely, he might have seen his lips curl
+with something like scorn and his eyes gleam indignantly, in
+spite of his weariness.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>As Mr. Richards opened the outside door leading out upon
+the veranda, a slight figure sprang up from the step, and Star,
+with a startled glance, turned and confronted them.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A look of surprise swept over her face as she saw Mr.
+Richards’ companion; then, with a low cry of joy, she darted
+forward and seized Mr. Rosevelt by the hand.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Oh, sir,” she said, tremulously, “I was afraid I should
+never see you again! How glad I am to meet you once
+more!”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt recognized her at once, and recognized, too, the
+heartiness and sincerity of her welcome. There was nothing
+forced or constrained about either her words or manner.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Ah, Miss Star, I am as glad to see you as you can possibly
+be to see me,” he said, shaking her hand warmly. “I little
+thought,” he went on, “that when you and I were faring so
+poorly together that we were bound for the same place. I intended
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_102'>102</span>then to come here before this. Why did you not tell
+me that you were a relative of Mrs. Richards?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I did not think much about it, sir, or that my destination
+could interest you,” she answered.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Tut, tut, child!” he said, gently; “<i>anything</i> connected
+with you would have been of interest to me after your kindness
+to me. I was deeply disappointed to find you gone when
+I went to seek you; but they told me that some one had come
+and taken you away, so I was forced to go my way also. Well,”
+he concluded, smiling, “I have found you now, and I shall
+not lose sight of you again.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“But are you going away now, sir?” Star asked, glancing at
+the bag Mr. Richards was carrying, and which had the initials
+“J. R.” painted upon it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No; only to the lodge for sleeping accommodations, as
+there is no room in the house for me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No room in the house for you?” Star repeated, in astonishment;
+but something in Mr. Richards’ face warned her that all
+was not as he would wish, and she added, flushing: “I wish
+you would take my room, then; for I can sleep very nicely on
+the lounge in the sewing-room.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards raved inwardly over his wife’s obstinacy and
+heartlessness, which compared so unfavorably with this gentle
+girl’s generosity and self-denial; but he could only hold his
+peace and let matters take their course, for if he interfered with
+his wife in her present state of bitterness and disappointment
+over the loss of her expected fortune, he knew that a domestic
+squall would be sure to follow, and one which it would be hard
+to settle.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No, thank you, Miss Star,” Mr. Rosevelt returned; “I
+will go to the lodge until there is room for me in the house.
+You are as kind and self-sacrificing as ever, I perceive, but I
+will not deprive you of your room. Good-night, my child; I
+shall see you to-morrow.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_103'>103</span>He laid his hand in a tender, caressing way on her head;
+then went out with Mr. Richards, whom he enlightened still
+further regarding that eventful voyage which he and Star had
+made together.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She stood still in the door-way looking after them, a puzzled
+expression on her face, a gleam of indignation in her large
+blue eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had overheard Mrs. Richards telling Josephine something
+about “Uncle Jacob,” that afternoon after leaving her
+husband.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The name had made her think of Mr. Rosevelt, and he had
+been in her thoughts most of the time since; but she had not
+imagined that they were referring to him, or that he was a
+relative of the family. Now she saw that he was the “Uncle
+Jacob” to whom she referred, but she could not understand his
+being sent out of the house to sleep.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No room in the house! What can they mean?” she murmured,
+with tingling cheeks, for she knew of three unoccupied
+beds that he might have had as well as not.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>To be sure they had been made up for company that was
+expected, but the visitors would not arrive for a day or two,
+and it seemed such an inhospitable thing to send that old man
+away down to the lodge, with its close, small rooms, to sleep.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I hope I shall never be rich if it would make me hardhearted
+like that,” she said, with indignation. “I would prefer
+to struggle all my life with poverty, and have a kind and
+generous heart—one that can feel for others in trouble and
+sorrow. How tired and ill he looked, too,” she went on, recalling
+his pale face and drooping attitude, “and he is such a
+splendid man!”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It makes me think of those other words,” she said, the
+tears springing to her eyes: “‘And there was no room in the
+inn,’ and of One who, in consequence, had to lie in a manger.
+<i>That</i> could not be helped, for there <i>was</i> no room; but this is
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_104'>104</span>shameful, for there is plenty and to spare here. How can any
+one treat one’s father’s brother so?”</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XI.<br> <span class='large'>FILTHY LUCRE.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>The next morning word was brought from the lodge that
+Mr. Rosevelt was quite ill, and not able to come up to the
+mansion for his breakfast.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Breakfast, indeed!” muttered Mrs. Richards, with a toss
+of her proud head; “as if he supposed he was going to be
+invited to sit at the table with my fashionable guests in his
+shabby clothes.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had received a full account of his arrival and appearance
+from her husband the night previous, after Mr. Rosevelt’s departure
+for the lodge.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards went at once to see him, and to give orders to
+Mrs. Mellen, the wife of the gardener, to do everything for his
+comfort.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Later, his wife, with much inward fretting and fuming, followed
+his example, not because she had any desire to see him
+or felt in any way anxious about him, but to save unpleasant
+remarks and comments.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She met her uncle with anything but a cordial greeting, and
+which, even in the midst of his suffering, he could not fail to
+feel keenly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I am very sorry, Uncle Jacob, that you are ill, especially
+as I am full of company just now, and cannot personally give
+you the attention that you ought to receive,” she said, trying to
+speak sympathetically, but failing utterly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_105'>105</span>“Never mind me, Ellen. Mrs. Mellen seems very kindly
+disposed, and will, no doubt, do all that is necessary for me. I
+am sorry to be a burden to you in my misfortune, but you have
+always been so kind to me, urging me so cordially to come to
+you at any time, that I thought you would be glad to see your
+old uncle under any circumstances,” the old man said, regarding
+her closely while he was speaking.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I hope you will soon be better,” Mrs. Richards returned,
+evasively.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She did not think it necessary to tell him that he was no
+burden, or to say anything to make him feel comfortable and
+at ease in his trying situation.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She was so deeply disappointed and chagrined on account
+of the loss of his fortune, and consequently of her share of
+his million, that it was impossible not to betray something of
+her feelings.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Thank you,” he returned, coldly. “Do not allow my condition
+to cause you any anxiety. I am very comfortable. It is
+very quiet here, and I shall doubtless do very well.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes; you <i>will</i> be more quiet here than up at the house,
+where there are so many people and so much going on,” she
+replied, eagerly seizing this pretext for keeping him where he
+was. “And,” she added, “if you need anything, Mrs. Mellen
+can attend to all your wants.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>After a few more commonplace remarks, she took her departure,
+feeling quite relieved to have him so easily disposed of.
+She had nothing to gain now by fawning and flattery, and
+since his gold was gone, he was no more to her than any other
+feeble old man, and it would not pay even to pretend what she
+did not feel.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>As she went rustling out of the room and down stairs in her
+rich attire, her aged and dependent relative lay back in his
+chair, with a darkening brow and a pale, pained face.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Money! money! money!” he muttered. “No one is of
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_106'>106</span>much account in this world without plenty of the filthy lucre.
+If I had come here as I used to, with plethoric pockets instead
+of an empty purse and shabby attire, no one would have been
+sweeter or more delighted to see ‘dear Uncle Jacob’ than Ellen
+Richards. And it was just the same with Henry and his family.
+When I could make them costly presents and shower favors
+upon them—when I was ‘Jacob Rosevelt, the millionaire’—no
+trouble was too great, nothing too good for me. It is a cold-hearted,
+selfish world; <i>no one</i> is to be trusted. But it is a little
+hard on an old man to find that he must go down to his grave
+and feel that he is regarded with affection by nobody. Talk of
+‘Divine dispensations,’ of ‘tempering the wind to the shorn
+lamb’—there is no divinity about it, for the adverse winds of
+the world never blew so coldly on me as at this moment,” he
+concluded, bitterly; and bowing his head upon his hands, he
+seemed to lose himself in troubled thought.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“May I come in?” asked a gentle voice behind him, after a
+few minutes; and turning, he saw two blue eyes gleaming at
+him from beneath soft curls of sunny hair, a pair of red lips
+smiling upon him, while a slight, graceful figure, daintily clad
+in a pretty blue lawn gown, stood in the door-way, waiting for
+his permission to enter.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Jacob Rosevelt’s sad face involuntarily brightened at the sight
+of this attractive picture, and he said, hastily:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well, well, child, I believe you are rightly named, for you
+come like a veritable star into the gloom of my life. Star
+Gladstone—it is but an index to your character, for you both
+brighten and cheer. Of course you may come in.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Thank you,” Star said, laughing, and advancing to his side.
+“I did not expect to be so highly complimented when I came
+out. I have brought you this lovely spray of oleanders which
+the gardener gave me from the conservatory,” and she held up
+her little vase containing the bright, fragrant blossoms. “And
+here,” she continued, “is a dish of the most delicious raspberries
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_107'>107</span>you ever tasted, every one picked by my own fingers,”
+and she held up her right hand, showing her slender fingers
+stained by the rosy fruit.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He watched her, his pale lips relaxing into a smile, which
+even extended to the eyes that had been so sad a little while
+before. She was irresistible in her bright beauty; she was as
+fresh and sweet as the morning itself, while with her heart filled
+with kindness and consideration for him, he began to think that
+all the world was not quite so bad as he had thought.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Mrs. Mellen told me, as I came in, that you did not eat
+much breakfast,” Star continued; “and as she is about to serve
+you a little lunch, I brought my berries right up to give them
+to you myself.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Mellen entered at this moment, bearing a little tray
+with a tempting lunch spread upon it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star wheeled a small table to the invalid’s side, spread a spotless
+towel which she found upon the rack upon it, and then
+deftly arranged the dishes in the most tempting way before him,
+putting the oleander blossoms in the center and the raspberries
+just under his nose, where he could not fail to get their delicious
+odor and long to eat them.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“How pretty and inviting you make everything look, little
+one,” he said, affectionately, as he watched her graceful movements
+and their result.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“What would the world be but for the beauty there is in it?
+and what are pretty things given us for, but to enjoy?” Star
+returned, with a fond glance at the flowers, as she moved them
+a trifle nearer to his plate.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“There,” she went on, smiling, and tossing her hat upon a
+chair, “I believe I am hungry myself, and if you will allow me
+to pour your tea, I think I could eat a slice of Mrs. Mellen’s
+delicious bread and butter with you afterward. You don’t often
+see such bread as that, I can assure you, and I frequently run
+down here and beg her to give me some.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_108'>108</span>The young girl shot a smiling glance at the woman as she
+spoke, and the woman’s face beamed with pleasure at this
+tribute to her skill.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Bless you, child!” Mr. Rosevelt said, as he unfolded his
+napkin and drew nearer the table; “the sight of your bright
+face and the smell of your berries have given me an appetite
+already. Sit down, sit down; my tea will taste ten per cent.
+better to be poured by your fair hands, and while we eat you
+shall tell me how it has fared with you during the past year. I
+see it has not changed <i>you</i> at heart; you are the same as when
+we parted, and you were as ready as ever last night to sacrifice
+your own comfort for a poor old man.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star blushed. She felt almost as guilty, knowing that there
+had been room for him at the house, as if <i>she</i> had been the one
+to turn him away.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I knew these rooms were low and close, while my room,
+although rather high up, was much more airy; besides, you
+looked too tired and ill to walk way down here,” Star explained,
+with some embarrassment.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Your own is rather high up, is it? How high?” he asked,
+giving her a keen glance.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It is in the third story,” she answered, flushing again.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Ah! one <i>would</i> be apt to get good air in that latitude,” said
+Mr. Rosevelt, dryly. “Now tell me,” he added, “what you
+have been doing since I saw you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star gave him an account of her life at school, omitting for
+several reasons to speak of the fate which had been intended
+for her, and said just as little as she could in connection with
+Mrs. Richards and her haughty daughter, or their treatment of
+her. She told him of her music, of the books she had read,
+and what her plans for the future were when she should graduate
+at the end of another year.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She spent more than an hour with him, and when at length
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_109'>109</span>she left him, he was apparently much cheered and a good deal
+better for her visit.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She went every morning afterward while her vacation lasted,
+always taking him something in the way of fruit or flowers, and
+cheering him with her lively chatting, until he began to look
+for her coming as the chief event of the day.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Sometimes they would wander together through the beautiful
+grounds of Mr. Richards’ place, or, finding a cozy nook, Star
+would take some interesting book and read to him; and as the
+week went by, he appeared to improve in health and to grow
+more contented with his lot.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He continued to remain at the lodge, in spite of the fact that
+the company had all departed, and there was now plenty of
+room in the mansion.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards had gone West on a prolonged business trip,
+and, of course, could not use his influence as to any change;
+while Mrs. Richards appeared to ignore his presence entirely,
+unless she came upon him unexpectedly, when she would treat
+him with indifferent politeness.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Josephine’s attitude toward him was one of proud disdain,
+although once she professed great friendship for him; but now
+he was nothing more than an aged, decrepit man—a sort of
+“cumberer of the ground,” and simply tolerated because it
+would be considered inhuman to cast him out at that time
+of life.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>In September Mrs. Richards and her daughter went to Long
+Branch for a change, leaving the household in charge of Mrs.
+Blunt.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star began school again, going back and forth by rail, as the
+town house would not be opened again until October.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>This made it hard for her, because she was obliged to go so
+early and return so late; but as her comfort was not a matter
+which usually demanded much consideration, and she made no
+complaint, the fact remained unnoticed.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_110'>110</span>During the absence of the family, Mr. Rosevelt frequented
+the house, for it was much more comfortable through those
+hot September days than his contracted room at the lodge, and
+he was glad to avail himself of the privilege of the well-stocked
+library to while away the long hours of Star’s absence.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>In the evening she would entertain him with her music,
+while on Saturday they both felt like children out of school;
+and thus day by day they grew to feel a deep affection for each
+other.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“She at least does not love me for my money,” the old
+man would often mutter to himself, with a grim smile, after
+receiving some thoughtful attention from the young girl; “her
+affection is sincere and disinterested, and I pray that her gentle
+heart may never become seared and hardened by the cold
+world.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He had long ago learned just how Star was regarded by the
+family, and how they had attempted to degrade her to the level
+of a common servant, and this did not tend to make him entertain
+any deeper respect for them.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>His information on this point he had gathered chiefly from
+Mrs. Blunt. Star would not talk about it, always evading or
+changing the subject in a dextrous way that amused him in no
+small degree.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Meanwhile Josephine and her mother were flourishing among
+the fashionable at Long Branch.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The season proved to be a very gay one; every hotel was
+crowded, and many noted people from various countries were
+sojourning there.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Among others, the Richardses heard upon their arrival, there
+was a young English lord of great reputed wealth, having, it
+was said, the largest rent-roll in Derbyshire, England.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“They say he is the handsomest man in the place, as well
+as the richest,” Josephine said to her mother, the night after
+their arrival at the gay watering-place, having heard this piece
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_111'>111</span>of news, with much else, from an intimate friend. “All the
+girls are wild about him,” she pursued. “Annie Falkner was
+introduced to him yesterday, and says he is as charming in
+conversation as he is in appearance.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“How old is he?” asked Mrs. Richards, pricking up her
+maternal ears at once over this wonderful information.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“About twenty-one or two, Annie thought he might be.
+He has been traveling in this country for a year, just to see a
+little of the world before settling upon his own estate. It is
+whispered,” the eager damsel went on, with flushing cheeks
+and sparkling eyes, “that he has heard of the beauty of
+American ladies, and is on the lookout for a handsome wife;”
+and Josephine tossed her head with a conscious smile, as her
+eyes wandered to the reflection of her own fine face and figure
+in an opposite mirror.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“That is somewhat doubtful, I think, since the English
+nobility are very jealous regarding marriages outside the pale
+of their own rank. However, such things are happening every
+year now, and this young lord may be captivated by some of
+our American beauties, after all;” and Mrs. Richards bestowed
+a glance of pride upon her handsome daughter, and thought
+how delightful it would be to figure as mother-in-law to an
+English lord, and to be able to say, “my daughter, Lady So-and-So.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>That evening Josephine Richards, the most brilliant girl in
+the ball-room of the Howard House—the hotel where they
+were stopping—was made supremely happy by receiving an introduction
+to Lord Carrol, of Carrolton, Derbyshire, England.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>One look into the frank, handsome eyes of the manly
+stranger, one touch of his hand, one tone of his rich, musical
+voice as it vibrated in her ears, and she knew that she had
+met the man whom she should love with the one great passion
+of her life.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He was tall, with a well-developed form, straight, strong, and
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_112'>112</span>lithe; a splendidly shaped head, with masses of waving brown
+hair; clear, truthful, brown eyes, full of fire and intelligence;
+a full, rather low brow, a straight nose, and a smiling but decided
+mouth, with brilliant, even teeth.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was not much wonder that the “girls were wild” over
+such a man as this, and he a lord, with a rent-roll of sixty
+thousand a year.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Josephine herself, at nineteen, was a magnificent-looking girl,
+at least when she was good-natured and animated.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She was a clear, brilliant brunette, with eyes as black as
+night, a wealth of midnight hair, a fine form, and clearly cut,
+rather delicate features; and all this, added to a faultless taste
+in matters of dress, went far toward making her the chief attraction
+wherever she went.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>My Lord of Carrolton seemed no less pleased with her than
+she with him, and spent a goodly portion of the evening by her
+side after making her acquaintance, much to the chagrin and
+indignation of other anxious, blooming maidens and fond,
+managing mammas.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Have you ever visited Europe?” the young peer asked his
+companion, as he led her to a seat at the conclusion of a
+quadrille.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Never, my lord, but I think we shall persuade papa to
+take us upon a European trip by another year. Mamma has
+some distant relatives, I believe, somewhere in England,”
+Josephine replied.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I trust you will be as well pleased with my country and
+countrymen as I am with America and Americans,” Lord Carrol
+remarked, gallantly, with an inclination of his grand head, and
+bestowing a look of admiration upon his companion.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Josephine flushed with pleasure. His glance, his gesture, his
+words, all plainly indicated that he did not consider her the
+least attraction in America or among Americans.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Thank you, in the name of my native land,” she said;
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_113'>113</span>“but I think you must be an exception to the proverbial
+Englishman, for I have been told that, as a rule, they do not
+like us any too well. They cannot forgive us our independence.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“One may be forced to admire in one way that which it
+might not be pleasant to contemplate in another,” his lordship
+returned. “But,” he added, “I trust that as we, as nations,
+become better acquainted with each other by the frequent interchange
+of courtesies, we shall also become better friends.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Have you been long in America?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Nearly a year. I have visited a large portion of the country,
+and I must confess that I am greatly pleased and interested in
+what I have seen, and particularly so with your free institutions
+and schools. Your people, too, are generous, free-hearted, and
+intelligent, while the beauty of American ladies, you know, is
+proverbial,” he concluded, smiling.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Josephine’s dark eyes drooped shyly beneath his glance, while
+the blood went rippling to her heart with a thrill such as she
+had never before experienced.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I shall remain two or three months longer,” he continued;
+“and I think when I do return, notwithstanding I love old
+England very dearly, I shall go with something of regret.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He would remain two or three months longer.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Josephine’s heart leaped exultingly; she would meet him
+often, perhaps, this noble young peer; and what might not
+happen in two or three months?</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Do you remain long at Long Branch?” she asked.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Three or four weeks, perhaps. I find it very pleasant here,”
+he said; and again that thrill leaped through her veins. “I
+shall then go to New York,” he added, “where I shall make
+my headquarters until I return to England.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Perhaps we can help to make your stay in New York pleasant,”
+Josephine said, with her most brilliant smile. “Mamma
+and I are to remain here until the first of October, when we
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_114'>114</span>shall go home, and can, perhaps, help to show you more of
+our great city than you would otherwise see.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Thanks; I shall be very happy to avail myself of your
+kindness. But there is the signal for supper; may I take
+you in?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It is needless to say that the fascinated girl accepted his invitation,
+and spent the hour feasting more upon the young
+lord’s handsome looks and charming conversation than upon
+the choice viands which he placed before her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was evident that he also experienced pleasure in her
+society, for, when he took her to Mrs. Richards—as she made
+a signal that she wished to retire from the company—and was
+introduced to her, and then accompanied them both to the foot
+of the staircase leading to their apartments, he asked and obtained
+permission to call upon them on the morrow.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XII.<br> <span class='large'>THE CAMEO RING.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>A fortnight passed, and the Brooklyn beauty, as Miss Richards
+was designated, together with the attention she was receiving
+from the handsome English lord, formed the principal theme
+of conversation at the fashionable watering-place.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards was in her element, and conducted herself
+remarkably well.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>His lordship considered her a woman of very fine appearance
+and of wonderful tact; and it was noticeable that when
+he was in her presence he paid her full as much homage as he
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_115'>115</span>did her daughter; but people of course said this was all for a
+particular purpose.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“By the way,” she said to him, one day, when they were
+comparing the merits of their respective countries, “I am more
+than half English myself. The late Lady Thornton, of Hallowell
+Park, Devonshire, was an aunt of mine—at least, my
+mother was her half-sister—and I have other distant relatives
+living in the same county.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Indeed!” said Lord Carrol, his face lighting at this intelligence.
+“I had no idea that you had any English blood in
+your veins; I thought you were purely American. I have often
+heard my father speak of Sir William Thornton, of Devonshire,
+and his son, Sir Charles, was at Oxford with me. I was only
+slightly acquainted with him, however, as he took his degree a
+year before I took mine. I am very happy to learn of this
+fact,” and, as if by some fascination, the young nobleman’s
+glance sought Josephine as he spoke.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I once visited at Hallowell Park when I was a young girl,”
+Mrs. Richards continued, although a flush arose to her cheek
+as she remembered all that had transpired during that visit, for
+it was then that Star’s mother had saved her from drowning.
+“It is a lovely place, and a very large estate, I believe.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“So I have been told. Sir William was quite an active statesman
+before his death, which occurred only a year after his wife’s.
+They had only one child, Sir Charles, I believe.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Has <i>he</i> a family?” Mrs. Richards asked, quickly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I think not—at least, I have never heard of his marriage.
+If he should die without issue, I suppose the estate would pass
+into other hands.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards started, and gave the young man a quick
+glance at this.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Whose, I wonder?” she said, reflectively, and suddenly
+seemed to lose all interest in the conversation, and the young
+lord turned his attention to the more appreciative Josephine.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_116'>116</span>The month which the Richardses spent at Long Branch was
+an eventful one; it was the most brilliant season that Josephine
+had ever known.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had several offers of marriage, but refused them all, for
+her heart was set on becoming Lady Carrol, and going to shine
+among the nobility of England.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>When the time drew near for their departure, her heart beat
+high with hope; for Lord Carrol had lingered beyond the time
+he had intended to spend there, and she flattered herself that
+she was the cause of it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He certainly had shown her considerable attention, and it
+was rumored that there would be an engagement.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He appeared to enjoy the society of both ladies, and although
+he had not committed himself in any way, he had accepted an
+invitation to visit them at their country-seat the second week in
+October, and both Josephine and her mother were hoping much
+from that event.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The last evening of their sojourn at Long Branch, Miss
+Richards descended to the veranda of the hotel, dressed with
+the utmost care and taste.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Her robe was of creamy white silk, with an overdress of filmy
+black lace, looped with crimson fuchsias. There were diamonds
+in her ears, her hair, and clasped about her neck and arms;
+but they were not brighter than her midnight eyes, which
+glowed with hope and love, while her smiling lips vied with the
+flowers which she wore.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She was brilliantly, dazzlingly beautiful.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The men watched her every movement with admiring glances;
+the women could but acknowledge her superior charms, yet
+with something of a feeling of envy on account of the prize
+they believed she was about to bear away with her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Lord Carrol seemed drawn to her as the needle to the pole.
+He had been sitting at one end of the veranda when she came
+down, but he almost immediately arose and went to her side,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_117'>117</span>while he would not have been human not to have betrayed his
+appreciation of the exquisite toilet, which seemed to enhance
+her beauty more than ever.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She was conscious of looking her best, and this made her
+appear to better advantage—for who does not feel more at ease
+and self-possessed when conscious of looking well?—while there
+was an unusual gentleness, almost sadness, in her manner, as
+if something foreshadowed that something was slipping out of
+her life to-night—something which would change and darken
+her whole future, unless the man whom she had grown to
+worship should lay at her feet homage equal to that which she
+had given to him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“What will the devotees at beauty’s shrine do to-morrow,
+Miss Richards?” the young lord asked, with a smile and a
+glance which told her what she knew already—that she was
+particularly attractive to-night.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“The Howland House possesses a galaxy of beauties, and I
+do not think there will be any occasion for the ‘devotees,’ as
+you call them, to neglect their duty to-morrow,” she answered,
+smiling too, but with heightened color.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Ah! but it is plainly to be seen where they have bent the
+knee most devoutly,” he replied, with a gesture which called
+her attention to the many admiring eyes fixed upon her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She shrugged her graceful shoulders with an air of impatience,
+as if annoyed to find herself so conspicuous, while her darkly
+fringed lids drooped over her glorious eyes, hiding the wistful
+look which had suddenly crept into them.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“The night is lovely, and the band is playing delightfully;
+let us go out and wander about the grounds for a little while,”
+Lord Carrol said, after a moment of silence, during which
+sweet, enticing strains came floating toward them on the evening
+air.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She took the arm he offered her, her heart throbbing so
+wildly that she feared he would detect it, and they passed down
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_118'>118</span>the steps and away from the crowd on the veranda, some of
+whom smiled to hide their envy, others indulgently, as if upon
+a pair of lovers.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I suppose this will be our last night in this charming place,”
+the young man said, as they slowly wended their way along a
+sheltered avenue.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She looked up with a slight start at the word “our.” He
+noticed it, and smiled.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I said ‘our,’ because I, too, shall leave on the afternoon
+express to-morrow. I have business in New York which will
+occupy me for a week or more.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Josephine flushed with pleasure at this, for she felt sure that
+the “business” was only a pretext. Her vanity led her to believe
+that Long Branch would be nothing to him without her
+companionship, and that he would go to New York merely to
+pass the interval of time which would elapse before he would
+go to Yonkers to spend the promised week with them.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Oh!” she thought, “if he would but speak a single word
+to commit himself that night, she could go away in the morning
+with a light and happy heart.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But he had never hinted of love for her; he had accompanied
+her and her mother almost everywhere they had been,
+often showing Mrs. Richards more attention than herself. He
+had danced with her, rode with her, walked with her, and no
+word beyond the most commonplace expressions of friendship
+had ever fallen from his lips.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Sometimes she had thought that he was drawn to them more
+than to any one else simply because he had discovered them to
+be of English extraction, and felt more freedom and more in
+sympathy with them on that account.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But she knew, too, that he admired her for her beauty, and
+she certainly had exerted herself more than she had ever done
+in her life before to be not only entertaining, but gentle, and
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_119'>119</span>winning, and womanly, and she kept hoping that a crisis would
+come before they left for home.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>They wandered on and on, the moonlight streaming upon
+them through the overarching branches of the trees, and making
+lace-like patterns upon the smoothly graveled walk at their feet,
+and he talked only of yesterday’s boating, yesterday’s racing—of
+anything save what her heart was craving to hear.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The band played its softest, sweetest strains; the leaves rustled
+whisperingly above their heads, suggestive of lovers’ vows; they
+were almost alone in the beautiful, moonlighted avenue, and
+everything was conducive to love-making, if his lordship had
+only been so inclined.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Soon they came out by a fountain where the lights were
+shining brilliantly, and he led her to a rustic seat, placed her
+in it, and sat down beside her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I shall be very sorry to go,” Josephine said, with a pensive
+sigh, as she looked around on the lovely scene; “it has been
+very pleasant here this summer.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It has, indeed, and I shall carry the memory of it with me
+for a long while,” her companion replied. “You have some
+very beautiful places of resort in your country, Miss Richards.
+You and your mother have made my sojourn at Long Branch
+more than pleasant. Since learning that you have English
+blood in your veins, I have grown to regard you almost as my
+own people; and sometimes,” he added, smiling, “I have felt
+as if I might be intruding myself too much upon you; but I
+trust I shall be able to return some of your kindness when you
+come to England.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Josephine’s heart sank like lead in her bosom.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>These were surely very commonplace words to speak to her
+on the eve of her departure, if he entertained anything of affection
+for her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It would be a great delight to me to visit England,” she
+returned; “and you have told me so much about your beautiful
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_120'>120</span>home—your mother and sister—that I have a great desire to
+see both it and them.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You must come to Cheshire Park—my mother’s and sister’s
+home. Next year I shall hope to show it to you,” he said,
+earnestly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Did he mean that he hoped she would go there with him, or
+was it merely a wish that she would visit England, that he might
+be able to return some of the courtesies which she and her
+mother had shown him?</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She could not tell, but hope seemed deserting her; her
+heart beat heavily, she grew pale and sad, and a slight shiver
+shook her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He noticed it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You are taking cold, I fear; we ought not to sit here in
+this evening air.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No, I am not taking cold; I will tie my handkerchief
+around my throat, however,” she answered.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was so pleasant sitting there beside him, so pleasant to
+listen to his rich, deep voice and look into his clear brown
+eyes, that she could not bear to think of going back to the
+hotel just yet.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She tied her handkerchief about her white throat, and as she
+did so, the light struck full upon a ring which he had not seen
+her wear before.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was a lovely cameo, very delicately cut. It was Star’s little
+treasure, the gift of Archibald Sherbrooke.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Pardon me,” Lord Carrol said, with a slight start as he
+observed it, “but you have a ring on your hand that I have
+never seen you wear before. It is very lovely. May I examine
+it more closely?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Josephine unhesitatingly laid her hand on his palm, her whole
+body thrilling as his fingers closed over it, and he bent his
+proud head to examine the ring.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had had poor Star’s pin made into this ring, which she
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_121'>121</span>had worn a few times, and then tiring of it, had thrown it into
+her jewel-box, where it had lain unheeded until to-night, when
+a sudden whim had caused her to put it on.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It is a very finely carved cameo,” he said, after a few moments,
+during which he had regarded it intently. “I once saw
+one so nearly like it that I do not think I could distinguish it
+from this. It belonged to—to a friend of mine, although that
+was in the form of a pin.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Was your friend a lady or gentleman?” Josephine asked,
+quickly, and not giving herself time to realize that she was
+betraying undue curiosity.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“A gentleman,” he returned, briefly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It is a pretty trifle which was given to me by a relative,”
+Josephine said, without even wincing at the <i>lie</i>, yet feeling guilty
+and uncomfortable to have the stone recognized.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It is evidently quite a valuable cameo,” Lord Carrol returned,
+thoughtfully, “and the person of whom I spoke prized
+the one he had very highly, for he is something of an artist,
+and had it carved in Italy after a design which he made
+himself.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Indeed! Is your artist an Englishman?” Miss Richards
+asked, with downcast eyes, and more interested in this matter
+than she cared to appear.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes; and his name is Sherbrooke—Archibald Sherbrooke,”
+Lord Carrol replied, while he regarded her intently.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Josephine started, and the color flamed into her face.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Archibald Sherbrooke!</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The name smote her unpleasantly, for she remembered those
+two initials, “A. S.,” which were marked on the back of the
+setting of the cameo, and having two tiny strawberry leaves
+engraved underneath.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Could it be possible that Star—the despised girl at Yonkers—knew
+Archibald Sherbrooke, the <i>friend</i> of Lord Carrol, and that
+he had given this elegant cameo to her?</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_122'>122</span>She remembered how, when she had asked her to give it to
+her, Star’s lips had trembled as she said “it was the gift of a
+friend and she did not like to part with it;” but she never
+imagined that the associate of a peer would take interest enough
+in a girl occupying the position she occupied to give her so
+costly an ornament as this.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The thought was not a pleasant one, or it told her that if
+such was the case, and there could be no doubt of it, that Star
+was known and appreciated by one whom this English lord
+held in high esteem.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She would have liked to question him more about this
+“friend” of his, but did not wish to betray too much curiosity
+lest he should mistrust that she had the identical stone which
+he referred to, and should in turn ask unpleasant questions
+of her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She therefore changed the subject as quickly as possible,
+hoping to win him to a mood more congenial with her own
+feelings and desires.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But her efforts proved unavailing, for his lordship had suddenly
+become thoughtful and taciturn; and Miss Richards at
+last, berating herself soundly for having worn that unlucky ring
+that evening, signified her desire to return to the hotel.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards had watched them saunter from the veranda
+in a flutter of anticipation, hoping that the all-important moment
+had at last arrived.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But one glance at her daughter’s face when they came back
+told her that the much wished for crisis had <i>not</i> arrived, and
+she felt deeply disappointed.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Good-night and good-by!” Josephine said, holding out her
+white hand to her companion as they entered the hotel. She
+could not trust herself longer in his society, lest she should
+betray something of her disappointment and ill-nature. “I
+must say my farewell now, I suppose, since we are to leave by
+the early train to-morrow.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_123'>123</span>“It is always hard to say farewell to our friends,” Lord Carrol
+answered, smiling as he took her extended hand. “However,
+I can say it with a better grace now than if it was to be a final
+one. But are you going to leave us so soon? There is a gay
+company in the dancing-hall, and I fear many will be disappointed
+if you flit so early.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, I am going up to my room,” she answered, wearily;
+and he noticed that she had grown very pale and was shivering.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I am really afraid you have taken cold; you look ill, and I
+fear I kept you out too long,” he said, anxiously.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No,” she returned, brightening a trifle as she saw how
+troubled he was on her account. “I have not taken cold, but
+I do not feel like dancing to-night, so I will retire. Good-by
+for a week.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, for one week; then I shall see you in your own home
+at Yonkers,” Lord Carrol said; and just then Mrs. Richards
+approached them.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“How is it that you two young people are not in the ball-room?”
+she said, brightly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I am taking leave of Miss Richards, who thinks of retiring,
+as she says you leave on the early train,” explained his lordship.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“What is the trouble, Josie—are you not well?” the elder
+lady asked, with maternal solicitude.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes; but I do not wish to dance to-night, so I am going
+up stairs.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Then I’ll go with you, for I have not quite finished packing.
+Well, my lord,” she added, turning cheerily to him and giving
+him her hand, “I trust you will spend the coming week pleasantly,
+and then we shall expect to see you again.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Thanks. Shall I have the pleasure of meeting Mr. Richards
+then? Will he have returned by that time?” the young man
+asked.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes; he returns next week,” Mrs. Richards answered, a
+new idea striking her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_124'>124</span>Probably he wished to consult formally with her husband
+before proposing to Josephine; the English, she knew, were
+very punctilious regarding such matters.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Yes, she was confident, now she thought of it, that was why
+he had not come to the point to-night.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>So, after a few more cordially spoken regrets, good wishes,
+and so forth, they left him and sought their rooms.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Lord Carrol turned and went out into the grounds again, his
+face grown very grave and thoughtful.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I never would have believed it. I do not understand it at
+all,” he muttered to himself.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But what he did not understand or could not believe, the
+future must develop.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The next morning Mrs. Richards and her daughter left for
+Yonkers, and the same afternoon Lord Carrol was <i><span lang="fr">en route</span></i> for
+New York city.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XIII.<br> <span class='large'>A GLAD MEETING.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>Back and forth every day from Yonkers, patiently and uncomplainingly,
+went Star Gladstone to her school, glad to pursue
+her studies and music at any cost or sacrifice.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>This occupied nine long hours of five days in the week, and,
+weary as she was upon her return, she always devoted what time
+she could to the white-haired old gentleman who watched her
+depart with a sigh, waited eagerly for her return, and who
+brightened so visibly when she appeared.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>One day, after school, Star had an errand at a music store,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_125'>125</span>and was detained so long by the slow movement of the clerk
+who waited upon her, that she was obliged to hurry with all her
+strength to catch her train.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She entered the station breathless, just as the last bell rang
+and the cars began to move.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Hoping to overtake it even then, she ran for it, her small feet
+barely touching the ground as she sped over it. She reached
+the last car, put forth her hand to lay hold upon the railing
+and spring upon the steps, when a firm grasp upon her arms
+from behind rendered her efforts fruitless, and a deep, rich
+voice said:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Young lady, pardon me the liberty I take, but that is a
+very dangerous experiment.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The train was gone. Mr. Rosevelt would look for her in
+vain when it came in, but Star could not regret it, although she
+had exerted every nerve to catch it, for she would know <i>that
+voice</i> no matter where she heard it; and, with a vivid flush leaping
+to her cheeks, her pulses thrilling with excitement and
+delight, she turned quickly to find herself face to face with her
+whilom <i><span lang="fr">compagnon de voyage</span></i>—Archibald Sherbrooke!</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>His face lighted brilliantly in an instant as he recognized her,
+for although she had changed somewhat during the past year,
+growing lovelier than ever, he had never forgotten those star-like
+eyes, those waves of soft, golden hair shading her forehead,
+nor that sweetly smiling, scarlet mouth.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Miss Gladstone!” he cried, putting out his hand to her.
+“I had no idea whom I was saving from committing such an
+act of imprudence when I saw you about to leap upon that
+moving train; but I am doubly glad now that my presumption
+prevented you from doing anything so rash, and gave me this
+unexpected pleasure.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I am glad, too, for I am delighted to see you again, Mr.
+Sherbrooke,” Star said, heartily and frankly, as she gave him
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_126'>126</span>her neatly gloved hand, and looking straight up into his handsome
+eyes in a way that testified to the sincerity of her words.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I know it was imprudent to try to leap upon a moving
+train,” she continued; “but there is some one at home who is
+always disappointed if I do not return at a certain hour, and so
+I was anxious to catch it. However, another leaves in a half hour;
+and, indeed, I am very glad to have met you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>How lady-like she was! With what perfect self-possession
+and grace she greeted him, notwithstanding her sparkling eyes
+and the flush which had leaped to her cheek told of inward
+excitement.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She was the same, and yet not the same; she had developed
+wonderfully since that morning when he had parted from her
+on the steamer.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Her hair was still of the same beautiful golden hue as the lock
+which she had severed for him, and which he still treasured;
+her eyes were the same heavenly blue, her smile as bright and
+sweet, but there was an added, indescribable charm about her
+that made her tenfold more lovely in his sight.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Thank you,” he said, in reply to her hearty greeting; “and
+now, if you have only half an hour before another train goes,
+let us make the most of it, and find a seat in the waiting-room
+where we can compare notes on the last ten months.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He led the way to the ladies’ room, found a comfortable chair
+in a corner for her where they could talk undisturbed, and the
+half hour slipped by before they had any idea that it was time
+for Star to go.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“There is my train,” she said, suddenly starting up as the
+first bell rang; “I must not miss this one, or Mr. Rosevelt will
+surely think something dreadful has happened to me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Mr. Rosevelt!” repeated young Sherbrooke, in surprise.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes; is it not singular? We met as strangers on board the
+steamer, and, after all, we were coming to be inmates of the
+same house and did not know it.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_127'>127</span>“Yes, it is strange. He was a fine-appearing old gentleman.
+I trust that he has recovered from the effects of his exposure
+at sea.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Not entirely, and I fear he never will,” Star answered, with
+a sigh. “His health is not very good, and his eyes trouble him
+exceedingly at times. They were injured by the reflection of
+the glaring sun in the water while we were in that open boat.
+We are excellent friends, and he watches anxiously for my
+return every day.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Do you come to New York every day?” her companion
+questioned.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes; I am attending a seminary in Brooklyn, and for the
+present go back and forth every day. But see,” she added,
+pointing to the clock; “there is only one minute more, and I
+must find a seat.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He assisted her to enter and conducted her to a seat; then,
+extending his hand, he said, smiling:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“If you come to the city every day, I shall hope to see you
+again.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The ever ready color leaped to her cheeks again, more at the
+look he gave her than at his words.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She was upon the point of giving him her address and asking
+him to come out to Yonkers to see her and Mr. Rosevelt,
+but the train started, and she was obliged to leave her invitation
+unspoken.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He had only time to lift his hat, dart away and leap upon
+the platform, before the train was under way.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Archibald Sherbrooke not only <i>hoped</i> to see her again, he <i>did</i>
+see her many times after that, for he contrived to be at the
+station on some pretext or other, or overtake her on the way
+thither, every day for nearly a week, and he was always greeted
+with a glad look and smile. Every day she grew more beautiful
+in his sight; every day his eyes told her so, and these chance (?)
+meetings grew very sweet to them both.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_128'>128</span>“You must come out to Yonkers, some day, and see Mr.
+Rosevelt,” Star said, upon one of these occasions.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“There, I declare, we have found so much else to talk
+about, that I have not even told you where I live,” she said,
+laughing.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“And I am invited out to see <i>Mr. Rosevelt</i>, am I?” he asked,
+with a twinkle of mischief in his fine eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes,” Star returned, demurely. “I know he will be very
+much pleased to see you—indeed, he said so when I told him
+of our meeting. He remembers how good to him you were
+after his rescue.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Thanks. Then I shall certainly avail myself of your invitation,
+and go out to see Mr. Rosevelt some day very soon,”
+he said, with a grave bow; but his eyes told her that she would
+be the star to attract him thither.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You say <i>he</i> remembers what transpired on the steamer.
+Do <i>you</i> remember, too, Miss Star, how you told me at parting
+that I should always be your friend—that you would never
+forget me?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star’s glorious eyes drooped, and the quick color rushing
+upward, stained all her fair face to those soft yellow curls on
+her forehead.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I have not forgotten,” she murmured, softly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Neither have I, as perhaps this will prove to you,” said the
+young man, lifting a tiny locket which hung from his watch-chain,
+and, touching a spring, held it up before her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It contained nothing save a tress of shining hair, and Star
+knew in an instant to whom it had once belonged.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Like a flash she remembered the cameo that he had given
+her as a souvenir, and a choking sensation came into her
+throat.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She knew by the way he was looking at her—by the way
+he had asked her if she “remembered”—that he was wondering
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_129'>129</span>if she had kept his gift as he had treasured that lock of
+silken hair.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>There was not a piece of jewelry about her person, and he
+had remarked that fact the first time he met her there at the
+station.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Every article of her toilet was as dainty as it was possible to
+make it with her limited resources, and she looked every inch
+a lady; but it was not usual in those days to see a young girl
+of her age without the glitter of gold or tinsel somewhere
+about her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You have kept it all this time,” she said, scarce knowing
+what to say from embarrassment, while she wondered what she
+ought to tell him about the cameo.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Certainly I have kept it all this time. I urged you to give
+it to me, and you do not suppose I was going to cast it lightly
+aside, do you?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Perhaps not,” she answered, with downcast eyes; “but I
+hardly thought you would keep it in—in such a way; and—oh I
+Mr. Sherbrooke, I have lost that lovely little cameo that you
+gave to me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She looked up at him now, and he noted the troubled, even
+pained expression that was in her eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Lost it!” he repeated; and although he did not intend it,
+his face clouded, whether from disappointment or some other
+feeling she could not tell.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She could not bear that he should know <i>how</i> she had lost it,
+and she felt that she was guilty of no untruth when she explained
+its absence thus.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes,” she returned. “Please do not think that I did not
+prize it, for I did more than I can tell you, and I hope even yet
+to be able to recover it.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He did not reply, but his face had grown grave, almost
+severe, and she imagined there was something of constraint in
+his manner at parting with her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_130'>130</span>She felt that he was hurt by her seeming carelessness or indifference
+for his costly little gift, and bitter tears kept welling
+to her eyes all the way home.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I <i>will</i> have it again. I will go to Josephine and demand
+it. She has no right to it, for it is mine; and if she will not
+give it to me, I will appeal to Mr. Richards,” she said, indignantly,
+to herself.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I could not bear to tell him how I lost it,” she thought,
+with rising color. “I do not wish him to know how I have
+been treated by my mother’s relatives, or how bitterly I have
+been disappointed in my hopes since coming to this country.
+But,” she added, with firmly compressed lips, “it will not be
+so much longer. In a little while I shall be independent of
+them all.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She little imagined how soon she would be independent of
+them, or how it would be achieved.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>This was Thursday—she had first met young Sherbrooke
+the previous Friday, and there had not been the slightest cloud
+to mar their intercourse until now, though they had met
+almost every day—and Star went home feeling somewhat sad
+and depressed.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But the next morning her sadness disappeared when Mr.
+Rosevelt told her that he was feeling so strong and well that he
+would like a change, and he proposed to go to New York and
+call upon their young friend.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He had given Star his address, and when she left for school
+on Friday morning, it was arranged that Mr. Rosevelt should
+go to town that afternoon and she would meet him at Mr. Sherbrooke’s
+studio after school and they would return together.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It seemed, however, as if everything went wrong for our
+young friend that day. Her mind, usually so keen and active,
+refused to work with its accustomed vigor, and she was listless
+and almost inattentive, much to the surprise of Professor Roberts
+and her other teachers.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_131'>131</span>Her thoughts were playing truant, and half the time were far
+away in that artist studio where Mr. Rosevelt was visiting.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>When the hour came for her to join them, all her listlessness
+departed, and she was her own bright self once more; and
+when, in answer to her gentle knock upon his door, Archibald
+Sherbrooke opened it to admit her, he thought she had never
+seemed so lovely before.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He had begun to realize that the feelings with which he
+regarded her were something deeper and stronger than mere
+friendship called for—in fact, he knew that he loved her more
+dearly than any other object on earth, and that his heart had
+not really been his own, if the truth were known, since that day
+when they had parted on the steamer; and he had that morning
+come to the conclusion that the time should not be far
+distant when he should tell her in words of the emotions she
+had awakened in his heart.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“This is a pleasure that I had not anticipated until about an
+hour ago,” he said, with a brilliant smile, as he took her by the
+hand and led her into the room, where she found Mr. Rosevelt
+reclining comfortably in a luxurious chair.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“And this,” Star said, looking around her with a long-drawn
+breath of delight as she noted the many beautiful paintings
+hanging on the walls, “is a pleasure which I had not
+anticipated.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Ah! then it is my <i>work</i> which shall give you pleasure,
+rather than my <i>society</i>, as I had presumed to flatter myself,” the
+young man said, ruefully, and making a comical grimace, although
+his eyes were looking down into hers with an expression
+which made her tremble.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She laughed, while a lovely color leaped to her face. But
+she tried to hide her embarrassment by retorting, archly:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I suppose I must be polite, and affirm that I expect to
+enjoy both; but really, Mr. Sherbrooke, although I knew you
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_132'>132</span>were an artist, I had no idea that you painted such delightful
+things.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You give me more credit than belongs to me,” he answered,
+smiling; “but wait until you are rested, and then I have something
+in particular to show you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Oh, I am not weary. Let me look now, if you please;
+we have only an hour, you know;” and she began to move
+about the room, examining with no uncritical eye the works
+upon the walls.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The young artist kept by her side, telling her the subjects
+of the paintings, and relating many instances connected with
+them.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>At length they came to a corner where there stood an easel,
+upon which there was a picture covered with a green cloth.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Sherbrooke removed the covering, simply saying:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“This is the picture that I particularly wished to show you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was quite a large painting, and represented a young man
+and maiden standing on board a steamer, while silver-tipped
+waves and a deep blue sky formed a charming background for
+their youthful figures.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The former stood in an eager attitude, with one hand extended,
+a smile on his handsome lips, a gleam of wistful admiration
+in his honest brown eyes, while his companion seemed
+to be clipping a tress from a massive braid of shining golden
+hair that hung over her shoulders.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The fair young girl was a faithful representation of Star as
+she had appeared on that day, which they both remembered so
+vividly, and in the act of severing that lock at his request. She
+stood with drooping eyes, a flush on her cheek, a half-smile on
+her beautiful scarlet lips, a shy and modest grace in her posture,
+while her slender fingers daintily held braid and scissors.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Archibald Sherbrooke watched her as she gazed upon his
+picture, his heart in his earnest glance; while Star, although
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_133'>133</span>her eyes were riveted as if fascinated upon the familiar scene,
+could not say one word regarding it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He had made her very, very lovely, with that sheen upon her
+hair, those soft, bright curls lying low upon her forehead, which
+gleamed beneath them like purest ivory; with those half-averted
+eyes, in which the iris was just discernible, so richly blue,</p>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c012'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>*&#160;*&#160;“As if the sky let fall</div>
+      <div class='line'>A flower from its cerulean wall;”</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c015'>with her delicate hands in their pretty act showing to such
+advantage, and her slight, willowy figure so gracefully posed—so
+lovely that she could not help the conscious blush which
+mounted to her temples, nor the quick heart-throbs which
+stirred the lace upon her bosom; for something whispered to
+her that his hand had lingered fondly upon that picture, as if
+over a work that he had loved.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“What do you think of my work, Miss Gladstone?” he
+asked, gravely, and breaking the silence which was becoming
+oppressive to him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It—it is very—correct, I think,” she faltered, with averted
+eyes and deepening color.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>An anxious gleam shot into his eyes at her reply.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Have I displeased you by putting it on canvas?” he asked,
+earnestly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“N-o,” she returned, somewhat hesitatingly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I fear I have,” he said, still more gravely than before. “Do
+not hesitate to tell me if you are offended, and I will obliterate
+it with one sweep of my brush.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>His eye was full of pain, a deep flush burned on his cheek,
+while there was a thrill in his low, earnest tone that set her
+pulses bounding afresh.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She glanced up at him, smiling slightly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No, I am not offended,” she said; “but I’m afraid I appeared
+very foolish that day to offer you a tress of my yellow
+hair.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_134'>134</span>“Have I made the picture appear so?” he asked, quickly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No; you have made it altogether too beautiful,” she answered,
+earnestly, and then was covered with confusion at having
+admitted so much.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Thank you,” he said, brightly, his face clearing. “I could
+not do that, if I had spent twice the time I did upon it, and”—bending
+nearer to her, and speaking in a tender tone—“it is a
+picture that I painted for myself alone; no one has ever seen
+it before, and I shall always keep it.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He covered it carefully with the cloth again as he ceased
+speaking.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“These are not nearly all my work,” he said, as she turned
+to look at some others; “they are the united work of an old
+artist, ‘our master,’ we call him, and of three of my friends—companion
+artists. We have been traveling together during
+the last ten months, and these pictures are some of the results
+of our pilgrimage. We are to return now in a couple of
+months, having spent our year in America both pleasantly and
+profitably, I trust. We had to make our headquarters somewhere,
+so we took this room as a sort of studio, and thus putting
+our work all together, we manage to make quite a respectable
+display.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I am glad to have seen these pictures,” Star said, “and to
+know they are all the work of my countrymen. I wish, however,
+that <i>I</i> was going back to England in a month or two,” she
+concluded, with a sigh, and a tear springing to her eye.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Do you?” her companion asked, eagerly. “Then you have
+not become weaned from your native land?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No, indeed,” she said, earnestly. “I love it as dearly as
+ever, and if I live I shall go back some day to my home.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The young man bent toward her, an eager light in his eye;
+his lips parted as if he were about to speak, but Mr. Rosevelt,
+from the opposite side of the room, suddenly addressed some
+remark to him, and he was obliged to turn his attention to him.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_135'>135</span>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XIV.<br> <span class='large'>“LET ME DEPICT YOUR FUTURE.”</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>Before Mr. Rosevelt and Star left him, Mr. Sherbrooke
+arranged a little pleasure trip to Coney Island for the following
+day.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I suppose, to-morrow being Saturday, you will have no
+school, Miss Gladstone,” he said, with an appealing look at her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No; but I have a music lesson at nine,” she answered,
+doubtfully.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Could you not arrange to postpone it for once?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I think not; the hour is engaged for me, and if I am not
+there I lose it. I should hardly like to do that, for I must
+make the most of my time this year.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star said this last more to herself than in reply to him. She
+wanted to go—oh, so much!—and yet felt that she ought not
+to lose her lesson.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well, an hour will not make much difference; you will be
+through by ten. It will not be too late for our excursion then,
+and that will give us the best part of the day. The sail will be
+delightful, and we will come home by moonlight. I speak for
+to-morrow, as I am to leave New York next week for awhile.
+I think you will go, Miss Star?” Mr. Sherbrooke concluded,
+questioningly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I think I should enjoy the trip very much,” Mr. Rosevelt
+here interposed. “We’ll say ‘go,’ little girl, for we have had
+no holiday this summer. Yes, yes, Sherbrooke, thank you, we
+will accept your invitation, and Star will, I think, be willing to
+shorten her lesson a trifle, so that we shall be able to leave the
+city by half-past ten.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_136'>136</span>Yes, Star said she would do that; and the matter once
+decided, her face brightened and her eyes glowed with anticipation.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had not had a holiday that summer, as Mr. Rosevelt
+said; indeed, no one had planned a day’s pleasure for her
+before since she came to America, and the thought of this little
+excursion was very gratifying to her. A whole day spent in the
+company of Archibald Sherbrooke would be a “red letter day”
+to her; and so, with thrilling pulses and bounding heart, she
+took leave of him and went away with Mr. Rosevelt, to talk
+about it, to dream about it, and, girl-like, to plan how to make
+herself as charming as possible for the occasion.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>As for Archibald Sherbrooke himself, he sat down after his
+guests had departed, and allowed his thoughts to have their
+own way.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“She is as lovely as a dream,” he murmured, watching her
+from the window as she tripped lightly along by Mr. Rosevelt’s
+side. “I did not think when I started for America that I was
+coming to meet my fate; but so it proves. Unless I can win
+Star Gladstone’s love, the remainder of my life will not contain
+much that will be worth living for. She is as pure as a lily,
+beautiful as a veritable star; and yet there is something that I
+cannot quite understand about her; there is a reserve, an occasional
+sadness, that seems strange in one so young, while once
+in awhile she lets fall a word which makes me fear her life is
+not as bright as it should be. There is something of a mystery,
+too, about Mr. Rosevelt. How sort of ‘seedy’ and
+neglected he looked to-day, and I judged, when I met him
+before, that he was a man of abundant means, and without a
+care, pecuniarily.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“How startled my fair one looked when I showed her my
+picture,” he went on, with a luminous smile; “and I really
+believe that she realized something of the tenderness that I have
+put into it.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_137'>137</span>He arose and went over to the easel, and removing the cloth,
+stood looking at the lovely girl with a world of affection in his
+handsome eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“My glory-crowned Star,” he murmured, “I began to love
+you the moment that you fell exhausted into my arms when
+you were rescued from the hungry jaws of death, and I will
+spend my life in winning you if need be. I have seen no other
+woman your equal during all my sojourn in America—at least,
+no one who has so moved my heart—and I know of no one in
+all England whom I should care to win for my bride.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Star Gladstone! It is a name symbolical of her nature,”
+he said, unconsciously repeating what Mr. Rosevelt had once
+told her, “or I am no adept in reading character. She will
+crown my life with light, and bring gladness and beauty into
+my home, if I can win her; and I think I am not mistaken in
+believing that I read the sequel to my own love-story to-day in
+her blushing face and shy, drooping eyes.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Saturday came, and at an early hour Star awoke and arose to
+see what the morning promised, and to prepare for the anticipated
+pleasure of the day.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The sun rolled up from the east without a cloud, its light,
+a dusky red, tinging all the earth with a rosy hue—a sure harbinger
+of a hot, dry day, and just what Star of all things most
+desired.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Why?” does curiosity question.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Because her one best dress for summer had been a simple
+white lawn, which her own fair hands had fashioned in the
+most dainty manner, and she had nothing else really pretty
+to wear.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“If I cannot have embroideries and laces, I can at least have
+ruffles and tucks, for they cost nothing but time and patience,”
+she had said to Miss Baker, when the question “how it should
+be trimmed” came up for discussion; and ruffled and tucked it
+was in the most artistic manner.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_138'>138</span>She ran down stairs to practice for an hour, after which she
+went to her breakfast, and confided to Mrs. Blunt the fact that
+“she and Uncle Jacob” were going to have a holiday—her
+throbbing pulses warned her not to mention the third member
+of the party, lest she should betray more than she cared to—and
+that good woman remarked, with characteristic emphasis,
+that “if she wasn’t glad of it, she was much mistaken, and
+hoped she’d have the best time in the world; she’d certainly
+had <i>precious few</i> good times since she came there.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>This duty over—for she did not feel right to be gone the
+whole day without telling some member of the family of her
+intention—she returned to her room to give her attention to
+that, for once with her, very important subject for consideration—her
+toilet.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She arranged her shining hair with great care. It was her
+glory, and Archibald Sherbrooke had made it appear such in
+that picture which he had shown her yesterday, and which she
+now remembered with crimson cheeks and glowing eyes, as she
+brushed those shining strands until they gleamed like burnished
+gold. She then wove it into one massive braid, as she
+had worn it that day which neither of them would ever forget,
+and tied it a little way from the end with a fresh, delicate blue
+ribbon.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>This done, she donned the spotless white dress, with a broad
+belt of blue and its great bow on one side, and fastened a
+simple knot of the same at her throat, but heaving a regretful
+sigh as she thought of her precious cameo, and wished she
+could have had it to wear to-day. Then she tied a pretty chip
+hat, with its mull trimmings and bunch of forget-me-nots, over
+her golden head, and blushed rosy red at the vision of loveliness
+that looked out at her from her small mirror.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Taking her roll of music, and throwing a fleecy shawl over
+her arm, she ran down stairs with a light, springing step, intending
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_139'>139</span>to go to the lodge for a word with Mr. Rosevelt before
+she went to the station.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Where are you going, miss, rigged out in that style?” was
+the rude query that saluted her ears as she came out upon the
+veranda and stopped a moment to fasten her gloves.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Looking up, she saw Josephine sitting at one end of the
+porch, and half hidden by the luxuriant growth of vines climbing
+the trellis.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Her radiant face clouded; it seemed almost like an omen of
+evil to have her anticipations of pleasure broken in upon thus.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I am going to New York to take my music lesson,” she
+answered, touching the roll underneath her arm.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Do you always dress yourself out like that to take your
+music lesson? Perhaps you are trying to strike up a flirtation
+with Professor What’s-his-name,” sneered the haughty beauty.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Poor Star glanced down at her offending dress, an indignant
+flush rising to her cheek.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The entire cost of it had been less than what Josephine was
+accustomed to pay for even a pair of shoes; and yet she knew,
+without being told, that the gay belle, with all her expensive
+trappings, had never looked half so fresh and lovely as she did
+at that moment.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Josephine realized it also, and her heart was filled with bitter
+envy and malice.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Go back up stairs and change your gown,” she continued,
+angrily, without giving Star an opportunity to reply to her
+taunting remarks. “You have no business to go to the city,
+dressed as if you were going to a party.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star’s small head came up like a flash of light; her eyes
+darkened and glowed with a sense of wounded pride and injustice.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She stood still a moment, her scarlet lips compressed until
+only a narrow line of red was visible; then, in a calm, clear,
+but very decided tone, she said:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_140'>140</span>“You have no right to lay such commands upon me, Miss
+Richards, and I shall not obey you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You insolent beggar! what do you mean by answering me
+in this way?” began the astonished girl; but Star had glided
+down the steps, and was walking with a proud, elastic step
+down the avenue; consequently her rage was expended upon
+the empty air.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But she was fairly startled by the exquisite loveliness of the
+young girl. She had never seen her dressed with so much care
+before, and had not dreamed of having such a rival in her own
+dwelling.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt was standing on the porch of the lodge when
+Star came along, and he, too, marveled at her exceeding beauty,
+saying to himself that he had never seen her so brilliant and
+spirited before.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>And, indeed, he had not, for she never had been so thoroughly
+aroused before during all her residence in Mrs. Richards’
+family.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Good-morning, Uncle Jacob,” she said, brightly, as she
+saw him standing there, and her indignation immediately began
+to subside.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>What was Josephine Richards that she should allow her to
+mar all the pleasure of her own holiday?—that she should drive
+the happiness from her heart, the sunlight from her face, when
+she was going to spend long hours of delight in Archibald
+Sherbrooke’s presence?</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Nothing, save a coarse, rude girl, devoid of feeling or refinement;
+and with a resolute effort she drove her from her
+thoughts, the smile returned to her red lips, the light to her
+eye, as she ran lightly up the steps and stood beside Mr.
+Rosevelt.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“How well you are looking,” she said, gayly. “I just ran
+down to see if you were all right, and to jog your memory
+about our little celebration to-day.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_141'>141</span>“You did not need to do that, Starling. I am as eager as a
+schoolboy for my day of pleasure,” he returned, with a fond
+smile, adding: “But how dainty you are this morning. I
+shouldn’t wonder if our artist friend would be wanting to paint
+the picture of a ‘star’ one of these days, eh?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star blushed and laughed lightly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She could have told him, had she chosen, that it was already
+painted.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But she only charged him playfully to make himself look as
+young and charming as possible if he intended to be her escort
+to Coney Island; then waving him a farewell, she tripped away
+with a smile on her lips, a song in her heart.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He stood and watched her out of sight, murmuring, with
+something like regretful fondness:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“My bright Star, somebody will want something more substantial
+than a painting if you are onehalf as attractive in his
+eyes as you are in mine.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The little German professor of whom Star took music lessons
+rubbed his small fat hands with delight, his face dimpling all
+over with smiles, when she came like a ray of light into his
+room.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Ach! but der fraulein should have been called Miss Gladheart,”
+he said, regarding her admiringly. “She is as bright
+as der day, as fair as der morn; she is like a flower dot is
+newly bloomed.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star laughed merrily.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It seemed ludicrous enough to her to hear this fat little man,
+with his bald pate, his red face, dumpy legs, and his broken
+English—who scarce ever was known to express a thought that
+was not connected with music before—bubble over thus unexpectedly
+with sentiment.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Oh, Professor Schwab, you overwhelm me!” she cried,
+gayly; “and I’m almost certain that your compliments will
+degenerate into a veritable scolding before I have been here
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_142'>142</span>fifteen minutes, for I fear I am not in very good order to-day,
+my head is full of pleasure.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Pleasure is good now and then; it is made for youth,” the
+professor remarked, with a sigh, and a glance at Star’s bright
+face and dainty costume, as if he regretted that he was no
+longer young.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I want you to let me go in just half an hour, for this is to
+be a holiday,” Star said, as she removed her hat and gloves.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Der fraulein shall do shust vat she pleases—I can refuse
+her notting to-day; but,” he added, assuming a business-like
+air, “let her mind dot she keep her fingers right and der
+time goot.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star settled down at once to her work with such earnestness
+of purpose that she really outshone herself, executing her brilliant
+and difficult exercises in a way that would have done
+credit to the composer himself.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Verra goot—excellent goot! Der heart is glad, her hopes
+are bright, and der work is well done. Miss Gladstone, in six
+months I teach you notting more; you go to Germany—to
+Italy, to study,” he said, his face beaming with satisfaction at
+her proficiency.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star thanked him with her brightest smile for his praise, and
+then left him with a light heart; and when she reached the
+place appointed as the rendezvous by Mr. Rosevelt and Mr.
