The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1877-03-22

''Know it ?" Charley stared. you don
want me to take my oath on it, do YOU
BY Jove, Ralph. a body would suppose
you We're personally interested ~
Poor Ralph, The chance shot recalled
him to his senses. lie sank back again il
his seat, essaying Il faint reflection O
Charley's quizzical smile. He sat through
the hour too utterly stunned to realize
anything beyond vague, terrible sense
of loss-only knowing the lecture over by
the tumult OF applause that burst forth
and the noise of the audience rising to q
out. Once in the street it was an unex
pected reliet that Marks launched out into
an animated criticism of the speakers opiu
ions, too eager himself to notice the alb
straction of his listener.
Before the dawn of the morning that
followed that sleepless night the first tn,
multuous surges of griet had passed. and
Ralph looked his trouble in the face. re-
solved to bear it like the brave fellow that
he was. He did not reproach Eta now,
though the temptation had been sore
one at first; doubtless she supposed the
tact OF her engagement TOO widely known
to have had a thought of caution; only a
foolish blindness could have made him
liloIdhC tIlG hlHuItSS WHICH utI UODl6
heart prompted towards all alike for some
thing more personal and tender. Then
how could she know how he had loved
her? He had never told her SO he thought
bitterly, although in those few months she
had grown to be SO much part of his
lite that rs yet, he was too weak to think
OF the desolate years that seemed to
stretch endlessly before him without her
l.lte was made up OF moments-he could
bear them, one by one, till by and by,
may be strength would come with endur-
/ ance.
Flint, senior, was waiting for him as he
went in.
"A few minutes conversation, if YOU
/ please, Mr.. Field he said
/ Ralph followed him to the office What
new Leaf in his book OF fate would be turn
ed this time?
Nlr. lint was man OF few words, and
the expression of warm condemnation with
which he grasped Ralph's hand, and drew
him into 4 chair beside him, meaLt very
much. coming from him. There had been
letters by the last nights steamer--the
Paris agency was yacant-some one must
go on Immediately. There was no one
whom he could trust more implicitly than
Mr., Field-no one of whose success he
should feel more proud Would Mr.. Field
| take the place
Poor kalph's cheek flushed for one mo-
ment, with glow of honest pride; then,
with y bitter pang, came the thought,
| GLOW much this would have been worth
to ne yesterday. but to-day
81 am very greatful for the honor you
pay me- Mn Flint lie said 81 have tried
to do my dutyl Will Try still thank
you--I will GO
And 30 it was settled
Busy in his room, that night with prep
arations for his Journey, Ralph took from
his desk n little packet, touching it ten
derly and sadly, as one might gather q
flower OF grave. The pretty handker-
Chief a Wi1heTed rose or tWo--that was
all. Was he less manly that q few tears
tell silently poor drops that could bring
back no fresh bloom to the faded blossoms?
Turning with q sudden impulse, he tool.
pen and paper. 1t was a little letter, tile
last wall OF dying hope
ErlA--AtY ltta: / had thought 10 say, but
the time for that has zone hy-ttod forgive me
il should write needless word to pain the
truest heart that ever beat. | love YOU too
truly not to reloift that H"" iiu happy aiiH
10 ci0uu NoOr perlecl sftnnrhf. l heard last
night, for the first time, of your engagement to
Capt. Tiieston. MAY God bless YOU both, now
and forever!
write because am going away, and fear
/ cannot come in person to say good bye. The
firm sends me to Paris. God knows if | shall
ever come back again. -Four graves. III ii lltt0
valley among the New Hampshire hills, are all
that is left me of the homo Of my youth. | shall
never know another.
Eta, my life, my tariing-forgiyc me; ii is
for the last tme--gooh bye. RALPH FIELD.
Going out to mail his note next morn
ing, Ralph met Frank Evans 1t the door.
enthusiastic over u Yachting party, to 60
out that day.
Cant you get away, Ealph3 Hall sent
you IN invitation. 1t is a glorious day;
and Just our set invited I'm going bacl,
to the house. to tell the girls and Capt.
Tilcston--he is stopping with usto take
the eleven O'Clock car for the Point. QUILL
go?'
"No, Frank, | can't THANK you. but It's
impossible
"Pshaw Ralph, don't he a drudge!
DO GOMEZ"
Ralph saw that his friend had heard
nothing of his prospective business change,
but he was in no mood for confidence,
He said -
81 would like to go. if it were best, but
it is not. You were on your way home,
you said ~
Yes"
"Will you give this to your cousln?'
handing him the note.
Yes. certainly" and Frank thrust it in
his vest pocket. Good bye, Ralph; youll
regret staying ashore o.day"
Tho uaal. ,acSaI-R a1ph EjnII sailed
for Paris. Lou Evans pouted her pretty
lips, in disgust at his impoliteness =
"Never called to say good bye just left
his regrets with Frank, and tell the ladies
he had been 50 busy. Busy, indeed Max
suppose Eta" with sudden illumina-
of this"
tales.
The long visit came to an end, and Eta
went home again Her mother said over
and over, ''you are not well, my darling
The change has not been good for you"
And Eta answered, II am well, mother,
dear, but a little tired, and so, so glad to
come back, Home is so sweet and rest
full | don't think can ever wish to leave
it again"
But the home that Eta loved proved
but transient resting-place. Her mother,
never strong, faded slowly out of life, and
the first SHOWS fell on her grave. Her
father. after two years Of mourning for
the wife Of his youth. and disheartened by
successive and crushing financial disasters.
fell victim to sudden epidemic. and
passed away after few days illness. The
T.
feed to meet his obligations, and Eta was
LETT alone and pennless. More than one
door opened to receive her. but her con-
i stant answer was, 81 am deeply grateful,
but it is better that | should depend upon
myself. | have health and education, and
| there is no balm like work for wounded
heart
No entreaties availed to change her de-
termination but at the earnest solicitation
of her Boston friends, she consented to
n9Ss a few months with them until she