North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1865-03-08
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BX CLARA AUGUSTA.
CHAPTER I.

gray, blue hils-a dark-musky vapor
hanging over the waste, which was bounded
on one side by line of rank willows, and on
the other by the sluggish waters of a shall
low river. The southeast wind blew up
sickly and chill from the distant sea, and sent
a shudder through the leafless branches of
the woodbne still clingtng to the easement
Francis Haley closed the window, let down
the curtain, and turned inward to the scant
fire burning on the brick hearth The red
glow lit up her face, but the warm light cod
not make that face other than it was plain
and hopelessly ugly, save for the sweet eyes
and heavy masses of golden hair.
"It's time to go to milling, Frank" said
quelelouS voice from the depths of the
great armchair in the corner. SIN my days
gals didn't stand stargazng-, and the COWS
waiting to be MIXED"
Francis put some more fuel on the fire,
took down the wooden pals from the ''dr ess-
er," and went out. The cows were not in
the yard ; she had to go down into the pas
ture, through the damp grass and across the
swamp, and drive them up.
Ino, her little gray and white kitten fol
lowed her. She stopped to pat the siIken
| head, lifted for its accustomed caress. t'Y on
are al have now, lno. There are only you
and I, she said, half sadly.
Ino climed to her shoulder and laid his
soft head against her cheek. After all, there
is more sympathy in the brute creation than
we dream Of God knows we all see through
glass so darkIy that our wise Judgment is a
thing Of error,
Francis hugged him tight, then put him
down ald went to her work. She had fin
ishod and was putting up the bars topped
10 listen to beIated whippoorwiIl that forr
getting his natal June had long passed, was
disturbing the silence Of the October tw-
light. .....
y quick step crushed the crisp grass be-
hind her, Squire Evelyn took the ioaming
pals from her hands.
They are heavy for you, Frank; let me
carry ther.''
Ino ran away. and sought refuge in tie
old oak Jai re the door. Francis followed
The Squire into the dairy. He set the pals
down ami touched her arm.
"Cotao ou, moment, wish to speak with
you" ..
"WIil you not So into the house ?"
'No, it is lreer atmosphere outside"
He drew her to seat beneath he oak
decayed and old-her dead father had placed
it there for her when she was mere child
Squire Evelyn took her hand in his, and
his naturally stern voice sofened as he spoke
FRANCIS. have you ever heard aught against
M character 2"
She looked at him with surprise.
"Never, The whole town knows your
upIightness. .......
Thank you. asked you tie question,
because want to ask you another Of far
greater moment to me. Francis Haley will
you be my wife ?'
She started back from him, flushing to
the very edge of her hair, Even in the dim
! light he saw the swift rush of color.
"Do not decide hastily, as l see you are
about to do. l want your an swer only after
mature reflection. Understand me fully
am forty five and you are twenty four
twenty-one years difference. l am rich and
you are poor and you are killing yourself
with hard work, while /, strong man, live
at my ease. Yet, do not think | would mar
ry you because pity you. Far from it.
am not so unselfish. | want a wife.
know no other woman for whom | could
feel sufficient respect to give her that place
none save you. You know something of
my early life. You know that | have lived
single until middle age, because she whom
loved IN youth fled from me to the arms of
another. And last of all, Francis, love you.
| Not with a young mans passion, but with
the strength of ripper years-you only utterly
and entirely. And now | give you week
to decide Think of the life that lies before
you think of the helpless woman you will
care for so nobly to the end-think Of all the
burdens your slight shoulders must bear, and
remember how more than willingly | would
carry them all for you. Next Saturday night
| | shall be here for my answer.
lie pressed the hand he held, almost shud
dering at its lciness folded the shawl she
was letting slip to the ground, over the pas
sve form of Francis, and left her to herself.
She leaned back against the tree, her eyes
looking straight forward into the gathering
gloom, but seeing only inward. Ino came
down and purred around her now that the
stranger was gone, but be got 40 answering
MISUNDERSTANDING deeply. -
She took in the subject fully. She was
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