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

| aV hlih WlIh WonueTlnR eyes ana DateO
breath.
"Seven years ago " he went on, "l
loved you. l tried to win your love in
return, and l thought | had succeeded
| had exposed my love to you In every
way, save in words. | felt that you
were rs much mine as though bound by
solemn VOWS. was only waiting oui
return TO the city to gain the consent oI
your parents before speaking.
g. few days before our intended de.
parture for home, Helen Griffith and
her brother came down.
1.-The afternoon of their arrival was
standing by the window when she came
up to my side.
"You and her brother werp walking
down toward the shorp.
owe could see you from the win,
dow.
"Helen looked oue
Dear ,childieH, they are happy,
she said, laughing. John has been
impauent for the last few weeks to
come down here.
"'Ethel kept pleading in her letters,
telling him how dull it was without
him, and he was chin-deep in that hor-
rid law business, and could not get
away.
"' | know how she hates this secrecy,
and besides, it is too hard for her to re-
ceive the attentions of other gentlemen;
and yet she must, with apparent pleas
ure, too, or the parents will suspect.
Poor girl! it is wearing on her.
That was all she said, but it was
enough.
" went back to the city in advance
of the remainder of the party, you re-
member.
Helen and her brother, who had
only come down for day, returned
with me.
When | reached home l found my
father in trouble,
His business was in a terrible con-
dition he was badly in debt, and Mr..
Griffith, his partner, had half his prop
erty in his hands.
His presence, or an agents, was
required abroad, and he begged me to
act as his agent.
"Mr. Griffith also made a proposition
to my father, that l should marry his
daughter, and thus unite the two prop
critics.
was mad and reckless, and cared
not what | did.
You had deceived me, and my life
henceforth seemed of small account.
might as we'll acceed to Mr.. Grif-
tith's proposition and accommodate my
father as do anything else.
/ married Helen Griffith, and we
went away.
" | tried to be kind and good to her,
but she was jealous, tyrannical and
shrewish. She made my life burden
"On her death bed she called for pen,
ink and paper.
She wrote for some hours, and then
sealed up what she had written and sent
for lawyer.
"In my presence she handed the
packet to him, saying:
When have been dead two years
give this to my husband. Do not give
it to him before.
"She lived two weeks after that.
=" wondered what the packet con-
tanned, and remained in Italy until the
two years had expired.
"Then | received the package and
opened it. 1t was her confession, tell
ing me that you had never been be-
trothed to her brother, and it was
story of her own making, intended to
separate us.
"Her brother loved you and came
down to propose to you, and she added
the rest. She wrote that her father was
anxious she should secure me as hus-
band, and she had planned this scheme
to win me.
"She delayed this CONFESSIONS fall
ing into my hands until she had been
dead two years, lest | should not paw
proper respect to her memory. l have
come across the sea to tell you this, not
that | expect or ask any favor at your
hands, but because l want to stand
cleared of a meanness in your eyes, and
want to be your friend"
He looked down into her eyes, and
she looked up into his.
Heart read heart.
He put his arm round her, and drew
her head down to his shoulder.
80, Ethel" he whispered, "may l
be more than friendP"
"God help usr' she answered; 81
am engaged to Sydney Eliot"
Engaged! o, Ethel, do you love
himP"
He felt her shudder
No, no." she said 81 love none
but you-never have loved any other,
never can"
a." Then you shall marry no other" he
said, kissing the beautiful mouth.
She freed herself from his arms, and
told him the story of her betrothal.
"Sydney Eliot is good, noble man."
she said, in conclusion. "He has given
me the one love of his lifetime, and
cannot do him wrong now. We must
90 our separate ways, and bear our bur-
iens silently"
God help me-" cried Chester. "My
life has had enough of the bitter al
ready. Why need this be addedP'
1t was useless to plead.
She was firm in what she deemed her
duty.
Then he came to say goodbye.
am going away" he said. 81
sail the day after tomorrow, and we
shall never meet again in this world"
On his way out of the house he met
Sydney Eliot, but passed him without
q word.
Sydney maryeled at the stern face
and wild eyes, and marveled more in
inding Ethel in tears.
He did not question her, but sought
out Chester Abbott that afternoon.
"Tell me,h he said, "what it all |
means. | will know. have a right |
% know. Did you love Ethel Weston |
before you went awayPn
And then Chester told him all, save
hat she loved him now.
- came back to find her pledged to |
another" he said; 81 do not complain,
1ut / cannot stay here. l am going
)ack.n
"Wait here until l return" Sydney |
'aid, and turned his steps toward Ethel |
Neston's home.
He fOund har a1Ona