Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1870-04-14

| He waited the promised Advancement, that
should places him where he need not be
ashamed to ask Eta Stuart's father for the
keeping of his dearest treasure, and, mean
while, was it not enough that size read the
books and sang the songs he loved; that
| her cheeks took tenderer color and her
eyes a softer smile at his coming?
Winter bad worn into spring again.
Charley Marks placed his hand in Mr..
Fields arm, as they LETT the supper-room
together one evening. Somebody was an
nounced to speak in Music Hall wouldn't
Ralph Field 90 down? 1t was still early
when they took their seats, and there were
few people in. Slowly up the aisle came a
lady and gentleman Ralph Field looked
up to see his Eta; but who was this, with
| his bronzed, handsome face and foreign
air?
"Capt Tileston, as l live!" said Marks
I didn't know he had arrived you know
! him?"
NO." said Ralph, shortly.
"Ah, / thought you did, but he has been
abroad two years. What beautiful girl
that Miss Stuart is! l haven't seen her
equal in the city this season. She looks
happy to get back her knight-errant. Well,
Iileston is lucky dog"
''WLat do you mean?" said Ralph Field
with an agitation he could scarcely con-
ceal.
"Why, don't you know? They have been
engaged three years Capt. Tileston went
with Frank Evans to Springfield, and met
this girl there-Frank's cousin, you know
1t was all up with him from the first time
he saw her. The day was fixed for their
wedding, but Iileston had severe hsmor-
rhage of the lungs and the doctors said
nothing would save him but travel. He
looks well enough now"
"You know all this, Charley? It's no
mere rumor?" Ralphs hand was on his
friends arm.
"Know it?" Charley stared. "You don't
want me to take my oath or it, do your
BY Jove, Ralph, a body would suppose you
were personally interested"
Poor Ralph! The chance shot recalled
him to his senses. He sank back again in
his seat, essaying faint reflection
of Charley's quizzical smile. He sat through
the hour too utterly stunned to realize any
thing beyond n vague, terrible sense Of loss
only knowing the lectare over by the tum-
ult of applause that burst forth, and the
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, and
Ralph looked his trouble in the face re-
solved to bear it like the brave fellow that
he was. He did not reproach Eta now,
though the temptation had been sore one
at first; doubtless she supposed the fact OF
her engagement too widely known to have
had thought of caution; only O. foolish
blindness could have made him mistake
the kindness, which her noble heart prompt
ed toward all alike, for something more
personal and tender. Then how could she
know how he had loved her? He had new
err 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 wears that seemed to stretch endless be-
fore him without her. Life was made up
of moments-he could bear them, one by
one, till, by and by, may be, strength
would come with endurance.
Flint, senior, was waiting for him as he
went in.
j few minutes conversation if you
please, Mr.. Field, he said.
Ralph followed him to the office. What
new leaf IN his book Of fate would be turn
ed this time.
Mr.. Flint was u man of few words, and
the expression of warm communication
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 vacaut-some one
must 60 on Immediately. There was no
one whom he could trust more implicitly
than Mr. Field one of whose success
ne should feel more proud Would Ralph
Field take the place?
Poor Ralph's cheek flushed for one mo-
ment, with a 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 gratetuld for the honor you
pay nae, Mr.. Flint" he said: II have tried
TO do my duty-I will try still, | thank
you-I will 60"
And so it was settled.
Busy in his room that night with prepar-
atoms for his journey, Ralph took from his
| desk a little packet touching it tenderly
and sadly, as one might gather a flower off
a grave. The pretty handkerchief, a with
cred rose or two-that was all Was he
| less manly that few tears fell silently
poor drops that could bring back no fresh
bloom to the faded blossoms? Turning
with 9 sudden impulse, he took pen and pa
per 1t was a little letter, the last wall OF
a dying hope.
"ErrA-MY ETA; | had thought to
say, but the time for that has gone by
God forgive me if should write needless
word to pain the truest heart that ever
beat, love you too truly not to rejoice
that YOU are happy, and | 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 &c
Capt. Tileston. May God bless you both,
now aud forever!