Morris tribune., 1880-09-30

"Thre. weeks ago. In all probability
he has needed it. We must open it,mam-
ma, to find his address, and send it 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 i
"You love Frank Merrifeld still, Ethel,
now, don't you9 e
No reply in words, but the poor pale
face was hidden upon the pillow with a
great sob, and little hand stole into
the mothers pleadingly. Mrs. Thornton
caressed the hand and put it to her lips |
"If he were worthy, dear, should say
nothing, but he has abandoned you,
Ethel. Oh, child, where Is your pride9
You are hoping against hope, my daugh- |
I ter. 1t would be cruel in me to encour- |
age you. Mr.. Mer1ifeld 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. I remember we'll
that his last letter arrived just as we were
gong to your cousin Ethel's 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 you had never seen Frank
Merrl6eld! He fersook 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. Oh, Ethel, think no more OF
him, but rather try to reward the true
and devoted lover who has proved so true
friend to US. DR.. Jones has been like
son to me through all your sickness. In
time to come you will get over this in
fatuation for one so unworthy, and re-
ward devoted love as it deserves.
Ethel looked up wea1ily.
81 don't love DR.. Jones, mamma, al
though 1 esteem HIM, and am grateful,
oh, very grateful, for his goodness to US
both. But shall never love any man
but Frank. Some day 1 will tell the
doctor so, and then, if he chooses to ac-
cept esteem and gratitude, Twill for your
sake, mamma"
She stopped, and quite broke down in
a storm OF sobs and tears. Her mother
soothcd her and presently she became
calmer.
t, "Don't let us talk of 1t any more. " she
said, sighing. "Let us find Franks ad-
dress, and send HIM his pocketbook."
So they opened it and examined its
= contents. Notes, bills, memoranda, re-
J. ceipts, considerable sum of money, but
n no address. ...
If At last, in an inner pocket, they found
'e letter, and in it a photograph. Ethel
took it QUIT was her own picture.
o Mamma, mamma, look herel" and
E, the poor girls trembling fingers clutched
d at scrap of newspaper that was fiutter
e, ing to the floor.
d so, what is this2"
Bending their heads together they
s read the following notice:
4, married On June 4th at Grace
ID Church, Henry Rollins, Esq, to Miss Eth
1T ell Thornton. Immediately after the Ger
Of emony the happy couple started on
er Bridal tour
l. Mrs. Thornton looked up in bewilder
is ment.
ID "Why, what is that dong here9" sale
she. ''It is the announcement Of you
it cousin Ethel's marriage"
y L CSS yes duu Eduh LuOuSAG IL wa
er mlnel / see 1t all now. He has believed
i'd me false to him. Oh, my poor Frank, ,h
D. has been suffering too! The photograph
see what is that written underneath i
as in his own handwriting. Oh, look!'
is "Again they read together. This tim
Shakespeare's lines, though slightly al
b, tered:
Sc "Wert thou but constant thou vert perfect
n, that one error
Ar Fills thee with faults"
"Oh, my poor FrankP' cried the hap
g. py, weeping girl. "Oh, why were cousil
Il Ethel and named the samel And Franl
never met her. Don't you see, mamma
o. how the mistakes have occurred? An
III it might have remained unexplained for
Nc ever but for that shower Of rain! LoOl
at the letter, mamma. must find hi
10 address now."
A. The letter was examined, and happll
for all, contained Franks address. TIL
O.. next morning he received the following
Q note by mail.
"a "S1R-My daughter, whom you kind
ly assisted during shower of rain thre
,e weeks ago, desires to restore your pock
90 et-book, which she found. Sickness ha
az prevented our attending to this earlier
'St Please call at your earliest convenience
20 and inquire for Mrs. Thornton"
90 An address was given. Mr.. Merrifet
IT stared at the name.
> "An odd coincidence" thought he
ba ''There are plenty of Thorntons in tn
IN world of course, and he set off to reclaim
ie his property.
A lady in deep mourning received hin
= | Ho sforfo1 uiO1onf1u
ny Mrs. Thornton!' he cried, 'can
If be really you9" and stopped, confused an
If angry.
rt She was perfectly self possessed.
o. 81 thought you would have recognize
the name" she said quietly, though ou
od circumstances have made change OF II
residence necessary. It was Ethel whom
on you carried across the street. She hs
been i'll since then, Or"
no He interrupted her in surprise:
Ethel ill Ethel whom I carriedG
Then getting more and more bewildere6
II thought that Mrs. Rollins was abroa
bo l understood so." ....
he ho "Mrs. Rollins9 Oh certainly Mrs. Ro
II Inns is my niece. was not aware 70
were acquainted with her. 1t was of m
m daughter Ethel was speaking"
- Frank started to his feet excitedly.
nd "Your daughter Ethel9 Whatdoes thi
~ mean! l heard she was married. Oh
madam, have pity on me--have I bee
oa deceived2 YOU know of our love an
od our engagement. Are there two Ethel
ut and can mine be still true?"
t;o A cry answered him. a cry from Il
~, next room. Mrs. Thornton flung ope
AZ the door.
,,C "Go to her." she whispered.
The next instant Ethel was claspe
in her lovers arms.
,on Who shall describe this meeting? Su
~ fee 1t that they were as happy as the
III. had lately been miserable. All misul
,oa derstandings were cleared away, and co
D. fidence returned.