Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1892-09-02

Clce Selt.den1al, opposite emotions
were contending for the mastery in
her young heart. The picture of the
dying mother had touched her, but
then, Edwin's attentions were very
delightful. She was surf some of the
girls envied her, and with her ideas 1t
was pleasant to he cnvied.
"Besides," said Aunt Jenny, ed
win has to work hard to make his
way in the world. With proper EN-
c%ourgement, and a reward in pros.
pect, l believe he will turn out one
Of the foremost young men of the
day, while, Il he is disappointed
where he stakes all. I dare not think
of the consequences"
"Jenny, you are very foolish. We
shall not certainly forbid him the
house." said Mrs. Boyd, suppressing
a yawn.
"And I'm sure I don't want to do
him any harm" said Eta, s'but If he
shows me attentions and brings me
presents, what am I to do? refuse
them:"
eyes" said Aunt Jenny uncom-
pToullSlHsly 'Uc uOLeSl.
ssBut l couldn't do that; besides I
like him: he's the oldest friend / have,
and l don't believe he thlnks-of any
thing else but friendship"
81 know better" said Aunt Jenny.
'.Child, 1 love you dearly but rather
than know that you were the means
of causing the ruin of a human soul, l
would follow you to your grave"
"Thcre now, you've set her to cry
ing. I hope you're satisfied! and
company this evening too! I declare,
l wish you would stay at home, Jane.
IL you can't bring up some pleasant
subject of conversation. You know
how sensitive my darling is. Eta.
Eta, don't cry. You will look like .
fright this evening""
But Eta only threw her motto into
a chair, and still weeping, hurried out
of the room.
CHOW, you see," exclaimed Mrs.
Boyd, with a Lragical gesture, 'syou've
spoiled the child's happiness for the
day! You know that the mention of
death is distasteful to her, and you
ought to have some judgment by this
time. For my part / say Edwin shall
come here as he has been coming.
There's nobody I could trust Eta
with with so clear a conscience. Pm
sure if it wasn't for him, the girl
would lead a nuns life, for her father
and l never so out, save when we
absolutely a not help ourselves"
81 have nouhlng more to say"
murmured Aunt Jenny, hclplessly.
81 don t suppose I've done any good;
but I've cleared my skirts, and / do
hope, set Eta thinking. l believe,
if the child were left to her own good
sense"
Now blame me. Don't you sup
pose l know Eta better than you do?
Why, Ed himself wouldn't be such an
idiot as to think of Etta-aman with
scarcely a dollar in the world, and
she brought up in luxury"
"There it Isl" sighed Aunt Jenny.
"Of course, there it is. and Eta
would be crazy to think of it. In
deed, if it wasn't for knowing he is
an old and a safe friend, do you think
he could have the run of the house,:
No, indeed."
II see how it u.s." sighed Aunt
Jenny. "Well, we'll. There's no use
saying anything further on the SUBJ
iect:" and with a sad heart she left
the house.
Eta did think. Eta made several
very heroic resolves. Eta knew in
her heart of hearts that it was time
to think. But, alas, the chains of
habit we're forged-the longing for at
tentions exclusive to herself, for adj
miration. was too insatiable; the
pleasure of being petted and admired,
of causing envy, too deeply ingrained
in the selfish little heart. Month
after month passed, until one year
from the time of Aunt Jenny's warm
ing visit Edwin Holbro0k left the
doors that had bcen.like the entrance
to Paradise to him. a broken-hearted
a never to enter them again.
"Holbrook, is that paper ready
yet?:"
The young man lifted a pair of
blood-shot eyes, and threw back his
disorercd locks as he made q confused
reply i accents that betrayed the ia-
tiucnce that was still upon him.
"Holbrook. you will lose that case.
Dodd won't wait another hour. What
is the matter with you? You used
to be punctuality ITSELF"
The young man smiled, but the
smile was sadder than tears.
''I'm sorry about the paper. I'll
go to work at it. Fact, is, 1
haven't been we'll the last week, and
my head is strangely confused of late.
1t won't take me long, I think"
mo use; Dodd is one of those iron
men who never bend. I'll take the
documents-hc made me promise 1
would Pm sorry, but-but you've
only yourself to blame. I fear" he
added, more kindly, and shaking his
head.
"Pcrhaps." was the brief reply, as
with shaking hand, he turned over
the papers, and handed. him the re-
Quired packet.
sa;oing just as his father did," the
man muttered as he left the office.
s.Stranve how these THINGS RIM in