The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1878-01-05

ton of Mardi Gras, and thousands of sight
scers had gathered to witness the grotcsqu'
pageant After gazing upon the molly throns
that crowded about King Menus, Clara re
marked, in a more cheerful tone than usual:
Mr. Brooks, what do you think Of sucl
representations? 1t seems rs if society was
: retrogradng instead of advancing. Just think
OF civilized men appearing in such heather
ish costumes. II makes me shuddcr to look
on such IA scene"
"Oh, no. returned the captain, what We
see is not an actual state OF things only pano
ramic view Of society during different periods
lof history. Take for instance those just pass
ing all clad in armour. OF course they are
not actual knights, they only bring to memory
the chivalrous times of Henry l., when knight
hood was title of honor. There goes King
Momus," he continued, representing the dark
ages when the world worshipped gods and
goddesseS, leading the christian mind back to
scenes more revolving than his hidcous APP
ipearancc."
Clara admitted all that, but maintained that
the effect Of such exhibitions on the young
must be dclctcrous, as they were more likely
to be injuriously influenced by the degrading
sight than bencticially by what was supposed
10 be the niger teaching of the display.
Thank you for the lesson" he answered, and
they returned TO their rooms.
Captain Brooks seemed happier than usual,
for this conversation with his wife was the first
really congenial talk he had had with her,
and led him to believe that he could win her
whole affection before their bridal trip was
ended He well knew that he had only gained
her hand, and now being confident of also
gaining her heart thrilled him with joy
While he thus built up delusive hope, Clara
gave il strength by schooling her wounded
spirit to the solemn VOWS she had plightcd.
But the morning they sailed on board Il Gu.
ban steamer for Havana her sad white face
told too plainly that he was mistaken, though
she tried hard TO conceal it, With the wide
waste Of water now before her, The monotony
lof which was broken only now and then by
some passing vessel, do what he might her
husband could not dispel her gloom during
their entire voyage and while he made many
friends, who excrtcd themselves to make
things pleasant, he could not be happy. All
the sweet joys that had doomed up in beautiful
ARRAY the morning they left the Crescent City
jhad, like a fairy vision, taken their flight
Now for the first time he realized serious
doubts Of ever winning that pure affection sol
essential 10 his happiness. Never had hel
viewed in its true light the error Of "A marriagel
without loyc; and too late did he regret the in.
fatuaton that led him thus far in total ignor
ance Of his mistake. With no one 10 censure
but himself, and still fixing his mind in una
batting iervUr upon the object Of his affection
he gathered fresh energy, and wentworth with
Il renewed hope of gaining the prize. But he
had not long TO wait for a thorough test Of hisl
sincere and deep estimation Of Clara WhileI
travelling through an obscure part of the island
where no society exists except halfcivilizcdI
natives, Clara was suddenly stricken down
with Il material fever very common in that eli.
mate All night long he watched with sleep.
stood by administering remedies known only
to the medical fraternity Of the island As
morning dawned upon the gentle sufferer, the
physician shook his head in grave doubt, as
surfing Mr. Brooks in broken English that hcl
had applied his last remedy, and if it failed
she must die In an agitatcd voice he in.
quircd, us there no American physician
near"
None nearer than village twenty miles dis
tant," was the reply. \ few minutes more, and
James Brooks was riding at rapid speed in|
that direction, having left his wife in charge
of the old native. Never in his life did time
seem more precious TO him rs he rushed on
ward, needless of the gaze of the natives,
who peered in mute establishment from their
rude dwellings At length his journey ended
successfully, and once more by the bedside of
his wife, his mind was relieved in the hope of
new medical aid allcviating her suffering.
Though she still lay in that dreadful stupor
that often knows no awakening, with the skill
of DR. Winston she rcgaincd consciousness on
the third day. But several days passed before
she recovered sufficiently TO be moved, during
which she found in DR.. w kind friend, who,
though not travelling professionally, treated
her case with pleasure. Finally the time
came for their return homewarl, which was a
sad day to some Of the natives who had waited
on her as a,tentivcly as the old servant of her
Ichildhood, and had become as much attached
to her. DR.. Winston lived, when at home, in
New Orleans, and with his parting words told
/ Clara to come to him when again in trouble.
Once more at home, Clara tried 10 he hap
by, but all in vain. The gulf money failed TO
bridge grew wider and wider. Asa great cha.
otto upheaval was her heart disturbed, and
the more she tried to smoo,he down the rugg
cd sides the rougher they grew All the lux
o,;os of ,,ooIth with which hpr Ipyntpl Inns