Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1884-03-13
Written for the Herald
AIS Well That Ends Well"

But, father, you know l am pledged
Val"
Nonsense, Claire What is the use
bringing up dead man to stand in IL
way of your duty
II do not know that ne is dead, father
returned the fresh young voice steadily
"and | love him too well to marry, even
he were a man / could respect, and tn;
man is not Alfred Hastings"
The angry father ceased pacing the foo
and confronted his daughter
Well, if Val. Harvey is not dead, he
a scamp, and in either case he could neve
marry you, and l say you shall MARI
Alfred Hastings y
Claire Wilton was not a coward. and sh
returned her fathers gaze unfinchingl,
while she exclaimed with ring of scorn i
her voice
Isn't it rather unusual for American
fathers to take such measures 2"
Why do you force me to it, then
have encouraged Alfred and so have 1. H,
is young, rich, handsome and well connect
ed, and he has it in his power to help youl
brother to the position he wants. Their
Is no reason you should refuse him, and
say again, marry Alfred Hastings or leav,
my house and earn your own iving!"
Il choose the latter" returned Clair,
with uplifted head and flashing eye 81
would rathel earn my living the rest of my
life than live with man did not love
1t is pity you forget to enumerate tht
rest of the characteristics of the desirable
young man! Drunkard, gambler anG
worse! Gladly l choose to take care o.
myself"
Much you know about work" muttered
her father, while Claire, with flushed cheek
and fearful eyes, turned to leave the room
Remember, expect you to leave the
house within an hour. I'll have a car
riage here to take you anywhere you wish
to CO."
Claire hastened upstairs to her own
bell so vigorously that Jerry came running
in haste to see what was wanted.
Jerry, get hack at once; Miss Claire
wants to 60 out"
"The carriage is home, sir" ventured
Jerry respectfully. Miss Grace and her
mother came back some time ago."
That's nothing to yOu," thundered the
irate master. "Get the hack, as told you y
"Yes, sir" answered Jerry meekly, dart
ing into the hall. He stopped in the
kitchen to inform cook that something was
up.
"If Mr.. Wilton was in the habit OF
speakin' to me so wouldn't sIan' it, but l
reckon somethin' has disturbed him terri
bly,"
Mr. Wilton sat down in his big chair to
recover his equanimity.
Little foolw he muttered. Girls are
so headstrong. They need firm hand.
She'll think better OF it and give in before
the hour is up"
But Mr.. Wilton did not know his daugh-
ter Claire, and while he, in the library
rubbed his hands in complacency at the
thought of breaking her will, she was busi-
ly engaged in selecting the palmer and
more serviceable articles of her wardrobe
and packing them in her trunk She took
her jewelry and what money she had, for
she had no idea what she should do.
A low tap at the door aroused her from
the reverie into which she had fallen, sit
ting on the floor beside her open trunk.
Her sister Grace entered, her eyes red with
weeping.
Must you really 90 ?" she said. Il was
in the back parlor and heard it ALL /
don't blame you, but it is awful couldn't
do as you are doing"
81 know it," answered Claire, returning
to her packing, "but l can't marry Alfred
Hastings or any one else. 1t seems as if
VAL is alive and / shall see him yet"
Grace only smiled sadly, and slipped
heavy purse into her sisters hand.
Take it," she whispered, mother got it
for you. She is with father now, trying
to coax him into better humOr
She bade Claire loving, fearful good
bye, and went to her own room with her
grief
Claire was soon ready to 60, and attired
in her travelling dress she went down stairs
with firm step and closely drawn lips.
Really going?" questioned her father.
Certainly, sir; you told me to-" replied
Claire, with a sudden hope that he would
withdraw his command. But he merely
said:
81 made it conditional, you know.
If you won't give up, neither will L."
There is nothing more to be said,"
Claire, biting her lip to hide the
culver.
"Oh, john cried the mother, don't
send our daughter awayw
But he answed briefly:
Say goodbye, if you want to. | hate
scenes"
He rung the bell and directed Jerry to
bring down Miss Claire's trunk. Mrs
Wilton and Claire parted after passionate
and soon the homeless girl found
herself in the hack.
Where to, Miss ?" asked the drive, bend
ing down as he gathered up the reins.
ITO the Central Depot" she answered
after an instants hesitation.
She bought ticket for Philadelphia.
She had no definite idea or plan. Her
thought was-"Val's home was in Phila-
lelphia," and as the train rolled swiftly
over the steel rails she leaned back and let
recall that happy summer nearly
.wo years ago. She and Grace had gone
With friends to a seaside resort, and there
became acquainted with Val and Gertrude
Harley. There was mutual attraction,
which ripened into love and eliminated
n an engagement, sanctioned by her
ather, when he learned that young Harley
belonged to a respectable and wealthy
amily in Philadelphia, and that he was
lbout to enter into business as junior part
Ter with we'll established house in New
York City, and would board not far from
he WiltOn's home.
All the fall Val. was Claire's devoted
attendant. He remained in New York
constantly except week when he was
.alled home to attend his sisters funeral.
Her death saddened him greatly, but
rlaira,s srnanathu halned him hear his