Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1878-01-26
CHAPTER VII,

| .>>NA ASSaS'
There is great commotion at Nor
ton Hall. universal confusion prevails
from the rubbish garret to the crowded
cellar Reader. would you like to know
what all this is about?" "Well, will
tell you. Tomorrow Percy Morton will
be home, after an absence of five years
spent in London. during which time be
labored faithfully for the honor confer
red on him at the close of this. his last
term; and the day after, Clara Houston
Will also come home. no longer a school
girl, but real young lady. cultivated
and accomplished in every sense of the
word. and we'll suited to grace the dig.
mites OF her future life. Mr.. and Mrs
Morton went Tor Clara at least two
weeks before the expiration OF her
term. Mrs. Morton had distant cousin
living in Georgetown, one whom she
had not seen for long while, there
lore, she thought that as she was going
there she would improve her opportunf-
ty by making her long-desircd visit to
this relative; she thought too, that Clara
would probably enjoy the visit with her.
of the unhappy result OF that visit how
ever. l will tell you in another chapter.
Percy Morton was Eugene Morton's
son bv his first wife, and Clara's mother
kept the fact that she had q brother
from her, only though for one motive,
and that was this. that when she came
home she might give her a pleasan,
surprise. Before going farther 1 sup.
pose l must tell you something abou,
fercy's appearance. In height, he was
about live feet ten, broad shoulders,
clear built. model made perfect by the
combination OF strength and grace; bis
eyes were large and dark brown, his
hair, OF that favorite auburn hue OF
which the poet dreams. was thrown back
from his broad white forehead in mass
OF waves. A heavy. dark mustachc re.
iieVed his somewhat feminine appear.
ance; sincerity, truth and virtue were
the noble attributes OF his too generous,
manly nature"
Percy's parents discretely concealed
the tact from him also. that he had sis.
ter. SO to-day he sat alone in his room
wishing that his parents would return,
at the same time thinking it rather
1
strange that they should make a yisi,
Just at the very time they were expect
ing him home. He awaited however
with what patience he could command
their arrival. Suddenly, his reflections
were put to flight by confusion OF
voices below, moment more and he
rushed heedlessly. yes breathless too,
down stair and was clasped in his
fathers arms affectionately as though
he had been girl. for Eugene
| Morton loved his sou. Looking
around. alter greeting his parents. to
Percy's astonishment and CONSERVATION,
there stood beautiful girl In such close
proximity to him that she might have
touched hun with the tips of her delicate
fingers, and laughing saucily. too, at his
very modification. His mother, however,
came kindly to the rescue, and relieved
his embarrassment, by bringing Clara
forward and Introducing her, saying as
she did SO, that she had brought him
home sister. and she hoped that they
would prove rs brother aud sister to one
another. In answer to her motherly
admonition, Percy bent his head low, SO
low that his lips touched the iair, Jewell
ed hand imprisoned in his own, and
promised to prove to her = brother ill.,
deed, if she would condescend to
acknowledge such relationship. She
accepted his terms of friendship in her
usual sweet way, and Mrs. Morton turn
ed and LETT them with satisfied air and
a smile of content.
Time at Morton Hall went happily
by. Percy was Clara's constant COM
panion, "ior was not he her brothsr?"
Therefore, who could dispute his right.
1t was only when she had engagements
with some of her more ardent admirers
that Percy WAS from her side. Percy
would drive with her OF evenings and
walk with her OF mornings. Thus they
enjoyed together the most beautiful
scenes Of nature, and drank to their
hearts content of the pleasures which
lay scattered SO proiusely in their path.
way. Regularly, twice week, Clara
received letters from Georgetown. one
from Lima darling. and the others from
somebody else, who poured into her in
nocent ears pretty little nothlngs. and
dainty compliments such as young girls
love to hear from the lips Of those
whom they love. BY this declaration,
l suppose, we are to conclude that our
good girl, Clara, is in love, and think
| can see my readers trown their disap-
proval, at Clara's loving any one but
Percy; but tor Claras spending that
week with her cousin IN Georgetown,
there is no telling what might have
been. However, will tell you about
that after a while, for must flush this |
chapter about the children at home be-
tore go too far into their future Most
girls in Clara's position would have been
very different from what she was, and
would have led widely different lie,
but she cared little or nothing for the
frivolity. the excitement which marks
society in high life; for hers was u
disposition tenderly solicitous for higher
and nobler things. A great portion OF
ler time was spent in visiting the poor,
he INDECENT class. Her mother seeing
his, encouraged her all that she could,
or it was far from being her desire to
lave her daughter reared up mere but
er-hy. to fit to and fro in the social
'reeze of society. Ii there was one thing
hat Clara did detest it was attending
'alls, and making, as she called it, .
general exhibition Of herself; and when
he did indulge in such a waste OF time
was done at particular request from
Ter parents. for they were proud of
heir daughter and took a sweet pride s
n showing her off rs Il were AGAINST