Sharp County record., 1896-10-02
that would never do.

The first thing was TO inspect that
will, and that he would do before maxi
ing further plans,
Clara Hill returned TO 0rton week
after having accepted the proposal Of
Mr.. Lloyd, and it is safe to say that as
the Sunshine passed the locality where
she had fallen overheard Angus
Bruce was the one who occupied her
thoughts. He had been seldom from
her mind since the moment when she
had heard him exclaim, as she was sink
ing down into the rivers depths for the
last time:
Courage! Couragel Clara Belief"
and she thought how instantly she had
felt 81 am saved!" and of the strong
arms of the brave Scot as he clasped her
in them and dragged her back from
death.
"He has won my love nobly," she
thought. 81 am untrue to womanhood,
but he. cannot have my hand"
When she arrived at Orton she found
her father and Clarence very happy over
the state of affairs. Mr.. Lloyd and her.
self had written them OF the engage
ment.
This is we'll, Clara" said the squire,
as they were riding from the landing to
the house. "You will he the fairest and
wealthiest bride in the old North state,
Lloyd has wealth enough, but your
mother has no small dover for you, and
you shan't leave Orton unremembered
by your father.
81 wish you to select two young ne
groes, male and female, from Orton-
any two that may please you. The girl
bring into the house at once and let
your mother and Aunt Eliza begin
training her for housemaid; the boy,
Clarence and Corbett can drill in the
care of horses. Thus you will always
have around you two servants whom
you know you can trust, and you shall
have bill of sale for them, receipted
they 60 with you-yes, daughter, and
horses, and COWS, and anything in Or.
ton, that your heart desires; you will
be at the top Of the ladder, child. Are
you happy?"
mo. father, not happy, and yet |
can't say unhappy. l know that Mr.
Lloyd loves me for myself alone. and
not for any aggrandizement he ex.
poets to obtain to his wealth, by OBJ
tanning me for his wife. told him that
all your wealth went to your eldest son,
and he said, that having me, he con-
sidered that he had the greatest part
Of it,"
"Why he has, SO he has, and his
daughter shall be mistress Of the rest;
two splendid marriages"
"But, father, | came very near being
the bride Of DEATH"
"Yes, yes! and Bruce stopped here 60
Ing out and never spoke of 1t; feared Il
worry us, suppose, and the next da,
your letter told us all about it-a bray,
and trusty man is Angus Bruce. ow
him debt that l can never repay, but
can reward him we'll"
Speak not of rewarding Angus, ia
ther. You would insult noble soul
But one object would reward Angu
Bruce, and that he will not seek"
"And that, Clara?"
els your daughters hand, he has hel
love-"
"Claral you love Angus Bruce?"
"Yes, father, yes; and he loves me,
know. 1t is love Of which q princess
might be proud. If you had heard hi
cry when l sank beneath his waves
II can't blame the lad; I can't blamC
him. 1t is we'll you are to wed so soon.
Mrs. Hill did not seem as enthu
siastic over the coming marriage a,
did her husband and Clarence, and IL
the weeks that interpened between th,
time of the engagement and the first O
June, while preparations were beins
made for the double wedding, Otter
said:
Daughter, if you think you viii no
be happy, revoke your pledge to becom,
his wife"
mo, mother, / will marry Mr.. Lloyd
though I know If told him de
sired to be released he would releas,
me, but I do not desire it,
Daughter, I would be willing yo,
should marry Capt. Bruce rather thar
see you live life Of misery"
VI know, dear mother but father ant
my brother Clarence would rather sc.
me in the grave than welded to q pilot.
son. I shall not live q life Of misery
hut I shall always In my inmost hear
carry the image Of Angus Bruce. Now
mother pray, let us speak no more o.
that"
The next day al Of the young darkie.
on the place were assembled In front O
the mansion, and Clara, assisted by he,
mother, selected Milic, bright, smar
girl Of 10 years, who was at once brought
into the house and placed under tute
lage, in order that she might in time bC
competent to look after the wardrob,
OF her young mistress.
Caleb, three years the senior Of Nflllic
-
and grandson Of old Uncle Jobc, wat
selected as her future coachman.
"Das you, honeyl Das you, Mis-,
Clary" exclaimed Uncle Jobe, as he
felt the honor conferred "You JUS