The Virginia star., 1879-09-27
lie paused and leaned his head upo
his hands in painful thought.

know it, but pale and reproachful looking
Reproaching me! All, Ethel, how much
loved you! How happy we might hav
been to-day, had you only been true'
He arose with an impatient gesture. as
one who, by an effort of will puts vain re
grets aside
''How torecover the pocketbook 7 That
toe present question. There was money il
it; the finder is welcome to that the bill.
and papers are what | want, and-her Dor
trait. Yes-there's no use in denying it t.
myself. | am fool enough to care for that
I'll advertise in the papers. Confound thai
shower of rain -
"Ihree weeks mamma Three weeks
lying here delirious! Why, what could
have made me SO i'll? Ny head is SC
strange seem to forget everything"
Mrs. Thornton azoc anxiously on the
girls wasted face-almost as white as the
| pillow on which it Law.
"You got badly drenched and chilled,
my love, in shower of rain--'
ga shower of rain?"
The weak voice rang out clear and strong
the dark eyes flashed excitedly; she
clasped her hands, while vivid crimson
suddenly died her cheeks.
80 remember it all now. Please reach
me the desk !"
Then she told her mother her adventure
in the rain, and drew out of the desk
Franks pocketbook.
''Three weeks ago. In all probability he
has needed it. We must open it, mamma,
to find his address and send it back to him
at once"
Mrs. Thornton looked pityingly at the
flushed, eager face and trembling hands
She shook her head doubtfully and sadly,
and said:
''You love Frank still, Ethel now don't
you?"
NO reply in words, but the poor pale face
was hidden upon the pillow with great
sob, and little thin hand stole into the
mothers, pleadingly.
Mrs. Thornton caressed the hand and put
-ittsIfsr lips.
noE2he were worthy, dear, l should say
4cthing, but he abandoned you, Ethel. o
child, where is your pride? You are hop
ing against hope, my daughter. 1t would
be cruel IN ne to encourage you2 Mr..
Mortified could have found you had
he wished; our address was left for all who
might inquire for it. He has not even
written to you since your fortune was lost
l remember we'll that his last letter arrived
just as we were going to your cousin Eth
els wedding-that was just week before
our trouble came"
Ethel made no reply.
Her face was hidden again, and sobs
shook her slender form. Mrs Thornton
continued:
"Would that you had never seen Frank
Merrifeldl He forsook you in poverty,
and even when the far greater sorrow Of
your poor fathers death came upon us, he
gave us not one sympathizing word OI
Ethel, think no more of him, but rather try
to reward the true and devoted love that
has proved so true friend to us. DR..
Jones has been like a son to me through all
your sickness. Surely in time to come you
will get over this infatuation for one so un-
worthy, and reward devoted love as it de-
serves.
Ethel looked up wearily,
II don't love DR.. Jones, mamma, though |
| esteem him, and l am grateful oh ! very
grateful for all his goodness to us both. But |
| shall never love any man but Frank
Some day l will tell the doctor So and |
then--lf he chooses to accept esteem and |
gratitude will for your sake, mamma
She stopped, and quite broke down in a
storm of sobs and tears.
Her mother soothed her, and presently
she became calmer.
'Don't let US talk of it any more, "said she
signing. 'Let us find his address and send
him his pocketbook.
So they opened it and examined its con-
tents.
Notes, bills, memoranda, receipts, con
siderable amount ofmoney, but no address.
At last in an inner pocket they found
letter, and in tia photograph. Ethel took it
out it was her own picture.
''Mamma, mamma, look here" and the
poor girls trembling fingers clutched at
scrap of newspaper that was futtering to the
ground.
80, what is this 2"
Bending their heads together they read
the following notice:
''Married--On June 4tk, at Grace
Church, Henry Rollins, Esq, to Miss Ethel
Thorxton. Immediately after the cere-
mony the happy couple started on bridal
tour"
Mrs. Thornton looked up in bewilder-
ment
why, what is that doing herel" said
she. sits the announcement of your cousin
Ethels marriage
''Yes, yes and Frank thought it was
mine | see it all now-he has believed