Holly Oak journal. (Holly Oak, Del.) 1889-1???, 1889-02-01

Every face had the same stereotyped look,
of which he was tired that look half Of dis
content, half of envy, which prevails so in
fashionable society. The fresh, sweet,
innocent face of Ethel, rose up before him
continually.
He remembered how it had fascinated him
in other days. In his memory all through
those long years, had lived a portrait. 1t
was that of young girl dressed in white,
sitting musing. He had surprised her in
that position one day, and he had never
entirely forgotten the picture. 1t was nno-
cence and loveliness enshrined in one.
Often and often it had come up to him in
his student days abroad. 1t was the same
face now, only more matured, and, there
fore, even more beautiful.
Full of this memory, he stepped out into
the garden, for the glare and noise of the
ball began to jar on him. Pacing up and
down the fragrant walks, he saw an open
easement high above him, and fair, sweet
face, and still girlish figure, dimly defined
in the uncertain light. 1t was Ethel, he
knew. But the figure disappeared mme-
diately, and the light was put out.
Clifford was punctual in making his
''party call'' at the Wallingfords. But he
failed to see Ethel. He had asked for the
ladies'" as was proper, but only Mrs. Wall
ingford and her daughters appeared. When
he ventured to inquire 'tif Miss Willoughby
was well, the elderly lady replied, Eyes"
indifferently, and let the subject drop.
Again and again Clifford called, but nearly
always with the same result. If he saw
Ethel at all, it was when he surprised her
practicing in the parlors. These interviews
soon came to be the great objects of his life.
They we're always the result of accident, but
he regarded them as triumphs, and went
away thinking of every word Ethel said,
and how she looked; and on this food he
lived till he saw the sweet girl again. Once
or twice he overlook her in the street. and
attended her home. She was always the
attired with striking simplicity and neatness
in all things the greatest possible contrast to
her dashing, insincere, fashionable cousins.
1t was this difference that won Clifford's
heart.
He was heartily tired Of the shams oi
polite society; of the managing mammas,
and the scheming daughters and the very
frankness and naturalness of Ethel was a
charm that was irresistible.
Ethel little suspected lthe conquest she was
making. She remembered Clifford as the
friend of her childhood she always fell
pleased to see him; nay, in secret, she began
unconsciously, to think of him good deal
but she had no idea that she was falling il
love, or that Clifford was in love with her
Pure, innocent darling There are dozer
Claras or Augustus where there is one Ethel
At last Clifford determined on a con-
d'etat. Convinced that the Wallingford
were deliberately keeping Ethel away from
him, he drove to the house, one morning
quite early, and boldly asked for Mis-
Willoughby.
"Miss Willoughby done took long wall
this morning." said the old black woman
who answered the bell, for it was too sool
for the fine footman to be about. "Sul
never catches her in bed"
"Then ask her to come down, please"
And in one brief moment Ethel came
neat, fresh and smiling, with sparkle il
her brown eyes, and rosebud in her brigh
hair. Clifford held out both hands to wei
come her.
"Sit down, Mr.. Murray, please" sh
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