The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-04-23

to me 70 Be the mistress OF my ancestral home fear
Lot, again say for my future The ambition OF my hfe
cniped and moiUaed, Arthur turned moodiy from tho
closed door and Eat down beside his uncle General Cay
Was TOO much eated by the OF his plans OBJ
Liant and happy future opening 10 them all until his
phew grew heart sick, and rec0iled than from
the proposed union
CHAPTER NJ
Supper was served with its usual formal ceremony at
Clayton Park, and tho betxOthed pair sat the board
almost silence, while the eated General bore the burden
OF conversation unconscious that he the only d
the trio who carried light heart in his bosom.
Oteha did not vouchsafe a single glance toward her
cousin though he watched her earnestly in the hope
some lightning CLEAN Of feeling would convey 10 him the
comforting assurance that she was not making purely
mercenary marriage to her present position after
the death Of her father Arthur felt he had been
unfairly entrapped into this engagement, but when he
looked at the eaed brow of his uncle no scarcely could
regret the sacrifice which afforded him such boundless
satisfaction even il it were purchased at great price
70 himself
When the evening meal was over, Miss Clayton COM
planned OF slight headache, and retired 70 her own
apartment.
When uncle and nephew were left alone the old ques
ton returned with renewed interest 10 the mind OF the
latter, and he would have given much to gain sastac
"wby does General Clayton insist upon making his
daughter my wii' is il only crafty her insane pride
Of family already INDUCED until it has become almost
dseaeS Or has he the secret assurance which oteHa
chooses 10 withhold from me, Of attachment on her
part my unlucky sef2 All mel the broad lands Of
Clayton would never tempt do this, but for what
and he Who went before me, owe to my unce!'
The General talked on and laid schemes OF aggrandse
ment and political distinction before his soninaw elect,
hut they were listened TO with preoccuped mind and il
was reese to Clayton when his uncle finally arose, and
said
~ have engagement TO ride over 10 Cnon to morrow
morning. and shall retire early. God bless you, Arthur
sleep tonight with the sweet consciousness that you have
set at rest the only care that weighed upon my old hear
He pressed his hand fervenuy and left him. When
alone Clayton took the lamp in place retiring TO his
he returned the library for book th which
his
that pressed upon it, On placing the light upon the table,
he was surprised to find that his uncle had forgotten the
papers he had taken out for his inspection and the drawer
from which they had been removed still remained IN
closed.
Arthur had some knowledge Of law, and he sat down
and examined them with interest The entail mi
mute in all It's provisions that there possibility of
evadng it, and he felt with bitterness that only his wife
could the repted heress Of Clayton succeed what the
world supposed 10 be her brthright.
IL am simply made Of as the of retaining her
present stat, he thought and like tame spirited fool
have submitted to be accepted accessory Of the
position this proud girl would maintain"
In such painful reflections time sped away, the book he
came for forgotten, aud the hall clock booming ont
the hour informed him that it twelve. Reused
thoroughly by the reverberaton Of the long continued
sounds Arthur spraug from his seat rolled up the inn
portant documents he had been examining and carried
them TO the drawer intending 10 replace them at once
and close it.
The spring refused to ften and he thrust the roll fur
Their in thinking the edges in the way but his ef
forts were still useless Clayton brought the lamp to
what the obstruction He found examination
q small black attached 10 miniature had fallen over
the edge Of the drawer.
Without thought that he violating the secrets OF
another simple impulse OF curiosity led Clayton TO lift
the picture and look upon it. An expression OF surprise
deepening almost into horror he gszed settled his
features He stood rooted 10 the spot many moments and
then dropping the picture he shut the drawer quickly
claiming with shudder,
II see-I comprehend ii all now On my Col who
would have believed this of him''
Arthur Clayton slept not that night He passed its re-
naming hopvs in walking and fro in his room,
deavorng determine on the course of action il would
best ~ He had NOT lpfff he
many moments when stealthy step eagerly toward
IT, and white haired man looked around for the deods
which he had so carelcssly left Everything ii
should be, and with deep sigh OF relief he muered-
~ thought had forgotten TO close the drawer, but
mistaken. The accomplishment OF this great hope
has made me crgeuulforgeu," and he retired again 10
his slumbers.
