Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1897-1902, 1901-04-05

seated by the fire in Clarice's sitting
room, with their feet on the fender.
reading the several letters they had
found awaiting their arrival.
I've got a long letter from Harry"
said Clarice
Janetta started violently Carefully
as each of the girls had followed Cap
tain Merivale's brilliant career in the
Indian campaign. his name until now
had not been mentioned between them
since the night Of Janetta's confession.
Clarice's eyes were shining,there was
radiant triumph in her smile.
He is coming back, Janetta And
he says-he says that he should like US
to be married at once. There can be
no possible reason for delay now am
well. and he hopes | will be getting my
clothes ready. He adds IL a postscript
that he thinks | must pension off the
good Mrs. Mortimer" Clarice said,
with a little gay laugh: "but he makes
10 suggestion for your future"
lie need not" said Jaaetta, sitting
upright. and clasping her hands tight
~ Il shall find another situation"
"That sentence and the way you say
it makes me quite certain that you are
well. 1t was spoken with all your old
horrid pride and independence" said
Clarice But would it not be we'll to
suit my convenience? I've not done
with you yet, you see. You must stay
until | marry. and that"-there was a
little break in the voice she had tried
| to make so gay-may be some time, or
may never be- I'm not going to marry
Harry. and tomorrow / shall write and
tell him so. No. Please don't look at
me like that nor say anything. l can't
bear it,
You have prevented me from MAX
ing the awful mistake of marrying
man whom l have loved, but who never
loved me as he is capable of loving
woman really suited to him. I've
thought a great deal over it, and I've
said my prayers about it and that Is
the only conclusion that I can arrive
at"
And I have prayed, too-or, how
earnestly-that he may live to marry
you, that so l might feel myself for
given" sobbed Janetta.
But you put your own sense of for
giveness before my happiness" said
Before Clarice went to bed that night
she had written her letter.
Good by, dear Harry (were the clos
ing Words. Some day if not at once,
you will bless me for setting you free.
Looking back, can see now that you
never cared for me as loved you; and
when you met this woman who could
stir your heart to its very depths you
found it out. Some day l hope l may
live to see you married to her.
Believe me, ever your friend,
"Clarice Seymour"
The breaking off OF Clarice Sey-
mOur's engagement was a nine days
wonder in Northcliff and its neighbor-
hood.
She chooses to say that it is her
own doing" said the gossips; but, de-
pend upon it, there is more behind
than meets the eye. 1t is not to be
wondered at if Captain Merivale turn
ed FESTIVE over the evident Irritation
that girl carried on with the doctor
Anybody can see with half an eye that
he has been head-over-ears in love
with her for years past"
Certainly it was fact Sir Robert
made no attempt to conceal at pres
ent. He was always back in North
cliff upon some preteXt or other; but
month after month passed by, and he
still waited, not daring to put his fate
TO the test.
ITO be Continued)