The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1877-02-23
HUGH VINCENT'S GIFT.
BY JENNIE STERLING.

into the open window Of a room
where two persons were sitting
whose hearts, however, were a
warm as any sunbeam.
The elder of the two, a gentle
man OF remarkably fine physique
was conyersiDg in low tones witt
a beautiful woman 10
Elite Vincent had been a wild
ow for over three years, and wa
more beautiful than when in tn,
first flush of youth.
His grief, though of a decen
quality, was notinextinguishable
for she certainly felt happier il
her widowhood than she had evel
done in her welded state, and al
because her deceased husband
had been of a jealous disposition
and was liable to frequent out
bursts of an unreasonable and
savage temper.
Being of a clinging, loving ma
ture, she must needs have some
one upon whom to lavish hei
hearts wealth, and in about a
year after his death, she discover
ed that Frank Potter was of the
same mind.
And so, as they sat together
with the moon shining down upon
them-the moon, which, from
time immemorial, has silently
listened to lovers vows-their
eyes, their hands, their words all
became subject to the one thought
which animated their souls alh q
"Ettie, my beloved; said her
companion, "why do you evade
to continue my request-why do
you allow some fancied notion to
prevent our union2 You kno W
that / love you sincerely
"Are you sure of it, Frankg
she replied, looking down and
toying with a large valuable ring,
the only ornament she wore.
suppose | were to lose all
these fair possessions of mine,
these broad acres, this fine man
sion, my stocks, in short my en-.
tire fortune, what the12 Would
you still wish to wed a portion
less bride?
His cheeks reddened as he re-
piled: ..,s
"You think me mercenary,
then. If so, you wrongme by the
thought"
Elite" he continued in a soft
tone, II have loved you from boy
hood, and when l learned that
the brilliant, dashing Hugh Vim
cent won your love, | silently
watched you at adistance, but on
your wedding day i sailed for Eu-
rope; it was in a foreign land, Et-
tie, that | first heard of your hus-
bands death, then 1 hastered
home to be near you"
"And win me too, it seems"
she said slyly. w. srR .s-
Yes, dearest, may I not; for
where will you find one fonder or
more faithful; somehow you at.
tract me, magnetic me, inspire.
me, above all wornankind. Oh,
Elite, say you will be minew IG
Frank, tits folly to throw away
q constant loving, loving sheart
such as yours. / think your fidel-
ity deserves reward, BUT"
"Oh, let there be no buts,' he
exclaimed.
"What if l say" she continued,
'that because of ruinous specula
lions, and fraudulent agents, |
nave lost the bulk of my fortune,
and that / am ashamed to come
IN you a penniless BRIDE"
"Ettie, / cannot Offer, you the
luxuries to which you are accus-
as my income is moderate,
nay, probably will soon seem to
you a mere pittance. but--for /
too have a but to offer-consider,
Elite; is not a warm, disinterest-
ed, loving heart worth more than
all the elegances Of lifeg"
"Indeed, Frank, am thorough
y convinced of your unselfsh
.oye, since you would wed sme,
poor as ] am; my riches have ta-
zen themselves wings, ~
She was silent for a moment;
Ter lover waited patiently for the
vished-for consent, -
He took her hand carelessly.
Its extreme coldness startled him.
"Ettie ~ he exclaimed, as she
suddenly snatched her hand away, |
pressed il upon her heart and fell
pack fainting.
Frank Potter was a man of rare
presence of mind, equal to emer-
yences; he glanced hastily around
he apartment, and snatching a
silver hand bell rangit violently. |
In an instant, Ettie's maid, her
lister and servants rushed in.
Franks GOODNESS directed them,
'estoratives were applied, a doc
or sent for Immediately, ,'but not
outstanding all their efforts, she
'emained still, rigid and white as
/ lilly.
rs The agpnizing heart which
bent over her, watching for the
east sign of returning animation,
he consultation of eminent ply |
itions, the fearful prayers of the
istei, who had been her constant |
companion during her widowhood |
--all these could not bring back
he warm throb of life. "She was
1 4 4.