The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1884-10-16

huttercd to her feet.
A little later, when about to don her
riding-habit, this same piece Of paper
fell from her pocket, and she looked to
sec what it might contain.
The handwriting was Cyrils, and
she read, IL may rs well confess Fred,
that my heart is my own no longer. l
have met one this summer to whom
even you would yield homage. I'll not
weary you with rhapsodies upon her
beauty, winsomcncss and intelligence;
for it is enough to say that she il the
one woman of the world for me, and -
Here the letter closed abruptly, and
Ethel, lifting sad eyes from its pcrusal,
looked hopelessly out into the summer
radiance that mocked her from the
window.
"Cyril told me once," she cried, that
| ] had woman's deepest lesson yet to
learn, and this is it; it must be it.
"Why have you deserted me SO en-
! tirely since tho arrival of our guests,
/ Ethel?" asked Cyril, reproachfully, rs
the two chanced to ride side by side in
the gay equestrian party.
"IIave l deserted YOU? / didn't con-
slider it in that light. l supposed we
were both happier MS things werc,' she
returned, inditlerently.
The look of pain in Cyril's face would
the day before have brought quick, re-
morseful words to her lips, but the
letter had done it's work, and she only
thought with scorn, "Cyril's vanity re-
quires more to feed upon than l had
supposed. One acknowledged captive
seems to afford it insufficient gratiiica-
tion."
Chance threw the two together again
that night in the changes of waltz
quadrille, and they danced together for
the first time. Cyril forgetting as he
clasped the plant, lissome figure in his
arms, her cruel words of the morning,
forgetting all save that the sad, Ian
gushing music was carrying them on
and on in blissful dream of delight.
His eyes almost told the secret his pale
lips refused to betray, as he looked
down Mt her when the dance was done
"Rather stupid for rs to be thrown
so long together, wasn't it?" laughed
Ethel, carelessly, "but must say that
you are splendid waltzer, Cyril
"And that is all it was to her!"
thought Cyril, rs with pale face he
turned away.
"Fool that I have been" he muttered
vehemently, "to let matters drift. I
might have won her love if l had bound
her with vow, but now it is too late,
too late."
"Grafton, may I see you moment
in priyate?" asked Clarence Henry
next morning, as he stepped into tho
library.
"You may" WAS the stiff reply. as
there anything that can do for you?"
"a great deal, if you see fit. You
know my character, Grafton, my pros
poets, my situation in life, and SO forth.
Now," with boyish impetuosity, shave
have you anything to say against them ?
Or, in other words, is there any valid
reason why may not pay my addresses
to your mothers ward, Miss Wheaton ?"
why do you come to meP' asked
Cyril, haughtily You must be aware
that my mother is the proper person to
address"
"Your mother has given her con.
sent?" was tho eager reply. "In com
ing to you l only desired to make mat
ters agreeable all around.
Miss Ethel has expressed wish for
your happiness" he continued, why
should YOU be reluctant to do the same
for herr"
"Ethels happiness!" exclaimed Cy.
! happiness depend upon my consent tc
your suit? If SO, Mr.. Henry" af.
ter n moments bitter struggle, "be as
sured that her happiness is so dear to ,ne
/ shall place no obstacle in the way. "
And with hurried Excuse me, p" he left
tho room.
"What a strange method of pro
cedure." commented Clarence; If he
were not SO infatuated with May,
might think he was in love with Ethel
himself"
"Ah, wellr Strengthening up his
stalwart young figure, Il will no longer
delay, but put it to the touch, and win
or lose it all. ;"
Two hours later, as Cyril s'raycd,
alone and wretched, through the dis
tant shrubbery, suppressed sob drew
, his attention, and, cast down on the
green sward in an abandon Of sorrow,
who should he see but Ethel, deal
little. sunshiny Ethel, who was never
known to shed tear.
"Ethel" he cried, in quick surprise
, what is it? Why arc you here alone?'
, She sprang suddenly to her feet, OK
|, claiming, with startled yehcmeaco
:. "You, Cyril! Is it you?'
Yes, Ethel, it is |. Is my presenc,
so very unwelcome?"
Not at ALL with an attempt a
proud unconcern; IL had intended scoi
to see you of my own accord"
We'll" he answered, coldly, II am a
your service: what is it YOU aesire?'
For moment she paused, then
flushed and trembling, she said, Il an
very sorry, Cyril, that l cannot acced'
to your and auntie's wishes.
, have never opposed you before
! have II" with n forlorn attempt at /
smile; but indeed in so vital matte
to me l cannot yield entirely to you
y choice" How the pale lips quivered.
what do you mean?"
Il mean," passionately, "that mucl
as YOU and auntie wish it l cannot EN-
, gage myself to Clarence Henry.
know you will think me blind and way
! ward, but after all, Cyril, falteringly
! "my heart is my own, and cannot b
made to obey the dictates of another.
. rs your heart your owr my darling,
;. he whispered with passionate tender
! ness rs he drew her suddenly towar
/ him.
Ono startled glance she gave into Tn
@ love-illumined face above her, then hi
= her happy eyes upon his breast.
;. "Oh! Ethel,' he cried, "how eonl
@ YOU for one moment fancy that Iwante
j" you to marry Clarence Henry? Nj
L heart was broken ut the thought. Ha
nothing whispered to you the tortur
a / have endured in the past tw
i weeks in seeing him, as feared, SLOW
q ly but surely winning your hear
- from me?"
a Il was suffering, too, Cyril" shc m
- swered, in low, sweet Voice.
thought You cared far more for Mis-
!, May than for me. Are you sure" II