North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1863-12-16

"For your sake, dear Nina, | will once
more enroll myself among the votaries Of
Minerva. I'll seek the glory of a name wor
thy to Offer thee be thou
"'M My guide, my good angel, my all upon
earth.'"
he exclaimed his face all aglow with ardent
love.
Nina entered the cottage after this blissful
interview, her young heart bounding with
joyful hopes of future happiness. This even
ing, which had begun SO auspciously, was
destined to have q sad termination. Mr..
Eaglemont met his daughter as she was pass
ing along the hall 70 her chamber, and said
that he wished to see her in the parlor.-
Alarmed at so unusual a summons, Nina fol-
lowed her father with fear and trembling, to
the apartment.
When they were seated, he thus addressed
her -
"Nina, have noticed with pain and sor
row, the daily and hourly intercourse be-
tween Francis Clavering and yourself 1t
must cease. Such an intimacy might lead to
love and love between the son of Reginald
Clavering and the daughter Of Henry Eagle
mont, would be strange indeed"
"Why, father, is love forbidden between
the son of Claverlng an the daughter of
Eagemont 2"
"Do you ask why 2" he cried, his dark
eyes flashing with fire. "Listen to what no
mortal ever heard before, and then judge
whether it is meet for an Eaglenont to wed
CIavering. Do you.suppose that was al
ways what | am nova poor, despsed, ridi-
culrd experimentalist2 was once the proud
possessor Of lordly halls, where the gay, the
refined, the most distinguished men and
women of the land were glad to partake of
| my boundless hospitality. In an evil hour,
Reginald Clavering came, recommended by
his elegant manners and most fiattering ad-
dress Under the spacious garb of friendship,
he approached me, and +, unsuspicieus, re-
ceived him to my hearts embrace. Under a
confiding and open manner, was concealed q
heart cold, calculating, and selfish. BY his
insinuating arts, he became acquainted with
all my family affairs. He knew the amount
of my income, and also knew that, although
I was liberal in my household and other ex-
penses, did not use more than half of it.
He determined to secure some of ny supefu
Gus money for himself. To accomplish this,
he took advantage of passionate fondness for
cards. One day while we were playing cards
Clavering suggested that small stake should
be put up, to add to the interest of the game
I consented and almost impereeptibly, love
of gaming took possession of me. At first
won nearly every game, Clavering permitted
this to induce me to play for higher sums
We sometimes played all day and night
only stopping to take our meals. In few
weeks lost enormously, but the baneful vice
b d become so entwined around my heart
tlat | found it Impossible to shake it off. It
is unnecessary to prolong the painful story
suffice it to say that Reginald Clavering hav-
| ing won my princely fortune, also won from
me my destined bride, who, proud and beau
tifuI, was taught by Clavering to despise one
that swore deadly and eternal hatred to all
who bore the accursed name. Can you marry
the son of one who ruined your father %
'Father, that son loves me and love him
why should he suffer for his fathers
| crimes
"You love this Claveripg, then. better than
| yeur father ?"
81 can love you both father"
81 would rather see you lying dead at my
Get, than see you wed Reginald Clavering s
| son.
"Clavering is so kind, so gentle, so loving,
father, cannot give him up, was an igno-
rant, and simple girl-he came and learnt
to love. am woman now, and in my
my true woman's heart lies the image of
Francis Cavering, never never, to be remuv-
| ed"
"Be it SO; unhappy girl ~ cried Eagle
mont, rising, and stretching his right hand
in menaceing manner toward her; "but
cursed be tho day, and cursed be the hour
that see you the wife of Clavering.
And the interview ended, The following
day, when Frank Clavering came as usual to
N,na's bower, he found her bathed in tears
When he inquired the cause of hor weeping;
she related the conversation which had to-
ken place between her father and herself
the evening before.
'I must see your father, Nina, on tn 4
suhjectNI will 60 this instant" And leav.
ing Nina, he proceeded to seek Eaglemont
where he was sure to find bim-in his labor
atory. He received Clavering with freezing
politeness and demanded his business
81 have come, sir, to ask why you object
to my marrying your daughter?"
"Were not speaking to your fathers son, !
would say that he was villain-he not only
robbed me of my splendid fortune, but took
from me the woman who had promised to