Sharp County record., 1896-09-18
uIsnkes him much"

. L VI oI-A SEf YOUR NtuS uttI NtNUtN---llt
+ is extremely selfish, and every way u;
worthy of her, and even can sAenotwel
me that marriage would not Le desir-
able La.hrop sought the hand o.
Fannie, bat told him that could never
lie, and, had I not, Fannie shares in
/ Clara's dislike for him.
Ills father was O sPcculator. who,
4 when my sister Agnes was but a child,
| persuaded her to clopo with him, for
which my father dis,rher,tcd her;
Iotbrop led Agnes Il wIctched life, and
though my s.stcruud fatnerwerc recon-
c-I,d before my fathers death, he never
wou.d allow her husband beneath his
roof. lie was 4 tr,ckster a eamcster
and dishonest, and I sometimes fear the
boy will travel in his path. But on her
GeatA-bed 1 promised my sister to lool;
after him. and have tried 10 do 50, nor
rs yet have l found him dishonest or
regretted If. But somehow there is a
constant fear that | yet villa fear
that I cannot explain. His father was
killed on a river steamer over a game Of
cards"
~ think, John, that Clarence is IN
love with Fannie. What would you say
TO him as Il soD-in-law?"
"'Ihe match would please me well,
Ahner, and, if mistake not, Fannie
could be won by him."
We'll, there is the dinner bell" and
with two prospective weddings in his
family, the squire joined arms with
John Lloyd, and they proceeded to the
house.
AT four o'clock Clarence and Fannie
accompanied Mr.. Lloyd to the landing,
and the Sunshine bore him back up the
river.
He waved them good-by from the
steamers deck, with his handkerchief,
and said:
al Shall look for you and Clara when
Bruce comes up"
They took seats on the wharf, and
watched the little steamer go putting
up the river, until it disappeared from
view.
"Fanrio," said Clarence suddenly,
show long have we been acquainted?"
why, all our lives; at least all Of
mine. But what a funny question, Clar-
ence."
rs it so? Well, Fannie, there is some
thing have been wanting to tell you
for Il long time
Clarence, do you see that brd"
"Yes, see the bird. l wish he could
whisper in your ear the words want to
say Now don't run away. We are
here alone for once, and | must tell
you"
Clarence, won't it keep till we get
home? See, it's getting dark"
mo, Fannie, it will keep no longer,
and besides feel braver here alonewith
you, in the gathering darkness, than
should dt home. Fannie, have loved
you all my life, l love you now, | will
love you always-Fannie, will you be
my Hife?-there, thank the Lord you
know it now, if you never did before"
"Oh, Clarence. And did that take
brayery2"
"The bravery of lion, Fannie. But
tell me, tell me truly, can you love me?
Not any more-at least | think not
any more"
'Oh. Fannie!"
II was about to say, Clarence, not any
more than do now
And do you love me the least bit now,
Fannie?"
More than chat, Clarence, more than
that | love you well enough to answer
yes will be your wife"
"Fannic"
"Clarence!"
There were tears in Fannc's bright
eyes when Clarence gently took her
hands from before her face.
Now one kiss, my little bride, to seal
the BARGAIN
"Cracky! what will pa say now?"
LET us hope, Fannie, that he will
NOT object"
"llow can ne, Clarence, when he
knows that we love each othcr?'
The two happy hearts went beating
more rapidly back to the manor house
where they found the family seated in
the parlor.
AS Clarence and Fannie entered the
door, with their happy faces flushed
and something about their appear.
once that spoke louder than words
as result of that trip to the landing
the squire arose to his feet,
"Wh0t, my son? What now, Fannie?
You look excited"
"Wcth guess | am" said Fannie
"Whaj DO you think? am going to be
married"
"Whati" exclaimed Clara, "whcn ?"
and she jumped from her chair,
" don't know; but some day, Aln't
we, Cllrcnce%
BY this time Clma's arms were
around her. and FNnne's face was hid.
den Oh her shoulder.
""elI what have you got to say, my
boy" said the squire,
"THr said IT, father, and Fannie did
not say no, ! am as happy as a lord"
And well you should bc. Come
PuSs' and give your eXpectOnt father
Il higa.'
All we're embracing Fannie and con.