The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-11-29
THE SILENT Partner.

"You have sad and strange ex.
preston to-day, Edgar, which troub-
lie. me-" said Clara Benton, address
ing her affianced lover.
I'm fact, you have not seemed like
Yourself, since the death of your
father, four months ago "
The young mans only answer was
sigh, the meaning of which. how
ever. his fair companion understood,
although the subject had never been
referred to between them They had
been engaged about a year, and their
wedding day, although not definitely
decided upon, was looked upon as
not far distant.
In the meantime, however. Mr.
Alison, Edgaris father, had become
seriously embarrassed in his bu-i-
ness affairs and matters had grown
continually worse, until the climax
was reached, rendered still more Sc
we're, as well as unavoidable, by the
general prevalence, at the time, OF
business failures.
While still working with every
nerve of brain aud body, in one of
those desperate struggles which so
often end in either success or death,
a fever, induced by the intense ex-
citement, had terminated his life,
leaving his affairs in almost hopeless
confusion, while his wife's health
was so shattered by the terrible
shock that she was reduced to the
condition of confirmed invalid.
Edgar, who had graduated a year
before, and was then at a law school,
dropped his books and calne home
at once, to see what he could do in
the way OF saving something from
tlie wreck of his fathers estate.
Cla Bei ton, his atlianced, Was
an orphan, and pos-essed OF a fol-
lune amounting tO seventy thousand
dollars, which was under the charge
of prudent and careful lawyer, her
guardian, while she was not TO be
permitted to have control OF 1t until
she would be twenty-thfee years OF
aye.
We'll, Clara" said Edgar, break
ing painful silence, AT our engage
nent, supposed my fortune wound
be about equal 10 yours. Now, l
scarcely dare lo feel certain OF being
able 10 save anv.hlng. The only
part oi my father once large fortune
Is which Is III ANY measure available
III his factory, sui at work, earning
little money. IL may possibly be
saved from The wreck, but IL Will
doubtless require some Years 10
bring out that result. There are
uIan. large claims against Tie estate;
and, working as | must, single hand
ed and aiuLe, The UuT look seenis al
most desperate.
DO hot let these troubles make
you despoudeht, Edgar, said Clara,
affection alely. AT tie time oi our
engagement We We're expecting 10 Ie
married within ID year. OI course 1
do not desire to hasten that event III
ANY way that does hot seenl to you
best. But my life Is shut upln yours.
LII you were absolutely pennliess,
it would not make Il shadow vi dill
ference with me. | have enough Tor
both oi US.
Il know that is what your geurr-
Gus heart ouiu suggest my DAZZLING,
fepiltd her lover, with deep eiuO-
tlCn. But tie prevailing sentiLnent
OF this world Is vi d very dliieIent
character. Already Ely lntlnIatiuns
have COME 10 HE 10 lne elect that
the iuss vi my fortune would not Ue
a very serious affair 10 me, since l
have rIch wife In prospect, which
l was shrewd enough 10 secure III
time"
Let these ungentrous lusinuatlons
pass Tor nothing, Edgar, SAID Clara,
with quiet dignity. You KNOW they
have no power tv touch my niInd
tor III Instant.
IL have been thinking this matter
over "a great deal lately, Clara, said
Edgar, pressing the nItIe hand he
was holding. Aid while | have not
the reuIotest thought vi ever dlSre-
gardlns my engagement, l believe 1t
Is better ior Us lo walt few ears
and let me endeavor to repair my
fortune, without anticipating any
portion ot yours. You are now only
nineteen and l lwenty-three; We Will
De young yet Tor some years. Will
direct NY energies II tnls work. 1
will take huld OF The Manufacturing
business my father left, adapt myself
to It and make that the Use OF my
lite instead of the profession
to which l had been expect
ing TO devote it. | must be a busl-
ness man. and | viii try to bea use-
fui and successful One"
More conversation followed, which
We have no space 10 detail here, dur
ing which, however, Clara question.
ed her lover with much interest in
regard to the condition and charac-
ter of the property he was endeavor-
ing to save; and they parted at last,
more firmly bound, SO far as related
to their future hopes and expecta-
lions, than ever.
1t had been agreed that their mar
riage should not be deferred beyond
Clara's twenty-third birthday, unless
by her own desire, which she telt
certain would not be entertained or