Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-03-21

IhNN O4oALAAAS CAOuch SulAli4ftuS. Jut
blood seemed to turn cold III her veins
why, like a sudden cloud over a
bright landscape, there seemed TO fall
a shadow on her heart. She answered
quietly, Il will come. Ellis and, turn
ing away, went out through the hall
door and, along the terrace. entering
the library by the window. Advanc-
ing, TO the table at which her father
sat, she rested one hand Oh the back
of a chair near. and said. in her low
musical voice:
The Shattered Idol. 1
You sent for me, father; | am here
Arnold Trevelyan looked up with a
start, and for some minutes sat staring
at the girl. his expression. his very at
titude, that of a man who silently
takes the measure of an opponent
for Clara was not his favOrite. He
called her naughty, reseryed-and no
doubt she was; yet this naughty re-
serve, which he had never cared to
probe, covered an unsounded depth
of passion and strength to love, to will,
to dare. Not on her love for him did
her father lean for motive power in
the sacrifice he required of her, but
on her love for her young brother, and
that other love for the home of her
fathers, which was, perhaps, of al
least equal power. At length he spoke.
Read this" he said, and put a letter
into her hands, noting how the light
died from her eyes and the soft color
from her cheeks.
The letter was from her fathers
solicitor, and informed him, in concise
business fashion, that a silver-mining
company in which he had invested
large sums of money, and for which he
had effected mortgages from time to
time Oh the estate, had collapsed, and
that the mortgage had signified his
intention of fo~reclosing if the interest,
(which had not been paid for some
time, Was not instantly forthcoming.
The letter dropped on the table, and
for a minute she stood without move
ment. Trevelyan shrunk from the look
in her face.
What had you to do with such
things as this?' she said, the sweet
voice changed from it's soft music.
"What right had you to disinherit
your SOM"
He bowed his head, and answered
her brokenly, for his own heart ac-
cused him.
Il did it for him-the son [ love! |
thought to build up a fortune for him.
and l have lost. There is no hope of
saving the land, except in one way,
and that rests with you, Clara"
"Wfth me?" she said. a growing,
vague terror in her eyes. '"What can
1 do?"
"Sir Lionel Stanhope has asked your
hand of me. Fol your sake he will
redeem the estate and make Wilfred
his especial charge, Clara!'
With a cry he never forgot, the girl
sprung forward; and then, as if struck
by some mortal blow, fell upon her
knees.
"Oh! no-no-nO,'' she gasped, in
passionate appeal; mot that-not that
not that! Spare me, father-in pity
in pity!''
She covered her face with her hands,
rocking herself to and fro in speech
less anguish, and so remained while
he spoke, uttering now and then a low
moan, wrung from her by a misery
that bore down even her pride.
"Sir Lionel Stanhope," he said, sis
a man Of unblemished honor. of noble
family, of immense wealth. He is
hanHSnmn in norcnn and n1trIaian in
bearing. I could have wished for no
alliance more honorable for Clara
T~revelyan."
"And l." commented the girl, bit
terly, after a pause, 81 am to be the
price of this generosity; or does he,
that icy, proud man, pretend to love"'
"Men of his years and character
keep such things to themselves" said
Trevelyan, with his SOUL smile. 81
thought you were more sensible than
to have romantic dreams. Put aside
such fancies, Clara, and understand
that the honor and prosperity of your
house-the welfare of the brother you
say you 1ove-lie in your hands"
"Spare me, spare mel" the girl
dIASl, L hdNC pLOAhSNO
I am not freer'
DO you think, Clara, that l should
ever consent to your marriage with
young Verner-a gambler and pro
figate? AS his wife you would break
your heart in six months-and he has
nothing! SIR Lionel is at least a man
of blameless life-at all events, so re
port says"
81 will go to him.. she said. "Ht
will, perhaps. be more generous"
"Men are fond of being what you
call generous" returned Trevelyan
! not looking at her now. "I told him
all about Rex Werner and you and he
simply remarked, what any mai
would, that girls of seventeen nevel
knew their own minds-it made nc
difference" Still he did not face hen
J as he muttered the lie. Ahi if she haG
known all then, what misery perhaps
might have been spared both!
"And this she said, at last-"thi:
is the man you bid me to marry. 4
noble husband you have found me
truly! l must have time to think
l will have timer, and without another
word she turned and left the room.
CHAPTER II.