+Sherbrooke, this latter gentleman also thought her the fairest
+object he had ever seen, and knew that, as he clasped her small
+hand, his eyes were betraying that old, old story of which his
+heart was so full.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The sail down the river was even more charming than they
+had anticipated. The day was perfect, the air being just cool
+enough to be exhilarating, while our trio of friends were in a
+mood to enjoy everything in the way of pleasure that might
+present itself.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_143'>143</span>They reached the island about noon, when Mr. Sherbrooke,
+ordering a carriage, they drove directly to Manhattan Beach
+Hotel, where they partook of a sumptuous dinner, and thus
+fortified, sallied forth to enjoy the beauties and attractions all
+about them.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A couple of hours were spent in visiting the different objects
+of interest, and then Mr. Rosevelt said that he should be obliged
+to give up and take a rest.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>So Mr. Sherbrooke ordered a room for him at the hotel, and
+he went to “take a nap,” while the young man, with a feeling
+of exultation that now he should have Star all to himself, took
+a carriage for a long drive upon the beach.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>For miles and miles they drove over the smooth, hard road,
+both in their happiest mood, and giving themselves up to the
+enjoyment of the hour.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Every moment spent in Star’s society only served to entangle
+our young English friend more securely in the meshes of love’s
+net; while she began to realize that the world would never be
+quite the same again to her when he should be gone and no
+prospect of their meeting again.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“He is going away next week,” she kept saying again and
+again to herself, while a chill pain gnawed at her heart. “How
+can I bear to have him go, and feel that I may never see him
+again? Oh, England, my home! my home! would that I also
+could go back to you!”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>So intense was her longing for her home, so keenly did she
+regret this parting, which she felt was inevitable, that the tears
+sprang into her eyes, and a deep sigh came welling up from
+her burdened heart.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Miss Star, why that doleful sigh?” exclaimed Archibald
+Sherbrooke, in surprise.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star started, and looking up, found her companion’s eyes
+fixed upon her with grave questioning.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_144'>144</span>She colored vividly, fearing he had read something of her
+thoughts.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Did I sigh?” she asked, evasively.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes; and I did not like the sound of it, either. Are you
+tired of driving? Shall we go back and try something else?”
+he asked, only anxious to give her pleasure.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Oh, no; this is delightful,” she answered, quietly. “I fear
+I have been guilty of rudeness if I have given you the impression
+that I am not enjoying every moment of this lovely
+day. Do you know, Mr. Sherbrooke,” she asked, with a smile
+that had a tinge of sadness in it, “that I am indebted to you
+for the only real holiday that I have had since I came to
+America?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He regarded her with surprise.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Is it possible?” he asked. “I fear, then, that you have not
+had a very happy life during the last year, or else you are working
+too hard over your books.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She feared she had betrayed more than she ought. She did
+not want him to know how hard life had been made for her.
+She was too proud to complain of the ill-treatment, the coldness,
+and even dislike which had been her lot, where she had
+expected to find only kindness, love, and sympathy.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I <i>have</i> been working pretty busily,” she answered, as if
+that were all. “I am anxious to graduate this year, and I
+have to apply myself rather closely with my music and other
+duties.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Why are you so anxious to graduate this year? Why not
+take more time, rather than run the risk of injuring your
+health?” he questioned, gravely.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I am going back to England some time,” she said, her eyes
+kindling, “and the sooner I can complete my education, the
+earlier I can go. I have my own future to carve out, Mr. Sherbrooke,
+and my aim is to prepare myself for a teacher.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Your own future to carve out!” he cried, greatly surprised.
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_145'>145</span>“I thought you had friends here who were to care for you
+always.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She colored, but answered, gravely:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I should not be content to pass my life here. I shall stay
+only long enough to complete my education; then I shall go
+back to my own country to teach.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He understood her; he saw, even though she would not
+confess it, that her life since coming to America had not been
+a happy one.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He saw now, as he looked down into her face, so fair and
+beautiful, what he had not noticed before, she had always been
+so bright and animated when with him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>There was a wistful look in her eyes, lines of sadness about
+her sensitive mouth, that told him of a heart yearning for love
+and finding only husks to feed upon.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She was going to be a teacher, she said; she was bending all
+her energies in that direction, and was working, he felt assured,
+far beyond her strength.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She did not look fit to fight the battle of life alone; she was
+slender and delicate, although he felt that, in spite of her fragile
+appearance, there was an element of strength in her character
+which would overcome every obstacle which it was possible for
+a human being in her position to overcome.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had “her future to carve out,” she had told him. What
+did she intend that future to be?—what were her hopes, her
+aims, her plans? Surely not to teach <i>always</i>.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Ah, if she would but learn to love him—if he could win her,
+it would be very different from the wearying, dragging life of a
+teacher.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Before he was hardly aware of his intention, his heart had
+overleaped every barrier, he bent toward her and said, in a low,
+earnest tone:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Star, I love you. Let <i>me</i> depict your future for you.”</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_146'>146</span>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XV.<br> <span class='large'>A FATAL MISTAKE.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>The beautiful maiden cast one startled glance up at her handsome
+lover, and then grew colorless as the dress she wore.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But when he softly laid his hand upon hers, saying, gently,
+“Darling, I have frightened you with my abruptness,” her
+whole being thrilled beneath his touch, and the rich crimson
+swept swiftly up over neck, face, and brow, until it lost itself in
+the fluffy masses of sunny hair which lay upon her forehead.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I could not help it,” he went on, a glad light leaping to
+his eyes as he saw her blushes; “and I have known that I love
+you, my beautiful one, for a long time. Do you remember
+that it was I who received you into my arms when you were
+lifted to the deck of our steamer from that frail boat in which
+you so nearly perished? Do you know that your fair face lay
+upon my breast, and as I looked down upon you, <i>I</i> knew that
+no other had ever moved me so strangely and so deeply, despite
+its pallor and the tale of suffering that I read there? Its power
+grew upon me during the few days which followed and while
+we were so much together, and when at last we were obliged
+to part, and I begged a tress of this sunshine”—touching the
+massive braid which lay over her shoulder almost reverently—“the
+picture that you made, with your shy grace and modest
+beauty as you unhesitatingly clipped it for me, stamped itself
+indelibly upon my heart, where I have carried it ever since,
+growing to love it more and more, until I determined to make
+it always mine by putting it on canvas. I did not know as I
+should ever see you again, and yet I have been haunted by a
+feeling that some magnetic influence or strange power of attraction
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_147'>147</span>would eventually draw us together again; and so it has
+proved. Star, I know that I love you as deeply and truly as it
+is possible for one human being to love another. You say you
+love England; you wish to go back and make your home
+there. Tell me that, some day, <i>I</i> may take you there—that <i>my</i>
+home shall become your home, and you will be my cherished
+wife. My darling, you have made yourself very fair to-day—so
+like the picture I have painted, and which I showed you
+yesterday, that something has whispered to me that a thought
+of <i>me</i> prompted it; that there was something of tenderness in
+your heart which made you put those shining locks, which you
+have been wearing in another fashion of late, into this massive
+braid again, and tie it with this lovely blue, so like your eyes.
+Raise them, dear, and let me look into them, to see if I can
+read anything of the story I wish to know. Tell me, Star, that
+when I come to America again, I may come to claim this hand
+and call its owner my wife.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>His hand had rested lightly upon hers all the time he had
+been speaking. She had not attempted to withdraw it, and now
+his fingers closed over it in a firm, loving clasp.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It still lay trembling but unresistingly there; and when, as
+he bent to look into those drooping eyes, she lifted them to his
+with one shy glance of answering tenderness, he knew that he
+had not sued in vain.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“My own darling!” he whispered, passionately, his face flushing
+with happiness; “you <i>do</i> love me; I read it in your eyes,
+and the world was never so bright to me as at this moment;
+but tell me, shall I have what I want—will you give me your
+promise that, next year, when you have completed your education,
+instead of going back to England as a teacher, you will
+go with me as my wife?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She grew suddenly grave, and lifting an earnest look to his
+face, said:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I have told you that I am only a poor girl, with my own
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_148'>148</span>fortune to carve out. You have no idea <i>how</i> poor I am, how
+dependent, how friendless. You, perhaps, have proud relatives;
+you may occupy a place far above me socially, and your
+friends might object to your claiming one in my position as
+your wife.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I care nothing for your poverty or dependence, dear,” he
+returned, tenderly; “it cannot alter the fact that you are the
+only woman whom I shall ever love well enough to make my
+wife. But,” he added, with a thoughtful look, “I forget that
+I am almost a stranger to you—that you know nothing of me,
+that I have told you nothing——”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I have not given it a thought,” Star interrupted, earnestly.
+“I can <i>trust</i> you; I <i>know</i> you are true.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>His face grew radiant.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You will never regret your trust, my darling,” he said.
+“I—am an artist, Star, but I believe I can take care of you,
+and promise you that you shall never know the meaning of the
+words poor and dependent again. Of course I have friends,
+and—but I will tell you all about them some other time. I
+want my promise now—you will give yourself to me, dear?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes,” she breathed, her scarlet lips parting slightly with a
+tremulous smile, “by and by, when I am better fitted to be
+your—wife.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He longed to take her in his arms and draw her to his heart,
+and kiss the lips that had promised him the greatest joy he had
+ever known; but there were other carriages near, and curious
+eyes all about them; so he could only clasp that small hand
+more fondly, and murmur low and tender words to tell of the
+deep, true love of which his heart was full.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You shall indeed go back to England now, my darling,”
+he said, “but never to <i>teach</i>. You shall remain here until you
+have completed your course of study if you wish; then I shall
+come, before this time next year, and take you to my—our
+home. I shall return with a happy heart now, for I shall have
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_149'>149</span>an object to work for and something to look forward to. Ah,
+my dear, my dear, do <i>you</i> realize what is in store for us?—a
+long life of joy and love together, with brightest hopes and congenial
+tastes. Star, my beloved—my <i>star</i>, indeed!”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Who can wonder that she gave herself up to the bliss of
+loving and being loved, when wooed in this tender manner?</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Who could chide this heart-hungry maiden, who had been
+starving for affection and sympathy, for feeling that she had
+never known happiness before?</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>And she loved him with all her soul. He had won all the
+passion of her young heart, and she gave herself up to him
+wholly, unreservedly, trusting him without a suspicion or
+thought that he could be anything save truth and honor itself.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Twilight was beginning to gather when they returned to the
+hotel where they had left Mr. Rosevelt, but it was not yet so
+dark but that that gentleman remarked the glorified expression
+of the young man’s face, and the brilliant light which gleamed
+in Star’s radiant eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“May I tell our dear old friend, Star?” Archibald Sherbrooke
+whispered, as he assisted her to alight from the carriage.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She started, and grew crimson.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Oh, Mr. Sherbrooke, not to-night, please.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“To whom are you speaking, my Star?” he interrupted, with
+assumed sternness and reproach.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She glanced up questioningly, yet with burning cheeks, for
+she knew what he meant, but was not quite sure yet what he
+wished her to call him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“My mother calls me Archie,” he said, with a meaning
+smile.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Must <i>I</i> call you that?” she asked, her heart thrilling at the
+name, yet instinctively shrinking from addressing him quite so
+familiarly just yet.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“There is no ‘<i>must</i>’ about it, nor about anything else that
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_150'>150</span>you do not like, my darling,” he said, very gently, but looking
+a trifle grave, she thought.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Then please let me go—Archie, for I know Uncle Jacob
+is wondering why it takes me so long to get out of the carriage,
+and—and ever so many people are looking at us,” Star said,
+wishing she could hide her hot cheeks, and realizing, if he did
+not, that he was holding her hands a great deal longer than
+there was any need of doing.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A brilliant smile parted his lips as he released her, and she
+darted away just as a servant came forward to take the horse,
+he following more leisurely to give her time to recover herself
+a little.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You have enjoyed your drive, little one?” Mr. Rosevelt
+asserted, questioningly, as she came and stood beside his chair,
+while he regarded her with a keen glance.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Very much, Uncle Jacob; and you—are you rested?” Star
+asked, eager to turn his attention from herself.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Entirely, and am as hungry as an old bear, too. These
+sea breezes have sharpened my appetite to a painful degree,”
+he replied, as if his hunger was the only subject which occupied
+his thoughts, while all the time he was watching her closely,
+and telling himself that there must be some cause more potent
+than “sea breezes” for her brilliant color and that tender light
+in her eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I am delighted to hear it,” young Sherbrooke said, now
+joining them, “for our tea is waiting for us, I am told, and we
+shall have just about time enough to dispatch it comfortably
+before the boat is due.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>They went in to an inviting meal, spread in a private room
+for them. The young man had given an order to this effect
+before going to ride, as he had noticed that Star was annoyed
+at dinner by the attention which her lovely face had attracted.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But it was noticeable that Mr. Rosevelt did most of the eating,
+for our lovers were in altogether too exalted a state for such
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_151'>151</span>commonplace realities as bread and butter, or even for anything
+so tempting as peaches and cream.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>When Mr. Rosevelt’s hunger was appeased, he asked Star to
+play something before they left.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>There was a piano in the room, and he was extremely fond
+of music.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I want our friend here to know what a talented little musician
+we have,” he said, with a fond glance at his favorite.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star was only too willing to comply with his request, glad of
+anything to relieve the awkward consciousness which had pervaded
+her all through tea, and sitting down to the instrument,
+she played several pieces.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Archibald Sherbrooke was astonished at the proficiency which
+she displayed, and the appreciative silence which prevailed
+upon the veranda outside the open windows, told that her
+power had swayed a larger audience than she had thought of
+having.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“She is mine; I have won her, this talented, beautiful, pure-hearted
+girl,” Archibald Sherbrooke said, exultantly, to himself,
+as he closed the piano for her, and pressed the hand that hung
+invitingly near him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>They repaired to the boat-landing soon after, for it was nearly
+time for their departure.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>When the steamer arrived, Archibald found a sheltered seat
+for Mr. Rosevelt, and then drawing Star a little apart, wrapped
+her shawl carefully about her and sat down beside her, her hand
+clasped in his under cover of its soft folds.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“He will not mind, and I want you to myself,” he whispered.
+“I cannot see you to-morrow, love, for it will be
+Sunday, but Monday or Tuesday I shall come to you. I cannot
+wait longer.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star glanced at him somewhat anxiously.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She knew what that coming would entail upon her—sneers
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_152'>152</span>and taunts, and perhaps more unkindness than she had ever
+yet received from Mrs. Richards or Josephine.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards, she felt assured, would be more considerate
+of her feelings; yet, under any circumstances, this visit of her
+lover would be a very trying one.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Ah! <i>how</i> trying, Heaven only knew.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She thought perhaps she ought to tell him something of her
+life during the last year, that he might not be wholly unprepared
+when he should present his suit for what she feared would
+be a very disagreeable interview.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But she was so supremely happy sitting there by his side in
+the glorious moonlight, and knowing that she was so tenderly
+beloved, that she could not bear to mar it by so much as a
+word or thought of what she had suffered in the past, or might
+have to endure in the future, until he should come for her to
+claim her as his wife. No, she would not tell him; she would
+wait until after he had been presented to her guardians. There
+would be time enough then, and it would be just as well.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But it was a fatal mistake.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Had she told him then, all the pain and anguish, all the
+misery and hopelessness which she afterward experienced would
+have been spared her; but how could she know?</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>So they sailed on up the river, side by side, hand clasped
+in hand, and thought only of the supreme happiness of the
+moment.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was one of those beautiful fall evenings, calm and still,
+and bright with an almost intoxicating brilliancy; the heavens,
+the river, with its gliding banks on either side, all lighted with
+a radiance that was absolutely dazzling; and Star wondered if
+ever in all her life before she had seen the world so wondrously
+beautiful.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Monday or Tuesday you are coming to Yonkers?” Star murmured,
+in reply to this remark of her lover’s. “I thought you
+were to be away from New York next week?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_153'>153</span>“And so I am; I am coming to Yonkers to see you,” he
+answered, smiling. “My darling, do you not know that all
+the world is changed for me now?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It certainly was for her, she thought, with a tender little
+smile, and then she said:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Have you a card and a pencil? I must tell you where to
+find me, you know.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“True. How stupid of me not to have thought of it,” he
+returned, as he searched his pockets to find what she wanted.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I thought it better to write it than to tell you,” she said,
+archly, “fearing you might forget.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I own that I am not in a condition to remember anything
+to-night, save that you love me and that I have won you,” he
+whispered, putting pencil and card into her hand.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She wrote the street and number of the house where she
+lived, and gave it back to him, and he put it away without even
+looking at it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>And thus the moments sped swiftly on until they landed,
+and that delightful homeward sail was over and had become
+one of those events to be remembered and treasured when, in
+the dark future, they should look back upon it and wonder
+if as bright a gleam of happiness had ever really existed in
+their lives.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Sherbrooke accompanied Mr. Rosevelt and Star to the
+station where they had to take the train for Yonkers, and found
+comfortable seats for them.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I shall see you again very soon,” he said to the old gentleman,
+as he took his hand at parting.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I trust so. We shall be glad to see you at any time; and
+many thanks for this day’s pleasure,” Mr. Rosevelt replied,
+heartily.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“The obligation is all on my side,” Archie said, with a
+meaning glance at Star, which made the color come again and
+her heart to bound like a roe in her bosom.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_154'>154</span>The bell warned him that he must go, and with a lingering,
+loving pressure of her hand, he reluctantly bade them a final
+good-night and went away.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The young girl had no idea of the lapse of time after that,
+until she heard Mr. Rosevelt heave a long-drawn sigh.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She started, realizing then that they were almost home, and
+that she had not spoken one word since her lover left them.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Uncle Jacob, are you very tired?” she asked, anxiously,
+and with a feeling of selfreproach.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No, dear; only thinking how beautiful the world is under
+some conditions, how dreary under others,” he returned, watching
+her intently.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The young girl’s cheeks glowed hotly, but she had not a
+word to say in reply to those sentiments. But she knew that
+the events of that day had glorified the whole world for her, and
+all the way home she had been weaving golden plans for the
+future, when Archie—it came easier every time now—should
+take her to his simple home over the water—for of course it
+must be simple, since he was only an artist—and which she
+would make just as bright and beautiful as love and taste could
+make it.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XVI.<br> <span class='large'>A GREAT SHOCK.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>The next morning, on descending to her breakfast, Star
+found the whole house in a state of great excitement.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>On asking Mrs. Blunt the meaning of it, that good but evidently
+much disturbed woman informed her that a “real live
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_155'>155</span>English lord was expected to arrive the following day,
+and Mrs. Richards had given orders that everything be
+done up in the grandest style possible.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“A lord?” Star said, smiling—she had seen many a lord,
+and had not been very crushingly impressed with a sense
+of her own inferiority and insignificance in consequence—“a
+lord, Mrs. Blunt?” she repeated, laughing. “You will
+find him simply a man, very much like the rest of mankind.
+He will eat, and sleep, and talk, and walk exactly like
+anybody else. But what may his lordship’s name be, and
+what brings him here?” she concluded, with some
+curiosity.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Lor’, Miss Star, you take it pretty coolly, or I’m much
+mistaken,” Mrs. Blunt remarked, with an admiring glance
+at the girl’s bright face; “but I suppose it’s because you’re
+accustomed to seeing ’em, being English yourself. But a
+lord is considered some pumpkins on this side of the water—at
+least, madam appears to think so, since he was courting
+Miss Josephine all the time down at Long Branch,
+and she hopes to have him for a son-in-law one of these
+fine days.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star looked surprised at this bit of information. Mrs.
+Richards and Josephine had been home a week, and she
+had heard nothing of this before, although the subject had
+been pretty thoroughly discussed among the servants of
+the household. But she had been so intent upon her
+studies and music, going from home so early and returning
+so late, and keeping her own room so much, that it was
+nothing strange.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Is Miss Josephine engaged to him?” she asked.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Couldn’t say positive, Miss Star, as to that; but if she
+ain’t, she’s expecting to be, and doing her prettiest to
+catch him, or I’m much mistaken. She’s talked of nothing
+else since she got home; and the beautiful
+dresses she’s bought, and the grand things she’s
+been planning to do when he comes, would fill
+a book if rightly writ up. It’s a mystery to me how
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_156'>156</span>anybody so grand and mighty can walk on two legs like the rest
+of us common mortals,” she concluded, with grim humor.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star laughed merrily.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Evidently Mrs. Blunt, as a loyal subject of a democratic
+country, did not look forward to the advent of this young sprig
+of nobility with very much relish.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You have not told me his name yet,” Star said.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Carrol—my Lord Carrol, of Carrolton, Derbyshire, England,
+and goodness knows what else,” Mrs. Blunt replied,
+spitefully, but with a toss of her head so exactly in imitation
+of Josephine when that young lady went soaring among the
+clouds, that Star was infinitely amused.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Lord Carrol, of Carrolton,” she repeated, reflectively. “I
+have never heard of any one by that name, and we lived in
+Derbyshire, too; but of course there are a great many people
+there of whom I know nothing.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“That’s true, no doubt; but his being a lord don’t make
+him any the better worth your knowing, according to my way
+of thinking. But, gracious me! I mustn’t stand here talking,
+when there are such heaps of work to be done;” and the excited
+woman began to bustle about the room with decidedly
+more of energy than grace.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Now, Mrs. Blunt,” Star said, picking up an apron and tying
+it around her slim waist, “since you have such ‘heaps’ to do,
+let me do something to help you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Bless you, child! you sha’n’t touch a thing. You ain’t
+going to spoil those pretty fingers for the piano, lord or no lord.
+I was baking and preserving all day yesterday, and had no time
+to make the black cake that madam gave orders for, so I suppose
+I’ve got it to do to-day, if ’tis Sunday.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“And you’ve got all those raisins to seed, those currants to
+clean, and that citron to slice. It is too bad, Mrs. Blunt, and
+on this holy Sabbath, too,” Star said, gravely, while she heaved
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_157'>157</span>a regretful sigh as she glanced from the window and saw the
+bright sunshine tinting everything with a golden light.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Can’t help it; it’s got to be done,” the housekeeper responded,
+grimly. “I expect,” she went on, her thin lips curling
+with a curious expression of scorn, “if madam don’t work herself
+on Sunday she thinks she’s keeping the Sabbath in a proper
+manner and according to law and gospel, no matter how much
+her servants may have to do. I’ve a notion that perhaps <i>her</i>
+Bible don’t read like <i>mine</i>; that part where it says ‘thou, nor
+thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant,’ must have been left
+out of those velvet covers of hers. But you go away, Miss
+Star. If I’ve got to break one of the ‘thou shalt nots,’ you
+ain’t going to be a partner in my sin,” she concluded, as the
+young girl sat down to the table and began to open a large
+package of raisins which lay there.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No, indeed, Mrs. Blunt, I am not going away; I am going
+to help you; and if we work nimbly together, perhaps we can
+get through in season to go over to the chapel for evening
+service;” and she pulled out a great bunch of the fruit and
+began to pick it from the stems.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Miss Star, I couldn’t consent to it no way; I couldn’t have
+it on my conscience that you should do it,” the woman returned,
+real distress pictured on her honest face.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Now, be reasonable, Mrs. B., do,” Star said, coaxingly.
+“If you had so much to do yesterday that you <i>couldn’t</i> do this
+work, and it <i>must</i> be done to-day, <i>I</i> shall not feel that I am
+doing anything wrong to help you, and <i>I’m going to</i>.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well,” the housekeeper said, with a sigh of resignation,
+“that cake has got to be baked to-day, and it would take me
+six mortal hours to clean that fruit alone, let alone the making
+and baking. I’m sure it’s real good of you to offer to help me,
+but—there are your fingers, Miss Star——”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I know it, and nimble ones you’ll find them, too,” interrupted
+the young girl, smiling. “Now, don’t raise any more
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_158'>158</span>objections, there’s a good soul, for I <i>may</i> have to do this kind
+of work for myself sometime,” she went on, with a slight flush,
+and drooping her white lids to hide the happiness in her eyes,
+“and I should really like you to teach me how, although I
+must confess Sunday would not be the day that I should <i>choose</i>
+on which to learn to cook;” and, without more ado, she bent
+over her self-imposed task, while Mrs. Blunt turned aside to
+heave a sigh of relief and wipe a tear from her eyes; “for,” as
+she told the house-maid afterward, “it was no fool of a job to
+get nine pounds of fruit ready for cake, and the day had
+looked longer than the first twelve chapters of Chronicles, with
+their sons and son’s sons, which her father had made her learn
+when, as a child, she had played truant from her Sunday-school.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Hour after hour Star patiently worked with the tired woman,
+helping to stone the raisins, stem the currants, and slice the
+citron; and when at last the fragrant fruit was all mixed and
+floured ready for the cake that was to test the digestive organs
+of the notable lord, she beat the eggs, browned the flour, and
+waited upon the housekeeper until the savory mess was finished
+and put in the pans.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Two mortal hours it will take me to bake it, and then
+it will be ready for the confectioner to ice,” she said, as she
+slipped it into the oven and shut the door upon it with a sigh
+of relief.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Blessings on you, child,” she added, gratefully, “for your
+kind heart and willing fingers, and when you’re married, if I’m
+living, I’ll make your wedding-cake for you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Thank you, Mrs. Blunt; I shall not forget your promise,
+you may be sure,” laughed the happy girl, as, flushed and tired,
+but with a light heart after the performance of a kind act, she
+sought her own room to rest and think of the manly lover who
+was to come in a day or two, and to wonder if Mrs. Blunt
+would really make her wedding-cake.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_159'>159</span>She could not feel that she had been guilty of any wrong in
+lending her aid to the weary and overworked woman below,
+even though she had spent long hours of that Sabbath in labor;
+and when, as the evening bells called to prayer, and the glorious
+harvest moon came sailing up from the east, flooding all the
+earth with beauty, they wended their way together to the chapel
+of which Star had spoken in the morning, and where she loved
+to go because everything was so quiet and unostentatious, a
+peculiar peace seemed to pervade her heart, and a voice, as of
+some angel, to whisper the benison “well done.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Monday all day the greatest excitement prevailed, as on the
+preceding day, in the Richards’ mansion, for its ambitious mistress
+had determined to make a favorable impression upon the
+young lord whom she was anxious to secure as a son-in-law,
+and accordingly spared neither pains nor expense to make her
+house and hospitality as imposing as possible.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star was away, as usual, all day at school, and therefore was
+not mixed up in the confusion; but, upon her return, she
+could imagine something of what had been done, for the house
+was a perfect bower of beauty, and order, and cleanliness from
+top to bottom.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Flowers of the choicest description were everywhere; fresh
+draperies had been put up wherever they were needed, and
+most tastefully arranged; the servants were all arrayed in immaculate
+suits, and went tiptoeing around with that air of
+importance and expectancy which betrayed the interest they felt
+in the arrival of an English peer; while Mrs. Richards and
+Josephine were perfectly gorgeous in new dresses of latest
+fashion and most artistic design.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The coach, with its burnished trimmings and its span of
+spirited bays in their gold-mounted harness, was standing before
+the door, ready to go to the station to meet the expected guest;
+and with all these evidences of preparation around her, Star
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_160'>160</span>would have been less than human not to have experienced
+some curiosity regarding my “Lord Carrol, of Carrolton.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well, it may be one of the ‘good times that I can’t be in,’
+as poor Glory McGuirk would say; but then I had <i>my</i> good
+time yesterday, and I don’t know as I care very much,” she
+thought, with a smile half sad, half tender, as she watched the
+carriage containing Josephine and her father whirl away in
+grand style to the station.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>However, thinking it might be expected of her to make a
+good appearance in case she should happen to meet the distinguished
+stranger, she changed her school dress for a fresh,
+blue lawn, trimmed with a dainty white edging, spanned her
+small waist with a broad belt, and fastened a bunch of waxen
+snow-drops at her throat.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had no jewels, no elaborate <i>lingerie</i> like Josephine with
+which to make herself attractive; but she had a way of giving
+herself such a touch of elegance with these little accessories,
+despite her simple attire, that no one could pass her by unnoticed;
+and now, with that new-born smile of happiness on
+her ripe lips, that light of love and hope in her eyes, and
+the coming and going color in her cheeks, she was fairest of
+the fair.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>When her toilet was completed she sat down by her window—which,
+although in the third story, was upon the front
+of the house, where she could look directly down upon the
+porch, and also commanded a view of the winding avenue
+which led down to the road—to watch for the return of the
+coach and the coming of the illustrious guest.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Sitting there, she fell to musing—to thinking of the time
+when she should go back to dear old England, the land of her
+birth, the home of her love.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Only a few months more and her course of study would be
+finished; a little more of faithful application to her books, a
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_161'>161</span>little season of patience and forbearance, then a life of brightness
+and happiness.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Some one would come for her then, and she would go away
+forever from the slights, and sneers, and malice which had made
+her life so cheerless and forlorn, so hard to endure during the
+past year.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>So absorbed did she become thinking of this, that she did
+not hear the carriage when it turned in at the gate and came
+smoothly rolling up over the hard, graveled drive-way, and it
+had almost reached the door before she was aware that at last
+the noted, titled stranger had arrived.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She leaned out to look as the spirited horses were reined in
+before the porch, and the sound of laughter and gay voices
+came floating up to her ears.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A tall, darkly clad figure sprang out and held forth a hand
+to assist Josephine to alight; but a massive post was in the way,
+and she could not see his face. Mr. Richards followed the
+young people, and they all passed up the steps together.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was a pretty picture that she looked down upon, for now
+she could see all that transpired. Mrs. Richards, handsome as
+any queen in her elegant black silk dress and duchesse laces,
+her diamonds gleaming like drops of dew in a moonlit night;
+Josephine, bright and sparkling in an elaborate street dress,
+with her jaunty hat and bright plumes, standing proudly beside
+the finely formed young man as he exchanged greetings with
+her mother; and Mr. Richards, stout and comely, a perfect
+pattern of the hospitable host, with his good-natured face, which
+was expressive of a most cordial welcome.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But Star had grown suddenly pale as snow, and caught her
+breath convulsively, as a clear, manly laugh rang out on the
+air at some jest of Josephine’s, and then the stranger turned,
+hat in hand, having made his bow to his hostess, to speak to
+Mr. Richards, and thus she could look directly into his face.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>There was a look of horror in her eyes as they were fastened
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_162'>162</span>upon that handsome face, her lips were drawn and pinched,
+and the pain that was clutching at her heart betrayed itself in a
+low, sobbing moan.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>There was no mistake—although she could scarcely credit
+her own senses—she knew that dark, chestnut-crowned head,
+that handsome, smiling face, that straight, stalwart form but too
+well, even though a cruel mist was creeping up before her eyes
+to hide him from her sight. She knew that clear, ringing
+voice, even though the roaring sound in her ears seemed
+striving to drown it. Josephine’s guest—her accepted lover
+she had tried to make it appear—the titled stranger, Lord
+Carrol, of Carrolton, was no other than <i>her betrothed, Archibald
+Sherbrooke</i>!</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XVII.<br> <span class='large'>“WHY HAS HE DONE THIS THING?”</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>What could this strange thing mean? What was Archibald
+Sherbrooke—the man who, two days before, had told her that
+he loved her and no other—doing there in that character of
+Lord Carrol? Why was he there, laughing, chatting, and exchanging
+greetings in that familiar way with Mrs. Richards and
+her family?</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star’s heart nearly ceased its beating; she grew faint, giddy,
+and absolutely soul-sick. Her face paled until it was as white
+as those cold, waxen berries at her throat; her very life-blood
+seemed to be congealing.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>What could it mean?</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Looking down upon the little group, she saw that Josephine’s
+eyes were fastened upon him—<i>her</i> lover—with an expression
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_163'>163</span>that there was no mistaking. It was full of pride and wistful
+affection. Her voice was low and sweet when she spoke to
+him, her laugh silvery clear as it rang out upon the still evening
+air at some light jest of his; and Star knew that she loved
+him deeply, passionately; that she would stop at nothing to
+win him, if, indeed, he was not already won. Oh, what—what
+could it all mean?</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was cruel, cruel as death, to have her short, bright dream
+shattered thus; to have given all the wealth of her warm young
+heart to the handsome young stranger who had called himself
+Archibald Sherbrooke, and now to discover him to be a myth—that
+there was no such person, that she had been made the
+plaything of an idle hour. And yet it had all appeared so
+real; he had <i>seemed</i> so true and loyal, and to have loved her
+so fondly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But stay—might she not be jumping to conclusions, after all?</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A different solution to the mystery flashed into her mind.
+She started eagerly up, the color coming back to her face, a
+joyful light flashing into her eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Archie had told her that he should “come to her Monday or
+Tuesday—that he could not wait longer;” but she had not
+thought he would come to-night. She <i>did</i> expect him to-morrow,
+and perhaps he had arrived.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>On the other hand, Lord Carrol had, perchance, disappointed
+his friends. They had gone to meet him, and had not found
+him as they expected.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Archie, very likely, had taken the same train from New York
+that his lordship had intended to take, and on arriving had inquired
+of some one for the street and number that she had
+written on the card for him; the individual whom he asked
+might have known it was Mr. Richards’ residence—for he was
+well known there—directed him, and he, on learning the man’s
+errand, had probably, with his usual good nature, invited him
+to take a seat in his carriage, and had driven him home.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_164'>164</span>Thus she reasoned with her aching, fear-burdened heart,
+clutching at this little ray of hope as a drowning man clutches
+at a straw.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But he did not appear like a stranger to any of them; neither
+did Josephine seem like the disappointed girl she probably
+would have been if her expected lover had not arrived. She
+was chatting and laughing with him in the most friendly way;
+her face was glowing with happiness; her tones and her laughter
+were musical from very joy.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>With these doubts mingling with her sudden hope, Star
+leaned forward, eagerly listening for him to inquire for her;
+but the words which came floating up to her smote her heart
+with a deadly pain, drove the color back again from her face,
+and made the love-light in her eyes change to a look of mortal
+agony and despair.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“My lord,” Mrs. Richards said, graciously, “we will not
+keep you standing here; the drawing-room, where we have
+other friends waiting to meet you, is more inviting, and our
+dinner will soon be served.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>And my lord, with his most charming smile and bow,
+replied:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Mrs. Richards, you have given me a most hospitable welcome
+to your delightful home, and I shall be happy to meet
+your friends;” and giving his arm to Josephine, he followed his
+hostess within, to be presented to the other guests who had
+been invited to meet him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>All hope was gone now—they had called him Lord Carrol
+and he had replied, and, stricken with despair, Star slipped
+from her chair like one from which all life had been suddenly
+smitten, and fell prone upon the floor, where she lay in a semiconscious
+state for more than an hour.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But when at length thought and feeling began to return to
+her, she wondered if she were herself or some one else who
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_165'>165</span>had lived through a century of misery—youth and happiness,
+joy and hope seemed to be attributes of an age so long gone by.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Why has he done this thing?” she moaned, sitting up and
+clasping her icy hands across her burning brow. “Why has
+he deceived me thus, making a fool and a plaything of me
+merely to pass an idle hour? Why did he call himself Archibald
+Sherbrooke, when he is Lord Carrol, of Carrolton. Why
+could he not have left me alone when I was content with my
+music, my studies, and my simple life? Oh! why need my
+whole future be blighted thus? I could have gone on my way—I
+could have carried out my plans and gratified my ambition
+to become a teacher and be independent, and believed myself
+happy, if he had left me to myself. But now—if I could only
+die—if I could even go mad—<i>anything</i> to make me forget how
+I have allowed myself to love him, and built all my future
+hopes on his love for me!”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The sound of gay voices and laughter came floating up to
+her from below as she sat there mourning her blighted life; it
+smote her like the stab of a knife, and she shivered from head
+to foot, every nerve cringing with keenest pain.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>In imagination she could see how Josephine was assuming
+her most bewitching airs to win the treacherous man who had
+blotted out every hope of joy from her existence, and who, perhaps,
+was bending over her, speaking soft and tender words,
+even as he had done to her only two days ago.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Yesterday and the day before she had lived upon the mountain-tops—“upon
+the heights”—where life had seemed opening
+out before her like a paradise; to-night, in a single moment,
+she had been hurled into the very depths of misery.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She got up from the floor, tottered to the window and shut
+it, to keep out those hateful sounds from below which nearly
+drove her into a frenzy; then, too weak to sit up, she crept into
+her bed, where she lay shaking as with an ague and moaning
+with pain all the long night through.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_166'>166</span>Morning found her burning with fever, with an aching head
+and a crushed and breaking heart.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She could not rise, and, although faint, the very thought of
+food filled her with loathing, and yet her throat and mouth
+were dry and hot with a terrible thirst.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Thus good Mrs. Blunt found her about ten o’clock. She
+had missed her from breakfast—something very unusual, for
+Star was as prompt as the day itself generally—but she had
+not had time to inquire into the cause of her absence until
+now, for there had been lively doings down in her department
+that morning.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Merciful sakes alive! whatever in the world has happened
+to you, Miss Star?” she cried, when, on thrusting her heated
+face in at the door, she saw the young girl in her wretched condition
+lying on the bed.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I believe I do not feel very well this morning,” Star said,
+wearily.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I should think not, indeed! You’ve got a high fever, and
+yet you’re shaking with the cold. Goodness gracious, child!
+and you all dressed out like this, too! What has happened?”
+Mrs. Blunt cried, aghast, as she pulled back the coverlid and
+saw at a glance that she had been lying all night in her
+clothing.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star was too miserable to explain, as the good woman saw,
+and she did not press her with questions; but with nimble yet
+tender hands she removed her clothing, replacing it with her
+<i><span lang="fr">robe de nuit</span></i>, and then wrapping her in a heavy blanket, she
+tucked her snugly into bed once more.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She then went down below, where she prepared a steaming
+drink of some kind, with which she hastened back to her
+patient, and insisted that she should drink it—“every drop.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The poor child obeyed, feeling too wretched to offer any
+objections; and then saturating a napkin with camphor and
+water, Mrs. Blunt bound it about her aching head, and darkening
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_167'>167</span>the room, bade her go to sleep again as quickly as
+possible, for of course school was not to be thought of that
+day; and indeed Star had forgotten the existence of such an
+institution.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The hot drink warmed and soothed her, while the kind
+attention of the woman comforted her; and exhausted nature
+asserting itself, she soon dropped into a profound slumber.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was late in the afternoon when she awoke again, and
+realized that she was much refreshed physically, although her
+burden of misery was still crushing down upon her heart.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Blunt found her as white and wan as she had been
+flushed and feverish, when she looked in upon her again just
+before dinner, and she could not understand the look of hopeless
+despair that lay in her usually bright and joyous eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Whatever in the world is the matter with you, Miss Star?”
+she asked, anxiously. “It’ll be bad luck for me if you’re going
+to be sick, for since you came into the house, with your bright
+face and cheery ways, the days and months have grown shorter
+by half. Come, come, chicken, don’t look so downcast; it
+breaks my heart to see you so white and drooping.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I shall be all right by to-morrow, Mrs. Blunt. I am better
+already, thanks to your kind care,” Star returned, sitting up in
+bed and trying to bring her shattered nerves into better order.
+“If you will please hand me my school dress,” she added, “I
+think I will get up and take a run down to the lodge. I have
+not seen Uncle Jacob since yesterday morning, and he will
+wonder what has become of me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Indeed, child, you mustn’t go out to-night, and as for Mr.
+Rosevelt, he knows all about you already. I sent word to him
+before noon that you wasn’t able to go to school, and he’s been
+up to the house twice since to inquire for you. He sets a store
+by you, Miss Star, and I believe it would break his heart if
+anything was to happen to you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A wan little smile flitted over Star’s face.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_168'>168</span>It was about the only ray of light or comfort that she had in
+her great darkness—this knowledge that there was one who did
+really love her, and to whom she also was almost a necessity.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She could rely on “Uncle Jacob,” if upon no one else, and
+she longed to go to him and lean upon him now in her trouble.
+Of course she could not tell him how she had let handsome,
+fascinating Archibald Sherbrooke win her heart from her, and
+then found all too late how cruelly she had been deceived.
+She was so thankful now that she had not allowed him to tell
+Mr. Rosevelt as he had wished, though, perhaps, that had only
+been another ruse of his, and he had not intended to tell him,
+after all; but it would be a comfort to go down to the lodge
+and see him, and listen to the kindly tones of his voice.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Blunt helped her to dress, for she saw that she was glad
+to sit down by the window—though she shuddered as she remembered
+that she had sat just there last night when her heart
+had been broken—and rest, while she began to fear that she
+should not be able to get down stairs, after all, that night to go
+to see Mr. Rosevelt.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Blunt watched her closely with those small, keen eyes
+of hers, and saw that her trouble was more of the mind than
+of the body, though what could have caused it was a puzzle
+to her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She did not trouble her with conversation, but after making
+her room tidy, she went quietly out and left her alone. She
+returned after a little while, however, bringing her a bowl of
+hot soup and a plate of nice little biscuits.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You are very good to me, Mrs. Blunt,” Star said, gratefully;
+and she ate the soup with a relish, for she was very
+faint and hungry, while the housekeeper looked on with a
+satisfied air as she saw a tinge of color coming back to her
+pale face.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Somebody else was good to a poor old woman yesterday,
+or I’m much mistaken, and I reckon it’ll take a good while for
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_169'>169</span>you and me to be quits on that day’s work,” the kind-hearted
+creature returned, a tear starting to her eyes as she remembered
+how bright and happy the fair girl had been during
+those long hours while she had worked so busily and patiently
+with her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But she could not stay with her, much as she wished to do
+so, and try to bring back her truant smiles, for her many duties
+called her below, and she went away, cautioning Star to be very
+careful and not take more cold.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Left alone, the unhappy girl felt that she must get out and
+away from that close room where she had suffered so much;
+she must <i>do</i> something to make her forget, or her brain would
+be turned.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>So, wrapping a shawl about her, she stole down a back way,
+out by a side door into the grounds, and taking a circuitous
+path, made her way as rapidly as her strength would permit
+toward the lodge.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had accomplished about half the distance when her
+limbs began to fail her, and she became so weak and faint from
+the exertion she had made that she was obliged to stop and
+lean against the trunk of a large tree to rest awhile.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was nearly dark, for the sun had gone down and the heavy
+foliage of the surrounding trees made deep shadows all about
+her; the air was chill with the breath of the frost spirit—so
+different from the mild loveliness which had prevailed only
+forty-eight hours before—and the rustling leaves above her
+seemed mourning over the fate awaiting them, when its cold
+hand should sway their frail stems and lay them low.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A feeling of unutterable woe overcame her—such a sense of
+loneliness and desolation that she could not bear it; and covering
+her face with her hands, she gave way to the flood of tears
+which would not be restrained.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had no idea how long she wept—time, place, everything
+was lost in the utter abandonment of her grief—until she was
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_170'>170</span>aroused, and a thrill of terror went tingling through all her
+nerves, as a hand fell suddenly yet lightly upon her shoulder.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>With a start, her hands dropped from her tear-stained face
+and she looked up, to find the grave, questioning eyes of her
+faithless lover looking down into her own.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A low cry of surprise and dismay escaped him as he recognized
+her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Star! My darling, what does this mean?” he asked, in
+astonishment. “How came you <i>here</i>, and why do I find you
+grieving thus? You look more like some stricken white dove
+than like my bright, beautiful star. I was coming to you to-morrow—I
+wanted to come to-day, but I could not. Tell me,
+dear, how is it I find you here in the grounds of Mr. Richards,
+where I am visiting?” and he would have gathered her into his
+arms, but by a quick movement she evaded him, and stepping
+back a few paces, she confronted him with a haughty uplifting
+of her small head, her face and eyes glowing with scorn and
+indignation.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“To-morrow you would have come to me,” she repeated,
+with curling lips. “Pray, where would you have sought me?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Here in Yonkers, at No. 56 —— street. I think that was
+the address you wrote on the card,” he said, apparently bewildered
+by her strange conduct, and regarding her with a
+troubled look. “I wanted to go there to-day, but there has
+been no opportunity,” he said again. “And to-morrow I was
+intending to ask Mr. Richards to direct me to the address
+which you gave me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Do you know the street and number of <i>this</i> residence?”
+Star asked, sternly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No. When it was arranged that I should come here to
+make a short visit, Mrs. Richards was so kind as to say that her
+carriage should meet me at the station, so that I do not even
+know the name of the street on which they live.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Then to-morrow, when you should ask to be directed to
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_171'>171</span>the address which I gave you—if, indeed, you intended to ask
+for it—you would have been told that you would find me here
+in this place—this house. Mr. Richards’ residence is No. 56
+—— street,” Star said, proudly and coldly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had no faith in him; she believed he was acting a part.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Impossible!” he cried. “I never dreamed of such a thing.
+Why, then, have I not seen you? Why were you not with the
+family when I arrived last night? Why have I not seen you
+to-day?” he asked, as if more and more astonished.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Because,” she answered, her voice rising, with a scornful,
+bitter ring, “I am a dependent upon the bounty of the rich;
+because I am a burden and expense in a house of luxury, and
+only tolerated on account of a promise made to my dying
+father and to cancel a debt due to my mother. You have
+not seen me, because I am not allowed to breathe the same
+air, eat and drink, and sit at the same table with those who
+think they are of finer mold than I. But it is just as well,
+my lord——”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“My lord!” he repeated, in a startled tone, interrupting her.
+“Star, that from <i>you</i>!”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She laughed bitterly, lifting her head with a haughty gesture,
+though her face gleamed like a piece of marble in the waning
+light.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, that from me!” she said. “Fortunately, I was at a
+window above the entrance when you arrived last evening, and
+witnessed the honors that were heaped upon my <i>Lord Carrol,
+of Carrolton</i>, and the revelation of your <i>true character</i>, although
+a sudden and bitter one to me, was, perhaps, after all, a providential
+one; for, if it showed me how I had been duped and
+betrayed, how I had been made the plaything of an idle hour,
+it also gave me time to collect my scattered senses a trifle before
+meeting you and telling you how I <i>scorn</i> you for——”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Duped! betrayed! plaything! Star, listen to me,” pleaded
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_172'>172</span>the young man, his breath almost taken away by these startling
+accusations and by her wild words, so full of derision and pain.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I will <i>not</i> listen to you!” she cried, passionately; “I have
+listened to you too much already. Oh! why did you do this
+wicked thing? Why could you not have left me alone? Had
+you not enough already, with your riches, your title, and your
+life of pleasure, without coming in cruel sport to spoil a poor
+young girl’s life? Was it not enough that you could woo and
+win the heiress, the belle and beauty of Long Branch, without
+the amusement of trying to win and break my poor heart?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Star! Star!” he cried, drawing nearer the excited girl.
+“What wild, wild words! Every one is like a dagger plunged
+into <i>my</i> heart. You do not know what you are saying, dear.
+I try to win and break your heart! My poor darling, you have
+been misled by having learned of my title. I should have told
+you before, but——”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Then you <i>are</i> Lord Carrol? You own it—you acknowledge it?”
+Star interrupted, with a ring of wild despair in her
+tones.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>When she had looked up into his face, into his kind and
+loving eyes; when she had heard his voice, so low and eager,
+yet tender; when he had called her “his poor darling,” and
+said her words were like a dagger plunged into his heart, her
+own had begun to thrill anew, and she almost hoped against
+hope that there was after all some mistake, in spite of what she
+had seen and heard.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But now he owned it. He was not Archibald Sherbrooke
+at all; he was the titled peer, and he had sought to win her
+love under false colors; and all the pain, and bitterness, and
+scorn returned, even while she waited breathlessly for his
+answer.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, I am Lord Carrol, of Carrolton; but, Star——”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“That is enough; I want to hear no more,” she said, stopping
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_173'>173</span>him with an authoritative gesture of her white hand. “I
+will not listen to another word from your traitorous lips!”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She turned proudly from him and would have left him, but
+he sprang forward and seized her hands.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>They were cold as ice and shaking as with palsy, and he was
+shocked by the hopelessness visible in her face as he looked
+down upon it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Star, my darling,” he began, in a voice that was almost
+stern from emotion; “you <i>shall</i> listen to me. It is my right
+to be heard, and I can explain everything to you if you will but
+give me the opportunity.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But she would not. Pain, despair, outraged pride and affection
+made her unreasonable and almost insane.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She flashed a haughty glance up at him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Lord Carrol,” she said, in her iciest tones, “release my
+hands, if you please.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He dropped them as if they had been coals of fire, and drew
+back a pace or two from her, deeply wounded, while his own
+face was nearly as white and pained as hers.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Star, you are wronging me more than you dream. Surely
+you will listen to my defense,” he said, and his voice trembled
+with suppressed feeling.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Oh, how she longed to yield and allow him to win her back;
+how she longed to let him take her into his strong arms, and
+hear him murmur again those tender words such as he had
+spoken to her so recently; but, remembering his attentions to
+Josephine last night, her looks of affection and pride, her
+bright face and happy laugh—remembering what she had heard
+regarding his devotion to her at Long Branch, and the reason
+that had been given for his coming there to her home, she
+could not.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He had played the role of rich lover to the proud heiress;
+he had acted that of a poor sweetheart with her; for had he
+not told her he was an artist, but <i>hoped</i> to be able to take care
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_174'>174</span>of her, so that she need never know the meaning of the words
+poor and dependent again; and now, with all this evidence
+before her, how could she help believing him false to the core—to
+have simply amused himself at her expense?</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You can have no defense to offer me, and I will hear
+nothing,” she returned, coldly. “You have deceived me most
+cruelly; you came to me as Archibald Sherbrooke; you used
+all your powers of fascination to make me love you as a poor
+artist, while you had already played the part of a rich lover in a
+different character at a fashionable watering-place. I congratulate
+you upon your marvelous success as an actor, my lord,”
+she concluded, with scathing sarcasm.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A deep sigh broke from him; her words hurt him keenly,
+for he was very proud.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But he saw how she was suffering, and he tried to be patient
+with her, feeling sure that if he could only make her listen to
+him all would be well.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“My dear,” he said, gently, “you do not understand. Pray,
+let me tell you all about it. I swear that I am both——”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You need not swear; I know enough already. Go back
+to my more fortunate cousin, Miss Richards, whom the whole
+household expects you intend to make Lady Carrol. She, I
+own, is better fitted to be the bride of a peer of England than
+the poor alien who is a burden upon her bounty. She will
+grace your proud home and name with her beauty; she will
+add to your riches with her wealth. But let me tell you”—and
+Star had no idea how superbly beautiful she was as she
+stood so proudly before him and uttered this prophetic sentence—“that
+the girl whom she has despised and insulted,
+whom you have deceived, and whose life you have blighted by
+your treachery, will yet rise to a position that shall shame and
+humiliate you both. Go back to her, I say, and—ask her for
+the cameo which you gave me. I told you that I had lost it.
+I put it that way because I did not like to tell you how badly I
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_175'>175</span>had been used by those who should have given me only sympathy
+and love; but she—the girl whom you have come to win
+for your wife—<i>stole</i> it from me, my one little treasure, the only
+ornament I had which I could wear in my humble position,
+and which I prized more than anything else in the world. But
+let her keep it; I relinquish it freely, now that I have discovered
+the baseness of the giver. My Lord Carrol, of Carrolton,
+alias Archibald Sherbrooke, the artist, I despise you, and
+I bid you farewell!”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She was gone before he could hardly realize that she had
+ceased speaking; she had sped down the avenue with the lightness
+and swiftness of a fawn, leaving him dazed, bewildered,
+almost paralyzed from the wild words, the terrible denunciation
+which she had uttered.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XVIII.<br> <span class='large'>EXPLANATIONS.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>“Star! Star! my dear love, come back and let me undeceive
+you,” he called aloud, as soon as he could recover his senses
+sufficiently to speak.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But there was no answering sound, save the sad sighing of
+the rustling leaves which had so unnerved the unhappy girl a
+few minutes before.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He followed the direction she had taken. He wandered
+about the grounds for full half an hour, but could discover no
+trace of her; and at last, feeling greatly disturbed, he was obliged
+to retrace his steps, and returned to the mansion.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He had strolled forth at the close of dinner to smoke, and
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_176'>176</span>to get away for a little quiet musing, for he had intended, as he
+said, to seek out his beautiful love on the morrow, and put
+upon one of her white fingers the seal to their plighted troth,
+and, this done, to tell her that he was both an <i>artist and a peer
+of Victoria’s realm</i>.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>During his stroll, and while thinking fondly of the bright
+girl, he had unconsciously strayed into the very avenue where
+Star had stopped to rest.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Wrapped in her heavy shawl, and with head bowed upon her
+hands, he had not recognized her, but thought it might be one
+of the servants, perhaps, who had got into some trouble.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Always ready to relieve suffering of whatever nature, he
+stepped up to the sobbing girl and gently laid his hand upon
+her shoulder to attract her attention, and when the tear-stained,
+suffering face of his own love was lifted to his, his astonishment
+rendered him speechless for the moment.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But it was a fact, nevertheless, that he had appeared in different
+places in different characters—he was at once Archibald
+Sherbrooke and Lord Carrol, of Carrolton; how, we must let
+his own words explain.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Poor child! it is very awkward, and I never dreamed of
+any such denouement; but I cannot blame her. If she would
+but have given me one moment in which to tell her how it is;
+but she was wild with pain,” he said, with a troubled face, as
+he slowly went back to the house.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It is doubtless now made plain to the reader how he had
+happened to recognize the cameo ring upon Josephine’s hand
+at Long Branch, and knew at once that it was the very stone
+which he had given Star at parting on shipboard.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He did not like to question Miss Richards about it, but he
+was deeply hurt when she told him that it had been given her
+by a relative, for he felt sure that he could not be mistaken in
+the stone—there <i>could</i> not be another like it, for he had designed
+the figure upon it himself.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_177'>177</span>Yet, to be quite positive about it, he had told her that it had
+belonged to a gentleman named Archibald Sherbrooke; and
+then when he saw her start, and the color flame into her face,
+he knew that Star had parted with it for some reason or other.
+It had caused him a pang to know that she should have prized
+it so lightly as to give it away, while he had treasured that lock
+of gold as one of the most precious things in his possession,
+and had learned to love the face which he had painted as he
+never expected to love any object on earth.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Then he had met Star, and she had told him—not that she
+had given his gift away, but that she had “lost” it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The two stories did not agree, but looking into her glorious,
+truthful eyes, he had believed her, and felt that some time she
+would make the mystery plain.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He had told her, on parting from her Saturday evening, that
+he should come to her Monday or Tuesday, and he had really
+intended doing so, and was deeply disappointed at not being
+able to keep his promise.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But all day Tuesday he had seen no time that he could
+escape from the company of which he seemed to be the center.
+He had about made up his mind to ask Mr. Richards to direct
+him to No. 56 —— street after dinner, and go away to spend a
+quiet evening with Star; but Mrs. Richards upset this plan by
+laying out a programme in which he would be obliged to figure
+largely, and he was forced to bear it with what patience he
+could, hoping that the morrow would bring him the opportunity
+he desired.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He had never imagined that he could be a guest in the very
+house which he was so anxious to visit, and which was the
+home of his beloved; and now the knowledge was not pleasing
+to him, for Star’s bitter words, and the fact that she had not
+mingled with the family, told him but too plainly how she was
+undervalued there.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>How she must have suffered, sitting at her window, as she
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_178'>178</span>said she had done, and been a witness to the reception which
+had been tendered him by her proud, cold-hearted relatives;
+and to have been led, too, by them to believe that he had come
+there as a suitor for Josephine’s hand.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>This had been rather a startling and unpleasant revelation to
+him, for he had never once imagined that any such construction
+would be put upon his visit there.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He had been drawn toward Mrs. Richards upon first meeting
+her, for she was really a fascinating woman, and upon learning
+that she was of English extraction, and that he knew something
+of her relatives, he at once felt almost like an old acquaintance,
+and in this way had been led to attach himself to
+her party.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Josephine was a brilliant and attractive girl, and had made
+herself very agreeable to him, and he liked her as a friend and
+acquaintance; but no thought of love for her had ever entered
+his mind. That fair face, with its crown of gold, its starry
+eyes and coral lips, which had lain upon his breast at sea,
+had made too deep an impression upon his heart to be easily
+forgotten.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But now, just as he thought he had won her—when he was
+on the verge of claiming her, he found himself in deep waters,
+from which he feared it might be somewhat difficult to extricate
+himself.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star had a right to denounce him, believing what she did.
+He had parted from her on Saturday evening as Archibald
+Sherbrooke and her accepted lover, while on Monday she had
+seen him driven in great style to the Richards’ mansion, and
+greeted as Lord Carrol, and a suitor for the brilliant Josephine’s
+hand. Surely circumstances were against him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I must get out of this muddle as soon as possible,” he said,
+as he ascended the steps and paused a moment on the porch to
+consider what he ought to do.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Entering the house, he avoided the drawing-room, where a
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_179'>179</span>gay company was assembled, and passed on to a music-room
+which led into the library.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards was in the latter room, seated at his desk, and
+the door between the two was open. As he saw his lordship,
+he arose and came forward to meet him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Can I have a few moments’ conversation with you?” the
+young man asked, gravely.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Certainly; as many as you wish. Shall we retire to the
+privacy of the library?” returned Mr. Richards, who at once
+jumped to the conclusion that he was about to receive a formal
+proposal for the hand of his daughter.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>So also thought another listener, who happened to be standing
+on the veranda just outside the open window of the music-room,
+and who had caught the above sentences.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No,” Lord Carrol returned. “What I have to say can just
+as well be said here as anywhere. I find myself unexpectedly
+in a very unpleasant situation, and I have come at once to you,
+because I consider a straightforward course the wisest always to
+pursue. I wish to tell you a little story, and then ask your
+assistance in correcting an awkward mistake.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Anything that I can do for you, my lord, I shall be most
+happy to do,” blandly affirmed Mr. Richards, little realizing
+what he was promising, while he followed the young man’s
+example and sat down to listen to his narrative.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I came over from England, nearly a year ago, on the
+steamer ——,” he began, “and on board that vessel I met a
+young girl of great personal beauty and intelligence, in whom
+I became intensely interested. She could not have been more
+than sixteen years of age, but her mind was far in advance of
+both her appearance and her years, while it was evident that
+she had been reared with great care, for every word and act
+betrayed her to be a perfect little lady, and every day spent in
+her society only served to make her more attractive in my sight.
+At parting, I gave her a trifle as a souvenir of our pleasant
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_180'>180</span>acquaintance, and asked in return for something to keep in
+memory of her. I did not know that I should ever meet her
+again, and had I not done so, the remembrance of what I had
+enjoyed in her society would eventually have become, it is
+probable, but a pleasant episode of the past, although I must
+confess that her face haunted me continually.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“But I did meet her again, and only a very short time ago.
+She had changed—developed into even greater beauty, and had
+become more mature, and I began to realize at once that I had
+even a deeper interest in her than I had imagined possible.
