The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1862-01-24
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Than A new fear came over Clara eho felt
that II was somsthing more real and terrible
than she had ant Notwithstanding which
concerned herself, nothing else could have
moved her mother 80.
about no9" she asked, in voice which
SOUNDED calm enough, save the slight trom-
or which betrayed the tempest within things
that they say about mop
RMrs- Anderson nodded her head in assent, and
elenchod her hands feeby on the counterpane.
"Oh, they nesrly drove me crazy sho burnt
out, 81 didn't know what TO say or think
When came home, and cav you sitting there
my heart fairly blod for you"
What have they told you, mother7" Clara
asked again even then she could think Of Meth
ing more painful than the stories which had al
ready cemc to her ears Of her attempt TO marry
young Lane.
Such dreadful things, grosued the poor
mother. They told mo the minister was
coming here to talk 10 you"
Clara started to her feet and all her fire and
strength came back.
Lot him keep away" sho said "I am not
under his charge-bo had better not come here"
She rccoll,etcd her conversation with Judge
Lane, no other human being should ever insult
her with such coursels Doubtless the old man
had urged the clergyman TO do this II WAS ali
his work, and Clara's pride roso aud tho whirl
in her brain increased.
81 will not 10 lecturod," she excl,imed
"nci,hcr tina, family ncr their friends shall como
here"
alt st't what you think, faltored Mrs. An
,uson, stulg 10y hor own words, "worc,
NO 20 'han that
What can 10 worse ?" domavded Clara.
"D sgrscc clild, shame-slinders and lios
! These arc worse, they wound like knives, thoy
Nil ,uror than poison
| A new paroxysn seiz,d hor, and Clara was
forced 20 hold her in her arms Tor several mo-
mtnls Her senses wore 70 dulled that even
then, fhc could not understand the full moan
inC Of nor mo'hcr's words,
Disgrace, ph'mei' she repeated. What
have We to 10 with them-isey cannot come
70 Us.
&C help us they have como :" shudderod
forth tho woman, " Oh my Clara, they have
taken away yourlgood namo-,hey1l kill me,
oh thcy'n kll mel
For the first time perception Of tho truth
broke upon the girl.
"What have they said of me-" she whispered.
, The words which Mrs, Anderson strovo to ut
or seemed to burn. her lips she could not bear
to blast her childs life 10y revelation Of the
trouble which had bciallcn her.
TEL me, mother con inued Clara; 81
am not as weak as you think, | can endure Il
I and gu will loel castor when you have told me.
. 'Not now, not now" she begged piteously
8 If there could be any hope Of comfort in put
4 ing On the disclosure.
II would rather hear It from you than an
c one exc mother
10 81 canuo, deal this blow--I, your mothv.
Some one else will toll mo and moro harBl
~ | y, | must he,r mother"
at " How wild you look, Clara Don't stare
+ mo 80 you make mo afraid, and this feeble oil
woman put up her hands to shut ont the sig
Cd of the pallid face which was bent toward h,
o. looked and as il were dead, except for tho u
er naiursl glitter Of those eyes.
"1ell me, mother ~
b There was something painful in the icy col
ness Of thoss whispered tones Mrs. Andcrsc
could neither answer nor look at her.
ut II will know, mother II you can't toll !
/ shall find some one who will
Ii, She leaned both hands hard against tho b
VI. and supporting herself in that manner rose
ne her full height and turned toward the door.
Clara, cried Mrs. Anderson whore O
N YOU going-what is II you mean 10 do -
al am going to some ono who will tell me I
whole since my mother refuses must 10
re- elsewhere
Come back, como back, exclaimed I
ID, widow dcspair,nR'y, " | will tell you, Clara
will tell you"
She The giIl returned TO the bed. Again the n
eld thcr put up her trembling hands and drew
iar child toward her. " Kiss me- she whisper
al vito tenderness and outgush Of iIoling 5,
ere as her New England nature had never be
lel exhibited "kiss mo, Clara"
"o' Tho girl bowed her head and pressed her
was to her mothers cheek the touch was like I
~" Of frosty steel, and almost froze life out of
-, parents broken heart.
=. "Tell me mother don't stop, can bear
Mrs. Anderson could not speak aloud
put her face close to that Of her child and VI
percd the story in short broken words, not o
did Clara interrupt by movement or an
elimination she leaned there 80 pale and
that It seemed almost as If the woman v
clasping a statue in her arms.
When Mrs. Anderson hal finished she
ma back on her pillow, com 2letely exhausted
suffering and bodily weakness. Clara stood
n :, right pressing her hands against her foreh
her lips parted in struggle for breath.
al have killed her. groaned the moth
ct, e." oh my child, my child
Hush, said Clara, hush mother I
,ase bear it"
"A A And you won't mind it, you won't lc
,ort break you down = she shiyered out.
"No, mother, no.
ho Another knock sounded at the door
And, rson started up In fright, Clara did
move.
"Can that be the minister again? p whisp
800, the widow he wouldn't come back
80 Clara lot her hands fall and said slowly
a.. matter WHO it is | will 10 down, mothoi
p ,., am not afraid
Mre And,raou r1WOrod back into the