The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1863-10-29

it not? / combed out my long hair
and brushing il into heavy curls, gath.
cred item into a knot behind, and
f thrusting jeweled bodkin into the
shining mass, left them to trail over my
neck, for my cheeks and lips were q
vivid crimson, and my eyes flashed
like diamonds. The rich black dress
showed off my white neck and round
arms to good advantage-rounded for
all my eight and twenty years. sup
pose was called an 'old maid -
women of eight or twenty generally
are, l believe. The close fitting bod
ice, with its bertha of rich lace, Gov,
cred bleak and barren heart. But
what did it matter ?-the world did not
know it. l wore no jewels, save tiny
diamond star, that flashed and cleaned
above my forehead-the gift of Mrs.
Leland. @ uI m
| Reader, do you know for whom this
toilet was making +? Among the dis
tinguished strangers from abroad was
William Halstead, one of the most
popular authors of the day.
The rooms were crowded; but among
all the many faces l saw only his face.
lie was leaning against pillar as /
entered, in sad, abstracted kind of a
way. His face was pale, and bis eyes
large and shadowy. He had thought
and studied bis life out-that was plain
to be seen. But what need / care !?
This William Halstead was nothing 10
me. A moment more, and we stood
face to face. My heart gave a fierce
bound shivered for I thought it was
going TO prove a traitor heart; but in
less than moment it ceased its throb-
bing and grew still.
81 am happy to see you, Mr.. Hal
stead"
He held out his hand silently; but l
took no notice of it; and as others
came up to clasp the hand l had re.
fused, | moved haughtily away.
Later in the evening ] stood alone
on the veranda, as far as l could pos
sibly get from the sound of human
voices. 1t was bitter cold. The night
wind blew keenly upon my uncovered
neck and arms, but did not heed it !;
it was not half SO cold as the chill at
my heart. / shuddered at the dark.
ness of the future, wondering if could
bear it. 4s
The distant hum of voices added to
my gloom. moved further into the
shadow, as footstep fell upon the
gravel walk. 1t passed on, and once
more | sank into revery. Some time
must have passed when voice startled
me-: ..i@
"Clare, this is madness, standing in
the winter wind, without even shawl
about you. Mr.. Leland is not over
careful of the treasure he has won"
turned suddenly and met the dear
eyes that ten years ago this night had
been dark with the anguish of our
parting. Fer momont my heart grew
faint and my limbs trembled /; but pride
soon came to my aid.
"You had better return to the draw
ing-room, Mr.. Halstead. Your wife
will feel lonely among SO many strang-
ers." .of
"My wife, Mrs. Leland? What
mean you?"
"Mrs Leland? / can but ask in re-
turn what Mr.. Halstead means ?'
care you not the wife of Mr.. George
Leland, Clare ?" 'if #a.4
"No, sir,VI am Clare Summerfie;d.
still. But ere / return to the drawing
room permit me to congratulate you
upon your marriage" .naR
"Clare Summerfcld, there is some
dark mystery here. l have never been
married-never loved any one but you
-never-.never! | was to embark for
America in fortnight when letter
reached ME from George Leland, say
ing you and he were to be married in
week, and enclosing wedding cards
done up in the usual dainty fashion.
1 need not tell you of the sorrow that
almost overwhelmed me. Here was
the reason why, for two or three months
my letters remained unanswered"
81 never received one of them. 1t
was George who told me of your mar
riage,"l / said hurriedly, light begin
ming to break upon my mind. izia
Reader l will not weary you by re-
lating all that passed between us SUI
fee it to say, that before we parted all
was explained. We found out the bit