Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1885-01-16

an ugly kick on the shoulder yesterday
and Pm not over the efelt of it yet"
Etheps face expressed volumes OF
sympathy, but she could not trust her
self to speak.
"And you never mentioned it betorev
exclaimed Mrs. Vernon. "Too bad! /
shall persuade Dick to sell .t-such a
vicious creature it has grown to be-"
The summer passed pleasantly and
quietly. Elliot was constant in his visits
to the rocks, sometimes in company
with Ethe! and his sister, but latterly K
be found with the former alone. Fol
Mrs. Vernon discovering that household
uatters-which had never caused much
anxiety before-were going ON the best
they might under the sole direction O.
IN incompetent servant, took number.
less opportunities of Remaining at home
thus throwing her two visitors constant
ly together. ro
But there was no change in his man.
ner. If Ethel hoped that he was DESTROYS
Of returning to his former atate of hope
less love for her, he certainly gave he1
no reason to to indulge in such expecta
tons. lie was a pleasant. agreeable
even at times vivacious companion, bu
far from degenerating into this lover.
Her pride was sorely wounded and
there were occasions when some fittisb
remark showed it more plainly than she
was aware.
She even tried the ballroom ruse OF
fixing the day other departure, and tell,
ing him OF it only the morning before
They were standing on the terrace, be
about to pay the first visit he had male
in several weeks to the refractory colt.
80 indeed! Nell will be so disap
pointed, for she thought you might be
induced to remain till October" was his
cool rejoinder. Not one word of his dis
appointment!
5: Ethel, thoroughly annoyed by his
apparent Indifference, hastily made all
preparations for her departure OH tho
morrow. That afternoon was devoted
to few calls on friends who lived milo
or two above them on the beach. She
die not return till dinner, and then
walked straight in:u the dining-room,
arrayed in her calh, costume.
Vernon, unusually - punctual at meal
time, was MT in his . ACE, Mrs. Vernon'a
chair wa. !so vacant
"WeE, said Ethel to herself, ''thev
have often blamed me for keeping them
waiting. / shall not be so foolish as to
let them keep me-"
Ringing the bell, she asked for some
soup, and was answered by q stony
stare OF surprise from the servant. ':Ia
there any particular reason why should
not enjoy my dinner now?" asked Ethel
condescending to try the effect of a sar:
castle tone uponthe big, bonv Irish girl.
'Yis, to be sure flyer appetite's good
whin there's death in the house"
Death? How Ethel started at that world
Poor Dick certainly. Nell always said Jer,
ry would be the death Of him. Eat? OF
course not, when her friend was in such
trouble.
Hastily rising, she made her wav tc
the library and was met at t door by
Mrs. Vernon, coming out.
20 Nell, what is the matter? Is he
is he-oh, poor Dick! I'm 80 sorry /
went out this afternoon"
"Dick?" interrupted Mrs. Vernon in
an agggrieved tone. well, it isn't Dick
its Elliot Shoulder broken or smashed
OR something bv that miserable beast,
and--and | don't know how much be-
sides. Dicks gone for the Doctor and
I'm for poultice," and she swept past,
leaving Ethel standing bewildered, with
her hand on the knob Of the door.
Should she 90 in?
What would he think if she did not
hasten to offer her friendly sympathy?
A burning flush arose to her face as
this last question forced itself upon her,
and she half turned awav. Then came
a sudden, overpOWering emotion. pain.
full, yet master'ul. Tears Of loving SYM
pathy sprang to her eyes. and once more
she laid her hand upon the door.
For the second time she felt her cour-
age rapidly oozlng away. and she proba-
bly, would have yielded to her first fear
had not faint moan from within de-
cided her. He was sufering-yes, she
would go.
Slowly the door rolled back. Finally
a small figure stole almost steaIthi]y
across the now darkened room, over to
the lounge near the window.
One hand shaded his face, the other,
crushed and broken. was wrapped in
soft, silk handkerchief,
Back 80 soon, Nell?" he asked, with.
out raising his hand from his eyes. A
little trembling hand touched his fever.
ish forehead, and voice-Oh, so 3weei
and gentle, announced:
''NeE has not returned yet. III came
TOTO tell you-to say how sorry feel
You are injured so-and-and-"
you are very kind" he answered,
feebly, "hut there is not 50 much the
matter. How did you know? Did Neil
tell you?"
She did not reply.
Elliot turned his head--so near, &C
very near to hers-and saw a tear falling
on her fair, flushed cheek Raising
himself as best he could, be stretched
out his arm and drew her silently to his
breast.
80, Ethel--oh, my darling, did you
come freely-wiilingIy, or was it sympa.
thy such as onlv an ordinary friend
might offer? Tell me-"
81 came" tbs clear voice faltered
but for her own peace of mind the con-
fession must comet came because
Il could not stay away from you"
"But you will leave me tomorrow"
he could not help asking, enjoying ir
his turn the sweetness of d triumph.
Down went Ethel on her knees be.
side the lounge. Humbly, repentantlv,
her fearful eyes looking into his.
"Oh, Elliot, must stay with you"
"For how long, dear?"
Forever. Blade.
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