The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-10-01
CLARA'S DIARY.

she was very fair, very plump and very
sweet and-whieh was a minor detail-en-
gagged to the incest fellow on earth. .
1t was a dull rainy day In early fall,
and as the clock struck 8 Clara rose from
the high chair, placed q brown turban on
her yellow hair took mp a morocco covered
book from her desk and started for home.
The rain poured in torrents as she walk
ed rapidly along the street and signaled q
passing car
Not till she was seated did she miss the
book she had taken with her. Hurriedly
stopping the car, she alighted, fastening
up the street, seeking for the book she had
lost, but it was not to be found.
Willie Parsons, the young, good look
ing, only son of Lawyer Parsons, sat in
his tastefully furnished den, " thinking
deeply. On an open book which had APP
parently been engrossing his attention lay
q miniature photograph that showed the
charming face Of Clara Wiley.
From which it viii be inferred that Par
sons was that very lucky INCEST fellow
on earth
A quick rap at the door interrupted his
thoughts, and he called, " Come in -
A handsome man of 80 entered He
looked damp and cold, and in his hand he
carried small book bound in morocco.
Lion. old boy, how are you?'' exclaim-
ed Parsons, rising and stretching out his
hand to grasp his friends.
:. Fine as silk, William, and anxious to
examine my find, p holding up the book.
1t was not a very large book, but on the
cover in dainty gliding were the words,
'sClara's Diary.
As Parsons saw i5 he snatohed it from
Lionel Stansheld' s hand and carried it to
the light Lion looked at him in silent
wonder, but after a minute said indifIer-
emily:
"Why 50 excited, my boy2 Know the
fair owner Of Clara Diaryg'
yes. VIII you let me keep it2'R
Couldn't think of it, William. Tell me
its owner, and III return it, otherwise
mean to read its contents at once, and
he stepped forward with outstretched
hand
Willie Parsons drew back, and accident
ally the book fell to the floor.
Both leaned over 10 pick it mp. It lay
open at the first page, and they both read
the words written there.
ITO my darling, Lion, whom I may
never sec again, I dedicate this httle book.
Clara.
Lionel's face grew dull red, and he
raised the book quickly and closed it, but
Willie Parsons stood still, white to his
dark waving hair. He spoke quietly, but
with effort.
II must have been mistaken. You know
the owner?''
Lionel Stansaeld smiled very pleasant,
happy smile as he replied earnestly:
William, if I am not greatly mistaken,
this book belongs to one have long
thought dead, my beloved wife, Clara
Wiley Stansaeld- -
Parsons grew paler. but answered brave
IL;
1T am very glad for you. Lion. III see
you tomorrow probabl. =
And then they said good night, for
Etansheld saw that Parsons wished to be
alone.
Next evening Lionel Sbansheld knelt be-
side a low cot in which lay a fair, pale
woman. She must have once been the ex-
act counterpart of Clara Wiley, but sick
ness and sorrow had made her look years
older than she really was She was speak
ing very slowly.
dsyeu hunted for me, Lionel when
you returned I knew you would come
back, though they all said you never
would. And now 1 am dying. Would that
might
She stopped, for the door opened to I'D
nit Clara Wiley, holding an open letter
in her hand. At tho sight Of Lionel she
drew back, but her twin sister called her
CLARA, do you net remember Lion2 He
found my diary that you had bound for
me, and so found me. -
Clara stretched cut her hand iInpulsive-
" and welcomed her brother-in-law in a
few graceful words. Then, glancing at her
letter, she said almost in a whisper:
ssWhere did you find its''
Down L street, and took 1t up to
Parsons, intending to-
He did not finish the sentence, for Clara
fell fainting to the floor. The letter she
had held hu5tered to her sisters couch. and
she picked it up and glanced at it indidsr
entity.
But what she saw seemed to interest
her. She read it quickly, and as Clara
showed signs of returning consciousness
she exclaimed:
Lion, please leave her and go for vii
lie Parsons. I want him. Please hurry,
Lion, 4" and with a look of wonder on his
face Lionel obeyed-
In one happy home dwells Lionel STAINS
field with his wife, and she is no longer
IN inxalia In another BIr md Ms VII