River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 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 q broad smile on it in spite of fate.
The room was plain and somber covered
with strips of cheap carpeting, the fur
niturc and belongings all of the sim
plest character Ethel Hammond sat
sewing busily, her dark hair half in
shadow
The light just CHANGING 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. Ii
was so still that Rose, snugg,ed down by
the fire with her curls dropping over her
shoulders, gradually lost all consciousness
Of her position, and was in some danger q
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 clearest brown.
"What is the matter, pet:"
"Oh Ethel with another sigh
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-
Cether. 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 a moment, but soon resumed
land YOU have to work so hard ali the
time, and-oh, dear, everything Is dull
and lonely, We never seem TO have any
good times now. l 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 havel And go TO a good school, and
have nice clothes ami new playthiDgs.
Wouldn't it be pleasant
And Rob. Z"
Ethel made quick gesture.
Rob, wouldn't have Anything to do
with it. He is away"
But isn't he coming home, to bring lis
all these nice thingsl 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 havel"
Hush, childln interrupted Ethel, sud
denly, growing very pale. THAT was a
long time ago. Robert must have for
rotten all about us before this, or he
would have written
Il 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.
"IfI could if only couldw she said
to herself.
"Who is going TO give Us these thugs
Ethelln she said at last. Have any q
the men father owed been good, and lei
us have the money! Mr.. Rowe said one
of the debts would have been enough fol-
us to live on. only the man wanted every
cent.
And wanted he should have it. Oul
j fathers name never should suffer, though i
/ left Us poorer than we are now. No, Rose
that is not il, but-you know Mr.. Wood
ward She hesitated, and, in spite o
/ herself. the scarlet blood mounted to he
brow.
He is rich, and he has asked me t,
marry him"
Il don't think il would be right for YOU
to give up Rob, and marry that old, home
! Unlocking man, Ethel"
To save her life Ethel could not hav,
met the reproachful gaze of those great
serious eyes.
Rose did not speak a word, but for III,
first time since their double orphsnage
she failed to return her sisters good-nigh
kiss
Il was a bright June dag when the sis
tiers entered the new home Of which Ethe
was henceforih TO be mistress. If any
thing could have made her thorough,
happy. it would have been the tender AJAX
ietv which Mr., Woodward he'd shown thu