The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1866-12-15
Gilbert first hroka eilencn.

Gilbert first broke silence.
"You did not 60 to this great merry
at the Hall. / thought you
were sure to-"
81 had not the heart to 60"
But you will 60 with me?"
with you?"
"Yes. know Robert Balff well. I
was at college with him abroad. l am
sure he expects me. Claire, you will go,
l know"
"You never told me you knew him, ;"
said Claire.
81 have many things TO tell you yet,"
he answered, with peculiar smile.
She left him then, and going to her
own room, donned white dress-pretty
and soft, but far from new--twined some
bright flowers In her hair, and was rea-
dy. Then, taking his arm, they went
toward the Hall together.
1t was aglow with lights; music stole
forth upon the air. In the great draw
ing-rooms guests were already dancing.
They paused among them, watching
the dancers, Claire feeling very happy.
|, "Should you know Robert Balff?" he
asked.
"No."
az do. Guess which is he. He is in
this room."
30 Claire pointed out the tallest and
best looking, one after another, until
Gilbert said, "You choose the handsom-
est; he may be among the ugly ones"
And Claire, puzzled, peered out, but
failed to find the man her boy sweet
heart had grown into.
AT last they left the rooms and went
out upon the broad balcony.
"Your Robert Balff will make me
jealous yet" said Gilbert.
"Yet since you are so deeply interest
ed in him, I will tell you something
about him. ] know him well. He is
an odd creature, Claire; ay, and he is
ugly, too-not one bit handsome. What
say you to that?"
81 don't know. Tell me more, is he
good ?"
$50 so-an ordinary mortal. You
know he spent his youth in Germany"
eyes"
1t was not very happy one. His
mother was dead; his father was not
fond of him; he had no home ties
Heavens mercy only kept him from q
life of riot and debauch. Net to that
the memory of a girl, grown 70 woman
hood now, Of whom, as boy and man
he had always dreampt as his wife. He
had often told me of her-her name was
Claire. SO, hearing of his fathers death
and coming home to take possession OF
his fathers estate, this lonely rich man
said to himself, "If she be what l be-
lieve, l must WOO and win herr and
said it so often that doubt arose, born
Of the very hope. Being poor, she might
wed him las other girls have we'd, fol
money, not for love. For he was mo-
handsome. His face was Scared like
mine, and women, he said, think much
of beauty. Then, coming to his native
place, he hid his name and saw her, of:
fered her some courtesy, as stranger
might, and so spoke to her. After that
he felt that unless he won her, his wealth
was worthless. But he kept his resolve
and telling no one who he was, came tC
the door one windy March night, poor
stranger, nothing more, and dwelt be
meath her roof for weeks; not Robert
Balff, the Colonel's wealthy heir, but q
struggling man, with only a fond love
to offer her. Yet, so he won her. Oh
darling, forgive me this deception. Sc
wooing and winning you, have been
happier than any king, and there can
come only one happier day to me-that
on which you stand beside me, mistress
of this old Hall-my own, my cherish
ed, my best beloved wifen
So the tale was told, leaving Claire il
strange bewilderment, as though it were
all a dream.
But that she forgave him was certain
since on a certain day not long thereaf
ter the village church was open, and
whose entered might have seen Claire
Grey and Robert Balff kneeling togeth'
er at the altar, with bridesmaids in white
muslin, and spruce groomsmen ranged
around. And Mrs. Grey, in a perfect
luxury Of tears at the fulfilment of hel
dearest wishes, made an exceedingly in
teresting picture.