The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1872-01-18
Original Story.
Written for the News
Exchange of Confidence,


I
yer" the village bellies declared her
to be.
But you would as soon bestow the
familiar appelIation OF "Fathel
George" on General Washington as
TO give stately Ethel any other than
her own stately name. And SO il
CHANGED that where Witch laughed,
Ethel only smiled; where she sob
bed violently Ethel's face only sad.
dened ; while Witch inspired love
Ethel won only admiration and es.
TEEN.
1t was a fact worth noising abroad,
that in these degenerate days ol
American extravaganza, with "Shod-
dy" Queen of Fashion, the Misses
Denver came home from boarding
school, "healthy, wealthy and wise, E"
dismissed their Irish "help" and
ruled in her stead. It was the
wonder of HazeldelI-the theme of
conversation at the hotel table on a
very brown October day.
81 thought" said the landlady,
with her wheeling, good-natured
voice, 81 thought it was only a
whim, and that they'd give ii up in
a little while, but it's nigh six
months now. And they actually dc
the washing. Rosa Byrd saw Witch
hanging out the clothes at ten
o'clock, singing like lark too.
Catch Rosa doing it; pert, proud and
idle as she isl"
Henry Leslie, Editor of the "Uto-
plan Trumpet" heard, but gave no
sign, finished his dinner in silence,
and turned his steps to his sanctum
.sanctOrum, frowned as he sat down
in the dingiest room fancy every
portrayed, and thought, "Fool that
I've been; living on her smiles,
dreaming of a sweet, halfimagined
future IL, Henry Leslie, Editor
and sole proprietor of the weakest
paper north of Dixie, with bare funds
to pay six months board in advanced
Witch Denver has been affable and
agreeable, only to while away her
lonely hours. I am glad Gregory
has come. He ends my dream.
The proud representative of a noble
house, he will win her"
Does he sigh? No! With the
strange Inconsistency of human ma
ture, he huns a lively air, and writes
a spicy column for the "Trumpet. F."
And while he writes, innocent,
unsuspecting Witch is churuing the
golden cream, and Ethel watching
thd snowy loaves that must not be
baked to BROWNIES.
Witch had a fault. She was vain.
But you or I in her place would
have been vainer. And so she said,
'I think Mr.. Gregory was sur
prised to Sc me so improved. Wasn't
he devoted, though? Ibeleive Hen
ry Leslie was a little jealous"
"And had a right, Witch, a per
feet right. You have accepted his
addresses and seemed pleased with
his attentions"
"Pink of Prudence Why not :
The most intelligent gentleman in
HazeldeIl. But
my lord shall give me jewels rare,
A gown ofsilk each day I'll wear
"Then, let Gregory be the happy
man and all your coquetries be over''
said Ethel, but no merry laugh
greeted her quick reply.
As days rolled on, Leslie and
Gregory seemed bound in ties Of
everlasting friendship. Their morn
ing talks closed with the noon-day
bell, and their evening walks nat
urally terminated at the Denver
mansion. Nowhere else was the
hearth SO bright, or light so cheer
full; nowhere did the hours fly SO
swiftly as there. L
The sisters sat by the glowing fire
gazing beyond the burning GOALS.
EthePs thoughts, unfathomable, un-
known, but Witch raised her head
from her dimpled hand and said,
Eyes, I've decided. When Mr..
Gregory proposes, I'll accept him.
Papa will be proud of my husband,
but isn't Leslie grand? 1 tell you,
Ethel, there are times when I think
could be a poor mans wife for his
sake. And l am not so sure he loves
me after all. 1 begin to doubt it very
much. His wisdom outweighs
Gregory's gold. Pity he hasn't
money"
"Pity indeed, Witch but the
more pity for you, if you estimate
your friends by dollars and cents.
Keep your heart right. Dismiss
him from your thoughts. Is not
Edward Gregory's love, for doubtless
you possess it, though he has never
made confession, enough to fill your
heart ?"
81 don't know, Ethel; l think
not"
1t was the first night of the New
Year-the earth wrapped in pure
snow, that had been falling noise.
Iessly all day. The moon smiled
Iserenely from its far height, and
HazeldeI glittered in its beams just