The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1878-01-12
IIAPTER ',


A cold December day; rain had been falling
since morning, when, towards evening, the
wind shifting to the north, converted the fall
ing drops into icy seet. Their sharp click up
on the roof soon grew monotonous to Clara
Brooks while she and Hannah, domestic, sat
in her room anxiously awaiting the return of
her husband.
Did Mr. Brooks take sufficient wrappings
for Alice?'
"Yes, marm and its IL good thing he did,
for It's gittin' mighty cold out dar, and they
will be nigh on to frozen aforc they gifts here "
Allie Denton had promised TO spend Christ
mas at West Falls; and though the gloomy
day had given place to gloomier night, the
thought Of meeting her old friend inspired
Clara with pleasant anticipaions, for she had
not often seen her since her marriage.
"She's at the depot now" said Hannah, as
the hoarse Shrek of the locomotive announced
the arrival of the night express; and scarcely
had the old servant replenshcd the fire, when
claltcrlng hoofs on a frozen road told that the
expected ones were coming, \ shower OF
kisses, and the excitement Of meeting once ov
er, Alice had time to trace the features of
Clara, and oh what Il contrast met her search,
ing gaze Her stccl.grcy eyes alone seemed I'M
changed and they wore an expression that APP,
pearcd to veil some hidden mystery. The
merry laughing school girl had faded into Il
heart-broken woman. As lily, one by one
the little leaflets Of beauty had fallen away,
leaving the stronger stalk alone to brave the
winter, blast An incrustation of ice had
gathered about her heart far too hard for any
charm of affection to break. Her face wore
an expression so like the one Della had dcs-
cribcd rs seen in her dream, that Allie started
from her seat with an irreprcsslble feeling, and
again embraced Clara sobbng out;
so Clara! can this be you-my once dear
little school mate? Is this the dear one with
whom romped and played in happier days
or wandered up the brook pluckng flowers,
listening in childlke innocence to the wild
birds songs? Is this the little maiden of
sixteen to whom | entrusted secrets too sacred
for any other? Can this be the modes, won.
three years ago: o Clara, have the frosts of
three winters palcd you thus:'
D please control yourself, Allie" said Clara.
} "Your tears revive memories had hoped bur.
ied with the cherries past. You must become
| blind TO the rcpugnant contrast"
Allie was panied by her wounded expression,
= and before she could reply assuring Clara of
her unabating love, the latter continued in that
stoical tone that ever characterizes those who
, have been deprived of their rightful happiness
allie, know the contrast between now and
then is great, and had remained the tender
hearted being of other days, | would long
since have slept the long sleep of death, and
been done with these troubles but fate decrced
| Otherwise, and am what you sce,-not the
c merry Clara Walton of other days, but Clara
r Brooks of morosc. sourcd, indifferent temper
5 married. rs you well know, without one
4 spark of love "Sincc that fatal night | hav,
Q tried hard to be II faithful, loving wifc,-but il
l has been in vain Every day since then VT
have only grown further apart. Now what
| heart have left is chilled to the centre. dc
e not doubt his love for me- and he has borne my
chilling indifference through the weary year,
b in meek submission, ever ready To grant will
!. knightly devotion any pet scheme of pleasure
c may happen to fancy. And oh, Allie, il
|, had heart | could weep over it all. But i
died with my first wild dream, when | wa
y bought with price-whcn | welded To pleas
C another; and ever since regret has cast it
II blight upon me. Like a glacier | have
h grown cold enough to resist the warmcst ray'
II Of affection"
z As these words fell from her lips, thrill o
l. anguish ran through Allies frame. She slep
d heavily that night, for the jostling trains ant
+. sad disappointment in Clara had so perturheC
g her brain tina, sweet sleep would have been I
II great relief Day dawned in beautiful con
# irast to the one just past and the soil rays o
an eastern sun stole gently through the windov
o of her apartment The binding storm of ic,
y had spent its fury, leaving few scattered