Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1873-02-06
DEATH-BLOW FROM AN UNSEEN
HAND.

"What an oddidea, Florence brace
let instead of an engagement ring ? Was
it Victor's idea, or your own ?"
MY own, mamma"
Florence Atherton turned from the
window, out of which she had been gaz-
ing, and drew near her mothers side.
Even in the vague twilight glimmering
that filed, just then, the sitting room at
Eight Elms, it was easy to see what an
girls face wore, framed in heecy af1uence
of pale, golden hair, and lighted with
deep blue, earnest eyes.
You know, mamma, that most of my
ideas are odd," Florence went on pres
emily, in mild, meditative tones. &c
have fancy that something which merely
clasps the finger is not half SO strong a
love bond as something which clasps the
arm. However this may be, Victor has
yielded to my wish, and has promised
that I shall have the bracelet by to-
night"
ence, if you were only to put the request
persuasively enough p avoice in the door
way now exclaimed and Letitia Ather-
ton entered the room a moment later.
She was, perhaps, two years the junior
of her sister Florence, and though be-
longing to wholly opposite type of
beauty was yet fair to look upon. Her
eyes and hair were of oriental darkness ;
her figure, though yet scarcely developed
to its utmost, prophetic of faultless SYM
metry and ripeness and the abandon,
of her graceful carriage and gestures
would have. been sufficient to fascinate
many male heart, even if their accom-
panying charms had not existed.
You are sure, Florence" asked Mrs.
the city this evening ?"
$50 he assured me" was the answer.
ST always believe Victor's promises,
mamma"
Late that evening Florence's lover
made his appearance at Eight Elms,
bringing with him the bracelet Gan ex-
quisite shackle shaped piece of Etruscan
gold, studded with fine opals), which, as
we know, his .tfa'acee had considered
preferable to the more conventional en-
gagement ring.
This Victor Buchanan was fine,
manly looking fellow, whom Florence
had met several months previously whilst
on a visit to some relatives in New York ;
and the acquaintance then formed be-
tween herself and her present lover had
rather speedily ripened into an attach
ment. The match was brilliant one for
Florence, as Victor Buchanan was already
the possessor of large forune, inherited
from his deceased parents.
A month after the evening on which
Florence's singular love gauge was
brought to her she became the wife of
Victor Buchanan, and bade her mother
and sister farewell, for what promised to
be at least years absence among the
sights and diversions of a European
tour.
The young bride was so perfectly hap
py at the thought of being finally united
to one whom she almost worshiped as a
god, that in her fareweIls there was little
evidence of actual sorrow, while Mrs.
Atherton bore up with admirable self
control in saying adieu to her first born
and best loved daughter. Letitia. how
ever, wept very bitterly.
am the most miserable creature in
all christendom, she walled, on the
afternoon of the day which had wit
messed Florence's departure " I don't
care to live an hour longer"
Nonsense, Letitia, F" said her mother,
very reprovingly i" am afraid, darling,
that your sorrow springs more from envy
of your sisters happiness than regret for
her absence"
Perhaps you're right" murmured
the newly created Miss Atherton. &c
suppose shall have to NOPE here at dis
NAL old Eight Elms all the rest of my
days. Why can't Auntie Wilkinson in
vite me to go and visit her in New York,
and at least run the chance of catching
a splendid husband, like Florence? But,
of course, she won't do it 4; it isn't my
luck that she should"
Nor did she. And very dreary, socie-
tyless year passed over the head of our
despondent Letitia. At the end of that
time fearful blow was dealt her in the
shape of her mothers sudden death.
"Auntie Wilkinson" made up for all past
neglect then by offering the poor, friend
less orphan a home in her handsome
Madison avenue mansion. There the
first month that followed Letitia's be.
Beayement was passed, when, with the