Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-12-10
cLARA'S DIARY

| townp Her name was Clara Wiley, and she was very fair, very plump and very sweet and-which was minor detail-engaged to the "nicest fellow on earth"
 It was a dull, rainy day in early fall, and as the clock struck Clara rose from the high chair, placed a brown turban on her yellow hair, took up morocco covered book from her desk and started for home.
 The rain poured in torrents as she walked rapidly along the street and eignaled passing car. Not till she was seated did she miss | the book she he'd taken with her. Hur- r.edly stopping the car, she alighted. fastening up the street, seeking for the book she had lost, but 1t was not to be | found.
 Willie Parsons, the young, good look l ing, only son of Lawyer Parsons, sat in his tastefully furnished ''den," i thinking deeply. On an open book which had apparently been expressing his attention lay a miniature photo-I graph that showed the charming face of Clara Wiley.
 From which it will be inferred that ! Parsons was that very lucky incest l fellow on earth.''
 l A quick rap at the door interrupted his thoughts, and he called, Come imp
 A handsome man of thirty entered He looked damp and cold, and in his hand he carried small book bound in | morocco
 l Lion, old boy, how are yous" ex- l claimed Parsons. rising and stretching out his hand to grasp his friends.
 "Fine as silk. William, and anxious to examine my fnd," holding up the book. l It was not q very large book, but on I the cover in dainty, gliding were the words "Clara's Diary" As Parsons saw it he snatched 1t from Lionel Stansheld's hand and car ried. 1t to the light. Lion looked at him in silent wonder, but after a min ute said indifferently: ss
 Why so excited, my boy? Know l the fair owner of 'Clara's Diary r ]" J. "Yes, will you let me keep it ?.' Couldn't think of 1t, William. Tell 1 me it's owner, and I'll return it; oth- orwise I mean to read its contents at once" And he stepped forward with outstretchcd hand.
 Willie Parsons drew back, and acci- dentaliy the book fell to the floor. Both leaned over to pick it up. It lay open at the first page, and they both read the words written there.
 ITO my darling, Lion, whom may never see again, dedicate this little book. Clara" 1td 1a0
 Lionel's face gFew9 dull red. and he raised the book quickly and closed it, but Willie Parsons stood still white to his dark, waving hair. He spoke quiet ly, but with effort.
 "I must have been mistaken. You know the owner?"
 Lionel stansneld smiled a very pleasant, happy smile as he replied earnestly:
 'sWilliam, if am not greatly mis- taken this book belongs to one have long thought dead-my beloved wife, Clara Wiley Stansheld." .lsEg. .s Parsons grew paler, but answered hravely:
 'I am very glad for you, Lion. I'll see you tomorrow probably"
 And then they said good night for Stansfeld saw that Parsons wished to be alone.
 Next evening Lionel Stansneld knelt beside a low cot in which lay a fair, pale woman. shc must have once been the exact counterpart of Clara Wiley, but sickness and sorrow had made her look years older than she really was. She was speaking very slowly.
 "And you hunted for me, Lionel, when you returned? knew you would come back, though they all said you never would. And now I am dying. Would that I might''
 She stopped. for the door opened to admit Clara Wiley. holding an, open | letter in her hand. At the sight of Iio- nei she drew back, but her twin sister called her.
 ''Clara, do you not remember Lionela He found my diary that you had bound for me and so found me"
 Clara stretched out her hand impul- 1 stvely and welcomed her brpther-in- law In few graceful words. Then, glancing at her letter, she said almost in a whisper:
 Where did you flnd it2"
 "Down l. street, and took 1t up to 1 Parsons, intending to-
 He did not finish the sentence, for Clara fell fainting to the floor. The let ter she had held futtered to her sisters couch. and she picked it up and glanced at 1t indifferently.
 1 But what she saw seemed t0 interest her. She read it quickly, and as Clara showed signs of returning conscious ness she exclaimed:
 ''Lion, please leave her and 60 for Willie Parsons. I want him. Please hurry, Lion" And with look of won- der on his face Lionel obeyed.
 In one happy home dwells Lionel Stansfieid with his wife, and she is no longer an invalid. Tn another Mir! and