Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-07-02

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fcoasinusd fron hrst Psge.)
few days. and since then have slept when
I could. Would enjoy hearing you read
il. " she sid.
You told me once, l believe, that you
are not fond Of reading, Ethel,r said Mrs.
She looked up puzzled.
- think you must have misunderstood
Ethel, said Professor French. ssShe
reads good deal, but not ererythinq.
she was one Of my pupils that adopted
course of rea1ling-,'
quietly.
The Professor and Ethel had long been
warm friends, and Clay was really afraid
sometimes that it might prove to be some
thing more. He blessed him in his heart
tonight for speaking Of the fabIeaux. He
lelt that in some way Ethel did not favor
him altogether, and it flashed through his
mind that perhaps she knew nothing about
them - she had been confined closely at
home and nothing had been said of them
IN her presence or Of the absence Of his
brother-in-law, which made it necessary
for him to stay at his sisters house,
and thus ne was subject in many ways to
her orders.
Her will was strong one, and il was
often easier to acquiesce than to oppose her.
He felt sometimes that she had planned
the tableaux, on purpose to bring him in
Eva's company. She was wary enough
to pretend not to do so.
But for the reading, Professor French's
voice was wondrous clear one. and
words dropping from his lips always
sounded unsteady. A better one could
not have been chosen to do an article JUS
tice.
Ethel drew an ottoman up to her fathers
side and sat down He held one OF her
hands firmly in his, while the reading pro-
crossed. She never dreamed of hearing
her own production. When she sat down,
the father felt her tremble and saw the
lips pale while she listened brethlessly to
every word.
Just as it was finished Hal rising said.
please excuse sister, Mother sent me
after her sometime ago." and slipping her
arm through his. bore her away but not
far before she sank fainting at his side
lie carried her to her own room and when
she revived little he said. praise
enough tn turn your head, and no one hut
father and your brother knows yon dr.
serve 1t! Shall ! tell them?"
mo indeed not for the world"
'Shall ask them to excuse you for the
rest ofthe evening. 1t is most over and
father can attend to them"
Yes you dear thoughtful brother, /
need rest, she answered. She did go
down to the parlor again however and
heard Professor French say THAT he ac-
cused one Of his pupils for writing the
article whereupon the rest laughed at his
conceit.
Clay noticed him watching Ethel, and
promised himself that not another dav
should pass without knowing if Ethel
loved him. II she did not. he felt the fu-
ture would be weary waste-that his
would be a crippled manhood and a one
sided life. Ethel was the one thing he
needed to make his life perfect unit and
develope his character into what God Gre
ated him to be.
His morning call was on Ethel and he
told her of his whole hearts love, and
asked her If she could be his wife.
''Some things are now explained which
/ did not before understand Your sister
does not like me. but l hope she will
when she knows me better, and am sure
my hearts love is yours"
Thank God" he said kissing her,
my manhood is crowned with the purest
and best of His gifts-love. and I can 90
into life ready for its battle, knowing
there is a true heart by the side of mine
to strengthen me-"
Mr.. Bruce joined them and said. "Clay
do you think wifely duties and literary
work will assimilate well enough to make
you happy"
II am sure she will do me good and not
evil all the days Of her lite, and that
the heart OF her husband shall safely trust
in her. Was it true that one of Professor
French's pupils was the author of that ex-
cellent article p''
BE warned in time" said Mr.. Bruce
land with this bid you good morning.
and We will do the same