Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1895-07-04


Il should not, though" said Guy Il
love Clarice Leigh for her own beauti-
full, pensiye self, and 1t shall be my
care to brighten her life and rouse her
into liking action"
"when are you to be married?"
asked.
'sThat Is not settled yet" replied
Guy. II loved Clarfce long before we
left Deepdale in the summer; but
did not dare, even in thought, to lift
my eyes to the only child and heiress
of Sir John Leigh"
"How have you found courage
nowT l asked.
why said Guy, 'he was so kind to
me during this last visit, and treated
me so much like son, that ventured
to tell him, not dreaming, mind You,
of the result"
sAnd then"
"And then" interrupted Guy, ito my
Intense delight, he told me that ever
since he had known ME it had been the
dearest wish Of his heart to trust his
child's happiness to me. When | had
his consent, lost no time in asking
Clarice for hers. Florry, wish you
could have seen the grave, thoughtful
beauty of her face when | told her
hosy dearly loved her"
Il hope YOU will be happy, Guy"
said 1; "but it seems to me too much
like fairy tale-you, poor, wounded
knight, taken into the castle aud the
heiress loves you; while, most aston
ishing Of all, her father, who naturally
ought to look higher fer his daughter,
gives her to you In the tamest wa,
without the least opposition"
II am of good family, Florence, :"
said Guy, ''and Sir John Is rich enough
to dispense with money in son-in-
law
Granted, Guy" said I; that for IA
that, and a. that 1t seems to me
strange"
Il have returned four day before |
Intended" continued my brother.
The case of Lawson versus Turner
comes on sooner than we expected,
and | must be there. l had not much
time to talk to Sir John before | left:
but he said he had several things to
tell me, and that my marriage would
have certain conditions with which l
must comply. shall go down again
at Easter"
But, alas, before Faster came the
grand old baronet had gone to his last
long home! His death was most sud
den and unexpected He was sitting
after dinner in his favorite easy chair,
and to all appearances sleeping
soundly. As some hours passed and
he did not ring, one of the footmen
went In, and found that he lad been
dead some time. The terror and dis
may &c the household were great, but
there was no trace of aught but calm
and peace upon the SELL, pale face so
lately full Of health and life. The doc
tors said 1t was disease of the heart
that killed him.
All his affairs were found in perfect
order: he had bcqueathed legacies to
all his servants: 10 his beloved daugh-
ter Clarice he left the whole of his
large fortune, without reserve; his title
died with him.
Guy went down Immediately upon
receipt of the sad news; he told ME
that Clarice seemed buried in grief
that he saw but little of her, as she
was Ill, and she seemed TO wish to he
left alone. An old lady, cousin of
poor Sir Johns, had come to live with
her.
"You viii be surprised to hear. Flor
ence, that our wedding will not be de-
layed year." said Guy. 'Clarice is
so lonely and so friendless that her
guardians have both told me 1t would
be cruel to leave her for very long.
Miss Ford, who is living with her, adj
vises me to arrange 1t as soon rs 1
can"
Eight months after the baronet's
death the wedding took place. l went,
but was only able to remain three
days, as Lady Orville was i'll.
1t was a quiet, solemn time. Clarice
looked most beautiful in her white
bridal robes; she was quiet and grave.
Guy looked as happy as mortal man
could look. Mrs. Fenton was drowned
in tears-weeping first that her master
had not lived to see the day, and then
for joy that her nursing was happy.
and married to a gentleman every
inch of him."
Guy and Clarice went on no wedding
tour; they remained in the old mansion
among the hills. My brother said
when his wife was stronger he should
take her on to the continent for some
years, but for the present they both
preferred remaining at home.
Lady Orville had long and danger
Gus illness, so that ten months passed
before i was able to pay my long
promised visit to Deepdale. Guy had
urgently pressed me to give up my