Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1885-06-29
The Life Secret.
BIZ COZ. PRENTIss TNGRAHAM.


Clarence Kane sat in his sumptuousIy
furnished library, lost in thoughts evil
IDENTIFY unwelcome to him, for his hand
some face was clouded and the stern lips
firmly compressed, as he gazed vacantly
into the red coals in the CRATE.
Though forty years had passed over
him, neither form nor face indicated
that age, for proudly erect and graceful.
besides possessing dark, flashing eyes,
waving hair and regular features, he
was strikingly handsome man, appear
ing scarcely more than thirty.
Reared in luxury, for his parents had
left him q millionaire when but col
lege student, he had never known pow
erty through necessity, though q wander
ing life Of many years In many lands
had shown him that there existed more
want and suffering than happiness and
comfort in the world, from lack Of the
almighty dollar, and his noble nature
aided ever, where circumstances brought
him in contact with his fellow beings in
distress.
Three months before that bleak De-
cember evening when he is seated in the
library Of his magnificent Baltimore
home, Clarence Kane had returned from
. wandering tour abroad, which had
lasted for two years, and the circum-
stance that had brought him home again
Is the subject Of this sketch.
Sitting there in silent meditation, he
was awaiting the coming Of one who was
very dear to him, though no wife or sis
ter had ever frightened his doorway or
made happy his bachelor home. CIar-
ence Kane held the responsible position
Of guardian over o young girl Of seven
teen, and having received from the fair
maiden q telegram that afternoon that
she would be with him during the even
ing, having left her boarding school for
the Christmas holidays, he had re-
manned away from the club TO greet
her.
eff she had only stated by what train,
or ct what hour, she would arrive, 30
that could have met her." he MUIR
INJURED, in rather an ill-humored tone,
and then, as the sound Of carriage
wheels on the pebbly drive broke on his
ear, he started up suddenly and walked
quickly to the door, which was thrown
wide open by the butler, to usher In q
. bright face, almost hidden, as was the
form, by warm wraps, for the night was
bleak and cold.
'sJuanita, you are indeed welcome r.
exclaimed Clarence Kane, checking
himself IS he was about to enfold ia his
arms the maiden, whom, in the three
years that had passed since he had last
beheld her, had grown from girlhood TO
womanhood.
ssThank you, my dear guardian, I
knew you would like O little sunshine
this cold winter weather, hence have
come" laughed 3 musical voice from
beneath the wraps, and Is Il divining
the reason Why he had not embraced
her, the young girl quickly raised her
pouting, ripe lips for . kiss.
viii not assert that Clarence Kane
had never, In his varied existence, kissed
lovely woman before, but be that as Il
may. he appeared d perfect novice on
this occasion, and was as awkward as q
sChoolboy, for his face flushed painfully,
and then turned deathly pale.
But recovering himself, he extended
q warm welcome Ia the maiden, and
then aided her IN unbundling herself
from wraps, furs and hat, and his sur-
prise was evident IS he beheld what
metamorphose form his ward was.
A form supple, graceful and slightly
shove the medium hight. yet perfect In
mold; q face radiant with . strangely
fascinating beauty. Tor the eyes were
midnight ii blackness, LIQUID "a ex-
preston, and 6Ilod with nlumbering
Gre, while The hair, rivaIing them ii
hue, was worn in luxuriAnt folds around
Hlve silver comb.
ia undisguised admiration Clarence
Kane forgot his good breeding, and
stood and pazed.
what was this the girl a fourteen
he had LETT ST boarding -school q few
years bef0rea he thought. while TIE
object q bis gaze. flushing crimson, sid
hnll timidly:
sDont I n.eazs Sou. nv deax guar