The Newtown bee., 1879-12-24


and, seizing her shawl and hood, wrap
ped herself in them and went out of the
house.
A light snow was falling, and the
country all about was wrapped in q
great, peaceful stiffness.
The gray sky arched down, and the
earth. seemed hushed to sleep.
Ethel hurried on, walking rapidly;
she heard the whistle of the train which
was to bring Mr.. Livingston, but she
would not turn back.
It seemed to her as if she could not
meet him. and for one wild moment
there crossed her mind plan of getting
on the up-train that would pass soon,
and going away omewhere-anywhere
Ito escape her fate.
Tired cut. she turned at last to re-
trace her steps, and was drawing near
her home, walking slowly. as prisoner
might who was going to his doom, when
she saw figure coming toward her
through the snow, and stopped short,
with a sudden catching of the breath.
It was Jack Browning.
He hurried swiftly toward her, his
face looking strangely pale and trou-
bled.
"Ethel," he eaid, very gently, s'are
you going homer"
"Yes," she replied, looking at him
with wide, unhappy eyes.
ST have been sent to look for you,
he explained.
f'You?" in sharp surprise.
eyes; came up on the train just now,
and-and there has been an accidenti"
"You were not hurta" she cried, with
sudden anguish in her tone. "You
are not hurt, are you Jacka"
"No, no." he said, seothingly. "But
there was some one on the train who
was coming here"
s'Mr. Livingstonl"
She uttered the name in gaspstop-,
ping short.
eyes, Ethel" said Jack, putting his
arm around the now trembling girl.
sAs your old friend, Ethel. let me help
you, If can, in this trouble. Try to
be brave, dear. 1t will be hard to bear,
I am afraid"
lis he dead?" she asked, with dry
lips that scarcely framed the words.
Jack bowed his head.
ssHe tried to cross from one car to
another, and he fell. As knew him,
they asked me to see about it, and to
| carry the sad news to you. Ethel, try
to be brave, my poor girl.
She was sobbing convulsively now,
and yet clinging to him as if her one
| hope in life was to be sustained by his
strength.
He held her and soothed her tenderly
for few moments, and then, with a
great effort, she drew away from him,
and controlled herself sufficiently to
speak.
"Don't pity mel' abe said. s'Jack,
Jack, don't pity mel am not mourn
| ing, as you think, for the wealth have
lost. am glad, oh, SO glad, to be
| freei I would far rather slave and
drudge as used, than marry this poor
| gentleman whom have never lovedi II
was, possibly, wicked of me even tt
have said I would be his wife. I have
repented my sin again and again, for
saw no way by which might escape
Now-now he has gone, and am saved
from the worse crime of marrying him
Yet feel as if were his murderess. =
Poor gentlemani-so kind and tender al
he wasl Oh, 1 am very miserablel" an(
she burst into another passion of weep
ing.
Jack was very gentle with Der as h
led her toward the house. Over ther,
he must leave her, of course. And SO
in sorrow and mourning, and in despair
Ethel passed this Christmas Eve.
Another twelve months went by, an,
the great church festival had com
again. Ethel had recovered her healtl
and somewhat of her spirits, though he
manners were more subdued in ton
than they had once been. and the oil
defiant air had disappeared entirely.
: | he ca he hoI vol
the position of teacher in the villag
school, earning her own living and help
ing somewhat to the family support.
She was coming toward her home
! and attended by little group Of schoo
children, all laden with evergreens
with which they were going to dress til
, teachers house. Ethel led the way inf
the cheerful parlor, and they were 500
all busily employed in decorating th
) room.
There was much noisy laughter {
, the task proceeded, that converted Ii
pretty apartment into bower of greer
/ ness.
! SHOW, we must put some spra,
! about this picture" said Ethel, mount
ing into chair to dress the portrait
! her father that hung over the mantel
/ With loving hands she arranged IL
branches on the sides, but when SIX
r strove to reach the top, her utmost G
1 forts failed.
q "Oh dearl If some OF you boys wei
/ only biggerl'' she said, looking down
: the little group below.
won't do, Miss EtheI2" asked
. manly voice, and Jack Browning's ta
figure stood beside her.
Ethel jumped down with brig
blush, as she shook hands with the ne
!, conner, and accepted his services.
The task was soon completed, wi
!, his active aid; and the children, after
I satisfied survey of the work, bade Il
teacher goodnight and merry Chris
z mas.
; Sand have you no merry Christian
= for me, Ethelr' asked Jack, as the tx
. were left alone together.
!: SCI am very glad to see you" stal
: mered the young teacher.
q "But I want something more tn
y that, Ethel. I want Christmas pre-
emf. Gan You guess what it ISL"
p He was holding her hands now, al
looking down eagerly into her blushi
face. my darling, my darling, ! wa
e your
MY wife, remarked a promine
Id manuf acturer, never attends auction.
le She went once, and seeing friend
as the opposite side of the room, mold
~ 4 L l.