South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1880-06-25
DRIVEN To RUIN,
BY ALICE ROBBINS.

1 BY ALICE ROBBINS.
1t is to be an elegant engagement
Eta Boyd looked up from the elabor-
ate motto she was working with bright.
colored floss. The faint pink tinge OF
her cheek had deepehed.
What do you inesn?' she asked hast
lily. almost ,hadghtily.
Il mean Edwin uolbrook,' said the
lady, significantly at which an older
lady languidly raised her eyes from the
book she was reading.
Sister Jenny was the Indignant e.
EJACULATION of the latter.
Aunt Jenny, you are too badi' the
little beauty said. busting rose.red now.
She was beauty, this Eta Boyd, q
royal httie creature in outward appear
ing. 90 not know by what particular
style her lovelinoss might be designat-
ed. She was wiifsome to look at; not
statuesdue, not marble white, not ethe-
real, but simply so arch-lookiny, and
dimpled, and changefuf, and merry, that
few could withstand her wiIes.
She had always lived in on Amos
phere of luxury-this pretty girl; she
had been INDUCED from her infancy by
overload and foolish parents, who i'm
imagined their ono pearl peerless. Her
two brothers, men grown, i,iolizod her,
and As she grew older, loaded her with
gifts. So accustomed to admiration
diq she become. that she began to feel
at last that life was not endurable with.
out it, and at last she began to try her
power on those outside Of her immedi-
ate circle. One ofthcse was the young
gentleman OF whom her aunt spoke, and
the mention or whose name causel a
general cutlery. ,,
I'm sure, sister, rm a.tonished at
you said Etta's mamma, a very weak
and foolish woman. who consumed con.
dictionary by tho pound, and read nov
els by the thousand.
4 don't know why you should be- was
the quiet reply.
'Elta!-a m:re child, just out OF
schooli'
Eta is seventeen said her sister.
Eta is no longer q schoolgirl, though
very young. LII Acknowledge young
10 begin fli;taion.'
Aunt Jenny, you. know nothing a
bout il ! exclaimed Eta, flushed TO the
temples.
i know he comes here very often
'lle is an old frieni Of the family,
said Mrs. Boyd.
Il know he is twenty-five, anil in some
things bril- liant and promising char
ac'er,' continued Aunt Jenny. Il know
he is alone in the world, and has no
sisters
And that is the reason he likes to
come here sail Eta.
But, my dear, you certainly accom-
pany him to places of amusement
OF course
And receive presents from him.
Et.a's eyes fell. Just nothing at all.
she said.
Il don't know continued ma.ter-of.
fact Aunt Jenny. Boquets cost money.
| can't buy such ones AS that. for in d.
stance, under three or four dollars, she
added, pointing TO q beautiful vase, ov.
er which hung fragrant lilies, hot.house
tea-roses, fuchsias. and other dainty
blossoms. And then diamond ring
isn't bought for nothing, even if the dia-
mond be no bigger than the heal Of a
pin. Then there arc pictures, tribes.
Aunt Jenny, cried Eta, now pale
with passion, 4 don't think any one has
a right TO say what | shall and what [
shall not receive from one have known
all my life. l think its-it's'-
'lmpertincnt,my dear that the word
you were thinking Of: and perhaps il
would be in any one WHO had not your
goodness at heart. But, my dear. I'm a.
Eai you are doing harm, indeed am. |
don't think poor Ell looks upon himself
as merely a friend:'
/ fIIp haa no riuItt - lh;oI,
sail Eta, with trembling lips.
Edwin llolbrook has neither father
nor mother, sister nor brother, said
Aunt Jenny Il loved his mother; she
was my dearest friend when we were
girls together; and her life was shadow
cd by the intempcrance of her husband,
who, but for this one fault, would have
been model Of all tic virtues. He
was handsome, brave, disintere tel. and
worshiped his wife and child, but he
would not give up that terrible habit
O1 her dying bed, the dear woman told
me that she had educated Edwin care
fully with reference TO his tastes and in :
dulgences In that respect but he is so
singularly sensitive, she added, so do
pendent upon his friendships. so devot-
ed where he once gives his heart, so
keenly alive TO any fancied slight or
disgrace. that tremblo 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 ss unable TO practice
solf-deDial. opposite emotions were con.
tending for tho mastery in her young
heart. The picture Of the dying moth
CT bad touched her, and then, Edwin's
attentions were very delightful. She
was suie some Of the girls euvied her,
and with her Ideas. IL was pleasant to
be euvied.
Besides, said Aunt Jenny. Edwin
has TO work hard TO make bis way in the
world. With proper ENCOURAGEMENT.
and reward In prospect, I believe he
will turn out ohe OF the foremost Voting.
mea OF the day, while, it he is disap.
pointed where no stakes all, dare not
/ think of the hbnaooucpcc.