Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1873-05-08

her conquest. For Clara had improv-
ed in spirits since her residence with
Mr.. Anson, and was even prettier than
when she first came there.
That night, over a social bottle of
wine, the father explained to his son
the manner in which he had found
Clara, and the light and happiness
that she had brought to their home.
"And I have formed plan in refer
ence to her." concluded Mr.. Anson.
"What is it ?" asked Robert.
"You shall marry her."
"Impossible."
"Why %
Thus brought to the point, Robert
confessed his engagement to Mr.. Nor
row.
"How old is she ?" asked Mr.. Anson.
'Thirty.o
"And you are twenty-six- how alb
surd? People will laugh at you. Cfa-
ra is young, pretty, and I know she
will love YOU"
.But love the widow"
"Nonsense."
"Father!"
"There, my boy, don't take ofense.
I only mean that you have mistaken
admiration for love. That you really
love a woman four years your senior,
and widow at that, is absurd. You
think you do, but you don't. Now
I'll tell you what I'll do. Not anoth-
er word shall be said on the subject for
one month. At the end of that time if
you persist in marrying Mrs. Morrow,
| shall marry Clara myself
81 agree" replied Robert.
The month passed quickly, and at
its close the situation was about like
this: Robert was fenced between love
for Clara and his duty tosthe widow
Clara was deeply in love with Robert
Mrs. Morrow was troubled by certain
falling-of in her lovers ardor; and
Mr.. Anson, who had steadily refused to
see the widow, hoped for the best for
his plan The father and son met af-
ter supper.
.e-z7sss,g rrzr
month is up. What have you decided
upon doing ~
eve have always made confidants of
each other" began Robert.
sCertainly."
.And I will not hide anything from
You now. I love Clara, and believe she
loves me; but I am engaged to Mrs.
Morrow, and can not honorably break
the engagement 2
sThen leave the matter entirely to
me-
sWhat will you do?'
s1 will secure your release by the
widow
"By fair means !"
"By her free consent"
And so the interview closed.
On the following day Mr.. Anson
sought the home of the widow. She
was in, and upon learning who he was
welcomed him cordially. She asked
him to be seated on the sofa, upon
which she also gracefully sank. Mr..
Anson had made up his mind to be
brief and business-like; but the gorge
Gus widow quite upset him before he
had even broached the subject of his
sons engagement. They came to speak
of him naturally at last, however, and
the widower saw his opportunity.
"You love my son?" he began.
.What question, Mr.. Anson," she
replied, showing her perfect teeth in a
bewitching smile; sam I not going to
marry him?"
Il hope not
"Sir," and even the widows pretty
frown eaptiyated him.
81 beg your pardon, " he added, crest
fallen, "I mean that I came to talk the
matter over with you. Do you think
the match is altogether good one?''
"I see," and her eyes dropped ap-
propriately, "you object because am
comparatively poor.'
ssIndeed / do not. The financial as
pect of the affair has never been con-
sidered by me-
The widow here pierced him with a
look Of gratitude.
sIt was the difference in, in" he
stammered.
In social position?" suggested the
widow. 1No-no-'
"Ah see-you mean in agew
Eyes," he replied sheepishly, "you
havesdivined the reason, and / will be
perfectly frank with you. Ny son Ii
very dear to me, and it has been The
/ dream of my life to see him happil,