The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1870-04-22

his seat, essaying a faint refiectio
of Charley's quizzical smile. He sat throug
the hour too utterly stunned to realize am
thing beyond vague, terrible sense of los
only knowing the lecture over by the tun
ult of applause that burst forth, and th
noise of the audience rising to go out
Once in the street. It was an unexpecte
relief that Marks launched out into an an
mated criticism of the speakers opinions
too eager himself to notice the abstTactio
of his listener.
Before the dawn of the morning that 70
lowed that sleepless night, the first tun
ultuous surges of grief had passed, an
Ralph looked his trouble in the face, II
solved to bear it like the brave fellow ths
he was. He did not reproach Eta nov
though the temptation had been sore on
at first; doubtless she supposed the fact {
her engagement too widely known to hav
had a thought of caution; only FOOLS
blindness could have made him mistak
the kindness, which her noble heart prompt
ed toward all alike, for something more
personal and tender. Then how could sh
know how he had loved her? He had ney
er told her so, he thought, bitterly, al
though in those few months she had grow
to be so much part of all his life, that a
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 NJ
of moments-he could bear them, one b,
one, till, by and by, may be, strength
would come with endurance.
Flint, senior, was waiting for him as b.
went in.
ga few minutes conversation if yol
please, MIR. Field" he said.
Ralph followed him TO the Office. Wha
new leaf In his book of fate would be turn
ed this time.
Mr.. Flint was q man offew words, anC
the expression of warm commentator
with which he grasped Ralph's hand, anC
drew him into chair beside him, mean
very much, coming from him. There hao
been letters by the last nights steamer
the Paris agency was vacant-some one
must go on Immediately. There was nc
one whom 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"
81 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 tenderly
and sadly, as one might gather flower off
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 sudden impulse, he took pen and pa
per. twas little letter, the last wall of
a dying hope:
"ETTA-MY ETA: I had thought to
say, but the time for that has gone by
God forgive me if should writes needless
word to pain the truest heart that ever
beat. 1 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. l heard last night,
for the first time, of your engagement to
Capt. Tileston. May God bless you both,
now and foreverI
81 write because am going away, and
fear cannot come in person to say good
bye. The firm sends me to Paris, God
knows If l 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. Ishall never know
another.
'tEtta, my life, my darling forgive me;
it is for the last time-good-bye.
RALPH FIELD"
Going out to mail his note next morn
ing, Ralph met Mr.. Frank Evans at the
door, enthusiastic over 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. 1 am going back to
the house to tell the girls and Captain Tile
ston-he is stopping with us-to take the
eleven O'Clock car for the Point. You'll
go2"
''No, Frank, can't. Thank you, but it's
'Pshaw! Ralph, don't be drudgel 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:
81 would like to go, if it were best, but
it is not. You were on your way home, you
said?T
"Yes."
''Will you give this to your cousin?"
handing him the note.
Yes, certainly" and Frank thrust it in
his vest pocket. ''Good-bye, Ralph; you'll
regret staying ashore to-day"
The week passed-Ralph Field sailed for
Paris. Lou Evans pouted her pretty lips
in disgust this impoliteness-s1N Never call
ed to say good bys-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 iliumina-
ton, 81 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
went home ag in. Her mother said over
and over, ''You are not well, nv 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 1 can ever wish to leave it
again"
But the home that Eta loved proved but
O ddAcAOAb 1ObliuB pldC6. n6T mOI06I,
never strong, faded slowly out of life, and
the first snow fell on her grave. Her fath-
er, after two years ofmourning for the wife
of his youth, and disheartened by success
sive and crushing financial disasters, fell
a victim to sudden epidemic, and passed
away after few days illness. The wreck
of his splendid fortune barely suficed to
meet his obligations, and Eta was eft
alone and penniless. More than one door
opened to receive her; but her constant
answer was, 81 am deeply grateful, but it is
better that I should depend upon myself 1
have health and education, and there is no
balm like work for wounded heart"
No entreating ayailed 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. If
CHANGED that Mrs. Evans was collecting a
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 Lad been stored.
''Oh, Ettsl see hereP' exclaimed Lou;
''here is that very lavender suit that Frank
ruined with lemonade, the day We went ont