The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1895-12-19
Story of the Civil
War in Missouri.
BY N u. POWELL.
NotD First Published.
CHAPTER ".
SOME HARD QUESTIONS.

he was watching Fine and Charlle
tossing q ball back and forth to each
other, for this selfish impolite pair,
as Mrs. Dabney called them, had
left the company and were thus en-
gagged, but would say at every toss of
the ball, "we must go in"
MIR. Clayton finally concluded to go
out and take his hand at tossing.
Charlie frowned when he saw him
coming, and whispered to Ellie 81
haye u great mi, to let it drive at
his head"
P1tRs- GASyts&&Sssa21st OaaS
very smilingly and asked 10 be al
lowed to Join in their fun.
"Oh yes," said Ellie laughingly,
"It you are a rebel you may play"
"But suppose Pm not" he asked.
"Then you can't" she said still
laughing.
"Why, when did You get that
spirit In your he asked.
~ thought you we're going to wait
to see how Missouri was going before
you espoused the southern cause"
missouri will not decide until
one slice or the otheris whipped, and
then she will go with the VICTOR"
said Charlie, "and 1 propose to decide
for myself. l hate slavery and 1 am
for the north"
"Charlie I am ashamed of YOU"
cried Ellie, "Mr. Clayton,if ] thought
he was in earnest, l would be mad
with him, but he delights in aggra-
waiting everyone and is only talking
to make me mad.n
81 think Charlie is in earnest, ''said
Mr.. Clayton, "but look, there is a
four leaf clover right at your hand.
Pull it and you can marry the one
you love, the old adage says"
81 will not pull it then, for l will
never marry the one l love-"
"Why," he asked.
"Because if l loved any one and he
loved me, 1 would be afraid to mar
ry, for Judging from the most OF love
matches, they end in disappointment
and broken hearts"
Mr.. Clayton had somehow gotten
Ellie to walking beside him down
the walk to the stile and Charlie had
abruptly left them and gone in the
house.
John looking from the window,
saw Ellie on the stile with the young
gentleman for whom every girls car
in the neighborhood was set.
They are certainly a handsome
pair, he thought, for Ellie had grown
very beautiful, and this young stran.
ger was certainly a very elegant
man.
After supper the guests took theii
departure, and John for a little while
was alone with Ellie.
"Tell me El6e," he said seriously
sis that Mr.. Clayton coming to see
your"
Her face turned scarlet and he
was now convinced that 1t must bt
true.
"He comes to see us ALL" she
answered.
"But / meal is he in love will
your" he asked, looking searchingly
into her eyes.
"John l am surprised you SHOULD
ask such a question. OF course he ii
, not, or I should have found it out
, should think"
!, Sand you do not suspect that hi
3 isH" he asked, still watching he
~countenance.
8 "Oh yes, I see," he said, as blushe
t overspread her face again and sh,
e did not answer. 81 think it ia prett,
plain how matters stand"
q 81 think you are mistaken in un
e derstanding 30 much. Mr.. Clayton
y has never said a word to me that
could construe that way"
Tho John said nothing, Ellie say
I from his countenance that he wa
convinced that Mr.. Clayton was Wis
a iting her personally, as a lover. Sh
q was disturbed and annoyed that h
q should have taken up the ides
a "John" she said, going to his side
for he had crossed the room an
4 taken a book from the table and ws
turning the leaves, 81 want to tie
: you seriously, and truly, that M,
~ Clayton does not come here to sc
me. don't like him at all, althoug
}, I try to treat him politely. Aunt Ms
would be mad II / didn't"
q "Elfe, I know you r in earne
In trying to convince me that he
not in love with you. But at the san
time my opinion is unchanged. Wei
1t is not very strange II he is, only
would like to know how you feel t.
ward him."
81 don't like him at ALL" she 81
swered looking as IL she Q losir
. her patience.
!. "Well, little sister," he said, a
!; fectionately, "don't get vexed wi
:. me for feeling an interest in yol
Affairs Of the heart, you r yet
, mere child, for you have seen mott
!. ing OF the world and can't unde
stand its wiles, deceits, and fraud
and ! hate to think you should fall
prey TO the designing and craft
Before you fall in love, be sure til
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