St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-03-17
DECEIVERS EVER;
Or, A Game of Cross Purposes.

had overheard his friend John Stanard
talking to him as if he were married,
and upbraiding him for flirting with her
under the circumstances.
When Ethel crept home sick at heart
after hearing of Percy's deception, she
felt as if she never cared to look upon
his face again; but as she grew calmer
she resolved to go to the garden party
the next day. where he was to be, if
only to let him know how little she
cared for him.
When she saw him again it was to
greet him with a careless smile, having
Derved himself 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 said, as carelessly as she could.
Il cannot tell" he said bitterly.
"Perhaps it would be better if l never
came back. May come and say good
bye Tomorrow"
Il shall not be at home," she added,
coldly; "let it be goodbye now"
he took her hand slowly, and there
was misery written in his eyes.
WHAT is it, Ethel? You are differ
ent-you are not like what you We're"
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 weepY
Don't jest. Ethel. 1 don't think you
would if yon only knew how hate my
self-how miserable | amp
He spoke impulslvely.. but. checking
pressed her hand fondly, turned and
left her.
Some one else saw her to the car
riage. Her laugh was clear and musical
as it drove off, but then she sank back,
bursting into passion of tears.
THANK heaven 1t is over" she sobbed.
81 love him, love him so; and feel his
heart is miner'
Six months later two events hap
pened. The wife of Mrs. Hildesmere's
married sou died, and Mrs. Hildesmere.
with Ethel. went to keep his house,
Springhurst. The other was the news,
which got whispered abroad, of Percy
Crauford's marriage. 1t 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 III his
mouth. and repentance had swiftly
trodden OH the heels of Joy.
Then three years passed. Ethel had
been Wooed and wo0ed by many in vain.
She never, she said, intended to wed.
There were her brothers children, she
would not wed without love. and she
had none.
Then she heard vaguely that Percy
CraufOrd's wife, his clog, his misery,
had died of cold caught at ball. Her
heart had beaten quickly for a space,
but meanwhile she had exclaimed,
coldly.
What is it to me?"
Yet she seemed eXpectant. Never
theless Percy Crawford made no sign;
she heard he had gone abroad.
Another year, when. as Ethel sat read
ing under the old, beech tree on the
Springhurst lawn. a shadow fell across
her book; looking up, she beheld Percy
Crawford standing before her. His
eyes sparkled, his quick breath seemed
to throb upon his 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
aud regarded him steadily.
Ethel. my darling" he murmured,
81 am free"
Yes. know" she answered quietly.
"But what is that to me?"
He regarded her in bewildered pain
and surprise: then he had thrown MIN
self by her side and was pouring out all
that past of misery and passion. How
he had been struck, fascinated by a
pretty baby face and thought it Lowell
How by crafty family he had been
made to believe that love so returned
that the girls heart would break for
him: and, on the impulse OF the mo-
ment, he had uttered words that in
honor he could not recall.
Ethel heard; and, outward.y cold, in
wardly nervously trembling with her
love, arose, saying:
.'What is this, repeat, to me9"
"What to YOU. Ethel" he cried in
despair, rising also. "Ah, once you
would not have spoken, have looked
thus! Once you were kinder! Once, L
feel, you blessed me with that love for
which now crave"
She turned upon him, calm. still, but
her eyes kindled. her lips tremuious
with indignation.
''Once," she repeated, "yes, confess
it. | once loved you. And you, you
wooed and sought that love, protesting
to return it: you. who were married..
at 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 it
when too late-knew that you were all
in all to me-that you only did, l
could love-"
She raised her hand almost sternly.
..Silence,' she interrupted; ''your
love was a cruelty, a cOWardice, an in
suit"
He looked with piteous despair upon
her. then cried appealingly:
'sForgive-pardOn!
Her lip trembled-she feared her firm
ness.
81 forgive" she murmured, 'that is
ALL" Then. turning. she left him.
Whose misery was the greater, his or
hers?
Another year and they again met
alone in lane near SpringhUrst. AS
Ethel looked she uttered a cry of aston
ishment. Was this pale, aged, sad-eyed
man Percy Crawford, once so blithe, 80
handsome?
YES he said, with faint smile, lit
is really |: Ethel. l have come to say
farewell"
"You-you are ill.," she calculated, in
concern.
Very. The doctors say | must 60
abroad. I am going, but it's of no use.
Climate cannot cure remOrse. Ethel,
you have been avenged"
''Percy-oh! l did not think of this!"
she cried. Il did not mean it. You
will recover"
He looked at her awhile, then said:
'.Ethel, three words would give me
hope-say-ca you-'for my sake?
A moment, then she spoke:
"Percy-my loVe-recover-for my
sakep
His arms were round her-she was
nesting to his breast.