Mohave County miner. [volume] (Mineral Park, A.T. [Ariz.]) 1882-1918, 1890-07-12
SEVERED BY PRIDE.
'Whers have you beenl"

10 the lake, Aunt Esther Tho
questioning voice was harsh and cold;
the answering one young and sweet.
The aunt. wrinkled and shrunken a.
. withered leaf of autumn. sat among
the soft pillows that lifted her time
wrecked form In an invalid chair.
The niece fresh and bright with
sunny touches on the brown Of her hair,
and d somewhat daring spirit shining
from her dark eyes. stood near the
fireplace, where ruddy light flashed up
and swept across her and showed the
slim. girlish figure clad In heavy cloth
and fur.
"What were you doing at the lake"
Skating. The ice IL Ike glass there,
aunt. and was practising for tonight.
Ton know We are to have skating
party on the lake tonight. and
And you are no going to it!''
Not going! Why?
because you are under my care and
control. and forbid you to go!'' cried
Esther Claremont sharply.
But I have promised-I will be
called for!" began Vera Claremont.
pitqously.
'sWho is TO call for YOUR
The bent figure Of the old woman
strait htened suddenly. her shrunken
hand WIS put out and laid on the girls
arm.
WON need not tell me. / knewr'
cried Esther Clareinont with passion.
ate anger In her sanken eyes. Il am
lying here day after day helpless and
crippled. and Jon would fain deceive
me- but you cannoti ! know who h
playing at love with you. who Is teach
Ing yon that love 10 sweet and truth
and honesty only workable wordsi
That fair young face of yours hes
brought you what fairness and youth
brought me at your age; but your life
shall not be wrecked BY 1t as mine has
been. I win save you though Ihave y
use bolts and bars to keep you safe!
One Claremont Is enough TO be bIighted
BY Damarcl. and the lying lips Of the
son shall not bind you to him heart and
soul. - the false lips Of the father
bound me when ] was . credulous
yopng thing like you.
She paused. painting. Vera had
grown pale. but she could not remove
her eyes from those burning ones be-
low her.
Speak" cried her aunt. rs not
Lee Damarel trying to win your love?n
"Yes'-slowly aud falteringly. He
has said he loves me.r
And you believe himr Tell mer'
Il believe him."
Esther Claremont laughed--s quick
mirthless, laugh--and suddenly Ioosing
ner bold Of Vera, pushed the slight
figure from her.
SO" she cried, jeeringly. Il am too
late! You love the son Of Conrad
Dsmarel! You hare given me no con-
hdence; owe you no consideration |
you, you. whom took into my house
when you were homeless child; you.
to whom / have been kind for ten long |
years.
'.Never kind, Aunt Esther" spoke |
out Vera. clearly. +" You clothed and |
led me. you allowed your roof to
shelter me, but never in all these ten
Years have you even said one kind word
TO me-"
'.Ingrater' Kissed the woman.
Not that" Aunt Esther" for I Am
grateful to you for what I have re-
prove it! Prove yonr gratitude.
then. cried Esther Claremont, fiercely.
Give up this lover Of yours; never see
his face again.
Poor. pale little Vera! Where did she
get the strength to stand straight and
fearless before the woman whom she
had always feared before?
4 would rather der she said. below
aer breath.
Die? As II It would be hard to der
her aunt exclaimed. harshly. ITO live
requires courage--to live loveless,
riendless. unable to put faith in one
human being. But Let me tell you why
he name Of Damarel il hateful to me.
You never heard the story?"
Il have heard II, but not from vow
the girl. gently.
And she stood in an attitude of deep
interest, as with the brief winter day
lying, and the shadows gliding to her
hair. Esther Claremont told her story.
II loved Conrad Damarel.r she said, /
or voice pulsing with feeling; "Iloved
i'm with my whole heart, And he
. played at love. He never truly
,ved me. or he would have made 4
Nv impatient words of mine sufficient
Rouse for breaking with me. / did
OF mean them--God knows did not!
ut they were spoken. and he made
rem his excuse. He left me standing
/ the sunlight out there"
She lifted one thin. tremulous hand,
I'D pointed to where . vast sheet Of
hite-covered lawn might be seen I
trough the window. |.
That was the love Of . Dsmareli '
. went away and forgot the giEl 10 I