Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-10-06

over and over, II Oh are not wen, my
darling. This change has not been good
for you.n And Eta answered.. IL am
well. mother dear, but little tired and
81 glad to come back. Home is SO sweet
and re.tlul. don't think | can ever
wish to leave it again"
Bu, the home Eta lovod, proved but
transient resting place. Her mother,
never strong. iaded slowly out of life,
aud the first SHOWS Tell on her grave. Her
father, after two years ot mourning for
the vile oi hi, youth. and dishcartened
10y successive and crushing financial dis
asIers fell victim to sudden epidemic,
aud passed away alter few days illness.
The wreck OF his splendid fortune barely
sulliced 10 meet his obligations, and Eta
Was len alone aud pcnnless. Moro than
one door opened to receive her. but her
constant answer wac: Il am deeply
grateful, but it is better that should de.
pend upon my sell. have health and
education, and there Is no other balm
like work Tor wounded heart.
No cnlreatics availcd to change her
mind, but at the earnest solicitation OF
her Boston friends, shc consented to pass
a tow months with them until she could
obtain u desirable situation.
Onc day, not long after her arrival, il
chanccd tnnt Mrs. Evans was collecting
great bundle OF cast of clothing. to be
seuI 10 the suffering freedmen. Etta ard
Lou bad followed her up stats. aud were
looking over the various articles as she
took them from the great chest where
they had been stored.
Suddenly Lou eXclaiueI: Ion Eta!
see here here is the very lavender sui
that Frank ruined with lemonade. the day
We went out in the Flying Arrow just
alter Captain Tileston got home-let me
see-two-lhree yeals ago. Poor Frank
was just pouring ont glass, when the
boat lurched, throwing it all over him
irom head to foot. How W. all laughed
Don't you remembcr' Why, mamma.
you must not take them until have
searched in the pockets. A letter, rs ]
live, Miss Eta Stewart"
Il was E;Ia's turn TO look now One
swift glance as Lpa hold the letter up to
the light. aud she had recognized the
haud writing. She snatched il oul OF her
cousins hand, while The blood ,urged up
10 her heart in one convuisiye Ihrob.
"Oh. Eiu., dear! that's too bad -
pleaded Lou. II found ii, SO lot NE see
il too.
But Eta had flown 10 her own room.
not daring TO wait tac scrutiny oil Lou's
curious eyes.
When Frank camo home To tea. Eta
said carciessiy: "Wherc is Rtlph Field
uow-in Paris still found Il good bye
note from him, or rather Lou did, in one
ol your pockets. written Just before he
sailed
"llow like you. Frank" said Lou.
never to think ct it, ,nd we were all so
vexed that he did not call"
That's true enough. Loulie," her
brother answered penilently. Then. to
Elta,-''l don't know where he is. I'm
sure. llo never wrote to me a word
Not in Paris, probably. Tor he wrote 10
Flint IL Chatterton. when he bad been
there Elk months. asking 10 be relieved
from his situation. They uIged him to
retain IT, but ho positively refused-giv
ing no reason except that no was weary
of bnsiness-so unlike him. you know
They have heard nothing nt all from him
since. 1t is tho strangest thing | ever
knew"
Eta Stuart was in Rome. She had
sailed from New York with the Wallaces
as goveruess for little Carrie, and com.
pany for her mother. They had spent
some months in travel, but Mrs. Wallace
lOnged To he near her artist son, so they
had lakea pleasant suite of rooms for
the summer, in the old, imperial city.
Esening was coming on, and the inde.
scribable color OF the Italian sunset still
Hooded all the air with almost tangible
radiance. Elta lay on her couch, with
her bands cla>ped lightly over her fore
head. rs ii 10 press the pain t'om her
Ihrobbiug temples. The door opened
softly, and little Carrie came in.
Are you better, Miss Eta? Mamma
said she WAS afraid should tire you, but
wanted To tell you about our ride. Oh,
Il you could only have gone with US
First we drove to brother Charles s:udio,
and he said he wanted Us To 60 with him
and see ueaniitul madonna that one OF
his fricnls had painted. Mamma said
she should like it very much. so we went,
and on the way Charlie told Us about this
friend, what wonderful genius he had. and
devotion 10 his art. but still he seemed so
lonely sometimes. By and by we were
there, and Charlie introduced us. Mr..
Field. the genlleman's name was. and he
WAS SO lall and handsome. but with the
saddest eyes ever SAW. As soon as he
uncovered The picture, mamma aud
botc exclaimed nj unce. for. indeed, Miss
Eta. it WAS perfect likeness OF yon,
only the expression was more lovely
than anything can describe-as ii an