Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1897-07-08


seeking my hand-indeed. he is very |
anxious that change my name to Clara |
Lloyd, but I do not love you, Mr.. Lloyd, |
as a wife should love her husband.'
Herbert Lathrop almost smiled here.
But honor and respect you," con-
tinued Clara. land if, knowing how I
feel, you desire to make me yourwife,
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
l know you are marrying me for neither
wealth or station, as you have BOTH
''Of that, Mr.. Lloyd, you may feel
quite sure; to wealth, L 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 sonwill
inherit nearly his entire fortunes; in
making me your wife you cannot hope
to 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 ii
all, and even then. so have you, have
the greater part of it, and you in time
will be the wealthiest widow in the Caro-
inas."
.'Pray do not speak of that, Mr.. Lloyd;
remember life is uncertain, and but for
Angus Bruce I would not be here to-
night
@sTrue! 'Truel 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.
We'll, 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
eyes, and at orion; let our marriage
take place at the same time
''It shall, dear; God grant you may be
happy-fer 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 dan
ger of that. 1 dstest, and almost fear
him.
I'm that event, before our marriage,
will have him located elsewhere; it
would be but torture to have one around
toward whom you feel like that. Butt
little wonder &c it. I sometimes feel as
though I was standing on a mine, when
/ think of his fathers record, and We're
he not my nephew I would not tore. ate
him-eventually [ shall endeavor to es-
tablish him in business elsewhere.
''WEy,.he even had the impudence to
ask my daughters hand in marriage.
"Well. good night, dear one, and hap
Ply Dreams" and Mr.. Lloyd stopped
slightly and kissed the white brow OF
the girl, who to please her father, and
build up an impossible barrier between
herself and the man she loved but might
not marrys had promised to become his
wife.
"Good night, Mr.. Loyd.'
Clara was very pale, and tears were in
her eyes, as 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 look of malignant hate
my uncle, them" he muttered
"woul:l we'd Clara Hill, then setaside his
sisters son, because he Pleases not his
wife.
"Clara loathts me, and my dear, dear
uncle sometimes thinks he's standing
or. a mine-leok out, John Lloyd, for by
| the gods that made me, that mine shall
soon explode, and at the altar you shall
| never stand, with Clara Hf1l-Dotard!
Fooll ere that I'll have-have what?
'Your life, ny unclei Yes. your very
| life!" and shaking his clenched fist at
the parlor door he rapidly assembled the
stairs, muttering still.
| Herbert Lathrop had not been unob-
! served.
| At the time he entered the front door,
| Aunt Mag, the mulatto housekeeper and
old family servant of the banker, was
] going the rounds to see that the doors
! were secure for the night. AS she was
advancing, when just in the shadow of
| the winding stairs, she caught sight
| of Herbert Lathrop in listening atti-
| tude at the parlor door. Instinctively
she halted, and had seen his pantomime
| OF actions as he stood there, and as he
| advanced she had observed the passion
| ate look ON his face, as well as the
| cfenched hand shaken at the door; and
when he was ascending the stairway,
| just opposite her, as she stood crouch
| ing in the recess, she caught the words:
Your life, my uncle! yes, your very
life!'s
As Herbert disappeared, the parlor
door opened, and Mr.. Lloyd accompanied
Clara to the foot of the stairs, which
she assembled, and he retired to his
room, which was on the first floor, and
| adjoining the library, from which a
| door opened into it.
Aunt Mag securely bolted the front
| door, put out the lights in the parlor
and hall, and she also assembled the
stairs