Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-12-27
JOHN HARvEY's MISTAKE.

JOHN HARvEY'S MISTAKE.
A life was passing away; softly and
gently it was gliding into eternity. No
eminent physician watched its decay;
no wealth eased its painful joltings
along the road to death; yet no word
passed Clara Testers lips; no traitorous
cry that her burden was greater than
she could bear came from her loyai
heart. Pain had traced many a wrinkle
on her fair forehead, but her brows had
never been drawn together in angry
Impotence.
Bel Urmson, loving her sister devoted
ly, and tending her daily, was kept in
ignorance of her danger, and never sus-
pected the slenderness of her hold on
life. Bel only saw that Clara was
young, and beautiful, and delicate. Yes,
she was delicate; but then Clara had
been delicate from her childhood, and
since that dreadful morning when news
came to them that the steamship Gavin
pore had been wrecked off the African
coast, and Capt Testers name had ap-
peared among the passengers drowned
or missing, his young bride Clara Les
ter had, as Margaret expressed it, never
raised her head. Death and her sister
were, however, never associated in Bel
Urmson's mind. Clara was delicate
and that was all.
Three years had run their course since
the wreck Of the Cawnpore and Capt.
Lester had never come back to his wife;
and now, she whispered to herself, she
was going to him.
Before Bel had attained her 18th year
she was engaged to be married to Lieut..
Haywood, young officer in the til
Hussars; but misunderstanding had
arisen between them, and they parted.
Clara used to say to her, 81 am sure
there is only some foolish mistake be-
tween you. and some day Lieut. Hey
wood will come back to you and every
thing will be explained"
But Bel had laughed scorn ally at
Clara's prophecy and refused to place
any confidence in it. Her disappoint-
ment had shaken her confidence in hu-
man goodness and integrity, and she
became suspicious, retlcent, and sar-
castle. But gradually Clara Testers in
fluence effected change, and two
years later Bel Urmson had learned to
love again and was once more engaged
to be married.
One morning Bel was seated on a
low stool by her sisters couch, her chin
resting on her hand and her eyes gaz-
ing vacantly on the floor. She had
been silent for long time, when sud-
denly she spoke.
Il thought John ought to know that
| had loved before, and so told him
the story of my love. Was l rightp"
and she turned her dark, handsome
face to her sister, while her glorious
brown eyes seem to repeat her question.
"Was rightP"
Quite right" Clara answered; .you
have only forestalled the advice / in
tended TO give you to-day. And he, Bel
what did Mr.. Harvey sayp"
A blush crept up the girls cheeks,
and her eyelids dropped for an instant
rs she said:
II don't think he liked it, Clara, he
looked so Disappointed but he said very
little. But do love him, and he has
no cause for jealousy. But he is jealous
Jealous as Othello'-and with light,
careless laugh she turned away.
I'm sure Bel does not love him." the
sister murmured, squeezing her fingers
together in agony at the thought.
81 have come earlier than usual, "
said John Harvey. who now entered.
"The fact is, have received telegram
from my father informing me of his ar
rival in England and requesting my i'm
mediate presence in Southampton, be
cause, rs he expresses it, he is not so
we'll do not suppose il is anything
serious; nevertheless, am obliged to
leave Sutton tonight"
Il am sorry" Clara said. 81 hope
continued, leaning over and laying her
hand in his, my life is so uncertain,
may never see you again. Don't start
the thought is not new to me. Prom.
Use mel will not ask you to swear it.,
for a mans word should be binding az
his oath--but promise me now. before
die, to be always kind to Bel"
Startled and surprised though he was,
without moments hesitation he an
swered:
IL promise. To the utmost of my
power will be good to your darling"
THANK you," she murmured as her
sister and the nurse made their appear
ance. "And now, if you will take Bel
away, Margaret shall help me go to my
room. Good-by, John"
He shook hands with her, expressing
hope that when he returned he should
find her stronger. Then he and Bel
walked to the small iron gate which
divided Mr.. Testers miniature garden
from Sutton Common, and pausing
there he asked:
"Bel, will you write to me while am
awayp"
They had been engaged only month,
and this was their first separation; new
| ertheless she answered with warm de-
cision:
NO; you will live on my letters and
be in no hurry to come back to me"
That same night, Clara Lester found
the release for which she had so long
waited.
81 will never listen to any of Bells
mad projects again" was John Har.
| yer mental resolution as ne stepped
out upon the platform of Sutton Sta
ton. 81 have been away only fort
night, and it seems an age since bade
her good-by at the gate"
AS he approached the cottage his at.
tention was attracted by the figure of 8
gentleman walking before him-he was
the stranger who had spoken to the
porters at Sutton Station.
He was several yards in advance of
John Harvey, not walking in the dssul
tory. purposeless manner of stranger
but like one who, having an object tc
accomplish, was already in view of the
goal for its attainment.
"a fine fellowr' was Johns soliloquy
"But wonder who he is and where ht
is going"
Almost in answer to the query tn,
stranger pushed open the gate of tbs
cottage, and. entering. closed it behind
him.
In few seconds more John Harvey
l al and trsI do