Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1874-07-18
BRADFORD, VERMONT SATURDAY, JULY 49, 1874

r ard had been extremely attentive t,
Clemcnce. He had read to her
0 sung with her, walked with her
!, and in all that he did had showI
; himself SO tender and interested
t that he certainly had touched Glenn
, ence's heart. And was he not one
of the most superb young men tha,
, she had ever seen And was il
: any wonder that her susceptible lit
tie heart should have responded tC
his attentions?
But, pshaw! she was angry with
herself! What had it all been but
a plan to ingratiate himself with
Mrs. Orville? ? In future she should
know how to treat such advances as
his. ~ \
So, that afternoon, as Richard
approached her with smile of the
most winning kind, and begged her
to take a drive with him, she very
coldly and politely declined the in
vitation.
"Why won't You go, Clemence :"
asked Mrs. Orville. III am sure it
will do you good. You are looking
pale, dear; and drive in Richards
cheerful company will bring back
your roses. Col!
Mrs. Orville little knew the effect
of her interference. Indignation,
disappointment, rage against her
self, made such a tumult in Glenn
ence's breast, that she could only
muster voice enough to excuse her
self, and retired to her own room.
"Clemence cannot be we'll " said
Mrs. Orville. 81 will go after her,
if you will excuse me, Richard"
"Of COURSE" said he, gloomily;
"but it is something more than ill.,
ness that affects her. She has TAX
en- such a sudden dislike to me-"
"Oh no, Richard. How can that
be? Clemence is too much Of a
lady to show dislike in that way,
even if she felt. And am sure
she does not feel it towards you"
SO Mrs. Orville followed Clemence
to her room, and, to her surprise,
received no answer to her knock.
She tried the handle next,
and found the door was locked. A
little fri.hteded at this, she applied
her mouth to the key-hole:
"Clemence !" said she, care you
there, my dear?"
At this, Clemence approached the
door and opened it. Her eyes were
red with weeping, and she was still
choking down sobs.
"Clemence, my pet, what is the
matter ?" said Mrs. Orville, with the
tenderest solicitude.
Clemence was touched. She knew
that voice was full of love for her,
and she yielded to it. She laid her
head on Mrs. Orvill's shoulder and
sobbed her fill.
"Oh, mamma, forgive me ! can
not tell you what is the matter; but
l will try to behave better. Only
don't tell Mr.. Lathrop that you
found me behaving so very foolish
ly."
"Mr. Lathrop is a great friend of
yours, Clemence. 1t is pity that
you repulsed him So"
ooh, Fll never do it again, man.
ma. l was cross and foolish. l.
"There! never mind, little one,
Be quiet, for l have something to
tell you. You don't know who Dick
Lathrop is, do you, Clemence ?"-
II know he is your friend, mamma
that is ALL"
"He is my nephew"
"Your nephew mamma ?" rails
ing her head with great interest.
"Why did you not tell me so be-
fore 2"
81 had motive for concealing it.
There was a young lady of my ac-
quaintance that l wished to have
fall in love with Dick and l thought
if she supposed him an utter strang'
er, she would be more likely to do
so. l believe she does love him
little; but if she does, he ought to
know it, for he is terribly in love
her."
Clemence trembled, but said moth
ing.
sNow dear, won't you come down
and let Dick give you drive? He
is very anxious"
So Clemence let Ii erself be led
downstairs; and though she was
half-ashamed to look Richard or her
mamma in the face, she was very
happy.