Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1893-12-28
CHAPTER VIII.
SHADOWS BEFORE.

| SHADOWS BEFORE.
Mrs. Westmacott's great meeting fof
the enfranchisement of woman had pass
ed over, and it had been a triumphant
success. ALI the maids and matrons
of the southern suburbs had rallied at
her summons; there was an influential
platform, with Dr. Balthazar Walker in
the chair, and Admiral Hay Denver
among his more prominent supporters.
One benighted male had come in from
the outside darkness and had jeered
from the farther end of the hall, but he
had been called to order by the chair,
petrifed by indignant glances from the
unenfranchised around him and finally
escorted to the door by Charles West
macott. Fiery resolutions were passed,
to be forwarded to a large number
of leading statesmen, and the meeting
broke up with the conviction that a
shrewd blow had been struck for the
cause of woman.
But there WAS one woman at least to
whom the meeting anu all that wis con
nected with it had brought anything but
pleasure. Clara Walker watched with
heavy heart the friendship and close
intimacy which had sprung up between
her father and the widow. From week
to week it had increased until no day
ever passed without their being together.
The coming meeting had been the excuse
for these continual interviews, but now
the meeting was over, and still the doc
torwould refer every point which rose to
the Judgment of his neighbor. He would
talk, too, to his two daughters of her
strength of character, her decisive mind,
and of the necessity of their cultivating
her acquaintance and following her ex-
ample, until at last it had become his
most common topic of conversation.
All this might have passed as merely
the natural pleasure which an elderly
man might take in the society of an in
telligent and handsome woman. but
there were other points which seemed to
Clara to give it deeper meaning. She
could not forget that when Charles
Westmacott had spoken to her one night
he had alluded to the possibility of his
aunt marrying again. He must have
known or noticed something before he
would speak upon such subject. And
then again Mrs. Westacott d herself
said that she hoped to change her style
of living shortly and take over complete
ly new duties. What could that mean
except that she expected to marry? And
whom? She seemed to see few friends
outside their own little circle. She must
have alluded to her father. 1t was a
hateful thought. and yet it must be
faced.
One evening the doctor had been rath-
er late at his neighbor's. He used to go
into the a3mirals after dinner, but now
he turned more frequently in the other
direction. When lie returned, Clara was
sitting alone in the drawing room read
ing a magazine. She sprang up as he
entered, pushed forward his chair and
ran to fetch his slippers.
.'You are looking a little pale, DEAR"
he remarked.
"Oh, no, papa; am very well"
.All well with HaroldY'
.Yes. His partner, Mr.. Pearson, is
still away, and he is doing all the work"
'.Well DONE He is sure to succeed
Where is IdaY
..In her room, think"
''She was with Charles Westrnacott on
the lawn not very long ago. He seems
very fond of her. He is not very bright.
but / think he will make her a good hus-
band"
g! am sure of it, papa. He is very
manly and reliable"
ssYes, ! should think that he is not the
sort of man who goes wrong. There is
nothing hidden about him. As to his
brightness. it really does not matter. for
his aunt, Mrs. Westmaeott, is very rich
-much richer than you would think
from her style of living-and she has
made him handsome provision"
Il am glad of that
"It is between ourselves. am her
trustee. and so know something of her
arrangements. And when are you going
to marry. Clara?"
"Oh. papa, not for some time yet. We
have not thought of date"
"Well. really. don't know that there
is any reason for delay. He has COM
petence. and it increases yearly. AS long
as you are quite certain that your mind
is made up
"Oh, papar'
well, then, really do not know why
there should be any. delay And Ida,
too, must be married within the next
few months Now, what want to know
is what l am to do when my two little
companions run away from me-" He
spoke lightly, but his eyes We're grave as
be looked 9uestiepingly at his daughter
':Dear papa, you shall not be alone
1t will be years before Harold and /
think of marrying. and when we do you
must come and live with u.s."
mo, no, dear. know that you mean
what you say. but have seen something
of the world, and know that such ar
rangements never answer. There can
not be two masters in house, and yet
at my age my freedom is very necessary
to me.
"But you would be completely Free
mo, dear, you cannot be that if you
are guest in another mans house. Can
you suggest no other alternativeY'
THAT we remain with you."
En.z.