+Subsequent interviews—for I took pains to see her often—and
+the study of her character, convinced me that I had found the
+woman whom I could love with all my heart, and whom I
+should win for my wife if I could.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A rustling of the drapery at the open window just then made
+the young lord pause; but hearing nothing more, he thought
+the wind had simply stirred the curtains, and continued:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Within a very few days I have brought things to a crisis—have,
+in fact, asked and secured a promise from her to become
+my wife as soon as she shall have completed her education, and
+I had intended to-morrow to seek an interview with her friends
+and make formal proposals for her hand.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“This may sound rather strange to you, knowing my position,
+and realizing something of the prejudice of the English
+against marrying outside the pale of their own rank. But I was
+convinced from the first that this young girl was of good blood
+and parentage, and upon a more intimate acquaintance with
+her, I have learned that her mother was an English lady from
+an excellent family.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Now, what I have to tell you,” Lord Carrol continued,
+with a smile, “has a slight touch of romance connected with
+it. When I left England, I came away known as Sir Archibald
+Sherbrooke, baronet. Two months after my arrival here, I was
+notified of the death of my mother’s only brother—Lord Carrol,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_181'>181</span>of Carrolton—and who, being a widower and childless, willed
+his estates and all that he possessed to me, with the provision
+that I was to assume his name, and consequently his title.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It would have suited me better to travel and remain plain
+Archibald Sherbrooke, as I always called myself, until my return;
+but I was with a company of friends—all artists, who
+were traveling and studying with an old painter—who knew all
+the circumstances, and they would not hear a word to my
+remaining incognito, and insisted upon introducing me everywhere
+by my newly acquired title.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“As plain Archibald Sherbrooke, I met, wooed, and won
+the young lady of whom I have told you, but I intended, when
+I formally asked for her hand, to reveal the circumstances
+which have made me Lord Carrol. I have not for a moment
+thought of deceiving her, for I abhor double-dealing of any
+kind; but, notwithstanding, I find myself in a very awkward
+situation.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You will, perhaps, be surprised to learn that to-night, since
+going out after dinner, I met my betrothed by accident, and
+very much to my astonishment. She had discovered that I
+have been sailing ‘under two flags,’ or, as she supposed, under
+false colors. She had heard of my meeting your daughter at
+Long Branch as Lord Carrol, and the report seems to have preceded
+me, much to my surprise”—here the young man colored
+from embarrassment—“that I intended something more than
+a friendly visit here, and she has passionately denounced me for
+my duplicity—as it appears to her—and refused even to allow
+me to explain my position.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“This is the mistake that I wish you to help me rectify by
+securing an interview for me with her, so that I can exonerate
+myself from all blame in her sight.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards was greatly astonished at what he had heard,
+and in no small degree disappointed, for he liked the young
+man, and his wife had affirmed that Josephine was the magnet
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_182'>182</span>that had drawn his lordship thither, and she had also confidently
+asserted that he would propose for her hand before
+he left.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But, of course, he could not betray anything of this feeling,
+after having been made the confidant of another love affair;
+therefore he said, with as much self-possession as he could
+command:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“The situation is somewhat unpleasant for you, I admit,
+my young friend, but I think it may be easily made right. I
+must confess I am much surprised by what you have told me;
+the story is certainly romantic in every respect. And you met
+the young lady by accident to-night? She is, then, a resident
+of Yonkers. Who may she be? Perhaps she is no one whom
+I know.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“She is Miss Gladstone, and your wife’s ward, I believe,”
+Lord Carrol replied, and bending a grave look upon his host.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards nearly bounded from the piano stool upon
+which he had been sitting at this startling intelligence, while
+outside that open window there was a sound as of some one
+weakly sinking into a chair. But both gentlemen were so
+deeply engaged in the subject under consideration that they did
+not appear to hear it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Star!” ejaculated Mr. Richards, when he could recover his
+breath.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, sir; Miss Star Gladstone is the lady of whom I have
+told you,” Lord Carrol replied, somewhat coldly, for he could
+not understand why any one so lovely and accomplished in
+every way as Star was should have been so slighted and ill-treated
+in his family.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“But I do not understand—I cannot see—I—I beg pardon;
+but, to tell the truth, I am completely taken aback by what
+you have told me,” Mr. Richards stammered, for it was to him
+a most astounding revelation.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I expected that my communication would surprise you;
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_183'>183</span>but you cannot be more so than I was upon learning to-night
+that Miss Gladstone is a member of your family,” returned his
+lordship.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“But you tell me that you were intending to call upon her
+friends to-morrow, and here you have been in the same house
+a day and a night already.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“True; but I was not aware of the fact until within the last
+hour. Miss Gladstone gave me her address last Saturday evening.
+Here it is; you can read it. It was late when I asked
+for it, and she wrote it hastily upon this card.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The young man passed it to his companion as he spoke,
+and Mr. Richards read the street and number of his own
+residence.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You will remember,” Lord Carrol continued, “that I am
+an entire stranger in this place, and that I do not even know
+the name of the street upon which you reside, as Mrs. Richards
+was kind enough to say that some one should meet me at the
+station upon my arrival. I wished very much to go to Star
+to-day, but courtesy demanded that I should not disarrange
+Mrs. Richards’ plans. I fully intended, however, to ask you to
+direct me to the place designated on that card to-morrow, never
+once suspecting that I was already in the house where the lady
+of my choice resides.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“And has Star never mentioned our name to you?” Mr.
+Richards asked.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No; she has been very reticent regarding everything connected
+with herself save her studies and her music, and I have
+not thought to question her on that point.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards’ face clouded.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star had good cause for being reticent, he knew, and the
+subject was becoming an awkward one for him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You say you met her to-night?” he said.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes; I went out for a stroll and a smoke after dinner, and
+came upon her suddenly in the grounds. She appeared to be
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_184'>184</span>greatly distressed, and I, never suspecting the cause, pressed her
+to tell me. She turned upon me like an outraged queen, and
+denounced me in a manner that fairly took my breath away.
+She believed me to be simply Archibald Sherbrooke, an artist,
+until last night, when she saw me driven to your door and
+received as Lord Carrol; and, having heard exaggerated reports
+of my attentions to Miss Richards while at Long Branch, it is
+not strange that she should resent the seeming deception, for
+appearances are certainly against me. But a few words will
+set everything right, if you will explain something of this to
+her and secure an interview for me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Then it is our Star whom you want to marry, my lord,”
+Mr. Richards said, reflectively, and as if he could hardly comprehend
+it even yet, while he wondered if they could ever live
+through the tempest which his wife would surely raise when she
+should discover that Star had won the lover whom she was
+bending all her energies to secure for Josephine.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, hoping for your sanction, of course,” Lord Carrol
+answered, with a rising flush, for he could read something of
+what was passing in his host’s mind. “But, pardon me,” he
+added, fixing a look of grave questioning upon his face, “now
+that I find she is the ward of your wife, I cannot understand
+why I have not met her with the other members of your
+family.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Ahem! Well,” began Mr. Richards, with evident embarrassment,
+“she has been very deeply engaged with her studies ever
+since she came to us—is ambitious, you know, and also spends
+a great deal of her time practicing music, and my wife thought
+it would be best for her not to—to mingle in company much
+until she had—um!—completed her education;” and Mrs.
+Richards, sitting just outside that open window, where she had
+heard every word of the above conversation, thanked the fates
+that for once her husband had smoothed awkward things over
+for her quite comfortably.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_185'>185</span>Lord Carrol simply bowed in reply to this statement. It
+would not become him to question the truthfulness of what he
+had heard, but since his interview with Star, his opinion of the
+family had changed very materially.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well, I <i>am</i> nonplussed, and I reckon that this state of
+affairs will create quite a commotion when it becomes known,”
+Mr. Richards resumed, after a few minutes of thought, during
+which his surprise seemed to increase. “I never dreamed that
+our Star would ever step into such a chair of state, although
+she is of good blood, I believe.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Of the best,” Lord Carrol returned, decidedly. “She told
+me upon one occasion that her mother was a Miss Anna Chudleigh,
+of Chudleigh Manor, Devonshire. I know something of
+them, and they were a fine family, although I have been told
+that they were very much displeased at the marriage of their
+only daughter with a clergyman of limited means. But—have
+I your sanction to prosecute my suit with Miss Gladstone, and
+will you arrange an interview for me?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Certainly; I shall do what you wish, and I must say that I
+am glad that things are turning out so well for Star. <i>I</i> have
+been very fond of her, for she is a bright and winsome little
+body about the house. She is talented, too, to say nothing of
+her beauty, and she will make you a good wife. I congratulate
+you both, and there is my hand on it, my lord,” Mr. Richards
+concluded, heartily, and extending his hand to the young peer,
+which he took and cordially shook.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But Mrs. Richards, her heart filled with bitterest rage, felt as
+if she could have strangled her husband with a good relish for
+taking such an interest in Star’s prospects, while the gorgeous
+air-castle which his own daughter had built was tumbling to
+the ground about his ears.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards then rose.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I suppose you are anxious to see Star at once?” he said.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, if you please. I desire to make my peace with her as
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_186'>186</span>soon as possible, for I know that she is deeply wounded, and I
+cannot rest until she knows the truth.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Very well; I will go to her, and send her to the library.
+You will be free from intrusion there,” Mr. Richards said, and
+immediately left the room in search of Star.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He came back very soon, however, saying that she had not
+returned to her room, and no one had seen her that day save
+Mrs. Blunt, who told him that she had been very ill, and not
+able to attend school.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Lord Carrol’s face fell at this information, and he realized
+more forcibly than ever what Star must have suffered from this
+unfortunate misunderstanding.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Perhaps it will be best for me to wait until to-morrow
+morning,” he said, after a moment of thought. “She appeared
+so greatly excited when I met her this evening, and has been so
+ill all day, it may be well for her to get rest before exciting her
+any further. Yes, I will wait,” he concluded, with a sigh, for
+he was deeply disappointed and anxious.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Is Mr. Rosevelt a member of your family also?” he asked,
+after a moment, and suddenly remembering that Star had told
+him they were inmates of the same house.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes; well, not exactly a member of my family,” Mr. Richards
+returned, flushing over this, another awkward question.
+“He is my wife’s uncle, and one of us; but his health is so
+poor, and noise affects him so unpleasantly, that he prefers to
+have a room at the lodge rather than here where there is so
+much gayety and confusion.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards, still an eavesdropper, heaved another comfortable
+sigh over this rough place made smooth.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You must have met Mr. Rosevelt also,” he added, as it
+came to him that Star and his wife’s uncle had shared that
+dreadful experience at sea.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes; and I think him a fine old gentleman. I must see
+him also to-morrow,” his lordship returned; and then he went
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_187'>187</span>on to explain more fully how he had made the acquaintance of
+these two unfortunates, and described their sufferings and hardships
+so graphically that his listener, who did not know onehalf,
+was deeply moved.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Miss Gladstone was considered quite a heroine on board
+our steamer after her rescue,” the young man said, “when the
+passengers learned with how much fortitude she had conducted
+herself during the disaster and the dreadful events following.
+The captain told me, with tears running down his cheeks, how
+she had denied herself both food and drink in order that the
+life of Mr. Rosevelt, who, she declared, had less vitality than
+herself on account of his age, might be sustained. She did not
+even take the rest which she needed, but watched and worked
+over him unceasingly—in fact, she <i>saved his life</i>.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“She is a noble girl—she is a splendid girl!” Mr. Richards
+returned, tears in his own eyes, and his heart full of remorse
+over the life Star had led since she came into his house. “She
+will make you the best little wife in the world. God bless
+you both!”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Lord Carrol saw that he was sincere, and began to suspect
+where all the trouble lay regarding Star. He was inclined to
+think, and rightly, that jealousy or ill-will on the part of the
+petted Josephine and her proud mother was the cause of her
+unpleasant position in the family; but he inwardly resolved
+that it should be entirely different in the future, or she should
+not remain there.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But he had been absent a long time from the gay company
+in the drawing-room, and, feeling assured that he could not see
+his darling that night, he returned to it, trying to wait with
+patience for what the morrow would bring him.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_188'>188</span>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XIX.<br> <span class='large'>MALICIOUS FALSEHOODS.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>As soon as Mr. Richards and his distinguished guest left the
+music-room, a white hand parted the curtains from the window,
+and a blanched, distorted face appeared in the aperture.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It belonged to Mrs. Richards, who had, as before mentioned,
+been a listener to all that had transpired. Seeing that no one
+was in sight, she stepped softly inside, for the window was a
+long one, reaching to the floor, and sank back into a chair, the
+picture of a woman whom a fierce passion had exhausted.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had chanced to be out upon the veranda when Lord
+Carrol had entered the music-room and requested a “few
+moments’ conversation” with her husband, and feeling, with a
+thrill of delight, that the most important moment of Josephine’s
+life had come, she drew near to listen, as she supposed, to his
+lordship’s proposal for her hand.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Her emotions can better be imagined than described when
+instead she heard the story which the young man told her
+husband, and learned that Star, the despised and neglected
+waif, had secured the prize which she had so coveted for her
+brilliant daughter.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A perfect tornado of wrath, jealousy, and hate raged within
+her heart as she heard his praises of her, and his manly confession
+of love for her, with the intention of making her his
+wife.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star, the beggar maid, as she had always regarded her, the
+burden reproach of her life, the wife of a peer of England!</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It could not be; she would not have it so, when she had
+plotted and schemed to win this proud, handsome young aristocrat
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_189'>189</span>for her daughter; when she had spent hundreds to snare
+him; and when, she knew but too well, Josephine had learned
+to love him with all the fire of her proud, passionate nature.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>If it had been a girl in a position equal to that which
+Josephine occupied whom he had chosen, the disappointment
+would not have been less severe, but the mortification would
+not have been so galling.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>This was what had made Star’s face so radiant, then, during
+the past week, making her seem to bloom into new beauty, and
+glorifying her with exceeding happiness. She had noticed, but
+could not understand it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>This was the meaning of the unusual attention which she
+had bestowed upon her toilet last Saturday—for Josephine had
+told her of that little scene upon the veranda—and also of her
+protracted absence that day.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>For half an hour she sat there, white as alabaster with passion,
+her eyes glowing with hate for the innocent cause of all
+her disappointment.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Not in her room, eh?” she muttered at length, vindictively.
+“I’ll find the little vixen, and if it is possible to <i>widen</i> this
+breach, it won’t be my fault if it is not done.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>With a cruel expression on her still white face, she arose and
+swept noiselessly from the room by the same way that she had
+entered, and passed down the steps of the veranda out into the
+grounds.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>With a quick, swinging pace she walked down the avenue,
+casting keen glances among the trees and shrubbery as she
+went.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But Star was nowhere to be seen.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards, however, was determined to have an interview
+with her before either her husband or Lord Carrol could
+do so. She did not think she had returned to the house, and
+had an idea that she might be at the lodge with Mr. Rosevelt,
+so she persevered in her search.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_190'>190</span>She kept on her way until she came out by the lodge, where
+she saw John Mellen, who was both gardener and porter, sitting
+upon the porch.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He looked greatly surprised as the light from the lantern at
+the gate fell upon her face.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Is anything the matter, marm?” he asked, touching his hat
+respectfully, but wondering to see her there at that hour, with
+no wrap, while he noticed that she was very pale.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No, John; but have you seen anything of Miss Gladstone?”
+she asked.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, marm; she came running down here about half an
+hour ago, looking like a wraith, and bounded up stairs like a
+fawn, to the old gentleman’s room,” he answered.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Is she there now?” Mrs. Richards demanded, quickly, her
+lips settling down into a hard, straight line.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes’m—leastways, I’ve not seen her come down yet.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The woman bent her head in thought a moment, then briefly
+remarked:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I think I’ll go up.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Gathering her rustling skirts in her hand, she passed inside
+the lodge, mounted the stairs with a noiseless tread, and paused
+before Mr. Rosevelt’s door.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Bending close to the keyhole, she heard sounds of sobbing,
+mingled with low, soothing words spoken by her uncle.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She softly opened the door, and standing upon the threshold,
+her face grew dark and wrathful at the picture which she saw
+within the room.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt sat in his arm-chair by the table which stood
+between the two windows of his room, while Star knelt upon
+the floor at his side, her golden head bowed upon the arm of
+his chair, sobbing as if her heart was breaking.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The old gentleman had laid one hand upon her bright head,
+and was soothing it gently as he tried to quiet her with low,
+fond words.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_191'>191</span>“Dear child,” he said, tenderly, “don’t grieve so; you have
+been very brave so far; bear it a little longer, and all will be
+well. I know you have tried to hide it from me and every one
+else, but I’ve seen and known what you have had to contend
+with ever since I came here. You’ve had no love, no sympathy,
+and your poor, starved heart was well-nigh broken under
+it. But cheer up, my dear; you have been a blessing to me.
+I have been very lonely and forlorn many times, but I should
+have had a sorrowful time of it, indeed, if my bright little Star
+had not shed her genial rays upon my pathway.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“<i>In</i>deed!” interrupted a voice from behind them, in its most
+sarcastic tones, causing Star to spring to her feet with a low cry
+of surprise, as she turned her flushed, tear-stained face toward
+the intruder, while Mr. Rosevelt looked up at his niece with a
+grave, displeased countenance.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“<i>Indeed!</i>” Mrs. Richards repeated, her anger waxing hotter
+and fiercer as she imagined that Star had been pouring the story
+of her love and trial into her uncle’s ears. “You have both
+been sadly abused and heart-starved, haven’t you? For a couple
+of dependents you fare very badly, don’t you? And this is the
+gratitude and appreciation that you show. Stella Gladstone, go
+back to your room and remain there until I come to you; I
+wish to have a private conversation with you. As for you, Uncle
+Jacob, I am surprised that you should take sides with a sentimental
+schoolgirl against those who are providing most bountifully
+for her.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt reached out his hand and took one of Star’s.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Remain where you are,” he said, with a quiet authority
+which amazed while it enraged his niece.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Then turning to her, he continued, in the same quiet tone,
+but with a deliberation which made every word tell:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Ellen Richards, you are a heartless, arrogant woman. You
+need not speak yet, for I am going to relieve my mind, once
+for all. I am your father’s only brother, and when you were a
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_192'>192</span>child I helped him provide the very bread that appeased your
+hunger. When, later on, I became a rich man, and you were
+married and settled, you fawned upon and flattered me, protesting
+that there was nothing in the world that you would not
+do for ‘dear Uncle Jacob.’ Every time I returned from abroad,
+bringing you rich and elegant gifts, you urged me to quit my
+roving and come to live with you—your ‘home and heart would
+always be open’ to me, you said. It was the same with your
+brother Henry; words cost nothing, and his protestations were
+as fluent as your own. But when misfortune overtook me, and
+I returned to remain and to take him at his word, everything
+was changed. He received me coldly, giving me the poorest
+accommodations his house afforded, when before the best were
+none too good for me. Finally, he and his family, by their
+coldness, neglect, and disagreeable hints, drove me to desperation,
+and I left them. I came hither, hoping that your woman’s
+heart would prompt you to receive a sick and failing old man
+with the kindness and sympathy which he so much needed
+and craved. But I met with even a worse reception; the very
+atmosphere of your house when I entered it told me at once
+that I was an unwelcome guest. You have ignored me when
+you could, and when you could not, you have taken pains to
+make me feel like an intruder and a dependent, although your
+husband evidently would be glad to be kind to me, if he could
+do so and keep the peace. This child alone,” the old man
+continued, looking tenderly up into Star’s sad face, “has given
+me love and sympathy. Her kindness and little attentions
+have been like a bright spot in the darkness and loneliness of
+my life since coming to you; while your treatment of her has
+been <i>culpable</i>——”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Has she dared to complain of me to you?” cried Mrs.
+Richards, crimson with anger; for every word that he had
+uttered had been a reproach to her, and while she did not
+quite dare to vent her wrath upon him, she was glad of this
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_193'>193</span>allusion to Star, for upon her defenseless head she felt free to
+relieve herself.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No; she has never complained—she has even tried to conceal
+your treatment of her—but I have eyes and can see for
+myself, and it has been patent to me how her young heart has
+been starved, how every bright and enjoyable thing has been
+crushed out of her life. I know how she has had to do battle
+for even her education, and that you would have made a drudge
+and a slave of her, had you dared and your husband allowed
+you to do it. It is disgraceful, Ellen, for you to treat your
+cousin’s child in such a manner, when you owe so much to
+her mother——”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“How do you know? Who has been telling you all this?
+I am out of all patience!” Mrs. Richards interrupted, passionately.
+“Everybody is continually throwing at me the fact that
+Anna Chudleigh once saved my life. Hundreds of people have
+saved the lives of others and considered it their duty to have
+done so. If I was drowning and Anna saw me, it was natural
+for her—it <i>belonged</i> to her to save me if she could, as I should
+have done, no doubt, had the circumstances been reversed.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“True; but this view of the case does not lessen your obligation,
+nor license you to abuse the trust that has been committed
+to you,” Mr. Rosevelt answered, sternly. “You bound
+yourself to this child’s dying father to ‘do the best you could
+for her,’ to give her a home, and see that her education was
+properly attended to, and you owed it to him and to her to
+keep your promise.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I owed her nothing,” cried the enraged woman, losing all
+control of herself; “and you, Uncle Jacob, are overstepping all
+bounds by interfering with what is none of your business.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“The girl saved my life almost at the sacrifice of her own,
+and I shall <i>make</i> it my business to do what I can for her while I
+live,” Mr. Rosevelt answered, with dignity.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well, you will find, I reckon, that you have not helped her
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_194'>194</span>cause very much by taking up weapons against me for her,”
+snapped his niece, vindictively, and with a glance of dislike at
+Star. “Saved your life!” she continued, sarcastically. “Well,
+perhaps, she did; but, in my opinion, that is all sentimental
+gush, for she is an artful jade, and has doubtless palavered and
+cooed over you until she has pulled the wool over your eyes in
+fine shape.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“What could have been her object, Ellen?” asked the old
+gentleman, dryly. “Certainly not the expectation of getting
+any portion of my fortune, since appearances must have indicated
+to her as well as to you that I had nothing to give her.
+If she had known me, and done all this <i>when I was considered
+rich</i>, there might possibly be some reason in your accusations.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>This shaft told keenly, for his niece colored guiltily to the
+roots of her hair.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Your irony is ill-timed, it appears to me, Uncle Jacob,” she
+said, sullenly, “especially as you are indebted to me for the
+bare necessaries of life, not to speak of its comforts.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Indebted to you, am I, Ellen? I do not believe in recriminations,
+but allow me to ask, do you know the cost of
+those diamonds which you have on, and have you forgotten
+where you got them?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards’ brilliant color forsook her in an instant, and
+she became as white as the mass of snowy lace which rose and
+fell with the angry pulsation of her heart.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Her passionate temper prompted her to tear those flashing
+stones from her person and cast them in the face of her accuser;
+but her pride and avarice were the strongest attributes of her
+nature, and knowing that she would not be likely to have them
+replaced, she refrained from so rash an act.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I do not begrudge you your jewels, Ellen,” Mr. Rosevelt
+continued, more gently, perceiving how keenly she felt his reproof,
+“but when you twit me of being indebted to you for the
+simple necessaries of life, it is rather more than I can tamely
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_195'>195</span>submit to. I was fond of making presents in the days that
+are gone, and I felt repaid for my diamonds by the joy that
+lighted up your face when I gave them to you; but I confess
+it is a little hard to be considered a burden by you now, while
+I am deeply grieved to have Star’s young life made so unhappy.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I tell you you do not know the girl; she is as artful as she
+can be, and I can prove it to you,” Mrs. Richards exclaimed,
+glad to have the subject changed, for she was considerably conscience
+smitten over the diamonds.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I do not think you can prove anything of the kind, Ellen,”
+Mr. Rosevelt returned, quietly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Listen, then,” she retorted, eagerly, “and I will tell you
+how to-night I have discovered her to be guilty of the most
+shameless conduct.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star started and flushed at the accusation. She had not a
+suspicion that her secret had been discovered.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It seems,” continued Mrs. Richards, “that while going
+back and forth, to and from school this fall, she has been flirting
+in the most desperate manner with a young man—a perfect
+stranger to her, and one so far above her socially that it was
+rankest presumption in her to do as she has done. She has
+even entrapped him into—or rather, I should say, she has misconstrued
+his conversation with her to mean a declaration of
+love for her, and now that he has found her out and turns with
+disgust from her artful designing, she has shamelessly taxed
+him with unfaithfulness and treachery.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star turned and regarded her accuser in perfect amazement.
+She could scarcely credit her sense of hearing.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>How did Mrs. Richards know anything about her meetings
+with Lord Carrol, alias Archibald Sherbrooke, or of her interest
+in him? And who had represented it in this disgraceful light?</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“This young man,” the cunning woman went on, “is no
+other than Lord Carrol, who, for the month that we were at
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_196'>196</span>Long Branch, paid the most devoted attention to Josephine,
+and accepted our invitation here with the intention, as we supposed,
+of formally declaring himself to her and securing her
+father’s consent to their marriage.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A convulsive tremor ran through every fiber of the young
+girl’s being as she stood there and listened to this artful tale,
+and Mr. Rosevelt, who still held her hand, was sensible of it,
+and wondered what it could all mean.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He had not a suspicion that Lord Carrol and the handsome
+young artist whom he so admired were one and the same, but
+he knew that something must be very wrong to move Star so
+and make her look so deathly white.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You look astonished,” Mrs. Richards said, “and well you
+may, and your surprise will increase when I have told you all.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I am sure,” he answered, glancing from one to the other,
+“that there must be some mistake.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“There is no mistake,” replied his niece, coldly, and fixing
+a merciless glance upon Star, “for Lord Carrol has just had an
+interview with my husband, during which he told him the whole
+story. He says his first meeting with Stella was caused by an
+accident, and that she appeared so bright and intelligent that
+whenever he met her afterward he spoke with her and treated
+her kindly. He did not even have the least idea where she
+lived until to-night, after dinner. He went out for a quiet
+smoke, when she presented herself before him, accused him of
+coming here as Josephine’s lover, and denounced him as a
+traitor in the strongest terms and most unmaidenly manner,
+and telling him, greatly to his surprise, that she was an inmate
+of the house where he was a visitor. Of course, after such a
+denouement, he could do no other way than to seek Mr. Richards
+and explain everything, lest this rash girl should, out of a
+spirit of revenge and disappointment, destroy all his prospects
+with Josephine.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was a cunningly distorted story, and Star, as she listened
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_197'>197</span>to it, bowed her head and covered her face with her hands,
+while a low cry of despair broke from her lips.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had not <i>dreamed</i> that the man whom she had learned to
+love, who, with his open, handsome face, his frank, manly ways,
+had won her deepest respect, her strongest affections, could be
+guilty of so cowardly an act as to betray her thus.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>And yet he must have done so, else how could Mrs. Richards
+have known anything about the matter?</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Yes, without doubt, he had feared that she would openly
+denounce him before the family where he had so unexpectedly
+found her, and so had given this version of the great wrong that
+he had done her in order to shield himself.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>His own prospects of winning the rich heiress must not be
+interfered with, so he adopted this <i>coup d’etat</i> of going to Mrs.
+Richards and, with apparent frankness, confessing that his
+trifling attention to a silly girl had resulted in leading her to
+believe she had won a wealthy and titled husband.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>This was just what Mrs. Richards had wished to make Star
+believe, and she succeeded only too well, for the young girl
+was well-nigh crushed to the earth with a sense of shame, and
+humiliation, and wounded love.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>And yet, even while she felt that Archibald Sherbrooke—she
+could not think of him in any other character—had been guilty
+of a most cowardly and treacherous act, had steeped his soul
+in sin by winning her heart to break it, and thus ruining her
+whole life, <i>she loved him still</i>.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_198'>198</span>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XX.<br> <span class='large'>STAR’S DETERMINATION.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>“Star, my dear child, what does this mean?” Mr. Rosevelt
+ejaculated, in a tone of wonder, as his niece concluded.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It is unnecessary to ask her whether I have spoken the
+truth or not; her very looks and manner betray that she is
+guilty of what I have told you,” Mrs. Richards said, scornfully.
+“I did not suppose, however, with her innocent face and apparently
+quiet, modest manner, that she could be quite so
+shameless. But it is always so; such cat-like natures always
+work in the dark.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star’s proud little head came up with a haughty air at this
+taunting speech, while her blue eyes grew dark and ominous.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You are accusing me ignorantly and most unjustly,” she
+said, in a hard tone, but with pained and quivering lips.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“How so? Do you presume to deny that you met Lord
+Carrol in the grounds to-night?” demanded Mrs. Richards,
+severely.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You <i>did</i> meet him?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“And denounced him as a traitor?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes. I believe him to be a traitor to truth and honor,
+and—<i>a coward</i>!”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>They were hard, cruel words to be said of Archibald Sherbrooke,
+whom she had loved so dearly and believed to be so
+noble and true, and her heart thrilled with keenest pain as she
+uttered them, but she believed he had basely deceived her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Explain yourself,” commanded Mrs. Richards, bridling.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_199'>199</span>“I shall explain nothing,” Star answered, coldly, yet firmly.
+“What I said to Lord Carrol to-night was intended for him
+alone. If he has chosen to betray me, the responsibility rests
+upon himself, and you can go to him for explanations if you
+choose.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Where did you meet him first—how did you make his
+acquaintance?” asked Mrs. Richards, longing to get Star’s version
+of the story.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I decline to answer any questions upon the subject,” she
+returned, quietly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I command you to tell me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“And I still decline,” Star said, with an air that surprised
+both of her listeners.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She was as colorless now as a block of marble, but so beautiful
+in her proud sorrow, her agonized scorn, that they could
+but regard her with wonder.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You have no right to refuse what I ask of you. I am your
+guardian, and I demand a truthful confession of this whole
+scandalous affair,” Mrs. Richards reiterated, sharply.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You have already had it, you say, from Lord Carrol’s own
+lips; it will therefore be unnecessary for me to repeat or enlarge
+upon it,” the young girl returned, with calm scorn, while
+her delicate nostrils dilated, and her sweet lips curled with
+supreme contempt.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I cannot understand—there <i>must</i> be some mistake in all
+this,” ejaculated Mr. Rosevelt, his face a perfect blank. “I
+thought, Saturday, Star, that you——”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A slight motion from her checked him in what he was going
+to say.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No, there is no mistake; and this much I <i>will</i> explain to
+<i>you</i>. I did meet Lord Carrol to-night, as Mrs. Richards has
+told you,” she said. “I did believe myself his betrothed wife,
+and him to be a man of honor, until he came here last night
+as Miss Richards’ acknowledged suitor, and when I saw him
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_200'>200</span>this evening I did denounce him as a traitor. It seems that he
+has volunteered explanations to suit himself to Mr. and Mrs.
+Richards, and I decline to go further into particulars with
+them. I have no desire to blight Miss Josephine’s prospects
+in life, and I wish her all joy with her high-born and honorable
+lover.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Pen cannot portray the scorn which pervaded those last
+words, ringing out so clearly, so scathingly that Mrs. Richards’
+cheeks burned and her ears tingled; for this was the man—if
+he really had been the traitor which she wished to make him
+appear—whom she was using all her arts to secure for Josephine’s
+husband.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I am amazed—I cannot understand!” Mr. Rosevelt repeated,
+with a troubled face.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He believed Star to be as pure-minded and as innocent of
+wrong as a little child.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He had been convinced from what had transpired on the
+previous Saturday that she loved Archibald Sherbrooke, and
+not knowing that he was also Lord Carrol, he, of course, was
+completely puzzled over the mystery.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I do not see how you dare look any respectable person in
+the face, and confess what you just have, without seeking to
+clear yourself,” retorted Mrs. Richards, sternly. “You are compromising
+your character in the most wretched manner. What
+can I believe of you—what can any one believe of you, if you
+own to having been upon such intimate terms with a man of
+such standing as Lord Carrol, while he is here as the acknowledged
+suitor of my daughter?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“The very worst that you can believe, madam,” Star returned,
+calmly, and meeting the woman’s eye fearlessly, but
+with a look which made her quail in spite of herself, “can
+only serve to compromise the man, whose favor and title you
+appear so anxious to secure, more than it possibly can me.
+Notwithstanding whatever claim I may have supposed myself to
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_201'>201</span>have heretofore possessed upon him, I now <i>most cheerfully</i> resign
+it in favor of Miss Richards.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Were ever words so cutting? Was there ever so barbed a
+sentence so calmly uttered before?</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards ground her teeth with rage over the feet that
+the man whom poor, despised Star Gladstone thus spurned,
+believing him to be the very soul of dishonor, she knew Josephine
+was using all her arts to win, while of course she could
+not undeceive her because it would spoil her plot.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You are an insolent, overbearing girl,” she said, in a low,
+hissing tone, “and I wonder how I have tolerated you in my
+house as long as I have. I wonder how you dare face me,
+and use such insulting language to me after your shameless
+conduct.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I am neither insolent nor overbearing, Mrs. Richards.
+Ever since I came into your house I have striven to do as
+nearly right as I knew how, and to make as little trouble as
+possible. It is <i>you</i> who have been overbearing, who have
+wounded me by insulting the memory of my parents, and have
+tried to crush and trample upon me. In no way have I rebelled
+against your authority, except in the determination not
+to become a common servant and to pursue my education.
+This I did in justice to myself, and because I had promised my
+father I would do it. If you have ‘tolerated me in your house,’
+believe me, there has been as much toleration exercised upon
+my part, for in no sense of the word has it been a <i>home</i> to me;
+instead, it has been merely a place of shelter, a spot to exist in
+until I could complete my education. I can bear it no longer.
+I shall consider your house no longer my home,” Star concluded,
+with a decision which rather startled Mrs. Richards.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But she retorted, derisively:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Your independent spirit ill becomes you. Where could
+you go? Who would take you, a penniless beggar, and give
+you the advantages which you have been enjoying during the
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_202'>202</span>past year? But it is folly for me to give heed to your idle
+words. I command you to return directly to your room, and
+hold no intercourse with any one, and to-morrow I will decide
+what course to pursue with reference to your future.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had been planning to pack her off to Brooklyn with one
+of the servants until Lord Carrol’s visit should be ended, and
+thus avoid all possibility of an interview and its attendant explanations.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But Star did not move. She remained standing quietly by
+Mr. Rosevelt’s chair, as if she had not heard her command.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Did you hear what I said?” she demanded, sharply.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, madam.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well, do you intend to obey me?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No, madam.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“What!”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I refuse to recognize your authority over me from this
+moment. I refuse to obey any longer one who, from the first,
+has been governed only by feelings of personal spite in all her
+dealings with me,” Star returned, firmly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards could scarcely credit her ears.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had not imagined that the usually quiet girl possessed a
+tithe of this spirit.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well, Uncle Jacob, what do you think of your little pattern
+of excellence now?” demanded the astonished woman, turning
+with an injured air to her uncle, who was nearly as much
+amazed himself.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I think the child has been severely tried,” he returned,
+quietly, whereupon Mrs. Richards flew into another rage.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I must say, Uncle Jacob, that I consider it very bad taste
+in you to take sides with her against me; and let me warn you,
+that you have both got yourselves into trouble by the doings of
+this night.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The arrogant dame did not wait for any reply, but turned
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_203'>203</span>abruptly and left the room, retiring, however, with a sense of
+defeat which it was not pleasant to contemplate.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The moment that the door closed after her, Star dropped
+again upon the floor by Mr. Rosevelt’s side, heart-broken. He
+saw that she was utterly unnerved by what had just transpired,
+and for awhile he left her to herself. At length, when she became
+more calm, he said, sorrowfully, yet gently:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“My child, tell me what Ellen means. What cause has she
+for coming here to accuse you of such dreadful things? Who is
+this Lord Carrol, and what has he been to you?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star lifted her white, pained face to him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You do not believe what she has told you—you do not
+believe I would be guilty of anything so shameless as she would
+try to make me appear?” she questioned, brokenly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No, no; I think there is some terrible misunderstanding.
+I do not believe you would do anything which you knew to be
+wrong; and yet your own words have mystified me. I cannot
+comprehend them.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I will tell you all about it. I would not explain anything
+to her—I could not after she had told me what <i>he</i> said,” Star
+answered, but her face flushed with shame at the thought of
+confessing a tale of love and devotion on her part, of deception
+and treachery on the part of the man whom she had so
+trusted.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It seemed to her like a lack of dignity and of strength of
+character that she should have been so easily duped.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Then she told him all the story of her love for Archibald
+Sherbrooke, beginning with that day when they had exchanged
+souvenirs on the steamer, and which, she felt, had been the
+commencement of their love. She told him how he had prevented
+her from leaping on the cars when they were in motion,
+and how every day after that he had contrived to meet her,
+luring her heart from her day by day, until the previous Saturday
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_204'>204</span>he had declared his love for her, and won her promise to
+be his wife as soon as she should have graduated.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Oh, Uncle Jacob,” Star concluded, hiding her face on the
+arm of his chair again, “I believed him so true, so honorable,
+so <i>worthy</i> of my love, and now to find him so unprincipled and
+treacherous, it crushes me!”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt looked very grave, almost stern.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“This is just as I supposed—as I was led to believe from
+your appearance last Saturday. I knew well enough, when we
+returned home from Coney Island, that you had promised to
+be Sherbrooke’s wife. But I don’t understand his treachery,
+as you call it, nor what connection all this has with the young
+lord who has come to ask for Josephine’s hand,” he said,
+coldly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star looked up again, at the unfamiliar tone.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Oh!” she said, wearily; “I am so miserable that I have not
+made it plain to you—I have not told you; but Lord Carrol is
+only another name for the man who called himself Archibald
+Sherbrooke. Under the latter he cheated me into loving him,
+and he has ruined my life; under the former, which is his real
+name, I suppose, he has been trying to win the heiress.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt was speechless from amazement at this revelation,
+and for a full minute could only look down into those
+piteous, uplifted eyes in mute dismay.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Impossible!” he cried, at length. “I cannot believe it; I
+cannot think that young Sherbrooke would be guilty of anything
+so dastardly. There must be some mistake.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“There is <i>no</i> mistake,” Star returned, with despair in her
+tones. “I was sitting at the window of my room when he
+arrived, and, of course, I recognized him at once. His form,
+his bearing, his handsome face, the tones of his voice—everything
+was identical with the Archie Sherbrooke from whom we
+parted last Saturday evening. At first I was crushed by the
+blow; then I thought perhaps Lord Carrol had disappointed
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_205'>205</span>them, and Archie had come to me as he had promised to do
+Monday or Tuesday; but this hope fled when I heard them
+address him as Lord Carrol, and he replied at once to the
+name. It has broken my heart, Uncle Jacob,” Star wailed,
+pouring out all her sorrow to him. “I do not know how I
+ever lived last night through; I do not believe I was conscious
+half the time; while to-day I have been too weak, and ill, and
+wretched to care what became of me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Poor child! poor child!” he murmured, softly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“To-night,” she went on, “I felt as if I must get out into
+the air. I must see a friendly face and hear a kindly voice, so
+I came to you, although I did not mean to tell you anything
+of my trouble. I meant to bear it alone, and never let any
+one know how cruelly I had been deceived, or how readily I
+had given my foolish heart away.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The old gentleman laid his hand on her shining head,
+smoothing her hair with a tender touch. He was nearly weeping
+himself to see this beautiful young girl so crushed.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“On my way down here,” she pursued, “I felt faint; my
+strength all left me, and I stopped and leaned against a tree to
+recover myself, and while I stood there <i>he</i> stole up behind me,
+laid his hand on my shoulder, and asked me in surprise how I
+came to be there. I gave him the street and number where
+we lived last Saturday, but I suppose when Mr. Richards and
+Josephine went to meet him at the station and brought him
+here, he did not once think it was the same place, for I have
+never told him their names. He believed me to be a poor girl,
+and never would have thought of finding me in a place like
+this; that was why he was so overcome with surprise when he
+saw me to-night. But when I charged him with personating
+two characters—having two names—he could not deny it; he
+owned that he was Lord Carrol, but tried to make me let him
+explain. I would not; there could be nothing to explain. He
+had deceived me, and it was enough; I could never trust him
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_206'>206</span>after that. I called him a traitor and a coward, and then I ran
+away and came to you, who are the only friend I have in this
+wide, weary world.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You did right, dear, to come to me; but were you not a
+trifle hasty and rash? I think you should have listened to
+young Sherbrooke’s—or whoever he may be—defense,” Mr.
+Rosevelt said, gently.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“What possible defense could he have had to offer?” Star
+cried, in a voice of scorn. “He has pretended to be Archibald
+Sherbrooke, a simple artist, to me, while everybody else knows
+him as Lord Carrol, of Carrolton.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“But he may have been traveling incognito under the former
+name,” suggested Mr. Rosevelt.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Then why did he not keep it to the end? Why did he go
+to a fashionable watering-place and flourish as a titled Englishman,
+and devote himself to Josephine? Why did he <i>resume</i>
+the former name upon meeting me again, and lead me to love
+him, believing him to be a poor artist? No; there can be
+nothing said in defense of such double-dealing as this. He
+has cheated and fooled me. I have found him out, and compelled
+him to own it. It is enough to make me scorn him;
+but it has been a bitter lesson, and has taught me never to trust
+a man again,” Star concluded, with vehement bitterness.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Never, Star? Surely that acrimonious resolve does not include
+me,” said Mr. Rosevelt, with gentle reproach.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No; I know that you are kind and true, and you are the
+only one in the world who cares for me,” the suffering girl said,
+in husky tones.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Indeed, my child, you have become very dear to me, and
+my life would be very forlorn without you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star bent down and touched his hand with her lips. In her
+wretchedness it comforted her greatly to know that she had contributed
+to his happiness.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“But I cannot get over what you have told me. I never
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_207'>207</span>was so deceived in my life before; and if this young sprig of
+English nobility is the villain you represent him, he is not fit
+to live,” Mr. Rosevelt said, sternly, after a few moments of
+thoughtful silence.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star shivered with pain. Much as she believed she scorned
+him, she could not endure that another should speak disparagingly
+of him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Never mind him, Uncle Jacob,” she said. “I have put
+him out of my life forever; and now I want to talk to you
+about something else. You say that I have made your life
+happier since you came here, and that you would be very
+lonely without me. I am going to tell you a little secret, and
+then I want you to promise to go away from here with me.
+I am not going to remain here another day,” she concluded
+decidedly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Is that your secret, Star?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Part of it,” she answered, with a sad smile. “I have a
+little money, as you know—a hundred pounds—which, at Mr.
+Richards’ suggestion, I put at interest last year. Now, I want
+to take this money and make a cozy little home for you and
+me somewhere, until I get through school—there will be
+enough to last till then, I think—and after that I shall be able
+to take care of us both in fine style, by teaching and giving
+music lessons.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He smiled skeptically as she planned so hopefully what her
+poor hundred pounds would do, while a tear started to his eye
+at her thought for him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She saw that he did not think she could do all that she told
+him, and flushed.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You do not believe that I shall be able to take care of us
+both,” she said, eagerly, “but I know that I can, for I have
+not yet told you all. Listen.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She bent nearer to him, and putting her lips close to his ear,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_208'>208</span>told him something which even you and I must not know just
+yet, my patient reader.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He was nearly as much surprised as he had been to learn of
+Archibald Sherbrooke’s treachery.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“My dear,” he said, while his face lighted with pride and
+joy, “you shall have your way, and I will do just as you wish,
+and I——”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He checked himself suddenly, dropped his head in thought
+for a moment, then resumed:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I am not happy here any more than yourself, and have
+been thinking for some time that I must go away; but I could
+not bear the thought of parting from you. Now we will go
+together, as you wish, unless——”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Unless what, Uncle Jacob?” Star asked, anxiously.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Unless you will let me see this young scamp of a lord, and
+take him to task for his faithlessness to you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Never!” Star replied, proudly. “What good would it
+do to——”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“There <i>may</i> be some mistake; he might be able to explain
+everything satisfactorily,” interrupted Mr. Rosevelt.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star’s beautiful lips curled.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“What would his explanations amount to? He is here
+as a suitor for Josephine’s hand—they all confess it; and did
+you ever listen to a more monstrous story than Mrs. Richards
+repeated here to-night? To think that he could say anything
+so basely false of me is almost enough to drive me wild,” Star
+cried, excitedly. “No, Uncle Jacob; although he has been
+guilty of the most cruel treachery, I will not contend with him.
+If he is such a craven that he would try to win a young girl’s
+heart for the amusement of breaking it, and then seek to blight
+her fair fame by charging her with what he has imputed to me
+to-night, he is too far beneath me to be worthy of anything
+save my supreme contempt, and I never wish to meet him
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_209'>209</span>again. I only want to get away from them <i>all</i>, and never see
+their faces more.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Her voice broke with such a wail of despair in it that the old
+man could not find it in his heart to refuse her anything.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Very well; we will go away to-morrow,” he said, sorrowfully.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Oh, thank you, Uncle Jacob!” the unhappy girl said,
+eagerly; “and will you go without letting them know? They
+would never consent, and I do not wish them even to know
+where I go.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes; we will go without saying anything to any one. We
+can leave a note telling them why we go, and it shall be the
+object of the little time that remains to me to care for you and
+try to make your young life a little brighter than it has been,”
+he returned, thoughtfully.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“How early can you be ready?” he asked, after a moment.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“By daylight; the earlier the better,” she returned, earnestly.
+“Every moment here is full of pain for me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Very well; there is a six o’clock train—the workingmen’s
+train—into New York; we will take it, and find a home for
+ourselves somewhere in the city. But how about your school,
+Star? They will seek for you there.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I will go to Professor Roberts and tell him that circumstances
+compel me to leave, and ask him for a recommendation
+to some other institute. There are others in the city where
+they would never dream of looking for me, and where I can
+graduate next year, as I have planned to do.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It shall be just as you wish, my dear; I feel that I am
+doing you no wrong in gratifying you. You shall be like a
+young daughter to me, and I—I promise I will be no burden
+to you, notwithstanding that I am old and feeble,” Mr. Rosevelt
+answered, with a sad smile.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“A burden!” Star repeated, with quivering lips. “Oh,
+please do not imagine such a thing! It is <i>you</i> who are to take
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_210'>210</span>care of me and shield me until I graduate, for without you to
+help me bear the responsibility, I should not dare to take such
+a step.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt smiled again.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You try to make the obligation appear all your own; but
+I share it, nevertheless; and I think you and I will be far happier
+away from the unpleasant influences which have surrounded
+us during the past year. I am quite anticipating the change, I
+assure you. Now you must go to rest. You look more like a
+ghost than a star just now; and my heart has been deeply
+pained to-night for the suffering that you have had to endure;
+but I believe it will yet be made up to you in some way,” he
+concluded, with grave thoughtfulness.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He sat regarding her earnestly for a few moments. Then he
+said, while his eyes were fixed questioningly on her face:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“This is a different kind of a storm, child, from the one
+which you and I passed through at sea. Your faith was strong
+then; you were not afraid to die; how is it now? Do you
+believe your God rules this kind of a storm also?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>There was a skeptical smile on the old man’s lips, and a
+bitterness in his tone as he asked this, which filled the young
+girl’s heart with remorse.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She looked up at him with a startled glance, while her pained
+face almost instantly relaxed into an expression of trustfulness
+and peace.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Uncle Jacob,” she said, with a solemn sweetness which
+impressed him deeply, “you could not have said anything for
+which I should thank you more—you have recalled me to
+myself. I should not have forgotten for a moment that God
+rules everywhere and over everything. Yes, I <i>believe</i> He knows
+best, even though I cannot <i>understand</i> why I must suffer this
+bitter trial.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The old man sighed deeply, and his face was very grave.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_211'>211</span>“Good-night!” he said, abruptly, and rising, led her to the
+door.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>When he reached it, he bent suddenly down and touched
+her forehead with his lips; and Star, with a low-spoken “good-night,”
+went away with a sorely aching heart, indeed, but
+greatly comforted by his sympathy, while a spirit of submission
+had succeeded to the bitterness and rebellion of the previous
+hour.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Jacob Rosevelt locked the door after her, and went back to
+the table where he had been sitting when she came to him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Opening the drawer, he took out a package of papers and
+letters, which he carefully looked over.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>When he had read them all, he selected a portion, tore them
+into atoms, and throwing them into the grate where there was
+a slow fire, watched them until they had burned to ashes, with
+a white, stern face. Then he sat down again, and wrote far
+into the night.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The next morning when Mrs. Blunt went up to see how Star
+was feeling, and if she had any appetite for her breakfast, she
+found her room empty.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Goodness gracious! the child has got up and gone to
+school, and without a mouthful to stay her stomach, or I’m
+much mistaken,” she said, in a voice of dismay.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Then, as her eye fell upon the open drawers of the bureau
+and the empty closet, a sudden fear oppressed her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A little note lying upon the bed now attracted her attention,
+and she eagerly pounced upon it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was directed to her, and with trembling fingers she opened
+it, and read:</p>
+
+<p class='c014'>“<span class='sc'>Dear Mrs. Blunt</span>:—Something has occurred which makes it impossible
+for me to remain here any longer, and I am going away to take
+care of myself. You have always been very kind to me, and I thank you
+very much for it, and shall never forget it. Sometime I hope to see you
+again, and I trust you will always think kindly of</p>
+
+<div class='lg-container-r c016'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>“<span class='sc'>Stella Gladstone</span>.”</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_212'>212</span>The good woman sat down and wept bitter tears over this
+brief note, for she had learned to love the bright, kind-hearted
+girl who always had a cheery word for her. She knew the
+house would never seem the same again without her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Then she went down to tell the news to her master. She
+met John Mellen in the hall, who had come with the intelligence
+that Mr. Rosevelt left the lodge early that morning,
+taking all that belonged to him—“which was not much, yer
+honor,” he volunteered, and he handed Mr. Richards a note
+which the old gentleman had left for him.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXI.<br> <span class='large'>FRUITLESS EFFORTS.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>Mr. Richards and his family were thrown into considerable
+confusion by the double surprise which this morning revealed
+to them.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He was really a kind man at heart, and had been very much
+troubled by the way that his wife had conducted herself toward
+her aged uncle, and also by her unfeeling usage of Star.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards, however, found it difficult to conceal her satisfaction
+at the turn events had taken. She kept her own counsel
+regarding her knowledge of what had transpired during the interview
+between her husband and the young lord; neither did
+she consider it necessary to mention the stormy scene which
+had occurred at the lodge the previous evening, in which she
+was so prominent an actor.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Josephine shall have everything her own way now,” she
+thought, exultantly; “at all events, <i>that girl</i> shall never triumph
+over my daughter by becoming Lady Carrol.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_213'>213</span>Mr. Richards declared that he should go immediately in
+search of the fugitives. He could not endure the thought that
+the delicate young girl and feeble old man should go out into
+the world to earn their own living, for this he supposed they
+would be obliged to do, since what little money he knew Star
+to be possessed of could not support them both a great while.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But Mrs. Richards indignantly objected to this proceeding.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Let them alone,” she said, angrily; “they will not thank
+you for your trouble, and doubtless would refuse to return if
+you should succeed in finding them. I am sure they have
+shown precious little gratitude for what we have already done
+for them. Uncle Jacob says in his note that it has been very
+unpleasant for him here, and if such is the case, let him go
+where he will fare better if he can find such a place. As for
+that proud-spirited, independent girl, I never want to see her
+again; I am glad to be rid of her.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards did not reply to this tirade, but he felt very
+sorrowful, for every day only seemed to reveal some new trait
+of selfishness and heartlessness in his wife, which served to
+detract from his respect for her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Nothing of all this, however, was mentioned before their
+guests, and when after breakfast Lord Carrol sought his host
+in the library to make further arrangements for an interview
+with Star, he was astonished and dismayed by the intelligence
+which he received regarding her secret departure with Mr.
+Rosevelt.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Have you any idea where they can have gone?” he asked,
+with a very pale, anxious face.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Not the slightest,” Mr. Richards answered, “and I am
+deeply concerned about the affair. You will believe me, I am
+sure, when I tell you that I admire Miss Gladstone exceedingly,
+although I am obliged to confess with shame that her
+sojourn with us has not been made as pleasant as it might
+have been.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_214'>214</span>Mr. Richards made this confession with a lowering brow and
+in a stern tone.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I judged that she was not happy here from something that
+she dropped last night,” Lord Carrol said, gravely. “And,” he
+added, with evident embarrassment, “it is a delicate topic to
+touch upon, but I believe plain dealing is best—she also stated
+that it is generally believed in your household that I am here
+as a suitor for Miss Richards’ hand. I trust, however, that there
+has been no such misunderstanding as this. I enjoyed a very
+pleasant month at Long Branch with both your wife and
+daughter. Perhaps I sought their society more than might
+have been deemed proper unless I had serious intentions; but
+this was owing to the fact that I discovered Mrs. Richards to
+be of English birth, and knowing something of her friends
+abroad, it seemed to become a bond between us, out of which
+a friendship naturally sprung. Mrs. Richards very kindly invited
+me to make one of a party here, and I accepted her invitation—I
+give you my word of honor upon it—with <i>only</i>
+thoughts of friendship and the pleasure of meeting congenial
+company, and with the intention, if she ever came abroad, of
+returning her hospitality in the same spirit. I hope—I trust,
+my dear sir, that my coming here thus has not been misconstrued,
+or placed Miss Richards in an awkward position.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The young man’s face shone with a look of real concern as
+he concluded, and Mr. Richards was convinced that, notwithstanding
+his wife had asserted that he would propose to Josephine,
+he had never entertained any serious intentions regarding
+her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It is all right, my young friend,” he responded, heartily,
+and feeling great respect for him for his straightforwardness.
+“I am satisfied that you have been perfectly honorable, although
+I must confess that I was greatly astonished last night to learn
+that Star was the object of your affection. I regret sincerely the
+misunderstanding that has arisen between you, but we will do
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_215'>215</span>what we can to find the missing girl, and I trust that then it
+will not take long to effect a reconciliation.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Thank you,” the young lord said, but he looked very grave,
+for he did not feel as if it would be a very easy matter to find
+Star. He knew that underneath her usual gentleness and sweetness
+there lay a strength of purpose and determination which
+would lead her to do thoroughly whatever she undertook, and
+if she had gone away to hide from him it would take both
+patience and sagacity to find her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>However, he resolved to devote all his time before the day
+set for his return should arrive in searching for her; and acting
+at once upon this decision, he sought Mrs. Richards and Josephine,
+telling them that, much as he regretted doing so, he
+should be obliged to cut his visit short, as business of importance
+called him unexpectedly away.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Josephine was bitterly disappointed and chagrined, for she
+was as yet in total ignorance as to the cause of his departure,
+and Mrs. Richards for the moment was rendered speechless
+from indignation. She had not once thought that he would go
+away before the expiration of his week.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“We shall see you again, I trust, before you leave America,”
+Josephine said, with her sweetest smile, as he took her hand at
+parting.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Perhaps so; I cannot tell,” he answered, absently.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“We return to Brooklyn next week,” Mrs. Richards now
+managed to say. “If you are in New York, you surely will find
+time to run over and call upon us now and then.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Thank you. I may be able to do so,” he replied, courteously;
+and then, with a somewhat formal bow, he went away
+to seek for his lost love.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“What under the sun is the matter with Lord Carrol this
+morning, mamma? He does not appear like himself at all;
+and what has possessed him to go away so soon?” Josephine
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_216'>216</span>cried, nearly ready to weep as the door closed upon the man
+she loved, and she was left alone with her mother.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards then related what she had overheard the previous
+evening, and told her also of her subsequent interview
+with Star and Mr. Rosevelt, and the news that had come to
+them that morning of their flight.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Josephine listened to her in dumb amazement, hardly able
+to comprehend the romantic story.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“That girl has done nothing but set everybody by the ears
+ever since she entered this house,” she burst forth, at length,
+quivering in every nerve with anger. “Lord Carrol in love with
+<i>her</i>! I cannot comprehend it, and I think it is scandalous for
+him to confess it, after the marked attention that he paid me at
+Long Branch.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I think so, too,” Mrs. Richards echoed, but rather faintly,
+for she knew how Josephine had almost been thrown at him,
+so to speak.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well, I am glad she is gone,” the excited girl continued.
+“I hope now that we shall be able to take some comfort. She
+bewitched papa with her pretty face, her music, and pretended
+love of study. She was an artful thing, making herself so conspicuous
+at school that even the newspapers took it up, and
+was so puffed up on account of it that her airs were insufferable.
+It is a mercy that Uncle Jacob lost his fortune before
+he came to us, or she would have been likely to wheedle him
+out of it.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“She has been as sly as a fox,” commented Mrs. Richards,
+wrathfully, her ire against poor, unoffending Star waxing hotter
+and hotter, for she was as bitterly disappointed to lose his
+lordship as a son-in-law as Josephine was to lose him as a
+husband.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I never heard anything like it. To think of his being
+engaged to her, and we never suspecting such a thing! I’ll
+bet,” the refined young lady continued, as a bright idea struck
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_217'>217</span>her, “that she went away to meet him last Saturday, and that
+was why she was rigged out so. That must be the secret of
+her insolence to me. She knew she was soon to become
+Lady Carrol, and she was trying how it would seem to lord it
+over me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You forget, Josephine,” interposed her mother, “that she
+did not know anything about his title, and so you are all wrong
+in your surmises.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“True,” she replied, somewhat crestfallen; “but when do
+you suppose he engaged himself to her?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I am sure I do not know—very recently, he said. I tried
+to make her tell me about it last night, but I couldn’t get a
+word out of her. One would have thought, by the way that
+she faced me, that she was already my lady somebody. But I
+reckon I fixed it so that she will not be at present. I made her
+think that his lordship had told the story in a way to make her
+appear as ridiculous as possible, and she has gone away, believing
+him to be as faithless as it is in the power of man to
+be;” and the hardhearted woman threw herself back in her
+chair with a sigh of satisfaction at the thought.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It is a shame, anyhow. Everything has gone wrong, and
+I—I really was fond of him,” Josephine confessed, with a passion
+of tears.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards’ face darkened. She never could tolerate anything
+which interfered with the desires and whims of her only
+child.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well, we will not give up hope, even yet,” she said, trying
+to speak comfortingly. “We shall go back to Brooklyn next
+week, and we will try to see him as often as we can. We will
+visit his studio, and look at his pictures and those of his friends,
+and if he is unsuccessful in his search for that girl, he may turn
+to you again for comfort.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I cannot get over it that <i>she</i>, with her great eyes and yellow
+hair, should have attracted him and won him, when we have
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_218'>218</span>strained every nerve and spent hundreds for him,” Josephine
+said, angrily.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>At this moment a servant entered the room and handed her
+a note.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She opened it eagerly and read it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Her face flushed a deep crimson, and, with a passionate gesture,
+she instantly tore it in two.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“What is it?” questioned her mother.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It is too dreadful!” the spoilt beauty cried, stamping her
+foot; “and I believe that girl will be the death of me yet.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Tell me what it is,” persisted Mrs. Richards, growing pale.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It is a note from Lord Carrol himself,” Josephine answered,
+her cheeks still hot from mortification and anger. “When we
+were at Long Branch, he noticed this cameo ring that I wear—I
+happened to put it on the last night that we were there, unfortunately—and
+said that it was very much like one which
+belonged to a friend of his. He appeared rather strangely
+when he said it, and told me that his friend’s name was Archibald
+Sherbrooke. Of course I can understand now why he
+would not say that it had belonged to him. I told him that it
+was given to me by a relative, and he did not appear like himself
+after that.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“But how came you by it—who gave it to you?” interrupted
+her mother, who had never noticed the ring until now, for
+Josephine had so many trinkets that she could not keep track
+of them all.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The girl flushed again, guiltily.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“To tell the truth, it belonged to Stella,” she confessed,
+reluctantly, “and it was such an exquisite little thing that I
+took a notion to have it. I offered to buy it of her, but she
+wouldn’t hear a word of it, saying she ‘prized it too highly as
+the gift of a friend.’ But I was bound to have it, and went to
+her room one day and took it, and had it made into a ring, for
+it was in the shape of a pin. Of course I intended to return
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_219'>219</span>it sometime, but I meant her to understand that a girl in her
+dependent position had no business to refuse so simple a request.
+The initials A. S., with two strawberry leaves, their
+stems crossed, are engraved on it, and I knew, when he described
+it to me, that it was ‘his friend’—or rather himself, as
+it appears now—who had given it to her. I heartily wish now
+that I had let it alone. But just listen to this.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Miss Richards took the pieces of the note, which she had
+held crumpled in her hand, and putting them together, read
+the following:</p>
+
+<div class='lg-container-r c016'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>“Oct. 10th, 188—.</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c014'>“<span class='sc'>Miss Richards</span>:—Doubtless before you receive this you will have
+learned that Archibald Sherbrooke—whom I represented to you as my
+friend, for reasons which you cannot now fail to understand—and Lord
+Carrol are one and the same person. Under the former name, which was
+the only one which belonged to me at that time, I became acquainted with
+Miss Gladstone on shipboard, and was so pleased with her that, at parting,
+I exchanged souvenirs with her, giving her a little cameo which I prized
+very highly. It is the same one which you have had made into a ring.
+When I met Miss Gladstone a short time since she remarked that she had
+‘lost’ my gift; last night she told me <i>how</i> she had ‘lost’ it, and I would
+respectfully ask you to send it to the inclosed address, that I may return
+it to the owner, should I be so happy as to find her.</p>
+
+<div class='lg-container-r c016'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>“Very respectfully,</div>
+      <div class='line in16'>“<span class='sc'>Archibald Sherbrooke</span>, Bart., and</div>
+      <div class='line in20'>Lord <span class='sc'>Carrol</span>, of Carrolton.”</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Why on earth can’t you let other folks’ things alone, Josephine?”
+cried Mrs. Richards, when her daughter had finished
+reading this formal note, and feeling almost faint from mortification
+upon learning of this disgraceful episode in her life. “I’m
+sure,” she added, reproachfully, “you have trinkets enough
+without taking the only thing a poor girl had.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Isn’t your commiseration somewhat ill-timed, mamma, for
+the ‘poor girl,’ now that she is not here to reap the benefit of
+it?” sneered the dutiful young lady. “I don’t care; it is an
+elegant trifle, anyhow, and I’ve half a mind to keep it, in
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_220'>220</span>spite of his lordship’s demand,” she added, defiantly, as she
+held up her hand, on which the ring gleamed, and regarded it
+covetously.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But she did return it, nevertheless; she did not quite dare to
+retain it, particularly as she could not relinquish all hope of
+winning the young lord even yet.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards, accompanied by Lord Carrol, proceeded with
+all possible dispatch to New York, and thence to Brooklyn,
+where they went directly to the seminary which Star attended,
+and inquired for her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was only half-past ten when they arrived there, but early
+as it was, Professor Roberts told them that she had come at the
+usual hour and severed her connection with the school, and
+very much to his regret, he added, as he considered her one of
+the most promising members of the senior class.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Both gentlemen looked blank at this information; they did
+not suppose Star would be so energetic to cover all traces of
+her flight.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had asked, the professor said, for a recommendation,
+that she might more easily enter some other, as she hoped to
+be able to complete her course, although she did not tell him
+where she was going.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“And I did,” he continued; “I gave her the very best one
+that could be put into words, for she deserved it. But what is
+this you tell me—that she has left her home without the knowledge
+of her friends?” and he appeared deeply troubled.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes; but it is only on account of a slight misunderstanding,
+and one which would have been very easily explained if
+she had not been quite so hasty; and I hope we shall be able
+to find her and make it right very soon.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I trust so; I am very sorry to part with her,” said the professor,
+gravely, while he measured the young lord with his
+keen eyes, mistrusting that he was somehow concerned in the
+mystery. “I had anticipated taking her through the course
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_221'>221</span>and presenting her with her diploma. I tell you, sir, Miss
+Gladstone bids fair to become a most brilliant woman. Why,
+the essay which she read at our last commencement would
+have been a credit to the most profound literary talent in the
+country.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Lord Carrol’s eyes glowed at these praises of his darling; but
+Mr. Richards winced under them, for his conscience was smiting
+him keenly for ever having allowed Star to occupy so questionable
+a position in his family.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You will oblige me if you will account for her absence in
+some casual way, if you are questioned about it,” he said. “I
+should be sorry to have anything unpleasant said of her.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Certainly; you may rely upon my being very discreet, for
+<i>her</i> sake,” Professor Roberts returned, somewhat stiffly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He bowed his visitors out, and then returned to his duties;
+but all day long, and for many days, he missed the bright,
+earnest face of his “most promising scholar,” her brilliant
+recitations, and the respectful attention which she had always
+given him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>As for Mr. Richards and Lord Carrol, their way seemed suddenly
+hedged up; they did not know which way to turn next.
