Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-04-07

cling the beholder with their Drlillant nues
the Holyoke mansion was arrayed IN moi
;dav attire to celebrate the wedding OF the
daughters of the house.
The two girls left the home oil their
childhood, each confident of bright fu-
ture. and both contented and happy at the
prospect before them. Isabel to take
charge of the splendid establishment Of
Herbert Baker; Ethel TO the humber
abode of Arthur Merlin, the one accepting
wealth and station as of right and without
giving much thought to the matter; the
other, conscious at feeling of independ-
ence and self-reliance that cast out all fear
for the future.
CHAPTER III.
Five years passed rapidly away, bring
ing TO Arthur Merlin increased fame as an
artist, which he always insisted was due
to the inspiration of his wife and children
Ethel was model house-keeper "hiie
everything was neat and in good order,
she was not one of those fussy people who
are Mortified if anything about the house
is out Of place. and render themselves
and all about them. miserable by per-
petual fretting at the slightest disorder.
Her rooms always looked as if meant for
comfort, and if a paper or two were scat
tered on the floor, or cigar end was seen
on the table or mantle, it only added to
the free and easy and comfortable feeling
that should always prevade the occupied
rooms Of true home. Arthur's friends
loved to visit him. and hardly an evening
passed without some artist or literary
friend dropping in, attracted by the hear
ty welcome that awaited all.
II IN,
rage, sometimes bringing her children
and leaving them tor an afternoon with
their cousins, and Ethel went. now and
then, TO her sisters grand house in the
distant part of the city, and came back all
the more satisfied with her own cosy little
home. The path of the two sisters seldom
crossed each other, however, and they
rarely met outside their own homes.
The current of both their lives flowed on
smoothly. and both were happy and con-
tented in their different spheres OF duty:
but as we sometimes see in summer a
black ngerous-looking cloud gather sud
denly in clear sky, and breaking forth in
wind and rain. change the whole land
scape from the calm and peaceful quiet to
a scene at once wild and desolate, SO on
the homes of the two sisters there burst
cloud of misfortune that seemed, for the
time, to leave them almost without ray
of hope or consolation.
Herbert Baker and Arthur Merlin were
returning from distant city, whittier one
had gone on business, and the other to
witness an uncommonly fine display OF
pictures. With but few tastes in common
they had seen little of each other since
their marriage. but to day they seemed to
be drawn closer together, and rs they sped
rapidly home talked pleasantly and quite
confidentially of the happiness each had
found in his domestic life. Arthur told of
his plans and hopes for the future, and
Herbert, speaking of the dangers and vi
cissitudes of business, said he feared that
if anything within the coming year should
take him away suddenly his business al
fairs were at such a crisis that all he pos
sessed must 60 to satisfy his creditors.
While they were thus Willing away the
hours as the train whirled along, there
came crash, and in a moment the air
was filed with the cries of the wounded
and dying. To Ethel they brought the
still unconscious form of her husband,
alive but cruelty manned and bruised, but
for Isabel all that was left was the lifeless
body of him to whom she was so tenderly
attached, and upon whose life so much de-
pended.
The shock at first seemed to almost par
alyze both, and Isabel, but for her children.
would have been sorely tempted to follow
her husband to the unknown future; and
to add to her distress, it was found, in
settling up her husbands estate, that his
affairs were so involved that scarcely any
thing would be left for her and the children
after the debt was satisfied. With no one
upon whom she could lean for support, I'M
fitted to enter upon any profession or call
ing whereby she could support herself and
children, she accepted gratefully, the
offer of a house made by friend of her
late husband, and entered upon thar
hardest Of lives, the life of the keeper OF a
fashionable boarding house.
Ethel. by careful nursing, won her
husband back to life, but the profession to
which he was so much devoted must be
abandoned. He was little more than a
hopeless wreck. His rishi arm crushed
and mangled, could never WELD brush
again, and his whole system was shattered
and broken by the terrible shock he had
sustained.
"Oh Ethel" he said. sadly, as he watch
ed her one morning moving softly about
his chamber, perhaps it would have been
better if l had not been spared to be a
burden to you. Just as l was beginning
to be well paid for my pictures and every
thing was looking SO bright; and now
am as helpless to aid you as one of our
little children"
arthur, DEAR" said Ethel, coming to
his bedside and putting her arm gently
round him, "please don't talk in that way.
Everything will look bright again, never
fear. You are spared to US. and thinking
of poor Isabel. feel that should be very
grateful. already have plan which, ii
you approve, will remove all anxiety for
our future. Five years ago, was just
beginning to get quite an income from my
profession, and there is nothing to prevent
my returning to it, and you will see me in
a short time, with the incentive l now
have for exertion. in such position as to
handsomely provide for ALL"
Reluctantly. her husband was brought
TO consent to Ethel's plan; and when he
was SO far recovered as to no longer need
constant attendance, she went back to her
old Office and began anew her professional
life. With loved ones to provide for, she
was doubly anxious for success, and sue