The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1897-04-15
THE NOBLEsT HUSBAND.

The sad eyes of the girl standing at |
one Of the windows of Mrs. Staunton's |
mansion were not, as they seemed to |
be, fixed on the fast falling snow.
Ethel Matherson's thoughts were far
away. She was dreaming of the days
distant former home, Col. Matherson's
Molized only child, she had been 50
zealously guarded from life's sharp
edges. But in the prime of life her ia
ther had been snatched from her by
death.
So little remained for her of her ia
theirs once large fortune, when all hts
debts had been paid, and she had so
agnally failed in giving lessons in
music and fancy work, despite her own
proficiency in these arto, that this little
had soon disappeared.
It was at this juncture that her
wealthy cousin, Julia Staunton, Wild
owed and childless, had dawned on her
horizon as q possible helper with AM
offer Of making her a companion. Ethel
had gone to her with misgivings, for the
letter in which the offer was made was
far from cordial.
Her fears had not, 1t proved, been
without cause, for she had been made q
veritable drudge. Mrs. Staunton had
been quick to seize upon her skill in
lace-malSing and embroidery, so that,
when not engaged in reading aloud on
otherwise amusing her, Ethel was kept
constantly busy with fancy work of the
most delicate and intricate pattern.
Thus it was that many q night, with
aching heart and smarting eyes, the
girl had cried herself to sleep.
On the afternoon on which we found
her at the window she had gained a
brief respite, due to the fact that her
cousin had gone on a shopping expedi
ton. Suddenly there was tap at the
door, and in response to Ethel's invita-
ton to enter trim maid came in, bear
ing lamp with a rose tinted shade,
which cast pleasant glow through the
room.
"Shall I draw the curtains, Miss
Ethel?" she, asked, with kindly glance
at the sad-faced girl.
eyes, Mary" Ethel replied, as she
sank into chair. "Mrs. Staunton has
not returned yet?" she questioned.
mo, miss, but think she will soon
be here. Tis getting late"
The girl withdrew, closing the door
after her. Presently Ethel heard car
risge stop in the street below, followed
by the clang of the hall doors. She
heard the rustic of her cousins gar
ments as that lady came up the stairs
and to her door.
She entered with a. smile which, when
Ethel was the object on which her eyes
rested, was passing rare. She was in so
happy mood that she even failed to
note that her companions hands were,
for once, idle.
"Such a delightful time as I have
had!" she cried, with vivacity. II met
him downtown and we had very pleas
ant lunch together-Maj. Horton, you
know"
81 am glad you enjoyed your trip,
Cousin julia" Ethel said.
"His attentions are becoming quite
marked, don'tyo think? Why, he has
already been here twice this week! I
determined from the first to win that
man; 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 60 driving with
him tomorrow and asked that you
might accompany me. Your companion,
I presume, will be that odious Mr..
Thompson. By the way, Ethel, wish
you would leave off calling me Cousin
julia It might be better that the ma
jor did not know of our relationship"
"Must go?" Ethel asked, pleadingly.
s'It hurts me to take part in amy gayety.
1t seems disloyal to poor papa. Cannot
some one go in my stead?"
The widow eyed her with displeasure.
"I do wish you would give up that
sentimental nonsense" she declared.
'It is only in books that such things
as that occur. Maj. Horton has asked
you ON my account, as my companion,
to 60, 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 inconsiderate! 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 its
predecessors. 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, "it Is just the thing" She
was SO deep in thought that she did not
know she spoke aloud. "Maj. Horton
a l. u