The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1878-11-06

shoulder she turned ana laced ne
the jewels fell from her grasp; the
looked at each other mutely for an in
slant, while grim, unbroken silenc'
lay between them.
Clare Irene said at last, Glare
this is a fatal folly-s fatal mistake
How will-how can 1t end 8.
She did not answer, but Irene kneS
she had heard her speak by the way
the color faded from her face, by tn,
soft. sad light that sprsng into and
mellowed the glorious lustre of hel
eyes. The battle was wsging-the bat
tie between pride and love.
How will it end 2 She looked a
Irene for u second and then went on.
1t need never end. Irene, do you
know | should be happy herein thi.
farmhouse forever-were my path in
life strewn with Reginsld's lasting love
The pride had fallen--the heart va,
free.
Never
She turned her face away and peer.
cd out into the darkness. She did not
speak again that night; perhaps she
was listening TO her heart. Heaven
knows.
Early the next morning she went
across the road to borrow a book DR..
Warton was not at home, and Mrs.
Warrior returned with her to spend the
morning with the girls.
They were all standing beside the
little old fashioned window when Regi.
maids carriage containing himself and
a fair-faced girl, came around the curve
in the road.
WHO is that girl?' demanded Clare
imperiously.
Mrs. Warton adjusted her glasses
and went close to the window.
Goodness graciousp she gasped.
1T il Miriam Wylde.'
And who is Miriam Wilder
you see she lives in Silverbrook, and
l suppose Regy drove over there for
her this morning. She is to marry my
son in November. You must excuse
ME. Good morning.
A moment later she was gone, and
it was well.
White and stricken, Clare lay upon
the floor, while Irene was dumb with
horror. Her sons promised wife, Mi
riam Wylde's betrothed!
Take me to my room,' Clare moan
ed, where | can hide my misery and
my shame
Irene took her in her arms and bore
her to their room and laid her upon
the bed. She turned her face lighted
by the wild, dusky eyes, towards the
wall, and lay like q lifeless piece of
.lay. She had loved, and that love
rad been scorned, and she Vernon.
Surely that love had been fair woman's
olly-a fair woman's mistake.
Irene threw herself upon the floor,
scarcely daring to look at the silent
orm upon the bed, and prayed for
mercy and for peace. She knew she
vas burying her love in the grave of
Ter broken heart-building an unsur-
nountable barrier about it-a barrier
ormed by her rride. Irene trembled
or her reason. Clare Vernon had low
d as none save woman of deep and
passionate natures could, and she had
Ost her all.
The sunlight began to glide the
Western sky; it sank deeper and deep
n and deeper, until the last golden
lart shot quivering across the earth,
md died behind the hills.
Then she rose from the bed, her face
aim, yet swept by the storm of con-
ending emotions that shook her soul.
Il am going home,' she said simply.
IND her word was law.
Irene's dresses were thrown hurried
y into the trunks. which were strap
ed and corded, and had them carried
own stairs.
BY this time Clare had Invested her
elf Of her neglige of cherry silk and
owe colored cashmere, and was array
d IN suit of heavy black.
My heart is dead, she said, and / |
'ill mourn it,
The train did not leave until nine
clock, it was seven now. They went |
own INTO the parlor, and sat down to
wait the hand of time and fate. Clare
id not speak again. She sat at Irene's
let, her head pillowed in her lap.
Suddenly a step sounded upon the
ony path; a step they both knew
ell. Clare sprang up and stood be-
IRE the door like an enragrd queen
hen Reginald Warton entered.
What's the matters, la,lies ? he
ried. as he looked at their trunks.
Surely you
But Clare stopped him.
DO not ask any questions. Allow
ls to pass, please &c said, haughti-
i don't understand he said, at last.
Miss Melton, what does this meanT
Irene looked at them, but her tongue
as paralyzed. She was SPECIFICS.
Il beg you will explain he broke
, again. when | left home this eve
ing l hoped to ask Clare to be my
life. Clare, l love you
'Stayr she cried, fiercely. DO not
tier those words again. To one wo-
ian alone should they be whispered,
nd you have uttered them to her.
TO whom?
Miriam Wylde.'
1t is false he answered. Glare,
on are the only woman l ever loved.
Iiriam Wylde is to be my brother
iilton's bride. Is this explanation
atisfactoryY
Satisfactory
With one glad. happy cry she flung
er arms about his neck and buried
err face on his bosom. 1t was enough.
Ter happiness was complete, and in a
my little church beneath the War
lick shire skies they were wed.
And so the Vernons died. and fair
'omans folly was triumph in the end.
And talk as you will, love is our