Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-03-26

in his quiet way; very proud OF the
splendid girl who would so soon become
mistress of his home and heart But
his mind was sometimes filled with mis-
givings as he thought of the difference
between their ages, and he asked him
self the questions:
cam 1 doing this young girl an in
justice in making her my wife? Can
she be happy as the wife of a man SO
many years her senior?"
Never did he question if he should be
happy. He doubted not his happiness.
1t would lie in contributing to that OF
his fair young bride, and, knowing the
high character of Clara. he was salts
fed thatshe would not marry where she
feared for the happiness of the future.
Abner Hill was well satisfied with the
outlook for his son and daughter, and
his wife was pleased if only her children
were happy.
Clara had written letter that day
that she was very anxious Fannie should
receive before coming down the river
on the morrow, and at five o'clock she
had her pony saddled and brought to the
door, and she was soon mounted and
cantering in the direction of the land
ing, with the idea that she would be
able to intercept the Sunshine, which
she knew was down the river, and
should be coming back at this time,
but to her dismay the Sunshine passed
up without hating, when she was yet
several hundred yards from the wharf.
Clara was about to turn back, when
she noticed the sails of schooner,
tapping almost idly in the air oppo-
site the wharf.
"This schooner may suit my purpose"
she thought, as she fastened down.
Arrived at the landing she recognized
the Clara Belle, and, as the schooner
was but 40 or so yards out in the stream,
the form of Angus Bruce upon the deck.
There was no air stirring, and the
tide, being at low cbb, they were Le-
Gained and making no Roadway. An
gus evidently recognized Clara as she
rode upon the dock, for he raised his
hat.
Clara hesitated about signaling him,
believing it not we'll that they should
meet again. "But this letter." she
thought, must reach Fannie, and this
may be my last opportunity. l must
signal the Clara Belle; Angus may send
the mate or one of his sailors ashore"
She waved q handkerchief, a boat was
lowered from the schooner and Angus
descended into it, accompanied by two
sailors, who speedily pulled away for the
landing, and he was soon standing by
the side of the girl he loved.
Clara had dismounted and vas hold
ing the rein of Club in one hand, and
her letter in the other.
Good evening. Miss Hill; it was {
| pleasure to receive your signal"
Thanks, my brave rescuer; almos
feared to signal you, for fear I SHOULD
detain you, but l was so anxious thai
Fannie Lloyd should have this letter
| tonight, or at early dawn tomorrow
and the Sunshine escaped my vigilance.
II am truly glad 1t did, Miss Hill
Please do not think me bold, but i
| gives me an opportunity to look upol
| your face once more, and as for signal
ing, never hesitate to signal Angus
Bruce; it will not be trites that keel
him from responding; besides, Mis-
Hill, we are becalmed, and will gain nt
Roadway for another hour, unless TIN
breeze stiffens. At six o'clock the It'd,
will be running up, and, as we have NJ
cargo aboard, we may reach Whining
ton, and your letter the hands Of Mis-
Lloyd, by II at most"
| ooh, captain! shall thank you 81
much"
i "No thanks are required for any
thing can do for you, Miss HILL"
i "But still, thank you, captain, ant
here is the letter for Miss Fannie"
81 myself will place it in her hands,
said Angus, but if there is an answer
she had best send it by the Sunshine
! ! will be detained to ship cargo"
"There will be no reply, captain, eS
cept in person, for Fannie will be her
tomorrow night-linow you not of tn
weddings?'
"True, Miss Hill. I heard that you
brother, Clarence, and Miss Lloyd woul
marry; is it SO soon?"
"Yes, captain, but did you hear Q
III juliet udiIlaSe thuo Wouio occui u
the same time and place? 2"
"No, Miss Hill, have been but littl
J in the Cape Fear recently, Pray, VIII
else will wed?"
Captain, when you next see me,
shall have changed my name-I wi
then be Clara Lloyd"
Clara's face Redeemed as she spoke tn
words, but Angus paled to the very lip
rs he exclaimed:
you, Clara! you! Lloyd! what Lloyd
Il knew not that John Lloyd had
son."
fIt is john Lloyd, the banker~-Fa1
MES father-that wed to-morro,
night, captain"
Here! Clara Belle, take back tn
image of the one l loved!" and Angr
snatched from his neck the slende
golden chain, and the locket from h
breast; "but no! no! what am / sa,
ing? ] will keep it ever as mement
/, of the girl | saved from the river
depths, in order that she might Sc
herself for gold -Good-by. Clara Hill.
No, Clara Loyd-Ha! Hal" and Angr
staggered like man who has receive
a heavy blow, towards his boat.
"AnGusl August" walled Clara.