Huntsville gazette., 1888-07-28


cigar. Mr.. Clymer put up his eye
glasses-he was rather near-sighted-
and took a good look before he an
swered:
"Very pretty" said he. Where did
you get them?n
''They were a present"
"From young lady?"
"Yes. How did you know?" Mr..
Clymer smiled.
II saw her making them"
"You saw her making them?"
Eyes. Is there any thing extraordi-
nary in all that?''
mo, but you seem to know every
body"
Clymer smoked a puff or two and
then responded:
'Well, do know great many peo-
pie. It's part of my profession, you
know, to become acquainted with the
world in general"
"What did she say?"
'She has said good many things
since first met her."
''Then you have known her long
timer" questioned Mr.. Elsley, begin
ming to feel sensation which was not
exactly jealousy or annoyance, but a
commingiing of both.
THAT depends upon what you call
long time" retorted the clergyman.
81 have known her for about six
months"
'Six months! And never to tell
me?n
"Why should she tell you? Are you
her father confessor?"
mo" rather crustily; "but I've
spoken of you at least a dozen times"
Mr.. Clymer turned himself around
in the depths of his Sleepy Hollow
chair.
Il should like to know" he said,
slowly and meditatively, "where on
earth have you seen her? She lives
quiet and most secluded life and re-
ceives no visitors" p"
81 don't know what your ideas Of a
secluded life may be-" said Mr. Elsley
''But she goes to all the balls and
parties, has AT Homes on Thursday
afternoons, and drives in the park
every clear day. If there's any par
ticular seclusion in that mode of life,
it's new to me-"
Rev. Mr.. Clymer stared.
''Elsley, whom on earth are you
talking about?"
about Clara Wexford"
'Clara Wexford! / don't know
Clara Wexford from the Queen of
Sheba,'
"Then what made you say you did?"
"Are you crazy, Elsley? | never said
/ knew Miss WEXFORD
"You said you saw her making the
Illuminated texts.
''Man alive! I said saw her max
ing them, but my her is not Miss
Wrexford. 1t is sweet girl who
by Illuminating these texts"
"Clara told me she herself made
them!'' cried Elsley.
Then Clara misrepresented affairs
most egregiously. l know that they
were made by my friend, for | saw
them both on her table, and she work.
ing at the gliding and lettering when
l was there yesterday morning to
carry little wine and jelly to the sick
aunt"
A curious revulsion of feeling passed
through Mr.. Elsley's mind. Clara
&hen, had deceived him, deliberately
and of intent. Clara had made false
pretences-the girl he believed to be
so faultless. And-but here Mr..
Clymer's voice broke in upon the dis
agreeable thread of musing.
''And l thought, of course, when l
saw the texts here that you had
ordered them of Stella"
"Is that her name?"
"Yes-Stella Barringer. They were
well-to- do people once, believe, but
are sadly reduced; and / must say that
/ never saw such spirit and sweetness
and courage in any woman before.
Stay-what are you jumping up for in
that insane fashion,"
"Stella Barringer poor! Stella Bar
ringter toiling for bread and | not
know of itr' was the only reply as
Elsley felt blindly around for his hat.
''Tell me the address; I'll 60 to her at
once"
"You! For what?''
Don't stop to ask questions. Let
me 60 at once"
very well. I'll 60 with you and
show you the way" said Clymer, re
signedly; though don't know exact
ly where these Illuminated texts are
going to lead
Stella Barringer was busy at an
elaborate text, all gold and blue and lit
tie curly arabesques, when there came
an imperative tapping at the door.
'sCome in" she said quietly, sup
posing, of course that it was the book
sellers man after the pile of completed
work that Law ready to he Sant home