Arthur Clayton appeared a, breakfast with face much
changed from that he had the previous day. It
was pale, steadas, In is expression, and rigid lines
drawn around his mouth, which showed that the detrmi
nation he had arrived at final, though must have
cost him a bitter struggle u attain IT,
when the two gentlemen reached the library Clayton
Ny dear uncle let plantation business alone this morn.
ing, and listen to me; Tor have something To LAY tho1
nearly concerns you"
81 am all attention Arthur. sy-aS on"
"Wbsn do you wish thisthss marriage to take place,
which has been arranged between your daughter and
myselfi"
As soon as possible see 20 reason for postpcnng
IT,"
Nor I-thcrefore is my wish that the ceremony shall
be performed 10 morrUw morning. with the sritest pr
vsy, and the marriage kept sccr. from all but those who
witness il for at least month";
General Clayton stared at him a. II lac thought he must
be mad. He said
"No-no-Ne must have a groa, entertainment. and in
vito the whole county. What would owOrd Say If thu
heir Of Clayton 81 he married In this nsgrdly
ncrf could not look my neshbor IL The face after such
neanness."
at matters MOI, replied Arthur docvcy. "IrI mar
ry your daughter at sl YOU must submit 10 the terms; re-
fuse them aud shal leave Clayton Ia day.
"why, good Heavens, Arthur, what can You mean?
Have YOU lcst your wits. thai you peak ihus?''
mo, sir; am soh"ry. sadly in earnest will 60 with
Won TO stanton this morning and have already ordered
my horse 10 be in readiness with yours. viii seek the
Rev Nr Carleton, and arrange The necessary prclmnarcs
with him. Before set out YOU prepare Otes for
this sudden bridal and Gain The consent 10 il which mus.
not be withheld II she wishes to claim AS her husband
OF the dover my hand can confer on her.
In vain did General Clayton combat Whit seemed ~ him
10 strange vhm Arthuy would moi sbat ono Jot OF his
demand and be went 10 his daughter IA MORN her Of tho
s'dsn arior Of Der .i'y ukevarm lover Oea listened
at first In neredulous surprise. but nay e oddly Of tho
proposal seemed ~ strike the bizarre cord in her mul
ard she !ielded her consent more Willingly than her
father had anticipated. The two gentlemen returned from
Sauuou lat ia tho evening. aud The General Informed hs
daughter that al ocl-k the following morning Mr
Carleton would unite Arthur ana herself IN the country
church about two miles rn the park ouhor Witnesses
would 10 present and they pledged IN Keep the mar
rac" secret Until IN" seal Of silence removed by tho
rrUin. Iay too did MT seek III bctrohcd nor was he
visible "A ulg-r. What tho bride fe At this neglect could
not bc Directed; hst pruud. iuJuahc revealed
nothing 81 tle busy world wuhin, though h'r father
vairhcd her with deep .octude The General WAS glad
q hN. the or.mony actually Performed which secured
III son N law, though u Wa duna in such unnecessary
hssc. aud ho blndl angueC,J iu all the demands OF BIZ
nephew. ono" married. thr r.ins would BE- In his
hand he t"u.h and he would have The mystery en-
planned without DELAY.
The morning was very bright and was not strange to
Tie huufefold that the -huud De ordered AZ
Early hour Tor visit ~ Sauniou. Mise CLAYTON FIRE.
qp"hty went norr Tor tie PURPOSE q shorpng. Tho
Church va n The road thh'r and when they reached i
General Clayton and HE daughter Al GIFTED and sent the
hcl" on 10 tc town. with itng orders for The dr
Yer 10 OIL, and then return for them
On entering the church Tho r,tsr and Arthur Clayton
were found waiting Tor them The former looked Devil.
dercd, and The latter n cold and determined " all Tho
iron Of his proud line bad suddenly become concentrated
In himself He offered BIZ hand b. hs cousin thou look
ine at her. and they sio, IN silence before tho clergyman
To two persons IN That house the words of the ceremony
rang out n sol,mn moc,ory and bitter smile crossed
Arhurs lips ~ d, remarked That Nr Carleton surr.d over
that PORTION 81 NE service In vhch he promised 10 love
end cherish The being who stood beside him.
was nrseG--ihe General kissed his daufhier proudly,
md pressed HIS nephew hand but no congratulations
On ths7g hast