Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1888-08-21
EsHELS sRUREr.
BY GUINEvERH.
where are going, Ethelg"

Wreathed nat.
She paused at the door to look al
her questlOner, and then answered,
.carelessly:
''Out for stroll, Helen, before il
grows dark. / shall be lack soon."
Helen looked after her with serioua
gaze.
Something has come over Ethel
she said to the gray haired man who
sat near her. Have you not noticed
how strangely she has acted for the
last three or four days, fatherP"
Mr.. Holley looked troubled.
II don't know what can all the
child, Helen. YCI don't think she's
illf"
"No," said Helen, with faint
smile, sit is not that, she seems to be
troubled in mind"
Then what is the matter2"
She hesltated before replying; she
knew how dearly her father loved Der
young sister, and felt !oath to rouse
anxiety.
"Come Helen, out with 1t If you
know anything" said Mr.. Holley,
and at that moment his wife came in,
'Helen has something TO tell us
about our Ethel" he said. "Have
you thought the child was in any
trouble2"
81 have thought she was unlike
herself" answered Mrs. Holley. 80
quiet and thoughtful she has BEEN"
Ethel Holley had always been like a
sunbeam in the house, a gay, witch
ing creature with song or laughter
upon her lips, and a vivacious, restless
little way that reminded one of the
motions Of the humming- bird. 1t was
not strange that her parents anxiety
should be aroused by her conduct OF
the past three days; she was so fitful
in moods, sober and preoccupied. Her
manner had become more like Helen's,
whose nature had undergone q change
on the day che received news Of her
husband death at sea. She read the
details of the accident without shed.
ding tear, then " ent to her room and
locked herself in; all day and night abe
remained there, and in the morning a
white faced woman emerged for whom
joy and gladness were ended.
She never rallied from the shock,
but seemed to fade daily; yet, three
years had passed and Helen Elton
still lived and bore her burden of
grief.
Now was their younger darling TO
pass under the shadow of care.
'Sp ak, Helen" said hr. Holley,
and there was a momentary silence.
"Ethel is not ill.," said the quiet
tones Of the young girl; "but l fear
she Is deceiying US; she has a secret
she is hiding from Us. Last night at
this time she stole away, and when
she returned was sitting at one of the
upper windows. l saw her come
across the meadow, father, and she
was not alone; a mans figure passed
into the willow strip, and yet, when
Ethel came in and / said to her: Did
not see some one crossing the meadow
with you" she replied that my vision
deceived me; ii must have been her
own shadow. To day one of the farm
boys came here aud Ethel took a note
from him, concealing it till she had
chance to read 1t unobserved, then she
goes away again tonight"
Ethel deceiVing usl could not
believe itn' muttered Mr.. Holley.
Poor Mrs. ldolley ives ready to break
into weeping.
"Oh, Helen, this is terrible; our lit
lie, innocent girl. Can it be that she
steals from her home to meet some
stranger who has insinuated himself
INTO her graces. Why, she is but
child"
'Old enough to be flattered by at
ention," said Helen, sadly, "Un
loubtedly this man, whoever he is,
has won her tancy-he is her lover"
HE is no honest man." said Mr..
.Iolley, tiercely. "Let him do his WOO.
ng in the light of day, let him meet
Ter parents face to face. l will see him
md call him 10 account"
He started to his feet, but at that in-
tant there was a light football without
nd Ethel came in.
The shadows had gathered, so she
lid not see the look upon those three
aces that turned toward her.
why are the lights not brought |
mr. she asked. at is so gloomy herel
'tay, will get them"
The moment the room was iIlumi, |
ed she saw that something was wrong. |
With what serious, Teproachiul eyes
hey gazed upon herl
She flushed, dropped her eyes, and
ank into the nearest chair.
Ethel, what does this all mean9"
aid her father, sternly yet sadly.
What is the secret you have tried to
eep from us?" My daughter, have
on been deceiving us?"
''Ob. fatherl"
1--WE must know the truth. Who is
lis man you have been meetingP"
I'll Oh, do not look at me like
latl Father-mother-I have done
o wrong"
mo wrong, when you have tried to
eccive us, Ethel when you have left
our home TO meet a man who does
Of show his face, who"
Stop, father; you are mistaken;
Ill tell you all; but you must not &C
Use me of such things; l do not de-
rive it. l have deceived you, but ii
as harmless deception. The man
went to see is"
She stopped as heavy footstep
'unded, and then knock upon the
tier door.
"Wait, Waitl" she cried. as her
Their started toward the door. at is
'-oh, Helen, compose yourself; 1t is
sea has given up it deadl"
With shrek Helen started up as a
II figure crossed the threshold; he
rang towards her as she fell, and
i've and well, with his faintinp wife |