Daily globe., 1879-02-09
CLARA'S ROMANCE.
CHAPTER I.

CHAPTER I.
On such a sunny morning in the heart
Of Il golden October, the run FROM JERSEY
to Guernsey IN the good steamer South
ampton would have been the heighth OF
enjoyment to all on board, bad sailors
al d good, II wind and tide had no
proved so perverse. AS it happened
there were many immovable occupants
Of the canopiea seats on the quarter deck
and The ladies' cabin did not lack tenants
Amongst the latter were Clara and Amy
Chadwick. 70 them, poor things, the
brietest sea-rOyase, no matter how gra
cious the weather, OF. how bland and agree
able wind and tide, was a period of un.
quaiided misery. Not SO to their lively
cousin, Isabel Shelton. She loved the
sea in all its moods, and verify the sea
Jersey she has not set eyes on her cousins
They descended into the cabin as tbs
boat steamed out of the harbor, leaving
her tc her own devices. She has not for
saken the bridge from the moment the
barrier was removed; and now, as the
Southampton n.als 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 a day in her delightful holiday
The father OF her cOusins-excellent
uncle Phi!ip--invited her 'to accompany Y
him and the girls on their tour through
the north Of France" They left him at
St. Malo. On parting with them, he
said:
Il have business which will detain me
in tnis neighborhood for couple of days
so you hid better go On without me, es-
pccially as that party at Cornthwaite's is
is q young folks affair, and I should
only be in the way. Of course I shall
spenu an evening with him in Guernsey
as return, to talk over old times; but
you can 60 on. Isabel will take care of
you.
HIS continual Difference to his niece as
a person more to be relied on than his
own daughters gives anything but pleas
ure TO 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
'show 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 farmers daughter;
thelrs, that OF the spoiit darlings Of a
wealthy merchant-prince. They have
been invited to break their voyage at
Guernsey, in order to take part in al
evening at the house Of their fathers re-
tired friend, Stephen Cornthwaite. The
programme embraces dinner, o carpet
dance, and charades. The Misses Chad
wick are bent on conquest, and like the
uncomely elder sisters in the story Of
C;GC Cerella, have disclosed their intentions
to Isabel. She knows inSuitively that
she owes her invitation solely to the kind
consideration Of her uncle Fh,Iip. II
thew had had their will she would have
been condemned to spend her evening at
the hotel which IS t1eir, ,presept temporary
destination.
The passengers have been banished
from the bridge, and are grouped upon
the quarterback, gazing with interest on
the picturesque town of St. Peters Port,
rlsing 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 tie pile that
has been placed ready for landing, and
ere, laden with umbrellas, buquets OF
flowers and handbags, otherwise prepar-
ing to step ashore. The Misses Chadwick
have no: 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 anv
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 camp-stool and rng. 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.
"Thank you very much, ny cousins
and myself are expected, and we are only
going to the hotel"
"May I"--he began, and then, appear
ing to recollect himself, he added, :'Do
you remain long in Guernsey?'
"That depends entirely on my uncle
replied Isabel, ingenuously. "He will
follow US from st. Malo the day after
tomorrow"
''Then must wish you good morning u
"Good morning, and thank YOU"
"You never were here before, Isa bel?
said Clara; ''of course not. It is a dread.
fully hilly place, but I think you will
like it. DO not profess to understand
such things; but those who do, Lionel
Grant, for mple--why, look, Amy,
there he isl" and she and her sister &C.
knowledged, and afably withal, the
salute of a gentleman who was proceed
ing in the direction which the carriage
was taking. It was 1sabel's compaqnon
de voyags. AS his smile, if not his bow,