Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1900-02-15

| ACoN AAOhi blt plciCt WntIG, III bnG
wild tempest of grief, she had flung
herself, to hold one single charm
She had loved her father he was gone
from her. and when he returned it
would be TO marry She had loved her
home, and her own fantastic rule
there; that, too had passed away.
There was nothing before her but
to submit to the rule of a strange
woman. 1t was intolerably hard.
She felt inclined to wish for death;
but the Gordon pride came to her
aid. Miss Digby was to be there by
two; she must not find her weeping
nor sad. Ethel went to her room,
and as far as she could removed all
trace OF tears. She dressed herself
with unusual care; she gave orders
for the needful packing with calm,
clear, steady voice, and then sat down
to await Miss Digby's arrival.
"Henceforward," she said to her
self, II am to be second in my fathers
house. A stranger takes my mothers
place as we'll as mine. She will
triumph over me; she will laugh to
think how easily she has deposed me;
but, suffer as ] may, no sign of my
suffering shall she discover"
When Helen Digby arrived soon
afterward, full of sympathy and kind
ness, ready to give all the attention
and affection that she thought would
be needed, her reception rather
startled her. She would not allow
any one to announce her.
Tell me where Miss Gordon is"
she said, land l will go to her."
She walked through the splendid
suite of rooms where one day she was
to reign as mistress. She found
Ethel sitting in one of the light, pretty
balconies that looked on to the ter
race. She went gently to her, and
laid her hand with a quiet, caressing
touch on the girls shoulder.
MY dearest Ethel" she said, 81
have fastened to you. knowing that
you would be 50 lonely and unhappy.
What can | do to comfort your"
| Her eyes shone brightly through
her tears; her whole face was beauti-
full from it's warmth of kindness.
She saw the crimson flush rise on
Ethels brow. She would fain have
, kissed her face, but Ethel rose with
Z quiet dignity, and said, coldly:
t "Good-morning, Miss Digby; | did
not expect you so soon"
Il feared you might be lonely, Ethel,
and | fastened to you"
Thank you" was the dignified re-
, ply; If shall feel lonely until papa
, returns, and no one can comfort me. :"
rs there anything | can do to make
YOU happier-to lessen your sorrow
, to make the time pass more cheer
fully"
Nothing, thank you was the
chilling reply.
But Miss Digby was not to be
daunted, Some would have turned
from the cold, averted face,
and have left Ethel to herself; not so
Helen; she was faithful to her trust.
Il wish, Ethel" she said. that
had the gift of eloquence. I should
like to tell you some of the thoughts
that are passing through my mind
how anxious | am for your happiness
and welfare, how gravely | look upon
the precious charge that your father
has intrusted to me- how ready | am
to wait upon you, to render you
every service in my power, by night
or by day-indeed. to devote my time
my thoughts, all to you"
Il thank you" responded Ethel, still
more coldly.
But Miss Dgby was not to be re-
pulsed easily; she sat down by
Ethels side. and would not notice
the girls shrinking from her.
Il hope that the plan of going to ST.
lna's today pleases you, Ethel" she
said. gently. II suggested it to Sir
Leonard, because | thought the sooner
you left Fountayne the better. Can
| do anything to help you p pack or
prepare for the Journey"
Ii was hard to resist such kindness,
| but the woman who offered 1t was the
one who intended to usurp her place
! in her fathers heart and in his home
She would have suffered anything
rather than accept it, just as she would
have suffered anything rather than al
low Helen Digby to note her pain.
II do not wonder that you should
regret leaving Fountayne," said the
gentle voice again. ut is a beautiful
place"
Not to Miss Digby would she admit
even the least regret.
Change is always pleasant. be-
lieve." she returned; "Fountayne is
not the only beautiful place in the
world"
She would not say how dearly she
loved &C. how perfect she thought Il
nor how for the remainder of her life
a dark cloud would hang over it, II
would no longer be her home-sacred
TO herself and those she loved: it
would be desecrated by strangers.
spoiled by the new rule and the new
love his father would bring thither
With wistful smile. Helen Digby
looked at the beautiful. defiant face.
GLOW am TO reach your proud
heart. Ethel?" she inquired. How am
l to soften you and make you believe
in my sincerity?"
81 do not see that your sincerity