The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-03-17
THE SECRET OF LIFE

Clarence Kane sat in his sumptu-
ously furnished library, lost in
thought evidently unwelcome to hin,
tor his handsome face was clouded
aad the stern lips firm compressed,
as he gazed 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 millionaire when but
college student, be had never
known poverty through necessity,
though a wandering life of many
wears in many lands had shown him
that tnere existed more want and
poverty in the world, from lack Of
the almighty dollar, and his noble
nature aided ever, where circum-
stances brought him in contact with
his fellow beings in distress.
Three months before that bleak
December evening when be is seated
in the library Of his magnificent
Baltimore home, Clarence Kane had
returned from a wandering tour
abroad which had lasted for two
wears, 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
DO wife or sister had ever brighten
ed his doorway, or made happy his
bachelor home. Clarence Kane held
the responsible position O. guardian
over q young girl Of seventeen, and
having received from the fair maiden
telegram that afternoon that she
would be with him during the even
ing, having left her boarding-school
for the christmas holidays, be hal
remained away from the Club TO
greet her.
"If she had only stated by what
train, or at what hour, she would ar
rive. so that could have met her,"
be murmured, in rather an ill-humor-
ed tone, and then, as the sound Of
carriage wheels on the pebbly drive
broke on his ear, he started up sud
denly 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.
"Juanita, you are indeed welcomed"
exclaimed Clarence Kane, checking
himself as be was about to enfold in
his arms the maiden, whom, in the
three years that had passed since be
/ had last beheld her, had grown from
girlhocd to womanhoOd.
Thank you, nay dear guardian, |
knew you would ike little sunshine
this cold winter weather, hence |
have come" laughed a musical voice
from beneath the wraps, and as If
divining the reason why be had not
embraced her, the young girl quickly
raised her poutiDg, ripe lips for a
kiss.
l viii &c; assert that Clarence
/ Sane had never, in his varied exist
enee kissed q lovely woman before,
but be that as it mar, be appeared 9
perfect goyiee On this OCCASION, and
was as awkward as q sehool-boy, for
his face flushed painfully, and then
turned deathly pale
But recovering himself, be extend
ed warm welcome TO the maiden,
and then aided he5 ia unbundling
herself from wraps, furs and ha:, aud
bis surprise was evident as be be-
he'd what a metamorphosed form his
ward was.
4 form supple, graceful, and slight
ly above the medium height, yet
perfect in mould; face radient with
a strangely facinating beauty, for the
eyes were midnight in blackDess,
liquid in expression, and filed with
slumbering FIRE, while the hair, rival
ing them in hue, was WOf4 IN iqxu.
RANT folds aroand the proud head
aud confined by a massive silver
comb,
In undissuised admiration Clar-
ence Kane forgot his good breeding,
and stood and gazed
What. was this the girl Of four.
teen be had left at boarding-sehool q
few wears before yn he tkoGght,
while the otlec, Of his gaze flushing
crimson, said half timidIy:
Don't / please you, my dear
guardian :"
With long-drawn sigh, Clarence
Kane shook of the heauty.strucE
spell upon him aud answered hon
eslly.
"Juanita, believed only angels
could possess your beauty"
Thanks; but your angelic ideas
will have fall, for I'll astonish yor
by proving what afinities ea(iblJ
angels can possess, foF. Do Yoa know
am most Starved 2"
True | had forgotten the polite
mess ola host in my JOY at your ar
rival, but will now atone for i D
And calling 70 g servant girl, be
bgde her conduct his ward to the
room prepared for her, promising Il
meet her in . few minutes at dinner
The merry Christmas days spec
rapidly away, and both Clarence
Kane aud his beautiful ward became
toasts in the aris;oerstic society o
aristocratic Baliimere.
The best parti Of the State, Nj
Kane was haunted by mothers whi
had manageable daughters, dine
: by baskfql pspas' and on account Q
. his great popularity, lriHed at Ii
clubs by his numerous friends, Will
the beautiful Juaniia arose Ike a sta
above the beautiful horiZeu Of th
:, social circle and became at once