Smyrna times., 1893-04-05
CLARISSES PRIVATE FORTUNE.


lith and slender, measuring in height
the world like a painters ideal of
"sweet sixteen" Her % years of
actual existence, her husband and
her three children, were, therefore, a
surprise to strangers.
She had lived in Connington all her
life, and so people there did not find
her marvellous, although they had
grown to feel her pretty ways quite a
possession of their own.
As staunch Georgians they had
family objected to her marrying q
Northern man, who brought himself
and his money to help ther milling
interests. William COlvin was his
name, and as he came from Philadel-
phia it was confidently supposed that
he was of distinguished Quaker origin.
Any one less likely to say "thee" and
thou" could not be imagined.
A practical, masterful individual he
proved to be-Of business ability and
courtly manners. He was influential
in the council, important in the vestry,
ignored nowhere. He was devoted to
Clarissa and extravagantly proud of
her. She was the chief ornament of
his successful life, and he cherished
her as tenderly as the Hindoo does the
gem in the forehead of his idol. He
thought of her most tenderly and he
managed the fortune her father had
left, with the greatest care. He began
by regarding her as a superlatiVely
fascinating child, and as he was set in
his ways, as they say in the North, he
never changed his opinion.
Clarissa did not lose that infantile
lisp, and it neutralized the effect of the
most sensible thing she said. If she
had faded from beauty before his eyes
as many women do at the advent of
motherhood, he might have understood
her better. In reality she was a clever
and thoughtful woman but handi-
dapped by circumstances. Her children
Obeyed her, but people said they were
born good, and Clarissa did uot argue
the matter. Her household went
smoothly, but people said it ran itself.
She dressed tastefully at small expense
but people said she looked we'll in
anything
When her husband talked business
with his friends she listened intently
and now and then she made sugges-
tions. Strange to say these sugges-
tions had actually proved practicable,
and Mr.. COlvin had observed with a
fond smile:
"Out of the mouth of babes"
Clarissa had responded to the smile.
She only meant to have her plan
adopted and did not care for the credit
of it,
Her father had been a Southern
colonel in the civil war-a notable man
in many ways-for he had recovered
from the terrible shock which left so
many bankrupt. Now aad then there
would come an expression over Clar.
issa's face which would make her look
like her dead father, but it was only
an occasional old gentleman who would
motto it.
Her money had been strictly settled
upon herself, free from cOnjugal con.
troll" so the legal instrument read /;
but thus far her part of the manage
ment had been the mere signing of
papers. She always read them over
with the utmost care and an enhancing
pucker in her forehead.
Why bore yourself, dearest ?" her
husband sometimes said. You can
never make out whether you are the
party of the first part or the party of
the second part"
Il am always the party of the second
part where you are concerned" she
answered meekly, "but it amuses me
to look them over"
COlVin was famous for his dinner
parties and he never missed giving one
in honor of distinguished visitor. On
certain Tuesday morning he said to
Clarissa
"By the way, sweetheart, invite
some people to meet Dillingforth on
Thursday. He is going to run down
to COnningtOn ON business"
"Oh, Will! that hOrrid man with the
face /"
He couldn't very well be a man
without one, could he ?" her spouse
replied, laying his hand caressingly on
the golden hair.
"You know l told you l hated his
face from the newspaper cuts, and Mrs.
Aimes has photograph that is just as
bad. She met him in Chicago when
she went there with Mr.. Aimes last
fall"
He is a handsome man Clarissa' and
has treated me with great kindness.
What do you object to ?"
"Oh, yes he has a straight nose
and thin lips and fine figure and all
that, but dress him up in red and he
looks like MephistOpheles."
However, she saw that all things
were in readiness for the dinner and
invited Mr.. and Mrs. Aimes to meet
Mr.. Dillingforth. She dressed her
self in a white China silk which looked
like the simplest gown in the world.
1t was, as a point of fact, "cres ton"
framed to accentuRte Clarissa's pecul.
lar infantile loveliness. There were
bewildering little tucks in baby yoke,
while sprig of mignOnette served as
sole decoration.
1t happened that she was alone to
meet the guest of honor. Mr.. and Mrs.
Aimes had not arrived and her husband
was upstairs putting the finishing
touches to his toilet.
"Mr. pillingforth, she murmured in
greeting, as Bhe advanced to meet
him.
"Why, my dear, you astonish me, !"
returned the gentleman. had always
understood that all of COlvin's chill
dren were wee tots but you are quite
big girl Miss Colvin-indeed, a real
young lady"
Clarissa drew herself up to her full
height, which was not much of an alti-
tude at best, and said In her most
impressive manner
II am Mr.. Colvn's WIFE"
The dinner passed off pleasantly,
and as there were only two ladies
present the business project which had
brought Mr.. Dillingforth to Connington
was freely discussed.
Clarissa at dessert looked up and
asked with her fascinating lisp, rs it a
trust company
Mr.. Aimes could not but repress q
smile.
what do you know about trust
companies ?" he asked playfully.
II know that they sometimes betray
the trust placed in them," she replied,
and there was a general laugh.
After the guests had gone she smoke
to her husband.
II hope that you are not going in
with Mr.. Dillingforth In this new
scheme?"
II shall certainly go into 1t, dearest.
lt is good thing in many ways and