The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-11-13

''JuSt as If you didn't know better n
us! If the wind hadn't hauled round,
you'd got off splendid with 'em.''
1t was all abroad and in the daily pa
pers by the following day; everybody
was talking about it. Mr.. Cleverly
stepped into Aunt Hitty's to give the
latest particulars, and assure Dora that
she should not be annoyed.
but Clement is as innocent as you
are: it was 1 who opened the door,
she explained.
Nobody suspects you of taking the
bonds, child. You weren't about to
sail for foreign shores-there's the rub.
I'm afraid you'll have to 60 into court
and give testimony
. You don't believe that Clement is
guilty?"
1T looks black for him. 1 suspend
my Judgment
but you believe me when assure
you that he never touched the safe?''
Il believe every word you utter.
But that will not convince the directors
or the jury. If no bonds had been
missing, of course opening the door
would have given no concern"
1t is so unexpected, so undeservedr'
THAT must be proved"
''Mr. Cleverly," she asked one day,
later, "what will they do if Clement is
- is found
Several years in the State-prison at
hard labor, l believe"
land nobody to keep up his heart,
to encourage him. He viii get hard
ened by such injustice" she sighed.
As the time of his trial drew near,
everybody spoke of Clement as one al
ready condemned. "Poor misguided
fellowr' they said; and Aunt Kitty
hoped he was supplied with tracts. In
the meantime it almost seemed as if
Cleverly had stepped into Clement S
niche. He was always at Aunt Hitty's,
and going away late; and Aunt Kitty
was usually i'll with neuralgia, which
prevented conversation on her side,
while Dora had nothing to do but keep
the ball rolling, and was never weary
of talking of Clements case.
"You are profoundly interested in
this affair." Cleverly said to her one
night. when she had stepped out upon
the piazza to wish by the new moon,
and he had followed.
Nothing interests me so much.'
Mr.. Cleverly WINGED.
"What would you do to prove his
nnocence?"
"Anything-that was right
Would you marry some one else, if
that would save him?'
"Some one l do not love? Would
that be right?''
Where would be the harm, if he
preferred to marry without love, rath-
er than not at all?''
These are mere idle words, Mr..
Cleverly.''
"No, they are not mere idle words.
Listen: you will do anything to save
Clement Smithers. Is it wrong to
make another happy, and save friend
from ruin? Then marry me, Dora, and
l will save him: l give you my word. -"
"Why will you make such a condi-
ton if it is possible for you to clear
him? Why will you not accomplish it
gratuitously?"
because love you, and 1 am not
Quixotic. At present your story is not
credited; you are suspected of weak
ness for the prisoner. Were you my
wife, that prejudice would be can
celed. Marry me, dear Dora, and
swear to save his name and credit, or
forfeit my own
"How could l do such thing, even
to save Clement?''
"It is in your power to decide wheth-
err he shall spend his best years in pris-
on, in the pursuit of mental tasks, in a
convict's garb, in the society of aban-
doned men, imbittered by injustice. 1t
seems to me that you cannot hesitate. -
Was it true, then, she asked herself.
that it was in her power to save Glenn
ent from ignominy, and did she hest
tate? Did she not love him well enough
to sacrifice everything for him? Daily
she reached the heights of renuncia-
ton, daily she slipped back into the
valley of humiliation and self-love. Ev-
cry day Mr.. Cleverly pressed his suit,
waxed eloquent, convinced her igno-
rance by plausible proofs and promises,
and one day he carried his point.
"Yes,' she assented, feebly; 81 will
marry you to save Clement"
81 accept the TERMS" he said. ''You
will marry me for Clements sake; by.
and-by you shall love me for my own
She could make no objections to an
early wedding, since it was only as
Mr.. Cleverly's wife that she could in.
fuence Clements fate, while Aunt
Kitty, unaware of the conditions of the
contract at that time, pressed the mat.
ter forward with feminine alacrity.
"rm sorry for Clement Smithers," she
confessed; ''but you couldn't marry a
felon if you loved him to distraction
MIR. Cleverly says be prefers wedding
in church. Shall it be satin and tulle p
But it seemed as if Dora had but q shad.
owy interest in the preparations, such
as ghost might have.
It was toward dusk of a dark after
noon, always darker in the place where
Clement awaited his trial than else
where, that Mr.. Oliver, one of the banl
with the prisoner.
"YOu have come to beg me to con
fess what have done with the bonds?'
laughed Clement, bitterly.
mo" replied Mr.. Oliver; 81 hav
come to tell you that the bonds hav
; been found"
"Foundr'
Exactly. We had a wind-storm o.
Mr.. Cleverly's wedding day. You hav
the newspapers here; you must hav
read it?''
II read nothing here; l have bee
composing a satire on justice instead.
did not know Cleverly was married"
mo? 1t was furious gale, and tn
old elm that stood near the Church {
the Heavenly Mamma broke beneath il
A splinter struck Mr.. Cleverly Is
passed from the carriage to the churc
J door IL nr0vnd hic Hath hlour - II