Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1893-07-28
Happily, "Clarissa" was his wifes sis.

plainly recalled how John used TO shin,
the girls, aud how Clarissa had alwavl
a pleasant word for him and hadn'
she refused two good offers in her day
Perhaps -Clarissa had allowed herself Il
be called an old maid for Johns sake.
Bob took the important letter and
went in search Of Clarissa, whom h..
found in his wife's private sitting room
rocking their three-year-old baby II
struck himquite forcibly how pretty she
looked sitting in the bamboo rocker, q
plump. brown eyed. brown haired wo-
man of five and forty, though she APP
peared quite ten years younger. la
"You remember John Ainsworth,
Clarissa 7" he asked.
YES" she replied, smiling. Poor
John--what about him y
lie handed her the letter and watched
her while she read u; her face grew
rosy, and presently she looked up at him,
an amused smile in her brown eyes
why, Robert, what singular letter {.
What does he mean Z" sl-i
Eyes, the letter Of peculiar man !;
but under that strange exterior, Clarissa,
is clean, honorable character, and YOU.
who have always known him, would
make him happy" 4ar Hh
81 always liked john" she said mus
ingly, the color deepening in her smooth
cheeks. H
"And you will marry him p Re
member he has asked me to plead his
cause. urged Bob. anxiously.
but 1t was not so easy 10 do this, and
he went away and brought Maria, his
wife, who was charmed at the thought Of
Clarissa AS mistress OF the great house
on the hill and so finally, at a reason.
able hour of the next morning, Robert
went up to see John, armed with letter
OF graceful acceptance from Clarissa. /
John was delighted to see his friend,
and began to toll him his troubles, and
how wretched 10 was. living in such
discomfort. In the midst Of the recital,
to divert bis mind, Bob handed him
Clarissa's letter.
His success was astonishing; the
blood rushed in crimson tide TO the old
bachelors very hair; bis eyes grew sud
denly black and wild great veins stood
out on his forehead. Robert, fearing
apoplexy. slapped him on tho back, aud
in his efforts to get his COLLAR Off, nearly
strangled him. 10 their struggles they
brushed half the china dishes oil Of tho
breakfast table, and the fragments lay
unheeded. s. flr -..t
AS soon az John recovered himself he
rose aud began marching up and down
the room in great agitation. Presently
stopping before his visitor. no exclaimed
in despairing tones,-
"Robert Wilkins, what you have done
will kill me, aud my death will be at
your door !"
Come. John ~ said the other, sooth-
ingly, beginning to entertain doubts Of
his friends sanity. Just tell inc what
is the matter with you T.
"Mattor with me Here---do | hold
an acceptance Of marriage from your
sister-in-law, Miss Dean I And'--in an
awful voice 81 never made u pro-
posal ~
He sank into chair and glared help
lessly.
It was now Bob's turn to become cx-
cited, and rapidly he related the occur
renee Of the day before the receipt of
tho secondhand propoAal Of marriage,
aud the urging il had required to induce
Clarissa TO give her consent.
A compromising light dawned ia
Johns eyes, aud no exclaimed 10
scarcely audible voice,
Robert, az true M there is a heayen
above us, ! wrote that letter with the
sole intention of securing house.
keeper" ~ t,H at
"But you spoke Of CIarissa, and said
you repented Of not having recognized
her true worth years ago, said Bob,
watching him closely. saa.
II did indeed +" he replied. my
housekoeper--who had been my nurse
when ! was baby--was named Clariasa,
and | have keonly regretted not being
more kind to the faithful creature"
Bob's hoart sank within. What fool
he had been Clarissa was proud SON
sitive woman tho blow would DO u
crushing one TO her.
Something Of all this must have ap-
pcared in bis countenance, for ia quiet
voice John said -
Robert, do you think Clarissa Dean
would really be ~ wife 2"
But Robert felt too much Inundated
TO reassure him. aud Ainsworth picked
up the modest little lettor and read IL.
This has been tho grandest mistake
Of my life." he cried suddenly. II have
always admired Clarssa Dean, but |
should mover have dared TO ask the Dues
ton which my happy blunder has caused
that beautiful woman TO answer favor
ably" iiaH.
He suddenly beumed upon bis aston
isbed guest, aud walked over the frag-
ments Of his costly china 10 pour him
glass Of wine, and begged him TO relate
just how Clarissa looked aud what she
said but he drew the line when Bob
invited him home 10 dinner and when
the Inter, much gratiied at the turn
affairs had taken, rose 10 20, John bound
him by the most solemn pledges never u
reveal the true nature Of The proposal 10
either Clarissa or Mira. Wilkins. And
on parting no remarked in a would-be
cheerful tone, while tho expression on
hia faoa tyaa l;ka th.t - s,D..... = -