Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-08-16

bonnet
where are we. Isora? Whittier
have we come: knew a man named
Pendexter once. who"
Yes" said the Squire who had
given Il little start at the first sound of
that low contralto voice. 1T was l.,
Clara Caprivi To think that fate snould
have brought us together after all these
years?
The pale woman struggled to her feet
and clutched at her daughters slim,
strong arm.
Let us go, Isora." said she. 1--WE
we have made mistake. Give me
my shawl. Quick. Let us go! -
but, mother, why? 2" soothed the girl
this byplay. Don't you hear what the
gentleman says? We can have work
here, and food and shelter. Mother
sit down again , You are trembling all
over -
Il tell you, child, you don't know -
said impatient Clara, possessed with a
sort of wild, unreasoning terror. 1--WE
we must go!'
CLARA. " said the Squire. he himself
assuming the direction of affairs, 1.-The
child is right. Let bygones be bygones
You don't suppose l would turn you
from my door,"
Clara looked into his face
Have you forgiven me-" said she
Forgiven you: Yes, years and years
ago. Let US be friends again, Clara"
For his heart ached to see how pale
and wan she was-how haggard were
her cheeks, and how like smouidering
fires the light burned in the sunken
eyes.
She told him all that afternoon, while
pretty Isora was stripping the cluster
ed hops from the vines. with dozen
girls as pretty and as blooming as her
self, how her life had been an aimless
wreck how Carlo Caprivi had been no
Count. after all, but nameless pre-
tender, with neither honesty nor money;
how he had left her, with the baby Isora
on her hands to shift as best she might
bling brawl; how she had struggled on
for years, constantly feeling herself less
able to wage unequal warfare with the
world.
CLARA" said the Squire, when she
had finished. "why didt you come to
me-"
Because had wronged you so deep
ly," she faltered.
You might have known | would
have been kind, even to Caprivi's child.
Well, it doesn't matter now. You are
here, and you must stay here. Do you
hear me. Clara: Must Bless my heart !
You'll grow strong in these country
breezes. and that pale girl of yours will
get color III her face"
So they staid at the Pendexter farm,
and beautiful Isora Caprivi grew fairer
to look upon with every passing day.
CLARA" said the blunt Squire one
day. that girl of yours is prettier than
ever you were"
Il know it," said Nine. Caprivi.
And as she spoke the words pang of
jealousy struck sharply through her
heart. Yet was it not natural enough
that Squire Pendexter should take note
of ISora = oppuinp loyalines
And in her room that night Clara
wrestled with her own heart and con.
quered it.
HE will marry Isora," she told her.
the prime of life. 1t is as it should be.
While II am only a wreck, waiting on
the shore of time for the usual billow to
come and sweep me away. God bless
his noble heart God bless my sweet
souled girl. And God grant that they
may be happy together for many, many
long and happy years -
The Squire came to Madame Caprivi
the next day with rather an embarrassed
face. at is coming" thought Clara;
81 knew it would come -
CLARA" said he, I've question to
ask you
She held out her hand with smile
ASK it then. freely" she said graci-
ously.
"Should be making fool Of myself
if, at my age, were to marry
"You would be doing the most pro-
per and natural thing in the world, -"
Clara answered. still smiling. although
her heart seemed to stand still within
her.
Then, by Jove, I'll risk it, said the
Squire. jubilantly. CLARA. will you
have me: Shall we begin our disjoint-
ed lives over again, my girl
Madame Caprivi grew pale. then red
Hello said Squire Pendexter,
"have spoken too abruptly Have
you
NO" said Clara, family But
but l thought it was Isora that you
loved "