The Washington critic., 1885-05-13
CLARA'S MISTAKE.


DtNlOys ANU reilly j HU surprised tndJ
she has decided to marry
Captain Gore is great match I'm told"
observed Miss Catchington.
"Oh, yes, he's all right" Mrs Bexloy an
swered. But she has such horror Of be-
ing married for her money, you see, and
she g so very particular, and T.
81 neverll believe it until see her Ia
her wedding veil and wreath at the altar"
said Miss Catchington, with a sort of vlci-
Gus relish. Its surprising what little
bit of an affair will suffice to break Off a
wedding at the last miuute.'
"And Clara is 50 suspicious and Jealous"
added Mrs. Bexley.
This was the way in which two gossps
read the character of Clara Cleve. Nor was
their verdict altogether without show of
reason.
Miss Cleve had warm and noble nature
but she quailed at the risks which every
woman runs in uniting herself for better
and worse" to husband. Moro than one
of her friends had married unhappily, and
she had sort of superstitious dread lest she
too should be wrecked in the mWlstrom of
matrimonial misery,
Its one chance in thousand" thought
Clara Clevo, obviously. But do believe
that Everard Gore Is true man and loves
me truly; and yet suppose that every silly,
love-stricken girl thinks the same thing of
her lover. oh, ! wish knew whether
was right or wrong in promising myself to
any man living. When Everard is with
me believe in him so fervently There's
sort Of magnetic force about his clear
brown eyes aud smiling mouth which l
cannot resist but when he leaves me, the
cold mists gather about my heart and find
myself raeked by doubts and fears. Oh.
what, what shall do? Does he love meas
a man should love his wife Or is it only
because am rich that he cares for me?'
Thus Clara Cleve medtated only week
before her wedding day, as she walked
along the crowded streets toward a great
iewclry emporium where she was having
set of antique pearls, which had been
her grandmother, reset in rims of plain,
dead gold. The ring was bought, the
great wedding cake ordered, the dress
lying in the pasteboard box at home, even
the wreath of climatis and orange bios
SONS was in readiness.
Ana Clara Cleve felt that her doom was
very near.
"If did not love Everard so dearly"
said she to herself, ~ would tell him,
even now, that | can never be his. But
l do love him, and there's just where the
risk lies"
Are my pearls ready she asked, as
she advanced to the plate-glass shielded
counter
"In one minute, ma'am," the clcrk obse-
quiously answered, and Clara sat down to
wait.
Almost as she did so the clear, frank voice
of Everard Gore sounded in her ears from
the adjoining room-a little private office,
used only by the heads of the firm: and
which, instead of being partitioned of to
the very ceiling, was only rallied around by
black walnut and plate-glass to the height
of about six feet. Claras first impulse was
to call to him as she started up; the second
to reseat herself.
HE is on some business, suppose"
she said to herself, "and / should only
interrupt him. ! will wait until he comes
OUT
You don't really mean" said old Mr..
Goldie, the head of the establishment,
speaking in his slow. deliberate way, you
don't really mean, Mr.. Gore that you want
to back out Of the engagement"
81 would in minute if could get
reasonable excuse, said Everard.
Clara's heart gave a great beat like dis
ordered triphammer, and she felt herself
grow chill and faint. Had Providence then
sent her an answer to her prayers for en-
lightenment on the great subject as to
whether her aflianced husband loved her or
not?
"And so far as you've gone, too" said Mr..
Coldie. Dear, dear they tell me the we'd
ding is TO be this day week.
$50 it u.s." said Everard, calmly.
ooh, you can't back ont Of the bargain
now !" cried the old gentleman.
"But l think / shall" asserted Everard
Gore. 81 really have an opportunity to do
better, and man must take all the adj
vantages he can"
"But hat will Miss Glove say ~
ooh cold Eyarar1 6ahnnuirIv
won't care"
But Clara Cleve could endure this no
longer, Her checks were burning, her eyes
glittering, her hands trembled SO that she
could hardly hold her parasol, She rose
and turned toward the door that led into
the private room--not quite private enough,
as it seemed, In this instance.
II beg your pardon, madam interposed
the clerk, as he advanced from the further
end of the counter, "but here are the
pearls
"The pearls?' Clara looked at him
vaguely. She had forgotten all about the
little, white, glimmering ornaments. What
were pearls to her
"Never mind them she said, in voice
that was scarcely audible. IL am going
in here"
II beg your pardon, ma'am," said the
clerk, more amazed than ever "but that is
Mr.. Goldie's private room, where no one
ever goes but on business
~ have business 70 imperiously spoke up
Miss Cleve. "Be SO good as TO stand aside
and let me pass ~
And with the naughty mien of modern
Boadcea she swept on and entered the
office where old Mr.. Goldie sat on the ia
BILE and Everard Gore stood opposite, lean
ing against the mantel.
Miss Clevcl" calculated the old gentle
man, nearly tumbling off the table in his
CONSERVATION.
Clara p exclaimed Mr.. Gore, scarcely
less amazed.
81 hope / am not in the way ~ said
Clara, with a little forced laugh But, /
believe / am little interested in the sub.
.ject that could not help hearing you dis
cuss just now"
She looked scathingly at Everard, but
instead Of turning as many colors as dy-
ing dolphin, or looking as if he would like
to vanish through the crack of the floor, he
broke into merry laugh.
"Of course you are, said he
She drew herself haughtily up.
Pray do not discuss it any more" said
she. II release you.
"Y0u release me? From what, Clara"
From our engagement"
For what reason he asked, certain
stern gravity coming over his face.
Can you ask me, after what you have
just saioy' she flashed out.
CLARA, you are riddle" said he. "What
have | said ! have a right TO an eXplana-
ton, and demand it,"
He was not to be trihed with--that was
evldent-and Mr. Goldie stood crumpling
up his hair with both hands, the image of
perpleSity and bewilGelment'