The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-09-17
HIS INNoCENCE PROVED.

rare loneliness, his daughter, Idelle.
The Girl was leaning against the
window. her eyes fixed on the beauti-
fuI scene that lay before her, but at
the sound of her fathers voice she
turned her head towards him, her eyes
meeting his.
''Idelle," he said.
''Yes, papa?" she said, but her voice
was questioning.
"Can Won give your answer to-day,
Idelle? l have waited patientlyi your
lover has been patience itself, but we
want your answer now"
NV loYer!'' the girl repeated
king Emerson is not that, father.
HE is your lover-at least he loves
you. The question is. viii you marry
King Emerson or not?'
..You give me a choice, with q. faint
smile; '.then l will not Oh, father!'
with a swift break of passion, Il can
not marry him; do not love him, and
/ do love"
'Do not dare to repeat that, Idelle
Meredith, in my presence again! IhaVe
given you my opinion, and more than
mine of Ralph Greeley, who is neither
more nor less than fortune-hunteri
and his wife, with my consent, you Will
never be"
He was silent for q moment, and
Ideile let her eyes wander out OF the
window again.
Suddenly her father rose and went
to her, and caught her by the arm.
Look here, GIRL" he said, his face
darkening, II have fooled long enough
with you. You will marry King En-
erson.n
81 have promised my love to Ralph
Greeley"
The clasp on her arm frightened.
al tell you," her father said, THAT
Ralph Greeley is rascal Ask Esther
Haven has he a right to marry you. i"
II will not believe that story" Idelle
said, though her face grew pale; ''he
is the soul of hOnor."
Her father laughed.
.Girl, l saw them together" he
said. Il saw her pleading with him.
Everyone links their names together,
and insinuates she ought to be his
wife"
Idelle's face grew still paler.
IF | knew that were true" she
said quietly, my heart would change
at least | would turn from him, and
and"
''Marry King Emerson" her father
interposed.
"And marry King Emerson, she
said.
al will hold you to that promise,
Idelle," her father said; 'tno Meredith
ever broke his word, whatever their
other failings.h
The smile on the girls face wavered.
All, if she were too sure of her lover 8
innocence.
81 spoke thoughtlessly," she said,
"but if Ralph Greeley is what you have
limited, my careless words will hold
good.
81 am satisfied" her father said
quietly.
A little later IdelIe left the house
and wandered down by sunny dell.
her thoughts filled with her father s
words as well as her own.
"It was foolish speech of mine, "
she said: even if Ralph had been I'M
worthy. that would be no reason why
l should marry King Emerson, whom
l almost shrink from, without really
knowing why"
AT this instant q tall, fine-lookiDg
man crossed the meadow-a man dis
tinguished looking as well as hand
some. 1t was King Emerson going to
Meredith Grange, where in a few min
uteS he would hear Idelle's decision
from her father.
King Emerson and Ralph Greeley
were cousins, but King was the master
OF broad lands and sunny wales, while
Ralph was little more than penniless;
but Idelle-well. Idelle loved him.
He was well worthy. as far as out
ward appearances went, of any wo-
mans love, and Idelle refused to be-
heve that otherwise he was not wor-
thy as well.
As King Emerson passed, she drew
into the shadow lest he should see her.
He is very handsome, she said,
her eyes following him after he had
passed, almost as handsome as
Ralph"
Her lovers face rose before her,
CHEEKY and bright. as it usually was,
with its frank eyes and pleasant smile,
and tender glow came into her eyes.
MY darling" she murmured. "they
cannot make me believe i'll of you.
She had said that King Emerson was
almost as handsome as her lover, but
the truth was he was the handsomer
man of the two. but lacked the magnet
ic charm of Ralph's CHEEKY face.
Both men were tall and finely fea-
tured, but Kings face was more regu-
lar in outline. his eyes deeper and
darker. his mustache more silky and
sweeping, his manner more disti1-
guished; but there was subtle charm
in the other that made him the favor
lite of old and young-a charm in the
honest eyes and kindly smile that went
. long way with women in general,
and with Idelle Meredith in particular.
Idelle walked on till she came to =
grassy nook. and then she sat down to
rest few minutes. but she was scarce
~ sitting moment ere she rose to her
feet again, for woman's voice, low
and pleading, fell on her ears-the
voice of Esther Haven.
Scarcely conscious of what she did,
Idelle peeped through the tangle of
briarwood, and her face grew strangely
pale. Esther's companion was her
lover. Ralph Greeley.
GA-AACo1 RACAEAAANoo 6AC 6&0Q4s AnA40
clear and distinct Esther's voice fell on
her ears.
For Gods sake. Ralph. give me the
certificate. You viii not do this. Oh, |
Father in Heaven, what shall dol Oh, |
Ralph, give it to me! / would sooner
die than face
That was all Idelle heard, as, white /
and trembling, she sank back on her
seat ALI she had heard-but enough.
Her father had spoken the truth.
She sat there stunned and dazed for
more than 4 quarter of an hour. then
suddenly the voices fell upon her ear
again-at least. her lovers musical
Eoice.
You win meet me on the bridge
be said, tat nine o'clock, and then IN /
give you my decision.
That night with her face pale as
death. her sweet voice low and faint
Idelle Meredith gave her consent 10
marry King Emerson.
Il VIII meet Jon on the bridge. and
yiye you my decision. = Her lovers
words 70 Esther Haven rang In her
,ars. She would be there as we'll
he would plead with him to do Esther
Justice.
A few minutes before nine Idelle stole
,ut, and as the bell rang out the hour
he stood on the bridge, and saw him
sanding as i waiting someone
HE moon shone clear and hiah. and
s was almost bright IS day.
You 1dellegn he said. his face
ihanginQ slightly.
les. / Yon did not expect me
lere. has Esther not come yefF.
no. ne answered quickly; then
selng the scorn and anger in her ewes.
be quick gesture With which she
hrank nom him. be held out hIs
nnds
s'Idelie. he said. sscan yoa frnsf
lef cannot explain my meeting Gifh
'slhafs bat. believe ne, / have done
othine IN honorable man could Be-
sh61ned Of
az