The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-03-31

room off the kitchen. so stepped to the
winder. hadn't more n got to it
when the blind came down with slam,
and couldn't see thing. Then went
back an raped gin. an after min
ute Cynthy come to the door. Never
s~ked me to walk in, nor anything. She
Jest stood right in the openin' an looked
at me. / begun to say how bad | felt
about the way her sister d been treated,
an how glad I'd be to set up if they
needed watchers; but, laws! I'd hardly
got the words out of my mouth, when
She said: we re much obliged, and
when we want you we IL let you know
An with that she shut the door in my
face an bolted it. heard her slip the
bolt
How did she look?"
LAS if she'd been cryin' hard, an |
tell you Cynthy's got no beauty to spare
for cryin' Her face was as red as y
billed beet all over"
''Tve always called Cynthy dretful
humbly. Clarissy has all the good looks.
But there! favor deceitful, an beauty
is vain. Her good looks won't keep her
heart from achin'.
After this the sisters walked on in
silence until they separated. As she
turned towards her own domicile Mrs.
Loud said, with sign:
II should like to know whether she
tainted in the settin' room or the
Kitchen"
1t was nearly dusk when the svmpa-
thizing and curious neighbors separated;
but by candle-light everybody in the viii
lage knew that Martin Ford. after being
three years pledged to Clarissa Marsh,
had Tilted her and had married girl
he fell in love with on his v yage home"
a girl rich both in money aud beauty
All this time Clarissa Marsh was lying
in the little kitchen bedroom, stunned
in body and soul. She had been coming
out of that room when the announce
ment of her lovers perfdity struck her
down. She had fallen across the TIRES
hold, but her mother and sister had
lifted her to the bed, unaided by Mrs.
Tugg, who had stood aghast at the effect
of her cruel tidings. When Mrs. Long
had sought admittance, Clarissa was
still unconscious, and the moaning"
which she had heard had come from
Cynthia, who was almost in despair over
her sisters death-like face.
1t was dark when the poor girl did
open her eyes. Only her mother was
with her, Cynthia having left the room
to make light and replenish the fire.
Mrs. Marsh could not see her daughters
face; but she knew by her movements
and the drawing in of her breath that
she had come back to life and anguish.
There was moment of silence; then
Clarissa half rose and threw herself upon
her mothers breast. She spoke not a
word, but her young body quivered like
a leaf in the storm, and the mothers
encircling arms could scarcely hold her.
When Cynthia re-entered the room she
found Clarissa weeping upon her moth
er's bosom.
"Thank Heaven for thatr' she said,
as she stole away again.
An hour later Mrs Marsh came out of
the bedroom. noiselessly closing the door
behind her.
The poor child's asleep, and [ hope
she won wake till mornin'. She fell
off all in minute. | thought she'd be
likely to sleep longer if left her." said
she, choking down a sob as she looked
around the room.
The newly-washed clothes were on
the table where Clarissa had placed
them. Mrs. Marsh remembered her
bright face and happy laugh when she
laid them down, saying: "When Martin
comes home he will bring in the basket
for me-" In the window stood the ivy
which the young girl had trained for
three expectant, happy years. 1T was
such tiny slip when Martin gave it to
me-" she had said only that morning.
won't he be surprised to see how it has
grown? | shall train slip from it
around our own window"
Over the chimney piece was pinned
a rude sketch of Martins ship, The
Rover. Above the clock hung a branch
with bird's-nest which Martin had
brought Clarissa the day before he went
away. Other mementoes of him were
in the room-a Chinese fan fastened
with piece of bright ribbon to the wall,
two or three tiny flags, a carved wooden
paper-knife.
Cynthia sighed as she followed her
mother glance around the room. Then
she looked at the dear, worn face.
Dear mother, do let me bring you
something to eat" said she.
No, child; | couldn't touch mouth
full. feel as if the whole world had
sunk away. Only this mornin' she was
so happy! You'd although that when
Martin was here again, scriptur' was
goin' to come tOpass, and the wilderness
blossom as the rose. And now to see
her lynn there hopeless! Seems as if /
couldn't be reconciledr'
81 don't know as we are called on to
be reconciled to such things" said
Cynthia. ''The doin's of Providence
sickness an bereavement an death, we
must bear an be reconcled to, if we
can; but mans doin's s."
''Pm afraid your heart amt right,
Cynthy. All our ways are ordered, you
know" ...
eff they are, there's some folks that
don't obey orders, and that makes
trouble for the rest of u.s." replied
Cynthia, grimly. "Make trouble!'' she
calculated, after pause. ''Why, in the
name O. wonder, couldn't the neighbors
find some other way of ringin' that poor
child's death-knell besides sendin' Mis-
Tugg to do it. They might have had
the forethought to come to you OF me
first. But that old puff-ball must come
and stand in the doorway, and proclaim