The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1915-02-27
CtARINDA's DECEPTION

/
IF | We're only rich and had money
to spend just as | pleased" cried
Clarinda ltteley, and becoming hats
and dresses for every possible occa-
sion, I'd be as happy as a queen, and
wouldn't care pin for friend or rela.
ton" And tossing her head, she
danced gaily round the room on the
tips of her toes.
you deceive yourself You have
more heart than that" said young
man who, a cigarette between his lips,
stood near the open window watching
the girl with amusement and admira-
ton.
ooh! you think 500" gaily. 'But it's
you who deceive yourself. You fancy
all kinds of absurd things about me.
And just because I'm little bit pref
tier than the other girls you know"
"a little bit! There isn't one in
the place fit to hold a candle to you
She blushed brightly.
Its kind of you to say so. But they
are all far better, / feel sure. And
really, you know, Ernest, II am
not at all inclined to be poor mans
wife,
I'll get on" he cried eagerly, "and
some day We'll take pretty cottage,
and when we're married you'll be so
happy
I'm afraid not" Clarinda grew
grave. Il want more than that.
must get out of this village, see the
world, and get rich
"Bnt how? oh! Clarinda, you're not
going to marry old Poselthwaite?
+ He's rolling in money, and would go
to the end of the earth if you asked
him. But
Glarinda laughed merrily.
'The but is very big. No, Ernest
I'll never marry Poselthwaite. Don't
be alarmed. Poverty may be trying,
but Poselthwaite would be-madden-
ing. | must think Of a better place
than that-only get away | will. My
life here is stagnation-pure a
wave of her ar1hs-"and simple stag
nation. I'm an ambitious. soul, and
must see the world
Ernest Langton sighed. He loved
Clarinda with all the strength of his
honest heart and longed for nothing
so ardently as to make her his wife.
; But he was poor, a struggling country
solicitor, with little to offer her, and
as he watched her glide gracefully
round her stepmother's parlOr, and
listened to her remarks, he knew it
was useless to press his suit.
eff she loved me, l might have a
chance, for she's not"
Clarinda threw open the piano, and
dashing her, fingers over the keys
burst into lively song. Leaving the
window, Ernest approached and stood
hanging over the piano, entranced.
A loud brilliant chord brought the
song to a close, and the girl started
to her feet as though seized with &
sudden inspiration.
you are in wonderful spirits, Clar
india, and in splendid voice"
Eyes. Isn't it wonderful? Oh!
:, Ernest" growing suddenly grave, eff
. could but help them all''-tears gath
: cred in her eyes-"my poor step
). mother and her three little golden
! headed darlings. Sometimes l fancy
? that if l got away; my voice NIGH
!, be a means--but, oh. I've got al
= idea You know my mothers Aunt
, Mrs. Golding?"
I've heard of her"
. "She's rich. I'll go to her, ant
!, then
will she have your"
. t'Tra la! Wen see. I'll write sucl
: sweet letter."
;. but even il she did bid you to come
: she would not, perhaps, allow you tc
. help your friends here. And YOU'D
: never be happy away from those you
: love-"
. $50 you think. But-well, at least
my stepmother would not have to keel
!. me, and I'd have fun and amusement
. and dress. o, I'd get on very we'll i
I never with an arch glance and {
wave of her hand, saw one of you
f again" ri
II don't believe it."
"Wait awhile, and then you'll be
lieve I'm off to write my letter, 81
goodbye and she flashed out of The
room, taking all the sunshine will
J. her.
Mrs. Golding," groaned Ernest, 4
worldly, hard old woman. Clarinds
could never be happy with her. Bu
i T need not be alarmed. Her letter vii
\ not even be answered.
o But in the course Of few days Mrs
o Golding did answer her niece's letter
:, II hear you are pretty and ambi
o tious," she wrote. 80 come to nj
e when you please / had almost for
: gotten your existence when your note
:. arrived. But I'll make up for los
! time, and if you are amenable to my
wishes, soon settle you in life.
y CIarinda blushed to her eyes. Thi!
t letter ought to have pleased her, since
: it fell in so we'll with her own desires
s But somehow it Jared upon her, a11t
6 her first inclination. was to send {
!. scornful refusal to her aunt's invita-
r ton. But on second thoughts, she
r saw how foolish this would be, anc
she sat down and wrote, as chamingl!
! as possible, announcing her arrival al
: 1.-THE end: of the week.
y + CIarinda was little fearful on say
r ing goodbye to her stepmother ano
q the children, and as Ernest pressed
l. L.. I1l