Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1879-10-31
A NOBLE SACRIFICE.

The strains of Won Weber's last waltz
floated in from the ball room they had
just left.
Ethel Weston knew very well WHY
Sydney Eliot had brought her in there
She knew what was coming, aud she
dreaded it little, as all sensitive women
dread proposal which must be an
swered in the negative.
Sydney did not wait long.
"I love you," he said, looking down
upon the fair, slightly tired face, with
wife"
Then he went on in eloquent, plead
ing words, TO tell her all his hopes, all
his plans, all his ambition; and for the
first time Ethel realized just what she
was to this man.
She dreaded to give him her answer.
Two men passed by the window out
side just then, leaving q trail of cigar
smoke behind them,
Their voices floated in through the
open window.
" Chester Abbott has returned,
hear" one said.
How her thoughts went travelling
back to summer seven years past,
when she had learned the beautiful les
son OF love, and worshiped at the feet
of Chester Abbott.
Heavens! how she did love him; and
he had Tilted her-married Helen Grif-
fifth, and gone abroad without even a
farewell word.
She was seventeen then, and now she
was twenty-four.
Should he come back and find her
single and freeP
Should he have the pleasure of think
ing as he surely would, that she had
never recovered from that old wound
that she found it impossible to love
againp
:" Answer me, Ethel, just one word"
Sydney was saying. is it yes or noP'
She laid her hand in his.
sit is yes," she whispered
"You are pale. Why, you are illP'
Sydney exclaimed, looking at her col
orless face wonderingly.
She put her hand to her forehead, and
said:
1.-The smoke of that cigar made me
feel faint for moment. Let us go back
to the ballroom"
Several acquaintances met them as
they passed out, and those versed in
such matters suspected what had hap
pened.
Something in Sydney's face told the
secret.
There was a lull in the dancing, and
at the opposite side of the room Ethel |
noticed slight commotion.
Somebody had just arrived, and was
creating quite an excitement.
"Who is itP' she asked.
And, from his superior height, Syd-
ney Eliot looked over the heads of the |
people and saw the cause of the COM
motion.
"Why, it is Chester Abbottp' he ex-
claimed. 81 did not know he had re- |
turned. He is an old friend of mine
you do not remember him, perhaps"
81 will excuse you while you 90 and
speak to him. Ethel said, disengaging
her arm from his. "The band is plaVo
ing another waltz, and promised one
to Charles Evans"
She was not going to meet Chester
Abbott with wan, pallid cheek
He came forward as soon as she was |
seated, and held out his hand with his |
old pleasant smile.
She rose and greeted him quietly,
though her heart was beating against
her breast, and she was inwardly rag
ing because she felt so agitated at the |
sight of this man who was nothing to
her.
81 can scarcely believe that almost
seven years have passed since | last saw
you, " he said, sitting down by her,
"when look at you. The years have |
scarcely made any impression upon
your face. Time passes over without
touching"
Il suppose you feel obliged out of
politeness to say that" Ethel responded;
" but l am not going to desert the truth |
for the sake of compliments. think
you have changed somewhat in the last |
seven years.
"You think l have grown percepti-
bly, oldPn
"Yes."
THAT is frank. Well, have some-
thing to make me feel old and look old.
for we usually look as we feel, you
know"
Ethel wondered if her looks were in
accordance with her feelings just then.
and prayed silently that they might not
be.
" L have not had very happy life,"
Chester went on, "and disappoint-
ments, ruined hopes and wearing cares
tell on the face at last"
Ethel was growing uncomfortable,
and knew not what to say.
MANY of our troubles are of our
own making" she ventured, and then
felt like boxing her own ears for il, lest
he should put wrong construction
upon her words.
Yes" he answered, quietly, 'and
some are of others making. Mine have
been."
hand.
Chester detained her for a second as
she rose to go, and said:
=" would like to see you little while
tomorrow, If you will be kind enough
to give me an hour"
Her heart came up into her throat.
What did he want to see her forP
shall be engaged most of the day
she answered; "but il you
will call at three, will endeavor to be
at liberty"
She did not see him again that even
ing.
The hour arrived and Chester Abbott
was announced.
"Show him in," she said calmly,
and in moment he was by her side.
he was very grave and pale and
looked older than on the preceding
evening.
81 would not have trespassed upon
your time" he said, chad my business
with you been of any other nature. But
crossed the ocean for the express pur-
pose Of clearing myself in your eyes,