The Howard union. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1865-1866, 1865-08-24
UNDER SUSPICION.
CHAPTER I.

called my brothers. second wife "madnm;'
we never quarrelled, but each other thought
that the other was the NEST disagreeable
person in the universe, and as we each
knew what the other thought, ii may be
imagined our intercourse was not of very
cordial kind.
did see to the luggage, and then took
tickets for the party for the York express
by the Great Northern Railway.
Fortunately we had compartment TO
ourselves, that is, Mrs. Webster, my niece
Clara, and myself.
"Clura, my dear, you look as i'll as you
can look, no one would think that tomorrow
was your wedding day"
"Do l look i'll, mamma ?" said Clara,
dreamily.
ayes, my dear, and wretched too. /
wonder you've not more sense at your age,
girl Of twenty-five and breaking her heart
for love of man who for four years has
not taken the slightest notice of YOU"
"Why, 1t was one of the conditions,
Mrs. Webster, that he should not write,"
l exclaimed.
Clara said nothing but looked her thanks
at her uncle.
"However, Uncle Joseph, he ought to
have come back and taken his dismissal
quietly. / have no patience with these
poor men blighting girls chance of getting
well settled in life in this way however,
thank goodness, It is over now; The four
years are gone these three months, and 10.
morrow you will be the happy wife of a
man whose age will command you respect
and whose position will secure you every
comfort"
"And one, mamma, whom nothing or
heart but my solemn promise to my owr
dear father would make me call husband
"Well, my dear, it's fortunate for YOU
future interests that you made that promise
I'm sure that Mr. Tredgar is man aftel
my own heart. If l hadn't other views fol
my chidren's sake, should have set my
cap at him myself"
"Well, you know, Uncle Joseph, I an
candid TO fault"
Decidedly, madam, most decidedly"
replied, remark which caused Mrs. Web
ster to read q yellow-covered novel 70
some time in silence, though shortly after
wards she dropped asleep,
Clara stole TO my side Of the carriage
and leaned her head on my shoulder.
cob uncle, l wish were dead; can i
be so very wrong to die? l am SO wretch
ed; | dread tomorrow oh why will no
God pity me, and take away my life ?"
MY dear Clara, don't, that's q gooc
child; it's wicked to talk in this way; lif
must be borne; l have felt as you feel, an,
yet live, and am not positively unhappy
only vague, shadOwy regret for whu
might have been stands like cloud between
me and any happiness that might be mine
Yours are keen suiferings, but bear then
patiently, and use will dull the pain"
But, Uncle, why did he not let me hea
from him, as mamma says p
Because he was man of honor; tn
four years were up on last April, and thi
is but July, who can tell where lie is
Wherever he is, he is faithful and true,
know"
ooh uncle God bless you for thes
words. know it too, but what can do
cannot delay longer; my poor father
dying words, my solemn promises to MARI
this man, my stepmother's persecution,
what can do? Three months have
fought, and now l wish could lay dow
and die. 0! uncle is there no escape
have such dread that he will come bac
after am married, and then-Oh
would be worse than his death to see hin
The temptation !-oh why cannot | diei
"Poor child my poor child" was all
could utter.
Bound by vow made at her father
deaIh-bed, she was going the next day
marry man who was old enough TO be h
father, and who but for the fact of his pc
sisting in his claim, spite OF her only e
pressed dislike of him, was esteemed We
good kind of man.
True Clara was beautiful and accomplis
ed beyond the average of women of h
class, and it would be a struggle 10 al
man TO give up such prize, backed as
was by the assurances of the stepmoth
that it was only girlish fancy, and III
love coming after marriage was more TO
trusted and more lasting than if it came |
fore; confess | was but poor counsel
under such circum stances still loved h
truly-she was almost as my own daughlt
for was childless widower, and won
have given my life 10 save her. But it W
impossible and to. morrow would seal h
fate.