+They knew it would be very difficult to find any one in the
+great city of New York, and it was possible that the fugitives
+had left the metropolis, although Mr. Richards, knowing how
+ambitious Star was to complete her education, was inclined to
+think she would remain there until she had accomplished
+this end.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Still Lord Carrol was determined not to relinquish his search
+for her, and he neglected painting and everything else, riding
+from one end of the city to another day after day, unweariedly
+visiting schools on week days, and haunting churches on Sunday,
+until the day of his departure arrived; but all his efforts
+were unavailing and fruitless.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>An advertisement was inserted in all the daily papers.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_222'>222</span>“Star, let me justify myself!” That was all; and Star, in
+her hiding-place, read it many times with curling lips and
+scornful eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“There can be no justification,” she said; “one man bearing
+two names and deceiving two girls, can never be justified.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But her heart ached none the less, for, with shame she owned
+it, she loved him still. The days seemed endless, her duties
+arduous and monotonous; she grew thin, her step lost its
+elasticity, and she was as miserable as even Josephine, in her
+most malicious mood, could have wished.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>November came, and with it the day of Archibald Sherbrooke’s
+sailing for England.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>No one ever returned to his native land with a sadder heart
+and deeper regret than the young Lord of Carrolton, and he
+would not have gone even then, but that some urgent business
+connected with his uncle’s estate, and his duties as his heir,
+imperatively demanded it. He would have much preferred to
+remain and search for the fair girl whom he loved so devotedly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But he resolved to return to America at the earliest possible
+date and resume his efforts to find her.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXII.<br> <span class='large'>THE GOAL REACHED.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>The winter passed, the summer came again, and on a sunny
+day in June the great chapel of the Normal College of New York
+city was packed with human beings to its utmost capacity.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Upon the broad platform were seated the professors, the
+tutors, and guests, while the body of the vast hall was filled
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_223'>223</span>with its fifteen hundred students, attentive and vigilant like so
+many soldiers at their posts.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>These were girls all the way from fourteen to twenty years of
+age; girls of every shade of complexion and degree of beauty,
+or the reverse; bright maidens with latent mischief twinkling
+in their eyes, of every variety of color and shade; lasses of
+mercurial temperament, such as keep a household in a state of
+excitement and tumult, brimming with animal spirits and kittenish
+pranks. Others there were, however, with quiet serenity
+and dignity of manner, having sweet, clear-cut faces, and gentle
+ways shining through their countenances; and those, too—let
+us whisper it—with a suspicion of the vixen and virago; prudes
+and tomboys, angels and shrews—all mixed indiscriminately
+in that immense place, gathered for the final act of the school
+year—the graduating exercises, the distributing of the diplomas,
+and the departure of the senior class from the halls of learning
+out into the great world, there to take up their duties as
+teachers.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Among the large number of this class who occupy, on this
+occasion, the front seats in the chapel, there is one quiet figure,
+having a pale, delicate face, large, deep blue eyes, and a fair,
+gleaming brow, shaded by hair of brightest gold, which more
+than one of the numerous visitors have singled out from her
+sister graduates, on account of her peculiar loveliness and an
+indefinite something which seems to appeal to them from the
+depths of her lovely but rather sorrowful eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Slight of form, unassuming in manner, but with a dainty,
+star-like beauty that was almost magnetic in its influence, she
+sat quietly in her seat until one of the professors announced
+the “Address in French,” as per programme, when she arose,
+and Miss Star Gladstone at once stepped upon the platform,
+saluting first the officers, teachers, and guests, then her fellow-students,
+with a charming little bow and a graceful inclination
+of her body.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_224'>224</span>In clear, bell-like tones she began her address, without the
+slightest appearance of self-consciousness or embarrassment,
+rolling out sentence after sentence in the smoothest and purest
+of French, until those who were well versed in the language
+wondered at such proficiency in one so young, while those who
+could not understand it were spell-bound by her exquisite voice
+and graceful gestures.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star had been well taught in French before coming to this
+country, until it had become almost like her native tongue;
+therefore, after a year of arduous study under the best of teachers
+at the Normal College, it is not strange that she should have
+been chosen, on account of her purity of accent, to deliver the
+French oration.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Who is she?” questioned one of the visitors of a teacher.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Miss Gladstone,” she answered, pointing to the name on
+the programme.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“How lovely she is, in that simple lace bunting, trimmed
+with its knots of blue ribbon, and those blush-roses in her
+belt!”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“So I think,” the teacher replied, with an affectionate glance
+at Star. “She has only been with us a year, however. She
+was hardly up to the mark when she entered the class,
+although she came highly recommended by Professor Roberts,
+of Brooklyn. Our standard, you know, is very high. But she
+was anxious to enter the senior class, and assured us that she
+would not drag, and said she was particularly anxious to graduate
+this year.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“And she has done well, I am sure,” the visitor said, bending
+another admiring glance upon the fair graduate.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“She has been one of the most brilliant scholars of the class.
+Her recitations have been wonderful. I do not think she has
+made a single failure during the entire year. If she had been
+with us throughout the course, she must have taken the valedictory;
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_225'>225</span>but she has acquitted herself grandly in the French essay,
+which she composed and translated herself.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“She has, indeed. I never heard purer French spoken, even
+in Paris. Does she live in the city?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I believe so, although I do not know where. She comes
+and goes very quietly, and her clothing indicates that her
+friends, whoever they may be, are in limited circumstances.
+She appears to have no intimates, and yet she is a favorite with
+all. There must be some sorrowful story connected with her
+life, I think, for there is a haunting sadness in her eyes whenever
+they meet yours, except when she smiles or becomes animated
+in conversation; then she is charming.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I should like to know her,” said the first speaker, musingly;
+but President Hunter here arose to distribute the diplomas,
+and she gave her attention to his remarks, although her glance
+frequently sought the lovely face which had so attracted her
+attention.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The subject of the above conversation, although unconscious
+of it, was none the less worthy of it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>After leaving Jacob Rosevelt on the night of her exciting interview
+with Mrs. Richards, she sped swiftly back to her room,
+where she gathered together a few articles of clothing and
+packed them into a small valise; her school-books also, with
+her portfolio and the small box which had so aroused Josephine’s
+curiosity that day when she went to steal Star’s lovely
+cameo.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>These preparations ended, she retired to rest.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She awoke long before daylight, and dressing herself in a
+dark street dress, she sat down by the window to wait for the
+dawn.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She penned that little note to Mrs. Blunt the last thing before
+leaving the house. The woman had been so kind to her that
+she could not find it in her heart to go away without a single
+word of farewell; to the others she gave not a thought.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_226'>226</span>As soon as it was light enough, she stole softly down stairs
+and out at the front door, as it was nearer, and, besides, some
+of the servants might be up if she went out the back way, and
+turned her back forever upon the house in which she had only
+been “tolerated.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>When she reached the lodge, she found Mr. Rosevelt waiting
+for her on the vine-covered porch.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He smiled a silent good-morning, motioning her not to
+speak, with a gesture which told her that John Mellen’s wife
+was not far off; and together they went out from the grounds
+by a side gate and proceeded toward the station.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>They were in time for the early morning train, and reached
+New York long before the household which they had left behind
+were aware of their flight.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“We will go to some quiet street and board for a few days,”
+Mr. Rosevelt said, as they sat down in the waiting-room of the
+station to consult upon what was best to be done. “You must
+not lose a day of school if you can help it. I know just the
+place for us, I think, where there is a good, motherly soul of a
+landlady. Perhaps she will know of some rooms which we can
+obtain at a reasonable price until you graduate, and then, perhaps,
+you may not care to remain in New York.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star assented to this plan, and they repaired to the boarding-place
+which Mr. Rosevelt had mentioned, and found the “good,
+motherly soul” very willing to take them in.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>After partaking of a simple but wholesome breakfast, Star
+went at once to Brooklyn, and had an interview with Professor
+Roberts, as we already know.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She told him just as little as was possible, but said that circumstances
+obliged her to make a change, although she had
+not yet decided where she should pursue her education.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She was surprised at the recommendation which he gave her,
+for it was indeed the very best that he could put into words,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_227'>227</span>and she felt very sad when he shook her cordially by the hand
+and expressed his regret at being obliged to part with her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>On her way back to New York she decided, if she could
+pass the examination, she would enter the Normal College,
+believing that among the multitude who attended there she
+would escape observation more easily than in a smaller school.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She went immediately to the corner of Sixty-ninth street and
+Fourth avenue, had an interview with the president, who consented
+to give her a private examination; but the curriculum
+was a little different from that of Professor Roberts’ seminary, and
+she was not quite up to the standard in some of its branches,
+and being unwilling to go back into another grade, she was
+admitted to the senior class, “upon conditions.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She was not long in showing him, however, that such a stipulation
+was wholly unnecessary.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She gave up all thoughts of music for the present, and bent
+all her energies to her studies, and soon not one of the forty
+who were to graduate gave promise of a more brilliant ending
+to her career as a scholar than she who had been admitted
+“upon conditions.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Meantime Mr. Rosevelt had found three furnished rooms in
+a cheap but respectable locality, where they took up their abode,
+the woman, who owned and lived in the house, agreeing to
+furnish their meals and act as sort of housekeeper general for a
+reasonable amount.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt would not hear a word to any other arrangement,
+although Star declared she could do a portion of the
+work herself.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No; you shall do nothing of the kind. You will have all
+you can attend to to keep up with your classes,” he said.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“But it will cost so much, Uncle Jacob,” Star answered,
+ruefully, for she found that her poor hundred pounds was melting
+rapidly away—at least, it would do so if they paid for having
+all their work done. Mr. Rosevelt smiled.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_228'>228</span>“My dear,” he said, though somewhat sadly, she thought,
+“you did not suppose I was going to allow you to assume the
+burden of my whole support, did you? I never should have
+consented to come away with you in that case. I am not quite
+penniless, and what I can afford to pay toward our support will
+at least relieve you of all necessity of laboring as a household
+drudge.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>They were as cozy as they could well be with their simple
+yet home-like little parlor, and two bedrooms leading out of
+it, and with their meals served to them there, it was very much
+like a home of their own.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It is just as nice as can be, and I am happy as a queen,”
+Star declared, over and over again; but he often looked troubled
+when he saw how thin her cheeks were growing, noticed her
+oft-repeated but quickly suppressed sighs, and that “haunting
+sadness” in her eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>They lived in a very quiet way, never going out except for a
+quiet walk or to the little church near by on Sunday, and never
+met or heard anything of Mr. Richards or his family.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star had read that advertisement relating to herself, and it
+had caused her bitter pain, for it brought all her suffering so
+freshly to her mind; but she had not the least faith that Lord
+Carrol could say anything which could justify himself in her
+mind. She felt that he only desired to cheat her still further
+with honeyed words, and so paid no heed to it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt also saw it, and wondered if she had read it;
+but she gave no sign, and he never mentioned that name to her;
+it was a topic which they avoided by tacit consent.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Once during the year, when speaking of what she should do
+as soon as she graduated, she said that she had decided to apply
+for a situation as teacher in the city; she had concluded to
+remain in America instead of returning to England, as she had
+at first planned to do.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He did not ask her why; he understood what she meant—she
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_229'>229</span>wished the sea to roll between her and the man who had so
+ruined her life; and perhaps, he thought, with a very tender
+feeling in his heart, she wanted to stay with him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Thus the year sped round, and brought with its revolution
+another commencement day for Star.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Uncle Jacob, you are coming to-day to see me graduate,
+are you not?” she asked that morning, as she poured his coffee
+for him, and looking up into his face with more eagerness than
+he had seen her manifest since her trouble.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Of course I shall; I would not miss it for anything. Then
+you have really passed your final examination, and are going
+to receive your diploma?” he said, bending a look of pride
+on her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Indeed I have. You did not suppose I should <i>fail</i>, did
+you, if I really set about it?” she asked, with a little accent of
+scorn on the disagreeable word.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I did not know, dear. I was confident that you would
+do your best; but you told me you were only received upon
+conditions, and I sometimes feared the work might be too hard
+for you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I should not have begged to be allowed to enter the
+senior class if I had not felt confident that I could do justice to
+myself,” Star answered, quietly, as she buttered her roll. “I
+considered the matter thoroughly before I applied. I had
+already read almost as far in Latin as the whole course demanded,
+and my French, thanks to papa’s care, was nearly
+equal in pronunciation to monsieur’s own. The review of
+some of the studies of the junior class, with which I was not
+familiar, and the training for teaching, were all that was very
+hard for me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She spoke lightly, but he well knew that she had labored unremittingly
+upon those reviews, and that she had spent many
+extra hours with one of the “critic” teachers, who had kindly
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_230'>230</span>offered to assist her, in order that she might be up to the mark
+in the practice of “model school-teaching.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Thus she had persevered and overcome every obstacle until
+the goal was reached, and to-day she would receive her diploma.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>And so Uncle Jacob had gone to the great chapel with other
+interested friends, and watched the dear girl with glistening
+eyes while she so creditably performed the part assigned to her,
+feeling that she was an honor to her class, and in his eyes, at
+least, the gem of them all.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>That evening there was to be a grand reunion in a commodious
+hall near by, where graduates of previous years were
+to meet the senior class of to-day, to offer their congratulations
+on their success and their good wishes for their future career.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star had no fine clothes in which to make a show of herself,
+and was obliged to go clad in the same simple lace bunting
+that she had worn during the day; but she gave herself an air
+of elegance by substituting some bright flowers for the knots
+of blue ribbon, and excitement lending a rich color to her
+cheeks and light to her eyes, no one thought of criticising her
+garments.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Jacob Rosevelt, too, dressed in a full new suit of handsome
+broadcloth, with a satin neck-tie and light kid gloves, did not
+look much like the bent, shabby old man who had arrived,
+dusty and travel-stained, at Mr. Richards’ mansion a little less
+than a year ago.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Where <i>did</i> you get it, Uncle Jacob?” Star exclaimed, as he
+came forth from his chamber and asked her if she thought
+he’d do.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He smiled mysteriously, then said:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I told you that I was not quite a beggar, dear, when I left
+my niece Ellen’s inhospitable roof, and so I’ve been saving up
+for this occasion, in order that I might do honor to you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You are just as fine as you can be,” Star said, delightedly,
+as she went round and round him to examine the material and
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_231'>231</span>fashion of his new garments, “and I do not believe any one
+will be more proud of her escort to-night than I shall be; and
+yet,” she thought, “Uncle Jacob must have been <i>very saving</i>
+indeed to have been able to buy such an expensive suit.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>His eyes glowed with pleasure at her words; but when they
+entered the brilliantly lighted hall, and he saw the elegant
+toilets of some of the young ladies, he could not help regarding
+her with something of regret, although very many admiring
+eyes were fixed upon the arm of the stately, gray-haired gentleman,
+as they went forward to pay their respects to President
+Hunter and his corps of assistants.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Miss Gladstone, I have a friend who desires to be presented
+to you,” said one of Star’s teachers, seeking her out later in the
+evening.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She led her toward a lady who was standing a little apart
+from them, and who appeared to be three or four years Star’s
+senior, and introduced her as Miss Meredith.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was the visitor who had inquired so particularly regarding
+our heroine during the graduating exercises.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She was drawn toward her at once, and they were soon
+chatting as sociably as if they had been acquaintances of long
+standing.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>While thus engaged, a gentleman approached them, greeting
+both young ladies in the most cordial manner.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I was hoping that you two would meet to-night,” he said,
+bestowing a smiling face upon them both. “Miss Meredith is
+a graduate of two years ago, Miss Gladstone, and I am sure
+you will find her a congenial spirit.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Thank you, Mr. Appleton,” Miss Meredith responded,
+brightly; “but you should have put it the other way, for I
+have been very impatient to meet Miss Gladstone. I singled
+her out from her class to-day, and felt sure that we should be
+<i><span lang="fr">en rapport</span></i>, as the spiritualists say, if we could only become
+acquainted.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_232'>232</span>“Well, I think it does not matter much which way you put
+it, now that you know each other,” the gentleman returned,
+smiling; then turning to Star, he added:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“So, my young friend, you have really ‘run the race, and
+finished the course;’ and now do you remember the promise
+which you made me several months ago?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star flushed vividly at this question.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Did I make you a promise, Mr. Appleton?” she asked,
+evasively, adding, with an arch glance: “I thought it was <i>you</i>
+who made <i>me</i> a promise.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He laughed and shook his finger at her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You said that on your eighteenth birthday I might reveal a
+secret.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“And you <i>promised</i> you would <i>not</i> reveal it until I was
+eighteen,” she retorted, brightly, although the color deepened
+in her cheeks as she continued: “I am not eighteen yet, Mr.
+Appleton.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No, but you will be to-morrow. You see I have not forgotten
+the date. Now, let me take time by the forelock a little,
+and whisper to Miss Meredith <i>who</i> the author of ‘Chatsworth’s
+Pride’ is. She has been on the <i><span lang="fr">qui vive</span></i> to know ever since the
+book was published,” Mr. Appleton said, bending a roguish
+look upon Star, who now stood with drooping eyes and appearing
+somewhat confused.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Oh, do you know? Is it some friend of yours, Miss Gladstone?”
+Miss Meredith said, eagerly, to her. “I think it is so
+tantalizing not to know the name of the author of a book,”
+she went on, “particularly if it is one you happen to like very
+much; and here this provoking man who published this one
+only put a great star where he should have printed the author’s
+name. Do tell me, please, Miss Gladstone; I am, indeed, all
+curiosity.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Then remarking Star’s embarrassment, she looked from her
+to Mr. Appleton, questioningly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_233'>233</span>“Is it?” she went on, excitedly, as he smiled and glanced at
+the fair girl. “Can it be possible that it is Miss Gladstone
+herself? I believe it is,” she said, with sparkling eyes, as she
+seized Star’s hands; “and oh! what can I say to you? It is a
+charming little book, and I have enjoyed it more than I can
+tell you. There! let me shake the hand that wrote it, and if I
+had a laurel wreath here I would put it on this golden head and
+make you wear it the remainder of the evening.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>And she squeezed and shook that small, white, gloved hand
+until Star laughingly begged for mercy.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“See what you have subjected me to,” she said, with a half-reproachful
+look at Mr. Appleton.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You might just as well make the best of it, my modest
+little friend,” that gentleman replied, laughing. “I have kept
+silence for a year under the most trying circumstances, for I
+have been unmercifully besieged to tell who the author of
+‘Chatsworth’s Pride’ is, and I could not stand the fire any
+longer. My time is too valuable to be spent in any such way;
+and I came here to-night not only to congratulate you upon
+your graduation, but also to introduce my fair young author to
+my friends. Yes, Miss Meredith, Miss Stella Gladstone is the
+author of ‘Chatsworth’s Pride.’”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Miss <i>Stella</i> Gladstone?” Miss Meredith repeated.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes; and, you perceive, I was not far from giving the name
+after all. I was obliged to ‘make her mark,’ since I could not
+write her name,” returned Mr. Appleton, jocosely.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Ah, yes, I see. Stella means a star; and certainly,” Miss
+Meredith said, turning to her new acquaintance again, “you
+bid fair to shine like one.”</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_234'>234</span>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXIII.<br> <span class='large'>AN INTERESTING STORY.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>Jacob Rosevelt stood not far away during the conversation
+between Mr. Appleton, Miss Meredith, and Star, and a proud
+light beamed in his eyes as he listened to their praises of the
+girl whom he had learned to love so well.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But it was nothing new to him that Star was an authoress;
+he had known it for nearly a year.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>That was the secret that she had whispered in his ear when,
+after Mrs. Richards’ terrible accusations, they had been left
+alone and she had begged him to go away with her to make a
+little home of their own, telling him that what she should
+receive for her book, together with her hundred pounds, would
+be ample for their support until she could graduate and obtain
+a position as a teacher.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had written it that first winter; for after Mr. Richards
+had vetoed his wife’s plan of making her a servant, and insisted
+that she should be sent to school, there had been many lonely
+hours which would have been very irksome to her if she had
+not spent them in this way.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Her studies that winter were not hard; she had no associates
+to help her pass the time pleasantly, and so her heart had overflowed
+in this way, and she had penned the charming little
+romance which had at once set everybody to wondering who
+the author might be.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>This was the package with which she had stolen forth so early
+one morning, taking it with fear and trembling, yet with something
+of hope, to the great publisher.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_235'>235</span>When she was shown into his office and made known her
+errand there, he looked at her in wonder, astonished at the
+temerity of one so young and simple as she appeared to be in
+bringing her manuscript to him and asking him to publish it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But the deferential yet winning way in which she made her
+appeal, and the influence of her loveliness, won a reluctant
+promise on his part “to look it over.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He did so, opening the neatly folded package with an amused
+smile, and expecting after a casual glance at its contents to be
+nauseated with some sickly sentimental love-story.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But he became strangely interested in it at once, and read
+on and on, now with smiles, then melting into tears, until it
+was finished, and pronounced a “little gem;” while he was
+convinced that a sensitive, refined, and talented girl had thrown
+her heart, and perhaps something of her own life, into those
+touching pages.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He sent a note to her at once, asking her to come and see
+him again, and when she obeyed the summons, he questioned
+her about herself, how she had come to write her book, and
+what incidents had suggested it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She told him that the scene of her little romance was laid in
+Derbyshire, England, and that many of the incidents were connected
+with her childhood; and the tears sprang to his eyes as
+she related to him something of the misfortune which overtook
+her in the death of her mother, the subsequent loss of her
+father, and how she was obliged to come, a stranger, to this
+country; of the tempestuous voyage across the ocean, with its
+thrilling events, and that as soon as she could complete her
+education she intended to become a teacher.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He was greatly interested in her, and told her that he should
+publish her book, and if the first edition sold well, she should
+have a thousand dollars, and a certain per cent. on all other
+editions.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It seemed like a fortune to Star, who had not thought of
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_236'>236</span>receiving anything like such a sum, and she went back to her
+duties with a joyful heart to await the issue of her book.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Appleton was so pleased with her that he saw her often
+after that, and having received a card from her for the commencement
+exercises of Professor Roberts’ seminary, he decided
+he would go; and the little package which he had given her
+in the presence of Mr. Richards was a copy of her book, which
+had just come to him from the hands of the binders; and it
+was he, too, who, admiring her fine essay, begged it of her and
+sent it, with those few flattering remarks which had so annoyed
+Josephine, to the next morning’s papers.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star had put no name to her work, telling Mr. Appleton that
+she did not care to be known as its author; and he, too,
+thought it best, since it was her first experience in literary matters;
+so, when she had told him that her name was Stella, he
+had put a simple Star in place of it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But the book had sold beyond even the publisher’s most
+sanguine expectations, and when it became evident very soon
+that a second edition must be published, he asked her to allow
+him to put her name to it, as everybody was besieging him to
+know who wrote it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But she was firm, and insisted upon having his promise that
+he would not betray her until after her graduation and her
+eighteenth birthday.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>When he wrote her a check for the promised thousand dollars,
+she had taken it directly to Mr. Rosevelt.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Now we need have no fears for the future,” she said, with a
+proud smile, as she put it into his hand. “You must have
+every comfort, Uncle Jacob—fruits, and wines, and everything
+nice, to make you strong and well. There will be more coming,
+you know, as the other editions are sold, and when I begin to
+teach I shall have my salary besides.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The old gentleman was deeply touched by her thoughtfulness
+for him; he could not speak for the choking sensation in
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_237'>237</span>his throat, but drew her gently to him and kissed her fair forehead,
+feeling that she was the only gleam of sunshine which his
+life contained.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Now, as he stood by and heard her praises sung, and knew
+that she would have the fame that belonged to her, he exulted
+over it; and when, a little later, she came to him and slipped
+an envelope into his hand, saying: “It is another check, Uncle
+Jacob, which Mr. Appleton has just given to me. Please take
+care of it, for you are my banker, you know; and,” a tear starting
+to her glorious eyes, “I believe I never expected to be so
+happy again as I am to-night,” he thought his own cup of joy
+was nearly as full as hers.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She was, indeed, a star after that all through the evening,
+and held a right royal little court, receiving and making the
+acquaintance of the admirers of “Chatsworth’s Pride,” until
+she became so weary that she longed to get home to quiet
+and rest.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>As soon as she could find an opportunity to do so, she drew
+Mr. Rosevelt to President Hunter and made her adieu.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Just as she was turning away, some one touched her on
+the arm.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Miss Gladstone, allow me to present my brother, Mr. Ralph
+Meredith.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was Miss Meredith—Grace Meredith she had told Star she
+was called—who spoke, and looking up, she found a pair of
+brilliant dark eyes looking into hers, a handsome face smiling
+down upon her, while a musical voice acknowledged the introduction
+with evident pleasure.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I expect you are <i>the ‘star’</i> whom I have been wishing to
+know for a long time,” he said, significantly, as he took the
+hand she held out to him, and thought he had never seen a
+lovelier face in his life.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star thanked him with a charming smile for his interest in
+her, and introduced him to Mr. Rosevelt; then turned to Miss
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_238'>238</span>Meredith to escape from the praises which she saw he was
+longing to pour into her ears.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The young man was somewhat chagrined at being thus summarily
+disposed of, but he was too polite and good-natured to
+betray it, and did his best to make himself agreeable to the old
+gentleman and win his good-will.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Gradually, however, he managed to attract the attention of
+the young ladies, and then the conversation became general,
+and they chatted pleasantly for several minutes, until, at a look
+from Star, Mr. Rosevelt declared they must go, “for he was not
+used to late hours, and Star, he knew, was nearly worn out with
+the excitement of the day.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Meredith regretted that they must leave, but begged,
+with his most captivating smile:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“May I have the pleasure, Miss Gladstone, of coming with
+my sister to call upon you?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Certainly,” Star answered, graciously, for she was pleased
+with both brother and sister. “I shall be very happy to have
+you do so. We live——”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Wait a minute, Star, and I will write our address down for
+them. It is so difficult to remember numbers, I am afraid they
+will forget;” and taking a leaf from a small notebook that was
+in his pocket, Mr. Rosevelt wrote both street and number and
+passed it to young Meredith.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star thought he looked surprised as he read it. Was it because
+of the humble locality? she wondered.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>They then exchanged good-nights and parted. When they
+reached the street, Mr. Rosevelt said:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I am going to call a carriage, dear, for I know you are just
+ready to drop from weariness;” and Star did not object, for she
+was indeed exceedingly tired.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>When they reached home she insisted upon making a cup of
+tea for Uncle Jacob, saying that he was not accustomed to such
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_239'>239</span>late hours and dissipation; “and besides,” she added, with
+a smile, “she felt like having a drop herself.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But the old gentleman was so absent-minded over his
+tea, that she felt almost guilty for having kept him up so
+late, and feared he would be ill to-morrow.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She put away the tea things when they were through,
+and was about to light her lamp to retire, when he stopped
+her, saying:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Star, my dear, come and sit down upon this ottoman
+by me; I have something I wish to say to you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She obeyed, wondering what had happened to make him
+look and speak so gravely.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Are you <i>really happy</i> to-night, my child?” he asked,
+tenderly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A startled look came into the girl’s eyes at this question,
+and her heart leaped with sudden pain as her thoughts
+went bounding over the sea to one to whom she had given
+the first grand passion of her soul.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Uncle Jacob,” she answered, gravely, though he could
+see the quiver about her lips, which she tried in vain to
+repress, “I am happier than I ever expected to be again.
+It is useless to regret or mourn over the past. I have
+tried to be sensible over it, but sometimes, I am afraid, I
+have not succeeded very well,” she said, with a smile that
+was a trifle bitter. “If,” she added, more brightly, a
+moment after, “that <i>one episode</i> could have been left out
+of my life, I believe there would be nothing to mar it
+now.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I would that it could have been so,” Mr. Rosevelt
+sighed. “But I want you to listen to me for a little while.
+I know it is late, and you ought to go to rest, but I particularly
+wish to tell you a short story of my life to-night.
+It is a page which has been turned from sight for many
+years, and no one has ever read it save myself. You are
+about entering upon a new era in <i>your</i> life. I have learned
+to love you very tenderly, my child, and I want to bind
+you yet closer to me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_240'>240</span>“Why, Uncle Jacob, you do not think I have any idea of
+going away from you, I hope,” Star said, in surprise.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No, for I have grown to feel that you belong to me. I
+want you to think so, too, and I am going to tell you why.
+Fate—or Providence, I suppose, <i>you</i> would say—has thrown us
+together in a strange way, considering all things. Do you remember
+telling me, on board that ill-fated steamer, that your
+name was Star Rosevelt Gladstone, and how surprised you were
+when you learned that my last name was the same as your
+middle one?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, sir; and I still think it a strange coincidence,” Star
+answered.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Perhaps you will be more surprised when I tell you that
+you were named <i>for</i> me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star looked up astonished at him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“How can that be possible?” she asked.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“In this way,” Mr. Rosevelt returned, a shade of pain crossing
+his face. “When your grandmother, Stella Winthrop—that
+was her name before her marriage, was it not?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes; and that is all I know about her, Uncle Jacob,” Star
+answered, with a troubled look. “Papa never said much about
+his friends. Indeed, he did not appear to have any relatives,
+and never would allow me to question him about them. Once
+I said something to him about my name, and he remarked:
+‘Your grandmother once told me that if ever I had a little girl
+of my own, she would like me to call her Stella Rosevelt, and
+that is how you came by it.’</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“‘Where is my grandmother, papa?’ I asked.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“‘She is dead,’ he said, and immediately left the room,
+looking so pale and miserable that I never dared ask him anything
+more about her.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It seems strange that <i>I</i> should be the one to tell you about
+her,” Mr. Rosevelt said, thoughtfully, “and I am puzzled to
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_241'>241</span>know why he should have been so reticent. Did your father
+ever have any trouble with his family?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Not that I know of; and yet,” Star said, flushing, “there
+<i>was</i> some trouble about his marriage with mamma, though that
+seems to have been on the part of her family rather than his.
+Mrs. Richards once twitted me about mamma—who was a sort
+of cousin to her—having married beneath her.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I do not see how that could have been, for the Mr. Gladstone
+who married Stella Winthrop was a very wealthy and important
+man in the county of Devonshire—at least, I was told
+so—and if your father was his son, he might have married
+almost any one he chose, and have conferred an honor in so
+doing. But this is not telling you my story.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“When Stella Winthrop was of your age, and I three or four
+years older, we met at a large reception in London. That
+meeting was fatal to us both, for we loved from that hour as
+true lovers ever love. For six months the world was like
+Paradise to us, and then I was called away to the far East on
+business for the firm with which I was connected. I am an
+American, but most of my life has been spent abroad.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“If I was successful in my business undertaking, it was
+agreed that I might claim my bride when I returned at the end
+of two years. The vessel on which I sailed was wrecked—I
+have had more than one such experience you see, my dear—and
+it was reported that every passenger on board was lost,
+while only a very few of the crew lived to tell the story of the
+disaster. But I was fortunate enough to secure a large cask,
+and with this I managed to keep afloat for two days, when I
+was picked up by a sailing-vessel bound for the Philippine
+Islands.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“My first work upon reaching land was to write to Stella
+and tell her of my safety; but my letter never reached her. I
+also notified the firm that I was all right, and should proceed
+directly about the business upon which I had been sent, but
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_242'>242</span>they knew nothing of my connection with Miss Winthrop, and
+accordingly did not communicate with her. I kept writing at
+intervals to my beloved, but never heard anything in return.
+At last, in despair, I wrote to the firm, telling them of my engagement,
+and asking them to notify her of my safety and give
+her my address in case she should have happened to lose the
+one I had given her. In reply, they said that the Winthrop
+family had gone abroad for an indefinite stay. Of course this
+was a great trial to me, and I was exceedingly impatient; but
+my two years were over at last, and I turned my face toward
+England once more. I had succeeded in my business beyond
+my most sanguine expectations, and I looked forward to the
+immediate fulfillment of my hopes when I should return.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“My first duty on reaching London was to acquaint my employers
+with the result of my transactions, and my next thought
+was for Stella—my bright Star. Never for an instant had I
+doubted her fidelity; I believed she would be as true to me as
+I was to her, and my heart beat high with hope as I bounded
+up the familiar steps leading to her home and rang the bell. I
+asked for Miss Winthrop of the maid who answered my summons,
+and she stared at me as if she thought me demented.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“‘Miss Winthrop?’ she repeated. ‘There is no Miss Winthrop,
+sir; she was married and went away nearly a year ago.’</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“‘Married!’ The word was like a thunderbolt to me, and
+in an instant all the light went out of my life—my heart was
+paralyzed. I staggered from the place, and hid myself from
+every one for a week. Then I gained something of calmness
+and courage to go out among my friends and try to learn how
+it happened that Stella Winthrop had married. As I told you
+before, it was reported that every passenger on the vessel in
+which I sailed was lost. Those of the crew who were saved
+affirmed that such was the case, and my betrothed had believed
+that I was dead.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“She grieved herself almost to death over my loss, and her
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_243'>243</span>parents, fearing they would lose her also, took her abroad and
+traveled for many months. It was during this absence that the
+firm received my letter relating to her, but were unable to learn
+her address, as she was moving from point to point, and so
+could not communicate with her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Six months after learning my fate, she met Mr. Gladstone
+in Paris. He fell in love with her, and offered himself to her.
+He was a gentleman in every sense of the word, was kind and
+sympathetic, and she liked him as a friend. She told him the
+story of her grief, and that she could never marry. He did
+not sneer at her ‘girlish folly,’ as many would have done, but
+comforted her, speaking so kindly and regretfully of me that
+he won even a warmer place in her heart. He was patient with
+her, and when at length a second time he asked her to marry
+him, she told him that she could never love him as she had
+loved me, but if he could be content to take her with what
+respect she could give him, and the duty she would strive to
+yield him, she would become his wife. He told her he would
+be content, and they were married—a year and three months
+after I sailed on the fatal voyage.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“They traveled several months longer, and when at length
+on their return to London, only three or four months before I
+arrived there, she learned that I had not perished, but was soon
+expected back, the shock nearly killed her a second time. Her
+husband was all kindness and attention, took her immediately
+away again, and showered everything that wealth could buy
+upon her; and after a time children were born to her, and
+those new ties aroused her to her sense of duty as a mother. I
+never saw her, for I had not courage to look upon her dear
+face, knowing that she was the wife of another; for I never
+ceased to love her, with an affection that amounted to idolatry.
+They told me that she had two children—two noble boys, one
+of them resembling her, the other his father—that she was a
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_244'>244</span>tender, faithful mother, and very much beloved by every one
+who knew her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“That was forty years ago, Star, and for thirty I have not
+heard one word concerning either her or her family; but I
+have lived my life out alone; I could never take any one to
+my broken heart; and perhaps, if your belief is true, my child,
+and I can ever be made clearly to see it, I may find my lost
+love somewhere in the great future; but I do not need to tell
+you that my past has been one long season of longing and
+regret, of sadness and loneliness.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>His voice broke, his lips quivered painfully, and it seemed
+for a moment as if he must break down utterly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star softly slipped one of her small hands into his, and the
+sympathetic little act comforted him greatly. His closed over
+it in a strong, yet tender clasp.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You pity the old man’s weakness, don’t you, dear?” he
+said, with a sad smile; “but it is not easy to open the secret
+chambers of one’s heart when they have been closed for forty
+years.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“When I first saw you,” he continued, after a moment,
+“there was something in your face that touched me—a light
+in your eye, a sheen on your hair, that somehow smote a
+familiar chord in my heart. I watched you, although you were
+not aware of it, and felt sorry for you during that dreadful
+storm at sea; for your white face and great, startled eyes appealed
+to me as nothing had done for many a year. But I
+would not yield to it. I had shut my heart to every one; I had
+vowed that I would never love any one again, and I mistrusted
+every one who sought to win me to a better mood. But when
+that lurch of the boat threw you directly into my arms, and
+you clung to me in such a helpless way, I could not resist you,
+and some good angel prompted me to gather you close to me
+and make you rest upon me. When you told me your name,
+the shock nearly unmanned me—‘Star Rosevelt Gladstone,’ you
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_245'>245</span>said—and I knew as well as if I had been told, that you were
+in some way connected with <i>my</i> lost Star, and I watched over
+you all the night through, feeling almost as if some sweet spirit
+had been sent from her to me, to give me a little ray of comfort
+at the end of my long, loveless life.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“When, the next morning, you told me that your grandmother
+had named you, and that her name was Stella Winthrop,
+I had not a doubt; I felt convinced that you must be
+the child of one of her sons. You thought it merely a strange
+coincidence, but I knew better, and all my boasted coldness
+and hardness melted away, and I began to love you then and
+there. When that dreadful explosion occurred, and you urged
+me to save myself, as ‘doubtless I had dear friends’ and ‘you
+had no one to love you’—when you refused to leave me, and
+took up your station by my side to die with me, as we both
+believed, I felt as if something of the spirit of my lost love was
+shining through you. Then your tenderness toward, and your
+care of me—your heroic self-denial and efforts to save my life
+while we were helplessly afloat on the mighty ocean—your
+sweet voice singing those hymns of faith and cheer, completed
+the conquest of my hardened nature. I can never make you
+understand how disappointed I was, on arriving in New York,
+to find you gone. I meant to tell you something of myself,
+and learn your own destination, so that I might see you once
+in awhile.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“But I never forgot you; and when I visited my nephew in
+the West, and met only coldness and neglect, simply because
+of my misfortunes, I could not help contrasting it with your
+kind attention to an entire stranger.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I left those heartless people and came to my niece, and
+met with the same reception, when before they had always
+fawned at my feet, flattered and humored me as if I had been
+something more than common clay.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I felt forsaken; no one loved me, no one wanted me; I
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_246'>246</span>was a burden and incumbrance. But just then you appeared
+to me, and your heavenly kindness made my poor old heart
+glow again. Still, I was so embittered by finding my only
+brother’s children so heartless and selfish, that I was not quite
+sure of you. It made me mistrust everybody, and I feared you
+might grow to be like them. But for that I should not have
+remained a day beneath Ellen Richards’ roof; I should have
+gone my own way again as soon as I became rested and recruited.
+Do you remember how you came to me the next
+morning after my arrival, and cheered me with your merry chat
+and your thoughtful little gift? I said, ‘Surely this child must
+be artless—she must be true;’ but I resolved to stay awhile and
+test and study you, and you have been a blessing to me from
+the first. My dear, I began to love you for my lost Star’s sake;
+now I love you for your own. There, you have all my story
+now, and you must go to rest, for to-morrow will be your birthday,
+and we must celebrate a little in honor of it,” Mr. Rosevelt
+concluded, patting her softly on the shoulder.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star lifted a flushed and tearful face to his.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Uncle Jacob!” she cried, tenderly; “it seems as if you are
+<i>really</i> that to me now; and I am so glad that you have told me
+how you have loved my grandmother, and I shall try more
+than ever after this to make your life as bright as possible. I
+do not see how any one could ever have treated you unkindly
+or disrespectfully.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Uncle Jacob smiled fondly at her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I know there is one at least who treats me kindly for my
+own sake, and who would share all her laurels with me. My
+child, I was very proud of you to-night.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“And I of you,” Star added, quickly. “I never saw you
+look so nice—so like an <i>aristocratic</i> old gentleman.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He laughed, such a bright, hearty laugh that she wondered
+to see him so pleased over her little compliment.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_247'>247</span>“Now, good-night,” he said, rising; “I want you to be as
+fresh as possible to-morrow.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He led her to the door of her room, and then, with a softly
+breathed “God bless you!” sought his own.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>God bless you! Those words rang in Star’s ears. Was he
+beginning to believe in her God, after all? She hoped so—she
+<i>prayed</i> so.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But she did not go directly to bed, as he bade her; his story
+had strangely stirred her heart, and she could not rest until she
+had decided some questions that were troubling her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She opened a drawer of her dressing-case, and taking that
+worn portfolio to which we have before referred from it, unlocked
+it, and drew forth a sealed package.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Papa told me to wait until I was eighteen before I opened
+and read it,” she said, musingly; “but a few hours can make
+no difference, and I feel now as if I must know if he was
+<i>her</i> son, and why he never would tell me anything about his
+family.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>With reverent fingers she broke the seals, a sob rising to her
+lips as she thought whose hand had fastened them there, and
+how tenderly it used to stroke her hair and call her “My bright
+little Star.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The package contained several papers, and it took her more
+than an hour to examine them; but when she had read them
+through, there was a look of wonder in her large blue eyes and
+an almost blank expression on her white face.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_248'>248</span>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXIV.<br> <span class='large'>WHAT NEXT?</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>Star Gladstone’s eighteenth birthday dawned as bright and
+charming as it was possible for a morning to be. At eight
+o’clock she and Mr. Rosevelt sat down to their breakfast, and a
+merry meal they made of it, for both appeared in the best of
+spirits, in spite of the sad and exciting events of the previous
+evening upon which they had conversed.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>About nine a handsome carriage drove to their humble abode,
+and the driver rang and asked for the “gentleman and lady who
+were going for a drive in the park.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star looked surprised as she peered from the window and saw
+a pair of sleek, coal-black horses, with their silver-mounted
+harnesses, and the shining, velvet-lined coach.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Uncle Jacob, did you order that carriage to come for us?”
+she asked.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, my dear,” he said, with an expression of satisfaction,
+as he, too, looked out and saw the team. “It is not often that
+I ride, as you well know, but when I do, I like to go in style.
+One ride a year in ‘ship-shape’ would satisfy me, where a half-dozen
+in some broken-down hack wouldn’t give me a bit of
+pleasure. Now, put on your hat, and tuck some roses in your
+belt, as you did yesterday, for this is to be a gala day, and I
+want you as fine as possible.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star laughed and tripped away to obey, coming back after a
+few moments with such a bright and happy face that Mr. Rosevelt
+thought she had never looked so lovely before.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>All the morning they drove, four long, delightful hours-hours
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_249'>249</span>that were always a pleasant memory afterward to both of
+them; and many who saw the nicely dressed old gentleman,
+with the fair, bright, golden-haired girl beside him in their
+elegant carriage, thought what a green old age must be his,
+with so much to make life pleasant.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>About one o’clock they turned toward the city once more,
+and Star said, with a sigh of pleasure:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Uncle Jacob, I believe there never was such a perfect day
+before, and I’m sure I never enjoyed a birthday more. You
+were very kind to plan this pleasure for me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The old gentleman’s eyes twinkled. Her delight, her bright,
+animated face were such a joy to him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“If I had only been rich as I used to be, I should so like
+to have made you some nice present to-day—a watch, for instance,”
+he said.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You gave me something last night which I value far better—your
+confidence,” Star said, softly. “I should like a watch,”
+she added, after a moment, “and I mean to have one some
+time. When I have earned it, you shall go and select it for me,
+if you will. But what have you done with your own, Uncle
+Jacob? You had a very nice one when I first met you, and I
+remember seeing it on you after the wreck.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Watches and I have not had much in common during the
+last two years,” he answered, evasively; and she thought perhaps
+he had been obliged to sell it since he became poor.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>All at once the carriage stopped in a quiet street up town,
+which, Star noticed, was lined on both sides with elegant brown-stone
+dwellings.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“What are we stopping here for?” she asked.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“A good woman whom I used to know lives here, and I
+thought, as we were in gala attire to-day, I would like to stop
+and make a call, and—introduce my Star to her,” Mr. Rosevelt
+said, preparing to alight.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_250'>250</span>He helped Star out, and together they went up the marble
+steps.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt rang the bell, and then took a card from one
+of his pockets, and, with an arch smile, said:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It almost seems as if we were really fine people, doesn’t it,
+dressed in our best, riding about in our carriage, and sending
+our cards in at a brown-stone house?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, indeed; and it would be such fun if we could keep
+it up for awhile,” Star said, gayly. “But,” with a regretful
+little sigh, “like Cinderella of old, I suppose we shall soon be
+aroused to the fact that our coach and horses are gone, and find
+the stern realities of life staring us in the face again.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt laughed.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Would you like to be a fine lady, Star?” he asked.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I don’t know,” she answered, thoughtfully. “I believe I
+should like to <i>try</i> it for a little while, just to see how it would
+seem.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>There was not time for any more conversation, for the door
+was at this moment opened by a neat-looking servant.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She appeared to recognize Mr. Rosevelt, for she greeted him
+with a smile, and then her eyes wandered inquiringly to Star’s
+lovely face.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She invited them to enter, and conducted them into a handsome
+drawing-room on the right of the hall, when, taking Mr.
+Rosevelt’s card, she retired, leaving them alone.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“What a lovely room!” Star breathed, as her eyes roved
+about the apartment, over the beautiful pictures, the bright,
+rich carpet, the carved ebony furniture, upholstered in warm-hued
+satins, choice bric-a-brac, and all those fine things which
+add so much to a place like that. “Your friend must be a
+‘fine lady,’ with plenty of money,” she added.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt merely nodded his head in reply, while he
+watched the door with evident impatience.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was soon slowly opened, and a familiar face appeared in
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_251'>251</span>the aperture—a face all beaming with smiles of pleasure and
+good nature.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Mrs. Blunt!” cried Star, in astonishment; and springing
+toward the woman, she grasped both her hands warmly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, Miss Star,” the woman returned, half laughing, half
+crying; “I <i>am</i> Mrs. Blunt, or I’m much mistaken, as I sometimes
+imagine I may be when I get to thinking about everything,
+and how strange it has all turned out. How well you’re
+looking, miss, and it does my old eyes a wonderful sight of
+good to see your bright face again.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star thought her language somewhat ambiguous; but everything
+seemed rather ambiguous just then.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Do you live here?” she questioned.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, I live here; or——”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Have you been in New York long? and why haven’t we
+seen you before? and what are you laughing at?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The young girl’s astonishment seemed to increase, for the
+woman appeared strangely, and was shaking with suppressed
+laughter.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I’m laughing because I’m so glad to see you. I’ve been
+in New York a month, and haven’t been to see you because
+the last time I saw Mr. Rosevelt he told me he was going to
+bring you to see me soon; so I’ve been content to wait,” Mrs.
+Blunt explained.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star wondered if the present occupant of that elegant place
+allowed her housekeeper to entertain her friends in the drawing-room;
+if so, it was surely a new departure, and not exactly
+in accordance with Mrs. Richards’ ideas of the treatment of
+servants.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Take off your hat, dearie,” Mrs. Blunt continued, “for I
+have a nice little lunch waiting for you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“A lunch?” repeated Star, in amazement, and with a puzzled
+look at Mr. Rosevelt, who was regarding her attentively.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes; I had orders to get up the nicest lunch I could for
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_252'>252</span>my old friends, and I’m much mistaken if I haven’t done it,”
+the woman replied, with an air of satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You must have a very kind mistress,” the fair girl said, as
+she drew off her gloves and removed her hat.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I have, the best in the world,” the queer creature returned,
+with a chuckle. “But come, I’ll show you the way to the
+dining-room.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt arose, and drawing Star’s hand within his arm,
+followed her to a room on the opposite side of, and farther
+down the hall.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>As she opened the door, Star saw a charming dining-room,
+furnished in costly woods of different colors, its floor inlaid in
+an intricate and lovely pattern.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>In the center stood a table, covered with a heavy white
+damask cloth, and spread with a glittering array of silver and
+cut glass, and where also a most tempting repast was awaiting
+them.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt led his wondering companion to one side of the
+table, and, looking down upon her with the fondest look in the
+world, said, in a voice which was not quite steady:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Star, my dear, my pure-hearted, faithful little friend, I here
+formally install you as <i>mistress of your own table and of your
+own home</i>. This is to be your seat henceforth—mine opposite;
+and, my darling—for such you have become to me—I trust you
+will be as happy as an old man’s love, gratitude, and wealth
+can make you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star had grown suddenly pale while he spoke, and regarded
+him with a puzzled expression.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I do not understand,” she said, clasping both her small
+hands around his arm and leaning heavily upon him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I will tell you,” he answered, tenderly. “When you met
+me on board that ill-fated steamer I was a very rich man. When
+it was wrecked, and I had discovered that you were the grandchild
+of the only woman whom I ever loved, and also what a
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_253'>253</span>kind, tender little heart you had, I formed a sudden resolution.
+I had always, as I told you last night, been flattered and cajoled
+by my relatives, who knew I was rich, and I resolved that I
+would test their sincerity. If they stood it, I would divide my
+fortune into three portions, one of which should be yours, the
+others theirs. If they did not, it should <i>all</i> be yours, if <i>you</i>
+proved the true, noble character which I believed you to be.
+That was one reason why I was so keenly disappointed to find
+you gone when I went to bid you farewell on the steamer; but
+I meant to search for you all the same. And so I pretended to
+be the poor old man whom you remember coming to Ellen
+Richards’ that night. You know the result. No one was true
+to me or kind to me but my Star. Yet I had become so suspicious
+of everybody, that I resolved to study even you thoroughly
+before I committed myself; and so I concluded to wait
+until you had completed your education before telling you of
+my actual position in life. It was very hard, though, when you
+were in such trouble that last night in Yonkers, when you told
+me your secret about writing your book, and offered to share
+your little all with me ‘because I was not happy there,’ and I
+was sorely tempted to tell you all, surround you at once with
+everything to make life beautiful, and place you in a position
+far above the daughter of the woman who had treated you so
+shamefully. On second thought, however, I deemed it best to
+wait until your education should be completed, for then you
+would be more free to enjoy the good things of life.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Then you have not been poor at all?” faltered Star, as he
+paused for a moment.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No; I have had abundance. I own this house, and have
+for years. I own a block on Broadway, and—well, little one,
+there is enough to enable you and me to do pretty much as
+we like for the remainder of our lives,” he answered, with a
+fond smile.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Then I cannot take care of you. I thought I was going
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_254'>254</span>to make <i>you</i> so comfortable, and that, with teaching and the income
+from my book, we could have such nice times together,”
+Star said, wistfully, and hardly able, even yet, to comprehend
+the change in her circumstances.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt patted her softly on the shoulder, though a tear
+sprang to his eyes at her words.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No, dear,” he returned; “you cannot take care of me in
+that way. I am going to take care of you; but you can still
+make me so comfortable. We can still have nice times together,
+and I shall be very proud to introduce the young authoress of
+‘Chatsworth’s Pride’ as my <i>ward and future heiress</i>.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Bless you, child!” he continued, his fine face glowing with
+happiness; “don’t you suppose it is going to be a comfort to
+me to try to make you happy and give you everything you
+wish, after all your constancy, patience, and self-denial for me?
+Don’t you suppose I enjoyed fitting up this house for you after
+my tenant gave it up, some six months ago? And don’t you believe,
+too, that Mrs. Blunt was glad to come and be housekeeper
+for us?” and he turned kindly to the woman, who had been
+standing in the background during these explanations.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You may be sure I’m much mistaken if I wasn’t,” she
+returned, eagerly, her eyes gleaming with delight, and her
+gratitude for the position shining through her homely but good-natured
+face.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“And I am very glad, too. It is the nicest arrangement in
+the world,” Star said, heartily; “and just to think,” glancing
+around the elegant apartment with a sigh of supreme content,
+“that I am to be surrounded with all this beauty! It is like a
+fairy tale, or a dream of enchantment.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I <i>told</i> you I had the best mistress in the world,” Mrs. Blunt
+said, chuckling; “but we didn’t imagine anything like this,
+Miss Star, that Sunday when we were stoning raisins and stemming
+currants.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_255'>255</span>“No, indeed,” Star answered, laughing. “But you don’t
+mean to tell me that you consider <i>me</i> your mistress.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I never’d ask for a better,” the woman said, earnestly;
+then, turning to Mr. Rosevelt, she resumed:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“And now, sir, won’t you please eat your lunch and tell
+the rest of the story afterward, for everything will be spoiled
+waiting.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, indeed—yes, indeed; to be sure we will. There, Miss
+Gladstone, sit down by your tea-urn, and make me the best cup
+of tea that was ever brewed, while I serve you to some of that
+tempting salad.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He forced her gently into her chair, and going around to the
+opposite side of the table, began to wait upon her in the most
+chivalrous manner.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Ah! this is what I call comfort, dear,” he said, in a satisfied
+tone, after Mrs. Blunt had withdrawn to see that the strawberries
+and cream were properly served; “this is what I have
+been dreaming about for a whole year; and now, after we have
+appeased our hunger—and, by the way, I believe I am half-famished,
+or else Mrs. Blunt’s efforts in the culinary line are
+wonderfully successful—we will go over the house, and see if
+everything suits you. What are you looking at the clock for?
+Your school days are over, Miss Gladstone.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star laughed somewhat nervously, and flushed.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I was looking to see how many hours would elapse before
+the clock would strike twelve, and wondering if it would dissolve
+the spell that is on me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No fear of that, Starling. The hours, days, and months,
+and years, I trust, will roll by and bring you only joy and
+pleasure, with no rude awaking. You are to have everything
+that you want—and mind, by that I do not mean just what you
+<i>need</i>, and have you stop to count the cost on those pretty
+fingers of yours, as I have seen you do so often. You shall
+have music and painting to your heart’s content. You shall
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_256'>256</span>have a pair of ponies and a phaeton of the most approved
+style; and, in fact, little girl, it will take you a good while to
+find the bottom of my purse. But how do you like your tea-service?
+I chose it myself, and had it marked expressly for
+you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It is perfectly lovely,” Star replied, as her eyes roved admiringly
+over the beautiful and costly equipage, upon each
+piece of which there gleamed a star in delicate frost-work.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I’m glad you like it. And now, my dear, suppose you
+open that small box by your plate.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star gave him a wondering look—indeed, all her looks had
+been wondering ones during the last hour—and opened a little
+white box, which had until now lain unnoticed beside her
+plate.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She found inside a morocco case, and springing back the lid
+of this, an elegant little watch and chatelaine were exposed to
+her delighted eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Uncle Jacob! I cannot tell whether I am awake or dreaming,”
+she cried, a rosy flush spreading over her whole face. “It
+is the dearest little watch in the world. And is this star on the
+case made of diamonds?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes; diamonds are none too good for <i>my</i> star.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“And you had this waiting for me, even when we were talking
+about my having a watch while we were driving?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes; I was only sounding you a little to see if you would
+like a watch best or something else. Now, if you are through,
+put it in your belt and come with me,” he said, rising from
+the table.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She followed his example, and together they passed from the
+beautiful dining-room out into the hall, and thence to another
+room on the front of the house, which was fitted up as half
+library, half music-room.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>In it there stood a new Steinway piano, with a richly carved
+case and pearl keys. The handsome bookcases, each surmounted
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_257'>257</span>by books of popular authors, were filled with choice
+volumes, while the other furniture, upholstered in olive and
+crimson, was most luxurious.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>From here they went up stairs, and over the drawing-room
+found a most charming suite of rooms, furnished throughout
+in blue and white.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The dainty bed, in its pretty chamber, was draped with antique
+lace, over blue silken curtains, with a spread to match;
+draperies of the same kind hung at the windows, and all the
+toilet articles were of costly china, most beautifully decorated.
+The boudoir, or sitting-room, was fitted up with every convenience,
+and all those pretty trifles which young girls so much
+admire, carpeted with wreaths of forget-me-nots and golden-hearted
+daisies. The furniture was covered with richest brocade
+of the same design, while the full-length mirror, in its massive
+blue and gold frame, revealed, as Star went up to it, a beautiful
+maiden, with shining hair, gleaming eyes, smiling coral lips,
+and glowing cheeks—a fitting tenant for this lovely bower.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Allow me to introduce you to the heiress of Jacob Rosevelt,
+the millionaire,” said the old gentleman, taking her hand
+and bowing before the fair apparition in the glass. “How do
+you like her?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I can’t tell just yet, she is such a new creature; but,”
+with a roguish look up into his eyes, “I’m very fond of the
+millionaire.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Thank you, Miss Gladstone; your favor is most highly appreciated,”
+he returned, laughing. “But come, you must see
+my bachelor den;” and he led her across the hall to a room
+over the dining-room, and here she found every comfort, if
+something less of elegance.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Opposite her sitting-room there was a great chamber, furnished
+in crimson and gold, while up another flight were the
+servants’ rooms. Mrs. Blunt’s room was on the lower floor,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_258'>258</span>where she could conveniently overlook her assistants at all
+hours.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It is like a story,” Star said, when they had been the
+rounds and came back to the library; “and now what are we
+to do next, Uncle Jacob?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Her plans had all been for work, and now that she found
+there was to be no more toil or care for her—nothing but
+pleasure and what her own sweet will dictated, she hardly knew
+where or how to take up the thread of her life again; therefore
+the query:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“What are we to do next, Uncle Jacob?”</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXV.<br> <span class='large'>STAR’S DELIGHT.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>“What are we going to do next?” Mr. Rosevelt repeated.
+“Why, enjoy it all, to be sure. I have waited a good while for
+this good time, and now I am going to make the most of it.
+First, Miss Gladstone must attend to that very important item,
+Miss Gladstone’s wardrobe, which must be suitable for her
+position; and Star, I shall be quite particular upon that point;
+let it be both rich and elegant. Then, as the hot weather
+comes on, there will be a trip to Newport and the White
+Mountains, or some other place equally pleasant, and after
+that—well, something else, I suppose,” he concluded, with a
+smile.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star heaved a sigh of delight.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was nice, after all, to be surrounded by all this beauty and
+elegance, and to have everything heart could wish.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had applied for a position as a teacher, and had hoped
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_259'>259</span>also to do something toward writing another book during the
+coming year; but now, of course, she could not teach, and
+there was no actual need that she should use her pen, although
+the enticing finger of fame seemed beckoning to her, urging
+her to try for even greater literary honors.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Her wardrobe!</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Of what should it consist, to be suitable for her position as
+the heiress of a millionaire?</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was rather a difficult question to decide, when, during the
+last two years, her means had been too limited to allow of her
+gratifying her naturally exquisite taste, and all she had possessed
+in the way of dresses had been scarce half a dozen, and those
+of the commonest material.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The next fortnight was a busy one with dressmakers, milliners,
+and seamstresses; for Mr. Rosevelt said he wished to go
+to Newport by the middle or last of July, if possible.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Blunt was jubilant over the change in “Miss Star’s
+fortunes.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Just to think of it!” she would exclaim every little while.
+“Who would have dreamed of it two years ago, when you were
+at Madam Richards’, and she trying to make a drudge of you.
+Don’t I wish I might be on hand when you and Miss Josephine
+meet, if you ever do, and she hears that Mr. Rosevelt was only
+playing poverty all the time, just to try his proud relations! I
+tell you there’ll be music by the full band.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The young girl flushed.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Josephine had, indeed, been very unkind to her, and it had
+been hard not to resent the theft of her beautiful little cameo
+but she was not one to treasure ill-will. Her little heart was
+full of “Christian charity,” and full of gratitude for the blessings
+which were surrounding her, and she was ready to forgive
+all past injuries.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I should at least try to remember,” she returned, quietly,
+in reply to the housekeeper’s somewhat vindictive speech, “that
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_260'>260</span><i>I</i> wish to be a <i>lady</i> in the truest sense of the term, and treat
+her accordingly. But,” she continued, wishing to change the
+subject, “you have never told me yet how you happened to
+come to keep house for us. I think it was one of the nicest
+arrangements that was ever made.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Thank you, Miss Star,” the woman answered, with a beaming
+face; “and you’d better believe it was a chance that I
+jumped at. I suppose I should have been slaving it for that
+ungrateful set now if I hadn’t come over to New York one day
+about three months ago, and met Mr. Rosevelt on Broadway,
+all by chance. He seemed glad to see me, and asked how I
+was getting on; and I was that discouraged with the way things
+were being managed, the cross words, complaints, and everything,
+that I told him I was sick and tired of it all, and meant
+to find another place just as soon as ever I could, though goodness
+knows I hadn’t an idea where that would be. Upon that
+he looked thoughtful, and, after a moment, said ‘he didn’t
+believe in hiring people away from their employers, but if I
+really meant to go away, he thought he knew of some one who
+would like just such a person for a housekeeper.’ I tell you I
+jumped at the chance, for ever since that young lord took himself
+off so quick, the madam has been so irritable that nothing
+would please her; and Mr. Rosevelt said when I had worked
+out my notice to come to him, and I’d find him any day at
+home at ten o’clock. I suppose he set that hour because he
+didn’t want you to know what was going on. I gave my notice
+the next day, worked out my two weeks, and came over to New
+York lighter of heart than I’d been for years.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“When Mr. Rosevelt told me about what he’d been doing,
+and what he was going to do, and said he wanted me for his
+own housekeeper, my eyes stuck out so that I thought they’d
+never feel natural again; but if ever an old woman was happy,
+I was, to think I was going to serve you; and here I’ve been
+ever since, helping him fix up for you.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_261'>261</span>“It’s like a beautiful story, Miss Star,” continued Mrs. Blunt,
+waxing sentimental, “to see you here among all these elegant
+things, for which you were just made, or I’m much mistaken;
+and when I see you coming out in all of these lovely clothes,
+nobody’ll be prouder than I.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You are very good, Mrs. Blunt, to be so interested for
+me,” Star said, with a smile; “and if what you want is to see
+me ‘come out in these fine things,’ you will have your wish,
+for we shall have to take you to Newport with us, as I must
+have some one to attend me, and I cannot consent to take a
+stranger.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“That will be almost as good as to come out myself,” the
+woman said, with a chuckle of delight.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star’s wardrobe and pretty things were all ready at last, and
+Mr. Rosevelt, who had taken a strange interest in it, for a
+bachelor, was perfectly satisfied.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He had made her elegant presents in the way of jewelry and
+laces, until she felt almost overwhelmed.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Diamonds!” she had exclaimed, her face flushing all over
+with delight, when, the day before they were to leave, he came
+into her sitting-room and laid a case in her lap, telling her to
+open it. He had already purchased her several other sets, but
+this was the crowning gift of all.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had thought when he had given her some beautiful point-laces,
+that if she only had some diamonds to go with them she
+should like it; they were the two things for which she had an
+especial passion—rich laces and those pellucid stones, like
+drops of dew which send back the light in gorgeous tints. She
+would have been content with just a pair of ear-pendants and a
+solitaire ring—she was content, indeed, without them, but she
+thought how nicely they would go with her laces; but there,
+dazzling her eyes upon their velvet bed, were ear-pendants, a
+cross attached to a beautiful chain, a solitaire ring, and a star
+for her hair.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_262'>262</span>“Oh, Uncle Jacob,” she faltered, “I am afraid you are
+spending too much money for me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Don’t you like them?” he questioned, although her glowing
+face should have told him all he wished to know.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Like them? They are perfectly lovely; and I <i>do</i> particularly
+love diamonds.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Then don’t trouble your pretty head about the money.
