Weston weekly leader. [volume] (Weston, Umatilla County, Or.) 1878-189?, 1885-07-03
ETA LE1Gas Lovers.

L
She stood at The window. gazing out
upon the fast falling rain, and the
dreary, half-deserted street. Sweet Et-
| ia Leigh, petite. brown-eyed and brown
haired, not . beauty, but avery Iowa
BILE little creature. just now there was
perplexed frown Hpen her white brow
and in ner soft dark eyes . look of AJAX
iety and indecision.
'tOh, dear!' she exclaimed aloud, half
petulantly, 81 do wish | knew how to
decide. It is momentous question for
young girl to answer for herself; yet
mamma refuses to influence me by her
opinion, and papa!-oh, l know his
wishes upon the subject. It's just like
scene in play or a novel. The hero
inc of the stery that's myself receives
an offer of marriage from a wealthy old
man; she does not care copper fer hfr
ancient lover, rather dislikes him, in
fact; but her father--.there is always a
cruel parent in the play or the novel
is determined upon her acceptance, and
and just will not doit--- that's all!''
And she brought her little foot down
upon the carpet with perhaps little
more emphasis than was necessary, and
went on with her soiilequy:
"If had never seen Will Raymond
still do not believe I could decide to
marry old Meridith with all his money!
But Will and are betrothed, and / do
love him with all my heart. We are
young and we can wait. / know that
Will is bound to succeed-his business
is prosperiBg. and l am certain he can
provide for wife. Yet I'd like to be
rich"
| She relapsed into silence and stood
staring ont Of the window, with the
rain drops dashing themselves to pieces
against the crystal panes, and the large,
dark eyes grew thoughtful.
eyes, l would like to be rich," she
resumed slowly; "only think how nice
it would be to have every wish graft
fed! Mr.. Meridith is able to grant ev-
cry desire of my heart, to give me
magnificent home, diamonds-I've want
ed diamond ring ever since can re.
member-fne dresses, foreign travel!
Oh, dear! Why can't Will have all these
things to offer me? But no, if ! marry
him / will have a neat little white cot
tage for home, my wedding ring will
! be plain gold band. shall never trav-
ell outside New York State, l suppose,
and life will go ON 'iike a tale that is
| told 1 shall live as thousands Of eth
ers do. that same humdrum, treadmin
| life that halt the married womea live,
and die at last-and then--that's sll!''
| She turned away with a half sob. She
was getting morbid and fanciful; brood-
ed too ,.sa,ch oyer the subject, and was
making herself exceedingly unhappy. !.
Not a mercenary girl, dear reader-bless
your heart, No! but | think there are
| few women who would not have devet.
ed time and thought alike to to the So
luton Of SO important a problem.
Even as she stood there, turning over
and over the vexed question ip her
mind, the rain ceased, the clouds rolled
away, old Sol peeped out from behind a
misty white veil, pedestrians began to
peur upon the raln-washed streets, and
then the deor-bcll rang.
A few moments later Mrs. Leigh open.
ed the door of her daughters chamber,
where the girl had been passing the
moraing.
''Etta, my DEAR she legan pleasant
ly, "Mr. Merldith is in the parlor and
would like to see you.''
Eta arose from the low rocker in
which she had been sitting, and, wo-
man.like, glanced into the mirror. Nc
fault was to be found with the dainty
white lawn dress, and the smooth braids
of nut, brown hair were irreproachable.
She sighed plaintively.
'Mamma," she said desperately, she
is going to ask me to marry him, feel
convined Of it.. Tell me what to do"
| Mrs. Leigh tried to force smile to
her own troubled face.
"My DEAR" she said. 81 canrot. Both
these men are COED men. MIR. Meridith
is rich, however. and can grant you all
your wishes-that is, all that money
can buy. But if you love Will, Eta,
your ewn heart ought to be the most re-
liable judge in this matter. could moi
sanction a marriage devoid OF affection
only advise you not to be hasty, bu'
weigh the question on botn sides care
fully and decide for yourself. God helE
you and aless you, my child!''
And Mrs. Leigh kissed the girl.
, smooth cheek ere she went down stair:
I to receive her elderly suitor. For Eta
! was correct-AYnold Merid'th, who hae
already asked her fathers permission t.
8 address her, had ceme to WOO in propri
persona.
| She entered the parlor; an elderl,
r man, rather portly, with iron.gray hal
/. and beard, arose to greet her. Eta
heart grew cold as she conjured up
!, vision of a fair, earnest, manly face
t with waving golden hair and eyes a
. blue as the sky which smiled down uE
: on her through the open windows as sh
d quietly greeted her caller.
a He proceeded at once in busines.
g like way to lay before her the advar
0 tages Of union with himself, and urge
e her e:gerly to become his wife. 1t wa
e evident that Arnold Meridith was deel
l. l., II, iaw. with FIT, Ieioh Her dar