Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1884-10-11
LOVE In AtOTTAGE.

LOVE IN A OTTAGE.
by BERTHA BERToN.
Mark my words, Ethel Montrose,
you will, some time, repent your
choice !" and Mrs. Woodville shook
her head in utter disapproval. A stately
woman, past the prime of her life, yet
still handsome. but showing in the con.
tour of her face, the curve Of her thin
lips firm will, In the pOise Of her
head haughty independence she seem.
ed born to command, and one who
would sweep from her path almost In.
surmountable obstacles; and she vas
evidently annoyed At the decision of her
fair, young niece.
Mrs. Woodville was . widow, rich,
influential, and lover Of society I; she
owned beautiful residence, situated
on the Hudson River. and nature and
art had both been lavish In its adOrn-
ment.
She was childless and lonely, and
after the death of her sister, Mrs. Mont.
rose, she had given to Ethel, her Dor
tiopless orphan niece, q home, with all
the advantages of wealth, and her am.
bition had been TO see her become the
wife OF u rich man.
III GRACE Vernon, an elderly widowel
Of immense fortune, WAS frequent
visitor at Elm wood, and In him Mrs.
Woodville thought she foresaW . pro
bable fulfllment Of her cherished
desire.
He had been very attentive to hel
niece, while Ethel, believing him to bs
Ia particular friend of her aunt, had
treated him with the utmost politenesi
and friendliness, which be had beer
pleased to construe into . preference
for his society.
Now, in q formal, business.like man
ner, he had asked her to become hii
wife, aud surprised At an offer that
seemed more BETTING to her aunt'i
age and station, Ethel Montrose had
just gwen him kind but most decided
refusal.
Then. in order to explain what Mira
Woodv lille deemed . piece Of consum.
mate folly, Ethel had told her of prior
engagement. She was already betrothed
one whom she hxd known from child
hood, and who was patiently toiling Il
win for himself q name and fortune
But Mrs. WoOdville was deeply an
noyed 1t the overturning Of bel
cherished project.
"When you might have . splendit
home" she said, with retinue o.
servants to do your bidding, and {
pr nicely fortune at your command, Il
settle down, instead, in . diminutiv,
cottage, with single servant, or per
haps none, and obliged to toll from
morning till night, just for love. Low
in q cottage Tho idea, when portrayed
in o novel, is very pretty and romantic
very sentimental. but in real life, Ethel
you will And that wealth is much NOR
serviceable.
at know very we'll, Aunt Margaret,
Ethel replied earnestly, "that wealth
or competency is q blessing, but, com
PEELED to share 1t with one whom dis
liked, 1t would provo curse. GallinI
chains, even though they be COLDER
ones, would they be that bound me Il
a man could not love-"
You do not know that, and yOl
would undoubtedly learn to love on
who could crafty your slightest wish.
81 should have fears, Aunt Margaret
and consider the difference in on
years."
"A mere trifie age and influence
look at the position you would assum
as one of the leaders in society,"" tn
elder lady responded.
al have no ambition in that diret
ton. To reign queen Of Gerald Dean
heart aud cottage home will quite sati
fy my aspirations" Ethel said, wit
J earnestness.
"You are a foolish, perverse chilt
land you will rue the day; but hay
your own way, ~ you will, no doubt,
and, Notwithstanding her displeasur
Mrs. Woodville threw her arms abo,
her niece and drew her to her side, Il
she loved her, and she had not forgo
ten that, In the long ago. she. too. ha
!, married the man she loved. His 70
ance from his father, and she was NJ
surprised at the choice of her nice
She had seen Gerald Deane, and theu0
she might not acknowledge 1t, 81
l knew we'll that, in all save wealth,
; was far superior to Horace Vernon.
But she resolved to let the youni
man make his way aud carve out hi
/. fortune unaided. Ethel might thus .
) the advantages of wealth, and appreci
more fully the good she had spurne
So reasoned the worldly. wise woma
ignoring the unpleasant fact that rich
. sometimes take wings.
Two years pissed, and Gerald Dean,
who had been fitting himself for Il
practice of medicine. finished the pr
| scribed course and received his dipl
: ma.
He wished to epend a year in
German university but 1t was simSl
? Iimpossible, and with . great unsati
: fed longing for the invaluable aid
Isuch an additional course, he prepare
D to settle down In some modest field
y labor, where time, almost ~ much ,
, talent. would be needed to establish
I Isuecessful practice.
Then, by one of the unaccountab
K turns in the wheel of fortune, pa
was suddenly marked out for him.
: The old physician Of his native TOW
y was taken i'll, and he sent for Gera
II Deane He desired him to take char
!, sof his business and his patients, al
the young physician was glad ev,
g Iof temporary business for old L
. Ward thought that he should soon
:; liable to assume his duties but he ~
4; An anticipating more than he ever l
allied, for his sickness proved long 81
0. lingering. The sands of life we
t. slowly running out, and In the ear
autumn he passed away with the IA
ling of the leaves, leaving to DIR. Deal
:. as his dying legacy, his medical libra
= land Instruments, together with lucl
tive practice.