The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1904-12-08
A CASE OF DESTINY.

A heavy shower of rain had left me
of Elchester The country roads, bad
enough at the best of times, were SO
sloppy as to put bicycling out of the
question. | knew nobody in the town,
and, as there is only one place OF in
terest-the Cathedral went there.
In doing this l believed l was spend
ing an idle hour. AS matter of fact,
was unconsciously fulfilling the object
for which was probably brought into
the world.
The building appeared to be empty,
and l amused myself reading the tablets
that recorded the lives of worthy people
who existed generations ago. l found
them interesting, for my own name
happens to be Clutton, and, though l
have never troubled myself about fami-
ly "trees," knew that we came from
the west of England. In other words,
the knights and danes who lay in Ell
chester cathedral were in all probability
my ancestors. | wish that they had
had the foresight to leave me some of
their property.
Wandering through the cloisters, l
came across a living picture of much
greater interest and beauty than the
images of stone and iron lying around
me-
1t was young lady who was sketch
ing a corner of the building, and max
ing frantic attempt to do justice to
the wonderful arches and quaint VIM
dows.
In order to get peep at her face, |
made pretence of examining a monu-
ment close at hand 1t was erected to
the memory of ''Sir Francis Clutton,
l153-120l." His legs were crossed at the
knees, which signiied he had fought in
three crusades; and had it not been
that some barbarouS viSiter had broken
off the gentleman's nose, he would
have made a most imposing figure.
| took the liberty of standing for a
moment by her side to see her work.
If you will excuse my saying So" |
ventured, you have drawn that arch
wrong. 1t is out of perspective"
Il know it is" she answered. with
little move. "But can't get it right.
Are you an artist?'
Not exactly" l said. But / know
something of architectural drawing"
Il wish you would show me how to
get the wretched thing in so that it
doesn't seem to be standing on one leg"
with pleasure
l took her place on the camp stool,
and, on another piece of paper, made
rough drawing of the corner which had
puzzled her.
What a number of people of the
name of Clutton are buried here,' |
said, by way of opening the converse
ton.
ooh, yes; they used to be great
family in days gone by" she said.
Henry VIII. took them away when
he was reforming the church. The Clut-
tons didn't change their religion fast
enough. Edgar Clutton was the last of
them. But he deserved to be punished"
she added He did a shabby thing"
what was that?" | inquired.
He was betrothed to his cousin,
Dorothy Clarence, and Tilted her"
And what became of Mistress Doro-
thy Clarence"
''TShe went into a convent, They say
she died OF a broken heart and soon
afterward Sir Edgar was executed for
high treason
"A severe punishment" l suggested.
Not at alll' she said, warmly. "He
was mean wretch to behave as he did.
Since those days a Clutton has never
And they will never get back their
position of land owners unless
She stopped
Unless What?' ! asked.
'Well, there is ridiculous old legend
which has been handed down: but |
DON'T suppose it will ever come true.
1t runs:
My lord shall come to his own again
hen Clutton squire weds a Clar
ence dame
so the theory is that when CIutton
marr1es Clarence, and so repairs the
"lckedneSs of Sir Edgar, then prosperi-
~ viii return?'
~ es; but | am afraid that will never
happen noW,' she said with little sigh.
Nobody knows what has become of
the Cluttons, and the Clarences are
nearly extinct"
ut appears to me- l said, chat YOU
are superstltlOus about the country
legends"
Il am afraid am, )" she said, laughing
because so many have come true
But this one never will"
''Why not?"
Because she said, Il happen to be
the last of the Clarences. | was named
Dorothy, after the lady who died of
broken heart"
Are you Miss Clarence" | asked.
But am afraid | can't help those
Cluttons," she went on,
because don't know one"
At this, am afraid | winked at the
broken nosed monument of Sir Francis.
Besides, she continued, "even if |
did, | couldn't give them back their
because | haven't any money!
BY this time my rough drawing was
and she was kind enough to
Say II was clever.
May keep it?'' she asked. II should
like to paste it in my scrapbook."
by all means. Would you like me
to sign my name?'
Yes, please, and put the date
did as she told me, signing myself |
Richard Clutton"
When she saw what had written she |
went pale with establishment.
Are you really descended from those
old monuments" she said.
Not from the monuments, +" answer
ed; but believe am descended from
that unfeeling brute who broke Miss
Dorothy Clarence's heart"
I