The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1877-07-18
Ethel'S Trials.

VIVA
through the open CRATE it looked bright
and CHEEKY, and danced and sparkled on
after a fashion Of its own, as if trying to
put broad smile on it in spite of fate.
The room was plain and somber covered
with strips of cheap carpeting, the fur
niture and belongings all of the SIM
elest character. Ethel Hammond sat
sewing busily, her dark hair half in
shadow
The light just glancing upon her face
showed it pale and grave, the lips, beau
tiful in their curve, falling YEARLY apart,
and the long black lashes almost touching
the rounded cheeks.
The faint rustic of her work and the
occasional dropping of coal were the
only sounds that broke the silence. It
was so still that Rose, Struggled down by
the fire with her curls dropping over her
shoulders, gradually lost ali consciousness
of her position, and was in some danger of
finding said curls caught and imprisoned
by little tongue Of flame, saucer than
its fellows.
She sighed heavily. Ethel's dark lashes
were slowly raised, revealing wondrous,
lovely eyes of clearest brown.
"What is the matter, pet?"
"Oh, Ethel with another sigh-"I
have been thinking how different every
thing is from what it used to be. When
we lived in our old home, mean, and
father and mother were alive, and Robert
was there, and we were all so happy to-
gether Don't you remember what dear,
good times we used to have in the large
parlor, before Rob. went off? And now
he is gone, and father and mother "-she
'.and you have to- work So hard all. the
time, and-oh, dear, everything is dull
and lonely! We never seem to have any
good times now. I think even Jip feels
the difference, looking fondly down at the
little brown spaniel in her lap.
She was just lifting her head when
Ethel spoke again.
Rose, how should you like to go away
from here into large house all our own,
with handsome furniture such as we used
to have? And go to a good school, and
have nice clothes and new playthings.
Wouldn't it be pleasant?"
"And Rob.?"
Ethel made quick gesture.
"Rob, wouldn't have Anything to do
with it. He is -. .-.. ---...-.--~
'But isn't he coming home, to bring us
Ill these nice things? l thought that was
what you meant, Ethel. Don't YOU
know the night before he went away, how
he told what handsome presents he was
going to bring home, and the gay times
we would havc?'
"Hush, child" interrupted Ethel, sud-
denly, growing very pale. "That was a
long time ago. Robert must have for
gotten all about us before this. or he
would have written
II don't believe it." retorted Rose, in
dignantly.
Ethel's eyes grew still more troubled,
and she put her hand on her heart, with
sudden, quick gasp.
s'IfI could! if only could!' she said
to herself. ~* ~ $3.50
"Who is going to give us these things
Ethel?' she said at last: "Have any OF
the men father owed been good, and lei
US have the money? Mr.. Rowe said one
of the debts would have been enough TO,
us to live on, only the man wanted every
cent. t5# ~sT 81 ~.
"And wanted he should have it. Our
fathers name never should suffer, though il
left Us poorer than we are now. Nc, Rose
that is not it, but-you know Mr.. Wood.
ward" She hesitated, and, in spite 81
herself, the scarlet blood mounted to he,
brow.
He is rich, and he has asked mo to
marry him." A
"Idon't think it would be right for you
to give up Rob, and marry that old home
Unlocking man, Ethel"