The Worthington advance., 1880-09-16

that your wardrobe Is not what . young
lady would wish on entering fash:
ionable society, but, my dear. i i 81
appear . LADY under Ill circumstances.
Go, child, and enjoy all you can.
You remember Ethel once spent .
Thanksgiving with you under similar
circumstances, only you were children
then ;" and I presume she has not forgot
ten 1t, and q week or two later found me
domiciled with my friend. Oh, the hap.
py days lived over again within the
sacred precincts Of our own rooml 1t
was here, the morning Of that memoir
able Thanksgiving, that we had both
suddenly subsided into silence after one
Of our extended conversations. Ethel,
seated upon q low ottoman, Just opposite
my favorite perch on the side of the bed,
was busily engaged in undoing the long,
heavy braids Of her hair, which, when
loosened, fell in great golden waves about
her shoulders. Suddenly turning, she
merrily cried: "Why those piercing
orbs Of midnight darkness fixed upon,
this innocent countenance, as If to pierce
the very depth of my inmost soul p
"Dont be tragic, dear, was only occu-
pied with my own thoughts" I inter-
rupted.
"A penny for your thoughts, then.
"Well, my dear, I was just wonder.
ing how soon that ardent admirer of
yours, Col. Blackwell, of the million and
mustache, is to claim that little, white
hand: the symptoms are quite alarming:
and it Is time the case was reported"
"Marry Col. Blackwell, is that what
you mean? That will never be. No,
never she added, with q little shiver. I
presnmeyou have discovered the Colonel's
standing with my uncle, who hasbeen
anxious for years for an alliance be.
tween the two families. The Black
wells, you know, are a very aristocratic
and wealthy family. The Colonel is
handsome, Intelligent, good, everything
in fact that the world would unanimously
vote 9 good match; but, my dear, she
added, with something Of a bitter smile,
I am so foolish as to think that there is
another requisite to happiness which the
world usually leaves out of consideration,
and that is love, and as I possess none
OF that Ito my happiness, necessary
commodity my uncle's ambition must
be sacrificed and my expectant friends
disappointed"
"Well, Ethel, pray inform US what
kind Of man is to succeed, when the
elegant, accomplished and fascinating
Colonel falls"
"Well, I am sure I don't know.
sometimes think that necessary little Or
gan called the heart was left entirely out
Of my composition, and, consequently,
doubt q capability Of any unusual
amount Of affection and, under the cir
cumstances, it were better for Ethel
Raymond to tread life's pathway alone
than to be an unloving wife, a handsome
husband and elegant establishment to
the contrary. Do you know I some
times thiuk," she added, musingly,
chad the gentle voice and tender smile
of Eugene Emerson, our boy teacher,
been known to me in maturer years,
things might have
"Ah, indeedr' I interrupted, with a
merry laugh. $50, after all, it is not
the lack Of affection that is so disastrous
to our friend, the Colonel. Only in the
wrong direction that's all. Come, now.
confess. Confession, you know, is good
for the sou].''
"No, no; you are too fast. was
only little child in those days, you will
remember"
"WeD, then I am to understand the
only serious effect then was to destroy
any germ Of affection which might spring
up in after years."
"Well, perhaps; I believe you al
ways did possess the faculty of tracing
things down to a fine point"
"Where is he ?" I inquired. "Do you
know anything of him ?"
II have heard nothing for q long
time. He used to write to me occasion
ally in my childhood days. and once
when in the city had the audacity to
call, as my uncle expressed it, of which
fact was not informed for some time
after. Then my uncle told me that he
thought it best that our acquaintance
should end, and, T presume, gave him to
understand the same, as I have never
received any letters since. He is now
editing country newspaper somewhere
in the West, I believe, and I occasion
ally find articles from his pen in our
leading scientific journals, which even
uncle is forced to admit are very fine.
But come, my dear ; if we go to church
this morning we must hasten our pre-
parations."
In few moments was ready, wait
ing for Ethel, who, in her navy blue
silk, velvet cloak, ermines, and jaunty
hat with its long. waving white plume,
was indeed fair picture to look upon,
as she caught up the long train Of her
elegant dress, preparatory to starting.
Little we thought Of the disaster that
was to befall that same train ere our
return.
When service was over we started
home in a great hurry, as it was very
late. had just landed safely on the
other side Of the crowded street when,
hearing terrific whoa from the car
driver, I turned just in time to see Ethel
caught from under the very horses feet.
She had hurriedly crossed the track Just
in front of the car when her dress caught
and jerked her back, and in another
moment she would have been trampled
under the horses had not q strong arm
canght her while the car passed on, TAX
ing almost the whole of the soft, SHIN
mering train with it. And, a. soon as
Ethel was released, I was surprised to
see her turn and joyfully extend both
hands to the stranger who had so gal
lantly rescued her. Retaining one of
the hands. he placed it in his arm. and
in q moment thew were beside me. A
glance at her escort assured me that he
was no other than tie subject of our
morning discussion. OF course wo took
possession Of our old friend. and, calling
Q carriage, were soon safely deposited at
home. It was, indeed, Z happy little
party that gathered around the dinner
table that day. Even Ethel's naughty
uncle was very gracious and grateful,
and gave our friend q warm welcome.
All, 9 merry party we were that evening
Eugene, Harry and las we
sat in the warm glow Of the bright grate