Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-09-12

stream to the stroke of glittering oar an,
I the song of angels! Not one sigh in thu
wind; not one tear mingling with tn,
waters.
| "There shall bathe my weary soul
In seas of heavenly rest,
And not wave of trouble roll
Across my peaceful breast"
|
A MAIDEN'S RUSE;
OR,
| HOW A WARD BECAME HER GUARDIANS
| WIFE.
'1 am getting homesick for Oxford Hall,
said Col. Oxford, looking out of the hote
parlor on the city street. .sThe lawn ant
the garden must be lovely now, and Ethe
is there, too, with her TAM gled hair and biz
black eyes. She must be quite a lady BY
this time. Mary, how old it makes me fee
when / think it was nine years ago. 1 pack
ed her off to boarding school. Yes, I mus
run down and see what my little ward lock-
like, but not before have laid my fate a
Esther Towards feet, my beautiful queen
Esther will be good to the little orphan,
know, have resolved to ask her to be the
lady of Oxford Hall.
From these remarks it may be inferred
that CARL Oxford was in love. Yes, des
had found an object in life at last.
Miss Howard was idliDg over some EN-
broidery work in Mrs. D'Orsay's parlors
that beautiful summer morning, stopping 8
few minutes to look out of the window as i
she half expected some one.
"DreamIng again, Essie ?'' laughed Mrs.
D'Orsay. "1'm afraid can guess the reas-
on, my dear"
The girl coiorei. 81 was wondering if''-
"Col. Oxford would call. No need to
speculate further, for there is his familiar
ring now. Certainly you cannot complain
for want of attention." and she slipped
away laughingly as the Colonel entered.
'tHe has proposal in his eye," said
Mrs. D'Orsay to herself. 81 wonder what
Essie will say to hima'
Miss Essie did not say no.
"Then you will let me take you back to
the old Hall with me, dearest Essle," CARL
said, tenderly prisoning the soft little
hand in his. s1t is nine years since ha We
crossed its threshold now. And"-
He paused abruptly, remarking that he
had not told Essie of his ward.
'My ward is there now-little Ethel Lyt-
tleton, just returned from Nine. de la
Vanier's b; arding school. You will love
her too, Essiea''
There was a slight shadow on Essie How
ards brow that felt like ice across Caril's
heart, as she withdrew her hand.
'Is your ward to reside with you ?'
''Most certainly, Essie, l pledged my
word to her father on his dying bed."
81 do not approve of any such arrange
ment as that. Cannot you send her away p
''Send her away? Ahomeless orphan 2"
'She might teach school or 90 as gov
erness, or even take the situation as COM
panion."
CARL Oxford bit his lips until the blood
started.
''Essie, this is subject on which my
resolution cannot be altered, even by your
wish. Ethel Lyttleton is a sacred bequest
to me-her happiness and interests are my
life's study. While 1 have home Ethel
must share it: while my arm can ward off
life's storms she shall never feel their Bit
terness. Essie, will you take her to your
heart also ?''
But Essie's beautiful lips were compress
ed like carved coral.
You must choose between me and this
Miss Lyttleton. take no divided allegi-
ance."
''Then it is made. Essie, love you more
than my faltering tongue can tell, but
cannot forget my duty as a christian-my
honor as gentleman. Essie, once more ]
plead my cause-this time on bended knee.
Will you not relent ?"
81 have told you that your choice lay be-
tween me and your ward"
"Then, farewell"
He spoke the words in strange, sJiflsd
voice, as though the syllables choked him
bowed over her hand ard went out, re-
jected man.
"Well," mused Col. Oxford, as he care
lessly threw cologne bottles, dressing cases,
rare European engravings and patent leath-
er boots into one conglomerate mess
into his trunk, ''that dream is over !
The waking was rather rough, but I sup
pose it is Just as well. MY beautiful Es-
sic Oh, my lost love %
For a moment he bowed his head on his
two hands with all the stifled anguish of
strong mans grief, and then went on with
his occupation. He smiled bitterly as he
took up velvet case containing set of red
sparkling garnets that he had purchased in
Paris for his ward.
FShe will be glad to have them, dear lit
tie Ethel Perhaps some day, when the
first bitterness of this grief is over, she
may become like dear and cherished
daughter, At all events, have not swerv-
ed from the promise I made to Mark Lyt-
tletol on his death h-bed."
The next evenings sunset was purpling
all the horizon when CARL Oxford walked
up the broad graveled sweep Of the lawn,
and the perfumed honeysuckle trails hung
perfectly motionless on the balmy air.
Home again but oh, what heavy heart
Mrs. Tudor, the old housekeeper, came
forward, courtesying, in stiff, black silk
dress and gold spectacles.
"Welcome home once more, Mr.. Carl.
Miss Lyttleton has only been here few
hours.
"Only just arrived?"
"That's all, sir. She is in the rose gar
den, Mr.. Carll."
"I may as well go and speak to her at
once, and have it over wilh," thought Or
ford, as he tnrned abruptly around, dust
and travel soil to the CONTRARY notwith.
standing. For what was Ethel but child?
As he lost himself among the crimson
wildernesses of the delicious June roses a
slender figure, all in white, glidcd out from
the fragrant thickets-a figure with heavy
blue black curls and deep sultana eyes.
"Essie Howardp'
''No, dearest guardian; Ethel Lyttleton!
You were true to me-true as a knight of
old-and have come to you, bearing my
heart in my hand. Will you take it now,
Carll?''
s.Essie, am dreaming9'
''Ethel, if you please, sir! No, you are
not dreaming. But was very lonely, and
my heart was filled with doubts and fears,
and wanted to see what you were like,
and SOL behaved like the heroines in nov
els, and played an incognita part. I could
not endure the idea that you would sacrifice
me to other hopes and loves and plans!
Dearest CARL, Essie Howard is quite will
ing that you should love poor Ethel Lyttle-
ton just little!'
And CARL Oxford, standing there among
the roses, with his dark-eyed love clasped
close to his strong, true heart felt hat
earth had no more of happiness to give
him.
~ZE9 Warmers Loo Cabin rem