The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1873-04-30

next day, to marry a man who Wa
old enough TO be her father, and whc
but for the fact Of persisting in hi
claim in spite of her openly expressed
dislike of him was esteemed very
good sort Of a man.
True, Clara was beautiful and &C
complisbed beyond the average o
women of her class, and il would b.
4 struggle to any man TO give such Z
prize. backed a. be was by the assur
ance of the stepm0ther that it wa.
only girlish fancy, and that love
coming after marriage was more tC
be trusted and more lasting thar
when it came before.
/ confess | was but poor counsel,
or under such circumstances still
loved her very truly-she was al.
most as my own daughter, for | was
a childless widower, and | would
have given my life to save her. But
it was impossible, and to-morrw
would seal her fate.
1t was not q pleasant journey, that.
Mrs Webster slept and read at inter
walls the whoie time, and when she
sleot Clara nestled close to me.
We arrived al York about six o.
clock, and just as the train was slack
ening speed into the station, a guard
jumped on to the front board locked
or unlocked the door, and remained
their until the train stopped
Have YOU all your parcels, Mad
am -
All, thank you, Uncle Joseph, ex-
cept my umbrella-oh, that's under
the seat" said Mrs. Webster
Now. guard. unlock the door"
Are you with the Young lady,
sir :" pointing to nv niece.
Yes, certainly /; unlock the door"
Better not make fuss, sir"
Fuss! What do YOU mean -
The man who seemed TO be look
ing out for somebody. now asked
" All right, sir ?"
"All right" said the statiOn-mas-
ter, coming to the door and opening
it. This w4v. Miss"
What does this mean -
Step into my Office | dare say
its all right Better not say too much
here YOU know"
We followed him through the little
crowd Of passengers and porters, ac-
compauied by policeman in uni
form. As we passed, we beard frag-
mentary observations Of the most
pleasing kind.
Which Is it," said some one.
Its the girl | think
No; its the old woman. She
looks - if she would do any one mis-
chief, # it suited her"
"O.l man looks too soft for any
thing. and 50 on.
We went into the Office, and | in
dignautly turned to the station-mas-
ter.
What Is the meaning Of this, sir?"
Oh! it's very simple, sir, tele-
gram has arrived from the police in
London with orders TO stop this
young lady; here it is"
| took il and read:
The Young lady looking very I'll,
dressed in black silk mantle, white
straw bonnet, with white flow-
ers. is to be detained at the station
till the arrival of the officer by the az
ternOon mail She is seated in the
middle compartment Of the third first
class carriage from the end Of the
train. Her present name is Clara
Webster To avoid mistake, she has
a diamond ring on the third finger of
the left hand. with the words From
Herbert, engraved on the inside"
1t certainly was 4 correct des-
cription, and the name-there might
be two Clara Websters, though.
Let me see vour left hand. dear"
She pulled off her glove and there
was the ring.
Let me see that ring with the di-
amOnd on it."
Uncle what does this meang Is
wrong at home :"
'' I'll tell you presently, dear. Give
me the ring"
She took it of and gave il TO ne,
and | read From Herbert on the
inside.
Why that is the ring Mr. Langley
gave YOU"
What has be to do with this ?"
said Mrs. Webster Perhaps he"
He what, madam :"
Perhaps it did not belong to him,
| was going to say
| saw, it was no use TO struggle;
when tbs officer came down he would
explain the mistake.
Where can we wait? | said.
Wait, Uncle Joseph, what for ?
Madam, this telegram orders the
arrest Of your daughter and her de-
tention here until the arrival Of an
officer from London
But what Tor
Il cannot tell you; it is useless TO
complain now, We must wait"
Sc shall do nothing of the kind
shall at once 90 and get my brother
and come down"
Pray don't, madam : there's no
occasion to make more noise about
this matter than can be helped
Il shall remain with Clara; you
had better 90 and say we are coming
shortly"
Your instructions don't include
this lady and myself ?" | asked.
Not at all, sir your are both free
to. go at any time, but the young Ia
dy must STAY"
Where ?''
Well. sir, I'm sure there's some 4
and was so from the moment 1
| saw the young lady. so if you'll 1
give me your word not to go away, |
III take You into my house. out of
the hustle of the station"
Mrs. Webster went of. and Clara 1
and | went into the House.
What can it be Uncle -
Cant say, my dear: it will be
to laugh at by-and-by,
though it's not pleasant now"
But about the ring, Do YOU
.hink it possible, that what mama
said ~
pnrr;lln my dnar. itrs ridinnlnnr l