Plymouth banner. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1852-1855, 1853-03-03
Plymouth Marshall County, Indiana, Thursday March g. 1853

All thought Isabel, but my uncle will
feel it most She said no more; and
they Joined Mr.. Malverton. and shortly
after left. Isabel had not in long time
seen her uncle so cheerful. AS the car
rage approached their home, they met
Ned Merton. Mr.. Malverton stopped
the carriage TO speak TO him, but the beau
seemed dscomposed and out of humor,
and passed on with very slight saluta-
ton.
very oddn said Mr.. Melverton, very
unlike Ned, it must be confessed
When the carriage drove to he door.
Clara was upon the steps equipped for
walking. Her ia .hcr asked her what all
ed Merton, as it was the frs. time he had
ever seen a frown upon his smooth fore
head; and then he laughingly related their
encounter. Clara was evidently agita-
ted, and she said abruptly to her father,
you are exposing yourself in a most
needless manner, would advise your 60
ing in immedia tely.'
so am was the reply; 'but Isabel
would have told me far more tenderlyt
They walked Into the house--at his door
Isabel said:
This mornings ride will fatigne YOU,
/ if YOU feel quite rested this afternoon.
will YOU give Inc half an hours time, this
evening when tea is over?
Half dozen if YOU wish. my dear girl;
and now will release you from such close
attendance upon your old uncle When
Isabel turned away from that kindly and
happy smile. she felt her bosom glow
with the consciousness that she had been
instrumental in causing it.
From the day Clara had been compell-
ed TO bestow some portion of her conf
dence upon Merton, he had been mar
row observer Of her conduct. And he
knew almost as well as herself. the secret
feelings that actua,eG her; yet be strove
in vain to win from her own lips con-
fession of the whole or part. She turned
a deaf ear to every hint. and never in the
most distant manner alluded to the letter,
or what she had done with it. Angry
creditors were at Mertons door at all
hours OF the day-he had lar overrun his
limited income-he had every thing to
gain, nothing to lose Leave the coun-
try he must if unsuccessful; what matter
then, how much he offended Clara! On
the morning of Mr.. Malverton's ride ro
Mr.. SANKEY'S, he called upon Clara re-
solving to invite her to walk out, thai he
might have an opportunity of conversing
with her without interruption. lie found
her quite alone; she mentioned that hel
mother had gons that morning to spend
some days with friend. Never had
Merton exerted himself so much 10 please
and Clara listened with gracious ear to
the glittering compliments offered up, as
incense TO her vanity. Merton saw the
! impression he had made, and he ventured
vet farther-to woo her for his WIFE
That was quite different affair; the plea.
sed smile upon the lip faded away, ant
4 the corners of the mouth curved down
giving to her countenance an expression
of haughtiness little favorable TO low.
| ers hopes ]; was no Tins to hesitate
and although Clara clothed the refusal ir
honey words, it was a most unequivoca
refusal of his suit, Merton, maddened
5 by disappointment, and dreading to NEE
his hungry creditors. threatened her with
exposure--!hat he would betray her tC
Sydenham And then did he pour GU
, his knowledge of all her secret plans
tauuting her with her unavailing effort:
r 10 win the love of Harry. Can you bea
this exposure he said. his whole manner
changing suddenly. No you Cannot
Be my wife, and you shall never have
cause TO complain Of the devotion Of you
husband
i cannot be your wife; | would b,
willing to be your FRIEND she answered
Again Merton urged her: he painted il
r colors that chilled the blood in her veins
t the consequences of her refusal; but she
struggled with the fear that possessed her
and again she said:
f DO not urge me, You know me not!
' will moi be your wife, and | know goa
too we'll to think you would make an un
worthy use of the secret you possess
4 'Ha, ha, ha!' laughed Merton; you know
. me. do you? my proud madam! then yo,
: know man as reckless o: consequences
and as unprincipled as yourself. and 81
he left her. Clara equipped for walking
t encountered her father, and her hardl,
Y acquired composure gave way before hi;
| recital Of the meeting with Ned. The
1 fresh air did not restore her spirits as she
hoped i. would. All that weary day hel
mind was harrassed and agitated. As il
drew TO a close, she could no longer dare
e TO sit with her father and Isabel, lest he
unwonten manner should attract atten
tion. She sought her own room.
t he should tell Harry the color lef
/. her cheek and brow, and her dark eye:
: actuallay dilated with the agony of The
thought. Oh. Godr if he should tell Har-
D ry!' she clasped her hands tightly togeth-
t er. while her lips closed like vice; and
: thus she sat. that fair girl. in the sunny
r time OF her youth Guilt and despair