The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-06-17
THE SECRET OF A LIFE.
BY PRENTIss INGRAHAM.

BY PRENTIss INGRAHAM.
Clarence Kane sat in his sumptuously fur
nished library, lost in thoughts evidently un-
welcome to him, for his handsome face was
clouded, and the stern lips firmly compressed,
as he gazed vacantly into the red Goals in the
crate.
Though forty years had passed over him,
neither form nor face indicated that age, for
proudly erect and graceful, besides possessing
dark, flashing eyes, waying hair and regular
features, he was strikingly handsome man,
apparently not more than thirty.
him millionaire when but college student,
though wandering life of many years in
many lands, had shown him that there existed
more want and suffering than happiness and
comfort in the world from lack of the almighty
dollar, and his noble nature aided ever, where
circumstances brought him in contact with his
fellow being in distress.
Three months before that bleak December
evening when he is seated in the library of his
own magnificent Baltimore home, Clarence
Kane had returned from wandering tour
abroad which had lasted for two years, and the
circumstance that had brought him home again
is the subject of this sketch.
Sitting there in silent meditation, he was
awaiting the coming of one who was very dear
70 him; though no wife or sister had ever
frightened his doorway, or made happy his
bachelor home, Clarance Kane held the re-
sponsible position Of guardian over a young
girl of seventeen, and having received from
the fair maiden telegram that afternoon tha,
she would be with him during the evening,
having left the boarding school for the Christ
mas holidays, he had remained away from the
Club to greet her.
eff she had stated by what train or at what
hour she would arrive, so that could have met
her." be murmured in rather an ill-humored
tone, and then as the sound of carriage wheels
on the pebbly drive broke on his ear, he started
up suddenly and walked quickly to the door,
which was thrown wide open by the butler, to
usher in bright face almost hidden, as was
the form, by warm wraps, for the night was
bleak and cold.
"Juniata, you are indeed welcome !" ex-
claimed Clarence Kane, checking himself as
he was about to enfold in his arms the maiden,
beheld her, had grown from girlhood to woman
hood.
'Thank you, my dear guardian, I knew you
would like little sunshine, this cold weather,
hence, have come," laughed musical voice,
from beneath the wraps as if divning the rea-
son why he had not embraced her, and the
young girl raised her pouting ripe lips for a
kiss.
I will not assert that Clarence Kane had
never, in his varied existence kissed lovely
woman before, but be that as it may he ap-
peared perfect novice on that occasion, and
then turned deadly pale.
But recovering himself, he extended warm
welcome to the maiden, and then aided her in
unbundling herself from wraps, furs and hat,
and his surprise was evident as he beheld what
metamorphosed form his ward was.
A form supple, graceful, and slightly above
the medium height, yet perfect in mould; a
beauty, for the eyes were midnight in black
slumbering fire, while the hair rivaling them
in hue was worn in luxuriant folds around the
proud head, and was confined by a massive
comb.
In undisguised admiration Clarence Kane
forgot his good breeding, and stood and gazed.
"What was this the girl of fourteen he had
left at boarding school a few years before ?"
he thought, while the object of his gaze, flush
ing crimson, said half timidly:
HDon't please you, my dear guardian ?'
With a long-drawn sigh, Clarence Kane
shook off the beauty struck spell upon him,
and answered honestly:
'Juniata, believe that only angels could
possess your beauty"
Thanks but your angel ideas will have a
fall, for II! astonish you by proving what aftin-
tiles earthly angels can possess, for do you
know Pm most starved?"
''True, had forgotten the politeness of a
host in my JOY at your arrival, but will now
atone for it."
And calling to servant girl, he badc her
conduct his ward to a room prepared for her,
promising to meet her in a few minutes at din
ner.
The merry Christmas days sped rapidly away,
and both Clarence Kane and his beautiful
ward became toasts in the aristocratic society
of aristocratic Baltimore.
The best parti of the State, Mr.. Kane was
haunted by mothers who had manageable
daughters, dned by bashful papas, and on ac-
count of his great popularity, wined at the
clubs by his numerous friends while the beau
tiful Juanita arose like star above the hori-
zon of the social circle, and at once reigning
belle.
But amid all the admiration of the outer
world bestowed on them, both Clarence Kane
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