+You know I have been denied all my life the pleasure of spending
+it for either wife or child, and now that I have found some
+one who appreciates and is worthy of it, let me get all the
+comfort I can in this way. You forget,” he continued, with a
+smile, “that there are two years’ income to be disposed of in
+some way, and I am only making up lost time. I like to go
+about the world, and I like to go in style, as I told you once
+before, and so my heiress must help me keep up appearances.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Are you sure you are doing just right, Uncle Jacob, in
+giving me <i>all</i> your money?” Star asked, hesitatingly, after a few
+minutes of thoughtful silence, while she watched the sunlight
+play among her new treasures.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“To whom should I give it, I should like to know?” he
+questioned, bluntly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“But I have no <i>legal</i> claim upon you, and you have relatives.
+I’m afraid it will make trouble——”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No, it won’t; I’ve taken care of that, I can assure you,”
+he interrupted. “My will is made, signed, and sealed, and in
+the hands of one of the best lawyers in the city. <i>You</i> are to
+have the whole of my fortune, excepting what the law demands
+for blood. I’ve given a dollar to each of them, just to clear
+myself and keep them from breaking my will; and they’ll never
+get another red cent,” he concluded, with more asperity than
+she had ever seen him betray before.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I’m afraid you are piling a mountain upon my small
+shoulders,” Star said, with a little laugh.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It is a mountain which I shall take care won’t crush you;
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_263'>263</span>and, besides, I hope to help you bear it for a good many years
+to come, if my health keeps on improving as it has done during
+the last few months; and then, I reckon, it will not be <i>very</i>
+difficult to find some one else who would be willing to take a
+share of the burden,” Mr. Rosevelt concluded, slyly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star flushed, and then her face grew sad.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She knew that he meant she would find suitors for her hand;
+but she could not forget her first love, and she knew that she
+should never meet another who would win the place in her
+heart which she had given to Archibald Sherbrooke, unworthy
+as she believed him to be of it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>That evening Miss Meredith and her brother called.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“How fortunate that you came to-night,” Star said to the
+young lady during their conversation. “You would have missed
+us if you had waited longer, for to-morrow we go to Newport
+for a few weeks.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Do you? That is delightful, for we have our rooms engaged
+there also for next week, and intend to remain a month,”
+Miss Meredith returned, with evident pleasure, while Mr. Ralph
+Meredith, who was conversing with Mr. Rosevelt, but with one
+ear open toward the young ladies, felt a sudden heart-throb at
+the intelligence.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Newport is very gay this summer, I am told,” Miss Meredith
+continued. “‘Everybody,’ so to speak, is there, and it is
+one of the most charming places in the world to visit. Have
+you ever been there, Miss Gladstone?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No,” Star answered. “I have been so busy with my
+studies ever since I came to this country, that I have not been
+anywhere.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Since you came to this country!” Grace Meredith repeated.
+“Are you not an American?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No; I am an English girl, and it will be two years in
+November since I left merrie England.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Are you some lady of high degree, come here to get your
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_264'>264</span>education? I am almost inclined to think so,” laughed her
+friend, bending an admiring glance upon Star’s beautiful face.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No, indeed. Don’t go to weaving any romances about
+me,” she answered, flushing slightly, “for I am only plain Star
+Gladstone.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“But ‘plain Star Gladstone’ belongs to a very good family,
+nevertheless,” interrupted Mr. Rosevelt, who had overheard the
+latter part of their conversation, and would not allow Star to
+depreciate herself; whereupon Miss Meredith did feel at liberty
+to “romance” a little on her own account.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star was asked for some music, and delighted her listeners
+with her exquisite playing. Miss Meredith and her brother
+sang a charming duet, and after an hour spent in the most
+social manner, they took their departure, having formed numerous
+plans to be carried into execution when they should meet a
+week later at Newport.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Miss Gladstone is the loveliest girl I have ever met, and
+you wouldn’t let me get a word in edgewise with her, Grace,”
+Ralph Meredith said, in a grieved tone, after they left the
+house.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Are you ‘star’-struck so soon, brother mine? You’ll have
+opportunities enough to ‘get your words in’ widthways during
+the next few weeks, and you can comfort yourself for your disappointment
+to-night with the thought that I was paving the
+way to glory for you,” laughed his sister.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Were you not surprised to learn that she is English?” she
+asked, thoughtfully.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, rather; for I have been told that English girls are not
+very pretty; but she is wonderfully beautiful.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“What will you wager that she does not turn out to be some
+lady of high degree?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Pshaw! Grace, you are always imagining some unlikely
+story or other. You should not read so many novels. Don’t
+put her entirely beyond our reach, if you please. It is quite
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_265'>265</span>enough for the present to know that she is Mr. Rosevelt’s
+heiress and the author of that charming little book, without
+being some princess in disguise,” returned the young man,
+somewhat impatiently.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I think I shall like Miss Meredith,” Star said, musingly, to
+Mr. Rosevelt, when their visitors were gone.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“She appears to be a very agreeable young lady. I should
+like you to form some pleasant friendship,” the old gentleman
+returned; then, with a keen glance, he asked: “How are you
+pleased with her brother?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“He is quite entertaining.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Very fine-looking young man; don’t you think so?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Is he?—yes—rather,” was the absent reply; for speaking
+of England had sent Star’s thoughts across the ocean again,
+where she saw in imagination a noble, patrician face, with dark,
+fathomless eyes, and curling chestnut hair; for Archibald Sherbrooke—she
+could never think of him in any other character—was
+her ideal of all that was manly and grand.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXVI.<br> <span class='large'>“WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?”</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>Newport was teeming with all that was gay, beautiful, and
+attractive during this particular season of which we write.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Never had so much wealth and luxury been represented
+there, or so many elegant equipages seen driving through the
+streets or along the smooth, sweeping beach.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Not the least attractive among these equipages was the light
+and airy, though costly phaeton of “Mr. Rosevelt’s ward,” with
+its embroidered lap-robes, its luxurious velvet-cushioned seats,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_266'>266</span>its plump, sleek, and spirited gray ponies in their gold-mounted
+harnesses.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star had created quite a sensation when she arrived at the
+hotel where they had taken rooms; and the tall, distinguished
+old gentleman, with such silvery hair and beard, and who appeared
+so devoted to her, was scarcely less a target for all eyes.
+But when it began to be whispered that Miss Gladstone was
+not only the heiress of Jacob Rosevelt, the millionaire, but
+also the authoress of that bright little book which for a year
+had created such a sensation in New York circles, the excitement
+increased, and everybody was on the <i>qui vive</i> to obtain an
+introduction.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>When, on the second evening after her arrival, she came into
+the great parlors of the hotel—for there was to be a grand hop
+or assembly there that night—leaning on Mr. Rosevelt’s arm,
+and looking “so divinely fair” in her shimmering robe of
+cream-colored silk and mist-like tulle, garnished with velvet-leaved,
+golden-hearted pansies, her shining hair coiled like a
+crown about her small head, with a little cluster of pansies
+nestling lovingly among its glossy plaits, every eye was attracted
+by her loveliness, and everybody—of the masculine gender, at
+least—was ready to “rave over” her, “swear by” her, and
+“fight for” her if need be.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It is needless to say that she was not allowed to become a
+wall-flower, and it was amusing to observe the maneuvers of
+the battalion of gallant young knights who swarmed about her,
+like bees around their queen, eager to secure an introduction.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>And now the excitement for Star began.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She was whisked away to the ball-room, and the evening
+sped like a vision of delight.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had been taught to dance at home, notwithstanding the
+fact that her father was a clergyman, for in all English homes
+dancing is considered a necessary accomplishment, because it
+imparts ease and grace to the manners of the young.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_267'>267</span>Mr. Rosevelt followed, for he enjoyed looking upon the
+merry dancers, and taking up his station near a window, and
+by a stand of flowers where he was partially shielded from observation,
+he watched his pet with a fond smile upon his lips,
+proud of her beauty, proud of her intelligence and of the admiration
+she was attracting.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>While standing here, a group of half a dozen ladies and
+gentlemen gathered near him, and he overheard a conversation
+which amused him, and caused at the same time something of
+a feeling of triumph to pervade his heart.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Have you seen the new arrivals?” asked a gentleman of
+one of his companions.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No; what new arrivals do you refer to? There are many
+every day.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“An old codger from New York—rich as a king, they say—and
+his ward, who bids fair to be <i>the</i> beauty of the season.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“<i>In</i>deed!” returned the lady, assuming a piqued tone.
+“How dare you make such an assertion, and in the presence
+of three acknowledged beauties, too?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I beg pardon if I have offended,” the gentleman roguishly
+replied; “but—I have had <i>Washingtonian</i> instructions regarding
+the principle of <i>truth</i>.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The young lady tapped him playfully upon the arm with her
+fan, while she remarked, significantly:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“How glad I am that you have <i>told</i> me of it!” whereupon
+the whole party joined in a laugh at the “truthful” gentleman’s
+expense.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“But about this fair charmer,” the lady pursued; “who is
+she, and what is the name of this ‘old codger’ who is ‘rich
+as a king’?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“The lady’s name is Miss Gladstone, and she is not only
+beautiful, charming, and rich, but is also the author of
+‘Chatsworth’s Pride,’ which you have doubtless read.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Oh! a blue-stocking!” cried the gay girl, with well-affected
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_268'>268</span>horror; and just here another voice chimed in—a voice which
+made Mr. Rosevelt start and listen more intently:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Miss Gladstone! How strange I never heard the author’s
+name before! There was only a simple star upon the title page
+where the author’s name should have been. Mamma!”
+in a startled tone, as if a strange idea had suddenly come into
+the speaker’s mind, “it cannot possibly be <i>Stella Gladstone</i>,
+can it?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Certainly not,” returned Mrs. Richards—for both she and
+Josephine were among the group referred to, having come from
+a neighboring hotel to attend the hop. “Such a thing cannot
+be possible; <i>she</i> could not write a book.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The woman spoke contemptuously, and yet the utterance of
+that name produced an uneasy sensation in her mind.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“What is the gentleman’s name? Whose ward did you say
+she is?” she asked, a moment later, thinking that would throw
+some light on the subject.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I declare I have forgotten,” the gentleman returned; “it’s
+a high-sounding name, though, and he is an aristocratic-looking
+old fellow, too. By the way, Miss Richards,” he continued,
+turning to the young lady, “I am willing to wager a handsome
+fan against a new pair of gloves that Miss Gladstone’s phaeton
+and pair of ponies will be the envy of every lady in Newport,
+for a more trappy turn-out I’ve never seen in my life.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Then she drives her own ponies, does she? Well, I must
+say you have aroused my curiosity to the highest notch, and I’d
+like to see this paragon of perfection, Mr. Pendleton,” Josephine
+said, a feeling of jealousy springing up in her heart at
+hearing another’s praises sounded so profusely.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You can be gratified, for there she stands now—that slight,
+graceful girl in the cream-colored silk trimmed with pansies,”
+replied Mr. Pendleton, drawing her attention to the spot where
+Star stood surrounded by an admiring crowd.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_269'>269</span>Her back was turned toward them, and they could not judge
+of her beauty; but they saw a tall, willowy figure in trailing
+robes of exceeding richness, a stately head crowned with golden
+hair, and there was a familiar something about the fair stranger
+which made both mother and daughter look more closely, while
+their eyes were filled with anxious foreboding.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“She is elegantly dressed, I must confess,” Josephine said,
+putting up her glass to get a better view of the “belle of the
+evening;” “and, mamma,” she added, in a lower tone, “is it
+my imagination, or is there something really familiar in that
+figure? <i>Can it be Stella?</i>”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Impossible! What could have put such a foolish notion
+into your head? Where under heavens could <i>she</i> get money
+enough to flourish in such style?” Mrs. Richards retorted, impatiently.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“But if she is really the author of the book—it has been
+very popular, you know——”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Nonsense!” interrupted her mother. “I tell you such a
+thing could not be possible.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Nevertheless, Mrs. Richards was closely watching the object
+of their conversation, and her heart was beating with a painful
+throb, for the young girl did strangely resemble that poor
+orphan whom she had so despised and ill-treated, and who had
+fled from her tyranny.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But her uneasiness increased, for just now she observed a
+tall, white-haired gentleman moving toward the girl, and upon
+reaching her side, he bent down and spoke a few words in
+her ear.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>His back also was toward them, but the matron’s face was
+dark with trouble; she grew white with the sudden fear which
+possessed her, and she moved forward to get a better view of
+the couple.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>At that instant Star turned and lifted her bright face to reply
+to Mr. Rosevelt, who had left his position by the stand of
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_270'>270</span>flowers when she ceased dancing and approached her, her eyes
+shining, her cheeks glowing, and her coral lips wreathed with
+bright smiles, and both Josephine and Mrs. Richards recognized
+her instantly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A low cry of surprise and dismay broke from Josephine
+Richards’ lips.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It is—it surely is Stella Gladstone,” she said; “and that
+man talking to her is certainly Uncle Jacob Rosevelt! What
+can it all mean?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Rosevelt! Yes, that is the name,” said Mr. Pendleton,
+who had caught it, and who had first called their attention to
+Star. “‘Jacob Rosevelt, the millionaire,’ I heard him called
+this afternoon, but I forget names so easily.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Jacob Rosevelt, the millionaire!” repeated Mrs. Richards,
+with white lips and astonished eyes, while a tumult of emotions
+raged within her heart.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes; he must be very rich, for they have every appearance
+of it, and Miss Gladstone’s turn-out, which was sent on before
+them, is a marvel of luxury and elegance. But—do <i>you know</i>
+them?” Mr. Pendleton asked, regarding her curiously.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards’ thoughts worked very rapidly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>If this was really Jacob Rosevelt, and she could not doubt
+the evidence of her own eyes, he must by some stroke of luck
+have recovered a portion, if not the whole, of his fortune since
+leaving her house; and in this case he became at once an
+entirely different person from the feeble, poverty-stricken individual
+who had come to her a little more than a year ago to
+sue for food and shelter.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He had been a person of no account then—one to be ignored
+and neglected, for there was nothing to be gained by treating
+him otherwise.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But “Jacob Rosevelt, the millionaire,” if such he had become
+again, must be propitiated, flattered, and cajoled.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_271'>271</span>Therefore she had a new role to play, and she would begin
+at once by claiming him as a relative before these friends
+of hers.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It would be very strange if I did <i>not</i> know him, for he is
+my father’s brother,” she said, calling to her lips her blandest
+smiles; “but I am sure I had no idea that he was here in
+Newport. Come, Josephine, we must go and speak to him;”
+and she drew the astonished girl away before they could question
+them any further, and she wished to collect her own scattered
+senses a little before encountering those two whom she
+had so deeply injured.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“What can it mean, mamma?” Josephine repeated, with a
+blank look, for she had no longer any doubt about the identity
+of the strangers.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I don’t know, but I am going to find out,” she answered
+resolutely.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Then you are convinced that it is Stella?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, it is <i>that girl</i> fast enough; there can be no mistake
+about it; and what a sensation she is making! She seems to
+checkmate us at every move.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Where can they have been hiding all this time?” Josephine
+asked.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“How do you suppose I know?” retorted her mother, sharply.
+“I am more interested to know where all the money comes
+from to enable them to cut such a swell. Why, the dress she
+has on must have cost a cool three hundred, to say nothing
+about her other expensive fixings; and then you heard what
+Pendleton said about her carriage and ponies.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well, he said she was the author of ‘Chatsworth’s Pride,’
+and if that is so, it must have brought her a good deal.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Pooh! you don’t suppose one book is going to enable her
+to live and dress like a young empress, do you?” returned Mrs.
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_272'>272</span>Richards, scornfully. “No; Uncle Jacob has recovered his
+fortune, or else——”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Or else what?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“He has played it upon us.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Played what upon us?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Why, poverty, you goose!”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Mamma! that would be too dreadful. I never thought
+of such a thing,” Josephine said, feeling almost faint.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Nor I, until this moment; but I can account for their
+appearance here to-night in no other way. If he has done
+this thing, and that girl gets all his money, it will be a
+bitter pill to swallow, I can tell you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“But she could inherit nothing; she is no blood relation.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“But he could make a will.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“And we could break it.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Not a bit of it; your Uncle Jacob is keen enough to
+look out for that, I assure you. But come this way; they
+are passing out into the hall, and I am going to sift this
+matter at once.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She drew her daughter from the upper door of the
+parlor, just as Star and Mr. Rosevelt passed out at the
+lower one, intending to waylay them and demand an explanation
+of their presence.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>They turned and came toward those waiting women,
+walking slowly and chatting pleasantly, and wholly unconscious
+of the exciting interview in store for them.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_273'>273</span>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXVII.<br> <span class='large'>DEFEATED.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>When they were within a few feet of the upper door, Mrs.
+Richards stepped toward them and stood directly in their path.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The hall was nearly empty, almost everybody being in the
+parlors or the dancing-hall, so there was no one by just at that
+moment to witness what transpired.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“What does this mean?” Mrs. Richards demanded, in a low
+but authoritative tone. “Stella Gladstone, how is it that I find
+you here? Uncle Jacob, where have you been all this time,
+and what strange freak of fortune brings you here in this unaccountable
+fashion?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt started slightly on beholding his niece standing
+in that excited attitude directly in his path; while Star grew
+pale at first, for she had always stood somewhat in fear of the
+arrogant woman while she was an inmate of her house. But
+remembering that everything was entirely different now, she
+quickly recovered herself.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But for all that, she clung a little more closely to Mr. Rosevelt’s
+arm, as if she was glad that he was there, though in no
+other way did she betray how disagreeable this encounter was
+to her, or appear as if she had ever met them before.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Tell me what this means?” Mrs. Richards repeated, looking
+from one to the other, noting Star’s delicate beauty with a
+pang of bitter jealousy, her self-possession and grace; Mr. Rosevelt’s
+improved appearance, his rich apparel, and more than all,
+the air of pride and fondness which pervaded every look and
+attention which he bestowed upon his companion.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_274'>274</span>“Well, niece Ellen,” Mr. Rosevelt returned, in a quiet tone,
+while he met her eye with a cold, steady glance that made her
+very uncomfortable, “it appears that you are considerably excited
+over this unexpected meeting. Suppose we retire to
+yonder anteroom, where we can converse unobserved.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He turned and led the way, with Star still upon his arm, to
+a small room upon the opposite side of the hall; they entered,
+and he shut the door, for he did not care that any one should
+overhear what passed between them, nor did he intend that
+Ellen Richards should do or say anything which should make
+them objects of remark.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Now, Ellen, what is it that I am to account to you for?” he
+asked, in the same quiet tone which he had before used.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She colored angrily, but she was determined to get at the
+bottom of the matter.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I have heard strange rumors to-night,” she remarked. “I
+am told that Stella has become an authoress—that she is very
+popular, as well as her book, and I want to know what it
+means. A year ago you were both dependents upon my bounty;
+now I find you sailing about, like a couple of meteors, among
+the other shining lights of society. I want an explanation of
+the cause of this change.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Certainly, Ellen; since you desire it, I will explain with
+pleasure. We left your house last October, as you doubtless
+will remember, and took up our abode in New York city. Star
+entered the Normal College at once, and by assiduous application
+to her studies, succeeded in completing the course, and
+graduated in June, since when we have been trying to get all
+the enjoyment out of life that we could. You have heard
+rightly, Ellen; she did write that popular little book, ‘Chatsworth’s
+Pride,’ and it is a source of pride to me that I have the
+honor of introducing in society its popular author as my ward
+and heiress——”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Your <i>heiress</i>!” Mrs. Richards cried, growing pale.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_275'>275</span>“Yes; Miss Gladstone is named as such in my will, which
+is now in the hands of my lawyer,” the old gentleman replied,
+quietly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>His niece looked from one to the other in blank dismay.
+She had feared she should hear something of the kind, but it
+was none the less a shock to her when it came.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Your heiress—heiress to <i>what</i>?” she demanded, sharply.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“To the whole of my fortune, madam.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Your fortune!” she sneered, but her voice was hoarse from
+passion and baffled hopes. “A year ago it was—<i>beggary</i>!”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt smiled serenely.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“<i>Apparently</i>, yes,” he answered. “But I was <i>then</i>, what I
+am <i>now</i>—a millionaire. The mistake of your life-time was
+made then, Ellen; for if you had cordially received the feeble
+old man who came to your house in such a forlorn condition;
+if you had given him kindness and sympathy, such as you were
+wont to do when he was rich and prosperous; if you had shown
+him something of love and tenderness, instead of coldness and
+contempt, making him feel that he was a burden and an intruder,
+<i>you</i> would have had the bulk of my fortune, for your
+brother had already forfeited his share. I thought that my final
+return to this country would give me a good opportunity to test
+your and Henry’s sincerity, and I resolved to do so. I went to
+him as a poor man; I was received coldly, and made as uncomfortable
+as it was possible for any one to be made. Then I said
+to myself, ‘Ellen’s womanly heart will prompt her to be kind
+to me, if not for my own sake, for her father’s,’ and so I came
+to you also in the guise of poverty.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It was mean—it was dishonorable to take advantage of me
+in that way,” Mrs. Richards said, with white, quivering lips.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Not at all. I wanted to <i>know</i> you as you were, not what
+you pretended to be. I do not need to tell you the result of
+my plan; we all know it but too well. No one gave me a
+word of sympathy or kindness save this dear girl”—he laid his
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_276'>276</span>hand tenderly on Star’s shoulder—“who did her utmost to
+make the old man forget as far as was possible his bitter disappointment,
+and who had already earned his love and gratitude
+by saving his life, almost at the sacrifice of her own, during
+that terrible voyage across the Atlantic. She has been like a
+sunbeam to me from the first; and when I saw how unkind you
+all were to her also—how you were betraying your trust and
+breaking your promise to her dying father—I resolved that she
+should become my especial care for the future.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I do not need to recall to your memory the last night that
+we spent in your house in Yonkers. It must be as fresh to
+you as it is to me. You taunted us both with our poverty
+and dependence. You drove <i>her</i> to desperation by your unjust
+accusations and your heartless language. She could not endure
+that kind of a life any longer, and she knew that I also was
+anything but happy; so she came to me, told me the secret of
+her success as an author, and of the income which her book
+bade fair to bring her, and begged of me to go with her to
+share her substance, asking in return only the comfort of congenial
+companionship and the protection which my presence
+would give her. I was sorely tempted, as I have told her, to
+confess the part I had been playing, and proclaim her my
+heiress on the spot. But I thought, considering all things, it
+would be better to wait until she was through with school,
+while I wanted to study her a little more closely before committing
+my all to her. She has stood the test most nobly. She
+has been the light of our home. She has labored early and
+late to minister to my comfort and happiness, and <i>now</i> she is
+going to reap her reward. Everything that I <i>can</i> do for her to
+make her life bright, I <i>shall</i> do while I live, and when I am
+gone, she will have the fortune which, under different circumstances,
+would have been mostly yours.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards was pallid with anger, mortification, and bitter
+disappointment when Mr. Rosevelt concluded.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_277'>277</span>It was a terrible blow to her to lose this great fortune, and
+remorse for her heartless treatment of her uncle was gnawing
+keenly at her heart-strings.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards had met with heavy losses in his business of
+late, and it was only by straining every nerve, calculating, and
+contriving, that she and Josephine had been able to come to
+Newport at all that season, and it was simply maddening to
+think that Star, whom she had so disliked from the first, should
+have won, by little acts of kindness, what she would have spared
+no pains to secure had she once suspected the truth.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well, miss, you have played your cards very cleverly, haven’t
+you?” she finally found breath to ejaculate, and turning with
+blazing eyes upon the fair girl who, all unwittingly, had usurped
+her place in her uncle’s affection and will.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt’s face grew stern.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“She certainly has, Ellen,” he said, before Star could speak,
+even had she wished to do so, “especially as she could not, by
+any means, have known that there was anything worth winning
+by her acts of devotion and self-denial. And now let me tell
+you, that true kindness and sympathy will <i>always</i> win, where
+arrogance and pride will only gain contempt, and lead to disappointment
+and regret.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Uncle Jacob, you cannot mean what you have said. Surely
+you will not discard those of your own blood, your kin, for the
+offspring of a stranger!” Mrs. Richards said, appealingly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt looked down at Star with a tender, tremulous
+smile.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“The offspring of a stranger!” he repeated, softly; then
+added: “Ellen, there is a stronger bond uniting this dear child
+to me than <i>ever</i> bound me to either of my brother’s children.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“What do you mean?” cried his niece, in a startled tone.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Surely, at <i>your</i> age, you do not contemplate——”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt stopped her with a motion of his hand before
+she could complete her sentence.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_278'>278</span>“No; you are wide of the mark; although I am not surprised
+that a designing woman like yourself should jump at
+such an absurd conclusion. But, lest you should wound her by
+your foolish insinuations, I will tell you that Star is the granddaughter
+of the only woman whom I ever loved; and, therefore,
+you perceive that I had additional cause to be displeased
+with you on account of your unkindness to her.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Really, Mr. Rosevelt, you have more of sentiment in your
+composition than I gave you credit for. There <i>was</i> a love
+passage, then, in the old bachelor’s life!” sneered Mrs. Richards
+while an angry flush mounted to her brow.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Then, with more bitterness than she had yet betrayed, she
+continued, with a look at Star:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I can congratulate Miss Gladstone upon being more successful
+in wheedling you out of your fortune than she was in
+her maneuvers to become Lady Carrol.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>This was a cruel thrust, and wholly unexpected on the part
+of either Mr. Rosevelt or Star.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A shiver of agony ran through every nerve of her body at this
+rough probing of the still unhealed wound, and a painful crimson
+shot over her beautiful face.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But it quickly subsided, leaving only the bright spots on her
+cheeks.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She arose from the chair where Mr. Rosevelt had placed her,
+drew herself up proudly, her eyes gleaming as bright as the
+diamonds in her ears, and, entirely ignoring the coarse woman’s
+malicious thrust, she looked up at her companion, and said, in
+her clearest, sweetest tones:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Uncle Jacob, I believe we were going out to see the illumination.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“True, child, true,” he said, taking her white-gloved hand
+and laying it upon his arm, while he cast a dark look upon
+his niece for her cowardly attack. “Come, we will go at
+once;” and with a formal inclination to Mrs. Richards and her
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_279'>279</span>daughter, but with an angry gleam in his eyes, he led Star
+from the room, shutting the door, with no gentle sound, after
+them.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Did you ever hear anything like it!” Mrs. Richards said,
+hopelessly, after they had gone.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No, indeed; and it is just as you suspected—he was <i>playing</i>
+poverty all the time,” Josephine answered.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Oh, if I could only have known it!” groaned her mother,
+to whom the calamity appeared to grow more appalling every
+moment.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“He makes a perfect fool of himself over that girl,” snapped
+Josephine, ill-naturedly. “Just think of the amount of money
+it must have cost to deck her out to-night.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I am going back to our hotel,” Mrs. Richards said, rising,
+with a desperate air. “I am not going to stay here to see her
+play the fine lady and crow over us.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I’m ready to go. I’ve had enough of this thing, and I
+never did like the —— House very well, anyway,” replied her
+daughter, in no amiable tones.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXVIII.<br> <span class='large'>RESCUED FROM A HORRIBLE FATE.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>If Mrs. Richards had conducted herself according to her own
+inclination, she would have left Newport at once. But she was
+unwilling that Mr. Rosevelt or Star should think that she had
+run away from them, or that she was heart-broken over the disclosures
+which her uncle had made to her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Besides, Newport was full of wealthy and fashionable people,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_280'>280</span>and among them several eligible young gentlemen, whose acquaintance,
+for Josephine’s sake, she was desirous of cultivating;
+and surely she was not going to sacrifice all these advantages,
+and leave the field clear for Star to win even greater victories.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>No; she would stay, and she resolved she would make things
+just as uncomfortable for the young girl as possible, while Josephine
+should be made to shine with all the splendor of which
+their means, and Mr. Richards’ credit, were capable.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But all the proud woman’s efforts were of no avail, for our
+fair heroine had created a sensation which threatened to turn
+the heads and lead captive the hearts of every unmarried man,
+at least, in Newport.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A week passed quickly by, and then Grace Meredith and her
+brother arrived at the watering-place, and immediately attached
+themselves to Mr. Rosevelt and Star by mutual consent; and
+many envious looks were bestowed upon the dark, handsome
+stranger, who appeared to assume the right of acting as escort
+to the two beautiful girls upon every occasion.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But Star, whenever she appeared in company, laughed,
+chatted, and danced with all that was possible of her admirers,
+dispensing her smiles and favors with an impartiality that was
+exasperating not only to her victims—if such they could be
+called who were each anxious to win the prize—but also to the
+many forlorn damsels who were all sighing for the attentions
+she was receiving and the honors she was usurping.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>One day, about a week after the arrival of the Merediths, an
+excursion was arranged to visit a point on Narragansett Bay,
+and it was to be a picnic after the good old-fashioned style of
+carrying each his own basket and sharing with his neighbor.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A boat had been chartered to take the party down the bay in
+the morning and return at night by moonlight.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Ralph Meredith and two or three of his friends were the
+originators of the affair, and the invitations were very select,
+and limited to one hundred.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_281'>281</span>As it happened, Mrs. Richards and Josephine, with quite a
+number of others from their hotel, were included in this party.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The morning was delightful, and the spirits of the whole
+company at their highest point, while the jaunty, white-winged
+boat, with its inspiriting band of music and its gayly dressed
+picnickers, seemed like a little floating world devoted entirely
+to pleasure, as indeed it was.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Josephine Richards had arrayed herself in a very elaborate
+costume for the occasion, determined that Star, who she knew
+was to be one of the company, should not outshine her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It fitted her like a glove, and was vastly becoming; she never
+had looked more brilliant in her life, but she was too fussy for
+a picnic, and looked as if she was decked out for a fashionable
+reception rather than for a day in the woods.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>In direct contrast to all this “fuss and feathers,” was Star, in
+a simple suit of white lawn, a belt of blue, of her eyes’ own
+hue, girdling her slender waist; a dainty, broad-brimmed hat,
+set in a jaunty way upon her golden head, and a little cluster of
+blue-fringed gentians nestling beneath her beautifully rounded
+chin.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The very simplicity of her attire made her conspicuous, and
+fashionable maidens, who had groaned in spirit over what they
+should wear and how they should wear it, glared at her with
+envious eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Ralph Meredith had arranged a cozy little nook on the boat
+for Star and his sister, by taking some camp-chairs along and
+cushioning them with handsome rugs, with a couple of hassocks
+for their feet, while a sail had been adjusted as an awning
+to screen them from the hot sun.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But when, after they were well on their way, he conducted
+them thither, he found to his chagrin that this snug corner,
+upon which he had spent so much care, had been appropriated
+by Mrs. Richards and her brilliant daughter, who were holding
+a little court by themselves.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_282'>282</span>“Never mind,” Star whispered; “I do not care to sit just
+now, and I particularly wish not to disturb them.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“But <i>I</i> particularly wished you and Grace to have a comfortable
+place where you could enjoy your sail,” he returned,
+indignantly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I know, and you were very kind and thoughtful; but I
+shall feel better to leave them to get what enjoyment they can
+from occupying seats which they must know were intended for
+others. What do you say, Grace?” Star asked, appealing to
+Miss Meredith.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I do not see but what we shall be obliged to submit, since
+I do not wish to be rude to any of our party. But I must say
+I think they are very cool.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>They moved away to another portion of the boat, but when,
+an hour later, they saw the interlopers promenading the deck,
+they quietly slipped into the vacated seats, and settled themselves
+for the remainder of the sail.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Here they were soon chatting in the most sociable manner,
+and were right in the midst of a most interesting discussion
+regarding their toilet for an approaching reception, when a cold
+voice broke out upon them, saying:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Miss Gladstone, may I trouble you to vacate our chairs?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star started and flushed. Too well she knew those incisive
+tones.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But she quickly recovered herself, however, and looking up
+at Mrs. Richards, for it was she who had spoken, said:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“<i>Your</i> chairs? Are they yours?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Certainly; you have already seen us occupying them, I believe,”
+the woman responded, haughtily.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star’s face began to dimple with amusement, for she knew
+well enough that this demand was only made to annoy her and
+make her unpleasantly conspicuous, and she was determined to
+turn the tables to their own mortification; for they could not
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_283'>283</span>fail to learn when they landed to whom the chairs and other
+comforts belonged.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She made a motion to Grace, who, she saw, was bristling
+with indignation, to keep silent; then she arose, bowing with
+graceful politeness to Mrs. Richards and her daughter, though
+her eyes were gleaming with suppressed laughter.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I beg pardon if I have been occupying what does not rightfully
+belong to me, and I cheerfully resign <i>my</i> chair to your
+<i>prior claim</i>.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Josephine flushed, for she saw that it was all Star could do
+to restrain her merriment, though what should have caused it
+she could not understand; while she looked so pretty and was
+so lady-like, it made her angry.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I’m sure,” she began, hotly, and raising her voice so that
+others could hear her, “I don’t see what you’re so amused
+over, Stella Gladstone; and it seems to me that you’re putting
+on altogether too many airs for a girl who used to perform the
+services of a chambermaid in our house.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>For a moment Star stood as if dumfounded; then she lifted
+her bright head a trifle, as if in conscious superiority, gave
+Miss Richards a cool stare of surprise, and turned away without
+a word.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Not so Miss Meredith, however.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She kept her seat with the utmost composure, watching this
+little scene with both interest and amusement until Josephine
+so tauntingly insulted her friend.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Then she, too, arose, drawing her tall form to its fullest
+height.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I cannot understand,” she said, in a voice of scorn, “why
+you should so maliciously insult Miss Gladstone; but allow
+me to say for your enlightenment, that these chairs, rugs, and
+so forth, belong to my brother, Mr. Ralph Meredith, and he
+arranged them here especially for Miss Gladstone’s and my
+comfort. However, I will emulate her example, and resign
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_284'>284</span>my right to ladies who have proved themselves so superior
+in point of <i>refinement</i> and <i>politeness</i>.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Having uttered this cutting sarcasm, Miss Meredith
+bowed mockingly and walked away to rejoin her friend,
+leaving those haughty and overbearing women about as
+chagrined and crestfallen as it is possible for two people
+to feel.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The gay company reached their destination after a delightful
+sail of two hours.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was a lovely grove upon the shore of the bay, which
+people were in the habit of frequenting for picnics of this
+sort, and the party wandered about in groups for another
+two hours, exploring the beauties and attractions around
+them.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>At two o’clock everybody gathered to dine in a place
+which had been prepared for that purpose; the tables were
+spread with the contents of the numerous baskets, which
+contained every delicacy which the season afforded, and
+the gay company, making the woods resonant with laughter
+and merriment, sat down to their rural meal.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was four in the afternoon before this important part
+in the day’s programme was concluded, and then the company
+scattered, some to lounge about and rest, others to
+stroll into the deep, inviting shadows of the woods.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt and Star, Miss Meredith and her brother,
+with two or three others, wandered away by themselves,
+and finally sat down beneath a wide-spreading tree for a
+quiet chat.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>While they sat there, Star got up quietly and slipped
+out of sight, some spirit of restlessness possessing her to
+get away for a ramble still farther into the far-reaching
+woods.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had walked some distance, when she heard voices,
+and soon saw a gentleman and a lad, both with guns over
+their shoulders, approaching her, and looking heated and
+anxious.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>They saluted her courteously, and then the gentleman
+said, abruptly:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Have you seen anything of a small, white Spitz dog, miss?
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_285'>285</span>It is a pretty little creature, wearing a silver collar around his
+neck, and tiny blue bows tied in his ears.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No,” Star answered; “I have seen no dog to-day.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“We are in search of it because we are afraid it has run
+mad,” the stranger continued, peering about with a troubled
+countenance. “It has not been well for several days, and this
+morning showed unmistakable signs of hydrophobia. It escaped
+confinement from the cottage, a mile or so from here, and ran
+toward these woods about an hour ago.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>They passed on, and Star thought it would be best for her
+to go back to her friends, and therefore turned to retrace
+her steps.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had only accomplished about half of the distance, when
+she heard a clear, musical laugh ring out from among the
+shrubbery on the right of the path.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Thinking it must be some of her party, she stepped forward
+to warn them of their danger. She parted the branches with
+her hands and looked through.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>What was her horror to see Josephine Richards sitting at the
+foot of a tree, her hat tossed upon the ground beside her, and
+<i>holding in her lap the little mad dog</i> against which she had just
+been warned.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was a beautiful little creature, and had evidently been
+made a pet and plaything. It had lovely brown eyes, looking
+out from beneath its shaggy brows; its coat was as white as
+snow, while around its neck there glistened the silver collar,
+and in its pretty ears were the tiny blue bows of which she had
+been told.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Miss Richards evidently had just coaxed the little pet into
+her lap, and was playing with it without a suspicion of the terrible
+danger that she was in, while just for that moment it
+showed no signs of the madness which possessed it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star’s face was as white as her spotless dress as she took in
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_286'>286</span>the dreadful situation; then she stepped quickly forward and
+said, in clear but authoritative tones:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Miss Richards, put that dog down as quietly as you can,
+and come away with me instantly, for I have just been told that
+it is mad.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Scarcely were the words uttered, when the little creature
+snapped at the hand raised to caress it, and, with a scream of
+fright, Josephine sprang to her feet and turned to fly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But the act aroused all the fury of the maddened animal, and
+he seized hold of her skirts, biting and tearing them in the
+most furious manner, foaming at the mouth, and howling
+frightfully in its sudden paroxysm of frenzy.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Save me! save me!” Josephine screamed, and flying toward
+Star for protection.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>There was not a thought of personal danger in the fair young
+girl’s heart—not a thought of enmity, or of malice or evil; all
+her mind was concentrated upon one thing—how best to save
+her companion from this terrible danger and from a horrible
+death.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Stand still!” she commanded, in steady, almost stern tones.
+“Let him bite at your clothes all he chooses, but do not allow
+him to get at your feet; if you run, he will seize them and bite
+right through your boot. Have you courage to stand where
+you are for a moment? I will go behind him and slip the end
+of my parasol through his collar and pin him to the ground;
+then you can go and call help for me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She spoke calmly but rapidly, and Josephine saw at once how
+much wisdom there was in her plan.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, yes; I will do anything,” she said, hysterically; “but
+be quick, for I cannot bear this much longer; I shall faint
+dead away.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“If you faint,” Star returned, in an awful voice, “you are
+lost! There! he has entangled himself in that ruffle which he
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_287'>287</span>has torn from your dress. Be still just a moment longer, and
+I will save you if I can.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Watching her opportunity, she stole softly behind the struggling
+animal, and, by a dextrous movement, slipped the end
+of her parasol, which was quite a stout one, into his collar,
+and then, with all her strength, drove it into the ground and
+held it there, though the creature struggled furiously to release
+himself.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Her face had not an atom of color in it, but her lips did not
+falter as she said to the horror-stricken girl watching her:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Go now quickly and call help for me, for, small as he is, I
+cannot hold him long.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Josephine did not need a second bidding, but went shrieking
+back to the company in a way to arouse the dead almost.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had not been gone two minutes—though those two
+minutes seemed like an age to Star, who found an almost
+superhuman strength in that writhing, twisting thing at her
+feet—when the bushes behind her parted again, and the same
+gentleman who had met and warned her of this danger sprang
+toward her, with his gun cocked and aimed at the dog.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>His face was almost as colorless as her own.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Can you hold him just an instant longer?—will you <i>dare</i>
+hold him while I shoot him? I will not harm you in the least,”
+he questioned, in rapid tones.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, I <i>will</i> hold him,” she said, resolutely. “If I let him
+loose now, he will surely bite somebody.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Although she spoke so steadily and with so much fortitude,
+she <i>looked</i> like some beautiful spirit from another world, and
+the gentleman knew he must do what he had to do quickly, or
+it would be too late.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>There was an instant of silence, then a quick, sharp report
+rang through the woods, and the little danger-fiend lay bleeding
+and dead at her feet.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>All peril was past.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_288'>288</span>Star had saved an enemy from a horrible fate—she had done
+a heroic deed; but the tension on her own nerves gave way
+when it was over. She swayed, tottered, and would have fallen
+to the ground, but another figure sprang through the bushes to
+her side, and her fainting form was received into the strong
+arms of Ralph Meredith.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXIX.<br> <span class='large'>JOSEPHINE’S INGRATITUDE.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>Confusion reigned during the next half hour among the
+company who had hitherto been so gay. Josephine Richards
+had rushed into their midst, startling everybody out of their
+senses by shrieking out:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Go to Miss Gladstone! A mad dog! a mad dog!”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was all that she could say, for she immediately after sank
+down helpless in a violent fit of hysterics, while the women,
+with white faces, huddled together in fear and trembling, and
+the men, with horrified eyes and quaking hearts, ran hither and
+thither in search of Star.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Then there had come that quick, sharp report, directing
+them to the spot, and telling them that all danger to them was
+past. But the terrible question arose:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Was Miss Gladstone safe?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Ralph Meredith, his feet winged with love and fear, was,
+as we have seen, first upon the scene of the tragedy, and
+caught her frantically to his heart just as she was falling to the
+ground.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Is she bitten?” he cried, in a voice of agony, and with
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_289'>289</span>ashen lips, to the stranger, who stood, gun in hand, over
+the dead dog.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No; she has not even a scratch; she has merely fainted
+from fright,” he answered; and throwing down his gun,
+he took a long pocket-flask filled with brandy from his
+hunting-pouch, and approached the unconscious girl.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He knelt upon the ground beside her and poured a few
+drops between her lips, though his hands trembled violently
+from the terrible excitement and anxiety under which he
+had been laboring.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Go for some water,” he said to his son, who, having
+heard the report of his father’s fowling-piece, now appeared
+upon the scene.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He darted away like a fawn, and was back in less than
+three minutes with a pitcherful, which he had seized from
+the camp, while a frightened crowd followed at his heels.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But it was a long time before Star revived. The shock
+to her nervous system had been a terrible one, and nature
+seemed loth to resume her sway after it. But at the end
+of half an hour her chest began to heave, and a slight tinge
+of color returned to her lips.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Ralph Meredith, who hung over her in an agony of suspense
+and fear, would let no one touch her or come near
+her, save his sister and Mr. Rosevelt; and he found that
+it required all the strength of his will to keep him from
+betraying to the gaping crowd the passionate love he entertained
+for the senseless girl.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Finally, to everybody’s relief, those white lids were unclosed,
+those beautiful eyes looked up, and a long, shuddering
+sigh shook her whole frame.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“What has happened?” she questioned, with a vacant
+look.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You are faint, dear. Drink this and you will be better,”
+Grace Meredith said, gently, while she held a silver
+cup to her lips.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_290'>290</span>She swallowed the stimulus mechanically, and then began to
+shiver, as if from the cold.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I remember,” she murmured, all the color fading from her
+face again, and they feared another season of unconsciousness
+would follow.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Is he dead?” she asked, a moment after, beginning to rally
+once more.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes; he was killed instantly,” Ralph Meredith returned.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“And Josephine—Miss Richards—is she safe?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Everybody looked surprised at this query, for no one had
+had any idea that that young lady had been in any danger
+until now.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes; Miss Richards is safe,” Mr. Rosevelt answered; but
+a frown contracted his brow as he began to understand that Star
+had sacrificed her own safety and endangered her own life to
+save that of an ungrateful girl.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>No one had been able to gather from Josephine’s excited and
+incoherent account anything save that a mad dog had attacked
+Miss Gladstone in the woods. She said not a word of how the
+noble girl had come to her rescue, warned her of her danger,
+and then put into execution a hazardous plan to secure her
+safety.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>There was not an atom of gratitude in her heart toward Star
+for having done this heroic deed—no softening, no sense of
+sorrow or repentance for her own unkindness in the past, or
+for the insult which she had only that day offered her; there
+was only a sense of triumph that she herself was safe, no matter
+how or at whose risk.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>When they came, bringing Star back—for she was still too
+weak to walk—to the spot where they had all gathered so gay
+and thoughtless that morning, there was a look of sadness and
+sympathy in every countenance save those of Mrs. Richards and
+her daughter, who stole away by themselves, jealous of the interest
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_291'>291</span>and concern manifested by the whole company for the
+object of their hatred.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>When Star found that Josephine had kept the facts of the
+encounter with the mad dog to herself, simply stating that Miss
+Gladstone had been attacked by it, she also appeared very reluctant
+to converse about it, and as the subject seemed to excite
+her, no one felt disposed to press her with questions.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The gentleman who owned the dog sent to his home for his
+carriage to have her conveyed to the steamer, although she had
+smilingly affirmed that she should be “able to walk with the
+help of Uncle Jacob’s arm.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Upon reaching the boat they improvised a couch for her on
+deck, as she objected going into the saloon, and by resting
+quietly during the two hours’ sail, she seemed almost like herself,
+save her unusual pallor, when the vessel touched the pier
+at Newport.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A carriage was here procured, and she was driven, with Mr.
+Rosevelt, Miss Meredith, and her brother, to her hotel.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Grace insisted upon remaining through the night with her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You are not fit to be left alone, and—I <i>want</i> to stay,” she
+pleaded, as Star hesitated about accepting her offer.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>So the two young girls passed the night together, and Star,
+growing confidential, and feeling that some explanation regarding
+Josephine’s insulting remarks that morning was due her
+friend, told her much concerning her life, and how it had happened
+that she was at one time an inmate of Mrs. Richards’
+family; also relating the events that had transpired since she
+and Mr. Rosevelt left them, and how she had rescued Josephine
+from the mad dog.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star was really ill from nervous prostration the next day, and
+obliged to keep her room; but Miss Meredith regaled curious
+ears with the whole story of Josephine Richards’ danger and
+Star’s courageous defense of her, and all Newport did indeed
+“ring” even as she had hoped.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_292'>292</span>Enough could not be said in admiration of the brave girl,
+while scorn and contempt were freely expressed for the recipients
+of so much heroism for refusing to acknowledge their
+indebtedness, and awarding her the commendation she deserved.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt was even more unnerved, when he learned the
+truth, than he had been the previous day.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He came to her room, wan and haggard, after talking with
+Miss Meredith, and sank, weak and trembling, into a chair at
+her side.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“My child,” he said, brokenly, as he took both her hands
+and looked them carefully over with tear-laden eyes, “are you
+<i>sure</i> you did not get a scratch anywhere?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Quite sure, Uncle Jacob,” Star replied, reassuringly; “the
+dog did not touch me anywhere, and if he had, I had a pair
+of stout undressed kid gloves on, and they would have protected
+me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“But you were in terrible danger. Suppose you had not
+succeeded in pinning him down, and he had turned upon
+you?” he said, with a shudder.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I did not think of that,” Star answered; “but if I had
+<i>known</i> that he would turn upon me, I believe I should have
+tried to save Josephine just the same. <i>Somebody</i> was in danger
+of being bitten even if she escaped unharmed, and I felt that I
+must strain every nerve and not allow him to get among the
+company. The dog was a tiny little thing,” she went on, flushing
+and becoming excited as she seemed to live over again that
+dreadful experience; “but, oh, Uncle Jacob, he was terribly
+strong. I thought once that I should have to let him go; I
+could not have held him one minute longer;” and she covered
+her face with her hands, weeping from nervousness.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“We must not talk about it any more; it excites you,” Mr.
+Rosevelt said, soothingly; “but the world would have been
+very dark for me if anything had happened to you; and—I am
+bitter enough to feel that Josephine Richards’ safety is dearly
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_293'>293</span>bought, even at the sacrifice of nothing more than your nerves
+and strength,” he concluded, in a stern tone.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star reached out one white hand and laid it gently upon his,
+saying, with grave sweetness, while she wiped away her tears:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Uncle Jacob, let us not judge too harshly nor be unforgiving.
+‘Charity,’ you know, ‘suffereth long and is kind, and
+never faileth.’ Surely you would not have had me run away
+like a coward, and leave her sitting there playing with that mad
+creature, <i>knowing</i> that she was in such fearful danger?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“N-o,” he admitted, reluctantly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Just think,” Star went on; “she had him in her lap, and
+I did not speak one instant too soon, for hardly had I told her
+that he was mad, when he snapped at her. No; I am glad
+that I did what was right, and Josephine Richards’ life was
+every bit as precious to me yesterday as that of any one else,
+and I should have done just the same had she been an enemy
+a hundred-fold more than she is. She has endeavored to injure
+me, I know, in every possible way, and, in all the ordinary
+walks of life, I should let her alone. Her spite and ill-will,
+however bitter, cannot do me any real harm, although they may
+annoy me exceedingly, and doubtless will, in the end, rebound
+upon herself; but I am glad that I did not falter yesterday. I
+did what I could with the kindest of motives; and if <i>she</i> does
+not feel that she owes me anything, it cannot alter the fact that
+I did <i>my</i> duty.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt regarded her with an almost worshipful look.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“That good book, which you love so well, says that ‘a little
+child shall lead them;’ and truly, Star, you in your youth
+shame me in my maturer years by your Christian spirit,” he
+said, in an humble tone.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star did not reply, but she looked very happy.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Surely Uncle Jacob must have been reading some in ‘that
+good book,’ to quote thus from it,” she thought, while his
+remark about a Christian spirit told that he was thinking
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_294'>294</span>upon the more serious questions of life—all of which was very
+encouraging to her who had so often been wounded by his
+bitterness and skepticism.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXX.<br> <span class='large'>“I LOVE HIM STILL.”</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>The first of the week following the events just related,
+Mrs. Richards and her daughter were suddenly “recalled to
+Brooklyn.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Newport had become, as Miss Meredith had prophesied,
+“too hot for them.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>They were gone almost before any one knew that they contemplated
+going; and, it must be confessed, that it was a great
+relief to both Star and Mr. Rosevelt when they learned of
+their flitting, and knew they would be obliged to meet them
+no more.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star had recovered her usual health and strength, but she
+had suffered such a shock that she could not meet or see a dog
+without a feeling of fear and an almost overpowering weakness,
+and she never entirely outgrew this feeling during her life.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had seemed unusually thoughtful, too, since the event.
+Most people, noticing it, thought it but natural, considering
+the fearful danger she had been in, but Star had a very different
+reason for it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The moment she had returned to consciousness and found
+herself in Ralph Meredith’s arms, seen his agonized looks,
+heard his tones of fear, realized the passionate, though trembling
+clasp in which she was held, the terrible throbbings of
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_295'>295</span>his heart as she lay against it, and noted the quiver of his pale
+lips as he hung over her and begged her to assure him that she
+was unharmed, she knew that he was no longer what she had
+hitherto regarded him—merely a kind and congenial friend.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Those signs she had interpreted in a way to make her feel
+very grave and deeply troubled.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She felt that he regarded her with feelings which she knew it
+would be impossible for her ever to return, and she feared he
+was cherishing hopes which, if not “nipped in the bud,” might
+ruin his whole life.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>His every look and act since that day had told her as plainly
+as words could have done that he loved her, and she was constantly
+trying to think of some way to make him discover how
+hopeless his passion was without bringing matters to a crisis.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But this was not to be.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>One evening they all went for a walk in the park, where they
+spent an hour listening to the music and strolling about.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>As they were returning, Ralph succeeded in securing Star as
+a companion; perchance his sister knew his design in so doing,
+and aided him by asking Mr. Rosevelt for his arm and making
+herself as agreeable as she could to him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Come this way,” Ralph whispered, leading the fair girl down
+a path at right angles to the one they had been traversing;
+“we shall all meet at the gate;” and Star could find no reasonable
+excuse to offer, although her heart beat ominously at the
+request.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The evening was delightfully cool and pleasant, the air fragrant
+with the perfume of many flowers, while the music in the
+distance lent its own enchantment to the place and hour.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was just the time for Cupid to be busy with his arrows,
+and Ralph Meredith felt that it was an opportunity not to be
+lost, and governed himself accordingly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Miss Gladstone,” he said, abruptly, after a rather awkward
+silence, “I am obliged to return to New York to-morrow.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_296'>296</span>“Are you?” Star asked, in surprise. “Is it not a sudden
+departure?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Rather. I had hoped to remain a week longer.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Surely your sister does not accompany you? I should
+miss her sorely; I should regret to lose her more than I can
+tell you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The young man’s face fell. <i>He</i> had not been included in her
+regret. But he rallied, and said, lightly:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“My sister is highly favored, Miss Gladstone; but I had
+flattered myself that I also should be missed.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Pardon me, if my words conveyed to you the idea that you
+would not,” Star said, quickly. “You have been most kind,
+Mr. Meredith, and I shall most certainly miss your companionship
+and your friendly attentions.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><i>Friendly</i> attentions!</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Meredith had received another stab.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“But,” she added, “will Grace go with you? You have
+not yet told me, and I have not heard her say anything about
+leaving.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She hoped thus to ward off what she feared was coming, and
+turn the conversation in another channel.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No; Grace will remain for another week. But, Miss Gladstone—Star,”
+he began, desperately, “I could not leave without
+seeking this private interview with you to learn my fate.
+You have called my attentions ‘friendly.’ Have you not realized
+that they have been vastly more than that? Have you not
+seen that I have grown to love you madly, idolatrously? You
+are modest as a violet, my bright Star; and although I have
+tried to win some sign of answering affection from you, yet you
+have not given me one. You have evaded my every look, my
+every word of love. But, my beautiful darling, it seems as if
+my true heart <i>must</i> find in yours a fond return. You will tell
+me to-night, will you not, dear, that you will give yourself to
+me? Star, how shall I tell you of the depth of my love?—how
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_297'>297</span>you have become so necessary to me, that if you should send
+me away without hope, the future would hold nothing to tempt
+me, nothing to make life worth the living. When I held you
+in my arms last Wednesday, and believed that your life had
+been endangered—when you lay unconscious upon my breast,
+close to my heart, so white and still, so exactly as if you <i>were</i>
+dead, I said to myself that I could not, I cared not to live, if
+you were taken from me. My love, look up into my eyes, lay
+your hand in mine, and tell me you will give yourself to me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He stopped in the path and waited for her answer—waited
+for her to lay her hand in his, as he had asked her to do, and
+bid him to hope and be the happiest man in the universe.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But her beautiful golden head was bent, as if weighted with
+some heavy care or sorrow. The star-like face was pale and
+downcast, and the lovely eyes, into which he longed to read an
+answering tale of love, were hidden by their white lids and
+curling lashes.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Star,” he breathed, a note of keen pain in his tone, “do
+not tell me that I must give up my bright dream of joy.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Mr. Meredith,” she answered, looking up at him with
+sudden resolution, “forget for a little while what you have
+just said to me, and listen, while I read you a page out of my
+own heart.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A look of suffering came into his eyes, his lips trembled,
+and he breathed heavily, but he answered:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I cannot ‘<i>forget</i>,’ but I will ‘listen,’ as you wish.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Nearly two years ago,” Star began, “I came to America in
+the ——, a vessel that sailed from Liverpool to New York.
+Perhaps you remember that it was lost at sea. I was one of
+the few who were saved, and afterward picked up by the ——,
+another homeward bound vessel. As I was lifted from the life-boat
+to the deck of the noble craft, I fainted from exhaustion,
+and fell into the arms of a stranger, who bore me to a state-room
+and gave me into the care of a stewardess. I met him a
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_298'>298</span>day or two afterward on the deck. He was a noble, manly looking
+gentleman, some four years my senior. We were thrown
+much into each other’s society during the remainder of the
+voyage, and there came into my heart during that time a feeling
+for him which will prevent me from ever loving another while
+I live. When we landed we parted as friends, though we exchanged
+souvenirs, and he expressed the hope that we should
+meet again. A few months later we did meet, our friendship
+was renewed, and soon ripened into something deeper—in fact,
+he won my heart entirely. We were betrothed, and for a few
+days earth became a paradise to me. I firmly believed him to
+be all that he appeared. I could have staked my life upon his
+truth and honor, and I would have defended him with my latest
+breath had any one assailed his fair fame or doubted his allegiance
+to me. But I could not doubt the evidence of my own
+senses, and he proved himself a traitor in my very presence.
+He played me false before the vows which he had uttered to
+me had scarcely grown cold upon his lips. I spurned him with
+scorn; I denounced him as the traitor and coward which I
+knew him to be; but, oh, Mr. Meredith, strange as it may
+seem to you, I—I love him still. Perhaps it is unmaidenly in
+me to tell you this, perhaps it betrays weakness and a lack of
+proper dignity on my part; but I feel that I owe it to you, to
+make you understand how impossible it is for me to reciprocate
+your affection. He won my girlish heart, he bound me irrevocably
+to him by the power of his will and the charm of his
+oily tongue, and I can <i>never</i> love another. You will say that
+he is unworthy of such constancy, or even of a regret. I know
+he is, and yet while I own it, my soul is reaching after him
+with all the strength of a deathless love. I began to fear, a
+week ago, that you were entertaining feelings for me which
+would bring sorrow upon us both. You say that I have evaded
+you. I <i>have</i> done so; I have tried to show you that the hopes
+which I feared you were entertaining could never be realized,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_299'>299</span>and I wish that you had never spoken the words which you
+have to-night; for I know—<i>you</i> know, that you could never be
+satisfied to take any one to your heart who was always turning
+from you to another, who, although she knew she was loving
+unworthily, would not yet have the power to keep her affections
+from straying from you, and who could not keep her
+vows of allegiance to you, for such vows, if spoken, would be
+but mockery. Mr. Meredith, you could never be satisfied with
+such a wife as that,” she concluded, in a voice which shook
+with emotion.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No, Miss Gladstone,” he answered, sorrowfully. “I love
+you too fondly, too devotedly, to be content with anything save
+an affection as strong and true as my own. But,” with a note
+of earnest appeal in his tone, “could I not win you by and by?
+Could I not teach you to love me by proving to you that I am
+worthy of your love?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star shook her head sadly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I <i>know</i> that you are worthy at this moment,” she said. “I
+have the deepest respect for you, and value you as a friend; but
+nothing—no one can ever win the love which I must always
+bear for Archibald Sherbrooke. He has broken my heart and
+ruined my life; for I can never be the wife of any worthy man,
+since I will not live a lie. I can never have a home of my own;
+I can never have those sweet domestic ties and duties which
+other women have; I can only try to do my duty by the dear
+old man who is so fond of me while he lives, and, after that,
+live out my lonely life with what patience and courage I can,”
+she concluded, with such a pathos that the young man for the
+moment forgot his own sorrow and disappointment in pity
+for her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Where is he—where is this coward who has so imposed
+upon you, ruined your life, and proved faithless to his troth?
+Tell me, that I may go and brand him the knave and villain
+that he is!” Ralph Meredith cried, in hot indignation.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_300'>300</span>“I do not know where he is,” Star answered. “I have never
+seen him since that night when I told him that I had discovered
+his treachery. That was nearly a year ago. I never expect to
+meet him again—I never <i>wish</i> to meet him again. I desire to
+ignore him—at least, to all outward appearances; and if he
+possesses such an attribute as a conscience, his punishment
+must come sometime. But,” she went on, in a voice of pain,
+“I hope no one else will ever learn to love me, for I cannot
+endure the thought that I shall spoil other lives as mine has
+been spoilt. Oh, Mr. Meredith, I am sorry if I have unconsciously
+done you a wrong. Pray, forget me if you can,
+and——”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“That I can never do,” he interrupted, gently, for he saw
+that she was deeply moved; “but I will try and be content if
+you will allow me still to be your friend.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Thank you,” she returned, while she wiped the tears which
+were falling fast; “it will be a great comfort to me if you will
+permit me to regard you as such. I feared I should incur your
+contempt by the confession I have made to-night; but I could
+better endure that than that your future should be ruined by
+hoping against hope.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Contempt!” he repeated, earnestly; “such a feeling I could
+never entertain for you; you have, instead, my deepest sympathy
+and respect. But if I ever meet and know the wretch
+who has played you false, let him beware; for I will surely
+make him repent most bitterly his treachery and baseness
+toward you,” he concluded, fiercely.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A faint smile of scorn curled Star’s lips.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Time would bring its own punishment to her faithless lover,
+she believed, and she had no desire that any one should act as
+her champion in this matter.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had called him “Archibald Sherbrooke” purposely, for
+she felt assured that if, by any chance, Ralph Meredith should
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_301'>301</span>yet meet him, he would not recognize in Lord Carrol the man
+of whom she had told him.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXXI.<br> <span class='large'>A NOBLE RESOLUTION.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>“You will remember that you have promised that I am still
+to be your friend; you will not avoid me and deny me the
+pleasure of your society because of what I have told you to-night?”
