The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-12-29

from Edward and should have been delivered
here sooner. but was waiting for a favorable
opportunitv." As she read the contents, u
bright smile liz her countenance !; ran as
follows
DEAR CLARA: lam informed through your
| father of your confession and its result lie
forbids me ever seeing you again. Now
have this request TO make OF you, and trust all
10 me VIII yOu meet me at Eagle Cliff, where
| will arrange for a secret wedding? a. ever
your loving EDWARD
The words sank deep into her heart and 50
nerved her up that she determined 70 meet
him, even at the risk Of the parental curse
But difficulties arose \ >"ci. Na- to
be given at Il neighbor's that cv;..n.,. and her
absence would excite her fathers suspicion,
So she wrote Edward informing him Of the
difficulty, and suggesting IA change. The note
was intercepted, but Edward never doubling
repaired to the trystng place, where, standing
alone beneath the old shelving rocks rs time
wore on strange misgvings racked his mind.
Could she have fatercd, was the thought that
tortured him, as he waited in silent suspense,
| Inc hours hpit WI, but SIlt IiN'''
came. At last, weary and heartsick, he return
ed, with the muttering words Il will solve
the cause will write again. Perhaps she
never received my note,' But no answer
came the second time nor the third, nor ever.
"IIow can she, being so pure, so true and
good wrong me thus 2" Such were his thoughts
as he assembled the stairs that led to the law Of
flee of his friend Frank Yeldham. fool that
was to be thus dupcd by Il fascinating wom-
an"
who comes at this late hour?" spoke ED
ham, in somewhat startled tones, as he entered
the room what on earth brings you here at
this hour Edward" he continued, recognz-
ing his friend as anything wrong? Mercy
on me! YOU look as white as ghost
Don't be alarmed, Frank. have just had
enough to make the strongest heart grow sick,
and only come to tell you my troubles. For
nights have rolled on my pillow with sleep
less eyes, since fate has turned against me, so
| come to you to share my trials"
"And what has fate to do with you" coolly
liz tuiNN ii'ii iAI7 '''7iNi
where he had been writing.
"Alas! Clara has proved false! The being
in whom | so ferventy trusted, and 10 whom
| looked for lifelong happiness, las cast an
lmmovable gloom over my pathway. Yes,
Frank, | am not what | was the other day,
when | rescued her from premature grave"
Come cheer up, Ned; there is some misun-
Outstanding between you, for know Clara is
too noble q woman to turn coquettt. To-mor-
row will do all in ny power to help ferret
out the mystery
Tomorrow came and went with no clue to
the deep, hidden secret, for Yeldhl ms search
had been vain. Day after day follpwed, with
no change to break the nionOtonou4gl that
had settled over Edwards brow OF that fatal
night AT times he would doubt himself when
he realized that he was doubling hf who was
the idol of his first passionate love. How hard
the struggle that surged within his bosom to
forget this terrible charm no one knew but
himself In vain did his friends try Ii console
him.
"Goodbyc Frank" said Edward, as they
=
stood on the platform awaiting the departure
of II western bound train. "Anothr day will
find me in the west where the rec man and
buffalo range. 90 TO JON Gencrl IS
army
"What. you don't mean to forgt her en-.
tircly:'
eyes. have resolved never againto look on
her till all this burning flame his gone to
ashes"
Another moment and the scream If the loco
motive whistle told that he was no longer
numbered with the people of A. Frank
Yeldham stood musing over his trends mis-.
fortune while he gazed upon tie curling
smoke of the rapidly disappearing engine.
"Gone to try the uncertain realities Of military
life, to shake off the love that clungso light"
he muttered to himself Thankful, thrice
thankful am that it it was never my lot to
be entrapped in loves treacherous slares.'
Mr. Yeldham was by profession lawyer,
and was prominent attorney in the city Of a.
at the time of his Introduction into our story.
His whole object was TO acquire fine and to
this end he expended all his time ad energy.
Day after day you might see him in his office,
closely engaged in his books or busly writing
at his desk Little thought ever gave he to
love affairs. Attention to business is what
makes man." he was wont to say to his
friends. While he held woman II high es'
teen, he never suffered himself to 20 beyond
!, friendship He had long been close friend
to Edward, and the mysterious SEPARATION from
Clara had so wrought upon his mind that he
determined to solve the mystery, though ii
, might take years 10 do il.
CHAPTER III.
All nature was astir long ere Clara awokc
: from her slumbers the morning after the inter
> Il. - CT a ~