The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1886-02-12

think how much pride ls hidden beneath
that quiet exterior of yours"
Claire smiled family, but she made no
denial She knew well that she would
have died rather than show her suffering.
NBut," and Madge looked puzzled, as
thought struck her. "Mr. Fame must have
been very young when this occurred
oh. Claire, I see it all! You think 1 mean
that quiet, dark, elderly man-Robert's
uncle Why, sister, can 1t be that he ever
had romance connected with himf'
To Claire, the elder Robert Fame was
still the one of all others in the whole
world most fitted to win maiden's heart,
and as his young nephew had hardly at
tracted passing thought from her, it
was not to be wondered at that she had
made the mistake. But, to one of her
reticent nature, it was sore trial to
think that she had revealed her hearts
bitter secret needlessly. To save Madge
one pang she would have made any sac
rifce; but-heTe her meditations were
put to fight 10y the clasp of clinging arms
and the pressure Of tender kisses.
'3Claire, darling, know what you are
thinking of, but don't mind having told
me. I'll love you all the more dearly
for it, and I'll never, never tell"
And Claire, after time, felt happier for
knowing that she had confdante and
sympathizer in her young sister.
Madge kept her word. Neither by
word nor look did she ever refer to what
had passed between them until-but we
must not anticipate.
One dark, stormy, night, when the ele-
ments seemed warning with one another
as to whether wind or water should do
the most damage to the earth. ring came
at the door Of the Cedars at an hour well
on to midnight.
Claire had been trying to finish deli
cate piece Of embroidery as present for
Madge on the anniversary of her birth,
which came on the following day. so she
was still in the sitting room. The SER
wants were probably fast asleep, and for
an instant Claire hesitated as to whether
to call one of them, or to answer the ring
herself at such an unusual hour.
But she conquered the momentary
timidity and lifted the heavy bolts from
/ their place in the massive doorway. and
/ in another instant stood framed in like q
| picture with background Of light which
/ left her face in comparative shadow,
/ which was well for her presence of mind,
for she stood face to face with Robert
Fame!
/ cold hand seemed grasping her heart
with its icy fingers, and she felt herself
/ grow faint, but with a superhuman effort
she regained command of her senses, and
said, putting out her hand:
! ''How do you do, Roberts Is anything
wrong at the Hall7"
something that has been wrong is to
be righted," he said There was a trem-
{ h Isa J, 10
"a woman is dying" he said, land she
calls for you in such piteous tones that 1
could not refuse to come for you. 1t is
Millicent Waters-or rather the wreck Of
that once beautiful creature. She came
to my door in this dreadful storm. and in
sisted on seeing me, saying she had i'm
/ portant news to communicate; and, Claire,
it concerned you. There is much to for
give. Will you come with met My car
riage is waiting at the gate"
Millicent Waters had been a schoolmate
of Claire's. wild, headstrong, but very
beautiful girl, she had disappeared sud
denly from Woodville short time after
/ Claire's great trouble had come into her
1 life, and since then nothing had been
known Of her whereabouts.
Claire's heart was ever responsive to a
I brief space of time she had made her
/ preparations TO accompany Mr.. Fame
She had not the slightest idea of what
Millcent had to say to her, as in a kind
I of dream she seated herself beside her
former lover.
There was utter silence between them
during the ride. Too great gulf lay be-
tween their past and their present to be
hid raH l.sr4 ba
ings of society conversation.
The housekeeper met them at the door
with white, shocked face, saying that
shortly after Mr.. Fane's departure the
poor woman he had left in her care to be
refreshed by rest and nourishment. had
fallen into a swoon which seemed so like
death that she thought it would surely
end that way.
Tell Joseph to GO for DIR. Gaston," was
Mr.. Fane's brief answer. Then he led
Claire into the library where he had left
Milicent
She was lying upon sofa, upon which
pillow had been placed to support her
head. In the wasted, sharply outlined
features little remained of the beauty
which had made her remarkable.
Whatever harm had been done to her
by this poor, dying creature, she forgave
her fully. Her only feeling was one oi
intense pity. As though her touch had
aroused the waning embers of life within
the wasted frame, Millicent opened her
eyes. and fixed them upon the tender.
sympathetic face lending over her.
$50 you have come" she said faintly.-
at is COOL. for now l can die in peace
Then she turned her eyes upon Robert.
at was who wrote that letter, and il
was l who met James Grant. He was my
lover, and he hated you and wished &c
wreck your happiness. l borrowed some
Of Claire's clothes under pretence ui
taking a pattern OF them, and in the
moonlight you could not tell the differ
ence. as was Of an equal height with
her. do not expect to be forgiven, but
1 must do even TINS tarly justice before
go TO meet my offended Maker"
Her words were complete enigma tC
Claire, as Robert had made no explana
tion Of his conduct, thinking, in his hot
anger that Claire had been making foo
of him. and. of course. being guilty, woulo
know that he had discovered the truth.
'What does she meant" she asked
wonderingly, turning to Robert, wh'
stood pale and stern beside her. ''Whaf
lehleI bft~ sire sIfiltN Pi- anu NhAt ii'''
James Grant 10 do with my life? l d,
not understand"
1T means that you and 1 have beer
the victims of designing villain, anC
that yonder poor creature was IN; de th'
instrument of carrying out his plans anf
of wreelSing our happiness. 1 believe,
the letter she wrote me saying that yot
cared only for my money, and that youl