Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1885-02-07
HER FATHE - DEBT.
BY ALICE DME.

Everything, EsEcl. L thiBk l must
have been mad, for have speculated
within the past few months, and so
sure was OF success that l risked all
we have in the world aud now the
crash has come, and IL Ia al lost But,
my daughter, that IL not the worst. +
have shameful con fession to make, 1
had money of-Arthur Lisle's In my
hands I--risked that also, and-it Is
gone with the rest -
"Oh, my God -
Ethel Ashton buried her white,
snguished face in her trembling hands,
and a storm Of sobs shook her slender
frame from head 70 foot
Great heavens could this be true I?
Her father-her loved and honored father
Cher only parent, for her mother had
long been dead to be guilty Of such o
sib-a crime True, Arthur Isle was
q rich man. and this loss would not ruin
or even cripple him but--she lifted
her head, and her brown eyes flashed ~
she said brAvely
Mr.. Jisle must be paid, papa |"
John Ashton paced the floor slowly
q grave, hopeless look growing In his
eyes, He shivered little ~ she spoke.
Ethel" he said, slowly. II knew
You would not keep . dollar Of the
money which 10 rightfully my credi-
tors." You are right, my child We
will turn every thing into money, aud /
will pay ~ much ~ l can. But, oh,
my God it will be turning you out In.
to ths cold world u starve."
"No, papa" the girl cried, resolutely,
her pale face lighting up with look OF
Determination. "dod will provide for
us. l shall work for you, dear-and
you will be surprised 70 seu how nicely
We shall get along. First We must
make An auction and dispose Of the
house and furniture-thA plano and
paintings and AstAtuary then the car.
risge and horses must go. Dear little
Brownie l shall miss my morning
canter awfully, but l shall have some
thing elae to. occupy my time then, and
besides working girl has no use for
saddle. horses"
"a working girl Powers above,
Ethel, what do you mean 2"
During the last few hOurs-the brief
space which had ELAPSED since the
bubble fortune had burst, and John
Ashton had learned the meaning Of the
word ruin-hs had grown old and gray
Ethel saw IL with little pang at her
heart. She realized the true state of
affairs, and forbore TO reproaoh her
father. She knew how terribly he had
been tempted, how glittering the golden
bait which had lured him on 70 certain
ruin, involving others who were limo
cent. And q great pity welled up into
the girls lender heart, as she stopped
and kissed the bowed head. No, she
would not censure; she WAS q true
woman-she would help.
Yes, papa, working-girl, she
repeated calmly +" OF course 1 have TO
dolss meihing-to take care CT us both
now You are not able TO attend to
business even II you had employ ment,
ard now, l suppose"
She hesitated. John Aahton arose
slowly TO his feet. He was trem bling
violently. breathing quite hard, and
over his face q strange purple flush wac
rising slowly.
Yes," he interposed, sternly, al
know what You would say, Ethel
hsven't . friend leftl John Ashton
who was ever proud, aud held up my
head with tho highsst-to day l Am
looked upon as criminal for what
did In q moment OF madness I But IL Ia
r.ght-it Ia just-only, a. Heaven hears
me, / meant To wrong no one was
weak, mad, and blind. I-I--oh, Ethel!
l am dying T.
And ~ he spoke, he reeled forward
and fell heavily ct her feet. Tie girl
did not shrek or cry aloud. She had
borne 10 much that day that nothing
would overcome her now.
She rang the bell furiously, and then
STOPPING over the PROSTATE figure upon
the velvet covered floor, she loosened
his cravat and lifted his head, chatting
his hands, and bathing his brow with
water from carafe upon tiny ebony
table near. The servants focked to the
scene a physician was summoned all
that WAS In human power to do WAS
! done, but 1t was done In vain. Ere
another sun had set John Ashton lay,
pAllid and still, his cares all over, his
work all done, his sins 10 be accounted
for. And Ethel.wA ~ alone in the world,
an orphan.
Young, fair 10 nee, friendless. psnni-
less. and bearing upon her slender
theirs sin. A dreadful legacy But
she took 1t all upon herself, humbly
patiently, murmuring not.
When the funeral WAS over, and
John Ashton was buried away out of
sight. Aunt Morrison, her dead moth
er's only sister, loame TO the forewith
offers Of assistance. She would give
Et hel home, away in . distant State,
provided the girl would consent TO as
sune the name of Morrison and forget
the memory of the father who had done
wrong. Ethel Raxed straight into the
cold, Aristocratic face of her only living
relative.
Aunt Morrison" she answered,
bravely, my name Is Ethel Ashton !!
/ could no more consent to assume
yours, lrepudiating my own, than
could consent TO forget the memory and
the tender, loving care of my poor dead
father. No, Aunt Morrison, thank
you for your offer, but l cannot accept
It,"
What in the world are you going to
do?"
Pay my fathers debt" the girl
answered, bravely.
And Aunt Morrison, her mind fully
made up that Ethel was quite insane,
but finding 1t useless and waste of
time to argue with her, finally took
her departure. Ethel, pale, quiet, silent,
went on with the task that she had
elected to do. Everything was sold.
The handsome house, the horses and
carriaRes, the silver, the rare painting g.
and statuary, the grand pianos, her
own jewels and rich dresses-every-
thing but few simple articles with
which she furnished . room In q small
cottage This was to be her home In
future. Mrs. Brown, the owner of the
cottage, consented 10 board her for 3
small sum. She was a kindly, refined
old lady and Ethel WAS grateful to
sscnre home with her.
And NO ali John AshtOn's debts were
honorably settled. with the exception