The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-07-31
At Great Cost

At Great Cost
Hartley Cline, the master of NIapleton,
had terrible tompcr fierce, ungoverncd
spirit, which almost cverv one connected
with him feared. He had lived fifty odd
years in the world, yet people prophcslcd
that it would yet be subjugated at great
cost.
Not that he was brute or a tyrant. He
was generous with his dependents, tender
with his children, just with all men, It
was only when his indignation was aroused
that he was terrible in its uprising. Few
dared to face its volcanic force.
Fortunately for the peace of the house.
hold, his two children, Leigh and Clarice,
were not like him. Both were blonde, sun
ny and facilc. The former was abroad
with party Of artist-fricnds. The latter
was at homc-her fathers pridc-thc mis-
trcss of his house. And these two children
had no mother. She had died nineteen
years before, at Leigh's birth.
Clarice was Two years her brothers. elder.
Fair, graceful and good, her father promised
himself great things of his only daughters
beauty. Love and wealth he had bestowed
freely upon her: rank and title should be
hers when she married. But for Clarice's
marriage he was not yet ready. She was
lar too dear and necessary to his daily hap
piness. Therefore, Caricc kept her secret
like the grave, that she loved her half cousin
Allan I4arrimcr-anothcr genial and sunny
spirit.
These young people, congenial and un-
spoiled, became committed to each other
becuuse 'tgay youth loves gay YOUTH" be-
fore they realized all that their confession
of mutual affection involved; for Hartley
Cline would not be likely to consent to
Clarice's marriage with Allan Larrimer.
He was an American, undistinguishcd,
and OF moderate wealth, and it was the de-
sire of his heart that Clarice added foreign
title to her other graces. For this reason
he had invited Count Herman to Mapleton.
Count Herman was German, fat and face
tious. He was not the only titled man to
whom Hartley Cline had proffcrcd his rare
and costly wines, but the counts good hu-
NOR was particularly agreeable to him, 50
that he found it pleasant to imagine him at
some distant day, his ally and son-in-law.
10 be sure, he was twenty years older
than Claricc, and she laughed at Ills rotun-
dity, and cared nothing for his title, but her
father considered the match not only posi-
BILE, but probable, since he approved.
1t was happy summer, though Claricc
shook with terror when she thought of her
father discovering the tender connection
which she had formed For, fear as she
did promise to marry Allan, she yet, with
great sweetness, freely confessed her love,
and enjoyed to the utmost the stolen mo-
ments they could spend together.
But when they could no longer meet in
lonely rustic places, by appointment, from
time to time, and Clarice could not receive
him with any frequency at home, regret
fliNNSS onlh hnr Io xs& T,~ -,
expressed his willingness to face her father g
anger; her panic Of terror at the suggestion
quite disarmed him of his purpose.
Winter set in. For time, only notes
passed between Caricc and Allan Larrimcr
Suddenly there. came q change. Leigh
was coming home.
eyes, my boy is coming homc," said
Hartley Cline, rubbing his hands in pride
and joy. ''What shall we do, Clarice, to
please him2'
"What have you thought of, papa2"
"a reception on the night of his arrival.
All his old friends here"
eyes, we will |" she REPLIED gladly.
So invitations were issued, orders given,
and preparations commenced
Hartley Cline had planned masked par
ty 1t would be all the merrier to have
Leigh surrounded by SO many unknown
friends. He, the host, would wear dom
ino, and for moment, at least, defy I.eigh's
bright eyes to descry him. Early in the
evening all would unmask that Leigh might
recognize his congratulators.
When the household was the busiest,
Clarice stole away to her chamber, and
hastily wrote note:
"ALLAN: We are expecting Leigh home
tonight, and masked party Of his friends
are invited to Maplcton to receive him.
This gives me opportunity to sec you with
out causing any one to suspect how glad ]
shall be Of the meeting. was getting to
despair of ever seeing you again. Wear a
troubadour's dress, with the inclosetl ribbon
pinned to the sleeve. You will find what
you need at the costomer's, Scchrist. Come
precisely at eight
Your OWN CLAs1oE."
Inclosing knot of rosc-pink ribbon In
the sheet, and dispatching the note by al
outside messenger, Clarico returned to hel
task of arranging flowers for the rooms
with brighter eyes and warmer cheeks. Ii
the afternoon a note ofresponse was placed
In her hand a
'sMY DARLING CLARIoR: ], too, hav,
been in despair of ever seeing you again
For all my promise not to ecquaint you,
father with our love, I5have been almost o,
tho point Of going to him, stating the truth
and demanding q right to see you. Blu
nowtI need do nothing to alarm you.
will, according To your directions, be "a
Mapleton precisely at eight, wearing q trou
badour's dress with the pink ribbon on tn,