Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1881-03-18
ver their heads, he opened wide his

"A homNub sue lColotcu tulcT uuutt ell
treaty, he drew u step nearer then with
a half sob of the most exquisite happi.
ness she had ever known she felt them
fold themselves about her and laid her
head, like tired child, upon his breast.
He held her close and long.
CLARA, you love me ?" be half assert
ed, half questioned. "Oh. child, what
a sweet fair page has been the life upon
which I may dare inscribe my name p
At his word of self-implied reproach,
she raised her head In bis face was q
light she had never seen before With
a glad thrill she knew that her hand had
illumined her torch.
81 love you-I love you !" she re-
peated softly, until he hushed the wo:ds
with his lips.
"Do not let us tell the world our Sc
cret," be pleaded. at is so sweet to
have no one share it but ourselves.
And to this wish of his she gladly
gave assent.
On swiftly-joyous wings the days fol-
lowed, merging themselves into halcyon
weeks; yet some lives she heard, were
filled with misery. Could she ever fathom
the meaning of the word All, she was
young to ask the question. 1t was to be
answered too soon.
Poor child she had no mother--per-
haps mothers hand would have been
more gentle with the knife but one day
her aunt, with whom she lived, come in
to her room to rudely break in upon her
day dreams.
"Cara," she said. II want to talk
with you. This Mr.. Furval who is here
so often must come no more. The day
might dawn when you would become in
terestcd in him, and | would be very
sorry to have my singing birds song
cease, He is fascinating. With his
honeyed words aud phrases he sets traps
for hearts as the fowler for game. He
makes boasts, too, of his eonquests, l
hear. The words 4 love you fall too
readily from his lips The question,
"Be my wife ? never"
Pale, as ashes, Clara had been about
to utter an indignant denial of all her
aunt had said. When she had added
these last words. "The question, BE
my wife ? never" they seemed to lend
a ring of truth to all that had gone be-
fore; yet her loyalty stood her in good
stead, and her pride made her hide the
freshly gaping wound.
"You are unjust. aunt" she replied
speaking with effort "Why should you
believe what gossps say"
because it has extended its voice to
you-because it says that you, too, are
under the spell of this mans wonderful
fascination Many are the hearts be has
broken. Clara, he shall not break yoursp
IF what you say be true" she said
defantly. "it Is already broken, but |
do mott will not believe it He loves
me, and | love him y
"He has asked you to become his
wife ?"
The question cut like knife to the
girls quivering heart.
"No, no. in words. ! did not even
miss them, so sure was | of his purpose
Why-why do you come here to tor
ment me ?"
because would save you, and be-
cause he shall never know his latest VIC
tim. Child look here This was sent
me yesterday
And she placed a sheet of paper in the
little outstretched hand.
II was covered with the handwriting
of him Of whom they spoke, and it was
a mad, passionate declaration Of bis love
for her to whom it was addressed. There
was neither name nor date--only his
signature, bold and free.
"Clara, you believe now ?"
Eyes, ! believe" she answered, softly.
"Leave me to myself"
The next day, when Eben Furval call
ed, dainty folded note was put in bis
hand. Eagerly he tore it open, and
read these words:
II must ask you not to see me again.
You are better actor than L. | have
woaried of the farce Doubtless, with
the world for your audience, you can
find some one better fitted 10 play my
part.
This was all. Thus had the child
striyen to hide the wound from which
was pouring what she vainly hoped
might be the life-current
With bitter curse, ending in a groan
the man crushed the paper in his hand.
"Oh, God y be said beneath his
breath. after all these years, is this
a second time to be my reward ? Is there
no truth in women ?"
And bis soul echoed "none p
But Clara had been half-child, half
woman. Only yesterday her eyes had
looked with worship.ul light into his.
There was some mistake, some treacbery.
He could not let her thus escape him.
lie had been world worn and weary. Her
love had been like finding the cooling
spring in the arid desert. Must he pass
il by, and perish Of thirst? Not 80 !
lie would write to her, and beg her to tell |
II she had but played with him. Ifso,
Lot hor gilenca anawar IL MT IN h;d Liz, 1