The Princeton union., 1879-02-12
CLARA'S ROMANCE.
CHAPTER I.


CHAPTER I.
On such a sunny morning in the heart
of a golden October, the run from Jersey
to Guernsey in the good steamer South
ampton would have been the heighth of
endowment to all on board, bad sailors
ard good, if wind and tide had not
proved so perverse. As it happened,
there were many immovable occupants
of the canopied seats on the quarter-de
and the ladies' cabin did not lack tenants.
Amongst the latter were Clara and Amy
Chadwick. To them, poor things, the
briefest sea-voyage, no matte~ how gra-
cious the weather, or how h,anu and agree
able wind and tide, was period of un-
qualified misery. Not 50 to their lively
cousin, Isabel Shelton. She loved the
sea in all its moods, and verify the sea
seemed to love her. Since they left
Jersey she has not set eyes on her cousins.
They descended into the cabin as the
boa, steamed out of the harbor, leaving
her to her own devices. She has not for
saken the bridge from the moment the
barrier was removed; and now, as the
Southampton nears St. Peters Port, she
is almost sorry the voyage is about to
terminate, albeit they are an hour beyond
the average duration of the run.
This is day in her delightful holiday.
The father of her cousins-excellent
uncle Philip-invited her "to accompany
him and the girls on their tour through
the north of France" They left him at
St. Malo. On parting with them, he
said:
II have business which will detain me
in this neighborhood for couple of days,
so you had better go on without me, es-
pecially as that party at Cornthwaite's is
is young folks affair, and should
only be in the way. Of course shall
spend an evening with him in Guernsey
as I return, to talk over old times; but
YOU can 90 on. Isabel will take care of
you.
His continual Difference to his niece as
person more to be relied on than his
own daughters gives anything but pleas
ure t, them She is their junior. Her
experience is inferior in all respects to
theirs. She has seen less society, has
tasted less life. They, however, are too
much in awe of their father to openly
manifest any objection to his views; and
consequently, when Clara and Amy do
'sshow temper" to their cousin, it is on oc-
caslons when the field is literally their
own. They are fine, snowy girls; but she
is pretty, and "as sweet as English air
can make her." Hers has been the ro-
bust training Of a farmers daughter;
theirs, that Of the spoilt darlings of a
wealthy merchant-prince. They have
been invited to break their voyage at
Guernsey, in order to take part in an
evening at the house Of their fathers re-
tired friend, Stephen Cornthwaite. The
programme embraces dinner, a carpet
dance, and charades. The Misses Chad
wick are bent on conquest, and like the
uncomely elder sisters in the story of
Cinderella, have disclosed their intentions
to Isabel. She knows intuitively that
she owes her invitation solely to the kind
consideration of her uncle Philip. If
they had had their will she would have
been condemned to spend her evening at
the hotel which is theirapreseDtt temporary
destination.
The passengers have been banished
from the bridge, and are grouped upon
the quarterdeck, gazing with interest on
the picturesque town of st. Peters Port,
r1sirg precipitously roof upon roof from
the back of the extensive harbors to the
topmost heights beyond. Those persons
bound for Guernsey, who are sufficiently
themselves to undertake the task, are pick
ing out their luggage from the pile that
has been placed ready for landing, and
are, laden with umbrellas, buquets o1
flowers and handbags, otherwise prepar.
ing to step ashore. The Misses Chadwick
have not yet emerged from the cabin
Miss Shelton, every feature of her bright
face betraying her keenness of her enjoy.
ment, has no thought for her baggage
Besides
"You are certain [ connot be of any
service to you?''
The voice is that Of tall handsome
young fellow of about fve-and- twenty,
who has shown her good deal of atten
ton during the voyage. He had found
her a camp-stool and rug, and had
"packed her up' under part of the pad
dle-box, where she was snugly protected
from the showers Of spray that dashed
over the bridge. she. on the other hand
had shown no little interest in the con.
tents Of his sketch book.
s'Thank you very much, ny cousins
and myself are expected, and we are only
eting to the hotel" ~
sMay I"---he began, and then, appear
ing to recollect himself, he added, 'Dc
you remain long in Guernseyg
''That depends entirely on my uncle,
replied Isabel, ingenuously. "He viii
follow us from st. Malo the day afte,
tomorrow.