The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1880-03-20
Ethel Warden's Choice.
by LIZZIE NJ. MULHERN.

Over Ethel Warden's dark face arose a
quick, angry flush, as her uncle repeated:
al tell you, Miss Ethel, that, much and
all as despise women daubers, Willard des-
pises them still more. His opinion of what
they can do is not hattering, believe me. l
had long talk with him last evening"
"Daubing," as he called it was an old
cause of quarrel between Ethel Warden and
her aunt's husband, but the argument was
stronger this time than eyer before, for James
Ashton was peculiar man, who considered
it his duty to judge for everyone around him
and for Ethel Warden in particular, SO hav-
ing determined on what was right for her
TO do, he decided she should do it..
His mind was made up at last, he would
have no more of Miss Ethels fooling.
al tell you, Ethel, the sooner you make
up your mind to put aside your paper and
pencil, and try to improve your temper, it
will be the better for you. This is Wizards
opinion as WELL" and he glanced over at
young man who stood leaning against the
window.
Upon the first mention of her lovers
name, Ethel had stood with flushed face
and glowing eyes, her red lips trembling
with wounded pride, and eagerness to speak;
but now at the second mention of his name,
she shrank back as if she had received a
blow.
"Willard," she said, slowly, turning tow
ards him, "did you say that 2" Uncle must
be mistaken, Willard, for you could not
have said that after all the encouragement
you gave me-"
"Listen, Ethel" Willard said "alter our
engagement, we decided to live with mother
down at the old farmhouse, but uncle
thinks we might as well all live here and
rent the other place to Ezra Marten."
Willard Ashton was nephew of James
Ashton, ana lived with his mother and
brother, about two miles from Ethel's home.
at is uncle's wish, Ethel, that we should
rent Rose farm and live here" Willard con
tinued "and Ezra Marten has given us a
good offer for it."
~ would sooner have our own home after
our marriage, and-and-" her eyes filled
with tears she could not keep back, 81
liked the dear, old fashioned rooms, and
rose covered porch so much, and now"
"Let me explain, Ethel. Mother is get
ting old, and so is Aunt Sarah, and so we
thought"
"You need explain no further, Willard, l
understand you perfectly. You would have
me dash all my bright hopes of the future
to the ground, and become simply house
hold drudge for two families. If this is
your love Willard, l can never prize it
again as have done in the past. God
knows, were you poor, or was Uncle James
poor, could willingly slave for you at all
hours but-but--"
"You do not understand, Ethel; it is sim
ply this-if you do not consent to-to-'
and he glanced inquiringly at James Ash
! ton.
at is simply this" Ethel repeated-"un-
less you consent to this, Uncle James has
led you to understand that not a penny of
| his money will ever be yours You are his
avorite nephewj he likes you better-much
better than he does Frank, but he has laid
down some laws, and except you fulfil them
and yield to his judgment in everything,
| your hopes Of wealth are ended.
"Willard, refuse the conditions uncle
imposes, even should l never be your wife
will never consent to his plan"
"You mean you will not consent to be my
wife If we are to live here?"
81 will never consent to give up my
painting, and beo1me a servant for two
families, even for the sake Of becoming your
wife"
She turned towards the door, but as she
did so, Frank Ashton entered.
He looked like Willard, though he was
TAR from being as handsome, either in form
or hco.
Frank" Ethel said, appealngly, "did
you hear what Uncle James and-and Will
lard, wish me to do?"
"Yes," he said slowly. "Did you consent,
Ethel9"
"Nop she answered, her eyes glowing
~ refused and | gave Willard back his
freedom, and-and, Frank, am going away
from this"
Here she broke down. and without glanc-
ing again at either Willard or his uncle, she
dashed from the room.
Late the same evening, Frank encounter
ed her on her knees in the garden, with her
head resting on a rustic bench, sobbing as il
her heart would break.
Frank Ashton loved this dark.eyed girl
who loved his brother, and at that moment
he could not control the words springing to
his lips. lie knew il was hardly fair, but
he loved her SO.
''Ethel- Ethell" be said, bending over
her; could you love me in place Of viii
lard Oh, my love if you only could, ]
wouldtry to make you happy. Ihave made q
little money, Ethel and will take the home
you said you liked 50 WE'LL and, Elhel, deal
you can do AS you wish, and in the future