Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-03-16

pointing to magnificent bay, ex-
claimed: "What beauty!"
"My fathers saddle horse" said Clar-
ence.
"And that black?!'
"That one is my hunter, and the
chestnut Toms, when he's at home;
the pied pony there is Clara's; amt he a
teauty?"
eyes, he has beauty; but the beauty
of his mistress is beyond compare"
"Why, Herbert, do you think Clara
beautiful?"
Indeed I do: have long thought so;
love your sister, Clarence. Do you
think that could win her?"
II can't tell, Herbert, you can surely
try; you have known her long enough.
AS for me, intend to know my fate be-
fore you go back to town. shall mus
ter up courage and ask Fannie to be
my wife,"
II don't think, Clarence, that she will
cay nay"
While Clarence and Herbert were ex-
changing condolences Squire Hill and
Banker Lloyd were seated on lumber
pile over at the sawmill.
"You should be a very happy man,
SQUIRE" said Lloyd, with the finest
plantation in the state. hundred ne
groes, a charming wife, two manly sons
and lovely daughter"
"Why SO nm, John, so nm--and so
would you be, with all your wealth,
had you but bride to help enjoy it.
You should marry again, john"
$50 l would, squire, but who shan be
the bride-thatis the question am but
forty-eight, still rather old to be at
tractive to lady young in years, and to
marry some old maid or widow that
would poster my life out of me, and sour
tue disposition Of my happy child, is
not to be thought of. Now, if could
find one who would be comfort TO me,
| and companion to my daughter, and
would wed a man of my years, not alone
for wealth, would gladly make her my
Wife. know of but one, squire, and
fear that no love for me could find it's
way into her heart; indeed, she may
hive given her heart elsewhere know
of one who seeks her for wife,
DO know the lady, John?"
Il judge you do, squire, as it is your
daughter Clara"
"My Clara! Is it possible, John;
would you seek my Clara for your
bride?"
with your approval only, squire, and
if her heart be free"
"Her heart is free, John, free as the
cir of heaven-and as for my approval,
who would as soon see welded to my
daughter as the friend of my youth,
sterling John lloyd?
II wish you well, John, on my soul /
do, but sound her not yet. When you re-
turn tonight leave the young folks here
for day or two. I'll send them up by
Angus Bruce on Wednesday or Thurs
day-meanwhile I'll sound the girl, and
send her back with Fannie, then you
can ascertain her mind"
That's we'll. but fear that Herbert
is the one that seeks her."
'Then give yourself no uneasiness
for l assure you that under no condi.
tons would Clara ever we'd him, she
dislikes him much"
am not sorry. -Abner, for, though
he is my nephew, he is not one to whom
l would see your daughter wedded-he
is extremely selfish, and every way un.
worthy of her, and even can she not wed
me that marriage would not be desir.
able. Lathrop sought the hand OF
Fannie, but told him that could neve,
be. ard, had not, Fannie shares in
| Clara's dislike for him.
His father was Spectator who
when my sister Agnes was but child
persuaded her to elope with him, TO,
which my father disinherited her;
Lathrop led Agnes wretched life, and
though my sister and futher were recon.
ciled before my fathers death. he neve,
would allow her husband beneath his
roof. He was trickster, u gamestel
! and dishonest, and sometimes fear the
boy will travel in his path. But on her