Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1880-03-10


" You were writing to me-were you
not +? Let me read the letter.
Before Clara could oppose him he had
taken possession of the paper and read it.
els it thus you treat mel" he said bit
terly, "is it thus you requite my affec-
toni" ......
T The language of all lovers is very SIM
liar. Henry, after having spent himself
in reproaches, softened under the sweet
words of the young girl; but, neverthe-
less he seemed prey to some febrile
disquietude.
Clara's aunt, having become aware of
the young mans presence, came IN. ---
"Aunt Refine" said Henry " L have
come here with grand project. You
know my mother has blind confidence
in my uncle Edmund, who lives in
Lorient Let us so together to see
him; we can plead SO much better
one cause.
Clara wished to raise some objections,
but Aunt RENE approved the plan, and
it was decided that they should start
after dinner.
To go to Lorient from Kerentreck it is
necessary to cross the river Scorf. At
this time the fine suspension bridge did
not exist. They crossed the Scorff by
the aid of ferry boat, and, according to
the height of the tide, the passage was
easy or perilous.
Henry, Clara and Aunt RENE reached
the ferry towards two o'clock in the after
noon. The landscape was flooded in
sunshine; Lorient seemed bathed in
rose-hght; across it Showed the masts
of the ships at anchor in the port. The
horizon seemed enlarged, the sea was
calm, dimpled only with little waves
crowned with foam; the Scorf was peace
full, emitting not even a murmur.
The three travellers entered the ferry
boat. Henry placed himself very near
the boats side and made Clara sit beside
him.
"Clara," he said gently, pressing her
hand tightly, "isten to me. Do not
make any sign of rt probation, it will cost
me my life. Clara, / have deceived you;
we are not going to see my uncle. He
has been dead eight days and has left
me an immense fortune, which renders
my mother still more opposed to our
marriage. She has formally declared
that she will never consent.
"Then," said Clara, +" [ ought"
Listen!'' interrupted Henry violent
ly, "the moments are precious! / am
going to Lorient to have drawn up the
first of those acts, that the law, from
derision no doubt, calls respectful. You
sanction it, do you not ?"
"No," said the young girl firmly.
"You wish me to die, then %
go! Henry, do not speak SO. If it
was only necessary to die to prove how
much love you
"Then let us die together, murmured
Henry, and, encircEng Clara with his
arms, he plunged with her into the Scorf.
The action was so sudden that neither
the boatman nof Aunt RENE had time to
prevent it. Their amazement was so
great that the reality did not dawn on
them till they saw the bodies of the two
young people disappear beneath the
water.
But this stupor did not last long; assis-
lance was organized and the two lovers
were saved.
Six months after, Henry married his
cousin Cecil.
Two years passed away. Clara, very
pale and changed, was at Lorient. An
urgent affair called her there She was
just passing a blacksmith's shop, stu
ated few steps from the ferry, when her
attention was arrested by a voice whose
accents quickened the beating of her
heart. The poor girl grew still paler
and was obliged to stop. At the same
stepped out of the shop, speaking impa-
tiently. Clara saw him and trembled.
He also saw her, and, making gesture
of surprise, fastened toward her.
''Clara, my dear Clara!" he cried,
stretching out his hand.
But Clara stepped back slightly.
\ "What," said Henry "you refuse to
take my hand? You are just the same
as everp'
The young girl smiled bitterly.
Just the same, Henry; I never
change"
"Is that a reproach? Did you not
reduce me to despair? Did you not
advise me to obey the order of my
mother ?"
eyes, yes, you have nothing to regret;
[ alone am to blame"
Chow satlrlcally you speak to me,
Clara. Do you remember"
"l remember everything, even the i'm
preston that the beauty of your cousin
made upon you, an impression which
rendered obedience less irksome. But
it is useless to continue this subject;
you have been good son, and [ approve
of it. trust you are happy"
Henry's face cleared. "Oh! yes, &C.
Gil is so sweet and gayl She has not all
your good qualities. But perhaps it is
better that things were thus arranged.
You are SO proud and am SO violent"
"You are right
"And you, Clara, are you happy
Your husband
"My husband?"
"What, you are not marriedp'
"No. do not wish to be- I had to
| care for my aunt. She is dead now.''
"Dead! poor Aunt Refine
"You do well to call her poor Aunt
Refine, she suffered cruelty"
" Henry, Henry, where are your call