Middletown transcript., 1869-11-13

when Mrs. Davis said:
81 have cousin from the country here
this evening, and you must see her. You
surely will not complain of her being affec-
ted. and L think you will like her. She is
gulleless creature"
just then the cousin mentioned made
her appearance.
"Oh, here she is, Mr.. Norton" said
Mrs Davis, taking the hand of the beauti-
full young girl, while she introduced them
in familiar way. Ethclyn Marston, she
called the pretty cousin, and at the sound
of the name Aubrey Morton turned pale,
and gave little nervous start, but ere he
was aware Ethelyn Marston's white hand
lay upon his arm, and they were walking
among the rare flowers in the conservato.
ry. This beautiful young girl was from
Mystic Valley, Mrs. Davis had told him,
and he knew it was the same Ethelyn Mar
ston whom he had promised to deceive,
She was rare, beautiful creature, and as
he gazed on her lovliness he did not won
der that William Haskins' heart had bro
ken for her. But her greatest charms
were not in personal beauty. Her con-
versation showed rare intellect, simplicity
and innocence. He could not discover a
sign OF coquetry in her actions. She was
frank, yet little sly, and the hour he
spent with her was the happiest he had
known for weeks. AT the hour of DEPART
ure he placed the rich mantle about her
shoulders, and assisted her to the carriage,
while strange emotions filled his heart.
a IN h., ,l l,,I Al.
light of her eyes followed him, and all
night he tossed restlessly upon his couch,
sometimes uttering her name, and some
times calling upon William Haskins to
make him free from that awful vow. In
the morning he called upon her at Mrs
DAVIS and found her more beautiful and
charming than ever, and in the days that
followed he became constant visitor
there, and learned to love her with the
tervor and earnesincSs Of his heart, and he
knew by the flushing check at his APP
Proach, and the tender light in her eye
that he was well l0vud
1t was the evening before Ethelyn's re-
turn to her home at Mystic Valley, and
she was sitting with book ut Aubrey
Morton feet reading Maud in low
mellow voice. Suddenly she threw her
book aside, and looking into her compan-
IONS face she said eagerly: "lIow glad my
mother will be to see me ~
And how sorry | shall be to lose you
U, l4thle, how can live when you are gone
The maldcn's face grew red, and she
hid 1t on his knee while she laid her soft
white hand on his arm in tender, carcss-
ing way.
The young mans heart beat tumultu-
ously as he gathered the bright little form
to his bosom, and poured in her car pas
sionatc tale of love
Answer me Ethie," he said, do you
love me Z"
She looked into his eyes while a mois.
ture was in her own:
aubrey" she said words cannot tell
you how dear you are to me -"
AT these words her lovers face grew |
pale; for the first time since she sat at his
feet reading Maud he thought of his
vow to William Haskins.
Passionately he kissed the rosy mouth,
erying painfully: "Ethie, my darling,
may God bless and sustain you. Would
you mourn if | should prove false to you?"
There was a frightened look in the
brown eyes raised beseechingly
10 his.
"It would kill me-" she said. while her
lips quivered and tear rolled down her
check.
80, Heaven y said the unhappy Nor
on, ''yet | have made vow that it should
The beautiful face uplifted to his grew
leathly white, The blue-veincd eyelids
lrooped, the long lashes swept the paled
;heek, and lifeless the beautiful form law
ipon his bosom. His kisses and tender
words brought her back to life again, but
he color came not back to her cheeks.
She disengaged herself from his arms and
With one reproachful glance she turned to
cave him. He sprang forward and caught
Ter hand Ethelyn," he said Il prom
sed to avcnge William Haskins."
She looked bewildered. "William Has
,ins!" she cried, " never saw him; why
hould he wish to injure me %
"You never saw him ?" said Morton.
xcted. ''Who are you, then 2"
Ethelyn smiled, ''There was another
1thelyn Marston," she said, "a and was .
amed for her. William Haskins was her ,
over, but she is married to Henry Dalton
ow; yours is the first avowal of love | !
ave ever heard. The storm had passed |
nd Ethelyn Marston promised to marry !
aubrey Morton. and the next day he ac- !
ompanied her to Mystic Valley. feeling
'ore like a free and honest man than he
ad felt before, since the death of William !,
laskins. He met with Mrs Dalton, with !
HON he talked concerning his old COM
lde, while she confessed her error, and !
ept that he had died unforgiviug.
Thus they became good friends, and he
BON claimed Ethelyn Marston for his
life, and happily they lived together all 7
lc days of their lives /.
10 keep potatoes from rottening, mix !,
Al, i /