Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1873-03-21
UNDER SUSPICION.
THE ARREST.

UNCLE JOSEPH, will you see to thu
luggage ?"
"Certainly, madam" Irephed. 1 al
ways called my brothers second wifi,
madam we never quarreled, but eacl
thought the other the most disagreeablt
person in the universe; and as we eacl
knew what the other thought, it may b,
imagined that our intercourse was not O.
very cordial kind.
did see to the luggage, and took theil
tickets for the York express by the Grea
Northern Railway.
Fortunately we had a compartment tc
ourselves-that is, Mrs. Webster, my
niece Clara, and myself.
"Clara my dear, you look as i'll as yor
can look; no one would think that to
morrow was your wedding day"
"DoI look ill, mamma?" said Clara
dreamily.
eyes, my dear, and wretched, too.
wonder you've not more sense at your
age, girl of twenty-five, and breaking
her heart for love of man who for foui
years has taken not the slightest notice o.
you"
"Why, it was one of the conditions
Mrs. Webster, that he should not write,
exclaimed.
Clara said nothing, but looked hel
thanks at her old uncle.
However, Uncle Joseph, he ought to
have come back and taken his dismissal
quietly. have no patience with these
poor men blighting a girls chances OF
getting we'll settled in life in this way.
However, thank goodness, it's all over
now; the four years are gone this three
months, and tomorrow she will be the
happy wife of man whose age will com
mand your respect, and whose position
will secure you every comfort"
"And, mamma, whom nothing on earth
but my solemn promise to my poor dear
father would make me call husband"
."Wcll, my dear, it's fortunate for your
future interests that you made that prom
1se. I'm sure that Mr.. Tredgar is man
after my own heart If / hadn't other
views for my children's sake, should
have set my own cap at him myself"
"I'm sure, madam, Mr.. Tredgar would
feel only too much honored if he knew
your sentiments; the candid avowal OF
to Clara's happiness, under existing cir.
cumstances."
"Well, you know, Uncle Joseph, am
candid to fault"
Decidedly, madam, most decidedly,"1
replied; a remark which caused Mrs. Web
ster to read a yellow.covered novel for
some time in silence, though shortly
afterwards she dropped asleep.
Clara stole to my side of the carriage,
and leaned her head on my shoulder.
"Oh, Uncle, wish were dead; can II
be 80 very wrong to die? l am SO
wretcbed; dread tomorrow. Oh, why
will not God pity me and take away my
life?"
"My dear Clara, don't, there's a good
child; it's wicked to talk in this way; life
must be borne; have felt as you fee
and yet live, and am not positively un
happy; only vague, shadowy regret fol
what might have been stands like cloud
between me and any happiness that might
be mine. Yours are keen sufferings, but
bear them patiently, and use will dull the
pain"
'But, Uncle, why did he not let me
hear from him, as mother says?"
Because he was a man of honor; the
four years were up only last April, and
this is but July; who can tell where he
is? Wherever he is, he is faithful and
true, know"
ooh, Uncle. God bless you for those
words. / know, too, but what can dol
l cannot delay longer; my poor fathers
dying words, my solemn promise to
marry this man, my stepmother's perse
cutions-what can l dor Three
months have fought, and now l wish
could lie down and die. Oh! Uncle, is
there no escape? / have such dread
that he will come back after I am mar.
ried, and then-nol il would be worse
than his death to see himl The tempta.
tion-oh! why cannot dieP"
tPnOr phildt NV nOnr nhiId xrroo oil
could utter.
Bound by vow made at her fathers
death-bed, she was going, the next day, to
marry man who was old enough to be
her father, and who, but for the fact of
persisting in his claim, in spite of her
openly expressed dislike of him, was es.
teemed very good kind of man.
True, Clara was beautiful and accom-
plished beyond the average of women of
her class, and it would be struggle ia
any man to give up such prize, backed
as he was by the assurance of the STEP
mother that it was only girlish fancy,
and that love coming after marriage was
more to be trusted and more lasting than
if it came before.
confess l was but a poor counselor
under such circumstances; still l loved
her very truly-she was almost as my
own daughter, for I was childless
widower, and | would have given my life
to save her. But it was impossible, and
tomorrow would seal her fate.
1t was not pleasant journey, that.
Mrs. Webster read and slept at intervals
the whole time, and when she slept Clara
nestled close to me.
We arrived at York about o'clock, and
JUST as the train was slackening speed
into the station, guard jumped on to
the front board, locked or unlocked the
door, and remained there until the train
stopped.
!" Have you all your parcels, Madam ~
"All, thank you, Uncle Joseph, except
my umbrella-oh, that's under the seat"
said Mrs. Webster.
Now, guard, unlock the door"
Are you with that young lady, sirf"
pointing to my niece.
"Yes, certainly; unlock the door"
4" Better not make fuss, sir"
"Fussl What do you meant"
The man, who seemed to be looking
out for somebody, now asked, "All right,
sirr'
"All right" said the station master,
coming to the door and opening it. "This
way, Miss"
What does this meanH"
Step into my Office dare say its's all
right. Better not say too much here, you
know"
We followed him through the. little
crowd OF passengers and porters, accom-.
panied bya policeman in uniform, AS
we passed, we heard fragmentary obser.
vations of the most pleasing kind.
(Which is itH" said some one.
sits the girl, think"
''Noi it's the old woman. She looks az