Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1878-03-23

with whom he knelt-how beautiful W.,
the rich. full tones of his voice, pleading
as 1t were, for the Saviour to remove n
gloom which. at present. rested una
the bereaved household. He prayed eai
nestly to Him to support them, and bell
them bear the aftlictisn with Christia
fortitude; with His provldential an,
merciful care to watch over them in tk
hour of distress and the hour of ion
Ills words produced calm in the heal2
OF every one present; their soothing iii
lluence seemed to soften tho distress q
the sorrowing, and infuse into thei
hearts peace and consolation. Clars
with her own hands, assisted in makin9.1
Nellie ready for her last sleep, tor til
child had loved her intensely while ali
lived. and this was the last thing Clar;
could do for her.
The bundle that Percy had regarded
solightly contained everything necessa]
ry with which to clothe the little ona
Clara had thought that Nellie would die
| and she had provided these things, witt
her own hands, too. The day beforeI
| when she was there. the doctor told he
that the end would be soon, and that wal
why she IS so anxious to take the parce
that morning. When she had done ali
that she could do, she lett. promising ID
return the next day. Very silently did
she and Percy withdraw trOm the house
OF mourning. Tor here they both had
learned u lesson more eloquent and
touching. etiicacious OF more good thar
the teachings of mirth and gayety coult
ever be. When they were fairly outsids|
the gate, Percy said:
SISTER, | want you to forgive me for
the careless remark that l made about
the little bundle; and believe me when
say would not have dene it for any
thing had known for what purpose ID
was intended"
Clara iorgave him. and by way of
thanking her Percy raised the soft, white
hand, resting so contidngy on his arm,
to his lips. and somehow the action, thaj
touch went to Clara's heart, and thrilled
her through and through, as nothing had
ever done before. Then thought of
Tracy came to her mind. and for time
the JOY springing from either source was
eciipsed.
Friday came at last, and its close
brought the self-thought, agreeable ana
fascinating Tracy Myrle. OF course
Mrs. Morton was too much Of a lady not
to treat him with all the respect requisite
to the occasion, but it was marked with |
that extremely cold reserve that made
Tracy feel, AS he termed it, ,'confounded-
ly uncomfortable" He sought the ear
.iest opportunity OF declaring himself to
the object OF his heart, who referred him
to her mother.
but darling. If you love me why can-
not you decide this question? Who has
better right to answer than you?"
All this while Clara was SILENT
struggling between the currents OF right /
and wrong; she had given her word to
her mother not to bind herself TO him by
4 single tie.
Darling, why do you keep me in such
torturing suspense? Clara. little on
do you love me?"
For one moment the innocent, truthfu
being seemed to forget, and the wicke,
man drew the fair girl to him, while he
pure heart rested, for one moment nea
his treacherOus breast, while the soft, low
Yes. Tracy, l love you." came freely
and without restraint from the young n
girls lips.
Then it is cruel to keep US apart.
why can we not marry, darling, at once?"
asked Tracy, excitedly.
Mother doesn't wish me to marry
Just now. but prefers that shall wait
year; disregard her wishes, | cannot"
was Clara's reply.
That is to say, you do not love me as
well as you do your NEITHER" said Tracy.
Now Clara had never thought wheth-
er she liked anybody better than her
dear mother, and she felt very much like
resenting the idea. but she was very
much in love with Tracy. or rather lm-
agined that she was; yet. at the same
lime, she could not help thinking OF the
between Tracy and Percy.
Her lover was anxious to bring matters
20 close; but when he urged her to an
union, she referred him to
1er mother. But Tracy fearing what
hat reference was 81 gnlticant of, propos-
ID an elopement in case of oppositlon
rom her parents. He told Clara that
Ter parents loved her too dearly to cast
Ter off, even though she were to disobey
hem in this matter. He knelt before her
nd begged and implored that she would
lot, by refusal, compel him to remain
part from her long. His words, how
yer, produced no effect on Clara, other
han to increase her excitement. She
old Tracy that if he did not wish to in
ur her displeasure, he must not allude
D an elopement again. She withdrew
rom the room. and sent her mother to
i'm. Mrs Merton made the same prop
sition to him that she made to her
aughter; and when Tracy warmly
ressed his suit, he found her so firm
nd inexorable, that he quilted Morton
all il anger. and returned to George
'wn. ROSE.
To be continued.