The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1884-10-16
ETHEL's TEST.
By JENNIE 8. JUDSoN.

BY JENNIE 8. JUDsoN.
"Cyril, you stupid old book worm,
get up this instant! Here it is
o'clock; the Henrys are expected in
half an hour, and you have made no
move to meet them. Aunt;e is depend
ing on me to see that you are ready,
and she will be SO provoked"
"Whcn 'auntie' assigned you that
commission, my dear, did its possible
magnitude occur to your asked Cyril,
provokingly, as he turned pair of
handsome eyes on the sweet young
face at his side. "You know even a
woman will turn at last. What then if l
should boldly declare my independ-
encc and assert that l will not prepare
to meet the Henrys?'
"Oh! Cyril, how utterly provoking
you can be-" cried Ethel, as the young
man coolly resumed his reading.
"Now, do be good, won't you?' she
asked, coaxingly. "Auntie is sure you'll
like Miss Henry, she is SO altogether
nice"
What's Hccuba to me, or l to
Hecuba?' he answered, lazily. "Pm
very well satisfied with the company /
now have"
Does that remark apply to the book
or to me?"
II will be good, Ethel" was the ir-
relevant reply, as he left the swinging
hammock and took seat at her side,
provided my concession meets with
due reward"
"Virtue is always its own reward.
What more can you wish?"
Something you've never given me
yet" gazing down intently into the
beautiful, upturned eyes. Something
/ ask not only rs a reward, but that
you must give me as good-by."
"Good-by!" in a startled voice, "why
goodbye"
Because the coming of all these gay
young people will mean nothing but
separation for us, Ethel. There will
be no more quiet strolls by the brook,
no more readings in the afternoons, nc
more home music in tho twilight"
Il know" said Ethel. quietly; "but l
thought it would be SO much pleasantei
for you that tried not to care"
oh. don't you wish," she added
impulsively. that auntie had no school
friends whose children might come te
visit her?'
Hardly" was the terse reply, giver
with auizzical glance.
"How stupid of me-" she laughed
"for should not have had this lovely
home myself, nor my dear brother
Cyril, if mamma and auntie had mo-
been such friends Mt school.
"Now, brother mine." she continued
never noting the young mans paline
| lips nor darkened brow, "what is tn,
reward you wish?"
"Only q few of those violets at youl
throat" he answered, IN represset
tone. "But, Ethel" mastered at las
by some strange excitement, Il beg o
you never again to call me brother.
cannot bear that title from you."
Forgive mo. 1t was liberty.
had no right"
NO. You have no right. I"
And then he now pressed his lips al
though no other word should pass them
Would you not be willing to hay,
me for your sister, Cyril?" she asked
raising lovely. deprecatiEg eyes to his
She little knew the wild thrill he
beauty and innocence gave him, no
with what an effort he turned away.
| NO" he answered, almost sternly
Il would never regard YOU as sister.
A glance Of honest pain was his an
swer. and Ethel rose and walked away
1.-The struggle is sore one," h'
cried, rs she disappeared among tn
shrubbcry, "but / am congueror YET.
dared not ask the kiss she would In he
childish innocence have given. Nj,
heart would have fingered on my lip
and told the story have SO long sup
pressed, that have vowed she shal
not hear until her heart has stood SOM
test. She shall see the gay world abou
her first this summer, and when sh
knows better what to choose, l will Ia
my heart at her feet"
Gayety reigned supreme at "Hig'
Oaks" i'm the days that followed, fo
Mrs. Grafton, Ethel's guardian, was en-
deavoripg to make her young ward
first experience in society happy one
And Ethel's bright face gave no he
trayal but that her attempt was
success.
"Where is Miss Ethel?" asked Clar
enee Henry one morning, as he steppe
on the piazza, where his sister an
Cyril were holding an animated conver
sat;en.
You will find her in the shrubber
likely" was Cyril's careless reply. An
yet he felt jealous thrill that Clal
ence had supplanted him in seekin
her.
He noted Ethels blush and swift ur
ward glance as Mr.. Henry spoke, an
tho fate that had caused him to NEE
Miss Henry on the piazza.
Two weeks had passed without on
quiet talk between the two who, pre-
v;ous to the coming of their guests, In
been almost inseparable, and Cyr
chafed ut the constant separation.
"How jolly May and Mr.. Grayton al
together" observed Clarence as his Sit
ter's merry laugh broke on the al
THE old family arrangement may /
happily consummated yet who knows
WAS there an arrangement? aske
Ethel, quietly.
~, S; made years ago when they wel
children. They were very eongenii
even then, but Cyril went away iis
Years ago to Germany, and May hi
never seen him since until now. I'll
course of true love will run smooth
this ease, imagine"
; 1T certainly seems to run smooi
now" said Ethel, hiding her tremblin
lips in the heart Of aewy rose.
Another link to draw us nearer
each other, Ethel" whispered Il
enamored young man.
"Oh!l have torn my hand on tn
mischieyous thorn" cried Ethel, gil
to listen no longer.
"Cruel, cruel thorn 10 wound
charming little hand" exelaims