St. Landry democrat., 1879-03-29
ETH Il l..
Into each life some rain must fall.
Some days must be dark and dreary -

Some days must be dark and drsarY"
Mrs. Forrester's ball was the mos
brilliant affair of the season. Every ON
said so, and, of course, "every one
could not be wrong. A dazzling mix
ture Of lights and flowers flashing jew
els on cleaning white necks and arms
an atmosphere of " tropical odors sweetel
than musk" and floating around in the
Kaleidoscope mazes of the dance, mer
and women with beautiful faces anc
eyes of tropical dusk.
But the bright particular star of the
evening-the lovely girl over whose patri
clan beauty society raved-was missing.
In fower-embowered retreat, with hel
satin robes trailing in shimmering folds
softly around her, Ethel Stuart sat
alone. The sweet face was bent thought.
fully downward, and the thick, tropical
foliage concealed her from the passing
glance. But some one has discovered
her.
4 Miss Stuart, SO you are here with
,ufh of relief) I arrived about hall
anepur since, and was just making up
M o ss,,Yd togo when I remembered your
mhe; for stealing away from your i'm
Fortunate admirers to sit and muse in
some silent conservatory"
The thoughtful face lighted up with a
radiant smile as the girl made room for
the speaker by her side.
"And why should you have deter.
mined to take your departure so soon 7
Tt were scarcely complimentary to our
hostess and your many fair friends"
"EtheI!"
It was but word softly spoken, and
the silence that followed was painful, for,
at the sound of her name uttered in a
tone which was in itself almost caress,
the girl started, the delicate cheeks
blanched, and gloom of pain gathered
ike shadow in her eyes. Putting up
her hands az if to ward off some impend.
ing evil, Ethel exclaimed
son, Doctor Murray, don't-don't
speak any fartherl'' - r.,.s,
Randolph Murray impulsively sprang
to his feet. %Et.5Easf .4# /
"And why should Inot speak farther ?
You have seen what was in my heart
these past weeks. All, Ethel! I read
my answer long ago in your beautiful
eyesr'
You do not--eannot mean it?" she
began in dazsd sort OF way; but he in
terrupted her in slow, deep voice that
carried his whole soul in its. tone:
It is too lass to say that, or anything,
but that love you-with the love that
comes but once in mans life.'
ESQ short time-so short" she broke
in.
I know it is short but it has seemed
long TO- me, for / loved you the first MOI
ment We met"
"oh, stopl" she fairly groaned ':it is
wicked for me to listen."lg, ~E'--..t
"Wickedl" a ~, s<s zsse-s
Yes" she had also arisen, and stood
facing him. ooh, DIR. Murray, forgive
me! I cid not foresee this. / am en-.
gagged to another !" h, .sssss j e.
Fora instant the strong man reeled /
and the soft light which shed it's SUBJ
- s II 1R~E& - : / E
dued lustre On the fragrant flowers
around him, changed to murky darkness
before his eyes With strong effort he
mastered his emotion. Il
do not Ieproach yourself, or say
forgive me- Miss Stuart, for it is all INV
own fault. Isee have been mistaken
What ! took for love was only kindly
liking"
Heofered her his arm as he finished
speaking. Ethel shivered as with cold.
as she placed her little white gloved hand
upon it; and together they re-entered
the, ballroom sazt g4Htjl
AS Ethel Staurt sat in her room that
night, iiatlessly untwining the golden
bralds, stormy conflict was raging in
her heart. Hers was no common case
she was the promised wife Of one man.
and alas felt that she loved another.
AT an early age her parents had died,
leaving her and an older brother alone
in the world. the brother, who had
always been trial to his parents, placed
his little sister in a boarding school, and
taking his hall of the large fortune left,
had gone abroad Yr#
Thus Ethel had grown up, never
knowing the pr otecting blessing of par
ant love, compelled to think and act for
herself. zss. rs Il, 55E
She left school and entered society I
md at the age ftwenty had never met t
my man to whom her heart went eut: t
acknowledging him its master. Even t
hose who knew her best called her re. I
erved, incapable of passionate attach. t
nent. n
Then she had met Henry Merle. From Ii
ne first be made his admiration for her b