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

through the open CRATE it looked bright
and CHEEKY, and danced and sparkled on
after 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 carpcting, the fur
niture and belongings all Of the SIM
plest 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 checks.
The faint rustic of her work and the
occasional dropping of a coal were the
only sounds that broke the silence. It
was so still that Rose, snuggled down by
the hire with her curls dropping over her
shoulders, gradually lost all consciousness
of her position, and was in some danger of
finding said curls caught and imprisoned
by little tongue of flame, saucier than
its fellows.
She sighed heavily. Ethel's dark lashes
were slowly raised, revealing wondrous,
lovely eyes of clearcst brown.
"What is the matter, pct?''
"Oh, Ethel with another sight,
have been thinking how different every
thing is from what it used to be. When
VIC lived in our old home, I mean, and
father and mother were alive, and Robert
was there, and we were all so happy to-
gcther! 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
stopped moment, but soon resumed
land you have to work so hard all the
time, and-oh, dear, everything is dull
and lonely! We never seem to have anv
good times now. I think even Jip feels
the difference, looking fondly down ut the
little brown spaniel in her lap.
She was just lifting her head when
Ethel spoke again.
Rose, how should you like to 20 away
from here into large house all our own,
with handsome furniture such as we used
to have9 And 60 to 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 away"
"But isn't he coming home, to bring US
all these nice things9 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 have7"
Hush, child!' interrupted Ethel, sud-
denly, growing very pale, "That was a
r.
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.
."1f could! if I only could - she said
to herself.
i: Who is going to give US these things,
Ethel3" she said at last. "Have any of
the men father owed been good, and let
us have the money? MIR. Rowe said one
OF the debts would have been enough for
Us to live on, only the man wanted every
cent
And wanted he should have it. Our
fathers name never should suffer, though it
left Us poorer than we are now. No,Rose.
that IS not 1t, but-you know Mr.. Wood
ward" She hesitated, and, in spite of
herself, the scarlet blood mounted to her
brow.
He is rich, and he has asked me to
marry him."
I don't think it would be right for YOU
to give up Rob, and marry that old home
siy-looking man, Ethel"
To save her life Ethel could not have
met the reproachful gaze of those great,
serious eyes.
Rose did not speak word, but for the
first time since their double orphanage.
she failed to return her sisters good night
kiss.
1t was bright June day when the sis
tiers entered the new home of which Ethel
was henceforth to be mistress. If any,
thing could have made her thoroughly
happy, 1t would have been the tender anx-
lety which MIR. Woodward had shown that
all Roses childish desires should be graf
flied.
Six months Of her welded life went by
and found her at the close peaceful, con-
tent, growing daily more satisfied with
Iher life and its duties.
The winter holidays drew near. Rose,
released from school discipline, was like
bird set free. She went dancing and
singing about the house, working busilv
at odd moments on various manufactures
of her own intended for surprise pres
ents.
1T is so nice to I've rich, and give ~
many people Merry Christmas" Rose
said, delighted.