Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1870-04-21

| thing beyond vague, terrible sense OF los
only knowing the lecture over by the tum
ult of applause that burst forth, and tn
noise of the audience rising to go out
/ Once in the street, it was an unexpected
relief that Marks launched out into an ami
mated criticism of the speakers opinions
too eager himself to notice the abstraction
of his listener.
Before the dawn of the morning that fol
lowed that sleepless night, the first tum
ultuous surges of grief had passed, ant
Ralph looked his trouble in the face, re
solved to bear it like the brave fellow tha
he was. He did not reproach Eta now
though the temptation had been a sore ont
at first; doubtless she supposed the fact o
her engagement too widely known to hav,
had a thought of caution; only foolish
blindness could have made him mistake
the kindness, which her noble heartprompt
ed toward all alike, for something more
personal and tender. Then how could she
know how he had loved her? He had new
er told her so, he thought, bitterly, al
though in those few months she had grown
to be so much part of all his life, that as
yet he was too weak to think of the desc
late years that seemed to stretch endless be-
fore him without her. Life was made MP
one, till, by and by, may be, strength
would come with endurance.
Flint, senior, was waiting for him as he
went in.
"a few minutes conversation if you
please, Mr.. Field" he said.
Ralph followed him to the Office. What
new leaf in bis book of fate would be turn
ed this time.
Mr.. Flint was q man OF few words, and
the expression of warm commentator
with which he grasped Ralph's hand, and
drew him into chair beside him, meant
very much, coming from him. There had
been letters by the last nights steamer
the Paris agency was vacant-some one
must go on Immediately. There was no
one wnom he could trust more implicitly
than Mr.. Field-no one Of whose success
he should feel more proud. Would Ralph
Field take the place?
Poor Ralph's cheek flushed for one mo-
ment, with glow of honest pride; then,
with bitter pang came the thought .'How
much this would have been worth to me
yesterday; but to-day"
II am very gratefuld for the honor you
pay me, Mr.. Flint" he said: 81 have tried
10 do my duty-I will try still. / thank
you-I will CO."
And so it was settled.
Busy In his room that night with prepar-
ations for his journey, Ralph took from his
desk little packet, touching it ttenderly
and sadly, as one might gather a flower off
grave. The pretty handkerchief, with
cred rose or two-that was all Was be
less manly that few tears fell silently
poor drops that could bring back no fresh
bloom to the faded blossoms? Turning
with sudden impulse, he took pen and pa
per. 1t was little letter, the last wall of
dying hope:
"ETTA-MY ETA: / had thought to
say, but the time for that has gone by
God forgive me if should write needless
word 20 pain the truest heart that ever
beat. l love you too truly not to rejoice
that you are happy, and 1 would not have
one sad thought of me come in to cloud
your perfect sunlight. / heard last night,
for the first time, of your engagement to
Capt. Tileston. May God bless you both,
now and foreverl
81 write because l am going away, and 1
fear cannot come in person to say good
bye. The firm sends me to Paris, God
knows if / shall ever come back again. Four
graves, in little valley among the New
Hampshire hills, are all that is left me of
the home of my youth. / shall never know
another
Eta, my lite. my darling-forgive me;
it is for the last ttime-good-bye.
RALPH FIELD"
Going out to mail his note next morn
ing, Ralph met Mr.. Frank Evans at the
door, enthusiastic over q yachting party,
to go out that day.
Cant you get away. Ralph? Hal sent
you an invitation. 1t is glorious day, and
just our set invited. / am gong back to
the house to tell the girls and Captain Tile
sten-he is stopping with us-to take the
eleven o'clock car for the Point. You'll
go?"
mo. Frank, can't Thank you, but it's
"Pshawl Ralph, don't be drudge! Do
GOMEZ
Ralph saw that his friend had heard
nothing of his prospective business change,
but he was in no mood for confidence. He
said:
II would like to 90, if it We're best, but
1t Is not. You Were on Your way home, you
said?'
yes"
"Will you give this to your cousin?''
handing him the note.
''Yes certainly" and Frank thrust it in
his vest pocket. Goodbye. Ralph; you'll
regret staying ashore to-day"
The week passed-Ralph Field sailed for
Paris. Lou Evans pouted her pretty lips
in disgust at his impoliteness-''Ne call
ed to say good bye-just left his regrets
with Frank, and tell the ladies he had been
so busy. Busy, indeedl Making up for
the lost time of the winter, / suppose
Miss Eta Stuart" with sudden illumina-
ton, Il do believe you are at the bottom
OF this"
But Eta Stuart's countenance told no
tales.
The long visit came to an end, and Eta
vent home az in. Her mother said over
and over, "You are not well, my darling.
The change has not been good for you."
And Eta answered, 81 am well, mother
dear, but little tired; and SO, SO glad to
come back. Home is SO sweet and restful
don't think / can ever wish to leave it
again"
But the home that Eta loved proved bat
q transient resting place. Her mother,
never strong, faded slowly out of life, and
the first snow fell on her grave. Her fatn-
er. after two years ofmourning for the wifa
of his youth, and disheartened by success
sive and crushing financial disasters, fell
a victim to a sudden epidemic, and passed
away after few days. illness. The wreck
Of his splendid fortune barely sufficed to
meet his obligations, and Eta was left
alone and penniless. More than one door
opened to receive her; but her constant
answer was. 81 ann deeply grateful, but it is
better that should depend upon myself 1
have health and education, and there is no
balm like work for q wounded heart"
No entreating availed to change her de-
termination; but at the earnest solicitation
of her Boston friends. she consented to
pass few months with them. until she
should be able to obtain desirable situa-
ton.
One day, not long after her arrival, it
chanced that Mrs. Evans was collecting q
great bundle of cast off clothing, to be sent
to the suffering freedmen. Lou and Eta
had followed her upstairs, and were look
ing over the various articles, as she took
them from the great cedar chest, where
they had been stored.
"Oh, Eta! see herer exclaimed Lon.
''here is that very lavender suit that Frank
ruinad with 1ornopo1a xho l.