The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-04-14
THE SECRET OF LIFE.

HrI.
And has never been taken up again.
THE SECRET OF LIFE.
Clarence Kane sat in his sumptu-
ously furnished library, lost in
thought evidently unwelccme to him,
for his handsome face was clouded
and the stern lips frm compressed,
as he gaized vacantly into the red
Goals in the CRATE.
Though forty years had passed
over him, neither form nor face in
dicated that age, for proudly erect
and graceful, besides possessing dark
flashing eyes, waving hair, and regu-
lar features, be was a strikingly hand
some man, appearing scarcely more
than thirty.
Reared in luxury, for his parents
had left him a millionaire whep but
college student, be had never
known poverty through necessity,
though wandering life of many
years, in many lands had shown him
that there existed more want and
poverty in the world, from lack of
the almighty dollar, and his noble ma
ture aided ever, where circumstances
brought him in contact with his fel-
low beings in distress
Three months before that bleak
December evening when be is seated
| in the library of his magnificent Bal
.timore home Clarence Kane bad
tretUrhed from bis wandering tour
abroad which had lasted for two
years, and the circumstances that
had brought him home again is the
subject of this sketch
Sitting there in silent meditation,
be was awaiting the coming of one
who was very dear to him; though
no wife or sister had ever frightened
his doorway, or made hairy his
bachelor home. Clarence Ka1e held
the responsible position Of guardian
sover q young girl of seventeen, aud
having received from the iaiF maid
en telegram that afternoon that she
would be With him during the even
! ing, having lett the boarding school
for the Christmas holidays he had
remained away from the Club to greet
her,
"If sue had only stated by what
train, or at what hour she would ar
rive, so that | could have met her,"
he murmured, in rather an ilI.hp'mor.
ed tone, and then, IS the sound Of
carriage wheels on The pebbly drive
broke op his ear. he started Up sud
denly and walked quickly to the
door, which was thrown wide open
by the butler to usher in a bright
face, almost hidden as was the form,
by warm wraps, for the night was
bleak aud cold.
"Juanita, you are indeed vel
come!" exclaimed Clarence Kane,
checking himself as he was about to
unfold 10 bis arms the maiden, whom
in the three years that had past
since be had last heheld her, had
grown from girlhood to womanhood.
Thank you, my dear guardian,
| knew that you would like a little
sunshine this cold winter weather,
hence have come" laughed q mu-
steal voice from beneath the wraps,
and as if diVining the reason why be
had not embraced her, the young
girl quickly raised her popting, ripe
lips for kiss
Will not sssert that Clarenee
Kane bad never, in his varied exis.
Itenee kissed lovely woman before,
but be that as it may, be appeared a
perfect novice on this occasion, and
was as awkward as a school boy, for
his face flushed painfully, and then
turned deathly pale
But recovering himself, be extend
ed a warm welcome to tL2 maiden,
aud then aided Der 10 unbundling
LsFseif from wraps, furs and hat,
sand his surprise was evident as he
beheld what metGmcgpAosed form
Il bis ward vas.
! A form. supple. graceful aud
Slightly above the medium height.
yet perfect IN mould; face radiant
with a strangely fascinating beauty,
for the eyes were midnight IN black
ness, liquid in expression, and filed
with slumbering fire; while the hair,
was worn in luxuriant folds around
the proud head, aud was confined by
d massive silver comb.
In undisguised admiration Clsr.
ence Kane forgot bis good breeding
and stood and gaised.
What! was this the girl of fuuF-
teen he had left at boarding school
few wears before2" he thought, while
the object Of bis gaze, flushing Grim
son, said half timidly:
Don't please you, my dear guar
diam"
With long drawn sigh, Clarence
Kane shook of the beauty-struck
spell upon him and answered hon.
estly:
"Juanits, | believe only angels
could possess your beauty"
Thanks; bat your angelic ideas
will have fall, for I''ll sstonish you
by proving what afinities earthly
angels can possess, for, do you know
am most starvedy"
True, | had forgotten the polite
uess Of host in my joy at your
arrival, but will now atone for it,"
And calling servant girl, he bade
her conducs his ward to the room
prepared for her, promising to meet
her Ia a few minutes at dinner.
The merry Christmas days sped
rapidly away. and both Clarence
ana and L., ho,,tsfs,l or1 hanauno