Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-10-25
NO. 257.
Gales ano Skettbes.
CLARISSA'S CHOICE.
Confined from Yesterday

Continued from Yesterday
| And for herself, her demeanort toward him
has completely changed. II seems to him
as though now she purposely avoids his
society, and shrinks from any tete-a-tete
chance may throw in his way, and yet,
with an obstinacy that shocks even him.
self, there are moments when he cannot
bring himself to believe he is altegether
hateful to her. A certain sOftness at times
a sudden blush. surprised glance now
and again, make him persuade himself
against his common sense she still bears
for him some of her ancient friendship.
One afternoon, walking along the road
to Weston. he encounters the Major COM
ing towards him nom sidewalk that
branches toward the west, and leads to
Uplands. where dwell the Adairs. They
shake hands. but, even at the moment of
meeting, Dugdale becomes aware that
there is un unmistakable cloud upon the
Majors usually urband brow.
"You have been to Uplands ?" says
Dugdale, because he has nothing else to
say. and is to much the property of melan-
choly to care to make conversation.
"Yes." absently 1.-THE old lady is i'll
again. But tell me, Give, is it true what
| have heard there, that Clarrissa Carew is
going to marry that fellow Haughton?"
''Have you heard itp'' asks Dugdale,
wincing
''Yes- the Adairs are full OF it. They
say it is all settled, and that they are to be
married Immediately. My dear boy"
says the Major, raising his hat to wipe his
forehead, 'it can't be true"
ut may be true" said Give glooming-
ly, lie is drawing aimless strokes with
his stick upon the dusty road, and is feel
ing distinctly miserable.
at may, sir!-what do you mean by
that ?' demands the Major, irascibly; II
tell YOU it shan't It's monstrous What!
a woman like that to throw herself away
upon worthless fellow and one who has
treated her so UNANIMOUSLY in the past! l
tell you l won't hear Of it, thought
Clarrissa had more pride''
"And yet do not think she Is wanting
in PRIDE" says Dugdale.
~ don't know what you call it but /,
for one, wouldn't have believed it of her."
says old Hyde, growing slightly incoher-
ent. Il shall speak to her, and, if pOssi-
BILE, prevent it. II were young man
like you. Dugdale. should make love to
her myself, propose to her and marry her
under his very nose, rather than let such
sacrifice take place. But the young men
of the present day." says the Major, dis
gustedly. 'are abomingly wanting in both
taste and feeling"
81 wish l could agree with you," says
poor Give, sadly.
"As no one else will intefere, I shall
Nothing shall prevent me. Her father
and | were old crOnies, and / shan't stay
by and see his girl make such fatal mis-
take without uttering word of warning.
| must now 90 home and scribble a letter
or two for the post, and after that shall
walk up straight to Weston and ask her
what she means.''
81 think l Wouldn't if were you,"
Dugdale ventures to say, mildly.
'But | shall. sir! Don't talk to me
Pouf! do You think the anger of the pref
test woman in Europe could turn me from
my duty9 Never!'' says the major,
proudly.
Dugdale half smiles as they part COM
pany, and he continues his way to Wes-
| ton. The hall door. as usual. stands wide
open during the glorious August weather,
and making his way to the study where
Young Carew generally sits, he enters, un-
announced.
At the doorway he stands motonless
moment, seeing Carew in earnest conver-
sation with Sir Wilfred Haughton. Hear
ing him, they both look up, and Carew's
expression changes from cold disappro-
baton to quick distress.
1T is only Dugdale." says Haughton,
with a curious CLEAN in his dark eyes,
and sort of certain maddening sense of
triumph in his slow, deliberate tones.
''No. do not go away, Dugdale: you are
"A welcome friend here, and have no de-
| sire to conceal from you the reason of my
presence here to-day. | have come to ask
Miss Carew's hand in marriager'
Dugdale pales visibly and his brows
contract-otherwis he suppresses all out
ward symptoms of emotion. Then sud-
denly wild determination to enter the
lists himself, to declare aloud his affec-
ton for her, if only to let her see how we'll
though silently, she has been beloved,
takes possession of him. Almost with
out allowing time for reflection. he turns
to Carew and says, with forced compos-
ure
II too have come to Weston to-day,
bound on the same errand. love your
sister, Carew, and would ask her to mar
nv me. Let her choose between us.''
| George rises slowly. He is still weak,
and finds difficulty in sudden movements !;
Il look of perplexity and discomfort per-
vades his handsome face; he trifles ner-
vously with paper-knife that lies beneath
his hand
You distress me-" he says at length,
addressing both the suitors. Il hardly
know what to say. OF course, shall in
form my sister Of the honor you have both
done her, and-and-you must abide by
her decision. But it grieves me to know
that one of you-must-"
He pauses, and unconsciously, in his
embarrassment fixes his eyes upon Dug
dale. Give groans inwardly; to him it
is a simple matter, the transition of that
regretful look. the finishing Of that brok-
en- sentence. lone Of you must 60 to the
wall-and you, Dugdale, are the man. !"
So he reads it, The brother, knowing
well the sisters feelings, had thought
kindly to give him gentle warning Of what
is surely in store for him. That glance
was an i'll omen! Well, well He throws