Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1895-03-21
The Shattered IDOL
az THE AUTHOR or DORA THoRNE,"

! channel.
/, "Well, know he isn't worth you,
Clara" replied the boy, energetically.
''He's precious wild scamp"
Clara laughed, though the laugh may
have hidden the pain at her heart.
little Wiseacre Of fifteen and a
half" said she, half proudly, half
mockingly, ''how knowing we sixth
form fellows arer'
A servant here came across the hall
and informed her that Mr.. Treyelyan
desired to speak to her. Would she
go to the library?
Clara could not bave told why, at
that ordinary enough summons, the
blood seemed to turn cold in her veins
I 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 on the back
of chair near, and said, in her low
musical voice:
The Shattered Idol.
You sent for me, father; am here. "
Arnold Trevelyan looked up with q
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
/ tl41f n fS. -fa "a Ia
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 at
least equal power. At length he spoke.
Read this" he said, and put letter
into her hands, noting how the light
died from her eyes and the soft color
from her cheeks.
\ The letter WAS from her father /
solicitor, and informed him, in concise
business fashion, that silver mining
company In which he had invested
large sums of money, and for which he
had effected mortgages from title to
time ON the estate, had collapsed, and
that the mortgage had signified his
intention of foreclosing if the interest
which had not been paid for some
time, was not instantly Forthcoming.
The letter dropped on the table, and
for 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 son?'
He bowed his head, and answered
her brokenly, for his own heart ac.
cused him.
Il did 1t for him-the son | love. !
Thought to build up fortune for him,
and have lost There is no hope OF
saving the land. except in one way
and that rests with you Clara.
with mef" she said, Il growing
vague terror in her eyes. What can
l do?'
''Sir Lionel Stanhope has asked yeur
hand of me. For 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.
"0h! no-no-no,' she gasped in
passionate appeal; mot that--not that
mot that! Spare me, father in pity
in pityr'
She covered her face with her hahds
rocking herself to and fro in speech
less anguish, and 50 remained while
he spoke, altering now and vhen low
moan. wrung from her by misery
that bore down even her pride.
"Sir Lionel Stanhope," he said. "is
a man of unblemished honor, of noble
family. of immense wealth. He Is
handsome in person and patriclan in
bearing. i could have wished for No
alliance more honorable for Clara
Trevelyan."
"And l." commented the girl, bit
terly, after pause, Il am to be the
price Of this generosity; or does he
that icy, proud man, pretend to lover
MEN Of his years and character
keep such things to themselves said
Trevelyan, with his sour smile. q
thought you were more sensible than
to have romantic dreams Put aside
such fancies, Clara, and understand
that the honor and prosperity of your
honse-the welfare of the brother you
say you love--lle In your hands
"spare me. spare met the CIR
whispered. Father, | have promised
Il am not free"
/, do you think, Clara, that ! should
ever consent to your marriage with
young Yerner-a gambler and pro
fiigate? AS his wife you would break
your heart in six monthsand be has
, nothingl Sir Lionel is at least mar
! of blameless life--at all events so re-
port says"
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