Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1891-05-09
A REPENTED HEROISM.

1t was not poor Ethers 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. When she was only very
little girl, whose long yellow curls fell
down TO her waist, II was her school
books that Tom carried; il was to her
that he brought his offerings of apples
and sticky tatfy; TO her that he sent all
his Valentines valentines with impossi-
BILE cupids shooting arrows through ma.
genta colored hearts-but Ethel thought
they were perfect. and side by side the
two would spell out the stupid little
verses.
Only low garden wall separated the
two houses. and it was quite natural that
Tom should come over it every day. IL
was little shorter way than around
through the gate, he would say. and
Ethel gazed admiringly at him as he
cleared the wall at a bound. II was lone
some at home for him with only the old
housekeeper and his father, and they did
not take the lively interest which Ethel
did in kites and dead insects. Toms
mother had died in giving birth TO him.
90 he had never known the tender words
and loving touches for which in his child
ish way he had unconsciously hungered.
His father, "A somber. studious man. lost
all his interest in the world in losing the
one woman who understood him and
frightened his home like a sunbeam.
Though he was very fond Of Tom and
KIND To him, in his own quiet way, vet
the child stood little i'm 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 a small income from certain proper
ties he owned. and on that they lived;
the father among his books and studies
and the son growing up as children will.
II is way they have
Efhels mother was widow and
wealthy. Besides being the only daugh-
ter, Ethel was an heiress in her own
right. and would he mistress Of large
fortune as soon as she reached the age
of 22. 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 IS, the unpleasant fact
became evident TO Tom that Mrs. Van
Zandt disliked him, He had not noticed
IL rs child-perhaps the dislike was
passive then-perhaps not there at all;
but IL certainly seemed 10 be there now.
Her bow was frigid, her manner icy; the
dear little drawing room had lost it's
coxiness for him.
And now, unknown to Tom, the worst
had happened. Mrs. Van Zandt had for
bidden Ethel to have anything further TO
do with him. and Ethel had heard the
edict in silence. Accustomed to obey,
her silence was taken for assent; and
Mrs. Van Zandt congratulated herself ON
the management with which she had
settled this little affair. Unpleasant IL was
90 her. as trouble of any kind always was,
but she considered IL duty TO herself
that her daughter should make brilliant
match. AS for the mimportant matter
of her daug ghters sentiments in the case, il
troubled her not bit; and as for Tom
Kendall! Pooh. all childish nonsense"
and up went the aristocratic nose. The
very ribbons in her stylish breakfast cap
bristled with dignity.
And Poor Toni lie could not under
stand, at tirst, why all his invitations
were refused by Ethel. why she was no
longer 'at home To him; no more de-
hghtful little strolls; no more rides
What was the natter There was only
one solution Of the mystery, and that was
one which he did not like 10 discuss even
with himself
One moonlit evening Ethel had gone
down to the garden. and there. leaning
on the little wall. was Tom. She started
back. but lac called her 80 imploringly
for IN another moment she too was lean
ing ON the garden fence.
.;Oh. Tom, Tom" she whispered. IL
must go back--l must"
New, see here. Ethel" he said. half
In command. bali entreaty, "what is the
matter with you. anyhow Lately you
refuse TO see me; you run away II | come
In sight. and now you are unwilling even
20 speak to me. No. shall not let you
20 till you tell me. Out with itl''
And as the dismal story was told Tom
gnawed the ends Of his mustache dill
gently. and then the wretch laughed
actually laughed. She looked at him in
surprise
do not be angry, Ethel" he said.
'0f course, il is rather serious; but dc
you think il will stop my loving your
Why, Ethel. dear. nothing on earth can
do that. ! wish, though, had known
this sooner, although have suspected AZ