The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1870-10-14

"Most certainly, Essie. / pledged
my word to her father on his dying
bed"
III do not approve of any such ar.
rangement as that. Can not you send
her away?" Ani I'd
"Send her away? a homeless or
phan 70
i"Shc might go as. a governcss, or
even take the situation of companion"
CARL Oxford biz, biz lip until the
blood started.
"Essie, this is . subject on (which
my resolution can not be altered even
by your wish. Ethel Lyttleton Is a
sacred bequest to me--her happiness
and interest arc my life's study.
While l have a home, Ethel must
share it.; while my, arm can ward a
lifes storms, she shall never feai Hssr
bitterness. Essie, will you not, take
her to your heart also 2"
But Essic's beautiful lips were conf
pressed Ike carved coral. 9i1r osass
You must choose between me snd
this Miss-Miss Lyttleford. take NO
divided allegiance. 80 U.s. -',-- 7. =. I
"Essie J" 49, -
"Your decision alone can settle the
matter, Colonel Oxford I" Z" 7
"Thsn it is made. Essie, l love
you more dearly than my fatering
tongue can ever tell; but 1 can not
forget my duty % o Christiah- my
honor as gentleman. Essie, once
more ] plead my cause-this. time on
my Bonded knee. VIII You not re-
lent?"
|" l have told you once that your
choice lay between me and your
ward"
"Then, FAREWELL"
lie spoSe the words in a strange,
stiied voice, as though the .syllables
cboked him--bowed over her hand,
and went out, rejected man, bas ;saT
o. Well,' unused Colonel Carli Or
ford, as he carelessly threw cologne
bottles, dressingcases, rare engravings,
and patent leather boots in one con-
glomerate mass into his trunks, that
dream is over! The waking was
rather rough, but ! suppose it, lis Just
as well! Ny beautiful Essiei Oh,
my dear, lost love!" oy
For one moment he bowed his head
OH his two hands with all the stifed
anguish Of strong mans grief and
then went on with his occupation.
He smiled bitterly as he took up q
velvet case, containing . set of red
sparkling garhets that he had purch-
ased in Paris for his ward.
"She will be glad to have, them,
dear little Ethel! Perhaps some day,
when the first bitterness Of, this grief
is over, she may become like a dear
and cherished daughter to me! AT
all events, l have not swerved from
the promise make to Mark Lyttle-
ton on his death.bed." 70 ri a'''i''
The Eext evenings sunset was pur-
ping all the horizon when CARL Or
ford walked up the broad gravelled
sweep Of the lawn, and the purfnmcd
honeysuckle hung perfectly notion
less on the balmy air. Home again !!
but oh! with what heavy heart.
The front door was wide open how
familiar appeared the mosaic marble
of the hall pavemenl, the antique
statues leaning from the walls, even
the quivering shadows cast by the
stained glass easements beyond.
Mrs. Tudor, the old housekeeper,
came forward cnrtseying, in a stiff
black silk dress and gold spectaclcs.
welcome home once more, colo
ne.! Miss Lyttleton has only been
here few hours"
"Only just arrived 2"
That's all, sir. She is in the gar
den, colonel"
al may as well go and speak to her
at once, and have il over" thought
Oxford, as he turned abruptly round.
" For what was Ethel but . cFlild2"
As he lost himself among the GRIM
son wildernesses of the delicious June
roses, a slender figure, all in white,
glided out from the fragrant ,thickets
"a figure with heavy blue black curls
and deep sultana eyes. CA tdf1
d "Essie Howard p
} "No, dearest guardian; Ethel Lyt-
Teton! You were true to me-true
as knight of old-and have come
to you, bearing my heart in my hand.
Will you take it now, CARL r +
"Essie, l am dreaming 2?
Ethel, if you please, sir? No, you
are not dreaming But l was very
lonely, and my heat was filled with
doubts and fears, and l wanted to see
what you were like and SOL behay-
ed like the heroines in novels, and
played an incognita part. I could not
endure the idea that you would sacrf-
flee me to other hopes, and loves, and
plans! Dearest CARL, Essie Howard
is quite willing that you should love
poor Ethel Lyttleton just littleP'
And CARL Oxford, standing there
among the roses, with his dark-eyed
love clasped close to his strong, true
heart, felt that earth had no more of
happiness to give him. As for Ethel,
she had quite conquered her childish
antipathy to "big, tall men" and was
entirely willing to exchange her guar
dian for Q husband. IL -