Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1878-03-21
THE HEIRLOOM.

Eta wore it the first time | ever
saw her, and [ noticed its beauty as
it rested upon a knot Of deep blue
ribbon at her throat. Ribbons and
pearls both suited her fair complex.
ion, deep golden hair, and brown
eyes, large and soft as a fawn's.
l think I loved Henrietta Ray
mond the first hour in which | met
ber at small party my Aunt Hill
da gave in honor of my return from
long business trip in Western
cities. When the party was over,
Aunt Hilda told me that Miss Ray
rnond was the niece Of newcomer
in our village, retired clergyman,
who had taken a house very near
our own.
Had she been great heiress, or
a very fire lady, l might never
have drawn her into my heart Of
hearts, as | did very soon. But she
was loving girl, possessing no
worldly wealth, and we met on
terms OF fperfect social equality.
was an orphan, who owed edu'
cation, care, everything to Aunt
Hilda, who had an income SO very
narrow that it must have cost her
many acts of self denial to support
me- But at the time l met Eta
Raymond | had obtained a good
situation i'll commercial house i'll
New York, and was putting all my
spare funds into Aunt Hilda's keep
ing, tor her own comfort.
| had been absent more than
year on business for the firm, and
was enjoying vacation of a months
duration when l met, wooed and
won Henrietta Raymond. lcourt-
ed her with all my heart and when
she acknowledged she loved me my
cup of happiness was full.
Her uncle, Mr.. Raymond, when
I Iplaced my worldly prospects before
him, was averse to an immediate
marriage, but gave his consent
TO our engagement. How the time
speeded away, and how much of it
we spent side by side in that hap
py summer.
A year passed, during which l
was retained closely at my post in
the counting house, having respon-
sibilities and duties that kept me far
into the night. AS summer drew
near, was tr oubled by frequent at
tacks of vertigo, and l looked for
ward to my months vacation as a
much needed rest as well as pleasure.
To my great disappointment it was
postponed until September, and |
was really i'll, when at last l packed
my trunk and took the train for
home. Before l saw Eta [ was
prostrated by ali attack of fever
that threatened roy lite, depriving me
of consciousness for weeks. When
| recovered there fell upon me a
blow that caused dangerous relapse
was blind. Our only doctor said
hopelessly, incurably blind.
1t was impossible for many bitter
months for me to feel resigned ol
patient. / prayed to die, rather
than live in my youth and strength
burden upon a weak and agec
woman. Ny gifts to Aunt Hilds
were melting fast away under medi
cal expenses, and there was onl,
her own small income for our sup
port.
But for Eta, l believe l shoulc
have taken my own life in thes,
dark, despairing days. Yet sh'
was very angle of comfort. Sh'
refused to accept my offered releas,
from her engagement, and actuall,
proposed an immediate marriag,
and emigration to New York, wher,
she was sure she could find work
OH my darling how my hear
wrapped you close in those darl
days, when all other hope or 10,
seemed stricken from my life
Every day as l sat in our tiny par
Tor, helpless and idle, Eta came t.