The Dickinson press., 1895-12-28
NEW YEARS EVE.
The Pickering light of the fire kissed
By Lulu NJ. counselman.

80 . SAAS AN ~AeoSu
lovingly the pale, young face and lin
gered upon her silken gown as If
10th to leave so fair a companion. The
low couch upon which Ethel Clayton
reclined and the frail figure it held de-
noted the invalid, as did the tender
looks Of her father, who nov and then
glanced up from his book anxiously.
In health his only child had been
dear to him, but now she vas far
nearer ana dearer to his heart. He
had once entertained the wish that she
might make a grand match, for she
possessed both wealth and beauty. but
it was long ago cast aside and he
never approached the subject Of mar
rage since the dreadful New Years
eve two years ago.
Thoughts Of the past chased each
other through the young girls mind,
and the look Of expectation on her
face showed she was watching and
waiting for some one this New Years
eve. The snowfiakes fell gently and
the bells had begun to peal the old
year out and the new year in; still the
girl dreamed on.
Two years ago this night she had
been a happy. laughing sweetheart, Sc
cure In the love of honest John Wess
brook. a clerk in her fathers employ.
The handsome fellow had asked her to
be his wife and with his dark eyes
looking into hers she had answered
EYES," They waited until New Years
eve before they told her father and the
young man pleaded hard, but in vain.
George Clayton was a proud man and
he was very angry with them.
II know I am poor, Mr. Clayton, but
I will work hard for Ethel. You have
always trusted and seemed to like me.
u 1t because I am poor that you re-
fuse to give your child to me? l will
work 20 hard for her"
Work." cried the father. "You
come into my house like a thief and
steal my greatest treasure, my child'a
love and then tell me you will work.
Well, be it So; work, but you must
dnd some other object to work for.
She shall wed no poor scamp like you,
dependent upon me for your daily
bread. No, my girl will marry one
who car offer her more than you evel
will possess. Now 60 before I say
more"
"Father, you are cruel to John. ]
know you are disappointed, but do not
refuse us. This is New Years eve
when every one is happy, and you car
make US SO happy if you only will
When my dead mother married you &c
long ago she did not do 1t because you
were rich, for you, I know, were very
poor then. She married because she
loved you and died loving you. JUS
90 I love John, and il you refuse
shall die loving him. Do not part w
father"
John Westbrook's love is no sucl
love az I bore your mother, child" blu,
there were tears In the old mans eye
~ he turned away.
"Prove me, sir; I will be willing t.
stand any test" At the sound Of tn,
young fellows voice George Clayton'l
face hardened again, and the old dis
appointment came into his heart.
"Wen. l will give you a chance. Johl
Westbrook. This is New Years eve
Two years from tonight IL you cal
come to me ana say, George Clayton
I can give to your daughter as good
home as / take her FROM you ma!
have my child. Until then I say no
A low sob was his only reply, blu
John Westbrook overcame his emotion
and answered like q man.
"Two years from tonight I will b.
here again. I, am young and I know
IL you had said ten instead of tw,
years Ethel would be true to me, an,
that g something to work day an,
night for. l have a command that 20,
must say yes to. l want to find he
when / return as / see her now; fail
winsome and bright, in perfect healt,
and beauty. II I 60 not you will b
responsible for the change. On Ne,
Years eve at this hour I shall be herr
G0od-by. sweetheart, good-by." II
bowed his head and left the room. Gu
into the falling snow he went and th
bells were pealing the old year on
and the new n In.
Inside the Clayton mansion all wa
hnshed and quiet. The only daughte
was at deaths door and the new yea
came in with sorrow and dread. Their
b lay for many weeks with her blu
eyes closed and her fair head tossin
In delirium. Remorse came to th
fathers heart and he tried to I'm
John Westbrook, but in vain. His LEI
tiers were returned unopened. BY he
bedside he watched day and nigh
until she was pronounced out of dal
gel. The doctors told him his chill
would never be very strong again. TIL
flower had been crushed and 1t W0ul
always be weak and delicate.
20 the year passed on. She was q