Sharp County record., 1896-09-25
CHAPTER Y.
TRULY, MY UNCLE, THERE ARE TWO WHO
STAND UPON \ NINE


STAND UPON \ NINE
Clara Hill had been Fannie's guest
for a week, when one evening Herbert
had been out, and it was fully ten
o'clock when he came in.
lie softly opened the door and noticed
from the parlor door being ajar that it
was still lighted, lie heard his uncle's
voice. and something in the tone caused
him TO halt as he was about to enter the
parlor. The words he heard were
"My dear Clara, the reason l detain
YOU tonight is to tell you that you are
very dear TO me. There has always been
warm friendship existing between
YOUR fathers family and mine; / have
asked your fathers permission to adj
dress YOU; he may have told you OF the
result-Clara, 1 am no longer a young
man, have a daughter almost of your
age, but l will love you, Clara, and
guard you tenderly while live. CARA
can you be my wife?"
Herbert Lathrop stood with white
lace and clenched hands at the threshold,
listening to his uncle's declaration, and
breathlessly he awaited Clara's answer.
"Mr. Lloyd, 1 need not feign surprise,
for my father told me Of the honor you
had conferred on both nim and me, by
seeking my hand-indeed, he is very
anxious that | change my name to Clara
Lloyd, but l do not love you, Mr.. Lloyd,
as a wife should love her husband"
Herbert Lathrop almost smiled here.
"But l honor and respect you," con-
tinued Clara, "anl if, knowing how ]
feel, you desire to make me your wife,
this hand is yours"
Mr., Lloyd took Clara's hand in his.
81 love you, Clara, dearly enough to
take this little hand on any terms, and
know you are marrying me for neither
wealth or station, as you have both"
"Of that, Mr.. Lloyd, you may feel
quite sure; as to wealth, cannot say
that it ever had great attractions for
me, though my father is reputed among
the wealthiest planters of the state,
and you must know that, in accordance
with family customs, his oldest son will
inherit nearly his entire fortune; in
naklng me your wife you cannot hope
10 aggrandize your wealth, and as for
station-I know of none higher than
that Of being the daughter of Abner
Hill"
"Well spoken, Clara; nor is there.
And as for wealth, why, let him keep it
I'll, and even then, so have you, have
the greater part of it, and you in time
will be the wealthiest widow in the Caro-
linas."
pray do not speak of that, Mr.. Lloyd;
remember life is uncertain, and but for
Angus Bruce l would not be here to-
night
"True! True! Capt. Bruce shall be
rewarded on his return"
"Angus Bruce, Mr.. Lloyd, would ac-
cept Of no reward, at least none that
you could give him."
"Well, Clara, dear, as you will be the
old mans darling, and not the young
mans slave when shall we wed?"
"Let it be, Mr.. Lloyd, when Clarence
and Fannie are united"
"Why, that is the first Of June"
"Yes, and at Orton; let our marriage
take place at the same time"
ut shall, dear; God grant you may be
happy-for myself fear not. DO you
know, Clara, at one time thought that
perhaps you would be won by my
nephew?'
"No, Mr.. Lloyd, there was never dam
ger Of that, / detest, and almost fear
him"
"In that event, before our marriage, I
will have him located elsewhere; it
would be but torture to have one around
toward whom you feel like that. Butt
little wonder aC 1t, sometimes feel as
though was standing on a mine, when
| think OF his fathers record, and were
he not my nephew I would not tolerate
him-eventually I shall endeavor to es-
tablish him in business elsewhere.
"Why, he even had the impudence to
ask my daughters hand in marriage.
"Well, good night, dear one, and hap
py Dreams" and Mr.. Lloyd stopped
slightly and kissed the white brow Of
the girl, who t. please her father, and
build up an impossible barrier between
herself and the man she loved but might
not marry, had promised TO become his
wife.
Good night, Mr., Lloyd"
Clara was very pale, and tears were in
her eyes, us She started towards the
door.
Then It was that Herbert Lathrop
glided rapidly through the hall, No
smile parted his lips, but on his set
features was q look Of malignant hate
my uncle, then" he muttered,
"would wed Clara1Iill, then setaside his
sisters son, because he pleases not his
wife.
"Clara loathes me, ard my dear, dear
uncle sometimes thinks he's standing
on u mIne-look out, John Lloyd, for by
the gods that made me, that mine shall
coon explode, and at the altar you shall
never stand, with Clara IIill-Dot0rdl
FOOL ere that I'll hNve-have whOt2
"Your life, NY unclel Yes, your very
llfel" and shaking his clenched Ast ut