Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-03-21

she had fallen overheard Angul
Bruce was the one who occupied hel
thoughts. He had been seldom from
her mind since the moment when she
had heard him eNciam, as she was sink
ing down into the rivers depths for the
last time:
Courage! Courage! Clara Belief
and she thought how Instantly she had
felt ~ am saved" and of the strong
arms of the brave Scot as he clasped her
in them and dragged her back from
death.
He has won my love nobly," she
thought. II am untrue to womanhood
but he cannot have my hand"
When she arrived at Orion she found
her father and Clarence very happy over
the state of affairs. Mr.. Lloyd and her
self had written them of the engage.
ment.
"This is well, Clara" said the squire
as they were riding from the landing tc
the house. you will be the fairest and
wealthiest bride in the old North state
Lloyd has wealth enough, but your
mother has no small dover for you, and
you shan't leave Orion aforementioned
by your father.
IT wish you to select two young ne
groes, male and female, from orion
any two that may please you. The girl
bring into the house at once and let
your mother and Aunt Eliza begin
training her for housemaid; the boy,
Clarence and Corbett can drill in the
care of horses. Thus you will always
have around you two servants whom
you know you can trust, and you shall
have bill of sale for them, receipted,
they go with you-yes, daughter, and
horses, and cows, and anything in Or
ton. that your heart desires; you will
be at the top of the ladder. child. Are
you happy?"
mo. father, not happy, and yet, l
can't say unhappy. I know that Mr..
Lloyd loves me for myself alone, and
not for any aggrandizement he e1-
poets to obtain to his wealth, by OBJ
tanning me for his wife. I told him that
all your wealth went to your eldest son,
and he said, that having me, he con-
sidered that he had the greatest part
of it,"
"Why he has. SO he has; and his
daughter shall be mistress Of the rest;
two splendid marriages."
"But, father, i came very near being
the bride Of DEATH"
ayes. yesl and Bruce stopped here go
ing out and never spoke of it; feared to
worry US, suppose, and the next day
your letter told us all about it-a brave
and trusty mon is Angus Bruce. lowe
him debt that l can never repay, but
can reward him we'll"
Speak not of rewarding Angus, IA
Their. You would insult noble soul.
But one object would reward Angus
Bruce. and that he will not seek"
"And that. Clara?"
us your daughters hand; he has her
love"
"Claral you love Angus Bruce3"
ayes, father, yes; and he loves me, I
know. 1t is love of which princess
might be proud. II you had heard his
cry when sank beneath his waves"
II can't blame the lad; can't blanc
him. 1t is we'll you are to wed SO soon."
Mrs. Hill did not seem as enthu-
siastic over the coming marriage as
did her husband and Clarence, and In
the weeks that interviewed between the
time Of the engagement and the first Of
June, while preparations were being
made for the double wedding, often
said:
Daughter, If you think you will not
be happy. revoke your pledge to become
his wife"
"No, mother, will marry Mr.. Lloyd,
though l know If 1 told him 1 de-
sired to be released he would release
me, but do not desire it."
Daughter, would be willing you
should marry Capt. Bruce rather than
see you live life Of misery"
II know, dear mother, but father and
my brother Clarence would rather see
me in the grave than welded to pilots
son. shall not live . life of misery,
but shall always in my Utmost heart
carry the image of Angus Bruce. Now,
mother, pray, let US speak no moro Of
that"
The next day all Of the young darHes
on the place were assembled in front Of
the mansion, and Clara, assisted by her
mother, selected Mile, bright, smart
girl OF Is years, who was at once brought
into the house and placed under tute-
lage, in order that she might in time be
competent to look after the wardrobe
Of her young mistress.
Caleb. three years the senior of Mile
and grandson Of old Uncle Jobe, was
selected as her future coachman.
"Das you, honeyl Das you, Miss
Clary!" exclaimed Uncle Jobe, as he
felt the honor conferred. "You JUS
stick to the ole stock. D'as liable, da
is. amt da, marster?"
eyes, Jobe, believe they are-liahle
to get mixed up with alligators."
Now, g'long, marster. glongl Isn't
you neber gwins to let loose bout das
'gator2"
Angus Bruce, when he passed out the
mouth Of the river on the "trip down
with the cargo for Charleston, reached
his destination safely and now was on
the open sea, bound for Beaufort, and
c. his schooner scudded along before
the wind the times were not infrequent
when he took from beneath the bosom
OF bis vest golden locket The small
chain was around his neck. and as his
big brown hand unclasped the locket
and he gazed down into the deep blue
eyes OF Clara Hid tears filed his own,
and many time he pressed tho minia-
ture to his lips and uttered the words:
II saved you, Clara Belle; thank God,
saved you, If even for another
CHAPTER vi.
'IT WILL GO HARD THEN, BUT WILL HAVE
YOUR HAND"
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