Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1890-07-18
A REPRINTED HEROISM.

1t was not poor EthcPS fault in the
least. She could not prevent Tom Ken
dali loving her any more than she could
help being the dimplcd, merry little body
that she was. Tom could not have told
you when he began to care for her, be
cause us far back MS he could remember
Ethel had been the rrcttiest girl in the
world to him.
Only low garden wall separated the
two houses, and it WAS quite natural that
Tom should come over il every day. 1t
was IL little shorter way than aroun,,
through the gate, he would say: and
Ethel gazed admiringly ut him as he
cleared the wall at II bound II was lone
some at home for him with only the old
housekceper and his father, and they did
not take the lively interest which Ethel
did i'll kites and dead insects. Toms
mother had died in giving birth to him e;
so he had never known the tender words
and loving touches for which in his CHILD.
ish way he had uncCnsciously hunrcrcd.
His father, sombrc, studious man, lost
all his interest i'll the world in losing the
one woman who understood him and
frightened his home like IL sunbeam.
Though he was very fond of Tom and
kind 20 him, in his own quiet way, vet
the child stood little in awe of him, and
gave his father none of the childish coz.
tidcnccs or merry chatter which might
have reused the silent man.
They were not rich; but Mr.. Kendall
had IL small income from certain proper.
ties he owned and on that they lived; the
foil, L. l.
the son growing up, as children will. 1t
is a way they have.
Ethcls mother was widow and
wealthy. Besides being the only da,rh
ter, Ethel was an hcircss in her own
right, and would he mistress of larye
fortune ms soon us she reached the are of
twenty-five. Mrs. Van Zaadt was fully
alive to the Importance Of her daughters
prospects, but the thought of money
never troubled either Tom or Ethel.
AS they both grew older, however.
Sand Ethel was almost eighteen, the I'm
spleasant fact bccamc evident to Tom inat
,zssrs. Van Zandt dislikcd him. lie had no,
noticed it as Il child; perhaps the dislike
was only passive thcn-pcrhaps not there
atall; but it certainly seemed to be there
now. Her bow was frigid her manner
icy; the dear little drawing-room had
lost lis cozincss for him.
And now, unknown to Tom. the worst
had happened. Mrs. Van Zand; had for
hidden Ethel to have anything further
to ito with him, and Ethel had heard the
edict in silence. Accustomed to obey.
her silence was taken for assent; and
Mrs. Van Iandt congratulated herself on
the management with which she had Sci
tied this little affair.
And poor Toni lie could not under
stand, at first, why all his invitations
were refused by Ethel, why she was no
longer lat 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 moonlit evening Ethel had cone
down to the garden, and there, leaning
on the little wall, was Tom. She started
back, but he called her so imploringly
that she half hesitatcd, and then was
lost; for in another moment she too was
"Oh, Tom, Tom" she whispered, 81
must 20 back-l must"
"Now see here, Ethel" he said, half
III command, half cntreaty, "whnt 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. Mo- shall not let you
go till you tell me. Out with it,"
And as the dismal story was told r'0:a
gnawcd the ends of his mou5:aclc ill.
gently, and then the wretch laa-hc,!-
actually laughed. She looked up a. him
! in surprise.
edo not be angry, Ethel" he sail
"Of course, it is rather serious; but do
4 You think it will stop my loving you
Why, Ethel, dear, nothing on earth can
do that. | wish though had known this
SOONER. although have suspected rs
much from the iirstr / shall Sc: my wits
to work ut once, and we'll sec. Ethel
we'll see. So don't cry. Certainly vol,
must obey your mother MS we'll as yo,
can; bat have not made any promise
to her, nor DO l intend to give YOU M
Wen sce"
ANA Il Rttlc later, rs Ethel went SOFT,
up stairs, she thought to herself how wis,
and brave he was.
The day was glorious the salt breati
OF the sea swept over the yacht; the gull
dipped and rose; the little craft dance.
along-ycs, it was glorious day Tn
gay party on deck were enjoying il to tn
utmost, and the laughter and cha
mingled with the plash OF the white
capped waves.
Ethel leaned against the railing an;
watched the ripplcs gliding by. Ycr
lovely she was looking, in tile sol
creamy folds of her yachting costume
with the bars of gold across it; and tn
white wings in the little sailor hat. Lor
Fcnyll at her side gazed at her in NJ
proval, and considered her an awful
jolly little girl. lie had met her thu
day for the first time, aud had immcd
ately surrendered. All the morning h
had monopolized her, and Mrs. Va
Zandt ut distance was watching IL
performance with great satisfaction.
Already, in her minds eye she sa
herself installed as mothcr-in-law in Lon
Fenyll's magnificent country house; 81
saw herself seated in his beautiful ca