+Ralph pleaded, as he and Star drew near the entrance
+of the park, and knew that they would soon be rejoined by his
+sister and Mr. Rosevelt.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star looked up at him with a grave face.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You shall still be my friend. I will not avoid you if you
+will promise me that you will build no false hopes upon our
+friendship,” she said.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“How can I, when you tell me that there is no hope?” he
+asked, yet his voice trembled and was full of pain.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“May I continue to visit you when you return to New York?”
+he resumed, after a moment.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Certainly, as one friend would visit another. You have
+made my stay here very pleasant, and I should be very sorry
+not to see you occasionally, while Grace has become almost
+like a sister to me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The young man thanked her with glistening eyes, and with
+a pang at his heart, as he thought how fondly he had hoped to
+make the two girls sisters, and how rudely his bright dream had
+been broken.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Then they passed out at the gate, where they found Mr.
+Rosevelt and Grace awaiting them.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_302'>302</span>Both saw at a glance that the interview had been a sorrowful
+one, and Miss Meredith was bitterly disappointed, for she had
+trusted that Ralph would be able to win the bright, beautiful
+girl for his wife.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt surmised the cause of Star’s rejection of his
+suit, and sighed heavily, for the young man had been a favorite
+with him, and he would have been glad to give her to him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But he would never try to influence her upon matters of
+such a delicate nature. She should always do exactly as she
+liked, and he knew that whoever her choice might be, it would
+never be an unworthy one.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>They parted at the door of the hotel, Ralph bidding them
+good-by there, as he was to leave early in the morning, and
+Star knew by the way he wrung her hand that he was bidding
+farewell to hope as well.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>When they reached their private parlor, she went directly to
+Mr. Rosevelt’s side and laid her hand upon his arm. Her face
+was flushed and sad, and he saw at once that she was very
+unhappy.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“What is it, my starling?” he asked, taking her hand in both
+of his, and speaking very tenderly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Uncle Jacob, I want to go home,” she said, wearily.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Bless you, child! you shall go wherever you like,” he said,
+in surprise, and regarding her anxiously.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I want to go where you and I can be by ourselves, and
+where I cannot do any mischief,” she said, with a sob of pain,
+and he knew beyond a doubt that Ralph Meredith had proposed
+and been rejected.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Mischief! tut, tut, little one! What has made you so unhappy?
+Have you sent our young friend away in sorrow?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star nodded her head in reply; she could not find voice to
+answer him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“He is a fine young man—he is a <i>worthy</i> young man,” Mr.
+Rosevelt said, gently.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_303'>303</span>“Oh, I <i>know</i> it, Uncle Jacob; but—<i>my heart is dead</i>, and it
+can never live again. Don’t blame me, please—<i>you</i> know all
+about it, and you know that I could not help it and be true to
+him and myself,” she returned, in deep distress.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You have done everything to make me happy,” she went
+on, a little more calmly, “and I thought I was beginning to
+be content and to enjoy life once more; but I cannot endure
+many scenes like what transpired to-night. Let us go home,
+where I can go to work again, and in my duties there forget, if
+possible, the misery of the past, which I have been made to
+live over again to-night.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“We will leave Newport to-morrow, if you wish,” Mr. Rosevelt
+said, after a little thought; “but we will not go back to
+New York just yet—we will spend two or three weeks in sightseeing
+first. We will go to the White Mountains, from there to
+Montreal, then down the St. Lawrence and the lake to Niagara,
+and then home. That will give us a change and a nice little
+trip, besides a knowledge of something of the country. It is a
+long time since I went over that ground, and I think I should
+enjoy the journey, if the idea pleases you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He was not going to let her go back to New York and bury
+herself at home, where she would brood over her trouble and
+grow pale, thin, and hollow-eyed again; so he put it in the
+form of a favor to himself.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star assented, thinking if the trip would give him pleasure
+she would not say “nay.” She only longed to get away from
+Newport; it would be a change, and a spirit of unrest had suddenly
+possessed her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>So it was arranged that they should leave the gay resort the
+next day but one.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“And, Uncle Jacob,” Star pleaded, as they were about to
+retire for the night, “let us not say much about it until to-morrow;
+let us get away as quietly as possible.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_304'>304</span>“Very well; we will leave the announcement of our departure
+as long as we can, without appearing to <i>run</i> away,” he
+answered, understanding her motive.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The next morning Star sought Miss Meredith, and confessed,
+with many tears, her rejection of her brother.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I knew he would tell you,” she said, “but I cannot bear
+that you should blame me, Grace. I have not meant to wrong
+your brother, and I would give much to make him as happy
+and free from pain as he was before he knew me. Do not take
+your friendship from me on account of it, for I need it more
+than I ever did before.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>And Grace Meredith, not knowing all, kissed her tenderly,
+while she thought in her heart, “Perhaps I can help to win her
+for Ralph even yet, if I am patient.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Do not grieve,” she said, gently. “I know you have intended
+no wrong. You cannot help being beautiful and attractive;
+you cannot help it if people <i>will</i> love you. I do not
+blame you, dear, in the least, and I am sure I should not think
+of breaking our friendship, which has been so exceedingly
+pleasant. Ralph did tell me something of this last night, and
+of course I am sorry for him, for he is a very dear brother, and
+a noble fellow, too; but these affairs of the heart, you know,”
+she concluded, smiling and flushing, for she knew something
+about it herself, “are entirely beyond our control.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Thank you, Grace,” Star said, gratefully, although the
+trouble did not fade out of her azure eyes; “you have lightened
+my burden considerably. It would have been more than
+I could bear to make an enemy of you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“An enemy, you dear little goose!” Grace cried. “Do you
+suppose I would be so foolish as to wish to drive you to marry
+my brother if you could not love him? I love you both too
+well for that; and now don’t let me hear anything more about
+broken friendships, unless I do something to forfeit your respect,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_305'>305</span>for it would cause me great sorrow to have anything mar
+our intimacy.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star drew a long breath of relief.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You are very good to me,” she returned; “and now I have
+a little message to you from Uncle Jacob.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“A message from Mr. Rosevelt! Do let me have it, then,
+for it must be something good,” Miss Meredith said, gayly. She
+longed to drive the clouds from her friend’s face.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“We are going to leave Newport.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Going to leave Newport! When?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“To-morrow.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“If that is your message, it is anything but a welcome one,”
+Miss Meredith said, looking very much disturbed.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Oh, but it isn’t,” Star replied; “I was to tell you of our
+plans. We are going from here to the White Mountains, from
+there to Montreal, down the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario
+to Niagara, and then home; and Uncle Jacob commissioned
+me to ask you to be our guest during the trip. Will
+you go, Grace?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Miss Meredith looked thoughtful.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It would be a sudden start, but the trip offered great attraction,
+to say nothing of the pleasure she would experience in
+Star’s and Mr. Rosevelt’s society.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Ralph was gone, and if these friends should go also, she
+would be very lonely, notwithstanding she had many acquaintances
+here.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I <i>want</i> you, Grace; <i>please</i> do not refuse,” Star pleaded, as
+she hesitated, and she assented without further demur.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Accordingly, the next day they all left Newport, and many
+blank faces and wistful eyes watched their departure, for they
+had formed a nucleus around which a brilliant circle had collected,
+and they would be sadly missed.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The trip occupied three weeks, and proved a most delightful
+one also.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_306'>306</span>Star was a first-rate traveler, Miss Meredith a most pleasant
+companion, and they all regained much of their accustomed
+spirits before it was over, and Mr. Rosevelt congratulated himself
+that he had planned most wisely.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I think it is charming to travel in this way,” Star said, one
+day while they were at Niagara; “just a few of us who enjoy
+each other, stopping when we choose, going on when we like,
+and having everything our own way. I think there is nothing
+so pleasant as traveling.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“How would you like to go to California and the Yosemite
+Valley?” Mr. Rosevelt asked.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I <i>think</i> I should like it,” she answered, enthusiastically.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Will you go this fall?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Oh, Uncle Jacob, aren’t you tired? Do you not need to
+go home and rest after so much dissipation?” the young girl
+asked, but her eyes sparkled and her cheeks flushed with anticipation.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Do you call it dissipation to travel?” he asked, smiling at
+her eagerness. “I enjoy it almost more than anything else.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“‘<i>Almost</i> more,’” Star repeated, quickly. “What <i>would</i> you
+enjoy more?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“To see <i>you</i> perfectly happy,” he replied, tenderly; “and,”
+he added, “I believe that traveling does you fully as much
+good as anything else. We will go home and rest a week, then
+we will start for the far West. What do you say to my plan?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Miss Meredith’s face lighted.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Say ‘yes’ to it, by all means, Star,” she said, “and—I will
+go with you, if you will have me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“<i>If</i> we will have you,” Star returned, with dancing eyes.
+“Why, I think it would be the very nicest thing in all the
+world—we three, with Mrs. Blunt to look after us, do have
+such delightful, cozy times.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I have been wishing for just such an opportunity for a long
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_307'>307</span>time,” Grace said, “and if you will take me along with you, I
+should esteem it a great favor.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I think with Star, that it would be the best arrangement in
+the world; and, Miss Meredith, we shall consider you a member
+of our party,” Mr. Rosevelt said, with a bow and a smile
+to that young lady.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star looked up into the old gentleman’s face.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Uncle Jacob, how <i>good</i> you are to me!” she said; and her
+red lips trembled over the words, for she knew that he had
+planned all this expressly for her sake, to keep her thoughts
+pleasantly employed and from brooding over the past.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“My dear, do I not owe my life and all that I am at present
+enjoying to you?” he asked, gravely. “Remember,” he added,
+“that when you are happy I am happy also, and <i>vice versa</i>;
+whatever cloud darkens your sky is sure to bring sorrow to
+me also; so let us make the most of our lives while we have
+them.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star looked up brightly after Mr. Rosevelt’s last remark, and
+glancing archly from him to Miss Meredith, said:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well, if so much depends upon my decision—if I hold the
+fate of two such important people in my hands, I shall be
+obliged to say, we will go to California and be happy. But,”
+she added, laughing, “I warn you both beforehand that I shall
+not be easily satiated; I shall want to go everywhere and see
+everything. Yes; we will go home and rest a week, then turn
+our faces toward the ‘golden gate,’ and—‘westward, ho!’”</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_308'>308</span>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXXII.<br> <span class='large'>“I PROMISE.”</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>On returning to New York, Star learned that Ralph Meredith
+had sailed for Europe a couple of days before their arrival.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The week that they had promised themselves for rest at home
+proved to be a busy one instead, for considerable preparation
+was necessary for the long journey they were contemplating, as
+it was to occupy three or four months.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star was glad to be at home again, and went flitting about
+the house, full of business and life.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>One day they were out making a few necessary purchases,
+when suddenly, in one of the stores, they came upon Mr.
+Richards.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He looked aged and care-worn, neglected and unhappy. His
+face lighted with momentary pleasure, however, when he caught
+sight of Mr. Rosevelt and Star, and he came forward to greet
+them with extended hand.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I cannot tell you how glad I am to see you once more,”
+he said, heartily. “I am not going to reproach you either for
+running away from us, for, unpleasant as it is for me to say it,
+I could not blame you under the circumstances. But it is only
+within a week or two that I have learned of the change in your
+life; and, Uncle Jacob, I am sincerely glad that you did not
+lose your fortune, as we supposed.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Thank you. Then you do not feel aggrieved over the
+ruse I played upon you?” replied Mr. Rosevelt, regarding him
+searchingly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Not at all; it was no more than right that you should wish
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_309'>309</span>to know who was worthy to be your heir,” but he sighed heavily
+as he spoke, as he remembered how unworthy his wife had
+proved herself to be.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“How goes the world with you?” Mr. Rosevelt asked, and
+noticing the return of the care-worn look to Mr. Richards’ face.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Rather discouragingly just now. I have met with some
+pretty heavy losses lately; don’t know whether I shall be able
+to pull through all right or not. A couple of weeks will tell
+the story, however.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He spoke in a desperate tone, and there was a look in his
+eyes that made Star shudder and involuntarily draw closer to
+Mr. Rosevelt.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You don’t mean that you are in danger of going under?”
+he said, in surprise, and remembering how his wife and daughter
+had flourished at Newport.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Just that,” Mr. Richards returned, nervously; “but if it
+was not for the horror I have of debt, and the thought that
+others must suffer through me, I would gladly lay down my
+arms and give up the battle; I am tired to death of this endless
+struggle to keep up appearances. But,” he added, trying to
+speak more cheerfully, “I won’t bore you with my troubles.
+How well you are both looking; and Star—they tell me <i>you</i>
+are the author of ‘Chatsworth’s Pride.’ I declare I was never
+prouder of anything in my life when I heard it. I always knew
+you’d make your mark in the world.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star colored. She was a trifle sensitive regarding compliments
+of this kind, and never talked about her book if she
+could help it, except with those whom she was sure were her
+true friends.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But she thanked him gracefully, and then turned the conversation
+to some other topic, while all the time she was wondering
+if there was not something that she could do to help or
+comfort him in his trouble.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Now that I have found you,” he said, later, “tell me where
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_310'>310</span>you live and I will come to see you. I will not invite you to
+Brooklyn,” he continued, with a frown, “for I know you could
+not come there with any comfort, though I should be glad
+enough to see you there.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>While he was speaking, Star had drawn a little back, so that
+Mr. Rosevelt was between her and Mr. Richards, and he could
+not see her face at all.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Uncle Jacob,” she whispered, close to his ear, “cannot we
+do something to help him out of his trouble? He looks so
+wild and desperate that he frightens me. He was always kind
+to me, and I’ll willingly give up California or anything else you
+please.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Jacob Rosevelt’s face flushed hotly at these words, and a
+strange gleam came into his fine eyes. He appeared to take
+no notice of her plea, but after giving Mr. Richards their street
+and number, continued:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“If you have no other engagement, George, come up and
+dine with us to-night, and see how cozy we are. We have
+dinner at six, and as we leave for California on Wednesday night,
+I am afraid we shall not see you again.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>George Richards caught his breath with a sudden gasp at this
+intelligence, and Star noticed again that frenzied gleam in his
+eyes which had made her heart throb painfully.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“California, do you?” he said, trying to speak steadily.
+“Well, I will come, of course, then; for life is uncertain, you
+know, and I may never see you again,” he added, with a harsh,
+grating laugh. “Thank you for the invitation, and as I have
+no engagement, I will be on hand in season for dinner. But I
+must be off now, for I have agreed to meet a couple of gentlemen
+at twelve, and it only wants fifteen minutes of that now.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He lifted his hat and bowed to them, then turned away; but
+the white-haired gentleman and the beautiful girl who stood
+looking after him saw the aged, dejected look return almost
+instantly to his face, and heard the heavy sigh that escaped his
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_311'>311</span>lips, telling of some fearful burden of care that was wearing
+his life away.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“So you want me to help George Richards out of his trouble,
+do you, Star?” Mr. Rosevelt said, on their way home, and his
+eyes rested fondly on the graceful figure sitting by his side,
+driving her pretty gray ponies.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Perhaps it was presuming in me to ask you to do so, Uncle
+Jacob,” Star answered, gravely, and flushing a vivid crimson;
+“but I feel very sorry for him. He was kind to me in many
+ways while I was living with his family, and but for him I
+should have been made a common servant.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>When George Richards was ushered into Jacob Rosevelt’s
+luxurious and cozy dining-room that evening, where the table
+was laid with exquisite taste for three, his eyes lighted, and the
+look of care vanished as if by magic from his face.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Three times after dessert Star made Mr. Richards let her fill
+his tiny cup with the delicious coffee; then she playfully told
+him that she should not give him any more, but if he would
+come into the library, she would try and see what she could do
+toward intoxicating him in some other way.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I have not forgotten how fond you are of music,” she
+added, smiling, “and I want you to tell me if you do not think
+I have improved some since you last heard me play.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She slipped her hand through his arm and led him into the
+library, while Mr. Rosevelt watched her with humorous eyes as
+she performed this labor of love.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Seated at the piano, she whiled away another hour, making
+George Richards forget everything disagreeable, and appear the
+pleasant, genial gentleman whom she used to know.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“‘Richard is almost himself again,’ I think,” she thought,
+with a happy little smile, as once, after a comic song which she
+sang to him, he leaned back in his chair and laughed long and
+heartily.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But this could not go on forever, and finally Mr. Rosevelt
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_312'>312</span>gradually led him to talk business, and asked him to tell him
+just what his trouble was.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>This changed everything, and he became at once the anxious,
+care-worn man again.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I do not like to trouble you, Uncle Jacob,” he said, uneasily.
+“You have had your day of business, with all its cares
+and perplexities, without bothering your brain with those of
+other people. I’m in a terrible muddle, it is true; but—I
+guess there will be <i>some way</i> out of it;” and there came into
+his eyes that same wild, desperate look which Star had noticed
+in the morning, and which made her shudder with a terrible
+fear.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But Mr. Rosevelt insisted, and finally drew from him a true
+statement of facts.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I am sorry you are having such a hard time of it, George,”
+he said, thoughtfully, when he had concluded. “How much
+would it take to relieve you of your embarrassment?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards cast a startled look at the old gentleman at
+this question; then, while a deep flush mounted to his brow,
+he said:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I can raise enough to meet all my present liabilities with
+ten thousand dollars. I have tried to borrow it everywhere,
+but everybody seems to have become suddenly shy of me for
+some reason, and I might as well be without a dollar in the
+world as without the whole amount. If I <i>could</i> raise it, it
+would set me on my legs again, for my credit would be good,
+and, with care and patience, I believe I could retrieve my
+position.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star almost held her breath while she waited for Mr. Rosevelt’s
+reply to this.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>To her infinite surprise, he turned to her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“My dear,” he said, gently, “you shall return some of the
+kindness of which you told me this morning. I think you
+understand what I want you to do.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_313'>313</span>He glanced as he concluded toward the private drawer in his
+desk, where he always kept his check-book, and she knew that
+he wanted her to go and fill out a check for the amount that
+Mr. Richards had named.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She arose, went to the desk, unlocked the drawer with trembling
+fingers, and drew forth the book.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Opening it, she filled out a check, as she had often done for
+him during the last few months, then tearing it out, carried it
+to him, with a pen filled with ink.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He turned it over and wrote his name on the back without a
+word, and then returned it to her to sign.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She took it mechanically, but stood irresolute for a moment,
+looking at him, while her cheeks grew crimson.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Give it to him, dear; it is to be your gift,” Mr. Rosevelt
+said, glancing at Mr. Richards, who sat staring at them both in
+blank amazement.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A brilliant smile parted Star’s red lips; she shot a grateful
+look at Uncle Jacob, and advancing to their visitor’s side, laid
+the check down before him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>One glance at the figures, and the overburdened man bowed
+his head upon the table with a groan.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I cannot take it! I cannot take it—and from <i>you</i>, of all
+persons!” he said, brokenly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Why not from her?” Mr. Rosevelt asked, huskily. “All
+that I have belongs to this dear girl, and, as I have told her
+many times, I live only to make her happy. <i>She</i> asked me to
+do this to-day after we had met you, because, she said, you had
+been kind to her in the past, and she longed to help you out
+of your trouble. So take it as her gift, my boy; make the best
+use of it that you can, and welcome.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>George Richards groaned again, while he reached forth and
+grasped the old man’s hand, wringing it in silent gratitude, yet
+overwhelmed with shame and remorse as he remembered all
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_314'>314</span>that he and the fair-haired, gentle girl standing beside him had
+suffered while they were members of his family.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He had no words of thanks to offer for this generous help in
+time of need, but if ever a world-weary heart was relieved of a
+burden too heavy to be borne, his was, when at length he folded
+that precious bit of paper and put it away for future use.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>When he arose to take his leave, he took both of Star’s
+hands in his and drew her aside, where he could speak to
+her alone.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“But for you,” he said, in unsteady tones, “I should have
+been a ruined man a week hence. To tell you that I am
+<i>ashamed</i> to receive this gift from you does not express half what
+I feel, when I look back and remember your position in my
+family. But you have bestowed it so kindly and delicately that
+it would be churlish in me to refuse it; and you have taught
+me a lesson which, God helping me, I will never forget—a
+lesson of forgiveness and charity; and <i>no one</i> in my house shall
+ever be treated unkindly again, no matter what their position
+may be,” he concluded, with stern resolution.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Please forget all the past, Mr. Richards,” Star returned,
+sweetly, but with evident embarrassment. “I never entertained
+any feeling save that of gratitude and good-will toward you, for
+you proved yourself interested in my welfare in more instances
+than one while I was with you. But,” she added, solemnly,
+while she clung tightly to his hands, and looked into his eyes
+with an expression which made them droop guiltily before her,
+“will you not promise me that, no matter how dark the future
+may be to you, no matter what trials or disappointments may
+come to you, you will never again meditate <i>doing yourself an
+irreparable wrong</i>?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A streak of dusky red shot across the man’s forehead, while
+his veins filled out hard and full.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Star,” he stammered, “what do you mean?—what do you
+know?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_315'>315</span>“<i>You</i> know what I mean. I read it in your eyes, I heard it
+in the tones of your voice this morning. But, oh! my friend,”
+and her voice was full of tears, “remember that you are ‘bought
+with a price’—you are <i>not your own</i>. Promise me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He raised her hands and kissed them reverently, and two
+hot tears rolled over his cheeks and dropped upon them in
+the act.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I promise,” he whispered, hoarsely. “My child, I should
+indeed have been ruined, body and soul, but for you. God
+bless you!”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star and Mr. Rosevelt followed him to the door as he went
+out, both trying to cheer him with kind wishes for the future.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Good-night and good-by,” the young girl said, in tones
+that sounded to him like an angel’s voice, as she stood in the
+door-way and watched him go down the steps. “Be sure to
+come and see us again when we return; the latch-string is
+always out, as they say at the West, for our friends.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A mighty sob burst from the overcharged heart of George
+Richards as he reached the street, and the tears—tears of
+mingled remorse, gratitude, and relief—rolled thick and fast
+over his face.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Thank God,” he murmured, fervently, “for the light of
+that ‘star’ in the midst of what was worse than Stygian darkness.
+But for its friendly beams and cheering influence, I
+should have been lost indeed.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He had proceeded some distance, when he stopped short and
+seemed about to retrace his steps.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“How thoughtless of me!” he muttered, impatiently. “I
+meant to tell her all about Lord Carrol. He deserves to be set
+right with her, and she deserves—well, <i>nothing</i> can be too good
+for her; but they knocked everything out of my head by their
+unexampled generosity. I will not go back to-night,” he added,
+after thinking a moment; “I will write her to-morrow the
+whole story.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_316'>316</span>But the morrow brought its busy cares and perplexities, and
+his resolution was forgotten. After that it was too late, for he
+did not know where to address her during her absence; and so
+Star still believed her lover to be false, and still mourned her
+shattered idol.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXXIII.<br> <span class='large'>“YOU ARE THE TRAITOR.”</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>Mr. Rosevelt, Star, and Grace Meredith, with good-natured
+Mrs. Blunt to attend to matters of comfort, started on the day
+appointed for their Western trip, full of bright anticipations of
+the pleasures in store for them; and while they are gone, we
+will follow Ralph Meredith on his voyage across the Atlantic to
+the old world.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Arriving in London, he transacted what business he had to
+do there, and then turned his attention, with what interest he
+could muster while his heart was still so sore from his recent
+disappointment, to the attractions which the great city afforded.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He visited the House of Parliament, the Tower, St. Paul’s
+Cathedral, the National Gallery of Art, and many other points
+of interest, reserving Westminster Abbey until the last, as he
+wished to give plenty of time to this wonderful and magnificent
+structure and its countless curiosities.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Upon his second visit thither, and while he was in the chapel
+of Henry the Seventh, with his guide, who was pointing out for
+his admiration the beauties of its architecture, the vaulted roof,
+with its magnificent carvings, and many precious relics gathered
+there, a clear, sweet voice suddenly broke the solemn stillness
+of the place by calling out just behind him:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_317'>317</span>“Why, Archie Sherbrooke, do you know what time it is?
+Quarter past eleven, and we promised Lady Dunham that we
+would be back in season to attend the rehearsal at the Albert
+Memorial Hall with her.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Ralph had thought that he was the only visitor there that
+morning, and that silvery voice speaking that name, which he
+remembered but too well, gave him a shock which sent the
+blood coursing like fire through his veins.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It is later than I thought, Vivien; we must go at once, if
+we keep that appointment,” a rich, manly voice said in reply;
+and turning quickly to look at the speaker, Ralph saw a tall,
+handsome young man of perhaps two or three-and-twenty, with
+the head of an Apollo, the form of an Adonis, and having a
+keen, intellectual face, with frank, truthful eyes, and a pleasant,
+winning smile.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The lady who accompanied, and who addressed him, was a
+year or two younger evidently, and <i>almost</i> as lovely as Star,
+Ralph thought, although her beauty was of a different style.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Archie Sherbrooke! There surely could not be two young
+men of the same age, handsome as one of the gods, and bearing
+the same name.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>His heart had bounded into his throat as he heard it spoken,
+his face had flushed a painful crimson, while his hands instinctively
+clinched themselves in hot indignation, and he
+longed to confront the handsome traitor and denounce him for
+the villainous part he had played.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>This, then, must be the man who had broken Star Gladstone’s
+heart and ruined her life; there was not a doubt of it
+in his own mind.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Yes, he was sure this was the Archibald Sherbrooke of whom
+Star had told him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Who, then, was the woman who had been with him? Was
+it his wife?</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_318'>318</span>He did not think she was his sister, for, except in the color
+of her hair, she did not resemble him in the least.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Were they Americans, and traveling, like himself, in the
+kingdom?</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Perhaps, if they were married, they were thus spending the
+honeymoon; but they had spoken of “Lady Dunham” in a
+way to make him doubt that they were his countrymen.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Such thoughts as these tortured him, and he became possessed
+to seek out the young man and discover if he were indeed
+Star’s recreant lover.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The young lady had spoken of a rehearsal at the Albert
+Hall. He knew there was to be a concert there that evening,
+and possibly it might be an outgrowth of the rehearsal. He
+would go and see.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Accordingly, at the hour designated upon the bills, he went,
+armed with a powerful opera-glass, and procuring a conspicuous
+seat, he swept tier after tier of faces, searching for those which
+he had seen in the morning.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But disappointment was the result of his efforts; for that fair,
+girlish face was nowhere to be seen, nor could he find him who
+had been the young lady’s attendant.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Suddenly, however, a strangely sweet, bird-like voice, rising
+clear and full on the air, drew his attention to the stage, and
+there, with a thrill which tingled through every nerve, he saw
+the lovely girl for whom he was looking.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Ralph Meredith sought for her name upon his programme,
+which stated that the concert was given, under the auspices of
+some of the nobility, for some charitable object, and that the
+talent was all amateur.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Miss Vivien Sherbrooke,” he read, and he again experienced
+that sudden heart-throb.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She was not, then, Archibald Sherbrooke’s wife, but, in all
+probability, his sister.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He listened intently throughout her song; and then, as the
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_319'>319</span>sweet voice died away, and she turned to leave the stage, he
+leaned breathlessly forward to watch her, while thunders of
+applause went rolling up into the heights bove him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She came back again after a moment, slightly flushed at
+the <i>encore</i>, but in a graceful, modest way, and sang a simple
+ballad.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She was as sweet and charming as she could be, and when
+at length she ceased and went away again, Ralph Meredith
+heard a long-drawn breath, as of relief, directly behind him,
+while a voice said:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I believe Vivien <i>never</i> sang so well before; but I am glad
+that part of the programme is over.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes,” replied deeper, but more familiar tones; “I was a
+trifle anxious myself, although I know she never fails in what
+she undertakes. Vivien is a jewel!”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You are right, Archie. So is my son; and I am surprised
+that, at your age, some one has not won you both away from
+me,” returned the lady, in suppressed, but fond and playful
+tones.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You are not anxious to get rid of either of us, I hope,
+mother?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No, indeed; and yet it would be expected in the natural
+course of events; and with so many fair maidens and gallant
+young gentlemen playing the agreeable to me, I cannot but feel
+some curiosity as to who will eventually get my treasures.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>There was no reply to this speech, but Ralph was sure he
+heard a sigh.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>After a few moments he turned and ran his eye with seeming
+carelessness over the sea of faces behind him, glancing at those
+two to whose conversation he had just been listening.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was even as he had surmised when he heard that manly
+voice.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Archibald Sherbrooke sat directly behind him, and beside
+him a noble, matronly looking woman whom he closely resembled;
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_320'>320</span>but there was an unmistakable look of pain upon
+the young man’s face, and a wistful, anxious look in his handsome
+eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Not married, after all this time, and with that sorrowful
+face and bitter sigh. I begin to think there may have been a
+misunderstanding of some kind, instead of a willful wrong,”
+he said to himself. “He does not look like a man to prove
+treacherous to a woman,” he added; “there is something noble
+and prepossessing about him; and yet Star said she denounced
+him to his face.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>When the concert was over, and while he was slowly passing
+out with the crowd, some one at his side suddenly exclaimed:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Halloa, Meredith! where on earth did you come from?”
+and a friendly hand grasped and shook his with a vigorous
+cordiality.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Alden! is it you?” he cried, in return. “I might ask the
+same question of you, since I had not a thought of seeing you
+here; but since it is evident that we are both Americans, it is
+safe to assume that we came from ‘over the seas and far
+away.’”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“When did you arrive? Where are you stopping, and how
+long do you stay in London?” demanded Alden, his tongue
+going like a race-horse.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well,” Ralph returned, laughing, “you mean to know all
+about me, I see. I arrived a week ago yesterday; I am stopping
+at the Midland Grand, and my stay is—indefinite.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Good! but now I have found you, I mean to keep an eye
+upon you. I tell you it sets a fellow up wonderfully to see a
+home-face. Have you any other engagement for this evening?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Then come with me. I have an invitation to Lady Stamfield’s
+reception—and, by the by, she does entertain charmingly—with
+permission to bring as many friends as I choose. Come;
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_321'>321</span>my lady is a delightful hostess, besides having two of the loveliest
+daughters in the world.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Such an inducement as the latter I am unable to resist,”
+Ralph responded, with a smile. “I will come with pleasure.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You’re a sensible fellow,” replied young Alden, as, linking
+his arm familiarly in that of his friend, he led him away.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Ralph found Stamfield House a delightful place. Lady Stamfield
+all, and more, than Herbert Alden had promised him in
+the way of a hostess, and the Misses Stamfield, young ladies of
+eighteen and twenty, pretty and talented, and entertaining
+enough to make an hour or two pass very agreeably.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He was very cordially received upon being presented by his
+friend, and introduced to a number of pleasant people, and he
+began to think that he had not seen the best side of London
+after all, since he had not heretofore been favorably impressed
+with its citizens.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>After he had danced two or three times, young Alden sought
+him again, and took him away to the billiard-room, which, for
+that evening, had been set apart for a smoking-room.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I want to introduce you to some fine fellows,” he said, on
+the way thither, “‘bang up’ boys, we should say in America,
+who will give you a good time while you stay here.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He found a dozen or twenty young men gathered in the
+billiard-room, and was introduced to several of them by his
+friend.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He spent half an hour very pleasantly there, and then began
+to think that it was time that he was getting back to his hotel,
+for it was a long distance from that portion of the city.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He stood by the billiard-table alone for a moment, waiting
+to bid young Alden good-night, when suddenly he heard his
+voice at his elbow, introducing him to “Lord Carrol, of
+Carrolton.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He half put out his hand, glanced up at the stranger, started,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_322'>322</span>withdrew it, and bowed stiffly to his lordship. He had recognized
+Archibald Sherbrooke!</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The fine, genial face of the young peer clouded at the act
+and his cool greeting; but, with his natural good-breeding, he
+appeared not to heed it, and expressed his pleasure at the
+meeting; while Alden, the introduction over, turned away,
+leaving them together.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I beg your pardon,” Ralph said, the hot blood mounting
+to his brow, for his loyal heart could not forget Star and her
+wrongs, “I have heard you addressed twice to-day by another
+name—Archibald Sherbrooke. Has my friend made a mistake
+in introducing you to me as Lord Carrol?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>His lordship laughed, and his face cleared instantly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No,” he said; “I am both Archibald Sherbrooke and Lord
+Carrol. I am troubled with a plurality of names, which frequently
+cause mistakes, some of which are ludicrous, and
+some—painful.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>This last statement was supplemented with a heavy sigh.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“But,” he added, more lightly, “I will shake hands with
+you over either,” and he extended his hand again.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But Ralph would not take it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He drew back a step, and bent a perplexed look upon his
+companion’s face.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Pardon me again,” he said; “but before I take your hand,
+allow me to ask you a single question.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Certainly; a dozen if you like,” Lord Carrol answered,
+haughtily, for Ralph’s refusal to take his hand had hurt him
+keenly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You have been in America?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You met there a young lady by the name of Miss Stella
+Gladstone?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Lord Carrol started as from a sudden shock, and grew pale
+to his lips.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_323'>323</span>“Stella Gladstone! What can you tell me of Star Gladstone?”
+he demanded, hoarse from emotion.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“That her heart is broken—her life ruined,” Ralph Meredith
+answered, sternly, for he knew now that he had found his man,
+and he meant to show him no mercy.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He trembled with excitement, and his fingers ached to
+strangle the villain and coward who had so basely betrayed the
+trust of the loveliest woman on earth.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Her life ruined! <i>Don’t</i> tell me that,” Lord Carrol whispered,
+with white lips, while the look of agony which leaped to his
+eyes would have moved the hardest heart, had it been less sore
+than Ralph Meredith’s.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, and <i>you</i> are the traitor who is accountable for it,” he
+answered, hotly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The young man flushed, and he drew himself up with sudden
+dignity, struggling to regain his self-possession, which had
+been sadly disturbed at the mention of that dearly loved name.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You forget yourself, sir,” he said, haughtily. “What right
+have you to address me thus? Why do <i>you</i> speak to me in this
+way of Miss Gladstone, and arraign me for what you assert?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Why should I <i>not</i>?” Ralph Meredith demanded, in low,
+fierce tones. “Did she not tell me with her own lips of your
+baseness and treachery? And do you think that I can take the
+hand of the man, were he twice a lord, who has ruined the life
+of”—“the only woman whom I ever loved,” he was about to
+add, but something restrained him and made him substitute—“an
+angel?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Archibald Sherbrooke was very pale now. He was a proud,
+brave young man, and all the hot blood in his composition
+had been aroused by this sudden and unexpected attack from
+the stranger to whom he had been introduced by a mutual
+friend.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He had uttered words which, under any other circumstances,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_324'>324</span>would have made him fell him to the ground and chastise him
+for his insolence.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But he controlled himself, for he saw that Ralph was a noble
+fellow, although he had constituted himself the champion of
+the woman whom he still loved with a deathless love, and
+meant to avenge her wrongs if he was assured that he had found
+the right man.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He reasoned, too, that he must be laboring under the same
+mistake of which Star had been the victim, and that the only
+way to deal with him would be to explain just how matters
+stood.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Besides, a wild hope was springing up in his heart that
+through him he might be able to find her whom he had lost,
+and whom he never ceased for one moment to love.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He laid his hand on Ralph’s arm, and the young man felt it
+tremble with the emotion which thrilled him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Come with me,” he said, in a low, earnest voice, “where
+we can be by ourselves, and I will talk this matter over with
+you. There has been a terrible mistake, and my two names
+have been the cause of it all. I loved Star Gladstone devotedly;
+I love her to-day. I have done her no wrong, as I will explain
+to you, and nothing would have kept me from her side if she
+had not hid herself from me. Come.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He linked his arm familiarly within Ralph’s, and drew him
+from the room to a small antechamber leading from the hall,
+and shut the door, while the young man was dumb with
+astonishment at what he heard, and began to feel as if he had
+got himself into a very unpleasant predicament by his rashness.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_325'>325</span>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXXIV.<br> <span class='large'>MUTUAL EXPLANATIONS.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>“Have <i>I</i> made a mistake? Have I wronged you?” Ralph
+Meredith asked, when the door was shut, while he gazed
+blankly at his companion, and feeling convinced in his heart
+that no man could show the emotion which Lord Carrol manifested
+at the mention of Star, and willfully betray her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“If I were not confident that you <i>had</i> made a mistake,” his
+lordship returned, drawing himself up with dignity, though he
+was still very pale and deeply agitated—“if I did not believe
+that you share in the misunderstanding which has been the
+cause of all Miss Gladstone’s trouble and my own exceeding
+sorrow, I could not pass lightly over the disparaging imputation
+which you have cast upon me to-night. I am no traitor, Mr.
+Meredith. I have never willingly wronged Miss Gladstone, for
+I have loved her, and I <i>do</i> love her to-day, with a deathless
+love. My plurality of names, as I told you before,” he went
+on, with a wan smile, “has been the cause of it all; and if
+Star has unconsciously been made a victim on account of it, I
+also have suffered in no small degree. Sit down, Mr. Meredith,
+and let me tell you all about it;” and he motioned him
+to a chair.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Not until I have apologized for my rash words to you, my
+lord,” Ralph said, in a manly, straightforward way, and advancing
+to him, convinced now of his honor, and that he had
+never intended Star even a thought of harm. “Miss Gladstone,”
+he continued, “confided the story of her grief to me only a
+short time before I sailed for Europe, although she did not
+enter into particulars very minutely. I think she had not the
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_326'>326</span>slightest idea that I should ever meet you, but I made up my
+mind at the time that if I ever did come in contact with
+‘Archibald Sherbrooke,’ which was the only name by which
+she designated you, that I should make him answer for the
+wrong which I believed he had done her. I saw you to-day
+with a lady in the chapel of Henry the Seventh, at Westminster
+Abbey. I heard her call you by the name that I remembered
+only too well, and was convinced I had found Miss Gladstone’s
+recreant knight. I resolved at once to remain in London
+beyond the time I had originally intended, look you up, and
+call you to account for what you had done. You were at the
+concert in the Albert Hall this evening, but I had no thought
+of meeting you when I came hither, at the invitation of my
+friend Alden. You can imagine, perhaps, something of the
+shock which I experienced when he introduced you as Lord
+Carrol. This will explain why I refused your hand, and why I
+addressed you in the way I did.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I cannot blame you in the least, under the circumstances,”
+Lord Carrol returned, smiling.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Your words, however,” Ralph went on, “regarding the
+young lady in question, convince me that you are entirely
+guiltless, and have been as great a sufferer from an unfortunate
+misunderstanding as herself. I trust you will accept my explanation,
+and also my hand with it,” he concluded, extending
+his hand to the young peer.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Lord Carrol grasped and shook it warmly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I have no right to harbor any ill-will toward you for
+espousing so gallantly the cause of one who is very dear to
+me,” he said, cordially; “and perhaps, after all, this meeting,
+which at first promised to end in a stormy manner, may be the
+means of restoring happiness to two very unhappy people.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I feel assured that such will be the case,” Ralph answered,
+but there was a keen pain in his heart, notwithstanding.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Lord Carrol now wheeled a chair forward and made him sit
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_327'>327</span>down; then, taking another near him, he related in substance
+what he had already told Mr. Richards regarding his relations
+with Star, the erroneous conclusions she had jumped at upon
+learning of his title, her refusal to allow him to explain his
+position to her, and her flight on the morning after her painful
+discovery.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Ralph Meredith found it hard to conceal the bitterness which
+he experienced, as he realized how gladly Star would give herself
+to her manly lover when she learned of his fidelity. His
+heart was still sore over his recent disappointment, but his
+nature was too noble, he was too generous in his love for her,
+to wish to place a single obstacle in the way of her happiness,
+or of the man whom he now deemed worthy of her in every
+respect.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He gave Lord Carrol a history of Star’s life during the last
+year, telling him of her success as a young authoress, and of
+the happy change in her worldly circumstances as the acknowledged
+ward and heiress of Jacob Rosevelt, the millionaire. He
+spoke also of the admiration which her grace and beauty had
+excited during the past season at Newport.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I am glad,” Archibald Sherbrooke said, earnestly, and his
+lip trembled as he spoke, “that her life has been made so
+much brighter during the past year, and I shall always be grateful
+to Mr. Rosevelt for his kindness; and yet I am almost
+selfish enough to wish that <i>I</i> could have been the one to raise
+her to a more congenial sphere. I shall go to the United
+States at once. I must seek her and set myself right with her
+as soon as possible. Will you be so good as to give me Mr.
+Rosevelt’s address?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“With pleasure,” Ralph responded; “but you will not find
+them in New York just at present, for they, with my sister—who
+is a very intimate friend of Miss Gladstone’s—are traveling
+in the far West, and will not return under three or four
+months.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_328'>328</span>Lord Carrol looked thoughtful and disappointed at this intelligence.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I must wait, then,” he said, with a sigh, “until their return.
+The time will seem very long, although I am greatly
+needed here just now, and it would be much to my own disadvantage
+were I to leave before my affairs are in a more settled
+state; but I should let no pecuniary consideration deter me
+from going to Star if I was sure I should find her. However,
+I must submit to the inevitable; and now, Mr. Meredith,” he
+concluded, with a genial smile, “what can I do to make your
+stay in our city pleasant? I am at your disposal for any length
+of time.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Thank you, my lord. My business will not permit my
+tarrying much longer just now; but I intend to return to London
+in the course of three or four months, and shall hope to
+meet you again then,” Ralph answered.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I shall most certainly see to it that we <i>do</i> meet again,”
+Lord Carrol returned; “and now, if you have no engagement
+for to-morrow, will you do me the honor to dine with me?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It will give me great pleasure to do so. I have no other
+engagement,” Mr. Meredith returned.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He was growing to admire Star Gladstone’s handsome lover
+exceedingly, notwithstanding the fact that he was his own rival.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Thanks. Now come with me and let me introduce you to
+my mother and sister, who are both here at Stamfield House;
+and, Mr. Meredith,” the young lord added, grasping his hand
+again, and speaking with emotion, “I cannot be sufficiently
+grateful to you, for you have put new life and hope into my
+heart to-night.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Ralph tried to feel generously glad for this, but it was not in
+human nature not to experience a pang over the happiness
+which he knew was in store for him, especially when he knew,
+too, that it would be at the expense of his own.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_329'>329</span>“I am very glad if I have been able to atone in any way for
+my rudeness upon first meeting you,” he said, smiling faintly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Do not mention it; you were espousing a good cause, and
+through your championship I shall regain what is far dearer to
+me than life; so we will forget the unpleasantness of a moment,
+and I trust I may call you my friend in the future.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Lord Carrol then led the way back to Lady Stamfield’s drawing-room,
+where, seeking his mother and sister, he presented
+his new friend to them.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Sherbrooke Ralph found to be a handsome, genial
+matron, with a large heart and plenty of Christian charity,
+although it was plainly to be seen that her two children, in her
+estimation, were perfect in every respect.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>No one ever before possessed a more noble and devoted son;
+no one had so charming a daughter.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Miss Vivien Sherbrooke was truly that; she was even more
+beautiful than she had appeared to be when he saw her on the
+stage in the character of a songstress.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She was vivacious and witty, and exerted herself to the utmost
+to be entertaining to her brother’s new acquaintance, and Ralph
+actually forgot himself and the haunting pain which had hitherto
+pursued him during all his wanderings, while talking with her
+and listening to her bright conversation, and watching her
+quick, graceful motions.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Archie tells me that you are coming to dine with us to-morrow,
+Mr. Meredith,” she said, as her mother came to tell
+her that it was time for them to go.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, I believe I am to have that pleasure,” he returned,
+with a glance of admiration into her sparkling eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I am glad, for I have a hundred questions to ask you about
+America which only a true American can answer. You will be
+sure to come?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I certainly shall,” he replied, thinking that those clear gray
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_330'>330</span>eyes, looking so frankly and smilingly into his, were about as
+beautiful as any he had ever seen.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXXV.<br> <span class='large'>MRS. RICHARDS’ GREAT EXPECTATIONS.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>The following day Mr. Meredith, according to his promise,
+went to dine with Lord Carrol at his mother’s elegant mansion
+near Belgrave Square.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>After the meal was over, and the other guests comfortably
+disposed of, Archie took his friend up into the “sanctum,” as
+he called it, for a smoke and a quiet talk.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>If Lord Carrol suspected anything of the feeling which Ralph
+had entertained for Star, he gave no sign, but confided to him,
+as they sat there together, more of his hopes and plans for the
+future, and spoke with much more of freedom regarding Star
+than he had done the day before.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>When they had finished their cigars, Lord Carrol arose
+and said:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Come inside, Mr. Meredith, and I will show you one of
+my treasures.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He went back into his “sanctum,” followed by Ralph, and
+passing by all the beautiful paintings, drawings, and engravings
+which hung upon the walls, he walked to an easel which stood
+in a corner, and removing a cloth that covered it, stepped back
+for his friend to look.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Ralph Meredith gave one look, and then exclaimed, in unfeigned
+surprise:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Star!”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_331'>331</span>“Yes, it is Star,” Lord Carrol said, with a tender smile, as
+he looked upon the portrait. “I am glad you recognize her,
+for I should be sorry if she had changed so much that you
+could not. This is a picture which I love, and which I keep
+for myself alone. It is very seldom that I show it to any one,
+and I have never told its history to any living being until I told
+it to you last night. As she stood there that morning in her
+modest beauty, severing that tress at my request, I began to
+love her with a love that will never die while I live. I have that
+little lock of gold here now, Mr. Meredith,” he said, touching
+the diamond-studded locket which hung from his watch-chain,
+“and untold wealth could not purchase it from me. Here is
+the cameo also which I gave her in exchange, and of which I
+told you, too, last night,” and he held up his left hand, on the
+little finger of which gleamed the ring that Josephine Richards
+had made of it. “Ah,” he added, with a sigh, “it is hard to
+think that she could believe me so false—so treacherous and
+cowardly, as to win her love and then cast it aside as of no
+value.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yet it was very natural for her to think so under the circumstances,”
+Ralph returned, thoughtfully. “You must realize
+that yourself, for you say that on Saturday you declared your
+affection for her under the name of Archibald Sherbrooke, and
+won an expression of her own for you in return; while on the
+Monday following you appeared in Mr. Richards’ family as Lord
+Carrol, who, she had been told, was a suitor for his daughter’s
+hand. It does not seem strange to me that she should think
+the very worst of you. You certainly were in a false position
+before her, and it must have been a severe blow to her pride as
+well as to her affection; for, as we have seen, Miss Gladstone is
+not lacking either in self-respect or spirit.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No, I suppose it is not strange; but, oh! if she would but
+have given me one minute, I could have convinced her of her
+mistake, and all the sorrow that has followed might have been
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_332'>332</span>avoided,” sighed the young lord, as, with another fond glance
+at the picture, he covered it again and turned away.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You will be more successful when you go to her again,”
+Ralph said, cheerfully.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes,” Archie returned, with firmly compressed lips; “Miss
+Gladstone <i>will</i> listen to me when I go to her again. It is but
+right that she should hear my justification, whether she receives
+it favorably or otherwise.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I have no fear of the result,” his guest returned, smiling;
+“for Miss Gladstone acknowledged to me that, in spite of her
+belief in your unworthiness, her affection for you remained
+the same.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A flush of joy shot over Lord Carrol’s face at this.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Did she tell you that?” he asked, eagerly. “Then I will
+doubt no more; and I have <i>you</i> to thank for bestowing such
+happiness upon me as I never expected to know again.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>They spent a half hour longer looking at other pictures, but
+sweet sounds coming up again from the drawing-room distracted
+Ralph’s attention and tempted him below.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Do I not hear the fair songstress of last night again?” he
+asked.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, that is Vivien singing,” replied her brother.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I am very fond of music; shall we rejoin the company?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>They went down, and, seeking the fair Vivien’s side, Ralph
+Meredith spent a most delightful evening, the memory of which
+clung to him for many a week afterward.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The next morning he left London for a three-months’ tour
+through Scotland, Ireland, and the Continent.</p>
+
+<hr class='c013'>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards sat in her handsome boudoir one morning a
+few weeks later, reading a newspaper.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Something had evidently gone wrong with her, for her face
+was overcast, an angry red glowed in her cheeks, and her eyes
+gleamed with a sullen fire.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_333'>333</span>The reason for this was the flat refusal, on the part of Mr.
+Richards, to accede to her immoderate demand for five hundred
+dollars, to purchase for herself and Josephine new dresses for
+the coming winter, and she had just returned to her room after
+the stormy interview.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I cannot let you have a dollar,” he had said, with a gravity
+almost amounting to sternness, “for I haven’t it to spare.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Not a <i>dollar</i>, George!” she retorted, with a scornful laugh.
+“Who ever heard of anything so absurd?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It is true, nevertheless,” he answered, gloomily. “Two
+months ago I expected that to-day would find us all beggars.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“What <i>do</i> you mean?” his wife gasped.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Just what I say; and but for the appearance of a friendly
+hand just when and where I least expected it, I should have
+been obliged to fail, overwhelmed with debt and disgrace, and
+everything we have—house, furniture, horses, and carriages—would
+all have had to come under the hammer of the auctioneer.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I cannot believe it,” Mrs. Richards said, growing pale.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“That does not alter the fact, however,” her husband replied,
+laconically.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Why did you not tell me?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I <i>did</i> tell you. I kept writing to you when you were at
+Newport, Ellen, that I could not long endure such a drain upon
+my purse as you were subjecting it to, and that you must curtail
+your expenses; but you paid no heed to me, launching
+instead into greater extravagances.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“But I never dreamed that things were so serious as you
+represented,” she said, a guilty flush mounting to her forehead,
+as she remembered that all her lavishness had been to outshine
+Star. “I never thought you were really embarrassed, or I would
+not have asked for so much.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well, then,” he answered, in a gentler tone, “show your
+consideration for me now, for you and Josephine will have to
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_334'>334</span>wear your old clothes this winter. My trouble has been tided
+over for the present through the kindness of a friend, but it will
+require great care and calculation on my part to keep my head
+above board even now. I shall have to begin cautiously, or I
+shall be back again in the slough of despond.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“But I do not see how we can get along without <i>some</i> new
+things,” began Mrs. Richards, selfishly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You must; that is all there is about it,” returned her husband,
+positively. “If you can’t go into society and wear what
+you have, then you must stay at home this winter; and I do
+not think it would do you any harm for once, either.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards flushed angrily. When she saw her husband
+in this mood, she knew there was no turning him, and she
+would be obliged to submit to his edict.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I’m sure I do not see what can have happened to make
+you so penurious all of a sudden,” she said, sullenly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Penurious! Oh, Ellen!”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He looked at her yearningly for a moment.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She was a handsome, distinguished-looking woman, and had
+been a very fond and tender wife during the first years of
+their married life; but unlimited indulgence, and constantly
+mingling in the fashionable world, had made her selfish and
+unfeeling.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“My dear,” he went on, after a moment, “why cannot you
+comfort me a little—give me a little sympathy in my trouble?
+My burden has been very hard to bear alone, and the worst of
+it has been that I was obliged to refuse your requests. You
+<i>know</i> that I am not penurious—that I never denied you anything
+that I could possibly grant you. Ellen, I wish you could
+be a little more kind to me than you have been of late.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I do not know anything about business matters; I could
+give you very little advice or comfort in that way,” she replied,
+coldly; and then she left him feeling very miserable, and in
+anything but a comfortable frame of mind herself, and not a
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_335'>335</span>little startled to know that they had been so near the brink of
+ruin as he had represented.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She returned to her own room, picking up the morning
+paper, which lay upon the hall table, on her way. Sitting
+down, she ran her eye carelessly over its columns, while her
+mind was busy planning some way to get along without her
+accustomed full purse, and “keep up appearances.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Suddenly her glance was transfixed by a paragraph which sent
+sharp, prickling pains throughout her body, and every nerve
+quivered with excitement as she read:</p>
+
+<p class='c014'>“The heirs, or nearest of kin to Sir Charles Thornton, late of Halowell
+Park, Devonshire, England, will find it to their advantage to communicate
+at once with Compton &#38; Bailey, No. 54 Lincoln’s-inn-fields, London.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Just below this advertisement was a notice of the sudden
+death of the young baronet from diphtheria.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards sat like one overcome by some violent shock
+for a few moments after reading this account. Then springing
+to her feet, and taking the paper with her, she went back in
+hot haste to her husband, her cheeks crimson, her eyes glowing
+with agitation.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“If what I suspect should prove to be true, the dream of my
+life will be realized. Sir George and Lady Richards would
+sound very well, indeed,” she murmured as she went.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Her husband looked up as she entered, and she was startled
+as she noticed how pale and care-worn his face had become;
+but she was too eager to communicate her news to pay much
+heed to it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“George,” she said, eagerly, “read this!”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She laid the paper before him as she spoke, and pointed to
+the paragraph which had excited her so.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well, I have read it, but I do not understand it; I do not
+know anything about Sir Charles Thornton,” he returned, indifferently.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“What are you thinking of, George Richards!” cried his
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_336'>336</span>wife, impatiently. “<i>My mother</i> was half-sister to Sir Charles
+Thornton’s mother. Sir Charles had no family; there are no
+other relatives to be found on either side, it seems, or his
+lawyers would not have advertised thus, and I believe that <i>I</i> am
+‘the nearest of kin.’”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Nonsense, Ellen! Don’t get such a wild idea as that into
+your head, for you will surely be disappointed,” Mr. Richards
+answered, skeptically.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I don’t know about that. But one thing I have long
+known, and that is that the Thornton branch of the family is
+nearly, if not quite, extinct. It is evident that no heirs are to
+be found in England, or Compton &#38; Bailey would not have
+advertised in the United States papers,” she returned, feeling
+more and more sure in her own mind that her first impressions
+had not been at fault.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“That is a good argument, truly,” Mr. Richards said, with
+sudden interest, and then began to question his wife, and to
+examine more closely into the matter.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The result was that the next steamer bore a long letter to
+Compton &#38; Bailey, No. 54 Lincoln’s-inn-fields, stating Mrs.
+Richards’ relationship to Sir Charles Thornton, of Halowell
+Park, Devonshire, together with proofs of what they asserted.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A month passed, and they had begun to think they had been
+nourishing a chimera, when, one day, there came an answer
+from Compton &#38; Bailey, saying that they had faithfully studied
+the chronological tables of both sides of the Thornton family,
+and had arrived at the conclusion that Mrs. Richards was undoubtedly
+the nearest of kin to the late Sir Charles.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>They stated that they had been advertising for a long time in
+English papers, and no one had presented any claim. They
+had then concluded to publish a similar notice in the American
+papers, and as it had met with no other response, they would
+undoubtedly decide the matter in favor of her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>However, they suggested that she come to London at once,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_337'>337</span>as they could conclude better what to do after a personal interview.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“If it should prove a ‘wild-goose chase,’ as I fear it will, I
+can ill afford the expense of the trip,” Mr. Richards said, when
+considering the question.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But his wife was all enthusiasm, as well as very sanguine
+regarding the result, and it was at length decided that they
+should sail as soon as practicable, and preparations were at once
+begun for the voyage.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards merely remarked to her friends, when informing
+them of their plans, that Mr. Richards was not well; they
+all wanted a change, and had resolved to try what a trip across
+the Atlantic would do for them. Not one word was breathed
+regarding her expectations, however.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“If I am successful, there will be time enough then to make
+it public; if I am <i>not</i>, no one shall ever be able to crow over
+my disappointment,” she said, cautiously, to her husband;
+although in her own mind she had not a doubt as to the issue
+of the matter, while already visions of a title and a life among
+the nobility of England, presentation at court, and a marriage
+in high life for Josephine, were taking shape in her head.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXXVI.<br> <span class='large'>JOSEPHINE’S AMBITION.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>Mrs. Richards’ vision of magnificence bade fair to be realized;
+for, upon arriving in London in November, she and her family
+were most courteously received by the firm of Compton &#38; Bailey,
+who assured her that her credentials and proofs of her relationship
+to Sir Charles were incontestable.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_338'>338</span>“I do not see, madam, anything to prevent you from taking
+possession of the property,” Mr. Compton said, in his most
+affable tones. “Your identity is proved beyond a question as
+the cousin or half-cousin of Sir Charles, and, as far as we have
+been able to learn, you are the only living relative. Lord
+William Thornton—Sir Charles’ father—had a younger brother,
+but he left his home years ago to go as a missionary to the
+heathen, and has never been heard of since; so it is reasonable
+to suppose that he also is dead, and, as he was unmarried, of
+course left no issue. It will take a month or so to get things
+in order for you, and if at the end of that time everything
+remains as it is now, you can then take possession of your
+estate, and I am very happy to offer my congratulations upon
+your good fortune.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards’ face glowed with pride and happiness; Josephine
+was jubilant, while Mr. Richards was too astonished to
+be able to really appreciate this sudden turning of fortune’s
+wheel in their favor.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The rent-roll of Halowell Park was fifty thousand pounds or
+more per annum; then there was a fine residence in London,
+and a sea-side resort at Cowes.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was, indeed, a fortune, coming just at that time of need,
+calculated to turn one’s head, so to speak.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It is too good to be true,” Mr. Richards said, with a doubtful
+shake of the head. “Ellen, we don’t <i>deserve</i> any such good
+fortune,” he added, remorsefully, as his mind went back to
+their treatment of Mr. Rosevelt and Star.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Nonsense, George!” she retorted, scornfully. “We deserve
+whatever we can get, and I mean to enjoy this windfall to the
+utmost. I reckon that jade will find it hard work to outshine
+us after this, and Uncle Jacob’s grand airs won’t trouble me
+in the least in the future. I shall go down to Halowell Park
+this week, see for myself what kind of a place it is, and what
+repairs and improvements are needed on the estate,” she concluded,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_339'>339</span>ready to spend money with her accustomed energy and
+lavishness.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Accordingly, in a few days they repaired thither, and were
+charmed with the grand old place.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>On their return to London they visited the late Sir Charles’
+town house, and found that in keeping with the estate in Devonshire,
+and surely their prospects appeared to be as bright as they
+or any one could wish.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>One evening Mr. Compton, the lawyer, who was one of the
+first among his profession in the city, invited them to his
+mansion to meet some of his friends, and they were introduced
+to a number of people who frequented the highest circles in
+the great city.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Among others, they met Lady Sherbrooke and her charming
+daughter, Vivien, and who, they were not long in discovering,
+greatly to their joy, were the mother and sister of Lord Carrol.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards was exultant over this piece of good luck, as
+she deemed it, and tried to make herself very agreeable to her
+ladyship, while Josephine sought to ingratiate herself with the
+younger lady.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I had the pleasure of meeting your son, Lord Carrol, when
+he was in America,” Mrs. Richards remarked, during her conversation
+with the young lord’s mother.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Indeed!” she said, looking interested at once, for her children
+were an all-absorbing topic at any time with her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes; we first met him at Long Branch, a fashionable
+watering-place, and he afterward favored us with a visit of a few
+days at our country-seat, in Yonkers.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards was determined to make the most out of the
+advantages she had enjoyed.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Ah, yes, I believe he has told me something about it,” the
+lady responded, while she thought that if such was the case she
+must arrange in some way to return the compliment thus paid
+to her idolized son.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_340'>340</span>If they were successors to Sir Charles Thornton, they would
+occupy no mean position in the social world, she reasoned, and
+it would be no more than right to cultivate their acquaintance,
+while she could but acknowledge that Mrs. Richards was quite
+a superior appearing woman, and Josephine possessed beauty
+of a very brilliant type.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The half hour that she spent conversing with Mrs. Richards
+only served to strengthen the good opinion she had at first
+formed, and before they left Mr. Compton’s she had arranged
+with them to spend a portion of the following week at their
+estate in Cheshire.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>This was more than Mrs. Richards had expected, but she
+plumed herself upon her tact in managing things so cleverly,
+and looked forward to the visit with no small amount of
+interest.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The next day, through Lady Sherbrooke’s influence, she received
+cards for a grand reception at Lady Tukesbury’s, who
+resided in a palatial mansion in Piccadilly, and she felt assured
+that they were now fully launched upon a brilliant career.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Of course they accepted the invitation, she appearing in black
+velvet, point lace, and diamonds, while Josephine was resplendent
+in rich white silk and scarlet verbenas, and created quite a
+sensation in “Japonica-dom,” greatly to her mother’s delight
+and her own satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Who is she? Where did she come from?” was whispered
+on all sides.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“An American? Ah! that accounts for her brilliant style
+of beauty, then. Inherit Sir Charles Thornton estates, do they?
