Year: 1878

The pearl cross was an heirloom. Eta
wore it the first time I ever saw her,
and l noticed its beauty as it rested up
on knot of deep blue ribbons at her
throat. Ribbons and pearls both suited
her fair complexion, deep golden
hair, and brown eyes, large and soft as
4 fawn's.


I think l loved Henrietta Raymond
the first hour in which met her at a
small party my Aunt Hilda gave in honor
Of my return from long business trip
in western cities. When the party was
over Aunt Hilda told me Miss Raymond
was the niece of newcomer in our
midst, retired clergyman, who had
taken house very near our own.


Had she been great heiress or
very fine lady, I might never have drawn
her into my heart of hearts, as I did
very soon. But she was loving girl,
possessing no worldly wealth, and we
met on terms Of perfect social equality.


I was an orphan, who owed education,
care, everything to Aunt Hilda, who had
an income so very narrow that it must
have Co.'S her many acts of self-denial to
support me. But at the time I met
Eta Raymond I had obtained a good
situation in commercial house in New
York, and was putting all my spare
fund into Aunt Hilda's keeping for her
own comfort.


I had been absent more than a year
on business for the firm, and was enjoy
ing vacation of months duration,
when l met, wooed and won Henrietta
Raymond. I courted her with all my
heart; and when she acknowledged she
loved me, my cup of happiness was
full.


- Her uncle, Mr.. Raymond, when I
placed my worldly prospects before him,
was averse to an immediate marriage,
but gave his hearty consent to our en-
gagement. How the time speeded away,
and how much of it we spent side by side
in that happy summer.


A year passed, during which I was re-
tanned closely at my post in the count
ng-house, having responsibilities and
duties that kept me far into the night.
As summer drew near, was troubled
by frequent attacks of vertigo, and I
looked forward to my months vacation
as much needed rest as well as plea
sure. To my great disappointment it
was postponed until September, and l
was really i'll when at last I packed my
trunk and took the train for home. Be-
fore I saw Eta was prostrated by an
attack of fever that threatened my life,
depriving me of consciousness for weeks.
When 1 recovered there fell upon me a
blow that caused a dangerous relapse. /
was blind. Our only doctor said hope
lessly, incurably blind.


It was impossible for many bitter
| months for me to feel resigned or
patient. I prayed to die, rather than to
live in my youth and strength burden
upon weak and aged woman. My
gifts to Aunt Hilda were melting away
| fast under medical expenses, and there
was only her own small income for oui
support.


But for Eta, believe I should have
taken my own life in these dark,
despairing days. Yet she was a very
ans ell of comfort. She refused to accept


my offered release from her engagement


and actually proposed an immediate


marriage and immigration to New York


where she was sure she could find work


Oh, my darling how my heart wrapped


you close in these dark days, when al


other hope or Joy seemed stricken from


my life. Every day as I sat in our tiny


parlor, helpless and idle, Eta came t.


me, pressing her soft lips upon my blint


eyes, and whispering words of comfort
She read to me, talked to me, sans


and played upon Aunt Hilda's old


fashioned piano all my favorite airs. ]


the weather was fine we walked out, Ettl
| ..oAs-ol o.oo4,