The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1902-05-30

no doubt he'll soon reconcile himself
to the baronetcy and the fortune"
Sir Roberts route adjusted itself
very much to that chosen for their re-
turf journey by the girls. Sometimes
he would be away for a day or two at
a 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. bur 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 it 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 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 lame 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 I am
well, and he hopes I will be getting my
clothes ready. He adds in a postscript
that he thinks I must pension OF the
good Mrs. Mortimer" Clagice said.
with a little gay laugh; but he makes
no suggestion for your future"
He need not" said Janetta, sitting
upright, and clasping her hands tight
ly. II shall find another situation
That sentence and the way you say
1t makes me quite certain that you are
well. 1t vas spoken with all your old
horrid pride and independence" said
Clarice But would 1t not be well to
suit my convenience? I've not done
with you yet, you see. You must stay
until I marry. and that"-there was q
little break in the voice she had tried
to make 50 gay-may be some time, or
may I'VE be. I'm not going to marry
Harry, and tomorrow I 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 a
man whom I have loved. but who never
loved me as he i capable of loving a
woman really suited to him. rye
thought a great deal over 1t, and I've
said my prayers about it and that 10
the only conclusion that I can arrive
And l have prayed, too-or, how
earnestly-that he may live to marry
you, that SO I might feel myself fer
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, II not ut once,
you will bless me for setting you free.
Looking back. I can geo now that you
never cared for me as l loved you; and
when you met this woman who could
stir your heart to Its very depths you
found 1t out Some day l hope / may,
live to zee you married to Ter.
Believe me. ever your friend.
"Clarice Seymour"
The breaking of OF Clarice Soy
mour's engagement was q nine days
wonder In Northclin and its nsighbor-
hood.
"She chooses to say that It Is her
own doing" said the gossips: 'but, de-
pend upon It, there IL more behind
than meets the eye. It is not to be
wondered at II 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 q fact Sir Robert
made no attempt to conceal t pres
emit. He wal always back In North
clin upon some pretext or other; but
month after month passed by. and he
still waited. not daring to put his fate
to the test.
(To be Continued.)