Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-10-12
ETHA WILMOT'S PRAYER.
BY NJ. L. FISHER.

BY NJ. L. FISHER.
A summer day in June. Outside the birds
| were singing sweetly, the flowers nodding
sleepily to each other, and quiet hush per-
vaded the atmosphere. The cottage itself
| seemed almost a part of nature, SO sur
rounded was it by trees and covered with
creeping vines. Inside there was a pleasant
room, neatly and tastefully furnished, with
low windows reaching to the floor and
opening Oh the piazza, which extended the
whole length of the house; in this room sat
Ia lady, busily fashioning some little gar
ment Cor the child who sat at her feet. The
lady was of medium height, with dark grey
eyes, a fair complexion, and sweet express
siye mouth. Combed back from her white
forehead in graceful coil was her wealth
CT dark brown tresses, and her soft white
hands moved swiftly back and forth as she
sewed. But the sweet mouth was culver
ing with suppressed pain, and the large
dark eyes were full of unshed tears.
Five years ago to-day" she murmured'
sssince he promised to love, cherish and
protect; five long years of hope deferred,
of longing unfulflled. Oh, if he only loved
me! How [ have longed for loving words
and fond caresses! L wonder why he ever
married me? Was it to have some one to
find fault with-some one to scold when he
felt irritated? And to live with him all.my
life long, till death do us part? Oh, God,
help me to bear my cross 1t is very heavy,
and 1 cannot bear it alone; give me but
my husbands love, and I ask naught else. y
Poor Etha Wilmot. How little she rea-
liked for what she was praying! We will
go back few years to the time when she
was Etha Lennox. Her father and mother
were intelligent, refined people. of means
sufficient for the comforts of life, but hay
isse. few luxuries, possessed of loving hearts,
and devotedly attached to each other and
their children. Etha was the youngest
child and only daughter; besides her they
had three sens, each one Of whom, endeavor-
ed by every means in his power to add hap
Diness to the lot Of their sweet sister whom
they loved SO tenderiy.
Such was the lot Of EthS Lennox when
she met Fred Wllmot. He was tall and
graceful, with black hair which lay in tiny
ringlets ali over his head, eyes dark as
night, regular features, and a mouth which,
but for the heavy beard which partially
concealed it, might not have been so
pleasant to look at. But very handsome
young man his friends called him, and
IEtha fully endorsed their opinion. Loving
and trusting herself, ever surrounded by
love and sympathy, she gave her heart
away, never once thinking that other
hearts were colder and other natures more
reserved.
Belonging to good family, a young man
of good morals, and possessed of some
property, her parents could not well with
hold their consent, although it was given
reluctantly and with many tears. SO on
bright June morning, in her childhood's
pleasant home, the words were spoken
which bound them together until death
should part them. Immediately after their
marriage, they removed to a small town
some distance from her fathers home.
Here in the lovely home which he had pur-
chased, he surrounded her with all the ex-
ternal comforts in his power, but denied to
her the one great boon her heart cIaved so
-affectionate love and sympa-
thy. Not that he did not love her, for in
the worry depths Of his heart she held
sacred place but he did not understand
her longing for expressions Of love. In
early life he had lost his mother, and, al
though his father saw that he was well
cared for, he took but little trouble to win
the boys love. So, with none to love and
caress, with only his cat and dog to pet, he
grew up reserved in his affections, quick
tempered and irritable. If he provided
every comfort for Etha he thought she
ought to be content; and if he did al! in
his power for her, that was enough. AS for
loving words and affectionate caresses,
that was absolutely silly; and if Etha's
parents and brothers had made baby of
her, it was no reason why he should.
Thus three years passed away, and Etha.
from alight-hearted, happy girl, had grown
to weary, care-Worn woman; Instead of
watching eagerly for her husbands return,
uight after night, she almost dreaded to
have him come home, for fear something
in her housekeeping with which he would
find fault. Ry-and-by little daughter was
added to their household, precious treas
ure to Etha, who felt that now she had
something on which she could lavish her
affection without reserve. And so for the
past two years her baby had been her idol !;
she had received all the pept up love of her
heart, and her sweet loving ways and ten
der caresses had been balm to the aching
heart. But there came days like the pre-
sent when it seemed as if her husband
! love was the one thing she could mot live
without, when her baby's love failed TO
comfort her.
Mamma, tate baby! Baby 50 seepy!'
Etha turned suddenly, and dropped the
work fIoaa her hand.
cat least | have gcu. my own darline,''
she said, catching the Child up in her arms
and kissing the rosebud mouth.
| ssMamma 'ove baby. Baby mammals
own little dirl.''
81 guess mamma does love you, precious
baby-mamma's one ioye-the only one
mamma has to love her!" Etha answered
and so she continued to talk to and cares
the child, slowly rocking to and fro. until