Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1873-03-15
UNDER SUSPICION

CHAPTER THE ARREST
"Unce Joseph, will you see to the
aCertaiuly, madam" I replied l al
ways called my brothers second vile
"madam;" we never quarreled, but each
thought that the other was the most dis
aef cable person in the universe and as
we each knew what the 9th, thoaght, II
NAV be imagined that our intercourse was
no very cordial kind.
did see TO the luggage, and then took
tickets for the party for the York express
b, the Great Northern railway.
Fortunately We had a compartment 10
our elves that is, Mrs. Webster, my
liece Clara, ana myself.
CLARA. my dear, you look as III as you
can look no one would think that to-
morrow was your wedding day."
DO look III, mamma ~ said Clara,
dicamily.
Yes, my dear, and wretched, too. l
wonder you've not more sense at your age,
girl of twenty. five, and breaking her
heart for love of a man who for four years
has taken not the slightest notice of you.
why, It was one of the conditions,
MIS-. Webster, that he should not write" ="
i exclaimed.
Clara said nothing, but looked her
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 blightlng girls chance Of get
ting well settled In life however, thank
goodness, it's oil over now, the four years
are gone this three months, andto-morrow
you will be the happy wife of man whose
age will command your respect, and
whose position will secure you every COM
fort
"And, mamma, whom nothing on earth
but my solemn promise to my poor dear
iatl er would make me call husband"
"Well, my dear,sit's fortunate for your
future interests that you made that prom
lse Pm sure Mr.. Tredgar is man after
my own heart. II hadn't other views
for my childreu's sake, should have set
ms cap at HIM myself.
Pm sure madam, Mr.. Tredgar wou' d
feel only too much honored If he knew
your sentiments the candid avowal OF
then is, think, highly calculated to add
10 Clara's happiness under existing cir
eumstanCes."
We'll, you know, Uncle Joseph, | an
candld 10 fault"
Decidedly, madam, most decidedly
! replied, q remark which caused Mrs
Whistler to read yellow-covered move
for some time in silence, though shortly
aiterwari she dropped asleep.
Clara stole to my side of the carrlag
and leaned her head on my shoulder.
"Oh, uncle, wish ! were dead can
be- 50 very wrong to die | am SO wretebe'
dread tomorrow. Oh why will no
God pity me and take away my life Z"
MY dear Clara, don't, there's a goo
child it's wicked to talk In this way
life must be borne | have felt as you fee
aud yet live and am not positively uu
happy; only II vague, shadowy regret 10
4 what might have been stands like clou
between me and any happiness that nigh
I be mine. Yours are keen sutlerines, bu
bear them patiently, aud use will dull th
4 pain,
But, uncle, why did he not let me hea
from him us mamma says 2"
Because he was man of honor; th
four years were up only last April, an
til s is but July who can tell where he Ii
Wherever he is, he is faithful and true,
& know"
Il "Oh Uncle, God bless you for tho'
Nuids. krow it too, but what can dc
/ cannot delay longer my poor father
dying words, my solemn promise to ma
~ this man, NV step-mother's persecl
81 tions-what can dol Three montl
N have | fought, and now | wish could |
$ down and die. oh ! Uncle, is there no e
# cape ; have such dread that he vi
n come after am married, and then-ol
u ii would be worse than his death 10 g.
him The temptation oh why can n
ii die ;"
Poor child my poor child % was all
could utter.
Bound by vow made at her fathe
death bed, she was going the next day
marry man who was old enough to
he. father, aud who, but for the fact
4 bis persistlug in his claim, spite of
n her openly expressed dislike Of him, W
II esteemed very good kind of man.
81 True, Clara was beautiful and acco
81 pshed beyond the aver ,ge Of women
# her class, aud ii would be a struggle
IL any man 10 give up such prize, back
X as he WAS hy the assurances of tue ST.
mother that it was only girlish fan
aud that love coming after marriage v
was more TO be trusted and more lasIi
rs than If ii came before | confess Il
was but poor counselor under such
# cumstances, still loved her very thu
she was almost as my own daughter, fo
Was a childless widewer, and l wo
have given my life TO save her. Bli
# was impossible, and TO morrow would {
M her fate.
1t was not a pleasant journey, Il
Mrs. Webster read and slept at inlerS
The whole time, and when she slept Cl
nestled close to mo.
HI We arrived at York about six o'clc
and, just as the train was slaekcning 81
INTO the station, a guard jumped on to
HI loot board locked or unlocked the d
M aud remained there until the train stopl
M Have you all your parcels madam
All, thank you, Uncle Joseph, ex
my umbrella-oh that's under the Sc
said Mrs. Webster.
Now, guard, unlock this door,"
Are you not with that young lady S
pointing to my niece.
Yes, certainly unlock the door.
setter not make fuss, sir. -
Fuss What do you mean :"
The man who seemed to be looki nl
y sir !"
'All right" said the station INA
coming to the door, and opening II,
way, Miss"
What does this mean 20
step into my office, dare say IT.
'shl Better not say to much out
H YOU know
We followed him through the
v'oWd OF passengers and porters, &C
panied by policeman in uniform.
q F"'.eu We uehtu lfAgmeulhIJ JUS
NoHs OF most pleasing kind.
which Is it - said some one.
II 5 the girl, | think"
No, it's the old woman, she looks
'pe would do any one mischief If ii /
'old man looks too soft for anyth
ard so on.
we went into the office, and indig
turned to the station master.
What IS the meaning of this sir Z
oh it's very simple sir tell
oss arrived from the police in Londol
is" WIS JSNNe 'N'
took ii and read
lhe young lady looking very III,
u black silk mantle, white stra'
ISe.' with white flowers is to be detail
station till the arrival of the OIL
ne afternoon mail. She is seated
oe muie compartment of the third frs
carriage from the end of the train