The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1896-02-13
A DIVIDED HOUSE
A Story of the Civil
War in Missouri.
BY SIDNEY ID. POWELL.
Notp First Published.

What Mrs. Dabney's business had
been with Mr.. Clayton that summers
morning was still a mystery to Ellie.
John had not given it more than a
passing thought, for he was not sur
prised much at anything his mother
did.
But Ellie noted that Mr.. Clayton
took occasion to come every day to
"The Films" and always in Johns
absence. She thought, too, that
now his visits were to herself alone,
for he never left without seeing her
and seemed to study only how to
please and amuse her.
Day after day this was kept up
and it seemed to Ellie that some
strange combination had been
entered into by John and him, for
John grew colder and more formal
every day, and Mr., ClsytG& more
familiar aud tender, Whsb the
moezys1Mf ~ sic csaS, sas
understand.
That Mr., Clayton really loved her,
or thought he did, she did not doubt,
but why had her best friend, whom
she had loved and trusted from her
infancy, grown so distant and
formal. The unnatural ser of
his manner was a continual surprise,
for she had always felt as free and
easy in his presence as it was posi-
BILE to be. Now his changed manner
had changed her. She almost
trembled to hear his voice or step
and felt angry with herself that she
had sc little control Of herself as to
betray her agitation not only to him,
she thought, but to others.
MIR. Clayton had come over to
take her buggy riding and Mrs.
Dabney, viewing them from her
window, muttered:
81 hope he'll get her consent
to-day and end it,"
Mr.. Clayton, no doubt, also hoped
the same thing, Tor the time was
spent during the entire drive in the
most earnest persuasion of which he
was capable 10 that effect.
"AIiss Elfe," he said at length,
after setting forth his ardent love
and distnteresteiness, ''you shall
never have a wish unsatisfied. /
have the greatest plenty to furnish
you everything to make life eA oya-
BILE. Only speak the word and leave
that dreary house forever, and you
can reign in mine almo. t like a
princess"
But Ellie did not speak the word.
"I wish you did not feel SO inter
ested In me-" she said, c%andidly.
~ can't bear to say anything to
hurt veur feelings, Mr.. Clayton, but
] can't leave Amt Mag to marry
anyone. She is almost helpless now,
she is 80 feeble, and it would be
unkind in me after she has taken
care Of me all my life."
Slut If vou will consent to marry
me-" he said, "Mrs. Dabney will
come and i've with us and 1 will
provide for her. too"
"Why, John would never consent
to that" she answered.
A frown came to his face at mem
ton of Johns anne. and for some
distance they rode on in silence.
Sand you do not love me?n he
said, after awhile.
"No, SIR" she answered, firmly,
but her voice trembled, 81 do not.
l am sorry to say it If it distresses
you, but it is true. If I were to
marry you it would be to obtain the
wealth you are kind enough to Offer
me, and that is what 1 do not think
would be right"
"Only marry me-" he urged.
"The love will come afterwards
My life OF devotion to you will wir
your love. 1 don't fear for that"
When they got back to "Tht
Elms" Mrs. Dabney met them at the
door and asked Mr.. Claytol to thu
sitting room.
"Is it fixed2p she asked, eagerly.
"Not yet" was his answer.
The days were dreary enough t,
John, now that he had no one t,
speak to, no one to unburden him
self to; for a reserve had grown VI
between him and Ellie that mad,
even the little they had to talk oil
business matters almost a painful
task. She saw that he looked sa'
and unhappy anu a great many time
it was not only in her heart but o.
her lips to ask him what was tn
matter. But her heart failed heI
She did not want to widen tn
breach. She must wait, and hop
after awhile the cloud would lift an
all would be right again.
One day Ellie sat alone in tn
sitting room. She was busy mendin
a wor slipper, for money was scare
and che had no one now to go to 70
| her necessities. The farm Stripe
of everything could afford no mar
keting with which to replenish tn
wear and tear. She was stitchin
away, oblivious of everything els'
| when a heavy step sounded in til
! porch and hall. 1t was not Johl
| she knew his step too we'll. III
| next moment Charlie stood befol
! her. Bearded and bronzed as /
l - - t-z- L.. .-&.-E, -