Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1905-03-27
CHAPTER XVII

it was opened by Clara herself. Inc
sight OF her sweet face smiling upon
me. cowed my bravery. "Have | come
here to look upon her for the last time
to bid adieu to that smile foreverT l
asked myself; and my heart sank, but 1t
gave no response.
I'VE are all alone" she said. as we
went into the parlor. MARY is out, and
50 is Mrs. Wilson. wonderful to say"
She was working hard at her paint
ing, as usual. sat down upon foot
stool at her feet and gazed furtively
up at her face. Never. methought, had
she looked so lovely as she did that morn
ing in the soft, hazy, autumn sunlight.
Half an hour passed away. and we
had not exchanged half a dozen words;
but that was not at all uncommon. for
loved better to gaze and dream than to
talk, and when at her work. she spoke
but little. She dropped one of her
brushes and as l gave it to her, | held
her hand for moment fast locked in
mine. When she looked down at me
smilingly and saw me in tears, a look
of concern came across her countenance.
"Would it make you very unhappy if
were to tell you that you might never
see me again after this day.: | spoke
in a low. chokcd voice, and the gathered
tears burst forth from my eyelids, and
fell upon her hand.
She did not appear to comprehend my
" words. as she saked. in a tone of trou-
bled wonder. what do you mean:'
| repeated my question, in a yet more
trembling tone felt her hand more
passive in mine, and her eyes droop"d.
and the carnation tinge deepened in her
checks. as she answered. softly, ut
would make me very unhappy to think
So
Listen to me-" I cried. knccling at
her feet. and clasping both her hands
in mine. From the time of our meet
ing, five years ago, ave loved you from
the time of our meeting n few weeks
back l have adored you. Oh tell me,
do you love me? Answer me but one
word, my darling, my love- cried
again.
She raised her eyes for moment to
mine. and then dropped them. with her
cheek rs crimson my own. Il do
love you. dearest-very much" she an
swered, in her low, soft voice.
took her in my arms, and kissed her
fcrvently; and her sweet, blushing face
nestled upon my bosom like bird seek
ing for shelter.
Where were my resolutions now?-
my heroic self-sacriice, my stoicism!
Melted-gone-disa like snow be-
fore a fire, in the fervd ecstacy of that
moment | had come to pronounce an
eternal farewell; | stayed to pronounce
ar inward oath that | would sweep
away every obstacle. and win her yet
for my own undisputed prize in the face
of the whole world.
After a time we sat together near the
window with my arm around her
waist and her hand clasped in mine.
And thus we sat. silent-she, in one of
her dreamy reveries |, filled with gloomy
forebodings. For. now that the first
ecstacy was passed-now l knew that
her love was mine-the unnatural excite
ment of my brain subsided. the tension
Of my nerves relaxed, and the misera
BILE rashness of what had done was
revealed to me in the goomiest colorS
l had sealed her misery. and increased
my own tenfold.
do you not think" she said. sudden
ly. that we are very strange people.
unlike other people,
81 have often thought So" | said.
"Do you not fancy the rest OF the
world would think us very silly people?
Now, you do not even know my name"
But you know nothing OF me. so we
are well paired. know but little my
self. but that you shall know"
Not now. please, dear, Some day.
when am very brave. | will tell you all
about myself"
Immediately afterwards, Mrs. Wilson
returned. looking very cross. Il never
did know such gossiping creature rs
that servant next door-always talking
to men, too. l don't know, am sure,
what her mistress Is about to keep her.
There she is talking now to some
strange. queerlooking man; and l am
sure she is talking about us. for | saw
him point to this house. md then he
said something and she laughed; she
had better not laugh at my house;
won't put up with her impudcnce."
A strange man pointing to the house.
What was there in such a commonplace
circumstance to trouble meI But it did.
| went to the window, but he was not
visible from there. went to the door;
both he and the servant had disappeared.
| came in again and asked what the man
was like.
"Oh, | don't know. never notice
such people. A foregn-ooking fellow.
with long hair" she answered. huffiy.
Foreign looking, and long hair. Such
a description would apply to Mr.. Mont
gomery. Could he have followed NE?
And if he had, why should that discon-
cert me? lie could not possibly have
any motive beyond idle curiosity. New
ertheless. | could not reason myself out
OF n certain nneasiness respecting this
strange man.
Mrs. Wilson did not recover the seren-
ity of her temper until after tea. In the
course of conversation | mentioned that
| had visited a theater on the previous
night. They did not know of my con
nection with the stage.
Il have never been to n theater hut
twice in my life, and then only when
WAS a little child, to see the panto-
mines" said Clara. II thought it. then,
the most glorious place had ever seen;
wonder what | should think of it now :?
Oh | shol Il so much like to 20"