The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1876-07-20

at their picturesque jackets and flowing
J boards. And Eta, saucily defiant Of man,
, restrictions, was gently submissive to thi
one, understanding fully the bitter mem
ory upon which it was founded Not tina
she feared harshness The harshness o
the past, that had ended in eighteen year;
: of loneliness, was too bitterly repented to
, be repeated. Eta knew well if she loved
a street beggar her grandfather wouo
endure him for her sake, and this very
knowledge made her delicatcly careful
only to encourage such friendship as he
approved.
But in Rome to ignore artists was tc
cut ones self out Of society, and Eta
: found herself chattering the familiar jar
gon with many u bearded knight of the
brush, bewildering them often by her act
nal knowledge OF that whereof she chat
tered SO easily. And Mr. Randolph, hay
ing once passed the barrier, became fond
OF roaming about amongst the galleries
and studios. securing many gem for his
home.
so one evening, when he announced an
artist to dine with them. Eta was not al
together amazed
1T is the son Of an old friend, my dear
the old gentleman said, half apologetical-
ly, remembering certain structures upon
artists as a class
Oh. Eta replied, demurely.
There was a family quarrel, all about
a cou' IN who was to be betrothed to this
son at Il suitable age, and inherit with
hun the property of an old maid aunt.
hen the time came 'Barkis was unwill-
ing the father furious, and the son dis
inherited. l am sorry to say the father
died with his wrath still hot, and the
! cross-eyed cousin married, SO this poor
fellow was turned out in the cold, ! was
abroad at the time, but as soon as | saw
hlm L was sure he was my old friend S
son. lie is no beauty, Eta. but if ever
saw strong. true face, he has one I'm
Eta. You might wear that thin pink
dress that liket
And then Eta knew that this son OF an
Old friend stood very near her grandta-
Tiers heart. 1t was not in human nature
to resist the desire to look as we'll as pos
sible under the circumstances. And when
Eta stood fully dressed before the LONG
mirror, she thought, half eynltantly:
What would Ned say to see me now q
For the sun of prosperity had agreed
wonderfully with the rich beauty of this
petted damsel Her small figure had lost
angularity, and was delicately rounded,
while yet gracefully slender The clear
olive complexion glowed with healthtul
bloom the delicate oval Of the perfect
face matched we'll the regular features
The raven hair, coileG in heavy braids
around the shapely head, had one orna-
ment Of delicate pink coral above the left
ear, and ornaments of dead gold relieved
the pink dress
A very lovely Eta fitted into the room
ing his guest. And the old gentleman
tone was proud as he presented, My
grandchld, Miss Clayton.
And Eta, looking up, saw smiling blue
eyes, golden beard, !; strong, ugly face,
and knew, all at once, that her happiness
was to be increased tenlold She only
CONTESTED, demurely. valing her dancing
eyes, and sat down beside her grandfather.
Little by little the old gentleman was
drawing forth the answers to his many
| questions, that, modestly expressed as
| they were. betrayed the fact that his Wis
itor had already won an onviable position
in the profession that he loved.
1T was sore fight with poverty for
many years the Young artist said. but
founded my foot upon the ladder to for
nn barn at a last 2d or the bdS"bi4" M Idrs "y
memories Of those hard working power
ty-stricken days, that are precious beyond
eNpression to me-
And Eta, stealing Il glance under her
long lashes, met a gaze that brought II
vivid blush to her checks. She was very
shy sitting there, close beside her grand
father, listening to Il deep, rich voice.
rousing musical echoes in her heart Very
shy, presiding at the dainty dinner. But
in the evening Mr. Randolph pottered
| away to his room to find gem in his
cabinet there to show his friend and the
artist, standing by the window, looked
down upon Eta in her low seat
She answered the look, coming slowly
up to him, till she put her soft cheek up
on the sleeve Of his coat, and lifting her
dark eyes, whispered shyly:
you have come at last, Ned
'And you waited for me p he answered.
his voice rs tender as a Woman's
Il waited, Ned. | knew you would
come
Mr., Randolph had been weaving To-
mances all day, with Ned and Eta for
the central figures. tancying a long court
ship, Il happy wedding, Il lite long home
with these two AS Il boy he had known
him, and the son of his old friend was
sure to be u gallant gentleman, worth
even of his Eta. Some time--in six or
seven years. say-he should have her,
supposing always they tlncied each 9TH
er's lile-l long. society
But coming back with the gem in his
hands, it was rather overwhelming to see
his guest holding Eta in IN unmistakable
embrace, his beard caressing her glossy
braids, while he muimured
My darling my own"
| The crash the gem made as it slid from
the grasp of the owner reused the lovers
to the present scene. instead of allowing
a longer glimpse of Paradise. Very Shy
ly Eta slid from her lovers arms and
crossed the room to where her grand
father stood in motionless, speechless
amaZement.
Dear grandfather she said, as if she
was debating a letter, If you had told
me this morning that Our expected visitor
was Edward Thornley,, should have told
you he was Il very old friend
'Indeedn
My fathers pupil = Eta taltered
And his daughters lover said Thorn
ley, coming TO join the group. Three
years ago | sent her away, to save her
from poverty and toll, though | think |
could have kept her in spite Of them
Yes Eta said, simply. Il was not
afraid of either with YOU
Now, the young man said, with quiet
dignity, Il can offer her comfort, if not
luxury Must give her up again?'
But you must not take her from me,
said the old man, piteously. BE my son,
if you will, Ned. | love you already for
your fathers sake; stay with me for Et-
ta's?
'Gladlyn was the quick reply.
SO there was Il quiet wedding one fine
morning. and Edward Thornley, won his
bride, while Eta, with perfect trust and
radiant happiness, went with her first love
for all life's journey. Frank Leslie's La
dy's Magazine.
Tho ptlnr p,prpioOr a fbo ot ar ut