Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1878-03-07


thing"
"Oh. mother. Why do you objec, to
him.
We don't object to him in any wsv !,
you must not think that; neither l nor
your father. He is steady. perseveriug.
and his position will he very good In time.
But Ethel. we cannot spare you."
No." was the faint answer.
1T might be better for YOU to give him
up at once. | suppose he has asked you
to yo with him TO this Cansdsr"
"He wants me to he married at once.
within a month. and to take me ont. Yes.
mother. he urges IL strongly"
And YOU will gof'
mot unless you and my father can spare
me-"
'But how can we spare you Ethelfr
"Biddy is a steady. willing girl. and Is
getting tn be q good servant. And vor
have always Roger. you know. Aud Har-
riet lives only q mile away, and would
often come over 70 see YOU.
II see what IL is-you mean TO leave US, "
cried the poor mother. fractioaslv. Well.
Won are of age. observation-disclosures this
year and we can't stop You"
Mother YOU need not speak in that
way." said Ethel. with \ rising sob. II
only said would go IL you and my father
could spare me"
NO one can ever I'LL your place To US.
Ethel dy-Hsrriet-what are theyf
just q Needless servant: Just a Needless
niece, who has her husband and her baby
TO take up her time and thoughts. And.
child. there's another thing; We have not
a spare shilling TO purchase you an outfit y"
Ethel put her arms on the table and bent
her head on them, not caring that her dis
1ha k.. NvG ~
sobhing deeply.
"Oh Ethel. nv child. don't 90 from Us.
she pleaded Your fathers health and
strength are falling. Roger has his own
pursuits in the evening. and is on the farm
by day. Whist comfort would he be TO
mes-what good? Don't add TO our dread
ful burdens BIZ abandoning rs now"
Mrs Strong sat with her hands clasped
despairinglv 10 her lap. Ethel dropped
down on the stool at her mothers feet.
and began 10 weep bitterly.
Don't cry. Ethel" said MrS. Strong.
laying her hand on Ethers nut-brnwn
hair. The night Is always darkest before
the dawn. You have been faithful
daughter. and God will reward YOU for Il !;
II may not he In this world. but /. will be
IN the next"
But Ethel could not be comfortei. She
loved her parents; 10 sec them have to
werk In their old age was bitter grief TO
her: she loved her only brother. But she
loved Henry MAY also. with a different
and passionate love. and her tender won.
anly heart clung to him ~ the drowning Z
cling TO some frail plank that bears them 10
life and safety
Poor Ethel" sighed her worn old
father. when the evenings conversation
and doubts were repeated 10 him. NY
chi,d's happiness Ia dearer to me than all
the money ia the world. but the Mays are
proud people. and Ethel cannot go among
them like a beggar."
"A beggar, Davd?'
Yes. wife, what else would IL bes |
could not even buy her wedding dress
Ethel. child for how long time does Harry
expect to go outc''
He does not say. father 1t is of course
uncertain"
Not very uncertain. fancy" spoke Mr.
Strong his feeble voice all In Gniyer. a
IL generally was now. IAN enterprise
such a. that canno. be accomplished under
eight or ten years, and I coaclude he will
have TO see H. completion.
might be as long as that she knew but he
would come home between 1hiles.
II vas one of the most painful evenings
Ethel had ever pa a.-ed-perhaps more than
any she would ever pass. Her father and
mother were both weeping and wailing At
the possibility OF losing her. and, a. Mr.
Strong put il. how could the house 20 on
without Ethel now IL chancei that a.
this time her brother was away; he had
gone to spend few DAYS with some friends
at distance. Hal he been at home he
might have taken up his sisters cause, and
.g..l.s al hA
often. thought so 10 after years. He was
one year older than herself. and loved her
very dearly. Mr.. and Mrs. Strong had
married late In life; he was turned sixty
now-she fast approaching Il.
50 Ethel's fate was sealed. Her father
finally declared that she should be left 70
her own IRE. decision to go or stav. Bnt
how could she decide against them2 She
believed that her duty lay in remaining In
the old farm homestead. and she was too
good daughter 10 rebel against II. All
night long. lying or her snowy bed 10 her
own pretty room, did she battle with her
own inclinaiions. and pray to bear the ira
vail aud sorrow.
She did not forget her appointment for
seven O'Clock. and went out as the clock
struck. Henry May was already at the
lawn gate. Years after he remembered
he ever would remember-the picture she
made, a. she came slowly down the path,
the morning sunlight kissing her nut-brown
hair. the faint flush on her fresh young
cheeks while the birds we're singing in the
trees and the dew gllstened on the grass.
Extending his hand he took hers within
IL in silence, and looked at her steadfastly
"well. Ethel?'
She burst into tears. She could no,
speak.
lis IL to be yes. or nor
"Oh. Henry. Henrvr' she sobbed; and
too surely he knew what the answer was
TO be. He dropped her hand.
..Do not blame me harshlv" :" she sobbed.
lifting her now pale face pleading to his.
1t is my duty to stay at home. cannot
go against that"
His lips tightened visibly. $50 you pre-.
fer duty to love. EthelF'
Il think where the two clash 1t is no,
duty that should give way. Do you?"
.Generally speaking. no. But. Ethel. |
do not see this matter quite as you do.
When you became engaged to me. your
father ard mother fully understood that |
should probably want to take you away.
and they made no demur to it,"
But things have changed. They require
the now"
mo, they 90 not Ii II is IOr nome mat
tiers you mean, let them take some one in
your place. And they have your brother.
And Harriet Marshall would be to them
almost daughter"
Painfully asitated she was entwining her
hands one within the other
IL do think, Ethel, that you are in this
instance taking an exaggerated view OF
your duty. Do you owe nothing TO me-
Is IL fair to have kept me waiting all these
years. and to fail me nOws'
Il cannot help myself" she sobbed.
.'That is you. do not love me well enough
to make this effort ior me-"
DO you doubt my love-" she returned.
anguish bringing forth the avowal. Il shall
love and esteem you above all Others
while my life shall last"
But you decide against me? You send
me forth Alone
"Yes. But Oh, Henry, don't you set
that have no alternative? Believe me
that have none. None"
He extended his hands to take both hers
His face was a little agitated, but stern