The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1877-12-13

so long, that he had no desire for COM
partnership. He went in and out, having
his amusements or attending to his bus
mess, without altering one of his long
established habits on account of the new
inmate. Meantime Clara studied, and
conscientiopsly strove to show herself
worthy of Ter guardians many kind
nesses.
Two years passed, and Clara had bios
somed into beautiful girl of seventeen.
She was very much like her mother at
the same age. Slight in form, with fair
skin and violet eyes; graceful in car
riage, ami CHEEKY and lively in DISPOSE
ton; she had but one grief, and that
was the careless, Indifferent manner her
guardian always maintained toward.
her.
Oscar Temple was now forty years OF
age, but as fresh and gay as when he first
woed Elsie Peyton. His stalwart frame
had lost none of its vigor, nor his black
eyes their brilliancy. His hair, once
black as a ravens wing, was somewhat
streaked with gray, but it overhung his
white brow in the same careless curls OF
his boyhood years During the first sad
days after her mothers death he seemed
to Clara to be the embodiment of every.
thing noble; and warm affection sprang
up in her heart for him, an affection
which in subsequent months ripened
into pure, delicate love.
1t was twilight. and Clara skipped
gaily through the garden to the rocky
beach. 1t was her favorite occupation
to sit on the great black rocks and watch
the incoming tide as it broke into foam
among the jagged rocks. The full moon
was just peering above the eastern hori-
zon, momentarily increasing in bril-
Gancy as the daylight faded. Within
doors the corners of the rooms were gath,
ering blackness. Oscar Temple sat in the
library, where he had been busily writ
ing all the afternoon; and, as the light
grew duskier, he arose, with a sigh of
WEAKNESS, and walked out into the
garden. He was thinking vaguely, as
he paced along, that the air was refresh
ingly cool, and that the murmur of the
sea, as it came subdued to his ear, sound
ed sweet and plaintive, when a wild cry
smote his ear. He started. What could
it mean? Again it sounded more clearly.
"Help! help!"
And it died away despairingly.
He stood bewildered an instant. Then
the truth burst upon him. Some one
was on the rocks, with the treacherous
tide slowly but surely threatening to
overwhelm her.
He uttered a loud shout, and ran
hastily down the bath which led to the
cliff Another shrek arose-a shrek
more hopeless and despairing.
"Save me! Oh, Mr.. Temple. Oscar,
where are you"
And then he knew it was Clara. His
heart gave great bound, and cold drops
of perspiration stood upon his brow as
dashed down the cliff. He soon saw her
crouching on large rock, which, i'll
high tide, was buried in the sea, but at
low tide stood out, tall and jagged, con-
nected by chain of lesser rocks to the
shore. He knew every convolution of
the rocks well, and clambering down the
steep cliff,he waded through the seething
waters that shut her from the shore.
He reached her side She clung con-
vulsiyely around his neck, sobbing
wildly.
Take courage, Clara" he said; 81
will save you"
And clasping her about the waist, he
struggled towards the shore. The angry
tide roared and dashed against them !:
the sunken rocks made his footing inse-
cure and dangerous, and the curling
spray blinded him; but he struggled
bravely onward, and reached the shore
safely, but spent and breathless. The
servants, who had been alarmed by the
cries of Clara, now crowded near, and
carried both Oscar and Clara to the
house. A change of clothing and a
warm drink, under the maternal super
vision of the housekeeper, quite restored
Clara; and couple of hours rest gave
steadlness to the strained muscles of
Oscar. Late in the evening they met in
the parlor,
Timidly and blushingly, Clar spoke
her gratitude: and her bushes increased
fourfold as she met the gaze of his dark
eyes, for intuitively she saw that he had
changed in his feeling for her. Yes, her
peril had called into existence emotions
which years of monotonous, every
day life might never have done He
was startled at the thrill that shot
through his heart, quickening its
pulsations and intensifying his diff
ferent to her presence, and seemed
each day to discover some new and
more engaging quality to admire; and
seeing her thus beautiful in both person
and character, he came to love her ten
derby and earnestly. He thought his
power to love was gone; he felt startled
and perturbed at the passion that he felt
springing up in his soul, gathering
strength each day. Would she love
him? He feared not; he was so much
her senior in years; was so grave and
quiet-no fitting companion for her, with
her volatile spirits, and gay, thong htless
heart.
AS for Clara. her heart was glad with
a new hope. Many things seemed to tell
her that he loved her; and although
blushing at her vanity, she Rugged to
herself a sweet thought that some day
he would offer her the priceless boon of
his love.
Time dragged on, and Oscar Temple
was tortured inconceivably by his doubts
and fears. His manner towards Clara
was variable and sadly puzzling to her !;
at one time ardent and imprisoned as
a lover; at another, calm and dignifed
as father. Poor Clara, vexed and
wondering, grew nervous and pale.
One bright June morning, Oscar came
down the broad verandah steps, equip
ped for ride. His favorite steed, held
by servant, stood paving the ground
and champing his bit. A fiery animal
one but few would dare to ride; but
Oscar was a daring equestrian, and took
great delight in quelling the somewhat
vicious spirit of the animal. He mount
ed, and with a bound the animal dashed
of. The avenue to the house was shaded
upon either side by large trees, and I'M
der their interlaced boughs Clara Olivero
was slowly strolling. She heard the
heard the Gathering hoofs of the animal,
and sprang on one side just as he came
in sight. The futter of her white robe
startled the animal, and swerving quick
ly to one side, he reared, and plunged
his iron bound hoofs, dashing the slender