The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1878-08-14
TOLD AT DEATH.
BY EBEN E. REXFORD.


John Eversleigh, the merchant prince,
leaned back in his chair, and looked long
and sternly at Basil Sherwood.
answered frankly. II am aware that there
is vast difference in our position, So
cially, at present, as the world looks at
it. But you were poor boy once, and
l think you will not say that you were
not as well qualified to hold the position
you hold now, socially, as you were after
you became wealthy. / do not wish to
be considered egotistical nor conceited,
because | am not But | am not afraid
to say, as | believe every young man
ought to, if he can say it truly, that,
save in one item of wealth, am on
a level with your daugeter. | do not
consider that [ am aspiring beyond what
| am justified in doing, and L do not con
slider that she is stopping at all when
she tells me that she loves me-"
''Then she has told you that she loves
you?"
John Eversleigh's tone was cold and
hard His face was colder and harder
than his tone.
Eyes, sir, she has," answered Sher-
wood cit is with her permission that |
have told you this. | have received an
offer of position in a large exporting
house in India. If l have your permits
sion to marry your daughter | shall not
accept it. If you do not consent | shall
GO"
''You had better notify the parties
making the offer, that you accept it, as
soon as possible" answered Mr.. Evers-
leigh, with a scornful curl of his lip.
"You don't mean" began Sher-
wood, turning pale.
Il do mean just this" cried Evers-
leigh, purple with rage. 81 mean that
you are an impudent puppy, sir, and
that if it wasn't for compromising my
dignity, I'd give you good horsewhip-
ping. Love my aughter-indeed l
know what you are after. It's plain to
see that you aspire to becoming a rich
man, and you intend to take short road
to wealth by marrying a woman who
has money. Leve my house this min
ute, sir, and if hear of your insulting
my daughter any more by your auda-
uious attentions, I will horsewhiP you'll
Remember that"
The old man seized the bell rope and
pulled IL violently.
A servant answered the bell.
''Show this young man to the door"
he said motioning towards Sherwood. eff
he presents himself here in future he is
not to be admitted oA any pretense what
ever. You understand, William?'
Eyes, sir" answered William, with a
grin at Sherwood.
The young man turned without word,
and walked out of the house. He dared
not trust himself to say anything, for
his temper was up to fever heat.
"And so that ends my dream" he said,
bitterly, when he reached the street.
"Of course she would not marry me
against his wishes. shall go to India
and try to forget. But shall not sue
coed in doing it. l can never forget
| her."
One morning about month later,
| there was wild excitement throughout
the city.
The bank of which John Eversleigh
was President had been broken open and
robbed of 500, 900.
Suspician pointed to but one person,
and that was Basil Sherwood.
He had been head clerk in the bank,
and knew all about the place. He had
stood high in the confidence of the off
GERS, and had every chance to get at
the money, if disposed to do so.
He had been seen in the city at dark.
He had told a friend that he was going
to sail for India the next day. But it
| was ascertained that he did not sail on
any vessel that left that port, and there
could be but one conclusion, and that,
that he had taken the money and gone
in some some undiscovered direction.
He was determined to have the
money, and if he could not get it in one
way, he would have have it in another,
declared Mr.. Eversleigh to his daughter,
after the discovery of the robbery.
"You think he was a thief p she
she cried, very pale, but with an indig
nant fash in her eyes.
"Of course" her father answered,
"What else can l think, Alice ~
Il don't know" she answered, the
tears coming to dim the fire in her eyes
all at once "But if you knew him as
well as well as l do, you would know
that he never took the money. Basil
Sherwood never would become thief"
''Who took it, them" cried her father,
angrily.
Il don't know" she answered. az
wish did; but would as soon suspect
you as Basil Sherwood"
The old man turned upon her with a
face as pale as death.
"What do you mean ?" he cried,
clutching her by the arm. 'Would
you take sides with that miserable fellow
against me %
Il mean just what said" she answer
ed, unhinchingly. 81 do not believe
that Basil Sherwood took the stolen
money Who did do not know But
/ shall never believe that the man low
ed was a thief. You have chosen to sep
arate US am your daughter, and
recognize your authority over me- But
you have no authority over my heart,
and shall always love Basil Sherwood
and have a woman's faith in his honor. y
Five years went by.
Five yesrs bring many changes to
young and old. They slight no one
These years brought many added furrowi
to John Eversleigh's brow.
How fast he grows old everybody
said.
And he had aged wonderfully fast 10
the last Ave years His form was bent
and his step had lost its elasticity. He
was an old man, and man upon whom
care seemed to hanged heavily. Look
/ ing at him you would have said that BIZ
was not happy man with all his wealth
| The years brought changes to Alic.
= Rr4n - -