The Lincoln County herald., 1871-04-06

Of the rosy path Of love. Jack heard my
story, and said that ho would not have
stood half Of old Rowley's nonsense; /; but
what he would have done under the cir.
be did not impart to me at
the time, and forgot to ask him after
ward. -. s..i y
Clara and I met clsudestiucly. We
were lovers We had been lovers from
our youth the finty heart Of o guardian
who had outlived mortal passion was not
to stand between our fresh young souls.
I met Clara 10 the village fscaled the
park fence and met her ia thu green
wood aud Jack, good fellow, kept watch
on the door of the hall, and old Rowley's
Library Windows, with q telescope, lest we
should be surprised At any moment.
Clara and I passed much of our time talk.
ing of what we would do when she came
into possession Of her property at twenty.
one, ,-shd my grandmother favosed mo by
departing FROM this earthly sphere but
II was sharp winter and our teeth chat
tered over the prospects. Clara and l
used to arrange our meetings in this
wise Clara had . confident in the game
keeper, Peter Stokes. an invaluable man,
with weakness for tobacco. and with
heart ell charity toward his fellow crea-
lures Peter was always getting up
subscriptions for his fsl ow- creatures 10
the village and what with his subscrip-
tions and his tobacco kept him en-
tirely in tobacco-my pocket.moncy
knew but little rest. Still be had good
heart, and was kind to US. He took
charge of our correspondence, which was
carried on by circumlocutary but sure
process. Clara gave it to her maid Sc
lima another con6dante-who, alas !
proved herself per6dious snake-and
Selma intrusted it to Peter, who took it
to knarled monarch Of the forest-an
oak tree, in fact-and concealed it from
all human gaze in a small hollow cavity
sVme ten feet from the ground. whero at
a late hour l found it, and deposited my
answer to be conveyed by the came pro
cess, into my dear Clara's hand.
Peter was q lank old man, and very
wiry he could climb tree like a squir.
rel, and was agile myself The whole
conception was romantic, if you will bu,
grand | thought so-Clara thought 80
Peter thought so. The idea was from
Millais' picture, which We both carefully
studied aud if Peter had not deposited
bis small notes to myself at the same
time asking my kind consideration as a
gentleman born with warm heart, to on
affecting case in the parish" the romance
would have been pure and unaloycd.
Clara de6ed the obdurate guardian fol
two menths it was in February when
Selma Mugeins betrayed. MS. was ad
vauoing in an innocent and unsuspcc citing
manner to the secret post.ofice in the
wood, half mile from Mr.. Royley'.
house, when l became conscious Of the
whole perfdlty. | was close upon The
tree-that brave old oak which had held
20 many secreIs--when voices in an
other direction fillod my soul with horror
They we're the voices of Samuel Rowley
Esq, j. p, and Peter Stokes, my Mer
curry. l eank down 10 the long grass
there was rapid fhaw that morning, ant
the damp struck me ut once-and l trem
bled for my love. l was not an lnstan
too soon their footsteps were upon me
Mr.. Rowley's right foot was nearly upor
me, also he shaved my features by {
hairs breadth, and passed on. The
harsh tones of his voice rang in my ear
an instant afterward.
"You don't consider yourself an abom
Unable scamp, I suppose, Mr.. Rowle,
said, Tan unprincipled old vagabond, t
act assa go.between to SILLY school cir
and thst idiot Of q boy? You neve
thought Of tho harm Of encouraging this
did you 3"2 l4A- K [2fL-T
LIN very sorry. sir, y vhimporet
Peter. a3y-E'Ftbg FW
Teaching ny ward to bo deceitful
Tor the sake q6a few sisPsness. Isup
pose. e.egxrwvvv =, :
"l've never had . ha' penny, your honor
much moro I sixpenoo.' - IA ~ e
Neither had hs.Y they we're general,
half crowns he Was in tho habit of recsiv
Ing from me. ~" -4" tJs'p an ]
"You deserve to be kicked out of my ser
vice. 6tolea-- drummed out of the yillag
for wicked old hypoctite !
"They we're very fond Of each other
sir, and Mise Clara used to ask mo 0
beseeohing ), and when I told there VA
harm in writiua to Master Huskissor
without her dear gardswan's knowing
Anything abostIit, she alters said it wa
for the last time, .sir-really."
u .Ifitwasrnot for your age, Stokes l.,
send you sbogs Your busipsss this yer.
s'srm worry i y'ssoi'ayS soi'ayS, sir, - Stoke. !. sal,
again, shedding masy tssrs.a
"Is this the tree p yier.ss
"Yes, sir, that's the tree"
"Aud Clara's last letter is up ther
Ensv, shl n that hole : Noy, new0r
Eyes, sir. in that hole" +
r,Hov on easth doy net at itf'