Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-07-07

keeuly alive to any fancied slight Or dis
grace, that tremble for his future. ]
can only pray for him, and leave him IN
the hands OF God.'
Eta bent her head lower over her
frame. Naturally unwilling TO give
pain, yet quite as unable to practice
self-denial, opposite emotions were
contcnding for the mastery in her young
heart. The pc,urc of the dying moth
or had touched her, and then, >Edwin's
attentions were very delightful. She
was sure some Of the girls euyied her,
and with her ideas, it was pleasant to
be euvied.
'Besides.' said Aunt Jenny, Edwin
has TO work hard to make bis way in
the world. With proper encourage
meui, and a reward in prospect, l be-
lieye he will turn out ono Of the fore
most young men of the day, while, if be
is disappointed where he stakes al, ]
dare no. think Of the consequences
Jenny, you are very foolish. We
shall not certainly forbid bun the house,
said Mrs. Boyd, ,..suppressiDg a yawn.
And am snrc 1 don't want to 90
him any harm,' said Eta; but If be
shows me attentions and brings me
presents, what am 1 TO do-reluse
themY
Yes, said Aunt Jenny, uncOmpro-
misingly, lie honest
But couldn't do ihat; besides, l
Ike him; he's The oldest friend 1 have.
and don't believe he thinks of-of
any thing but friendship
4 know BETTER said Aunt jenny
Child, 1 love you dearly, but rather
than know that you were the means Of
causing The rum ola human soul, l
would follow you TO your grave
There, now you've set her TO cry
ing! | hope you're satisfied! and COM
pany this evening, too! l declare, |
wish you would stay at home, Jane, #
you can't bring up some pleasanter sub
iect of conversation. You know how
sensitive my darling is. Eta, Eta
don't cry. You will look like a fright
this evening"
But Eta only threw her motto into O
chair, ard sti.l weeping, hurried cut Of
the room.
Now, you SEQ exclaimed Mrs.
Boyd, with traglcal gesture, you've
spoiled the child's happiness for the
day! You know that the mention of .
death is distasteful to her, and you
ought to have some judgment by this
time. For my part, say Edwin shall
come here as he hos been coming
There's nobody l could trust Eta with,
with 50 clear o conscieace. I'm sure
If it wasn't for him, the girl would lead
a nuns lie Tor her father and nevcr
60 out, save when we absolutely can
not help ourselves
4 haye nothing more to say mur'
INJURED Aunt Jenny, helplessly. L
don't supposo I've doao any good; but
I've cleared my skirts, and / hope, set
Eta to thinking. believe, If the child
were fott to her own good sense
Now blame me Doa't you suppose
l know Eta better than you do: Why,
Ell. himself wOuldn'l be such an IDIOT
as TO think of Etia,--a man with scarce
ly dollar in the world, and she brought
up in luxury
There it is! sighed Aunt Jenny.
'Or course, .herc II is! and Eta
would be crazy to think ofit Indeed,
ifit wansn't for knowing that he is an
old and safe friend, do you think he
could haye the run Of tho house ? No
indeedn
L see how ii is, sighed Aunt Jenny,
'Well, well. There's no need OF say
ing anything further on the subject; aud
with a sad heart she left the house.
Eta did think. Eta made several
very heroic resolves. Eta knew in her
heart of hearts that it was time TO
think. But alas. the chains OF habit
were forged the longing for attention
exclusive to herself, for admiration,
was too Unsuitable the pleasure OF
being petted, of command, Of causing
envy, too deeply ingrained in the selfish
little heart. Month after month passed
on until, one year from the time OF
Aunt Jeuny's warning visit, Edwin
Holbrook left the doors that had been
like the entrance to paradise to him, a
brokenhearted man, never to enter them
again.
'Holbrook, is that paper ready yet "
The young man lifted a pair OF
blood.shot eyes, and threw back his
disordered locks as he made a confused
reply in accents that betrayed the Ia
fuence that was still upon bin.
'Holbrook, you will lose that case
Dodd won't walt another hour. What
is the matter with your You used to be
punctuality ITSELF.
The young man smiled, but the smile
was sadder than tears.
I'm sorry about the paper. I'll 90
to work at it now. Fact is, L haven
been we'll the last week, and ny head
lie strangely confused oflate. 1t won't
take me long, 1 think
No use; Dodd is one OF those iron
men who never bend. I'll take the