Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1886-09-09


strengthening passion for DR.. Walton
and hourly increasing almost clamor-
ing demands of conscience to be leal
and true to her, absent, unconscious,
trusting lover.
She could not bring herself to an
swer Ernest's tender letter IS it de-
served, as she knew he confidently ex.
pected, and was her wont to do.
So she scribbled note, begging his
forbearance and telling him she was
not we'll, and would write as soon as it
was possible for her to do SO.
1t was just a merest bit of rest TO
her mind when she had done that, and
the sparkle began to come to her eyes,
and Walton saw the returning color on
her cheeks, poor, silly child, for such
a short respite.
It was many evenings after this,
when DR.. Walton had gone to the
Merridens, deliberately deciding that
he would tell Ethel his hopes, his
wishes, and ask her, his own darling
one, to promise to crown his life.
He went rather late. knowing she
would be alone, for he had sent her
note asking her to remain from the
concert rehearsal the Misses Merridens
were sure to attend, and the first he
knew, as the servant admitted him
with rather q white, scared face, was
that his services were needed in the
parlor, for Miss Ethel had tainted.
He found her lying white and deathly
on the lounge, with Mrs. Merriden bath
ing her temple and wrists with ammon-
ia, and young gentleman standing
anxiously, solicitously by, whom he
had never seen,t to whom Mrs. Merriden
hurriedly introduced him.
Doctor Walton, Mr. Ernest Hal
ford. Mr.. Ernest Halford, Doctor
Walton. Oh, doctor, how cold she isl
What can be the matter?'
He sat down beside the PROSTATE
girl, as fair as marble as she lay there,
her dark lashes sweeping her cheeks,
her lips ashen, her form rigid and
tense.
When she came out of the long,
deathly swoon, his eyes were the first
object her own saw, his loving, glad
eyes. loving, lmpassioned face.
my darling! You are better!'
She made little feeble motion with
her hand, which he took, caresslng
it tenderly between his own as he
spoke to her gently.
What made you faint, my dear
child? Were you frightened, or sur
prised unduly2 Do you know of any
cause, dear?"
Mrs. Merriden looked fdgety.
Doctor, I think it must have been
the surprise of seeing Mr.. Ernest Hal
ford coming in so unexpectedly. He
is her engaged husband, you know
DR.. Walton suddenly dropped the
white, limp hand and stood up, con-
fronting the pallid-faced man, who
had heard his betrothed wife called
darling by this handsome, gentle
manly man.
do I understand, sir, Miss Dorring-
ton is engaged to your
Earnest saw it all at glance. He
read Alright the mute, proud suffering
on DR.. Walton's white face, and he
knew that if Dr. Walton loved Ethel
Dorrington, she loved Dr. Walton.
His voice trembled, despite his grand
efforts to speak bravely.
she is, DR.. Walton. My coming to
take her home, the surprise I intended
should be as delightful as the meeting
was to have been to me, has ended as
you see"
1t was tableau worthy of the rep
of the ablest painter. The
two men face to face with their sad
secret.
The girl, pity her, pity her, sister,
for she was less wicked than weak, ly-
ing like a blighted lily before them.
Old Mrs. Merriden the picture of
stern astonishment and modification,
and womanly pity.
Ethel suddenly struggled up from
the couch, white to the very lips, and
reached out her hands to DR.. Walton.
Don't look so at me! I could't help
loving you'll l do love you, I do! Oh,
Ernest and she turned passlonately |
towards him, Ernest. won't you for
give me, won't you release me?'
A smile, like late burst of wintry
sunshine at sunset, was on his face.
'Oh, yes. will forgive you. 1t is
so easy to forgive such wrong as you
have done me. Release you that you
may go free to your latest lover? Ger
tainly.'
The quiet, suppressed passion in his
tones made Mrs. Merriden shiver; and
Ethel sprang at him, taking his hands
Ernest, you look as if you could
murder me. You are not forgiving
mel
You have done more than murder
me, heaven knows it! But I release
you. / will forgive you. Goodbye,
All.'
He went out so matter f-factly |
that, in view of the circumstances,
NJ. Eo..:lax x,vouk a etor b;po ,l,,o oet /