The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1877-07-19

Ethel never forgot one incident OF all
that bright, joyous, happy time. For ere
the New Years day she had welcomed in
50 gayly came to close, Rose lay fever
ish and restless on her couch with the
first symptoms Of what proved to be a
malignant fever. She had probably
caught it in some one of the poor neigh
borhoods they had visited.
Night and day Ethel watched by her
side, one fear ever in her heart one prayer
ever on her lips; "Save her spare her,
oh, God.". A vain prayer, for he denied
it. There came a morning when Ethel
saw her darling's face with only the light
Of day resting upon it, the dark eyes
closed, and the lips whereon she pressed
wild kisses, cold and breathless.
Nor was that all. Mr.. Woodward who
had watched unremittingly in the room,
was himself taken down with the
disease the very day that Rose was buried.
Ethel came home from the grave where
her sweetest hopes persisted to take her
place as watcher by another sick bed
Not for long; the fever made more rapid
! progress here. In less than week, the
! strong man was a corpse, and Ethel, ut
terly crushed by this new blow. was left
alone in the world.
Alone to meet poverty no less than sor-
row. Mr.. Woodward had made no will
since his marriage. An old one dated
some years back left his property all to
distant relatives who were not slow in
taking possession. Hard, money making
people, none too we'll pleased with the
marriage in the first place, they had no
scruples in taking from the young widow
all that the law allowed, even though it
left her nearly penniless.
| So from the elegant house with its lux
ur;ous appointments, Ethel went back to
one small room, simply furnished with
what little she could honestly call her
own: Here, alone, despairing, she took
up the burden of life again, and re-
commenced her old routine of daily
labor.
She came home one evening more
than usually weary. 1t was a cold, wet
night, and she was chilled through from
long walk, carrying home her work.
"She grows more lovely every day with
that little, sweet, gricved smile,'' said
Mrs. Hill to herself as she entered to an
nounce caller, "a strange gentleman
who's been here twice before since you
went OUT
"Some one to see about work probably.
Will you ask him up, please?"
She rose languidly, took off her things,
and just smoothcd her hair without look
ing in the glass. She was hanging up her
cloak, when step in the doorway made
her turn and look round.
A gentleman, tall, brown and heavily
bearded, stood there looking at her.
Excuse me. Will you please be seat
ed?" she said, offering him chair.
lie sat down without speaking, and
after waiting moment for him to do so,
she inquired hesitatingly:
'Do you wish some work done. sir?"
A quick smile broke over his face, and
gave new light to the clear, sparkling
black eyes.
"Ethel."
She started, gave one wild, eager look
and how it was, she never knew, but
good Mrs: Hill passing by a moment af-
ter, saw through the open door sight
that surprised her not a little-hcr favor
tie boarder clasped in the arms of the
strange gentleman, and sobbing away as
if her heart would break, with her head
resting on his shoulder.
'Thank heaven, darling, I have found
you at last!' was Roberts first exclama-
ton. Il had begun to think you were
lost to me forever" Ethel Hammonds
trials were over then.