The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1877-07-31
MISCELLANY.
Ethel's Trial.
~

1t was only scanty coal fire, but seen
through the open CRATE it looked bright
and CHEEKY, and danced and sparkled on
after fashion gifts own, as if trying to
put a broad smile on 10 spite of fate,
The room was plain and sombcr enough
in other respects; the floor only half COW
nfed with stripes of cheap carpetlng the
furniture and belongings all Of the simp-
lest character. Ethel Hammond sat sew
ing busily, her dark hair half in shadow.
The light just glaueing upon her face
showed itpae AID grave. the lips, bead,
tful in their curve, falling YEARLY apart,
aud the long black lashes almost touch
ing the rounded cheeks.
The faint rustic of her work and the oc-
casionaI dropping Of coal were the only
sounds that broke the silence. 1t was so
stll that Rose Struggled down by the fire
with her curIs dropping over her Shout
dcrs, gradually lost all consciousness of
her position, and was in some danger OF
finding said curls caught and imprisoned
By a htiIo tonsao-s.f sianic, sanoios than
its fellows.
She sighed heavily. Ethel's dark lash
es were slowly raised, revealing wondrous
lovely ey es, of clearcst brown.
:" that is the matter, pet u
"Ob, Ethie with another sigh
have been thinging how different every
hing 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 sill 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
stopped moment, but soon resumed
" and you have to work so haro all the
time, and oh. dear, everything is dull
and lonely! We never seem to have any
good times now. 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 60
away from here into large fine house
all our own, with handsome furniture such
as we used to have? And GO to good
school, and have nice clothes and new
playthings. Wouldn't it be pleasant p
"And Rob ?"
Ethel made a quick gesture.
"Rob wouldn', have anything to do
with it. He is away.
But isn't he coming home, to bring
us all these nice things2 | thought that
was what you meant, Ethic. 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 haye?'
/" Hush, child" interrupted Ethel. sud.
denly growing very pale. THAT was q
long time ago. Robert must have for
gotten all about us before this, or he
would have written"
81 don't believe it! !" retorted Rose, IL
dignantly.
Ethers eyes grew still more troubled,
and she put her hand on her heart, with
sudden quick gasp.
"If could if only could - she said
to herself.
"Who is going to give us these things,
Ethie 2" she said at last. Have any OF
the men father owed been good, and let
us have the money? Mr.. 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 it, but--you know Mr.,
Woodward" She hesitated, and in spite
of herself the scarlet blood mounted to
her brow
/" He is rich, and he asked me to mar
ny him.
IL don't think it would be right for
you to give up Rob, and marry that old,
homely- looking man. Ethel
To save her life Ethel could not have
met the reproachful gaze OF those great,
serious eyes.
She looked down rs she said; 90 Yes,
Rose, am going to be married to Mr.
Woodward, and this is my engagement
ring"
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 a bright June day when the sis