Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1888-08-16
TO BE CONTINUED.
SAVED BY HER LOVE.

| D1 III III II TIT III liz
Poor Ethel IIildesmerel Her dream o.
life was broken Her old playmate, Percy
Crawford. had returned after many years
absence, and they had danced and rowed
together. and just now she had overheard
his friend, John Slanard, talking to him
as if they were married and upbraiding
him for flirting with her under the circum-
stances
When Ethel crept home sick at heart
after hearing Of Pcrcys deception she felt
as if she never cared to look upon his face
again. but as she grew calmer she re
solved to go TO the garden-part the next
day, where he waste be. if only to let him
know how little she cared for him.
When she saw him again it was to greet
him with careless smile, having nerved
herself beforehand for the meeting. No
one was gayer than she at the party that
night.
At the hour of departure Percy Crau
ford at last found his way to her side.
Il leave tomorrow, Ethel, he said
''Do you intend TO be long away?' she
asked. as carelessly as she could
Il cannot tell, he said bitterly. per
haps it would be better if | never came
back. May | come and say goodbye to
morrow"
81 shall not he at home" she answered
coldly, and added, let it be good bye
now. =
He took her hand slowly and there was
misery written in his eyes.
= - =. !
ent-you are not like what you were"
Oh, if she dared but tell him She knew
all Instead, she raised her brows, and
smiling said:
Pray how would you have me be?
Shall weep?"
Don't Jest, Ethel. | don't think you
would if you only knew how l hate my
self-how miserable | ann
He spoke impulsiyely, but checking
himself hurriedly, said goodnight
pressed her hand fondly, turned and left
her
Some one else saw her in the carriage
Fer laugh was clear and musical as it
drove off, but then she sank back, burst.
ing into a passion of tears.
Thank heaven it is Overt" she sobbed
Il love him so; and | feel his heart is
miner
Slx months later TWO events happened
The wife of Mrs Ilildesmere's married
son died. Mrs Hildesmere, with Ethel
went to keep his house. Springhurst The
other was the news which got whispered
abroad Of Percy Crauford's marriage. II
was said, urged by sentiment. pity, and
mistaken love, he had married one pretty
heartless, selfish far inferior TO him in
station. All had turned to Dead sea fruit
in his mouth, and repentance had swiftly
trodden on the heels Of joy.
Then three years passed Ethel had
been wooed by many in vain. She never,
she said. intended to wed There were
her brothers children, she would be a
mother to them She would not wed with
out love, and she had none.
Then she heard that Percy Crauford's
wife, his clog, his misery, had died of cold
caught at a ball Her heart had beaten
quickly for a space, but meanwhile she
had exclaimed coldly
'What is it to me?"
Yet she seemed expectant Neverthe.
less Percy Crawford made no sign; she
heard that he had gone abroad.
Another year, when, as Ethel sat read
ing under the old beach tree on the
Springhurst lawn, shadow fell across
Crawford standing before her Her eye.
sparkled, his quick breath seemed to
throb upon bis lips his hands were
eagerly extended. At first Ethel had
started, she felt her color come and GO
but in a second she recovered herself and
regarded him steadily.
Ethel, my darling" he murmured,
II am free"
YES. l, know" she answered quietly
but what is that TO me?"
He regarded her in bewildered pain and
surprise; then he had thrown himself by
her side and was pouring out all that past
OF misery and passion. How he had been
struck, fascinated by pretty baby face
and thought it was love- How by a
crafty family he had been made to be-
lieve that the girls heart would break for
him; and, on the impulse of the moment.
he had uttered words that in homer he
could not recall
Ethel heard, and outwardly cold, in.
wardly nervously trembling with her love,
arose, saying:
what is this, repeat to me?o
"What to you, Ethel2' he cried in
despair, rising also All, once you would
not have spoken. have looked thus Once
feel you blessed me with that love for
which now crave"
She turned upon him, calm still, but
her eyes kindled, her lips tremulous with
indignation.
Once. she repeated, Eyes; confess
it. once loved you. And you, you
wooed and sought that love; professed to
return it: you who were married"
1T was no profession he broke in,
ethel | assure you. That afternoon
when we met at the stile | knew for the
first time that it was not friendship, but
love. felt for you, Ethel-knew 1t when
Il was too late-knew that you were all
in all to me-that you only did could
love-"
She raised her hand almost sternly.
Silence" she intruded; your love
was a cruelty, a cowardice, an insult"
lie looked with pi.ious despair upon
her, then cried appealingly.
Forgive-pardonP'
Her lip trembled-she feared her firm
ness.
II forgive" she murmered, that i.
all . Then. turning. left him.
Whose misery was the greater, his or
hers?
Another year and they again met alone
In a lane near Springhurst AS Ethel
looked she uttered a cry Of establishment.
Was this pale, sad-eyed man Percy Crau-
ford, once so blitEe and handsome2
Eyes. he said with a faint smile, "it
IS really |, Ethel. hage cone to say
farewell, !.