The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1897-04-09
'HE NOBLEST HUSBAID.

fixed on the fast falling now.
tbel Matherson's thoughts we far
nav. She was dreaming of thdays
ofore her fathers death, whenn her
;stant former home, Col. Mathson's
Rolized only child, she had len so
ealously guarded from LIES sharp
dres But in the prime of lifaer IA
% had been snatched fromier by
aeatd.
Co little remained for her cher ia
hers once large fortune, wht all his
ehts had been paid, and SD had SO
ignally failed in giving Icons in
,rnsic and fancy work, despithe own
ro6ciency in these arts, thathis little
lad soon disappeared.
II was at this juncture hat her
realthy cousin, Julia Station, wild
wed and chiIdless, had daved on her
horizon as a possible help with an
DfFer of making her a compa.on. Ethel
had gone to her with misgivgs, for the
etter in which the offer WI made was
ar from cordial.
Her fears had not, it foved, been
without cause, for she ha6een made a
irritable drudge. Mrs. taunton had
been quick to seize upo her skill in
ace-making and embroiery, so that.
when not engaged in reaing aloud or
otherwise amusing her, thel was kept
constantly busy with fay work of the
most delicate and nitrate pattern.
Tbus it was that man a night, with
aching heart and smsting eyes, the
cirl had cried herself sleep.
On the afternoon onrhich we found
her at the window sh had gained a
brief respite, due to ,te fact that her
cousin had gone on Shopping expedi-
ton. Suddenly the was d tap at the
door, and in raoonse to Ethel's invita-
l, IN to ertr trim maid came in, bear
To- a ;amp with rose tinted shade,
hich cast pleasant glow through the
bonn.
"Shall l draw the curtains, Miss
thel? she asked, with kindly glance
the sad-faced girl.
Eyes, Mary Ethel replied, as she
hnk into a chair. Mrs. Staunton has
ot returned yet?'' she questioned.
mo, miss, but l think she will soon
Il here. 'Tis getting late"
The girl withdrew, closing the door
Efter her. Presently Ethel heard car
iage stop in the street below, followed
the clang of the hall doors. She
card the rustic of her cousins gar
ents as that lady came up the stairs
nd to her door.
She entered with a smile which, when
Ethel was the object on which her eyes
ested, was passing rare. She was in so
Eappy a mood that she even failed to
Iote that her companions hands were,
n, eH"e, idle.
a delightful time as l have
Adlshe cried, with vivacity. 81 met
J,p0wntown and we had a very pleas
IL inch together-Maj. Horton, you
II am glad you enjoyed your trip,
lbusin julia" Ethel said.
I"His attentions are becoming quite
Harked, don't you think? Why, he has
|4nady been here twice this week! =
determined from the first to win that
han; for, will you believe it, at the be-
ginning of our acquaintance he actually
seemed to avoid me-"
For some moments she was silent, her
eyes fixed meditatively on the floor.
"He has invited me to go driving with
him tomorrow and asked that you
might accompany me. Your companion,
4 presume, will be that odious Mr..
Thompson. By the way, Ethel, wish
you would leave off calling me Cousin
Julia 1t might be better that the ma
1or did not know of our relationship" !.
Must go?" Ethel asked, pleadingly.
ut hurts me to take part in amy gayety.
II seems disloyal to poor papa. Cannot
some one go in my stead?"
The widow eyed her with displeasure.
Il do wish you would give up that
nonsense" she declared.
1T is only in books that such things
as that occur. Maj. Horton has asked
you on my account, as my companion,
to go, and go you must"
Her sharp eyes fell on Ethel's idle
hands.
You have not finished the violets on
that scarf which you began yesterday,
have you? How inconsideratei You
know want it just as soon as you can
possibly finish it. Pray get it at once"
Ethel complied with half-uttered
sigh, and presently her cousin left her,
with many injunctions to hasten the
scarf's completion.
The day ended as had SO many of it's
Ethel, with aching heart
and weary eyes, cried herself to sleep.
Mrs. Staunton, standing before her
mirror, surveyed herself with critical
eyes. Every detail of her handsome cos
tune was dwelt upon.
YES" she suddenly announced to her
reflected self, sit is just the thing" She
was so deep in thought that she did not
know she spoke aloud. Maj. Horton
Is extremely fond of music. More than
once | have seen him moved to tears by
It. When he has arrived l will have
Ethel go into the music room and play
some of her most touching selections.
n the midst of which will go down."
She paused, giving the image in the
mirror a knowing nod.
WELL" she resumed, Emusic has done
greater things than move heart to
make declaration of love-"
Ethel, in her room, had let the lace
he was making fall into her lap as. with
lasped hands and PARKWAY gaze, she
at dreaming.
Yesterday had been the day of the