The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-10-18
CHAPTER TX.

CHAPTER TX.
In few days Edward returned by the way
of the Rogues Alley to Pittsburgh, bringing
with him Roany, who seemed 70 have almost
entirely recovered her won;ed strength and
activity
Mrs Wentworth welcomed her son gladly,
and said II think my son has had pros,
porous journey"
YES, mother, the sweetest girl in this wide
world has consented to become my wife"
She kissed and congratulated him, and then
said, rather amusingly, But what are you go
ing to do with Miss Nocier. think She has
some designs upon you?"
Miss NOcier is a magnificent, sensible
young lady, and will have her married TO
the best man in the city before six months, if
she will be guided by my judgment"
ITO whom"
TO George Wallace, my chum for the last
dozen years.
II think it charming, if she will only yield"
II have much influence with her. and will
use it to the utmost Has she met him YETI"
II think So" said hi. mother; "and think
she has been favorably impressed"
II am glad; will do the rest, with times
aid and your assistance and tact. We must
have her with US; what DO you say"
II nave no objections. already love her,
and will cheertully give her my motherly
council"
That very evening Edward called upon Clio.
tild and delivered Roany, and received her
thanks for his attention and kindness IN their
trying circumstances She said they had to
put into port for the night eight miles from
the city, and was loud in her praises Of the
Of the Pennsylvania farmers.
They gave u.s. she said, good clean beds
and the best of attention, and would take no
recomeense. II seemed a great pleasure to
them to be able to minister to all our wants
and make US perfectly comfortable. Iadeed
| shall nsyer forget them" cried the warm
hearted girl
Both Clotild and Julia could tell by Ed
wards buoyancy of spirits that his welcome
at Valley Home had been cordial and Julia
took an early opportunity to ask HIN plainly
if it was not all arranged.
He told her 1t was, and babe her tell Miss
Clotild that night. "And now, Miss julia,
(confdentlally), we must help each other You
must try and console Mr.. Clendenning and
help me divert Miss Clotid towards noble
lover. have one in store for her"
you give NE double duty to perform"
"And you are capable; you ladies have twice
the tact OF us men"
What pity it is that hearts will not always
lean the way we want them to-" SAID Julia,
smiling somewhat YEARLY.
Yes" said Edward, cheerfully, "it Is pro-
voking; yet we must bend them gently you
know"
yes. Well, we will do our best and tina.
is all any of us can do"
But when Julia and Clotiid-who were stop.
ping with mutual iricnd-retired to rest that
night Clotild was moody and silent--therefore
Julia did not speak of Edward Wentworth or
his love. Clotild did Il very unusual thing for
her, Before retiring she knelt by char IN
the far corner Of the room, and for a long time
seemed cOmmunlng with the Unseen. She
was indeed seeking help to bear up against
her great disappointment. And as she knelt
there an angel form, that OF her dear long
departed mother-seemed to descend and en-
velope her in her sweet loving arms, and to
whisper peace to her troubled heart. Who
dare say that such presence was not there
At length she rose, and "a she caspcd her
friend in her warm embrace, she said: do
you believe in angel mlnistrations, Julla?'
YES, | do truly"
Then my sweet, sainted mother has been
with me; let us not talk tonight"
And while she rested her beautiful head,
with Its wealth Of raven hair, upon the bosom
with her soft, white hand and, quietly weep
ing, she feel into sweet sleep-likc a wear;cd
child on the bosom Of Its mother.
For hours Julia lay awake. For awhile an
occasional sigh would escape from the bosom
of her friend; but at length all signs Of trOu.
bic seemed to vanish from her heart, and her
soul, cnwrapt in sweet vision was as calm as
though gazing IN through the pearly gates at
the innumerable and happy throng.
And now it was Juiia's turn TO sigh as she
thought of the keen disappointment of James
Clendennlng, and her own apparently hope.
less love. His was peculiar organization.
Had he mother or near female friend in
whom ne could coniide his grlefs, he might
soon weep away his poignant sorrow But he
had none; not even to her, his best, truest
friend, could he come at this time. And to
think it was | VINO said to him long ago--it
seems so long ago now-that If | loved young
mai, and | knew he loved another, | would
say to my heart peace, be STILL And it was
he that said, DO you, a woman, say this? Then
you have never lovcd-never loved as | have
loved-ieeling il grow with your growth and
strengthening with your strength Now
comes the test, and must say to my troubled,
anxious heart, peace, be STILL James has
such fine capabilities-he is so handsome, so
trusting and generous. Alas alas why could
he not love me, end not that calm, cold woman
that keeps him at such distance? No, Ag.
mes, my friend, is not cold, but all the warmth
of her affection is bestowed upon another She
cannot love James | suppose he sees 1t now,
and is miserable. | Will try to be more like
her,-calm an quiet, and more reservcd-and
perhaps when this wound is healed he will
love me-" And she, too, wept herself to sleep,
long after the mantle clock had chimcd the
hour of midnight
When In the early morn Clotild awoke, a
strange sense of strength and power was hers
She cast her eyes trustingly upward, and men.
tally exclaimed: Here is heart for every
fate" Then turning to look at the face of her
friend, she found it lii up with u strange Joy.
She was having one Of those sweet visions we
sometimes enjoy between sleeping and walk
ing. For several moments Clotild kept per
fectly still, and watched her friend. At length,
awaking with a blush and n smile she throw