The Van Buren press., 1872-04-02
MISCELLANY.
Clarence Edwards Return,

The cars ratified UP to q long bricl
building in the city of v, and Clar
ence Edwards glanced out OF the window
and saw u group of familiar faces ON the
platform. They were waiting for him
he knew. He hail been absent, had tray
eled over greater portion of the States
had camped with the indians, dined with
the Chidese. and after LAPSE OF thrc,
wears, had returned home
There is Clarence, exclaimed his
sister Helen, and in n moment more
there was pair of soft arms abont hls
neck, and red lips raining kisses on his
face. After noisy greeting from them
all, he was taken in buggy aid whirled
away to his pleasant home in the city.
Docs it look natural, my boyW ask
ed his father. as they entered the house.
Yes, father, not thing looks chang
ed, no. not even your own faces here .
"But YOU have changed Clarence
vour chcerfulncss has vanished, and there
is look of care on your face that new
err saw there before
GU "outNH tNI'Nl NV W ''''''''
unchanged, father, after living in SO
many different climates, and associaline
with people little better than savages. u
No. but did not expect TO see you
with such unmstaksble lines of sorrow
written on your face
"Just listen, Ilclen,' said he laugh
ingly, to his sister, ito hear father talk
one would imagine had been jilted bN
some of those almond eyed ladies in Cal
ifornia, or black eyed Indian girls on tho
plains. -
II expect its the truth, Clsrcnce, y
said his mother, trying to suppress
smile
well, you couldn't blame me, fel
some Of them ara 50 pretty that they do
play the deuce with fellows heart some
times.
"Come, sister, NINE" said Clarence
that evening, let Us take walk
want to see if everything else looks as
unchanged as it does here
Il guess you will not find many
changes, but don't it seem pleasant tc
get home after all these years ~
Pleasant; oh, Helen, it is anything
but that.
But are von not glad to see us all 2
Eyes. and it was the only thing that
! induced me to come home ! thought
had conquered my old feelings. but wher
| came in sight Of home, saw the familiar
faces once more. it called up a thousand
memories that fain would have buried
! in oblivion Let me 90 where | viii
her fair, fslse face is ever before me
Let me take up what will, her presene,
seems to float around it. Oh, the life
the wrctched, dispairing life she has
caused me to lead for the last three
Years How have tried to forget
tried to crush all remembrance Of hel
from my heart. but it haunts me still
Laugh at me Helen; ] am a weak man
and deserve it..
Laugh at you. Clarence! Oh, how
do YOU think could do that. when love
you both so dearly? Nothing could give
me more happiness than see you togeth
er once more ! had hoped your returI
would produce u change in her. but now
| am afraid nv hopes are vain, for sh,
is still engaged to Wlher Wayland.
And will marry him? ?"
f" suppose so "
"Oh, Helen, this is so hard to bear ]
it were any one else but Wayland
should not feel so had, bat he has beer
my evil genius all through life, and nov
in the end robs me Of that | value more
than anything else on earth v
"If could only help YOU, Clarence
but it seems as if ! cannot have talk
ed and pleaded in your behalf, but sh'
seems so indifferent to it all. F"
"Well, don't do it any more. Helen
your tender little heart shall not be pain
ed on my account, Int Madge must give
me her love freely or do not want it a
all "
A perfect picture did Madge TreyelyI
make as she sat there at the piano, softly
humming one of Webber's beautiful
pieces. A glad smile was on her face
and the bright eyes seemed looking fal
away The last rays Of the setting sur
fell through the window, lighting up tho
fair and filing the room with golden
glory
The door opened softly and n childish
voice said, " Sister Nladge, Clarence Ed
wards is at home.
The sweet smile died. the song was
hushcd and she turned with ashe.i lips
and a troubled brow.
"When did he come, Nettie 7"
"This morning
"Poor Clarence" sad she to herself
81 do feel so sorry for him. i wish hC
could love some one clsc aud yet be-
lieve ] should hate the Que that would
gain his love. for although ! am engaged
to marry Wilber, ] cannot bear tho