The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1877-07-31


thing could have made her thoroughly
happy, it would have been the tender anx
iety which Mr., Woodward had shown
that all Roses childish desires should be
gratiled.
Six months of her welded life went by
aud found her at the close peaceful, con
tent, growing daily more satisfied with
her 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 busly
at odd moments on various manufactures
of her own intended for surprise presents.
1T is so nice to be rich, and give so
many a Merry Christmas Rose said,
delighted. Af f4z
Ethel never forgot one incident Of all
that bright, joyous. happy time For
ere the New. Yeats day she had welcom-
ed in 50 gayly came to close, Rose lay
feverish and restless on her couch with
I tnc frsr syrnIrsvur. " .-'.-. fs~-.-~-1 40 he
malignant fever. She had probably
caught it in some one Of the poor neigh
borhoods they had visited
Night and day Ethel watched by her
side, one fear ever IN her heart, one pray
err on her lips;' save her-spare her, oh
Cod A vain prayer for He denied it..
There came a morning when Ethel saw
her darling's face with only the light OF
day resting on it, the dark eyes closed,
ana the lips whereon she pressed Wild
kisses, cold and breathless.
Nor was that all Mr. Woodward who
had watched unremittingly in the room,
was himself taken down with the disease
the very day that Rose was buried Eth
el came home from the grave where her
sweetest hopes persisted to take her place
as watcher by another sick bed. Not for
| long, the fever made more rapid prog
ress here. In less than week the strong
man was. corpse, and Ethel, utterly
crushed by this new blow, was left alone
in the world
Alone to meet poverty no less than
sorrow. Mr. Woodward had made no
will since his marriage. An old one da-
ted some years back left his property all
to distant relatives who were not slow in
taking possession. Hard, money making
people, none too well pleased with the
marriage in the first place, they had no
scruples in taking from the young widow
all that the law allowed, even though II
left her nearly pcnniless
So from the elegant house with it's lux.
urious appointments, Ethel went back to
one small room, simply furnished with
what little she could honestly call her
own. Here, alone, dcspsiring, she took
up the burden of life again, and re com
menced her old routine OF daily labor.
She came home one evening more than
usually weary. 1t was cold, wet night,
and she was chilled through from long
walk, carrying home her. work.
She grows more lovely every day
WITH that flute, swcct, srio~e.'~ -ssssiley'
said Mrs. Hill to herself as she entered
to announce caller, "a rtrange gentle
man who's been here twice before since
you went out.
Some one to see me about work pro-
bably. Will you ask him up please n
She rose languidly, took off her things
and Just smoothed her hair without look.
ing in the glass. She was hanging up
her CLOAK, when step in the doorway
made ncf turn ana look rOunu.
A gentleman, tall, brown and heavily
bearded, stood there looking at her.
Excuse me- Will you please be
seated p she said, offering him chair
He sat down without speaking, and at.
ter waitinga moment for him to do so,
she enquired hesitatingly:
"Do you wish some work done, sir -
A quick smile broke over his face, and
gave new light to the clear, sparkling,
black eyes.
Ethel"
She started, gave one wild, eager look
and how it was. she never knew, but
good Mrs. Hill passing by a moment af.
ter. saw through the open door sight
that surprised her not little her favor
lite boarder clasped in the arms of a
strange gentleman, and sobbng away as
if her heart would break, with her head
resting on his shoulder.
Thank heaven, darling, have found
you at last was Roberts FIRST exclama
ton. 81 had begun to think you were
lost to me forever" Ethel Hammond s
trials were over then.