The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1889-05-22
HAL CLINToN's RANSOM.
By JExSY wHEK.

Congratulate me, Ned. have won
her Won her at last in the long race -
exclaimed Hal Clinton, bursting into his
friends room late one evening, and thus
interTupting his quiet smoke. Fancy,
old fellow he continued, once I was
jealous OF you. knowing your fAseinations
could accomplish anything upon which
you might determine, but" and almost
a blush overspFead the bright, handsome
/ face al the memory, Il know now that
was wrong that my darling's heart
vas all my very own and TO night her
sweet lips have confirmed the story.
Why don't you say something? Why
don't you tell me that you are glad for
me2''
i moments silence followed Hal Clin-
tons question. Was il only the shadow
from the lamp which made the others
face 50 white and stern, or caused the
muscles about his mouth to seem to
twitch
a close observer would have thought
him overnsstered BY some strong emo
ton, but whatever II was, Ny powerful
effort he conquered it AMI rising from
his seat. extended his hand
There is scarcely need Of words. my
boy, between Us. I can only say, If you
have won Miss Dinsmo5e, you have Sc
cured prize such Is rarely drawn in the
lottery Of life
The two friends. as they thus stood for
a moment, hand locked in hand, presen-
ted powerful contrast. One light and
the other dark; one whose sunny blue
eyes. now beaming with happiness. were
ever the index to the loyal, generous
heart The ether, whose dark depths
served but 10 conceal the workings ofthe
soul. SIX months befoie they had started
together to make the tour Of Europe, and
on the steamer had met Mr. Dinsmore
and his family on pleasure tour ike
themselves The discovery Of many mn-
tual friends soon ripened their aequaint
ance into friendship, wieh, in two hearts
at least, soon developed into love, until,
having met at various times in their
wandering in the valleys Of fSwifzesland,
Hal Clinton won from the girl he loved
the promise 10 become his wife-a prom
ise 70 which her parents readily gave
their seal, and which. in his first glad
eagerness, the young man confided to his
friend
For an hour he ratified on Of all his gay
hopes and anticipaiions, the plans upon
which they had already deeided, too full
ofhis own happiness to note how strange
and apaihetie WIS his listener. Net until
the door had closed at last upon him,
with the echo Of his bright goodnight
ringing through the room, and the sound
Of his retreatiHg footsteps died along the
ball, did the others self-eomnland for
sake him. Then be started TO his feet as
stag brought to bay. the drops upon
his forehead showing the torture to
which he had been subjected.
And he hls won her with his hoyish,
handsome face-curse him Won her
whose one kiss or smile would gladly
have purchased with my life But the
race Is not run yet, the goal is not yet
reached, Yet he comes to ne to con-
gratulate him, Oh, bitter mockery of
fafe,1
The words seemed wTung from him one
by one as he uttered them aloud in the
silence Of the aight, pacing up and down
the narrow confines Of his chamber.
"Fool-blind fool-that he is, never to
have penetrated my secret and binder
!, that in my madness | fIiled TO see he
had conquered. Conquered, do say
Is there, then. no hope ~ and sinking
once more in his chair, and burying his
face in his hands, he sat mute and mo-
tionless until the morning sun streamed
full into the room.