The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1912-12-26

What a romance" cried Clarissa
breathlessly.
George ought to have been pre-
anger, but IL seems he was not,
went on Ralph. when he announced
his intention OF marrying the girl
there was a terrible scene. He left
the old home in rage, and he eloped
with Marie Blondon that night.
George was only twenty-five years of
age. but he had come into his share
OF the estate the year before. 30 he
had plenty OF money. He and his
wife went to Texas, and I understand
that George lost all his money In oil
speculation. and died there several
months ago. Miss Grandson has
never mentioned Georges name since
the day of his marriage. His rooms
are locked up and never opened, and
of late years his sister has stayed
alone in the old home and nursed her
anger and grief"
What a sad, sad story" gently
commented the little wife as her hus-
band finished his explanation. 81 am
so sorry for proud, unhappy Miss
Grandson"
do go to see her soon, Clarissa,"
urged her husband earnestly. Faith
er and Mr.. Grandson were very close
! friends, and I am glad she came to
see you. 1t will be real charity for
you to talk to her about flowers,
which are her hobby; and you are
such a sunbeam that you will surely
cheer her lonely life," and the young
husband cast a loving glance at the
dainty little creature who looked
distractingly pretty in her pink dress
of clinging silk crepe that admirably
set off her dark brown eyes and clear
complexion.
Within a short time Mrs. Ralph
Marsden went to the stately home of
Miss Eugenia Grandson, and the
lonely mistress Of the beautiful old
place greatly enjoyed her visit. Stroll
ing through the greenhouses and
talking of floral favorites and books,
they found they had many tastes in
common, and after that Clarissa man
aged to see Miss Grandson frequent
ly. She made many excuses to stop
at the Grandson home when driving
by. Sometimes she would carry with
in current magazine or new book
which she herself had read and en-
joyed.
Ralph Marsden came home from
the Office one evening in December
and found Clarissa full of suppressed
excitement. She met him at the door
as usual, her cheeks flushed and her
big brown eyes shining with eager.
ness. She began at once: Ralph
you can never guess whom I saw to.
day!'
well, who was it," questioned
her husband smilingly.
Il saw Mrs. George Grandson an6
her little boy" announced Clarissa
Importantly.
''Is it possible!" returned her hus
band in amazement.
II saw them in Blondon's bakery,
declared Clarissa. MRS. Blondon has
rheumatism and can no longer wal
, on customers, so Marie has come from
Texas to help her parents. I wen
into the bakery to buy some rolls
and she waited on me. She is thf1
and pale, but Is a fascinating 1ittl,
creature with beautiful black eye
and hair. And o, Ralph! I saw tn,
, boy"
, Does he look like Marie?" aske.
| Ralph, now thoroughly interested.
+ mo, he is like his father, I sup
pose. He has wavy chestnut hal
/ and big blue eyes. He is the deares
i. little child ever saw! He is sever
, years old. He was spinning a tel
= on the counter, and I helped hin
l wind 1t up, and he was so cute.
l kept thinking all the time how Lowell,
- it would be If Miss Grandson coul,
, only see him and be reconciled t,
= her brothers wife, and have thi
= darling boy to cheer her loneliness.
r "Clarissa," broke in her husban,
! abruptly, there is not a single Der
! son in this town with enough cour
3 age to tell Miss Grandson that Ma
= RE Grandson is here. She will prob
Q ably never know that her brother
child Is within a few miles of her owl
t door. The Blondons are good, self
: respecting. industrious people with
l pride of their own, and would not e.
r out of their way to make friends witt
Miss Eugenia."
= Clarissa said no more on the sub
/ ject, but one Of her own original lit
r tie schemes began to form in he
r pretty head, and she ionged 70
D an opportunity to put it into execu
J. ton.
s She went almost daily to tn
4 French bakery and spent some tim
8 talking to the little boy, who wa
e usually in the shop with his mother
0 Mrs. Marsden took little George TO
q rides with Ralnh and hcrcalf IN III