The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1876-12-13
MISCELLANY.

THE COMPANION.

Two ladies, both young, both possessing
more than the average share of beauty, both
dressed in deep mourning, were seated in a
pleasant morning-room. One, the youngest
and undeniably the fairest, was directing an
envelope the other, a pale delicate girl look
ed on with sadly wistful eyes. ~ ~,
81 wish, = the latter said at last, go,
Nesta. wish you would not send that. My
father never intended you to leave here"
1t is better for me to CO. said the other
carefully sealing the envelope; - better far
BETTER 9'ts ssa t2'93a
i"Why will you not confido in me?s Have
we not been sisters from our very babyhood y
4" But we are sisters in love, Ruth. Let
me go. Doiyou not understand | cannot
stay where Raymond is"
"Ie has not been base enough cried
Ruth.
"Hush !" interrupted Nesta; che has
said nothing. But his mother was here yes
terday."
"Welll"
She has just learned that | am not Mr..
Fairthorne's daughter, but Ernestine Hay,
waif, adopted in childhood, and thrown pen
niless upon the world by my adopted fathers
death without will.
But it is all mine Ncsta and | want to
settle half upon you, as my father intended,
as soon as | am of age
I" But Mrs. Bancroft told me more. She
says that to educate Raymond, and allow him
to study law, she drew heavily upon the CAPT
tai of her late husbands property. Raymond
has widowed aunt who is very kind to him,
and who is very wealthy. Mrs. Bancroft
hopes Ray will inherit her fortune, if he does
not displease her but she is very proud,
proud of her family and name, as well as
wealth, and it would entirely destroy all his
hopes there if he married a waif, not only
poor, but without name"
s'And does Raymond send his mother to
tell You all this, when you are but weak or
phan?"
Raymond is still abroad Ruth, and does
not yet know of my loss. have promised
his mother not to tax his love or his honor by
seeing him, and so hope for a favorable ans
wer to this and she touched the envelope
g that I-may be far from here when he re-
turns
sWhat have you written?"
Only an answer to the advertisement
read to you for n companion to an invalid
lady. / have enclosed a. letter from the
ministeriMr. Martin, speaking of me only mn
der my true name. If the answer is favora-
BILE Ruth, promise me you will keep my adj
dress a secret from every one."
Raymond has right to it,
s'But promised he should not have it.
He was betrothed to Nesta Fairthorne, not to
Ernestine Hay IL you will not promise
Ruth, must then hide myself even from
you.' @
I" But Nesta you must consider Raymond"
urged Ruth, earnestly.
81 do consider Raymond, and Raymond
only Do you not know that am tearing
my heart-strings in this parting, for his sake?
You know as we'll as do Ruth, how lie has
been brought up, in perfect luxury, with no
wish unqualified. If his mother throws him
off, and she will if he marries me, and he Of
tends his aunt, he will be reduced to poverty,
with no preparation for its hardships. 1t
takes years to make even living as a
lawyer" R 8f0 Na'f H4tt
81 see,'' said Ruth sadly. A5itlti
YFor Raymond to come to me will only be
torture for both of us. He viii urge me to
marry him, in defiance Of mother and aunt,
andI am afraid of my own resolutions, if his
loving arms are around me, his pleading
voice in my ears
"Since it must be so will keep your Sc
cret, y Ruth said ''but it is very hard for me
to give up. The day am of age | shall carry
out what fully believe to have been my IA
theirs intentions, had he not died SO suddenly.
shall settle an independence on you, whether
you desire it OF not. So for one year must
let you go, then. Promise me you will accept
my gift"
I'm the same loving spirit which you offer
it, Nesta said j" / would stay now, but for
nv promise to Mrs Bancroft. | must go to
the post Office and send my letter"
. Where Nesta did not notice the adj
dress"
"To Mrs. Green Craige Hill, Westfield."
81 wonder if it is far from here?''
- Four hours ride. | asked Mr.. Martin"
Three days later Mrs. Green wrotea favor
able reply to Miss Ernestine Hays applica-
ton, and Nesta babe her adopted sister and
| her old home long farewell, to enter upon
her new duties. She bore up bravely while
Ruth's loving, plying eyes were upon her
but once In the train, she drew her heavy