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

y
heart. Not that such was her expressed
intention. ''Tll just run over and tell
them right away" she had said.
THEY'VE got to know it, and they'd
better hear it from well wisher than an
enemy"
No sooner had she gone than daughter
and niece sped with the news to nearer
neighbors, who, one and all, felt it to be
their bounden duty Ito be on hand if
ANYTHING happened" The single ex-
ception was Miss Dyer, one of the kind
helpers of this world, who, seeing the
knot of women at Mrs. Marsh's gate,
had gone to ask what was the matter,
and what she could do.
Cynthia turned the paper to the light,
and read ..5
One of the pleasantest incidents of last
week was the marriage of the lovely and ac-
complished Miss Anna Mayer to the handsome
sailor, Martin Ford. The marriage ceremony
was performed at the house of Judge MAYER,
the brides father, after which a Handsome col
lation was served. The bride was exouisitely
dressed in white satin with a long veil and q
wreath of orange blossoms.
The acquaintance of this happy couple be-
gan in romantic way on shipboard about four
months ago, when Miss Mayer was saved from
husband. 1t is rrInored that he will relinouish
the sea-faring life and become aresident OF
this town. May peace and prosperity attend
him and his young wife. None but the brave
deserve the fair -
The two women looked at each other.
How long is it since she heard from
him?n asked Mrs. Marsh.
Nearly three months. He wrote as
soon as the vessel reached Canton. but
there was some delay, and the letterryas
six months on the way. He promiseFfo
send her another the first cfance he had
but he didD' know when that would be.
He was ordered up-cOWtry for some
thing"
- And when the letter came to her he
was vOwin' love to his new sweetheart.
1t makes me sick to think of it,
- She's been countn' the days lately
to another letter He was to write be-
fore he sailed and let her know when to
expect him, and nov"
Mother and daughter started The
bedroom door opened and Clarissa
walked to the table and took the paper
read it, in silence she laid it down. She
cast swift ghnce around the room;
then, one by one, she took down from
their places the picture of The Rover, the
birds nest-egery memento of Martin
Ford's love-drew from her bosom a
small packet of letters, opened the stove
door and thrust them all in. The flame
took hold of them greedily, and the girl
knelt and watched them until they were
heap of shimmering sparks. When
nothing was left of her treasures she
rose, kissed her mother and left the
room. They heard her slowly climb the
stairs and enter the chamber shared by
her and Cynthia. Cynthia would have
followed but Mrs. Marsh restrained her
Don't go, Cynthy, said she. 'Leave
her TO herself little. There only One
who can speak 20 her now"
After what seemed an age of silence
they heard Clarissa moving about the
room.
She s gettin' ready for bed now,"
said the mother. 1--WE must put things
away here and go, too. Life 5 got to
go on just the same whether our hearts
are light Or heavy
When the rooms were in order and
Cynthia had seen her mother safe in
bed she went up stairs. Clarissa seemed
to be asleep and the elder sister Law
down noiselessly. But when Der res,i-
lar breathing told that sleep had come
to her at last, the stricken girl beside her
lay gazing into the darkness with hope
less, sleep-forsaken ewes.
Clarissa disappointed her neighbors
sadly. She did not die and she did not
have a fever. For three or four DAYS
Mrs. Long and others, who made trivial
errands to the Marsh's, did not succeed
in seeing her. Cynthia answered all
inquiries simply, but so as to give no
insight into her sisters state of mind.
Her manner was so unconstrained, she
was apparently so unconscious of any
covert curiosity on the part of her ac-
quaintances, that even Mrs. Long had
not the hardihood to refer directly to
ClariSsa's trouble. ..-.
81 never see Cynthy's equal in beatin
about the bush, said that lady to LORNA
Hayes in burst of confidence. 'She
won't take hint at all; answers every
question about Clarissy in the most pro-
vokin' way. 1t looks dretful high
handed to put off your neighbors in time
OF trouble, Now | do suppose that if
they d had word of Martin Ford's doin's
in private way none of us would ever
"a known thing about it."
"'Taint likely that Clarissy IL be to
meetin' Sunday" replied LORNA, 'and
either Mis- Marsh or Cynthy II have to
stay home with her. That IL be good
reason for askin about her pertickerly."
But on Sunday Clarissa was in her
usual place at church, pale but self
possessed. She replied without agita-
tation to all inquiries about her health,
and on her way home talked with LORNA
Hayes about the sermon and the Bible
class as if they were really objects of
Lorina's greatest interest. No one dared
to say word to her about her lover.
After that day, SO far as the neighbors
could see, she went through the accus-
toned routine of her daily life, and. ex-
cept to the anxious eyes of love. there
was little alteration in her demeanor.
So well did she keep her own counsel
that the village gossips soon dismissed
her'from their conversation.
''She can't have cared no great about
him, after all. 1t was only the sudden
shock that overcome her SOL said Mrs.
Loud; and her verdict was final.
Clarissa came and went unmolested
by curious tongues and her life was ont.
wardly as before,