Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1901-05-10

"A PRETTY - -
- - COMPA. MON

BY Lcu;se Bedford.

ITO uOuDL ne II SOON TeCONcllG nlU1SelI
to the baronetcy and The fortune
Sir Roberts route adjusted itself
very much to that chosen for their re-
turn journey by the girls. Sometimes
he would be away for a day or two at
time. then reappear at the town and
hotel where he was tolerably certain
to find them, and they arrived in Eng
land on the same day, but whilst he
stopped in London, the girls went on
to Northcliff.
The welcome they received from
Mrs. Mortimer was of a warmth they
could have hardly believed possible in
a woman SO self-contained; and 1t was
pleasant to find themselves once more
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.
1--WE got 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.
Gle 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 I am
well, and he hopes will be getting my
clothes ready. He adds in postscript
that he thinks l must pension off the
good Mrs. Mortimer" Clarice said.
with little gay laugh; "but he makes
no suggestion for your future"
'tHe need not" said Janetta, sitting
upright, and clasping her hands tight
ly. II shall find another situation"
'That sentence and the way you say
it makes me quite certain that you are
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 I marry, and that-there was
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 Sc. No. Please don't look at
me like that nor say anything. I can't
bear it!
.You have prevented me from maxi
ing the awful mistake Of marrying
man whom have loved, but who never
loved me as he is capable Of loving a
woman really suited to him. I've
thought great deal over it, and I've
said my prayers about it and that is
the only conclusion that can arrive
at"
And I have prayed, too-or. how
earnestly he may live to marry
you, that so might feel myself for
given!" sobbed Janetta.
But you put your own sense OF for
giveness before my happiness said
Clarice,' and so God has not listened"
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 it's very depths you
found it out. Some day hope 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. It is not to be
wondered at if Captain Merivale turn
ed restive over the evident filtration
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 a 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
fro hi Continued \