Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-11-22

ihim off, and she will if he marries me,
and be offends his aunt, he will be re-
duced to poverty, with no preparation
for it's hardships. It takes years to
make even living as lawyer"
:" [ see," said Ruth sadly.
For Raymond to come to me will
only be torture for both of us. He
will urge me to marry him, in defiance
of mother and aunt, and I am afraid
of my own resolution, if his loving
arms are around me, his pleading voice
In my ears"
Since it MUST be so will keep your
secret" Ruth said; "but it is very
hard for me to give you up. The day
| am of age I shall carry out what I
fully believe to have been my fathers
intentions, had he not died so sudden
~. shall settle an independence on
you, whether you desire it or not. So
for one year must let you go, then.
Promise 10 e you will accept my gift"
In the same loving spirit which you
offer it, Nesta said; I" would stay now,
but for my promise to Mrs. Bancroft.
must go to the post office and send
my letter."
"Where Nesta? did not notice the
address,"
"To Mrs. Green, Craige Hill, West
field"
:" I wonder if it is far from here?"
Four hours ride. I asked Mr.: Mar
tin"
Three days later Mrs. Green wrote a
favorable reply to Miss Ernestine Hay
application and Nesta babe her adopted
sister and her old home long farewell,
to enter upon ner new duties. She bore
up bravely while Ruth's loving, pitying
eyes were upon her, but once in the
train, she drew her heavy Grape veil
over her face, and wept from the full
ness Of a very sore heart.
She had given her adopted father q
true child's love, never guessing she
had not the same claim upon him Ruth
had. She had shared all his own daugh-
ter's studies and pleasures, and only the
light clouds Of childish sorrow had
ever broken the sunshine of her happy
life.
Mis- Grace Fairthorne, Ruths aunt,
had never made any distinction between
the two little girls, and grieved as much
as Ruth over this parting, though she
knew nothing of the deeper signii-
canoe, attributing it only to the loss of
fortune occasioned by her brothers
sudden death.
1t was in the early summer that
Nesta left her old home, and when the
first burst of sorrow was over, she be-
came interested in the little events of
travel, a new experience in her young
life.
By the time the train stopped at
Craige Hill, her face was once more
composed, and its noble beauty was
only enhanced by the deep mourning
dress, and the expression of sadness 10
her large, soft eyes.
Mrs. Green, an elderly lady, who re-
ceived her new companion IN the sit
ting-roon, was pleased at once with the
lovely face and the gentle dignity Of
manner Nesta had possessed from q
child.
She gave her cordial welcome, and
while dessert was In progress, told hel
what her duties would be.
"I have painful disease, Miss Hay
that is durable, but may last for years
My nurse Martha, who waited on us
during dinner, will attend me during
my attack of positive illness, so. that
you will not have any of the nursing to
attend to. But am lonely when am
better, and want g. companion. Some
one who will read for me, sing for me,
talk to me, share my walks and drives.
It will be but a monotonous life for one
so young as you are, but [ hope you
will not hesitate to avail yourself of the
|
find some pleasure for Eyour leisure
time"
Nesta answered gratefully, feeling
the kindness of this introduction to her
new life, and from these few words q
conversation was easily opened.
Mrs. Green was interested in the
journey Nesta described with the vi
vacity and freshness Of young travel
er; aud from this topic they easily
passed to others, till both were sur
prised to hear the mantel-clock strik-
ing nine.
$50 late" the old lady cried. "You
must be quite tired out, Miss May. I
will not keep you up one moment long
er. Ring the bell at your hand, and
Martha will show you to your room.
NOOO-u4SoAO1 CAO 1SOCO, IuOHCuG
later, when the nurse appeared, 81
hope you will rest well. I am sure we
shall be good friends, my dear"
"Good-night," said Nesta, land
thank you from my heart for your
kind reception"
Before week had passed, Mrs.
Green found herself wondering how
she had endured her blank life before
Nesta came.
twas characteristic of Ernestine Hay
that whatever she undertook she per-
formed with all her heart. Ruth used
to say that "Nesta made pin-cushion
as if it was the only pin-cushion in the
world, and the fate of the nation hung
upon the stitches" It was the same in
all her studies and all her pleasures.
She had loved Raymond Bancroft with
her whole heart, and many sleepless
nights she spent still thinking of him.
But having promised his mother to give
him up, she carried out her promise in