The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-07-16
A REPENTED HEROlSM.

1t was not poor Ethel's fault, in the
least. She could not prevent Tom Ken
dali loving her any more than she could
help being the dimpled, merry little body
that she was. Tom could not have told
you when he began to care for her, be
cause as far back as he could remember
Ethel had been the prettiest girl in the
world to him.
Only a low garden wall separated the
two houses, and it was quite natural that
Tom should come over it every day. lc
was little shorter way than around by
the gate. he would say and Ethel gazed
admirinsly at him as he cleared the wall
alta bound. 1t was lonesome at home for
him with only the old houseke"per and
his father, and they did not take the in
terest which Ethel did in kites and dead
insects.
Toms mother had died in giving birth
TO him so he had never known the ten
der words and loving touches for which,
in his childish way, he had unconscious
ly hungered. His father, soInbre, stu
dious man, lost ali his interest in the
world in losing the one woman who un-
derstood him and frightened his home
like a sunbeam. Though be was very
fond of Tom, and kind to him, in his own
quiet way, yet the child stood a little in
awe Of him and gave his father none Of
the childish condolences or merry chatter
which might have reused the silent
man.
They were not rich but Mr.. Kendall
had small income from certain proper
ties he owned, on which they lived the
father among his books and studies, and
the son growing up, as children will 1t
is a way they have.
Ethel's mother was widow, and very
wealthy. Besides being the only daugh-
ter. Ethel was an heiress in her own right
and would be mistress ofa large fortune
as soon as she reached the sge of twenty
two. Mrs. Van Zandt was fully alive to
the importance of her daughters pros
poets, but the thought of money never
troubled either Tom or Ethel.
As they both grew older, however, and
Ethel was almost eighteen, the unpleas-
ant fact became evident to Tom that
Mrs. Van Zandt disliked him. He had
not noticed it as q child perhaps the dis
| like was only passive then-perhaps not
there at all but it certainly seemed to
be there now. Her bow was frigid, her
manner icy the dear little drawingroom
had lost its coziness for him.
And now, unknown TO Tom, the worst
had happened. Mrs. Van Zandt had for
hidden Ethel to have anything further
to do with him, and Ethel had heard the
edict in silence. Accustomed to obey,
her silence was taken foi assent and
Mrs. Nan Zandt congratulated herself on
the management with which she had
settled the little affair.
And poor Tom he could not under
ftand. at first, why all his invitations
were refused by Ethel why she was no
longer 81 at home to him +; no more de-
lightful little strolls; no more rides.
What was the matter? There was only
one solution of the mystery, and that was
one which he did not like to discuss even
with himself
One moonlight evening Ethel had gone
down to the garden, and there, leaning
on the little wall, was Tom. She started
back, but he called to her so imploringly
that she half hesitated. and ther was
lost for in another moment she, too,
was leaning on the garden fence.
"Oh, Tom, Tom" she whispered,
must go back must !"
Now see here, Ethel" he said, half in
command, half entreaty, what IS the
matter with you, anyhow =? Lately you
refuse to see me; you run away if come
in sight, and now you are unwilling even
to speak to me. No-I shall not let you
60 till you tell me- Out lth u
And as the dismal story was told Tom
onawed the ends of his mustache dill
gently. and then the wretch laughed-ac-
tuallv laughed. She looked up at him in
surprise.
"Do not be angry, Ethel" he said. "Oi
course it is rather serious; but do you
think it will stop my loving you Why
Ethel, dear, nothing on earth can dc
that. l wish, though, had known thi'
sooner, although 1 have suspected as
much from the first. ] shall set my witt
to work at once, Ethel, and we'll see. SC
don't cry certainly you must obey YOU
mother as well.as you can but have
not made any promise to her, nor do
intend to give you up. Wen see /"
And little later, as Ethel went softl,
up stairs, she thought to herself how wis'
and brave he was.
The day was glorious; the salt breatl
ofthe sea swept over the yacht; the gull
dipped and rose; the little craft dancet
along yes, it was glorious day. TIT
CAV party on deck was enjoying it to th'
utmost, and the laughter and chat min
vled with the plash of the white-cappe'
waves.