Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-12-23
Of the fact, however, that his fathers mer
camille influence had really gained him the
opening there.

camille influence had really gained him IL
opening there.
Living in the same city, estranged
heart, with the secret uususpected by a
others between themselves, the father an
son only occasionally met, and then wit
OILY the surface civilities of mere acquaiu
tances. 1t was therefore no matter of regret
though one Of some surprise, when Maxwell
returned to California to find his father ba
retired from business curing his absense
and again gone to Europe. He had hopc'
to bring him into intercourse with the wild
ow and fatherless he had wronged. but, dis
appointed in that, he was only more firmly
resolved himself to atone by every means il
his power for his fathers crime.
The most surprising change in Clara wa.
the first comfort and reward given for his
efforts The sea voyage and the medica
skill now easily obtained for her, ne res,
from trying work, and gentle exercise for
which she now found time, were working
wonders for the cripple. From the lovely
face the pallor of suffering was fast vanish
ing, the little fgnre was slowly coming into
the erect bearing it had worn before her &C
cident, and every day limp and stoop were
becoming less painfully apparent.
While the body was thus recovering, the
mind was not idle. For the first time since
her fathers failure, Clara Barclay had time
and opportunity for study. Music became
a passion, now that the tinkering old piano
she had kept up her childish practice upon
was replaced by fine instrument. and she
could afford sone good instruction. Life
seemed to her just opening and Maxwell
Allen the hero who had unfolded the portals
to release her from toll and pain
And what was she to him At first an
object of keen pity, to awaken rcmorse
and grief that were almost unbearable then
the Living proof that his efforts to atone
were not in vain !; later, the dearest hone of
his lonely life. Could he win her ff his
wife, then, indeed, he could give his whole
life 10 the women his father had beggared.
Every year his salary would increase, and
he could bring comforts around them, while
the devotion Of q husband to the cripple
would be not only his duty, but his happi-
ness. Impetuous always, in spite of his
grave face and reserved manner, he laid his
before Clara, ard was refused.
''You think you love me- she said,
gently; "but you pity me more. I will
lever consent to burden your whole lie
with crippled wife"
In vain be tried to move her In vain
be gained an advocate in her mother. She
sas resolute in her rejection of his suit, and
because she loved him utterly and unselGsh-
[y, she would not be his wife.
Finding her immovable, be took such
nt asures as secured Mrs Barclays position,
md accepted an offer from the firm to go to
Paris for business purposes.
''Five years since ! was in New York,
md h re | am again, on Ncw-Y Years Day,
CO.,"
"Five years ago to-day we were in
W together, and surprised enough
was to see your name on the list of hotel
arrivals was the reply of Walter Putnam
% Max well Aliens remark ''You refused
hen to make calls with me, Come to~day.
'sBut | know no one" ~
"Never mind. [ can introduce yuu.-
That is the privilege Of the day And by
,he-by, do you remember the BARCLAYS p
on asked me about them when We were in
II remember
''They left there soon after and went to
California. Last winter they returned to
New York, and are now living on Fifth
Avenue, keep their own carriage, aad have
renewed the old friendships of Mr.. Barclays
prosperous days"
married rich p
"Not at ALL Some property lost in the
failure and now recovered, so rumor says
Be that as it may, they are in their proper
position Clara is much admired, and
Louie made her entrance into society in a
Christmas party last week, that was one of
the most brilliant gatherings of the season. 9"
EDO you call there to-day
Certainly"
Il will 90 there with YOU and renew my
with Mrs Barclay"
The drawing room was crowded with
guests when the gend men entered, but
Maxwell Allen saw but one face Seeing
her gracefully moving here and there. radi
ant in beauty, it was hard to believe Clara
Barclay had ever been crippled. Small in
form. slender in proportion, she was still
rather spirltuetle, but there was no trace OF
deformity or lameness left. She was the
centre of a gay group when she saw Max
well Allen standing 10 the doorway, look.
ing earnestly upon her. Before he could
realize that she had recognized him, she was
beside him.
''Not here,p she said, before ho spoke
come into ths library and she led the way.
Once alone. she came and stood before
him, her face raised to meet his gaze. One
look into his loving eyes sufi red her
MAXWELL" she said, II am we'll. See
all my ameness is gone Oh, my own, you
love me still %
Love you? When have I ceased to love
you? Bnt You are an heiress now, Clara
| am but a poor clerk STILL
"Ah, Maxwell. we know your secret
When the news fr>t came that Godfrey AL
len was dead, and his son had resigned al
clat,n to the estate, and by deed of gift res
tored TO us our 1atners property, we HUI
guessed who that son was. But one lette
in mass of legal documents betrayed
YOU
Twill you then forgive my father 2"
'Hush, dearest. Surely. all the past
forgiven | have been to Europe, Max
and found health there. Always seekin
that for your sake. now you will forget tn
past for your little wife will not be Grip
pie"
edo you know, Clara, where and when
made my last New Years call ?"
''No, tell me-"
"Iu W, five years ago"
REASON FOR DIvoRcE-Not long az
youth, who had been wheedled into
maryiaga which his subEeouent iudgmer