The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-06-29
a STORY WITH A MORAL.
Better 20 Be a Happy and Contented Ola
Maid Than a Heart-BrOkOn Wife.

Better 20 Be a Happy and COntented oio
Maid Than a Heart-BrOk0n "he'
The soft spring sunshine was lying In
checkered network on the blue veiVe6
carpet of Clara Walls pretty little boudoir,
or morning room, as she preferred TO eau
it, Clara liking good, honest English WORDS
better than dainty French phrases. Inc
fire burning in the low CRATE seemed alnosb
supertiuous, and the white carnatlon In
bloom filed the air with spicy, cloVe-Lke
perfume Miss Vail herself sat in low
Voltaire chair, her fingers mechanically
busy with some fancy needle-work-a
noble-looking gIrl with wealth OF rich
chestnut hair and a clear red and white
complexion such as is a rarity indeed
in these days of late suppers, crowded ball
rooms and paper-soled slippers. just OPP
posite her, leaning against the edge OF the
deliberately carved marble mantel-p1ece
stood Fernando bingham, o tall, handsome
young man, with features like Greek
statue, wavy black hair. and lips perhaps
thought too full and red, If any fault there
was in their voluptuously curved outline.
Nor were these two the sole occupants
of the room Adelaide Claremoht stood in
the bay window half hidden by the fall OF
the rich, blue silk curtains slight, grace
full littlecreature, with blonde hair floating
away from her face and eyes big and blue
as June pansies.
"CIara, Clara!' cried Adelaide, impetu-
ously parting the fringed draperies, and
coming forward like fairy from her en-
chanted grotto, you are too hard upon
Fernando"
Am II" dropped slowly from Clara's
queenly lips II do not wish to be unrea-
sonable, but this is no mere trife to me. \,
Nor is it to me-" said Fernando Ehing-
ham, slightly drawing himself up and thus
giving additional advantage to his splendid
ly nodded figure. 1T strikes me, Clara,
that you are disposed to draw the reins un-
necessarily tight"
You think, in short, that am tyrannlc-
alp"
YES If the truth must be spoken, Clara
do"
Clara was silent for an instant
Adelaide" she said, why do you deem
me unreasonable? Let me view this matter
for an instant through your eyes"
because Fernando has committed no
fault" was the vehement answer. "All
young men must be gay and social; how
can he refuse to join them?"
Must all young men necessarily be can
didates Tor a drunkard's grave?"
CLARA, how can you speak so harshly?"
broke in Adelaide, while even Mr.. Etfing-
ham, calm and composed although he ha-
bitually was, WINGED slightly.
"A social glass now and then hardly de-
serves to be classed under such an epithet
as that, Clara"
my husband" she answered, proudly,
must never be the slave of the social glass;
Fernando, we have been at cross-purposes
too long already. did love you very dear
ly-I still love you-but l must be true to
my principles and conviction. If you will
sign the Temperance pledge I will name
our marriage day at once"
do you think ME in such immediate
danger as that, them" asked bingham,
Struggling his shoulders.
Il think every man in danger who attends
champagne suppers night after night be-
longs to fashionable club, and believes in
doing just as other young men of the age
do. Dear Fernando, hear reason for once
withdraw yourself from the upas-like infiu-
ences that are hourly gaining stronger
hold on you!"
"Clara!" vehemently exclaimed the young
man. Il am not child to be led by q
woman's unreasonable whims, nor do
choose thus to give up my free will and
volition"
you refuse my request?"
81 do!' --
''Then, good-byew Clara rose and quiet
ly offered him her hand I'VE are divergina
more widely apart with every day; what
might have been is now mere thing of the
past"
CLARA are you not willing to trust me?'
II can not be false to myself, Fernando
We shall always remain dear friends, hope
but that we should ever be any thing
nearer is simple impos3ibilty"
And SO she left him, their engagement
broken by her own resolute words.
AS he stood there with knitted brows and
folded arms, a low sob broke upon his ears
he turned with start.
adelaide, you at least sympathize with
me-" he murmured.
"Oh, Fernando, think she has treated
you cruelty" broke from Adelaide Clare.
mont's red lips, and tsen she, too, slipped
out OF the room.
Under all these circumstances Clara Vail
was not particularly surprised about q
month afterward, when Adelaide came tc
her in her own room with cheeks radiant
with soft maidenly bushes, and lips
wreathed about with smiles
Dear Clara" she whispered, 81 have
something to tell you"
can guess III WITHOUT the AID or yOul
words, fancy, Adelaide" said her friend
smilingly. You are engaged to Fernando
Lffingham. Well, dearest wish you ioy.'
But I know from the sound of your
voice that you do not approve of it"
Adelaide, you are no child" calmly re.
gponded Clara. You are woman, equally
fitted to Judge these matters as myself.
prefer to express no opinion"
You were always too hard on dear Fer
nando. l know l shall be the happiest OF
wives as =erted Adelaide.
Il hope so, dear" Clara answered, rather
evasively. And when is the wedding to
be-"
I'm May. Oh, Clara, he is so kind-and ]
am so happy"
And Adelaide Claremont nestled close
down by her friends side to breathe out the
hopes and fancies and aspirations of this.
her first love dream
las for you, Clara" she added, laughing.
ly, ''beware!" You are altogether too par
ticular. With all your beauty, and talents,
and attractiveness, you will be an old maid
yet"
Would that be so very dreadful fate?n
asked Clara, smiling. And Adelaide shud-
dered at the mere idea
So, in bridal wreath Of orange flowers,
and lace, and snowy silk, she became the
wit. of Fernando Ehingham, and Clara
Vail ~, ;oI -