Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1900-03-29
CHAPTER XIV.
Ethel's Temptation.

The stars were cleaning in the
depths OF dark blue sky, the night
wind was sweet with the breath of
odorous blossoms, the dew thick upon
the grass and the flowers; a great calm
and silence seemed to lie like a bless
ing over the earth; the llme-trees were
family stirred by the night wind the
leaves rustled and sighed
Ethel walked quickly and quietly
down to the lime-grove. She found
some little difficulty in leaving the
house unobserved, but she had accom-
plished It; and. with Helen Digby be-
lievlng her safe in her own room, she
was walking with rapid steps to meet
Laurie Nugent.
She knew perfectly well that she was
not doing right; in the long, sad after
years she never tried to excuse herself;
but there was some comfort to her in
the thought that she was deliberately
disobeying Helen Digby.
If my father could see me now" she
thought to herself, che would say II
would have been better to leave me
alone. II he had trusted me / would
not have done this"
Bitter, cruel. unjust thoughts against
her fathers chosen wife came over her
as she walked in the silence of the
sweet summer night to keep her ap-
polntment. There was no seat under
the fragrant lines, and Laurie Nugent,
as soon as he saw Ethel FASTENED for
ward, and took both her hands in his.
My darling" he said. how good OF
you to come! | knew that | was ask
ing the greatest possible favor. |
hardly dared to hope that you would
grant 1t.
There was no answering light of JOY
In her face. She smiled gently. as one
who was simply pleased.
You wanted me particularly, so 1
could not refuse to come. But I must
not stay. Tell me quickly what II is
Laurie
She hesitated before uttering the
name but he had prayed so hard that
she would use 1t. that she made the
effort.
He kissed her white hands as he
thanked her. and then she raised her
eyes to his face.
What is 1t. Lauricc / must MOI
stay"
10 her great surprise she saw tears
shining in his eyes. and the light OF
the stars showed that his face was pale
and sorrowful.
Il have so much to say to Won nv
darling. that hardly know how to be-
GIN Ethel, you have read OF WOMEN
who have held the hearts of men in the
hollow of their small white hands. In
like manner do you hold mine. You
nave read OF women who have held
mems lives in their power: so. dearest.
40 you hold mine, On your Yes or
No. tonight, depends my whole flu
ture; my life, my death, my sorrow.
my joy, my well or evil dolng-ali de-
pend on what you shall say to me to-
night"
She looked anxiously at him; the
starlight, the night wind, the solemn
silence, the holy calm. all tended to
soften her heart, She felt more kindly
disposed to aim than she had ever felt
before; such absolute sovereignty over
a tall, strong man was delightful. She
let her white hand linger in his clasp,
and said, gently;
Tell me what you mean. Laurie?"
He was silent for few minutes. and
she guessed rather than knew that
some great struggle was going on in
his mind Suddenly he did what he
had never dared to do before; he
clasped her in his arms. and kissed her
beautiful face.
My darling he said. gently. III /
could but take you away: IL we could
only leave this cold cruel world behind
US: IL we could so where there are no
troubles, no sorrows. where the sun is
always bright and the world always
fart"
She shrank from him. and the idea
struck her that. although she was in
love with him. she would not care
about going away with him. Then
Laurie recovered himself. and Ethel re-
proached herself that she was not
kinder to him.
My darling. Ethel" he said. Il am
going to pat your love to the test. You
are a genrous, noble girl: you have
heroism and courage for anything that
you care TO do. want you 10 display
that heroism for me. want to put