The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-12-17
after dinner, and see what 1 can make

N~N~N~ OeNA
of her."
On finding himself, after dinner, alone
with his sister in the smoking-room,
Walter began to realize the difficulty of
beginning subject which she seemed
to have no intention of introducing.
Clare" he suddenly began. |" do
you know you have improved very much
of lateP You are rather good-looking
young person now. am inclined to be
proud of YOU"
: THANK you, Walter. Was l so very
plain before?" she retorted saucily, with
light laugh.
"No; do not mean that. You were
always handsome enough; but somehow
you strike me as being different this
time. 1t may be your style of dressing,
or the way you wear your hair; but there
is difference, I'm certain. You had
better come back with me for little.
London is the place for girl like you,
and George would enjoy taking you
about. Poor girl! she is lonely enough
at times, now that am no longer a
brie hess barrister. Will you Gomez"
g You are good old fellow, Walter,
and love you dearly; but will not &c
to London with you. A London life
would not suit me. But believe you
when you tell me have improved.
must have improved, at any rate since
you saw me in autumn; for l was un
happy and unsettled then"
"About what, dearp" he asked in his
gentlest tone.
"Well, you know wished to become
nurse; and mamma would not hear OF
it, and was tired of the life leaC
here"
Yes; / don't wonder at that-it i,
altogether too dull"
80 no, not that! But it is so utterly
useless, and there is so much to be done
and so much that ladies can do better
than any one else"
" But you are not useless here. You
have your Sunday class. and the choil
to train, and your poor folks to look
after. think you are wonderfully use
full for so young girl"
" Yes; that is just it; l am too young.
l require guidance, Walter, and can.
not get it from mamma
" Clarep
'' l mean, that although mamma is as
kind as possible to the poor, and gives
them food and wine and clothes too,
yet personally, she takes very little in.
terest in them, and l cannot get her to
come with me on my rounds. 1t would
be so much better if she would, because,
you see, some of the people do not pay
so much attention to me when | give
them advice, just because l am so young
and have no one to support me-"
Sc l can imagine that it is difficult for
you, certainly. But is there no one
else you could get to join with youP'
" Yes, Walter and faint blush
spread over her face" that is why
l am SO much improved, as you say !
am. My mind is quite at ease; for now
L see my duty quite clearly. [ thought
mamma woul1 tell you all about it to-
morrow; but / should like to speak to
you first, for she is very much against
it, and count upon your help to bring
her round. think it providential
that you have come down here
at this time, of your own accord
too! | am engaged to a gentleman
who will be able to help me, and who
will take me to a place where there is
far more need of me than there is here;
for do you know, Walter, though 1 have
been working hard with all my heart all
these months. L do not see one bit OF
improvement amongst the people,"
Engaged to be married. Clare! Who
is the gentleman? You sly puss! And
so it is first love- which has improved
you?"
20 no, Walter. am not in love,
as you suppose; and neither is he; but
we esteem and like each other; and we
can do more for those poor people il
we were married than if we were sin
gle. He says he needs lady to help
him.
But who is he, dear? You have not
told me that"
''He is cousin of Mrs. Mon kton's
and is very hard working clergyman
in large and neglected mining village.
His name is Moffat. He was here a
good deal last year at the time of the
revival meetings, and / got to know
him then, bat without any idea of mar
rying him; that has only been arranged
a few days ago."
AOu osnO away hy UIOdOu, SldI0.
That is the very last kind of marriage
should have expected a girl like you to
make"
"Ah. because you thought me vain
and frivolous. But, dear Walter, prom
Use me that you will talk to my mother
and make her see what noble and USE
full life is waiting for me-"
"A noble and useful enough life,
Clare. But before l can make any
promises, must think it over. / am not
prepared to give my sister up to the
first man who asks her. Tell me about
Mr.. Motfat. What is he likeP Is he
young? And has he private means that
he thinks of a wife like youP''
81 do not know whether he is very
rich or not; l never thought of asking
him. But we should not want to be
very rich; because, in the life we have
planned, we should have no time for
visiting or going much into society; and
you know, Walter, have never been
SO fond of going to balls and parties as
some girls are"
"Well, Clare. I'll sleep on 1t, as the
saying goes; and tomorrow will have
talk with you again. Be sure that
will do my best for your happiness.
And now, let US say good night"
Next morning Clare came early into
the breakfast room; but her brother
evinced no corresponding activity; and
when he did mako hie annaoronoa thu