New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-02-14

needs the support. Clare thinks it is te
keep her back.
"No, I do not forget" the young mar
| answers slowly, while his eyes-intent
and questioring-seek Clare's for the first
! time. ''If 1 could have forgotten,
might have told her this at a time when
you were not present to remind her whose
daughter she is, and whose betrothed.
No, do not forget, though I have dared
to tell her the pitiful story of my love"
His eyes are bright and eager now; SC
| dauntless that Sir Victor is a little be.
wildered as he meets them.
$50, my dear" Sir Victor speaks low
and swiftly in his intense, cutbed excite.
ment, and takes his hand quickly from
bis child's shoulder ''Why lengthen this
scene? Go at once, and then you may
leave US"
Father" she whispers, ard her caress.
ing fingers 60 up and lock themselves
about his neck, while her beseeching eyes
seek his with new light of happiness
within their depths-"Father. I can no;
say good-by to him now. Oh father,
have pity. Tell him to stay. Tell him ]
love him. Tell him to stay for my sake. u
The fathers rage is terrible to see or
hear; all the more terrible from the fierce
control he puts upon himself.
Hush, Sir Victor" interrupts the
young man, quietly, as he turns his eyes
from the girls panied and frightened
face. You have nothing to fear from my
treachery, as you callit. Let me only ask
anger you by no other word tonight.
Glare, shall 60 away without seeing you
again, and will never think of you but
as Mr. Luhorne's wife, it-if you tell me
that you will be So
"Never-never," she answers, shrink
ing little from her father as she speaks.
II never can be Victor's wife now that
have known you. Father, don't look so
angry; don't turn from me. Why can not
we be happy-we three-as we have been?
o father, listen to this one prayer. am
your only child"
"My only child, as you truly say" re-
peats the baronet, with stern, cold en-
phasis. at is hard for mans wish and
will to be scorned and thwarted by his
only child. Leave us, Clare, or your
want OF love and gratitude may wiring
from me words which can never be for
gotten"
She interrupted him to plead that Vic
tor knew she had not voluntarily entered
into any engagement with him, and that
he would release her. But, unhea1Rg the
words, the baronet turns to his Sul1etary,
and dismisses him in proud, ungoverna-
BILE anger, pointing to the door as he ut
tiers slowly the last words he is to speak to
Allan Foster:
Zone thing would have you remem-
Der. If you succeed in tempting nv
daughter to forget her duty to me and to
my nephew, I shall at once, and without
scruple, disirherit and disown her. Tn
less you had treacherously set yourself to
entrap a rich mans heiress, you would
hardly have thought Of wife at all,
except as an incumbrance to you in your
present career.
The young mans face is white as
death, but no words fall from his lips.
With a little sob of path, which checks
his utterance at irst, Glare asks him if
this is true.
If only l could know you poor and
free he answers; in my selfshness l
say tiff only I had the right to show
you my love, you should understand it.
as can never try or hope to make you
understand it now"
Then, Allan"-how sad, in all it's earn
estness is the low voice that makes the
promise-''1 will be your wife. My father
Is willing to give ne in marriage else
where. SO it is not that he can not spare
ne. That marriage can never be now;
if on my birthday you love me
still as you love me tonight, come back
FOR me. I will be ready then" There is
4 quiet hand shake between them; then
Sir Victor addresses his daughter:
You will decide as you choose. of
course, but my decision, made tonight,
will never change. On the day when you
tell me it is your intention to
Je Fosters wife, your name shall be taken |
rom my will No daughter of mine shall |
'elong to a man who has acted with such |
:owardly deceit and treachery. Fool that |
was to bring him here! Fool that Victor
vas to send him "
Foster has left the room now, and the
ather and daughter are alone.
Papa she pleads, with wide and
frightened eyes, "take back that VOW.
'onld you send me from you forever be-
ause l choose him before Victor? Why
ot give me to the one l love? and 1
7ould be near you, father; and-and YOU
Ike him; you have often told me So You
an never send me away-me, your only
hid! Take back that one VOW, father:
ever mind the other. Let everything
to Victor, if 1 may only keep your
we"
But the cry is only answered by a
emulous, wrathful repetition OF the VOW,
I'D Clare sinks down and hides her face
) the words are uttered.
1t is the day before Clare's birthday.
I'd while the carriage is at the station !
aiting for the family solicitor, Sir Victor
leaks to his daughter for the first time
l that subject which has never been {
entloned by either since Allan Foster
1t the Roveries.
"Before Burton comes" he saws, Il
III give You another chance Of telling I
that your mind is changed, Clare" I
my heart is not changed, father. 1t q
n never change" i
''Ihen if you go to him tomorrow
baronets words are slow and bitter 3
yond telllng-''you 60 a penniless girl. Il
you ever imagine what burden YOU Il
Il feel yourself upon him, and how soon r
will begin to repent most bitterly the b
you left your old, luxurious life Do b
] ever imagine how you will fret and G.
sfe and repine in such a home as b
can give you?" b
I have tried to think of everything, Sc
ner. / think Allan works so hard that ST
need not be very poor. He never has sc
item, but l believe he will come to- b,
row" q
liz Victor turns his scornful face away. @
e will drag you down to penury, then az
K On my weak love for you, to induce b1
to rescue you and help him. But it pl
Ia ,,eoioce No,, - | q