+In that case they will be quite an acquisition to society,” were
+the opinions expressed and the conclusions arrived at by people
+who were careful in such matters; and then seekers for introductions—and
+seekers for fortunes—pressed forward for an introduction
+to the beautiful young heiress.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But notwithstanding Josephine enjoyed herself, and felt no
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_341'>341</span>small degree of pride at receiving these attentions from lords
+and baronets, she found herself looking everywhere for one
+familiar form, one dark, handsome face, which she had never
+forgotten, and which she knew she should recognize anywhere
+and under any circumstances.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Mamma, I wonder if Lord Carrol is here?” she whispered,
+when once during the evening they happened to be together.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I don’t know; I will ask Lady Sherbrooke if I have an
+opportunity,” she replied.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She managed to get near her ladyship soon after, and asked:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Is your son out of town, Lady Sherbrooke?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No; he is not out of town. He had another engagement
+to-night, but he said he would drop in in season to take us
+home,” Lord Carrol’s mother returned. “Ah! there he is now,”
+she added, as she saw him approaching, and her face lighted
+with both pride and pleasure.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He appeared to be greatly surprised to find Mrs. Richards
+there, but greeted her politely, although she felt the restraint in
+his manner which he could not quite conceal.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She beckoned to Josephine, who was not far distant, and
+presented her, with a feeling of pride in her brilliant beauty
+that she did not try to hide.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He shook hands with her, though his face flushed as he
+remembered the awkward position in which she had placed him
+at Yonkers by misrepresenting the motive of his visit there.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You did not come to see us again before leaving America,
+after all,” she said, in tones of playful reproach, when they had
+exchanged greetings.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No; my time was so fully occupied that I found it impossible
+to make any calls,” he returned, a shade of sadness
+coming into his fine eyes as he thought of <i>how</i> his time had
+been employed and the unhappiness it had caused him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You received my little package, I perceive,” Josephine
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_342'>342</span>said, glancing at the cameo upon his hand, and with a flush
+rising to her cheeks.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes; did you not receive my acknowledgment of it?” he
+asked, in surprise.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No; I have never heard anything from you,” she answered,
+with downcast eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“But I wrote, thanking you. You must have thought me
+lacking in courtesy,” Lord Carrol said, regretfully.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No—but—Lord Carrol, there has been a misunderstanding
+about that jewel from the first. I really do not know what you
+believe regarding it, for your note was somewhat ambiguous,
+and I trust you will allow me to explain more fully to you
+sometime how I happened to have it,” Josephine replied, with
+an appealing glance at him from her brilliant dark eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He bowed somewhat coldly in return. He could not forget
+that his darling had said that she <i>stole</i> it from her—that one
+little treasure which she had prized more than anything else in
+the world, and there could be no excuse for, no explanation of,
+an act so cowardly and cruel, he thought.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I presume you have heard that we have come to reside in
+England,” the artful girl continued, desiring to change the topic
+of conversation, yet determined to keep him by her side.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“So I have been told. How do you like England and
+English people so far?” he asked.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Very much. We have been down to Halowell Park, where
+we expect to reside most of the year, and it is delightful there.
+I hope now that we shall sometime see your home, of which
+you have told us so much. We intend to become familiar with
+all of England.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I little thought that day at Long Branch, when Mrs. Richards
+was telling me that you were relatives of Sir Charles
+Thornton, that you would eventually become his heirs,” Lord
+Carrol said, ignoring her evident desire that he should invite her
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_343'>343</span>to visit his home, and little dreaming that such an invitation
+had already been given by his mother.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Mamma thought of it, however, although she did not really
+expect anything of the kind. Do you remember her asking
+you if Sir Charles had any family?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well, she knew that there were very few relatives, and she
+did wonder then who would inherit the estates if he should die
+childless. But it seems like some romantic tale to me. I can
+scarcely realize it even yet.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“How does English society compare with American, in your
+opinion?” Lord Carrol asked, glancing over the brilliant throng
+around them.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I am sure, my lord, I should not presume to judge upon
+so short an experience,” Josephine answered, modestly, yet her
+glance told him that she admired one Englishman excessively.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“<i>I</i> should judge,” he said, smiling, “if I could form any
+opinion from the court which I saw you holding as I entered,
+that you would be considered quite an acquisition in London
+circles.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He did not say that <i>he</i> should consider her such, and a thrill
+of pain shot through her heart at his indifference; but she appeared
+to take it as a personal compliment from him, and
+answered, with a shy look:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Thank you; I find it very pleasant to be here, at all
+events.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Her tone, her glance, and the emphasis which she threw
+into that last sentence, would have turned half the heads in that
+room, but they did not move him in the least.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He was constantly thinking of a fair, sweet face, framed in
+gold; of azure eyes, with white lids and long, curling lashes,
+and smiling coral lips, with the gleam of small white teeth between;
+of his bright, beautiful Star—the light of his life.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He was thinking of that day when they drove on the beach
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_344'>344</span>at Coney Island, when he had told her of his love, and won
+her promise to be his wife; how she had called him “Archie”
+in those sweet, low tones, which had made his heart thrill with
+an ecstasy it had never known before; while this proud, brilliant
+girl had no power to stir even a feeling of friendship in
+his breast.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She kept him at her side for half an hour or more, and
+then she was obliged to release him, and fulfill an engagement
+to dance.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But her heart was full of a passionate longing to win his
+love; he had never appeared so grand and manly to her before;
+and as she stood before her glass that night, after her return
+from Lady Tukesbury’s reception, and removed the flowers from
+her hair and bosom, she said, while she set her small white
+teeth resolutely together:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I will move heaven and earth to win him; I will bend all
+my energies to become Lady Carrol. A whole year has passed
+and he has not married; there was not even any one present
+to-night to whom he paid particular attention, and it cannot be
+possible that he is still grieving for that milk-and-water beauty,
+Star Gladstone. No; I have the field clear to myself, and I
+swear I will yet be Countess of Carrol.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“But suppose he is not to be won—suppose you fail in what
+you have sworn to accomplish by fair means or foul?” whispered
+something within, with such startling distinctness that it almost
+seemed like a human voice.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“If I fail!” she repeated, growing white to her very lips.
+“If I <i>cannot</i> win the man whom I love with my whole soul,
+then”—and there was a look of wretchedness, almost of despair,
+in her midnight eyes at the thought—“then I will marry some
+poor fool who shall lose his head over my pretty face, and be
+lady somebody else.”</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_345'>345</span>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXXVII.<br> <span class='large'>THE MOCK MARRIAGE.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>When Lady Sherbrooke informed her son that she had invited
+Mr. Richards and his family to spend the following week with
+them at their country residence, and to help them make merry
+with a number of their friends, his face had clouded instantly,
+and she saw that he was not pleased with the arrangement.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Have I done anything wrong, Archie?” she asked, much
+disturbed. “I thought you would be pleased. They spoke
+of your spending several days with them when you were in
+America, and I supposed you would be glad to return the
+civility.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>His lips had curled slightly when she had mentioned that
+they had told of his visit to Yonkers. He thought they should
+have preferred to keep it to themselves, rather than boast of it
+in order to get a return, under the circumstances.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But he said nothing of this, and answered, as brightly as
+he could:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No, mother dear; you have done nothing wrong, and I will
+try and make myself as agreeable as possible to your guests.
+But I must confess that neither Mrs. nor Miss Richards is
+agreeable to me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Why, Archie?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I would prefer to say nothing more just now, since they
+are coming to visit us. Perhaps sometime I can tell you why,”
+he answered, thoughtfully.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I am sorry,” Lady Sherbrooke returned, regretfully, while
+she studied her son’s face wistfully. “I wish I had known of
+this in season to have avoided anything so extremely unpleasant.
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_346'>346</span>But they were so profuse in their praises of you that I supposed
+of course that you reciprocated their friendliness.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Never mind,” he said, lightly; “a week will not be very
+long. No doubt Miss Richards—who, I admit, is a very brilliant
+girl—will be a great addition to your party, and I would
+not have any little whim of mine mar it for the world.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Archie, did you ever—” began his mother, with a startled,
+rueful glance at him, as it suddenly came to her that there
+might be a more serious reason for this than she had dreamed.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But he interrupted her, with a laugh.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No, mother; I never did,” he said, with an amused gleam
+in his eyes. “And now ask me nothing more at present, please;
+but when your guests are all gone, I have a little story for your
+ear, and shall want a share of sympathy and counsel from your
+wise head and great heart.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Cheshire House, situated about a dozen miles out from London,
+and so called because it overlooked a little village which,
+at that time, bore that name, was filled to overflowing during
+the following week, and everybody appeared to anticipate a
+season of intense enjoyment.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>We cannot follow the gay company in all their enjoyments,
+but it was an eventful time, during which the hospitable hostess
+and her lovely daughter, assisted by Lord Carrol, spared no
+effort to make it a memorable one; and when, right in the
+midst of it all, Ralph Meredith came by special invitation, one,
+at least, of that merry number felt that everything was complete,
+and nothing more to be wished for.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The last night of their stay there had been set apart for a
+great time.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Invitations had been sent in every direction through the
+county, bidding all the young people to gather there and make
+merry in their own way.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The evening was to be spent in games, private theatricals,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_347'>347</span>and masquerade until twelve o’clock, after which hour they
+were to “trip the light fantastic toe” as long as they liked.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was a merry, merry time indeed, and everybody seemed to
+vie with his neighbor to see who could contribute most to the
+enjoyment of the occasion.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Vivien Sherbrooke and Josephine Richards were declared by
+each and all to be the belles of the evening, notwithstanding
+they were entirely different in the style of their beauty.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The former wore a dress of rose-colored silk, with overdress
+of tulle looped with roses. Ropes of pearls were wound around
+her fair neck and arms and twined in her shining brown hair.
+Her clear gray eyes gleamed with a brighter luster than usual,
+a deeper flush was on her cheeks, and her lips wreathed with
+happier smiles.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Josephine was in simple white, with not an atom of color to
+relieve it. A peculiarly dainty dress of some soft clinging
+stuff fell in matchless folds of grace around her lithe form,
+with rare, costly lace for garniture, and great poppies, in which
+diamonds glistened like drops of dew, fastened on her breast
+and in her hair.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>This spotless toilet was wonderfully becoming to her clear,
+dark complexion, and her mother’s heart swelled with pride as
+she looked upon her and knew that she was the most distinguished-looking
+girl among all that company of aristocrats.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“She cannot fail to win a high position in the world,” she
+said to herself, as she saw several titled men hovering about her
+and hanging upon her smiles. “If she fail to win Lord Carrol—if
+he remains blind to her charms—there are plenty of others,
+thank Heaven, who <i>will</i> appreciate her. There is his grace, the
+Duke of Anerby, who admires her very much, and it would be
+very nice to be able to say ‘my daughter, the Duchess of
+Anerby;’ but I’m afraid she loves Lord Carrol altogether too
+well,” she concluded, with a sigh.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>There could not be much doubt regarding Josephine’s sentiments
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_348'>348</span>toward his lordship, for, as they stood for a few moments
+together beneath an arch of evergreen which had been erected
+at one end of the hall, her face was raised to his, as she
+listened to what he was saying, with a tender, almost rapt expression,
+and her eyes were humid with the love which filled
+her heart for him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He thought that she had never appeared to so much advantage
+as now. During all her stay at Cheshire House she
+had been more kind and gentle, more womanly than he had
+ever seen her before; and now he lingered by her side, realizing
+how very beautiful she was, and feeling almost as if he
+had wronged her in the past by judging her so harshly, and
+his manner involuntarily became more gracious and friendly
+toward her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She saw it, and it made her heart bound with a wild hope,
+and she became so radiant, so fascinating and bewildering, that
+he wondered if he had indeed been nourishing an unjust prejudice
+against her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Lady Sherbrooke saw them standing there, apparently oblivious
+of everything and everybody else, and an anxious look
+shot into her face, for she had studied Miss Richards during her
+unguarded moments the past week, reading her character like
+an open book with her womanly intuition, and she knew that
+she would never make a good man happy; she would never
+yield that wifely self-sacrifice which was necessary to domestic
+enjoyment; and seeing how passing fair she was to-night, she
+dreaded her influence over her idolized son, notwithstanding
+what he had already told her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Suddenly one merry sprite appeared to be possessed by a
+novel idea of some kind, and went flitting about the room,
+whispering, laughing, and making signs at the pair under the
+evergreen arch.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The company, who were mostly young people, appeared to
+join in with her proposals, whatever they were, and at length
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_349'>349</span>she danced gayly up to Lord Carrol and Josephine, saying,
+eagerly:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Archie”—she had known him all her life, and being intimate
+in the family, felt privileged to address him thus—“Archie,
+we have been arranging such capital fun, and we
+want you to agree to help us in it.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Certainly I will assist you. You know you are to do
+exactly as you like to-night, and get all the enjoyment you can
+out of this occasion.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Oh, you are perfectly delightful! Isn’t he, Miss Richards?”
+returned the merry girl, with a glance at Josephine, and the
+look which that young lady shot at him, half startled but
+wholly admiring, together with the flush which leaped into
+her cheeks, answered the question better than any words could
+have done.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well, granted that I am all that,” Lord Carrol said, laughing,
+“what next?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“We are going to have a mock marriage; everybody has
+agreed that it will be something new under the sun, and we’re
+just in the mood for a wedding or any event equally exciting.
+It is almost on the stroke of twelve, and it will be just the thing
+to wind up with before we begin our dancing.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Don’t you think it will seem like trifling with a serious
+subject?” Lord Carrol asked, rather gravely.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Oh, no. Of course we do not mean anything wrong; it is
+only for a little fun, and we do so want a bride to lead off in
+the dance,” replied the thoughtless girl.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well,” the young man returned, lightly, “anything you
+like, only do not let the ceremony be too tedious, for I am
+ready for my dance, and I believe I shall ask you to be my
+first partner, Minnie. But who are you going to have for
+victims?” he concluded, unsuspicious of the trap he was walking
+into.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Oh, you’re to be groom, and Miss Richards the bride. She
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_350'>350</span>is the only one in the room who is dressed all in white, as a
+bride should be, and this green arch is just the place for the
+ceremony to be performed.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Lord Carrol felt anything but comfortable over this arrangement.
+He glanced at Josephine to see how she would take it.
+But she stood with downcast eyes, looking the picture of lovely
+confusion, a beautiful color in her face, while he noticed that
+the hand which held her fan trembled visibly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Lord Henderson said he would play parson and pronounce
+the banns,” the merry child rattled on, “and he is so portly he
+will make a first-rate one. Now, Archie, you and Miss Richards
+go into the anteroom yonder, so as to come in like a real bridal
+party. Wait, there is that lovely lace shawl of Lady Orton’s;
+she will lend it, I know, for a vail, and it will be just the thing.
+Now don’t stand there like a pair of bashful lovers, for it is only
+play, you know,” she added, saucily, “but do as I tell you, and
+I will arrange everything, then bring the vail;” and giving her
+two victims a gentle push, the excited girl whisked away to
+another part of the hall.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well, Miss Richards, Miss Shelton intends to have everything
+her own way, and I do not see but what we shall be
+obliged to help her carry out her plans.” Lord Carrol said, trying
+to speak lightly, and to make the best of a very—to him—disagreeable
+situation.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You certainly do resemble a bride in your dress,” he
+added, “more than any one else in the room, and, if agreeable
+to you, we will assist in the little piece of folly just to
+please the child.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Little piece of folly!</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>If he could but have known of the tumult that was raging
+within her at the mere thought of such a ceremony in connection
+with him, he would not have called it that—it would
+have been sacrilege!</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She was trembling like a leaf, and she knew that that marriage
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_351'>351</span>service, though but the meaningless freak of a wild girl,
+would seem as solemn to her as if he were really to make her
+his wife.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>That was “folly” without doubt, but she loved him so that
+she could not help the feeling.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He offered her his arm, and they retired to the anteroom
+together, and Lord Carrol could not help perceiving the strange
+thrill which pervaded the girl’s whole frame as her hand came
+in contact with his arm.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But they were not left long alone, for Minnie Shelton soon
+came tripping in with an exquisite point lace shawl hanging
+over her arm.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Everybody is on the <i>qui vive</i>,” she said, breathlessly, “and
+we must not keep them waiting. Sit down, Miss Richards, on
+this divan, and let me pin this shawl on your head; it will
+make a lovely bridal vail. There, Lord Carrol, isn’t she charming?”
+she asked, after she had dextrously arranged it in graceful
+folds. “Doesn’t she look like a <i>real</i> bride?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I think your efforts have been eminently successful to make
+her appear like one,” he answered, smiling; and certainly Josephine
+was as lovely as it was possible for any one to be.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I only hope, my lord, that when you <i>do</i> get married you’ll
+find somebody half as beautiful,” retorted the saucy elf. “There,
+you’ll do; now go, for they are all waiting, and the parson is
+ready to pronounce the banns.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Lord Carrol felt very uneasy, but he offered his arm to Josephine
+again, and her hand fell upon it, white and soft as a
+snow-flake.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>They passed out into the great ball-room and paused under
+the green arch, while murmurs of surprise and admiration
+greeted them from every side, for the addition of the lace shawl
+to Josephine’s already charming toilet had greatly enhanced her
+appearance.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Two or three young girls, led by Minnie Shelton, advanced
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_352'>352</span>and took their station by her side to act as bride-maids, and
+then Lord Henderson, clad in a long white robe improvised for
+the occasion, came forward and read the marriage service.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>When the ring was called for, the gay girl who had planned
+all this reached behind the bride and tucked one into Lord
+Carrol’s hand.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He was strangely impressed, a feeling of awe, a chill, creeping
+over him as he felt it and thought of its significance. But
+he took it and put it on the finger of the mock bride, repeating,
+“with this ring I wed thee, and all my goods endow thee,”
+feeling as if he were going through a mockery almost too horrible
+to endure.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Josephine, too, trembled visibly, while the hand that he held
+was as cold as ice.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She would have given the world to have been able to control
+herself, for she feared that the company would suspect something
+of the tumult in her heart, but she could not.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>However, when the ceremony was over, the gay crowd came
+forward, brimming with mirth, and in the jollity that followed,
+these impressions in a measure passed away.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>There were laughter and compliment on every lip, shaking of
+hands and congratulation on every side, until at length Minnie
+Shelton put a stop to it by coming forward and saying:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“The musicians are all ready, Lord Carrol; you’ll have to
+dance the first quadrille with your bride; I’ll claim you for the
+second. Hasn’t it been a lovely wedding, though?—just as if
+it had been real, you know—and we’ve had all the fun without
+any flurry. My!” perking her restless head on one side and
+eying Josephine out of her bright eyes like some pretty bird,
+“don’t I hope I may make as charming a bride when somebody
+comes to marry me!”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>There was a general laugh at this sally, for Miss Minnie was
+a favorite with everybody.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Now come, please; and, Lord Henderson, if you have no
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_353'>353</span>objection, I’d like you for a partner, and we will be the happy
+couple’s <i><span lang="fr">vis a vis</span></i>.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Without waiting for his consent, she slipped her little hand
+within his arm and led him along after Lord Carrol and Josephine,
+who could do nothing but obey her commands.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXXVIII.<br> <span class='large'>“I HAVE BEEN MAD.”</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>When that first dance was over, Lord Carrol led Josephine
+to a seat, and, bowing before her, said, in as light a tone as he
+could command:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Thank you, Miss Richards. I suppose our part in this
+little farce closes now. Allow me to congratulate you upon
+having assisted in carrying it off in the most perfect manner. I
+must confess,” he added, a slight shade falling over his face,
+“that it does not strike me as just the thing to make a mockery
+of sacred subjects; but since Minnie Shelton, who is a veritable
+witch, and our guests have enjoyed it, perhaps I should not
+preach about it.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Josephine looked up at him with a strange glitter in her eyes,
+while her face was crimson.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Oh, if he would but utter one fond, tender word to her—if
+he would but give her a sign even, to show that his heart had
+been thrilled like her own while they were standing there side
+by side!</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He noticed her heightened color, and thought she looked at
+him queerly, but he never mistrusted the storm that was tearing
+her heart asunder.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I fear you are very warm,” he said, kindly. “Shall I get
+you an ice?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_354'>354</span>“Thanks, no. I shall do very well,” she answered, constrainedly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>And then, with another bow, he excused himself and left her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A convulsive sob broke from the girl’s lips as she watched
+him pass down the long room and out at a lower door; then
+she, too, arose and glided through the window near which she
+had been sitting.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She sped along the wide piazza until she came to the end,
+where a flight of steps led down to a little arbor, or cluster of
+small trees which inclosed a great piece of statuary.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She fled within it, and sinking down upon the granite base
+which supported the marble group, she gave vent to her misery
+in a burst of passionate tears.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Lord Carrol, too, as he passed out of the ball-room, was
+more deeply moved than he would have liked to betray, and
+not very well pleased either with the part he had been compelled
+to play so much against his inclination.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Had his companion been any other than Josephine, perhaps
+he would have felt differently; but he could not forget that he
+had once been represented as her lover, and something in her
+manner to-night warned him that she would not have regretted
+it had that farce been a <i><span lang="fr">bona fide</span></i> marriage service instead, and
+he was exceedingly annoyed over the affair.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He met his mother as he was going through a hall, and she
+detained him by gently laying her hand upon his arm.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Has anything disturbed you?” she asked, looking up into
+his clouded face.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No, mother; nothing but that farce which has just been
+enacted. I do not like such things; they seem too much like
+sacrilege,” he returned.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Neither do I like them, Archie,” she said, gravely. “We
+have no right to make light of any subject so serious as marriage;
+but Minnie is a wild, thoughtless girl, intent only on the
+excitement of the moment, and did not stop to consider. I
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_355'>355</span>must say, though, that Miss Richards helped to carry it off
+splendidly, and appeared the blushing, modest bride to perfection.
+She is a fine-looking girl.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She said this to sound him, regarding him searchingly all the
+time that she was speaking.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes; she appears to attract considerable admiration,” he
+replied, indifferently, and then passed on.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He went out at the great hall-door upon the veranda, which
+Josephine had just a moment or two ago traversed, and followed
+almost in her footsteps, until he came to that little
+circle of shrubbery, when, instead of going within it, he went
+around it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He could not shake off the unpleasant sensations that were
+upon him; everything in his nature had suddenly seemed to
+become out of tune, and he wished to get away from even the
+sounds of the gay revelers within the house, while his thoughts
+turned wistfully toward the new world and Star.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He was getting very impatient to go to her, and he had intended
+to be on his way thither before this, but circumstances
+had recently transpired by which he would be detained another
+month, and the time seemed very long to him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He paced back and forth in the moonlight for some time, his
+footsteps making no sound on the velvety turf; but all at once,
+as he passed that evergreen circle, within which Josephine still
+sat, a sob fell upon his ear and startled him. He stopped to
+listen, and heard the sound repeated. With his usual energy
+and decision, he passed around to the entrance and approached
+the group of statuary to ascertain who was there.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>At first he could see no one, for just then the moon was
+hidden by a cloud, and Josephine’s dress being white, her form
+blended with the marble and could not be distinguished, while
+she was so absorbed by her own emotions that she was not
+aware of Lord Carrol’s presence until he touched her on the
+shoulder and said:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_356'>356</span>“Pardon me, you are grieving; is your trouble anything
+that I can help?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She sprang to her feet instantly and confronted him, her
+cheeks blazing hotly, her whole form trembling from the touch
+of his hand.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Miss Richards!” he exclaimed, in surprise, as he recognized
+her, while involuntarily he recoiled from her, so unexpected
+and disagreeable—in his present frame of mind—was
+this meeting.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I thought,” he added, “that you were in the ball-room
+enjoying yourself with the other merrymakers.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She noticed the coldness of his tone, as well as his unconscious
+shrinking from her, and it cut her to the heart, while at
+the same time it aroused her anger.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Enjoying myself!” she repeated, passionately and unguardedly;
+“the evening is spoiled for me; everything is spoiled—the
+world and my life. That mockery through which we have
+just passed has made me <i>miserable</i>.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was strange, he thought, that they should both feel thus.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I regret that anything should have occurred to make you
+so unhappy,” he returned. “I hoped while you were the guest
+of my mother that nothing would transpire to mar the pleasure
+of any one. But,” he added, more cheerfully, “you must not
+allow that farce to oppress you thus. I do not, as I have said
+before, approve of making light of such serious things, and
+marriage, to me, seems like a sacred ordinance. But no harm
+was done, I trust; our friends were amused for a half hour;
+and really, Miss Richards,” he concluded, smilingly, “if, when
+you come to be married in earnest, you make as charming a
+bride as you did to-night, the happy man will be one to be
+envied.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“<i>Don’t</i>, Lord Carrol,” Josephine cried out, in a sharp tone
+of pain, and laying her hand appealingly on his arm; “<i>don’t</i>
+say such things to me!”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_357'>357</span>She was trembling like a leaf, and he saw that she was terribly
+excited, while the piteous tone in which she had just
+spoken went directly to his kind heart. He took her hand and
+drew it under his arm.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You are nervous,” he said, kindly. “Come and walk with
+me a few moments until you are calmer—the night is almost
+like summer—then I will take you back to the company.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>His tone was so sympathizing, his touch on her arm so
+gentle, while it thrilled every fiber of her body, that it was more
+than she could bear.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She was going to-morrow, and this man whom she loved
+with a passion almost amounting to idolatry, would be beyond
+her reach. She would not meet him again for months, perhaps
+never, and this thought, added to her other pain, broke her
+down completely.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She grasped his arm with both her white hands, her heart
+was beating like a frightened bird’s, there was a choking sensation
+in her throat, and bowing her graceful head upon her
+clasped and trembling hands, she burst into a fresh fit of weeping,
+which was like a tempest.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The young lord found himself in a very awkward position.
+Those shaking hands, that bowed head lying so near his heart,
+that lithe, quivering form, those tears and sobs, told him but
+too plainly what caused this deep emotion.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Miss Richards—Josephine,” he said, unwittingly using her
+first name in his embarrassment, “let me take you in. You
+will make yourself ill. What can I do for you?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But she could not control herself. She had abandoned herself
+too entirely now to her passion to conquer it readily, and
+she sobbed on, conscious only of how she loved him, and that
+she was near him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Oh! if he could but have returned her love, she would
+gladly have given the best years of her life. There was no
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_358'>358</span>sacrifice too great, she thought at that moment, for her to make
+in exchange for the prize she wished to win.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“What can I do for you, my friend?” he asked again.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“<i>Love me!</i>” burst most unconsciously from her trembling
+lips.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He started violently. He had not imagined that she would
+dare to give utterance to such words as these; while she knew,
+the instant that they were spoken, that instead of gaining his
+affection, she had forfeited even his respect.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>There was a moment of awkward silence. Then Lord Carrol
+said very gravely, but still very gently:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Miss Richards, you have become so excited over what has
+transpired, that I think you are hardly conscious of, or responsible
+for what you have said. Shall we go in now?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No!” she answered, lifting her head proudly, and stifling
+her sobs, although she still clung tightly to his arm, as if she
+could not let him go. “No; I will not go in yet. Having
+said so much, I must say more. You are right. I am not
+responsible for the words which I have spoken. I did not mean
+to speak them—they escaped me unawares; but since I have
+spoken them, I cannot recall them, and my secret is mine no
+longer. Oh!” she continued, with a heart-breaking sob, “pity
+me, have compassion on me, <i>forgive</i> me!”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I have nothing to forgive,” he said, kindly; “and, believe
+me, I am very sorry that your nerves should have been so overtaxed
+to-night; but,” and his face flushed, “perhaps it will be
+better for both of us if I tell you that, however much I may
+esteem you, my heart could never respond to the wish you have
+expressed; it has long been given to another. I thought you
+knew this; I thought your knew that—I loved your cousin,
+Miss Gladstone.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Her hands dropped from his arm as if they had been burned,
+while keen, quivering pains shot all over her body at this
+avowal.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_359'>359</span>Her head came up with a haughty gesture, her eyes blazed
+with sudden anger, her red lips curled with bitter scorn. She
+had humiliated herself—she had bowed her proud spirit to the
+dust to win him, and now he dared to tell her this—dared to
+tell her that he loved the girl whom she hated, whom she had
+triple cause to hate in that she was far her superior in every
+way—she had won the heart of the only man whom she had
+ever loved, and had laid her under an obligation which she
+could never repay.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I believe I have been <i>mad</i>!” she whispered, fiercely, through
+her tightly shut teeth, which shone like lovely pearls in the
+moonlight. “Yes, I must have been mad,” she went on;
+“some spirit of evil must have possessed me to make me tell
+you what I have; for—hear me, Lord Carrol—I do <i>not</i> love
+you; I <i>hate</i> you! If I ever had any love for you, it has turned
+to hate now, and I detest the girl whom you profess to love,
+and for whom you have dared to confess your affection, knowing
+how I hate her.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She pressed her hands wildly to her temples, with a low
+moan. It was not so easy as she thought to hate where she
+had loved so passionately.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Do you think it is a light thing,” she asked, hotly, “for a
+girl to reveal the secrets of her heart, as I have revealed mine
+to-night? Do you think there has been no sacrifice of pride
+or modesty on my part to tell you what I have told you? My
+heart has been burning to ashes while standing here by your
+side, and you have pitilessly tortured me still further by telling
+me that you love Star Gladstone—that girl who has only crossed
+my path to mar my every prospect in life. I thought half an
+hour ago, when I stood beside you during that mock ceremony
+and spoke those sacred words, that if they could only have
+been real—if I could indeed have been made your lawful wife,
+it would have been like the happiness of heaven for me. If you
+could have but called me by that fond name only once—if you
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_360'>360</span>had looked tenderly into my eyes and owned me yours, I could
+have asked no greater bliss in life. But, heavens! when I break
+every barrier down, when I forget my womanhood and modesty
+and tell you how I idolize you, you coolly inform me that <i>you</i>
+love the girl <i>I</i> hate. Beware! you have made me an eternal
+enemy to you both, and I will ruin <i>both</i> your lives, as you have
+ruined mine, if I can.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She would have dashed wildly by him after uttering those last
+fierce, revengeful words, but he placed himself directly in her
+path and would not let her pass.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He saw now that all his sympathy and kindly feeling had
+been worse than wasted. He had read her character aright
+from the first; she was totally selfish, and her love—if an unreasoning
+passion like hers could be called love—would have
+made any true man miserable, for her ambition would never be
+satisfied.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He did not wonder now that he had not had more faith in
+her, and his sympathy and sorrow for her were at once turned
+into contempt.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Miss Richards,” he began, in a stern, cold voice, and looking
+down into her angry, blazing eyes with a glance which
+cowed her in spite of her passion, “what respect I may have
+entertained for you heretofore, what pity or compassion I may
+have experienced for your apparent suffering to-night, and the
+only emotion which ever made you appear really womanly or
+gentle in my eyes, has wholly vanished during those last vindictive
+words of yours. I had begun to hope that you had
+learned lessons of charity and kindness during the past year—that
+you had come to realize there was something <i>more</i> required
+in life than a continual seeking after pleasure and the gratification
+of pride and ambitious desires; but I perceive that I was
+mistaken, and I am sorry, for you will be the greatest sufferer.
+Your declaration of hatred, and your threat that you will ruin
+Miss Gladstone’s and my life, are but idle words; for our love
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_361'>361</span>is something that malice can never touch, and a month hence I
+shall be on my way to America to make her my wife.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Josephine uttered a cry of mingled pain and anger at this,
+and made another effort to leave him, but he would not let her
+go even yet.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I have not quite finished what I wish to say, Miss Richards,”
+he continued, “and we may as well come to a full understanding
+at once. I have been told of the change in Miss Gladstone’s
+fortunes. I have, indeed, learned much regarding her
+life while she was with you that has both pained and surprised
+me. I know, too, of some things which occurred this year,
+when you were both visitors at the same fashionable resort.
+You are, it appears, to remain a resident of England, and we
+may meet occasionally in society; but let me tell you I shall
+never allow any such indignity to be heaped upon the future
+Lady Carrol as that of which you were guilty this summer at
+Newport.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He saw her start as he said this.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“What do you mean?” she demanded, haughtily.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I do not think you are so ignorant of my meaning as you
+appear,” he returned, his handsome lips curling with scorn;
+“but if you wish to be reminded of the fact that you publicly
+twitted Miss Gladstone last summer of having once performed
+the duties of a chambermaid in your family, I can do so. But
+do not let it ever happen again, or I shall feel it my duty to
+make <i>all</i> the facts of the case public.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Who has told you all this?” she demanded, angrily.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“That does not matter,” he replied, coldly; “it is sufficient
+that I know it.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Ralph Meredith has told you!” she cried.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Mr. Meredith is my friend—but that is a point we need
+not discuss, I think,” he answered, quietly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She beat the air frantically with her hands. She felt how little,
+how contemptible she must appear in his sight.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_362'>362</span>“Perhaps you do not know that he played the role of devoted
+lover to Miss Gladstone this summer,” she sneered, hoping to
+make him jealous.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Lord Carrol flushed.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He had mistrusted something of this from what Ralph had
+told him. He did not believe that Star would have confessed
+what she had to him, except to convince him that she could
+never entertain feelings of affection toward any one save the
+man who, as she supposed, had wronged her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Miss Gladstone is my affianced wife,” he replied, proudly
+feeling that he had a perfect right to regard and speak of her as
+such, knowing that she still loved him, and that his explanations
+to her would re-establish their former relations. “But,”
+he added, as he stepped aside now to allow her to pass, “it is
+useless to prolong this interview; only let me caution you,
+Miss Richards, to remember that while you show proper respect
+for me and <i>mine</i>, I shall also tender <i>you</i> the respect belonging
+to a lady.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She was as white as her spotless dress now. He could see
+by the moonlight that she had grown perfectly ghastly, but
+there was a wild, fearful light in her eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“My hate will follow you both,” she said, hoarsely, “and I
+tell you I will ruin your lives if I can.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She dashed by him with the speed of a fawn and disappeared
+from his sight, leaving him standing there wonder-stricken that
+a creature so beautiful to look upon could possess so depraved
+a nature.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_363'>363</span>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXXIX.<br> <span class='large'>A CRUSHING BLOW.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>The next morning when the company met at breakfast, Josephine
+experienced a feeling of intense relief upon learning
+that Lord Carrol had been called away to London at an early
+hour on “important business.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>This was the day of their departure also, and she was not
+sorry to leave the house which had been the scene of her
+humiliation and despair over her unrequited love.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The meal was not a very social one, for every one was tired
+out with last night’s dissipation, and it required more of an
+effort than they felt capable of making to be very merry.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>After it was over, and as Josephine was passing through the
+hall on her way to her own room, she espied the morning
+papers lying on the table.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mechanically she took up one, glancing carelessly over the
+columns, when almost the first thing she saw was a notice of
+the arrival of a steamer from New York two days previous, with
+a list of the passengers below.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A lurid light shot into her eyes and an angry exclamation
+burst from her lips as she read; for, among the other names in
+that list, she read those of Jacob Rosevelt, Miss Star Gladstone
+and maid, from New York.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“What on earth can have possessed them to come aboard just
+at this time?” she muttered, with lowering brow. “If they had
+only waited a month they would have missed him, but now
+they will be sure to meet.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She took the paper and went up stairs to her mother’s room,
+and showed the notice to her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She was very angry also.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_364'>364</span>“It seems as if that girl was bound to be the ruination of us.
+They are continually crossing our path, and I declare it is more
+than human nature can patiently bear. I wonder what has
+brought them to England?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I suppose Uncle Jacob thinks he must give his charming
+<i>protegee</i> every advantage possible,” Josephine sneered, bitterly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well, I’m sure we do not need to mind them now,” Mrs.
+Richards said, with a sigh of satisfaction. “Even if she gets
+every penny of his money, your position will henceforth be far
+superior to hers.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I don’t know about that,” the girl retorted, with a painful
+flush. “If Lord Carrol meets her, and they make up their
+quarrel, I shall still be rather in the background, I imagine.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“True; I had not thought of that,” her mother replied
+with a blank look. “I wish you could have managed to entrap
+him, Jo.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Jo” bit her lips until the blood spurted from them, as she
+remembered how her “trap” had sprung and wounded only
+herself.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Lord Carrol is a <i>fool</i>!” she said, passionately.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Her mother looked up at her searchingly, mistrusting that
+her daughter had more reason for her pale face and heavy eyes
+than she knew of.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“If only that marriage last night could have been a real one,
+I should have been the happiest woman in England this morning,”
+she said, wistfully.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“With one exception,” Josephine thought, with a bitter sigh
+and a hard glitter in her eyes; but she said nothing.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>They did not leave Sherbrooke House that day, however. A
+sudden storm came on during the afternoon, too violent to
+admit of the departure of any one, and Lady Sherbrooke would
+not allow any of her guests to mention such a thing. And so
+the long, dreary day was spent in rest and quiet.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But the next day broke bright and pleasant, and just as the
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_365'>365</span>company were sitting down to the morning meal, Minnie Shelton
+came dancing into the breakfast-room, her cheeks glowing,
+her eyes sparkling, and her lips parted in the brightest of
+smiles, while a paper fluttered in her small hands.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Such fun!” she exclaimed, merrily. “Here is a description
+of your ball, Lady Sherbrooke, in the Cheshire <cite>Gazette</cite>—the
+mock marriage and all; and the best of the whole thing is,
+they have written up that event so that at a first glance any one
+would naturally suppose that a real wedding had occurred.
+Listen.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She held up the paper and read:</p>
+
+<p class='c014'>“MARRIED.—At the country residence of Lady Sherbrooke, on the
+10th instant, Sir Archibald Sherbrooke and Lord Carrol, of Carrolton, to
+Miss Josephine Richards, formerly of New York, U. S. A., but recently
+reported to be the heiress presumptive to the Thornton estates in Devonshire.
+The fair bride was lovely in her bridal robes, not the least noticeable
+of which was the exquisite point lace vail, which was also of great
+value.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“There—isn’t that too rich for anything?” the gay girl cried;
+“and do look at the mock bride’s blushes!” pointing at Josephine,
+whose face was crimson from varied emotions; “what
+a pity it is that our handsome groom is not here to see them;
+and one would almost imagine she was a real bride by her
+confusion.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Then there follows a long account of the ball, which explains
+everything,” she added, laying down the paper; “but
+I’m so out of breath that I can’t read any more, and you’ll
+have to peruse it for yourselves.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>There was an awkward silence for a moment after she had
+ceased speaking; then Lady Sherbrooke said, in tones of grave
+reproof:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Minnie, my dear, what a wild child you are; but you
+must learn to be more thoughtful of the feelings of others.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Why, what have I done?” she asked, with great, round,
+innocent eyes, yet a guilty flush rose to her cheeks.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_366'>366</span>“I am very glad if you enjoyed the ball,” her ladyship continued,
+still gravely; “but I regret that you should have proposed
+turning so serious a subject as marriage into mockery,
+and I am very sorry—yes, deeply displeased, that any one, in
+writing an account of our gathering here, should have given
+that farce such an appearance of reality, for it might make it
+very awkward, not only for my son, but also for some of our
+guests,” she concluded, with glance at Josephine’s downcast
+face.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Little Miss Shelton was very uneasy during this reproof, but
+she rallied, and said, lightly:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“But, dear Lady Sherbrooke, it was all done so nicely; and
+everything was so lovely that it almost seemed like a real wedding.
+I wish we <i>could</i> have a real wedding. Won’t somebody
+get married, please, and give me an invitation? I haven’t been
+to one since I was a little girl in short clothes.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>And the elf looked around her so roguishly, and with such
+an expression of mock distress on her pretty face, that the company
+broke into an indulgent laugh, and then the subject was
+for the time dropped.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But Josephine, watching her opportunity when some of the
+guests were leaving, and people generally were occupied saying
+farewell, sought and found that paper, and slipped it unobserved
+into her pocket.</p>
+
+<hr class='c013'>
+
+<p class='c011'>In one of the rooms of a beautiful suite of apartments looking
+out upon St. James square, a young girl sat by a window,
+looking out upon the passers-by in the street below.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She was tall, and slender, and graceful as a young elm, her
+small head crowned with masses of golden hair, her eyes—“heaven’s
+own blue”—looking out from under a broad forehead,
+which was partially concealed by the shining mist which
+lay lightly upon it, her red lips parted with an expression of
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_367'>367</span>eager interest as she gazed upon the hurrying throng below.
+She was as fair as the day—a perfect picture, upon which the
+eye would love to linger.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It is our Star, fresh and beautiful as ever, but with something
+more of maturity and dignity in her bearing than when we last
+saw her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She has been in London just one week, and is enjoying every
+day, despite the proverbial rain and fog, for she has returned to
+her native land once more, and every inch of ground is replete
+with interest for her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The past few months have been full of enjoyment, for she
+has “been everywhere and seen everything” in the far West of
+the New World—at least as far as that was practicable, and as
+she had warned Mr. Rosevelt she should wish to do—and with
+such congenial companions as he and Miss Meredith always
+were the time could not fail to pass pleasantly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But she had turned her face with even keener anticipations
+toward England’s shores, while not even the memory of her
+previous terrible experience at sea had power to make her
+shrink from the long voyage, or mar the delight of this glad
+return.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>As she sits there in her handsome parlor, looking out upon
+the street, a door opens, and Jacob Rosevelt enters.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He looks younger and in better health than we have ever
+seen him before, while his face is animated and genial, as if life
+was at its brightest with him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star looked around as he entered.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“How quickly you have returned, Uncle Jacob,” she said,
+rising, and going to meet him, and taking his hat.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes; I knew you would be impatient for your letters, and,
+as there is quite a budget to be gone through with, I thought it
+best not to keep you in suspense.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>As he spoke he drew from his capacious pocket a half-dozen
+letters, and as many papers, which he had just received from
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_368'>368</span>the American Legation, and half of which he gave into Star’s
+own hands.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“This is from Grace, this from Mr. Appleton, and—this
+must be from Nattie Browning, to whom I gave up my position
+as a teacher,” she said, running the letters through her white
+fingers.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She laid the papers, which, of course, were of minor importance,
+upon the table, and, sitting down in a low chair, carefully
+cut the ends of the envelopes, and was soon deep in the
+contents of her news from beyond the sea.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It took her nearly an hour to read them all.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Miss Meredith’s was full of chat and innocent gossip, just
+like that charming young lady’s own self, and contained a number
+of commissions and charges, not the least important of
+which was that Star must be sure to hunt up her brother Ralph,
+who wrote that he should spend nearly the whole of the
+month of December in or near London.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Appleton’s letter was mostly on business, and regarding
+the book she had written, as well as another which he wanted
+her to write. It contained also a check, and Star always felt
+very proud whenever these bits of paper came made out to her.
+They gave her a feeling of independence and pleasure which
+no other money did.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The third letter was an entertaining one from a classmate—a
+poor girl to whom she had, as she said, resigned a position as
+teacher upon finding herself the heiress to a million.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>After reading these she took up her papers in a listless way;
+she did not feel much in the mood for looking them over; they
+seemed tame and uninteresting after the letters.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But all at once she noticed that one was not a home paper;
+it bore the London postmark, and was addressed in a hand she
+did not recognize.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It cannot be from Ralph Meredith,” she said to herself,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_369'>369</span>“for he does not know that I am here. Besides, it is not his
+handwriting. I wonder who could have sent it?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She opened it with considerable curiosity, and yet with a
+feeling of foreboding at her heart.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The Cheshire <i>Gazette</i>, she read, as she espied the heading,
+and then her eye glanced down over the columns underneath.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Suddenly she started.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>There is a paragraph marked.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Her eyes dilate—a look of horror comes into them; her
+lips grow pale, and she feels as if she is suffocating as she
+reads:</p>
+
+<p class='c014'>“MARRIED.—At the country residence of Lady Sherbrooke, on the
+10th instant, Sir Archibald Sherbrooke and Lord Carrol, of Carrolton, to
+Miss Josephine Richards, of New York, U. S. A., and heiress presumptive
+to the Thornton estates in Devonshire, etc.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Could it be true? The paper dropped from her nerveless
+hands. Was the deed really done at last, and Archibald Sherbrooke
+lost to her forever?</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had not realized until that moment how much of hope
+had lived in her heart during all this time.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But these dreadful words had suddenly cut it down, as the
+sharp sickle cuts down the tender grass.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Had she really read them, or had her imagination played her
+some terrible trick?</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Feeling as if she were turning to stone, she picked up the
+paper and compelled herself to go over the horrible sentence
+again.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Yes, it was all true—it was as plain as print could make it.
+But what was this?</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A new terror seized her—something that she had not thought
+of until now, she had been so stunned by the bare fact that her
+lover was married.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Sir Archibald Sherbrooke <i>and</i> Lord Carrol, of Carrolton!”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_370'>370</span>A mist comes over her eyes; her heart drops like a thing of
+lead in her bosom.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>In an instant a suspicion of the truth flashed upon her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Had she done her lover an irreparable wrong? she asked
+herself, with a feeling of despair. Had she driven him from
+her, taunting him with treachery and cowardice, and refusing to
+listen to his defense, when perhaps he had the best in the world
+to offer her?</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Oh! if she had but heeded Mr. Rosevelt when he begged
+her to let him see him and learn the reason of his mysterious
+conduct. Oh! if she had only answered that advertisement
+and allowed him to come to her as he had entreated.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had been cruel, unjust, wicked; and now it was too late
+to atone for it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She felt as if bands of ice were being bound about her heart—as
+if coals of fire were heaped upon her brain, and branded
+upon it, in letters which would haunt her till her dying hour,
+those two names, Sir Archibald Sherbrooke and Lord Carrol,
+of Carrolton.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Familiar as she was with English customs, she could understand
+readily enough how he had become possessed of them,
+and it was so strange that she had never thought of it before.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>In all her suffering upon learning, as she had supposed, that
+she had been betrayed, she had never endured pain like this;
+and, with her sight failing, her senses reeling, without sound or
+warning, she slipped from her chair to the floor, where she lay
+white and still in a lifeless heap at Jacob Rosevelt’s feet.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <span class='pageno' id='Page_371'>371</span>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XL.<br> <span class='large'>STELLA’S MENTAL AGONY.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>“Bless my soul! what does this mean?” Jacob Rosevelt
+cried, as, looking up from his own letters, in which he had
+been deeply absorbed, he saw the beautiful girl lying so white
+and still at his feet.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He rushed to the bell and rang it violently, then back again
+to Star, whom he lifted tenderly in his arms and laid her upon
+a sofa, where he began chafing her cold hands vigorously.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Blunt soon made her appearance in answer to her master’s
+summons, and looked as alarmed as himself to find the
+girl she loved so devotedly in such a critical state.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But Star’s insensibility did not last long.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>All too soon she awoke to a consciousness of this new
+misery.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“What is the matter?” she asked, as, opening her eyes, she
+found her fond friends bending anxiously over her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You had a fainting turn, dear; but you are better now,”
+Mrs. Blunt returned, holding a glass of wine to her lips.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star passed her hand across her forehead and sighed heavily,
+as she began slowly to gather up the broken threads of memory
+again.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“What was it, Starling?” Mr. Rosevelt questioned, with a
+troubled look at her white face; “did you have bad news in
+your letters?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No, there were no ill-tidings in my letters,” she answered,
+avoiding his eye, and wishing to conceal, if possible, the cause
+of her swoon from him. “I read them through,” she added,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_372'>372</span>“and was opening my papers, when I began to feel queerly. I
+believe I never fainted but once before in my life.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But she shuddered as she remembered how Josephine Richards
+had been the cause of that ill-turn also.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She sat up and tried to collect herself.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She still felt as if those icy bands were encircling her heart,
+and as if her brain was on fire; but she was anxious to get
+hold of that paper once more, and go away by herself.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She did not mean that Jacob Rosevelt should ever know that
+she had seen the notice of her lover’s marriage; she meant to
+keep her secret locked close within her own breast, and not
+even let him suspect that she was still grieving for the man
+whose name had not been mentioned between them for over a
+year.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I am afraid you are going to be ill,” he said, noticing the
+great blue circles under her eyes with alarm.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No; do not be anxious about me, Uncle Jacob,” she
+returned, trying to smile. “I shall be all right again in a few
+minutes.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>And she was, apparently.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She called all her will to her aid; she drank a full glass of
+wine, and soon felt much stronger, but oh! still so wretched
+and heart-sick.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She arose after awhile and began to move about the room,
+although both Mr. Rosevelt and Mrs. Blunt insisted that she
+was not able—that she ought to be still and rest all day.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But that paper was still lying upon the floor, with that
+marked paragraph staring her in the face.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She must get it and hide it, or they would learn all her
+trouble, and know how weak and foolish she was—how lacking
+in pride and self-respect to grieve thus after another woman’s
+husband; and her lips curled with scorn at her own
+folly, while all the time the pain at her heart was growing more
+bitter.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_373'>373</span>Very quietly she gathered up her letters and papers, which
+had slipped to the floor when she fell.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>With trembling fingers she folded that fatal sheet into the
+smallest compass, and tucked it slyly into her pocket; then
+laying the others on the table beside Mr. Rosevelt, she said:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I do not think I will read any more now, Uncle Jacob;
+but perhaps you would like to look over these home papers. I
+will go and lie down for a little while, and try to sleep off my
+weakness.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He took her white face between his hands and looked anxiously
+into her eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“My dear, my dear,” he said, earnestly, “I hope you are
+not going to be sick; what should I do without you? You
+must take care of yourself for my sake, as well as for your own,
+my Star.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She smiled, and, taking one of the hands that held her face,
+touched her lips to it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She knew that no daughter was ever more tenderly beloved
+than she was by this grand old man, whose deathless affection
+had been given to her grandmother.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No, I shall not be sick, Uncle Jacob; do not worry,” she
+returned, trying to speak lightly. “Many people frequently
+faint, and get entirely over it in an hour. I shall be as well as
+ever in a little while, and all right for the reception at the
+American Legation this evening.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I do not believe you will be able to go,” he said, doubtfully.
+“You must not expose yourself.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Oh, I would not miss it on any account,” Star answered,
+quickly. “Let me run away now for a nap, and I will show
+you how fresh I shall be when the hour arrives.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She was anxious to get away from his questioning eyes, and,
+gently releasing herself from him, she sought her own room
+and locked herself in.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>All day long she battled there with her tortured heart; all
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_374'>374</span>day long she fought with the love which she still bore Archie
+Sherbrooke, for it rose up stronger by a hundred-fold now that
+she had discovered that he was innocent of any wrong toward
+her, and realized her own cruel injustice to him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>If she had but opened and read more of that paper, she
+would have learned her error; but the moment she found herself
+alone, she took it from her pocket and threw it upon the
+glowing coals in the grate, and watched it while it burned to
+ashes. She was determined that Mr. Rosevelt should never
+see it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>All day long she lay upon her bed, and thought bitterly of
+Josephine as the proud and happy wife of Lord Carrol—as the
+mistress of his elegant home, the sharer of his position and
+title.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Oh! it was too cruel, when she had loved him so; when she
+knew that she could have made him so happy, while Josephine
+had only sought to win him from selfish and ambitious
+motives.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She knew now that she had never despised him—never
+scorned him, as she told him that night at Mr. Richards’.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She knew that never for a moment had she swerved in the
+least degree from her allegiance to him; that her heart had
+been true and loyal to him, even when she had thought most
+bitterly of him; and she knew, too—this was the worst of all
+to contemplate—that she should go on loving him as long as
+she lived.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Five days they had been married.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The wedding had occurred the tenth of December, and it
+was now the fifteenth.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It almost seemed as if she would have given as many years
+of her life to have saved him from such a fate as she believed
+would be his with that vain and heartless girl for his life-long
+companion.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Of course it would do no good to grieve over that now; but
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_375'>375</span>her own future looked like a weary journey, marked only by
+the mile-stones of duty, without a stage of happiness to cheer
+her along the way.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had known nothing of the Richardses coming abroad;
+that notice of Josephine’s marriage had been the first intimation
+that she had had of it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She wondered if she had not sent her that paper—if, having
+seen their names and address registered at the American Legation,
+she had not, from a spirit of cruel triumph, sent it to
+wound and humiliate her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Yes, she was sure it must be so.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But she should never know how fully her vile purpose had
+been accomplished. She would hide her anguish deep within
+her own heart. Wherever she went she would appear with a
+bright face and smiling lips, and no one should dream that her
+heart lay like a withered thing in her bosom.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt came in to see her several times during the
+day, and she always smiled and told him she was resting so as
+to be fresh for the evening.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Blunt tried to make her give up the reception, but she
+would not, protesting that she was as well as ever, although she
+could not hide her misery quite so effectually from that good
+woman’s sharp eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Something has happened to upset her and break her heart
+again, or I’m much mistaken,” she muttered, uneasily, while,
+according to Star’s direction, she laid out her elegant dress for
+the evening.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had learned to read that fair young face too plainly not
+to feel sure that something very unusual had occurred to prostrate
+her so.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Nine o’clock came, and Star Gladstone, a vision of bewildering
+beauty, entered the drawing-room of the United States
+Minister’s elegant residence, leaning on the arm of her distinguished-looking
+attendant.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_376'>376</span>There was a buzz of admiration as she crossed the threshold,
+as there always was wherever she appeared, for it was not often
+that even that place was graced by the presence of one so wondrously
+gifted with beauty.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She wore a dress of pale ecru silk, rich and heavy, and made
+perfectly plain save for the deep flounce of costly lace which
+reached almost to her knees, and the delicate vine or fringe of
+drooping ferns that headed it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Her fair, beautifully formed arms and neck, which were concealed
+only by the same rare lace, were clasped by unique ornaments
+of dull gold, and these, together with the cluster of fine
+ferns upon her bosom, fastened there with a miniature, diamond-studded
+bouquet-holder, comprised her only ornaments.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But her face, so pure and peerless, looking out beneath that
+golden crown of hair, though a little paler than usual from her
+recent pain, was the loveliest object in that vast room.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“American ladies are noted for their beauty, I believe; but
+though I have met many, I have never yet seen a more exquisite
+face and form than that,” said one gentleman to another,
+who stood leaning against the frame of the door through which
+Star and Mr. Rosevelt had passed but a moment before.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You are right; but Gladstone, which is the young lady’s
+name, sounds more English than American,” returned the gentleman
+addressed.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“They are registered as Americans, however, and she has the
+peculiar beauty of one,” said the first speaker. “They have a
+way of enhancing their charms, too, by their perfect taste in
+dress. Our English ladies, as a rule, do not understand the art
+of dressing well, though there are, of course, exceptions to the
+rule, as Miss Vivien Sherbrooke’s charming costume over there
+testifies. By the way,” he added, with more animation, “they
+say that that handsome young American—Meredith, they call
+him—is going to win our Cheshire beauty away from us.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He glanced, as he ceased speaking, across the room to where
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_377'>377</span>Miss Sherbrooke was sitting, while Ralph Meredith, in an attitude
+of devotion, was bending over her chair.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He was talking to her in a low tone, a smile on his handsome
+lips, a new light in his fine eyes, while she listened with
+drooping lids and flushed cheeks.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But chancing to glance up suddenly, Ralph started and
+uttered a low exclamation of surprise.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Excuse me a few moments; I see friends,” he said; and
+then leaving her hastily, he made his way quickly across the
+room.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Miss Gladstone!” he cried, approaching and holding out
+his hand to her, his face all aglow. “I never was so happily
+surprised in my life! And here is Mr. Rosevelt, too! How
+does it happen that you are here? It seems almost like home
+to see home faces.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star and Mr. Rosevelt greeted him most cordially, while
+Vivien Sherbrooke sat and watched them with wondering eyes
+and sinking heart.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Who could this beautiful young girl be who appeared so
+delighted to meet the man whom she had been learning to love
+of late?</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>What was she to him that she had power to make his face
+light up like that, and cause him to forget for the time the
+existence of any one else?</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It must be confessed that the charming Miss Sherbrooke
+was for the moment jealously inclined to regard Star as her
+rival.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I am afraid that you are not quite so well as usual. Your
+Western trip was too much for you, was it not?” Ralph said,
+when their greetings were over, as he noted her paleness, and
+was quick to see the look of pain in her expressive eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Oh, no; I am very well, and you are looking finely. I
+think English air must agree with you,” Star said, quickly turning
+attention from herself to him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_378'>378</span>“Yes, I am in excellent condition,” he confessed, with rising
+color, as he remembered how miserable he had been when he
+last saw her, and what had caused the change in his feelings
+and appearance. “How long have you been in London?” he
+queried.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Only a week,” Mr. Rosevelt answered.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Wasn’t it a sudden start?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Rather. I am here just now on a matter of business, but
+we intend to see something of this side of the world before we
+go back,” the old gentleman explained, with a smile.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“We hoped we should find you somewhere on our travels,
+for a familiar face makes the heart of the stranger glad, you
+know,” Star said. “I received a letter from Grace to-day, and
+she writes: ‘Be sure and hunt up Ralph, who is, without
+doubt, in London now.’ But who is that pretty young lady
+across the room with the blush-roses in her hair, and with
+whom I saw you talking as I came in?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Meredith flushed again at this; but his eyes kindled as
+he glanced over at Vivien, and replied:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Oh, that is an acquaintance that I have made since coming
+here. Come, and let me introduce you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He purposely avoided mentioning her name, wishing to see
+how Star would receive the introduction.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>As he turned to lead the way to Vivien, she looked up at
+Mr. Rosevelt and smiled archly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He understood her, and gently patted the hand on his arm
+while he nodded his head, and said, dryly:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“He’ll do, my young lady, never fear.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Miss Sherbrooke, allow me to make you acquainted with
+Miss Gladstone, a friend from beyond the sea; also Mr. Rosevelt.
+Miss Gladstone, Mr. Rosevelt—Miss Sherbrooke.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Ralph Meredith watched Star closely while he introduced
+and she exchanged greetings with Archibald Sherbrooke’s
+sister; and although she might have appeared self-possessed
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_379'>379</span>enough to the casual observer, <i>he</i> noticed the quick catching of
+her breath as she heard the familiar name, and remarked the
+flush which leaped into her hitherto pale cheeks, and which,
+although pain had caused it, enhanced her loveliness tenfold.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It is Archie’s sister,” Star said to herself, as their two white-gloved
+hands met, and a thrill of keenest pain shot through
+every nerve.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“How lovely she is!” she added. “Her eyes are like his
+in their expression, although not in color. Oh! I should have
+loved her, I know; and how rashly I have thrown all my happiness
+away!”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It needed all the power of her will to sustain her as she
+stood there beside Miss Sherbrooke, apparently so calm, and
+chatted with her for the next fifteen minutes; and Vivien never
+mistrusted the wild emotions which were surging in the heart
+of her new acquaintance, with whom she was exceedingly
+pleased.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“How perfectly charming she is!” she thought, as for a moment
+Star turned to speak to Ralph, and she studied her face
+more closely.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Then she started violently.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Surely she had seen that face somewhere before—those great,
+earnest blue eyes—that white forehead gleaming through a
+golden mist—that straight, delicate nose, and those beautiful
+red lips.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Yes, surely it was the face that her brother had painted when
+he was in America; only there was a look of pain in those eyes
+now that there had not been then; there were tense lines about
+the small, sweet mouth, and a seriousness about the whole
+countenance which told that the passing years since then had
+not been full of unalloyed pleasure.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was the same, nevertheless, she felt convinced, and she
+resolved that she would find Archie, point Miss Gladstone out
+to him, and ascertain if she were right in her surmises.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_380'>380</span>“Perhaps,” she thought, light suddenly breaking in upon
+her mind, “it was something connected with this lovely
+stranger which had caused his own sadness during the last
+year.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A gentleman approached her just then, and, turning to Star,
+she said, with a smile:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I must ask to be excused, as I have an engagement to
+dance now. I am sorry to leave you in the midst of our
+pleasant chat, but I will see you again before the evening is
+out.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star, with an answering smile, said she “hoped they would
+meet again;” but, oh! how she longed to inquire about her
+brother. If she had but spoken just one word to tell her that
+he was well and happy.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Happy! The thought nearly made her cry out with pain.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He must be changed indeed if he could be that with Josephine
+Richards; and, loving him as she did, it was agony to
+contemplate it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>What if he himself was there among that gay throng, with
+the bride he had so lately wedded?</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>What if she were to meet them together?</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>For a moment, as this contingency presented itself to her,
+her brain reeled, and she felt as if her senses were forsaking her
+again; the next, she called all her pride to her aid.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>This would never do; no one must ever mistrust her weakness
+and wretchedness, and Ralph Meredith surely would if
+she gave up to her feelings, for had she not told him of her
+false lover?</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was strange, she thought, that she should have found him
+with Archie’s sister, and she wondered if they had met and
+Ralph had called him to account for his treatment of her, as he
+had said he should.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Oh! why had she not been more reasonable? Why did she
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_381'>381</span>not let him explain his position to her when he had begged so
+earnestly to do so?</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She felt as if she could not bear to remain there—she longed
+to go away by herself until she could get a little more calm;
+and, seeing that Mr. Rosevelt and Ralph were deeply engaged
+in conversation, she slipped away unobserved to a small anteroom,
+which connected the drawing-room with the conservatory,
+and which she saw was at that moment empty.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Here she sat down in a chair near a large urn filled with
+flowers, which stood on one side of the door leading into
+the conservatory, and fell to musing sadly upon her broken
+hopes.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had not been there long when she was aroused by hearing
+a gay laugh ring out close at hand. She started as if some
+viper had stung her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She knew that sound but too well, and, looking up, she saw
+Josephine Richards, or Lady Carrol, as she believed her to be,
+standing almost beside her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She was just upon the threshold and was looking back into
+the conservatory, from which she had come, and at a couple
+standing there among the flowers.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had been exchanging some jesting words with them, and
+her laugh was in reply to some playful remark from them.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She was dressed all in white; she wore it almost constantly
+now, for she knew she looked lovelier in it than in anything
+else; everybody had told her that she had never been so beautiful
+as when she had stood beside Lord Carrol during that
+mock ceremony. There were great pearls in her hair and on
+her arms, and clusters of white lilacs on her bosom.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star held her breath as she looked at her, thinking that she
+was indeed wondrously fair, and that it was not strange that she
+should allure any one by her beauty; but she believed she was
+dressed thus because she was a bride.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>How bright and happy she looked, too, with the vivid
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_382'>382</span>color in her cheeks, her eyes sparkling from the excitement
+of the moment, and with that light laugh just leaving her
+red lips!</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Why should she not be happy, Star thought, bitterly, as the
+wife of one of the noblest men in England, and occupying one
+of the proudest positions in the land?</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A heavy sigh involuntarily escaped her, and, hearing it, Josephine
+turned quickly to see whence it came.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Stella Gladstone!” she exclaimed, and instantly all the
+color went out of her face, all the light from her eyes, the
+laughter from her lips, and she stood regarding the beautiful
+girl with lowering brow and angry eyes.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XLI.<br> <span class='large'>REHEARSING THE PAST.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>Star arose as she addressed her thus, and with the act all her
+pride arose as well.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes,” she said, speaking with cold politeness. “I suppose
+you are surprised; you did not expect to meet me here, Miss—Lady
+Carrol.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Josephine’s face lighted at those last words, and a wicked
+gleam leaped into her black eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No, I did not,” she returned, trying to call a happy smile
+to her false lips. “And—and—you have heard, then?” and,
+dropping her darkly fringed lids as if in confusion, she played
+with some flowers which she held in her hands, and looked the
+modest bride to perfection at being addressed by the title she
+had so lately assumed.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, I have heard of—or at least I saw your marriage in a
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_383'>383</span>paper which was sent me recently,” Star answered, trying hard
+to steady her voice, and resolving that the girl who hated her so
+should not suspect the torture she was enduring.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But Josephine did suspect it, and was determined not to let
+her go without wringing her heart with something of the agony
+which she had suffered.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Lord Carrol had dared to tell her, in the midst of her humiliation,
+that he loved Star, and she was bound to be revenged in
+some way for it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had sent her the Cheshire <i>Gazette</i>, even as Star had mistrusted,
+but she had not expected to get any such satisfaction as
+this out of it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had been down to the American Legation and found
+out where Mr. Rosevelt was stopping, and then had marked
+that paragraph and mailed that paper to Star, just to arouse her
+jealousy and show her that she had been a guest in Lord
+Carrol’s home for a week.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It had never entered her head that she would only read the
+notice of that mock marriage, and believe it real, not observing
+that it was connected with the remainder of the article describing
+Lady Sherbrooke’s ball.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But she now saw that such was the case. Star believed that
+she was really Lady Carrol; and she knew something of what
+she must be suffering on account of it, and with a sense of
+cruel exultation she resolved to give the wheels of the rack that
+she was on another vigorous turn.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She felt that the lovers would without doubt meet before
+long—perhaps that very evening, for she had seen his lordship
+there only a short time previous to this meeting, and she was
+assured he would waste no time in coming to an understanding
+with Star; but now, while she had her in her clutches, she
+would make the most of her opportunity.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I presume it is something of a disappointment to you to
+find me here, and—and situated just as—I am, when <i>you</i> so
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_384'>384</span>confidently expected to win his lordship,” sneered Josephine.
