The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-07-01

cherlSHeu iOE uer dunJ ana uncle tine 1ull
measure OF fiiial devotion. From them she
received all thetender care and solicitude
of parental lovein the enjoyment of which,
and the many advantages bestowed by
wealth, she grew up to womanhood.
The death of her aunt, when she was in
her seventeenth year, was the first great
sorrow that befell her, that of her mother
occurring at too early an age to leave a
lasting impression. After her aunt's death
she assumed the control of domestic affairs,
and, fortunately, she had received such
culture from Mrs. Winthrop as to eminent
ly fit her for the position she was now call
ed upon to fill for among all her acquired
accomplishments, those of housewifely
nature had received due share of her at
tention. s,tJf f,.t...
AS was very natural from their quasi
cousihship, close degree of intimacy ex-
listed between Edward Perham and Clara.
In their younger years he had the "run of
the house." dropping in at all hours sans
ceremonfe. And yet, Notwithstanding their
close compauionship, Perham was never a
special favorite of hers In many respects
they presented marked dissimilitude of
character. Clara's disposition was very
genial, his was cold and impassive her
tastes were highly refined his cast in
coarser mould she was affable and unas-
suming,he cynical and supercilious. In
word, all her instincts reached to higher
altitude than his were capable of attaining.
AS they grew older this dissimilarity
became more decided, or more apparent to
Clara, and her regard for him consequently
diminished. But as she developed into
the bloom of womanhood, Perham became
more devoted and ardent in his attentions,
and finally he openly aspired to her affec-
tions, in which he was encouraged by his
own family. Reluctant to wound his feel
| ings, Clara affected not to fathom his inten-
tion, but so persistent did he at last be-
come, despite of the discouragements Clara
took good care in quiet way to offer as
checks, that she began to dread his appear
ance, while a growing feeling of aversion
began to gain ascendency in her mind,
which she manifested with a studied cold
ness and reserve of manner toward him.
She had not the least faith in the sincerity
of his love. She, Clara Weston, was not
the object he sought to win, but the pros
pective heiress Of Charles Winthrop was
the prize that allured him. '''''.'i
There was one annoyance to which she
was subjected, and which at last, from the
modification it occasioned her, awoke her
resentment This was his ridiculous as
sum ption, that he alone was entitled to her
favors; that any little civilities or courtesies
she might bestow on other gentlemen were
an encroachment on his prerogative. On
all such occasions he was won't to manifest
his displeasure by sullenness Of de-
meanor, and not unfrequently by discount
eous treatment of those who appeared to
have won the good graces of Clara. Hence
the ill-humor he betrayed in the cars be-
cause Of the friendly interest at once es-
tablished between Clara and Henry Pea
body. On that occasion his manners were
more Extensively supercillious than usual.
Hitherto Clara had borne these imperti-
nences without remark, but when Perham
sought to cast a doubt on the character of
Peabody, it aroused her as Perham had
never before seen her aroused. This only
nettlcd him the more, and led him to
decry Peabody in ssverer terms.
BY SO doing he betrayed a sad lack of
wisdom. He had not the shrewdness to
perceive that in placing Clara in the atti-
tude Of defender of the accused, he was
only the more strongly enlisting her in
terest in his behalf. The scathing words
wrung from Clara in the room Of the hotel
cut deeply, but he was wise enough not to
reply to them. He resolved, however,
that he would leave no means untried to
prove to her that the suspicious he enter
tanned against Peabody we're well founded
During her homeward journey, Clara
had ample time to think over all that had
lately transpired. Although filed with anx-
iety on her unce's account, the subject of
Peabody and the watch constantly obtrud-
ed on her thoughts, She would soon learn
whether or not her uncle's watch was
missing. If it should prove that it was
three was no doubt but that it was in Pea
body's possession. What thenp Did it
necessarily follow that Perham's coniec-
ture was coirect--that the former had
stolen it ? And yet after all, were his sus-
picions unreasonable?
AS Clara leaned back in her seat ponder
ing these questions, vague doubt swept