Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-03-22
CLARIGE.

4
did not hate 0larios Stanley, because |
was thought Ia childhood 20 believe that the
harboring for one brief mOmsnt OF wa,
emotion visa 40 unpardonabIe SIN, anu
thus acquired . habit Of trying 20 zee every
body with q charitable ere. 4 must honest
" confess that had no other reason Tor
not perfsotly hating her. ohe was . mar.
velouuly beautiful creature. How beautiful
osnnos say; bat she was the handsomesi
woman ever saw, and no man ever came
into her presence and remained half an
hour without making down right fool Of
himself
Nov, on the other hand, loved my half
sister Bertha. did not love or appreciate
my mother until she va, dying and then J
was suddenly awakened to the fact that she
was good woman, and that 10 loving her,
| was loving the best friend bad 10 the |
world and was resdy to promise all she
wished in reference 10 the future OF little
Berthe.
wa, twelve years elder than this four
years old sister, and very young to take her
education into my hands but did it cheer
fully, add tried TO do my duty. think !
succeeded for when Berthe was eighteen
there was not sveeter, Prsitier girl 10 all
the county around.
We had q nsighbor, = riekety old man,
with every complaint known, whose only
safeguard was bis wealth.
Well, this old man died and 10 week
his heir came down to CRANKY Hall 20 viev
bis vast inheritancs BERTHE, dear little
soul, had bseu remembered 10 the old mans
will. for her bowls OF soup and morning
calls end Frank GrAnby himself led down
the snowy horse, which had been the old
mans bsqueat, and saw my golden haired
darliag. / was 90 foul and proud, that
should 10. have wondered q, any nan who
fell 10 love with her aud so, Of course, was
surprised 20 SEQ Franb CRANKY loso the
indifferent face he had brought across the
Lawn, aud carry Avsy one very animated
and full Of admiration.
did no, see every glance, OF hear every
word that they spoke after this bat knov
thoy were progressing we'll. and WAS qnite
prepared, When, after a few weeks, Frank
led her 10 me, all bushes aud modest hap.
piusss, aud asked me to give them my
blessing, and consent 10 their union. All,
how readily complied for this was the
realization OF oil my bright dreams She
would have moueJ, position, and love
Before the summer days ended my cousin
Clarioe came On q visit.
have already said that she was beA1ti
ful aud she posssssed-vhat even goes far
tbsr-ths mos, wonderful conversations
powers, and manners refined 10 almost per
fsc,lou BY years OF practice in the best so
cisIy. She was nearly a. old ~ myself, bu
fer more beautiful than 10 girlhood anC
when she crossed our threshold, 1 WAS q
envious aud jealous for Berries sake, n
though knew she would take our FranI
away.
She knew, IN a very little while, that Der
tic was engaged and, when my dGrlinI
won't cut 10 cut 5ome fresh flowers for on
tea-lable, she said, "Patlis, why didnI 20
make the child vaiI2 She 10 pretty, M,
would produce q sensation 10 town. Why
she might marry a very rich man"
81 believe that Frank claims that titi-
Ills uncle has recently lefI a large property
aud his father died but year ago, equal
rich, and lsit evsrythi5g TO PrAnk.'
She vas our guest, 30 held my peace
But 10 CALLED mo very much 10 do so, and
AZ once resolved 20 watch her The YER
momsn, she saw Frank, know thu, sh'
made Up her mind TO win him aud, belor,
no had been present an hour, she had draw
him quite away from Berries side. He d.,
not seem 70 understand that she WAS asverA
years older indeed, she did not look il.
AZ he vent away she said, az ou are th
only member OF the male sex | have see
since | entered this town; aud - | veril
believe you are the only one | shall see
claim you for my escort,
lie laughed At her, and went away wit
the same animated face be had worn whe
he frat me, BERTHE. From that moment
cloud lowered over US. At 6rs, il Was
tiny thing; but gradually IL grew larger, Ut
ell 10 quito dimmed curl lives. Frank beoAm
80 wax in Clarice's strong hands.
Then there we're nights when my darlin
Dame 70 my room, and crepi into my ARM
aud lay her tsAr-vel cheek close 70 min
sobbiag, "Oh, PG,.ie, dear sister, my hear
Is breaking
The autumn drew near, and Clarice ali
remained with US. She was toe same care
less creature, and was apparently 10 ignoI
nuoe Of the fact that lhs was the cause {
the broken engagement, and that in OF
abode Frank GrAnby's face was seen q
more. | was not ignorant OF the fact, {
that the roses were fleeing from BERTHE
cheek, and the happiness from her youu
heart and there was not u night that | di
not pray for her.
Oue DAY, Clarice came 70 me, aud se
Ting her drapery around her, she sat bac
in . chair, aud looking out from her hNI
closed eyss, shs said, dreamlly, "Pattie, 70
hate me bltarly, I dare say; but whore
the use2 cannot help loving Frank,
prevent his loving me. He could not
happy with your baby sister, and you mu
not blame him. We are TO bs married
three week from to-day"
VERY we'll"
"Hov icy you ARE Bless me what
misunderstanding wretch y
The last sentence had no particular rsfs
ruce to me, but TO = man who was crossin
the lawn to the back door went out
him.
A wretch I. was fair name for hiu
lie was not Unlocking, bat he was indee
wrstohed. There was the duat and mud {
one weeks travel, at least, olinginR to hi
heavy shoes, and . dirty, hAlEgrowH bear
hiding the lower pSrI Of his face. His cos
was ragged and ill.dIdng, aud his line
limp and dirty. spoke, and asked his sr
rand.
81 am hungry, I AN tired, Am poo
aud out OF work. he answered.
"You shall have food; come TO-"
He came and sat upon the door step.
"Couldut you 6nd few days work e
me In all those fields yondsrY can VOL
we'll, ma'sm2"
Ny answer did not come readily and
spoke again.
III see don't blame you. II is Il
way OF the world. You cannot trust sue
an ill.lookinE vazAbond as |. Give n
plenty Of water, little soap, comb, az
shaving materials, and | shAll DO man
had lived the greater part Of my life
tina, quiet country place, and had ieArn'
10 b tribe cold TO strangers, and most
all to such a, he; bat something pos.ess'
me then, aud | babe him enter, called OF
Of the farm laborers, aud asked him to su
ply the man with the necessary toilet art
Giles, and clean clothes
In half an hour he again came before N
Twas surprised at the change. John, Il
farm lsborsr, had provided him with . cleo
suit Of clothes, aud bis face was ole'
l. Il -