+“You perceive that it is not always safe to be too trusting, and
+a young peer, even though he were traveling under an assumed
+name, and made love to a pretty, poverty-stricken girl, to while
+away an idle hour, could not be expected to marry her.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star was very pale, but she was more than a match for the
+unfeeling girl in her proud beauty.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She stood like a tall and stately lily before her, and to all
+outward appearance she was no more moved by her scathing
+words than the snows on the peaks of lofty mountains are
+stirred by the fierce winds in the valley far below them.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Lord Carrol did not travel under an assumed name. I
+have discovered that Sir Archibald Sherbrooke and Lord Carrol,
+of Carrolton, are one and the same,” Star replied, with cold
+dignity.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Josephine started, then remembering, said:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Oh, of course; I forgot that both names were given in the
+notice of the marriage. But,” she went on, taking an intense
+delight in the torture she was sure she was inflicting, although
+her fair victim gave no sign, “you have no idea how lovely
+Cheshire House is—that is where the dowager Lady Sherbrooke
+lives; and Carrolton is even more delightful, I am told. We
+intend to go there before very long; but London is very gay
+just now, though it is out of season, and we are having such
+nice times that we prefer to remain here for the present.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She glanced at Star angrily.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>If she would but betray the least suffering, to show that she
+was wounded by this apparent triumph over her, she would
+have been content.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But she stood there, her graceful form proudly erect, her
+shining head thrown slightly back, her eyes fixed upon her face
+with an indifferent glance that galled her almost beyond endurance,
+while her manner was that of indulgent politeness, as if
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_385'>385</span>she were but listening, in a well-bred sort of way, to the babblings
+of a spoiled child.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I presume you have heard,” she resumed, “that we came
+abroad to take possession of the estates of Sir Charles Thornton,
+whose death leaves mamma the nearest of kin, and therefore
+we shall all henceforth occupy a very high position in this
+country.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Indeed?” Star responded, as if it were a matter of no moment
+to her. “I have heard of Sir Charles Thornton, but I
+did not know that you were ‘nearest of kin’ to him.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well, you know it now,” Josephine retorted, sharply,
+beginning to lose her temper at Star’s immobility; “and fortunately
+we can do exceedingly well without Uncle Jacob’s
+money, which you so cunningly managed to wheedle him out
+of. We shall not return to America, for we can enjoy so much
+more here among the nobility, where, as I told you before, our
+position is so high, and mine <i>particularly</i>, you know, as—as
+Lady Carrol, is one to be rather envied.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>This last, she thought, must be a dagger in the fair girl’s
+breast, but she was wholly unprepared to have it turned against
+her own.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“May I take the liberty to ask Miss Richards what she
+means by the statements which she has made—to explain herself,
+if indeed that is <i>possible</i>,” said a deep, stern voice just
+behind her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Both girls started and turned instantly at the sound, and both
+uttered a cry—one of surprise, the other of dismay.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Lord Carrol himself stood in the door-way of the conservatory
+from which Josephine had entered, and through which he
+had passed on his way from another portion of the building
+back to the drawing-room.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He had seen Ralph Meredith and Mr. Rosevelt but a moment
+or two after Star slipped away. They told him that she
+was there, and he had instantly left them to seek her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_386'>386</span>He had seen her standing there in the anteroom through the
+glass as he approached, and he recognized her instantly,
+although the sight had nearly unmanned him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>As he drew near, however, he heard Josephine’s voice, sharp
+and scoffing, and addressing the strangest words to her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He stood still and listened, perfectly aghast at what she was
+saying, until he comprehended the whole situation; and, when
+she made that last amazing assertion, he could endure no
+more, and entered to confront her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star, with one look into his white set face, and a glance of
+astonishment from him to Josephine, whose countenance, for
+once in her life, expressed blankest dismay, sank back pale and
+shivering into the chair from which she had risen when Miss
+Richards addressed her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>That young lady felt for the moment as if she would like the
+ground to open and swallow her forever from sight.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But the situation was a desperate one—so desperate that she
+did not care for anything; so, quickly rallying, she tossed her
+dark head and retorted with a light laugh:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Miss Gladstone was just telling me, my lord, that she had
+heard of my marriage, and I was only carrying out the joke a
+little further.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I <i>understand</i> you,” he said, briefly, but in accents of
+intense scorn.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Then, with a quick, eager step, he came between her and
+Star, who, with her white hands folded helplessly in her lap, her
+face like purest marble, felt as if earth was again slipping forever
+out of her reach, for her senses were reeling.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>With a stern, authoritative gesture he motioned Josephine
+away, and, reaching down, he took Star’s hands in his.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“My darling,” he said, in low, thrilling tones, “has she
+been torturing you to death? There is not one word of truth
+in what she has told you. Come with me, and let me explain
+everything to you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_387'>387</span>A mocking laugh, which, however, was full of misery, rang
+through the room.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Lord Carrol looked back and saw Josephine, her face almost
+convulsed with pain and passion, passing out.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Don’t think that it is going to be all clear sailing even now,
+my proud, spirited lord, for I will spoil it all if I can.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Come,” he murmured, gently turning again to Star, and
+paying no heed to those threatening words.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He drew her unresisting hand within his arm, and led her
+through the conservatory out upon a covered porch at the
+rear.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>This porch was more like a room, for during the winter it
+was inclosed with glass windows, and, being heated with steam,
+formed a part of the hot-house.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He placed the fair girl in a chair in a secluded corner, and
+then he knelt down before her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He took her hands again and drew them to his breast, where
+she could feel the great heart-throbs which made his strong
+frame quiver like a tree struck by the woodman’s ax.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“My darling,” he said again, “I have seen Mr. Rosevelt,
+and he told me that you were here. I have been looking for
+you everywhere during the last fifteen minutes. Dearest, you
+will let me defend myself now, will you not? You will not
+turn away from me—you will not spoil both our lives by again
+driving me from you, believing me to be a ‘traitor and
+coward?’”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star shivered. Those words smote her with terrible pain;
+but her heart had been bounding with new hope since he had
+so sternly confronted Josephine Richards and proclaimed her
+assertion a lie.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She could not comprehend it, for she had read the notice of
+their marriage with her own eyes. Yet she instinctively trusted
+him, and it was so sweet, after all the miserable past, to have
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_388'>388</span>him there, looking so fondly down into her eyes, and calling
+her his darling in those dear, familiar tones.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Archie—Archie!” she murmured, with a sob, “I know all
+about it—you were never a traitor or a coward. I know you
+never deceived me, and I alone am guilty of a great wrong to
+you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>With a low cry of joy he gathered her close in his arms, and
+laid her shining head upon his breast, calling her by every
+endearing name with which his heart was filled.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You know all about it, my love? Who has told you?” he
+asked, surprised.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Just one little sentence in a newspaper, which told me also
+that, when at the very moment I found you had been true, my
+life was to be a blank as long as I should live,” Star said, with
+unsteady voice and quivering lips. “I read,” she added “the
+notice of your marriage with Miss Richards in the Cheshire
+<i>Gazette</i>. These two names, Archibald Sherbrooke and Lord
+Carrol were printed there, and told me the whole story. I
+knew then <i>how</i> I had been deceived. But I cannot understand.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She broke off suddenly, and drew herself away from him
+shivering and sick at heart again.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Surely that notice would never have been printed if he was
+not married, and she had no right to be thus in the arms of
+another woman’s husband.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She knew that he neither loved nor respected Josephine
+from the way he had addressed her; he called her Miss
+Richards, too, but it was a puzzle that she could not comprehend.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Lord Carrol read her thoughts, and saw by her white face
+how she was suffering, and he said, with infinite tenderness:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“My love, it was all a farce, a mock marriage planned by a
+wild and thoughtless girl, while I was chosen as one of the
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_389'>389</span>unfortunate victims and Miss Richards the other. Did you not
+read the description which followed that notice?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No; I read nothing but those horrible words, which told
+me of my own injustice, and that you and I would be parted
+forever. They burned themselves into my brain as if they
+had been branded there with a hot iron, and I cared to read
+no more.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“If you had,” he returned, “you would have been undeceived;
+but I was very angry when I saw how the affair had
+been published, and if I could ascertain who wrote it up, I
+should be tempted to chastise the writer severely.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star was weeping now; great, glad tears of joy chased each
+other over her cheeks, and she did not resist him when he drew
+her into his arms again, wiping with his own hands the glittering
+drops as they fell, while in low, tender tones he told her all
+about the strange events which had conspired to separate them
+for so long.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Will you forgive me, Archie? I was very hard upon you,
+but I was nearly mad with my misery that night when I refused
+to listen to you,” Star said, when the story was ended.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Forgive you, my own? This moment compensates for
+everything. How were you to know that a titled relative had
+died, making me his heir, and changing or adding to my
+name? I was indeed Archibald Sherbrooke, bound for America,
+to travel and study art there, when we went on that
+steamer. I merely dropped the ‘Sir’ lest you should be shy of
+me. I did indeed know of the change in my circumstances
+when I next saw you in the station in New York, but in my
+fear of losing you, I resolved not to tell you until I had won
+you, feeling afraid that you, in your modesty, would refuse to
+Lord Carrol the love you would perhaps give to Archibald
+Sherbrooke. I never suspected, when I accepted Mrs. Richards’
+invitation to visit her, that I was going into the very house
+where my own love dwelt. I had paid Miss Josephine some
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_390'>390</span>attention at Long Branch, but her mother was always included,
+and it was only in a friendly way, as I was drawn toward them
+from having discovered that they were of English descent, and
+connected with people here whom I knew. I intended, as I
+told you that night, to seek you the very next day; and when I
+had won the consent of your friends to an engagement with
+you, in the character of Archibald Sherbrooke, I was going to
+tell you of my real position in life. Now, dear, you know that
+I have never swerved from my allegiance to you. I have been
+as true as truth itself,” he concluded, smiling fondly down
+upon her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I have been very foolish, Archie,” Star whispered, “but,
+oh! I am very, very happy now. I was so utterly wretched
+this morning. I have been so wretched all day that it required
+all my courage to come here to-night; but I forced myself to
+do so because I did not wish Uncle Jacob to mistrust anything.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“And I hear that my modest little Star has become a great
+heiress; she is no longer the quiet, retiring little maid whom I
+was so proud and happy to have won that day when we went to
+Coney Island,” Lord Carrol said, half regretfully.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star lifted her head from his breast and looked at him
+inquiringly, and he thought rather more searchingly than the
+occasion required.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I mean,” he explained, “that Mr. Meredith has told me
+that Mr. Rosevelt has adopted you as his heiress.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She drew a long breath, but merely returned, in an absent
+way:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Mr. Meredith told me more, too, my darling,” her lover
+resumed; “he was the one who lifted the burden of sadness,
+caused by your sentence of banishment, from my heart. I
+imagined, also, although his confidence did not extend quite
+so far as this, that he had been my unsuccessful rival, and that
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_391'>391</span>was why you confessed what you did to him regarding your
+affection for me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Did Mr. Meredith tell you that—” Star began, blushing
+crimson as she remembered what her confession had been.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, my beloved, and no hungry heart ever feasted upon
+sweeter words. They changed the whole future for me, and I
+was intending to start again for America in just three weeks, to
+search for the star of my life; the past has been very lonely and
+hopeless.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, indeed,” Star returned, with a long sigh; “and yet,”
+she added, looking up with a smile, “I am glad that I am not
+to come to you <i>quite</i> so empty-handed as you found me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You surely do not regret the promise that you made me
+then?” Lord Carrol questioned, reproachfully.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No; for it proves that you won me for myself alone; but
+now that I know you are a peer of England, it is a comfort to
+feel that no one can point the finger of scorn at me and say
+that you have chosen beneath you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He stopped her with a tender caress.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No one should ever have said that to me with impunity,
+under any circumstances,” he rejoined, gravely.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>They talked a long time, and everything was explained—all
+the events of the past rehearsed, all Josephine’s duplicity and
+hatred made known.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“She is a heartless woman—a most contemptible woman,”
+Lord Carrol said, with curling lips and stern brow; “and I
+deeply regret that she is to become a resident in England, as
+we shall doubtless be obliged to meet her in society. She has
+wronged you shamefully, my darling. However,” he added,
+with a luminous smile, “she considers that the ‘position of
+Lady Carrol will be an enviable one,’ and, since <i>you</i> are to fill
+it, I think her punishment will not be a light one.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Her punishment <i>was</i> to be no light one, but <i>he</i> had no idea
+<i>how</i> humiliating it would be.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_392'>392</span>Another blissful half hour slipped unheeded by, and then he
+said:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Come, dear; people will begin to wonder what has become
+of us, and besides, I want to introduce you to my mother and
+sister.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He arose as he spoke, and drew her toward the conservatory,
+through which they must pass in order to regain the drawing-room.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I have already seen your sister,” Star answered, with a
+bright smile, “and I began to love her immediately, and to
+mourn what I had lost in not having her for <i>my</i> sister, too.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“She <i>is</i> a dear girl, but I begin to think we shall not keep
+her with us very much longer,” Archie returned, with a regretful
+sigh.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I thought so, too, when Mr. Meredith introduced her to
+me to-night,” Star said, archly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Ah! then <i>you</i> read the signs of the times,” he answered,
+smiling. “But here comes my mother, and she is looking for
+me, I know, by the expression of her face.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>They were just entering the drawing-room as he spoke, and
+Lady Sherbrooke was coming toward them, looking right and
+left for her son.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Her handsome face lighted as she saw him, and she quickened
+her steps, while she wondered at that new light in his
+eyes, at the bright and youthful expression on his face.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Mother,” Archibald Sherbrooke said, and there was a
+proud ring in his tone, “I want to introduce to you Miss
+Gladstone, a friend whom I met while I was in America.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Lady Sherbrooke shot a keen glance into that lovely, blushing
+face, and there came a look of surprise into her own, while
+for once she lost something of the graceful self-possession that
+was habitual to her as she greeted Star.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Her heart went forth to the young girl at once, and she
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_393'>393</span>experienced a shock akin to that which Vivien had felt when
+she met her.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XLII.<br> <span class='large'>THE LAWYER’S REBUKE.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>There was something strangely familiar about that slight,
+graceful form and in those lustrous eyes—in that golden-crowned
+head, and the now happy, smiling lips.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Miss Gladstone, I am very glad to meet you,” she began,
+as she cordially put out her hand to her; then turning abruptly,
+and speaking with a slightly startled accent, she added:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Archie, surely I have met her before?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes,” he answered, his face glowing; “I see that you have
+recognized her.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Star,” and the tender inflection on that name told his
+mother everything, “she has seen the picture that I painted
+when I was in America, and she has now discovered who the
+original is.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, my dear,” Lady Sherbrooke added, while she studied
+the beautiful, flushed face; “I do recognize your countenance,
+and I am quite proud of my son’s achievements as an artist.
+You are an American, I believe. I am very happy to welcome
+you to England.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star’s heart beat rapidly at this cordial, almost tender greeting,
+and wondered if she was indeed the same girl who, feeling
+so wretched and forlorn, had entered that room only two hours
+before.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No, mother; Miss Gladstone is not an American,” Archie
+explained. “She is an English lassie, and we met on shipboard
+while crossing the Atlantic; but more of that story anon,” he
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_394'>394</span>said, significantly. “Now, will you entertain her for a few
+moments while I go and find Vivien?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“With pleasure,” Lady Sherbrooke responded, her heart
+bounding to hear those clear, joyous tones ringing through her
+son’s voice—sounds which she had not heard before since his
+first return from America; while she said to herself:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“This is the girl whom my son loves and will choose for his
+wife;” and her heart warmed toward Star as it never had done
+before toward another outside of her own family.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>After finding his sister and taking her back to Star and his
+mother, Lord Carrol sought Mr. Rosevelt and had a long talk
+with him, explaining to him, as he had to his dear one, the
+unfortunate circumstances which had conspired to separate
+them, and learning in return something of their life during the
+past fourteen or fifteen months.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>After this he rejoined the trio of ladies—those three beautiful
+women whom he loved above everything else in the world.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“The ‘story’ that you were going to tell me, Archie, but
+did not, as you were called away to London, is told. I read it
+in your face to-night, and in that of the beautiful girl to whom
+you have introduced me. My boy, I think now that you will
+be your own dear self once more,” Lady Sherbrooke whispered,
+as he came and stood by her side, and his eyes, in reply, told
+her more than his lips could have done; but he asked, in a
+low, intense tone:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Is she not rightly named Star?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“She is charming; I have no fault to find with her personally.
+But her family?” she questioned, cautiously.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Is all right also, mother mine. I will tell you all about it
+to-morrow.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>In a distant corner of the room Mrs. Richards and Josephine
+sat and viewed this meeting, bitterest envy rankling in their
+hearts.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_395'>395</span>The angry girl had sought her mother upon leaving the anteroom,
+and told her of Star’s presence there.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I declare it is more than human nature can bear to be
+obliged to encounter her everywhere. And to think that such
+a miserable, insignificant little chit as she was when she came
+to us should win game after game from us. She is a proverbial
+checkmate, I believe,” Mrs. Richards said, complainingly. “But
+even if she does become Lady Carrol,” she added, “I shall take
+care that she does not outshine us. Thank fortune, we shall
+have a handsome income to flourish upon.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I hate her—I hate them both! and I wish I were <i>dead</i>!”
+Josephine cried, passionately.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>When Mr. Rosevelt, Lord Carrol, and his party were about
+retiring, they encountered the Richardses in the great hall.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Rosevelt took no notice of them, although he would
+have greeted Mr. Richards had he been with them, and they
+guiltily avoided him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The young lord bowed coldly, and would have passed on,
+but Josephine, in a sudden fit of desperation, laid her hand
+upon his arm, saying, in low, fierce tones:</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I give you joy of your chambermaid bride! But beware!
+You will not feel quite so jovial when all London rings with
+the fact that the proud Lord Carrol has married a common
+house-servant!”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Miss Richards,” he returned, haughtily, “even such a statement
+of facts could not injure the fair, pure woman whom I
+have chosen for my wife; but allow me to say that if you are so
+ill-disposed as to publish anything of the kind, you will find,
+to your sorrow, that the shafts from your venomous tongue will
+only serve to poison still further your own life.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“We shall see!” she sneered.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You will find,” he went on, as if he had not heard her,
+“that Miss Gladstone is so far above you, both morally and
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_396'>396</span><i>socially</i>, that it does not lie in your power to do her the slightest
+injury.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“We shall see, my lord!” the maddened girl repeated, vindictively;
+but, without giving her time to say more, his lordship
+passed on to Star’s side, and drawing her hand within his
+arm, led her away to her carriage.</p>
+
+<hr class='c013'>
+
+<p class='c011'>The day came at last which was to decide Mrs. Richards’
+claim to the Thornton estates, and, according to appointment,
+she repaired to the office of Compton &#38; Bailey, in the highest
+of spirits, dressed in the most magnificent style, and accompanied
+by Josephine, clad with equal richness, and her husband.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well, Mr. Compton, my probation is ended at last,” she
+said, gayly, to that gentleman, as she entered, and greeted him
+with her most gracious manner.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Ahem! I suppose we may say that it is,” he returned, in a
+strangely embarrassed way.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Well, then, I presume there is no need of further delay,
+and we can take possession of the late Sir Charles’ property as
+soon as we choose,” she remarked, too deeply engaged with
+thoughts regarding her own brilliant future to notice his
+manner.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Ahem!” the lawyer repeated, an uneasy expression on his
+face; “I <i>did</i> expect that I could tell you to-day everything was
+all right and you could go down to Halowell Park as soon as
+you liked; but——”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“But what?” Mrs. Richards demanded, with some show of
+impatience. “It appears to me that you are somewhat mysterious
+this morning, when heretofore you have acknowledged
+my relationship to Sir Charles Thornton to be proved beyond
+a doubt.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, madam, you have clearly proved, it cannot be contested,
+that you were a relative of the late baronet’s; but—I am
+sorry—it will be a great disappointment to you, doubtless, to
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_397'>397</span>learn at this late day that another party has put in a claim for
+the estate, as being the nearest of kin.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The lawyer heaved a sigh of relief when he had stumbled
+through this piece of ill-news.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“What?” almost screamed Mrs. Richards, reeling where she
+stood.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had never even thought of such a calamity.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“There is no nearer relative living,” she continued, with pale
+lips. “You yourself said you were convinced of that.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“And so I was, a month ago, madam; but I have been
+obliged to change my opinion since then.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“What—what has changed it?” she asked, trembling with
+fear and excitement.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It would be too dreadful now, when the prize was almost
+within her grasp, to lose it, and to be obliged to return poor
+and disappointed to America.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You remember, perhaps,” the lawyer said, avoiding meeting
+her eyes, for they were wild in their expression, “that I told
+you that Sir William Thornton—the late Sir Charles’ father—had
+a younger brother, Albert by name——”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, but you said that he left home years ago to go as a
+missionary to some outlandish place, where he died,” interrupted
+the anxious woman.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Where it was <i>supposed</i> he died,” said Mr. Compton, with
+significant emphasis.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Did he not die?—is he living?—has he returned?” his
+client gasped.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No; he died some years ago; but he left a child. That
+child is living, and has put in a claim for the estate.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“But you told me he left no issue——”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It was all supposition, madam, since we could learn
+nothing to the contrary; but we have recently learned our
+mistake.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“He shall not have the property; he may be an impostor.
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_398'>398</span>I shall contest the point,” Mrs. Richards said, with frantic
+vehemence.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Ellen, do be reasonable,” said her husband, sternly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Unfortunately for your peace of mind, madam, it is a point
+that cannot be contested,” returned Mr. Compton; “and, if
+you will give me your attention for a few moments, I will explain
+it to you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>With a groan, Mrs. Richards sank into a chair, more wretched
+than she had ever been in her life.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Your mother,” began the lawyer, also seating himself, and
+motioning Mr. Richards and Josephine to do the same, “was
+half-sister to the late Sir Charles’ mother. That made her half-aunt
+and you half-cousin to him. That relationship, however,
+would have been near enough to give you the property had no
+nearer claimant appeared. Sir William Thornton, the late Sir
+Charles’ father, and Albert were own brothers; consequently,
+the child of Albert would be own cousin to the late Sir Charles,
+and being a descendent on his father’s side, by far the nearest
+of kin. Have I made it clear to you?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He glanced as he spoke at Mr. Richards, who nodded, while
+his wife covered her face and groaned aloud.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Now,” resumed Mr. Compton, “I will tell you, in as few
+words as I can, the story of this younger brother, Albert Thornton.
+He was quite a number of years Sir William’s junior, and
+at an early age dissented from the established church and religion
+of his ancestors, and insisted upon going as a missionary
+to Africa. This so enraged his father that he disowned him,
+charging him never to show his face inside his ancestral home
+again. Deeply wounded, but still adhering to his convictions
+of duty, he went to Africa, but was obliged to return to England
+again in the course of a couple of years, on account of
+failing health. He did not, however, present himself in the
+home from which he had been banished, for this neither his
+pride nor his wounded heart would allow him to do. He
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_399'>399</span>therefore settled in a distant county, where he had charge of a
+small parish at a merely nominal salary, during the remainder
+of his life. Not long after his return he married a gentle and
+lovely girl, and one child was born to them, who, recently seeing
+our advertisement for the nearest of kin to Sir Charles, has
+presented a claim for the estate.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Who is this child?—where is it?—where did it come from
+at this late day?” questioned Mrs. Richards, who felt as if all
+the world was slipping away from her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Wait one moment and I will introduce you,” the lawyer
+said, as, rising, he gently retired to his inner office.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He returned almost immediately with a lady on his arm.
+Mrs. Richards started to her feet and uttered a piercing scream
+the moment her eyes fell upon her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The lady was Star Gladstone!</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“That girl again!” shrieked Mrs. Richards. “You don’t
+mean to tell me that <i>she</i> is the heir to Sir Charles Thornton’s
+property?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, madam, this young lady and no other; but I was not
+aware that you had the honor of her acquaintance,” responded
+Mr. Compton, with some surprise, as he led Star to a seat.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“But her name is Gladstone——”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Have a little patience and I will explain still further,” interrupted
+the lawyer, who was beginning to be disgusted with
+one who gave way so to passion.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Miss Gladstone tells me that she has been known by that
+name all her life; that until her eighteenth birthday she was
+not aware that she was entitled to any other. But her father
+left a package of papers at his death, containing a history of
+his life, with all the necessary proofs, but charged her not to
+open it until she was eighteen years of age. In this he related
+what I have already told you, and also the fact that when he
+was a child, his father, through the death of a relative, succeeded
+to the title and estates of the Thorntons of Devonshire,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_400'>400</span>upon condition that he assumed the name. Such things happen
+often here in England, you know, as in the case of Lord
+Carrol, whom you are acquainted with. When the elder Mr.
+Gladstone, or Thornton, died, of course William, his eldest son,
+succeeded to the baronetcy. Albert, the second son, upon his
+return and settlement in a parish of Derbyshire, gave his name
+as Rev. Albert Gladstone, and under this name married a Miss
+Chudleigh, who was also discarded by her family for wedding a
+poor dissenting clergyman—one who was deemed far beneath
+her socially, as no one suspected his connections with the
+Thorntons. After her death, and when Mr. Gladstone found
+that he also had not long to live, he said he could not reconcile
+himself to the thought of giving his orphan daughter to the
+care of those to whom he had been a stranger so long, although
+his own blood flowed in their veins; so he arranged to send
+her to a distant relative of his mother’s in America, who agreed
+to take charge of her and her education for her sake. This last,
+however, Miss Gladstone has told me, and her residence in that
+country at the time of the death of the late Sir Charles, and
+her ignorance regarding her relationship to him, accounts for
+the fact that we have but just discovered her claim. Everything
+is as plain as black and white can make it. We have looked
+up the records, and find they correspond with the papers in her
+possession, and among which is a certificate of her parents’ marriage,
+and one of her own baptism, together with other important
+documents; and now, I think, you cannot fail to perceive
+that Miss Gladstone, being Sir Charles Thornton’s <i>own</i> cousin,
+is the nearest of kin, and we shall therefore be obliged to give
+her claim the precedence. I regret, madam,” the lawyer concluded,
+in his blandest tones, “that we did not learn of this in
+season to save you the trouble and expense of such a long
+journey. However, I trust that you have reaped enjoyment
+sufficient from the trip to compensate you in a measure for your
+disappointment.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_401'>401</span>Mrs. Richards looked blankly from one to another of the
+occupants of that room, as if she could not, even yet, comprehend
+the magnitude of the calamity which had so unexpectedly
+overtaken her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I do not believe one word of it. It is all a piece of fraud
+to cheat me out of my rights,” she cried at length, while her
+own blazing eyes threatened to annihilate the beautiful girl, her
+successful rival, who sat opposite with downcast eyes, and feeling
+really sorry, in spite of all that she had suffered at Mrs.
+Richards’ hands, for her distress over this terrible defeat.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Do not allow yourself to become unreasonable over the
+matter, madam, I pray. There has not been, I assure you,
+even the suspicion of a fraud,” Mr. Compton said, his own eyes
+beginning to take fire at this assertion. “The papers are all
+there on my table; everything has been written out in the
+plainest manner, and copies made of all the records which go
+to prove what I have told you. You can examine them, if you
+choose; but there cannot be the slightest doubt regarding Miss
+Gladstone’s claim. She alone inherits everything belonging to
+the late Sir Charles Thornton.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Oh, she has been the bane of our lives; she has ruined
+and upset every plan that we have made since the day when she
+first set foot in our house—since she came to us like the beggar
+that she was,” sobbed the wretched woman, giving way utterly
+to her misery.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Ah! then <i>you</i> are the woman to whom Albert Thornton
+confided his orphan daughter when he knew that he could not
+live?” said Mr. Compton, quickly, his keen mind at once grasping
+certain facts which Star, from a feeling of delicacy, had
+withheld from him, when, to her surprise, she learned that
+Mrs. Richards had also come to England to claim the Thornton
+estates.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“That has nothing to do with the case. She has <i>ruined</i> us,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_402'>402</span>and that is enough to think about for one day, I should imagine,”
+she retorted, angrily, and flushing.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Ellen!” and Mr. Richards spoke very sternly; “you are as
+unreasonable as a child. Star has been kindly disposed from
+the first. It is <i>you</i> who have tried to ruin <i>her</i>—who have oppressed
+and sought to degrade her in a way that is a shame to
+you and your promises to her dead father. It is a bitter thing
+to be obliged to condemn my own wife thus publicly, but I
+cannot calmly listen to your calumniations of her, for, instead
+of being our ruin, she has been our salvation. Only this fall,
+when my business was tottering, and my reason with it—when I
+was upon the verge of bankruptcy—of self-destruction—I confess
+it with shame and sorrow now—<i>she</i> came to me like a beam
+of light and saved me from becoming both a bankrupt and a
+suicide. She gave me, or caused to be given to me, a check
+for ten thousand dollars, which set me upon my feet again. She
+spoke, too, such solemn, gentle words to me as I shall never
+forget, and which kept me from the horrible pit into which I
+was stumbling, and we owe all that we are and have to her.
+To go still farther back, you owe your life to her mother.
+Josephine was saved from a dreadful death by Star’s bravery;
+and, instead of hating her because unforeseen circumstances
+have raised her to a high social position, we should rejoice that
+it is so. Star, my dear girl, you have at least one grateful heart
+in my family.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He went over to her side and put out his hand to her,
+though he was so deeply moved that it shook like a leaf, and
+she took it with streaming eyes, and wholly unable to utter a
+single word in reply.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>What a wreck that heartless woman had made of his life, she
+thought. He was naturally a kind and tender-hearted man, and
+deserving of a better fate than had been his.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But his wife bridled angrily, losing all control over her
+tongue.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_403'>403</span>“I wish I had never set eyes on her face; and I wish your
+hand had been palsied before it ever took that ten thousand
+dollars from her. She came into our family and stole your
+heart from me by her arts and sly speeches; she wheedled out
+of Jacob Rosevelt the fortune that should have been mine; she
+tricked Josephine out of the man who should have married
+her—who <i>would</i> have done so but for her; and now she has
+come to steal the inheritance which ought to have been mine.
+I <i>hate</i> her, and I <i>curse</i> her from the bottom of my heart!”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Then you are a thoroughly bad woman, and I am thankful
+that Sir Charles Thornton’s estate is to pass into more worthy
+hands. Much as I sympathize with and respect your husband,
+madam, I cannot permit my young client to be insulted in
+my presence, and I have the honor to wish you a very good-morning.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Compton said this very spiritedly, his fine face flushing
+with indignation, his lips curling with contempt, while he
+walked to the door of his office and held it open, with such an
+air of stern determination that Mrs. Richards did not dare to
+disregard this very emphatic invitation to take her departure,
+and she walked wrathfully, but utterly crushed by her bitter
+disappointment, from the room.</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XLIII.<br> <span class='large'>“GOD BLESS OUR STAR.”</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>Yes, beautiful Star Gladstone was the heiress to Halowell
+Park, and all other property belonging to the late Sir Charles
+Thornton.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Upon reaching home after her trip to California, which had
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_404'>404</span>been one of great enjoyment as well as profit, she resolved to
+settle down to a cozy, quiet life for the remainder of the winter,
+and make Uncle Jacob as comfortable as she possibly could.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She was sitting in her own pretty room one morning, something
+as Mrs. Richards had sat in hers only a few weeks previous
+when she had discovered herself to be the heir to Halowell
+Park, but looking happy and smiling, instead of angry and
+discontented.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She had brought a pile of music up there to sort and arrange,
+it having been upset by the house-maid while dusting, and as
+she was looking it over, she came upon an old newspaper that
+had got mixed in with it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She took it up as one often does, and ran her eye carelessly
+over its columns.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It happened to be the very paper which contained the notice
+of Sir Charles Thornton’s death, and the advertisement for the
+next of kin.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star started as her eye caught that name. Then she went
+over both paragraphs carefully.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I do not believe but that he was the one of whom papa
+wrote in that package,” she murmured, thoughtfully. “It must
+be the same, for <i>he</i> was the owner of Halowell Park of Devonshire.
+He was papa’s own nephew; there are no heirs, and—I
+wonder if I might not in some way be interested in this
+advertisement.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>With heightened color she arose, and going to a drawer in
+her dressing-case, drew forth that worn portfolio which we have
+seen before on several occasions.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Opening it, she took out those papers which she had read on
+the evening of her eighteenth birthday, and which had caused
+her so much agitation.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>One of them contained a history of her father’s life, as we
+have already stated, telling how his religious views had changed
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_405'>405</span>as he drew near manhood, and how he had desired to go to
+preach to the heathen; how this had angered his father, who,
+when he found he could not turn him from his purpose, drove
+him from his home, telling him never to set foot in it again;
+how he had gone to Africa full of holy zeal, but failing in
+health, had been obliged to return and settle in a small parish
+of Derbyshire. Here he had met Miss Chudleigh, who at one
+time was visiting in the neighborhood, and she sympathizing
+with him in his views, they had soon grown to love each other,
+and felt that life would be nothing to them unless spent with
+each other. When, however, she had insisted upon marrying
+him in opposition to the wishes of her friends, she also had
+been discarded by them.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You once questioned me about your name, my child,” he
+wrote, “and I told you that your grandmother had given it to
+you. I have sometimes feared I was harsh with you when you
+asked me about my family, but you understand now why, and
+forgive me if I seemed so to you. I loved my mother as I
+never loved any one else save my lost Annie and you, and had
+she been living, I should never have been so cruelly banished
+from my home, for I was her favorite child. She was a grand
+and noble woman, but there was some sorrow connected with
+her early life which I could never wholly fathom. I once, upon
+coming suddenly into her room, found her weeping over a portrait,
+and when I asked her the cause of her grief, she put it
+hastily out of sight. ‘My boy, I am foolish and wrong to
+grieve over the past,’ she said; ‘but I once lost a very dear
+friend, and sometimes feelings arise which I cannot wholly control.
+I want you to do something for me sometime,’ she added,
+trying to smile, ‘and that is, if you should ever marry and have
+a little daughter, you will call her Stella Rosevelt Gladstone.’
+‘I will call her anything you like,’ I answered, earnestly, and
+then she kissed me with trembling lips and said I was her
+‘dear boy.’ This is how you came by your name, my little Star.
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_406'>406</span>Stella was my dear mother’s name; ‘Rosevelt,’ I have grown to
+believe, was one that was sacred to her.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Then there was more about his family relations—about his
+father and brother. He said there were very few of his kin
+living; he knew of only one, now that his brother was gone,
+and that was his only child, Sir Charles Thornton, of Halowell
+Park, but he had no family; he probably believed that he—Albert
+Gladstone Thornton—was dead, as everybody else did,
+and so he had concluded it best to send her—Star—to America,
+to the care of Mrs. Richards, who had promised to care for her,
+and who, he felt, would be true to her trust for the sake of the
+debt which she owed her mother.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Before he had died he charged her, when giving her the
+package, to guard it as a sacred treasure, and not to open it
+until the stated time, and she had promised to do as he wished.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>After Star had read this paper through, she took up the
+others and went carefully over them; and these were certificates
+and records, all of which went to prove the truth of what he
+had written.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Evidently the thought had never occurred to him that Sir
+Charles would die unmarried and childless, and that <i>she</i> would
+own and reign in the home from which he had been banished;
+for there was no mention of any such thing, and no desire expressed
+that she should ever seek to cultivate the acquaintance
+of her rich cousin.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>When she had been through them all, she gathered them
+up, together with the paper in which she had seen the advertisement,
+and carried them below to Mr. Rosevelt, told him
+something of her suspicions, and asked him to examine them
+and see if he thought she would be likely to inherit the Thornton
+property.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He did look into them carefully, and felt convinced that Star
+stood next in line to Sir Charles.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_407'>407</span>He was deeply touched upon reading her father’s account of
+his mother, and his own early love.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star had never shown it to him before. She had not liked
+to do so for several reasons, deeming it, for one, a sort of sacred
+trust from her father, and thinking also that it might sadden
+her kind friend.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I cannot understand why, when her husband had been so
+kind and patient with her, under what must have been such
+trying circumstances, he should have been so harsh and unloving
+toward his boy for a mere difference of opinion,” he
+murmured, thoughtfully, while thinking of poor Albert Thornton’s
+banishment from home.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Little girl,” he said to Star, “there is, I believe, a good
+deal in this for you, and we must sail for England immediately,”
+and Star felt her heart leap within her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>England was Lord Carrol’s home.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Then her lips had curled with scorn at her own folly, but she
+agreed at once to do whatever Mr. Rosevelt advised, and in a
+week they were again crossing the broad Atlantic.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Upon seeking an interview with Compton &#38; Bailey and laying
+their case before them, they were gratified to learn that, although
+other claims had been filed, Star was the nearest of kin who
+had yet appeared to them.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The eminent lawyers at once set themselves to work to look
+up the case, found all the records to correspond with those in
+her possession, and finally pronounced her to be the heir to the
+Thornton property.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star felt greatly surprised and troubled upon learning that
+Mrs. Richards was one of the claimants, for she had no desire
+to contest any question with her, or to appear to triumph over
+her in any way. She simply wished to let her alone—to drop
+her entirely out of her life.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>When the day came round that was to decide the important
+question for the expectant woman, Mr. Compton insisted, much
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_408'>408</span>to Star’s annoyance, that it was necessary for her to meet her,
+and the rights of the true heir to be established in the presence
+of all parties.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She felt a real pity for the wretched woman when the lawyer
+led her out to confront Mrs. Richards and her family, for she
+was unwilling to cause even an enemy pain, while it did indeed
+almost seem as if she was destined to checkmate every move in
+their life; but every one, even herself, who knew the circumstances
+of the past, could but acknowledge that their punishment
+was a just one.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The days, since the meeting and happy reconciliation of Lord
+Carrol and Star, had been full of joy and contentment.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She did not, however, tell him of her expectations regarding
+the Thornton property, but when the time appointed to meet
+Mrs. Richards arrived, she asked him to accompany Mr. Rosevelt
+and herself to Mr. Compton’s office upon a little matter of
+business.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He, with them, remained in the inner office during the
+lawyer’s interview with his claimants, and the door being slightly
+ajar, they could hear all that passed in the other room.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Lord Carrol was greatly astonished at what he heard, but he
+was even more so when Mr. Compton came in and led Star
+forth to present her as the heiress to that large estate.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I am almost afraid to approach you, my lady of Thornton.
+I begin to fear you may assume some new character at any
+moment, and soar so far beyond my reach that I shall lose you
+entirely,” he said, half in jest, half in earnest, when, that evening,
+he came to see her in her own room in St. James square.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You know I told you I was glad that you won me when I
+was a poor, obscure little maid,” Star answered, slipping her
+hand confidingly into his.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I feel perfectly sure of your love,” she added, “and yet I
+am not <i>sorry</i> that I can come to you now as an equal. I shall
+not be sorry to have the <i>world</i> say of you that you have chosen
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_409'>409</span>wisely,” she concluded, while her glowing eyes and smiling lips
+told that, for his sake, she exulted in her new position and
+wealth.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“What the world might say of you, under any circumstances,
+would not trouble me,” he answered, gravely. “But
+I, too, am glad that I won your heart when you had nothing,
+if it secures to me your unbounded trust. I do not know
+either,” he continued, smiling, “as I should have had quite as
+much assurance in approaching Sir Charles Thornton’s wealthy
+heiress; and yet,” with a proud uplifting of his handsome
+head, “while conscious of my own honor and rectitude, I
+have no need to fear to approach any woman whom I might
+love.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star was standing by his chair, and she bent and touched her
+lips to his forehead as he said this. She was very proud of this
+grand, true man, who had won her to be his wife simply
+because he loved her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But in the midst of her joy she could not help feeling something
+of sadness and pity for Josephine and her disappointed
+hopes.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was no light thing to have loved and lost such a man as
+this, and she would gladly have comforted her had it been in
+her power to do so.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Uncle Jacob,” she said, more timidly than she was in the
+habit of addressing him, the next time she was alone with him,
+“I shall have so much money, now that I am to be mistress of
+Halowell Park, and—and when Archie takes me,” she added,
+with a burning blush, “that I wish you would make another
+will, and give your fortune, or a part of it at least, to your
+‘nearest of kin.’”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You are my nearest of kin,” he said, briefly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I know what you mean,” she replied, affectionately; “our
+hearts <i>are</i> surely akin; but—I really am <i>very</i> sorry for Mrs.
+Richards and Josephine, not to mention poor Mr. Richards,
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_410'>410</span>who has had such a hard time of it; and perhaps they would
+feel more kindly toward me if they thought I did not care
+for so much money, and truly I do not—I never can use
+it all.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Jacob Rosevelt looked at her with tears in his eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“My darling,” he said, with emotion, “I believe you have
+the heart of a saint, but I cannot alter my will—everything I
+have belongs to you; but I leave you free to do whatever you
+choose with it. If you ever find people in need and wish to
+help them, give them what you like; but I shall never break
+the seal of my will. Child,” he added, tremblingly, “you
+have been all the world to me; and more than this, you have
+helped me to find hope for the world to come. I know that
+you will have a great deal of money without mine, but it shall
+be yours nevertheless; I know that it will not be used selfishly,
+and I cannot leave it in better hands.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He bent down and touched her forehead with his lips,
+and then left her, but her heart was filled with a song of
+praise.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You have helped me to find hope for the world to come,”
+he had said; and there never had been a sweeter message sent
+in answer to prayer, she thought.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>For a long time, she had noticed, he had been more respectful
+whenever the name of the Deity had been uttered in his
+presence, while, when he had accompanied her to Sabbath
+services, he had listened attentively, even reverently to what was
+said.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Looking back to that dark night on the angry waters, when
+she had first met him, and remembering his sneers at her trust
+in the “All Father,” and his bitter, skeptical retorts, she was
+surprised at the change that had gradually come over him; and
+now, to her amazement, he had confessed to a “hope” for
+eternity.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was the one drop too many in her cup of joy, and it
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_411'>411</span>instantly overflowed in happy, thankful tears, and in a low-voiced
+pean of gratitude.</p>
+
+<hr class='c013'>
+
+<p class='c011'>A month, Lord Carrol said, was all the time that he could
+allow his fair bride-elect to prepare to become Lady Carrol.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“But I have so much to do!” Star objected, with crimson
+cheeks.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Then you must increase your forces,” he answered, with a
+fond smile. “I know that it is ‘etiquette’ to let the lady
+name the day, but considering all things, I think I ought to
+have that privilege. Darling, we have been separated so long
+that I do not feel like living without you a day more than is
+actually necessary. My mother wants you to come to her in
+Belgrave Square, and remain as her guest, while she and Vivien
+will assist about the wonderful trousseau, which they consider
+indispensable for the occasion under discussion.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was of no use for Star to make objections, for they were
+every one overruled, and it was at length decided that Lord
+Carrol should have his way, and she went to Belgrave Square
+for the intervening month.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Meredith was cordially urged to remain in London until
+after the wedding, and as Grace had been sent for to act as
+bride-maid, and a pair of clear gray eyes had earnestly seconded
+the appeal, he could not refuse.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He bore this “blighting” of all his previous “hopes” with
+wonderful equanimity, however, and ere the eventful day
+arrived that was to make Star a bride, he had won a promise
+from lovely Vivien Sherbrooke that at the end of another year
+she would become his wife.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Fickle!” did I hear some fair reader ejaculate in a tone of
+contempt?</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Well, perhaps he was; but then when he had been so heart-broken
+over Star’s rejection he did not know that there was a
+Vivien Sherbrooke in the world.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_412'>412</span>We are always disappointed, often unreasonably so, when we
+cannot get what we want, and perhaps his passion for our
+heroine was not quite so intense as he had imagined it to be.
+However, be that as it may, Lord Carrol’s fair sister had convinced
+him that</p>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c012'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>“Taking the year together, my dear,</div>
+      <div class='line'>There isn’t more cloud than sun.”</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c015'>And he had concluded to spend the remainder of his life basking
+in the sunlight of her presence.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mrs. Richards, with her family, lost no time in returning to
+America after this crushing disappointment.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>They could not remain and face the people to whom they
+had proudly boasted of their future greatness, nor could they
+bear to look upon Star’s happiness and triumph over them;
+while, besides all this, they were greatly cramped in purse, after
+the extravagant outlay which Mrs. Richards insisted was necessary
+for people with their expectations.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Mr. Richards was very much depressed, for, to say nothing
+of the money which they had spent, he feared the worst from
+his long absence and neglect of business.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>He went to see Star and Jacob Rosevelt before they sailed;
+he could not leave without bidding them farewell, and assuring
+them of his gratitude and good-will.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>They received him most kindly, and he spent a pleasant hour
+with them.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>As he took Star’s hand at parting, he bent down and kissed
+her fair, upturned face, while great, regretful tears rolled down
+his cheeks.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I am sorry to lose you, dear,” he said; “but I know you
+will be happy, as you certainly deserve to be, and may Heaven
+bless you in your new life. I shall never forget how much I
+owe you—how you saved me by your kindness, and I know
+you will think of us all more kindly than we deserve.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_413'>413</span>He did not give her time to reply, but turning, grasped Mr.
+Rosevelt’s hand, and then was gone.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A year later she heard that he was dead—that he died suddenly,
+after struggling hard with business and business troubles
+and that his family had been left in very reduced circumstances.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Through Ralph Meredith she caused a handsome sum to be
+invested, the income of which they were to enjoy while they
+should live, and she never saw or heard from them again.</p>
+
+<hr class='c013'>
+
+<p class='c011'>St. George’s church, Hanover Square, was crowded upon
+Star Gladstone’s bridal morning, and “no bride so fair” had
+passed beneath its aristocratic arches for many a year, was the
+verdict which all Belgravia pronounced as it watched her leave
+the altar and move down the spacious aisle leaning upon the
+arm of her noble husband.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Her dress was of Lyons satin, and one of Worth’s most elegant
+productions. The lace which adorned it was the finest
+and costliest which far-famed Brussels could produce, and the
+vail “a perfect marvel.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The bridal wreath was of delicate, feathery clematis, and was
+fastened to her head and vail with a set of five beautiful
+diamond stars, the gift of Jacob Rosevelt.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Grace Meredith and her brother presented a pair of elegant
+ear-ornaments to match; Lady Sherbrooke a necklace and tiara
+of pearls, and—time would fail me were I to enumerate all the
+costly gifts which were showered upon this lovely bride. There
+were six bride-maids, and as many “best men.” Jacob Rosevelt
+gave Star away to the man whom he believed to be worthy
+of her in every respect, and felt as if he were indeed giving up
+his own and only child, although she had told him she could
+never consent to be separated from him.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>They were to spend a couple of months at Carrolton, Lord
+Carrol’s country seat, whither upholsterers and decorators had
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_414'>414</span>been sent, as soon as the wedding had been decided upon, to
+make everything fresh and attractive for them.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Of course Mrs. Blunt, that much “mistaken” but honest and
+affectionate creature, was indispensable at this time, and she
+was made about as happy as it is possible for a mortal to be in
+this life by Star’s assurance that she should be a fixture in her
+household as long as she should live.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>After the two months at Carrolton they were to go to Halowell
+Park for a season, and take a look at the home of the
+Thorntons.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>There was to be no stereotyped tour. Star said she had
+traveled enough for the present, and would much prefer to
+settle down to quiet home life—perhaps by another year they
+might feel like making a trip to the Continent.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Lady Sherbrooke had already grown to love her new daughter
+very dearly.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“It is well that I do love her,” she said, tearfully, to Vivien,
+when the grand wedding was over, the guests all gone, and
+they were left by themselves, “if I must lose you, as I expect
+to, before very long; but if I had searched the world over I
+could not have found a fairer, sweeter wife for my son. Heaven
+bless our Star! She bids fair to prove a guiding light in
+Archie’s home.”</p>
+
+<div class='chapter'>
+  <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XLIV.<br> <span class='large'>FAITH’S TRIUMPH.</span></h2>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'>“Star!”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Yes, Uncle Jacob.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“The night has almost come.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'><span class='pageno' id='Page_415'>415</span>“The <i>dawn</i>, you mean, dear; do not call it night, for truly
+I believe it is the break of day for you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“You are right; I should not call it night. But always
+remember, dear, and let the thought comfort you when you
+come to miss me, that <i>your</i> hand has guided me through
+the darkness, pointing me ever toward the light of a better
+world.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The speaker paused, for he was very weak.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Jacob Rosevelt lay upon a luxurious couch in an elegant
+apartment of Lady Star Carrol’s beautiful home, and looking
+his last upon earth.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Everything that wealth, and love, and care could do had
+been done for the dear old man whom she loved so fondly; but
+now, after three years of such peace and content as once he
+had never thought to enjoy, he was dying.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star, who, in a spotless white wrapper, sits beside him, has
+grown a trifle matronly in her appearance, a little rounded and
+fuller in figure, and there is something more of dignity in her
+bearing; but she has the same star-like beauty—she is not one
+whit less lovely or less deserving of her name than when we
+last saw her on her bridal morn.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>A year of almost unalloyed happiness passed after that event,
+and then there was born a fine heir to the Carrol estate—a boy,
+of whom his father was very proud, and who at once became
+the pet and pride of the whole household.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Uncle Jacob, with this little one folded within his arms, or
+sitting crowing upon his knee, with Star fondly attentive to his
+every want, and Lord Carrol to lean upon in his old age, felt as
+if he had attained as nearly to perfect happiness as any one
+could do in this world.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But during the third year after their marriage he had
+gradually but surely failed, until, to the great grief of all, they
+were obliged to acknowledge that he had not long to live.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>This was the first great sorrow of Star’s wedded life; but she
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_416'>416</span>strove to bear it cheerfully, at least in Mr. Rosevelt’s presence,
+resolving that no mourning or repining should cloud the little
+time that remained to him to live—that there should be nothing
+but peace, and a looking forward to the great change as
+simply the sweeping aside of a misty vail and an entrance into
+something more blessed and beautiful than earth could give.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Now the crisis had come, and the old man, his wan face
+turned toward the fading light of a glorious day, felt that his
+strength and senses were slipping away from him, and told the
+constant watcher by his side that the “night had come.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No, I ought not to have said that,” he repeated, after a few
+moments of rest, while a smile parted his pale lips; “the night
+is past, and you, dear one, have been my guiding star in the
+midst of its deepest gloom. I did not have much faith in a
+better future until I knew you; you set me to thinking that
+night on the angry deep, when you told me you ‘had been
+taught to trust our Heavenly Father,’ and that ‘one could
+hardly have much faith in one’s self at such a time as that.’
+Yes, your simple trust in your Father’s faith, your pure and
+gentle life, my Star, has led me to God, and without a fear I
+resign myself into His hands; before another day dawns I shall
+have entered into my rest, and the Sun of Righteousness will
+shine upon me.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Oh, Uncle Jacob,” Star said, her voice full of unshed tears,
+but with a holy awe shining in her beautiful face, “you have
+never talked so plainly to me—you have never opened your
+heart like this to me, and I am so thankful to you for speaking
+such precious words to me before——”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>She stopped; her trembling lips could not frame the words
+to complete the sentence.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Before I leave you, never more to look upon your dear
+face in this life,” he said, with a tender smile on his lips, while
+the light of faith grew brighter in his eyes. “Yes, dear, it is
+so. We both know it, and why not speak of it calmly, as of a
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_417'>417</span>journey, during which we should be separated only for a little
+while. I shall go first, my darling, but the vail that will hide
+us from each other is dropping very softly and gently. You
+will not grieve for me, my child?”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“No, no, Uncle Jacob; only for myself, who will be so very
+lonely without you.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But Star could not quite keep back the quiver from her
+voice as she said this. He noticed it, and put out his thin
+hand to clasp it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“Be comforted, my darling, with the thought of what you
+have made the last years of my life—a season of peace and
+content. Remember always that without <i>you</i> I should have
+groped on in darkness until my soul would literally have gone
+out into the ‘night.’ But now, as I have said, I have no fear.
+No; a bright vision rises up before me; I seem to see just
+beyond the ‘great white throne’ of which you read only last
+Sabbath, and where sits the form of Him who has taken from
+me all the guilt of sin and unbelief. It is Jesus, the Lamb of
+God, and <i>you</i>, my beloved, by the gentle influence of your
+beautiful faith, have led me thither.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Star bent down and kissed the pale hand clasping hers, and
+which was growing cold even then, while the tears which she
+could not restrain fell hotly upon it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>“I know that I am dying,” he went on, more weakly than
+before; “I know that this chill which I feel creeping over me,
+benumbing my senses and dimming my sight, is death. I
+know that soon my breath must cease, and that the King of
+Terrors will cut the cord which binds me to earth and all I
+love here. But there is no terror in the thought, for the faith
+which you have taught me points me to the ‘radiant vistas of a
+world divine,’ where perchance I may find among the ransomed
+throng a spirit who was once kindred to my own. Ah, my
+darling, dry your tears, and remember that, in spite of this dissolving
+frame, <i>I am whole!</i> for the healing hand of Christ hath
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_418'>418</span>touched me, while your life, passing in its brief transit over
+mine, has been the instrument of it all.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Is this a sad scene with which to close my story?</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Is it <i>sad</i> to see the fruits of a beautiful life, and to learn how
+one faithful soul led another home to heaven and God? Will
+any one call such a triumph as the passing away of Jacob
+Rosevelt <i>sad</i>?</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>No. At least it did not appear so to those who witnessed it.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>It was a hallowed room where Star sat, a little later, and
+gazed upon her dead—upon that brow which had settled into
+such tranquillity—upon that restful, upturned face, which wore
+a smile “calm as a twilight lake,” and upon which “God’s
+full-orbed peace was shining,” transfiguring it with something
+of the radiance that had enraptured the fleeting soul.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>But she would not grieve for him; for, although she should
+never cease to yearn</p>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c012'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>“——for the touch of a vanished hand,</div>
+      <div class='line'>And the sound of a voice that was still,”</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c015'>she knew that, in that far-off world “where the weary are at
+rest,” it was “well with him.”</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>And when they laid him away in the family vault at Halowell,
+where, too, lay the moldering form of her whom he had
+so loved in the days of his earlier manhood, she did not murmur,
+for she felt that he had left behind him a wealth of faith,
+and love, and trust that would glorify all her own after-life, and
+she found herself repeating, with one of our sweetest poets:</p>
+
+<div class='lg-container-b c012'>
+  <div class='linegroup'>
+    <div class='group'>
+      <div class='line'>“Do men die thus? And is it this to die?”</div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<p class='c011'>All through the years that came and went in her beautiful
+home, of which she was the chief charm, she carried the memory
+and influences of that last hour of Jacob Rosevelt’s life,
+and it seemed to be an added link in the golden chain that
+bound her soul to their common God.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>The thought of it was like a strain of heavenly music, making
+<span class='pageno' id='Page_419'>419</span>her life rich with melody. It was like a breath from the
+flowers of Paradise, perfuming all around her.</p>
+
+<p class='c011'>Her husband worshiped her—reverently, as a gift from the
+Divine Hand; her children “sat at her feet and learned of
+her,” and, rising up, “called her blessed;” while all who knew
+her likened the influence of her lovely example, the luster and
+beauty of her life, to the “transit” of some bright “star.”</p>
+
+<div class='nf-center-c0'>
+<div class='nf-center c002'>
+    <div>[THE END.]</div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+<div class='pbb'>
+ <hr class='pb c003'>
+</div>
+
+<div class='chapter ph2'>
+
+<div class='nf-center-c0'>
+<div class='nf-center c004'>
+    <div>NEW AND SUCCESSFUL BOOKS.</div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+</div>
+
+<p class='c010'><span class='large'>SIR HENRY MORGAN—BUCCANEER</span></p>
+
+<p class='c017'>By <b>Cyrus Townsend Brady</b>. Author of “For Love of Country,”
+“For the Freedom of the Sea,” “The Southerners,” etc., etc.
+Morgan was the most remarkable of all buccaneers. The author
+shows his ferocity and cruelty, and depicts him without lightening
+the dark shadows of his character. Yet at the same time he
+brings out the man’s dauntless courage, his military ability, his
+absolute disregard of odds, his wonderful capacity as a sailor,
+his fertility and resourcefulness, which awaken our admiration
+in spite of ourselves. He is shown, <i>a real pirate</i>, just as he was—great
+and brave, small and mean, skillful and cruel, and the great
+lesson of the story is one of just retribution, in the awful punishment
+that is finally visited upon him, by those whom he so fearfully
+and terribly wronged. Profusely illustrated from drawings
+by <b>J. N. Marchand</b> and <b>Will Crawford</b>. 12mo. Cloth, $1.50.</p>
+
+<p class='c010'><span class='large'>BECAUSE OF POWER</span></p>
+
+<p class='c017'>By <b>Ella Stryker Mapes</b>. It is a novel attractively presenting the
+counterpoise of character and fate. Broad in conception and
+true in tone, the story is handled with distinct style. The spark
+of life glows on every page, the atmosphere is vital—electrified
+by the quickening currents of humanity.</p>
+
+<p class='c017'>Hamilton W. Mabie says of it: “There is a great deal of vitality
+in it, an amount of passion that gives it color, movement and go,
+quite unusual in stories from the pen of American women.” 12mo.
+Cloth bound. Illustrated by <b>Latimer J. Wilson</b>, $1.50.</p>
+
+<p class='c010'><span class='large'>THE ROOM WITH THE LITTLE DOOR</span></p>
+
+<p class='c017'>By <b>Roland B. Molineux</b>. First edition, 25,000 copies. A story
+that will be read with the deepest interest. Original, absorbing,
+and abounding in heart interest. Of good education and artistic
+temperament, no condemned man in America was ever better
+able to portray the remarkable delineations at Sing Sing, where,
+as he wrote, death itself was the shadow of his pencil, reminding
+us of “The Count of Monte Cristo” and of “The Man in the Iron
+Mask.” Size 5×7 inches, beautifully bound in cloth, $1.25.</p>
+
+<p class='c010'><span class='large'>THE VICE-ADMIRAL OF THE BLUE</span></p>
+
+<p class='c017'>By <b>Roland Burnham Molineux</b>. Author of “The Room with
+the Little Door.” An historical romance dealing in a new and
+absorbing manner with the famous love affairs of Lord Nelson
+and Lady Hamilton. The story opens in Naples, and gives a
+graphic picture of court life in the gayest of monarchies, in the
+days immediately following the Battle of the Nile. The story
+carries the reader to Sicily, to London, where glimpses are had of
+the beau monde and the old time tavern life, and later to the
+extended country homes of the England of that time. 12mo.
+cloth bound. Illustrated, $1.50.</p>
+
+<div class='pbb'>
+ <hr class='pb c003'>
+</div>
+<div class='tnotes x-ebookmaker'>
+
+<div class='chapter ph2'>
+
+<div class='nf-center-c0'>
+<div class='nf-center c004'>
+    <div>TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES</div>
+  </div>
+</div>
+
+</div>
+
+ <ol class='ol_1 c002'>
+    <li>Silently corrected obvious typographical errors and variations in spelling.
+
+    </li>
+    <li>Retained archaic, non-standard, and uncertain spellings as printed.
+    </li>
+  </ol>
+
+</div>
+
+<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STELLA ROSEVELT ***</div>
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