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

sang and played upon Aunt Hilda's
old-tashioned piano all my favorite
airs If the weather was fine we
walked out, Eta leading me to re-
tired spots.
But | mourned for my future
What was life to me must learn
some new pursuit to win bread, or
depend upon charity. | was well
again and strong, and every drop
Of my Young blood was in revolt at
my enforced idleness.
At Christmas time, Mr.. Ray
mond's only son came from Chicago
on visit. ] had heard of Albert
Raymond from Aunt Hilda. From
his mother he had inherited tort
une, and he had loved his cousin
Eta. Because of her refusal to be
his wife he had gone to Chicago,
where he was adding to his heritage
by successful land speculatlons.
| was prepared to be Jealous of
Albert Raymond, for Eta always
spoke kindly of him, giving him
warm, sisterly affection. But after
he came, though he was cordially
pleasant to me, | hated him. Be-
tore be had been home week
knew that he and Eta had some
secret between them. Iconld grupe
my way by this time tc several Of
the reighboring houses, and was
oIteh Etta's visitor, as she had been
mine when | was getting well.
More than once, coming across
the garden, | could hear Eta and
Albert conversing in an animated,
eager tone, to step abruptly the
moment | appeared, or awkwardly
to introduce general subjects which
| was sure were not the subjects Of
the original conversation. A visitor
came from New York to Mr.. Rey
mond's, friend of AIbert's. and
Eta insisted on inviting him to my
aunt's house.
He was a gruff spoken man, and
talked necessarily of my affliction.
Knowing how | shrank from any
conversation, from any sympathy
upon this subject, Eta had always
delicately led all such talk away
from it. But, to my surprise, she
encouraged this stranger, and fairly
wrung from me every symptom,
both pending and during my illness.
When he went away, she accom-
panied him hone, though | offered
to escort her over little later.
1t was week after this, and
Albert had been away, when he
returned suddenly. Coming into
the room, he said "Etta, it will be
all right"
Then seeing me, I am sure, he
made some awkward explanation
about money investments. But
Eta grew very silent, and soon after
| heard pencil over paper. Albert
was writing. A few minutes later
he left the room, and very soon
Eta asked me to excuse her for a
moment, and following linn, |
CROPPED my way to the table, where
| was sure | heard Albert writing.
Nothing there! felt about, till a
small piece Of paper was found close
beside Etta's chair. She had trusted
to my blindness for its remaining
undiscovered.
| was half mad with Jealous pain,
and l somehow got to Mr.. Ray
mond's study.
"Will you read that to me? |
asked.
Without other answer, he read !:
81 must speak to you. Will wait
in the summer house."
"Thank you 70 [ said
"What is it 60 he asked.
"The wrong note. will find
the other
I went away then, to the summer
house, softly as thief, guarding my
steps on the frozen ground. They
were ihere, and | could hear All
bert's voice. AS | came near /
heard Etta-"Ah ! Albert, [ will
love you all my life for this !"
She was crying too. | could tell
that by her broken voice.
l turned away and went home
1t was cold day, and was utter
ly miserable. Aunt Hilda insisted
upon nursing me, and | submitted
brooding over my secret pain, seek.
ing no sympathy.
1t is but natural Eta should
turn from the blind lover, who was
bat disappointment, TO the hand
some young man of fortune who
loved her SO long. I would try tc
give her up, not in anger, but ten
derly.
But I could not. Albert return
ed to Chicago, and every day Etts
became de arer TO me. She was
the light of my life. She gave me
every hour she could spare from
her duties to her uncle and house
and she spoke of our future as
surely to be passed together.
had not courage to tell her [ sus-
L