The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1889-10-30
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 80, 1889

lately, Mrs. SomeE p
A flush Of eagerness passed over hen
face at mention of his name.
l could but picture the contrast = be
continued, between the happiness on
your face and the sad loneliness written
upon his
. | am here by my husbands wish
Mr.. Rutherford. she interrupted, and
could hardly be 50 ungratefuI to the kind
friends who try to brighten my life, as 10
repay them with sorrowful looks oil
frowns. As soon as Clarence desires il,
viii rejoin him.
Will you let me tell you little story,
Mrs. Somers-a story Of man young and
full Of hope as Clarence was but little
more than year ago, on whose footsteps
misfortune too quickly followed and over
took him, and laid her cruel mark upon
his brow-who had stood, even as you
have stood, before Gods altar, with one
who promised to cherish him until death
but who construed that phrase as you
have done !; and when the smiles of the
world were converted into frowns, when
the sunshine was obscured by clouds
when his heart, sore and bruised. needed
the tender touch of a woman's hand, 10
she had fed from the darkness and the
gloom which threatened to o'ershados
her and he was too brave, too generous
to call her back. But little by little life
changed. Almost without his knowledge,
his old faith in womans love and con-
staney failed him he grew cynical, his
frank nature reserved, until, in despera-
ton, he soughtscenes and associates from
which once he would have shrunk."
Tell me no more" Fay interrupted.
" can catch the meaning of the story
you have told. Oh, Mr. Rutherford, have
] indeed been so cruel and so heartless?
If Clarence would but let me, would
rather share his life than all else on
earth ~
DO you mean that ?"
Indeed, indeed l do Osly persuade
my father to give his consent, and will
90 to him"
Show him you are earnest in your de-
sire, and he viii not withhold it and as
for Clarence, be will not ask. His wife
shall 90 10 Lin unsought; and see
if his arms are not wide open to receive
you"
A week later, and Fay Somers stood in
the room which her husband called
home. She had not expected elegance,
but her heart shrank as she gazed round
her. 1t seemed strange and new for the
dainty fingers to busy themselves in the
task Of bringing look Of comfort 10 the
cherries place, 10 place fresh flowers
here and there, to re-arrange and restore
order but when it was over, and she
surveyed her work, she felt thrill of
pride and pleasure new and keen, and
SAT down with flush of expectation 10
await his coming, who little knew what
fairy sat by his hearthstone-
At last she heard key in the door be-
low /; but surely those steps, slow and
half listless, were not his, and she sank
back in the chair from which she had
half risen, chilled and disappointed. But
at the door they pause it opens, and
Clarence stands upon the threshold with
wide-staring eyes at the apparition con-
fronting him.
Clarence - she exclaims, in glad,
ringing tones, and springs into his arms,
which open wonderingiy to receive her,
and into which she fed as a bird to it's
nest.
Thank God Thank God :"
So the sentences fall from his white
lips, while her little hand brushes back
the hair from his brow, now so full Of
lines and ever and anon the young lips
set their seal upon II. She bends again
to kiss his mouth, but he holds her back,
as he says:
cannot take your kiss, Fay, until [
tell you from what you have saved me.
| had grown hard and desperate. L
heard that you were gay and happy that
you were admired by others and so,
Fay, thought to put an end to all this
misery, this wretehedness of living, ana
no longer to hamper your young life
with mine forgot there was God.
and 10 | found an angel sent by Him,
waiting and watching for me. Fay, dar-
ling, can you forgive me? Can you kiss
lips which have sinned ,"
All, Clarence, your every word but
s;a5s my heart with It's own unworthi-
ness never, never again will We 50
wrong our marriage vow and whate'er
Fate has in store for Us, we will meet and
brave il hand in hand"
So courage and hope came back to
Clarence Somer's heart, and fortune was
not long in following. But in years
shich follow, when children's voices fla
their happy home, one bright, sunny
faced boy, the eldest of the three, seems
somewhat dearer to the parents hearts
They call him Percy, and with every at
teranee of the name is waited the recol-
lection of the man who, by his brave,
outspoken counsel, had restored happi-
ness to two hearts.