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

But Eta had flown to her hor own room
not daring to wait the scrutiny of Louis
curious eyes.
When Frank came up to tea, Eta said,
carelessly, 'Where is Ralph Field-in
Paris still? found a goodbye note from
him, in one of your pockets, or Lou did,
rather, written Just before he sailed"
''How like you, Frank" said Lou, ''nev-
er to think of it; and we all so vexed, be-
cause he didn't call" !"
''That's true enough, Louline," said
Frank, penitently. Then turning to Eta
81 don't know where he is, am sure, he
never wrote to me word. Not in Paris,
probably, for he wrote to Flint & Chatter
ton, when he had been there only six
months, asking to be relieved from his sit
uation. They urged him to retain it, but
he positively refused, giving no reason, ex
cept that he was weary of business so un-
like him, you know. They have heard no
thing from him since. It is the strangest
thing I ever knew"
Eta Stewart was in Rome. She
had sailed from New York, with the Wal
laees, as qoverness for little Carrie, and
companion for her mother They spent
some months in travel, but Mrs. Wallace
longed to be near her artist son, so they
had taken apleasant suite of rooms, for
the summer, IN the old imperial city.
Evening was coming on, and the indie
scribable color of an Italian sunset still
flooded all the air with an almost tangible
radiance. Eta lay on couch, with her
hands clasped tightly over her foreh cad
as If to press the pain from her throbbing
temples. The door opened softly and little
Carrie came in.
care you better, Miss Etta?"
''Mamma said she was afraid should
tire you, but l wanted to tell you so much
about our ride. Oh, if you could only
have gone! First we drove to brother
Charley's studio, and he said he wanted us
to go with him to see beautiful Madonna
that one of his friends had painted. Man,
ma said she should like it very much, SO
We went, and, on the way, Charley told us
about this friend, what wonderful genius
he had, and such devotion to his art, but
still he seemed so lonely sometimes.
By and by we were there, and Charley
introduced us. Mr.. Field, the gentle
mans name was-he was so tall and hand
some, but with the saddest eyes ever
saw. As soon as he uncovered the picture,
mamma and I both exclaimed at once;
for, indeed, Miss Eta, it was a perfect
likeness of you, only the expression was
more lovely than anything can describe
as If an angel was looking out of your face.
Mr.. FIELD turned pale, and said to mamma,
Pardon me, madam, did l understand
that the picture reminds you of of some
frlendY Then mamma told him, and he
asked great many questions about you,
and listened so eagerly. Mamma asked |
him to call, and he thanked her and said, |
Il think, Mrs. Wallace, / shall find in Miss !
Stuart a very old friend / should not be |
surprised if he were to come this evening, |
though mamma told him you were not |
quite well. Do you really think that you |
know him, Miss Etta?" Then, without |
waiting for a reply, she started up, saying, |
There, I do believe that hear his voice |
now-shsll tell him that you will see |
him, Miss Etta?"
eyes, Carrie, if you please" Etta's |
voice trembled, but Carrie did not stop to |
notice it. A MON ent more, and Eta heard |
the little girls voice in the passage. ''Miss
Stuart is better, and will see Mr.. Field. 1 /
will tell mamma"
The door opened again, and Ralph |
Field came in. With a glad cry Eta |
sprang forward. He took both her hands |
in his, and looked down into her face.
Neither spoke for a moment, but her eyes
the questions his had asked.
''AIiss Etta?"
''Oh, Ralph! at last ! at last?" Then |
with her thrilling eyes still raised, ''Ralph,
have looked for you across the continent. |
have sought you everywhere. Your let
ter was mislaid. 1 never saw it until six /
months ago."
'tAnd Captain Tileston, Eta p
Married my cousin, Nellie Stuart, three |
years ago, after 8 long engagement Oh,
Ralph Ralph ! what terrible mistake r
"And you loved me, Eta ?"
slowed you, Ralph? 1 loved you then,
now, and alwaysP'
''Then thank GHdP' said Ralph Field,
reverently, as he took her up to his heart
There is little more to tell. Mr. and |
Mrs. Ralph Field are still abroad. He is |
winning name and fame, and his paintings |
are sought eagerly. There is one of them |
for which an extravagant sum has more |
than once been offered. He will never sell |
it. 1t is the Madonna. - DemoreSt's Month |