Daily Republican., 1885-07-11
ETA LEIGHp LoVERa.
BY MRS. n. BURKE COLLINS.

BY MRS. n. BURKE COLLINS.
She stood at tho window, gazing out
upon the fast falling rain, and the
dreary, half deserted city street. Sweet
Eta Leigh, petite, brown-eyed and
brown haired, not beauty, but a very
loveable little creature. just now there
was perplexed frown upon her white
brow, and in her soft dark eyes look Of
an xiety and indecision.
"Oh, dear 70 she exclaimed aloud,
half petulantiy, 81 do wish l knew
how to decide 1t is momentous
question for a young girl to settle for
herself; yet mamma refuses to influence
me by her opinion. and papa oh, /
know his wishes upon the subject It's
just like a scene in q play or novel
1.-THE heroine Of the story-that's my.
self!-receives an offer of marriage from
. wealthy old man; she does not care
a copper for her ancient lover, rather
dislikes him. In fact; but her father
there Is always . cruel parent in the
play or the novel-is determined upon
her acceptance, and-and-I Just will
not do it-thats alll'
And she brought her little foot down
upon the carpet with perhaps q little
IN ore emphasis than was necessary,
and went on with her solilOQuy:
| "If had never seen Will Raymond,
I still do not believe could decide to
marry Meredith with all his money |!
But Will and are betrothed, and
and"-a pretty wave Of crimson over
spread the piQuant face-"I do love
him with all my hear'i We are young,
and We caa walt! Iknew that viii
Is bound to succeed-his business is
prospering, and I am certain he can
provide for Q wife! Yet I'd like to be
RICH"
She relapsed into silence, and stood
staring out of the window. with the rain
drops dashing themselves to pieces
agninst the crystal panes, and the
large dark eyes grew thoughtful.
"Yes, I would like 10 be rich /" she
resumed slowly; "only think how nice
it would be to have every wish graft
fed Mr. Meredith is able to grant
every desire of my heart, to give me q
magnificent home, diamOnds-I've
wanted 8 diamond ring ever since
can remember-ine dresses. foreign
travel Oh, dear, why can't VIII have
all these things to offer me? But no,
if marry hiu I will have a neat little
white cottage for home, my wedding
ring will be plain gold band, l shall
never travel outside of New York
State, l suppose, and life will 60 like a
tale that is told.' | shall live as thou
sands Of others do, that same hum
drum, treadmill life that half the
married women live,' and die a: last
and then-tbat's all.
| She turned away with half sob.
She was getting morbid and far oifu /;
broodsd to much over the subject, and
was making herself exceeding un
happy. Not a mercenary girl, dear
reader-.bless your heart, mol but !
think there are few women who would
not have devoted time and thought
alike to the solution OF 80 Important a
problem.
Even as she stood there, turning over
and over the vexed question in hel
mind, the rain ceased, the clouds rolled
away, old Sol peeped out from behind
q misty white veil, umbrellas were
unanimously discarded, pedestrians bs
gan to appear upon the rain shed
streets. and then the door bell rang.
A few moments later Mrs. Leigh
opened the door of her daughter
ichamber. where the girl had been
passing the morning.
"Etta, my DEAR" she began pleasant
ly, "Mr. Meredith Ia In the parlor, ant
he would like to see you
Eta arose from the low rocker II
which she had been sitting, and. woman
like, glanced into the mirror. Their,
was no fault to be found with the
dainty white lawn dress, and the smootl
braids of the nutbrown hair were ire
proachable. She sighed plaintively.
"Mamma," she said desperately
"he Is going to ask me to marry him,
feel convinced oft. Tell me what to do. ,
| Mrs. Leigh tried to force emile t
her own troubled face.
my dear" she said softly,
good men. Mr.. Meredith is rich, how
wishes that is, all that money car
buy. But If you love Will, Eta, you
own heart ought to be the most reliabl,
ljudge in this matter. could not sane
tion a marriage devoid of affection;
only advise you not to be hasty, bu
weigh the question on both sides care
fully, and decide for yourself. Goo
help you and bless you, my child !
And Mrs. Leigh kissed the cir,
: smooth cheek ere she went down.stair
to receive her elderly suitor. For Eft
was correct-Arnold Meredith, VIII
had already asked her fathers permis
sion to address her, had come to WOO i
propria persona.
She entered the parlor an elderl
man, rather portly, with iron gray hal
and beard, arose to greet her. Eta
l 4. nA1I hA
vision of fair, earnest, manly face
with waving golden hair and eyes a
blue az the sky whicL-quite clear Of q
clouds now-smiled down upon he
through the open windows as she quietl
greeted her caller.
Re proceeded at once in business
like way to lay before her the advan
tages of union with himself, an,
urged her eagerly to become his wife
lit was evident that Arnold Meredit
was deeply in love with Eta Leigh. He
dark eyes met his gaze unfiinchingly ly
I, "Mr. Meredith" she said slowly
j +" do not love you-1-"
He checked her impetuously.
81 do not expect you to love me no
lat first" cried the old man hastily
S "I am willing to take you just as yo
). are, Eta, and love will come in timt
Iwill grant your slightest wish. YC
r shall have an income of your own
besides jewels, fine dresses, your ow
carriage-every whim shall be gratifie
a l-Etta, you will have everything II
Except love |" whispered voice
:. her heart.
81 thank you for the honor that 20
: do me, Mr.. Meredith" she faltered
butt cannot accept; for I have n
heart to give, and will never MARI
without love-I-'
>, The old man started to his feet, pa