Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-02-25

the Morrises! They are prettier than ]
am. Anna is perfectly superb, in spite of
her plain dress; and Robert is very fine
looking. Now, they uant good dinner;
but she doesn't ask them. No; she wants
me; and won't CO."
"Won't go!"
"No; mean to eat my dinner here; and
| invite you to be my gues:."
"And accept the invitation. We will
cut all our 6ne reIatieas, and eat dinner
alone. Oh, there is one person | should
like to invite, Gerald Hastings! Have you
| any objectiona, petite satrT?''
"None"
The girls brow, neck, and face were
crimson for moment; then the blush faded
again.
"As you say about the Morrises, my clerk
,cqnts good dinner. He's fine fellow
Pity he's So poor. But he'll make his way
in the world. There's energy in his voice,
reso luton in his eye, frmness in his gait,
manIiness in every action. He's fac fel-
low. Little sis,er"-and Clarence bent on
her a searching glance-"don't you think
sop
"Yes"
The answer came low and sweet.
81 intend putting huHdred dollar bill
in an envelope, and send NJ it anonymously
10 him al Christmas Do you approve,
I Efie!"
"Yes. Oh Cisir-, how muci' good you
| do W ith your money a -hriSim,s! and
| hsve been wasting 80 much in b'yinE pres
ents :or people ~no 80 so 'ea ly nrea any
| thing give ,hcm l. il sac; bitter weather
ana So mary people need comforts; aud
| buying jeN cry tur 10 ks that "ouia not
speak To me, if were poor, seems 80 iooi-
! ish."
Don't YOU subscribe to Dorc9s sOcie-
ties, and co.i and blanke committees, and
al that sort lhing:"
.Yes; bot want tu do something myself.
| Ii j. very easy 10 put rne's name ouSn Tor
a sum of manry on paper, and pay itwhen
it is called for; but never know OF any
GOOD il does. The commit a. Se care of
that part Oft. 1 want 80 something
myself. want 10 give oRcla ~ 10 make
Christmas marry 10 ali an .,Jor folks in
the city"
"You can't very well do that"
mo. Ola, Claire. Claire! have an
! ideam And the fairy pprang up from her
chair, and began dancing around her broth
er.
"Whst is it, fairy!" he asked, smiling at
her excit ment.
"Shan't tell; only want whole lot Of
my money, ClGife-"
MY money! How independent we are
all at once How much 0! .yOsr money DO
yop want"
40. hve or six hundred Sois,s: | DON'T
know exactly how much "
"Fve hundred dollars! Suppose won't
let you have ii"
bat you wil.!' said Efie, coaxing'y;
"you viii; won't you"
The little clock on the mantel chimed
One. tpo! three,
Time yon were N bed, petite scar," said
Clarence. "Come, kiss ne goodnight
and we will talk over this expensive scheme
of yours to-Inorrow."
Efie sprtng into her brothers arms. re,
ceived his goodnight kiss. and then trip
ped into her own room. Clarence, in {
few moments, followed her example.
I'm a small room, in house situated il
the suburbs of the city, there sat a young
man at his desk writing. The room /:
poorly furnished; and one candle throw.
light upon his paper. He is handsome, il
the Italian style, dark complexion, large
black eyes, rich jetty hair; his figure is fine
but there is gloom over all that does no
improve his beauty. The brow IS clou4ed
the eyes heavy, the hair pushed off The
i forehead as if its weight was oppressiI Ie.-
= Look over his shoulder, and read the lette
&, as he writes.
3. "You ask me- he says, sto come TO you
. western country. and aid you in your scheme
: for gaining wealih. a month ago shoui'
/; have refused yorr offer. ! have a clerk
r place in the estab!ishmt mt of one of on
\ wealthest men, good salary. ard goo
II prospects. Were il not for he debts an
:; striving to pay-deb's incurred by my poe
:: father which aoW pay-l should be, o.
It NV p-esen, salary. shove want; and if
= stay here. my ,nc:me VIII increase, know
5 and sba d. wei. You ak nv do nu
stay. vii tell you /. p.'.r and in deb
n have be, - mad e'ou;h To .aii m inve; Ina
e, no, Only that, but the object Of MY I've
r rich, TIE on.y sis,er 0i my emPiorer.-
is Brau:i al, piquInl. gei er"us. coed, my id
a j. al mans heart cuul id desire TO fiji it =
Is By Tie k nd hosp p'talI;s o: her brother, | al
le often thrown in her way; and each tin
r strong hens my love. On, Effie! Effir.-
d, there, I ont bore yol with rhaPscdies!-
S. Suffice it that ! love without a shadow
a hope. She is always kind, gentle to me
r. but, Of course, in her station, with he
a beauty and wealth, she can command an
C. match, and would despise me as lortun,
O. hunter were TO breathe my love. Am
A. not poorl Oh, that we could change pos
n. tions! Then | could seek her love, ar
10 prove how true is my own. | cannot sta
- here, the restraint upon my heart, fee!in
a and action is too great. | must leave Il
ok place where, constantly seeing, may new,
up speak nv love TO her. If come near ht
lie again, my heart may speak, in spite of m
he self; and, for my presumption, may 10!
tie nv greatest treasure now, her friendshi
vi In few days, viii! write to you agai
on and tell you of my plans more definitely.
Ter Perhaps | shall come TO you; most likely
he shall. My year at my present plqce expir
Ter at Christmas. Then shall conclude final
ler upon some plan. Now, good night
nd Truly yours, GERALD HASTINGS. !"
ler Christmas was drawing near; and Eff
ike Hamilton was very busy with many myst
re. rious preparations. There were, in Cl;
ith ence's houce. two large vacant third sto
all rooms, unfurnished. For several days Ell
had shut herself up in these rooms. exec
TO ing when out; and the result OF her missio
was q great number of large packages, b
.lry kets, and bundles, which were all carr
ear by direction TO the third story chambers.
t is At length the day before Christmas Al
slp we'd. Clarence came home TO dinner alb,