The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-03-29

hear from him, as mamma saySo"
Because he was man Of honor: the
four years We're up only last April, and
this is but July; who can tell where he
is? Wherever he is, he is faithful and
true, l KNOW"
cob! uncle, God bless you for those
words! | know it too, but what can I
do? ! can not delay longer; my poor
fathers dying words, my solemn prom
Use to marry this man, my stepmother's
persecutions-what can | do: Three
months have l fought, andnow l wish
could lie down and die. Oh! uncle, is
there no escape? I have such a dread
that ne VIII come back after I am mar
ried, and then-oh! it would be worse
than his death to see him!-the tempta-
ton oh why can not l dieo"
Poor child! my poor child !" was all
I could utter.
Bound by vow made at her fathers
deathbed she was going next day to
marry man who was old enough to be
her father, and who, but for the fact of
his persisting in his claim, spite of her
openly expressed dislike of him. was
esteemed very good kind of man.
True, Clara was beautiful and accom-
plished beyond the average of women of
her class, and it would be struggle to
any man to give up such prize, backed
as he was by the assurances of the STEP
mother that it was only girlish fancy,
ana that love coming after marriage
was more to be trustedand more lasting
than if it had come before; l confess i
was but poor counsellor undersuch cir
cumstances, still loved her very truly {;
she was almost as my own daughter, for
| was a childless widower, and would
have given my life to save her. But it
was impossible, and tomorrow would
seal her fate.
1t was not pleasant journey, that
Mrs. Webster read and slept at intervals
the whole time and when she slept Clara
nestled close to me.
We arrived at York about six o'clock,
and, just as the train was slackening
speed into the station, a guard jumped
on the foot-board, locked or unlocked
the door, and remained there until the
train stopped.
!" Have you all your parcels, madam?'
J" All, thank you, Uncle Joseph, ex-
cept my umbrella-oh that's under the
seat" said Mrs. Webster.
Now, guard, unlock the door,
:. Are you with that young lady, SIR"
pointing to my niece.
CD, 0Cl tdlHly uulOCk GIlC uOOF.
Better not makea fuss, SIR"
" Fuss! what do you mean?"
The man, who seemed to be looking
out for somebody, now asked, "Ali
right, sir?"
:" All right" said the station-master,
coming to the door and opening it; "this
way, miss"
J" What does this mean ~
Step into my office-I dare say it's
all right. Better not say too mnch out
here, you know"
We followed him through the little
crowd OF passengers and porters, accom-
panied by a policeman in uniform. AS
we passed we heard fragmentary re-
marks of the most pleasing kind.
Which is it ?" said some one.
" It's the girl, l think"
No, it's the old woman; she looks
as if she'd do any one mischief if it
suited her."
cold man looks too soft for any
thing" and so on.
We went into the Office, and / indig-
nantly turned to the station-master.
What is the meaning of this, sir?"
:" Oh it's very simple, sir; a telegram
has arrived from the police in London,
with orders to stop this young lady
here it is"
/ took it and read:
THE young lady looking very i'll,
dressed in black silk mantle, white straw
bonnet with white flowers, is to be de-
tanned at the station till the arrival of
the officer by the afternoon mail. She
is seated in the middle compartment of
the third flrst-class carriage from the
end of the train. Her present name is
Clara Webster TO avoid the possibility
of mistake, she has diamond ring on
the third finger OF the left hand, with
the words From Herbert engraved on
the inside"
1t certainly was Il correct description,
and the name--there might be two
Clara Websters, though.
6 Let me see your left hand, dear"
She pulled Off her glove, and there
was the ring.
Let me see that ring with the dia-
mond on it"
:Uncle, what does this mean? Is any
thing wrong at home p
"Pll tell you, presently, dear; give
me the ring"
She took it off, and gave it to me, and
read From Herbert" on the inside.
Why, that's the ring Mr.. Langley
~